Archive of Our Own ^beta

Twilight wines, low and pained as he tries to force himself up onto his paws. Agony radiating through him with every little movement. Each labored breath pulling at the deep gashes over his chest and into his stomach. His shaking strained attempts to move further ripping open the matching wounds on his back leg. It almost feels like the monster is still digging into him even though it now lays dead beside him.

I have to get back...I have to get to the others..

Forcing one trembling paw in front of the other he tries to walk. But in true honesty it's more like he's dragging himself. Sharp high pitched whines escaping him against his will as his strength rapidly seeps out of him.

He'd shifted more than once during the battle, leaving his body aching in general. Then the darting around, taking out enemies one by one.

Gods above he was so tired.

His fawn like strength gives out as he collapses heavily against the ground. A long pitiful whine escaping him as his eyes fall shut.

Maybe it would be better if they didn't find him, if he just quietly slipped away. But at the very least, maybe if he just rested for a few moments he could find the strength to get back up.

Content on trying that he stays there. A pained muscle spasm tearing another pathetic whine from him. He just wants to sleep, sleep and wish it all away.

"Wolfie? Where are yah buddy?"

The Captain? He's close, that stern voice accompanied by the soft chiming of bells. It's such striking contrast, yet also such a comforting sound.

Letting out a small strangled yelp he forces his eyes open again. Just in time to see the hazy form of the captain, and the familiar billowing blue scarf fluttering behind him.

Warriors is quick to kneel down besides the wolf. A lean hand curling into the thick fur of the canines neck and stroking with tentive but comforting motions. Look over the wounds creating a deep pool of crimson beneath the canine.

"Ohh..gods....Okay buddy, I've got you. We're gonna get you back to the group and fix you up okay?" He murmurs softly as stops his ministrations and start unwinding the scarf he cares so deeply for.

The only hesitation that follows is the brief moments he pauses while carefully maneuvering and wrapping the big canine in that strong royal blue. The pained whimpers and agonized shrieks piercing enough to make his heart and head ache.

"I know, I know buddy I'm sorry but you're gonna be okay...I'm sure one of them will be able to help. You're not going anywhere, and we'll find that stupid ranch hand of yours okay?"

Once the scarf is tied in place, the wolf just lets out a low aching whine and tries with all its might to stumble to its paws. Breaths coming labored and strangled with sharp whimpers. Only for it to be in vain as it's limbs buckle and collapse despite the Captains attempts to keep the beast upright. The scarf turning a deeper purple by the moment.

So he takes the initial path that had come to mind without thinking. Carefully maneuvering the massive animal into his arms. And ignoring the creaking and burning in his knees as he stands with the full weight of their furry companion. Wolfie tries to protest, but the smallest wiggle sends pain through him. Leading to a sharp yelp that is unfortunately right next to Wars's ear.

He winces as the noise rings through his head, but can't help the soft chuckle the follows as Wolfie apologetically licks the side of his head.

"It's okay buddy...I've got you." He murmurs into all that warm fur as he quickly begins making a dash back to the others.

"You're safe now.."

Light hearted giggles of sheer relief fill the room. Everyone feeling the resorted hope for their brothers fight as tears flow freely.

Hyrule watches as the captain wraps Wind up in a hug, and Sky carefully sits down on the bed by Twilight. The latter already starting to drift off to sleep again much as he's trying not to, but at least this time with a small smile on his face rather than a look of pain.

When Legend catches his eye, the pink haired hero a little lost in thought while anxiously kneading at his hat despite his little smile, he moves to his feet. His head feels light and fuzzy once he's upright but he ignores it, favoring to just move towards his ancestor. Least until the world spins for a moment and he stumbles slightly. Having to catch himself on the rickety little dresser.

"You alright Traveler?" Wars asks, a few little tears still lining his cerulean eyes as his smile falters a bit. Wind still tucked against his side and watching worriedly.

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine." Hyrule manages as he puts on a smile for them. His limbs, feeling a little numb and shaky as a queasy feeling settles at the edge of his senses. "Just...A little tired is all."

"Roolie..?" Twilights tired voice splits through the sudden quiet that settles in the room. His nose twitching slightly as his ears flick down against the pillow.

"I'm okay, just tired....ill be..fnib.." suddenly everything grows darker as his knees buckle beneath him.

