It smelled like breakfast.
Link looked up from the random adventure novel he had been reading and towards the door, behind which he could hear the slapping of damp webbed feet getting closer. He set the book down on the night table, pulled back the thick duvet that had been covering his legs, and got off the bed to walk over to the little table their private room had.
Just a second after Link had seated himself, the door was pulled open with gusto and Sidon entered, a skip in his step. He was carrying a tray that had a few promising bowls and cups on it, as well as a large, dripping wet fish that was still twitching a bit.
"I have returned with food and your medicine, my beloved Wildberry!" he announced, "We also received mail today, and isn't that exciting?"
Finally! They had sent missives to Zora's Domain and the Hyrule Castle practically as soon as they had made their way back from the Korok Woods to the Woodland Stable, and that had been two entire days ago. Link had lowkey expected to be swarmed by worried Zora troops the second they exited the Lost Woods, so a two day wait – the horseback postman requiring the time to make the trip being the obvious reason for the wait – had felt unreal.
Sidon plonked the tray on the table and Link spotted three envelopes tucked partially under his porridge bowl. Two were made out of the very distinct Zora wax paper and one was from Zelda's personal stationary, the royal blue variety.
"Here, drink this", Sidon said, holding out a mug of the nasty tea that Link had been forced to drink the last two days. Slateri's fume breathing treatment had suppressed his coughing for the battle, but it had returned with vengeance maybe two hours later, once they were big again. Link had been put to bed rest and medicine treatment by the innkeeper upon first sight, which, while annoying and gross, was proving to be very effective in finally actually curing him of his persistent illness. Him not being allowed to leave had the added benefit of Sidon having constant access to the Pico Pond for fresh food fitting a Zora, as well as water for soaking and swimming. Sidon already looked way better rested from spending half of every night sleeping submerged – he spent the first half cuddled up with Link and only left once he was fast asleep – and his foul mood from constant hunger was definitely gone.
Link drank down the tea with a few large gulps, appreciating the warmth in his throat and stomach and despising the bitterness immediately coating his taste buds. He quickly put the emptied mug down and attacked his breakfast to wash out the foulness. He had warm oat porridge with honey and butter, a side of fruit chunks, a slice of fresh wheat bread with cheese on top, and a tall glass of milk. A good Hylian breakfast with no bugs or flower petals or seeds – he had enjoyed those too, but home food was home food.
Sidon was crunching away at his raw Hyrule Bass that was likely just a part of his actual breakfast, most of which would have been devoured while still within the pond. Sidon had his lunch and dinner properly prepared by the inn's cook so as to not be completely impolite towards their hosts, but breakfast he opted to catch himself, and not bother with cooking it. Link assumed it had a lot to do with getting the right nutrients after three or so weeks of malnourishment. He liked to think Sidon had regained some meat on his bones, but he wasn't sure if two days of proper food would actually show, so he was probably mostly imagining it for now.
They ate without a hurry, and Sidon chattered happily about this and that between each bite – after chewing and swallowing first like a well raised Prince, of course. After finishing their meals, they grabbed their letters and settled back down on the bed, Link fitting himself snugly between Sidon's legs and leaning against his chest comfortably, the duvet covering his own feet for warmth. Sidon was somewhat cool to the touch and smelled strongly of fish, just like a healthy Zora should.
"Two of these letters are for you", Sidon said, and handed him said letters. Link hummed and took them. He set Zelda's letter aside and tore open the one from King Dorephan and/or Muzu. Turned out it was from both.
King Dorephan was glad to hear he was alright and grateful he had kept Sidon safe. He wanted to talk to him in person about his courting of the Crown Prince, worded exactly like that, which was terrifying and ominous, and Link hoped the talk could be postponed for a few weeks, months, or years, please. There was no note of official approval or disapproval to be found in the letter. Oh joy.
Muzu, on the other hand, promised to lend Link to the royal troops for target practice for endangering the heir to the throne – these two really went out of their way to use the most loaded terms possible to refer to Sidon, didn't they? – that is, after he was done with him himself for daring to lure the Prince away from respectable Zora women with his wiles. It looked like Link was well back to Muzu's ill graces, which wasn't unexpected. He'd come around, probably. At least if King Dorephan approved of the relationship. If not, Link was simply royally screwed.
