Link and Aryll didn't speak for the rest of the night. Aryll didn't come out of her room for a moment, and Link didn't bother try to talk to her further. Instead, he fell against the couch where he stayed for the entire night, staring blankly at the tv in an attempt to lose himself in whatever was on. He passed out shortly after finishing off a twelve-pack by himself, and only woke up when he heard what he thought to be a door slamming. It startled him, and he nearly fell off the couch. After a quick check through the house, he determined that Aryll was not there. Whether she had actually gone to school was a different story entirely. He supposed he should have attempted to text her, but instead, he trudged into the bathroom to shower off the stench of alcohol.

Despite the amount of alcohol he consumed, his hangover was relatively manageable, though his mood still sour. It made concentrating on his work difficult as his mind wandered to Aryll. He knew he couldn't necessarily blame her for the way she had been acting. It didn't take a genius to see her struggles, to know she was depressed. Who could blame her? Her parents were dead. Her brother - and only living family member left - wasn't around, and when he was, he was moody, drunk, and just downright intolerable. He knew he was partly to blame for her downward spiral. He could barely keep a handle on his own life, so of course it would seem that Aryll was just another problem he needed to deal with.

The truth was, however, Aryll was all that was keeping him together. In a life where it seemed that everyone left him, she was the one who remained. She was the only constant in his life. And dammit, he wanted her to have the best life she could. It may not have looked it to her, but he was trying. Didn't that count for something? Perhaps it was selfish of him, but he just wanted her to be able to see that.

He was so lost in thought that he hadn't even heard Sera approach his desk. He jumped at her greeting, and Sera grinned down at him. She sat against his desk, her arms crossed. "How did your field trip go yesterday?"

Link didn't look up. He continued to scribble numbers across the paper on his desk, occasionally tapping on a nearby calculator with the end of his pen. He never would have imagined himself actually having a job that would require math. But at the same time, he wasn't exactly finding the angle of a triangle, either. And, fortunately for him, the calculator was a wonderful tool high school conveniently tried to hide from him. "Great," he said dryly. "I even got to bring home a souvenir."

Sera smirked. "Oh yeah? Anything cool?"

"So cool," he muttered. "A nice fancy note saying Aryll's gonna get suspended if she doesn't get her shit together."

Sera frowned. "Yikes. What the hell did she do this time?"

Link sighed and dropped his pen. He leaned back in his chair and let it roll backwards. "Gave some tool bag kid a black eye."

"Nice," Sera said with a grin. "Tough girl. I'm sure he deserved it."

Link shrugged. "I tried to tell her violence isn't the answer."

Sera laughed loudly. "Isn't that ironic?" She stood then, saying "Oh" as if she remembered why she had come to Link in the first place. "We've got a new guy who is just dying to meet you." She gave him a wink before calling over her shoulder. "Wally, get over here."

Within a moment, a kid probably only a couple years younger than Link appeared from around the corner. He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose with one finger as he regarded Sera. "I told you not to call me that."

Sera shrugged. "Isn't it your name?"

"No," he huffed. He turned his gaze to Link, then grinned. "My name's Walt."

"K," Link said simply.

"I'm a huge fan," Walt said excitedly.

"Fan?"

"Well, yeah, obviously."

Link's brows knit together. "Why?"

Walt blinked at Link for a moment. "Uh, because you're a total super hero?" He turned his gaze to Sera.

Sera grinned at Walt. "Never meet your heroes, kid."

Link turned back to the papers on his desk, ignoring them.

"What's a guy like you doing in a place like this, anyway?" Walt said.

Link let his chin rest in his palm as he stared at his computer screen. "Hero work doesn't pay the bills."

Walt nodded as if he understood such a predicament. "For the record, it totally should."

"No shit," Link muttered. "It's not enough that I almost died for this damn country."

"Can I get your autograph?"

Link looked up at Walt, then to Sera, clearly annoyed. "Is he for real?"

Sera shrugged. "I told you he was a fan. I bet he stalked you here."

"No, I swear!" Walt said defensively. "I mean, I knew you lived somewhere in the city. I just moved here a few weeks back. But I swear, I didn't stalk you." His shoulders dropped slightly in an attempt to seem more relaxed. "It's cool, man. I'm cool."

