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Chapter Text

Link walked through the forest on Epona, his steed was calm and the two of them were going through the woods in a comfortable silence. Every now and then Link would see a few fairies. Often they'd take a quick break on his hat or in his hair, and sometimes offer pleasantries that Link would return. But mostly...Link simply continued to walk through the forest. Ever since Termina a little under a year before, Link had been...roaming and searching. He needed to find Navi, Navi was the only one who could ever understand him. He couldn't go back to kokiri forest, he wasn't a real kokiri and he was sure Saria and everyone else was happier without the resident freak, he didn't belong with hylians, heck he could barely speak hylian, no matter how nice Malon and Zelda were, he was nothing but an intruder on Skull Kid, Tatl, and Tael's, friendship even if they said they liked Link's company and Skull Kid got excited around Link, Link was sure it was just out of them being grateful to Link for saving them, he could barely bring himself to look at Ruto or Darunia, even if he had saved them the second time, he was terrified he's slip up and tell them something about the prevented future, then they'd think he was crazy, and even if he visited Termina a lot, and spent a lot of time with the people he helped there(especially Anju and Kafei), he was sure he was nothing but a reminder of the horrible thing that nearly happened. The only person who could ever undertstand, the only person he could ever belong with is Navi.

So Link needed to find her. He needed to find the only creature in existence who could ever understand, the person who had been with him throughout the entirety of his adventure, the person who had dried his tears, who had helped and given him advice, who had been with him till the very end and that Link loved so much.

Link sighed softly, looking up at the overhead leaves of the trees, the sky was starting to get dark. He should probably get some sleep.

Link found himself a nice place next to a tree. He got off of Epona and gently patted her flank. Epona was a free spirit, and Link knew that she  would always come to him whenever he played her song, so he never tied her to anything. Link started to set up his camp, or he was going to set up camp, but as he started walking towards the spot he was planning to set up, he took a step and didn't find solid ground, and screamed as he was swallowed up by the dark portal.

Link ran around, taking down monster after monster, rushing around the battlefield alongside his battalion. Less than a week ago portals had started to open all over the kingdom, so far they had been dropping monsters upon monsters onto the army and he was exhausted. Link had only joined the army a year ago, give him some slack!!! He continued to fight and rush around, however, just as he was about to rush to help a different battalion he heard the telltale sound of a portal opening alongside screaming before he felt himself get thrown onto the ground as the person screaming landed on him. The soldier let out a string of curses and threw them off of him, moving and pointing his sword at-

A child in green

The kid couldn't have been older than 10, he had blond hair that reached just below his ears, dark blue eyes, and was glaring at Link, and before Link could even react the child started yelling at the soldier.

In fairy.

Link stared blankly at the child as they continued to yell at him, speaking in fairy and being impossible for the soldier to understand. He only recognized the language as fairy because of Proxi.

Hylia where was that fairy when he needed her!? Suddenly there was a small hylian child screaming at him in fairy and Proxi was off doing goddess knows what!!

Then Link saw a monster point an attack at the child, and the soldier cursed and rushed forward, grabbing the child as the kid yelped in surprise and they both rolled, barely avoiding the axe that would have cut the child in half. And without another thought Link started to run, as he did he noticed that he wasn't the only person with random people appearing near them. He could notice at least 2 other portals with a random person being thrown through. Link could also hear that the child had gone silent after the attack, but Link didn't care. His priority was getting this child out of danger. He could find Proxi to help him communicate with him after the battle.

"Link what- where did you get a child!?" The blond looked up to see his captain, and the soldier simply pointed to the portals and the captain cursed.

"Get him to a camp, we'll find his parents after the battle." Link only nodded and continued to rush with the young child, the young child muttered a few words in fairy, and when they reached the camp Link put the child on the closest box.

"Stay." Link said pointing at the box, he let out a sigh of relief when the child nodded. At least he understood some hylian even if he didn't speak it.

With that Link rushed off to continue fighting with the knowledge that the child would be protected until he could figure out where the child came from and how to get them back home.

Link sat on his box, he felt like he was in shock.

It didn't make sense!!! One moment he was in the lost woods, the next he was falling through the sky onto a random guy!! He wasn't exactly proud of himself for the things he had said to the other blond(who was apparently named Link as well, he was getting flashbacks to when Darunia named his son after him). Give him some slack!! He had thought that the other was the reason for that stuff and was angry!! He was very grateful to the other Link for saving him, Link had been too mad and focused on older Link to realize what was happening, to realize the fact that he was on a huge battlefield.

And from what he had seen, there were a LOT of people and monsters fighting on that battlefield. Plus a few people that seemed to be being thrown through portals just like Link was.

What the fuck was happening?

Whatever. Link had no idea what was happening, but what else is new? First he wakes up 7 years older, then he gets turned into a Deku Scrub for wanting his stuff and Epona back, now THIS!!! Ugh. He hated his life, the goddesses must REALLY hate him. With his luck he was probably thrown across time or something. The 11 year old couldn't help but pout. He was so done with this!!! There wasn't even anybody around who could understand him!! It was clear the older Link hadn't understood a word out of his mouth, and unless there are fairies in whatever place he was thrown into, nobody else would understand him other than the few hylian words he could speak.

Why was speaking hylian so hard for him!? Most hylians literally speak all the time, but even though Link understands them he struggles so much to actually say hylian words other than the scattered few Malon had helped him learn, and even then it took a bunch of focus. He didn't get it!!! Sure, he was raised speaking fairy alongside the kokiri, but that shouldn't keep him from being able to learn to speak hylian the way most people learn to speak another language! Especially since Malon always seemed so confused with Link's struggle to pronounce the hylian language.

WHATEVER!!!

It was a while before the battle stopped, and after the other Link came back.

And he had a fairy with him.

Link lit up upon seeing the fairy, rushing over excitedly as the fairy spoke up.

"You must be the child Link mentioned!! He said you speak fairy, also my name is Proxi!!!" The blue fairy said and Link immediately nodded.

"Yeah. I was raised speaking the language and struggle with hylian. I do know a few words but it takes a lot of concentration to speak them." Link said and the fairy seemed confused.

"What? How? You're hylian, shouldn't you be able to speak hylian easily? Most fairies are able to speak hylian with a week of practice at most."

Link winced at the question, he had been getting the same amount of questioning from the fairies who were trying to help him learn hylian. All of them were confused about why Link struggled so much with what should be an easy language for him and the forgotten hero avoided eye contact.

"I dunno why I struggle to speak it so much, mostly I avoid other hylians." Link said and Proxi made a questioning noise.

"What about your parents? you're a child, you don't look any older than 11!! Where are they!?" Proxi asked and Link scoffed.

"I can take care of myself!!! My parents died during the Hyrulian Civil War, my father was a knight and my mother got me somewhere safe before she died."Link spat out and Proxi seemed to freeze before making a questioning noise.

"The...Hyrulian Civil War?" She asked, making a confused noise as Link raised an eyebrow. Why did she sound so confused? The war ended less than 10 years ago, everyone knew about it.

"Why do you sound so surprised? It ended less than 10 years ago, considering the fact I'm 11 is it really that shocking my parents died during it?"

"WHAT!? That makes no sense!!! There hasn't been a war in centuries before this one!!!"

"What- I'm in a war!?" 

"Yes!!! What else do you think this is!? You're literally in a battlefield kid!!!"

Link immediately muttered a string of curse words he knew in fairy(all of which Tatl taught him), ignoring Proxi's 'lanugage!!' GODDAMNIT!!! He fucking knew it. He wasn't in his time anymore, was he!? Sure, tensions were bad with the gerudo, but it was not NEARLY to the extent of WAR!!! So unless he was in some random kingdom, which was very unlikely due to the hylian crest everywhere, he was very likely stuck in a different time.

Fuck. Him.

"Ok, Proxi, what the he- heck are you two talking about?" Link shot his head up to look at the very stressed looking other Link. Link definitely noticed the other Link censoring himself because of Link.

Well, at least he had the decency to not want to teach a child bad words. Little late though considering all of the curse words Tatl had taught Link in Termina.

"Well, this child is apparently an orphan, 11 years old, can quote unquote 'take care of himself', knows a few hylian words but struggle to speak it, and knows WAY to many fairy curse words!!!" Proxi said it all very quickly and Link rolled his eyes.

"You try to not learn curse words when the fairy you're traveling with curses at you ever other sentence." Link spat out and Proxi stumbled over her words, before getting mad.

"excuse me!? What kind of fairy curses out a child!?"

"One with a massive fucking attitude that's who." Link spat out, rolling his eyes. In reality, both him and Tatl were super stressed. Tatl was terrified for Tael's safety, and Link was under constant pressure with that HORRIBLE moon constantly hanging over his head, ready to crush both Link and everyone in Termina at any moment.

Not that Link would say anything about it. He wasn't a fucking idiot. He knew he'd be accused of lying, especially since people would automatically assume an 11 year old couldn't do half the stuff Link had done.

Whatever.

"Proxi..."

"He said that he traveled with a fairy that cursed him out!!!! Can you imagine!? Cursing out an 11 year old!?" Proxi demanded angrily and Link rolled his eyes.

