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Dates! Fresh Dates! Get 'em While they're Hot!

Summary:

A collection of side dates and stories for Good Enough!

Notes:

Howdy! I'm back on my bullshit with these two after dipping for a few months trying to gain inspiration again.
These can absolutely be read as stand alone but I'm mainly using it as a way to further expand lore and/or plot. I have a lot planned out for this stuff, some more longer form stories, too! Even stories from different people's perspectives.
Anyways! I hope y'all enjoy! Thanks Tash for helping with the beta-ing, made life so much easier! <3

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Chapter 1: Flowers, Tomatoes, and Blackberry Stained Lips

Chapter Text

He checked the time on his phone once again, despite it being less than a minute from the last time he looked, watching the minute dial on his phone click over before sighing.

He was early. Really early, watching the vendors set up their booths and talk amongst one another. Twi felt a twinge of homesickness that only appears sometimes, remembering when he and his family would set up their own tables at festivals, remembering the smaller farmer’s markets they would attend.

But now he was excited and nervous all at once, like he often was on dates with Shad, even if he’s been on, like, a million of them. Even if they have been dating for more or less six months now. Shad still made Twilight nervous; he just liked him so, so much. He was always worrying about messing this whole thing up, just like he very nearly did only three months prior.

He sighed at the thought, moving to stand in the shade. The fact of it being very nearly Fall did nothing to deter the heat, even during the mornings. He pushed back his hair, mourning the fact that his efforts that day to make sure it was clean and styled well (not a hair out of place, mind you) were foiled by heat and sweat. Maybe he should just shave it all off. It was getting long, after all, causing his usually only once a day brush to become twice a day.

He sighed again, leaning his head back against the tree, looking up into its branches, letting them guide his eyes from their bases to their tips in winding, dividing paths, the leaves starting to yellow just a bit on their edges and tips. He restarted his maze more times than he could count, absolutely enthralled in picking out the longest, most satisfying path of this natural labyrinth.

“What’s u-” “NAYRU, DIN, FARORE!” he wheezed out, his hand gripping his chest as he bent over, sending a glare up at the lanky nerd next to him. He looked absolutely delighted at his response.

“I got all three!” Shad said cheerily. Twilight rolled his eyes, not able to help the smile that spread across his face as he stood up, looking his lover up, over, and down.

Shad was, as always, dressed perfectly. A linen button up with koi print swimming lazily on the fabric, the top two buttons left open, exposing his neck and collarbones, his pearl necklace, as always, sitting over them. The shirt was semi-tucked into black, belted pants, cuffs slightly rolled and a pair of high tops. Twilight always managed to feel a little underdressed standing next to him, no matter the occasion or outfit. He was starting to doubt if his shorts and a t-shirt were appropriate, even if they were particularly nice.

Shad took a step away and held his hand out with a smile, motioning gently with the palm up. Twi couldn’t help the grin growing on his face and he eagerly intertwined their fingers together. Something about it reminded him of the roots that wove together with the ground beneath them. (And yes, he was careful to step around them, he didn’t want to trip on a date.)

He caught up easily with Shad, the taller taking more leisurely steps so Twi wasn’t playing catch up around him the entire date. He was already sweaty from the heat (and his nervousness), he didn’t need to be exercising as well.

His nerves quickly faded, though, as the excitement settled in. It had been months since he’d been to a farmer’s market. Shad stopped quickly in front of the flower vendor, humming to himself as he made Twilight watch him carefully make a bouquet of roses and daisies and (of course) lavender, ferns and other lush greens mixed in. The vendor cut the flowers, securing the end in a bag of water before wrapping it all in brown butcher’s paper.

Shad turned to him with a grin, the bouquet behind his back.

“I have a surprise for you.”

“Oh, wha’ever could it be?” Twilight responded as dryly as he could through his growing grin. Shad grinned wider, pulling the flowers out from behind his back and handing them over. Twi rolled his eyes but took the flowers carefully into his arms, a grin still on his face and slight flush forming on his cheeks when he heard the vendor coo about them with their coworker.

“They’re amazin’, thank ya, honey.” He leaned into Shad a bit, bumping his shoulder as he grabbed his hand after he carefully put his flowers upright in his tote bag.

They walked over to the bulk to the stands, past food trucks and a few other vendors selling pet accessories and even more flowers, and into a big pavilion. He breathed in the scent of freshly made kettle corn and perfumes and sweets.

His eyes caught on a stand selling goat milk soaps and lotions, his entire body starting to vibrate with excitement as he bee-lined over to the stand, dragging Shad behind him.

