XVIII - A Spark In The Rain
It had been a while since Link sat outside at sunset, watching the sea turn from a deep rich blue to almost black, the ripple of the waves disturbing the straight path that the sinking sun painted on the sea's surface. From the highest point of the citadel, the view was especially spectacular. He had come a long way since starting from Gamelon, situated in the east part of Akkala.
He sighed, pulling his knees closer to his body, and rested his chin on them.
"Who or what are you sighing about?"
Link looked up at Paya's smiling face.
"I didn't hear you coming."
"Stealth is a skill we Sheikah excel in," she said, pointing her forefinger in the air. She knelt down on the empty spot next to him, sitting on her calves.
"I didn't think I'd be back in Akkala so quickly," he said, "and yet everything feels totally different now."
"Well...it certainly is. Although it might not be for the better, I suppose. At least not all of it."
"Yeah...but it seems like we're safe here, at least for the time being. Zelda is reunited with her father at last, and we can think of a strategy of how to win the castle back."
"How is training the new recruits going?"
Link shrugged. "It's pretty tiring. Most of them have lived a simple villager's life up until now and have never held a weapon in their hands. Some are doing fairly well, and others are a lost cause."
Paya laughed. "Give them some time. More recruitment parties have been sent out to Lurelin and the southern regions. How about your former unit?"
Link nodded. "I am relieved to see that most of them are alive and have made it here. Commander Eagus, Pipit and Keet...but no sight of Derald." He bit his lip. About half of his former comrades had arrived in Akkala along with the king, but there was no trace of the others. Link could only imagine what had happened to them.
Five weeks had passed since he had come to Akkala with Zelda and Paya, but still no sign of Sheik. He sighed.
Paya watched him as he stared emptily into the distance, his fingers fiddling with a small object.
"I am sure he's fine," she said quietly after a short while.
"Who?" He gave her a startled look.
"The one you're thinking about. Sheik."
"I wasn't..." he started, but she just smiled at him, took his palm and turned it upwards. The shiny red object in his hand caught the light of the setting sun and reflected it on his face.
"Where did you get this?"
"It was attached to the Sheikah slate when he handed it to me back in Kakariko," he answered, realising it was no use denying it any further.
"It's a Sheikah talisman. I am surprised he gave it to you."
"What does it stand for?"
"Protection."
"Paya, I don't think he meant to give it to me."
"Who knows. Sheik is hard to read. But he is also pretty tough. He can take care of himself."
"It's been weeks since he left..."
Link felt her eyes on him as she studied his face, but he didn't want to look at her, didn't want to know what she was thinking.
"Link, have you met Robbie yet? He's set up camp in the abandoned lighthouse north of Akkala. Said he'd use it for research, but Hylia knows what he's really doing up there."
"Yes. Impa introduced us. He's been working on the Guardians, hasn't he?" Link asked, thankful for the change of subject.
Paya nodded. "He doesn't show it, but I know he feels terribly guilty for having revived the Guardians, now that they have all turned against us. I think he's dedicating his time on working out how to stop them. Furthermore, his former assistant and his wife are currently examinating the tissue samples from the infected boar that we have brought from Kakariko. I do hope we can get some results in due time. After what Impa has experienced at the castle, I think it's safe to say that the lump of flesh is at the origin of the various cases of infection." She shuddered at the mere description Impa and Robbie had given of the thing in the throne room.
Let's hope none of the people who came here from Hyrule castle had been in contact with an infected person. Otherwise it might spread among all of us, Link thought, but didn't utter his concern.
"Also! I heard that Robbie has hired a new assistant to help him with his research."
He gave her a questioning look. "Why are you telling me this?"
She shrugged. "I think we should pay Robbie a visit when you're off duty. Just to see how well his research is progressing. A little change of decor might do you good. You've been looking a little down lately."
He sighed. "You may be right. I'll let you know when Zelda can dismiss me."
