I had a fight with the italics and they disappeared so sorry if I missed a few when I went to put them back. Illustrations for chapters 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,9b are up, by the way.
"Ah ha, Link! It's been some time. What brings you here?" Gondo boomed with his usual energy. "I know it's been a while, but I've got that stuff for Vin's goggles." Link replied as he unloaded the small bundle of supplies onto the counter. Gondo examined the raw materials with a keen and practiced eye. "Wonderful! Now I'll just need to take a look at that bird to get the size right." It dawn on Link just then that he didn't know how exactly he was to call upon the inky avian. He had seen Pipit do it dozens of times, but had never actually tried himself. "I'll be right back, Gondo. Only Pipit knows how to call Vin." With a nod, Gondo set aside the various components on the table top and waved a quick goodbye to the blonde, who had taken off toward the plaza exit.
Link bounded excitedly from the bazar tent. He was eager to enjoy the pseudo normality he had dedicated the day to, but first he needed to get this task out of the way. However, his mood was tarnish as he rounded the bend and came to an abrupt halt. Just as suddenly as he had stopped, Link broke out into a sprint. "Pipit!" He called out as he drew nearer.
Pipit lay on the ground. His right forearm propped him up slightly while his left hand held his forehead. He didn't turn to acknowledge the voice that had called him. Moving now would only have him back on the ground in under a second. He pried his eyes open ever so slightly, but immediately closed them once more.
Link came to a skidding stop and knelt next to his knight. "Pipit!" his hands hovered tentatively by the other. The yellow clad boy pushed himself up slowly as he fumbled to coordinate himself into sitting position. Link glanced nervously at Itella, who had backed away and was now biting her nails. The girl looked up at him. [He just fell all of a sudden.] Link's focus drifted back to the other. "Are you alright?" Seeing the other sitting up, he finally let his hand come into contact with Pipit. The boy nodded slowly. "Yeah, I'm-" But as Pipit's eyes met his own, his lips froze mid sentence.
Why am I lying to him? "I'm.." He reached up and pulled Link closer by the collar, so Itella couldn't read his lips. "Actually… could you walk me home?" His grip went slack and he returned his hand to his forehead. The hand at his bicep, that kept him steady, moved gently over the fabric of his tunic. "Of course," Link replied sweetly, but with an undertone of concern.
"I'm going to need help standing up."
"I'll try not to make it too obvious." However, this plan failed miserably. As soon as Pipit was on his feet, he toppled against Link. "ngh" he winced as his world swayed off-kilter again. "Pip…"
Pipit clung to him, one arm slung over his shoulder to meet the other that had wraped around his waist. The boy's head hung to rest against his shoulder. [Is Pipit ok?] Itella asked as she worried her bottom lip. Link shifted slightly to free up his arm without disturbing the other. [He'll be alright. He probably just needs to eat something.] He had hoped the answer would satisfy and it seemed the girl was taking his word for it, but there was a certain hesitation in fully believing him. [That's what Mom said too.] Link's eyebrows rose inquisitively. [He fell before?] Itella nodded, [Yesterday.] Link nodded sternly and gave a side glance to the boy against him. [He'll be ok. I'm going to take him home.] With a pat to his back, Link signaled to Pipit that they were going to start moving.
Pipit leaned against the side of his house with a heavy thud. Link was about to open the door, but a hand atop his stopped him. He turned to see the other, head canted with fatigue, staring at him. "Go in ahead of me. If my mother is there, pretend you're looking for me and come back out."I know they got in a fight, but was it that bad? "Why?" he asked. Pipit casted his eyes away, but not in anger. "She doesn't need to see me like this." With an understanding nod, Link headed inside.
It was only a moment later that Link came back outside for Pipit. "I think I need to lie down," He stated as Link led him over to the kitchen table. "I think you'd fair better if you ate something." Pipit grimaced. "I suppose so." He took his usual seat and Link drew up a chair next to him. A hand came to rest on his tricep. "Now that Itella isn't here, seriously, are you ok?" no. His voice was earnest and stern but with loving concern. Pipit opened his mouth to speak, but closed it again wordlessly. Hesitation was evident in his eyes and it pulled a frown from Link. The hand at his arm slid to fall away. "You can't tell me, can you?" Tell him. Link casted his gaze away, but Pipit was quick to bring it back. Lightly his hand made contact with the other's chin and pulled his eyes back toward him. "I'm sorry. This.. doesn't come as easily to me as it does to you." He found himself being pulled forward into the other's embrace. Arms crossed tight around him. "So there is something wrong." Pipit rubbed his back and rested his chin on the boy's shoulder. "Yeah, but I haven't the slightest Idea where to even begin to tell you." Hands at his shoulders pulled him away and the blonde rested his forehead against Pipit's own. "I'm gonna make you something to eat, and then we'll start at the beginning, okay?" The beginning… "Okay," He replied meekly.