"I was 10."

"YOU WERE 10!?!?!"

Chapter Text

Mask rushed around the battlefield, attacking everything he could with the Biggoron Sword. He heard a flute play and rolled out of the way as Skull Kid attacked a bunch of monsters with dark magic. As Mask stood up, he found himself surrounded in monsters, and without a second thought he did a spin attack, putting as much power into it and destroying the entire herd before continuing to rush through the battlefield, dragging his sword alongside him.

Mask currently had his Keaton mask on, he always did during battle. It made things easier, especially with all of the people across time constantly appearing. He didn't want to risk being recognized and targeted. The hero continued to run through the battlefield. Din's fire here, ice magic there, the occasional lightning, and throwing Nayru's Love over a few injured soldiers to give them the chance to get away. Mask continued to rush around, attacking anything in his way. Eventually, he heard the sound of a loud whistle.

The signal.

Mask cast Farore's Wind, allowing the wind to teleport him, and in seconds he found himself in front of the gates of Castle Town. He immediately started to attack and run through the monsters, killing anything in his way.

"SPRITE!!! Watch out!" Mask jumped to the side rolling out of the way of a monster attack as his brother rushed up to him. The captain immediately grabbed Mask's hand and started dragging Mask through the battlefield. "The portals are here, just like you guessed."

Mask immediately cursed in fairy, he had been hoping he was wrong. throughout the last year the war had been going on, after the first 6 months Cia had thrown in a bunch of new monsters AND people from across time. It was how they had gotten Ravio and Marin as part of the battalion alongside a BUNCH of new monsters to fight. With today being the one year anniversary of when Mask, Midna, Skull Kid, Tatl, and Tael had been thrown into the battle, Mask had made a guess that this battle Cia might decide to bring in even more new monsters and people. And this was something he had REALLY hoped he was wrong about.

But nope!! As Mask and the Captain rushed through and fought any monsters getting in the way, Mask saw the portals. They were just now starting to open, and the hero openly cursed when they finished and a BUNCH of water suddenly splashed onto the battlefield, what seemed to be an ocean pouring onto the field alongside TONS of monsters. With a nod inbetween the two both Mask and his brother rushed onto the battlefield together. Mask and the Captain stayed together, watching each other's blind spots and rushing around until it finally happened, Mask watched two Hylian children(both blond with tan skin) get thrown from the ocean portal, a goron and a zora getting thrown from the portal on the left of the ocean portal, and a bird girl and dark nut being thrown from the two smaller portals on the right, before all four closed. This was the most people to have EVER been thrown into battle before. Mask and the Captain shared a glance and the Captain made a head motion to the two groups on the left, and Mask nodded, rushing over to help the bird girl with the Dark Nut. As Mask came up he immediately attacked the Dark Nut, only for...

a young female voice to scream???

Mask jumped back in surprise, he watched the bird girl do the same and the Dark Nut immediately turned to him. throwing the Biggoron Sword to the side with ease.

"I know I look like a monster but did you really have to do that!?" The monster demanded and for a moment Mask just stood there, opening and closing his mouth in shock. He couldn't focus enough to speak Hylian, and the bird girl spoke up first.

"What the heck!? How- what- how are you talking like a normal person!?!?!" Mask could only point at the bird girl and nod in agreement.

"How am I- Oh I- it's complicated- wait- Medli!?!?"

"How do you know my name!?" she demanded, pointing a...harp? Yeah, a harp at the Dark Nut.

"How are you so young-?"

Mask suddenly heard the telltale sign of a beamos charging his attack and immediately grabbed the bird girl(Medli?), pushing both himself and the girl out of the way as the beamos shot its beam. He heard Medli let out a squeak of fear, as he took a deep breath and focused so he'd be able to speak Hylian.

"I know this is confusing but you both have been dragged from different time periods. I'm going to send you somewhere safe, please stay there until the battle is done so we can explain things to you." Mask said it all as quickly as possible so he didn't lose focus before using Farore's Wind on both of them to send them to base, ignoring their noises of surprise before jumping out of the way of another Beamos attack. before he could do much else the Captain suddenly came rushing over and attacked the machine. Mask nodded towards his brother and rushed over to the Biggoron Sword. Picking it up and rushing across the water covered battlefield. Just because they had gotten their time lost refugees out of way did not mean the battle was won. Far from it with all the new monsters brought into battle.

Captain Link walked into the camp carrying Sprite, the Keaton mask already put away. His little brother was obviously exhausted and had nearly collapsed after the last monster was killed. The Captain always hated when Sprite did this. His little brother always put others before himself, and though it was good to care about others, Captain Link was determined to teach Sprite to care about himself as well. He had already done lots of work helping his brother with his inferiority complex, but one year was far from enough to take care of such deep seated issues.

"Link!!!" The Captain turned to his name to see his twin sister skipping over, a wide smile on her face. "Welcome back!! How was the battle?" She asked cheerfully and Captain Link had to fight back a sigh. He could never understand how Linkle manages to be so cheerful in the middle of a war.

"Mostly normal other than the new monsters and people from different times, Sprite overworked himself again." The Catain stated, and rolled his eyes as Sprite muttered in fairy. He may not understand fairy, but he knows his brother well enough to know exactly what he was saying. "Yes you did Sprite. You nearly collapsed on the battlefield."

Linkle laughed. "Oh Mask, you really need to learn to stop doing that!! You're gonna worry my twin into an early grave!!" The girl giggled and Sprite stuck his tongue out at Linkle. Captain Link couldn't help but laugh a bit, shaking his head.

He was happy that, even if Sprite acted EXTREMELY mature for his age, he was still able to act his age at times.

The Captain worried a lot for his brother. No child should feel like they need to be an adult.

"Anyway, you think you're ready to walk again yet Sprite?" Captain Link asked, and he watched Sprite hesitate. Captain Link couldn't help but smile softly, he was happy he had been able to gain enough trust for his brother for Sprite to know he was allowed to not be alright 24/7. He was also very proud of Sprite for being willing to consider his own wellbeing more.

And he was even more proud when Sprite shook his head, even if his little brother hesitated before doing it.

"That's ok. Thank you for being honest, how about we find you a place to get some rest?" Captain Link asked, and after a moment of hesitation Sprite nodded and the Captain couldn't help but smile even more.

He was so proud of how far Sprite had come.

Captain Link brought his brother over to the tents, planning on finding a bed where he could wrap his brother up in blankets and make him some hot chocolate(even if he knew Sprite would throw a hissy fit when he wraps him into them for 'babying him', he also knew that the second he was gone Sprite would immediately cuddle into those blankets and drink the hot chocolate in minutes when Captain Link brought it over), however instead he was immediately met with 2 pairs of eyes.

Shit. He had completely forgotten about the time lost people.

"Eh!!! You're that asshole Captain guy from the battle earlier!! Mind fucking explaining what's going on you cunt!?" the girl demanded in a VERY strong accent that made her hard to understand. She was blond and wearing a blue shirt, with a darker blue vest, and a red bandana and belt with white shorts. 

"Tetra could ya calm the fuck down!? The bitchass promised he'd explain after the battle! Even if it was a total bitch move to not let us fucking fight." The blond boy next her snapped at the girl, accent just as strong. He was wearing green clothing similar to both Captain Link's uniform and the green clothing Sprite had appeared in. Though, it was also different in some key ways.

The Captain let out a long sigh. More cursing children(though these two were WAY more rude than Sprite had even been). Neither of these two could be any older than Sprite, yet they both were strongly cursing straight to his face. And here he thought Sprite would be the only child he'd meet in this war who could outcurse a sailor(He could still remember Proxi berating Tatl when she learned she was the fairy who taught Sprite all those curse words).

He could feel Sprite shuffling in his arms and sighed softly, setting the child down before Sprite walked over to the bed on the other side.

Captain Link was so proud of Sprite.

"Yeah, yeah, firstly, please watch your language. Secondly, my name is Captain Link. That", He pointed to Sprite, "Is my little brother. Everyone calls him Mask except me. To me he's Sprite, but don't call him that unless you want a sword to the face." Captain Link stated. Sprite had a very specific way of seeing things. To him, 'Sprite' was something only the Captain could call him. It was the same with how he had threatened to tear Linkle's favorite dress to pieces if she didn't stop calling him 'fairy boy' when that was Malon's nickname. It was also the same with how Mask was the nickname Sprite preferred most people call him during the war(but HATED Captain Link referring to him as such).

Even if Captain Link didn't understand fully, he would always respect his brother and his wishes. He just wished Linkle would be better at listening to those wishes as well.

"Wait- my name is Link!!!" The blond boy suddenly said, shooting up and for a moment, the Captain just stared at the third Link blankly.

And then Sprite started to loudly speak in fairy and Captain Link shot around and snapped at his brother. "Language!!!"

Link had no clue what the fuck was going on.

One minute he was on the ship with Tetra and the rest of the crew, things normal and everything being completely fine.

