A/N: Ahem... yes, I'm aware that it's been a while. Sorry about that. Summer's coming up, so that should give me more chances to update. In unrelated news, my birthday passed, YAY! 17 years of living for me! Okay, I'm done. In actually RELATED news, this chappie's fun, cause it includes LINK/ROY SLASH YAAAAAAY! You don't like, don't review, mmmkay? Alright, let's get it on.

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The Fiend Within

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Link and Roy (I)

Vacations were not the main concern of two entwined lovers as of right now, nor was the permanent dread that had filled the Mansion. Their hands were much too busy.

Link's right hand was caressing the side of his partner's youthfully smooth face, and his lift was under the shirt and running over the other's belly, a finger toying with the cup of his naval. Both of Roy's hands were entangled within the long, blonde locks of hair, smooth as cream as he ran his fingers through it and rubbed the scalp. Even their feet were intertwined, toes curling between each other and sliding across the plush undersides.

Their faces were connected by the lips, exchanging saliva and hot breath as they massaged, waxing and waning as they rocked back and forth to a slow, steady beat. Roy noted how firm Link was with the pressure of the kiss, as if coaxing him to go further. The youth fell victim to desire and pressed his tongue forward, gaining entrance into Link's moist cavern, lapping up his taste in delight. In turn, he allowed the other to explore his own mouth, gagging once when the tongue was moved in too far. It retreated quickly, but not before sliding over the roof of his mouth, teasing him to follow. And, of course, he did so, and the two danced like shy fey in the night.

When at last they separated, the sun had finished its descent, surrounding them in the stillness of the dark. Though it was impossible to pierce far through the darkness, they were aware of each others' presence, laying close to each others' warmth. Roy leaned into his chest as Link wrapped his arms around his waist to pull him in closer. He stuck his nose into Roy's mop of maroon and caught the indescribable scent he loved so much, the smell he only knew as Roy's smell, no one else's.

There really wasn't anyone quite like Roy that he knew. Time had passed, and he had grown older, his body maturing and blooming like a rose, but the generally youthful, vivid personality was still alive and kicking. He had made the boy a man a long time ago, but it was still there, always there, solidified forever with the Pherean. And though Link detested such a corny, overdone feeling, he could not deny that was the reason he loved him most.

"...So..." His voice, stale from current lack of use, broke the silence. "...almost a year and a half, huh?"

"Yup. Hard to believe it's been that long."

"Mmm. We'll be old men before we know it."

"Heh."

"...What's wrong?"

"Nothin."

"Yeah right."

"Prove it."

"Your feet stopped moving against mine."

Damn. Nothing got passed the clever elf. "...Well... I..."

"...Is it Zelda and Fox?"

"...Maybe..." Of course it was. Was he really that obvious?

"Yeah, that's been bugging me, too," he admitted, holding him a little closer in assurance. "...It's like... they just... up and left... No hints toward it or anything..."

"Link..."

"And, I mean, even if she wouldn't tell us, Fox would be halfway decent enough to let us know at the very least..."

"Link, stop it."

"What?" He was puzzled by his partner's plea.

"I really don't want to talk about it. Not now, please..."

"Oh... oh, right... I'm sorry."

"S'okay." Silence. "...Link?"

"Yes?"

"Make love to me."

"...Now?"

"Yes. Here and now."

"... You sure?"

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"Dunno... It's just... odd, that's all..."

"Please." He lifted his head, his eyes seeming to glow in the dark. "I... just, please."

Link was about to say no, that they'd be doing so for the wrong reasons. And then he got caught in that large, porcelain gaze.

How could he refuse those beautiful eyes?

"...Alright." He pulled him closer. "C'mere, then."

Roy shifted closer, the rustling of his clothes loud and near-maddening. His hands slid down and toyed with Link's belt, unhitching it and holding it up victoriously before casting it aside idly.

"Slowly... slowly..."

They became lost in their own engulfed senses.

"There," he sighed. "Mmm... Oh, Roy."

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Morning came too soon. The comforting blanket night had provided was swept away by that damned cheerful sun, like a mother crying out merrily to her kids that it was a beautiful day before kicking them outside to get some fresh air. It was infuriating to those who wanted to stay in bed. But they had to get up whether they wanted to or not.

Link and Roy didn't mind so much. They were in too good of a mood from last night to swear at that accursed ball of yellow in the sky, exiting their dorm hand in hand with purpose in their step.

On their way to breakfast, however, they did not expect to encounter little Rinku in the hallways. The child was considered Link's younger form, due to some time-space continuum screw-up, which caused both his ten-year-old and seventeen-year-old versions to step out at the same time. When the name "Young Link" grew too obnoxious, the Smashers (at least, those who cared) adapted the Japanese name for the younger one to avoid confusion. Despite living with his older self, Rinku was considered to be a normal, Hylian kid, with all the tributes of youth that Link had slowly lost with growth. And that included the naivety.

Link and Roy's hands separated immediately.

"Good morning Rinku," Link greeted the beaming child.

"Morning!" He threw his arms Link's waist in a morning hug. He then gave one to a slightly blushing Roy.

"Good to see someone in a good mood," he said.

"Yeah, everyone else is either really grumpy or not even wanting to come out of their rooms." He pouted adorably.

Link smiled. "Just give them some time to wake up. It is still kinda early."

"Okay..." His feet churned shyly in the carpet. "Are you guys going to breakfast?"

"Yep. Are you?"

"No, I'm not hungry right now." He started a slow walk in the opposite direction of the cafeteria. "See you guys later, okay?"

"Uh-huh."

"See you later, Rinku."

The watched the boy descend down the hall to whoever he chose to greet next. Upon reflex, their hands laced again as they continued their stroll.

"...He's a good kid," Roy commented, ignoring the technicalities of that statement.

"Mmm." Link tried not to think about it either.

"...Why can't we just tell him?"

"Not now..."

"Oh, come on, it's not like he's gonna condemn you. He's you, for crying out loud."

"That's exactly the point. He's gonna be me in the future. If he finds out he's due to realize he's gay... I'm not sure how he'll take that."

Roy looked almost hurt. "... What are you saying?"

"I'm not saying anything about us. But... he's still young yet... I want to wait, at least for a few months..."

"...If you say so..."

Link coiled his arm around his waist, assuring. "Oh, don't be so gloomy." He leaned his chin on his shoulder and whispered into her ear, "Sadness ill fits one of your beauty."

Roy smiled a lovely smile, sighing as he eased into Link's hold on him, the elf's pale hand resting on his abdomen, fingers playing with the shirt's fabric. He was so comfortable, he would've fallen asleep if they had not been walking.

If he was anyone else, he would've pressed the issue of keeping secrets further, but that would've just been hypocritical. Yes, he did have a secret hidden away from Link, one that he felt would be even more devastating than the secret they kept from Rinku. How could the Hylian ever love him if he had known...?

However, in time, they would both learn how dangerous the secret truly was...

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A/N: Gah, I know, short update. But hey, an update's in update. Please review. And PLEASE don't bug me about Three Renegades, that's on hiatus for now.