Imitation is Flattery

Returning to his house with Sev, Rory began to pack up his things while giving Sev time to rest and sleep on his bed. As it was, Rory had been sleeping too much lately, and was restless. Especially since learning that Link had already gone. Was he after the Master Sword as well? Did Link even care about the Master Sword, in this timeline?

His hand was shaking slightly, and Rory had to stop packing his satchel in order to just, breathe. To stop his thoughts from going every which way, in turn causing him to feel anxious and slightly panicked.

Severe’s eyes fluttered open and he rolled on his stomach in Rory’s bed, hugging the pillow as he found Rory packing. He stared for a moment with a small smile on his face. It smelled like him...Rory. The pillow. The blanket. He took a deep breath. Musky forest trees. That’s what it reminded Sev of. 

Suddenly his smile fell as he saw Rory suddenly stop and take a couple deep breaths. Lifting his head up, he stared over. 

“I ain’t never heard’a a livin sword before that spoke, but… You’d know better’n me. Y’ve lived longer’n I have, after all. Okay. M’sorry that you’re, scared, Sev. I’ll– we’ll figure it out, okay? Together. But I do need to get that sword. The idea’a Link havin it, don’t sit well with me.”

Severe nodded and walked up next to Rory, setting his hand on his chest for a moment. “I know,” he said softly, “I don’t like the idea of Link haven’t it either. Just...be careful with it okay? It’s more than it seems. And I think its more than anyone really knows.” 

Severe swallowed the lump in his throat and nodded, still holding on tight to Rory’s hand.

“I’ll go wherever you need to, Rory…I’ll stand by you if we find it, I just…” He trailed off. The fear was growing in Sev but he wanted to be there for Rory. He was right, there was a chance that the Master Sword didn’t exist.

“The Legend says it’s always somewhere in Faron Woods…deep in the Lost Woods.”

"Rory...its not just a sword. Its not just a tool to be used to kill evil...." Sev's eyes were wide at this point. The voice he heard when It killed...that was a coherent voice. A voice that had conversations with him. It was a conscious sword.

With a soft smile, Sev pressed his lips a bit to Rory’s as he kissed him. Then the man stood and Sev rose with him. Following him down the hill.

At Rory’s last words Severe froze, his hand still in Rory’s. He pulled at Rory to stop.

“T-The Master Sword?” Sev asked, staring at Rory like he was insane, “That’s what you’re after? Rory…the Master Sword chooses his master. Even if…you were to find the sword there is no guarantee you would be able to wield it.” There were also fear in Sev’s eyes that he was trying his best to hide.

The Master Sword…

Severe had died many, many lifetimes from that blade. The blade of evil’s bane. He wondered if he could even touch the thing…

Sev had squeezed Rory’s hand in his sudden fear and hadn’t realized it. He stared at Rory, the fear growing with every beat of his heart. He wasn’t afraid of Rory but…he always heard a voice from that blade every time he had been slain. The same voice every time. Told him of his wrong deeds and how much of a monster he was. The blade itself…whatever it was…it was more than just a blade.

Rory blinked, indeed stopping when Sev pulled at his arm. He glanced over, and noted first the look that Severe was giving him, and then that– hitch to his vocal pattern. Fear? His eyebrows furrowing, Rory considered for a moment. Then, it clicked.

The Master Sword, was a blade of supposed evil’s bane. And, Sev, he’d initially been…

“I know that. I’ve heard the stories: but it’s better I try, than Link getting his hands on it. Could you begin to imagine what he’d do with a blade like that, now?” Rory frowned, thinking for a few seconds and falling silent.

"Ill go wherever you need to Rory...Ill stand by you if we find it I just..." He trailed off. The fear was growing in Sev but he wanted to be there for Rory. He was right, there was a chance that the Master Sword didn't exist.

Sev’s face fell as he was moved off Rory. Shit…he had messed up. Pursing his lips he looked away from Rory and scooted a little further.

