Archive of Our Own ^beta

Ravio sighed as he read the letter Sheerow brought to him. Thank Lolia he had sent Link some bandages and a red potion just yesterday. That letter he read was from Link. He was telling him of the status of his health, which was demanded from Ravio, and he mentioned how he’d been sliced on his back and leg.

Getting these letters was always concerning but Ravio didn’t want them to stop. They’re what kept him calm that Link was alive and somewhat well.

He ended up demanding that Link had to send him updates on his health after the idiotic hero had almost bled out on his very own doorstep.

With a frown, Ravio started gathering more aid supplies to send to Link. He wrapped them up and sent them away with Sheerow after he gave Sheerow a treat.

Sadly, Ravio still had things to do. He had to clean the house, go to the market, go to the castle, do his job as the ambassador for Lorule, and so much more. He stared at the papers slowly growing into stacks on his desk with a sad look. Shaking his head, Ravio pulled himself together and put on his boots to go out for the day. He should know what to expect already, he’d been on this repeating schedule all week.

Ravio collapsed onto his desk chair, ready to work what was left of the day on the papers before him.

He knows he should eat, and take a short nap too but he can’t afford either at the moment. Even if Sheerow won’t stop bugging him. The bird keeps trying to shove different snacks in his face. Unfortunately for Sheerow, Ravio swatted him away each time and he eventually gave up. He left to go to his perch and went to sleep. He knows Sheerow means good, he’s worried about him and his health. Ravio hadn’t eaten all day and was exhausting himself. However, Ravio can’t let himself have a break, there’s just too much to do.

After hours at his desk, Ravio got up and stretched. He looked outside to check the time and noticed it was already past two in the morning. Dread filled his body at the sight. He still had more to do like cleaning the house, treating the flowers and orchard, and being ready to repeat his day in a few hours.

He usually gets up at 5 am. Now, he’s left with only three hours to sleep. That is if he can get to sleep.

That didn’t matter, Ravio decided. He shucked off his robe and scarf, discarding them on the edge of the bed, and flopped down on his side. Ravio curled up in the blanket and let out a tired huff. Slowly, he drifted off to sleep.

The sound of abnormally loud squawking filled his ears. Ravio whimpered as he covered his ears with his hands. 

His head hurt badly. Bad enough that he couldn’t open his eyes. However, that thought was left behind as a sudden wave of nausea washed over him.

His eyes shot open and he jumped out of bed. The light coming through the window felt deafening. It was all too bright and aggravated his headache more. 

All he could do was make it over to the small bin next to his desk and let out everything in his system. He wasn’t sure where all of this was coming from but he knew he didn’t like where it was all going.

Everything was too much, all too loud, bright, and too strong of a smell. All of his senses were going haywire all too quickly.

Shakily, Ravio rose from where he was huddled over the small bin, taking the bin with him. There was no way he was going to leave that in their bedroom.

As he exited the bedroom the sound of squawking got louder. His senses may be heightened at the moment but he can tell exactly what the sound was originating from. The sound of Sheerow was not unfamiliar to the merchant and never will be.

Dragging himself down the stairs, Ravio got closer to the bird. “Sheerow? What’s gotten into you?” Ravio rasped out and dear goddesses he sounded bad. Why did he sound so congested and slurred? Ravio’s mind was so fuzzy and mushy that he couldn’t hold a single thought for more than a few seconds.

Ravio set his puke tin down at the end of the stairs to lean heavily against the railing. All he needed to do was catch his breath and he could continue his investigation. Yes, that’s all, nothing more.

The poor merchant didn’t make it a couple of steps into the living room before he collapsed. His knees gave out under him, sending him crashing to the hardwood floor.

Face first.

Ouch.

Ravio never got to figure out why Sheerow was being so loud… What if his best friend was hurt? What if someone broke in and all he did was fall unconscious? What if—

“Ravio?!”

Ravio groaned as a panicked voice awoke him. He couldn’t open his eyes just yet, all he could do was scrunch his face in pain.

His breaths were labored and in wheezes. And oh did it feel like his body was truly trying to kill him now. Honestly, he believes it’d be nicer to be dead in that moment than feeling like a building fell on top of him.

“Hn hmm?” Ravio let out a sound of confusion, trying his best to reply to whoever was talking to him.

“Oh sweet Farore, you’re awake,” the voice gasped in relief. “Hey, I’m going to pick you up now, okay? I’m going to bring you back to bed.”

Compliantly, Ravio let the person do so with a dragged on hum of: “Mhmm…”

The unknown person quietly shushed him as they gently picked him up. After that time seemed to move fast. Or maybe he just kept drifting off and waking back up.

Even though, the final time he woke up, he felt better than he did earlier. He still felt pretty shitty, but it was better.

