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skyloftian-nutcase · 4 months

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Breath of the Sky Ch 13 (Skyward Sword meets BotW)

Summary: When Princess Zelda goes to the Spring of Courage to pray, accompanied by her appointed knight, a giant magical cog spitting out a goddess is the last thing she expects, but it is what she gets. Meanwhile, the Spirit Maiden Zelda is trying to figure out what the heck is happening and where her missing chosen hero is.

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Chapter 13 - The Failure

They needed to talk. They needed to plan.

Despite the overwhelming despair and uncertainty, despite the fear and pain, Zelda found herself growing motivated the longer she held the princess. She felt the fire returning, the stubborn determination that made a goddess let herself die and be reborn, the steadfastness that pushed her to seal herself away for thousands of years, the protectiveness that had led to the creation of Skyloft.

And so, after wiping the princess’ tears, Zelda had told her they were going to talk to Link. Both of them.

The champion had been easy to locate. He had been hovering outside, trying his best to look calm but easily giving away his concern with the way his eyes lingered too long on the princess, the speed at which he walked to her. Zelda had explained quickly that they needed to find her Link next, and they set about that goal quickly.

The conviction of a goddess mixed with the nervousness of a teenager, though, and Zelda fell into her habit of worrying when it concerned those she cared about… particularly Link.

“Okay,” she said as she marched ahead, nearly dragging the other two with her. “Okay. So. The plan—the plan is to seal him away. We can sort out killing him after. We can do that. We just need to figure out what’s going on with your ability to seal him away. And you—” here she turned to the champion, finger pointing with enough ferocity to be a dagger “You get to kick his ass, but I’m helping do that too because I want to punch his stupid face. I’m sure Link—my Link—uh, Cloud can help with that too, but we need to find him. This is just—this is fine. This is fine. We don’t need the Triforce yet, it’ll be okay. This is fine.”

The look exchanged between the princess and the champion implied that her ramblings were not, in fact, fine, but Zelda ignored it.

Her anxious energy began to grow frustrated as they wandered the castle. Link’s plight of constantly chasing her down was becoming extremely relatable at the moment. As they rounded yet another corner, Zelda felt relief at seeing a familiar colorful uniform with sandy blonde hair peeking out of the navy blue cap.

“Excuse me!” Zelda called, running towards the familiar guard. He genuflected when he turned and saw her. “Have you seen Link? My Link?”

“I know his location, Your Grace,” he answered. “I was actually heading his way. Would you like me to take you to him?”

Given all the information she’d been dealing with, and given all the running around she’d already done, the sheer comfort and happiness at not only hearing that someone could help her locate her husband, but that it was the one person who reminded her of Impa, made Zelda laugh and fall to her knees to be at eye level with the guard. She hugged him tightly. “Thank goodness! Thank you so much, I would love that!”

The guard stiffened under her hold, just as Impa had the first time she’d hugged her, but she didn’t care. Goddesses she needed some kind of stable rock to rely on in this place, and she didn’t have one, but this guard came close. She saw the reflection of the window ahead of her that he was looking at the princess and the champion, the former holding a hand over her mouth to cover a gasp while the latter watched the guard worriedly.

Honestly, these people. How did any society develop to be so emotionally stifled, anyway?

“I need to teach all of you that hugs are a good thing, good grief,” she chuckled as she pulled away. “But anyway, please do show us where Link is.”

The guard took a deep breath, nodding and rising. He guided them in silence, though the sights of the castle kept Zelda preoccupied – they were heading somewhere she hadn’t been yet, and though the stone walls all blended into each other to create a massive maze, she saw light from outside and grew hopeful. It seemed Link, just like her, didn’t care for being cooped up in this stone prison of sorts, as beautiful as it was.

Zelda had to admit that, though she wanted to help her people grow on the Surface, she was a child of the Sky nonetheless.

They wandered a path that seemed vaguely familiar from their expedition into the nearby large town, though the guard guided them down a road that Link and Zelda had pointedly avoided due to the place flooding with people. Eventually, they wound up near a tower farthest from the castle, overlooking a good portion of land and the town below. The sun was high in the sky now, and Zelda turned to the guard as they approached the tower.

“Is there somewhere we can get food in town?” she asked. She was well aware the castle had food too, but she… didn’t want to go back there.

“We can arrange to have lunch brought to you here, if you wish,” the guard replied. “But yes, there are many places in Castle Town where you can get food.”

Upon their arrival to the structure, the guard dismissed the two colorfully clad knights who had been standing post in the entranceway. He turned to face the group. “The Hero is inside, Your Grace. I’ll ensure no one enters.” His gaze moved beyond her, settling on the champion, and he spoke with a softer tone, “When time allows, Link, Princess Mipha wished to speak with you.”

With that, the knight moved aside to let them pass, standing guard. Zelda looked back at the other two, temporarily distracted—was there another princess? Did Princess Zelda have a sister that they hadn’t met yet? She shook her head, returning her focus to the task at hand. She could only gather so many people together at once, after all. It had taken half the day just to get to this point.

Motioning to the two behind her, she walked into the cavernous structure, hearing Link’s footsteps scraping the stone up above. They climbed a ladder to reach the upper level, the bright daylight dazzling Zelda’s eyes for a moment, and she saw the silhouette of her husband pacing back and forth, clearly agitated.

“Link,” she called with a smile, relieved they were all finally together. Her smile fell, however, at the distressed look on her husband’s face.

Link froze, facing away from her, holding himself with trembling hands. She approached him slowly, worry eating away at her already weary heart. When she was close enough to touch him, she wrapped her arms slowly around him from behind, resting her chin on his shoulder. “What’s the matter, Dove?”

Link felt tense under her arms, but then he draped his arms over hers and squeezed her wrists lovingly, stroking her hands with his thumbs. She shifted so she could stand beside him, peeking around his arm with a curious glance. His expression was soft, enchanted by what he saw, but his eyes were dark and stormy. He glanced at her, his heavy brow relaxing a little. “We started all this.”

There was wonder and a quiet timidity to his voice, awe and disbelief and acceptance settling into him. Zelda squeezed him reassuringly, cocking her head to the side and giving him a soft smile. “Yeah. We did.”

Link let out a shaky breath, and then he let her go, looking down. Zelda’s arms fell to her sides, and she grew worried as she watched him ruminate.

His mouth became a thin line. “And I… I screwed it all up. I cursed everything, everyone. I cursed them.”

“Link,” Zelda said, caught off guard. Although the guilt was gnawing at her as well, she wasn’t entirely blaming herself in such a manner. Demise had outplayed them, and it made her angry and scared and mournful, it made her question how they could actually defeat him if she hadn’t been able to as a goddess or with the Triforce, but she’d still placed the majority of the blame on the demon king himself, not her or Link. Her husband’s worries were clearly eating him alive. He hadn’t even noticed that they weren’t alone.

“Don’t,” Link immediately hissed, growing stormy. “Don’t even try it. You did everything right, you did your part, you trusted me to finish things and I didn’t.”

“What are you talking about?” Zelda asked, putting a hand to his cheek. “Link, you defeated him. We had no way of knowing—”

“I did,” Link spat, pulling out of her reach and turning away, his hands shaking as he clenched his fists. His shoulders hunched and his entire body was so tense it was ready to snap. “He said it himself. I thought—I was such an idiot, Zelda, I—I thought—he started speaking about how his hatred would follow my spirit and your bloodline, and it sounded like the dying words of a monster, I—I didn’t realize it was a promise, a curse, that he was—I didn’t—I d-didn’t—”

Link’s body stiffened even further as shuddering gasps and hiccups interrupted his words, and he bowed his head, hugging himself. Zelda immediately rushed around him to face him fully once more, dragging him into the tightest hug she could muster, willing all of her love into it as her mind whirled.

“You had no way of knowing,” she repeated as she processed what he’d said. What promise was he speaking of? Did it even matter? “And who’s to say it was a curse right in that moment? Who’s to say it wouldn’t have happened whether he spoke it or not? Who’s to say there was any stopping it? Link, I was a goddess. I was a goddess and I couldn’t stop him. You did everything you were meant to do – you solved the puzzles, you tempered the Goddess Sword and made it into the Blade of Evil’s Bane, you traveled through time, you got the Triforce and used it to kill him. You beat him. It was Ghirahim who screwed everything up.”

Ghirahim. It was Ghirahim.

Was that truly why they were in this mess? The realization struck her as she spoke the words, because they were true – she’d exited her slumber because Demise had been killed, after all. Ghirahim was the one who sabotaged it, but Link had ensured that…

“What exactly did he say?” she asked, pulling away to look her husband in the eye.

“He said… he said his hatred never dies. That it would be born again and again, that those who share the blood of the goddess and the spirit of the hero would forever be bound to this curse: an incarnation of his hatred would follow our kind forever, dooming them to darkness and bloodshed.” Link said slowly, refusing to look at her.

Zelda stared at him, dumbfounded. Why… why hadn’t he ever mentioned this before?

As if reading her mind, he stepped away from her, shaking his head and saying, “I—I thought—he was defeated, Zel, I stabbed him in the chest, I thought it was over. The amount of times Ghirahim would give some speech or another despite being defeated, the words were meaningless at that point. Just some other enemy spouting hatred while he bleeds to death. The sword… Fi told me to raise the sword, that it would absorb the remaining evil, that she would seal him away as designed. I didn’t—I didn’t realize—what did I do wrong?”

