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The fight had been grueling. The Chain had fallen out of a portal straight into a group of black blooded monsters. A moblin had assaulted Wild immediately. He ducked, pulling his sword out and weaving through the moblins wild swings. He slashed its heel, slicing up along its leg. It squealed, stumbling forward. A sword tip appeared out of its back. Twilight grinned at Wild, pulling his blade from the moblin’s chest. It disappeared into black smoke, and they turned to face the rest of the hoard. The biggest threat was a lynel.
“I’ll take care of the lynel.” Wild told Twilight.
“You need back-up?” Twilight asked. Wild shook his head. It was only a red-manned lynel, it would be easy. Twilight nodded, then headed off to help Four, who was still nauseous from the portal.
Wild charged the lynel. It took its giant sword off its back, threw its head back and roared. Fire burst out from around it, engulfing the few bokoblins still surrounding it. Wild dashed forward, waiting for the right moment. It reared back, then swung its sword at him.
He waited.
The sword’s ark was approaching him.
He waited.
It was nearly biting his skin.
He waited.
It was an inch away from his chest.
He backflipped over it, the wind of its passing ruffling his hair and making his tunic flutter. Time slowed around him as he landed. The sounds of the fight around him faded away. The rush of the battle settled in his stomach. Everything… went… still.
Wild sprung forward, moving impossibly fast in the time that was at a snail’s pace. He struck the lynel over and over, eating away at its health. Finally, he felt his hold on time slipping, he felt time slowly regaining its normal speed. He leapt back as time clicked into place. The lynel growled, black blood dripping from its abdomen. It jumped back, and lowered its arms to the ground, before charging into motion, dashing at Wild on all sixes.
Wild waited.
The lynel got closer very quickly. But Wild waited. He waited for the beast to be almost on top of him before lunging to the side, and again time slowed. He darted at the lynel again, hacking away at it. As time was about to regain control, his sword shattered. Uh-oh. Four was going to kill him. He jumped back, and took out his slate to summon a new sword. At least the blade breaking had dealt extra damage. He took out a Royal Broadsword to finish the fight.
“WILD! Did I just see your sword break?!” Four screamed over the cacophony of battle. Wild winced. He was so dead. He quickly finished off the lynel. The rest of the monsters had been dispatched by the others.
“Is everyone alright?” Time asked over Four’s shrieks. Everyone nodded or said “yes”, “yeah”, or “stuff it, old man” affirmatively. But before they could continue on, Hyrule gasped.
“Wild, you're bleeding!” he said worriedly. Was he? He didn’t think he got hit. Then he felt blood drip down his thigh. He froze. No. Oh no. No no no no nonononononono. This could not be happening! He was always so careful! He was always prepared! He always had a tampon in, and changed it very regularly, more often than necessary. How could he have missed this? He started hyperventilating. Everyone was staring at him now, concerned looks on their faces.
“It- it’s nothing!” he stuttered, trying to shrug this off with a high pitched, unnatural laugh. The others were not convinced.
“Let me look at it.” Hyrule insisted. Wild shook his head, stepping back hurriedly.
“Cub?” Twilight looked at him with worry and a little panic. “What’s wrong?”
“Wild, you shouldn’t hide injuries.” Time said sternly. Wild started trembling.
“It's not-” he tried again, but Time interrupted him.
“Wild, let Hyrule look at it.” He said gently. Wild burst into tears.
“I-l can’t. ‘M scared.” He choked out. He crouched down and sat on the ground, curling into himself. He heard the others shuffle and murmur, confused. He didn’t usually cry in front of them. Wild felt Twilight sit down next to him, wrapping an arm around him, pulling him close.
“Cub,” Twilight said again, but more softly, inviting Wild to tell him anything, “What’s wrong?” Wild snuggled into his side, finding comfort in his mentor, despite the terror eating at his gut at what Twilight was asking for.
“Pr-promise you won’t be mad?” Wild’s voice quivered. He didn’t care if it sounded childish, he needed to know. He didn't want to lose this family too. Twilight squeezed him tighter.
“Of course.” Twilight sounded heartbroken that he had to ask. Wild took a deep, steadying breath, but it did nothing to calm his pounding heart.
“I’m trans.” He whispered. He closed his eyes waiting for Twilight to pull away, disgusted that he had been near him, touched him, become friends with him. Twilight didn’t say anything for a moment.
“Cub…” He eventually said, but it was more of a question. Wild tentatively opened his eyes to peer up at Twilight. Twilight looked back, sad. Wild felt someone else sit down next to him, and looked over to see Legend.
“I couldn’t help overhearing,” Legend said. Twilight groaned
“Legend… I told you to give us some space.” He reprimanded Legend.