The lighthouse was a mess. Apart from being ramshackle and having holes in the ceiling, Robbie had turned it into something akin to a paper bin. The engineer had a bad habit of brutally dissecting books, ripping out pages that seemed important and scribbling on them rather than taking notes. What couldn't be pinned on the walls landed on the floor, and his new assistant had a hard time tiptoeing around the pages without disturbing their order. Robbie's outburst when he had unintentionally caused the pages to get mixed up was enough to make him walk around as if the floor was covered in eggshells.
"Get me the book about ancient Sheikah history, will you?" Robbie asked and, without looking up, pointed at the crooked bookshelf behind him.
Sheik sighed as he tiptoed over to the bookshelf and guessed which of the twenty tomes of ancient Sheikah history Robbie meant.
"No, not that one. Yes yes, that one. Bring it to me."
Sheik did as he was told and handed him the heavy book. Robbie flipped it open and skimmed the pages.
"Stop right there," Sheik suddenly said, and put his finger on the page. The picture showed the rough design of a machine, shaped like a manta ray, with a glossy black texture and the signature Sheikah markings found on Guardians.
Robbie gave him a questioning look. "Is this what you saw in the desert?"
"Not exactly, but very similar design-wise. It had the shape of a large animal with four long legs, hooves, two rounded towers on the back and a pretty long neck."
"Like a camel?"
"What's a camel?"
Robbie laughed. "Oh, to be young again! A camel is an animal indigenous to hot dry areas like the Gerudo desert, however, they are extinct now. The Gerudo used them as working animals and for means of transportation long before they domesticated the sand seals. Sheik, take the next tome and sit down. Let's delve into it. This is a groundbreaking discovery!"
Sheik turned the arrow around in his hand, examining its rounded, bulky head.
"So, how does it work?" he asked, looking at it sceptically.
"Let's go outside," Robbie answered and ushered Sheik out of the door with a large bow in his hands.
They walked a short while, until they were out of sight of any buildings.
"How good are you with a bow?" he asked and Sheik shrugged.
"Not necessarily my first weapon of choice, but I've had training."
"Good. This is a very powerful and very dangerous weapon. One hit and your enemy will disintegrate. It's similar to the Guardian's laser technology, but refined – by me. I created them out of ancient daggers, using the power of the ancient furnace – blue fire. It was I, Robbie, who came up with the idea of..."
"Just give me the bow," Sheik interrupted him impatiently, and took it out of Robbie's hands.
"Be careful!" Robbie said, readjusting his goggles, "if you miss and hit us instead, we'll be pulverised."
Sheik gingerly took the arrow, smoothed out the feathers and nocked it, pointing it at a deer that was hidden behind a bush. When the string of the bow almost touched his lip, the arrow gave off a soft humming noise and lit up in a blue light, creating a sharp tip. The deer, unaware of the danger looming ahead, stepped out on the grassy plain and munched on a twig. Sheik readjusted the arrow ever so slightly and let it go. It hit its target and exploded in a blinding, blue light. Sheik and Robbie quickly covered their eyes, and when they opened them again and ran down the hill to check on the body, not much of it was left.
Sheik let out a whistle.
"Hah!" Robbie triumphed, "I told you so! Ancient Sheikah technology is powerful stuff, but refined by me, Robbie, it's..."
Sheik cut him off again, annoyed by his bragging. He picked up what was left of the arrow and examined it. "Is this reusable?"
Robbie took it from his hands. "Of course. Only the wooden shaft and the feathers are ruined. The head itself is perfectly reusable, though I'll have to work my magic on it to revive it. Boy, you should accompany me to the citadel. We need to present it to the king and his royal council and you're better with a bow than me."
Sheik swallowed. "I can't," he said.
"Why not?" Robbie asked, lifting one eyebrow suspiciously.
