"(jumps in on the slave market meme) Twilight's eyes widened. Was that who the thought it was, being auctioned off? And what could he do? He couldn't just let him be sold to someone... right?"
His wrists were bound behind his back, neck secured with a leather collar. Mounted to the collar was a leash tied to a fence, said fence belonging to the perimeter of the auctioning area. He was fourth in line, ready to meet his fate. Young boys like him were in high interests for manual labor, not to mention other forms of slavery.
A large figure passed him by, slapping him across the face. What he said was something that even Link couldn’t decipher, but whatever it was… it made the hero cringe.
His gaze met Twilight’s, and he gave the other boy a weak smile.
“…Twilight."
↢ { ♘ } ↣
❝You’re asking if you can stay with me?❞ He smiled. Well, he’d never really had anything along the lines of a roommate before, but he didn’t think it would be that bad. In fact, he often felt lonely, and living with someone else would get rid of that feeling…
❝Sure. Of course you can stay with me. I’ve only got one bed right now, but I’m sure I could set up something for you, even if for now it is just a few pillows and blankets or something on the ground for now…❞
Well, even that’d be better than nothing, right? For some reason, he was more happy and even… was it excited?… about this idea.
––––•(-••-)•––––
Link didn’t know why, or how for that matter, but a wave of warmth rushed through him as soon as the elder confirmed his request. Something just felt… right about this. Living with the other. Whatever it was, he appreciated it.
❝ …Thanks. I-I appreciate it. I mean, you don’t have to go through all of that effort to accommodate me. I can easily share a bed or find a chair to rest in. I just need a place to stay… y'know? ❞ He paused to pet Epona’s mane.
❝ I gotta admit… you’re really nice. I know we don’t know each other that well besides our names and some random things in passing… but… I really enjoy your company. ❞
Oh… dear. The two boys, one older and the other younger, were cuddled up against each other near a dying fire. While the night was cold, the heat from the flames kept them warm and comforted.
Lithe fingers dared to lace themselves around the other’s, and Link leaned on the older boy.
❝ Twi… today was… really great. We make a good team, ❞ he said softly, sitting up a bit. ❝ It’s not often you hear compliments, I know that. But… I think you’re really amazing. …Y’know? ❞
A little bit closer now. Link was now in front of the other.
❝ Really… amazing… ❞ With that, the blond closed his eyes and placed a gentle peck upon Twilight’s soft lips, parting soon after with a small smile on his face.
––––•(-••-)•––––
↢ { ♘ } ↣
He wasn’t sure why, but he felt more relaxed right now than he’d felt in a while. Maybe it was the fire, maybe it was the peaceful atmosphere, or maybe it was the feeling of the other leaning against him. But something about it made him feel so calm, like he could just forget everything and fall asleep here.
❝You know… through all this time we’ve been spending together… I’ve started to feel really close to you,❞ He admitted.
He then realized that the other seemed tired, and to be honest, he kind of did, too. He smiled and closed his eyes. ❝I think… I might sleep. You can, too, if you want to.❞
––––•(-••-)•––––
Calm. That’s how he felt. That’s how… everything felt, actually. Being with Twilight, under the moon, in front of a warm fire… it brought a much-needed peace to the young hero. He could very well sleep right then and there. In fact… he probably would.
At the elder’s words, the blond let loose a gentle smile, his little dimples showing at the corners of his mouth.
❝ I… me too, ❞ he spoke softly, fidgeting around in the other’s lap. ❝ It’s like… after all the crazy stuff we’ve done… like getting caught for that dumb crime we didn’t commit, that one time when I uh… tried swimming without my flippers for the first time… I guess I can say that I feel really close to you, too. ❞
Another quick yawn. ❝ I dunno what to call us. We’re friends, but… more than friends, maybe? I guess… ❞
They could definitely discuss this later. ❝ A-anyway… if you’re sleeping, so am I. Wanna get the blankets from Epona’s saddle, first? That way we can lie down and… stuff. ❞
"(jumps in on the slave market meme) Twilight's eyes widened. Was that who the thought it was, being auctioned off? And what could he do? He couldn't just let him be sold to someone... right?"
His wrists were bound behind his back, neck secured with a leather collar. Mounted to the collar was a leash tied to a fence, said fence belonging to the perimeter of the auctioning area. He was fourth in line, ready to meet his fate. Young boys like him were in high interests for manual labor, not to mention other forms of slavery.
A large figure passed him by, slapping him across the face. What he said was something that even Link couldn’t decipher, but whatever it was… it made the hero cringe.
His gaze met Twilight’s, and he gave the other boy a weak smile.
“…Twilight."