Link's brows raised and he turned his gaze back to his computer. "Yeah," he said. "Cool."

"Cool," Walt said, waving his hand at Link, as if to dismiss his earlier uncool behavior. "You can get to that autograph whenever. No rush."

Sera shoved Walt's shoulders, pushing him around the corner. "Bye, Walt!" She smiled after him as he hurried back to his desk, then turned to Link. "You have such a way with your fans."

Link scoffed, keeping his eyes on the screen.

"So, you down for that drink this time? Sounds like you could use one."

"Story of my life," he muttered. He stretched his legs out under his desk and nodded. "Yeah. Alcohol. Definitely."

Sera was waiting for him outside of the building. It was just after five when he trotted down the steps and walked briskly passed her. She grinned as he walked by, then moved to catch up to him, adjusting her bag on her shoulder.

"In a hurry?"

"Yes," Link said simply. "Every minute I'm not drinking is another minute I'm not drinking."

Sera laughed. "Well, sure, that's one way to put it."

"I think it's the only way to put it," Link said.

Sera frowned slightly and glanced at him. Though he seemed relatively content, she knew he masked his problems well. She pulled her gaze away and sighed lightly. "That new guy is weird, right?"

Link's gaze moved to her, well aware that she was quietly judging him. "Sure," he said. He turned his gaze away and shoved his hands in his jacket pockets. "What a nerd." Truth be told, something about him did make Link uncomfortable, but he didn't dwell on it.

"If he's a nerd for being your biggest fan, what does that make you?" Sera teased, elbowing him.

"A sucker."

"Gee, you're extra pleasant today," she said.

Link sighed. "I'm tired."

"Maybe you should skip the beer tonight," Sera offered with a shrug.

Link shook his head. "Nope. Definitely need the beer."

"Don't you think you should get home and babysit Aryll?"

Link scoffed. "She's avoiding me."

Sera frowned. "Now what did you do?"

"Why is it always my fault?"

"It's not," Sera said. "But I also know that you like to feed the fire." She shrugged. "You lectured, she argued, you fought back, and now she won't say boo."

"There you have it," he muttered.

"You know -" Sera started.

"Yeah, I do know," Link snapped at her. "I know. And that's why I drink."

Sera sighed. They stopped in front of the bar, and Sera held the door open for him. "Ladies first."

"What does that make you?" Link said with a grin as he walked through.

The bar was dimly lit, just how Kit liked it. "I'd rather not see the faces of the pathetic sacks that come in here," he used to say to Link. "I'm actually very uncomfortable seeing yours so much. It's like we're friends now or something."

Link had frequented Kit's bar over the last five years. Sometimes with Sera. Other times, even with Zelda. But mostly, he was alone. But Kit was always there, and his presence was something Link had grown oddly accustomed to, even fond of, even though they sometimes went a whole night without even speaking. If the situation had been any different, it was likely Link never would have associated with Kit, never mind called him a friend. But now, it seemed Kit was the only friend he had left. It definitely helped that he provided Link with all the alcohol he wanted.

Kit was behind the bar when they entered. He didn't look up at first, but Link and Sera took their usual seat. Kit seemed occupied tending to a larger group of men on the other side of the bar, but he found a chance to wordlessly slide over their usual orders, throwing his middle finger up at Link over his shoulder as he moved away.

Sera made a sound of disgust. "Lonely, single girl's night checkin' you out."

Link craned his neck to look around Sera in the direction of her gaze. There were five woman in a booth still dressed in their business skirts giggling and glancing in their direction. Link shrugged and disregarded them.

Sera, however, kept her gaze on them, studying them. Her head tilted to the side slightly. "I'd do the one in the middle." She nodded to herself. "You can have one of the others."

Link snorted. "No thanks."

Sera shrugged. "Suit yourself," she said. "More for me."

"Good luck with that."

"I get laid more than you do," Sera said.

Link considered this for a moment, then nodded regretfully.

The group Kit was tending to made their way out of the bar, and the bartender mosied his way over to them, bringing with him two more drinks. He frowned when he saw they hadn't finished their first.

"You're slowing down," he said, pushing the bottles over to them. "Come on, let's go. I gotta make my money off of you."

"I think you should send one of those girls a drink from us," Sera said. "All of 'em. I wanna get lucky."