Sheik turned his head away and looked at the ground, hoping Robbie would let it go. He'd come to Akkala only about two weeks ago after his helter skelter escape from Hyrule field and after passing through Kakariko first, and Robbie had never insisted on knowing Sheik's background. Until now, he had never cared to ask him any questions other than those related to his field of research and Sheik had been thankful for his discretion. Up until now.
"Why not, Sheik?" Robbie probed, brows furrowed.
Sheik sighed. "Look, it's not a big deal, but I am not on very good terms with Hylians."
Robbie continued to look at him suspiciously, and although he didn't question him any further, Sheik knew that Robbie had caught on to something and that he would need to be careful from now on.
They walked back to the lighthouse then, just as the sun was about to set. Two figures were standing before the entry, knocking at the door, and Sheik stared at the back of a blond and a silver-haired head with a pounding heart.
"Oh! We've got visitors!" Robbie exclaimed, sounding delighted. "Comiiing," he shouted from behind. Sheik wished he had taken the arrow instead of the deer and had disintegrated by now, but the visitors had seen him and there was nothing he could do about it.
Link's broad smile faded when he turned around and set eyes on the young Sheikah, standing further behind, and Sheik couldn't explain the sudden knot he felt in his stomach. It made him want to bolt and run away, but his feet felt like they were glued to the ground.
"Come in!" Robbie said, and shoved both Paya and Link into the lighthouse, making them sit down on a bench in the far end of the room. Sheik followed slowly behind, refusing to make eye contact.
"This is my assistant," the scientist said, "not the friendliest, but pretty useful. Sheik, will you be so kind and make some tea for our guests?"
Link stared at the light green, steaming liquid in his cup, peeking at Sheik time and time again. The young Sheikah was sitting on a chair at the other end of the room, pretending to be studying a book with so much intensity that Link feared his eyes could burn holes into the pages. He couldn't recall seeing him so visibly uncomfortable, and didn't understand why. Paya and Robbie were chatting casually about Sheikah-related things, and eventually switched to their own language. Link drifted off, no longer trying to listen to their conversation, and when he saw Sheik get up from the chair and make for the door, he hastily emptied his cup, and followed him outside.
"Sheik. Wait!"
Sheik only stopped when they were out of sight of the lighthouse, waiting for Link to catch up.
"What are you doing here?" he said between clenched teeth.
Link's expression darkened. "I could ask you the same. How long have you been in Akkala?"
"About two weeks."
"Two weeks! Did you ever plan on showing up or letting me know you're here?"
Sheik averted his eyes. He didn't want to see the look on Link's face as he slowly shook his head. The silence between them spoke louder than words.
The young knight eventually took a step closer, and Sheik could feel his eyes on him. "Do you hate me that much?" he asked quietly.
Sheik sighed and lifted his head, returning his gaze. "It has nothing to do with you. I am a fugitive, Link, I can't just come barging in. The fewer people know that I am here, the safer."
Link nodded, but the hurt look in his eyes remained.
Don't look at me like that, Sheik thought, biting his lip.
"Let's walk. There is something you should probably hear."
They reached the beach after a short while. Link hadn't said a single word while Sheik recounted his journey, starting at Kara-Kara bazaar and ending with his flight from both corrupted Guardians and the Yiga on Hyrule field.
"So, how did you get away from the Yiga then?" he asked curiously.
"On horseback?"
"How the hell did you manage to find a horse?"
"...don't ask."
Link grinned. The sun was painting the sea in a deep orange and pink.
"There is one thing I don't quite understand, though. You said that you snuck into Gerudo Town. How? The Gerudo are well known for denying any male access to their city."
Link wasn't sure if it was the reflection of the setting sun on Sheik's face or an actual blush, but the top of his cheeks looked pinker than usual.
"Again. Don't ask."
"Wait. Does that mean that you dressed up as a woman?"
Sheik gave him an angry look and by now Link was sure that the blush on his face was real. "Too bad I didn't see that," he teased him, but secretly wished he had been there. He blamed his wild imagination.
