Without home or hope; Swinging from a breaking rope
Silent and unaware; loving salvation that I cannot bare
Dark clouds that will not dispel after the strongest rain
Such is my pain.
I.
It was early in the evening; there was an ambiance of desolation and quiet during that time of day at the Milk Bar. It was a striking difference from the constant chattering and music that livened up the place late at night. Ravio had been the first and only customer to step in that day.
Seven cards displayed in a pattern appropriate to Ravio's inquiry laid upon one of the tables. He stared at them trying to focus on their meaning, but his mind was crowded and he felt very tired. His magic was running out and he was becoming weaker each day. After selling all his items he continued to add to his rupee sack by dealing in what he called "quick trade" goods, but the magic he could draw from rupee crystals was minimal.
He thought there was no worth in worrying about any of that. He could sense Lorule's end drawing near and with it his own, yet he could not help or reason away all of his fears.
Sheerow landed on the table and walked around the cards. He was always attracted to their bright colors.
Ravio tried to focus on them again.
There was the Death card, signifying abrupt change; then there was the Moon card, which in this case Ravio believed to signify stolen or partitioned power; then there was the memory of Link caressing him the night before, distracting Ravio from his divinations.
"What the heck happened last night? Well you were asleep you wouldn't know" Ravio petted Sheerow then took a few chickaloo nuts from his pocket. He set them on the table and stared at Sheerow eat. "You should stay with Link when I go back to Lorule. He will take good care of you…Please care for him as well. I think he will be lonely."
"Ravio, right?" The bar tender stood beside the table.
"Yes that's right. What can Ravio do for you?" Ravio stood. He took one last glance at the hand he had drawn before picking up his cards.
The bar tender took a seat, so Ravio followed suit.
"Do you have news from Lorule"
"I do not." Ravio searched his mind. The Bar tender's demeanor had always seemed strange and apprehensive towards him. He wondered if they had traded before. He thought it might have been some type of deal gone badly, yet he had no memory of it.
"Have we traded?" Ravio asked.
"No. I've seen you in Lon-Lon ranch" The Bar Tender explained.
Ravio nodded.
"Tell me Mr. Bar tender; how do you cross between worlds?" He asked.
"There's a tunnel under an old mill in a town way to the west. The town was abandoned long ago, but merchants still use this path. A man of magic helps us cross"
Ravio could not remember when his interest in Hyrule had begun, but it had always been one of the main subjects in his studies. He had heard of crossing points scattered about the worlds, yet he had never found one and, after years of research and practice, he learned he could cross without one.
"Is it the only crossing you know of? It must be lively there with lots of merchants waiting to cross. It must be a great place for trade"
"It used to be more lively. Most folk in both worlds now a days live in denial or ignorance of the other." The bar tender explained "You're one of them dark wizards or black magic people, right?" he continued.
Ravio chuckled.
"Something like that. I'm really just a merchant" he said.
"I've heard otherwise"
"In Lorule, right? I can imagine." Ravio often heard all kinds of strange and creepy stories about himself and could then deduce the source of the Bar Tender's apparent mistrust.
It was the Bar Tender's way to see the worlds in terms of good and bad omens, and righteous or unrighteous acts. Stories of Ravio's dark powers had led him to believe Ravio's presence alone signaled some somber future. However, every time he had spoken with Ravio he felt an easing aura about him. Ravio's soft voice and peculiar mannerism were so endearing to him that he wondered if Ravio was using some type of mesmerizing magic on him.
"I'm a superstitious man. I believe in luck and that kind of thing. I don't disapprove of beings such as yourself but…"
"Does my presence bother you? Would you like me to leave?" Ravio smiled. The gesture was invisible to the Bar Tender, but he could see a difference in the hood's eyes.
"It's not that." The bar tender was uneasy about Ravio using his cards in the bar. He believed they might attract energies, and feared some of those energies could be bad, but he could not bring himself to ask Ravio to leave. "Everyone is saying Lorule will crumble to nothing. I believe things should be as they were ordained. The goddesses meant for Lorule to exist, to serve as a type of balance to Hyrule, right? What will happen to Hyrule when Lorule is no longer there?" The Bar tender sighed. "I thought someone like you would have some type of information." He concluded.
"Oh Hylian of uncertain fate. Broke and saddened by the fear you create" Ravio sang.
