#wombatking

That did it. The steps stopped and Link’s shoulders stiffened, but Zelda didn’t expect the sudden dark, anger that flared in his eyes.  The expression was one she’d seen only a few times and each moment made the hairs on her arms and neck stand on end, sending a chill down her spine. Like staring into the eyes of a hunting wolf. Mouth suddenly dry, Zelda bit her lip, nervous. She knew this look. It was the look he’d given every enemy that was seconds away from meeting the end at the tip of his blade. 

“....Link?” She pressed, now tentative and regretting her earlier words. Did her words truly warrant such anger?

“Even Knights know when to rest.”  Link stated, his voice gruff from disuse. During the rare times he spoke, his voice always crackled as if he’d just woken, but the tone wasn’t unpleasant to hear. Under normal circumstances, Zelda would have been pleased to have finally heard it, but the mood had shifted and the tense expression he’d fixed on her felt like a smaller cage than the one his arms presented. “Uh,” She tried to find the right words, finding they’d suddenly left her at his willingness to speak and she swallowed, “What do you mean? Of course they would.”

He didn’t respond, not immediately. Instead, the gaze that trapped her speech swept away and Zelda relaxed. How monsters or other warriors could face Link without the slightest hint of intimidation was a marvel to her, even the Yiga had faltered under the strength of his gaze, but the other champions?  Perhaps it was a shared trait among soldiers… her inquisitive mind was starting to follow a path of thoughts and questions that could have kept her quietly distracted for hours, if not for the current predicament. That being the humid heat of the sun beating down on them and the arms still encased around her. Zelda revived her earlier ire, prepared to start wriggling again, when Link changed direction, steps taking them to a nearby rock shrine beneath a tree. The incline made his movements less smooth and Zelda’s fingers gripped the blue champions tunic reflexively. “Hold on, this is the wrong direction, what are you doing?”

She didn’t expect an answer, but it came a second later as he continued his advance, “We’re taking a break.” “- but we still have a ways to go to reach the others,” Zelda protested, craning her neck to look behind them back towards the beaten path, “They’ll miss us! Besides, I’m not tired, since you’ve been so inclined to carry me this entire ti-”

“I am.”

She paused. “You’re what?”

His lips curved into the barest hint of a bemused smile, but he didn’t stop to look at her. “Tired.”

“Oh.” Well, that was a different story. A strange moment of guilt washed over her as she struggled with that news. Somehow, it had never occurred to Zelda that Link could get fatigued at all. He seemed to always just move forward, never undaunted even by her own tantrums. 

Besides, ‘whose fault is it that he won't let me down? That’s right, his! So of course he’s tired since he’s too stubborn to let me -’

No. No. That wasn’t right was it? As much as Zelda complained, the quiet voice in the back of her head knew better. If she’d paid more attention, had been more careful while examining the recent shrine they’d come across… If she hadn’t missed a step and fallen, leaving Link to dive to her aid, unable to prevent the damage to her ankle…. Truth be told, and Zelda knew it to be true, any exhaustion on Link’s part was her fault. 

It failed to cross her mind, not until later, that this was the first time he’d admitted to anything that could be seen as ‘weak’ by others. Missing this change in Link’s demeanor towards her, Zelda stewed in her inner battle against pride and guilt right until he sat her down on the rocks, directly under the shade of the tree beside them. Clouds were rolling in to create more shade, but the heat continued to be stifling, she appreciated the slight protection of the sun regardless.

“Not… the most proper of seats,” Zelda muttered, considering what would happen if she attempted to stand. The way Link shifted next to her answered the unasked question. Any attempt to move would end in him setting her right back down again. 

It was hard to resist pouting. So she didn’t.

“It’s not good on your foot.” Link agreed, kneeling down to examine the swollen ankle with intense eyes. “We need to elevate it.” Glancing around, as if hoping a stool or properly sized rock would appear on cue, he ran his fingers through his hair in exasperation. 

“We can always do that once we’re back at camp,” Zelda said, shifting her weight on the rock as she struggled with the urge to pat Link’s shoulder. “I’m sure Impa will have lots to say about it.”