Sheik coughed nervously. "Anyhow," he said, "I came to Akkala to do research on the ancient Sheikah war machines. Robbie and I are more than certain that there are more than the one roaming the desert. In a sense, they are like Guardians, but way more powerful. If we could lay our hands on them and learn how to control them, we could eradicate even the last rogue Guardian in Hyrule."
"So, will you stay with Robbie?"
Sheik nodded. "For the time being, yes."
"Then at least I know where to find you," Link said.
He sat down on the sandy shore, and Sheik did the same.
"You know...it's good to see you. I am relieved to see that you're alive and well."
"Link..." Sheik bit his lip, "why are you still like that?"
"What do you mean?"
"So damn caring. Sacrificing so much time and energy for other people. Wasting thoughts on someone like me. I am a selfish person, Link. All I want is to pursue my own personal goals."
The blond Hylian took a deep breath and sighed. "I don't think you're giving yourself enough credit. It's not like you're a bad person, Sheik. Just someone who went through a lot."
"It's dangerous to think you know someone when you really don't."
"Don't you ever feel lonely with all your walls so high up? Being around people might actually do you some good."
"No, Link, I don't. I've been on my own for as long as I can remember and I have learnt to depend on no one but myself. It might be hard for someone like you to understand how to cope with life when no one likes you. People naturally feel drawn to you because of your good looks and warm personality. You thrive in other people's company. I prefer solitude."
Link snorted. "You tell me I don't know you. You are right. I don't. But don't assume that everything you think you know about me is true either. You don't know shit about me. No one here knows shit about me. Because if they did, they'd certainly reject me."
Sheik studied Link's face. The conversation had taken on a heated tone, and Sheik had never seen Link look so defensive yet so vulnerable before. A moment later, after having collected himself, he resumed talking in a much calmer town. "I was exiled from my home when I was 13. By my own father."
When Sheik didn't answer, he continued. "Said I was a disgrace to his family. Called me an abomination. A freak. I...never intended to hurt anyone."
"I suppose this is the part where I ask you what you did wrong?"
Link gave him a mixed look. "You don't have to if it doesn't interest you."
Sheik sighed. "That's not what I meant. This issue is obviously weighing heavy on your mind and you seem like you want to get it out of your system? I don't want to overstep any boundaries, although I don't quite understand your decision to confide in me."
"I don't know. I guess I felt like you're the last one to judge me."
"Then, what did you do?"
Link took a deep breath. "I...well, I kissed a boy."
"Why?"
Link's face betrayed his confusion. "What do you mean why?"
"Why did you do it? Did you like him?"
Link slowly nodded. "I...guess. But the feeling wasn't mutual."
Sheik observed the Hylian's face in the fading daylight. "By any chance...do you like men?"
When Link's blue eyes searched for Sheik's red ones, they displayed a deep uncertainty. A fear of rejection.
"I know it's wrong," he answered, "but I've never had feelings for a woman. I tried to date women. I slept with women. But I can't love them. My father was right. I am a freak." He ran a hand through his bangs, looking distressed.
"Do you regret telling me?" Sheik asked, tilting his head slightly. His crimson eyes fixated him.
"I don't know what came over me. I'm sorry," he muttered, absolutely regretting his coming out.
"Well...it's only a social construct. Based on the fear of differentness."
"What is?"
"The idea that loving someone of the same sex is a sin."
"Sheik..."
"It's not like you chose to be different. You can't change the way you feel about something or someone. So what's the use of beating yourself up about this?"
Link had never felt a stronger urge to hug Sheik than in that one moment, but he didn't dare. "These were probably the kindest words you ever said to me," he grimaced.
"I am not trying to be kind. I am just saying what I think is right."
"Thank you, Sheik."
"I told you I..."
"Just shut up," Link cut him off, laughing softly. Don't fucking ruin the moment.
"Do you think any less of me?"