The trembling of his tone tore at her heart, and Zelda tried to walk towards him again. She couldn’t fathom why Link wouldn’t have mentioned this, but at the same time, his words made sense—and brought so many more questions to mind. How many times had he fought Ghirahim, anyway? The more she considered it, the more she realized she hadn’t really asked much about his adventure. Their time after that journey had been spent recovering and then pointedly avoiding the topic altogether.

Goddesses above, this was all a mess.

“Impa was right,” Link said suddenly, his voice no longer trembling, but so, so dark. “You were wrong. Hylia was wrong. I’m no Hero. Even Fi has decided that! She already chose a successor, after all.”

“Link,” Zelda tried to argue, immediately growing agitated. This sort of talk wasn’t going to do them any good, and she hated seeing him like this. “This isn’t—I know—”

Link’s eyes narrowed at her as if she were an enemy. The look stole her voice from her throat and made her blood freeze. She’d never seen Link this upset. “Yes, you know. Your Grace knows everything. You always did, stringing me along without ever telling me everything until it was too late to even stop you from—from—How does it feel to not have all the pieces until it’s too late? You were wrong.”

Zelda took a step back, her breath sucking in like a gasp as if she’d just been smacked. Link sighed, sensing the change in atmosphere, immediate regret flashing across his face before he finally seemed to notice the other two, who at this point were practically trying to disappear into the walls.

Link’s eyes fixed on the champion, and then he shook his head. The fight quickly drained out of him, but so did any desire to continue talking. He moved quickly towards one of the openings and leapt out of it. Zelda didn’t follow.

The champion ran across the way to peer over where Link had jumped. The princess slowly walked towards Zelda, who was still trying to catch her breath.

There was silence for a long time as the princess hovered near her, as she tried to catch her breath, as Link’s words played over and over in her head.

“Your Grace…?” The princess began hesitantly, a tenderness and shyness to her voice.

Zelda burst into tears.

You always did, stringing me along without ever telling me everything until it was too late.

Guilt sprang forth anew, revitalized by her husband’s accusations, having been squished again and again by both her and Link. It reared its ugly head, reminding her that the fact that Link had been dragged into all of this was very much her fault. Despite being the best fighter among the knights of Skyloft, Link was a softhearted young man through and through. She should have never—but—what choice did she—

Zelda continued to cry, bending over and hugging herself and falling to her knees. Her hiccups and sobs echoed in the area, lost to her own whirling mind but very much laying heavily on the other two occupants.

Link, Champion of Hyrule, felt very much out of place. But he also felt very desperate to try and help. He made his way to the goddess, crumpled on the floor, and his heart hurt to see her like that. He knelt carefully, gently resting a hand on her shoulder, desperately looking at the princess for help.

His own mind was whirling as much as everyone else’s likely was. The words that had been spat out by the Hero of Myth and Legend no longer held the same sting to them. Instead, they rang with such a heartbreaking familiarity, all the way down to the misplaced vitriol.

Zelda. He’d sounded like Zelda.

Never in his life had Link considered that if he ever met the Spirit of the Hero, it would act exactly as his dejected princess did.

He wanted nothing more than to reassure the weeping goddess that it wasn’t her fault at all, just as it wasn’t his fault that Zelda struggled to fulfill her destiny while his came easily. He wanted to tell her that the Hero just needed time and help, just as his princess did. But he was in absolutely no position to do so – he didn’t know what words he could say to reassure Hylia herself, nor could he brainstorm such a conversation with the princess as she herself was just as much a culprit of such behavior as the Hero was. Though, to her credit, she was trying to improve that, hence their budding friendship. But…

Desperate, Link looked pleadingly at Zelda, motioning to the goddess with his head. Do something.

The princess held her hands in front of her chest anxiously, one hand playing with the her wrist. “Your Grace… I… I’m sure he didn’t…”

Hylia continued to cry, not acknowledging either of them. At least she wasn’t upset that Link was touching her. He really wished he could do more.

Link thought of suggesting that they get lunch, but he had a feeling his own love for food would not help the matter. Hylia didn’t seem like the thought of a delicious meal would cheer her up.

The champion was quickly running out of ideas, just as his friend seemed equally clueless. However, Zelda finally knelt down as well, ignoring the dirt she was getting on her dress, and placed her hand on Hylia’s other shoulder. “Your Grace, I’m… I’m sorry.”

Hylia glanced up, eyes puffy, tears staining her flushed cheeks. It was… not a look Link would expect from a goddess.

He supposed he had never thought a goddess could get upset like this. He remembered her radiant smile and eagerness to befriend earlier in the day, and his heart ached even more.

He opened his mouth to speak, but still found himself choking on words. He didn’t know what he could say to help her, what would be appropriate, what would be helpful. Hylia’s gaze was fixed on the princess instead, and Link hesitantly pulled away to give the two some space. Zelda’s eyes quickly darted to his, pleading for support, but he didn’t know what to do.

Hylia stole Zelda’s attention anyway as she hiccupped and shook her head, her gaze dropping to the floor again as she squeezed her eyes shut. The princess shuffled a little closer. Link stepped further away, trying to figure out how he could help, what he could do. He could at least maybe get them some food, giving Hylia and her descendant time to regain composure, and then he could help them in that regard.

Sliding down the ladder, Link continued to hesitate as he dragged his feet to the exit of the guard house. His father was surprisingly missing, despite having been standing guard, leaving Link a little disappointed. He doubted his father could give him advice on the matter, but it would have been nice to at least see him. Instead, Link fumbled to follow through on his decision, feeling like it wasn’t helpful but not knowing what else to do.

“Oh, Link! There you are!”

Startled, Link turned to see his friend, Mipha, approaching, looking relieved. She smiled, red scales glowing in the noon sun, and Link felt like he was drowning in the ocean and just finally saw a lighthouse guiding him.

Link strode up to her immediately, hands gesturing frantically with words he couldn’t piece together, and his friend quickly noticed his distress. “Link, what’s wrong?”

“He—she—” Link spat out, his chest about to burst, trying desperately to hold the words in but unable to do so. He wasn’t sure this was appropriate to share, but by the goddesses he needed to say something. “He’s just like Zelda.”

The words flew out of his mouth like an arrow released from a bow, and he nearly collapsed onto the nearest bench, overwhelmed and exhausted at holding it in for so long, at the sheer relief that nearly drowned him and screamed he doesn’t actually hate me. Mipha slowly sat beside him, watching him hesitantly. He shook his head, leaning over until his face was buried in his hands. “I don’t know what to do.”

“Well…” Mipha said slowly. “You… could start by telling me what you mean.”

Oh. He supposed she needed context.

“The Hero,” he started slowly. “He… feels bad about himself. Like… like the princess. But he… and Hylia… he made… she’s crying, and I…”

Mipha jumped a little. “Hylia’s crying?”

“I don’t know what to do,” Link shook his head. “Mipha, what am I supposed to do?”

“Why is she crying?” Mipha asked.

“She—he—” Link stopped himself and took a breath to reorganize his thoughts. “The Hero. He… he got upset. Really upset. Like… remember when I… when I mentioned… I mean, you kind of dragged it out of me, but…”

Mipha, bless her, remained patient, knowing how Link could struggle to express himself. He’d barely spoken to anyone these last few months, but he’d finally started opening back up to his friend, even if it was just a little. She was the only one who knew that Zelda had yelled at Link in their first weeks together, although the other Champions had clearly sensed the tension.

“He got angry at her,” Link explained slowly. “He got angry. He’s… he said he was a failure, that he wasn’t worthy of being the Hero of Legend. Mipha, it’s… he sounded just like Zelda. But he… he got angry at Hylia about it, and now she’s crying.”

“Oh, my,” Mipha said softly, hand over her mouth. “I… didn’t realize a goddess could cry. That’s… awful.”

“It is awful,” Link agreed, the words spilling out of him now as his emotions mixed with them. “Mipha, what do I do? How do you cheer up a goddess?”

His friend was quiet for a long time, ruminating the matter. “Well… I suppose the same way you cheer anyone up. She cries just like the rest of us… perhaps she just needs kindness like the rest of us too.”

Link thought about the words, remembering all the rituals they did for the goddess. But then he remembered once, when he was very little, when he’d offered flowers to the goddess statue in Hateno, to the warmth that had filled his heart and soul when he’d done so, to the smile that always pulled at his lips whenever he saw silent princesses ever since.

Silent Princess. Zelda’s favorite flower. It always put a smile on the princess’ face too.

Link’s eyes lingered on the one garden that had tried to cultivate the flower, the only one that had succeeded so far, though herbalists hardly called it a success as only one or two flowers grew from the entire batch, and one was wilting already.

Filled with relief and hope, Link dragged Mipha into a hug. “Thank you.”

His friend was stiff under his embrace, and he felt her heart fluttering against his chest. Suddenly, the embrace felt too intimate, too personal, too close, and Link felt his own cheeks blush as he quickly pulled away. Before either party could speak, he hastily made his way to the flower bed, fingers reaching for the healthier of the two specimens.

“Link, wait, isn’t that endangered—”

The silent princess yielded easily to his fingers as he pointedly ignored how the tips of his ears burned, but as he reoriented to his original excitement, he stared at the beautiful, delicate blue-and-white petals with determination.