The Bar Tender was surprised that this calmed him. He wondered if he was not cursing himself with his own paranoia, then wondered again if it was not that Ravio was bewitching him.
Sheerow finished the nuts he was given and flew to Ravio's side.
"Do you know your Lorulean counterpart? Does he live?" Ravio asked. He knew he did not.
"I. Don't know" The bar tender replied.
"Has that affected your luck?" Ravio started gathering the shells Sheerow had left on the table.
"I. I don't know" The bartender repeated. He had never given much thought to his Lorule self and had never considered his luck could be related to him.
"Hyrule will thrive. Your hero would not have it any other way" Ravio stood to leave.
"What is your deal with Link anyway?" The Bar Tender thought Ravio's presence could also bring Link some type of trouble.
Ravio smiled wider thinking of Link.
"I needed a place to stay, he isn't home much lately. We're roommates that's all" He lied.
"You won't bring him harm, right?" The Bar tender did not sound accusing, just concerned.
A couple of customers walked into the bar. Ravio knew they would require The Bar tender's attention.
"Goodbye Mr. Bartender" He said as he made his way out the door.
II.
Link's breaths were shallow and discontinuous. His heart ached at every beat and the pressure in his head was so great that he could hear his own pulse pumping loud in his ears.
He was tired and wounded and although he had managed to succeed in battle he was left without food, fairies or potions. He knew he would be ok as soon as he got home to rest but both of his arms were severely hurt. He could have managed to ring his bell, but he was sure he could not bare his own weight all the way.
Hyrule appeared to become darker, but Link could not tell if it was due to the storm clouds that crept across the sky, or his vision failing him.
"Mr. Hero! Mr. Hero!" Ravio's voice sounded distant and muffled.
Link felt a force pull him to his feet. He found this odd as he had not realized he was lying down.
Ravio held Link tight as rain started pouring.
Sheerow scavenged Link's partially conscious body and took hold of the boomerang.
"No" Ravio scolded "They're all his now, you let that!" he struggled to pry the item from Sheerow as he did his best to hold Link up in a comfortable position. "Hey be good or I'll make you hunt for your meals!" he threatened.
Sheerow stopped struggling, and bowed, but he did not relent his grasp.
The sky light up and the rain got heavier on the cue of loud thunder. Ravio knew he should not stall any longer.
"Fine then, take the sword and shield too" he instructed.
Sheerow chirped happily and flew off with what he considered to be his loot for the day.
Ravio picked Link up and draped him over his shoulder to carry him home.
III.
Link woke up to the comfort of a warm blanket, and the scent of sweets, savory spices and roasted onions. The events of the day flooded his mind before he opened his eyes. He had gone as far as he could within a dungeon. He had been slow and distracted with thoughts of his strange dream, and he suffered substantial damage because of it. He had decided to make note of all the obstacles and foes he encountered, then turn back to what he now knew was Ravio's home.
He had gathered and read all the songs and spells that Ravio kept scattered about the floor and had examined each word in Ravio's diary. The songs where sorrowful; of unfulfilled longings and feelings of insignificance. The diary was only a collection of thoughts, descriptions of fears, and incomplete rhymes. Its words gave Link insight of Ravio's apparent life-long depression but not of any specific life event.
Link had then foolishly returned to the dungeon he had previously fled. His victory in this place came at great personal expense.
"I will be more discreet next time. This will not happen again," he thought.
He heard the rhythmic patter of Ravio's bare feet moving across the room.
He was reluctant to open his eyes. He did not know what to say or how to behave. He was sure his dream had been a glimpse of a life he had forgotten, and that Ravio was the Little Boy whom he loved, but he could not find or remember anything that could confirm it.
"Why did we part ways? How could I forget something so important? Did he? What happened to us?" He took a deep breath and opened his eyes.
He quickly analyzed his home for any new changes. His sword and shield were stuck behind Sheerow's cage, and Sheerow slept on his perch. His red tunic and trousers, as well as Ravio's clothes were draped over the table which remained propped up on the wall. The boxes where pushed away from the fireplace, and Ravio was swaying his hips by the small bubbling cauldron that hung above the fire. He wore a white sleeveless tunic that belonged to Link, a blue scarf and brown trousers.
Ravio had noticed Link had woken, but he too was unsure of how to behave after Link's strange display of affection the previous night.