Sheik shrugged. "I've never thought highly of you to begin with."
Although his face remained rigid, Link understood that it was meant to be a joke, and it eased the tension a little.
"Your sexuality doesn't concern me. And I wouldn't understand any of it anyway. I've never had romantic feelings for anyone and I don't have a particular interest in romantic relationships, so I wouldn't know how you feel. It's your battle I guess."
The sun now disappeared behind the horizon and the sky turned slowly darker.
"We should probably head back," Link eventually said, getting up and brushing the sand off his trousers. They walked back to the lighthouse in silence, and Link couldn't shake off the crushing feeling of being accepted and rejected at the same time by the one person he actually cared about.
"You look down. Did something happen?" Zelda asked, brushing Storm's mane.
Link put the heavy saddle away and shook his head. "I'm fine," he answered.
"Thank you for taking me out of here. It's been a while since we rode out together," she said, "Robbie's research has brought us amazing results."
Link wanted to fake a smile, but he couldn't. It had been two weeks since he had visited Robbie with Paya, but when he had arrived at the old lighthouse in the late morning along with Zelda, Sheik was nowhere to be seen, nor did Robbie mention him. Link figured that Sheik must have warned Robbie to not talk about him in anyone's presence, but he had still hoped to see him around somewhere.
"Link." She suddenly stood before him and placed her hand on his cheek. "What's wrong with you? You're so quiet and withdrawn lately."
"It's nothing."
"You can talk to me."
He gently took her hand, removed it from his cheek and wrapped his fingers around it.
"I'm just worried about everything that's going on. The recruitment is painfully slow and so is the training. We still don't know what the enemy is or how to defeat it. Robbie is doing his best but we are still nowhere near to defeat the masses of rogue guardians. Villages are being destroyed throughout Hyrule and it feels like we're stranded in Akkala, not knowing how long it'll remain safe."
"Link..."
He looked into her terrified green eyes and startled at his own words.
"I am sorry," he mumbled, pulling her into a hug. What the fuck were you thinking, pull yourself together.
She nuzzled her face into his chest and put her arms around his lower back. "You scare me when you talk like that," she said, "it feels like we are all lost when you sound so hopeless."
He caressed her hair, sighing. "I wasn't thinking. My worries should not cloud the progress we are making. Don't be scared. I am your personal knight and swore to protect you."
"It's okay to share your worries, though," she said, "it...makes me feel closer to you. You make me feel safe. And I'm so relieved that the Yiga is no longer with us."
He let her go a little too abrupt. "I should get ready for Robbie's presentation tonight," he mumbled, "let's go back inside." He stored away the brushes and bridles and led his horse into the stable without another word. Zelda watched him dumbfounded as he left her with that same blank expression in his eyes that plagued her every time she'd mention the Yiga, making her wonder where his alliance really lied. Every since their arrival in Akkala she had often caught him sitting alone outside at night with an empty expression, his eyes getting lost somewhere in the distance, but he never talked to her about anything other than his duty, not even when she was craving his company. Maneuvering in and out of duty was a delicate balance act, and with her father watching her back, she didn't want to push her luck. She knew that one day, she'd have to really confront him about the Yiga, but as for now, she felt more at ease to postpone it until she was ready to hear his answer. Or confession.
Sheik tightened the large overcoat around his shoulders and readjusted the face mask over his nose, peering anxiously around the corner. Robbie had insisted on bringing him along to his presentation, and Sheik didn't have the right to refuse him, but they'd come to a compromise that he'd wait outside while Robbie was talking to the king, the princess, the royal counsellors and Impa. It made him nervous to be standing in one of the courtyards of the fortress with no good place to hide, even if he told himself that no one would suspect that he was an elusive criminal. Every now and then, he'd watch Hylian soldiers march around the place, and although most of them paid him no heed, their sight made his stomach churn.