He turned and smiled at Mipha, nodding in gratitude, before rushing back to the guard house. By the time he reached the top, Hylia’s sobs had evened out, though she was still crumped on the ground. Zelda was on the floor beside her, arm halfway across her shoulders in a hesitant but heartfelt hug. Link took a steadying breath and walked towards the pair, kneeling in front of them. When the two looked up at him, he offered the flower quietly, eyes trying to convey everything his mouth refused to speak.

Hylia stared at him a moment before her gaze lingered on the flower. She reached out slowly, carefully taking the plant from his grasp and turning it in her own calloused fingers.

Her eyes watered, but a smile pulled at her trembling lips. The heaviness of the air seemed to dissipate, and Link smiled back at her.

“It’ll be all right,” he finally said softly.

“We’re here for you,” Zelda added on, growing bolder. “Just as you are for us, Your Grace. I… I may not… I may not have my powers, but I…”

The princess sighed shakily and continued, “I will still do my duty, and I will support you just as you’re trying to do for us.”

Hylia let out another sob, brow pulling together, but the way her face glowed, the way her cheeks puffed and lips pulled conveyed it for the emotional, relieved laugh that it was.

XXX

Abel supposed it was time to break protocol.

He ignored the anxious words warding him away from his goal as he walked down the stone path towards the city. He could practically hear the drill sergeants from his youth telling him to listen to superiors at all costs, to respect those in charge, to fulfill his duty and never question those above his station.

He could hear his heart telling him to do otherwise, his mind set in stone in his path, his beloved wife encouraging him to keep walking forward.

The Hero of Myth and Legend sat on the wall dividing the castle from Castle Town. Abel leaned against the stone beside him, staring out as the sun began to descend from its zenith.

The Hero glanced at him, startled, and moved to get up, but Abel ordered immediately, “Stay put.”

Oh, how his decades of training balked at ordering such a figure around. But mostly, it felt familiar, like when he was talking to his son. Perhaps the fact that they shared a name and a destiny helped.

The Hero slowly resumed his previous posture, bolstering Abel’s confidence on the matter. Now the captain of the guard just had to figure out what to say.

He’d honestly tried not to listen to the conversations in the guard tower. It wasn’t his business – his son, the princess, the goddess, and the mythical hero were all far above him in importance. Although he would always cherish Link, he respected the role his boy had to play, and he wasn’t going to interfere or be so immature as to eavesdrop on important discussions.

It was hard not to hear it, though, when the Immortal Hero was shouting.

Words of a curse, of a demon king, of blame and failure and guilt – they’d all spilled down into Abel’s ears as easily as rain. And it was hard to get them out of his head once heard.

Abel once again found himself wondering what the benefit was in having heroes so young. He still had plenty of strength and endurance in him at the ripe age of thirty-seven, and he didn’t have the emotional issues he’d had when hew as a teenager. Experience was as good a weapon as any.

Not to mention it assisted in cutting through drama and getting to the heart of the matter.

Of course, it still didn’t prepare Abel for such a conversation. It hadn’t prepared him for any of the conversations he’d had with his son once Hyrule had noticed a Hero had arisen. The words the Hero had hissed rang in his ears once more, thoughts of demon kings hunting down his son buzzing before he pushed them away. His son had been preparing for years had the support of all of Hyrule, and Abel would double his efforts in protecting the castle. This one, on the other hand, was a soldier in an eternal war, and Abel and even Link were simply another battlefield on which he had to fight. It seemed he was only just realizing that too, which was... odd and... heartbreaking.

He really had no frame of reference for this person, young and ancient, magical and so unbelievably normal. But he could speak to what he’d seen, and… he dearly hoped it was enough. He hoped it was enough and would be taken in the right spirit. The fact that the—the boy had listened was a promising start, after all.

“I don’t understand what it could possibly be like, being created by the goddess Hylia for the sole purpose of fighting off a demon king,” Abel started honestly, bluntly. “You look as Hylian as anyone else.”

The Ancient One glanced at him, tired and hurting and confused all at once. “I… I don’t know what that is.”

He didn’t know what a Hylian was? Abel supposed he wouldn’t. He was created to fight. Yet he was just like any other teenager. It still made no sense to the captain, but… a boy was a boy. Abel motioned towards the boy’s ears, small and curved like leaves, unique and honestly a little cute. It had always been said that Hylians’ ears were the way they were to better help them hear the goddess – perhaps his were shaped so differently so only he could hear her whispers, so only he could be privileged to her song. It… honestly made Abel’s skin crawl a little. He wished the Hero didn’t look so young – the thought of a child being molded to fight and married off to the goddess… it felt…

Abel didn’t dare say the sacrilegious word, but the ill feeling in his stomach lingered nonetheless. He tried to remind himself that this strange figure was ancient and not actually a teenager, even if he seemed to act like one.

“Your ears,” he commented. “They’re as Hylian as anyone else’s.”

The Hero instinctively reached up to touch his own ears, staring at Abel with wide, genuinely curious eyes now. The traces of guilt and sorrow were fading away in wake of his bemusement, and in that moment he really, truly looked like a kid.

Abel swallowed, trying to get to his point. “You’re… different, perhaps, but you still seem pretty Hylian to me, if you’ll pardon my ignorance on the matter. And if that is the case… then it seems such pressure that you’re putting on yourself is unrealistic.”

Hylia’s Chosen stiffened, though he didn’t comment.

“Calamity Ganon is a scourge that has plagued this land for millennia,” Abel said carefully. “And each time it has come, it has taken all of Hyrule to fight it. Though the Spirit of the Hero and the power of the Goddess are required to vanquish it, they have never fought alone. It seems… unreasonable to expect any different of yourself.”

The Hero bit his lip, his hands falling to his lap as he looked down. “But I was supposed to.”

“Did you defeat him?” Abel asked.

The Hero glanced at him, and though he held guilt in his gaze, he nodded.

“So you defeated him alone, which no one has ever accomplished before or since then,” Abel pointed out. “Yet you blame yourself for his return? If you fought him before and won, this should be easy, should it not?”

“But I—”

“But what?” Abel pressed on. “You can’t change that he’s here. Only that you’re here to stop him. Are you going to fight him or not?”

The Hero stared at him for a long while, eyes growing weary. Abel recognized the look, the exhaustion of war, the scars hidden within. He faced the boy fully.

“You won’t be alone this time,” he told him firmly. “Link will fight alongside you, as well as all the Champions, the guardians, and Hyrule’s army.”

“Sounds rather like I’m not needed,” the Hero said softly, a sad smile pulling at his lips.

“I am not one to waste resources,” Abel replied perhaps a bit too curtly, but he was tired of the adolescent’s moping. This was what the ancient child had been created for, after all, was it not? “You defeated Calamity Ganon long before any army ever could be raised against him. If you fight alongside our forces, if you support Link, then it makes the likelihood of actually killing it all the higher.”

Hylia’s Chosen perked up at the idea given to him, though he still looked a bit uncertain.

“Will you fight alongside Link?” Abel prompted. “Will you help him? Or are you going to drown in your sorrows instead while the rest of Hyrule tries to fight?”

“I’m the only one who can,” the Hero muttered, eyes darkening once more, shoulders set in resignation. “That’s what he said. That’s… what they always say. It’s my destiny.”

Abel waited, unsure what to say to such a remark. The ancient one’s words held a pain and exhaustion to them, but also a bite, and the captain of the guard was suddenly reminded that he was a nobody speaking to a legend.

The Hero of Myth and Legend stared out at Hyrule, sitting up straighter. “I won’t let him destroy this place. I won’t let him hurt Link, or Zelda. Or the princess. I promise.”

“I thank you for your protection,” Abel said genuinely with a bow of his head, catching the Hero’s attention.

“But I…” the Hero continued hesitantly. “I shouldn’t have said what I did. She’s… I know I upset her.”

Abel hadn’t heard Hylia’s reply to any of the words the Hero had said, but he supposed accusing her of being wrong would be upsetting. She seemed too kind to get angry, though, and the hurt on the magical boy’s face implied it as well.

Well. This was certainly a topic he could relate to. He was rather short tempered compared to others, after all. “We’re not perfect, Hero. We will say things that hurt those we love. What matters is that we apologize for them.”

Hylia’s Chosen watched him with a look so eerily similar to Link’s own when his son had been younger—so eager for wisdom from his father, so desperate for guidance—that it almost made Abel falter. Then the boy sighed and nodded in agreement.

Abel smiled as best he could. “Now, I believe Her Grace is waiting for you, great Hero. And if I may be so bold as to say… as a married man, I advise you be quick – our wives don’t like to wait for long.”

The smile that broke out on the Hero’s face was unexpectedly soft and sweet, his eyes glittering as if he was coming back to life, and the Immortal One leapt off the wall, much to Abel’s shock. The captain reached out hastily before seeing the Hero deploy some sort of paraglider, and he sighed heavily, realizing that now he had yet another hero who was going to give him heart attacks on a regular basis.

Oh, how he wished he could hold his son in that moment. But duty called, and he had strayed from it for long enough.

XXX

Admittedly, despite how his heart warmed at the thought of being with Zelda again, Link felt guilt crushing him the closer he got back to the structure he’d run from.

He knew what he’d said was hurtful. He’d chosen his words very particularly so that they would sting. He hadn’t wanted Zelda’s reassurances because he’d known they’d be empty, and suddenly hurt and resentment that had been long forgotten and shoved into the dark recesses of his mind had snarled into the light.

Link was ashamed to even get near his beloved. But he’d be damned if he didn’t own up to it.