The next a portal suddenly opens in the middle of the ocean, and Tetra gets curious and wants to find out what the fuck is going on(and honestly? Link was just as curious), so the two of them get on the King of Red Lions, but UH OH!! The currents are actually super strong and they both got yeeted off of Link's boat and onto the soaked ground of a battlefield.

Then this guy with a blue scarf and a green outfit suspiciously similar to the heroes garb rushes over and tells them that they're IN THE MIDDLE OF A WAR!!!! And the proceeds to use magic to send both Link and Tetra into a camp after telling them to stay there.

RUDE AS FUCK!!!

So then, him and Tetra find themselves inside a tent, no explanations, no understanding of where they were, nothing except a guy in green and blue telling them they were in war and sticking them in a tent for GODDESS KNOWS HOW LONG before the man walks back into the tent holding a child.

Not the weirdest thing Link's ever seen, far from it actually. The two look fairly similar and were probably related. Maybe siblings or something. So after Tetra snapped at the other Link(which...he didn't blame her, he was seconds away from doing it himself...but SOMEONE has to reign in that woman, half the time Link couldn't help but think it's bullshit that Tetra is actually full blown royalty, no matter the evidence). So he had snapped at her to calm the fuck down, Even if he did make sure to show his own annoyance and anger at how it was super unfair to not let them fight.

Then Mr. Green&Blue said his name.

It took Link a few moments to even say anything from his shock. He had NEVER met anyone with the same name before!(Even if he knew the Hero of Time had the same name because of the deities who kept comparing Link to the Hero of Time).

"Wait- my name is Link!!!"

After his exclamation Captain Link stared at him with a blank face before Mask(who WAS the captain's brother after all), started to loudly talk in another language. And before Link could even think to ask what the other kid was saying Captain Link immediately turned to the smallest blond in the tent.

"Language!!" He snapped, wow, that was much more aggressive. Did that kid curse a lot? And in response Mask stuck his tongue out at Captain Link and crossed his arms and turned away. And Captain Link only sighed in annoyance, rubbing his forehead. "Look, I know what you're thinking Sprite, but Proxi isn't around and we both know you won't be able to focus enough to speak hylian with this happening." Captain Link stated and then Tetra spoke up.

"Eh!! The fuck you talking about, from what I've seen you understand whatever dumbass gibberish that shorty is talking perfectly asshole!" The pirate snapped and Link saw a look of anger start to come onto Mask's face as Captain Link walked over to separate them.

"Firstly, what did I say about language!? And secondly, I think you've misunderstood young lady-"

"Young lady!? I'll have you know I ain't a lady dumbass!!! I'm Tetra the Pirate Queen!!!"

"Well Tetra you misunderstood, I don't understand the language my brother just spoke. I simply know my brother well enough to know exactly what he was saying." Captain Link snapped at Tetra, obviously getting more pissed off the longer this interaction lasted.

Pussy. Not even having the balls to curse back.

Plus, how stupid was it that he didn't understand the language his OWN BROTHER spoke!?

"Why don't you understand the fucking language your own brother speaks? Honestly it's pretty shitty to not even try to understand your own si-" But before Link could even finish his sentence there was an arrow next to his head, taking some of his hair. He went stiff and looked to see Mask looking at him with an extremely pissed off expression. Bow out and a second arrow already prepared to shoot.

All Link could do was stare wide eyed at the pissed off shorter blond. Staring into furious blue eyes and a loaded bow.

Link was SO fucking screwed, wasn't he?

Chapter Text

The Summer Solstice was tomorrow, and Mask, Skull Kid, Tatl, Tael, Proxi and all the fairies around had all been preparing. 

They were about 4 months into the war, and Mask had celebrated the spring Equinox with Skull Kid, Tatl, and Tael near the beginning of the war with all the other fairies. They had spent the vast majority of the night dancing and running around. It had been fun.

Anyway, about a month ago, him, Skull Kid, and all of the fairies(both that helped pass messages and the ones who were part of nature) had all done a draw to decide who would be giving a gift to who.

Mask had gotten Tael. And as such he had recently finished making the gift(a glittery decorated basket created specifically to help a fairy hold honey and other sugary things)for the dark fairy. He was reminded of when he lived in Kokiri Forest. He had always created things for the person he was gifting to. He could still remember how he would spend hours spying on them, not stopping until he knew for absolutely sure what to make for them. His favorite year was when he was 8. He had gotten Saria, and had made her a flower crown with her favorite flowers. Saria had been ecstatic when she got it, Link could never forget the bright smile on his former best friend's face as she spent the next few weeks wearing it 24/7.

Mask was also planning to give the Captain(he had been promoted 2 months into the war) a gift as well. Over the last few months he had...been getting close to him. Sure, he was pissed off that the Captain had tried keeping him off the battlefield and sent him away multiple times, but even so the Captain had been very kind to him. And...after the Captain stopped trying to send Mask away, the two had been spending a lot of time together...

To keep it short, Mask was making a gift for the Captain. It didn't matter why, he was just gonna do it!!!

The 11 year old put his focus back on the carved cherry blossom tree he was painting. The Captain had often told stories of his favorite place, where there were Cherry Blossoms all over. He always sounded nostalgic when he described the blossoms and even had a picture he kept on him 24/7. As such, Mask had spent weeks carving the tree out of a large log while also making Tael the small basket with a thinned out vine for him to carry it. He knew Tael would love the basket. Fairies loved glitter and bright colors, and honey was like a pure healing potion for fairies. Other sugary things helped as well(though not as much). Mask was much less sure about the Captain liking his own gift. Especially since he's known Tael much longer than the Captain.

But hey!! If the Captain ended up hating it at least Mask wouldn't have to worry about the Captain getting annoyed or mad at him!! After all, the gifts on the Summer Solstice were anonymous for a reason!!!

Even if it would hurt like hell to see the Captain despise the gift Mask worked so long and hard on for him

Mask shook his head, and got back to work on putting the finishing touches on the tree. Mask wasn't the best artist, and he had never seen a cherry blossom minus the picture the Captain carried around. But he was hopeful that the cherry blossom would still look good and that the Captain would still like it.

Tonight, Mask would wrap a bow around the tree and then simply slip it into the Captain's tent. The Captain didn't celebrate the Summer Solstice, and Mask didn't want to give any hints that he was the one who made the tree, so it was better to simply put the tree where the Captain would know it was a gift for him.

He was both nervous and excited for tomorrow.

Mask sat by the fire, eating breakfast alongside a bunch of other soldiers(he was an early bird). He was quiet as usual. Linkle and Proxi(alongside the Captain when he had time) had been giving him Hylian lessons a few days of the week. Luckily, because Proxi knew what today was, he didn't have to take them today. Mask hated his Hylian lessons. He hated being reminded that he couldn't talk like a normal person and that the only people who could understand him were the fairies and Skull Kid. He hated the fact that nobody could figure out the issue. It felt like he was repeatedly hitting his head against a brick wall. There was a block, and nobody could figure out what it was. Mask wasn't even able to quit like he had the last few times he tried to learn Hylian!!! When he tried(Alongside screaming at Linkle and Proxi that nothing was working), he was reminded that without these lessions he would never be able to actually talk to people. And while that worked when he was alone, it didn't work when he was in a war and surrounded by Hylians, all of which he needed to be able to communicate with.

Fuck. Him.

Mask let out an annoyed sigh. He needed to stop thinking about this. Today was about celebrating the change of seasons and being seen and cared about by others. Today was about being happy and cared about.

Even if he was sure the person who got him wouldn't actually care

As Mask finished his porridge, he stood up and gave a quick wave to show he would be leaving to the others. he had Tael's gift in his pouch, and walked straight into the forest.

After about a 20 minute walk he reached the meadow they were celebrating at. All of the other fairies and Skull Kid were already there, and Mask smiled when Skull Kid noticed him.

"Linky!!!!!" Skull Kid said excitedly, rushing over to Mask, the forgotten hero letting his friend hug him. Ever since the war started Mask, Skull Kid, Tatl, and Tael had gotten a lot closer. With them already knowing each other beforehand they quickly stuck together in this new, unfamiliar time period.

Honestly...Mask almost felt like the three of them genuinely enjoyed his company.

"Hey Skull Kid." Mask said with a soft smile. He walked over to the present pile and slipped Tael's gift from his pouch. It was wrapped in fairy paper. All Tael had to do was use his magic and the paper would evaporate, leaving only the gift.

Mask spent most of the day playing with Skull Kid, Tatl and Tael. They played hide and seek, tag, pretend, and a bunch of other games.

Eventually, after lunch, the show started. Different fairies sang, danced, and when it was Mask's turn he played a few songs on the Fairy Ocarina(he usually kept the Ocarina of Time in his bag). Saria's song with some slight tweeks so he didn't call Saria. The Song of Healing, Zelda's Lullaby, and a couple other songs Mask had even made himself.

After he finished he got a bunch of cheering and his face went red as he rushed over to sit down.

Once the show ended...it was time to find and open their gifts.

Mask, alongside all the fairies and Skull Kid, looked through the pile. Eventually, Mask found the gift addressed to him, with the name 'Link' on some fairy paper, and picked it up.

