shadow warrior

this is the Big Meaty™ of good shiny luck

“Mm… We really don’t fit in well, do we?” He let go of Link’s hand as they entered the hall, still just a little on edge. This place was totally unfamiliar. “Well, shall we go and help ourselves to the food?”

     Link smiled a bit. “Well if you say it out loud you’ll just give us away.”

     That.. was a loaded question.

     Physically or emotionally? The fact he had to make that distinction might be a problem within itself. He was rather comfortable with casual contact with those he was friendly with at one time, albeit a bit shyer if a romantic context was introduced. Somewhere it had started to go downhill. (Somewhere? He knew where.) Eventually he’d grown so used to being alone physical contact became rare, even if it was something he craved.

     “I guess.. It’s not discomfort so much as unfamiliarity.”

     Now that he thought about it, that really went for both physical and emotional intimacy didn’t it? The only difference was that being emotionally intimate was awkward in a whole new host of ways.

It was a usual, restless night of sleep for him, waking up at the slightest noise. Sheik found himself on high alert for any sign that Link was upset, or that he was trying to leave. He hated how suspicious he had to be, but after everything else, he wouldn’t put it past Link to sneak out and run off again.

     Link slept surprisingly well, at least in comparison to the last few weeks. Maybe even years. Maybe not. At the very least he didn’t wake up several times in the night. He’d slept a couple hours before the sound of neighbors shuffling into their apartment woke him. It wasn’t loud by any means, and most people wouldn’t have been woken by it, but he knew he wouldn’t fall back asleep.

     That.. was a loaded question.

     Physically or emotionally? The fact he had to make that distinction might be a problem within itself. He was rather comfortable with casual contact with those he was friendly with at one time, albeit a bit shyer if a romantic context was introduced. Somewhere it had started to go downhill. (Somewhere? He knew where.) Eventually he’d grown so used to being alone physical contact became rare, even if it was something he craved.

     “I guess.. It’s not discomfort so much as unfamiliarity.”

     Now that he thought about it, that really went for both physical and emotional intimacy didn’t it? The only difference was that being emotionally intimate was awkward in a whole new host of ways.

     That.. was a loaded question.

     Physically or emotionally? The fact he had to make that distinction might be a problem within itself. He was rather comfortable with casual contact with those he was friendly with at one time, albeit a bit shyer if a romantic context was introduced. Somewhere it had started to go downhill. (Somewhere? He knew where.) Eventually he’d grown so used to being alone physical contact became rare, even if it was something he craved.

     “I guess.. It’s not discomfort so much as unfamiliarity.”

     Now that he thought about it, that really went for both physical and emotional intimacy didn’t it? The only difference was that being emotionally intimate was awkward in a whole new host of ways.

     That.. was a loaded question.

     Physically or emotionally? The fact he had to make that distinction might be a problem within itself. He was rather comfortable with casual contact with those he was friendly with at one time, albeit a bit shyer if a romantic context was introduced. Somewhere it had started to go downhill. (Somewhere? He knew where.) Eventually he’d grown so used to being alone physical contact became rare, even if it was something he craved.

     “I guess.. It’s not discomfort so much as unfamiliarity.”

     Now that he thought about it, that really went for both physical and emotional intimacy didn’t it? The only difference was that being emotionally intimate was awkward in a whole new host of ways.

     That.. was a loaded question.

     Physically or emotionally? The fact he had to make that distinction might be a problem within itself. He was rather comfortable with casual contact with those he was friendly with at one time, albeit a bit shyer if a romantic context was introduced. Somewhere it had started to go downhill. (Somewhere? He knew where.) Eventually he’d grown so used to being alone physical contact became rare, even if it was something he craved.

     “I guess.. It’s not discomfort so much as unfamiliarity.”

     Now that he thought about it, that really went for both physical and emotional intimacy didn’t it? The only difference was that being emotionally intimate was awkward in a whole new host of ways.

“Just… If you did ever want something like that…” He paused, leaning up to softly kiss Link on the lips. “I’m not opposed to it at all, either. You… I just want to make you happy. Any time you want to take things further, we can.”

     “For me I guess.. I’ve never really thought about that sort of thing and I’ve never really had a desire.” He paused thoughtfully. If it made Sheik happy he really didn’t mind either way. 

     That.. was a loaded question.

     Physically or emotionally? The fact he had to make that distinction might be a problem within itself. He was rather comfortable with casual contact with those he was friendly with at one time, albeit a bit shyer if a romantic context was introduced. Somewhere it had started to go downhill. (Somewhere? He knew where.) Eventually he’d grown so used to being alone physical contact became rare, even if it was something he craved.

     “I guess.. It’s not discomfort so much as unfamiliarity.”

     Now that he thought about it, that really went for both physical and emotional intimacy didn’t it? The only difference was that being emotionally intimate was awkward in a whole new host of ways.

Looking fondly down at Link, Sheik couldn’t help but be reminded of the ferocity with which he had been kissed earlier. He bit his lip, then shook his head slightly. If he wanted to ask a question, now seemed a good time to do it. “I have to ask… Have you ever thought about, ah…doing anything more than kissing with me?” He could feel the tips of his ears burning red, embarrassed. “I really don’t mind if you say no, of course. I was just…curious.”

     Link looked up, it taking a moment to fully register the meaning of the words. When they did, they hit him like a child riding a bike might hit the ground showing off that they could ride with no hands.

     “I-I um, I guess I haven’t! Not that I - not that I’m opposed-” he really wasn’t, “I’m, I really just haven’t thought…” He sat up straighter and turned to look at Sheik before needing to look away again.