Alarmed shouts of panic sound like their emanating from beneath water as his ears ring at a deafening pitch. One set of hands grabbing and steadying him even though he feels like he's in the throws of an earth quake. Vibrations running through him where ever he's touched.

"Roolie..? Hey, hey Traveler look at me what wrong."

Legends? Face comes into view, or maybe it's Wars. Their hands cradling his cheeks he thinks, but it's hard to tell with how blurry everything both looks and feels.

He feels his stomach start to roil from the spinning of the rest of the room. But much as his body wants to respond, it can't, his mind starting to panic as he finds himself unable to move anything. Black spots forming in his vision as he feels someone shaking him a bit. The shouting now so far away he can't understand it at all anymore. And the air is so thick, it's almost like he's choking as he tries to draw in as much as he can.

He can feel something warm and wet on his cheek, maybe even something pressing against his forehead as something else pounds against his chest. Trying so hard to keep his eyes open, as he wills his body to move. Fleeting touches running through his hair in flurries. Doesn't help much for his focus as nice as it feels, he really is so tired, maybe just a little sleep would fix what's happening? Just a few moments and he'd be okay. Right?

Twilight braced himself against the doors. The old heavy entrance rattling against his backside with every blow. Sending waves of pain through his aching ribs which only worsens as a shudder runs down his spine. The deep growls and heavy breathing of the beast on the otherside making him want to tuck his tail at the moment. Which doesn’t help make the situation any less dire.

"Stay with me old man..can you stand?!"

Time's head lulls to the side as he looks up from where he's perched on the ground beside him. Looking pale as stone as he presses his back against the bottom of the door. An attempt to aid despite the pool of blood beginning to form beneath him. A shaking hand pressed to his stomach.

"..You're, you're gonna be fine....I'm gonna get you out of here. Uh.." Twilight frantically looks around the room before starting to dig through his pouch. "I've..I've gotta have somethin in here.....potion or fairy..somethin!"

"Pup..." Time manages before gritting his teeth together. The beast on the otherside ramming against the door so hard it almost dislodges both of them. "Ng- just go...get out of here! Find the others.."

"No! Fuck no I ain't leavin you!"

"Pup.."

"No! And don't fuckin give me...don't give me that look. We're all gonna- mnf-" Twilight digs his heels as far into the ground as he can. Wedging himself against the door in as sturdy a manner as possible.

"I'll be fine...but I can give you a head- start! If I hold these closed!" Time snaps out of pain more than frustration.

Doesn't stop Twilight's ears from flicking down as a whine leaves his throat. "I'm not leaving you here. Don't you dare try and give me that look! You're too far gone for it to- work!"

A furious barage of hits rattle the two heroes to their cores as the door is slammed against. Followed by a blood chilling roar.

"Okay fuck this-" Twilight shudders out. "We're gonna get you somewhere safe, and then I'm going to go at this thing with everything I've got-"

Time grabs Twilight arm in as tight a grip as he can manage. "No- No you're going to run! That's an order. Get out of here, find the others."

"I'm not-"

"Link just listen too me!...there's no choice.."

Twilight slowly sinks down while maintaining pressure against the door so hes closer to his mentor. "There's choices..th-theres always choice."

He forces his whole body against the door as a deep roar shakes even the hinges. Ears ringing momentarily from the volume as his eyes screw shut. "Hh-..there's gotta be somethin..anythin!"

A small plop against his forehead is what keeps him from spiraling. Slowly opening his eyes to see those deep foresty hazel eyes staring him down as a bloody hand grips his shoulder.

"We're out of choices pup..."

"Don't say-"

He flinches from a slam right by his ear, but Time brings him right back. "You're hurt...and I can't move..our chances are dwindling....and if only one of us is going to survive? I'd rather it be you."

Twilights vision blurs as tears well up and begin to spill out.

"Hey....hey it's okay, it's gonna be okay.."

"Not..no not if I leave ya here! I'm not gonna do it! I can get ya out of here, Hyrule is bound to have a potion left, or Wild will have somethin! We just- fuck! We just have to find them.."

"Pup...you’ll find them..but I'll slow you down. You have to run."

The wolf hero finds himself shaking as his hand clasps over top of Time's, and not because of the beast breathing down their necks. "Time...dad don't-"

"Go find your brother's, and keep them safe. Alright?- ng..can you do that?"