Link periodically looked over his shoulder as he bustled around the kitchen. The only thing here is pumpkinbutter and stale bread. Better than nothing. He returned to his seat, sandwich in hand and placed in in front of the other. Pipit didn't exactly look pleased by the site. It fact he looked a bit ill. Link touched the back of his hand to the brunette's forehead. Feels normal "I'm not sick, Link." He took up the food and forced down a bite and then another. He paused and put a hand to his mouth momentarily before putting sincere effort into consuming the rest of what Link had made him. Link looked on. The meal was only half gone when Pipit pushed away the plate and again place his fist to his mouth. "Please eat, Pip." The other shook his head. "I think I might puke if I try to eat any more right now." The house grew silent as Link searched for the right words. In the end he couldn't find them and decided he should just blurt it out. "You're...er, you're not depressed are you?"
The question took him by surprise, but all that came from him was an arched eyebrow. "No, I'm not depressed. Frustrated, yes, but not depressed," he replied with a reassuring, albeit weak, smile. "Could you get me some ice water?"
"Sure."
He stood and went to fetch what was asked of him. "I guess the best thing to say first would be that, I'm not as bad as I look right now." He let his head rest in his hands and followed Link with his eyes. "It's mostly the not sleeping that's making me look so terrible." Link set the drink on the table as he placed a kiss on the boy's crown. "How long has it been?" Pipit drained the glass to get at the precious ice he had come to crave. Link looked on with worry, the action triggering a certain tidbit of knowledge to surface. Pipit wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "Not including the hour last night, it's been about three days." a heavy sigh left him and he ran a hand through his hair, "I just can't sleep. I close my eyes, but I just can't sleep." as he said this his eyes fell shut. Small glimmers beaded at his lashes and gave way to slip down his face. "She's insufferable!" Pipit yelled. Link quickly realized he was witnessing anger, not sadness.
The tears in Pipit's eyes were that of pent of frustration that had boiled over. His fingers embedded themselves in his hair and tugged unkindly at it. "I can't stand her! She does nothing!" He shouted. Pipit's hands fell limp and his head slunk down his forearms. He flexed his fingers in exasperation before slamming his fist against the table without warning. "She's not even my mother anymore! As far as I'm concerned both my parents are dead!" The chair legs scraped against the floor and wailed in protest as Pipit stood up abruptly, glass in hand, fully prepared to hurl the object at the wall. However, he stopped. He set the glass down. His hands were flush to the table and his shoulders slumped. He hung his head in disgust. How could I say that in front of him? How could I act like this? I'm a monster. "Link, I-" he closed his mouth and snuck a glance at the boy who's eyes were locked in a dead stare at the floor. "I'm sorry." It was all he could think to say. He swallowed hard. He felt sick. He felt angry. He was shaking. Pipit held up his hand and stared at the tremors running through it. My heart is beating fast. Too fast. Way too fucking fast. He thought matter-of-factly. He went to move, but stopped just as soon as he'd started. Am I still crying or is my vision.. Pipit was dizzy, but he was also about to be sick and knew he needed to move soon. He took in deep breaths in an attempt to still his nausea and regain his bearings, but no matter how much he took in he couldn't seem to get enough air.
The sudden shake of the table had Link picking up his head. Pipit had barely caught himself and was now leaning heavily against the table. Wait, what just- a moment ago he was- Link's daze was only fully broken when the other's strength finally betrayed him and sent him to the floor. The blonde hurried over to the boy who was trying frantically in vain to undo the clasps that held his collar up around his neck. Link was quick to react and pushed aside the hands. The hooks separated with ease. "Pipit, what's wrong?" Link asked, as he backed away a ways. Pipit was doubled over, one hand gripped at the table above him and the other anchored the arm that held firm to his stomach. "Link," His arm shook and he quickly reached out to grab the green garbed boy before it could slip from the furniture that held him upright. "Link I can't breathe. I'm gonna be sick. I can't breathe." He was supposed to be scared, but he wasn't. He knew this look and he knew what he had to do. Link plucked the hat from Pipit's head and set it aside. "Pipit, look at me."gently he touched the panicking boy's face to steer his eyes toward his. "Look at me. You're going to be okay. You can breathe. You're breathing right now, but you if you keep breathing that quickly you're going to hyperventilate" The grip on his tunic grew tighter. The boy tried to stand, but fell back to his knees. "Where are you trying to go?" Pipit covered his mouth with his hand and lurched forward; the water he had drank only moments ago seeped through the gaps between his fingers. "Shit," Link muttered. He untangled Pipit's hand from his shirt and hurried to get the trash can from across the room. When he returned it was quickly torn from his grasp.