“Huh, Link, where- wait- goddesses, you’re strong- slow down, where are you-? Oh. I see.” Shad sighed out a laugh behind him when they arrived at the destination.

Twi was overjoyed to find that it was soap made from genuine Ordon goats’ milk. He grinned, his eyes shooting all over the table to see what scents and formulas they had. Huh, the labeling was pretty familiar-

“Welcome, you two- Oh, Ordona! Link! Tha’ you?” He looked up quickly and grinned.

“Missus Sera! Wha’ in the hell are ya doin’ here?” He leaned over to meet her halfway into a hug, the plump woman giving him an embrace that only an Ordonian mother could.

“Ohhhh, it’s good ta see ya m’dear. I heard tha’ you came an’ visited Ordon a few months ago, ‘m sorry I didn’ have time ta say hello. How are ya? How’s work? Castle Town? Beth told me ya got yourself a boyfriend, is tha’ true?” Twilight’s smile faltered slightly, his body stiffening slightly at that. Ah. Beth would tell her mother that, he shouldn’t be surprised.

Shad squeezed his hand lightly, a reminder that he was there, that he had a way out if things got ugly or he just wanted out. He squeezed his hand back. He refused to let Shad think he was ashamed of him.

“Uh, yea’, I’ve been good! M’ bosses are real good people, real kind and friendly folks, I enjoy workin’ with cattle more ‘an I thought I would. I still prefer workin’ with goats, though.” He gently tugged Shad closer to his side, glancing over quickly to flash him a grin. “An’ this is Shad, he’s m’ boyfriend. Shad, this Misses Sera, she’s Beth’s ma.”

“Oh, I see, yes, well, hello, Misses Sera, it’s lovely to meet you.” Shad smiled softly, holding out his hand to shake her’s. Sera rose an eyebrow at him before grabbing his hand and pulling him down into a hug too.

“Now, aren’t you a cutie, tall, too. Oh and your hair, aint tha’ pretty! Ya know, back in school, I once had a boyfriend with hair like yours.” Sera grinned at him as she left a surprised Shad out of her mama bear hug.

“Oh?”

“Yeah, he died when his meth lab blew up ‘bout ten years ago.”

“Oh…”

“His mama made some damn good ‘taters for the memorial service. I still haven’ gotten tha’ recipe outta ‘er.”

Twilight nodded his head in agreement “Miss Elnor makes the bes’ ‘taters.”

“Tha’ she does, m’dear, tha’ she does. Oh, it’s so good ta see ya again, Link!” She pulled him into a hug again, this time even more fierce than the last.

“Great ta see ya, too!” He gasped out from his crushed lungs. She relinquished her hold on him a moment after.

“Ya know, we was real worried when ya moved all the way up here with no friends or family. It’s good ta see our fears were unfounded, huh, dear?” Twi smiled, giving her a nod.

“Yea’, for a while I didn’ have no one, but I met Shad here and he set his friends on me, so I ain’t ever lonely. ‘m good.” He smiled softly at Shad, intertwining their hands together once again.

“How’s Beth and ya cat doing?”

And Sera went off, gushing about how well Beth is doing in school and how much her embroidery and sewing skills have improved. She also went on about how smart her cat (and Shad got a kick out of THAT when he learned he was also named Link), and how he’s been keeping the mice down in the house, negating the need for traps which Sera never really liked. Though she seemed disappointed when she told him he also ate Beth’s beta fish, Glitter.

“Poor girl cried all day after tha’, Hanch had ta go out an’ get her a new one. This one’s name’s Confetti. He does tricks, too. Oh, but I’m hold y’all up, you ain't here ta chat, you’re here to get ya shoppin’ done. Here, you take these an’ get on ya way, now.” She quickly placed some soaps and lotions into a paper bag, handing it over to Twilight.

“How much I owe ya?”

“Oh, nothin’, m’dear.”

“I can’t just-”

“Ya can and ya will. Oh, come on here.” She pulled him into another hug, holding him there. “You have a good rest’ your day, m’dear. You call now, ya hear? I miss seein’ ya at the general store every week.”

Twilight nodded into her shoulder, letting go and standing up right.

“‘Course, Missus Sera.” he answered softly.

“Good, an’ don’ you think you’ll get away, too, Red, get on over ‘ere.” She pulled Shad down into another bone crushing hug.

“You bes’ take care of Link, ‘ere, I like tha’ boy quite a lot.” Twi watched as he gave her a nod.

