The Legend of Mister Hero

The Misadventures Continue...

"Happy birthday Link!"

Link stared in awe, before he broke out into a characteristic blush. Gulley had woke him up after he slept in – which was happening more and more regularly than it used to. Link thought he was going to get another earful from the Blacksmith. He was right, just not in this way.

In front of him was a home-made banner hung on the ceiling with the words 'Happy Birthday' painted on. Inside the house were Blacksmith and his family, Irene, and even Princess Zelda with Impa by her side. They all surrounded a two layer cake with one lit candle on the top.

Link stuttered. "T-thank you all..." He covered his face with his hands, trying to hide his embarrassment.

"Gosh, what are you waiting for then?" Irene snapped, her arms crossed across her chest. "C'mon eat the cake!"

"F-for b-breakfast?"

"Yes!" Irene pulled Link towards the cake. "And you'd better like it! It's my Gram's special recipe!" Link gave the girl an uneasy look. "What? Just because she's a witch doesn't mean it's poison. All those potions she made you tasted nice anyway, right?"

Link couldn't deny that. At first, he'd thought that the potions would taste horrible – especially the blue one – but they weren't too bad.

"Blow out the candles first," the Blacksmith's Wife said. "Don't forget to make a wish."

Make a wish? Link turned to the princess, the both of them exchanging knowing glances. They had once made a wish together, which was to help Lorule by giving them their very own Triforce. Thinking of Lorule made Link think of Ravio, as he would sometimes. Their farewell was quick, yet everything that needed to be said was. But it seemed like their time spent together was short. He didn't really get to see much of him with all his adventuring, nor did he get to know him – even though, in a way, Ravio was him.

The candle may not have been the Triforce, but Link blew it out, wishing with all his heart to be able to see his Lorulean friend just once more – even if briefly.

The clapping and cheering broke him from his train of thought, and Irene pushed a knife into his hand. "Cut the cake!" she exclaimed. Link chuckled, cutting and distributing the cake into even slices. Irene insisted he have two, even though it was still early morning and he'd only just woken up. Yet there was still over a quarter of the cake left after everyone had had some.

Link was given a sufficient amount of attention, but the Blacksmith family couldn't really take their eyes of the princess. They weren't sure how she received word of Link's birthday, nor did they know why she had decided to come along. But seeing them with each other showed that they got along well.

"Are you always up so late?" Zelda asked Link, the two sitting next to each other with Impa by the princess's side, enjoying tea and cake. "The Blacksmith was relying on that fact, so I thought it must happen regularly."

Link chuckled sheepishly. "It didn't use to happen so much. But after the adventure, it's been happening a lot more."

Irene tutted, bringing up a chair to join the two. "I don't know who chose you to be the hero if you can't even get up in time for work in the morning! I have to be up extra early for training with Gram! You'd be a terrible wizard!"

Link blushed while Zelda laughed. "Maybe you could make him a potion that'll make him wake up earlier?"

Irene nudged Link's sides. "Yeah, that's what you need! You'd better pay me for it though!" She stared Link in the eyes, moving closer to him. "I hear that you're loaded! What does this blacksmithing job pay?"

Link's face flared. "W-where you'd hear t-that?"

Irene huffed. "I'm smarter than I look. You bought multiple bottles of the most expensive potion Gram had to sell, word in Kakariko is that you'd often do a lot of spending, and you bought everything from that merchant guy who took over your house, and don't think that I don't know how expensive he was! So, spill it! Where'd you get all these rupees from? Did ya steal from the castle or something?"

Link became suddenly very aware that all attention was on him, as Irene had spoken pretty loudly. Of course, it was also Ravio that had introduced him to his side job, one that nobody except he and Sheerow knew of, and of course the other workers. Every Friday night, when the Milk Bar went from it's innocent façade into an adult only territory, Link would go from the easily embarrassed lazy hero to the seductively sensual dancer, Mister Hero. He became very popular very easily, and after it was decided that Friday night was his night, that became the most popular night of the week. This earned him a lot of money on top of the pocket money he earned working for Blacksmith.

