Don't Leave Me Again

A spring breeze blew the small blades of grass up and down in waves. It warmed the hillside that sheltered the Crimean camp. Birds sang and butterflies fluttered about, but the blonde Hylian ignored all of it. He felt entirely immune to the beauty of the spring day. His heart didn't feel as light as the breeze, only as cold and heavy as the stone he now sat on at the top of the hill.

The change in weather did nothing but remind him of how much time had passed. It had been three months since last he saw his lover, and every passing day led him to further question whether he would ever see his crimson-eyed lover again. Even now, as he watched the newest reinforcements arrive, he had his doubts. His sharp Hylian eyes couldn't find a hint of violet among the sea of white, gold, and crimson armor. Only soldiers, never a sage.

The flutter of wings overhead alerted him that Pit had arrived. He could only hope that the Angel would bring word from the troops of Soren's whereabouts. The cherub approached slowly, causing the archer's hopes to fade.

"I checked with the new ranks," the boy began neutrally, causing the blonde's heart to twist.

"Nobody's heard of him," Link assumed coolly and scowled down at the newly arrived troops.

Pit shifted his weight nervously and refolded his wings. "Link… I know… This must be so hard for you, but don't lose faith. Soren could still be out there, just… maybe he's lost, or-"

"Soren would never get lost," the Hylian corrected, instantly silencing the boy.

An abrupt silence followed, broken only by the rustle of the wind and Titania's commands to the new troops. Link hunched over, broken and defeated. 'So much time… It's been so long; wouldn't he have come back to me by now?... Is he…. no longer able to come back to me?' His thoughts made the heat of the day vanish.

Unnerved by his good friend's shift in mood, Pit hurried over and wrapped the blonde in a warm embrace. "Don't give up hope, Link," he whispered, doing his best to sound sure. "He's out there, I'm sure of it, and… he'll come back to you."

The Hero of Time did his best to recover his natural good cheer, which was easier to do in the presence of an Angel. "You're right, Pit. I'm glad that I have you to give me an optimistic kick in the ass every now and again."

The cherub giggled, "That's what friends are for."

"Pit?"

Ike voice carried softly on the wind, only slightly concerned.

"Got to go," the brunette boy cheered as he released the blonde.

"Alright, see ya at dinner," Link chuckled, watching the energetic youth take flight.

Before turning in the direction of the camp, Pit added, "Just don't stay up here all day like you've been doing. Come down and hang out with us, sometime," and flew away.

Link sighed as he felt what little comfort he had vanish with the Angel's presence. 'Oh, Soren…' he mused, looking back at the silhouette of the hated Daein mountain range. Three months and he has yet to escape the looming mountains and the haunting memories that came with them.

'What if that was it? What if that was the last time I'll ever see him? Being loaded into the back of that cart… Damn it! Why didn't I go with them? Why?!' his mind pleaded.

Footsteps approached from behind, jarring the blonde from his thoughts. His sharp ears detected a limp in the new comer, as well as a cane. He inwardly cursed this stranger for approaching him during one of his most vulnerable moments. All he wanted was some peace and some time to think.

"If you're lost," Link began. The footfalls ceased. "You need to go down to the camp. Look for Ike, he's the only one with blue hair. He's the leader and he'll check you in; now, if you'll excuse me I'd like to have some peace."

Much to the blonde's annoyance, the stranger grew closer. The breeze picked up into a gust from behind, bringing with it the familiar scents of the forest, clean fabric, with an underlying sent of new paper as well as old books.

A cool, smooth voice whispered in the Hylian's ear, "You're so sharp anymore. Where's the kindhearted blonde that I fell in love with, Dearest?"

Link's heart skipped a beat before pounding out of his chest. "Soren?" he called softly, as tears fell before he had a chance to stop them. He stood up and whirled around; instantly meeting the dark crimson eyes of his lover. "Dearest Soren?"

Standing in the pure white robes of an Archsage, Soren graced his lover with one of his rare smiles. "It's been too long," he replied, tears brimming in his own eyes.

Link scooped the object of his desire into his arms, knocking the staff right out of the spell caster's hand. It fell to the grass with a soft thump, but neither noticed. His hand now free, Soren wrapped it around the Hylian's neck as the two dove into a passionate kiss. The blonde held his lover tight and claimed his lips fiercely. When air became a necessity, he broke their connection to inquire, "What happened, Baby?"

Soren smiled, and gazed into his lover's crystal blue eyes. "Sorry I'm late. My arm was in bad shape… worse than anyone originally thought." Me motioned down to his right arm, which was in a sling around his neck, hidden by his robe. "It got infected a few times, but I refused amputation. It's mended now, but the muscle strength is all but gone. I make due. It's my leg that really slowed me down. Rhys didn't set it properly, so the healers in Melior had to rebrake it to set it properly. I still have a bit of a limp, but at least I can walk."

Link pulled his lover back into an embrace, this time weary of his immobile limb. "My poor baby. You've been through so much," he whispered, running his hands through the spell caster's raven hair.

His lover chuckled into his chest. "It's all worth it just to be back in your arms."

The blonde chocked back a sob, thinking about how lonely he had been without the spell caster. "Oh, Soren. I thought I'd lost you forever. I checked with the troops, every time they sent in reinforcements. I always searched for you, asked if anyone had seen a sage, or heard your name… I… I thought you were dead," he cried, releasing the pent up tears.

Soren placed a silencing finger on the blonde's lips. "Enough," he hushed softly. "Don't upset yourself…. I promised you that I'd come back to you, no matter what. Every day in that hospital…" he traced his fingers gently over his lover's lips, "I thought about you. Only you. Getting back to you. I trained in magic to keep myself strong; to keep myself busy. If I could keep myself from getting sick, then I could come back to you sooner."

"And now you're… a super sage?" Link asked softly, earning a chuckle from the spell caster.

"Archsage," Soren corrected gently.

Link hummed and admired his lover's new attire. "Well, that's certainly not purple," he chuckled and kissed his lover on his birthmark.

"A change in wardrobe ever few years is a good thing," the wind master assured.

The blonde smiled, "I missed you so much."

Soren met his gaze once more, "As I missed you, Dearest Link."

"Promise me you'll stay with me?"

"I promise you, Love."

Link smiled and leaned down for another kiss. "Don't ever leave me again," he whispered as their lips met.

Seconds later, the two stood, looking down at the Crimean camp. Link held his unstable lover close, proving to be more useful than the fallen staff. Silently, they promised to be with each other, no matter the trials that lay ahead.

(End)