He had been sitting there all day, hunched over on the concrete steps and terribly quiet. Ragnell laid next to him. Perhaps it was just due to the sun setting but the sword seemed to have lost it's usual shine.
Link bit his lip. He wondered if it would be okay to try to talk to him. The blonde stood at the doorway pushing his fingers together before he worked up the courage to step outside. The warm air of spring greeted him but the aura around the mercenary overpowered it's normally soothing effects. The sounds of his boots on the pavement fell on deaf ears as he waited to see if Ike would turn around. Realizing that he wouldn't budge, Link took a few more tentative steps until he was able to take a seat on the doorstep next to him.
They sat there for a moment, both mute and fixated on the gravel below, before Link shifted his gaze to the blank faced man and opened his mouth.
"Are you alright?" His delicate words felt like they almost got caught in his throat. It took a while for him to form a question and the strange tightness held after he spoke.
Ike nodded without looking up. A heavy breath passed through Link's nose. He knew that meant the complete opposite. His blue eyes went back to the ground. He didn't want to ask what was wrong. Ike would deny that there was a problem. He didn't want to try to get him to move. It might upset him further. Link looked to the hazy orange sky, catching a glimpse of the moon trying to take the attention away from the falling sun.
He turned to face Ike once again and leaned against him. Confused azure stared back at him but he simply closed his eyes and brushed his tongue against his cheek much like a dog comforting it's child. There was a strange lingering taste of salt.
"Link?"
The blonde jumped back in realization and quickly stammered out an explanation. "I, um, sorry. I guess the wolf instincts kinda took over." He was afraid to look back at the mercenary. He was probably disgusted.
However, a small laugh made Link face Ike. A smile made itself known on the corners of his lips. The blue haired man stood to his feet and gently rubbed the blonde on his head.
Now it was Link's turn to sit alone on the steps, unable to move and unable to calm his heartbeat.
A.N. Link/Ike is the best thing in the world.