Times voice turns stern as their bodies are violently jostled once again. But when his eyes open again he levels Twilight with that determined stare.

The world goes dark for a moment as the young adult squeezes his eyes shut. Shakily reaching into his bag with his hand that isn't hanging onto Time for dear life. Eyes only opening again as he pulls out a green Elixir bottle.

"I-I'll go...but you have to drink this alright?..W-wild...infuses all of them with a little bit of healing..so..i-it'll boost your stamina and heal ya up a bit....use that to get away okay..? Hide, please hide, and I'll be right back with a nother potion okay?"

He hates how weak his voice sounds. How it trembles and nearly gets drowned out by the door cracking and creaking from the continued beating. But a heavy shaking hand cards through his hair a moment.

"Alright, I promise pup..."

His mentors shaking tone isn't anymore reassuring, but the old man takes the bottle. Slowly sitting himself up and giving the most stern and determined look his tired and paling complextion can manage. "Go..run as fast as you can. And no matter what, survive."

Twilight carefully peers around and locates the other exit of the room. Looking to his mentor one last time as he shifts position. "I'll be back..I promise."

"Just go, find your brother's. Now!"

Twilight swallows thickly. His limbs frozen until Time lets out another firm order following a hit to the door that sends dust falling down on them. Within moments he's shifted, paws pounding the old stone as he bolts away from the door.

He doesn't turn back much as his heart begs him to. Ignoring the burning in his ribs, the rapidly cooling tear tracks that cake into his fur. And trying desperately to let the wind of his own speed drown out the howling of the monster as it bashes down the door.

It felt like hours, hell he's fairly certain it's actually been an hour since the argument started. He doesn't even know what they're arguing about anymore. It's switched so many times that now they're just fucking loud and exhausting.

It's to the point even their calm members have resorted to yelling to try and get everyone else to shut up.

Wind lets out a heavy sigh and heads over to the one person who still has his head on his shoulders. If not for conversation, given Time's slumped over posture and obvious throbbing headache, then at the least for the civilized company. And that was coming from the sticky fingered fowl mouthed pirate.

"Wow...and they're supposed to be the 'grown ups'." Wind mutters once he gets close.

Time can only muster an exhausted unamused groan in response as he pinches the bridge of his nose.

"Children the fucking lot of them." The little sailor continues as he crosses his arms and shoots a glare at the group.

A soft chuckle sounds from the old man after a moment, followed by amused and mischievous words. "Wanna mess with them? They'd certainly deserve it."

Wind nearly gives himself whiplash as he looks to Time. The old man's lips pulled into a small playful smile as he pulls his treasured ocarina from his belt. Letting it shine in the dappled sunlight pouring through the leaves.

"Well?"

The glint in the older heroes eye brings a wicked grin to the sailors lips. Who was he to say no to such an offer?

With a flick of his wrist he retrieves the wind waker from its protected spot at his hip. Giving it a small little wave as he adjusted himself, the magic falling from the item in soft little stars.

The performance of their oldest and youngest members is completely missed by he feuding group of heroes. But they don't mind. Having every bit of fun that they can with the cheery mysterious little ditty inspire of the shouting. The two swaying together and letting the music flow through them like the wind. Magic prickling at their senses and glee filling them both as they turn their gazes from each other to the skies. Darkening clouds beginning to bubble into being. Truly rumbling to life and coating that brilliant blue with a blanket of deep swirling Grey.

The shouting not far from them continues uninterrupted and clueless. It's only when their squabbling brothers finally register those first few drops that all hell breaks loose. The storm opening into a well deserved downpour within moments. Quickly working to drench the heroes and douse the flames of petty anger as they all start scrambling for cover.

Wind just relishes in the sight. Grinning widely as the soothing cool drops quickly begin to soak his curls and burrow into his shoulders. The older hero has a pleased smile too as he lets the ceramic instrument rest in his lap. And when a loose congratulatory fist is brought up, the sailor wastes no time in joyfully bumping it as his toothy smile widens, before taking of running through storming rains with a positively gleeful giggle.

It'd been a long time, Twilight doesn't know exactly long it'd been since they'd last traveled through his Hyrule. But goddess it felt like it'd been years, endless, aching years.

