#lu courage

︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶

ᰔᩚ Hyrule is generally one of the more insecure Links in the chain, but there are certain things that will light a fire under him

ᰔᩚ Courage is one of them

ᰔᩚ Though he may not consider himself the greatest swordsman, or a true “hero,” (despite what others tell him) he can at least pride himself on his morals

ᰔᩚ Being chivalrous, doing noble acts, always showing good character, those are his best qualities! 

ᰔᩚ How can someone who claims to be his equal be so careless about such things? 

ᰔᩚ Sure, Courage also does “noble deeds” and “heroic acts” but he’s… he’s uncouth! Hyrule doesn’t want to share his likeness

ᰔᩚ And what’s worse, is you still want to be around him!

ᰔᩚ You sit with him by the fire, you laugh at his jokes, and you even baby him when he’s begging for attention

ᰔᩚ He didn’t always have this sense of…rivalry with Courage

ᰔᩚ Sure he didn’t really like the guy, but he had never felt truly threatened by him

ᰔᩚ It all started when you tapped your chin one day, staring at them both in consideration

︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶

“You know… in legend, you both are depicted as the same hero!” 

Courage and Hyrule both flinched, seeming equally shocked and disturbed by the idea. 

“What?” Courage puts a hand on his chest, “Sweetheart, I’m a lot better than he is. Not only have I taken on Ganon, but I’ve seen personally to the defense of the princess, and her castle!” He crosses his arms and starts to list off all of his heroic deeds, as if trying to one-up Hyrule. 

Hyrule blinks in surprise, staring at you. “But…how can that be? We...hold on, I fought Ganon too!" He frowns, turning to glare at Courage.

"Maybe, but did you do it multiple times?"

"No...that just proves you didn't do the job the first time!"

"Why, you...!"

It took a while to calm them down.

︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶

Hyrule crossed his arms. "How could this be...? We have taken on different beasts. I’m not even sure how close we are in eras.” He frowned thoughtfully, though he didn't have quite as nasty an expression as Courage did.

You hummed, “You must be fairly close in era. Or maybe the timeline branched with you two? Your kingdoms look very similar to each other. You even share the same likeness!”

They turned to stare at each other then, looking for similarities. It was true. Of all the Links in the Chain, they looked like they could be brothers. Hyrule’s hair was a bit lighter, and Courage’s features were a bit stronger, but even down to the tunics they were wearing, they looked alike. 

“I can’t believe this! That can’t be true.” Courage stands. “Are you sure you read the books right, Y/N? Maybe we were just… within a few hundred years of each other!” 

You shook your head, amused at his vehement rejection. “You’re definitely the same. I mean, you're both hailed as the Hero of Hyrule. Have you ever wondered why all your gear is the same? You guys must have been from the same kingdom!” 

Hyrule stares off into the distance, seeming to contemplate everything he thought he ever knew. 

“So we are… associated with each other’s deeds?” He murmurs, looking at you.

You chuckled. “You might as well be the same person!” You said jokingly. 

They did not think it was funny.

︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶

ᰔᩚ Hyrule wants to prove to you that he’s the better of the two

ᰔᩚ He puts in more effort around camp, he pays more attention during group planning, he even offers to do things for you like cooking (much to everyone’s dismay)

ᰔᩚ And you kiss him, and you tell him thank you, and it makes his heart flutter and his ears wiggle in happiness

ᰔᩚ ...Until Courage shows up

ᰔᩚ What Courage lacks in experience he makes up for in passion

ᰔᩚ He'll recite poetry to you, bring you flowers, offer sweet acts of service like helping you brush your hair or getting dressed in the morning (for your own sake, deny that last one)

ᰔᩚ You can't help but blush from his attentions, which makes Hyrule feel like he needs to try even harder

ᰔᩚ It gets to the point that they're stepping over each other to reach you first. Gods forbid you say you're hungry, cold, anything, because they'll be racing to you to help

ᰔᩚ "Do you need my tunic?" / "I have some leftover food in my pack..."

ᰔᩚ And naturally, they're always taking the opportunity to show off

ᰔᩚ Winding down at camp may consist of shedding a few more layers than normal, and sparring may include a little more...flexing

ᰔᩚ But at the end of it all, what matters is who manages to sidle up to you first, mumbling about tiredness and asking to be held

ᰔᩚ Be it Hyrule, who will lay his head against your collar, mindful of his breaths against your skin

ᰔᩚ Or be it Courage, who will drape himself across your shoulders and let his hand rest suspiciously close to a place it doesn't need to be

ᰔᩚ Either way, they'll be happy just to be beside you

Courage, along with Korodai to some degree, is an absolute sucker for affection and that’s all because of his Zelda - just in a backwards way.