But he couldn't tell anyone that.

"I'm really not loaded!" Link blurted out. "Blacksmith is the only person who pays me! I'm just really good at saving!"

Link's face was a bright red, he sweating. Zelda put a hand on his shoulder, as if to calm him down. Irene crossed her arms again. "There's no need to get so defensive. What, you hiding something?"

Link shook his head, cursing his flushed face. He looked over to Blacksmith, who was giving him a peculiar look. On that always meant he'd catch up on the matter later.

But the subject was dropped, and the rest of the party went on comfortably. It went on into the early afternoon, which was when Zelda and Impa had to depart, as they had important duties to attend to. It was when they left that another visitor came in. It was Captain. Link greeted him politely.

"Ah, happy birthday Link," Captain replied. "You're growing into a real man now that you're sixteen. I hope that you'll be taking your responsibilities a lot more seriously then."

Link nodded. He didn't expect a present from Captain. Then again, he didn't expect anything from anyone, but asking for nothing was too much to ask for. He led Captain to Blacksmith, leaving them to talk in private in the kitchen along with Blacksmith's Wife. He was about to leave the area completely to go and entertain Gulley and Irene, but couldn't find them. He searched around the small house and the yard for a while, thinking that they were hiding on purpose. On his second trek around the house, he passed the kitchen again, stopping when he heard what was being said inside.

"I just think you need a break, and I hear a lot about him! He's amazing!"

Link's freckled cheeks began to burn. Was Captain talking about what he thought he was talking about? To Blacksmith, who was practically his father?!

Blacksmith grunted. "I've heard of him. I didn't know the Milk Bar would go as low as to hire underage children just to attract more customers. I wouldn't want Gulley or Link doing something like that, nor do I want to watch anyone their age doing it."

"But it's not Gulley or Link!" So Captain thought. "Just this once. This one Friday, which was promised to be special. Don't make me have wasted buying this second ticket!"

That's right. As Link's birthday fell on a Friday, that night he'd have to be Mister Hero. Of course, now that he was sixteen, he was no longer considered 'underage', meaning that while he still couldn't strip completely naked, he was allowed to show a lot more skin – say, nothing but a pair of shorts and heels to match. With this new information, Link wanted to put on a special performance to experience actually being able to strip. If he caused a ruckus fully clothed, then the Milk Bar would practically explode when they saw what he had in store for them that night.

Very reluctantly, Blacksmith agreed to go. His wife voiced her concerns. "Don't come home too late, will you?"

"Don't worry, I'll be coming home as soon as I see this guy."

Captain gave a humorous sigh.

Link walked away in a daze. He didn't think that he'd have to perform in front of his father figure. If he even sees him, he'll just know that he'll seize up...

XOXOXOX

It was two hours to midnight when Link snuck from his house to go to Kakariko Village. He was extra careful passing by Blacksmith's house, just in case he was seen by either the Blacksmith or Captain, but neither of them emerged from the home. He quickly made the rest of the way to the Milk Bar. The owner nodded to him, also one of the few people who knew of his alter ego. He didn't find out straight away, as it was only after he started questioning him and Flamboyant Man for his late night attendances and departures. Having no other choice but to tell the truth, the owner found out, but swore to secrecy as long as he got front row seats for all performances. It was a deal.

Link went through a door that led backstage, using a key that he was given. While he was early tonight, he felt it necessary to avoid Blacksmith, although he'd probably see him in the crowd. As soon as he got backstage, he was taken into the arms of a girl now only three years older than him; the dancer that he was the closest to out of the whole team. "Happy birthday little guy!" she exclaimed, squeezing him as tight as she could. "Although, you're not so little any more, are you?" Her nickname was Cherri, which was deprived from her cherry red bob cut. She didn't tell anybody her real name.

Link smiled, standing up straighter to emphasise his small height change. Cherri nodded, impressed. "Heh, now you actually reach my shoulders! In another year, you may just scrape under my chin!"

"Hey!" Link pouted. Then the two burst into a fit of giggles. They struck up a friendly conversation about how Link's day had been so far, walking to the comfortable couches outside the entrance to the stage.