"Father approves of my healing training in the Magic Academy!" Sidon yelled in excitement, and squeezed Link. "He says we need to discuss the when and for how long at a time when I return to the Domain, but he thinks it'll be good for me to learn! He says he's proud of me!"
Sidon's hold on Link got tighter with every sentence and Link simply accepted he wouldn't be breathing properly or at all for a bit. He looked up with a smile and patted Sidon's arm as a sign of being proud, but also as a notification on what was happening. Sidon released the hold with an apology and leaned down to drop a kiss on his forehead.
"Father also assured that he shall not be cutting our current trip short, although he did send a few soldiers to Hyrule Castle to check on me when we get there", Sidon continued sheepishly.
Link snorted. "To interrogate you, you mean. I guess we should be happy they weren't sent to tail us from now on."
Sidon chuckled, but his eyes betrayed some worry. "Let's hope so; we're not in the clear until we meet them and find out for certain."
Link patted Sidon's arm again, this time comfortingly. It would be a hassle, but he had a few plans on how to ditch their potential babysitters if it came to that – they had their Sheikah Slates and the ability to warp around, for starters. Regardless, there was nothing they could do about it right now, so it was a problem for the future.
Sidon went back to his letter of considerable length, and Link opened the one from Zelda.
He got chewed out for recklessness, bad choices, and most importantly for having a fascinating adventure without her. She appreciated the Silent Princess honey candy, but forbade him from going to the Minish world again before her Sheikah Slate was finished, which should be within two months by Purah's estimation. She included an actual list of questions she expected him to answer when he arrived at the castle, and he would come to the castle post haste or Hylia help him.
There was a post script that congratulated him for "catching the big red fish" and she expected to be his best woman at the wedding.
Link smiled at the letter fondly. He loved Zelda so much. If his heart didn't belong to Sidon he would have gladly married her instead. Maybe in another life.
It did look like he'd have to go and see her very soon, though.
He set the letter aside and nudged the strong, red arm around his chest to get it to loosen its hold. He wiggled and squirmed until he managed to turn around within the comfortable circle of Sidon's legs to properly face him. He wrapped his arms around Sidon's neck and gave him a kiss and a beaming smile.
"Let's get a move on?" he asked. "I feel better and there's an adventure we put on hold that we can finally get back to."
He heard the rustle of Sidon setting down his own letter somewhere off to the side, and then arms circled around him snugly once more and his boyfriend smiled back at him. "Tomorrow. You should rest one more day just to be certain you're completely well."
Link pouted.
Sidon kissed his nose. "We have quite used up all of our bad choices for the foreseeable future, so this is non-negotiable. To make this up to you… I believe my father tried to imply I shouldn't tell you this, but…"
'But?' Link signed emphatically when the silence stretched, letting go of Sidon in order to do so and trusting him to keep him upright. He was not going to let Sidon reconsider whatever this was. Sidon laughed at the gesture, relaxing and visibly making up his mind.
"Father is pleased about our courtship. In fact, he saw it coming and was simply waiting for us to 'get it together', as he put it", Sidon said with a conspiratorial look that he almost pulled off, but he was way too happy about his news to keep a wider smile from spreading on his lips. "Just don't tell him I told you, as I believe he wants to terrorize you a little when we see him."
Alright, those news were quite enough to make up for one more bed-ridden day, now promising to be a lot less stressful with the uncertainty off his shoulders. Link returned his arms to where they belonged – around Sidon's neck – and made himself comfortable. They now had plenty of time for long cuddles, for a lot more kisses, for shared tasty meals, for scribbling in Sidon's journal… For each other.
The rest of their life together, in fact. But for now they had a single, specific day to enjoy together before their next adventure began. Or resumed, he supposed.
Link leaned his head against Sidon's broad chest and closed his eyes contentedly.
He looked forward to all of it.