And he missed her. He missed her smile, he missed her warmth, he missed her embrace. He was drowning and he wanted nothing more than to hold on to her. He supposed after what he’d said earlier it was a selfish thought at this point, but… if there was one constant in his life, no matter the storm, it had always been her.

He wasn’t going to be the one to lose her again. He wasn’t going to be the one to push her away.

The walk felt like it took an eternity, even though it was only a few minutes. Link hesitantly stared at the ladder leading up to the top, and then he climbed it, steeling himself.

When he got to the top, he found only a couple guards.

Link didn’t bother to speak with them, sliding down once more, and nearly jumped out of his skin as he was met with one of the stranger looking people from the festival. Their skin was red and shimmering, eyes nearly the same shade of amber as the crystal that had held Zelda in a trance for millennia. Their fingers were delicate but held sharp claws, and a blue sash was the only clothing they wore, though their body was adorned in glimmering jewelry.

“Hello, Hero,” the person said in a soft, feminine tone.

Wait, he’d seen her before. She had been sparring with the new Hero that morning.

“Do you—do you know where Zelda is?” he asked quickly, nearly laughing at the irony of such a question given his history with it.

“The princess is with Her Grace and Sir Link,” the woman answered. “They decided to head out into Hyrule Field, I believe. They were going to pick up lunch on the way.”

Hyrule Field? “Where’s that?”

The woman pointed back to the direction where he’d just come from. “It’s just beyond Castle Town. If I were them, I would go to the Sacred Grounds. It’s a pleasant place for a picnic. It’s close to the center of Hyrule Field, you can’t miss it. Would you… like me to take you there?”

Out of a nearly gone habit, Link nearly said no, as if he would find it on his map and could dowse for Zelda beyond that. Goddess. He shook his head, and then hastily said, “Yes, please.”

The strange looking woman—girl? Woman??—smiled and asked him to walk with her. Link tried to ignore the people staring at them as they progressed, feeling the number of eyes on them grow as they entered the big town he and Zelda had explored a few nights ago.

The joy of that exploration felt so far away now. He felt so empty, so unbelievably alone. But the guard had promised he wasn’t, and he…

He just wanted to go home. But it was just like his original journey, wasn’t it? He hadn’t wanted the weight of the world on his shoulders then. He’d just wanted to find Zelda. Headmaster Gaepora had said that the destiny of the world was his to bear, and his alone. No one could know.

Just as now, it was his destiny to fight Demise once more. But… the guard had said it himself.

Link wasn’t alone. Even if he deserved to be, after somehow managing to mess this up.

He would be alone if he continued to push everyone away, though, and he knew it. He remembered just after the world had nearly ended, remembered how isolated he was, and how Zelda had been the only one who could reach him in those dark moments.

Link hardly noticed that they’d reached the fields, hardly noticed that the woman he was with kept glancing at him to make sure he was okay. She seemed to understand he didn’t want to talk and was somehow blessedly fine with it, making the occasional remark about the weather or anything else to ensure it didn’t get too awkwardly quiet.

The awkwardness did linger, though, when Link realized he didn’t know her name. When she stopped and pointed straight ahead, he said, “Thank you… I… didn’t get your name.”

The woman’s eyes widened, suddenly embarrassed. “O-oh! I’m—I’m so very sorry, I—my name is Mipha, Princess of the Zora. I beg your pardon for my lack of manners!”

Another princess? Link stared at her, curious, but then smiled. “Thank you, Mipha.”

The woman’s shame faded, and she nodded, heading back towards Castle Town. Link took a fortifying breath and walked towards the Sacred Grounds. The trees hid some of the area and his approach, allowing him to see the new Hero sitting on the ground alongside Zellie and his wife. His successor was eating away cheerily, garnering a chuckle from Zellie, and Zelda… picked at her food quietly. She smiled when acknowledged, but didn’t seem to have much of an appetite.

Link wanted to kick himself. He also kind of wished the other two weren’t there.

Miraculously, Zelda alone seemed to notice his approach. She paused from holding her food, watching him with a little trepidation. Her eyebrows wrinkled together, and the hurt and worry on her face made Link want to melt into the earth. Zellie seemed to notice something was up, but before she could speak, Zelda rose and walked slowly in his direction.

She paused just out of his reach, and the pair watched each other quietly. A wind stirred between them, trying to push Link away, and he nearly gave in to it, shaking like a leaf.

“Link…?” Zelda called quietly, almost timidly.

Link wasn’t sure if it was the stress of everything catching up to him again, or if it was the way his own wife was scared to approach him as if he were shatter or explode on her… all he knew was that he was crying.

“I’m sorry,” he immediately said, shaking his head, taking a frightened step away. “I’m sorry, Zelda, I’m sorry I’m sorry—”

Zelda’s eyes widened, and she immediately covered the ground between them, nearly tackling him in a hug, carrying him with strong but trembling arms, easing him down to the earth as the world spun around him. He couldn’t get anything else out aside from apologies that stumbled over each other, words only stopping when he hiccupped or gasped for air, his tears endlessly staining her shoulder.

“It’s okay,” she soothed, tightening her hug.

“No it’s not!” Link sobbed. “None of it is, I’m so sorry, I’m—”

Again and again the apologies came forth until he’d exhausted himself, until he found himself clinging to her with as much desperation as he had when she’d awoken from her trance months ago.

He heard Zelda take a shaky breath, her exhale tickling his ear. “I am too.”

The words were raw, the sentiment so genuine it ached. Link didn’t have the emotional energy to reply, couldn’t defend her after trying so many times to reassure her and then eating his own words due to his outburst. He had nothing left to offer except himself, broken and worthless and idiotic as he was, and he just held her all the more.

The sun shone brightly on the pair as the other two slowly rose and watched in silence.

#writing #breath of the sky #zel: this is fine this is fine THIS IS FINE #zellie & champion: *concerned side eye*#abel needs a pay raise guys that's all I'm saying #I did not expect him to become this prominent in the story but SOMEBODY had to knock some sense into these teenagers #and Abel and Mipha were perfect for it #Mipha and Link are more fun to write than I thought #she has good gentle energy and a history with him which helps him actually feel more comfortable and talk #RIP to the last silent princess #don't worry there's probably a few out in the wild still #the horticulturist is just gonna have a mile aneurysm that's all #it was for a good cause #Champion automatically thinks eating makes everything better but he wasn't sure offering Zel food was a good idea #I love being able to write these guys when they actually COOPERATE #Y'all can thank Abel for getting this chapter together #He doesn't have time for teenage drama even if it's understandable drama #again this guy needs a raise #Zel and Cloud happily put the stressors from their journey behind them because why address them? :) Especially Cloud #they're fine #at least Champ doesn't think Cloud hates him anymore #I'm rambling way too much in the tags lol #breath of the wild #breath of the wild link #botw link #breath of the wild zelda #botw zelda #mipha #abel #skyward sword link

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mrsjaxtellerfan · 5 years

Text

Coming Home (Jax x OC) (Chapter15)

Hey guys! Sorry it has taken so long to post a new chapter. On the bright side I finished nursing school and graduated college! Hope y'all enjoy!

Warnings: mentions of a threesome

Chapter 15

3 months later

“Okay, so I’m thinking small ceremony. I don’t want a huge wedding. I think it should just be us and the club.” I say, looking over my planner.

“What about Kelsey?” Jax asks, holding Abel and drinking his coffee.

“Fuck, I forgot about her. I’m a horrible friend.” I sigh.

“Sophia hasn’t stopped talking about her since you guys went to visit her last week. You’re not a bad friend. You just have a lot on your mind.” Jax laughs.

“Kelsey wants to meet you.” I say, looking up at him from my spot at the breakfast nook.

“She’d hate me. All your friends do.”

“Kels is different. She already likes you. She saw the difference in Sophia.”

“Why does she like me? I’m just trying to know what to expect.”

“Expect a lot of flirting.” I laugh.

“She’s one of those.” Jax says.

“She is, and if you flirt back, you’re grounded.” I joke. “She doesn’t actually mean anything by it, she just likes to joke with people. Hell she will flirt with me, she always does.”

“That I have to see.” Jax says, smirking at me.

“Oh you will. Don’t mind if she grabs my ass a lot.”

“When is she coming around?”

“Whenever I tell her to.” I laugh. “Oh my god! I just thought of something!”

“Tonight is fine. What are you thinking about!”

“Her and Juice would be perfect together! We should introduce them!”

“I thought she was bi, but more into girls.”

“Nah, apparently this week she’s more into dudes. She switches up a lot.” I laugh.

“I’ll call Juice, you call Kelsey.”

“Break!” I laugh at my horrible sports lingo.

“You always were bad at sports. I remember when you came with a French fry in your hair that one day because you hid in the cafeteria.”

“Actually, I was thrown in the trash that day. It had nothing to do with sports.” I laugh.

“Why didn’t you tell me that?” Jax asks.

“I didn’t feel the need to. I was handling it.”

“I could’ve helped you.” He says, putting one hand over mine.

“Jax, I didn’t even know what had happened until Franklin, the janitor, pulled me out of the trash can and gave me one of his little suit things he wears.”

“I mean, if you were bullied I could have made them stop.”

“We don’t have to worry about it anymore, Jax. That’s how I met Kelsey.”

“She helped you?” Jax asks, confused.

“Believe it or not, I took care of it myself.”

“What did you do?” Jax laughs.

“I hit a kid, in the face, with a hardcover textbook, that I borrowed from Kelsey. I then joined her in detention.” I laugh.

