Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Four’s head hurt. The colors always fought but it was getting particularly bad, it was to the point Red was incredibly close to snapping. They saw Wild and Hyrule sneaking off, likely for some kind of mischief. Red rubbed his head, the others arguing a buzz in the back of Four’s mind.

Vio joined him in front, Red guessed they had realized their logic wasn’t affecting Blue and Green. At least Vio had started talking again, they’d been particularly distant for a while, and Red was proud of how much progress they’d made.

He was even happy when Vio argued most of the time, it was far better than the quiet acceptance they’d held for some time. 

Maybe joining the two would take his mind off of things. Red stood, joining the two, causing them to freeze, “Don’t worry, I just want to go with you. Please say you’re planning arson or explosions instead of just exploring,” The answering grins are all the encouragement he and Vio needed.

~~~

Vio got an idea to make a catapult for the bombs, it was going well at first -If you consider mass damage to the environment as ‘going well’－before the bomb about to be launched by Rulie exploded. In the healer’s face.

They knew it was probably a bad idea, but they had been having fun. It was their fault, Red tried saying it was an accident, but it didn’t matter.

Vio knew it had been a possibility, but it had seemed so unlikely they’d discounted it. They should’ve known. They always hurt the people they care about. They should’ve known to stay in the back of Four’s mind. Only giving advice when it was asked for or necessary.

They knew they’d make a mistake like this.

Now because of their foolishness Hyrule was injured in the bed of an inn.

He’d be fine, they had fairies, but still.

Vio should’ve known.

~~~

Blue was angry. She thought Vio was supposed to be smart. But no. They got one of their friends hurt.

Of course one of their stupid ideas failed.

When had they ever thought about safety when making those?

She knew they’d get themselves or someone else hurt, it was only a matter of time.

She ignored the nagging feeling that she should’ve been paying attention instead of arguing with Green. She needed to get a grip and move on, but she was scared.

Wild and Four were in the room watching Hyrule sleep. That sounded creepier than it was.

Wild had an expression of guilt. Which was stupid.

All of this was stupid .

“I’m sorry Four, I could tell you needed to let off some steam and have fun, this is probably not helping, I should’ve double checked that bomb.”

The audacity!

“This is not your fault! If anyone, it's Vio’s!”

“Vio?”

Ah shit.

~~~

Wild watched, puzzled as Four argued with themself, eye colors rapidly shifting. 

Revali and Daruk seemed just as confused as he was while Mipha and Urbosa were analyzing the situation.

“Red-eyes seems to be the sweet, more emotionally intelligent one; they are also the one trying to get the others to stop fighting and comforting the purple one,” Mipha hummed before responding,

“The purple one is probably this ‘Vio’, The blue one seems hot-headed and impulsive. Green is closest to when the eyes are gray.”

“Yes, also green and blue seem to argue a lot-”

“Green shut up ! I know I shouldn’t have said that, fuck off!”

Suddenly Fours eyes shift to red, “Guys! You need to stop fighting right the hell now. This. Isn’t. Helping.”

“I see I caused this, I knew you’d be better off without me.”

“Vio, wh－”

With a blinding flash of light, there are suddenly four, well, Fours. Their outfit colors match their eye colors: one's wearing blue, red, and green, and their tunics look like monochrome versions of Four’s usual tunic. 

The blue one had thicker eyebrows than the rest and the tannest skin of the bunch－still fair skinned, but more sun tanned－their hair was in a high ponytail and longer than Four’s. Along with their sword, they also had a hammer on their back.

Red-tunic had impressively curly and fluffy hair, shorter than Four’s, with soulful, empathetic eyes that Wild already knew had dangerous puppy-dog look capabilities. They had what looked a little like War’s－Technically Legend’s, but it didn’t seem like Warriors was giving it back any time soon－fire rod at their hip. 

The one in classic green had the shortest hair and a boomerang but otherwise looked very similar to Four.

The fourth looked a little different from the rest.

They were sickly pale, as though their skin had seldom seen the sun. Their violet eyes were dull, emphasized by the dark circles under their eyes; they were wearing a loose and baggy long-sleeved shirt made from soft-looking fabric that hung off of their too-bony form. Their long hair was in a low ponytail behind their head. 

A bow was thrown to the side along with their sword.

Wild could see the panic in their eyes as they frantically looked at everyone, could sense the oddly familiar distress behind their carefully composed features when they spoke, 

“Pardon me,” and rushed out the door, as the other ‘Fours’ all called out.

“Vio you－”

“Wait!”

“Vio, stop!”

Despite the noises of confusion from outside, the room was still as the tomb of a centuries-dead king; even the Champions were silent.