It was very light, and it wasn't too big, wrapped like most of the other presents were. Mask sat down and used his magic on the paper, and when the paper disappeared he gasped.

It was a song.

It had the name, 'A Fairy's Jingle' on the parchment, and when Link grabbed his ocarina to play it with shaking hands, it had a joyful tune. And the song reminded Mask of fairies and the forest. It had the jingle of a fairy, it moved like a fairy in the air, it had that safe feeling that the forest brought, and when Mask played it, he felt his magic suddenly get a rush.

It was perfect.

Mask felt tears start to well up in his eyes. Whoever made this...truly knew want he would have wanted. It had a version for both singing and playing his ocarina. Mask couldn't keep the smile off of his face as he rushed over to Skull Kid.

"Skullie!!! Skullie!!! I got the best present!!" Mask practically squealed. He normally would never get this excited, but this gift was everything he could have wanted!!!

"You did!? What is it Linky!?" Skull Kid asked cheerfully, he was holding a black lamp. And Mask was hit by how much he was sure Skull Kid would love the lamp. Skull Kid was afraid of the dark, giving him a way to always have light was a perfect idea.

It made Mask feel really good that his friend got a giftgiver that understood Skull Kid like his own giftgiver understood him.

"I got a song!!!" Mask said, showing it to Skull Kid. The other looked a bit confused as he took the paper from Mask, tilting his head.

"Why is a song the perfect gift?" Skull Kid asked curiously, and Mask immediately responded. Normally he wouldn't, but he just felt so happy and wanted to tell Skull Kid how happy and seen he felt.

"Because I LOVE music!! You've noticed how I love to play my ocarina's and sing! Not to mention, I absolutely love learning and making new songs!! It's one of the few things that have always made me happy, even when I was at my worst, music has always been a comfort for me!!!! Not to mention, this song is a fairy song!! Not only does it sound and feel like fairies and the forest, it heightens my magic!!! It's so amazing and I've never felt more seen during a Summer Solstice!!!" Mask spun around, a huge smile on his face. He never expected someone to see him so completely. It made him feel cared for in a way he never dared to consider possible. He eventually noticed that Skull Kid had a curious and excited look on his face.

"I didn't realize you loved music that much Linky!! Why didn't you ever tell me!? We could have sung together more!! How about you play it for me!!!" Skull Kid exclaimed. He almost never saw his friend so cheerful and excited. It made Skull Kid feel like today was the best day ever just seeing Link look so happy, best present ever!! Normally he was so closed off and sad or angry!! Skull Kid just wanted his bestie to be happy like this all the time!! And if music did that he would play his flute everyday!!!

"I do!!! Hylia I do!!! I guess I figured you wouldn't care, but that doesn't matter!! I'll play it for you!!" Link said brightly and took Skull Kid's hand, rushing over to a stump as he dragged the forest spirit.

'I guess I figured you wouldn't care.'

Why would Linky think that?

Well, it didn't matter!! Because Skull Kid was gonna make sure his bestie knew just how much he cared!!!!!!!!!!!!

They spent the rest of the day together. Mask played 'A Fairy's Jingle' all throughout the rest of the celebration, Skull Kid playing alongside with his flute. Tael was excitedly rushing around, he loved his basket a bunch and was showing it off to everyone. Tatl had gotten her favorite flower, and was showing it off to everyone as well as she followed her Brother.

Overall, it was the best Summer Solstice Mask had had since he left Kokiri forest.

Mask walked back to camp after dinner, Proxi on his shoulder and already asleep. He was humming his new song as he walked back. It was long since dark by now. Mask had some dirt on his clothing from all the games, and he had a soft smile on his face. He was wearing his bunny ears as he went back to camp. He didn't want to miss curfew after all!!

As Mask entered the camp, he saw that the Captain was sitting by the fire, the tree Mask had made him in his lap. He was looking at it quietly, before shooting his face over to smile as Maske when he came back.

"Hey Sprite." He said calmly, and Mask walked over quietly, sitting beside the Captain and made a questioning sound. He motioned to the tree, pretending not to know what it was.

"Oh this? I- heh. I have no idea who made it. All I know is that I woke up this morning with a handmade cherry blossom tree sitting on my bedside table...it's one of the most thoughtful gifts I've ever gotten." Mask felt a surge of pride at that, the Captain liked his gift!!!!!

 "I'm happy you like it." His voice was soft, and he had an equally soft smile on his face. He leaned against the Captain, closing his eyes and humming softly when he felt an arm snake around him.

This was the best Summer Solstice of his life.

The Summer Solstice was coming up, and Mask had been working hard to make the perfect presents for both of his brothers, He had been working hard to make them perfect.

For the Captain, he had recently finished making a mask. He had talked multiple times about wanting a mask to match Mask, so Mask made him one. He did his best to make it to where the mask perfectly fit his older brother. Sure, he could have just given his older brother one of the Masks he already had, but that would give away who was giving the gift with ease!!!! Plus, he wanted to put effort into the mask!! Just giving his brother a random mask from his bag was extremely rude.

For Tune, he was making something much more intricate. Similar to the tree he had made the Captain last year, he was making something very specific for Tune.

A replica of Tetra's Ship.

He had been working on it ever since the Spring Equinox, when Tune had surprised him by revealing that he celebrated the change of seasons to, that he celebrated with the 'Koroks' back home and he had surprised Mask by spending the entire day together. It...was the thing that made Mask truly consider Tune his brother. As such Mask had insisted on being the one to make Tune's gift this year, showing fairies who did the draw the work he had already done.

He was eternally grateful he had been allowed this exception.

So he needed to make it perfect.

Now, after about 3 months of work, he was almost done with it. He had finished carving it a while ago, and he had been stirring Tune and Tetra into telling stories that included the ship as much as possible so he got all of the details correct. Now he was painting it. He had gotten much better at painting over the time the War had been going on, and he was much prouder of the paint job he was giving the ship than the paint job he had given the Captain's cherry blossom tree. He was sure he would be done before the last week before the solstice was up!!!

Mask continued to work on the ship, he was doing his best to focus on the paint job. He had just finished painting the hull when he heard someone calling for 'Sprite'.

Looks like it was time for dinner.

Mask slipped the boat into his bag.

He would continue painting tomorrow.

The Summer Solstice was tomorrow, and Mask slipped into the Captain's room in the castle(they had come back to Castle Town a couple days ago) holding the mask. As he did he noticed two other gifts already sitting on the bedside table.

Looks like Proxi and Tune had gotten here first. Tune had spilled the beans about the celebration of the change of seasons to the Captain after the Spring Equinox, so he wasn't surprised.

Hopefully Tune had explained that the point of the Summer Solstice was to not know who gave you the gift.

Mask put the mask he made on the table and then slipped away, he needed to put on the finishing touches on Tune's gift.

Mask woke up to the sound of a door being slammed open, yelping and shooting up before turning to see Tune with a shiteating grin on his face.

"Happy Summer Solstice!!!" He said cheerfully, rushing over and pulling Mask into a tight hug before spinning the younger preteen around, laughing. Mask let out a soft yelp before hugging back and smiling a bit. Soon they finished the hug and Tune grabbed Mask's hand. "Come on!!! We gotta eat breakfast fast so we can get to the fairy meadow!!!"

Mask didn't move though and took his hand from Tune's grip before making an X with his hands, shaking his head and closing his eyes to focus. "I still have to grab the present!" He said quickly, and Tune groaned.

"Come on shorty!! Why didn't you put it in your bag yesterday!?" Tune said in an annoyed voice and Mask scoffed and crossed his arms, looking away with a small 'hmph'.

Ungrateful jerk. Mask had been awake almost all night putting the finishing details on the ship and this was how Tune repaid him!?

"Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuugh fine!! Have it your way then! But if you aren't downstairs in the next 30 minutes I'm going to the meadow without you!!!" He snapped and ran off.

Asshat.

Mask went over to his bed, pulling the ship out from under it. It was still unwrapped, Mask having decided to let it dry overnight so he didn't smear the finishing touches when wrapping it.

Mask carefully wrapped the boat in regular parchment. Tune didn't have fairy magic, so fairy paper would be wasted on him. Mask quick labled the package with Tune's name(both Link and Tune) Before carefully picking it up and putting it into his enchanted bag.

Luckily the enchantment on the pouch meant he could literally throw it against a wall repeatedly and the boat would remain completely unharmed.

With that, Mask put on his bunny ears and rushed out of the guestroom he had been gifted. He knew that Tune had meant what he said, and he was gonna prove to the cunt(He didn't really know what that word meant, but it was an insult, Mask knew that for sure!!)that he wasn't going anywhere without Mask!

The shortest hero quickly entered the dining room, sauntering over and plopping next to Tune. He didn't even grace Tune with any acknowledgement as he grabbed his plate and started to get some breakfast, before starting to eat pretty much immediately. Mask was starving.

"Took you long enough to grab the present." Tune snarked and Mask looked Tune straight in the eyes and said the most offensive word he knew in fairy. Ignoring the confused look Tune gave him alongside all of the fairies who made surprised and/or horrified noises(there were almost always fairies all around the castle. It made Mask feel safe).

