Remember When...(Link x Reader)

|| Chapter 25 || Recollection

Edited 03.22.23

The sun slowly arises, its light melting into the sand and stretching mountain shadows. In the canyons, such beams hardly touch, the cliff sides being too tall to allow much light, although it can still be seen glimmering overhead.

Several Yiga bows are littered across the ground alongside actual clan soldiers. Some are knocked out cold, others try dragging themselves across the sand while moaning in pain. One of the 'lucky' archers manages to sit up, wobbling in a daze that he instantly snaps out of with a shriek when a glowing green sword appears mere centimeters away from his face.

"Where is he?"

"R-Relax lady!" The archer pleads, holding up both his hands and scooting backwards a few inches, although there's no distance he can make without you stepping closer, your lips curling into a snarl as you only grow more impatient.

"Tell. Me. Where. He. Is!" You demand, dragging out each word to make the fury clear in your voice.

The archer gulps, noticing the way your grip tightens around your sword handle as the green color almost seems to brighten. On the verge of tears, he throws his hands over his head, shouting, "I-I swear, I don't know! You're the only one who's come this way! We would've stopped anyone else who tried getting through - No one gets in the hideout except clan members!"

You clench your jaw. Perhaps it's possible that Link got lost trying to find the Yiga Clan's hideout, but you refuse to believe it. You had foolishly told him the way. He must've gone towards the canyons like you had said, so unless you happened to miss him (unlikely as you surveyed every inch of land like a hawk) or he was dragged off by something else, he had to have come here. This archer has to be lying!

Opening your mouth, you're prepared to yell something fierce which makes the Yiga soldier flinch, however your thoughts are sidetracked when you notice movement by the hideout's entrance. Taking the opportunity, the archer quickly saves himself by disappearing the second you turn your head, not that you care about him anymore.

Link ambles out of the Yiga's hideout, clenching his arm and staring blankly at the sand ahead. He doesn't even notice you until you're racing over to him, your eyes wide with a mix of both relief, worry, and anger which all seem to be competing for what emotion you'll show him once reaching his side.

"Link! Hylia's sake, what the hell were you thinking coming here on your own?!" You roar, proving that anger has taken the lead for now.

Your hands find their way to his cheeks first, moving his head around to inspect any damage. A tiny scratch on the side and a small bruise on his forehead, nothing too worrisome compared to the giant gash you find on his arm. Your eyes widen further upon spotting it, "I can't leave you alone for a second, can I?!"

Ushering him over to a nearby boulder, you push him to sit down by his shoulders then more carefully tracing your fingers over the wound, muttering under your breath in annoyance, "...It's going to need stitches...Is this all you have?"

Link doesn't answer, in fact he hasn't acknowledged you once this entire time, not by speaking nor even looking at you. He just continues to stare ahead without a reply, but you're not really in the mood to wait for one.

"You're lucky this is all you got! The Yiga Clan isn't a group you wanna mess with. Did I not make myself clear on that before?!" You growl, turning to search through your bag for some bandages, "You absolute idiot! They could've killed you, Link! Going off on your own could've cost you your life and for what?! My necklace?! I get that you wanted to get it back for me, but I don't give a shit about a piece of jewelry in comparison to you! What would I have done if you got killed, huh?! Do you know how guilty I would've felt then?!"

Half way through wrapping the bandage around his arm, you freeze upon hearing what you swear was a sniffle. Glancing up, you're shocked to see tears running down Link's face. He doesn't bother trying to clear them, instead letting them fall as freely as they please while he stares at his feet.

"H-Hey, no - don't cry. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. I'm just...I was really worried about you, okay? When I woke up and found your note, I got scared - more scared than I've been in a long time. I thought you were going to get yourself seriously hurt for my sake and I didn't want that - as thankful as I am that you just wanted to help, I didn't want that..." You place a hand on his cheek, trying to wipe his tears away with your thumb, "People say things when they're upset. I'm sorry, I don't really mean -"

"- You're the sorcerer's sister..."

You freeze, your eyes wide and your mouth dropping open in surprise, yet Link goes on, his lip quivering while his eyes focus on his lap since he's too afraid to look at you and risk seeing your reaction to his words:

"You were the champion in charge of commanding the Guardians. Y-You were my best friend and I forgot about you!" Link forces himself to finally look up at you, however he regrets doing so immediately.

He can't tell what you're thinking. You simply stare at him, matching the same blank expression he had worn seconds ago, the only difference being the shock present in your eyes. Either way, he pauses, giving you the chance to voice whatever thoughts may be swirling within your head and when you continue to say nothing, he speaks them for you:

"You have every right to be upset with me - you should be. I've been able to remember people like Zelda and Mipha and so many others, yet it took me this whole time to remember you - this whole time of you being right here in front of me only for a damned necklace to be the thing that brings it all back! So go ahead. Yell, shout - be mad at me...I deserve it!"

Link hides his face in his hands, wanting nothing more than to disappear; he feels too ashamed, forlorn, and irritated with himself. Out of all the people he lost but ended up remembering, why didn't he remember you?

You've been there since the start of his journey, directing him on where to go while prepared to travel the distance together. You've been a voice of reason and comfort, even listening to his pitiful woes whenever he'd confide in you his memory struggles. How did that feel for you to listen to him cry over having no one without once realizing you were right there the entire time - the only other remaining champion to survive the Calamity, however he never remembered you until now. Why did it take him this long? He doesn't deserve your loyalty or patience...He doesn't deserve you, and you definitely didn't deserve to have to wait...

Link's brought out of his depressing thoughts when his hands are gently pried away from his face, his gaze brought back to you. You've broken out of your previous trance, your hands resting over his cheeks to brush away his tears while ignoring your own.

"...Link..." you whisper his name breathlessly, "I-I'm just glad you're back, silly!"

Immediately, your arms are wrapped around him, burying your head against the crook of his neck. Biting down on his lip, he lets out a quiet sob, hugging you back tightly as if you'll suddenly disappear now that you mean so much more to him than what he ever understood before this morning, "I'm sorry...I'm so s-sorry!"