Hello my lovelies! Again, I am so so sorry for the long wait... Family matters got in the way of things and we are struggling a little... Here's my apology. I hope you enjoy this chapter! Thank you all for being patient with me, reading, favoriting, reviewing, and following!

(This chapter and the ones before it have been edited for your convenience and a smoother reading)

-WingedIceWolf

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN THE LEGEND OF ZELDA OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS. ALL RIGHTS GO TO SHIGERU MIYAMOTO!

Link held the soft piece of pumpkin bread with goat's butter slathered over the top in his hand, but he didn't bite into it, too overwhelmed with his own thoughts turning over and over in his head. Wild's plate with a serving of pumpkin bread sat on the desk beside where he rested upon the couch, untouched, there in case the young man did, in fact, regain slight consciousness. Despite Link being starving, his stomach growling and the savory aroma filling his nostrils, he didn't have much of an appetite this morning, so he set the piece of bread alongside Wild's discreetly.

Maybe Rusl is right. Maybe Wild truly does wish to kill me… Link thought to himself, perking his ears back against his head as he stared at the wooden floor beneath him. However, when his gaze came to daringly rest upon the young man, all he could see was someone in horrible pain and someone who needed his help. The one he had come to name Wild occasionally let out quiet, pained whimpers, his ears twitching every now and then, causing Link's heart to ache slightly.

Link never enjoyed when someone was in pain, whether they deserved it or not. It just wasn't in his nature to be a sadist and even being around a mischievous imp for his entire adventure hadn't caused him to turn sadistic. Midna had gladly made any being who harmed Link scream just for her own entertainment and pleasure. He didn't understand how someone could be pleased with the screams of another…

Granted, when Ganon had crushed Midna's helm like a twig whilst standing proudly in Hyrule Field, smirking sickeningly, the only thought running through Link's head was avenging the Twilight Princess. Driving the Blade of Evil's Bane into the Dark Lord's chest had felt so invigorating! If he could live that moment again, he gladly would. For Midna…

But, there was a difference between sadism and a need for vengeance, wasn't there?

The Hero couldn't understand how someone like Wild could be someone to blindly take lives. Maybe it was because he was badly injured and very slowly recovering, hiding his true, malicious nature, yet, he seemed so gentle, especially when he leaned into Link's touch and snuggled up under the blankets… It was almost… Cute. He hardly struggled at all when Link was tending to his injuries, as if he had next to nothing to hide.

The scars Wild bore were ones Link himself too bore, ones he recognized. Scars from arrows, scars from blades, scars from bolts, scars from a blunt force, most likely falling from something, were all present. And yet again, the vision of the horrid burn upon Wild's heart flashed through Link's head.

Wild's clothing did not fit that of a murderer. A murderer did not wear the Triforce upon his garb or an emblem of what appeared to be the Master Sword upon his chest. And he certainly did not strangely appear wounded in Hyrule Field. A murderer most definitely did not have his life spared by a Light Spirit...

I guess we will find out who you truly are when you wake up, huh Wild? But for that, I will need to earn your trust... Link's fingers brushed over the young man's head, sighing heavily. And trust is earned… Not given.

"Something bothering you, sweetheart?" Uli asked gently, stepping over to Link. Link almost jumped, startled at her sudden appearance, but guessed she must have seen the troubled look on his face and approached him. He shook his head in reply to her question. "Why haven't you eaten yet, Link?"

"Sorry… I just got too caught up in my own thoughts..." Link grimaced, feeling a twinge of guilt. Another thing he disliked, wasting food. "The pumpkin bread is delicious, I'm sure! Even though I haven't tried yet..."

Uli smiled gently at him, giving him her familiar, motherly smile. She bent down and ruffled Link's soft, dirty blonde hair. "Seems like you to have your head running with thoughts. If you want to talk about it, we're here. Eat whenever you can, sweetheart."

Link only nodded in reply and took the plate of pumpkin bread, debating as to how he would get Wild to eat it while he nudged the bread with one finger. His first thought was to chew it up and gift it to Wild as is when he woke. His human side cringed a little at the thought, but his wolf side didn't find the thought to be so cringe worthy. It would make eating easier on Wild, but it would definitely earn him judgment from Rusl and Uli, most likely his guest as well.

Uli was curled up on the couch beside her babe, snuggled into Rusl. He had one arm wrapped around her, the other resting at his side, humming gently. His attention seemed to be focused upon his wife, so perhaps Link could get away with it. And Uli was returning back to sleep as well.

On the more human side of things, Link could break the bread into small pieces and have Wild swallow them one at a time, washing the food down with goat's milk. He didn't possess any milk at the moment, but he could certainly ask for some.

Yeah, that would be a better idea… Link thought a little grimly. While he may still be a wolf, he couldn't exactly turn willingly like he could upon his adventure. And even that required the Shadow Crystal, an object tucked away securely in his basement, tied upon a string and hidden somewhere in the jumbled mess of crates.

Just the thought of rediscovering that object made him shudder. He promised himself he would never use that cursed object again… Even if his life depended upon it. It reminded him too much of the past… To much of… her...

The Hero sighed and shook his head before he shook Wild gently, still clutching at the bread. Wild groaned, but to his surprise, the young man's eyes fluttered open slightly, meeting with his own, glittering in the sunlight that streamed through the window. Yet again, in those eyes he saw fear, loss, pain, confusion, and many other emotions. It was almost as if he were looking into a mirror.

