After the
by tir-synni
All right, this is my first Legend of Zelda fic, so go
easy on me. I personally don't think
there's enough Zelda yaoi going around, so I'm writing this Link/Sheik
one. If anyone does know where I can
find some, please, e-mail me! This takes
place between the
(Extra note, for all the people I've been confusing. I know in the end of the game--spoiler
warning!-- it turns out that Sheik is Zelda.
I didn't like that, so for my fics, Sheik's a guy. Sorry to confuse everyone!)
"Aw...Farore..."
Link gasped, collapsing on top of the small island above the
With a low
groan, the blond Hylian rolled onto his back and did a mental inventory of his
injuries. Easy--one big bruise. Simple enough. Nothing broken, though his ribs felt
close. Could see fine, so his headache
wasn't a sign of a concussion. He could
move his toes, so there was no permanent damage to his right leg. Could move fingers, so no permanent damage to
his right arm. Why did that thing have
to throw him so hard into that wall, anyway?
"By the
Triad," Link cursed, pushing himself to his feet. He was being a wuss. Heroes shouldn't whine over their injuries.
But then,
heroes shouldn't be chosen from the town outcast, either, Link reminded
himself, stretching slightly. Ouch. Mistake.
All around
him, water was beginning to fill the lake once more, and the sight brought a
brilliant smile to Link's face. Despite
how much it hurt, it was worth it.
Another curse of Ganondorf's broken.
Perhaps now Ruto could help her people.
"You are
wounded, Hero," a soft voice spoke up behind him. Link didn't start. He recognized that voice, had been expecting
it.
"Just
enough to hurt," Link quipped, turning around to face Sheik. "You should have seen me when I first
started doing this. Then I was getting
my ass whupped."
Though the
lovely Sheikah's face was hidden, Link could detect the frown in Sheik's
crimson eyes. Link softened. From the first time he had seen the
mysterious creature, when he had first returned to Hyrule, Sheik had had the power
to soothe him. It made him feel strange,
in a way Saria had never accomplished.
He was beginning to understand why, analyzing it as he did any other
puzzle. He wondered if Sheik was looking
at it from the same perspective he was.
Only way to tell was to go with the flow.
"I'm
fine, Sheik, and look." Link waved
a hand at the lake. "It was worth
it. The lake is filled again, and Zora's
Domain is no longer cursed to be frozen for all time."
Sheik nodded
silently and took a step forward. Link
blinked as the youth walked to his side and examined his cheekbone. That was strange. Sheik had never come so close before.
"Your
cheek is gashed open," the Sheikah pointed out quietly. Link envied him somewhat. Even after the seven years had passed, Link's
voice was still soft and possessed an almost musical quality. Sheik's was deeper, more important
sounding. That and Sheik looked far more
masculine than Link believed he ever would.
He just looked like a pretty girl.
"It's
nothing," Link assured him, raising a hand to his cheek despite
himself. When he pulled his hand away,
blood covered his fingers. The petite
youth made a face at it. He had not even
felt it.
"You had
better get it checked out," Sheik insisted, taking another step. They were so close. Link felt strangely warm. "I can clean it for you, and check your
other wounds."
Link paused
for a moment and considered his offer.
Well, it wasn't that often Sheik stayed around for long, and Link wanted
to get to know him better. This would be
a good opportunity. Besides, it would be
better than bandaging his own injuries.
"All
right," Link agreed. He allowed a
small yawn and smiled sheepishly at Sheik.
"You know someplace good to rest as well?"
By his
shimmering, crimson eyes, Link knew Sheik was smiling. "Of course. Please follow me."
~~~~
The young
Sheikah led the blond back to
Concerned, Sheik
glanced behind him at the weary warrior.
I knew the legendary Hero would have great strength and cunning, but I
was never aware that he possessed great beauty, as well, Sheik thought,
sneaking a quick look at Link's delicate features. I had never imagined that he would be like
this. As I had waited for the Hero of
Time to awaken from his slumber, I had never believed he would be so lovely, so
gentle. I was expecting...different...to
say the least. Not this.
* "It was
worth it. The lake is filled again, and
Zora's Domain is no longer cursed to be frozen for all time." *
That was his
response, Sheik mused. Not something
braggart, or boasting. He was just happy
that he had helped. He did not even
think of his own injuries, or weariness.
Sheik looked
again at the young Hero. Link was
resting against Epona's mane, his blue-violet eyes closed. It was only by his slender hands clinging to
the reins that let Sheik know that Link was still conscious.
Sheik smiled
behind his mask and led Epona to the entrance of
Link raised
his head wearily, blinking. "Oh,
already?" he murmured, patting Epona's neck once before swinging his leg
off. The mare nuzzled him tenderly, and
Link stroked her between the eyes.
"I'll see you later, all right, girl? You just have fun in the field."
The mare
neighed as if in understanding, and Link watched her run off. All the while, Sheik was watching Link.