“Badass.”

“You know it, baby.” I smack his ass, making my way to the coffee pot.

“Do you think Sophia is adjusting well to first grade? I know she and Tommy are still together, but she’s been having a hard time making friends.”

“Jax, she had a hard time making friends when she first started Kindergarten, give it a little time. It’s only her second day.” I sigh, hugging him before going back over to my wedding planner book.

“What colors are you thinking?”

“Well, traditional white dress, roses and sunflowers for the bouquet.”

“Why sunflowers?” Jax asks.

“Because they are my favorite flower, Jax.” I deadpan.

“What about Sophia? I feel like we need to honor her in some sort of way.”

“Jax, she’s the flower girl, her dress has purple in it.”

“I just hope she’s happy.” Jax says, smiling at me.

“Will you stop worrying?” I sigh, rolling my eyes.

“I’m a dad, I worry. I can’t help it.” Jax replies.

“I know. I remember over the summer when Tommy came to play. We now have an open door policy, that I didn’t know about until Sophia came into our bathroom when I was taking a shower to let me know I couldn’t have the door closed. Or when she opened the door to our room while we were having sex because you told her if a boy and a girl are in the same room the door has to be open.”

“That was a hard thing to explain.”

“What was it you told her we were doing, Jax?”

“Wrestling and it made it super fucking awkward when she asked to join.” Jax shudders.

“That is why we nipped that problem in the bud by having them play in the downstairs playroom.” I Iaugh.

“That’s why I got a camera put in there, so I could watch, but not linger. She yelled at me.”

“They are 6 Jax, calm your shit.” I laugh.

“She’s my baby. Remember what we did when you were 6?”

“Yeah, we poured water on everyone’s bike seats. If I remember right, you got in trouble because I would never do such a thing. And I told my dad you did it.”

“Yeah I did. Oh babe! I made plans for your birthday!” Jax exclaims, changing the subject.

“I don’t celebrate my birthday, Jax. You know that.”

“Well, you do this year. It’ll just be the two of us though.”

“Birthday sex?” I ask, smirking.

“Oh for sure. After your party at the clubhouse.” Jax laughs as my face falls.

“I hate parties, and surprises, and birthdays.” I complain.

“I know that’s why I’m telling you now, so it’s not a surprise.” Jax smirks.

“It’s still a party.” I sigh.

“But there’s sex after.”

“Better be some damn good sex.” I mumble.

“Oh, baby. I won’t disappoint. I bought some stuff for the occasion.” Jax winks.

“What did you get?” I question.

“That’s a secret.”

“Are you gonna make me cum until I cry again, Jax? I was in pain for days after that.”

“Nah, no pain. Promise.” Jax laughs. “Can’t promise you won’t cum multiple times though, darlin’.”

“As long as it’s not one right after the other I’ll be fine.” I laugh.

“Hmmm I don’t know, guess we will see Friday.” Jax remarks. “Go call Kelsey.”

“Yes, sir.” I salute, picking up the phone and dialing Kelsey’s number.

“Hey babe!” Kelsey yells from the other line.

“Hey! So I was thinking, you should come over and hangout with Jax and I. He’s home for the day and I know you aren’t working, lazy.”

“I’d love to!” Kelsey exclaims. “I got an invite to your party Friday!”

“Yeah, I found out about it today. I don’t approve.” I groan.

“Of course you don’t. You hate your birthday.” She laughs.

“You are planning on being there, right?” I ask.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Remember when I flew to New York for your birthday? Or all those times in Hershey? I haven’t missed one since we’ve been friends, and I’m not gonna miss one until I am dead.”

“Oh my god! You should just come stay with us this week! We have the spare bedroom set up! You can help Gemma, Lyla and I with wedding planning!”

“You forgot about me, didn’t you?” Kelsey asks, feigning hurt. “I thought we were best friends. I let you hit someone with my book!”

“I’m so sorry! I’ve just been so stressed with the expansion and moving and Sophia starting 1st grade and Abel’s birthday coming up. It’s insane around here.”

“I’m giving you shit, Ari. I know you have a lot going on. Sophia is getting so big. She’s married, in first grade, he got her a cute little ring, she is totally relationship goals. You and Jax are endgame though.”

“Oh god, don’t say that in front of Jax, he will have a conniption. He still doesn’t want her playing with Tommy!” I laugh.

“Did she walk in on you and Jax? She said something to me about you two wrestling and not letting her join, and that doors have to stay open when boys and girls are in the same room. I did that to my parents once, they hated me. I did it every night, so they started sleeping with the door open and would just have sex when I was at school.”

“You and Sophia are just the same. I swear, Jax and I never get to have sex. If it’s not Sophia busting in, Abel is crying. I’m seriously going insane with withdrawal.” I laugh.

“She learned from the best. Make Jax give you a quicky while Soph is at school and Abel is napping.”

“Oh. I didn’t think of that.”

“Nope. I bet you didn’t. Trust me, it’ll work. Or ride his thigh, I bet he’d be into that. It’s like sex, but you get release, and he gets to watch!”

“Kelsey!” I yell, blush rising up my neck.

“What, I’m trying to help you enhance your sex life.”

“I don’t need to thigh ride my fiancé to enhance our sex life.” I laugh, not noticing Jax coming into the room.

“Don’t knock it ‘til you try it. I bet you’d both enjoy it. And it can look innocent, in case Sophia walks in.”

“Ohhhh that would be fun to try!” Jax yells, in my ear. I jerk, nearly throwing my phone.

“Jaaaaaaax! What the actual fuck are you doing?”

“Scared ya.” Jax laughs, tickling my sides. “We should for sure try that. Tell her I said thanks for the tip.”

“Welcome!” Kelsey yells over the line. “Alright, well I’m gonna get off of here and pack a bag. I’ll see you later. Love you! Don’t have too much fun.”

“You can stay in the guest room.”

“I know, maybe Sophia will bother me tonight, and you guys can try to have a little fun, if ya know what I mean.”

“Love ya!” I laugh, hanging up on her. “You scared the hell outta me, Jax.”

“You guys always talk about sex?” Jax laughs, kissing my neck.

“Sometimes we talk about makeup trends, the Kardashians, naked pillow fights.”

“You know, Kelsey is coming to stay with us, we could try out that threesome while she’s here.” Jax laughs.

“Not with Sophia here. Imagine her walking in on that.”

“Baby, we are kid free Friday. I already worked it out.” Jax kisses my neck.

“That was supposed to be our time.” I sigh.

“Birthday sex!” Jax says, in a sing song voice.

“You can bring it up to Kels because I’m not. She’s filthy, god only knows what she’d say.” I laugh.

“Wasn’t she like, the goth kid in school?”

“Yeah, she isn’t anymore though.”

“Her purple hair was pretty cool though. And all those piercings, I’ll never get it.”

“It was! She still has some of them, got rid of most though. She has blond hair now.”

“Does she? Imagine how those are gonna feel, babe.” Jax says.

“I’m sure the tongue ring would feel quite interesting.” I laugh.

“She has a tongue ring?”

“Yeah, it’s feels really weird when she kisses you.”

“Imagine how it would feel on your clit.” Jax says, realization hitting him. “Wait! You guys have kissed?”

“Of course we have.” I laugh.

“And you didn’t tell me?”

“You didn’t ask.” I smirk, shrugging my shoulders.

“I am now.”

“It was during spin the bottle, it landed on a guy, but he didn’t want to kiss her, so I did. I didn’t want her to feel left out of the game.”

“You’re a Saint.”

“She’s a good kisser. She was my first kiss.”

“You told me I was your first.” Jax pouts.

“You were. My first MALE kiss.”

“You liar!”Jax exclaims, feigning anger.

“Jax, it was literally nothing. We were just friends. I didn’t want her to feel left out of the game because of Michael Ingleson not wanting to kiss her.”

“I know, I just wanted to see you sweat.” He laughs.

“You’re an asshole.” I say, pushing him away from me.

“I’m your asshole.” He laughs.

“Unfortunately.”

“Do you trust Kelsey?” Jax asks.

“With my life. She’s always been there when I needed her. She went to New York with me when I ran from here. She was with me until I got with Darren and we moved in together, then she came home because her grandpa got sick.”

“Is that why Sophia loves her? Because she was always there?”

“Yep. She was with us until Sophia was 3 when we moved in with Darren.”

“I’m glad Sophia had good people in her life.”

“Kelsey’s good people.”

“Then I trust you. The same way you trusted me about Chucky.”

“She’s a gross bitch, she will for sure hit on you and make inappropriate comments, not in front of the kids of course, but she will bring up our sex life any chance she gets. She thinks it’s funny when I blush.”

“I think it’s cute when you blush.” Jax says, kissing my cheek.

“Ugh! The both of you suck.”

“You don’t!” Jax laughs.

“Hey! I do too! Just not often.” I laugh.

“I can’t even get it on my birthday.”

“Don’t you lie. You would have gotten it on your birthday if you hadn’t told Sophia about the open door policy, and then got too drunk to get hard after your party.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. Now, drop ya pants.”

“Right now?”

“I don’t see any kids around, do you?”

“Oh fuck yes!” Jax yells, yanking his pants down, struggling with his belt, before getting them around his ankles.

“Damn, can you move any quicker?” I joke, taking him in my hand loosely, taking him into my mouth.

“Fuck.” Jax moans.

