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For Shark Husband

It was late. Way later than anyone should really be up and wandering through the Zora domain but here Link was. He had traveled all the way from the Rito village, the several day long journey far more grueling than normal because of how worn out he was. He'd slept very little, far too busy seeking out shrines and dealing with other things that came up, and it was finally starting to catch up to him. Each step felt like he had hundreds of pounds attached to each leg and his arms felt like lead making it painful to lift his sword whenever a moblin attacked him. He kept pushing himself forward though knowing that a warm fire was waiting even if the domain was even wetter than he was because of the light rainfall coming down.

Across one bridge then another, Link finally found himself trudging towards the familiar shape and glow of the Zora palace. His lips pulled into a tired smile as one of the guards greeting him then expressed worry over his state, the champion waving them off and shaking his head--no no, he was fine.

He took one of the long pathways up and crossed to the stairs that led through the dam and to the Eastern Reservoir and the tension that had been holding his frame so tight finally started to edge away. Link trudged over to the bed resting under the gazebo that he had visited many a times, shedding his gloves and cloak once he was there, nudging off his boots then flopping down. A heavy sigh escaped him and he let his eyes close, content just to lay here and never move again.

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Sidon had been informed the moment Link had been seen in the domain, and of course had been told of his exhausted state. As much as he wished to rush to the champion's side to be assured of his well-being, the prince reminded himself that what Link likely needed most right now was rest. No open injuries had been seen, so it could wait until morning.

Instead he rose early, going to the shop to purchase supplies, and then to the kitchens to prepare a Zora breakfast for the hero. A hearty breakfast of roasted fish and snails on a bed or rice, a loaf of bread, and fresh fruits was cooked (with the assistance of another kind Zora that had more experience with these things than Sidon). Packed safely in a waterproof package, the prince then took to the water and up the waterfall to the eastern reservoir to the pavilion where he knew he'd find the Hylian. It was secluded and quiet, and most Zora didn't dare go up there given Divine Beast Vah Ruta's presence until recently, but it made perfect sense for Link to take residence there.

The prince placed the spread on a counter near the bed, careful to move quietly so as not to wake the sleeping warrior, then waited. And waited. And eventually lost his patience and decided to take a swim in the reservoir to burn off some morning energy and leave Link alone.

Sorry, Sidon. Normally he didn't sleep quite this much but his body needed some serious recharging.

It was about a half hour after the prince decided to go for his swim that Link stirred, shifting under the blankets he'd drawn around himself at some point in the night as his eyes cracked open. There was a moment of pause before his eyes opened a little more, a scent hitting his nose that he was all too familiar with.

Roasted fish. And was that bread? And snails!

The champion stirred and slowly untangled himself from the blankets with a yawn, stretching his arms over his head before crawling out of bed. He beelined right for the counter where Sidon had set the spread out, mouth watering at the sight. It all looked so good where to even--

No, that was a silly question.

Link snagged one of the roasted fish and started to tear pieces off with his hands, popping a few pieces into his mouth and letting out a content noise.

Perfection.

Luckily for Link, swimming could be quite distracting. He was given a several minute head start as the prince continued surveying the dam walls before remembering to pop his head above the water to check on his guest and found that not only was Link awake, but he was enjoying the offering Sidon had brought for him. That brought joy to the Zora's heart, and he changed course in the water to head toward the pier that connected to the pavilion.

"Good morning!" He called out loudly as he swam, raising one arm over his head out of the water to wave widely at his friend. "I thought you would never wake."

No response was expected, but it was fun to jab at the young Hylian once in a while. The shark-man closed the space between himself and the pier and jumped from the water in one smooth motion, landing on his feet on the smooth stone. "Enjoying the food?"

Link perked up at the sound of Sidon's voice, smiling despite the mouthful of fish he was working on and lifting a hand in a way. He had been well aware of who was response for the food and while he probably should have sought the other out..his stomach had a mind of it's own sometimes. A very demanding mind of it's own.

Setting down the fish he'd been working on and swallowing the mouthful, Link stood and stretched again just as the prince made his way out of the water.

In a flashy display as always.

The blonde's smile got brighter as he nodded, resting a hand on his stomach. He then motioned for Sidon to join him, motioning him towards the bed as Link reclaimed his seat by all the food.

Honestly, he hadn't meant to be flashy at all. Sidon had simply been raised to move with grace, and climbing out onto the stone or flopping up like a stranded fish were not under the category of grace. It was as easy for him to breach in that manner as it was for a Rito to fly.