This new journey is tiresome. For as much as he loves his new brothers. Traveling with 8 other loud and adventurous heroes with as little or even less self preservation instincts than himself? The fact that he hadn't lost his mind or had a heart attack was mind boggling miracle in itself.

And oh, the arguments, golden goddesses above the petty snarky arguments that would breakout. Sometimes it left him wanting to claw off his ears, and sometimes it just left him feeling raw.

This was a raw moment.

Maybe it was just the overwhelming nostalgia of being home. The wide open fields, the familiar breeze and the unique thrum of the land playing at and bombarding all of his senses. But tonight it was, it was just a bit too much.

He doesn't even know what the argument was about, he hadn't been participating. It was Legend and Warriors who were once again firing off at each other. Yet something about the scene of their snarky comebacks and playful insults, being tossed back and forth amidst their camp in Hyrule field. It was achingly familiar.

He reached a point where he just couldn't take it and quietly slipped away from the entertainment. Pulling himself up some vines on the short little outcropping of tree covered cliffs they'd camped near for defense.

These little spots may not be much, but at this point he knew every one of them. This one in particular could be crossed in a handful of swift strides. Giving him just enough space that he can still hear his family, but they're also peaceful muddled by the breeze.

So as soon as the silence begins to rub at his mind like phantom hands massaging his aching head, he lets his legs give out, seating himself on a rock as his gaze drifts over the open expanse of his home. The castle far in the distance as the sun starts to creep further and further, into that heart wrenching shade of orange that grips his heart like a vice.

He can almost imagine it, the dome of twilight that used to encase the kingdom in the distance. That terrible foreboding sight that had spurred him on and kept him moving.

Deep down, if he was truly honest, there were days where he missed that sight. Without it the days following the defeat of Ganondorf had felt, unreal. He felt crazy, and paranoid. Most of the kingdom was complete unaware anything at all had actually happened so anytime he'd jump or tense they thought he was nuts! He had all the left over adrenaline built up inside, but with out the towering walls of twilight to direct himself at. There was no where for it to go, there was no distraction.

There was nothing to keep that adrenaline from turning into sorrow either, as slowly the absence of twilight became a reminder of the absence of someone else.

The heroes fingers drifted to the pouch on his hip. Carefully slipping into a thin little pocket and retrieving the sharp jagged shard of glass. Still humming with a magic that numbs the tips of his fingers.

Any bigger and this shard would probably be capable of driving him mad. But he's bathed so often in dark magic, that it's harmless in his hands now.

He watches for a moment as the mirror shard reflects the world around him. The fluttering tree leaves behind him, the deft feathers of a hawk soaring above, and whispy clouds as the sky deepens from a pale peach into a rich pumpkin orange.

Sighing heavily he leans back, holding the shard to the sky and watching its rugged edges glint in the sunlight. Reminding him of that heartwrenching sight like it was yesterday. That painful moment when a single tear shattered the mirror onto millions of little pieces.

He'd tried to pick them up, tried to gather them all until his fingers were to bloody to hold onto anything. It was only then that Zelda could get through to him that the efforts were hopeless. That shifting sands would eat pieces with every small movement and that something so broken could never be repaired.

That statement alone had left him feeling as if he'd been impaled.

He must've looked pretty pathetic after that. Given that the next morning, she'd placed this in his hands, wordlessly and oh so gently. He'd nearly crushed her in the following hug, and if she'd noticed him crying, she never said anything.

After all, she'd lost a friend too. A companion who had kept giving her hope in her darkest hours.

He found out later on about her own shard, the one she keeps tucked in a small ornate box by her window. It helped him feel a little less foolish for missing someone he really hadn't known for all that long.

But even if it wasn't years and years. Those long and painful months trapped with the definition of a feisty gremlin, had been less lonely because of her. Her snark, made the chaos bearable. And sometimes he longs to have such a distraction again.

To feel her constant presence in his shadow. Her weight on his back as he runs through the night. Or her fiery annoyance as they argue over the fire.

"Aww..beasty, did you miss me that much?"

The soft, echoing voice rings pleasantly in his ears and causes them to flick. Blinking the world back into focus through the blur of tears he didn't know had begun to form. Still staring at the glass held to the sky in front of him.

One small little tilt and in a shine of twilight, the reflection of his unnaturally blue eye is replaced by the gaze of a rich candy red one. Pale supple blue skin and hair bright as a harvest sunset replacing his own features, and bringing a smile to his lips even if it is a bit sad.

