Chapter Text
Hyrule opened his eyes to trees and fairies flying around him. He sat up, realizing his hair, along with the rest of him, was soaking wet. He looked down at his arms. The glowing pink marks were nowhere to be seen nor were the cracks of malice. He instinctively covered his left hand, free from any trace of malice. However, angry red scars blossomed across his arms. A quick turn revealed that they stretched across his shoulder as well. The traveler turned towards the sound of a twig snapping but faltered upon realizing there was nothing to arm himself with.
“Oh thank Nayru,” the traveler turned to see Legend entering the clearing, “I thought that might have killed you.”
“Legend…” His voice was hoarse. “How long?”
“Two days. You were a puppet for about two days before that.” Hyrule climbed out of the fountain. Despite the chill of the water dripping off of him, Hyrule was overcome with warmth as the veteran pulled him into a hug.
“Don’t you ever give yourself up to save my sorry ass again, or anyone else’s asses for that matter. Got it?” Hyrule nodded and Legend released him from the embrace. The veteran handed him his glove.
“I figured that you would be looking for it.”
“Thank you,” he let out a sigh of relief. “I’m glad you’re okay. You scared me down there!”
“I would have been alright.”
“Maybe he didn’t heal you properly if you’re this delirious,” the traveler muttered, “You nearly lost your entire right arm! And part of your right side!” The veteran went pale.
“What?”
“Exactly. That infected guardian broke your shield in one hit and then blasted you with the next. You hit the wall so hard you cracked part of your skull too. I blasted him with lightning afterward but there was so much blood, Bunny, I didn’t want to lose another person I care about. I tried to heal you but the lightning spell used the last of the magic and then- then the Ganon corpse woke up because of all the malice that guardian spilled everywhere and-”
“And he offered you more magic in exchange to use you like a puppet?” The traveler nodded, avoiding eye contact.
“And then I just ended up hurting you all over again.”
“Roolie, look at me,” Legend placed his hands on his shoulder. “None of what happened was your fault. It was a combination of Ganon being a manipulative bitch and that guardian being a complete psycho. If anything, it was my fault for using that weak shield and getting nailed.”
“Wha- Legend you can’t say it's your fault you got hurt!”
“Why not?”
“That was out of your control!”
“That entire fight in the sanctum was quite literally out of your control,” Legend smiled knowingly. Any protests the traveler had died in his throat; so instead, he settled with gratitude.
“Thanks, for freeing me and for sticking with me through all of that.”
“Roolie, it’s gonna take a lot more than a perverted pig whispering to you to drive me away. Unfortunately for you, you are now cursed with me; I’m not going anywhere anytime soon.”
“That is probably the best curse I’ve gotten in a long time,” Hyrule smiled at him.
“If you want, it can stretch to after the end of this adventure,” Legend was messing with one of his many rings.
“Wait what?”
“Did you want to come back with me? To my Hyrule?” The traveler stared at him in surprise. “It would be safer since none of the monsters know about your cursed blood there and you can deal with Ravio instead of -oomph!” He was cut off as Hyrule tackled him in a hug.
“I would love that.”
“So how exactly did you free me?”
“Flora sealed him away,” the two of them turned to see Wild enter the clearing, carrying a plate of food. “Then a fairy rushed over to Time from Four’s hood of all places and started yelling at him and apparently he can understand fairies because next thing we knew, he picked you up and dropped you right into the fountain. You scared the hell out of us! Legend blasted you with some lightning from the master sword; which you’re going to show me how to do by the way, and then we grabbed you and left. Flora and Sky were waiting outside and she sealed him away. You were screaming… alot when it happened. We weren’t sure it worked until the fairy showed up. I am so glad you’re okay. You are okay right?” Hyrule nodded happily.
“Well, I didn't come out unscarred but the scars don’t hurt at the moment.”
“We all match now,” Legend spoke up, rolling his own sleeves to reveal the marks from the malice. The traveler inhaled sharply at the sight. “And before you blame yourself, Roolie, they don’t even hurt since all the malice in the area vaporized when the princess sealed Ganon away, but the markings stayed for some reason.”
“Well… at least you’re not in pain.”
“Plus, he looks more badass now,” Wild piped up, “Before that he just looked plain boring.”
“Weren’t you cooking champion?” The veteran huffed out in mock annoyance.
“I was but I came to bring you some food and to say something but got sidetracked,” he fiddled with the trim of his cloak. “Oh! Wars and Wind teamed up and there are now restless crickets in your bedroll.” Hyrule burst out laughing as Legend’s face went red with anger.
“What the fuck?!” he erupted, “Why?!”
“Probably payback for what we did back at the tavern,” Hyrule guessed.
“Then why did the sailor help him when he was the one that got the pictures in the end?” Wild shrugged apologetically.
“You did make a deal with a pirate of all people.”
“No you know what, fuck that,“ Legend got to his feet, “Are there any plants that cause itchiness or irritation around here?” Wild nodded and made him a small list.
“These will do the trick. The ones at the bottom last the longest, by the way,” he explained, “I’m gonna head back to the camp before Flora tries to ‘help’ with the food,” he turned toward Hyrule, “Should I tell everyone you’re up?” The traveler shook his head.
“Legend and I are gonna find those herbs first. That way when they find themselves itchy and they try to blame him, I can be his alibi.” The champion nodded in acknowledgment before heading down the hill, chuckling to himself.
“Clever thinking there, Roolie.”
“Thanks. But honestly, it’s just because I really don’t want to answer questions right now.”
“So there was an ulterior motive. You don't have to answer anything you don’t want to, by the way. I think everyone is at least capable of minding their own damn business.” Legend smirked, putting a hand out to pull the traveler up.
“Okay yeah, that’s fair.” Hyrule grabbed Legend's hand and got to his feet. “So you up for a little exploring? This time without the death lasers and talking corpses?” The veteran chuckled at the question.
“That sounds amazing, Roolie.”