Like Link, Cherri was in her normal attire of a sensible skirt, over sized sweater and boots with tights and green rimmed glasses. She didn't look particularly attractive at first glance, nor did she looked like she belonged to the stripper business. Apparently, the best are said to be the people one would least suspect.

During the conversation, Link ended up expressing his anxiety over the fact that he'd be performing in front of Blacksmith, to which Cherri only laughed at.

"Do you know how many times I've stripped in front of my father?" she asked. Link's eyes widened, causing her to laugh even more. "You don't go into this business to try and avoid anyone. At least once in their lives, somebody you know will come to watch us. When this Gulley kid hits puberty, you'll probably be performing for him! I've heard rumours that even the princess's nursemaid has popped in here a few times. But it's to be expected. We're the only business like this in Hyrule. Sometimes we do travel around a bit, but everyone in the kingdom will come to visit us at least once. If you wanna keep on doing this, you'd better get over it now!"

Link sagged his shoulders and sighed. He knew that Cherri was right. Deep down inside, he knew it was inevitable that something like this would happen. He just didn't think it'd have to happen so soon. "Did your father recognise you?"

Now Cherri blushed a bit, although she still held her smirk. "Well, not the first few visits. As it turned out however, I was his favourite. When I turned eighteen, I was old enough to give lap dances – that's something for you to look forward to, by the way. My dad was the first person I gave an official lap dance to, as he was the first person to request me. I was doing fine for a while-"

"You actually did it?!" Link exclaimed.

"Well of course! It was embarrassing, but I didn't want him to find out! So I just did as I was trained to do, but I forgot one little thing." Cherri tapped a spot on her backside. Link gasped, knowing what she meant. "Yep. He saw my unique horse shaped birthmark and immediately knew it was me. He paled and called me by my real name. Then I froze and we just stared at each other for the longest time. We didn't communicate for days afterwards, but he eventually needed answers, so I told him everything."

Link's face burned, he feeling the awkwardness and embarrassment of the situation. "Yet you're still here?"

Cherri nodded. "Thankfully, my father understood that because I was doing it for so long, it was my passion so allowed me to continue. And it brings in more money, so there's no real downside." Link sighed, they both smiling. "The moral of the story is: if you don't want to get found out, act confident and cover anything that could give you away." Cherri gave a devious smirk, leaning in towards Link. "I saw the outfit you had chosen for your special performance. You really don't have anything to hide, do you?"

Link's cheeks flared brightly, he looking away. "Only a few faint scars..."

Before the conversation could be continued, their boss, Flamboyant Man, strode to them. "Happy birthday, Link," he said. Link smiled, nodding his head. "I trust that Mister Hero going to steal the show tonight?"

"He can't steal what's already his," Cherri chuckled. Link blushed, looking away. Flamboyant Man took the two dancers' hands, leading them to the dressing room.

"There's still only about an hour left. Why don't we get you two made up?"

XOXOXOX

With the clock striking midnight and all the dancers pampered up, it was time for the show to begin. The show usually lasted for two hours, but that night it was going to be longer. Mister Hero had two planned dances, the last one that the audience didn't know about yet.

Before his first performance, Mister Hero was sat on the couches outside the stage next to Midnight Rose – Cherri's alter ego. She was trying to get him to loosen up. "What if he recognises me?" Link kept asking.

"I can't even recognise you!" Cherri would say.

"But he's known me since I was a baby! He's bound to notice something," Link retorted. Cherri groaned before she'd tell him a funny story, then the cycle would start again. Eventually, it was time for Mister Hero's first appearance, made apparent by Flamboyant Man announcing him proudly to the audience. Mister Hero buried Link away, as well as all the worries he had, then strut out past the curtains to the stage. The crowd cheered, Flamboyant Man sinking backstage as Mister Hero immediately got to work.

As the months went by, Mister Hero gained more and more confidence during his dances, going from having his eyes tight shut to making eye contact with each and every audience member. However, he was afraid to do that tonight, some of Link's worries digging themselves up. Yet he still quickly glanced around, checking if Blacksmith really was there.

