Disclaimer: Don't own Zelda, making no cash. Quote is Orson Welles.

Note: Chapter 3 and we reach the end of the ones I've already written beforehand. Now I actually need to write something before I can post. And I'm seeing a friend tomorrow so miiiight be late on the update. Next prompt for those that care is Envy :D

Lol I love the idea of little Link stuffing his face. That's pretty much where this spawned from.

x

Gluttony is not a secret vice

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On the third day, there is gluttony.

Link overeats. If the kid has a flaw – and Linebeck's not all that sure he does – it's either being too trusting, or eating just too damn much. He spent his day slaying a beast for some villagers on the second island they landed at, and their way of thanking him was a feast. Linebeck would have preferred hard cash, and he muttered this to Link as they were bowed into the tent. Link had shot him a look – remember yesterday?

Linebeck rubbed the bruise on the side of his head, and remembered.

Now, the feast is over, and they're saying their goodbyes. Tetra, in her usual, mouthy way, is bartering with the chief of the village over some trading propositions. If things keep going this way, they're going to more than wear out their welcome and probably get a ban from the island, beast-killing hero or no.

He glances to Link, who usually intervenes at these things, but he's swaying on the spot slightly, a glazed, happy look on his face. He's obviously been eating more than his stomach can handle, but seems to have decided it was completely worth it. Tetra has her hands on her hips and is glaring at the chief, who doesn't mind being saved by a kid but definitely isn't enjoying being talked down to by one, and Linebeck decides that now is as good a time as any to act.

A hand on Tetra's shoulder and he tells her it's her bed time. It works – now, she's furious with him for trying to tell her what to do, directing her anger at the 'unjust deal' the chief was trying to negotiate all at him. He calls to Link, tries to hurry him up, but Link is sluggish, and Tetra's attention is already turning away from him. He calls her 'princess', which apparently she hates, and in a halting, awkward motion, hoists Link onto his shoulder.

Tetra is yelling at him as she hurries after him down the path. Linebeck calls over his shoulder to the chief, thanking him for the food, who's stopped looking angry and is now looking just plain out bemused at the scene unfolding before him. His shoulder's starting to hurt, and Linbeck shifts Link onto his back. Almost automatically, his hands snake out and wrap around his neck, and his face falls forward against his un-aching shoulder.

The trek to the ship didn't seem this long before, Linebeck thinks. Funny how your perception changes when you've got an angry girl yapping at your ankles and a body on your back. Linebeck's uncomfortably aware of just how close Link is to him. He took his scarf off earlier, in the heat of the tent, and the night breeze brushing against his neck isn't quite enough to make him think it was a bad idea, because Link's slender fingers are just grazing his skin, bouncing up and down with every step Linebeck takes.

It's absurd how nice it feels, and Linebeck tries not to think about it. But Link gives a tired yawn, and nuzzles into his shoulder, and that really doesn't help him take his mind off it. His head's tilted, and his breath is warm against Linebeck's chin. Their faces are really, really too close now.

And then, the ship looms into view. Dimly, Linebeck realises that Tetra's been talking the whole way. With some relief (and some reluctance), he drops Link onto the deck. He feels oddly light without his weight on his back. He almost misses it.

Link yawns again, and Tetra orders him to bed. Sleepily, Link nods, turns, and he totters down the steps to the lower deck. Linebeck watches him go.

"...And what do you think you're doing, carrying him back? He can walk, you know! You should know, he's saved your butt enough times for you to notice..."

Exasperated, Linebeck turns back to her. But he's a little impressed, despite himself, that she can keep a rant going this long. Mostly, though, he's irritated. He places a palm against her forehead and mimes for her to be quiet. Fury fills her face but he flips her around, propelling her down the steps.

She's charging back up to give him a piece of her mind when he manages to get his cabin door shut behind him. She pounds on the wood for a few moments, yelling something vaguely obscene about her not being a child, and then gives up.

Silence.

He's too tired to dwell on anything, so he just collapses into bed. Which is probably a good thing, really, because who knows where thoughts like that can lead?

He wakes up before it's morning, and is feeling restless, so he goes out on deck. He's a little surprised to see a silhouette hunched by the railing, and makes his way over. It's Link.

Link turns, greets him by inclining his head. Linebeck doesn't have much choice but to stand next to him. Link leans his head against Linebeck's side, coming up just to his chest, and he wraps his arms around Linebeck's waist. He hovers there for a moment, a silent thank you for carrying him back, and Linebeck doesn't know what to do. Doesn't know what to say.

He hugs back.