"Mask...what the fuck did you just call me!?" Tune demanded angrily and Mask only shrugged, eating his food as the taller hero gave him a suspicious look before going back to eating his food.

"What you deserved for being such an asshat, especially since I worked so hard on your present." Mask said in a matter-of-factly voice, knowing full well Tune couldn't understand a word. He knew Tune had no way of knowing, but it didn't stop Mask from being pretty annoyed.

"You're using fairy on purpose, aren't you?" Tune grumbled, eating his food as Mask simply shrugged. Not even trying to hide it.

The two soon finished breakfast, and they slipped out of the castle. The Captain had quietly prepared a place for Tune and Mask to quietly slip out of Castle Town to go to the nearest fairy meadow. Mask was grateful Tune had explained the Summer Solstice to their oldest brother.

Mask had been afraid the Captain would be annoyed or angry if he told him, maybe accuse him of making it up. Like many of the adults in his era had been

Some habits died hard

Tune practically dragged Mask along, his excitement was completely noticeable. Which was understandable, especially considering that his slightly younger brother by less than a month had admitted to only recently starting to celebrate the change of seasons after his first quest with the Koroks and meeting the Great Deku Tree, he had outright admitted that this was his first ever Summer Solstice.

Mask had very mixed feeling knowing that Tune's Great Deku Tree was the same one Deku Tree Sprout from his first quest.

The 12 year old shook his head furiously, NO!! He was not thinking about the fact that his weird past-future had in fact not been erased when Zelda sent him back to his childhood without even asking what Mask would have wanted. He wasn't hurt by it!!! He wasn't!!! He didn't care that Zelda had sent him back to the past without even considering to ask him what he wanted!!!!

He wasn't hurt at all!! It was stupid that anyone would even think that!!!!!!!!!!

It was especially stupid to think that one of the biggest reasons Mask pushed people away was because he was afraid of them sending him away like Zelda had!!!

Completely improbable- oh they were at the meadow.

The fairies were already rushing around, Skull Kid rushed over and crushed Mask into a hug, which Mask happily returned, swinging his bestie around as they both laughed. Mask loved hanging out with Skull Kid, the forest spirit was his best friend(Tune and the Captain didn't count, they were his brothers).

"Wow, couldn't be bothered to show me some of that excitement?" Tune asked, sounding offended that Mask would get all excited with Skull Kid but not him.

Mask rolled his eyes hard before walking over to the present pile and slipping his gift to Tune from his bag. He hid the large gift behind some others, he knew Tune, and didn't was the slightly younger hero to figure out Mask had gotten him the boat.

That wholeheartedly went completely against tradition.

The celebration soon started, and Mask, Tune, and Skull Kid all played different games. Tune made them all start with a game called 'charades', Mask had never played it before now but it was a lot of fun and he found himself being very good at it.

So good that Tune got into an argument with him for 'cheating'.

The rest of the celebration was similar to last year. They played a lot of games and had tons of fun. Mask was enjoying himself a lot, laughing and smiling when he normally tried to be serious. The change of Seasons was one of the only times he allowed himself to relax. He often caught Tune staring at him, whenever Mask asked why Tune would mumble and look away.

Annoying.

Eventually, lunch time came, and Tune threw up after a single fairy bun. He looked like he was on the verge of passing out and multiple healing fairies had to keep him from getting worse.

Which was surprising and horrifying for Mask, who was already on his third bun and had no idea why his brother got sick on the fairy magic filled food. After all, Mask found it to be the most delicious, filling, and pleasing foods to eat. It made his magic sing happily and boosted it as well. So it confused the 12 year old quite a bit that his brother would get so violently ill off of it.

Whatever. Mask soon found himself sitting next to Tune instead of playing the Fairy Ocarina during the celebration.

He knew that he could just go over and play, Tune wouldn't mind, in fact the other would probably encourage it!!!

Mask stayed, sitting next to Tune and simply enjoying the show alongside the other, he was humming softly to himself alongside the songs, and Tune seemed to get better with every performance. By the time the music was done Tune looked mostly back to normal and Mask smiled when the other shot up after it was finished.

"I'M GONNA GO FIND MY GIFT!!!" He yelled excitedly and rushed off, Mask rolled his eyes and stood up, going over to the pile himself and looking for his present.

Mask was still deep in, looking for his gift when he heard a loud gasp.

The 12 year old looked up and saw that his fellow 12 year old was staring at the model Mask had made, and there were tears in his eyes as he looked at the ship and gently touched it.

Mask furrowed his brows, was Tune upset?

"Tune are you...?" Mask started walking over, but Tune soon got a smile on his face. It was the softest smile he had yet, and he looked at Mask with a look of genuine happiness with teary eyes.

"I love this so much Mask. This is the most thoughtful gift anyone has ever gotten me and I love it." His voice was soft and vulnerable as he clung to the ship, and Mask found himself staring at his brother.

Mask would be lying if he didn't get a rush of pride at that. It would be a lie to say he didn't feel extremely happy he knew his brother well enough for him to make a gift that Tune didn't just like, but loved to the point of tears.

"The whole point of the Summer Solstice is to be seen, I'm happy your giftgiver made you feel that way," Mask said after taking a moment to focus, before going straight back to the pile both to keep his expression from giving away his joy and to find his gift.

Eventually, Mask found his gift, and after opening it he gasped.

It was a whole basket filled with fairy delicacies. fairy buns, fairy cakes, crystal fruit, enchanted meat pies, and all of Mask's other favorites from Kokiri Forest!!! He had no idea how anyone would have known!! He never talked about his childhood in Kokiri, and he had no idea who would know what all of his favorite foods were.

But it would be a lie to say he didn't feel extremely happy and seen. It was just like last year, he was given a gift that made him feel so cared about and seen, as if someone who knew him so well without him even knowing had given him this gift.

It only made Mask happier the more he thought about it and he looked at Tune to show off his gift.

"Tune look!!!" He said cheerfully and he watched Tune make a face.

"Is that more of the shit that made me puke my guts out, sorry for you getting something so gross." Tune said and Mask gave an offended gasp.

"Fairy food is the best, you're just too much of a pussy to realize it!!!" Mask snapped, to worked up to focus as he turned around and stomped off, holding his goodies close.

"Linky! Linky! You got so much amazing foods!!!" Skull Kid said with wide eyes, looking at Mask with a bright smile as Mask immediately smiled brightly right back

"Yeah!! I have no idea how whoever I got knew about all of my favorite foods, but I'm super duper greatful!!" Mask said with a bright smile and Skull Kid just got happier as he showed off the flower crown someone made for him with all his favorite flowers, Mask loved how it looked on Skull Kid and complimented his friend. The rest of the celebration was spent with Mask and Skull Kid sharing some of Mask's goodies while Tune spent it admiring the boat. Mask couldn't help the immense feeling of pride he felt that the ship seemed to be just like it was supposed to look. Mask had been afraid it wouldn't look right and he felt very happy he had gotten everything right. He felt very happy he had been able to make his brother feel completely seen and happy!!

Mask and Tune ended up leaving sooner than everyone else. Mask carrying his basket of goodies and Tune holding his ship. It was obvious to Mask that Tune was too much of a pussy to handle the delicious fairy food, so they(See:Tune)were going back to have dinner at the castle. When the fairies said it was time to eat, Mask had simply started to walk out of the forest with Tune, and as they entered Castle Town, the two didn't talk at all. Mask was nibbling on a bun while Tune clung to his ship. Eventually, the reached the castle, and Mask waved off Tune to go have dinner in the dining room, motioning to his basket of goodies when Tune asked if he was going to eat(and pointedly ignoring Tune's disgusted expression).

Soon, Mask reached his room, and he set his basket on the bedside table before going over to his bathroom and starting the running water, which turned hot with the trunk of a nob.

When Mask had first seen this he had been terrified. He had been convinced it was some sort of dark magic and had refused to go 5 feet near the tubs. But after the Captain had actually showed and explained things to Mask...well, Mask quickly learned how much he loved hot baths.

The preteen relaxed into the bath with a soft hum. He allowed his eyes to flutter closed and sank into the warm water. He had a smile on his face and simply enjoyed himself.

Mask was excited to see the Captain's reactions to his, Proxi, and Tune's gifts in the morning, and he was excited to see Tetra's expression when she saw the model he had made of her ship.

But for now...he was just going to relax and end a completely perfect day in the most perfect way possible.

Chapter Text

Tune groaned in annoyance as he walked up the hill to the fairy flower field Mask was always hanging out in. For some reason his brother hadn't come when the Captain called for lunch. Tune's best guess was that Mask got insomnia again(for some reason he always got it around the full moon)and fell asleep in the field while spending time with the fairies. Which is why Tune insisted on being the one to get Mask even if he hated walking up the large hill it took to get there.

Because he needed another picture.

The last one was SO CUTE and his brother was one of the most serious and mature people he knew despite being less than a month older than Tune(it definitely added to the weirdness of his maturity that he was very small for his age). Getting that pic was one of the only times he got to see his brother being cute! Otherwise he was so serious and it was so annoying!