In the meantime, he spun and flipped, posed and contorted, all in time to the given beat. The members of the horde ate it all up, needy hands reaching on stage and trying to touch him. It was when he was slowly sinking to the ground near the end of the act that he noticed his father figure to the far left of the crowd. He stopped for a split second, before realizing that Blacksmith wasn't actually looking his way at that moment, but whispering something to a aroused looking Captain. Mister Hero diverted his attention elsewhere, concentrating on nothing but the task at hand.

As soon as his performance was over, he spared one look at Blacksmith, who was looking at him with the same sternness in his eyes as ever, then left, ignoring the tips being thrown at his feet, waving to the crowd. Once he was hidden by the curtains, he fell into the awaiting arms of Midnight Rose, his legs giving up on him.

"I... I saw him..." Link whimpered.

Cherri smiled. "Well, it wasn't so bad, was it?"

"It was terrible!"

"Now that's just you overreacting. You did great throughout. See, even the crowd are still cheering you."

Everyone backstage could hear the loud cheers from the horde of people. The noise was only matched by the pounding of Link's heart in his ears. He regained feeling in his legs, standing up straight again, but holding a hand to his chest. Midnight Rose looked down at him, concern in her eyes.

"Maybe you're feeling this way because he's the only one out there not cheering."

Her words made his heart skip a beat. He never considered that. Blacksmith never usually showed any emotions that could be considered a weakness, even when Gulley went missing during his adventure. When he did eventually show worry, it wouldn't last long. A sudden determination washed over Mister Hero. During his next performance, he'd do just about anything to get a reaction from Blacksmith, even if it were just a smile.

As the other dancers went on to go about their routines, Mister Hero was back in the dressing room, having his make-up redesigned and dressing in his next outfit. It was a high collared leather leotard, a dark green and rimmed with black, with black heels and detached sleeves to match. His maturing bulge and butt were especially more noticeable than in his previous tights. The glittering green and purple surrounding his eyes matched the costume, the dark lipstick making his lips appear plumper and more shapely. A light coating of powder also had to be applied to the parts of his body that were freckled in order to cover them up.

When he left the dressing room, many of the dancers crowded around him, squealing and admiring him.

"What gorgeous legs!"

"That outfit suits you so well!"

"Your face is perfect!"

"Those are a rockin' pair of heels!"

"Please stay with us forever!"

Mister Hero giggled and blushed at all the comments until one of the stylists shooed the girls away, not wanting them to ruin all their hard work. Flamboyant Man approached Link, a grin spread across his face, making his eyes crinkle slightly. "Now I am impressed," he started, inspecting the costume. "To think you chose this out for yourself with no guidance from me at all. I didn't think you'd be such a deviant."

Mister Hero tried to just shrug it off, but the blush on his face didn't help his case. Flamboyant Man chuckled, tilting Link's chin up so he could fully see his face. "I admit, when I first saw you, I didn't imagine the sort of talent you'd have with you. Nor did I think I'd allow you to keep those eyebrows..." Link laughed uneasily, slowly stepping away. Flamboyant Man pulled him closer though. "I'm teasing, honey. They give Mister Hero a certain character, don't you think?" Link shrugged. "But I'm not here to talk about your eyebrows. I'm here to tell you I'm proud of you. Whenever I have to announce your arrival on stage, whenever I see you dance, whenever I hear the crowd cheer and chant your name, I swell with pride. Having you with us these past few months have given me an irreplaceable joy, one only matched when I first started this business. So I just wanted to say thank you, for everything."

Mister Hero smiled widely, words lost before they reached his tongue. He began stuttering, but Flamboyant Man held a finger over his mouth. "You can put on the best show of your career so far as a response. So, go and get 'em honey!" Mister Hero squealed when Flamboyant Man slapped his half covered ass, flushing red as he glared at his boss. The man just laughed. "You're sixteen, so now I can do that as much as I want to."

Mister Hero stalked away from him, thinking that one of those days he would end up being completely molested by his boss just because he was of age.