I can't breathe, I can't breathe, I can't move. Pipit thought as his previous efforts went to waste in the garbage. When the heaving subsided he still knelt frozen in place, eyes screwed shut, gasping for air. Gentle hands manipulated him to sit and a cloth cleared away the mess from his hands. "Pipit, open your eyes." He did as he was told and groaned as the unbalanced world welcomed him back by swaying. It only had him feeling sick again and his breathing drew ragged and desperate. His hand was seized and brought up to the blonde's chest. "I'm not going to let you hyperventilate. Come on, breathe with me." Pipit nodded weakly and latched his other hand to Link's tunic once more. His heart is beating so much slower than mine. Why is he being so kind after what I've done? "Can you tell me what happened?" Link asked, his voice was soft and soothing. "I- I-" he inhaled sharply. " don't know. I was- really angry and- then I was shaking and my heart was beating too- fast and I got really dizzy- my stomach hurt"
Pipit's words strung together in giant mashes of syllables separated by short quick breaths, but Link heard them clearly. "You're having a panic attack and you're going to get through it." Cautiously he rubbed Pipit's back, but tried to stay far enough away so as not to crowd him. "I'm sorry." the boy choked out. "It's okay," Link said as he brushed his thumb over the back of his love's hand. "Just focus on breathing." They stayed, just as they were, for some time. Pipit's quick, ragged breaths soon slowed to match Link's calm even ones. "Water." Pipit said as he detached himself from Link. The blonde calmly and wordlessly rose and returned promptly with the cool drink. Shaky hands nearly dropped the glass that was passed to him, but quickly recovered. "Don't drink too fast." Link warned. [I know] Pipit signed as he slowly sipped at the refreshing liquid. [I'm feeling a bit better.] "That's good. I told you, you would." Link barely noticed his hands reflexively moving to sign too. A small smile threatened the corners of Pipit's mouth and he moved the glass away, setting it gingerly on the floor to free his hand. "I like watching you sign. Your hands move like they've always known how." Pipit's hands moved slowly, but mostly managed the sentence. "They have." Link held his arms open and the boy quickly scooted over to accept the embrace. "What got you so worked up?" Link asked once Pipit had settled himself snuggly. "I lost control of myself and said something I shouldn't have." The words were made laden with a heavy remorse. Link gave the other a little squeeze of a hug and kissed his cheek. "I know you didn't mean to."
Pipit let his head fall back to rest against the other. "I still shouldn't have said it. I shouldn't have lost control like that. I nearly broke that glass. There was just so much going through my mind." He felt a tight knot welling in his stomach again and reached for Link's hand. "It's not like you for this to happen." Pipit took in a deep breath. "I know. Between my final semester, my job, and my mother, I've been wearing myself pretty thin. It's why I haven't been eating too well. It's also making my insomnia worse. She's just making everything worse. It's more stress than I need" He let his tired eyes fall shut. "I think I need to lie down for a while," he sighed. "I think so too. If you're feeling up to it later, we could go to the lumpy pumpkin. Soup will be easier on your stomach." Pippit nodded and move to stand. With Link's help he crossed the room and fell down to the bed, thoroughly exhausted. The slinking of chain-mail reminded him of his own and he somehow managed the strength to remove it.
Link plopped down next to the boy and made a slight noise of discomfort as something hard jabbed at his side. He jostled the covers to reveal a well worn book that had been hidden by the blanket. "Hey, I thought I lost this. How did you wind up with it?" Link asked, his eyes sparking with a flood of memories that had a nostalgic smile crossing his face. "Carah lent it to me." Link flipped through the pages as if he were holding a photo album instead of a textbook. "That's you're handwriting?" Pipit asked him. "Mhm, and my father's. It was his book before it was mine. My mom said he learned to sign just so he could talk to her." Link closed the book and turned it over in his hands thoughtfully before moving to set it aside on the desk. When he turned back a slight chuckle hummed behind his lips. Pipit was sprawled out, taking up most of the bed, with a stupid grin on his face. With a light tired laugh he moved over to give the other some room, hiking up his shirt some in the process. Link took as seat next to him. His eyes fell to the patch of visible skin at the boy's hip. "Pip, you're ok though, right? You're not..ya know." He poked at the boy's ribcage. "See for yourself." he said as he pulled his shirt over his head. "See? I'm still here. I'm not quite that dumb." The worry disappeared from Link's face and he went to help the other with his boots.