Soon, the pre-teen reached the top of the hill, and he was shocked to see the fairies all rushing around. They were freaking out and speaking in fairy, the second they saw him, they rushed him. All to panicked to even switch languages, so he was stuck just staring wide-eyed as the fairies freaked out.

"Woah woah woah, what's going on!? Why are you so freaked out!? And I'm not like Mask, I can't understand fairy!"

Then, four words Wind would never expect were spoken.

"THE WITCH STOLE HIM!!"

Oh no

Mask opened his eyes slowly, his head was pounding. The forgotten hero slowly sat up and opened his eyes...

Only to gasp in horror.

He was in a room, it had a comfortable bed, a vanity, and mostly looked normal.

But what was horrifying was it was surrounded in around all sides by pictures.

There were different bunches, and the pictures all layered over each other, their were hundreds.

And each and every one was of a Link.

He saw a cluster of pictures of Tune. He saw Tune standing on top of Ganondorf, the Master Sword in the Gerudo's head and Ganondorf completely turned to stone. He saw Tune in a golden boat with a different man driving said boat. He saw Tune hugging a girl with blond hair in a light blue dress. He saw Tune riding Tetra's boat across a large ocean. He saw Tune older, looking to be around 14, doing a headstand with a large smile. He saw Tune even older, possibly 18-19, running onto a large piece of land with Tetra not far behind. He saw lots of pictures of Tune with what looked to be a rito similar to Medli, the Rito was a boy and in many of the pictures they were kissing. Those pictures had red marks all over them alongside angry scribbles and words Mask couldn't read. There were so many more.

There was a cluster with a person who was wearing a red tunic with long green sleeves and a blue hat, a few of the pictures were of a pink bunny for some reason. There were pictures of him dancing, of his likeness painted onto a wall, of him crying over an older man's body. There were also some pictures of him with Marin and Ravio with the words in red pen, 'I'LL KILL THEM FOR TRYING TO TAKE HIM AWAY FROM ME!!!!'

There was a cluster of someone who looked very short and was a bunch of colors. He had on a headband and his tunic was green, red, blue, and purple. in one picture he had on a green hat similar to the one everyone else had...except it had a bird mouth??? In many of the pictures of the cluster, instead of the boy in the multicolored tunic there were 4 different boys, red, blue, purple, and green. people that were each wearing a color of the tunic alongside having eyes to match.

There was a cluster of a boy with brown hair instead of blond. In some of the pictures he looked like a normal Hylian, and in others he had fairy wings, wooden horns like a deers, and flowers and moss on multiple different parts of his body with a green glow, and in more there was a small green fairy instead of the brunette, there were also many pictures of the brunette being shamed and pushed away, even having things thrown at him, while in the the hybrid form with thick red words over them that said, 'I would never hurt you like that my love'.

There was a cluster of a boy with large white wings and a bright smile, he was often holding the Master Sword and had Fi with him. In many of the pictures he was playing a harp or being with a girl who looked like a Zelda. In many of those pictures they were kissing, one was even of their wedding with the words written over it, 'IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ME!!!!'

There was a cluster with a hero that looked extremely similar to Wind, except his clothing was different, black alongside a different type of outfit completely. In many of the pictures he was fighting alongside Phantom, in other pictures he was driving something that was black and very long. In more pictures he was dancing and kissing what looked like Phantom when she left the Dark Nut except she was solid with more angry scribbles.

There was a cluster of a hero in a long blue cape and the usual green tunic. He was often fighting, and many of the pictures had him in this weird dark void like place. there were what looked like pieces of Hyrule floating in place that he was running across, fighting monsters on, and there was one of him pouting in a pink crystal that was identical to the one Mask's Zelda had been trapped in by Ganondorf during Mask's own quest.

There was a cluster with a mixture of a man and a gray wolf. The wolf had white marks on its face, and the man had dark marks on his face alongside a wolf pelt in certain pictures. In many of the pictures Midna was there as well. Often she was riding the wolf. In one, Midna looked very different from the imp Mask knew, instead much taller and...kissing the Link? In that picture there was a red X over it with the words. 'It won't happen in this timeline' in big bold letters. There were also a few pictures with the man alongside a skeletal figure or the grey wolf with a golden wolf.

There was a cluster with a person that looked very different, he had no hat, and he was in a blue shirt. There was a picture of him being held by what looked like his Zelda, the girl sobbing over his limp body, there was a picture of him lying in a place, wearing nothing but shorts and fast asleep, there was many pictures of him in different situations in different clothing and some with a different arm. There was one picture of him sobbing on the head of a white dragon with a golden mane, tightly clinging to it. And in some pictures his golden hair faded to white and his ears were larger and pointed upwards for some reason.

And Mask eventually saw his own cluster. There were versions of himself with all the masks, Goron, Zora, Deku Scrub, and the Fierce Deity. There was him, but he looked much older and was wearing armor and had the Fierce Deity's marks on his face and one of his eyes was shut with a scar, he saw the golden wolf and the skeletal figure(Why?????), he saw himself pulling the Master Sword, he saw himself fast asleep in the sacred realm, looking no older than 14, he saw himself...dying to Ganondorf!?!? He flinched violently at that picture and immediately looked away. He saw himself with Malon, a lot of pictures of him with Malon, hugging...kissing...proposing!? Mask's face went red, especially because of how romantic it looked. The 12 year old was blushing just looking at an older version of himself proposing to Malon with a very shiny ring. Not even the furious red words screaming about how it was 'wrong' stopped Mask from blushing furiously and feeling extremely flustered.

He looked away, there were so many clusters other then those ten, the pictures covered the walls completely. There were so many heroes.

However, Mask eventually felt his eyes fall on a very specific cluster, the biggest of them all, the one that looked the most crazed and obsessive...

The Captain.

There were at least a hundred pictures, and there were more red scribbles and words than any other picture. He was 9 years old, 20 years old, fighting with Linkle, comforting Tune, sleeping on the streets, training in the army, wrapping his scarf around Mask, fighting alongside his battalion, crying, dancing, laughing, screaming, sitting, standing, fighting, training, and so much more. 

The obsession.......was horrifying. it was terrifying to see just how absolutely obsessed she was with all Links...

But Wars especially.

Mask's breathing started to quicken. He didn't want to be here, he didn't want to see this, this was horrifying-

"Do you like my little walls of admiration my hero?"

It had been a week since Sprite was kidnapped, and Link was on the verge of a full blown mental breakdown. He had looked everywhere for him!!! Cia's old base? NOTHING! Monster camps and bases? NOTHING! Places turncoat soldiers had used as bases? NOTHING! NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING!!!!!

No matter where they looked, they couldn't find him! This was all his fault! Link never should have allowed Mask on the battlefield, especially after learning he was an incarnation of the Heroes Spirit!! Link never should have allowed Mask to be alone, he should have kept someone with eyes on the other, privacy be damned!!! Link should have realized the masks wasn't enough. It never was, was it? Cia knew. She knew that Mask was a holder of the heroes spirit, and had kidnapped him.

The Captain put his hands in his face, fighting back tears as he let out a frustrated scream. GODS WHY!?!? Why did he let this happen!? He knew better!! Didn't growing on the streets teach him anything!?

Link slowly slid to the ground, and for the first time since Mask was kidnapped...he started crying. It started as soft cries, but soon it turned into full on gutwretching sobs as he clung to himself and sobbed. It hurt. It hurt so much. That was his baby brother, that was the kid who he saved at the beginning of the way, that was the kid he had slowly helped leave his shell and became closer to by the day.

And now that horrible witch had him. Now she had her filthy hands on Mask and all Link could do was sob his eyes out at the knowledge that while he was here fending off attacks and sending search parties, Cia was doing Hylia knows what to his baby brother.

Another broken sob left the Captain's mouth as he clung to himself and cried, and cried, and cried.

He was such a pathetic man, unable to even protect those he loved.

Suddenly, there were arms around Captain Link and the other flinched, only to hear soft shushing.

"It's ok Link, just let it out."

The tears in Link's eyes only grew as he wrapped his arms tightly around Linkle, sobbing into his twins shoulder.

Mask groaned as he slowly woke up, his eyes felt so heavy, his body felt so sore, and he just wanted more sleep. The hero curled up on himself, closing his eyes with a soft noise.

"Oh Linky~"

That voice...? What...?

Mask opened his eyes, only to yelp and desperately move away from the face looking at him. Scrambling away from the woman and looking at her with fear.

It shocked Mask when he first saw Cia's face. She looked exactly like Lana. But that wasn't why Mask felt so terrified as he looked at that woman.

Mask had lost count of how long it had been since Cia kidnapped him. All he knew was what that glint in Cia's eyes meant, and he tried his best to get far away from the horrible monster before she could touch him in any way.

"GET AWAY FROM ME!!!" Mask screamed, feeling tears starting to prick his eyes, especially when Cia only laughed.

"Oh but my precious Link, you know how much I love you, don't you?" She smiled manically as she continued to calmly approach Mask, whose fear only grew.