See, the thing with Courage and his Zelda is - if we assume the cartoon is completely canon - that they eventually fell into a very predictable cycle that didn’t end until he eventually left to join the Chain and met you. The two of them would face whatever problem Ganon sent their way, bickering all the while, and then he’d go in for a kiss, only to get interrupted.

He’s gotten kisses from Zelda before, he’s gotten hugs and affection from her on a few occasions in fact, but it’s always something he has to earn. He can’t just say “can I have a kiss” and she’ll just give him one without getting embarrassed or offended.

It’s not like this is some great moral failing on her part, but it does mean that Courage ends up being used to half-jokingly asking for some shred of physical affection only to be met with instant rejection. He doesn’t mind, he’s used to this kind of reaction, he’s prepared for this kind of reaction.

What he is not used to is being given what he asks for without any hesitation.

The first time it happens it’s a complete shock to his system, he asks for a kiss and gets one pressed against his cheek almost instantly. And when that happens he’s left standing there for a second, wide eyed and still as a statue, before he blushes and stutters like he’s never been touched before.

And the thing is, it isn’t the kiss itself that makes him so flustered, it’s how easily he’s given it by you. There was no groan or hesitation or anything that indicated that you were doing it begrudgingly.

He asked for a kiss and he got the kiss, and he got it with you being completely willing and even happy to do so.

In the moment, Courage does his best to brush this off with his usual banter and demeanor, but the moment stays in the back of his mind as he keeps replaying it over and over and over. It’s pretty much the only thing that he can think about when he’s around you, wondering if that was just a one time thing.

Eventually, Courage decides to take a risk and ask once more for a kiss, he even points to the cheek you kissed last time. And just like before, you spare him that sliver of affection without a second thought, and he understands that this isn’t a fluke.

It isn’t a world changing revelation by any means but it sets him on the path to moving on from his Zelda with you.

Of course, this doesn’t just end with Courage being simply smitten with you as he treads down a path of unrelenting obsession.

By the time Courage reaches the peak of his madness, he pretty much requires your affection to function. If he feels like he hasn’t received the normal amount of attention from you he’ll become paranoid and spiral inside his own mind, wondering if you’re tired of him.

But instead of confronting you about this, Courage falls back onto old habits and decides that this just means that he needs to prove himself worthy of your love! At the end of the day you may find him returning to camp with either an animal carcass or a token he scavenged from whatever beast he encountered while out.

All the while he has this expectant look on his face, like he’s waiting for you to praise him and give him a hug for all the hard work he did.

If you do, great! Now you have a blood covered, lovesick hero following you around for the remainder of the night(until you force him to go wash up). If you don’t, that’s fine, just don’t be surprised when his attempts to earn your praise become increasingly more outlandish and brutal.

Though, since he’s completely desperate for your approval, you shouldn’t keep him working too long cause it’ll really begin to show from how little he’s sleeping to the deranged muttering under his breath.

So here are those headcanons!

- Courage was a street rat who earned a name for himself by using his street smarts to provide for himself. He was noticed by the royal family and initially hired to be a guard in the Castle. After learning Courage is the hero he left to travel and adventure.

- Korodai was similarly poor and orphaned but worked his way up through the Church of Hylia, not taking any serious vows but still training to be the Hyrulian equivalent of a monk who can kick ass(so like a knight for the church). He was still pretty goofy and silly though in spite of his intelligence.

- The people in the church learned he was the hero and sent him to the Royal Family where he continued his training. Korodai’s journey in “Faces of Evil” is his first official journey.

- Courage is incredibly strong, similar to Twilight except even moreso. People don’t really see this coming because of his lackadaisical and unserious nature, they don’t expect him to actually be that powerful.

- Because of his history on the streets, Courage never knew how to properly interact with nobility and royalty, which is how his “love-hate” relationship with Wisdom(his Zelda) started. He was attracted to her but she didn’t like how he had no manners and thus started the cycle.

- Both Korodai and Courage are exceptionally clever and resourceful.

(….And if one is around, so is the other. They are a duo! )

——-

Im sure Calamity/Soldier (I call him Cal) is very much the silent stalker yandere.

I feel like he can’t feel himself being able to fit in with the chain.