↢ { ♘ } ↣
❝Why would I make you keep wearing it?❞ He shrugged. ❝I bought you so I could spare you from being sold to someone else, so I am gonna be letting you go once you’ve eaten, rested, and maybe washed off.❞
He thought for a moment about the next question. Sure, it was possible he could find another use for it. Right? He nodded.
❝Sure, I guess you’re right about that. We’ll go ahead and keep it, why not? It does seem like it’d be wasting it to throw it away, I guess.❞
––––•(-••-)•––––
Letting him go? Link didn’t have a home to go back to. If he even attempted to, he would’ve been taken and put right back in the slave auction once more. He knew. He could tell.
❝ I just thought you would, since you got me and everything. That’s how it works, right? I mean… I’ve never really been in this position before, but… hrm. ❞ He paused, scratching his cheek. ❝ Also… I don’t have anywhere else to go. If I tried to go back home… I don’t know what’d they do. I have my own home, of course… but it’s been taken, I’m sure. ❞
The blond sighed. ❝ I’m just asking if I could stay with you. ❞
“I have no idea, honestly…” the blond mused, shrugging his shoulders in an attempt to free himself from the rope tightly wrapped around his body. “What do they even want from us? We’re just kids! What can we do?"
What could they do? He couldn’t think of a thing - the squalor they were thrown into upon being snatched up unaware had nothing but broken glass along the floor and hay bales at the sides.
Wait.
"…Quick, can you kick one of those shards of glass towards me? I have an idea…”
↢ { ♘ } ↣
He’d never get over how great riding Epona felt. He loved the feeling of the wind through his hair, and he felt it even more than usual without his hat. He smiled.
❝A room for two… and I’m fine with it, too, if we need to share a bed. Well, let’s just see what we can get… and settle for the best of our options. At least one of our options have to be good enough, right?❞ Well, beggars can’t be choosers, and not getting caught and finding any place with a roof and a bed would be good enough for him…
––––•(-••-)•––––
❝ Mmm… yeah. Just uh… know that uh… ❞ He paused, a light blush crossing his face. It was a good thing the other couldn’t see it. …Right?
❝ I-I’m prone to um… getting close to others when I sleep. if that’s fine with you, Twi. Aha… ❞
Moments after he spoke, the inn came into view. Link leaned back even more, awaiting their stop.
Oh… dear. The two boys, one older and the other younger, were cuddled up against each other near a dying fire. While the night was cold, the heat from the flames kept them warm and comforted.
Lithe fingers dared to lace themselves around the other’s, and Link leaned on the older boy.
❝ Twi… today was… really great. We make a good team, ❞ he said softly, sitting up a bit. ❝ It’s not often you hear compliments, I know that. But… I think you’re really amazing. …Y’know? ❞
A little bit closer now. Link was now in front of the other.
❝ Really… amazing… ❞ With that, the blond closed his eyes and placed a gentle peck upon Twilight’s soft lips, parting soon after with a small smile on his face.
––––•(-••-)•––––
↢ { ♘ } ↣
Link felt the other hold his hand and lean against him, and he let out a little contented sigh. Nights like this always seemed so serene, so peaceful, and he liked to sit outside like this. But it was better when there was someone else there with him.
❝We do make a good team, don’t we?❞ He smiled. ❝And yeah… today was pretty awesome, wasn’t it? …you think I’m amazing?❞
What came next was slightly unexpected, but not entirely unwanted. He blushed slightly. What was that for? He thought, but instead, said, ❝I think… you’re pretty great, too.❞
––––•(-••-)•––––
Well… at least Twilight didn’t take the quick embrace as anything… bad. In fact, he seemed to enjoy it. After some time of traveling together, the two had formed a nice bond. Sure, he had done so with the other Links he met… but Twilight? Something deep down inside the boy made him yearn for the ranch hand’s attention.
❝ You do? ❞ he asked quietly before moving over to rest in the elder’s lap. ❝ …I’m glad. ❞
With that, he lightly nuzzled against the other boy, eyelids fluttering and tempting him with sleep.
""I want the K" ((I'm soRRY I CAN'T RESIST OKAY))"
6. Gentle peck
––––•(-••-)•––––
Oh… dear. The two boys, one older and the other younger, were cuddled up against each other near a dying fire. While the night was cold, the heat from the flames kept them warm and comforted.
Lithe fingers dared to lace themselves around the other’s, and Link leaned on the older boy.
❝ Twi… today was… really great. We make a good team, ❞ he said softly, sitting up a bit. ❝ It’s not often you hear compliments, I know that. But… I think you’re really amazing. …Y’know? ❞
A little bit closer now. Link was now in front of the other.
❝ Really… amazing… ❞ With that, the blond closed his eyes and placed a gentle peck upon Twilight’s soft lips, parting soon after with a small smile on his face.
“I have no idea, honestly…” the blond mused, shrugging his shoulders in an attempt to free himself from the rope tightly wrapped around his body. “What do they even want from us? We’re just kids! What can we do?"
