multidisciplinary: (๐ŸŒป 044)
แดขแด‡สŸแด…แด€ ([personal profile] multidisciplinary) wrote in [community profile] escordvi2024-08-30 10:43 pm
Entry tags:

log ๐ŸŒป in the absence of sunshine

Who: Zelda and Darin
Status: Closed
Where: Zelda's apartment on Eltrut
What: (Backdated to August 15) The aftermath of their fight with Ganondorf the previous night.
Warnings: Major injury, probably some PTSD, and other such warnings that come with hurt/comfort threads (edit: now with themes of self sacrifice, self loathing, and some surprise UST ๐ŸŒถ๏ธ)



[ These past twenty-four hours have been the longest, slowest hours Zelda has had to wait through in a very long time. After her century sealing Calamity Ganon, the princess has developed patience in spades-- in stark contrast to how she was before the Calamity. But now, that patience seems to have evaporated and she feels just like that girl she once was, standing impatiently for hours in the Goddess's springs straining to hear Her voice. Time passes with agonizing slowness, and each hour that Darin does not wake feels somehow slower than the last.

Zelda has seen firsthand how quickly his injuries heal, no matter how severe. When she rescued him from the ocean after his fight with Garuda, it took less than an hour for his broken bones to heal. So although the severity of the injuries he sustained from their fight with Ganondorf were deeply upsetting to Zelda, she expected him to heal through the worst of them before the following dawn.

But that wasn't the case. When dawn came, not only did his injuries barely look any better, but he hadn't hadn't regained consciousness. Dawn turned to day to afternoon to dusk and to night again and still Darin did not wake.

Throughout those long, long hours, there was nothing Zelda could do but wait. Wait and try to treat his wounds as she would anyone else's. She cleaned and bandaged his injuries as best she could, and at least that helped set her mind slightly at ease. She didn't know why this was taking so long, but she could care for him through that time. Goddess knows she had done so for Link countless times in the past.

But first aid only went as far as normal wounds. It was all but useless for treating Gloom burns. Usually, the cure for Gloom sickness was sunlight; Gloom faded away in the light and a person's vitality returned over time. Zelda had never seen Gloom burns before she and Link found the corpse of the Demon King below Hyrule Castle. She had an idea how to treat them-- a poultice made of sundelions might work like a concentrated salve of sunlight. But there are no sundelions in this world and the process for trying to fish for them through the rift was tricky and time consuming. And even if it wasn't, Zelda couldn't risk leaving Darin alone. If something happened... If she wasn't here...

These are the thoughts that have gone round and round in her mind all day, interspersed among memories of that fight with Ganondorf. Everything he said. Everything he did. How even the combined efforts of Darin, Ranma, and Zelda were barely enough to injure him at all. She couldn't get these thoughts out of her head.

Now it's nighttime again. Zelda has barely eaten and she has staunchly avoided sleep-- not just because Darin is on her bed, but because if something were to happen and she was not here beside him.... Well, she wasn't willing to risk that. But after twenty four sleepless hours, even anxiety isn't strong enough to keep her awake. The princess finally nods off sometime in the middle of the night, sitting in her chair at the bedside and leaning against the edge of the bed, her head against his shoulder so that, if he shifts, the movement will wake her. ]
forgeabettertomorrow: (Personal space please!)

[personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2024-09-02 11:59 pm (UTC)(link)
N-No! No, you didn't hurt me! I-I liked it!

[Wait.]

I-I mean, I liked...the hug! Not you on top of me!

Not that you're heavy or anything either! I didn't mind that at all one bit!

[No shut up shut up]

I-I shouldn't be in your bed anyway...! I-I'm doing better I can find someplace else to lie down...!

[Oh gods in heaven what is he doing?? Okay. Okay, he can handle this.]

[He carefully takes her by the waist and sits up, hurriedly springing up to his feet so that he can turn and deposit her onto her bed and he can go lay on the floor or dive out of an open window into the sea.]

[He manages to stand and pivot but the weakness in his knees causes that to be a poor idea.]

[He certainly deposits Zelda on the bed...but in doing so, falls atop her himself. Noses practically touching, all he sees is her green eyes in the moonlight and all he feels is the combined heat of their faces.]

[Slowly, he pushes himself up on his hands...and now there's Zelda. Laying beneath him. Staring at him with the faintest dusting of scarlet on her cheeks.]

[Looking like the most beautiful woman he's ever seen.]


I...I should...find someplace...to sleep...

[Except he's frozen. Because he knew Zelda was beautiful but...]

[Was she always this beautiful?]
forgeabettertomorrow: (GHK!)

[personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2024-09-03 12:46 am (UTC)(link)
[Darin finds himself nodding when Zelda tells him that he can sleep there. In her bed. And for a moment he didn't even hear the rest of her statement.]

[But then it hits him like a slap in the face and jolts up, the blush on his cheeks spreading to encompass his entire face.]

[What was he thinking?! And what did he think he was about to agree to?! She's a princess! She's his friend! This is wrong on so many levels! She saved his life! Treated his wounds! And this is how he thinks to repay her?? Darin's never had respect for nobility bit this is a whole different level of disrespect! He should know better!]