"Ravio?" Link's voice cut through the white noise of the continuing rain and the crackling of the fire.
Ravio's heart beat fast. He kept his eyes open to prevent himself from looking at Link when he turned to face him.
"Hey Mr. Hero!" he said in the most cheerful way he could.
Link could hear Ravio's nervousness through his half fake enthusiasm. It was only then that Link realized he had been unkind in running out on Ravio with no explanation. He stared at the blue eyes on Ravio's hood for a while until they finally seemed to focus on him.
"I could ask him something, or say. What do I say?" Link thought.
Ravio had grown more nervous. His anxiety was making him shake.
"Goddess damned Link, just say something!" They thought.
"I'm very hungry." Link immediately wondered why he chose to say that. He had a lot more things to say to Ravio.
Link's gauche words made Ravio relax. He welcomed the simple subject of conversation and was happy that he was well prepared to resolve this.
"I made dinner! Pumpkin soup, apple pouch pie, roasted vegetables and spiced golden milk! It's warm milk with turmeric, cinnamon and honey. I also traded for some aged goat cheese. You like goat cheese right? This one is really good!"
Link smiled; the enthusiasm in Ravio's singing was now genuine.
"I would love some of all of that" Link said. He kicked away his covers, got on his feet and started dusting and folding the sheets.
Ravio served their meal while he hummed. Link noticed he loosened his scarf; the room had become warmer than either of them found comfortable, despite Link only sporting his green boxers. He set the linen aside and opened the window to allow the cool wind inside. It carried the sweet acidic scent of a few fermented apples that sat under the tree.
"I like the sound of rain," Ravio remarked. He finished setting their meal on the floor, then sat by it.
"I like it too" Link agreed as he sat across from Ravio. He took a moment to appreciate the feast before him.
The pumpkin soup was served in roasted acorn-squash halves, and topped with a heap of chopped coriander leaves and cracked peppercorns. Roasted hearty radishes, carrots, onions and potatoes tossed in butter and coarse salt were served in a large shallow bowl. The crust on the pouch pie looked well toasted and flaky, and even the golden milk was embellished with small sweet mace flowers.
Link thought it looked like a work of art.
"Did he prepare all this beautiful food for himself? Or did he do it…for us?" He thought both probabilities where charming.
"Thank you for the food" He said.
"Of course, buddy!"
They ate, drank and conversed about unimportant things. Link was surprisingly doing most of the talking. He would not usually talk to Ravio about his journey, as not much of it was pleasant, but as the conversation turned out he found himself describing the antics of one of his most awkward fights.
Ravio laughed boisterously at them.
"I didn't even have to do much then. I just moved slightly to one side and the guy died," Link explained.
Ravio laughed harder.
"It's not funny-" Link laughed loud as well "-He died!"
They both burst out in a fit of laughter.
Ravio allowed himself to fall from his sitting position onto his back. His sides and face hurt, he could not remember ever laughing so hard, or even smiling much before he met Link.
Link stared at Ravio. Most of his face was still concealed by his hood, his mouth was slightly opened as he panted trying to catch his breath, and he appeared to be staring at the master sword.
"You know, I imagine you are really handsome" Link said.
Ravio turned bright red as he sat up and adjusted his hood.
"Would you like to try it out?" Link asked, tilting his head towards the master sword.
Ravio gasped in surprise.
"Your sword!? No, no. Of course not. It's a great big deal you know!"
Ravio was very curious about the master sword, but also very cautious. He could not read the type of magic it was infused with, and he could swear he heard strange noises coming from it at times.
"It won't mind" Link said.
Ravio turned to look at it again.
"Do you feel or hear things from it Mr. Hero?"
"It feels good, more balanced than before. I believe it has a will, or perhaps magic that mimics a will"
Ravio's curiosity started to overcome his apprehension.
"Try it out! Pretend you are selling it to me." Link found Ravio's weapon demonstrations amusing. He got up to pick up the sword and offered it to Ravio.
Ravio reflected for a moment and concluded this would most likely do no harm.
"Ok" He agreed. He got up and showed impeccable etiquette when taking the weapon from Link.
Link took notice. He liked it. He stood back to allow Ravio enough space.
Ravio took a fighting stance which was a little too rigid to be considered proper, but accurate enough so that Link could tell Ravio knew how to wield a sword.