"Hey.." He says just loudly enough to be heard.

"Hey." Midna hums softly in return.

It may not be the same, hell it may just been in his head. Maybe he did loose it years ago and no ones had the heart to commit him. But at least he has this.

At least, for a few precious moments. When the stars align, the time is right, and their thoughts of each other collide. He can see his friend again.

"This feels so wrong.." Wind whispers awkwardly.

"Why? You steal our shit all the time." Legend hisses under his breath. "Now hurry up we don't know how long the old man can keep him distracted."

"Yeah but nothing this personal!" The kid chirps as he carefully rummages through Twilights bag. Trying to find something, anything, that could hint at what they need.

"Look, mister wonderful has surprised all of us this year and on time, I don't know what freaky deaky extra sensory or shady tactics he used to find out all of our birthdays but it's payback time." Legend states with a determined frown as he keeps an eye out.

"I just told him." Sky comments with a soft chuckle from where he's perched.

"Yeah well I sure as hell didn't." The veteran huffs.

"And I didn't either." The Captain adds. "Also pretty sure the old man didn't given how shocked he was."

"Hate to break it too yah Cap but you actually did spill it too him one night. You two wound up in a game of 20 questions after a couple rounds of shots." Wild chimes in with a smirk.

The captain blinks a bit. "When...the fuck?"

"Couple months ago when we got to stay in that tavern in Times era."

"...and how'd he find out about the old man?"

"That I don't know."

"How'd he find out about you?" Sky questions as he looks to Wild.

Their champion just gives a mildly disgruntled frown. "Flora ratted me out."

"How the hell did he find out about me?!" Legend exclaims as he throws his hands up in the air.

"You let him borrow a book that said 'Happy birthday Mr. Hero' with the date and a little heart inside the cover." Four deadpans from where his nose is buried in his own book. "And before you ask it was Gramps who told him mine."

Legend gives a strangled disgruntled noise, trying to hide in his hat to cover up the dark blush spreading across his cheeks. "Forget you ever read that."

"Hah! Guess that means I'm the only one he doesn't know!" Wind says with a grin.

"Nope..he's been plotting a present for you for a couple weeks now." Wild chuckles.

Wind just gives a little frown. "Fuck."

"Eheh..to bad I told him mine otherwise I would be the winner of this argument." Hyrule giggles.

"Did we miss yours?" Sky asks as he leans back a bit to check the direction Time and Twilight had headed.

Hyrule just gives a small shake of his head. "It had already passed before I joined up with you guys."

"Why was it necessary for him to know anyways? What the hell does it matter?" The vet grumbles as he taps his foot a bit in impatience.

"He was curious if any of us had the same birthdays he was also curious about star signs and other things. And then just figured once he knew that he may as well put the knowledge to use." Four says as he looks up at the vet with a grin.

"Starsigns? Seriously?" Warriors deadpans as he raises an eyebrow.

Their smallest just gives a shrug and looks back to his book, though that doesn't last long. Given that not a moment later Wind gives a triumphant "Haha!" And holds up a letter.

"Gotta love the bedazzling habits of little kids! It's got birthday drawings on it and it's dated so we don't have to read it!"

Much like his other letters the envelope and supposedly the message with in is pretty well taken care of. Colorful little drawings of cakes, stick figure goats and flowers absolutely covering the outside of it. Wind can't help but grin as the sight reminds him of the doodles his little sister sends in the mail.

This letter is from the previous year though, and...oh.

"Sailor?" Warriors asks softly. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing...it's..it's just that if this date is right, his birthday was four days ago.." Wind says softly.

Legend crouches next to him and carefully snatches up the letter. Carefully looking it over. "Given how punctual the mail man is...I'm guessing this is very accurate."

"What do we do then?" Hyrule asks as he shifts so he can lean over the two of them and get a look. Twisting at one of his sleeves as he does.

"Nothing we can do about it mate...just gotta catch it next time." The Captain says with a sigh.

"I know but..but he didn't get any letters four days ago! The mailman couldn't find us or something." Wind frowns.

"Well. Just because we missed the day doesn't mean we can't still do something for him." Sky offers with a soft reassuring smile as he comes over. That smile growing even more as he peeks at the cutely decorated paper. "I think I've even got an idea."

