Father Time | Legend of Zelda

Chapter 3 - The Pain of a Warrior

WARNINGS: mention of war/death

"I can't believe you." Time growled, his arm looped around Warriors' waist, fighting to keep the Captain upright. 

"I toootally can." Warriors slurred, head swaying side to side with each step.

"You had one job." Time continued, ignoring the dazed look on his brother's face. "Not to get drunk. And yet here we are."

"Yes, wellll. That thing the Gerudo lady gave me was some strooooong stuff. Never had anythin' like it." Warriors stumbled, almost pulling them both down. 

"Evidently. Never knew you to be a lightweight. How many did you have?"

"Erm." Warriors extracted one hand from Time's firm grip and began counting on his fingers. After a moment of careful consideration, he looked up at their leader with a dead serious expression. "Some- Somewhere between two and twelve." 

Time groaned, his eyes rolling in exasperation. He was tempted to simply not give the man a red potion for the headache that would be sure to rear its head in the morning, but the group had to keep moving. They'd been in Wild's Hyrule for almost two weeks now, and Wild had told them he could sense Hylia, and where she was, a portal would be soon to follow. They had all been on edge since then, waiting for the next swirling mass of unknown matter to suck them through space and time to spit them out somewhere else. Personally, Time was hoping to go home sometime soon. The ache in his chest to see Malon again was becoming unbearable, and he knew it would be just the same for the others who were missing someone or something special.

"You- You should..." Warriors dipped his head for a moment, before snapping up again with wide eyes. "Should join me some time! Y'know," He elbowed him in the ribs, and they both staggared to the side. "Loosen up those old bones of yours. Maybe- Maybe even find your smile! Haven't... seen it in a- a long time." 

Time couldn't help the scowl he sent the drunkard's way. He smiled plenty, thank you very much. "I don't have time to drink my way into oblivion."

Warriors giggled from under his arm, poking a pointed finger into his cheek. "Ha. Time." He collapsed into a flurry of chuckles as his knees buckled. Time was pulled to his knees beside him, almost growling as he scooped the Captain's knees and shoulders into his arms, picking the Hero up to save anymore falls. Time was being pushed to him limit tonight, and he was a hairbreadth away from dumping the man and leaving him in the middle of the desert for the lizalfos.

The rest of the group had congregated around the Kara Kara Bazaar. Wild had stated he had some business to finish off in Gerudo Town, and due to the city's laws he'd have to go alone. Twilight had been reluctant to let his cub go off by himself, but alas, Wild said it was the only way. He had promised to return before the sun set, and currently dusk had already fallen. The sky had been painted with giant sweeps of pink and orange, the sun barely visible above the horizon. 

As they turned the last corner, the oasis came into view, bringing with it a sense of relief. Wind, Four, and Legend were hanging around by the water's edge, though only the former had actually dived in. Hyrule and Twilight were watching as Wild - who had stayed true to his word and returned on time, for what is possibly the first time ever - cooked what Time assumed would be their final meal of the day, all while Sky was propped up against one of the trees, fast asleep. 

As much as he hated to admit it, Warriors was heavy. Even without all his armour, the man weighed a ton, and Time wasn't sure whether his arms would give way before they reached the others. He spared a glance down at the hero in his arms, meeting his awe-struck eyes for a short moment before he looked up again.