Ravio took a deep breath and, as Link had suggested, tried to pretend that he was doing a sales demonstration.
Link was happy to see Ravio was proficient with a sword. Ravio's swordplay was like a dance. His choice of strikes was erratic, and they were all performed backwards, but all his movements were fluid, and attractive to Link.
"What do you think Mr. Hero 3000 rupees sounds like a good deal?" Ravio joked as he continued his exercise.
"3000? It's a rare item, one of a kind. A great big deal, right? Link laughed.
"6000!" Ravio giggled at this strange reverse haggling.
"You're getting soft on me Mr. Merchant."
They both laughed.
"Tell me, how do you see with your hood on?" Link asked.
"Second sight, buddy!" Ravio replied.
"What do you mean?"
"Oh, my third eye- " Ravio stopped his kata briefly to tap on the middle of his hood's eyes "-My actual eyes are usually closed" he explained.
"Wow, I thought your hood had secret peep holes."
Ravio shook his head no.
"Why do you wear it?" Link did not expect a straight answer, but he knew it could not hurt to ask.
"I'm not like, a ghost or horribly deformed or anything like that." Ravio laughed lightly "I don't much like the sun, that's part of it. I like to hide, it helps me focus and it makes the world less overwhelming. I hurt a lot. I fear a lot."
"Do you fear me?" Link was struck nervous with his own question.
Ravio stopped. He felt a sudden uncomfortable cold on the back of his neck. His breaths becoming short with nervousness.
"No" he barely managed to speak. He walked to the corner where Link usually kept his sword and set it down.
"Hylia why did I speak without thought?" Link thought upon noticing Ravio's shaking hands. He feared Ravio would anger or run off; Instead, Ravio removed his hood and turned to face him.
Link almost whimpered in relief. Ravio looked exactly like what he thought the little boy would look like if he had grown to their age.
"He's beautiful. What do I do!?" Link closed the distance between them and took Ravio's face between his hands.
"I don't. I didn't want to hide anything from you. I don't remove my hood often and then I didn't. I don't…Are you mad at me Mr. Hero?" Ravio was shaking hard.
"Please calm down I'm not mad at you." Link wrapped his arms around Ravio's shoulders.
Ravio was, as often, confused, but Link's embrace was warm, comfortable and calming. Ravio circled his arms around Link's waist and placed his hands on Link's back. Link jumped. Ravio recoiled, feeling nervous again; however, Link held him tight so that he would not move away.
"It's ok. Your hands are cold" Link chuckled.
"I'm sorry!"
"It's ok, it feels good." Link nuzzled into Ravio's chest to soothe himself with Ravio's scent.
"It does!?" Ravio sang. He returned his hands to Link's back, petting his way up to squeeze and knead at the stiffness by Link's shoulders. He smiled wide and blushed excited by the goosebumps that appeared all over Link's arms.
"Yes it does!" Link's affirmation came out like a moan.
They both laughed at the sound then moved as a mirror image to each other, bringing one hand to the back of the others neck and pressing their foreheads together.
"Why were you crying last night Mr. Hero?" Ravio asked. He was still concerned over Link's strange behavior of late.
Link sighed deep.
"Come." he led Ravio to sit beside him on the duvets.
Ravio sat so that he could continue to scratch and caress at Link's back.
"I had a dream" Link said, leaning into Ravio's touch.
"Like a nightmare? Were you scared?" Ravio's tone had changed to that of a soft lullaby. He swept Link's bangs away from his face and tucked them behind ears. He seized the opportunity to caress at their tips. This made Link feel as if light electric shocks coursed down his body, briefly distracting him from their conversation.
"It was not a nightmare at first, but then it became one" he said, trying to focus.
"What did you dream?"
Link did not know exactly how to explain what he believed, and Ravio's caressing was making coherence difficult. He hoped Ravio's tendency for accepting things at face value would help.
"I dreamt of a small child with pale green eyes and fair porcelain skin. He had no family and no name. He lived in Lorule castle were they called him Little Boy" he said.
Ravio stopped and stared at him unnerved. His eyebrows were slightly furrowed and his eyes were wide and quivering.
"How did…Are you serious?"
Link took Ravio's hands in his own.