What could they do? He couldn’t think of a thing - the squalor they were thrown into upon being snatched up unaware had nothing but broken glass along the floor and hay bales at the sides.
Wait.
"…Quick, can you kick one of those shards of glass towards me? I have an idea…”
It seemed that they were both ready, so he nodded. “If you are,” and he started Epona off at a slower pace, getting a bit faster as they went. “And feel free to hold onto her or me if you feel like you need to or want to. She’s fine with it if you kind of wrap your arms around her neck.”
He silently hoped their plan would work. If it didn’t, they’d be captured again and likely put under higher guard this time.
––––•(-••-)•––––
At Epona’s first few movements, Link bobbled about, gripping on to the gentle giant in order to gain some of his balance back. Over time he found himself at a much more upright position, leaning back a bit to rest on the elder behind him. Once they were out of this situation they were in, perhaps Link would ask to ride on Epona at his leisure.
❝ Ah… this is easier than I thought… ❞ he mused, letting out a soft yawn. ❝ Once we’re there, lets see if we can get a big enough room for the two of us. I don’t mind sharing a bed if you don’t, I just like having the extra space for stuff in case we’re there for a long time. ❞
"(jumps in on the slave market meme) Twilight's eyes widened. Was that who the thought it was, being auctioned off? And what could he do? He couldn't just let him be sold to someone... right?"
His wrists were bound behind his back, neck secured with a leather collar. Mounted to the collar was a leash tied to a fence, said fence belonging to the perimeter of the auctioning area. He was fourth in line, ready to meet his fate. Young boys like him were in high interests for manual labor, not to mention other forms of slavery.
A large figure passed him by, slapping him across the face. What he said was something that even Link couldn’t decipher, but whatever it was… it made the hero cringe.
His gaze met Twilight’s, and he gave the other boy a weak smile.
“…Twilight."
“I’ve had her for a few years now,” He smiled. “So don’t worry about falling off or anything, I know how to ride a horse, with or without someone else. And she won’t try to buck us off or anything.” He knew some people got nervous, even scared, riding a horse for the first time, so he always tried to reassure them.
He Paused, not expecting that next question at all. He laughed a little. “No, I just figured you’d take it off yourself once I freed your hands.”
––––•(-••-)•––––
Figured? …Well, if Twilight felt that he didn’t need to wear it…
Link carefully unhooked the collar from around his neck, gently folding it up and placing it in his lap. He wouldn’t be needing it anymore, but he still felt that keeping the thing was… necessary.
❝ …Well, if you say so. I trust you. Um… would you like to keep it, at least? I don’t know what other uses it has, but it’s better than throwing it away… ❞
“I have no idea, honestly…” the blond mused, shrugging his shoulders in an attempt to free himself from the rope tightly wrapped around his body. “What do they even want from us? We’re just kids! What can we do?"
What could they do? He couldn’t think of a thing - the squalor they were thrown into upon being snatched up unaware had nothing but broken glass along the floor and hay bales at the sides.
Wait.
"…Quick, can you kick one of those shards of glass towards me? I have an idea…”
“It’s fine, I can help you.” He held out his hands. “Grab my hands. Then put your foot in one of the stirrups and I’m going to kind of pull on your hands, and you just kind of jump up. I can probably pull you onto her from there, I mean, when I picked you up to push you through the window I could tell you were pretty light.”
The blond did as said, taking a hold of the elder’s hand and pulling himself up by the stirrup. He felt strong arms around his waist, and before he knew it Link was sitting in the saddle.
“Okay… okay, I’m on…” he breathed, fixing his shirt. “Are you ready?"
“I have no idea, honestly…” the blond mused, shrugging his shoulders in an attempt to free himself from the rope tightly wrapped around his body. “What do they even want from us? We’re just kids! What can we do?"
What could they do? He couldn’t think of a thing - the squalor they were thrown into upon being snatched up unaware had nothing but broken glass along the floor and hay bales at the sides.
Wait.
"…Quick, can you kick one of those shards of glass towards me? I have an idea…”
“That’s a good idea…” he nodded and did just that, then put his clothes into one of the bags and opened another for the rest. “Yeah, let’s do that. Here, put your tunic and stuff in here.”
He hesitated at the other question, then mumbled, “As long as we have to, I guess… and I hope so,” before climbing onto Epona. “Let’s hope this doesn’t take long and we can go rest. Need help getting on her? Oh, and her name’s Epona, by the way.”
Epona… that sounded familiar.
Link stared at the beast, unsure of how to do, well… anything. Was he supposed to hop up? Stand in the stirrups? …What? He furrowed his brow and played with the side of the saddle.
“I uh… I don’t know how to get on…” he admitted. “Could you uh… help me up?"
#