The speech was timed perfectly however, as the last dancer came off stage, carrying a handful of rupees. Flamboyant Man then took to the stage once again.

XOXOXOX

"I'm glad you enjoyed the show, ladies and gentlemen, but fortunately it's not time to leave just yet."

Blacksmith rolled his eyes, getting the attention of Captain. "You said it would only be two hours," Blacksmith whispered to his companion.

"Why, Mister Hero hasn't even given his promised performance yet," the flamboyant man on stage continued. This quirked everyone's interest. "So, as the last act of the night, let me re-present to you, Mister Hero!"

Blacksmith had to cover his ears as the people around him went wild once again. Then, if even possible, they became louder once they saw the young dancer stride on stage in nothing but tight leather, showing off all of his thin, toned legs. Rupees were already being thrown, the dancer spinning around on the pole in the centre of the stage. The music was fast paced, yet Mister Hero kept up with the tempo – posing when the music went slower and flipping when the music sped up. Even Blacksmith had to admit that the young dancer was something else.

Suddenly, Captain was pushing an elbow into the smithy's side. "Look, look!" he whispered eagerly. Blacksmith scowled. He was doing nothing but looking. "Didn't you see? He was flat out staring at you!"

The bearded man rolled his eyes again, just wanting the show to end already. He promised his wife that he'd be back as soon as possible.

Hero turned on the pole using no hands, they resting on his butt. One hand was taken off and used instead to support him as he lowered himself to the ground, comfortably sat with his legs stretched out either side of him. He looked around at everybody surrounding him with half lidded eyes and pouted lips, before pulling himself back onto his feet. Then the flock of people went wild after they were only just starting to calm down. Mister Hero started unzipping the one piece he wore, the skin of his chest slipping into view. The end of the zip was level with his pelvis, yet the audience still craved more. Mister Hero seductively licked his full lips, gazing around the many people watching him once again, until his eyes stopped on Blacksmith. Captain's elbow dug into his side once more, but Blacksmith ignored it, keeping up the staring contest with the entertainer. Hero then dropped the top half of the leotard he wore, revealing all of his torso. The crowd screamed in delight. Mister Hero winked at Blacksmith before blowing him a kiss, grinning when the man's cheeks coloured a slight pink, then went back to dancing. Captain gawked at his friend.

"Be quiet," Blacksmith snapped, turning back to the display. The top half of the outfit hung from the waist of the dancer, flowing in the air along with his glittering ponytail. The smithy found himself suddenly enticed by the young dancer, the fact that he was now barely clothed showed off his barely growing muscles – beads of sweat from the workout trailing against them. Yet the exertion didn't stop him from putting on a top class performance. When it reached it's end, he couldn't help smiling a little as everyone else went bonkers, throwing their life savings on the stage.

As Mister Hero collected as much as possible, their eyes met again. The boy's eyes sparkled in happiness, he returning the smile. It wasn't sensual or fake, but genuine. But it was gone as fast as it happened, and after gathering more money in a little bag that was passed to him from backstage, he took a few bows before scurrying out of sight.

XOXOXOX

Mister Hero was scrubbed thoroughly off Link's face, his normal green garb replacing his sultry one. All the while, he was receiving praise left right and centre. But he was in a rush. No doubt afterwards, Blacksmith would think to check up in his house. If he was gone, then there would be questions asked, and he didn't want to answer truthfully.

He said his meaningful yet hurried farewells to everybody, rushing from the bar. He passed the bartender, who gave him a thumbs up, Link returning it. His rupees were in his endless pouch, which he found more convenient to manage rather than carrying a sack around. It also meant that people wouldn't look at him as much. He didn't need suspicions raised.

He was just about to leave the bar when he heard, "Link?!" The voice was unmistakeable. He was stuttering before he'd even turned to face Blacksmith, Captain by his side. He thought that the two would've already left! It had taken him some time to get made down!

"Just what do you think you're doing here?" Blacksmith seethed.

Link's face went completely red, he already starting to sweat buckets. "I-I...I-I-I...I..."

"You what?"

This was it. This was how Blacksmith found out. Even after he'd winked at him and smiled at him and stripped in front of him and...