Link snorted, attention now on something in the grass. He turned his back on her to shuffle around and Zelda leaned as far as she could to see what could have distracted him. No such luck. Unable to see what Link was doing, he whirled back to face her with an excited gleam in his eye, hands holding a Restless Cricket for her to see. “Oh!” Her hands automatically moved to grasp the Sheikah Slate on her hip, pulling up the camera functions with ease, “that’s wonderful. I haven’t had a chance to capture one of these! They’re so hard to find-”

Picture taken, Link grinned, holding it closer for her to examine with her own eyes, excitement filling her. They looked rather.. Odd. And while many girls would shriek at the sight of a bug, Zelda found herself fascinated above all. “Did you know these can also be cooked to provide all sorts of abilities for someone when ingested?” Link grimaced, hands retracting slightly as if to save the cricket from her experimenting mind. It reminded her of the frog she had presented before him a week ago. He’d made the same expression. She laughed and pressed his hands from her, too amused to do much else. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to make you taste it.” For now, she added in her mind, giggling into her hand.  “Besides, if I tried to now, I’d only exacerbate my swollen ankle, and then you’ll never let me walk again!”

A few beats of a second passed between them and Link’s fingers loosened, allowing the startled cricket to hop away into the grass. He didn’t try to recapture it. Link’s gaze was far too busy meeting Zelda’s as he watched her laugh. She felt it, but the earlier tension was gone and this stare only filled her with warmth. Matching her smile with a lopsided one of his own, Link moved to rest his back against the rock, glancing out to the skies above them as he watched the clouds and wind rustle through the tree. It took Zelda a moment to realize that her consternation had long subsided and the need to stand was no longer there. She had to admit, the break was doing her leg some good, and Link’s relaxed shoulders made everything feel peaceful. A strange peace that couldn’t last, but she’d absorb the feeling into her memory and hold it tight. 

She rarely saw Link change his expression, or relax for any period at a time. There was always something to do, somewhere to be, people to put on a face towards. They didn’t have the time for luxuries. That knowledge froze the warmth in her heart, and Zelda’s frown renewed. Would there come a time where they could ever just… be themselves? 

The thought was interrupted by Link’s own sigh, as he nudged his shoulder against her leg; something she’d never have allowed a month ago, but was now a welcome touch. “Sorry, I was lost in my thoughts again, wasn’t I?”

He shrugged, eyes still searching her own for the worries that plagued her, before he looked out again, voice coming in quiet through the wind. “You’re the most capable person I’ve met.”

Zelda’s heart stilled, then sped up as heat flashed across her face. Staring at the back of his head, she wondered if she’d heard him correctly or if some strange illness had taken root in her ears to feed her words that didn’t exist. “- I am?” The doubt was there. A quiet, festering thing that latched onto her at every moment, but still, there was hope. And that hope sat beside her, with words barely said, but when he did choose to speak, they always held a treasure.  Link didn’t look at her this time, choosing to keep his gaze forward as the barest glimpse of pink graced the tips of his ears. Adorable came to Zelda’s mind, but she squashed the thought down and waited for Link’s reply with bated breath. ‘Please. Say something. Just a little more.’

He did, the curve of his lips seen barely, “You’re also the most stubborn.”

“Now, hold on! That’s a little unfair, don’t you think?” Zelda’s face felt as hot as the sun as she nudged him with her good foot. The reproach did nothing to harden his features, as she was too busy biting back a laugh to sound half as insulted as she acted.  Link chuckled, voice rumbling through his frame as he dodged another nudge from her foot and moved away from her, standing up to greet the rolling clouds darkening the sky.

Cassie got bruises, scrapes, and scars all the time. She never thought twice about it. If anything, the fact she was always roughed up was just a physical reminder about how strong and resilient she was, able to resist injury and still manage to work up the courage and fight. Cissie wasn’t as blessed. Even being physically fit wasn’t enough to push her body beyond human limitations, and so, Cissie understood if something went wrong to a good enough degree, she could break a limb, LOSE a limb, or even lose her life. She was often paranoid about it, being overzealous when it came to checking out and treating herself when something seemed off. She knew basic first aid to compensate for that, even though she was only one out of two non-superpowered heroes. And Tim did a good job at avoiding debilitating injuries, somehow. Either that or she just had horrible luck. 

Regardless, Cassie wasn’t immune to injuries. Resistance didn’t mean immunity. But she often took it for granted, and when she found herself limping after a close fight, Cissie looked at her weird. 

“What’s wrong?” Cassie’s brow lifted, glancing over at the archer as she walked towards the couch. Cissie sighed, hanging her head down and shaking it, like she was disappointed.

“Something’s wrong with your leg. You’re limping.” Cissie pointed to the other female’s bruised leg. It looked fine on the surface, but with the way the girl was moving, it had to have been painful, at least jostled out of place. 

