Ganondorf woke up as the cold crisp morning breeze tickled his nose. He sat up and yawned, stretching his sore arms and legs. Riding Maelstrom had been hell on his legs. Ganondorf looked around, finally able to see the area clearly.
Link's camp had been set near some bushes, hidden somewhat away from the open world. Birds were chirping happily to each other. Ganondorf had no idea what time it was, but he knew it had to be way too early than he was use to. He glanced over towards the younger boy. Link was still asleep; buried in a thin blanket all the way up to his nose. His soft golden hair glided down his cheeks softly and nestled into the grass.
Ganondorf smiled softly. the night meeting the boy had been an amazing one.
...
"Ganondorf huh? That's an interesting name. Are you a Gerudo?" Link asked as Ganondorf made himself comfortable on the hard ground. The cold night air was killing Ganondorf, but he was happy to be able to warm up near the fire.
"Yes I am."
"Why did you leave? If I may ask?"
"I didn't have much of a choice. Men aren't allowed in Gerudo Town."
Link looked thoughtful for a moment. "I am sorry, that really... sucks."
Ganondorf chuckled at his comment. "I will get over it. It was time I moved on anyway." Ganondorf leaned towards the teen and smiled. "So tell me about yourself, Link."
Link smiled. "Well, i am 18 years old. My mom left when I was little. My dad is a part of the Royal guards, so he was training me to be one as well, that is, until I left." Ganondorf raised an eyebrow. "Did you run away from home?"
Link looked away and nodded, a calm serene look on his face. "It was a tough decision, but I wasn't ready for that responsibility."
"How long have you been away from home?"
"Hmm, about a year now."
Ganondorf was impressed. "You seem to be rather well on your own." Link smiled warmly at him. "Thank you Ganondorf. I do my best. I am just enjoying exploring and being on my own. What about you?"
Ganondorf hummed. "Not much to tell. I am 25 years old. I lived in Gerudo Town up until this day. Urbosa had been lenient to me living there but she has to rule by gerudo laws after all. " He looked at Link and was surprised to see him looking sad.
"What's wrong?" Ganondorf asked.
"It just is really sad you couldn't have kept living there. I wonder why they have those laws to begin with." Ganondorf laughed, standing up and moving to sit next to Link, rather than across from him. Link was surprised and blushed slightly as the larger man sat next to him. "I didn't like it at first, but I needed to leave the nest anyway, so it was for the best."
Link looked shyly up at Ganondorf. "That must have been hard. You are really brave for just coming out into a whole different world than you are use to." Ganondorf smiled. "You are in a similar boat with me, don't you think?"
Link laughed, his laughter sounding like heaven to Ganondorf's ears. 'If i didn't know any better, i would think i am falling for this boy..' Ganondorf thought, before shaking his head and letting out a low chuckle.
Link looked out into the distance and sighed. "Perhaps I should return to my father's side soon."
"Is that what you want to do?"
"Well no..."
"Then don't." Link looked up at Ganondorf, his nose pink from the cold. Ganondorf continued, "If you don't want to work in the Castle, then don't. You have a say for your own life, do you not?" Link ducked his head, embarrassed.
"You are right." Link laughed lightly. "You said the exact same thing as Zelda."
Ganondorf blinked. "Zelda? As in the Princess?" Link nodded. "The Royals are kinda close to my family, i knew Zelda since we were little."
"What is she like?" Ganondorf inquired. Link's face lit up as he spoke, making Ganondorf feel a twinge of pain.
"She is wonderful!" Link spoke. "She has golden hair like I do. She is so sweet too; she always made time to visit me and other villagers. She is the perfect ruler for the kingdom."
"Sounds like you have a crush on her." Ganondorf blurted out before cursing himself. 'Way to act like a jealous teenage girl!'
Link jumped slightly and blushed; waving his hands in front of his face. "N-no way! She is like a sister to me. I care for her dearly, but not that way."
Ganondorf felt himself slightly relieved, before chastising himself yet again. 'Knock it off! he is a kid! Who you just met by the way!'
"My apologies, I shouldn't have assumed." Link waved him off, laughing awkwardly. "Don't be, it's fine. It is very enjoyable to have a nice conversation with someone. We may have just met, but I feel very comfortable around you." Link smiled shyly. Ganondorf had to fight the urge to hug the boy as he nodded. "I agree." He mumbled.
The two talked a bit longer before heading to sleep.
...
Ganondorf sighed, scratching his neck. He knew very well that he was already smitten with Link, even though they only met less than half day ago. He felt something tugging at his heart; yearning for the boy, and he had no idea why. Ganondorf had met many travelers; mostly women, who came to Gerudo Town. The men would normally stay outside and wait, so Ganondorf, being the curious child that he was, would often go out to look at the men.