To see Link rested and content made the prince happy. He meant so much to the Zora for both his contributions to taming Vah Ruta and for his impending role in sealing Calamity Ganon. Not for a moment would Sidon ever imagine leaving him wanting. The way to Link's heart, he knew, was his stomach. Why not endear him further by feeding him well whenever he returned?

"If you insist," he agreed as he took a seat on the edge of the bed, forgetting to consider that he was wet and sometimes Hylians found a soaked bed disagreeable. "How have you fared on recent journeys? Have you tamed the other divine beasts?"

It's flashy and Link loves it. He wishes he had half the grace that the Zora and Rito do but...well. He's Link.

Picking up a piece of bread, Link scrunched his nose at Sidon's question and let out a heavy breath. Things had been interesting, that was for sure. He took a bite of the piece of bread while holding up two fingers. Two in total so far! He looked pretty pleased with himself though he knew that he still had a long way to go. Two more Divine Beasts and then Ganon.

The thought made his expression fall into a frown, Link glancing to the side as he took another bite of the bread.

"Two?" He voiced to confirm, expression one of surprise and awe. That quickly melted into a wide smile as he threw his arms wide with great enthusiasm. "That's amazing! You'll have the others in no time, I'm certain of it."

There was no obstacle in the world that Link couldn't overcome in Sidon's mind. He almost didn't see the frown, but little escaped the watchful eyes of the prince.

"You're worried?" he ventured. "You shouldn't. You're doing something no one else has been able to do, and with great efficiency. The Zora are ever grateful for your hard work, and I'm certain the Rito, Garudo, and Goron will be as well. You've been an excellent help and always a welcome guest."

Sidon's enthusiasm and encouragement meant a lot to Link. He had a lot of people rooting him on and offering their aid but it was just the way the prince went about it. His words were always so heartfelt.

The Hylian smiled, glancing down almost bashfully before he took another breath and seemed to steel his shoulders a bit.

One way or another he'd get this all done. He had to.

His gaze returned to Sidon and he nodded firmly, trying to show more confidence then he was feeling at the moment. A distraction was in order and Link was quick to take another bite of bread as he turned on his seat to point out towards Ruta.

Everything been alright?

Always heartfelt for Link. Actually, always heartfelt for everyone. Sidon didn't have a deceitful bone in his body. Or... deceitful cartilage structure. There was no lying in the politics of Hyrule. Either someone was an enemy or an ally. There was no in between, and with the threat of Ganon, there was no inter-culture wars.

The prince's gaze followed Link's out to the mountaintop where the elephant-machine stood facing Hyrule castle.

"It hasn't moved an inch since it took position there," he assured Link. "Ever vigilant, just waiting for her moment to shine."

Good. That was good.

Link nodded, relief showing on his face as he set the rest of the bread down and took the moment to look over at Sidon.

The Zora prince hadn't flinched in his support of Link despite...everything. Despite being, in part, Link's fault that Mipha had been slain 100 years ago. His memory still wasn't fully in tact so there was a lot he couldn't remember about any of the other champions but he knew that Mipha had been special. That she had meant a lot to him then and in a way still meant a lot to him. Her blessing was a constant warmth whenever things became too cold. A poor substitute for her presence but it was there.

And despite her being just a memory now--a beloved one--Sidon believe in Link. Believe that he could accomplish this and trusted that he knew what he was doing.

The Hylian sighed softly and moved off his seat, going over to take a seat beside the shark prince. He glanced up at the larger being, a sincere look in his eyes as he made a sign he'd been taught by some of the young Zora.

Thank you.

Only the foolish elders believed Link to be at fault for the loss of Mipha. Sidon had grown up hearing Dorephan's stories and believed otherwise. Never once had he held ill-will for the Hylian champion.

Sharp eyes followed the motions of the smaller being as he came closer, concern hidden behind them. He believed in Link, but also worried that his friend was pushing himself too hard, wearing himself out in both body and soul. There would be a Hyrule when this was all done thanks to Link, but would there be a Link to praise if he kept this pace?

"You are most welcome, my friend," he murmured softly, face relaxing into a gentle smile. An arm was placed over Link's shoulders. "Is there anything you need? Weapons? More food?"

The weight of the other's arm was a welcome one and Link leaned against his side with a content little sigh. Everyone he'd met at the Rito village had been a little less tactical tan Link had grown use to so it was nice to be embraced like this; to have physical contact with someone that didn't involve punching or hitting them with weapons.

He shook his head after a moment then paused, sitting up a bit to look over at the food then up at Sidon. Food was always a welcome thing but he wasn't about to ask for anything more than that. He was a resourceful Hylian; he could get his hands on anything else he needed.

Link offered a smile before he got up to grab a plate, piling it with food then returning to his spot beside Sidon.

There. See? All is well.

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