“S-Sorry…” He murmured. The moment was gone. He took a deep breath and straightened himself on the bench. Sev didn’t want to make Rory feel uncomfortable, and here he was…doing just that.

“I didn’t mean to be controlling I just…” He sighed, “I guess I’m still…I have some learning to do.” He didn’t even look at Rory now, he was embarrassed and not confused about Rory. But about himself. Why had he done that?

That was how he had done these things in the past, but…he wasn’t in the past anymore. He had made this whole thing to Rory about being different. And here he was…still the same.

Turning back to Rory, Sev took a deep breath. “I’m sorry for that. I won’t be like that with you. I’ve…never been in anything like this. Its always been…rough. A push and pull of force. Can I…ask you to help me?” His hand slipped into Rory’s. Softly and gently. He smiled hesitantly.

“I want to do this right…”

“You can’t expect to change immediately, over night, Sev. It takes time, and a lot of effort. You gotta work at it, every day, n’it’s difficult at first, but it does get easier,” Rory reassured, and he squeezed Sev’s hand back. Looking over at him, Rory smiled gently, that look to his face welcoming and understanding. Leaning over, he kissed Sev on the lips really quickly, before standing up and gently tugging Sev to stand as well. Still holding hands, Rory began to head down the hilltop,

At Rory's last words Severe froze, his hand still in Rory's. He pulled at Rory to stop.

"T-The Master Sword?" Sev asked, staring at Rory like he was insane, "That's what youre after? Rory...the Master Sword chooses his master. Even if...you were to find the sword there is no garrentee you would be able to wield it." There were also fear in Sev's eyes that he was trying his best to hide.

The Master Sword...

Severe had died many, many lifetimes from that blade. The blade of evil's bane. He wondered if he could even touch the thing...

Severe let out a soft noise of surprise as Rory suddenly grabbed him and pulled him on top of him. Sev’s knees landed on each side of Rory’s hips and he kissed the man back with the same intensity. His hands came up to brush Rory’s cheeks, Sev still trying to hold back a bit of his want.

They broke apart and Sev bit his lip at Rory’s noise that escaped his lips. Then his grin appeared and Sev broke into a smile as well.

At Rory’s next words, Sev’s smile turn into a smirk. His thoughts went farther than he wanted to go right with Rory right now, but he let the idea of more alone time with Rory in the future flash through his mind. He would wait. He didn’t mind that Rory wasn’t ready for more. That’s what made Sev love this moment more. The fact that he himself was willing to wait for someone proved to Sev that he really cared for Rory.

But it was the second kiss that Sev let loose a bit, feeling more intense behind their movements together. Sev’s light cheek touches turned a little more firm. One hand tangled into Rory’s red hair, and the other cupped around his chin.

Suddenly he pulled away, holding Rory in place with his hands. It was a firm touch, but nothing too hard or forceful. He smirked and his eyes hooded over, a bit of his flirty side lighting up his eyes.

“I like that idea, being alone more. Kissing…you more.” His lips brushed Rory’s again lightly, finishing his next sentence against Rory’s lips. “Because…I’ll let you do it as much as you want…”

He wanted to be himself with Rory. Let his flirty side show, but also he was nervous. He had never been like that with Rory. Rory didn’t know that part of him. But…he wanted Rory to.

To show that he wasn’t trying to put too much on the man, he gave him another quick kiss on his lips with a smile. Then another on his cheek. He let his hands relax a little.

“Let me know if anything is too much…” He whispered softly.

Rory’s brows furrowed, and he frowned a bit, “You don’t gotta hold me like that you know. I’m not going to turn my head away or nothin, and this isn’t about control over me. I’d rather it not be, so if you could ease up on the gripping of my chin n’stuff, that’d be good.” Once Sev did let go, Rory exhaled, and was careful to move Sev off of him. That sudden drive was, well, it had lessened when Sev started getting rougher.