W-What?? N-No! No, I can stay on the sofa chair...! I'm not about to kick you out of your own bed...! I've slept in it enough...!

[He pushes himself off of the bed a little too quickly and hits the floor with a heavy thud.]

I-I'll even take the floor!

[DAMMIT, LEGS!! HE NEEDS TO GET OUT OF THIS BEDROOM RIGHT NOW!]
forgeabettertomorrow: (sure whatever you say)

[personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2024-09-03 04:58 am (UTC)(link)
But you're exhausted, Zelda...! If you don't rest properly, you'll get sick...!

[His face is still flushed red but at least he's managed to put together a cohesive argument this time. And, fortunately, he doesn't seem to reopened his wound.]

I won't argue that we both need rest but of the two of us, I don't get sick...

[Darin drags a hand down his face. There's one very easy solution to this but acknowledging it is...well, given what just happened...]

[...But Zelda would never suggest it. Hell, he'd never suggest it! But it's the only way that they both get what they want. They only way they'd both get a proper night's rest after the events of the previous night.]


...Zelda.

Let's just...sleep together.
forgeabettertomorrow: (Don't fail me now beautiful wings)

[personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2024-09-03 04:23 pm (UTC)(link)
I-I know that!

[Darin's cheeks are burning so red hot it's a miracle steam isn't pouring from his ears.]

I know what I'm asking for probably goes against any sense of decency but...

[He drags a hand down his face. He can't look at her.]

L-Look, you and I are going to argue in circles all night about this because neither one of us wants to see the other uncomfortable. But...after everything that's happened we need this...otherwise, things are just going to get worse.

[They need a good night's sleep, otherwise they'll be no good to anyone.]

[But Darin has no idea what's going on in Zelda's mind. How could he? Why would anyone ever think of Darin in such a lascivious way? His hands are rough, he's sweaty, he probably smells...he's lucky Zelda even wants to be near him let alone share a bed with him.]


You know I'm right...if we don't do this, we'll regret it...
forgeabettertomorrow: (Nani the fuck?!)

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[personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2024-09-03 06:26 pm (UTC)(link)
[Darin winces. Yeah, of course she would 'never.' Would anyone ever consider something like this with him? He doesn't blame her in the slightest but it still stings.]

[Though why it stings is a mystery to him. He's never been bothered by people being offended by his appearance before...]

[But he's not surprised Zelda would be so disturbed by the prospect of sleeping next to him. She'd have to endure the cramped space, he's bloody and gross...not to mention she's a princess and he's a commoner at best. The fact that she even let him rest in her bed is a charity in and of itself, one that he's about to impose upon more.]

[But they need to rest. His eyes are already burning and if he's this tired, Zelda must be ready to drop.]

[He spares a glance over at her and his eyes widen with alarm. She looks like she's about to faint dead away!]
forgeabettertomorrow: (We can fly if you believe)

2/2

[personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2024-09-03 06:30 pm (UTC)(link)
[This wasn't the time to worry about how she might see him. He'll apologize as many times as it takes once she's rested. Once they're both rested.]

[He pushes himself to a kneeling position and turns to Zelda.]


L...Look, I know you probably hate the idea but...I'll be alright as long as it's you.

[He doesn't wait for an answer. He scoops her up and wearily pushes himself to his feet. His knees are knocking and he's only got so long before his body gives out. He's got to get her to bed. He wouldn't be able to do this if he didn't trust her implicitly. If she didn't make him feel so safe.]

[So, he takes the two or so steps necessary until he's standing over her bed, awash in the moonlight with a determined, resolute look on his face.]
forgeabettertomorrow: (Ehehehe well...)

[personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2024-09-03 08:02 pm (UTC)(link)
[He's thankful, for once, that she's not arguing with him. Mostly because it's taking every ounce of his draining strength to even stand, let alone carry her. He has no idea of the wild trains of thought crashing about in Zelda's mind and assumes her complicit silence is her merely accepting the offensive inevitability of this situation with regal grace and poise.]

[He truly hopes she can forgive him for pushing this upon her.]

[Carefully, he lays her in bed as far against the opposite edge as he can. He even offers her a reassuring smile as sweat borne of exertion pours down his face. Gloom really does seem to sap your vitality. Darin wonders if anyone else could survive what he has.]

[Then, with a nod and the last of his fleeting strength, he turns and sits on the edge of the bed beside her. He lifts his legs up onto the bed and rolls onto his side with a pained wince so that his scarred back is facing her.]

[He cranes his head over his shoulder to address her at last, his voice bashful and awkward.]


Please try and get some sleep. If you hate me in the morning, I'll find some way to make it up to you...

G'night.

[And with that, he turns back away so all she sees is his scarred back and fluffy, blue hair resting on the very edge of her pillow.]
forgeabettertomorrow: (sure whatever you say)

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[personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2024-09-03 09:32 pm (UTC)(link)
[Gods she sounds mortified. Why wouldn't she be? She's a princess and she's forced to share a bed with his big, stupid, half-dead frame. If he had the strength he'd get up and leave right now.]

[Even though after everything she's endured he doesn't want to leave her alone...]