"NO NO NO PLEASE NO!!!" He continued to try to get away from Cia, but before he could move at all Cia grabbed his hand. Mask let out a terrified scream, and she immediately shoved a potion down Mask's throat, causing the child to cough and gag as he was forced to drink it.

Almost immediately, his legs buckled beneath him and Cia caught him.

"There there my little hero~ You know I do this because I love you right? And I'm sure soon enough you'll start to enjoy it just as much as me Linky~ Or not, soon enough my true love will come for you, I'm sure he'll be more than happy to take your place~"

Mask could only continue to cry, silent tears falling down his face as he was unable to move his body after Cia drugged him.

Tune was restless, not only because of Mask's kidnapping 2 weeks ago, though that was the biggest reason, but because of the fact the Captain had become obsessed with keeping him under constant watch after what happened to their brother.

Tune got it, he really did. But he hated either having to stay in the tent or constantly having eyes on him. He hated knowing he cound't even leave the tent without someone on his ass. He hated the fact the Captain refused to even let him fight!!! Yet Tune couldn't even bring himself to argue. Not when every time he saw the Captain the bags under his eyes grew. Not when he noticed the weight he was losing. Not when he heard him crying himself to sleep on more than one occasion. Not when he had been stuck watching his big brother deteriorate more and more by the day.

But that wouldn't stop Tune from doing his own investigation right from this tent. He didn't fucking care what it took, he was finding his brother if it was the last thing he did!!

"Link!! We're back!!"

Speak of the devil! Tune turned to see Tetra, Medli, and Skull Kid with Tatl and Tael. AKA, the small team Tune had created to help him find his brother.

Tune had purposely stuck with the people he personally knew, plus Skull Kid and his fairies. As much as he admired Ruto and Darunia, and as much as he trusted Midna, Phantom, Ravio and Marin, he needed to keep his investigation a secret. And that meant keeping it to the people Link knew he could undoubtedly trust who were also good at sneaking around and trying to find other people.

"Thank Hylia you guys are here, I was about to pull my hair out in frustration!" Tune exclaimed, meaning every word. Each day Tune got more and more restless. He could barely handle all of the stress and horror after Mask was taken by Cia.

"Yeah yeah. Maybe you shoulda helped rather than sitting on your ass." Tetra rolled her eyes, but the glint in his best friend's eyes told Tune everything he needed to know. Out of everyone Tetra was the most pissed about Tune being kept from the battlefield. She was the one who had screamed at the Captain to 'stop being a pussy and let Link fight', she was the one who had spent an entire week cursing the Captain out for being an 'overprotective bastard', she was the one who had, on more than one occasion, nearly strangled the Captain when he refused to let Tune have any freedom.

Tune honestly didn't blame her, he was on the verge of doing the exact same thing after 2 weeks of being kept under constant surveillance.

"I would if I fucking could woman." Tune snapped right back. "Now sit your ass down so we can talk."

"Whatever." Tetra snapped, plopping on the bed next to Tune as Medli and Skull Kid found themselves spots. Tatl and Tael settled themselves on Skull Kid's shoulders as usual.

"Alright, what have you guys found so far?"

Mask held himself as he sobbed, rocking back and fourth. He didn't know how long he had been here, how long he had spent drugged out of his mind, or how many times Cia had...

Mask shuddered, unable to hold back his cries as he continued to rock back and fourth.

He hated it here. He had tried to escape multiple times, tried to run, tried to attack, tried to scream, tried to sneak, but every time she caught him. Every. Single. Time.

Mask didn't know when he started to hyperventilate, but he couldn't stop.

How long would he be here!? How long would Cia continue to drug him!? How long would the witch use his body!?

What if his brothers weren't even trying to find him...?

Mask let out another choked sob. He wanted the Captain to hold him. He wanted to play with Skull Kid. He wanted to argue with Tatl. He wanted Tune to tease him. He wanted Linkle to steal his hat. He wanted to go home.

The young child tightened his hold on himself as he broke down again, the hopelessness he felt almost suffocating. He didn't know how much longer he could take this. How much longer he could survive.

Maybe it would be easier to just end it all, maybe nobody was looking for him and that would be the only way to end the suffering.

Mask gasped through his sobs and hyperventilating. He felt so used, who would want someone like that? If he survived this he would never be the same, he knew that for certain.

He was broken. He had always been broken, but he knew now more than ever he had been torn to pieces, and all he could feel was the crushing hopelessness threatening to consume him.

Chapter Text

Mask stared blankly at the food in front of him. It didn't feel real. After spending so long in her castle, sitting in the royal castle felt...unreal.

He could feel Princess Zelda's worried eyes on him...but he didn't really care. Everything felt so...surreal. A part of him couldn't help but feel like this was all fake, that this was a dream that he would wake up from.

It was certainly a shock when he fell asleep after......

Only to open his eyes and find himself looking at Princess Zelda, he had screamed in both shock and fear. It had taken a bit for the princess to calm Mask down, especially since she tried to...grab his shoulders...

Mask shuddered at the thought as he remembered feeling her hands all over him. Remembered feeling her hands holding onto his shoulders as she forced him onto the bed. Remembered her voice whispering all those horrible things-

Mask didn't even realize he was starting to shake, nor did he realize the tears starting to prick his eyes.

"Mask?" Mask flinched violently and looked up, seeing Zelda looking at him with a face filled with worry, pity, empathy, and concern.

And just like that, everything hit Mask all at once and he broke down sobbing, curling up into a ball on the lush chair as he broke down and rocked back and forth. He didn't even try to be quiet as he loudly sobbed and clung to himself.

He heard the sound of the other chair moving and footsteps, it was immediately obvious to him, at least subconsciously, Zelda was purposely making sound with her feet so he knew where she was.

The feeling of safety that gave him only made his cry harder.

"Mask...can I hug you?" Zelda's voice was soft as she came up to him, and Mask flinched at the idea of someone touching him. At the idea of those hands all over his body going down and keeping him from moving and-

Mask found himself crying even harder than before, rocking back and forth as he shook his head frantically, and in response he got gentle shushing.

"Hey...it's ok. I promise I won't touch you, you're ok, you're safe, she can't touch you anymore. I promise Mask, she will never touch you again."

At those words Mask let out a desperate sob and looked at Zelda, he needed to know it was true. He needed to know she wasn't lying to him.

"Promise?" He asked softly, Mask hadn't spoken in Hylian, couldn't concentrate, to much to much to much to much-

He hadn't spoken Hylian since Cia kidnapped him for anything other than him begging and being filled with desperate fear. Mask didn't know how he did it, but he didn't care either. 

Zelda gave him a smile, one that was completely genuine with nothing but honesty behind it. He didn't know how Zelda understood him...maybe it was the look in his eyes? He didn't know...or care really...

"I promise Mask."

Captain Link was prepared to rip the door off it's handles if it meant he could see Sprite.

He growled as he paced in the living room of the castle, it was quite beautiful. Lush seating, a beautiful fireplace, and fairies all over the place.

But at the moment? Link would rather be in a dungeon if it meant he had his baby brother in his arms.

The rescue mission had been a success. Link and the vast majority of the army had done a frontal assault while Sheik and Impa had secretly snuck into the castle together to locate and save Sprite.

Yet instead of you know, letting Link see his baby brother, Sheik, AKA Princess Zelda, and Impa had instead taken his baby brother away for 'privacy', and to 'have some space'.

It was fucking bullshit. Especially since Captain Link is both of his brothers literal legal fucking guardian!!!

The Captain growled softly as he continued to pace, if it wasn't a direct order from the princess herself Link would have already thrown that door open and went straight to his brother's room and grabbed Sprite. Finally, finally, after Cia had her filthy paws on his baby brother for 6 weeks he finally got Sprite back, and now his own boss was keeping him away from him!!!

"I swear on the Golden 3 Link you really need to calm down."

"Shut the fuck up Linkle."

"No, no, she has a point Cap'n-"

"Tune, not now." The Captain growled out. He continued his pacing, ignoring his sister and brother's concerned looks.

Tense silence came over the room once again as Link continued to pace.

That is, until the sound of the door opening hit everyone's ears and all three heroes immediately looked at it at the exact same time.

And standing in the doorway was Princess Zelda herself. Without Sprite.

"Where-" Before the Captain could even finish his sentence Zelda held her hand up.

"He's in his room. Before I let you see him I need to make a few things clear."

Link blinked, a part of him immediately wanted to scream at Zelda, wanted to make it clear that it was HIS little brother and he knew his brother better than anyone and it didn't matter if Zelda was the future queen he knew his fucking brother.

But he noticed the look on Zelda's face, saw the haunted expression and the way she tightly held onto her dress. The clear worry and disgust.

"Zelda...what did that witch do to Sprite?"

".....He's unharmed physically...but Cia did something disgusting to him that's really messed with him mentally. I don't think Tune should be a part of this conversation."

"HEY!!! That's not fair!! Whatever it is I can handle it!! Mask is my brother just as much as the Cap'n and Linkle!!"

"Tune." Link was certain he knew exactly what Zelda was talking about. After all, Cia was infatuated with the Heroes Spirit. It was disgusting, but the Captain made sure not to show his thoughts on his face as he looked at his little brother. "Go find Tetra, I'm sure she'll be more than happy to hear that Sprite is unharmed."

