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I have developed four separate AU’s for Ganondorf, each correlating with one of his 3D Zelda incarnations. The idea being what does someone with his core traits become in a world with no/almost no magic?

This one is Wind Waker Ganon as a chef/restaurant owner, perhaps the fluffiest and coziest of the AU’s. But it fit so well in my mind.

Ganon has a troubled past with unscrupulous employment, along with a history of heavyweight boxing; he was good at what he did, unquestionably, but it wore on him. Always another job, always another opponent, more money he could put away, always a reason to look over his shoulder. An endless, pointless endeavor just because he was good at it.

Something he always genuinely enjoyed, however, was cooking, and he never stopped honing that craft along with his other skills. Eventually, something happened that flipped a switch inside of him, and he disappeared to start a new life overseas and learning from culinary masters.

Now, he has established a highly rated restaurant on a well-visited island. As the owner he has to be present for plenty of front of house responsibilities, but he’s still very involved in all aspects— especially the menu. The kitchen is his happy place.

And while he may be somewhat terrifying in stature and skill to his employees, there is an earned admiration and respect. He accepts nothing but excellence from his staff and if anyone falls short of that he will be right there to push them into it (or kick them the fuck out, if they don’t possess the right attitude.)

If you’ve worked in restaurants you understand there is a specific breed of chefs that Ganondorf fits in perfectly with.

Fire in their blood, smoke fuming out of their nostrils, and a resilient will that seems to push forward out of spite for the very idea they should work less than 12 hours a day. Does he drink and smoke? Yes. But not as much as an ordinary chef might need to survive. His is a well-earned respite. And COULD he drink enough caffeine to kill three regular men daily? Yes, but his love for the fruition of his dream is more than enough.

He’s strong in spirit, refined in age and experience, as formidable with his fists as he is with a Wüsthof, and perhaps softened by finally realizing a dream that seemed out of reach for so long. He fought for many years and worked so hard for something that ultimately ended up to be meaningless, but now— now he has something that matters. His own version of peace.