“Huh?” Cassie looked down at her own leg like it was a foreign object. She moved it side to side, and did feel a sharp pain, wincing a little at the action. Just as quickly she looked back up at her girlfriend and shrugged, finishing her trek to the couch and throwing herself onto the cushioned surface without a care.

“You can’t just ignore it, Cass!” Cissie exclaimed suddenly, coming over and planting her hands on her hips. 

“I mean, I could. What’s the harm in it? It’s probably just a bad bruise, it’ll go away in a few days. I heal fast.” Cassie dismissed her.

“If you don’t get it checked out and properly cared for it could end up damaging the leg permanently. It’s not something you want to put off.” The archer sat next to her girlfriend and laid a supportive hand on the other girl’s thigh, glancing up at her with concern in her eyes.

“Don’t look at me like that!” Cassie’s face erupted in a blush and she looked away in a sheepish manner, feeling put on the spot. Cissie laughed in response, but her expression went back to being serious in a matter of seconds. 

“Alright, fine, I’ll get it looked at. But if it’s fine and you’re just overreacting, then you owe me.” Cassie said, putting a hand on Cissie’s and smiling in a knowing way.

“And when you’re wrong?” Cissie replied, just as confident. 

“Then I’ll do whatever you want me to. A cast, crutches….bandages, whatever else they do for that kind of stuff.” 

“Deal.” 

“Alright, then I guess I should-” Cassie was about to stand up, but before she could, Cissie bolted up and swooped the other girl off her feet, carrying her bridal-style. Cassie yelped in surprise, urgently maneuvering her hands around her girlfriend, trying to hold on and not suddenly fall.

“W-what’re you doing?!” Cassie gulped, beyond confused and startled.

“You didn’t really think I’d let you walk, did you?” Cissie raised a brow, quirking a smile. 

Cassie sighed. This would be a long day. 

---

After a long wait in the emergency department waiting room, a somewhat painful examination and an x-ray later, the results were conclusive: Cassie’s foot was broken. Cissie said variations of “I told you so!” all the way back to HQ, Cassie was never going to hear the end of it. Even though the nagging was somewhat annoying, Cassie knew it all was good-natured. Cissie cared for her deeply, and wouldn't go this far for many other people. If it had been Kon or Anita who had injured their foot, Cissie might’ve said something once or twice, but this was Cassie; her girlfriend, the light of her life. Of course she’d bicker with the amazonian until she’d get it checked out. It all came from Cissie’s gigantic, tender heart. 

The limitations were insane! The doctor told Cassie to stay off her feet for at least two weeks, and if she had to do any form of heavy physical movement, she would have to use two clunky crutches that were a ugly gray color. Plus, they were uncomfortable, and made her underarms hurt. She was benched for the meantime, and for someone who thrived off of physical feats, Cassie felt like this was a form of punishment she didn’t deserve. Plus, this meant that she’d be bored out of her mind. And having to rely on someone else to do everything for you made Cassie feel like she lost her independence. Sure, maybe she had a troublesome relationship with asking for help, everyone on this team did, but this made her feel extremely useless. Like she had extra baggage. And to have Cissie insist she’d take care of her? How embarrassing!

When they got inside, Cissie lowered her unhappy girlfriend onto the couch, trying to be as gentle as possible. Despite this, Cassie’s expression was one of extreme annoyance. She didn’t want to be babied. She had things to do, she was a superhero for christ’s sake!

Cissie stood up to full height and wiped off some sweat from her brow, resting her hands on her hips.

“If I was too heavy to carry, I could’ve walked.” Cassie commented, frowning at the fact Cissie seemed tired and worked to the brink of exhaustion.

“You heard the doctor, Cass. No walking unless it’s necessary.” Cissie reminded her, and the amazonian rolled her eyes. “Besides, you’re not heavy, I was just a little rusty.  The last time I had to carry someone was...well...never. I’m usually the one being carried. Since most of you guys can fly or run, or….have other modes of transportation.” 

Cassie’s expression softened. Oh, right. Cissie did usually have to rely on the others when it came to things like that. A bit of a pit formed in her stomach, and she felt a little ridiculous being upset over this all. 

“But….y’know, I don’t want to be a burden…” Cassie ran her hand through her bangs, sighing. 

“You’re not a burden, don’t ever think that!” Cissie quickly supplied. She pursed her lips, before coming forward and planting a chaste kiss on the other blonde’s forward. Cassie blushed, but she involuntarily smiled, and Cissie giggled at the action. 

