Sidon unwrapped his leg, making Oro blush as he noted how careful Sidon was being. It was much different than the day before when he'd accidentally apply too much pressure. It was as if he were treating him like thin glass. He sighed as the healer began to look it over. "Swollen. No signs of infection at least," The Zora stated before getting up. She walked towards her cabinet. "A Lynel would've lobed it clean off and you'd have bled out."

Sidon tensed at the thought as Oro laughed. "Yeah. Paya and Link gave me the run around on that."

"Well, we should wrap it and doctor it now and then. You need to rest it though."

"I can't do that. Our horse was killed by the Guardian so we gotta walk place to place."

"You could stay here until you've recovered," Sidon quickly said, smiling at him. "It'll be great. You can explore the domain with me once Link has calmed the divine beast. He can rest and gather supplies for your journey ahead, and you can rest and play your music. I'd love to hear it sometime!"

Oro blushed at that, thinking about what Dorephan had said. "Sidon, really. It's not that big of a deal. Plus, I'm sure Link could find another horse out in the fields and bring it here. Well, not here-here because the path is too narrow for a horse but he could walk me out to it and I could sit on the horse while we journey to our next area." He hummed. "Thinking about it, it might be best to go to the Gorons. Though I wonder if we can get there."

"You can't go there," The healer stated simply. "Link can, but with your leg, the excessive temperature change might make it irritated. Add in the soot that is in the air, it might fly into that wound of yours. Not to mention the heat could make you sick." Oro's face fell. "I'm sorry to say, but you shouldn't go with the Champion to calm Vah Rudaniah. Death Mountain isn't some cute nickname."

Oro gulped and looked away, clenching his jaw. Sidon frowned. On one hand, he was elated to know that there'd be a chance for Oro to stay longer. On the other, seeing the way the young Hylians face fell hurt him too. The healer gave him a bottle. "Here. Drink up, little one," She said gently. Oro nodded and silently drank. "I know you want to go with your friend, but for your safety and both his and our beloved prince's peace of mind, staying here will be best."

Oro sighed softly and nodded. "I know. I just...I wanna help Link. He is my friend and I want to make sure he's alright. You didn't see the way he froze up..."

The healer nodded and wrapped the wound back up. "I need to step out to get Kodah his medicine for tonight. Can you manage him, Your Highness?" She asked with a smile.

"Happily so," The prince agreed.

"Good. It should only be about ten minutes before the medicine kicks in. It's for the pain but it'll make him tired. Please monitor him so he doesn't do anything excessive."

"Of course. Thank you, Nune," Sidon said as the Zora grabbed a basket with a few bottles before stepping out. Sidon turned to Oro and frowned. "You have a look."

"I want to keep him safe," Oro said. "He's my friend. We haven't known each other long but...still..."

Sidon nodded and cupped his face. "I understand," he said gently. Oro blushed at that as Sidon smiled. "You're so small. I wonder if you could stand in my palm." Oro laughed softly. "I'm serious!" Sidon could only laugh in response.

"I know. That's why it's funny!" He giggled. Sidon shoved him a bit, making him laugh more. Once the laughing stopped, Oro blinked as Sidon's thumb caressed his cheek. "Sidon?"

"I'm sorry," he whispered, yet he didn't pull away. "I don't... understand what's going on with me. You make me feel...strange. Not in a bad way though. I just...want to hold you and treasure you. Is this normal?"

Oro blushed. "I-I'm not sure. Maybe...I don't understand Zora biology too much but...maybe it's something to do with that?"

Sidon blinked at that, confused by what he'd meant. He opened his mouth to ask but stopped when he heard a sneering grumble behind him. "Of course. You Hylians are all the same. Trying to steal him from us too?" Muzu snapped.

Oro frowned as Sidon stood. "Pardon?" Oro asked.

"Your hands were all over him! It's obvious you're trying to steal him as that bastard did with Lady Mipha! I won't allow some dirt wallowing scum like you to-"

"Take that back," Sidon growled lowly. Oro jumped at that as Muzu blinked, unfazed by the remark. "You apologize to him. Right fucking now."

"Sidon," Oro tried.

Muzu harumphed as he said, "I will not. He's not worthy of you, Your Highness."

Sidon's hand shook as he opened his palm, his claws tingling. Before he could move, something held his arm back. He snapped his head around, seeing that Oro had stood and hugged his arm tightly. He frowned as he felt him shaking. Muzu sighed and left the room, muttering under his breath, "Damned bonding."

"Oro?" Sidon asked gently. "Why are you shaking?"

"Don't attack him." Sidon flinched at that, surprised by the statement. "Please. It's alright. I've been called much worse. You needn't worry." Sidon gulped and knelt on the ground beside Oro, running a hand gently over his back. This calmed the Hylian as he finally looked up at him. "Sidon, what's gotten into you?"

He gulped and got Oro back in the bed. "I need to return to my duties before I can answer that," he said simply. "And you need to rest. I can already see the exhaustion in your eyes. You should sleep." Sidon pulled the fluffy blanket over the bard's body. "When you wake, you should play me some music. I'd love to hear it."

Oro hummed and nodded. "Alright."

"I almost attacked him," Sidon said, pacing in front of his father. "I almost attacked Muzu for what he'd said about Oro. I don't understand. Is Oro a witch?" Dorephan let out a booming laugh at that, making the prince frowned. "Father?"

"You've grown so much in the last hundred years, and yet you're still so naive," Dorephan chuckled. He hummed. "I suppose I should tell you, given the circumstances. Do you know how a Zora finds their mate?"

Sidon blinked, remembering his teachings. "It's typically during the mating season, but even then, isn't it excessive?"

"That's a word for it," The king admitted. "No. A Zora can typically smell their mate. Not the same as Hylians smell food or Ritos have pheromones they give off, but it's the best way to describe it. But, through blood, we can scent our mates out." Sidon blinked at that. "It was how your mother and I knew we were for one another actually. It is considered to be intimate to allow one another to scent their blood. This is typically done with a ceremonial knife for...obvious reasons." Sidon groaned at that. "Yes, yes. I know. But that's how our nature is. Having said that, there was a time in the past when The Zora were more bestial. Our bodies relied purely on our blood-driven instinct. We even attacked Hylians. That is until our instincts calmed and we began to work alongside them. This was due to the oncoming wars though. But even then, scenting Hylian blood was dangerous. For a long time, Zora hunted Hylians."

Sidon frowned. "I don't understand. Why are you telling me this?"

"I believe you're reacting to scenting the young bard's blood. He is injured, is he not?" Sidon paled. "Now, now. I'm not saying you're trying to eat him alive. But I am saying it's likely confusing your senses. As a Zora, you find your mate through blood-scenting. But, if Oro is your mate, you need to be careful. He's not long-lasting like us, my son. He could get hurt."

Sidon gulped as he absorbed this information and sighed. "Was this the same talk with Mipha?"

"Not really," The king admitted, making Sidon frown. "Link was never her mate. She loved him from within her own depths. She only had to smell his blood to know that he'd never truly been hers." Sidon let out a soft sigh as he listened. "I know it is heartbreaking to hear such things, but know that Mipha's love for Link was pure. And who knows, maybe what you're feeling for Oro is also love, if only at the base of your instincts."