'Perhaps that is where my fantasy for men all came from, since I was only surrounded by women who despised me.' Ganondorf chuckled at the thought. Gay relationships were more than accepted in Gerudo Town; being as it was a town of just women and all. Ganondorf never considered himself to be into men, but this smaller boy was making his body and mind think otherwise.
Ganondorf got up, folding the thin blanket Link and lent him and setting it to the side. He turned and walked up to Maelstrom. His horse and Link's appeared to have gotten well acquainted. Both were nuzzling each other happily. "Seems you found someone special, eh boy?" Ganondorf chuckled softly. Maelstrom made a grunting noise as he turned towards his owner and nuzzled his hand.
"They get along well." A small voice spoke. Ganondorf turned his head and watched as Link walked up next to him. Link's hair was stuck every which way as he held his blanket loosely around his shoulders. Ganondorf chuckled. "It would seem so. What is your horse's name by the way?"
Link yawned. "Epona. Epona is her name." Ganondorf looked over at the smaller horse. Epona was a gorgeous color of chestnut with white fur around her hooves. She had a beautiful white mane and tail. "She is gorgeous." Ganondorf remarked. Link smiled. "Thank you, she was raised by my family since she was little. She had always been attached to me, so when I decided to leave, she was more than happy to join me."
Ganondorf went over to her and offered his hand. Epona neighed and nuzzled his hand softly; her warm breathe gliding over his palm. "She seems to enjoy my boy's company as well as he does."
Link looked at Ganondorf and opened his mouth, but Ganondorf quickly interrupted. "Maelstrom is his name. I just got him yesterday; from the Gerudo Canyon Stables." Link smiled and nodded. "He is lovely, and so big! I have never seen a stallion that large. He fits you well."
Ganondorf looked at Link. "I agree. So I suppose I should be on my way." He added gruffly. He didn't want to leave Link at all, but he felt he had overstayed his welcome. Link's smile faltered slightly, before he looked away. "W-where are you heading off to if i might ask?"
"I... honestly I don' really know. I was planning to head towards the Castle but after that I have no idea."
"It is a gorgeous place, you will love it." Link spoke softly. Ganondorf ran a hand through his crimson hair. "And what about you?" Link glanced at him. "I was just planning on exploring some more. I wanted to visit The Lost Woods, i heard the legendary Master sword is there. After that, well i don't really have a plan either."
Ganondorf chuckled. "I suppose we will just go wherever the wind takes us." Link nodded. Ganondorf smiled slightly before turning and getting Maelstrom ready. After a few minutes of silence, Ganondorf got up on Mael, wincing as his legs were once again spread more than he was use to around Mael's large girth.
"Thank you again for your hospitality, i will never forget it." He looked down at the smaller boy. Link looked up at him and smiled; though his smile was not at all full of happiness like it had once been. "Of course, it was my pleasure."
Ganondorf turned Maelstrom away from Link and set him into a small canter. He refused to look back, for fear of seeing Link's sad face. He knew that Link enjoyed his company as much as he did, but he also knew that if he stayed, he would have felt more and more attracted to the boy, and the last thing he wanted to do was ruin the first "friendship" (if that could be called such) he ever had.
Maelstrom seemed unhappy to leave Epona as well; he kept glancing back and nickering. "I know boy, looks like we both fell hard pretty fast." Ganondorf chuckled. He shifted his hips to reach down and find the map through his satchel when he heard yelling behind him.
Ganondorf glanced back and was surprised to see Link riding at full speed on Epona. "W-Wait!" Link called out. Maelstrom immediately stopped and turned without Ganondorf even having a chance to correct him. "Woah!" Link called out as he slowed Epona down. Epona was already neighing happily as she and Mael nuzzled each other. Link and Ganondorf watched the two for a moment before laughing.
"They really like each other!" Link laughed. Ganondorf agreed,before looking at him. "Why did you follow me? this path doesn't lead to The Lost Woods last I checked." Link ducked his head sheepishly. "I know... I just.. you were such fun to talk to, and well, I..." Link was blushing, which only made him more and more adorable to Ganondorf.
"I was wondering if you wanted to travel with me? I mean.. well these two really like each other, we can't very well separate them now can we?" Link said softly, looking at Ganondorf. Ganondorf could feel himself being washed away by the boy's gorgeous blue eyes, and quickly nodded. "I would be honored to."
Link lit up and clapped his hands. "Thank you! I am so glad! I would love to show you around, it would be so much fun! I have never had a friend I truly enjoyed hanging out with." Link smiled.
Ganondorf felt his heart drop. 'Right... friends.'
He feigned a small smile. "Agreed. So where to first?"