     That.. was a loaded question.

     Physically or emotionally? The fact he had to make that distinction might be a problem within itself. He was rather comfortable with casual contact with those he was friendly with at one time, albeit a bit shyer if a romantic context was introduced. Somewhere it had started to go downhill. (Somewhere? He knew where.) Eventually he’d grown so used to being alone physical contact became rare, even if it was something he craved.

     “I guess.. It’s not discomfort so much as unfamiliarity.”

     Now that he thought about it, that really went for both physical and emotional intimacy didn’t it? The only difference was that being emotionally intimate was awkward in a whole new host of ways.

“Sometimes, yes. When you- when you left, I considered finding my way back. But that wouldn’t have helped anything, and I’m almost certain that I wouldn’t like what I found if I went back.” He sighed. “You know how brutal people can be. My poor village is likely just a heap of rubble by now…”

     Link scooted in closer and wrapped his arm around Sheik’s for closer intimacy. “If you ever need to know, I’m here for you.” He wouldn’t press the issue any further, Sheik would divulge more as he wished.

They walked in a companionable silence after that, until the building where the party was being held came into sight. “You brought your invitation, right?”

     He nodded. Although he was sure there was a list of names and he would be easily enough recognized, it was an upscale enough event that they liked to go through the performance of paper invitations. When they reached the door he pulled it out of his coat pocket. It was neatly folded in one half, the way he’d received it in the mail. He could at least pretend to be a part of the dignified, higher class.

     That.. was a loaded question.

     Physically or emotionally? The fact he had to make that distinction might be a problem within itself. He was rather comfortable with casual contact with those he was friendly with at one time, albeit a bit shyer if a romantic context was introduced. Somewhere it had started to go downhill. (Somewhere? He knew where.) Eventually he’d grown so used to being alone physical contact became rare, even if it was something he craved.

     “I guess.. It’s not discomfort so much as unfamiliarity.”

     Now that he thought about it, that really went for both physical and emotional intimacy didn’t it? The only difference was that being emotionally intimate was awkward in a whole new host of ways.

“You’ve no doubt noticed that I have none of your reservations about affection. Back home, people were a lot less reserved with each other. It was a small town, everyone was friends. Moving to this country was one hell of a change. Quite honestly, I still haven’t got used to it. Although… I am glad I moved when I did.” Sheik fell silent for a moment, sighing. Barely a month after he’d moved here with his aunt, war had broken out in the country. “It’s near impossible to get any news about my home town these days.”

     “I’m sorry to hear that.” He continued to gaze at Sheik, taking in every movement and facial gesture as though he were memorizing this encounter. It was an unintentional, methodical assessment of the situation, much how he approached all situations now. A habit he may never shake, or simply a new view on the world.

     That.. was a loaded question.

     Physically or emotionally? The fact he had to make that distinction might be a problem within itself. He was rather comfortable with casual contact with those he was friendly with at one time, albeit a bit shyer if a romantic context was introduced. Somewhere it had started to go downhill. (Somewhere? He knew where.) Eventually he’d grown so used to being alone physical contact became rare, even if it was something he craved.

     “I guess.. It’s not discomfort so much as unfamiliarity.”

     Now that he thought about it, that really went for both physical and emotional intimacy didn’t it? The only difference was that being emotionally intimate was awkward in a whole new host of ways.

He was cut off, then, by the kiss. Sheik leaned into it with a smile, threading his fingers happily through Link’s hair. This was certainly a good way to relieve the dark cloud that came with talking about his family. “I love you too,” he finally managed. “I know life hasn’t been easy on either of us, but you…you’ve been through so much. Please, don’t be afraid of doing or saying anything you want to me.”

     Link waved his hand. “I feel as though we’re always talking about me.” He wanted to hear more about Sheik, and not only as a distraction from himself. He leaned an elbow against the cough and rested his cheek on one hand.

“So… What exactly are you winning this award for?” Sheik looked over at the shorter man, curious. “I know you’re a genius piano player, but a good writer, too? You never told me that…”

     “Just a short piece I composed for an event.” The other award winners were a journalist, book writer, and reporter if he remembered correctly. “The one I played at the children’s hospital.” He was fairly sure Sheik had been at that one, he made a point of coming to as many as possible. It wasn’t even that hard as he wasn’t attending that many due to his night job. He put a finger to his lip thoughtfully.

“I wanted to come so that you won’t be standing there awkwardly alone. Everyone else has probably brought a date, too.” Sheik fiddled with the tie himself, loosening it just a little. These stiff formal clothes were making him feel antsy. “Cucco’s in bed for the evening, he has food and water, everything’s locked…”

He trailed off, taking a deep breath. No need to fret- it was just a party. “Come on, then.” He extended an arm to Link, a smile coming to his lips despite himself. “Let’s go and stand in a corner together, shall we?”

    “Probably,” he hummed. Award winners were probably a ticket item among those looking for a good partner. It usually meant that person was an upstanding citizen and not a criminal. Ha.

     “You’re the one who wanted to come, though I’m not sure why.” Link helped fix the tie around Sheik’s neck. These parties were definitely a bit stuffy, but it would be stranger for Link not to show up. It was a party to congratulate the award winners. He hadn’t entered any contests or even tried for anything, but somehow he’d been awarded some sort of small scale Pulitzer Prize.

He stood up, bending down to hook his fingers underneath Cucco’s collar. “I’m sure you don’t want to be woken up by a dog drooling on you, so I’ll send him to bed in the kitchen. Sleep well, Link…” Sheik paused, considering bending down to kiss him on the cheek, and decided against it. “I’ll see you in the morning…”