Their Secret

Link carries darkness in his heart. No one knows just how much - no one except Mallaidh.

She’s the earth beneath his feet, grounding him to reality when the darkness becomes too much and all consuming. Her soft, calm demeanor, and her melodious voice never fail to bring Link back from the depths of his own emotions. 

Link appreciates the woman more than she’ll ever know. He loves her and Hawkes more than anyone else in all the worlds, even if someone thinks he cares for Hawkes more because they take the reins in their relationship.

The boy didn’t understand why Mallaidh let them do whatever they pleased while she sat back and watched. After Hawkes retired to bed and they were the sole ones awake, she told him. 

“You two are so shy, and while it’s adorable, you need to break free from it.”

If Link didn’t adore Mallaidh before, he did when the rabbitfolk said those words. He gave her a hug, nuzzling his face in her chest. It was his silent way of saying thank you to her. And Mallaidh, always knowing Link’s emotions even without him saying them, laughed and hugged him back.

After the events at Wonderland and Hawkes almost being beheaded, Link felt the darkness grow and fester even further. He didn’t tell anyone - not even Mallaidh. He knows she would have tried to stop it. This time, Link doesn’t think anyone can.

His skin starts to blacken. His eyes glow an ominous gold. Brown streaks start to darken. It scares the everlasting shit out of Link. He doesn’t know what he’s becoming, but he does know it’s a creature of darkness. 

Link does his best to hide his changing form from his friends, but especially from Hawkes and Mallaidh. He knows they’d worry endlessly and try to find some way to free him from the darkness gripping his heart and body. But Link knows he’s on the brink of losing control. He doesn’t know if he could stop himself from attacking either of them if he felt backed into a corner.

They were still in Wonderland, deciding to take a breather after what nearly happened to Hawkes before venturing to the next world. Everyone agreed to it out of concern for Link, Hawkes, and Mallaidh, knowing it had to be hard on them to have one member of their throuple nearly meet his end.

No one knows how hard it was on Link. They don’t know the state his mind was in when he almost saw Hawkes lose his head over something someone else did. Who… who exactly did do those things that Hawkes was accused of?

Link remembers the lewd drawings on the walls, resembling something Kyrielle would do. Hawkes didn’t want to say anything after they returned to camp, although he did look at Kyrielle with a strange look in his eyes.

No, it’s not possible… Could Kyrielle be the reason Link almost lost one of the people he loves?

The anger at that thought makes darkness form around Link’s frame as it completely consumes him. Kill. He’s going to kill her.

“Link!”

Turning, Link growls and raises his clawed hand to attack whoever approaches him. Despite darkness having taken over his heart and body, his mind is still intact. He knows it’s Mallaidh. No one else in their group is that tall or has the same vibrant sapphire hair.

“Shh, Link, it’s okay…” Mallaidh whispers, taking small, slow steps towards Link. He growls and jumps back, baring his teeth at her. “I know you won’t hurt me, my love… everything will be alright. Just come back to me.”

“Kyrielle…” Link snarls, and Mallaidh looks confused. “Don’t you want to kill her? She’s the reason the man we love almost died!”

“Kyrielle doesn’t realize what she did nearly lead to Hawkes’ demise. If she did, I know she would feel eternally regretful. You know her. She would never do things that would intentionally hurt another person,” Mallaidh says in a soft, gentle tone. “You know her,” she repeats. 

“That doesn’t change a thing! She shouldn’t be… so, so, so damn stupid!” Link screams, grinding his teeth. “Next time she wanders off, none of us should go and try to save her!”

“Link…” Mallaidh has a solemn expression on her face as she approaches Link. This time he doesn’t move away, instead standing there and snarling at her. “I admit I’m saddened Kyrielle’s actions nearly brought about the death of the person we love. But it was an honest mistake. We can’t fault her for that.”

“...” Link stares at her, eyes glowing. “So, what? We let her live? You can’t be that stupid, Mallaidh.”

“We tell her what happened. And that if it happened again, we leave her behind. I know she won’t do it again once she knows what transpired.” Mallaidh reaches into the darkness and takes Link’s face in her hands. “We work on this together. Come back, sweetheart…”

Mallaidh seals her lips over Link’s, her desperation for her love to come back easily shown. Link gasps, gold eyes widening as Mallaidh clasps onto his frame and pulls him closer. She doesn’t care that he may attack her. She just wants him back. Link doesn’t need to read her mind to know that’s exactly what she’s thinking.

As they kiss, the darkness wrapped around his heart and body start to dissipate, until, a few moments later, Link’s form is returned to normal. Surprised to feel tears on his cheeks, he pulls away from the kiss, eyes wide when he sees the tears glimmering in Mallaidh’s eyes.

“I…” Link whispers, unsure of how to apologize. Mallaidh shakes her head, keeping him close as she kisses his hair.

“Don’t,” she says softly, tightening her grip on Link. “Whatever happens now, we face together.”

Link can’t do anything but nod, hugging Mallaidh back as a sigh drips free.

They don’t need to say anything. Neither of them will breathe a word of this to Hawkes. This is their secret.