“Oh, shut it, wolf boy.” Legend snarked. “Wild, why is it a big deal?” Wild looked at the dirt between his boots, and the blood dripping from his pants.
“A … lot of people h-hate people like me,” Wild murmured, “They shun or at-attack us.” Wild felt Twi trembling. He glanced up at Twi’s face. It was twisted with rage. Wild winced and curled in on himself, still disbelieving that no one would be mad.
Twilight hugged Wild tighter, refusing to let him pull away.
“Oh, cub…” Twilight whispered, taking a few shuddering breaths. Wild looked up again, shocked to find his mentor's face streaked with tears. He's not mad. Relief smacked Wild in the face.
Legend sighed. “Yeah… a lot of people in my era are superstitious pigs too. I've dealt with a lot of bull.”
Wild stared up at Legend in amazement. “You're trans?” He asked, astonished.
“Yep.” Legend popped the p. “Didn't think it was important.”
Wild gaped. Twilight chuckled. “Cub, close yer mouth, yer gonna catch flies.” Wild slowly closed his jaw. “Come on, Cub, let’s get you cleaned up.”
Before Twilight could stand, Wind barreled into Wild. Wild startled as Wind hugged him fiercely.
“Wild, You're awesome, I don’t care what anyone else says! Just point me towards whoever’s mean to you, I’ll make ‘em walk the plank!”
“Wind, I told you to stay away for a bit!” Warriors stomped over to them grumpily as Wild hugged Wind back, overcome with emotion. Wind stuck his tongue out at Wars. Wars squatted down next to the group on the ground and patted Wild’s shoulder.
“As untactful as Wind is, he is right. We care for you, no matter what.”
“Yeah.” Legend joined in, “you… matter a lot to us.”
“What he means is that he loves you.” Sky said as he sat down next to Wild. “We all do.” Legend growled but didn’t disagree. Time came over, Four and Hyrule trailing behind him. Time gently nudged Wind off of Wild, kneeling in front of him and placing his hands on Wild’s shoulders.
“Wild. We don’t care how you were born. You are you, and you are brave and kind and wonderful, and we all respect and love you. We’re brothers, we’re family, and you are a part of that family. We would never abandon you over something as trivial as gender.” Time pulled Wild into a hug, Twi joining in immediately, followed by Sky, and then the rest of the Chain.
Wild buried his head in Time’s shoulder, body shaking and wracked with sobs. He felt so relieved.
Hyrule tapped Wild's shoulder, pointed at him, and then crossed two fists over his heart. You loved. Wild's eyes welled with a fresh batch of tears. He nodded, signing a heartfelt thank you back.
Wild sunk into the hug, relishing the feel of his brother's arms around him, the comforting weight of their bodies pressed against his, and the sound of their breathing. He was so glad they didn't hate him. He was cared for, he was loved. And he loved his brothers more than his heart could hold.
Once the hug started breaking up, Legend quipped “Now, not to ruin the moment, but Wild, you smell like blood.” Wild stared at him, then, slowly, started to giggle. The rest of the Chain chuckled with him, even Legend failing to hide his smile.
Yup. Wild loved his brothers.
They were in Legend's Era, in a town, restocking supplies. They needed more potions and healing things. So they were visiting the shops that Legend said were likely to have the things they needed.
“Hey, Wild!” Wind bounced up to Wild. “I've been wondering, did you get top surgery, or do you use a binder?” He asked, in his usual, extremely subtle way. Legend walked up and smacked the back of his head.
“Personal question much?” Legend said to Wind.
Wind paled. “Oh, I'm so sorry, Wild! If that's a not ok question, you don't have to answer!”
“No, it's fine.” Wild said. “I got top surgery.”
“Did it hurt?” Wind asked, wide eyed. Wild was about to respond when someone shouted at them.
“Hey! You're one of those trans pigs, are you?” A man walked up to their group.
Legend shoved in front of Wild. “You got a problem with that? Why don't you go complain to a lynel? Shut your trap!”
“What? You one of those dirty weirdos too? Pah! I'm sick of your kind!”
The Chain shuffled protectively in front of Wild. Wind was rolling up his sleeves, Warriors and Four had their hands on their sword hilts. Twilight was growling at the man. Actually growling! If he were Wolfie, Wild was certain Twi's teeth would already be embedded in the man's arm. Time placed his hand on Wild's shoulder, protective and comforting at the same time.
“Distgusting!” The man scowled. There was a blur of motion from next to Wild. Sky lunged at the man, wrapping a fist in his shirt collar, yanking him forward. He pulled the Master Sword out, the tip threateningly close to the man’s side.