"S-Sorry..." He murmured. The moment was gone. He took a deep breath and straightened himself on the bench. Sev didn't want to make Rory feel uncomfortable, and here he was...doing just that.

"I didn't mean to be controlling I just..." He sighed, "I guess I'm still...I have some learning to do." He didn't even look at Rory now, he was embarrassed and not confused about Rory. But about himself. Why had he done that?

That was how he had done these things in the past, but...he wasn't in the past anymore. He had made this whole thing to Rory about being different. And here he was...still the same.

Turning back to Rory, Sev took a deep breath. "I'm sorry for that. I won't be like that with you. I've...never been in anything like this. Its always been...rough. A push and pull of force. Can I...ask you to help me?" His hand slipped into Rory's. Softly and gently. He smiled hesitantly.

Sev looked at Rory confused, tears still dusting his cheeks as Rory leaned down. He instinctively lifted his lips to Rory’s. He had kissed quite a few people just in this life alone. But…this was different than anything Sev had felt.

Rory’s lips were softer than Sev imagined. The butterflies in Sev’s stomach fluttering worse than he had ever experienced. His hands gripped the bench underneath him in an attempt not to grab the man above him. He wanted to keep this sweet, even though his heart wanted more.

Severe was thankful for his restraint as he heard Rory’s next words. He blinked, honestly surprised. But not upset. Sev was a touchy person, almost to the point of being clingy if he really liked the person he was with. But Rory…he wanted to do this right. He wanted to take his time. So he nodded and smiled back at the man before he sat down.

“Oh?” Sev replied, a mischievous glint in his eyes, “Well…maybe we can do that again sometime.” He tried his best to keep his flirty tone under wraps, but had a hard time. With a smile, he gently grabbed Rory’s left hand with his own left hand. Setting his head on the inside of his shoulder.

“That kiss…was nice…” He murmured, “Um…tell me if…if I ever get too…touchy.” He stared off, his heart still beating fast.

If Sev was being honest with himself, he just wanted to jump on Rory’s lap and kiss the man for hours. But he kept it at where it was at. He didn’t want to mess this up…not this time. Not Rory.

Rory blinked, and actually let out a light, amused laugh at Sev’s words of wanting to do that again, but then following it up by telling Rory to warn him if he ever got too touchy. Letting go of Sev’s hand, Rory shifted and actually managed to grab Sev, using one arm, before pulling the other man on top of him, onto his lap.

Then Rory kissed him again, a bit more intensely this time, and held the kiss for a bit longer. Once he parted their lips, a breathed sound left Rory’s mouth; he sounded, satisfied, happy. He was grinning from ear to ear, looking so pleased,

“We’re up here alone. N’I really don’t mind the idea of kissing you more, now that I know I can.” He really didn’t waste any time with kissing Sev’s lips again, oddly finding himself, entranced by the entire thing. Rory had never wanted to kiss someone so much, his entire life; not even Link, and for a bit there Rory had dumbly thought Link was the person he’d cared for. But now?

They broke apart and Sev bit his lip at Rory's noise that escaped his lips. Then his grin appeared and Sev broke into a smile as well.

At Rory's next words, Sev's smile turn into a smirk. His thoughts went farther than he wanted to go right with Rory right now, but he let the idea of more alone time with Rory in the future flash through his mind. He would wait. He didn't mind that Rory wasn't ready for more. That what made Sev love this moment more. The fact that he himself was willing to wait for someone proved to Sev that he really cared for Rory.

But it was the second kiss that Sev let loose a bit, feeling more intense behind their movements together. Sev's light cheek touches turned a little more firm. One hand tangled into Rory's red hair, and the other cupped around his chin.

Suddenly he pulled away, holding Rory in place with his hands. It was a firm touch, but nothing too hard or forceful. He smirked and his eyes hooded over, a bit of his flirty side lighting up his eyes.

"I like that idea, being alone more. Kissing...you more." His lips brushed Rory's again lightly, finishing his next sentence against Rory's lips. "Because...Ill let you do it as much as you want..."

