Closed to Sidon

[spiritofthewild]

Link wasn’t too sure what to think when Dorephan summoned him to the Domain: he just grabbed the message the Rito brought him, grabbed the slate and immediately moved back to the Zora capital without even bothering to lock the door of his house in Hateno. Was the Hinox bothering the guards once more? Was Ruta creating more troubles? Who knew. He wasn’t going to let his favorite people (and his favorite prince) deal with any trouble on their own.

It was a relief when the King informed him all he needed was an escort for his son in order to see him reach Lurelin in complete safety. Any excuse to spend time with the Zora prince was always more than welcome and the idea of traveling together… Link had a stupid smile painted on his face the whole time as Sidon got ready to depart.

The knight had his sword, he had a good set of enhanced hylian clothes for protection and…

“Mh-mh!”

He had jewelry for the prince, in case of necessity. Returning to Gerudo Town in order to have a topaz circlet had been a wonderful idea. Okay, perhaps he asked for it because the original plan was using both electricity resistant gems and his amber earrings but- details. Now he had something he could offer the prince.

Link was literally beaming when Sidon finally reached him and the two left the Domain. There was a long moment of hesitation after they crossed the bridge, then Link reached for the other man’s fin and gently pulled it in order to have his attention.

“I’m glad your dad asked me.” he spelled with movements of his fingers. “it’s been far too long since we spent time together.”

Comments

[poisesidon]

“Father, an escort is not necessary. I have made the trip before!” Sidon would exclaim with gentle confidence at the suggestion of needing someone. Seriously? Had his father forgotten about the Octorock? Sidon was more than capable out there. He would understand if his people needed him enough for him to remain, as he had in the past during their recovery. But now, things were slowly trying to be peaceful. Uneasy, but peaceful.

Lurelin needed safe secure through the region to ship their fish. What better person to be that judge than a creature of the water, with a few powers to change things.

But his father said they had already contacted Link. Link! “Father I am sure he is busy and as much as I would adore to-“

Link was already arriving, and he turned to see the small warrior arrive happily at the gates.

It was too late and Sidon had the urge to get ready.

And he wondered why, why try so hard? Weapons, adornments, everything was set. Now to meet him. Sidon made a jolt to meet Link. For someone nearly reluctant for travel with a guest, now it was welcomed. He couldn’t be a happier Zora.

“Oh, Link! It has been so long-!”

Link began signing and his smile was just all the more present.

“...it has, my dear friend. You are ready then, yes?”

[spiritofthewild]

Oh, an escort was absolutely needed, if you asked Link. Mostly because the knight was more than ready to embrace his chance to spend time with Sidon. He didn't know exactly why, but the visits in the Domain were always somehow special to him.

His ears twitched at the prince's words and his smile widened. It had been, indeed, too long.

Link could only blame himself, really, he had been so focused on trying to help Zelda return to a more or less normal life he just... didn't notice the weeks passing by? He had to teach her how to cook, how to take care of her own clothes, so many things... and time flew by. It had been fun, of course, anyone who saw them just assumed they were siblings and things were golden but- but he missed the prince.

"For you?" He asked with a slightly cocky grin, his fingers moving without hesitation. "I'm always ready. That's what being best friends is about, right?"

He wasn't completely sure about that, Link didn't really know much about how true friendship worked (or if he even ever had a best friend, back in his knight days), but he knew he’d always come running for the shark.

Speaking of being friends… he wasn’t the best at casual conversation, what was he even supposed to talk about as they traveled?

“Uh…” He bit his lips before offering Sidon a friendly wink and starting to speak with his hands once more. “You’re looking extremely-” Come on, an appropriate word for it… “good. Is it such an important mission for you? Perhaps you should save your best gear for when we’re nearby, unless your goal is to charm whoever we’ll meet on the road anyway.”

[poisesidon]

Sidon kept reading his words through his signing and motions. You look good? Ah, he meant his gear. Sidon did bring his trusty trident replicas and his Zora Sword. So he looked like he was all prepared? That was surely what his friend meant.

Yet his earnest words to convey this made Sidon’s face change some color. It was endearing to have conversation, especially with Link making the grandest effort to do so.

...”...Charm?”

He caught that word, and a small chuckle left his chest.

“Link, you jest! It is important to look confident and prepared! This is important work!”

[spiritofthewild]

Oh no. Link didn't really mean his gear, he found the prince rather charming. Was it because Sidon was royalty? The Hylian didn't really know, but he appreciated Sidon's attention to details, his elegance and how he both managed to balance appearing strong and gentle at the same time.