"Ravio I believe we met when we were children. You would visit me here in Hyrule. We loved each other. You were mine then, as I wish you to be mine now, and then something bad happened"
Ravio thought he would lose his mind. He could no longer stand this tug and pull between happiness and horror.
"How?"
"I don't know how. I don't know what was done to us, but I believe it caused us to forget."
Ravio cupped his hands above his mouth and nose.
"Yuga, he did something to me. I did. He…" Ravio tried to breathe deep so he could talk. A few tears started forming at the corners of his eyes.
"Yuga? What did he do?"
Through his evil deeds and childish insults, Yuga had only gained Link's annoyance, but the thought of Yuga harming Ravio infuriated Link.
"I was very upset. I don't remember why. He came into my chambers. There were guards with him, the king and her grace where there too. He performed a ritual. I have very few clear memories because of it; the clearest ones are those in which he was present. My mind has been scrambled since, and taking new events to memory is very hard." Tears rolled down Ravio's cheeks and his face contorted in pain. "You could have been there!" He cried hard and hid his face in his hands. "You could have been there."
"I'm here now" Link whispered. He held Ravio and allowed him to cry as he reflected.
"Did Yuga do the same to me? Something doesn't fit" Link tried to remember his convoluted dream. He had indulged in thoughts of the Little Boy all day, but his concern was of the sickening song, the strange smoky hut that he had run away from, and the fact that he clearly remembered several of the townspeople were present in that place.
"I've read people of magic can do what in Hyrule is called a spirit reading, and that spirit readings can tell you important things" He said after Ravio's crying had stopped and he seemed to be breathing easier.
Ravio looked up at him. He looked drained and felt weary. He laid down and wrapped himself in one of the blankets, then opened his arms in a silent invitation for Link to lay with him.
Link accepted without hesitation. He made himself comfortable in Ravio's arms and was rewarded with Ravio's resumed caressing.
"Can you do such readings?" he asked.
"Yes, there are several types" Ravio answered.
"Several of the people in this town were also involved in whatever happened to us. I believe they mean us ill." Link said.
"Who would bring us harm?"
"My boss, The Priest, Sahasrala, his maid, maybe others I cannot remember."
Ravio kept petting Link's face and hair. He could not get enough of how good its soft strands felt on his skin. Link closed his eyes for a moment.
"I promise we will figure all of this out, but what matters to me most is not losing you again," he said.
Ravio started crying again. Link was caught by an inexplicable dread, but continued.
"Please marry me"
Ravio cried harder. Link's heart hurt. He thought it would stop beating.
"I can't" Ravio cried. "Lorule…I need to…" He squeezed Link as hard and as close as he could. "I love you so much" he wailed.
Heartache was angering Link to his limit. He fought himself to remain calm.
"Then marry me." He could feel Ravio's sorrow, but he did not understand it.
"I can't leave Lorule to face its fate alone. I came to Hyrule cause I thought I could help but." Ravio paused to sob "Please don't hate me. Please don't love me. I can't…"
Link then understood. He gave into panic and started to cry as well. He could not ask Ravio do to something he himself could not, and would not ever do.
"If Hyrule were to fade I could not save myself and…Hylia! If Hyrule were to fade" he turned cold.
"Master…Master."
Link jolted up to his knees and looked around in search of the strange monotonous voice he had heard.
"Link?" Ravio sniffled. He was startled by Link's sudden action.
Link noticed a soft glow between the sheets. He lifted his hand to see the outline of a small triangle glowing within him, then subsiding.
Ravio stared at him, he was still crying and wished Link would just keep holding him.
Link's anguished face softened. A sense of relief took over Ravio, he felt light, and even rested.
Link smiled.
"I'll fix it. I can fix Lorule's triforce. I don't know if it will restore the land, but it will stop your world from crumbling"
"Oh. Hylia. Oh…" Ravio put his palm on his forehead. He was convinced Link was the most wonderful person he'd ever meet, and that he was trying to drive him crazy. "Mr. Hero I'm going to pass out." He pulled the sheets over his head.
Link knew this was all overwhelming, but he pulled the sheets back slowly.
"Please don't hide your face" he said. He used the back of his hand to carefully wipe away at the tears that still rolled down Ravio's face despite his mischievous smile.
Link felt both a trance-like calm and an explosive euphoria. His heart was now racing.