“I wouldn’t dream of treating him poorly.”

“Good answer.” She pulled back, letting Shad fall back in place next to Twilight.

“Okay, now you two get! ‘Fore I stuff ya in a box and keep ya all ta myself!” She grinned at them, playfully shooing them away with her hands. Twilight chuckled.

“See ya, Misses Sera.”

“Yes, goodbye, It was very lovely to meet you.”

They walked a few booths before Shad sighed.

“I’m going to have to get used to that, it seems.”

Twilight furrowed his brows. “Wha’cha mean?”

“The hugging. You Ordonians are quite the huggers. I’m not used to it.” Shad laughed lightly, shaking his head.

“Huh, never thought of it. Yea’, there's plenty more where tha’ came from, tha’s for sure!” He replied with a grin.

“Everyone seems so close there, it’s hard to wrap my head around.” Shad hummed as they stopped at a booth selling tomatoes of all kinds, sun ripened and beautiful- all at a good price, too! “Oh, maybe I should try and find some bruschetta while we’re here, I know a great pasta recipe. How allergic are you to garlic again?” He glanced over at Twilight as he picked up a couple pints of cherry tomatoes.

“Eh, I mean, I can proba’ly have a clove or two in a dish, though it migh’ make me a bit nauseous. An’ everyone knows everyone in Ordon. They know you, ya mama an’ daddy, an’ their mama an’ daddy. Tha’s just how small town is. And get tha’ pint, those ain’t all ripe.” He pointed to another pint, Shad following easily, trading out the one he was holding.

“That does make sense, though it’s still hard to fully wrap my mind around. I’m used to almost never seeing the same stranger twice at any time. It's a surprise when you do that here.”

Twilight hummed, catching the tomato vendor first to pay for the tomatoes, a small triumphant grin on his face when Shad sighed in defeat.

“I am perfectly capable of paying for my own produce, old boy.”

“I know. ‘M also perfectly capable of payin’ for your produce.” He grinned as Shad rolled his eyes again, handing the tomatoes off to Twi to put them away in the bag. They moved on.

“I got a call from Auru yesterday.” Shad started, stopping to look briefly at another booth before moving on.

“Oh?” Getting calls from Auru weren’t too uncommon, considering the man hated sending emails and thought it was much more effective to just call Shad or Twilight if he needed something from them.

“Yep, he wanted to make sure we still planned on moving in two weeks' time. I think he’s counting down the hours until our lease starts.” Shad joked with a small smile.

Auru was an interesting man, owning and maintaining a small apartment building in Castle Town while also only spending about maybe two days a month in his own apartment there, the rest spent traveling in the Gerudo desert or being a guest speaker on Gerudo Archaeology at different colleges around Hyrule.

He also had a… slight obsession that was only slightly stronger than Shad’s own passive one. So, needless to say, those two get along great.

“He was also bragging about how badly the Termina Giants got beaten by the Gerudo Warriors thirty years ago. He didn’t seem too happy when I reminded him that we beat them this year.”

Twilight sighed. “You an’ your straight man sports.”

“In my defense, baseball is probably the gayest straight man sport you can watch.”

Twilight rolled his eyes at that. Honestly, out of all the things in the world Shad would be into, Baseball is probably the most normal, yet weirdest thing for him. Honestly, Twilight didn’t really understand the appeal of watching sports too much, he would much rather play them than just watch them. Being benched was always the worst part of P.E. during their team sports unit.

Yet, apparently, Shad never missed a game from his favorite teams, even finding out that he, Ashei, and Groose tend to get into pretty gnarly arguments to the point where Shad and Groose started a fist fight in college over their teams. Twilight may or may not have freaked out about that and called Shad in hysterics asking if he was going to stop being friends with Groose and wailing “BASEBALL” when asked why he would think that.

That was a very emotional and stressful week for Twilight, give him a break.

“Now, tha’s something I need ta get used to.”

“My love of the world’s favorite pastime: baseball?”

“Baseball.”

“I’m sure you’ll learn to love it.”

All Twilight could do is roll his eyes with a smile.

Soon, they found themselves sitting at some of the picnic benches next to the food trucks, people watching as they quietly ate their lunch.

Twilight liked moments like these a lot, where they didn’t speak but still decided their time was best spent with each other over everything else. Twilight watched as two people leaned down to pet a stray cat in the shade of a bush, the cat rubbing their face into the people’s hand, making biscuits in the concrete.

“We should get a couple cats.” He told Shad, not taking his eyes off the tabby.

“Pardon?”