It was true that he had lost a little weight, but everyone who worried about him being too thin seemed to have grave misconceptions of how the body works. But Link was different. He couldn't blame him after what had happened. He tossed his shirt back on and yawned as he drew up the covers. "Come snuggle. I sleep better next to you." A smiled touched the corners of Link's mouth and he climbed under the covers. To Link's surprise, Pipit pulled him to his chest and wrapped his arms around him. He kissed the boy's crown. "I'm sorry I scared you." he mumbled, sleep clearly stealing him from the blonde. "S'ok. You just get some sleep." A murmur in the affirmative crept from Pipit's throat and he rested his head atop the other's, the scent of Link's hair calming him before the release of sleep welcomed him.
Link hung on the verge of sleep. Pipit had drifted off long ago but the blonde was basking in the comfort of their time together. The clicking of tumblers had him looking toward the door to see a blank faced Mallara entering the house. When her eyes met his, a very fake cheeriness overcame her face like a mask. "Link, what are you doing here?" Link put a finger to his lips and mouthed "He's sleeping," thinking that his mother would be happy that her son was finally resting. However, instead, she made no effort to lower her voice or acknowledge what Link had said. "Link, I think you should leave." The comment had taken him aback. "W-what?" he said stunned. She stared at him, her hollow eyes making her smile a bit frightening. "Leave, Link. Now." Link carefully sat up, trying his best not to disturb the other. "But Mrs.D-"
"How is Zelda, Link? You two look so nice together." Mallara interrupted as she canted her head. Link scrunched up his face in annoyance. "Just go, I'll meet you at the lumpy pumpkin in an hour." Pipit whispered so softly that even Link barely heard him. Partly out of defiance and partly because he simply wanted to, Link leaned down and placed a kiss on Pipit's cheek. He then proceeded to throw his tunic back on and grab his gear, all while glaring daggers at the woman. As he passed her on his way to the door, he stopped. "I thought you said I was welcome here any time." A weird sort of giggle came from the woman. "You were, but a mother has to protect her son from bad influences. I wouldn't be a good mother if I let you keep filling his head with those silly ideas of yours." Link's face grew hot and he stormed from the house without another word. Well that explains a lot.
He still had time until he was to meet Pipit, so Link headed off to the bazar. It wasn't long before close so the kitchen was full of last minuet diners and Gondo was hard at work with repairs. But Link wasn't here for that. "Hello there, Link! It's been a while. What can I get you?" Luv greeted heartily. Link looked around him nervously, making sure no one was within ear shot. "Could I talk to you in private?" he asked. Luv raised her brows as her demeanor grew as serious as Link's. "Of course. Come on 'round to the back room." she ushered him behind the counter. He nodded and began to follow her but was halted by a tug of his hair. "Oh my, I'm sorry about that. She just loves hair." Bertie apologized as he delicately removed the lock his daughter had latched onto. "It's ok." Link laughed before returning to his less lighthearted talk with Luv. As he walked into the back room, he was greeted by a plume of smoke. Luv took several puffs on her pipe before being satisfied that it had lit properly. She gestured to a crate next to her for Link to sit down on. "So what's this all about?" She asked, getting straight to the point. Link wrung his hands. "Pipit is going to kill me for this, but I'm really worried about him. He hasn't been eating well, his stomach has been bothering him and-" Luv put a hand to his shoulder. "No need to lie. I know they don't have much. You forget, his father was a good friend of mine and I'm still in touch with his mother." Link nodded. "His stomach has, been bothering him though, but yeah I guess money would play into it. What really worries me is that he isn't sleeping either, and he fainted today." Luv took a long drag on her pipe before speaking. "I've noticed he hasn't looked his usual self. So what you're asking is if I can whip up anything that could help him?" Link nodded, "That's exactly what I'm asking." Luv pondered a moment, taking several puffs as she mentally browsed the vast knowledge of potions. "I suppose it wouldn't be too difficult. Stop by tomorrow before we close." A strong hand clapped against his shoulder. "Don't worry, Link. Pipit is a strong fellow. I can't imagine there is much in this world that could break his spirit." A small smile graced Link's lips. "Thanks."