Kit grinned. "If you get him drunk enough," Kit said, gesturing with his chin toward Link, "he'll go home with the cactus in the bathroom."

"Why is there a cactus in the bathroom?" Sera inquired.

"That's a good question," Kit said. "I blacked out that night. But I'm convinced Link has something to do with it. He waters it every now and then."

"I guess you must really save on plumbing," Sera said.

"Kit shoves it up his ass," Link said.

Kit's face twisted in disgust. "I know I'm a lonely guy, but I'm not that lonely."

"Debatable," Link said.

"Well, we don't all have the good looks and charm of a hero," Kit said.

"Where are these good looks and charm that you speak of?" Sera asked.

Kit shook his head. "It only comes out when he's drunk and horny. I don't know how he does it, but he takes a chick home every week."

"Do not," Link sneered.

"Oh, right," Kit said. "You fuck 'em and run back here to drink some more."

Sera frowned. "That's classy, man," she said disapprovingly.

Link rolled his eyes. "He's exaggerating. Why do you listen to him?"

Sera turned her gaze to Kit who shook his head.

"Anyway," Sera said as she finished off her beer. "I'm glad you decided to come out drinking with me tonight."

"Why?" Kit absentmindedly dried off a glass behind the counter. "He's not good company."

Sera grinned at the bartender and tapped against the counter. "Hit me."

Kit rolled his eyes. He set the glass down, draped the rag over his shoulder, and moved to the other end to grab her another bottle.

"In a glass with an orange slice!" Sera called to him, leaning over the counter. "Do it right, Bartender!"

Kit flashed her his middle finger over his shoulder. When he returned, he slid the bottle across the counter at her, an orange slice jammed into the opening.

Sera grinned up at Kit, then worked to remove the orange slice. "Why don't you get together with Mipha next time she comes home?"

"Is she still doing that doctor thing?" Kit grinned. "I'd let her do surgery on me."

"Can it," Sera hissed. "What kinda sick shit you into?"

Kit shrugged. "She's hot. I'll be into whatever she wants." He leaned toward Link. "Give me her number already."

Link finished his beer and shoved it into Kit's chest. "Piss off."

Kit grinned, happy to be getting under his skin. He tossed the bottle, then retrieved another and slid it across to Link. "That one's on me, you cheap bastard."

"Giving away products?" Sera said. "How do you possibly stay in business?"

"You should see this guy's tab," Kit said. He turned to Link and grinned. "Your alcoholism supports my small business. Thank you, Sir."

"Glad I can be of service," Link said, unamused.

Sera frowned, but did not add in her usual two cents as the two men continued to chat.

"Where have you been, anyway?" Kit continued. "It's been a couple weeks since you've been in here."

"Been busy," Link said with a shrug. "And its cheaper to drink at home."

"Touche." Kit pulled the rag off his shoulder and wiped aimlessly at the counter, removing a wet ring from Sera's bottle.

Sera finished her drink, then dropped her payment on the counter. "Don't let him get too drunk, Kit."

"You're such a buzzkill," Kit said to her. He slid her money across the bar and counted it. "Where's my tip?"

Sera rolled her eyes and fished through her pockets. She dropped some change into his palm. "You didn't give me my ora-"

"You got your orange!" Kit hissed at her. His fingers closed over her money and he slid his hand into his pocket. He smiled at Sera. "I'll take care of ya boy."

Sera patted Link's head. "That's my work husband. You better. See you boys later."

Kit watched as she moved across the bar, pausing to chat with the women in the booth. They laughed and flirted, and a note was passed between them. Sera waved over her shoulder to them before leaving.

"Does that come with benefits?" Kit said with a grin to Link.

"No," Link said simply. "She's like, forty."

"I'd hit that," Kit said. He leaned with his back against the bar, just to the side of Link. He watched the game play out on the tv above his head.

"You'd hit anything that moved."

"It's a lonely life, being a bartender," Kit said. "All day long, I listen to people talk about their lives, but no one ever wants to hear about mine."

Link rolled his eyes. "How's life, Kit?"

Kit turned around enthusiastically. "Well, Link, that's right kind of ya to ask." He paused for a moment, looking up thoughtfully. "Shit. My life sucks," he said with sudden realization. "All I do is work. And I don't even make enough money to pay someone to have sex with me." He frowned and leaned back against the bar.