~~~

Vio was a fool, they were an idiot and they knew that. But knowing this was irrational wasn't slowing their rapid breathing, or their racing thoughts, or making them any less of a horrible person.

They only caused pain and suffering. They betrayed everyone, and hurt them. 

Goddess, they couldn’t do anything right.

Red, Blue, Green, betrayed.

Hyrule got injured.

And him.

He－ he was dead.

He was fucking dead and it was their fault.

They could've found a better option, they could've figured out a way to save him.

They loved him and betrayed him. Claiming it was for the ‘greater good.’

The arrogance.

The naivety.

He had fucking trusted them, their betrayal had hurt him, and he still fucking died for them, he had sacrificed himself.

For them.

He was a better hero than they would ever be.

They stumbled into a clearing, seeing a dilapidated cabin, looking as though it had been abandoned for at least a decade.

They took a deep breath, this seemed like a good enough place to stay. Wolfie shouldn’t be able to find them, they’d rubbed themselves with some herbs, which would keep their scent from detection.

~~~

Journal Entry 1:

The cabin I have found myself in is in remarkable condition for how long it’s clearly been in disuse.

Based on the dust buildup, I’d say it has been around 12 years without use.

The upstairs is a little dubious, but the roof is fine. It rained shortly after I arrived.

Good, hopefully that will prevent me from being found.

They’ll be better off without me.

~~~

Wild stayed with the Colors as the rest of The Chain had to go and deal with some of the black-blooded monsters. That was still odd to them, all the monsters in her time had black blood. He had some theories that she needed to talk to Flora －who, upon learning her nickname, had begun to insist everyone call her such－ about before talking to the others.

The Colors insisted on staying and continuing the search for Vio, and they had decided to stay as well. Hyrule wanted to, but the rest might need a healer. When asked why Wild wanted to be the one to help, he’d claimed it was because she was the best suited to the forest. Which wasn’t a lie , just a small omission. 

The truth was that they felt guilty, even a week later. If he had kept his mouth shut or done something different none of this would’ve happened.

She jumped at a sudden shout, looking up and seeing a Blue kick the wall before grabbing her bare foot in pain. 

“Ah, the blue tunic-wearing hero shows her forethought once again,” Revali’s remark is more concerned than biting.

Ignoring the rito, Wild spoke, “I’m sure the boys will be back soon,” He raised his eyebrow at the vicious glare sent his way.

“I’m not worried about Red and Green, I’m mad that Vio－the supposedly smart one－though it would be a fine idea to run off and leave the rest of us to explain, and they could be injured or dead and we don’t even know which direction the piece of shit went in!” 

Wild understood the frustration, sorta, “I mean, I can understand running into the woods and hiding,” She said.

“Of-fucking-course you do. You were harder to find than Rulie when we first arrived in your Hyrule, Flora just had us wait at Zora’s Domain for you to return to visit your,” Blue looked at him meaningfully for a moment, “friend.”

Wild continued joking around with Blue, pleased at the way the girl seemed to relax, before the boys returned, “Hey guys, none of the libraries have seen them and will send a pigeon to inform us if they see anyone matching our description. If we can’t find them beforehand they’ll run out of books eventually,” Green sighed, running a hand through his hair.

Wild frowned, he would find Vio before then, they had to.

“And if you don’t, little guy?”

I don’t know.

She hoped it wouldn’t come to that.

~~~

Journal Entry 8:

I should find a source of food, but I don’t feel up to it at the moment. I have been exhausted beyond reason the past while. It is odd, this exhaustion. It stays the same, makes it difficult to even rise after I wake, or even just take a rest.

I know now that it is in everyone's best interest for me to remain in this dwelling; they don’t need one who has such a liability. At least Sky gains energy after waking and can get up in a timely manner if necessary. 

I have begun to see shadows moving in the corners of my eyes. I know it is foolish, but I can’t help but hope that perhaps it isn’t just a trick of my mind.

I do hope my mind calms, it just takes one silly reminder and I will spiral or even begin to doubt my decision. I can’t afford that, I cannot give in to some pathetic sentiment and return. It is for their own good.

They’ve likely given up their search by now.

They should have.

~~~

Wild had a habit of stress-cooking. Which worked for the others staying at the inn for the past two weeks quite well. Today they were baking, the group had decided to stay in for the day, hoping the rest would give them better luck. They were combining the dry ingredients when Red walked in, he wanted to help, as stress-baking, Wild noticed him and gave a wane smile, “Hey red,” She said, “Today is a girl day,”

Red smiled back at her, “Alright! Would you mind if I helped? I can’t cook very well but I love to bake,” Wild’s smile practically glowed, brightening both the room and Red’s spirits.

