A/N: Yaoi, wat. Anyways, gosh, this is my first request and gosh, I'm so excited. ;w; Thanks, SukiMikora, for the request! It means a lot. ^-^
Title has nothing to do with anything. Deal. X)
Disclaimer: Whatever it is, I don't own it.
o0o
In The Pits
Chapter One
"Ugh..." The dark purple-haired boy, Shadow Link, sat up with a groan, eyes closed, one hand on his stomach; the other hand rested on his forehead. Leaning forward, he pushed on his abdomen slightly, in the hopes that the Din-forsaken pain would let up so he could think.
It didn't.
Where was this coming from all of a sudden, anyways? The only thing he could think of that hurt more was light, and-he glanced around the room-the room was quiet and dark.
So where...?
He sighed and got to his feet slowly, placing his signature black hat on his head.
This day, he could tell, would be long and tiresome.
o0o
"Hello, Shadow. Did you sleep well?" Shadow turned his head to glance at his purple-garbed companion, who, in turn, gazed back steadily.
"Yeah...fine. Hey, Vio." The crimson-eyed Link began walking, matching his friend's footsteps. "How...how's it going?"
Vio raised an eyebrow at his compatriot's falter, but replied, voice neutral, "Fine, I suppose. I was wondering what we were going to do today."
Shadow shrugged. "Stop those three heroes; what else?"
"Hm. I thought so," The blonde responded unenthusiastically.
"Yeah." The dark-clothed youth stopped to lean on a nearby protrusion in the wall, crossing his arms and hanging his head slightly. "...Yeah, we'll do that..." The ache in his head worsened and he closed his eyes. "Yeah."
"Shadow?" Vio asked, collected as always. "Are you alright?"
Said Shadow raised his head and glared slightly. "I'm fine." His body rebelled against his words, sending a sharp pulse through his head, which he dropped again. "Just fine."
Vio gave him an unconvinced look, and, before Shadow could make a move to stop him, placed a hand on his ally's forehead. "No you're not." He smirked quietly, probably with triumph. "You have a fever." His palm, surprisingly soft and gentle, moved to touch the shade's cheek to verify the conclusion.
"So what?!" Shadow grabbed Vio's wrist and threw the hand off his head roughly. "It's nothing I can't handle."
"Be that as it may, you should probably rest." The blue-eyed young man blinked, mouth set in what was neither a smile nor a frown.
The shade scowled, though it was half-hearted, and ignored the sudden lurch in...everywhere. "No." Oh, Din. There it was again. More insistent.
And again.
And again.
And he couldn't hold it anymore.
And it came up. Violently.
"Oh, dear...I'll get a Hinox to clean that up...Shadow? Shadow!" There was nothing for it but to pass out.
o0o
A soft moan escaped shade's lips as he blearily opened his eyes. Rolling over and raising himself to a half-lying, half kneeling position, he gave a small "mm?" of surprise as a damp, folded cloth fell on sheets in front of him.
...Had the cloth been on his forehead? When had the gotten there? And sheets...so he was lying in a bed, and not the rug he was accustomed to. This new resting place was uncomfortably soft...and warm...he made to take off the thick blanket, when a calm voice stopped him.
"I...in your position, I would not do that." A floppy-hatted silhouette filled the door frame. "You'll only be cold if you do."
"Vio...?" Shadow turned
"Yes, it's me." The lavender-clothed hero replied, crossing the room. "How are you feeling?"
A shrug. "...Fine." The speaker lifted a hand to scratch the back of his head; he was surprised to find it hatless. A quick glance to his left revealed the ebony-colored cap resting on the end table, motionless without its wearer; the shade placed it on his head, and it began to flicker weakly. Feeling more whole, he returned his gaze to his friend. "What are you doing here?"
"Taking care of you, obviously." Vio placed a hand on the bed, leaning on it. "I find it difficult to believe that you could yourself."
"You don't need to..." Shadow grumbled, pouting slightly and folding his arms, glaring at his maroon-colored covers. "I can do it."
"The fact that you vomited and then fell unconscious says otherwise," the blue-eyed boy responded, raising his eyebrows. "I'll just look after you, and it will be easier for the both of us."
Shadow, wanting to argue, scowled; the only thing stopping him from snapping was the ongoing pain in his stomach. After a long time, he muttered an angry "...Fine."
"Good." The intelligent Link nodded. "I'll find you something to eat." With that, he departed.
o0o
Outside the room, he leaned on the wall and sighed. This had certainly thrown a wrench into his plans. How was he to learn anything if his main information source was-he cringed at the memory and silently thanked Nayru that he'd had the foresight to pack an extra tunic-busy vomiting?
He exhaled again; he supposed that Shadow would be obsolete for the next few days, what, with the kind of fever he had-he assumed he'd be delirious if it kept rising.
Two things were certain.
One was that he would have to be very careful about keeping up his "evil friend" act. He wasn't sure how Shadow would react while pukey and feverish, if he acted so rash while healthy. Anything the violet Link said could be misinterpreted and met with violence...yes, he'd have to think everything over before he said it...
And the other: no matter what plans he made, or what Shadow did...
...The next few days were going to be very, very long.