[But gods, he's going to have to make this up to her! He can't sleep like this and judging from her breathing, neither can she!]

[With a huff, he rolls onto his back so that they're shoulder to shoulder. It's tight and they're both practically hanging off the opposite sides of the bed. It'd probably be more comfortable if they got closer but that's not happening with this tension...]

[Come on Darin, think...you gotta dispel the tension. Take her mind off of having to share a bed with you.]

[...An idea pops into his head.]
forgeabettertomorrow: (I don't really get it but...)

2/2

[personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2024-09-03 09:34 pm (UTC)(link)
...So did you know that Ranma changes into a girl when he gets wet before the fight started or did you think Ganondorf punched him so hard he sprouted boobs?

[Look, he's worried about Ranma too and this is the first thing that popped into his head.]
forgeabettertomorrow: (Ehehehe well...)

[personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2024-09-03 10:20 pm (UTC)(link)
I think he said something about a curse? I was pretty shocked when I found out too.

[Oh thank gods, she seems to be focusing on the topic. Okay, he can work with this. As long as she doesn't hate him after this, he'll happily make it up to her in the morning.]

[He laughs a bit and lets his head fall to the side, facing her.]


We were looking for that ghost pirate treasure a couple of months back. He fell into the water and changed which was...crazy. I didn't focus on it too much, though. Ranma is Ranma after all.

[With the tension starting to ease, he yawns.]

Plus, there were ghosts...and I'm kinda terrified of ghosts...
forgeabettertomorrow: (I'm about to do something awesome)

[personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2024-09-03 11:11 pm (UTC)(link)
[He snorts and scratches at his nose.]

I uh...I heard 'treasure' and didn't really read the rest of the posting...it seemed like an adventure so I kinda went for it...

[He laughs and gives Zelda a sheepish grin. It seemed like she was feeling a little more at ease which, to Darin, meant that he could relax a bit.]

[He turns a little more to face her.]


But...Ranma was there and we managed to return the treasure to the pirate's widower so the place could stop being haunted. Ghosts aside...it was kinda fun.

[He yawns again. With the tension dispelling, his body is beginning to feel heavy. Absently, he reaches down and grabs the blanket and pulls it up partway over Zelda, as if wordlessly coaxing her to start drifting off as well.]
forgeabettertomorrow: (this Lance guy sounds alright)

[personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2024-09-04 02:28 am (UTC)(link)
No...I think it's...temperature based? Cold water turns him into a girl and hot water into a boy...

Not exactly what I'd consider a 'curse' but...not everyone can be born with a demon god inside of them...

[There's no self-deprecation in his voice as he muses about the nature of 'curses.' Honestly, it's thanks to his 'curse' that he's even alive right now— twice he's been cut down and should have died. And twice now he pulled through. This time, however, he feels a strange sort of accomplishment.]

[As he looks at Zelda, as the tension melts away and begins to give way to much needed slumber, he's thankful that his 'curse' has afforded him the opportunity to be here.]

[His 'curse' allowed him to save her.]

[And maybe it's the flashes of fever or the exhaustion, but he feels a certain heat wash over his face and seep into his chest.]

[Gods...she's really beautiful isn't she...]

[That's the last thing he remembers thinking as their conversation melts into a blur. A patchwork of half-remembered words and anecdotes as they talk like schoolmates at a slumber party. Like friends telling secrets in the night...words that will only be half-remembered by them when they awake.]

[At some point, Darin only barely remembers muttering something to the extent of 'come here'; beckoning Zelda a little closer so they could sleep more comfortably. And that was that.]


--- --- --- ---

[Late the next morning, or rather almost-noon, Darin awakes as sunlight streaming in from Zelda's window catches his face. He reaches up to rub at his eyes with his one hand, the other only slightly pinned by Zelda's sleeping form. As the sleep clears from his mind, he recalls the events of the previous night. He wipes his hand over his brow and is thankful to realize he's no longer sweating profusely; the fever apparently broke. He looks down to see Zelda sleeping, nuzzled against him, and that heat rushes back almost immediately to his face.]

[Oh gods, that's right. We slept in the same bed. Gods she's never going to forgive me!]

[Hopefully, she's still fast asleep. Enough that he can slip out of the bed without waking her. When he does, he hurriedly tucks her back in to keep her from waking, then tiptoes out of the bedroom.]

[He glances around, scratching at his stomach. All at once, his stomach growls loud enough that Darin peeks back into the bedroom to make sure it didn't wake Zelda up. Gods, he hadn't eaten since two nights ago before they infiltrated the Desert Wind.]

[...Well, since Zelda was out cold, the least he could do was start making food. Hopefully a nice brunch will ease the expected repercussions of sharing a bed with her. With a grin, Darin begins raiding her pantry and fridge.]

[Before long, the scent of breakfast begins to fill the apartment and should Zelda awaken to see what's going on, she'll find Darin sashaying in front of the stove. He's eaten half a loaf of bread's worth of toast and is currently alternating between bites of an apple and half of an omelette while simultaneously stacking pancakes. He's using his torn coat as an apron which...considering he's not wearing a shirt is probably a hell of a sight.]

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