°•○•°

"Dinners up!!" Wild calls with a grin.

The smell of the rich cheesy soup had had everyone's stomachs growling for almost an hour now. So almost all of them were scrambling over one another to line up. Aside from Sky, who had left to do a little patrol and hadn't come back yet, and Twilight who was worriedly pacing at the edge of the camp.

The "little" patrol had actually taken a good hour by now and had him ready to bolt after their chosen one. Leaving him rather grumpy that everyone else thought it was fine and kept trying to keep him at camp.

Time let's out a soft sigh when he notices Twilight still standing firmly in his worry, stepping away from the que and making his way to his descendant. "Pup, come eat. I'm sure he's just fine."

"He should have been back by now...he'd been gone for a while this morning before we broke camp. And then he left for patrol almost immediately after we stopped...it's not like him, what if somethings wrong? I can usually hear him humming if I listen or something but I can't now and-"

"Breathe...deep breaths..if he's not back soon we'll send someone to go looking." Time murmurs calmly as he gently rubs at the young adults shoulders with wide soothing motions.

"He should be back now though! Is something going on?! How are none of you worried about this?"

The ranchers building anxiety and frustration is very clear even as he tries so hard to keep his voice low. To not shout and cause an unnecessary scene.

It leaves them all feeling a little bad that he was the only one out of the loop. They'd all filled Time in on the plan already and had everything else in order. It was just the matter of the blasted present which Sky was being secretive about with even them.

"He told me he might take longer than usual." Time reassures him with a soft smile. "I'm sure he'll be back to us soon.."

Twilight draws in a slow breath and forces his shoulders into a more relaxed position as he lets it out. Finally yielding with a small nod, though still not happy about it, and letting Time lead him back to the center of camp where Wild greets them both with heaping bowls of the warm soup.

That does the trick for helping him settle a little more, at least if the way his ears perk up a bit is any indication. His nose twitching slightly as his mind finally registers the delicious scent that's been cooking away and flooding their little area of the forest. He almost feels stupid for missing it, but if his tail were out it would be wagging up a storm at the realization.

"Is..this the recipe I gave you..?" He asks softly, even though he knows very well that it is.

"Yep! Close as I could get it at least." Wild says with a big grin as the three of them move to sit down.

Even if the ingredients are different, and the creaminess isn't quite as potent. It still warms him inside and out with the feeling of home. Soothing an ache he didn't even realize was there, and managing to distract him until he's a couple bowls in. The only thing stopping him being that he wants to make sure there's some left for their missing companion when he gets back.

Once bellies are full and most of the dished have been taken care of. Four effectively pins Twilight down by plopping into his lap with a book. Forcing the anxious hero to stay right where he is with an almost playful grin.

The biggest of them manages a small confused smile in return. "...I'm missing something aren't I?"

"Maybe." Four says with a small shrug before letting the back of his head plop against the big guy's chest. "Just..keep your cool just a little longer okay?"

"Okay.."

°•○•°

They manage to keep him occupied even if it takes both Wind and Hyrule pinning him on either side to help keep him from being too antsy. Carefully nudging him into conversation and coaxing him to talk about things, be them little or big.

Thankfully its distracting enough, even if it has the rancher very confused as well. But it makes it so he misses the slowly growing anxiety of Time and the Captain, as well as keeps him from being able to tackle the missing hero to the ground when he finally turns back up.

Sky is grinning from ear to ear when he gets back. A lantern in hand now that it's gotten dark, and a bundle under his harm that's currently wrapped in his sailcloth. Entirely unharmed with not a scuff in sight, leading to a collective breath of relief from the group.

"Din's tits Sky what the hell took you so long?!" Legend nips out before anyone else can.

"What! I wanted to make sure it came out perfect. Why, did something happen?" Sky questions with a soft chuckle.

"No, nothing aside from mother cuccoo over there freaking out in every spare moment." Warriors informs as he gestures to Twilight.

The rancher's ears flatten out as he gives an almost embarrassed frown. Least till Hyrule gives the ear closest to him a tiny little tug.

"Stop that, to be fair we didn't explain shit to you."

"Yeahh, sorry about that, you're really hard to keep a secret from had to make sure you wouldn't have time to figure it out." Sky says with a grin as he makes a beeline for the bigger hero. Plopping down right in front of him after Four climbs out of his lap.