“Cats. We should get some.” He turned to Shad, “When we move in. We should get a couple cats.” They stared at each other for a few seconds.

“Where are we going to get said cats?”

“Lon-Lon. Baby Spade. And Banjo.”

“Banjo?”

“Uh-huh. They’a bonded pair. Banjo’s a runt, too. Well, she’s still technically a kitten, but she’s real small.”

“You named Banjo, didn’t you?”

“I name all of ‘em cats, ya know tha’.”

Shad sighed, shaking his head a bit in amusement. He looked back up at Twi, studying his determined and resolute face with an easy smile.

“You really want those cats, huh?”

“More ‘an anythin’.” He answered quickly. Shad sighed a bit again.

“I do sometimes travel for work, they could keep you company while I’m away.” He hummed, thinking. “I’ll think about it.”

Yes!

Think about it, old boy, it’s not a yes.”

“Well, it’s a maybe, so it’s closer to a yes than a no.” He argued playfully. Shad sighed loudly, shaking his head with a smile cracking on his face. Spirits, he’s gorgeous. Twilight got out of his seat leaning over the table to kiss him quickly. His lips tasted of the blackberry soda he was drinking. Twilight found a new appreciation for the fruit.

“Is this your attempt at trying to convince me to get a cat?”

“Uh-uh, I just wan’ed ta kiss ya. You’re gorgeous, ya know that?” He kissed him again, butterflies erupting in his stomach as Shad kissed him back, deeper and for a second longer. He felt dizzy and stupid but couldn’t help the huge grin on his face.

“Uh-huh. Sure.” Shad replied with skepticism, but still had a grin on his own face.

“Honest!” “I believe you wholeheartedly.”

“Bullshit.” He snorted, kissing him over the remains of their lunch once more, blackberries curling their way over his lips and tongue and tangled in his mind and heart.

Chapter 2: Nervous Chocolatiering

Summary:

Shad liked chocolate, so it was only natural he would ask him to be his Valentine with it, right?

Notes:

Tehe, Shadlink <3

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

To say Twi was nervous would be an understatement.

Look, he knew he was overreacting. He was already dating this man and had been dating him for nearly a year at this point but he was still so nervous around him. He loved him, like, a lot and lived with him and adopted three cats and is alway mentally making out and physically making out with him, but, still, Shad was seriously cute and Twi was a total dork.

So, yeah, when Valentine’s day started to roll around, he was starting to become a mess.

He went around their friends asking what he should do to ask Shad to be his Valentine. Sky and Midna were entirely unhelpful, laughing so hard they could barely breathe when he asked them. Ashei, Linkle, and Groose gave him confused looks and told him he was already his boyfriend, Wars told him to give him a nice curb stomp as Shad had managed to embarrass him by telling him another lie he believed (honestly, the two had known each other for nearly 20 years at this point, that was on Wars in his opinion). Sunny and Ilia turned out to be the only people actually helpful, thinking it was so adorable. They managed to convince him to just do something small and sweet to ask him and then something more classic as a date, like a movie and dinner or just a home date.

So, here he was, constantly checking the clock and frantically trying to finish all the homemade chocolates and covered strawberries while Shad went to do some errands. He was trying to keep a close eye as he tempered the chocolate and followed his cousins’ instructions very carefully, reading it over and over again and looking at the little tutoriels they sent to him. This was his third attempt and it was going much, much better than the two currently sitting in the trash can (along with one pot that was beyond saving. Maybe he should add a new pot to the list of Valentine gift ideas). The chocolate was actually setting right, nice and glossy with a nice snap.

He was dipping strawberries and making them nice and pretty. He even managed to make some white chocolate too, to drizzle and write in. He got small chocolates out of their molds and started to arrange them in the box. He then tried to quickly and very carefully write out “Will you be my Valentine?” on the strawberries, letting out a frustrated growl when they turned out a little shaky and not perfect enough.

He looked at the mess of his third attempt, letters wonky and some of the strawberries having some set chocolate pools around them. It was by far his best attempt but it wasn’t perfect.

Hell, he didn’t even know if they tasted good, as he couldn’t taste the chocolate due to his damn allergy.

He took a deep breath, picking up the box and feeling the tiredness, both mental and physical, from the hours he spent making it. He sighed, looking over the mess of dishes and items. He took mental inventory and was pretty sure he had enough stuff for at least one more attempt. Hopefully.

He moved over to the trash can but jumped before he could open the lid, the front door opening and Shad yelling “I’m back!”