A 12 year old had no business hearing his brother was raped.

Tune was pissed.

Seriously!!! It was so fucking unfair!! Why did he have to leave while the Captain and Linkle got to stay!? WHy was he thrown out!? Was it because of his age??? Because if so Wind had a place he felt they could shove there 'concern'. Wind had saved the entire Great Sea AND the Phantom Realm!!! He could handle whatever happened to Mask!!! It probably wasn't even as bad as the princess was making it seem. They were probably all just being overdramatic.

He wasn't even mad at the princess for thinking he couldn't handle it!!! He was MUCH more pissed off that the Captain had agreed!!! Were all those months of building trust and support for nothing!? Were all those promises that the Captain would treat him and Mask like the heroes they are bullshit!? IT WASN'T FUCKING FAIR!!!!

Tune growled as he practically stomped towards the room Phantom, Medli and Tetra shared. It wasn't fair!!! He's been here nearly half a year of his fucking life and the Captain is treating him like he can't handle whatever Cia did. COME ON!! What could even be that bad!?

Whatever. Tune would just make sure that the Captain wakes up tomorrow with green hair.

Tune eventually reached the room and slammed the door open, having every intention of screaming his head off about his frustrations.

Mask sat at the window, staring past the kingdom, staring off into the distance at the forest.

Hylia he missed the forest. He missed talking to the fairies, he missed eating mushrooms and berries, he missed climbing trees, he missed playing with Skull Kid, Tatl, and Tael, he missed the feeling of safety.

But at the same time...the idea of leaving the castle when she was out there...

Mask whimpered softly, wrapping the blanket on his shoulders tighter around himself as he sat on the windowsill.

The sound of a door opening hit Mask's ears, and he immediately shot around.

Only to make eye contact with the Captain. Hazel eyes meeting dark blue, and Mask felt tears fill his eyes as he rushed forward and tightly hugged his big brother, breaking out into broken sobs as he clung to Captain Link like he would die if he let go.

He felt the Captain fall to his knees, before wrapping his arms around Mask(making sure not to touch his shoulders), and gently stroking his hair, whispering soft reassurances as he tightly held his brother, giving Mask gentle love and comfort. It was everything Mask needed, and he cried and cried, finally feeling truly safe from the first time since he was kidnapped now that he was in the safe, loving, arms of his big brother.

Chapter Text

Tune stared in wonder as Mask led him through the forest. He didn't know much about the wilderness, before he was sent here 2 months ago, the closest thing to a 'real forest' he had ever seen was Forest Haven, sure, he had heard stories about the Lost Woods and Kokiri Forest from the Great Deku Tree, but actually SEEING a real forest was WAY different.

At least Mask was a forest gremlin, and he meant that literally, Tune half thought that Mask was raised in a forest with how in-tune(heh)he was with the forest. Plus, the fact he could speak fairy(and struggled with Hylian?????)and use fairy magic definitely added to the appearance of him having a weird connection with the forest nobody else Tune had met had, not even the Koroks or Skull Kid or fairies. It was unique, and it made Wind very curious about his little brother(he didn't care if Mask was technically older! Mask was way smaller!!).

"Hey Mask?" Tune asked, and when Mask replied with a questioning sound he spoke back up. "How are you so good at navigating the forest? I mean, not even some of the koroks I know are as good at this kind of thing as you, and they are literal forest spirits."

In response, all Tune got was a scoff and a roll of eyes.

Rude. Tune KNEW Mask could talk when he concentrated, did he just not consider Tune worth his breath!?

Asshole.

The two pre-teens soon reached a small clearing, and Tune gasped in wonder, walking through the clearing with clear wonder in his eyes. The entire place was filled with flowers, circled with trees, and some of the trees even had something...on it?

"That's tree sap." Mask commented and Tune shot around to look at Mask.

NOW he was worth Mask's breath? Guess it made sense, Mask had this weird enjoyment over explaining the forest to him. Tune may have thought Mask was talking down to him if it wasn't for the fact Mask had such genuine excitement to be teaching another about the forest.

"What's tree sap?" Tune asked, allowing Mask to lead him over to it.

"Sap that comes from trees. It tastes pretty good!!" Mask put his finger out, and then immediately put the sap in his mouth, humming happily.

Huh. Tune put his own finger out, getting some of the sap in his own finger and putting it in his mouth.

He hummed happily as well. That was actually really good!!! "This is really good!" He said cheerfully, smiling brightly at Mask.

However, as Mask prepared to show him through the rest of the clearing, Tune started to feel...weird.

His throat felt like it was closing up, and he started coughing and gagging. He didn't know how long it was, but he started to feel his throat closing up, and he was coughing violently, scratching at his throat as he tried to breath.

"Tune!? What's going on!?" He heard Mask's voice...but he felt far away. Tune couldn't even answer, only continuing to cough, gag, and desperately try to breath.

He continued to gag and pant, he couldn't breath he couldn't breath he couldn't breath he couldn't breath he couldn't breath he couldn't breath he couldn't breath HE COULDN'T BREATH-

"TUNE!!!" Mask suddenly shoved something down his throat, Tune gagged as he felt liquid coming down his throat, struggling in blind fear until he recognized the taste.

Red potion.

Eventually he finally relaxed, and when he finally could breathe again he immediately threw up, gagging and panting heavily, greedily gulping up air.

It took a few moments before he registered someone holding his hair back, gently rubbing his back, and the fact they were shaking almost as badly as Tune.

Tune looked around, and he saw Mask's face.

He looked...horrified.

"WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU!?" Mask immediately demanded, eyes full of fury. "YOU'RE SUCH A FUCKING ASSHOLE!!!" He stood up, kicked Tune in the shin, hard, completely ignoring Tune's cry of pain, and stomped off.

Tune growled softly.

The fuck was wrong with that kid!? Here was Tune, nearly fucking dying, and Mask was treating him like he purposely had his throat start to close up!!

The nerve of that brat!!!

Tune wanted to stomp away, to go back to camo and purposely ignore Mask until the other apologized...but the moment he tried to stand up he immediately tripped on what felt was his own feet and barely managed to avoid falling in his own vomit.

Tune groaned, collapsing onto the ground. Hylia he was exhausted. His body felt horrible. everything was sore and he could barely think.

Tune's eyes started to close, the pre-teen struggling to keep his eyes open when he felt so tired and shitty.

And in moments he was fast asleep.

Tune woke up with a gasp, and the first thing he heard was the sound of a pen dropping before he heard the sound of footsteps himself face to face with the Captain. The older Link gave him a soft, yet worried, smile.

"Hey Tune, how are you feeling?" He asked and Tune hesitated, looking away.

How...did he feel?

"My body is really sore, and my throat hurts." Tune spoke hesitantly, especially as he remembered what had happened before he passed out. "Captain, how-"

"Sprite ran to get me as soon as he finished helping you survive your allergic reaction."

Oh. So Mask wasn't just stomping away to throw a tantrum, he was getting the-

Wait!

"Did you just say I had an allergic reaction!? The pirate demanded and the soldier gave him a soft look.

"Could it have been anything else? Sprite told me you were scratching at your own throat and struggling to breath, as well as some hives starting to appear on your body. And that right before he had you taste tree sap for the first time. Sounds like anaphylaxis to me, and that you had the reaction to the tree sap." The Captain stated and Tune took a moment to consider his words.

That...actually made a lot of sense. After all, he never had tree sap before the point in time, and why else would he suddenly nearly die?

"Oh."

The Captain laughed a bit, ruffling Tune's hair, despite his immediate cursing. Yet, after a moment a more serious look came onto the Captain's face. "Tune...you got really lucky that Sprite always carries at least one red potion or fairy, otherwise there was a very real possibility that you could have died. Anaphylaxis is often fatal, and I could tell Sprite was really shaken up when he found me."

Tune scoffed at those words, less the thing about anaphylaxis, more the fact Mask was shaken up. "Yeah right, Mask screamed and cursed at me pretty much as soon as I got enough air to actually be able to think again. He was furious and called me an asshole and basically told me 'how dare you almost die by complete accident'." Tune snarked, feeling pretty bitter hie own brother blamed him for that fact he had an allergic reaction to the sap Mask introduced him to!!!

The Captain fell silent for a moment before sighing softly.

"Tune...did you take a moment to actually think about why Sprite reacted so harshly? Why he was so upset? Try putting yourself in his shoes."

Tune was about to snap that his reaction had no excuse...but then he allowed himself to think back to how everything happened. To Mask's panicked words, to the horrified expression, even to the fact his eyes had been slightly wet.

Oh. Mask wasn't actually mad.

He was scared. Probably not even just that, he was probably terrified.

"Oh. Hylia he most have been absolutely terrified."

The Captain smiled sadly.

"Yeah. Though, I recommend you don't tell him you figured that out."

Tune scoffed. "You kidding? he'd probably throw a hissy fit and deny it until his face turned blue."

And then, both brothers broke out into loud, infectious laughter.