He was rather charming, wasn't he?

"I am not jesting." he replied with a solemn headshake. "You look incredibly regal!"

Sweet Hylia, he couldn't really come up with a better compliment, could he? It didn't matter. His friend was amazing and it was going to be an honor to be at his side during his diplomatic trip. With some luck, they were going to be able to get some free time for themselves, Lurelin was a great place where to fish, swim and have fun. Huh... Zora could swim in saltwater, right? He knew well that most fishes, beside salmons and maybe something else, couldn't really handle the difference between the two. Sweet, he was going to learn something new about his friend!

And if Sidon was able to swim in the sea... perhaps Link could be bold enough and ask the prince to be his companion while shield surfing on water. He had all already planned, yes, all they needed was a good shield and some rope, then the prince could just pull Link around and- oh dear, no, work first.

"So... what are we going to do?"

And... did he want to try and see if the slate was able to teleport both of them? No, he truly wanted to spend time with the Zora...

"I will keep you safe."

[poisesidon]

Oh, how many would call Sidon daft right now. Sidon would outright call himself daft as he watched Link correct his way of thinking with his own forward clarification. A dash of shocked embarrassment rushed across his face as Link continued.

"Oh-! You mean-!" The prince tried to find words himself. Words that were as equally kind as his friend's. Why did Link feel the need to compliment him so, anyway? Sidon asked that to himself as he was still trying to come up with ANY response.

"Apologies, Link, I did not mean to misinterpret you. You are most kind..." he trailed. With an attempt at showing confidence, he continued a bit later. "And you look as dashing as any hero!"

Silly, foolish Sidon, he repeated that in his head far too much to be evident in his face. Which can only be hidden more with business.

"Ever since the end of the peril in Hyrule, supplies were able to be exchanged easier. I have good relations with the people of Lurelin especially, you know. I want to see how they have been fairing."

I will keep you safe. Oh. Tongue tied again.

[spiritofthewild]

What? No, Link just didn't know how to express himself and at times he made things simpler for himself, but... he really adored the prince and looked up to him.

"You are the kind one!" He immediately replied. He had no doubts about that, he was still lost and relatively scared when he wandered in the Domain after waking up in the Shrine and Sidon had been a beacon of hope and positivity for him. "You look dashing too! But I already said that!"

Goddess above, that was getting awkward, he just... wanted Sidon to know how much he meant to him and how appreciated his friendship and company were.

"I see." He only commented with a nod, listening to the prince's plans for hit trip. Of course he wanted to keep good relations with other tribes, that was... so much like him. Link's ears dropped, then, when the shark went silent after his last comment.

Did he offend him? The knight bit his lips, fingers twitching as he tried to find the right words to apologize.

"Sorry. Not mean you bad-" aaaaand he could kiss goodbye his ability to spell proper sentences, at least for the moment. If Sidon had his tongue tied, Link could say the same about his fingers. "You great fighter, I believe you. Just-" He nervously waved his hands in the air, trying to tell Sidon that he still wanted to keep him safe, he didn't want the prince to be put at risk if there was no need and... "Duty!"

And he hated himself because that was the only word he managed out and it didn't cover at all the extend of Link's feelings.

[poisesidon]

Oh, he didn’t...Sidon raised his hand and looked at Link recoil a bit in his wording. The prince did it now, his very foolish hesitation has now bungled this up and he felt awful for it.

“Easy, my friend,” Sidon said gently. Link was always so powerful, he was always faithful and certain of this. But he knew many others could forget he was a person with quirks and feelings too. It was so nice to see it all for himself.

No wonder why his sister loved him.

“I have upmost faith in you, and your abilities. Merely, I just cannot be a burden to you and your time. Do not feel like you must be my knight. We are in this together, after all.”

[poisesidon]

Not only would Link never offend him, Sidon would almost be offended by the idea of being offended by Link.

Link was recoiling more and trying to release a bunch of words. He had to do something, else his friend was going to have panic and anxiety. He didn't need to do that with him. Even if they were alone and Sidon wanted Link tp be honest about his feelings...seeing Link in distress just made his little conscious ache in his heart and mind.

So, he would smile at the hero and try to see if he could hold one of his tiny hands in his large ones.

They were alone. Finally. This had to be fine.

"Link, it is alright, I am merely just..." he paused, free hand on his chest as he spoke. "...charmed, that you would go to that length for me. Perhaps that is why my father requested you. I trust you, remember that."

That wasn't the full reason WHY his father wanted Link there, but.