Twilight quickly scrambled and started to try and put all the dishes in the sink. He managed to pile the mess in the sink and hide the box behind his back just in time for Shad to walk in, holding something behind his back as well.

“Welcome back!” He squeaked out, trying and failing to look like he wasn’t up to anything. Shad raised an eyebrow, obviously figuring out that there was something going on.

“Whaaaaaaaaaaat are you up to?” He stepped closer, Shad’s hand’s still behind his back. Twilight backed up a bit, pressing himself into the counter as he tried to make sure the pastel purple colored box was hidden as well as it could be.

“I- uh, nothin’!” he answered quickly. Shad looked around the kitchen and to the sink full of dishes that definitely wasn’t there before he left. He looked at Twilight slightly amused.

“Uh-huh.” was all he answered in an unimpressed, monotone voice.

Twilight took a deep breath, heart pounding as he slowly took the box out from behind his back, holding it out to Shad and looking away bashfully, heat rising to his cheeks.

“Yea’, you, uh, ya caught me.” He answered just above a whisper. He glanced up at Shad for a moment, the other blinking in surprise, looking at the strawberries and chocolate. He looked away just as quickly. Shad could clearly read what was written, despite the wonky letters.

He didn’t expect Shad to start giggling. Twilight looked up and watched as Shad tried to desperately hide his laughter.

His stomach dropped.

This was stupid, he was stupid. It was a bad idea and it looked bad. He started to lower the box when Shad finally spoke again.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, Old Boy, I don’t mean to laugh, I just-” an amused smile settled on his face, bringing out a bouquet of lavender from behind his back with a small heart shaped cake with “Be Mine?” written on top with pink icing, “I was about to ask you the same.”

Twilight stared at the cake, the cream colored icing speaked with vanilla seeds and in a nice cake box from a local bakery they both enjoyed going to. It wasn’t one of the premade ones you could pick up on any day, this must have been ordered beforehand as a custom, same with the flowers, already cut and arranged in a crystal vase. It must have been a real one, Shad hated fake crystal, despite not really caring for the real stuff in the first place. Twilight liked the look though.

“Oh.” was all he could whisper out, blinking back tears.

Shad’s demeanor changed instantly, putting his gifts and Twi’s down on the counter and hugging him.

“Are you okay, love? Is something wrong?” Twilight shook his head, pulling back a little to look at him.

“No, I jus’, I was jus’ so nervous ya woul’n’t like it.” He admitted, sniffling a bit to try and hold back his emotions.

“Oh, honey, of course I would like it. You know how much I enjoy both chocolate and strawberries.” He hugged him again, rubbing his back.

“Does this mean ya wanna be?” Shad laughed lightly.

Yes, my dear, of course I’ll be your Valentine. And you?” All Twilight could do was nod into his shoulder before pulling back. He calmed down a bit, taking a deep breath.

“The cake is almond vanilla.” That started the tears to well up again.

“Yea’?” he asked, trying to keep the tears away.

“With blackberry compote in the middle.” He pouted, the tears starting to fall.

“My favorite.” Shad hugged him again, squeezing him into his chest, laughing a bit and sighing.

“Oh, my dear, of course, what else would I get?” Shad asked in a slight teasing tone.

“I don’ know.” Twilight answered into his chest. They stood in the kitchen holding each other for a moment before Twilight finally gathered himself and they were able to pull apart.

Shad picked up the box and looked at them again, picking up a strawberry and inspecting it closely with a smile before biting into it, a smile on his face as he chewed and smiled.

“Did you make this?” Twilight nodded.

“My cousins’ gave me a couple recipes ta try. I, uh, I hope they turned out alrigh’.” He sniffled and rubbed the back of his neck.

“Wait, you made this from scratch?” Shad asked, a bit baffled.

“Mm-hmm.” He answered with a nod. Shad grinned wide.

“My dear, that is so incredible. These are wonderful, that’s so sweet of you.” Shad hugged him again.

“‘M glad ya like ‘em.” Twilight smiled.

“Of course. Come on, now, let's go and sit down and enjoy our gifts, shall we?” He smiled, picking up the box and the cake, standing in the kitchen doorway. Twilight nodded with a grin, grabbing a fork from the drawer before following Shad out.

Notes:

Find me on Tumblr @marcusdoodlesalot! Come bark at me :3
Also sorry for any mistakes, I didn't get a beta reader and I'm drinking.

Notes:

Check me out on Tumblr @MarcusDoodlesALot for art and my ramblings and reposts! Come bark at me, too! I love barking with others :3