[fic] Relaxation

[kiyala.livejournal.com]

Title: Relaxation
Author: kiyala
Word Count: 631
Fandom: Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Pairing: Link/Sheik/Zelda
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Shigeru Miyamoto and Nintendo own the Legend of Zelda series
Notes: This is for ryttu3k as part of the Lightning Round of qldfloodauction


also written for 500themes theme #76 — letting go.

There is the gentle sound of water, of droplets splashing back into a bowl, of a cloth being wrung. He sighs softly, lips parting and his brow twitching at the sensation of the damp cloth against his forehead. He has been in the desert for so long that he can feel the layer of dirt and sweat being wiped off. Cool water trickles from his brow, down his cheek, and warm fingers trace the same path, stopping at his lips. “You’re pushing yourself.” “I always do,” is his reply, and he feels a calloused thumb stroking across his lips. “Not this hard.” If it were Zelda, she would sound disapproving, but it is Link, and he understands. He, too, feels the drive to train himself, remain ever-vigilant, to keep their land safe of any other evil that would seek to destroy its peace. He understands, but he is not a Sheikah. It is not written into his blood to protect the land, to protect the princess. They may love her equally, but her sadness hurts him on levels that not even he can comprehend. Her pain is a paradox of his very purpose. “Sheik.” His expression is blank, but somehow, Link reads him, following Sheik’s line of thought. The cloth is removed from his forehead, replaced by soft, warm, lips. Link’s nose brushes across Sheik’s cheekbone and they turn to each other, sighing into their kiss. The door creaks open, but they do not part. Zelda smiles, running a hand through Link’s blond locks and giving Sheik a fond look. “I’ve finished your potion. Drink.” Sheik obeys, gripping Link’s arm to pull himself up to sit. Zelda’s hand rests on his back and the contact is comforting, almost as soothing as the effects of the potion. His lips twist with distaste at the bitter aftertaste left on his tongue and Link grins a little, apparently noticing. “Zelda is teaching me how to read the ancient texts,” Link says, some time after, when Sheik’s strength has been restored and he is pulling his clothes back on over his wounds, readjusting his cowl. “…She says you are a good tutor.” Sheik smiles. “I’m strict.” Link raises an eyebrow, matching Sheik’s smile with his own. “I’m sure I’ll manage.” They relocate to the library; settling in the window seat that is large enough to accommodate all three of them. Sheik rests his head in Zelda’s lap, eyes shut as her fingers stroke his hair, reciting texts from memory as Link follows, reading from the book in his hands. They’ve read through an entire chapter when Sheik breaks off mid-sentence, cracking an eye open and settling his gaze on Link. “Do you realise,” he murmurs, thumb rubbing along the inside of Link’s wrist, “your pronunciation has improved as we’ve progressed.” Link gives him a small grin, “Practice does that.” “Yes,” Sheik says slowly, both crimson eyes holding Link’s gaze now, “but not this quickly. Time passes, one becomes comfortable in the knowledge that their pretence hasn’t been discovered, and they slip. Your pronunciation isn’t improving; you’ve forgotten to act as though these words are foreign to you. Zelda has already taught you to read these; you don’t actually need me to teach anything further.” Link chuckles. “You got me.” “Are you to blame?” Sheik asks, taking Zelda’s hand into his own and kissing it. Zelda’s laugh is sweet. “Do you ever notice how much you relax when you are reading, or reciting?” “Ah,” he says, his voice low. “This is about…” “Taking a break,” Link finishes, placing the book down and kissing Sheik. “We’ve decided that you need one.” Sheik hums softly as two pairs of arms wrap around him, and he allows himself to relax into the dual embrace. “…I suppose that is allowable.”

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