The Hyrulian Valhalla Saga
By Queenie Z

Steamy Hot Springs Action, Part 3

Twilight and Time could feel Sky's gaze burrowing into them from his place at the other side of the spring. He was frowning, his brow creased and his shoulders hunched, which was quite odd considering how relaxed he was known to get in places like this. Bothered by their senior's staring, the other two Heroes glanced at each other before Time took the initiative to address the issue.

"Hey, Sky?" he said, leaning forward in the water. "What's the matter? You look, uh, tense."

Sky looked up and blinked at the two before awkwardly looking away. "Oh, uh, nothing! I was just — "

Twilight pointed at Sky, interrupting him mid-sentence. "Uh-uh! Don't even think about lying to us," he said. "Usually you're half asleep when we get in the water here. Something's up."

The elder Link reached up to scratch the back of his neck bashfully. "Okay, okay… but, really, it's nothing big, I swear. It's just," he tilted his head curiously, "when the heck did you guys get those abs?"

Time held his breath and bit his bottom lip to keep from choking on his laughter. Twilight just grinned devilishly.

"Oh?" Twilight adjusted his position rather conspicuously until said abs, which were indeed quite well-formed, were clearly visible to Sky. "Is someone jealous?"

"Don't worry, Sky," said Time with a snort he had tried but failed to suppress, "not everybody can have a perfect six-pack like we can. It, heh heh… it runs in the family."

"Yeah, that's right!" said Twilight, knocking on his stomach to demonstrate just how fit he was. "Runs in the family."

Sky pouted. "I-I'm not jealous! …And ab muscles don't 'run in the family', either!"

After a moment of snickers and giggles, Time shook his head. "We're kidding, Sky." He laced his fingers behind his head. "But, seriously, it's because Twilight and I train together twice a week. I thought you knew that."

"I did, but I didn't think it'd result in - well, that…"

Twilight smirked. "Of course you wouldn't. You sleep too much to exercise like we do."

"I do not!"

"Then why not come join us next time?" He glanced beside him towards Time. "Time'll make sure you get those abs; he'll run you to the ground."

Sky looked at Twilight, then at Time, then finally down at his own stomach. Of course, his figure wasn't one to sneeze at, either, but compared to the others', it was slightly… well, squishy. He sighed.

"Oh, all right. I guess I should work out more…"

Time laughed and cracked his knuckles. "All right, you asked for it," he said with a slightly threatening edge. "Don't blame me if you can't keep up, though!"

The first Hero lifted an eyebrow at his successor's tone. Of course he could keep up! …At least, he hoped he could.