"You were here watching too?" Captain piped up, surprised.

"N-no!" Link blurted. Then he quickly thought. "I mean yes! No, I mean no! I mean-"

"You were watching all those dancers?!" Blacksmith shouted. Link sunk his head in shame, nodding. His guardian tutted, crossing his arms across his chest. "Is this how I brought you up? Sneaking out at night to watch half naked girls prance around?" Blacksmith seemed to only get angrier. "And you've been doing this for a while, haven't you? Is that why you can barely get up in the mornings any more?"

Link nodded all the while, unbelieving of his luck. Sure, some people inside the bar were looking at them, but at least Blacksmith didn't find out that he was Mister Hero otherwise the whole bar would be pushing and shoving to see him.

Captain chuckled, forcing Blacksmith away from Link. "Hey, he's sixteen now. It's not like he's too young or anything. Haven't we all given into our hormones at one point in our life?" Captain turned to Link. "So, what did you think of Mister Hero? I bet after seeing him like that, you're going to want to come back even more!"

"Don't give him ideas!" Blacksmith yelled. He took Link by the ear, storming back home. "So long as you're my apprentice, you're never going back there again, you hear me?"

"Yes! Yes! Ow!"

XOXOXOX

Link was up at dawn the same day, running errands for Blacksmith on only three hours of sleep. Saturday was usually a day off for the hero, but Blacksmith felt the need to punish Link severely after what transpired at night. Warming the fire, sweeping the house, fetching food and water, heating metal, cleaning plates, washing and hanging clothes, buying this that and the other, so on and so on. Link wasn't done until the evening, and by then he was aching absolutely everywhere, having danced two performances the previous night not helping his case either.

When he was finally dismissed by Blacksmith, he could've jumped for joy – if only he could still feel his legs. He hung up his blacksmithing apron, glove and hammer before he trudged to the door. "Link." The boy stifled a groan, turning to his employer.

"Sir?"

Blacksmith looked like he was trying to resolve an internal conflict. "While I am still very disappointed in you for going to the Milk Bar at night, I appreciate that you're... growing up. You may have urges and... desires that you've never felt before, but... what I'm trying to say is that if you have any questions about anything, it'd be best to ask me instead of trying to sate your own curiosity."

Link glanced at Blacksmith's Wife, who had peeked her head out of the kitchen door, giving him a warm smile. He returned it, understanding that it was his wife that had made Blacksmith say what he did. "Thank you sir," Link said, smiling at him.

It was almost returned, until rage suddenly took over Blacksmith's expression. "But don't think that means I'll be more tolerable of you going to the Milk Bar! If I ever find that you've been there ever again, I'll have you working this hard everyday of the year without pay! Do I make myself clear?!"

"As day!" Link flung open the door, speeding out while shouting his farewells. "Goodnight sir! Goodnight auntie! Goodnight Gulley!"

At the mention of his son's name, Blacksmith turned to look at the boy, sitting on the floor with a book. He was staring curiously up at his father. "Papa, why can't Link go to the Milk Bar at night?"

Blacksmith's Wife giggled, but Blacksmith only scowled. "You're too young to understand."

END.

I should call this chapter 'Implied Incest. And lots of it.' But then nobody would read it, amirite? Notes for this chapter:

I'm very thankful that most people don't have real names in ALBW, so Flamboyant Man is called just that. But because of such, Link calls Blacksmith 'sir' and his wife 'auntie'. I was gonna make Link call them 'mama' and 'papa', but I don't need the feels thank you very much.
On the subject of Flamboyant Man, I have no idea what he would look like, but I imagine him to look like an older male version of Thief Girl (with a bit of Shady Guy up in there.)
And I'm not entirely happy with this chapter unlike the last one (curse of the bad sequels happen even in fanfiction!)... Maybe it's because of a lack of Ravio? God I miss him... But yeah, the third part of this story won't be coming out as 'quickly' as this part did, because I have a hella lot planned for it, but have only written like three pages... Maybe when Zelda U comes out, so will the third chapter of Mister Hero!

Thanks for reading!