“Besides, we barely get time together.” Cissie sat down next to her girlfriend, before shifting a pillow underneath the girl’s foot and helping move the casted limb into place. “Think of it as just….a date. A weird date, but a date nonetheless.” 

“Not the most traditionally-styled date but I guess it’ll do…” Cassie joked, earning a grin from the other. 

“But like….what do we do if I can’t move around? Doesn’t that weed out like every fun activity ever?” Cassie turned to the archer, frowning. 

“I think you’re thinking too much into it. Sure, we can’t go roller skating or go to an arcade, but that doesn’t mean you’re doomed to be bored for the next two weeks. Let’s get creative, then. What do you normally do when you’re stuck inside for days on end? I’m sure you’ve had times like this. I know I did.” 

“I don’t know….” Cassie looked down, eyes focused on her knees for no particular reason. She had to really wrack her brain to find something fun and exciting she could do while being confined to the couch. 

“Well, we could watch a movie.” Cissie began. As she started talking, the archer took her index finger and starting at Cassie’s lower leg, began tracing her finger against the other girl’s skin, giving Cassie goosebumps. “Or we could play video games, read gossip magazines,...” Cissie was up to the girl’s stomach, Cassie literally on the edge of her seat, face bright red, “....or, y’know, other stuff…” Cissie ended with; her bow lips pulled into a cheeky grin. 

“Y-yeah, like….puzzles. Or somethin’.” Cassie blurted out, unsure how to respond.

Cissie paused, raising an eyebrow. But after a moment of unsure silence, Cissie broke out into laughter, wrapping her arms around Cassie and leaning her head against the taller’s chest. 

“Yeah, like puzzles.” Cissie repeated, amused.

“But a movie sounds….good. I think. I might get antsy about not being able to move around but I guess I’ll have to get used to that.” Cassie redirects the conversation, hoping less attention on her would get her face to stop glowing red like a goddamn Christmas tree. 

“I know it isn’t as exciting as joining the gang and going on some other-wordly adventure, but hopefully my company’s decent enough.” Cissie twirled a lock of golden hair with her finger, glancing up at Cassie expectantly.

“Of course you’re enough, you’re more than enough. I love my friends, but no one would go out of their way to help me like you do.” Cassie smiles warmly, leaning forward to peck the other girl on the cheek, before she goes back to her original position, lingering for a second before she puts her hand over the archer’s and gives it a reassuring squeeze. 

“And y’know, I get it, okay?” Cissie begins, blue eyes locking onto Cassie’s, wanting to be as genuine as possible, “I get what it feels like to be a “liability” to other people. Thinking they’d be better off without you because you aren’t enough or you aren’t ideal.” She sighs, resting her head on the other’s shoulder, peering down. “You don’t think the only “normal” person on the team doesn’t feel like an outlier compared to their teammates who have superpowers? I could be flawless at archery, but that wouldn’t give me super strength, or the power of flight, or the ability to run super fast!” 

“Tim’s normal too.” Cassie adds, albeit softly.

“He’s got a multimillionaire as an adopted Dad. Batman could probably buy him superpowers!” Cissie argues, and Cassie raises her hands up in defeat, not wanting to defend her stance. 

“What I’m trying to get at is you’re not a burden to me right now and if anyone would understand that kind of feeling, it’d be me. Hell, I kind of enjoy the fact you’re “grounded” right now. It gives me more time with you. To do like, normal couple stuff.” 

“What classifies as “normal couple stuff?” Cassie questions, wanting to be supportive but frankly understanding nothing of what was just implied.

“I mean, I guess I don’t really know? But we can find out? Wing it?” Cissie shrugs in response, unsure how to follow up her answer. “I think what I mean is just hang out one on one. Without being on some sort of mission or not having the safety of Earth or innocent people resting in our hands in between it all. I like that now and again but taking it slow and easy is good too. And I think you’d benefit from some rest.”

“Alright, well, it’s not like I’m going anywhere.” Cassie reached over and behind the archer’s head to inch her arm around her girlfriend, pulling Cissie in. Cissie grinned, scooching closer and looking up at the other with a dreamy-glaze to her eyes.

Sure, this would be somewhat unprecedented for them. And Cassie had no idea how she would survive being benched like this and almost coddled. But, she supposed, if there was anyone she’d want to be there with in this sort of situation, it would be Cissie. So, thinking forward, Cassie grabbed the TV remote from where it sat next to her and turned on the TV.