He sighed as a drop of water landed on his forehead, followed by another, and another and then the drops turned into a sudden downpour. Cursing, he tried to cover his head with his overcoat and turned his attention away from the people in the vicinity. As he fiddled with the unfamiliar traditional Sheikah clothing, he was reminded why Impa told him to never be inattentive to your surroundings.
A shadow grew over him. "Look what we've got here," someone said.
Sheik instinctively took a step back but his shoulder made contact with a soldier's armour. Oh crap.
"Link, I really don't get you. You're the princess' personal knight and you still haven't made a move."
Link sighed. "Ever heard of boundaries, Keet? That's exactly the reason why I shouldn't get too close to her."
Keet winked. "Oh come on, I am sure she wouldn't mind. You've always been so popular with girls."
Pipit groaned. "Well, have you looked at him?"
"And yet our handsome Linky has never really shown any genuine interest in any girl. Seriously, what's wrong with you? How picky can you be?"
The young knights laughed and continued chatting while they were walking back to the residential part of the fortress, not minding the rain. The wine served at Robbie's presentation had surely helped to lower the unpleasant wet sensation on their skin and clothes. As they turned around the corner, something caught Link's eye and he stopped midway, grabbing Keet's elbow.
"What's going on over there?" he asked, pointing into the direction of a small group of people.
"Looks like they're bent over something. Maybe they lost something?"
And then Link saw movement and a person lying curled up on the ground, and immediately started running towards them.
"Hey! Hey!" he shouted as the wind carried their angry and agitated voices over.
Sheik didn't even hear their insults as he tried to shield his face with his arms from the blows he was receiving. Blood, watered down by the rain, was dripping into his eyes from a gash on his forehead, blurring his vision. Blood was in his mouth, from his burst lip and the bite injury he had inflicted on his attacker. Blood was on his clothes. His blood. Their blood. The blade of the kunai pressed into his palm, blood trickling down his hand that was crushed under a foot. But Sheik didn't feel the pain. Only their hatred. An old fear.
It was happening again.
Link yanked the soldier away, screaming as his fist hit the man straight in the face and broke his nose. The soldier tumbled backwards and lost his balance, but Link didn't let him fall. He held him by the collar of his tunic, yanked him back up and hit him again. And again.
The other soldiers backed down, staring at Link in fear.
"Link! Calm down!" Keet shouted and tore him away from the man with Pipit's help, barely able to restrain him. "Fuck! Let him go! Do you want to kill him?!"
Link panted, slowly coming back to his senses. He straightened up and wiped a wet strand of hair out of his face.
"Get him out of my way or I'll fucking kill him," he said quietly. Calmly. Eerily collected. "Go. Report to Eagus."
Keet and Pipit exchanged frightened glances but did as they were told, dragging the beaten up soldier away from the scene.
Link knelt down, touching Sheik's shoulder. "Sheik, are you okay?"
"Go away. Leave me alone," Sheik said, trembling, his face hidden under his dishevelled hair.
"No. I won't leave you. Let me help you get up."
"Just leave already! Don't look at me!" Sheik burst out, eyes still lowered to the ground.
Link sighed. He slid his hand in the space between the Sheikah's thick, grey hair and his face and touched his cheek, gently turning his bare face towards him. The face mask lay somewhere on the ground, carelessly tossed away and soaked from the heavy rain. Sheik's eyes burned, tears stinging. He couldn't look at Link, couldn't stand to see the expression on his face. Pity. How they all looked at him. Pity and disgust. His lip trembled and he hated himself for losing control over the situation once again.
"Dammit Sheik," Link whispered and then pulled him against his body and wrapped his arms around him as tightly as he could. The rain was still pouring, but neither felt the water trickle down the nape of their necks, soak their clothes. All they could feel were the beating of their hearts against each other's chests and the warmth that slowly spread between them.
