Chapter no. : 50
Chapter title: Don't Start
Story rating: T (for now...)
BETAed: Purr-fectly Betaed (mahoakitti)
Disclaimer: Me no own Zelda. I mean, come on - how stupid are you? If I did own Zelda , it would contain much swearing, blood, sex and rock'n'roll. And Yaoi. Don't forget the luffly yaoi. But since I don't own it, I have to settle for entertaining you guys with my stories and OCs - which is fine by me.
Warnings: Would put some, but (one) I can't be arsed, and (two) I doubt I could traumatise you further... or could I...?
Review count upon update: 421
Word count upon update (incl): 145,590
Thanks for the reviews...
JtheChosen1
Scraps off the Tapestry
sakurahanaalice
Dragongal333
Almost Completely
OneDayDreamer
Goddess of All Knowing-ness
Ryukai-MJ
stalwart vagabond
Lil Miss Spookiness
Notes: Welcome to the official 50th chapter, my duckies; official, cos you miss out the prologue. Righty. I must warn you. Although this has my kitti's approval, I wrote the end scene whilst somewhat inebriated, so apologies for any strange-ness. I kinda like it, so I haven't changed it...
Erm... I was supposed to say something else... oh ya, no one guessed the "pairing question" correctly, so I'll give you a hint. Remember, there's an actual prize for this.
Who can spot the pattern of pairings in the story?
Hint: Every story is a different genre.
Totally irrelevant quote of the update - or is it? (Kudos to the person who knows where this is from):
Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius, and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.
I quirked an eyebrow, staring Ashei right in the eye. "Incest?"
"Yeah. Hung and Corentin take 'brotherly love' to a whole new level."
"Is this normal in Xiomar?" I'm still not sure if the question was sarcastic or not.
"Well… not normal, no. But they're warlords – chosen by our gods – so they get away with it. Who's going to tell them they're sick?"
"Touché. But why do you think it's them?"
She once again paused. "Did Lyall tell you about an unwritten hierarchy?"
"With Isidor on top, with Maralah on the bottom?"
"Yeah. Ignore that for the moment. Imagine a scale of attitude: Isidor is still on top – he has to be, being the crown prince of Xiomar and all – and everyone else fits in between. But the Twins – they're on the bottom rung. They just don't care. Our gods chose them, but no one knows why. They'll follow orders, but they're not sadistic like Maralah or Isidor."
"Sounds hard to believe."
"Doesn't it just? Isidor doesn't trust them – even my father doesn't like them, but he can't say a thing, course, can he?" She shook her head. "If it were anyone except them, the whole country would be so enslaved, even breathing would be taxed, I bet."
"But would they be cruel enough to kidnap dragons and take their hides?" Ashei blinked in surprise at my question. "Maralah's tent was made of dragon's hide."
She winced. "Yeah… Maralah was a bit of a prude when it came to material things; he even fought over Imp, wanting the kid for himself. He might've demanded that they give him the hide for his tent."
"Would the Twins cave to that?"
"Possibly."
I sighed.
"How are things upstairs?" Ashei asked, changing subject suddenly.
"Mediocre at best. Things are slow. I just wish we could get to the bottom of this."
"Mm… so you can relax with Link, I bet."
My brow furrowed. "No, so that Hyrule can relax."
"Yeah, yeah, Sheik." She snorted. "Everyone wants to be the Great Hero's lover, and would kill to get some peace and quiet with him – don't try and deny that you just wish for time to stop and for you two to have some time alone…"
"Ashei, you don't know what you're talking about."
"I think I do."
"Really?" I quirked an eyebrow.
"Really, really. Come off it, Sheik. How old are you?"
I paused.
"Sheik? Alright, I'm guessing you're… seventeen at most. So you're in the prime spot of hormonal instincts and needs. You have the greatest guy in the lands for a lover and you're trying to tell me that you would rather sweat and pant from fighting rather than sweat and pant from-"
"Ashei, if you carry on, I'm going to leave," I threatened; I could feel a faint blush creeping up onto my cheeks, hidden by my cowl.
"I bet you're blushing; too bad Link isn't here to hear and see this…"
"I'm leaving."
"Oh no you're not!" She leapt from the bed and grabbed me, pinning me to the wall. "You, Sheik, are going to give me every little piece of information."
I blinked. "Get off me."
"You didn't use manners."
"Please get off of me?"
"No."
I groaned, and pushed against her, but she held fast; her strength was surprisingly great for someone so lithe and slender. I suppose it was from her vigorous training with her father. She grinned and I truly was reminded of Narboora and the other Gerudo – the smile was feral and mischievous, conniving and promising. I swallowed thickly.
"Come on, Sheik."
"Why do you want to know?"
"Curiosity."
"It killed the cat, you know."
"No, it created the kittens, actually. Then the cat died in childbirth. Now. How far have you gone?"