“You want to say that again?” Sky hissed, his voice so low and full of venom it made the man stumble back. Sky kept him on his feet. “You’re pathetic. You’re a coward and a weasel, and you decided that because you’re too much of a spineless nobody and a little *&I# to make anything good out of your life, you're going to spend it bringing other people down to your level. HOW DARE you insult them, when they have done NOTHING but try to make your lives better!” Sky pointed behind himself at Legend. “Him? He’s been on SIX journeys to defeat evil and save your sorry %$@! And him?” his finger moved to Wild. “He sacrificed everything to save the world! AND THIS is how you repay him?” Sky moved the point of the Master Sword closer to the man, so it was grazing his shirt. “You make me sick.”
Time moved closer to Sky and placed his hand on Sky’s shoulder. Wild thought that was quite brave of him. “Sky, that’s enough.” Time said, his voice calm.
“No! &*$% off, Old Man, I won’t let anyone talk to my brothers like that!” Sky shoved the man down, breathing deeply. The man scrambled away, still on the floor.
“Sky’s scary when he’s mad.” Wind whispered to Four. Four nodded.
“The God Slayer, ladies and gentleman.” Four whispered back.
“Sky doesn’t swear much, but man, he sure knows how to swear.” Wars joined the whispered conversation.
Time pulled Sky into an alley, presumably to help him calm down. Wild shivered. Twilight turned, noticing Wild’s discomfort, and wrapped Wild in his arms. Wild sank into the hug. He felt drained. He’d almost never had someone else with him when he had been yelled at or attacked for his identity. He was used to facing it by himself. He was used to hanging his head, or running away.
There had been a couple times, when he had been with Sidon, Riju, or Zelda, when he had been defended. Those were… better. It hurt that people still said stuff like that, but when someone wouldn’t let it go by unnoticed, unchecked, it made hom feel warm, like he wasn’t alone. Those weren’t nice experiences, but they were far better than dealing with it himself.
Though, he had to say, he had never been defended so… vehemently before. Wind was right. Sky was scary. It had become all the easier to see how he could have killed the god of evil.
Wind siddled up to the hug that was in progress and tried to join. Twilight opened up one of his arms and Wind wriggled in. Wild smiled wearily at him. “I don’t remember.” he said quietly to Wind. Wind blinked up at him curiously.
“Don’t remember what?” Wind asked.
“If it hurt.”
Wind smiled. “I guess that’s nice.”
Wild thought about that. Yeah, that was one way to look at it. He had always lamented that he couldn’t remember much from his previous life, and he probably always would. But, Wind did have a point.
Later that night, when they had found an inn with enough beds for them all, Wild slipped into the room Sky and Four were sharing. Four was downstairs, eating dinner, but Sky was laying flat on his bed, staring at the ceiling. When Sky heard the door he turned to look. He sat up upon seeing Wild.
“Wild, I wanted to apologize to you. I’m sorry, I went too far.” Sky rubbed a hand over his face. “I just- I get so angry! It’s the only way I made it through my adventure. I was angry all the time. I was angry enough to kill Demise. I hated it. I hate it! But sometimes… it just comes back up. And I could kill a god again.” Sky dropped his hands to his lap and stared at them sadly. “I wanted to say I’m sor-”
Wild barreled into Sky, hugging him tight around the middle. “You don’t need to apologize.” Wild said into Sky’s tunic. “I- it makes me feel so seen and loved when people defend me. So I wanted to thank you. It really means a lot that you would do all that for me. Even if it was a little scary. Honestly, it was awesome.”
Sky chuckled weakly, pulling Wild into his side and flopping over on the bed. “I do love you.” Sky said quietly. “You, and Legend, and all the others. You’re family. I would do anything for you all.”
Wild sniffled. “You’re family too. And I’d do anything for you too.”
They sat like that for a while, just hugging each other. Eventually, the rest of the Chain came looking for them, because they had missed dinner. When Four opened up the door to the bedroom, Sky and Wild were curled up together, snoring.
“Oop” Four opened the door slightly further, revealing the scene to everyone.
“Aww.” Hyrule murmured.
Wind pulled out his pictobox and snapped a picture of the adorable scene. Warriors slipped into the room and gently pulled the covers out from underneath the two, then tucked them in, draped in the warm blankets.
“Let’s go, or we’ll wake them up.” Legend whispered. Twilight nodded, ushering everyone out and quietly closing the door.
“Wind, did you get a good picture?” Legend asked when they were safely in another room.
Wind grinned. “Yup! It turned out amazing!”
“I would like one.” Time said, with a straight face. His eyes were twinkling, though.
“Me too!” Wars and Twilight said at the same time.
“I’ll make enough for everyone.” Wind consoled.
“Awesome.” Legend rubbed his hands together, an evil grin on his face.
They slowly broke up into smaller groups, heading off to actual beds while they had the chance. Time smiled as he got ready for bed. His boys really were special.