A Second Awakening (Linked Universe AU)

The Art Show Pt.1

Legend looked into the mirror and took a deep breath. He met the eyes of his reflection, still not used to seeing his face this way. Clean...unblemished, unscarred but his eyes were the same that they had always been: deep, fierce, full of pain and loss and strength.

Strength...

He'd been nothing if not strong through the years, and while he'd survived it had cost him dearly time and time again. Loved ones wilting and falling at his feet like flowers, he'd trod a path of darkness and loneliness so that others might walk in the light. He sighed, staring at the stranger in the mirror who wore his eyes.

A soft knock at the door behind him roused him from his private reverie. He cleared his throat and slicked back his hair.

"Come in."

Marin slipped around the door. She closed it quietly behind her and turned, looking stunningly elegant in a floor-length shimmering emerald-colored gown. She smiled at him.

"Hi, Love." She half-whispered in a playful tone. And walked up to him. "Everyone is wondering where you are... it's your party after all." She looped her arms around his neck and nuzzled down to his nose. With her tall heels she was just a hair taller than Link himself and she was relishing the height advantage, however small and temporary it might be.

He smiled up into her loving brown eyes and sighed. Why was he dwelling on old trauma when he had so much life right in front of him... everything he'd ever wanted was right her...right now, and there was no reason to go poking at the ghosts in his eyes. It was time to finally let them rest.

Marin adjusted his white bowtie and smoothed his waistcoat. She gave him another nose nuzzle, not wanting to muss her perfect lipstick and stepped back to admire her husband. She sighed and shook her head with a smile.

"Even after all these years, Link... You can still give me butterflies."

His heart fluttered at this little confession, and he took her gloved hand between his own. ""Marin.... Oh you have no idea how much I-I " He was at a loss for words. He chuckled "Suffice to say....Same. Same..." He kissed her hand.

A second rap on the door made them both turn, it was Ravio, looking quite dapper in his tailcoat, though true to himself and unable to resist the urge to 'accessorize' his bowtie, while still white was covered in sequins that caught the light from the lamp in the back office of The Gallery. His boutonniere was also sequined.

"Hey guys, sorry for the interruption, but the mayor is looking for you, Link. You good, buddy?"

Legend smiled at his old friend and nodded. "Yeah... Sorry, just.... Nerves, I guess."

Ravio gave a breathy chuckle and nodded. "Oh, I get it... I do. So many fancy-pants big-wigs around tonight. I feel like such a poser... even though, you know. I literally run this gallery. You should See Hilda though.. She's so in her element tonight, even her father is here." He grimaced at this last part. "I've been drinking since he arrived, care to join me?"

Legend followed his friend out of the office and into the gallery's main hall where all his works were displayed. It was surreal being surrounded by so many memories that apparently never happened. Waiters in white coats moved smoothly through the crowd carrying silver trays of hors d'oeuvre and slim fluted glasses of something sparkling. As one passed Ravio expertly snatched a trio of drinks for himself, Legend, and Marin. He passed one to each and downed his own in a single gulp, eyes immediately scanning the crowd for another. Marin laughed and looped an arm into his.

"Ravio, dear you must relax... Surely it isn't that bad? Remember, he puts his pants on one leg at a time, just like the rest of us." She gave him a reassuring smile.

Ravio hummed at this and shook his head. He pointed with his nose across the crowd at where the Secretary of State stood with his entourage laughing at a joke his daughter had just said.

"I'm pretty sure he has someone to do it for him, but thanks for the vote of confidence Mare.. Buuuuuuut I'm pretty sure he will always hate me." He released Marin's arm and gave her knuckles a chaste kiss.

Hilda noticed them staring and excused herself from the group to come to her husband's side. She looked resplendent in a deep red floor-length gown. It sparkled as she moved, bejeweled in tiny crystals. Her heels clacked against the marble floor as she approached.

"Hello, all.." she hummed musically and took her husband's arm. "It's this just marvelous? I feel like a kid again at one of Daddy's parties."

Ravio grimaced at this but said nothing. Hilda gave Legend and Marin a once-over. "Don't you two look lovely tonight!" She exclaimed, "Oh Marin.. I love your dress! Is it Vera?"

Marin blushed at the compliment and mumbled a reply that, 'no it wasn't but thank you..' Just then a loud laugh rang out from across the hall drawing their attention. Wild, still in his Marine dress uniform was doing a handstand in front of a small crown of onlookers and Wind was cheering him on. Hilda looked appalled.

"Uh-oh..." Legend murmured as he made his way towards them. "Smithy isn't going to like this."

He was right.

Before he'd even made it to the boys, Four had pulled the younger man to his feet.

"What are you DOING?" He hissed at him; hand still clenched on Wild's arm.

"I-I.." The suddenly upright Wild stammered staring into the furious face of the shorter man.

"And what are you wearing?! White Tie! It's a White Tie affair..."

"Hey, Unc, lay off this was the nicest stuff we had, ok?" Wind came rushing to his cousin's aide. Four's face softened a little and he released his nephew's arm. He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose "Fiiiine, I suppose. It's fine. Fine."

"Besides," Wild pipped up from beside him "The ladies love it!"

Wind did a facepalm at this but said nothing. Legend, who had watched the whole brief exchange could only grin.

"If this has you mad...wait until you see the rancher" Wild snorted as he took a canapé from a passing tray.

The smith's face visibly paled at that remark. "P-Pardon?"