“I would love it if you'd help,” She grinned, thus beginning the baking apocalypse.

They traded recipes, knowledge, stories, and their presences for hours.

They were just gathering the ingredients for a monster cake when Blue entered the room, a look of awe on her face as she spoke, “How did you fit so many cakes on the tops of the cabinets without smudging the frosting－” She made a quick escape at the too wide grins from the bakers, only just escaping the powdering of flour sent her way as she scampered up the stairs.

She’d tell Green there was something for him down there, Red knew, hoping he’d get blasted with flour. Wild shared his grin, they would deliver.

~~~

Journal Entry 17:

The apple tree still has enough apples, and I don’t believe I could stomach anything else given how my stomach roils at the mere thought of any form of food. 

The shadows are taunting me.

They know my faults and I hear their nearly constant whispers at the edge of my consciousness.

I am aware I deserve this.

Am I going mad?

I thought I saw my shadow sign ‘I love you’ earlier.

I know He wouldn’t have said that.

I killed Him.

It may not have been my blade, but the blood is on my hands all the same.

I wish it would all stop.

My thoughts won’t leave me alone.

I wish they’d stop.

I wish He were here.

But those are foolish flights of fantasy.

Even if he were still around, I doubt he'd stay with me.

Not after what I’ve done.

Not when he meets other, better people.

I fear I hear the whispers again.

It is impossible to write with that incessant noise.

~~~

Green was on the verge of losing his mind. He was the leader, his job was to keep an eye on the other’s, make sure they were okay－or relatively okay in Vio’s case. Last time Vio’d disappeared, they had been bleeding out on the verge of death in the Wind Temple. Laying right where Shadow had died. That had only been a few days.

It’s been 25.

25 days was more than 10 times as long, he thought, he doesn’t do math.

Then, he tripped. He was saved from a faceplant into the dirt by Wild－who was feeling they/them pronouns today－catching him, “Are you alright?”

“Yeah, I’m just a little distracted!”

Wild gave a doubtful hum, “You can talk to me y’know? Everyone needs to talk to someone on occasion, even you,” 

Green paused, they were right. Maybe talking it through could help. He just had to be careful to not expose too many of Vio’s secrets in doing so.

“I－Okay, I think I can do that. Vio has ran off before, and, well we’ve kept a close eye on them since…”

“Do you want to tell me what happened?”

Green took a deep breath, he would not cry, “We were almost too late. We found them on the third anniversary of the death of Sh－someone they deeply cared for. They－they were at the place where he died,”

Wild was hugging him, when had that happened? “You don’t have to continue if you don’t want to,”

He shook his head, he needed to do this, “No, I－I want to keep going. They were lying there, so－ pale there was so much blood . If Blue hadn’t brought a fairy－”

Wild let him cry into their tunic. His snot was on there. 

Blue would be disgusted.

He felt Wild’s chest vibrate as the younger teen －No, being dead for 100 years doesn’t count Wild － spoke, “Look,”

Green looked up to see a deer, remarkably close considering how loudly he’d been wailing, but Wild seemed to have that effect on wildlife. 

Except goats, those hated them.

The deer’s ears flicker and it seems almost as though it’s asking a question when Wild moves, gently detangling Green from them. They tilt their head and flick their ears and other general body language that is the same brand of a little too animalistic to be hylian everyone had come to expect from the scarred hero.

The deer flicks its ear rather hard before clopping off into the woods.

