Father and son-ish kind of stuff
"Hold on, Link!" The King's voice echoed across the barren halls, as he attempted to catch up to the energetic child.
The boy was curious of course, he wanted to know more about the kingdom and the people in it, and the first thing he had in mind was to rummage through Daphnes' bedchamber, as expected.
With no hase, Link attempted to pry open the door, with no success.
"You locked that on purpose didn't you?!" Though he sounded annoyed, he was smiling.
Daphnes chuckled and pulled a key out from one of his pockets, "I might have."
He hesitated, only slightly, but he began to realize how long it had been. He spent years at sea, and never had the chance to return to his own bedchamber.
He then shook off the feeling, and slowly unlocked the door, as an overexcited Hero pushed the large wooden frame open to reveal an immense, dark room.
As he wandered further into the area, Daphnes lit up one of the lanterns to bring light into it. Link finally began to see portraits, portraits of people that looked like they could be from a storybook. As old as the room looked, it still felt alive.
Daphnes began to take a couple steps in, feeling the nostalgia overcome him. Everything in the room was exactly how it looked on the day Hyrule was flooded, and, it hurt to take even a glance.
"Oh! What's this?" Link pulled a photo out from atop one of the dressers. It appeared to have three people in it, one looking like Daphnes.
"Daphnes is this you?" He gasped, but the King, upon noticing who was in the photo, shook his head.
"No no, that's…not me." He smiled, and moved his finger lower to point at the younger child, a boy that looked no more than Link's age, "That's me."
"Are you serious?!" Link looked up at his mentor and then back down to the photo, "…But…"
"That's my father, and my mother to the left. I can't even remember when this was taken…" A faint smile creased his lips once more, as he remembered those times that had past.
"What were they like? Your parents, I mean." Link began to get quiet, almost hesitant to ask.
"Kind."
"Wow…" Link seemed to be in awe, "And?"
"Quite protective. As any parent should be—-"
"Hehe, my grandma was really protective of Aryll and I. She'd get so worried when we wandered off into the forest…." His voice began to grow softer and softer, "My parents would've been the same, right?"
Daphnes didn't know much about Link's own parents, only that he was orphaned and was raised by his Grandmother.
But—-
"They would…any loving parent values the safety of their child. If circumstances came, they would even die to keep them safe."
He then move his hand over to Link, rubbing the top of his head in comfort despite how Link seemed to be keeping his spirits bright.
"…..Daphnes."
"Mmm?"
"Can I ask you something?" He started to frown, making the King worry.
"Yes, Link?"
The boy removed his cap and hung his head, embarrassed, "You wouldn't mind if we stayed here just for tonight….would you?"
…They had been traveling for a long time, longer than usual. That look on Link's face said it all.
"Of course, I don't want you to push yourself too hard."
As the hours passed, Link stayed in Daphnes' bed to rest, and Daphnes remained out in the halls, watching over him.
From time to time, he would enter to spend time with Link.
"Is there anything you need?" He whispered, knowing Link was half-asleep.
The boy yawned, "Well, I wanted to tell you something. Talking about your parents made me remember that—-"
"Yes?"
"Well it made me think of something, actually."
"…"
"Do you think they're still protecting me?"
Daphnes didn't say a word, and looked down at Link. But, for some reason he didn't see Link as this young hero, but,
he started to see him like his own.
"I think they are."
Link grinned and sunk into the bed, leaving Daphnes to his own thoughts.
The King took a glance at the photo of his parents that Link brought to the bedside table, and then he looked back at Link.
"I know I couldn't save you, but…
I can save him."