“Hey! Y’all home? Clay sent me over. Said you had the day off, but he needed the keys you took home yesterday!” Chibs yells, stomping through the house, stopping in the kitchen when he spots us. “Oh. Sorry to interrupt, Jackie Boy, I can wait in the other room.” Chibs laughs.

“Fuck!” Jax yells, pulling away and pulling his pants up. “No, that’s okay, you already ruined the moment.”

“Sorry. How ya doing lass?” Chibs asks, as I get up off my knees.

“Good! Jax told me he caught you coloring with Sophia the other day. In her princess coloring book.”

“She alway’ begs me to help ‘er color.” He laughs. “I don’ mind doing it.”

“She beg you to braid her hair too? Or do you just do it?

“No, I just miss doing it with my daughter.”

“She likes when you color with her. You don’t get upset when she goes outside the lines. None of you guys do. Darren used to get so mad when she colored outside the lines. One time, he broke her crayons because she just went a little bit over the line.”

“Well he was an arsehole.” Chibs says.

“Here’s the keys, now get out.” Jax tosses the keys at him.

“Nah, Jax. Let him stick around a bit, Sophia would love to see her uncle Chibs when she gets home.”

“Fine.” Jax sighs.

“Great! Got any food, lass?” Chibs asks, taking off his kutte, draping it over a chair at the table.

“In the fridge.”

“Tell me more about this Darren bloke. He sounds lika real piece a work. Can I eat this pie?”

“Yeah, and there isn’t much to tell. He was an abusive asshole who treated Soph and I like shit.”

“Ya aren’t shite lass, neither of ya. His Ma and Da mus’ nota taugh’ ‘im how to treat a lass.”

“I met his mom several times. She was disapproving, because I already had a kid. He tried so hard to get Sophia to call him daddy, but she just wouldn’t. Eat slower, you’re gonna choke.”

“Good riddance.” Chibs replies, continuing to shovel pie into his mouth.

“Slow down, I don’t feel like having to save your life.”

“I’m no’ gon’ choke, I’m Scottish, we don’t die eating, we die drinking.”

“Well, okay then.”

“Did his mom not like Sophia?”

“No she did, she just hated that she wasn’t grandma Lacey. She was just Miss Lacey. She never liked me, though. I had a baby that wasn’t her sons, I weighed too much, I didn’t eat enough, I ate too much, I spent more time at work than with Darren, Sophia’s dad wasn’t around, I got pregnant at 18, I didn’t do the dishes right, I don’t cook the right foods for her son, I refused to stay home with kids because I was starting a business, you name it and she hated me for it.”

“We don’t hate you. We love you, and Sophia. But sometimes our love for Jax is questionable.”

“That hurts my heart, Chibs.” Jax says, holding his chest.

“Chibs, when you finish your pie, would you like to come with me to pick up Sophia?”

“Fuck yes!” He says, putting down the half eaten pie, standing up, and wiping his hands on his pants.

“Great! Jax, you keeping Abel or want me to take him?”

“I’ll keep him. We’ll have some man time, right buddy?” Jax asks, tickling Abel’s tummy causing his to laugh. “When will Kelsey be here?”

“Before dinner. I’m not going to tell Sophia, we will let Kelsey surprise her.”

“Oh she will be surprised alright.” Jax says.

“Alright, love you! See ya in a bit.” I smile, kissing him and Abel on the forehead.

“Love you too!” Jax says, holding Abel up and using his hand to wave to us.

“See ya, Jackie Boy!” Chibs laughs, poking Abel’s tummy.

“Bye Uncle Chibs.” Jax says, holding Abel in front of him and talking in a deep baby voice.

“Mommy! Uncle Chibs!” Sophia yells, running over to us with Tommy following behind her.

“Lassie!” Chibs says, picking her up and spinning her around.

“Mommy, Tommy and I want a baby.”

“Take that up with your daddy. Tommy, do you need a ride home?” I ask him, he nods his head yes. “Come on, we will give you a ride.”

“Daddy!!!” Sophia says, walking in the door.

“My baby girl! How was school?” Jax asks, picking up Sophia.

“Good. Can Tommy and I have a baby?” Sophia asks Jax.

“Um… I-I… I don’t know sweetheart.”

“Can I have some of that pie?” Sophia asks, looking at Chibs, shoveling the last half of the pie into his mouth.

“Of course.” Chibs says. Jax puts her down and she runs over to where he’s sitting and climbs into his lap, grabbing the fork that was too big for her, and taking a too big bite.

“This is really good pie.” Sophia says, taking another bite.

“Chibs, will you watch her while Ari and I talk in the other room?”

“Aye.” He says, proudly looking down at her.

“They want a baby?” Jax asks, freaking out.

“Jax, they’re kids. We will just get her another doll and they could name it something Alvarez, boom, parents.”

“I’m still not sold on this Tommy boy.” Jax says, grabbing my hand, and bringing it up to kiss it.

“Jax, Tommy isn’t going to hurt her. He told her he loved her when we dropped him off, and they hugged. They hugged Jax, that is something that Sophia rarely did except to you, me, Kelsey, Clay, Gemma, and her uncles. She used to hate hugs, she wasn’t used to being hugged by people her age. Jax, you have been a part of that.”

“She never hugged?”

“Not if it wasn’t me or Kelsey. You, and your mom, and Clay, and SAMCRO have helped her come out of her shell. The pieces are coming together, Jax, just like you said.”

“I’m still not convinced that all of your pieces, or hers, are back together.” Jax said, looking into my eyes, putting his hand on the back of my neck and pulling me into him. “I’m gonna make sure she grows up knowing how she should be treated.”

“Jax-”

“No. She deserves to know that she’s a princess. And the be treated as less than that, is absolutely unacceptable. I will not let her get hurt, not the way you got hurt. And I will NEVER let you get hurt like that again.” Jax says.

“Jax none of these guys will ever let us get hurt. If anyone hurts Sophia, Happy would probably kill them. It’s clear he cares about her, all of these guys do.”

“I just want you both to feel safe, protected, loved.” Jax says, wrapping his other arm around me to hold me closer. “I’m trying my best here, to help you both, but Darren hasn’t made it easy.”

“You are helping us, Jax. Love is something that Sophia has only ever gotten from me, and now she has a wild, crazy family, full of people who would hurt anyone who looks at her wrong.”

“You better believe it.” Jax replies, kissing my head.

“I do.” I smile, pulling his face down to meet mine.

“Mommy.” Sophia says, coming into the room.

“Yeah, baby?” I ask, pulling away from Jax.

“We ran out of pie.” Sophia says, giggling and running back to the kitchen. “Uncle Chibs, will you help me with my homework?”

“Of course I will, Lassy.” Chibs replies, pulling her up into his lap.

“Thank you!” She says, getting it out of her backpack and setting it on the table.

“Ah, shapes.”

“Yeah, I have to name them. Please help.”

“Okay, we got this.” Chibs responds, going into an explanation about what they all are.

“I know this one! It’s a stop sign!”

“It’s called an octagon, lassy.”

“But it’s shaped like a stop sign! And this one,” She says pointing to the triangle, “is a boat sail.”

“These shapes are what they base those items on. The octagon has 8 sides just like an octopus has 8 legs. A triangle is the shape the boat sail is based on. Triangles have 3 sides.

“Really? So this 4 sided one isn’t a car?” Sophia asks.

“Nope, it’s a square.”

“But this other one has 4 sides too, but some are longer.” She sighs. “I don’t get this shit, Uncle Chibs.”

“Hey! Watch your mouth!” Chibs exclaims.

“I can’t see my mouth Uncle Chibs!”

“Touche.”

“Alright, Chibs, wanna stay for dinner or you got other plans?” I ask, coming into the kitchen.

“I’ll stay, help the girl with her shapes.”

“Appreciate it. Jax and I were going to go to the store. You good staying with her?” I ask.

“Yeah, looks like there’s some coloring in the other side, I can help her with that.”

“Any dessert requests, I was going to make chicken tetrazzini?”

“PIE!” Sophia squeales, cutting off Chibs.

“Pie, the lass took the words right outta my mouth.”

“Alright, we will be back soon. Any alcohol requests Chibs?”

“Whiskey, please lass.”

“Mommy, can I have alcohol too? I want whiskey too.” Sophia says, clapping her hands.

“No, you can’t have any. You are too young.” I laugh, kissing her head and kissing Chibs cheek.

“Jax, you ready?” I yell, going over to the fridge and adding whiskey and pie to our list.

“Yeah! Coming!” Jax replies, bounding down the stairs, Abel in his arms. “Someone decided to poop his pants.” Jax replies, tickling Abel’s tummy as he laughs.

“Did you poop on daddy?” I ask, laughing, pinching his little cheeks. He coos, reaching out for me.

“Okay, we will be back. Thanks for watching her Chibs.” Jax says, grabbing his Kutte from the coat rack.

“No problem, Jackie Boy.”

“Okay, we need to get chicken.” I say, looking over the list. Jax and I make our way to the meat department.

“How many pounds, baby?” Jax asks, looking over the chicken, Abel still in his arms.

“Umm, well, we are cooking for 5, get 3 pounds.” I reply, leaning over his shoulder.

“Jax?” A voice from behind us asks. We turn around, Jax’s jaw tightening, he clutches Abel a bit tighter.

“Wendy.” Jax growls.

“Wendy?” I ask, confused, before it clicks. I stare between the two, my mouth gaping, not really knowing what to say.

