Title Ideas: This is Absolutely Flirting/Betrayal/Mischievous Matchmaker/Sidon's Room


A dragonfly landed on one of the lotus flowers and Link watched it to avoid his eyes straying to the Zora beside him. Sidon had settled enough to hear his story, but now that it was over, he was in deep thought.

Link was dreading when Sidon would turn and scold him.

"Why didn't you tell me?" The pain and hurt had those words twisting his gut.

When he was sure he would't cry the instant he spoke, he replied, "I didn't want you to worry."

"Fat lot of good that did. I'm worrying a thousand times more now." He could see the prince visibly shaking. "You left without telling me again. Why? I thought we were past all that... I just... I'm hurt."

"I had to." He knew as soon as he said it that it was the wrong answer.

"Don't give me that bullshit. Had to." Sidon scoffed. "No. We could have worked together. And you wouldn't have been stumbling around blind days worth of travel away from me! Without my knowledge of where you even were! How do you think I feel, Link?!"

He winced as the prince got louder. "I know. It was stupid, but-"

The larger man rushed up to him, rage twisting his features. There was so much emotion in his eyes as he pulled Link in to hiss at him in a harsh barely contained whisper. "No. There is nothing you can say this time. No gifts or empty words can heal the rift you caused between us. I hope you're happy to be all alone again, Hero."

At the last word, his title, Sidon released him and he slumped to the ground feeling boneless. "Don't expect my mind to change this time. It won't. You've run out of chances."

He got one last look at the anguished golden eyes before the prince was stomping up the stairs away from him.

What a fool. Thinking he would understand. How dare you abandon him! Monster. Murderer. Not even a hero. Not worth his friendship. It's no wonder he got fed up with you. Might as well finish your mission and die on your own blade.

Lifeless, Link rose from the water. Naboris was waiting. He could just teleport and feel the sting of death trying to steal his soul. Maybe that would help atone for his sins. But... Dorephan needed to know he was successful. Maybe he could help him feel more like a hero. What good would he be to the Gerudo if he was broken already. Might as well fix himself enough to get the job done.

He climbed the stairs. Zora watched him apprehensively, deciding whether to approach or not. None did.

Must look awful.

Walked across the marketplace to the next set of stairs. Bazz lifted his head as he made it to the top, but didn't speak to him.

No life in his eyes.

Last set of steps to King Dorephan. The guards almost readied their weapons at his appearance.

Stained by old blood.

The massive Zora reached down to take him up in his embrace at his listless expression. The familiar warmth had him sobbing.

Heartbroken.


Sleep left him slowly. "Your highness, allow me to move the boy."

"No, Muzu. Let him sleep. He deserves it." Deep, even breaths fell on him in waves.

"But..." A small defeated sigh. "Very well. I shall check on the prince then."

"Have him come here. I must speak with him immediately." A large throat clearing. "Let him know this is not an optional discussion."

"Of course, you highness." Wet feet walking away.

"Oh, dear Link." A large hand swept over his head affectionately. "The goddess is cruel to you, little hero."

The hand continued to comb his locks and he snuggled closer with the intent to go back to sleep. Distant footsteps had him stiffening. It wasn't long before the sound reached the throne room.

"Father. You have requested me." A startled intake of breath. "Link?!"

"Worry not, my son. The boy is resting now." His comfy spot shifted and armor tinking together got farther off. "We may speak freely."

"It is not the guard I worry will overhear, but the young hero." Such a strict tone. It hurt Link to hear.

The hand in his hair pulled away. "As I said, we may speak freely as the boy is slumbering."

A hesitant, "Are you sure?"

One of the king's large fingers shook his head lightly, almost like he was purposely waking him. "Why are you so worried?"

"I..."

When it seemed Sidon would not speak, Dorephan did. "Tell me, Sidon. Has he told you anything? I will not speak of the matter if he has not."

"He informed me earlier today when he arrived in the domain." Link could hear the emotion the prince couldn't hide behind his formal tone.

"And his senses are back to normal?" The concern in Dorephan's voice was making him guilty that he hadn't gotten the chance to tell him.

Sidon's curt reply cut through the tension. "Yes."

"Good, good. I was afraid for him." Link could feel the king relax.

"As you should be. He is Hyrule's only hope against Calamity Ganon." It was like a stone dropped in his stomach. A hero. That's all he thought of him.

