He Took The Time
Chapter 5 Sky
The Captain was polishing his sword, which wasn't odd since he did it after every battle. But he'd also taken time to bathe and wash his best tunic. As he fixed his hair his fellow heroes shared a grin. He had a date. The third one that week. Going to town with him would now be unbearable as he tried to dodge all his spurned lovers.
The group either laughed or chuckled at the situation the Captain was getting them into. He turned on them with a suspicious look. With a final pat to his hair and a swish of his blue cape, he turned away with a glare and a huff of annoyance. It didn't matter to him what the others thought, they were just jealous. He was going to spend the night with a lovely companion while the rest of his team was stuck with just each other's company.
The younger heroes catcalled and yelled taunts as a farewell to their beloved Captian.
"Aright that's enough," The Old Man laughed, "Ya chased him away."
"Now we just need to chase you away," The pink-haired hero crowed, "Then we can have a real party." The younger heroes cheered him on, needing some space from their babysitters. Throwing small sticks and pebbles at the Old Man good-naturedly.
"No need for violence. I'm goin'. I'm gonna spell Wolfie and do a perimeter check."
He waved at them with a chuckle as he headed deeper into the trees, "Try not to burn the forest down."
"No promises!" Someone yelled.
The Old Man stopped just out of sight, listening. He could hear his charges laughing, joking, and teasing one another. It didn't seem to be getting out of hand so he moved on with a smile. They'd be fine.
He saw a furry form just up ahead. Ruffling the wolf's head he smirked at the low growl. Without warning the canine changed form, just so he could use his human hand to smack away the offending hand.
"I could'a bit you."
"Ya wouldn't, Pup," The Old Man ruffles the human locks, "Now off to camp."
"What?"
"I know you were listening. So go have fun already." After a moment of hesitation, the younger hero lopped off to cut loose and unwind with his friends.
He continued his rounds, making sure no threat got by him to get to his charges. He would stay alert so they could enjoy themselves without worry. They'd taken down a lot of enemies lately, some downtime would do all of them some good.
Not all of his charges seemed to be enjoying themselves. The hero with the white cape walked up to him with unhappy air about him.
"The young'uns too much for ya to handle, kick ya out too?"
"No, they're just too much sometimes," He sat on a log with a defeated sigh.
The older hero sat next to bumping his shoulder, "You're getting old."
"Not as old as you, Old Man," He gave his older companion a half-hearted smile.
They sat in companionable silence. The Old Man watches as his companion unsheaths his knife and starts using it to strip the bark off of a small piece of wood. He lets his companion gather his thoughts before they continued their conversation.
Finally, the wielder of the Master Sword, hesitantly asked, "How did you know?"
"Know what?" The older hero asked watching the hypnotizing motion of the knife shaping wood.
"That you were ready for marriage?"
The scarred Link paused before he laughed, "I didn't, Malon did."
"I want what you have. But I don't think I can…" His hands stall momentarily on his whittling.
"After my adventures, I felt...empty, broken. Unlovable."
"I don't want to taint her. She's so full of light and I've seen so much. Done so much."
"Her light is what fills ya. Not the other way around. As long as you are honest and open. The right woman can help ya through the darkness."
"I don't want to take advantage of her."
"Ya won't," He clasped the younger hero's shoulder with a small smile.
"How can you know that?"
"Because it becomes a partnership. She's there for you. But you're also there fer her."
"Like a team?"
"Yes, ya fight the darkness together, side by side."
"I could do that," He smiles a true smile as he dusts off his completed carving. It is a small figuring of his love, Zelda. The Old Man sees it's complete and reaches for his side. He removes the straps securing his ocarina to his belt. He doesn't take no for an answer as he places the leather tie into the younger man's hand. He smiles as he watches the loving hands that almost reverently secure the leather to wood. Finally, it is placed around his companion's neck so it lays over his heart.
"I know ya can. You will make a wonderful husband."