“Hi, you must be Ariana.” Wendy says, holding her hand out to me. I look to Jax, trying to figure out what to do, he continues to glare at her so she drops her hand. “He’s getting so big.”

“Yeah, he is, he’s healthy now, thanks to you.” Jax growls. Abel sensing the tension reaches out for me.

“Ma-ma.” Abel says, reaching out for me.

“Oh my god!” I exclaim, taking him from Jax as he continues to chant Mama, he buries his head in my neck when I take him. “He said his first word!”

“I can’t believe he said it!” Jax eclaims, completely forgetting about Wendy still standing there. “I love you!”

“I love you too!” I laugh, hugging Abel a bit tighter. Wendy clears her throat.

“I’ll let you two be. Congratulations on his first words and the engagement. I wish you both the best.” Wendy says, turning to leave, tears in her eyes.

“I can’t believe that just happened!” Jax eclaims, pulling me in for a kiss.

“I feel kind of bad that it happened in front of Wendy. She looked so upset.” I reply, pulling away from the kiss.

“Who cares, she doesn’t deserve to even see him.” Jax responds, his jaw tightening.

“She’s his mother Jax. No matter what happened.” I reply.

“You’re his mother, you are all he knows. He is better off without her. I’m glad he said that in front her, she needs to know someone else is taking better care of him than she ever could.” Jax says, grabbing my hand, leaning down to kiss me one more time. “Let’s get this shopping done and get home to Phia. We need chicken, right?”

“Yeah, 3 pounds.” I reply, looking in the direction Wendy disappeared to.

“We’re home!” I yell, carrying Abel in and sitting his carseat down, Jax trailing behind me with the groceries. “MOMMY!!!” Sophia yells, skidding into the kitchen. “You didn’t tell me Aunt Kelsey was coming to stay with us!”

“Surprise!” I yell, laughing. Kelsey comes trailing into the room talking to Chibs, once she spots me she runs over throwing herself at me.

“I’ve missed you!” She exclaims. I hug her back just as tight.

“I’ve missed you too! I’m so happy you are here!” I squeal, pulling apart she turns her attention to Jax.

“It’s nice to meet ya.” Jax says, holding out his hand, she smacks his hand away, laughing at the look on his face as she pulls him in for a hug.

“I’m a hugger, and it’s nice to finally meet you as well.” She pulls out of the hug. “The Scott wouldn’t let me in.”

“Sorry, Lass, can’t let strangers into the house.” Chibs laughs.

“Do I LOOK like a stranger now, Mr. Scotsman?”

“Well, after Sophia yelled your name and I recognized it, you didn’t.” Chibs laughs. Kelsey shakes her head, smile on her face as she notices Abel, looking up at her from his carseat.

“Oh my gosh! He’s so cute! You’re so cute. Yes you are.” Kelsey coos. Abel giggles, smiling up at her with a toothless smile.

“He said his first word today!” Jax exclaims

“I’m always a stranger with this one. I’m surprised she let me stay.” Kelsey says, turning toward me and cocking her head to one side. “I’m so proud of him!!! What was it? Because Sophia’s first word was cookie, and I take credit for that. ”

“It was Mama!” Jax exclaims as Abel starts saying mama again.

“That’s so cute!” Kelsey gushes, tickling his little feet. “Can I hold him?”

“Of course.” Jax and I respond at the same time. Kelsey takes him out as he coos.

“It’s official, I want a baby now. I remember when Sophia was this little. Gah, I loved her so much, I still do!”

“I want a baby too!” Sophia yells running over to Kelsey.

“Well, have you and Tommy talked about having kids?”

“KELSEY! DON’T ENCOURAGE HER!” I yell, smacking her arm.

“All I’m saying is that maybe if Tommy isn’t a good dad, she should find out now and not later.”

“They are 6! I swear you and Jax act like they are adults already!”

“You didn’t play mom and dad when you were 6?” Kelsey asks.

“No! I played guns.” I reply.

“I did too. With my brother. He hated me. Probably because he could never find me, hiding in the bush and taking him out.” Kelsey said, with tears coming to her eyes.

“Hey, no sad talk, missy.” I respond, shaking my finger at her.

“I just miss him. He was my best friend, Ari.”

“Soph, why don’t you go play.” I say, pointing to the living room.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything in front of her. I wasn’t thinking.” Kelsey said, handing Abel back and wiping her tears.

“It’s fine, babe. The anniversary is coming up. I understand.” I reply, handing Abel off to Jax and pulling her into a hug.

“Tuesday. It should’ve been me, Ari. He wanted me, and Bobby just put himself in front of me.”

“Hey, shut that shit up right now! You know that isn’t true. Bobby made that choice because he loved you. Don’t ever say that it should have been you. He made his decision.”

“Tell that to my dad. He thinks I did it, I made him get in front of me. I wanted him to live, I tried to save him.” She cries.

“I know, babe, your dad is a fucking cunt. Now, cheer up and we will talk about this later! I know a little miss who is super excited you are here.” I reply, wiping her tears.

“Can I go wipe my face, I don’t think Sophia needs to be asking questions?”

“Bathroom is down the hall and to the left.” I reply.

“Thank you, Ari. You’re my best friend.” Kelsey says, giving me a hug and walking down the hall.

“Mommy, what happened to Aunt Kelsey’s brother?”

“Nothing that you need to worry about doll, so go play!” I shoo her off.

“Is he on vacation?”

“Sophia. I said go play.”

“I want to know why aunt Kelsey was crying.”

“Sophia! GO PLAY OR YOU WILL GO TO YOUR ROOM!”

“Stop being mean!” Sophia yells, running to her room.

“Don’t yell at your mother!” Jax yells after her.

“What did I miss?” Kelsey says, coming back into the room.

“Sophia not listening.” I sigh, moving to unload to groceries.

“Can I go talk to her?”

“Not right now. She’s in trouble.” I reply.

“Ari, please? Remember when she was little and wouldn’t talk to you, so you made me do it?”

“No! Geeze can anyone around here listen to anything I say!” I yell.

“I can leave if that would make your life easier.” Kelsey yells back.

“Oh god not the guilt trip BS. I’ll be in our room, Jax.” I reply, pushing my way past them and going upstairs.

“Fine, bye.” Kelsey says, picking up her keys and walking out the door.

“Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.” I snap, continuing up the stairs.

“Shit. What do I do?” Jax asks Chibs looking between the two directions the two women went.

“I’ll go talk to Kelsey.” Chibs says, walking out the door.

“Ari, can I come in?” Jax asks, knocking on the door.

“I don’t know, can you Jax? You live here too, don't you? I snap at him.

“Hey, don’t get an attitude with me missy.” Jax responds, holding his hands up and joining me on the bed.

“I’m sorry, Jax. I forgot about it being this close to her brothers death. Did she leave yet?”

“Chibs went to talk to her.”

“I need to apologize. I just get so mad, everyone always undermines everything I say or argues with me. I’m so sick of it.”

“Baby, she helped raise Sophia years ago, she was probably just trying to help.”

“I don’t care if she is trying to help. I said no and she should have left it at that. I’m Sophia’s mother, what I say goes.”

“I agree, but you did snap at Sophia without much warning.”

“Sophia needs to stop back talking.”

“You didn’t have to snap at Kelsey either.”

“If you are going to take her side then get out. I need some time alone.”

“I’m not taking anyone’s side here babe. But it sounds like she’s leaving, if you want to apologize, you might be missing your chance.

“Let her leave.” I snap.

“She’s your best friend, you really want it to end like this? Jax asks.

“No, what I really want is her to not undermine me but she always does it. This little spat isn’t going to end our friendship.”

“Do you know that? Are you sure?”

“Yes, no doubt in my mind.”

“I’m gonna go talk to Chibs, see what he found out.”

“Go.” I wave him off, tucking myself into the cover, content to just stay here the rest of the night.

“Hey.” Chibs says when Jax gets downstairs.

“Did she leave?”

“Yes. She said have Ariana call her when she isn’t being an insufferable cunt. Her words not mine.” Chibs laughs. “What did Ariana say?”

“That I might be the one making dinner, and in that case, we are having cereal.”

“We can wash it down with whiskey. Should we go get Sophia?”

“No, leave it to Ariana. She feels like everyone always undermines her authority when it comes to raising Sophia. If we let her out of the room, Ari is gonna be pissed at me, and I want to get laid.” Jax laughs.

“What kind o’ cereal do ya got, Jackie Boy?”

“Cookie crunch, Cheerios, Corn Flakes, Cap’n Crunch, Cocoa Puffs, and I’m not sure what else.”

“I’ll take the Cocoa Puffs.” Chibs says.

“I ain’t your maid. I’ll get the milk, you get the cereal.” Jax laughs.

“I’m just saying, there may not be any left. I’ve only had pie today.”

“Eh, Sophia is the only one that eats it.”

“I’ll buy more.” Chibs says.

“Don’t worry about it man, Sophia is getting tired of it. You can finish it.” Jax replies, sitting the milk on the table.

“Thanks, Jackie.” Chibs says, opening the box and pouring milk into the bag.

“Wanna watch TV?” Jax asks, pouring his bowl of Cookie Crunch.

“Got the good shows? Crime shows?” Chibs asks.

“Probably.” Jax responds, grabbing glasses for the whiskey.

“Good. Once ya get hooked, it’s hard to stop.”

“Ari watches serial killer shows. She loves the ID channel.”

“Me too! Ya got it? On your box thing with the shows?”