"I don't have to answer you." I paused. "You're acting just like a little sister, or a fanatic."
"I'm acting like me, Sheik. Come on, what are you hiding? Being allies means we can't hide anything from each other."
"I think there are technicalities."
She snorted.
"I'm not hiding anything, by the way," I pointed out, still frowning.
"Yeah, yeah."
"Ashei, I'm serious – why do you want to know?"
"Sheik, what am I?"
"…"
"Don't give me that look – it was an obvious question, yes. I'm not going insane. What I meant was… well, your answer was supposed to be 'a girl'. And my reply was then going to be, 'As un-girl-ish as I appear to be, I'm still feminine; even Tsukiko and Telma were going ape over your relationship with Link back at the bar'. Are you catching my drift?"
"I am, though I wouldn't have thought it of you, Ashei," I muttered. "I grew up in a tribe of women, for pity sake. I know your tendencies, especially when it comes to men."
She grinned that feral grin again and I finally rolled my eyes.
"Ashei, you are not getting any-"
The door suddenly slammed open, making both Ashei and I flinch in surprise. Hero stepped in, a frown slanting his brow, but he then quirked an eyebrow upon seeing our… situation. I snuck a glare at Ashei, to see her smirking like the cat who got the cream.
"I'll… come back later," Hero said slowly, stepping back. "It seems you're busy."
"No, no, you take your boyfriend," Ashei insisted, pulling away from me and pushing me into Hero; his arms instinctively wound around me to secure me, to stop me from falling. "We were just having a heated discussion."
"More like an interrogation," I muttered, slipping from Hero's grasp and exiting the room.
"Come back soon, Sheik!" Ashei sang.
"Not likely." A thought suddenly entered my mind, and I mentally snorted. "God forbid if she were to join forces with Narboora."
Hero hurried to catch up with me. "What was all that about? And… are you blushing?"
"No."
"Oh…"
He paused.
"So?"
"So what, Hero?"
"Tell me."
"Don't you start."
Our room was vacant by the time we returned. Raisa had gone with Imp and Lyall, back to their room, and Tsukiko had been called away by Lykos, for matters of duty. The lighting was dim, as per usual, but it seemed to be brighter – most likely because Ashei's room was so dark, and I had been down there for some time.
Hero sighed. "Chill-out time," he proclaimed, turning and falling back onto the bed.
"I swear you've had more 'chill-out time's than you've have 'fight time's."
"Nah… I've been in plenty of fights. And besides…" He propped himself up on his elbows. "For… nearly three years, I've been at work, non-stop, on the quest against Zant and Ganon, working in the castle, and now on this… surely, I'm entitled to various spots of rest?"
"Perhaps…"
He smiled, holding out a hand. "Come on."
"Last time you decided a 'chill-out time', you dragged me into bed and-"
"And it won't happen again unless you want it to," he soothed, beckoning me. "Yeah? Relax for once."
"I have already relaxed."
He looked exasperated. "Sheik, come off it. Relax! Unwind! Let go! Lie down! Be calm! How many other ways do I need to say it?"
He stood, unbuckling his belt as he moved to the other side of the room, pulling his tunic up over his head, before unclasping his chainmail and dragging his undershirt from his torso; his golden hair and sun-kissed skin glinted beautifully in the flickering light, muscles moving like liquid beneath silk. I shivered.
"Do I have to force you?" he asked.
"That would then constitute as rape, Hero."
"Somewhat, yes. But Sheik." He turned around – damn him for turning around! "If you stay… tense and battle-ready forever, then… you'll lose all sense of life. Plus, you'll overwork yourself, meaning when it comes to the crunch, you won't survive."
I flinched minutely. That was the very thing I had to do – survive. It was something in my blood, programmed into my very soul to carry through – survive. Not fight, not surrender, just simply exist, just simply survive.
He saw the defeat in my eyes and smiled reassuringly, albeit somewhat mischievously. "Or… is it that you're body conscious? I've seen it all before, Sheik."
"One, no, I am not body conscious," I snapped. "And two, how can you have? Been stalking me?"
"Let's just say a ghost sees many things. But also, I'm male, you're male…" He trailed off; he needn't finish the sentence anyway. "I mean, you don't have to…"
I pulled my tabard over my head and draped it over the nearby chair, staring back at Hero defiantly; he had goaded me, and I had risen to the challenger stupidly, but I didn't seem to care. He grinned, but it faded to a soft smile, as he approached me. He raised a hand and brushed the backs of his fingers across my cheek, sapphire eyes shimmering with so many emotions.
"If you were body conscious, I couldn't and wouldn't understand it – you… are so beautiful. I have met no one as… gorgeous as you are, Sheik." I mentally cursed when I felt my cheeks heat up with a blush; he looked like he was suppressing a triumphant smirk. "And blushing only makes you more radiant. …Did you really mean what you said? Back in Ordon – you said you were mine."