Twilight tilts his head a bit as he carefully sits himself up. The others all gathering around as well. "What secret..?"

"Well, you've surprised all of us on our birthdays without fail, especially this month with there being several of us in one go..soooo we maybe got a little nosey?"

Twilight just lets out a little "Oh." As his ears flick down and back in a sheepish matter that matches his expression.

"Yeah! What the hell yah Knave! It's not fair that you know all of your birthdays but kept quiet about your own!" Wind scolds as he readjusts so he's facing the other.

"I didn't do that on purpose it just...kind of happened? I got caught up in trying to put together presents for all of you guys, and I...didn't even realize it was my birthday till half way through the day. So I didn't want to make it awkward and randomly mention it?"

Legend draws in a deep breath, his hands clasped together with his index fingers pressed to his lips as he stares Twilight down. It's unclear exactly what emotion is on his face, let alone what thoughts are going through his head, but it's enough to pull a mildly fearful chuckle from the rancher.

Sky gives an amused little giggle in return. "Okay, okay. Well that aside, we found out. And so this, is why I've been acting weird all day...it's got a little bit of all of us in it...and just to be clear, you can't keep the wrapping."

Pleased that that gets a less fearful giggle out of Twilight, Sky carefully hands over the sailcloth bundle. Happily rocking in place as he watches the bigger hero methodically and carefully unwrap it.

"What..did you make with all that stuff anyways?" Warriors murmurs curiously as he crouches next to Sky. Only to get playfully shushed in response.

With the sailcloth fully unfurled, now sitting in the ranchers lap is a positively round, squishy and adorably cute plush. Stitched, stuffed and designed as accurately as possible to look like the massive goats that Twilight doodles whenever he's missing home, and talks about at length to anyone who will listen.

"When we were talking one night....you mentioned that you had a stuffed goat from when you were a kid that you missed..I thought maybe a little buddy till you can get back to it might be nice..?" Sky says softly after a moment of silence.

It was hard to tell what was going through the ranchers mind at first. His fingers carefully roaming over the different fabrics, the little stitched details and even the silky ribbon holding a mini cowbell around its neck. But slowly, an absolutely beaming and toothy grin spreads across his lips.

"You like it..?" Sky presses carefully.

Twilight gives a quick nod as an giggle bordering on being choked up escapes him. "Yeah-"

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, thank you!" He giggles more as he rubs his eyes a bit.

"Oh shit- don't start crying you're gonna make some of us cry!"

The lot of them devolve into giggles as Twilight practically tackles Sky in a hug. Knocking Warriors over at the same time and nearly taking out Legend as well.

It's only well after an extended giggle fit and a lot of happy tears and stupid conversations that they all end up in a snuggle pile. Twilight in the center already fast asleep. Absolutely clinging to the stuffed goat, as well as hanging onto Sky who doesn't mind in the least.

As they all start to doze off and devolve into a chorus of soft snores (aside from Time who's trapped in the pile but staying upright to keep watch) Sky carefully starts running his fingers through Twilights hair. Smiling when his ear twitches slightly and he snuggles further into the Chosen heroes side.

"..Happy Birthday Link.."

Twilight had been seat for all of two seconds, tucked up against a tree with his bag at his side when he found himself with a lap full of colorful clothes.

Four had been staving off a headache since they portal jumped that afternoon, and it looks like the beast with and anvil the hammer was winning.

So Twilight just gives a soft hum and rubs his head a slight bit. "How bad?"

"Ow.."

"Okay...what do you need?"

The smallest hero waists no time in getting comfortable. Curled up in the farmers lap like it's a perfectly built nest and making grabby hands for the wolf pelt still resting on on the bigger males shoulders. So with a soft chuckle he carefully undoes the clips holding it in place and pulls it off. Ploping it over four who practically purrs, hanging onto the fluffy bundle like it's a stuffed animal and burying his face in the soft fur.

"Do you want silence, or a distraction?"

"Distraction please....can you read?" Four mumbles into the fur.

He gives a soft chuckle. "Apparently headaches give you mind reading abilities, anything in particular you'd like too hear?"

"Not smart..brain can't handle the thinking."

Twilight gives another chuckle and starts reaching into his bag. Ever greatful for the magical thing as he starts digging around for the right bundle. "Perfect, I actually just picked up some new books."

"...didn't you pick some up last time?" Legend questions as he looks over.