That was odd.

~~~

Vio couldn’t write in their journal, they couldn’t read, they couldn’t think. If they did, the darkness would consume them. They looked up at the dark sky.

They used to love the stars, but now all they could see were vague blurs, and it had been that way for a while. Longer than they were here.

How long have they been here?

Have they always been there?

Was their life before the cabin a mere dream?

Perhaps reading with too little light too often was catching up with them.

Hadn’t they thought that before?

Oh yeah, they’d decided they'd rather not inconvenience anyone with getting them glasses.

Who would they have inconvenienced again?

The others. 

Green.

Red

Blue.

Their head felt like an army of ants were crawling inside, eating their gray matter, slowing their neurotransmitters as they dodged the invaders.

They dipped their pen in ink.

Hadn’t they done that already?

They had.

Why couldn’t they think?

They were supposed to be the smart one! 

What was wrong with them!

…

What were they thinking about?

They reached a hand up to their face, feeling a wetness.

That’s unusual.

They looked down and saw the ink pot.

Suddenly filled with so many emotions that are so intense they screamed, grabbing the bottle and throwing it against the wall.

The sound of glass shattering made them freeze.

They had heard it shatter and began running, Vaati and the others be damned. They entered the room to see Shadow, his face pained as he gave them a smile. 

Vio knew at that moment that Shadow, the idiot, had broken the mirror.

He had killed Vaati.

At the price of his life.

The moment Shadow faded they realized that the absence they’d felt in their very soul when Link had first split had been mere fractures from that fit Shadow perfectly. Now there was nothing to fill them, cracks became chasms.

Vio became a horrible puzzle, half the pieces gone.

Vio was shaking. Their breaths uneven as they cried, the darkness around them whispering.

Your fault.

Pathetic.

Why are you still here, while he’s gone?

Monster.

What a waste of space.

Emotionless.

You can’t even save the one person you claim to love most.

Asshole.

When will you see the problem is you? It’s always you.

Traitor.

In the dark, with a shadow seeming to reach out for them that they refused to look at, the Traitor wept.

~~~

Wild was walking through the woods, alone. A fox had told him there was a strange Hylian in an old cabin near her den beneath an apple tree.

He didn’t think it was likely to be anyone else, but, regardless, hadn’t told the others that he had a lead. He was afraid to give them false hope.

He also didn’t want to overwhelm Vio if he found them, having too many people around so soon after being alone for a while could easily be overwhelming.

He saw a small opening in a thicket previously deemed too thick to pass through, and entered a clearing, seeing a cabin next to an apple tree.

There.

~~~

Shadow hated this. He wished he could step out of his two-dimensional hell and give the love of his life a much needed hug.

And then berate them for their dumbassery and make them go and get some glasses.

And cuddle them.

He would become an accessory, and never let go.

He had, at first, worried Vio had faked caring about him.

That was no longer even remotely a concern.

His concern was Vio not being happy, healthy, or even remotely comfortable.

Which he thought was kinda rude to him, he did sacrifice himself for the nerd. He rolled his currently-imaginary eyes. For such a massive nerd, Vio was almost impressively stupid. He looked at Vio who had been acting extra odd for the last few hours, raising their pen like a weapon in random directions, muttering unintelligible gibberish.

“Vio?” Shadow looked in the direction of the voice as Vio skittered back from the entrance the voice had come from like a frightened mouse, dragging Shadow with them, causing him a good amount of vertigo.

Lovely.

Vio curled around themselves in a corner, Shadow watched as Scar-boy －He’d just become aware to see Rainbow with a bunch of people that he couldn’t even hear until Vio was halfway to this goddess-forsaken cabin－ approached, but upon seeing the quivering form in the corner, paused.

~~~

The Traitor was scared; there had been blurry figures that screamed things that made them sad, for reasons they couldn’t quite remember, and now there was a vaguely familiar figure crouched in front of them.

The head tilted, long hair swaying in a slight draft as it made a familiar questioning chirp.

Deciding to test their luck, the Traitor hesitantly uncurled, fully taking in the other and remembered something.

Wild. Friend.

~~~

Wild watched patiently as Vio slowly uncurled, sluggish recognition lighting in their eyes, before he approached and carefully picked the smaller up, deciding to grab the small journal on the ground.

He walked away humming an unknown melody as the hero in his arms began to doze, breathing deep and even.

~~~

10 days later Shadow had been watching Vio slumber when the Chain, as he had learned they were called, returned from their dinner. He waved at them out of sheer habit. The youngest waved back.

His heart sang in joy while the one with odd black face tattoos and a wolf pelt around his shoulders said, “Wind? What’cha wavin’ at?”

The kid－Wind shrugged, “Vio’s shadow waved at me, so I waved back,” Shadow ignored the chaos that erupted in the room, turning to Vio as their eyes opened.

“What’s this fuss about?”

Red spoke, the hope in his eyes shocking Shadow, “Your shadow isn’t moving with you.”

When Vio finally looked at him, Shadow waved.

~~~

Months after the Cabin Incident, Vio stood under the full moon in a clearing and reached down into their shadow, gripping a warm, familiar hand. And pulled Shadow into the world of the light, and this time no simple mirror or sun would be able to tear them apart.

Chapter Text

“You fucking idiot! You are coming to the goddess damn optometrist whether you like it or not. You deserve to see the stars clearly you－” Vio winced as Shadow took a deep breath before grabbing their arm and pulling them into the office.

Vio pouted at Shadow －they were not sullen－ as he filled out the paperwork, “At least let me fill out my own paperwork.” Shadow snatched the paperwork away glaring at them.

“Absolutely not, have you ever seen your handwriting?”

“You can read it!”

“I have to translate it for everybody else!”

“Fine.”

Shadow laughed and handed the papers to the attendant, then settled back down next to them.

“Vio?”

Vio stood, shifting nervously before feeling a hand in theirs Shadow smiled at them, they squeezed his hand shooting him a grateful smile. They allowed Shadow to pull them towards the doctor. 