There were no candles left burning in his home, yet Ravio's pale skin seemed brilliant, and his wide smile was contagious.
"Are you happy?" Link asked, almost laughing, enraptured by Ravio's unbelievably pale green eyes.
Ravio smiled wider; scrunching his nose and showing his teeth. He sat up and pulled Link into a kiss. Link eagerly returned his kiss, sighing, and suckling on Ravio's lips.
Ravio giggled, breaking away. His skin turned to a soft violet glimmering.
Link looked around at the speckles of light in shades of blue that floated around the room and guided his eyes to the crystal formations at the top corners of his home. He turned his attention back to Ravio's eyes. He was now sure they had a luminescence of their own.
Ravio also looked all around when he noticed the lights and crystals. His movements left colorful tracers on their path.
"What are they?" Ravio's singing came from every corner of the room. The sound filled him with a tickling joy he could not contain. His giggling grew to an uninhibited laughter which bounced off the walls in different tones and created a loud cacophony.
The ambient around them crackled and sparked.
"This better not turn into some really strange nightmare" Link said also laughing. If it were a bad dream he was willing to endure its horrors just to continue enjoying Ravio's loving favors for a little longer.
He pulled Ravio into another kiss, pushing his tongue deep past Ravio's lips to lap at his hard palate, tasting his mouth to his content. Ravio kept giggling and nibbling at Link's lips at any chance he got. His hands explored every part of Link's skin that he could reach.
Link took Ravio's scarf pulling it off him and discarding it to the floor before burying his nose on Ravio's neck and inhaling. Ravio's scent was so relentlessly erotic and satisfying to the beast inside Link that he could not stop a growl of pure lust from escaping from deep within his chest.
Ravio's toes curled and all his muscles trembled in longing. His hips were already rocking in a gentle rhythm against Link's, causing their erections to rub together.
"Ah!" Ravio whimpered as he felt Link's teeth grazing his collarbones.
Link's fingers searched for their way under Ravio's borrowed tunic. He bunched its fabric up into his fists.
"Off please?" He panted into Ravio's chest.
"Yes please" Ravio took the tunic off himself. Link returned to kiss and lick at Ravio's collar bones, then kissed his lips again.
Ravio took Link by the shoulders and lowered him onto the duvets, crawling on top of him and straddling his hips. He balanced his own weight on his hands to counter the erratic jerking of Link's hips setting them back to a pleasurable rhythm.
Link was blushing deep. He felt feverish and lightheaded, yet hyper active. He squeezed at Ravio's thighs, pulling him down and making him fall harder and faster against him. His breaths turned into short low moans. Ravio kept nibbling at Link's neck and licking repeatedly at his ears as he fucked him through the thin layers of their clothes.
Link closed his eyes and pulled Ravio down as close and as hard as he could, writhing under his weight as he came. The violet glimmering on Ravio's skin went out with a brilliant flash that illuminated the whole room. Ravio gasped and fell fully on top of Link as he felt his own orgasm take over him.
"More, please more?" Ravio's voice was shaky.
"Yes, yes please." Link replied between ragged breaths. He felt something powerful inside him.
"It's like bathing in a fairy fountain, but, it's so much more" He thought. His muscles felt stronger, and without their usual soreness. He felt his eyes were wide open, as if it were the first time he had ever truly opened them. His ears were sensitive to distant sounds he usually would have been unable to hear and, above his other senses, his sense of smell picked up on everything from sweet grasses that grew beyond his property, to the ash that remained in the fireplace. He nestled his nose in Ravio's hair.
Ravio laid on top of Link until he regained the will to move, then sat up beside him.
"I've never done anything like that before. That all happened so fast" He looked at the now normal environment in Link's home. "What happened? Why did you ask me about readings Mr. Hero?"
"Is this really not a dream?" Link asked. He stared at his left palm. The power he felt inside him tickled his fingers and made him feel alert despite his exhaustion.
"I don't think this is a dream, buddy! And I would really like more." Ravio replied.
Link cackled.
"We've done much more" he believed it was fair for Ravio to know.
Ravio's brows lifted and his eyes opened wide recognizing what Link meant.
"We were wicked!" he put his hand over his smile.
Link loved to see Ravio's animated expressions. They matched those of his hood.
"Just in love…maybe a little wicked" Link said.
"Would you remind me of all of it Mr. Hero?"