Because all of them are heroes, but the Master Sword doesnt even answer to him.

Or at least hasn’t said a word.

Basically all of these guys around him are accomplished but well, him? He’s not so special. The only way he knows how is to be darling's shadow.

And therefore follow them and around?

Maybe he’s learned some manners being the princess' guard, so he treats darling like royalty and their word is law hahaha.

———-

Sage? Overprotective to the max.

If Sage is Wild but hasn’t met darling until his third adventure, I think he would be very willing to see darling as a goddess easier.

In his eyes, she’d be unlike anyone he’s ever known. This reverence might show in small ways, he’s always gentle with her, speaks to her with the utmost respect, and sometimes catches himself just watching her in quiet awe, as if he can’t believe she’s real.

Cuz Darling would be like a breath of fresh air for him since everyone around him took advantage of him or only cared about him being the hero.

he’d also have possessive streak that he keeps under tight control, but any hint of jealousy unleashes it. If he sees someone getting too close to Darling, he’d be tempted to step in immediately, but hold back with a calm, collected demeanor.

His icy gaze speaks volumes though.

Darling is worth any sacrifice, and he makes it clear that he would do anything to keep her safe, even if it means his own life. (Though (y/n) is definitely working on fixing that mentality if she is aware of it.)

Her presence alone eases the burdens he’s carried for so long, helping him feel grounded and human in a way he hasn’t experienced in years.

After years of being questioned or pushed to his limits, Sage finally finds someone whose judgment he respects without question.

If she tells him to rest or take a step back, he listens, even if every fiber of his being wants to protect her.

Though, he’s the type to stay up until she falls asleep, keeping a silent watch over her to ensure nothing can disturb her rest.

———

First feels like the one who’s more jaded than Legend??? Kinda?

Because compared to Legend, First canonically points out how he’s only used for convenience when he’s really needed.

Hmmm...I personal always imagine First being very soft spoken (well, when he wasn't angered to the point of raising his voice)

Not super soft spoken, not like he’s a fragile person, but very calming to hear.

And he loves every part of her, even if it pains him to see her in any negative/unhappy state.

Would he want to show her the true depth of his loyalty and love? Absolutely.

But he'd also want her comforted and happy.

If she ever drifts off to sleep in his arms, he's whispering all his words to her. All the things he'd held back on saying when she was conscious.

They'd be intense, overwhelming, very very...well...Yandere. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

If she heard it, she'd definitely be frightened by the weight behind it.

But he waits until she's deeply asleep to do so. Maybe a small part of his hoping a small part of her acknowledges his words, even if he'd rather her not be aware what atrocities he'd commit in order to protect her.

First may be jaded, but he keeps his darker thoughts deeply buried. He despises anyone who threatens her happiness, his face a mask of calm while his heart seethes with unspoken rage. (You know how everyone agrees Sky has a scary face when angered? That’s First, he rivals Sky with his scariness except it’s colder.)

Behind the scenes, he’d handle any threat swiftly, never letting it reach her attention.

———

Shadow. He gives me vibes where he likes to cause harm for the fun of it. He enjoys causing chaos and despair and taunts people.

But he also yearns for companionship.

Shadow gets an undeniable thrill from causing chaos. He knows how to push buttons and stoke insecurities, loving the reactions he pulls from people.

But he’d be surprisingly gentle around (y/n), changing his dark sense of humor just a bit to make her smile.

When (y/n) pays attention to someone else, Shadow sulks like a petulant child. He’s prone to shooting them glares, muttering under his breath, and might even playfully (or not so playfully) trip them up just to remind her where her focus should be.

Shadow has no filter around people he doesn’t like, especially if they’re close to (y/n). His sarcasm can cut like a knife, and he won’t hesitate to call them out in the most biting way possible if he senses even a hint of a threat.

Shadow has a talent for inconveniencing others while staying just on the edge of innocence with (y/n). It could be someone’s drink spilling, their cloak tripping them up (or down a flight of stairs), or anything that paints them as awkward or foolish in front of her. He finds it hilariously satisfying.

Shadow wants to be the only one who can make (y/n) laugh, surprise her, or put a smile on her face. If someone else manages to get a genuine laugh out of her, he sees it as a challenge, scheming immediately about how he’ll one up them next time.

He’s not above showing his irritation in front of her if she’s giving too much attention to someone else. A muttered, “What, are they that funny?” or a dramatic sigh as he stands just a little too close, casting glances that all but scream “notice me instead.”