This is the
child of destiny I am fated to watch over, Sheik thought, watching a loving
smile play on Link's lips as he watched his horse gallop. A warrior, as my mother Impa is destined to
watch a scholar, the Princess Zelda. I am
proud to be the one chosen to watch over you, Link.
After Epona
vanished from sight, Link turned to Sheik with a soft smile. "Lead the way."
~~~~
The gash in
Link's cheek had been cleansed at the lake.
It hadn't been as bad as Sheik had supposed it to be. As he watched Link remove his blue tunic, he
prayed the darkening bruise on Link's chest wasn't as bad as he supposed, too.
"Is this
all?" Sheik questioned, concerned.
He kneeled before where the warrior sat on his bed and examined the
bruise. He tried not to dwell on the
idea that Link was sitting half-naked in his bedroom, not his bed. Link had enough to worry about. He didn't have to know of Sheik's crush, too.
Link
shrugged. "The worst. The rest is just bruised. It'll be fine."
Sheik fingered
a rib, in awe over the silken flesh under his bare fingers. It was only Link's cringe that kept his
imagination in check. "I take it
that hurt."
Another shrug,
another wince as Sheik moved onto the next rib.
"Well, I guess a little pain is better than no pain at all with a
bruise that size," Link answered.
Sheik smiled
under his mask, than examined the other ribs.
"I suppose you're right."
Link seemed to
study him, even as he looked over the younger man's chest. "You know," Link began
conversationally, "I bet you look a lot better without your mask on."
Unable to help
himself, Sheik froze. Did that sound
like what he just thought it sounded like?
No, he must have misinterpreted it.
"Is that a request?"
The other
blond nodded. "Unless there's some
sacred reason you have to have it on, yes."
Sheik couldn't
help but smile. He leaned away from Link
and began undoing the straps that held his mask on. "Actually, no. It just protects my face in certain
areas."
As Sheik undid
the final strap, Link leaned back and examined the Sheikah. Sheik froze uncertainly under his
perusal. Did he like what he saw?
Finally, Link
grinned, and something melted in Sheik's chest.
"I was right. You look
better with it off."
Thank you,
Nayru... "Thank you," Sheik
managed politely before returning to Link's chest. He was so close to him! He could smell Link, the scent of leaves and
wind that incessantly clung to him. It
was an effort not to inhale deeply.
"I do not believe any are broken, just bruised. Still, I would be careful until you can find
a faery fountain."
Link smiled
sweetly at him, and Sheik sucked in a breath.
"Thanks. It's nice not
having to take care of myself for a change."
Sheik
swallowed hard. "Well, um...since
you're wounded, you can take my bed.
I'll sleep on the floor."
At this, Link hesitated. "It's your home...."
Sheik waved it
off. "It's all right. You're my guest. You're weary, and you must rest."
Once again,
Link hesitated. "All right. Sheik, just one more thing, though."
"What?"
Sheik turned around from where he was about to lay down on the floor.
"This." Then Link's lips were pressed lightly against
Sheik's, and Sheik couldn't breathe. Oh,
by the Triad!
After a long
moment, Link pulled away, staring at Sheik with his deep, blue-violet
eyes. His soft lips were parted, his
eyes hopeful.
"Link,"
Sheik breathed.
~~~~
Link had known
exactly what he was doing when he had kissed Sheik. He knew what a kiss was, what it stood
for. While he had aged from ten to
seventeen in a seeming heartbeat to him, he had learned much in this time. He knew why Sheik caused such a warm feeling
in his chest. When Link parted from
Sheik, he gazed at him hopefully. This
might be his last chance to be with him.
Who knew what tomorrow would bring.
If Link knew anything, it was to take advantage of the present.
He only hoped
Sheik agreed with him.
"Link,"
Sheik breathed.
Link silenced
him with another kiss, and something seemed to break in the young Sheikah. Sheik yanked the slender elf to him and
deepened the kiss, his tongue eagerly exploring Link's mouth. Link clung to him, falling back onto the bed
with Sheik in his arms. This was what he
wanted.
Sheik pulled
away, but Link's strong arms kept him from going too far. Sheik studied Link's flushed face. "Are you sure you want this?"
Link smiled
brilliantly at him. "Would I have
started it if I didn't?" he pointed out.
Sheik still
hesitated. "But--"
Link stopped
his words with his lips. "No more
words," he murmured. "Unless
you wish to stop."
There was no
more hesitation from Sheik.
~~~~
A wild sense
of evil awoke Sheik in the morning. He
started in bed, only to still as the slender figure in his arms stirred.
"Link,"
Sheik whispered, brushing his lips against his lover's. "I've wanted you since the first, but I
never imagined I would have you."
Sheik kissed
him again before climbing out of bed, pulling on clothes that had been
hurriedly discarded the night before. He
glanced out his small window, a chill racing up his spine.
Mother, he
thought in horror. The demon from the
Sheik glanced
back at where Link still slept in bed, oblivious of Sheik's turmoil. I'll go out and investigate. Please, Mother, be all right.
And please,
Link, when you go to fight this creature, be careful.
Then Sheik ran out of the hut.