🪐ℂ𝕒𝕤𝕤𝕚𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕚𝕒🪐 (TP! Link x Reader)

Chapter 1: Gaze Skyward

Y/N's back hurt. 

Last night she'd slept out in the field, watching the stars and wondering if this was all there was to life. She woke up, realising she'd slept on a root, her body feeling like she'd just been in one of Mayor Bo's wrestling smackdowns. 

And despite that, she was forced to help out at the farm and at Sera's Sundries due to them being short staffed. She baled the hay all morning and then day dreamed about the crab nebula until noon. Then she and Illia would have pumpkin soup for lunch, it was all the village could produce these days, what with the financial problems. Then in the afternoon Y/N would look after the goats.

"These goats know what they're doing," she fretted to Illia one afternoon when she swore she saw a goat side eye her, "They give me the creeps..." Y/N then sat atop the fence, watching them and making sure none of them tried to escape.

" 'Course I don't even know what I'll do if they escape." 

Illia sighed, "Right, you're right. With your build I doubt you'd be able to wrestle one of them suckers back into the pen." Illia rolled her eyes, "Link's the only guy who could do it. But now he's left us high and dry for those brats in castle town."

Y/N gave her a look, "Come on, don't say that... He said he had some important work to attend to." She started braiding her hair out of habit. Illia scoffed "Don't tell me you bought his bullshit! He was obviously lyin'!" Illia put her hands on her hips clicking her tongue, "I swear, that boy's got you wrapped around his finger!" Y/N protested, quickly "No, he doesn't!" She glared, looking away.

Link, her friend- her best friend. He wouldn't leave Ordon for the people at castle town! Not for those high and mighty lords and those powder puff, whipped cream ladies! Sure, he was the hero. Surely he was still Ordon's Link, right? Surely he didn't change- heck, he saved Hyrule, that just proves how selfless he is, right? He was as down to earth as they came, surely he wouldn't let it get to his head, right?

"Hellooo??" Illia clapped her hands in front of Y/N's face, "Don't tell me you're thinking about those super-nebula-remains-things again." Y/N slapped Illia, playfully "Supernova remnants," she corrected. She had a small tint of blush, she'd been thinking of Link, "Yes, what were you saying?"

"Have you heard? Link's coming to Ordon!"

Y/N's breath hitched at the mention of his name. She looked at Illia, skeptical yet hopeful "You're sure you heard right?" she fidgeted with her bracelets. Illia nodded, adding, "Yes, I'm sure. But..." she turned her face away, looking annoyed, "I wouldn't be too happy if I was you, Y/N..." she sighed, shaking her head.

"But-... but why? He isn't hurt is h-"

"No. No, he's not." Illia's voice was oddly tight, as if she was on the brink of descending into an angry rant. Y/N tilted her head her braid swaying, "Then?"

Illia scoffed, "He's changed, Y/N." she said in disgust, her eyes narrowing

"He's not Link, he's freaking Sink at this point! Because that's all he's doing! Sinking!" Illia's fists were balled, "One thing's for sure... he's changed since we last saw him at Kakariko." she laughed, although Y/N didn't understand what was so funny.

Y/N's eyes widened in disbelief, "What? But- what?" she stumbled over her words, "This is the boy who'd skip rocks with us back when we were kids! He's the one who loved cats for some reason-"

"I went to castle town to see him. That's when he told me he'd be coming back. That's when I knew he'd changed." Illia sighed, "I'd steer clear of him if I were you."

Y/N looked away for a moment, before meeting Illia's annoyed gaze, "What do you mean he's sinking?" she said these words slowly, dreading the answer.

Illia threw her hands up in the air "Alcohol, gambling, parties, he's a womaniser apparently and rumour has it he's been trying out drugs." she clenched the fence so hard, Y/N thought it would splinter.

"I-... what? Wait-... I-... Sorry, what the actual... HUH?!" Y/N finally got out, almost choking on the warm breeze. Y/N's heart dropped, she felt like she was on a roller coaster, "A-... A womaniser?" she sighed, looking up at the sky for a minute. She closed her eyes and then met Illia's gaze again "Then he's stupider than I thought." her voice was conclusive.

Illia snorts, "This is the boy who struggled to do basic counting last harvest and made us overestimate the crops," she kicked the fence post, "What did you expect?" 

Y/N undid her braid and redid it, "I guess I really didn't think about it..." she glanced at Illia, who said, "You're too busy with your weird planets and stars and remains and whatnot," she chided, "Ever since Link went on his quest thing you've been even more invested than before. Like look- you're still looking up and it's day time!"

"... Do you think the stars just disappear when the sun comes up? Or are they still there?" Y/N mused, leaning back and almost falling off the fence. When Illia gave her a look, she quickly added, "I mean when Link was around he'd always interrupt me and drag me off to see his falcon catch a fish or to watch him wrestle a goat. With him gone, there's no one to really drag me off."

"Say, Illia? When did you say he was coming?"

"Yesterday when I went to castletown, the boy told me he was coming tomorrow." 

"T-... tomorrow?" Y/N's lips parted with surprise, "Illia you idiot-  why, that's today!"

Illia opened her mouth to protest but the sound of horse's hooves interrupted her and soon Y/N heard Epona's unmistakable nicker. 

Illia let out a cry of frustration, "Screw it!" Y/N jumped off the fence in anticipation, "Why's he coming back here anyway?" she asked.

Illia rolled her eyes "Something about taking you to castle town back with him."

Y/N instantly shook her head, "What? But the Castle town sky's no good for star gazing- it's too hazy! And I'd be completely out of place there- and I can't leave Ordon! They're already struggling with the money." she played with her bracelets, anxiously.

"Yeah?" Illia pulled her along to the village entrance, "Try arguin' with him- nowadays the boy doesn't take no for an answer. All that recognition's spoilt him."

"He can't make me go. What's he gonna do? Drag me there?"

"Most likely,"

AN:

How do y'all like chapter one? Please let me know so that I can improve it! Stay safe!

-Wish <3