He wanted to be himself with Rory. Let his flirty side show, but also he was nervous. He had never been like that with Rory. Rory didn't know that part of him. But...he wanted Rory to.

To show that he wasn't trying to put too much on the man, he gave him another quick kiss on his lips with a smile. Then another on his cheek. He let his hands relax a little.

Severe looked up at Rory and smiled. It was hesitant, because he knew it was a sensitive topic. For both of them. But he needed to tell him. He had to…

“It was…freeing,” Sev said softly, looking at Rory with soft eyes. He wanted the man to sit by him. But he understood.

“Link has…lost it. He’s not the hero I knew. The hero I hated…I was obsessed with him. To the point of…not being healthy. I know that now. But…it was all I’ve ever known. But now…” Sev sighed as his eyes started to tear up.

“Rory…if Link can stop being a hero….why do I have to be his shadow? I am my own person. If Link can ignore and hate his destiny, I have more than every right to do the same. I decide who I want to be. I decide my destiny.” He suddenly laughed and scratched the back of his head. Tears still running down his cheeks in rivers now.

“Plus I get to be with you. I want to spend time with you. Get to know you as Severe….not Dark Link. Not a shadow…not a monster…”

With that, Sev kept laughing but he was crying too. He wanted Rory to understand…he wasn’t doing this for him. Sev was doing it for himself. Seeing Link face to face was his choice. That’s why he didn’t tell Rory beforehand. He didn’t want to keep it a secret but…

He needed to make the decision himself.

“You have been doin that, Sev. Ever since I’ve met you, you ain’t been no shadow, or no monster. Even when you told me, it didn’t change anything between us. You’ve always been Sev, to me.” Rory had started walking towards the bench now. Any anger he’d felt, quelled upon seeing Sev’s expression, upon hearing his words. Some slight anger bubbled at hearing Link’s name, but Rory was circumventing that by focusing in on Sev.

Rory’s expression was fond, so, caring and gentle. He was looking at Sev as though Sev were, in this moment, the only thing that mattered. Rory cared about everybody, yes, he loved life. He wanted to see people happy. But above everything, except himself, he cared for Sev the most out of those people.

Now standing in front of Sev, Rory laid his hand on the backside of the bench, nearest where Sev’s right shoulder was. He then leaned down, and pressed his lips to Sev’s. The kiss lasted about ten seconds, and it was so gentle and soft, respectful and kind. When Rory pulled away, he smiled so warmly,

“I’ve been doin some thinking. About what you told me, in the clinic. N’if that’s still the case, then… I want to be with you, Sev. Now, I ain’t too keen on physical things, sure I like huggin and holdin your hand, but kissin’s as far as I’ll go for now. I ain’t, well, never done the deed before, you know? Most I’ve gone for is uh, well,” Rory was blushing now, trying to calm down his beating heart, but he was still smiling. Carefully, he sat down next to Sev, so his left arm was beside him, and wrapped his arm around Sev’s shoulders while pulling him closer to Rory.

Rory's lips were softer than Sev imagined. The butterflies in Sev's stomach fluttering worse than he had ever experienced. His hands gripped the bench underneath him in an attempt not to grab the man above him. He wanted to keep this sweet, even though his heart wanted more.

Severe was thankful for his restraint as he heard Rory's next words. He blinked, honestly surprised. But not upset. Sev was a touchy person, almost to the point of being clingy of he really liked the person he was with. But Rory...he wanted to do this right. He wanted to take his time. So he nodded and smiled back at the man before he sat down.

"Oh?" Sev replied, a mischievious glint in his eyes, "Well...maybe we can do that again sometime." He tried his best to keep his flirty tone under wraps, but had a hard time. With a smile, he gently grabbed Rory's left hand with his own left hand. Setting his head on the inside of his shoulder.

"That kiss...was nice..." He murmured, "Um...tell me if...if I ever get too...touchy." He stared off, his heart still beating fast.