"That is not the only reason to worry, my boy. Link is like family. No, he is family. I think of him like I do you and Mipha, as my child. I did care for him during his time here. Though he remembers not, he will always be my son." Finally, he opened his eyes. Dorephan was looking down at him with adoration, not phased at all that he was awake. "Surely, you feel something more for him. I am not blind to the way you act toward him nor the worry you carry when he is gone."

He chanced a look over and found the king's hand was blocking him from the prince. "There should be nothing he can do that deters you from him if you truly care for the boy."

Sidon stumbled over his words, "I-It's not like... that..."

"Yes, my son. I am an old man and there is not anything in this domain I do not know about." The older Zora's eyes were filled with mirth and he winked at Link. "And I am positive you care deeply for our dear Link. There is nothing wrong with caring for someone not of blood. Not if the feelings are genuine. I am sure young Link feels similarly toward you."

A hot blush had Link bringing his hands up to cover his burning face. "Which I am sure he does, Sidon. Just be clear with him. These things you feel are just the negatives of worry for him. I know it well. It burned like a white hot flame in me when dear Mipha left to be a champion."

"But I said something awful to him, Father!" Sidon's voice wavered and quieted. "How will he forgive me?"

"If you care for one another like I know you do, then you will always forgive each other, my son." Dorephan's face was the softest Link had ever seen it. "Now go on. I will wake Link and speak with him. Be warned, I will be sending him to you shortly."

He could hear the prince walking away and breathed a sigh that he had not been found out.

"Now, tell me how you are feeling, my son." Link sputtered and the king laughed. "I meant what I said, dear boy. You are family and I treat you as I would my own."

"I..." He took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I feel exhausted and nervous and guilty and confused, but... I feel happy. And better than I have felt in a long time."

"Hmm... I'm pleased to know." He was set gently down, his legs wobbling just a little as he stood. "As you have heard, I wish for you to speak with my son. And if I am right, and I hardly am not, then rebuild the friendship you share and turn it into something beautiful. I think it will do wonders for your worries to have someone waiting for you."

At that, Link laughed softly. "He has always waited for me."

Dorephan smiled. "That he has."


It had taken a bit to get someone to escort him to Sidon's room. Luckily it wasn't too far underwater, he could have made it on his own, and he learned the neck of the armor can extend up to be a mask. Said mask filters air out of the water so he can breath underwater. It's a feature he wished he had known about before now but whatever. The hall Sidon's room was on was water free, luckily, and looked to be some sort of cave system smoothed and carved. It was quite magnificent. Maybe he could accept a room after all.

Finally he stood in front of the prince's room. Never has a door been so intimidating. But with Sidon waiting on the other side for him, how could any other be more so. He took a deep breath and held it as he knocked. At the 'I'll be there in a moment' he let it out slowly. This was it. One last chance to make things right and never screw up again.

As the door opened, he readied himself. The prince's surprised face was priceless, but he dared not laugh. "Oh, Link. Uh... Hi." Sidon's awkward, forced smile and reddened eyes had Link's heart breaking more.

But he had to put that behind him. "May I come in?"

Sidon looked just as surprised that had come out of his mouth as Link felt. "O-Of course."

The prince moved aside and Link walked into the room. The door shut.

"I'm sorry!"

"I'm sorry!"

They stopped and stared.

"For what?"

"For what?"

This time they both chuckle. Link held up his hand and spoke, "I shouldn't have kept things from you. That was wrong of me. We are best friends and I was soiling our friendship."

"No." Sidon flopped down in a blue chair beside the bed. "I should have known not to pry and force my way into your business. It isn't my place."

"But it is!" Link stepped forward and took the prince's hands in his own. "You are the closest person to me. I trust you with my life. There isn't anything in the world that can change that. No secrets, no dysfunction, nothing. I should have nothing that you don't know about because that is how much I care about you! And..."

He released Sidon's hands to bring his own up to cover his face, the blush he has making him feel like he is on Death Mountain again. "I would hope the same could be said from you."

When nothing was said, Link peeked through his fingers, worried. But he shouldn't have been because Sidon was turned away, his face an equal hotness despite its blue color. The prince looked to be at a loss for words until his eyes caught Link's. "You have no idea the restraint I have to not be crushing you in my arms right now."

Hands came down and a decision was made. Unlike his usual timid self, Link began climbing into Sidon's lap. "Then go ahead and embrace me, you silly man."

That same puffing up from his accidental proposal told Link that this was also inappropriate behavior, but he didn't care as the large Zora hugged him tightly. "You don't know how happy this makes me, my dearest friend."

Link chuckled as Sidon nuzzled into his hair. "I have an idea because it makes me happy too."