He cracked his eyes open, slowly adjusting to the afternoon lighting. 

Wait, afternoon?!

Ravio sprung into a sitting position in the midst of panic but gravely regretted it. His head felt like it was spinning at the speed of light, making him waver and almost fall over.

The rag that had been on his head was now in his lap, dampening the blanket, and making Ravio think about water. Swallowing at the thought of water, he found out his throat burned. It itched for rehydration, and so did the rest of his body.

He looked around the room and saw a glass of water conveniently on the bedside table next to him. For a while, he eyed the glass with suspicion. He knew he didn’t put it there but who could’ve?

His mind was all fuzzy again. He tried to retrace his steps that morning but it was all to no avail.

In his moment of thinking, the bedroom door opened and Sheerow swooped into his line of sight. Ravio jerked out of his thoughts and cupped the bird in his hands and smiled weakly. Soon after, a pair of arms wrapped around him and hugged him tightly.

Ravio jumped and flicked his head to face the stranger holding him only to see it was not a stranger, it was Link.

“Link,” Ravio mumbled, jaw slightly dropped and eyebrows raised.

The hero in question grumbled, “You fucking idiot.” Link pulled back showing his angered expression. “What were you thinking, letting yourself get so sick?!”

All Ravio could do was give him a sheepish look. Sheerow tweeted in his hands and flapped up to eye level with Ravio. The next thing the bird did was peck him on the eyebrow.

“Ow!” Ravio pouted, covering his pecked eyebrow. Next to him, he heard Link let out a ‘tsk’ like laugh. His eyes drifted over to the hero only to see him smirking and giving Sheerow a proud look. 

‘Ugh, of course when the two get along it's when I’m stuck in the middle of it,’ Ravio thought to himself.

Link pulled Ravio’s ear to grab his attention, “Don’t give me that look, you deserved that. You also have a lot of explaining to do because last I checked sicknesses can’t get this bad overnight unless someone wasn’t taking care of themself.” Ravio pouted again, huffing and crossing his arms. 

“Pout all you want,” Link continued. “You’re not getting out of this one. And while you get your story together I’m getting you some medicine and soup. You sound like someone ripped your vocal cords out.”

And just like that, he was alone again, somewhat. Sheerow was still here, he was getting himself situated next to him. Ravio looked at the glass of water on the bedside table, now trusting it knowing it was from Link, he drank from it. As much as he wanted to chug it, he knew it wasn’t the brightest idea. The sweet relief of a rehydrated mouth and a soothed throat made him hum with contentment. 

A couple of minutes passed before Link made it back to the bedroom with a bed tray that had a bowl of soup, some medicine, and a red potion on it. Ravio got himself situated in a comfortable position, leaning against the backboard of the bed as Link made his way over. 

Link unfolded the tray legs and put it on Ravio’s lap. After that, he grabbed Ravio’s desk chair, hauled it over to the bed, and sat down. Link leaned against Ravio's side as he watched him take the medicine and sip the red potion.

When Ravio looked at Link, he saw the hero's soddened expression. “What’s wrong, Link?” He questioned the other.

“Why did you let it get this bad?” Link asked seriously, getting straight to the point. He didn’t even look Ravio in the eyes, he just sat there leaning against him staring at the bed.

Ravio played with his soup as he replied, “I didn’t mean for it to. I guess I was so distracted getting everything done that it slipped my mind.” It didn’t slip his mind, he knew what he was supposed to be doing he just couldn’t find it in himself to put himself before others.

Link let out a deep breath, fiddling with Ravio’s hand that was lying on the bed. “Well, I‘ve already informed Zelda you’ll be out for the day so don’t even think about getting up—” Link sat up to stare directly at Ravio, “—And I don’t want to see you leaving this bed for anything work-related. Whether it’s doing chores or castle work.”

Link stood up, crossing his arms over his chest, “I’ll be downstairs, if you need me just holler—No, don’t do that, just send Sheerow.” Link quickly changed his answer. He didn’t want Ravio messing up his throat even more.

Letting a huff of air out of his nose, Ravio smiled, “Don’t worry, I promise to follow your orders, Mr. Doctor Hero.”

“Continue calling me that and I’ll start treating you like an actual patient,” Link scoffed, but eventually smiled too. “Get some rest, I want you to get well again as soon as possible,” Link said gently. And just like that, he was gone again. The sound of dishes being cleaned followed.

Ravio moved the bed tray to the side and lay back down. He put the rag back on his head and curled up in the blanket. Sheerow hopped his way closer to Ravio, snuggling beneath his chin.

Ravio was out like a light not too soon after. Snoozing his day away, getting the rest he needed.

The rest he deserved.