~~~

Shadow stared at the portal in front of them, entirely dumbfounded, “What the fuck. V’s glasses－”

He felt a hand on his shoulder and saw Vio smile apologetically, “Shads, it’s okay.”

“Your glasses－”

“The mailman will deliver it.”

“I－ across fucking space-time? ”

Vio shrugged, looking exhausted and confused.

~~~

Legend was bored, he was stuck in his house with Ravio as well as Vio and Shadow while everyone else was likely still stuck in the storm trying to get there. 

He was not worried about them.

Not at all .

“Mr. Hero! I have something for us to do.”

Legend raised a brow at his husband, seeing as the two teens perked up from their － not adorable, he wasn’t soft － cuddle pile on his couch, Vio adjusted their glasses, “What is it?”

Legend did not smile, he was just pleased that Vio was able to talk to his husband without going overly formal as they usually did with anyone not a member of the Chain. Ravio grinned, pulling out a rectangular box.

“Is that Monopoly?”

The four had great fun cheating. 

~~~

The group split up into pairs to gather supplies and Shadow pulled Vio along to look at the market, still excited about the life he was missing before he could go out in the sun. Both of them kept getting distracted by everything.

Something new seemed to catch Shadows' attention when he changed direction, Vio smiled as they went to follow only to bump into someone, “My apologies, I didn’t see you－” Vio’s eyes widened as they were pulled into a door, “I beg your pardon!”

The woman they’d run into loomed over them, “Who left their child to wander on their own!”

“I’m 16, I am with my friend I－”

The lady’s raucous laughter interrupted them, “You’re a dirty teenager? No wonder you couldn’t have the respect you should－”

Vio narrowed their eyes on the woman, “Ma’am I lightly bumped into you and even apologized for the inconvenience. You chose that you were in the right to pull me into some strange doored alley and make vapid assumptions about me. Now I will be taking my leave so I may catch up with my friend.” 

They moved towards the door when a hand grabbed their arm with a bruising strength. They tried to wiggle out, but their head had already begun feeling light, their strength not quite built back up yet.

They turned towards the woman seeing an absurd amount of fury in her eyes for the situation, “You pretentious brat . Perhaps I ought to teach you a lesson about respect. ”

Vio would say they stood up for themselves against some random Hylian lady. They would say they’d said something . They would be lying.

They struggled, “Let go－”

“You little monster! ”

Vio froze in her grip, and she grinned seeing that she’d done something.

“Aw, what’s wrong? Can’t take a few words? Honestly, how pathetic .”

Vio didn’t know how long they stood there getting berated before the door slammed open revealing Shadow, “Vio!”

“Sha－” They cut off the grip that hadn’t let their arm go, get it off, tightened even further.

“I’m not done with you just yet!”

Shadow was by their side in an instant, “ Let go of them.”  

“You think a child scare－”

“Time!”

In a moment the armored man appeared in the alley. 

Vio was released pretty quickly after that.

~~~

Vio was reading quietly, Shadow draped over them as usual in the commons of the inn they were staying at when the innkeeper approached.

“Hello, if you don’t mind me asking, when did you two get together? You’re just an adorable couple.”

Shadow tumbled onto the floor.

Nobody could get either of them to speak a coherent sentence for half an hour, “We’re not together!”

Which was met by mostly confused faces until Legend began cackling, then all hell broke loose.

~~~

It was late one night, when it finally happened. Shadow and Vio were the only ones in camp awake aside from Twilight who was on watch.

Vio looked at Shadow, the moonlight making his dark hair glow while they fidgeted nervously with their own braid, “Shadow?”

Shadow tilted his head at them, “Yeah?”

“Can I－” Vio took a deep breath, “Can I tell you something?”

“Of course.”

“I love you.”

Vio stared at the ground for what seemed like an eternity, before looking up at Shadows shocked face and felt heat rush into their cheeks, “I’m sorry, you don’t have to say it back, I completely understand if you don’t share my－”

Vio ramblings were cut off by Shadow’s laugh as he bonked his head against theirs, “I love you too, you dork.”