"Poor Kit," Link said. "Can't get anyone to touch his dick."

"I could," he hissed. "I just... don't have time to play the dating game." He regarded Link over his shoulder. "If you know any single gals..."

Link shook his head. "They're all out of your league."

"I could get them. What about Urbosa?"

"Have you looked in a mirror lately?"

Kit craned his neck to do just that, regarding his appearance in the mirror on the wall. He ran his fingers through his scraggly hair and blew the stray strands out of his eyes. His hair was an odd shade of brown, almost appearing grey and dirty. His skin was pale. "So I look like a vampire. I thought chicks were into that sorta thing."

"When was the last time you even saw the light of day, man?"

"That is definitely not in the bartender's job description. Day drinkers are my forte. They keep me in business."

"You open at ten."

"And you won't believe the line I've got at the door. It used to be eleven." Kit sighed. "Ten a.m. to two a.m., every day. Doesn't give me much time for a life. Unless, you know, I pick up a hooker on the way home."

"Classy," Link muttered.

"Hashtag single forever," Kit said with a sigh. "That's what people say, right?"

"No."

"You're a good friend, Link," he said with a grin.

"Anything for you, Kit."

"The next one's not free, though."

"Hit me."

Kit pushed himself off the counter, moving across to grab Link another drink. He set it on the bar, trading for the empty bottle which he tossed into the bin. "Saves me some dishes, at least." He turned back to Link. "Sera would have me cut you off after that."

"Sera's not here."

Kit nodded thoughtfully. "What about Aryll?"

"What about her?"

"You just gonna leave her alone all night?"

"She's sixteen. She's capable of taking care of herself."

"You'd make a great father someday."

"I hope not."

Kit smiled, but it was a sad sort of smile. Link met his gaze, then rolled his eyes.

"Stop it," he hissed.

"I didn't say anything," Kit said, raising his hands.

"You're giving me that look."

"What look?"

"That therapist look. It's condescending."

"Well, you're just such a sad, pathetic sack."

"At least I get laid."

Kit snorted. "When was the last time that happened?" He left Link to mutter to himself, moving to the other end of the bar to tend to another patron. After a few minutes, Kit returned, his palms against the counter. He leaned against his arms slightly.

"We're friends, right?"

"I wish we weren't," Link muttered.

"And as a friend," Kit continued, ignoring him. "It is my duty to talk some sense into you."

"You're not my friend until after two," Link said. "For now, you're the bartender."

Kit sighed. He waited for Link to finish his beer, then took the empty bottle from him. When he returned, he only had a glass of water, which he slid across to Link.

Link scrunched his nose at the glass. "The fuck is this?"

"I can't in good conscious continue to support your alcoholism."

"I'm not an alcoholic," Link growled.

"Link, I met you five years ago when your stupid ass stumbled into this very bar with your stupid ass friends not an hour after your father's funeral and you haven't left since."

"I only come for your entertainment," Link said.

"And I only let you come to extort you. I've made quite a name for myself here, you know. This is the bar the great Hero of Hyrule drinks his life away at. It's practically a tourist spot."

"Some damn kid at work asked for my autograph."

Kit snorted. "Why the hell would anyone want your damn autograph?"

"He looks up to me."

"You know who I look up to? Movie stars. Those guys get all the tail they want. You? You come with nothing but problems. PTSD, alcoholism, depression. Who wants that guy's autograph?"

"He sounds like a train wreck," Link muttered.

"I'm hoping it will be explosive."

"Hmph."

"Nah," Kit said. "In all seriousness. I'm sick of seeing your ugly mug in my bar. Go drink cheap beer at home. At least be with Aryll. Get some damn help or something."

"I don't need help," Link grunted.

"Denial." Kit frowned. "No one expects you to have it all together."

"Aryll does."

"Aryll would understand."

Link's brows furrowed. He looked up at Kit. "How could she? She has no one left. I'm all she's got."

"Then isn't that worth, I dunno, sticking around?"

"I'm not going anywhere," Link muttered.

"Maybe," Kit said. "But as a bartender, I'm kind of a self proclaimed expert in alcoholism and depression."

"I'm not depressed," Link hissed.

Kit raised his hands in the air defensively. "Whatever you say, tough guy." He left Link alone to mutter into his drink, tending to more patrons.