"Let's get you patched up," Link said after a while, feeling suddenly very numb from the rain and the cold. He reluctantly released the Sheikah from his embrace and helped him stand, putting his arm around his torso to steady him as they walked towards the kitchen area. He made him sit down on a chair in a room adjacent to the kitchen and told him to wait for him. When he returned a few minutes later with a clean towel, bandages and a little bowl of fresh water, Sheik was still slumped on the chair, head resting against the wall behind him. His long dishevelled hair hung in wet strands in front of his face.
Link grabbed another chair, pulled it in front of Sheik's, and sat down, gently removing the hair from his face. He looks so different. So frail, he thought as he dipped the towel into the bowl and dabbed it against the gash on his forehead, wiping away the dried blood. Sheik had still averted his eyes, feeling uncomfortable sitting so close to Link with his face fully exposed, but he was too exhausted to fight it any longer.
Link grabbed Sheik's chin with his hand and gently turned his face a little to the side, dabbing the corner of his mouth to remove the blood. His lower lip was a little swollen from the small laceration, but it wasn't a deep wound.
"Does it hurt?" Link asked while he carefully removed the blood from Sheik's lip. He couldn't tear his eyes away. Not from his face, not from the exposed skin under his overcoat that the soldier had tried to tear off his body.
"A little," Sheik mumbled, keeping his mouth open ever so slightly while Link continued to wipe the wet towel along his bruised skin.
Link then tore his eyes away from the seductive lips and put the towel away.
"Give me your hand," he said and reached out to touch Sheik's injured palm. He gently took his hand and let it sink into the bowl, cleaning the cut. It wasn't too deep, but Link wanted to avoid an infection. When he had finished drying off the wound, he began to wrap the bandages around them.
"All done," he said, "what were you getting yourself into again..."
Sheik felt his breath hitch in his throat as his eyes finally looked up to meet Link's. In the dim light of the room, his dilated pupils made his eyes look almost completely black.
"I..."
"It's okay. You don't have to explain yourself." He put his hand on Sheik's cheek and stroked the scarred skin with his thumb.
"Link...please..." He tried to turn his face away but Link held it in place.
"Don't," he cut him off, brushing his thumb over Sheik's bottom lip. And then he leaned in, his hand moved along Sheik's jawline and came to rest on his cheek just below his ear.
Sheik completely froze when he felt Link's warm, soft lips gently move against his own. The wound stung a little, but Sheik's brain was too overstimulated to fully comprehend what was going on. When Link released him, he wasn't even sure what had just happened.
"Sheik? Are you okay?" Link asked uncertainly. He had expected any reaction, mostly to be shoved away and screamed at, but Sheik just sat there with empty eyes, looking extremely exhausted.
"Link? Link, are you there?" Keet shouted from the end of the corridor. His footsteps echoed from the walls as he made his way towards the kitchen.
"I gotta go," Sheik mumbled, finally snapping out of his freeze. He almost tripped over the chair as he hectically pushed it out of his way and made for the door.
"Sheik! Wait" Link called after him, but Sheik bolted out of the door and sprinted down the corridor. Link ran after him and almost knocked Keet over, but Sheik had already left.
Keet grabbed his wrist. "Hey! Link...what the hell is going on. You owe me an explanation here!"
Link yanked his wrist free from Keet's grip and pushed past him. Leave me!"
"Link! Who was that? Hey, talk to me!" Keet called after him, "dammit! Is everyone losing their mind here?!"
When Link entered the dorm, he was relieved to find it empty. He let his forehead sink against the wall and closed his eyes. You did it again. You fucked up. You pushed too far. Don't you have any self control? The image of Sheik lying curled up on the ground returned to his inner eye and he made a fist, punching the wall. He wanted to hold him, kiss him, protect him. He wanted to hurt everyone who hurt him. You're a fool, Link.
And then he realised that he had utterly and irrevocably fallen for the unfriendliest, most easily irritated and most unsociable Sheikah he had ever met.
Long and slower chapter with a lot of talking - but I enjoyed writing it.
