This isn't a TLOZ account at all. I've literally only beaten BOTW (I've played other Zelda's though). I just love Link a lot and have nobody to talk to about this so I have to scream to the void and the 3 people that might listen.

Anyway, this is mostly a thing I see outside of Tumblr (I think tumblr is more accepting of diverse HCs and fanficy stuff like this in general). But I hate that when mute!Link is brought up there's people who immediately go "ermm he DOES talk, it's just not voiced!" and "him being mute isn't canon" blah blah blah. Like, Brother, have you ever heard of a headcanon?? I''m apart of the 1% of gamers that love silent protagonist. I love coming up with reasons for their silence as well as how they communicate with people. Link being silent adds depth to his character & how he interacts with the world around him. Plus it's fun to interpret his in-game silence in different ways.

But NOOO let's not think outside the box or have a fun and interesting discussion about how the games would look with this mute!Link perspective. Let's just spew the same 5 arguments about if it's canon or not and not have any fun.

I CANT TAKE IT! A lot of this discourse has popped up for me because of the Zelda Movie. I know it would never happen, but I think Link not speaking in the movie would be interesting; not because it's "canon/not canon", but because I think it would be an interesting and different way to tell a story. Especially if you have Link sign! Having ASL rep in such a big movie for such a big franchise would be so cool (it'd also be cool rep for kids to get them interested in learning sign language). Especially if it's gonna be live action (which is a whole other can of worms), then the opportunity is right there!

But even outside of the movie, it's just an interesting headcanon ffs. Like I've heard so many cool things such as him learning to sign from the Zoras, that this person headcanoned, use it for underwater communication, to Link using his sheika slate to communicate. So many cool ideas. IDK why people have this primal urge to go to war on behalf of Link speaking. And it wouldn't be an issue if these people didn't infiltrate every god damn mute!Link mention with "ermm he DOES speak tho!" OK WE GET IT! Just let people have fun 😭

-@kerto-p 💕

Almost done all of these prompts! This was super fun to write, thanks @kerto-p!

A startled scream pierced the calm air of the late morning. Link leaped upright, spurred to action by the sound and almost breaking down the door of Zelda’s study in his haste to get to her side. He jumped to her side, scanning frantically for any sign of threat. Yiga? Could they have tried to assassinate her from here?

“Link what on earth are you doing?” Zelda demanded, tugging at the corner of his tunic. He glanced back at her, raising an eyebrow in question. 

“Link, I’m fine. What in Hylia’s name possessed you?” 

[You screamed] he signed carefully, one hand still clenching the hilt of the master sword. 

“Did I?” she said, looking puzzled for a moment. “Oh! Oh my goodness, no, I was just excited because I found a new circuit layout that would increase energy efficiency for the skywatcher guardians.”

His shoulders relaxed. Of course she was safe. There had never been any physical threats made to Zelda within the castle walls, certainly not within her study. But the Yiga attack from a few months ago still had him on edge. He hadn’t slept well ever since...

He was suddenly aware of Zelda snaking her arms around his waist, pressing a soft kiss to the back of his neck. “My brave knight, flying in to rescue me, I should of course show him how much I appreciate his attentiveness...” 

He turned around, catching her lips with his own. He didn’t think he could ever get used to this - he still felt electric shivers every time she kissed him, not quite believing that the princess, this goddess incarnate, could ever share his affections. And yet here he was, kissing the princess, her research journal discarded off to one side as he lifted her up onto her desk, hands running up and down her thighs. She moaned into his mouth, and oh, his knees trembled with the rush of emotions she brought out in him.

*ahem*

Zelda broke off the kiss with a gasp of horror. “Impa!” 

The Sheikah woman leaned against the doorframe of the princess’ study, trying and failing to suppress a smirk. “I was going to ask if you wanted to get lunch together before I accompany you to the lab this afternoon, but I can go if you’d prefer...”

“No no, that’s quite all right! Lunch is fine!” Zelda blustered, trying to compose herself as she jumped off the desk and smoothed down her skirts. “We can go, the company would be most welcome.” She regained her usual royal poise, only slightly marred by the blush still colouring her cheeks. 

The three made their way back down the corridor to the dining hall, Zelda marching forward and resolutely not looking behind her. Impa slowed to walk beside Link, signing [So you took my advice?]

He grinned, nodding as he signed back [it turns out you were right all along.]

[And how long was it between you actually talking to her and...this happening?]

[Almost immediately] he signed with a small flourish of pride that made Impa bark a laugh.

1- selectively mute due to trauma/ptsd- my personal favorite headcanon

2- simply a man of few words (action > talking)

3- born deaf and chooses not to verbally talk

4- damaged voice box due to injury (maybe a really bad fight?)

5- damaged ears due to injury (like an explosion or something)