“If we didn’t she’d kill me.” Jax laughs.

“I’d help.” Chibs laughs.

“Wanna watch the Killer Kids one?” Jax asks, sitting on the couch, grabbing the remote.

“There’s a new one out about Ted Bundy.”

“Ted Bundy it is.” Jax responds, looking through the channels.

“I told you, a good one.” Chibs says once it ends.

“But he killed all those people.”

“Yeah, but his story is cool.” Chibs responds, drinking the rest of his glass.

“Didn’t he have kids?” Jax asks. “I couldn’t imagine having kids and killing people for a living.”

“Me ‘either, Jackie.”

“I’m gonna go check on Ari, will you check on Sophia? Just make sure she’s still okay in there.”

“Aye.”

“Thanks, brother.” Jax says, carrying Abel up to his room.

“Hey babe,” Jax says, walking into our room. “I fed Chibs, but Sophia was still in her room. How do you want to handle that?”

“I don’t care. You can handle it.” I respond, waving him off.

“Baby, don’t be like this. I thought about what you said, and you were right, I do undermine you, and I’m sorry. What do you want to do about Sophia?”

“She needs to be grounded. She needs to stop back talking and throwing a fit.”

“You need to eat, darlin’.” Jax says, sitting down next to me.

“Not hungry.”

“You can fool other people, but not me. Now get your cute ass downstairs and eat something.”

“Fine, wanna smoke a joint with me? I need to relax.” I reply.

“Should Sophia eat too?” Jax asks

“Yes. You get her food and then come get me. If I see her, she is going to act like an ass, and I don’t want to yell at her again.”

“I’ll have Chibs do it, we can go out on the balcony and light it up.” Jax responds, standing up and making his way to the door.

“Great, I get to roll, you can’t roll for shit.”

“Okay, you roll some and I’ll go talk to Chibs. Save some for him.” Jax replies.

“I don’t know, maybe.” I reply in a teasing tone.

“We just won’t tell him we are going to smoke. I need to go talk to Sophia and let her know she’s grounded.”

“Good plan. Jax, she’s never been grounded. Explain what that means. Tell her that she can’t see you at work for a week, no TV, no hanging out with Tommy, and in bed by 7 for the week.”

“I’ll let her know.” Jax replies, shutting the door.

“Jax, I rolled 3.” I say as he walks back in. “How’d it go with Sophia?”

“She threw another fit. I told her I’d add on another week and if she didn’t stop with the fits. She then proceeded to throw another one, so now she’s grounded for 2 weeks. I went ahead and fed her because she wouldn’t stop screaming, and I didn’t want to put Chibs through that. I sent him on home, and Sophia is in bed. I don’t know what her deal has been lately.” Jax responds, taking off his shirt and unbuttoning his pants.

“Why are you stripping?” I ask, laughing.

“Because I want to.”

“Maybe I want to as well?”

“Do it.” Jax laughs. “The kids are in bed so we can walk around the house naked if we wanted to.”

“Maybe I will walk around the house naked.” I laugh, getting up off the bed and taking Jax’s shirt off, leaving me in just my panties.

“Let’s light that.” Jax says, pointing to the joints I left on the desk.

“Outside. We don’t want the house to smell like weed.” I laugh, making my way to the balcony.

“You are going out topless?” Jax asks. “You’re going to be cold, what if someone sees you?”

“Well, I guess you better come on and keep me warm.” I laugh, lighting the joint and taking a long drag. Jax plops down on the patio chair and pulls me into his lap.

“What do you think Sophia’s issue is lately?” Jax asks, taking the joint from me and taking a long hit.

“I think it’s that she is finally comfortable enough to know that if she acts up she isn’t going to be beaten or locked in the bathroom.”

“Well, it’s good that she is feeling more comfortable, but she needs to stop with the fits.” Jax laughs.

“I know, she’s been doing this to me every day. When I took her with me to the store the other day, she literally threw a fit and starting hitting me and throwing herself down because I wouldn’t let her get a toy. I had Phil take her out to the car because she wouldn’t calm down. I can’t deal with her attitude anymore. She does it more when you aren’t around. That’s why I snapped at her.” I say, taking the joint from him.

“We need to have a talk with her about her fits. She shouldn’t be treating you like that.”

“I know Jax. This is just the most stability she’s had in a while.”

“Nothing is going to change about that but she needs to stop treating you like shit.” Jax says, taking a drag before putting out the completely smoked joint, reaching out to get another and lighting it.

“She’s never gonna believe that. The reason we moved around so much was because when people started to see the bruises Darren would leave we would have to move. I know she shouldn’t act like this, Jax, but I’m scared she’s gonna think we have to leave again.”

“We just need to keep telling her that she isn’t going anywhere.”

“She’s 6, Jax. She freaked out starting full day school because she thought we were going to leave her and not come back.”

“And by instilling that she isn’t going anywhere we will help her.”

“You’re right. I just hope I didn’t fuck her up. I think we need to start punishing her more too. She needs to learn she can’t act like an asshole and expect to not get in trouble.”

“There’s only so much we can do babe, she’s 6. And I’m not about to try taking Hank away from her again. I grabbed him because he was about to fall, she looked like she was about to punch me.”

“I’m not saying we need to take Hank. I’m saying that we need to punish her consistently so that she doesn’t think we are going to keep giving in.” I say, puffing on the joint.

“I agree. I also think you should call Kelsey, see if she’s okay. She seemed pretty upset.”

“We’ve already been texting Jax. She’s fine. She went to Chibs. I think something is going to happen there!” I laugh.

“He let a girl in his place without him? That’s never happened before.” Jax exclaim, his eyes wide.

“Yep. Apparently when they went outside he was really sweet and told her should couldn’t drive that far with it being dark and her being upset, so he gave her his key and the address.”

“He’s right though.”

“He needs somebody Jax, you can tell he’s down. I see the way he looks at us when we are all together as a family, he’s sad. I think that has something to do with why he always wants to stay as late as possible.”

“You think he wants a family?” Jax asks

“Yes, I do. He loves kids and he doesn’t get to see his daughter.”

“He told you about his daughter?” Jax asks incredulously.

“Yes, and about Jimmy O.”

“He hasn’t even fully told me the story. Do you hang out without telling me?”

“It’s because Sophia asked about his scars and when she fell asleep he told me the full story. And yeah, we hangout a lot. He goes to the store with me, we get coffee, and when Gemma has Abel and Sophia we get actual drinks.”

“I thought Phil went to the store with you?” Jax asks.

“He does when I have Sophia, but I normally go with Chibs during the day when I just have Abel. We have fun together.”

“He’s spending more time with my old lady than I am.”

“Maybe Kelsey can keep him company, and you can keep me company more during the day.” I wink at him.

“I think can find some good ways to keep you company while Abel is napping.” Jax smirks, biting my neck.

“Is that so? If I’d known that I could just call you and get laid I would have been doing it more often. You’ve been slackin’.” I laugh, lighting up the last joint.

“Oh baby, if you ever want laid call me or just show up and make me go to the dorm with you. I like it when you’re demanding.” Jax purrs.

“Well, can I call you now?” I ask innocence on my face.

“No, you gotta get some food in you first. Can’t have you wasting away.” Jax laughs at the crestfallen look on my face.

“Trust me missing a few meals will be good for me.” I murmur, making a move to get up.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Jax asks, kissing my neck and wrapping his arms tighter around me stopping me from getting up.

“It means that I’m fat and I can stand to lose a couple pounds.” I laugh.

“Baby, you aren’t fat. You are gorgeous and I fucking love your curves. Literally feel me, I’m hard as fuck.” Jax laughs, thrusting his hips up a bit.

“I can.” I reply, grinding down on him with a smile.

“You want the D you gotta eat.”

“Well, then get your ass up and come eat an omelet with me.”

“You’re making omelets.” Jax asks, standing up with me in his arms.

“Did you want something else?”

“No, I fucking love your omelets!” Jax exclaims, rushing back into our bedroom and towards the door.

“So does you stomach. I swear you could eat 7.”

“You betchya.” Jax laughs.

“I need a shirt, Jax.”

“No you don’t, remember we can walk around naked because the kids are sleeping. Plus, nudity is alright. Gotta teach the kids to be okay with their bodies.”

“What if they wake up, you can’t keep your ass quiet.”

“They aren’t going to get up and if they do oh well. We are wearing underwear.”

“True. Take me to the kitchen peasant.” I laugh. He sits me down before turning away from me and squatting down.

“Hop on.” Jax says, glancing over his shoulder at me.

“Yes! I love piggyback rides!” I laugh, wrapping my legs tightly around him.

“You and Sophia both.”

“Fuck yeah! Go!” I laugh.

“What is it Sophia says?”

“Onward, Noble Steed!”

“You taught her that shit, I remember you saying that to me and Opie all the time when we gave you piggyback rides.” Jax laughs.

“You loved it then, and you love it now.”

“Fuck yeah I do!” He replies, running to the stairs.

Taglist: @jadert15 @gemini0410 @dawntaeworkman @stylesismyhubs @spnhollis @melissataggart87 @jaxteller87 @hismissharley13 @rahdaleigh @chrmdnbeautiful @innerpaperexpertcloud @emmaveale123

#Jax Teller #jax x oc #opie winston #happy soa #soa #soa chibs #soa gemma #wendy soa #bobby soa #tig trager #juice ortiz #Clay Morrow #gemma teller #sons of anarchy #lyla winston #OC #x OC

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