The next day wasn't any easier for the Champions. The stares from their peers continued. They gossiped quietly among themselves, silencing only when one of them was near. Most of the students stayed away from them all together, but a few regarded them with respect and awe, speaking to them even though they had never spoken before. Still, the attention was unwanted, even from those who believed in what they were doing, and the end of the day couldn't come soon enough to provide them their needed escape.
Per Zelda's request, they met at the park after school, only then noticing Revali's absence. She sighed in annoyance when they realized no one had seen him all day, and calling his phone only brought Daruk to Revali's voicemail.
"We need to plan our next move," Zelda said. "I think I've found some answers that could help us. He needs to be here."
"Well, he's not answering," Daruk said, his voice hard in frustration. "I can't make him appear." To his surprise, his phone rang, but it was only Teba. He answered it, muttering under his breath, and listened as Teba spoke. "What?... For real?... Alright, we'll be right there." He shoved his phone back into his pocket and sighed. "Revali's in jail."
"Seriously?" Urbosa practically moaned.
"The cops picked him up in some parking lot with a case of empties throwing up on some chick's car. Teba's at the station trying to get ahold of his dad to bail him out."
"Fucking idiot," Link muttered.
"Come on," Urbosa said with a sigh. "We should give Teba a hand."
By the time they reached the station, Teba had gotten through to Revali's father, and with only a small amount of begging, he agreed to bail his son out of jail once more. Revali leaned against Teba as Teba guided him out into the parking lot where the others waited outside their cars. They stopped for a moment as Revali heaved, but when nothing came out, they pressed on until they reached the cars.
"'Hanks, man," Revali slurred. "Y-you're... good. Ma bes' friend." Revali patted Teba's head and Teba rolled his eyes, irritated.
"The fuck is wrong with you," Daruk said. "You couldn't get drunk at home?"
Revali shook his head lazily. "Nah, man. Can't. Ol' man kicked me out."
Teba propped him up against the car. "What happened?"
Revali sighed and shrugged. His body swayed despite the support from the car. "I dunno."
"He needs to get sober," Daruk said.
"Can I – can I crash withya, man?"
"Yeah," Teba said with a sigh. "Okay."
"Teba," Revali said.
"Yeah, dude?"
"I want out."
"Out?"
Revali slid down the body of the car until he landed on the ground. He leaned his head back against the car door and turned his gaze to Link. "I can't."
"Goddesses," Urbosa muttered. She turned to Mipha. "Can't you heal this or something?"
Mipha shook her head. "I don't think so." She sat on the ground beside Revali and he leaned against her, closing his eyes. Mipha patted his head.
"We're gonna die, you know," Revali said. "I can't watch e'ryone die."
"No one's gonna die," Mipha said softly. "That's what I'm here for, right?"
Revali sighed. "This'n't as cool'z I thought it'd be." He was quiet for a moment. "I'm scared."
"Let's go, Captain Depressing," Daruk said as he hoisted Revali to his feet. "Now I need a drink." He passed Revali off to Teba and Teba pushed him into the passenger seat.
"I've got him," he muttered, then, into the car, he said, "No more parking lots for you."
Revali leaned his head back. "I'm gonna throw up all my insides," he muttered.
"Please don't," Teba said with a frown. "I like this car."
"Are you sure you don't need any help?" Link asked.
"I'm fine. Thanks." He slid into the driver's seat.
Urbosa sighed and shook her head. "Text us and let us know what's going on," she said.
Teba nodded once. The car roared to life, and after pushing Revali off of him once more, he pulled out of the lot.
"Why did he kick you out?" Teba asked as he navigated the city.
"Mad," Revali hiccuped. "Nuthin' I do's good 'nuff." He sighed loudly. "Um only going to tha' dumb college 'uz his makin' me. Iss what 'e wants. Iss always been what he wanted."
"It doesn't have to be like that," Teba said.
"You don't get it," Revali snapped. "Iss not... Iss not even about that." He paused for a moment, groaning, and slunk down into the seat. "After the las' 'tack... After everything we've been through... We're all fucked. We're in way over our heads. 'An I can't watch them get hurt anymore. We've all been on the brink of death. If it weren't for Mipha, we would have all died a long time ago."
Teba's brows knit together, but he focused on the road, glancing only momentarily at Revali as he started to break down.
"Dad thinks... he thinks I'm dangerous," Revali continued. "An' um an idiot. 'An no son of his is gunna be playin' pretend with the king's dumb daughter. I told 'im ta go ta hell. 'E 'as no fuckin' clue wha's goin' on." He paused. "He's disowned me. Um shit to him."
"That's not... that's not true."
"He took everythin'," Revali said. "Said if I didn't quit this fuckin' game, he'd take everythin'. An' he did. College kicked me out before I even started. Pulled my scholarship. Fuck, I bet he a'ready changed the house keys." He hesitated. "I've got nothin' left. Even if we win this, what am I supposed ta do afta?"
Teba frowned. "Give yourself a curly-cue, put on some glasses, and get a day job?"
Revali snorted. "Funny."
"Why does it matter right now?" Teba said. "You've got the rest of your life to figure that shit out."
Revali only grunted in response. His eyes were closed in the passenger seat.
"Dude, don't pass out, or I'm leaving your ass in the car."
"Mk."
"I'm serious," Teba continued. "I'm not dragging your ass in the house."
"Mhm."
Teba pulled into the driveway and put the car into park. He looked over at his friend who, despite his warnings, seemed to be out cold. Teba sighed and punched Revali in the arm. Revali grunted and opened his eyes. He pushed himself up in the seat, looked around for a moment, then opened the car door and tumbled to the ground.
Muttering to himself, Teba stepped out and moved around the car, pulling Revali to his feet. Revali burped and giggled, leaning against Teba.
"Hey, hey," Revali whispered loudly. "Is Suki here? Can I say hi to Suki? Are you guys gonna fuck tonight?"
Teba rolled his eyes and guided Revali into the house. "No, Revali," he muttered. "It's only Thursday. Suki has finals like we do next week."
"Shit," Revali spat. "Fuck finals, right?"
"Sure," Teba said as he pushed him through the door. "Go to bed."
"Your parents are gonna hate me, too," Revali whined.
"They've always hated you," Teba said with a grin.
"Aw, for real? Why? I'm a wonderful person."
"Oh, yeah," Teba said, rolling his eyes. "They love the fact that I've had to bail you out of jail twice already."
"We should get an apartment together," Revali said excitedly. "After graduation. We'll have all the babes."
"Whatever you say, man."
Revali hit Teba's shoulder repeatedly as he stumbled into the bedroom. "Fuck yeah!"
Teba pushed Revali onto the bed. Revali proceeded to pull his shirt off, but Teba punched him in the arm. "You're not sleeping naked in my bed," he hissed.
"I always sleep naked!"
"I'll fucking kill you," Teba muttered. "I swear to Hylia, Revali."
Revali grunted and let himself fall onto the bed. Just as soon as his head hit the pillow, he started to snore lightly.
"Don't throw up on my bed, either." But Teba's words were not heard. He sighed and made himself as comfortable as he could on the floor, making sure to keep out of the path of any projectile vomiting. Revali murmured in his sleep, then turned over with his back to Teba and curled up on the bed.