"I really am, Hero," I replied softly.
"I can't believe it. I know I'm being cheesy and corny and clichéd, but I don't give a damn, cos you know what? I'm in love. And to make things even more exquisite, I'm in love with a magnificent person, who's beautiful outside and in. And I will do anything for you. I would die a thousand more times-"
"Hero, stop…" I murmured weakly, resting against him. "Thank you. Gods above, thank you. But I think I'm going to suffer a cardiac arrest if you keep me breathless."
He chuckled. "Sorry. But… I'm not fairing any better. I think I need a lie down…"
"Lazy ass," I muttered.
"I may have a lazy ass, but you have a-"
"Hero…"
My awakening was slow and tranquil. The lighting was low and flickering, cast by the glow of the candle on the nearby table and there was near-silence, hinting with only the sounds of peaceful breathing. I thought Hero had fallen asleep, also, but I was wrong; I turned my head to look at him, and found my gaze locked with serene blue orbs.
"So, how was your sleep?" he asked quietly.
I sighed, my eyes drooping to half-mast. "Nice," I murmured.
"Good." He leant up and kissed my forehead softly, but I slipped a hand behind his neck and guided him back down, my lips brushing against his with whispery movements. "What is it?"
"I was thinking…"
"When do you ever not?"
I smiled gently. "I…"
Nerves, for the first time since the age of ten, came crashing upon me at that moment; it was as if six years of facades and hidden emotions decided to fight back and deal revenge for the lengthy imprisonment, all at once, and all at this point in time. My voice failed and a tremble shuddered up my spine, my lips quivering.
Was it nervousness? Or was it anticipation about what I was going to say? My heart was beating fast, and I knew he could feel it, his brow creasing with worry. Or was it indeed every single emotion known to man?
"Sheik?"
"I… I was thinking that…" I trailed off, looking away. He was being patient with me, reaching up to brush the backs of his fingers across my cheek. I sighed. "I was thinking about what you said… earlier. About… how you loved me and…" I looked up at him, touching his hand. "I… love you just as much and…"
"Hey, take your time," he whispered, gripping my hand. "I'm beginning to wish I hadn't let you sleep, if you think this intensely when unconscious…"
"I… Hero…" I huffed in frustration, shaking my head. "You know, forget it – forget I said anything, and forget how I've acted. It's nothing."
"Ah, but it obviously isn't. It takes a lot to rattle you, Sheik – a hell of a lot. So with you stuttering and mumbling and… well, it's just so out of character and-"
It felt like déjà vu. I tugged him down and pressed my lips to his, shutting him up swiftly and successfully. He groaned deeply in the back of his throat and pushed back, obviously happy, even though I had interrupted him; just like back in Death Mountain – I had kissed him to stop him jinxing the snake's death. And just like earlier in the day (I had no idea of time-frames, being underground for so long), he shifted so he was on top of me, my legs either side of him, cradling him and bringing us closer together.
"I swear…" he muttered breathily, pulling away from my lips and bending down to kiss and nip at my bared throat. "I swear… to the gods most high… that if we're disturbed… or interrupted… I will go crazy…"
I sighed, my neck arching to give him more access, to which he… growled at. I shivered. I don't know why – I think it's something to do with Sheikah being naturally submissive – but I felt so… wondrously helpless when he took the upper hand, when he took utter control of me for the first time. He marked me so many times, dragging my exoskeleton down my body to gain more skin, which I allowed him, eyes clenched and ragged breaths escaping swollen lips.
He took me that night. He truly took possession of me. I was his and no other's. Raka had no ownership of me, and I knew that I would follow Hero over Her Highness any day, from that night on. I was his – truly his; my mind and soul had been his before, but now my body belonged to him, as he had plundered it, mercilessly, yet with the utmost love imaginable.
I loved it. I loved him. I loved everything he did, every moment we shared that night, the night the last of my innocence was taken from me; but this last piece of virtue was gladly given, and blissfully accepted, returned with an equal portion of pure love.
That was indeed the best night of my life, but the morning after was one of the worst, when I woke up… alone.
Demi: My kitti's reaction to this was something like "Finally, LinkxSheik boysecks!" lawwwl
But why is he alone? My poor Sheiky.
Remember the competition, guys. Perhaps I should tell you the prize, eh? I dunno... we'll see... we'll see...
NEW I've created a new address, where you can contact me, if you need to, just for this story. Don't spam it, or anything like that, and don't - God forbid - bug me for updates via it. I don't know what you could use it for, it's just i don't want to give out my address, because last time I did that, shit happened. Perhaps, you want to ask a question about the story, or wish to ask me... something else. Or, if you have fanart, or ficart, then you can send it there! If... I haven't had much... -sob-
Its: Shadow-verse(at)hotmail(dot)co(dot)uk
Unequivocal, yet clever, ne?