"Yeah, but already read them and these had some new stories." Twilight grins.

"Shouldn't...we not be picking up books? For you know...timeline sakes?" Warriors questions carefully.

"Let's be real Timelines fucked! Go crazy go stupid." Wild announces unabashedly.

"Well..I wouldn't say fuck...hmm." Time stops mid sentence and contemplates his words for a moment. "Yeah no..no it's fucked.."

Wind just about snorts his water and is left in a laughter filled coughing fit as he topples off his log.

"Okay okay but like, still, how have you already gone through the last batch of books?? You got like five of them in my world!" Legend questions as he turns his attention back to Twilight.

"I read on my watches when I'm not doing something else!"

"We were in my world only a few weeks ago!"

"Soo??? Most of them were informal texts anyways those are fairly easy to breeze through." Twilight says with a shrug.

"You actually read informational stuff..?" Hyrule questions with a tilt of his head.

"Ehh, only certain things really but yeah! It's fun to learn new things."

"You'd like his herbology books they're super helpful." Wild pipes.

"..mm....speaking of when brain working again I wanna borrow that blacksmithing book you found when we went too Wilds hyrule." Four murmurs from under the wolf pelt.

"Which one?" Twilight asks with the tilt of his head.

"The old one...?"

He lets out another small chuckle. "Again which one?"

"..it's green?"

"Oh that one!"

"How many do you have!?" Warriors questions further.

"He has sooo many." Four mumbles as he looks over at the captain.

"How many is so many?" Sky finally pipes up.

"Bet its not as many as Legend!" Wind giggles now that he can breathe again.

"Oh no. It's worse." Legend admits.

"It's not that bad is it?" Twilight questions.

"There's no way it's that bad." Warriros deadpans.

"He could fill a royal library...granted thats with the extensive collection he has at his house but with the two combined someone could drown." Legend says right back in the same flat tone.

"Okay now that's an exaggeration." Twilight frowns.

"Okay but seriously how many do you have..?" Hyrule asks as he crawls over to him and Four.

"Mmmmmm..."

Reaching into his bag again Twilight starts pulling them out, by the bundle. They're all carefully organized held together by leather straps made specifically for carrying books. Though some are just bundled with twine.

There's herbology, agriculture, culture in general, blacksmithing plants and animals and even books on things the rest of them are interested in as well as many more. And of course, various story books both big and small. Even some that look like they've never properly been published.

Overall once the majority is layed out Twilight gives a sheepish little chuckle while rubbing at the back of his neck.

"See? It's not that bad."

He was trying to listen, he really was. But with it getting dark so early now his brain kept saying it was time too sleep. The warm conversations of his closely huddled brothers, mixed with the crackling fire in the silent winter woods.

It was the perfect recipe for sleep when pared with the thick warm bowl of soup settled in his stomach.

His head nods forward once, twice, three times and he gives it a small little shake. At this rate he's not even sure what they're talking about, its just nice to listen. To bath in this peaceful moment.

All he did was blink, he swears he was just blinking. But when his eyes open again the world has tilted. There arent as many voices. A couple of bedrolls now containing sleeping forms.

Meanwhile he was much warmer than when he'd closed his eyes. And a soft sleepy chuckle that jostles his head slightly explains why. Sinking a comfort deep into his bones and warming his very core.

He'd been perched next to Twilight. And when he unexpectedly dozed off, the massive teddybear of a hero kept him from falling over into the snow. Propping himself up against a tree and shifting so Sky could lay on his chest and stomach and be comfortable.

The both of them are bundled in their respective blankets. Sky's sailcloth tucked tightly around him and even pulled over his head like a hood to keep him warm. Meanwhile Twilights wolf pelt is currently grasped in his arms like an added snuggle buddy. His fingers brushing idly through the soft fur as he shifts his head a bit. Pressing his ear against the bigger heroes chest and listening to his strong and steady heartbeat. A smile playing at his lips when he feels Twilight's arms snake around and hug him close.

"You comfortable...?" The Ordonian whispers quietly.

Sky couldn't possibly find the words to describe just how comfortable he is, tounge too heavy with sleep. So he settles on a sleepy but satisfied hum and a small nod. Burrowing just a little further into his sailcloth before tuning back into the melody if the others heart. And the whispered conversations of everyone still awake.