"You're awake, thank the Gods!" Link cried, trying to brighten the mood. Wild blinked at his sudden outburst, but otherwise was very out of it, his glassy eyes starting to slide back closed, letting out a shaky breath. Link perked his ears back, realizing he may have woken the little one, but thankfully, upon glancing back, he found that she remained sleeping. However, Rusl cast him an icy glare of warning, one that Link would receive when he was younger.

Link turned back toward Wild, still able to feel the icy gaze creeping down his spine, and lowered his voice, saying, "I need you to stay conscious just long enough to eat. Think you can do that?"

Wild nodded gently as his eyes remained closed, barley responsive. Regardless, Link took it as a sign he was recovering and turned to Uli who carefully observed the two, squinting as she glanced from one to the other, most likely comparing their differences and similarities. The Hero hesitated to ask, but finally spoke up. "Hey Uli, if it's not too much trouble, can I get some goat's milk too with this bread? You don't have to if you don't want to… I just… I can get it myself."

"You're fine Link. It's amazing Wild is awake at this early..." Uli replied softly as her gaze came to rest upon Link, sitting up slowly and getting to her feet. With that, Uli stepped away to take a pitcher from a shelf near the fireplace and pour milk into a small glass, handing it to him. Wild's eyebrows knitted together at the mention of "Wild", but his eyes opened to slowly gaze into the distance, shifting slightly, slouched against the couch with the blanket somewhat wrapped around his head. To Link, his gaze was sad and disheartening, as if he had just lost a great battle and the weights of war weighed heavy on his heart.

Uli lifted Wild's chin, gazing deep into his eyes. For just a moment, Link hoped Uli saw what he saw. He hoped she saw Wild's soul cracking at the edges, that he barely held onto what little belief that things would resolve that he had left within him. All that faded away with her saying, "You were right about those eyes of his. Wild blue… Like a beast's."

The Hero nodded, having heard that very same phrase spoken to him before by Telma. He closed his own eyes and sighed, again feeling the deep longing within his heart reawaken. Wild turned his head away from Uli and squirmed slightly, obviously uncomfortable, Link opening his eyes at sensing Wild's discomfort.

"I'm sure soaking in the Spirit's Spring has aided in his recovery," Link chimed in.

"Let's hope he has the strength to make it through breakfast. He can sleep the rest of the day if he pleases, so long as he's stuffed full at today's meal," Uli replied, dropping Wild's chin and ruffling his hair a little bit. To her dismay, Wild only flinched.

Rusl watched the conversation from afar, not wishing to cause any more confusion than absolutely necessary to the already-confused young man. As curious as he was, he was also cautious. Rusl had always been one to observe from afar, assessing the true danger of the situation or when to take action.

The smooth glass against Link's palm helped him focus, swishing the thick, warm liquid around as he helped Wild sit up and slowly, aiding him with downing the liquid. Wild immediately broke into a coughing fit, sputtering up the milk, grimacing in pain as the coughs racked his body.

Link's ears only perked against his head yet again as he took a cloth from the table and wiped the milk from Wild's chin, the young man curling in on himself. The Hero had to guide him onto his back yet again. "Sorry, Wild… Just eat for me, okay…? Then you can return to sleep. You look like you haven't eaten in days..."

Wild nodded gently, but Link wasn't sure if it was in answer to his question or a response to his remark. He tore off a bite size chunk from the bread and guided it into Wild's mouth. It was strange to be feeding a young man, helping him chew, carefully allowing portions of goat's milk to enter his mouth while panicking as to whether or not he would cough it up, then helping him swallow by rubbing one finger along his throat. For Link, it was a cycle of chew, cautiously drink milk, swallow, and repeat, though occasionally allowing him moments to breathe.

After Wild had been fed, Link took his own piece of bread and wolfed it down. He didn't realize how hungered he had been until he devoured that piece of bread, but he felt too embarrassed to ask for another. He instead wrapped the young man in the fluffy blanket and stood, lifting him into his arms without a struggle. Wild grimaced, yet again his hands taking fistfuls of Link's clothing, but the Hero only stroked his head to calm him, his eyes falling shut and his breath falling into the steady rhythm of sleep.

Link was pretty sure Wild would not remember any of this when he woke, but just knowing he was able to maintain consciousness for a few minutes fed the spark of hope within him. He turned to Rusl and Uli after adjusting the young man in his arms, Wild strangely looking like a child with his feet dangling a little over Link's arms and his face half covered with the blanket.

"Thank the both of you for this. And please… Don't go telling anyone of what you have seen..."

Rusl looked up at Link and sighed heavily. He hesitated, but eventually nodded. "You have my word, Link. Just be careful… And if he hurts you-"

"He won't hurt me," Link stated firmly and a bit sharply, his hold around Wild tightening. Rusl sighed heavily as Link left the abode quietly, not wishing to wake the sleeping babe in the bassinet nearby.

He'd given the two Ordonians enough trouble as is and the last thing he wanted was to keep Uli from her rest by waking Akiko.

And there you are, my lovelies. Again, thank you all for your patience and support! This chapter had to be edited due to an error, as the other chapters have been edited as well. Thank you all in advance!

-WingedIceWolf