Chapter Text
Anxiety churns in his stomach. Twisting into tight knots that become unbelievably hard to untie. The strings of thoughts twisting into variety of horrible emotions.
Disturbed being the main one. Or maybe it's paranoia.
Maybe it's because he's onto something.
Yet as he stands in front of the corkboard. The notes he stuck on now visualized everything. Ironic how he used it to plan ideas on winning over hearts, now it's all about magic and mysteries..
The castle is compromised. A captain is affected by malice. Who knows if Zelda is hurt- or if the others are too. What if they're affected? What if that's-
Shadow slows down, breath shaky as he tries to stick another note up.
“There.. all my notes.” he says to Freryth who nods from the floor then flies up to land on his shoulders. He doesn't really know if she could read it, dragons are impressive but- he doesn't want to think about that right now. His mind won't allow him to.
Malice shouldn't be here. That form of magic is strictly tied to Ganon. He's sealed. Gone. He shouldn't be back so.. soon.
Though as he looks at the paper next to it- he really should invest in a string or something.. but regardless.
Necromancy was what occurred during the Blood Moon and after that? Curses. Many. Many. Curses.
Then… malice?
Surely a correlation. There has to be! He just- He needs to see who was behind it. It will all fall into place.
He knows the knight and that lady are tied to it. Could it be they were trying to get into the castle? They already got one captain..
Shadow pinches the bridge of his nose. “I.. I need to think- I gotta think -” he hisses, turning to pace. Oddly comforted by the chirps of agreement- or he assumes as such from Freryth. "I need to think.." he mutters over and over. A repeating phrase as he doesn't open his store for the third time in a row. Not that he's slacking- he's handling the orders that slip in through the mail.
But he needs to first fix things- fix it. He has to.
That begs the question..
Where does he start? Who does he talk to?
Half of him is tempted to go tell Blue- yet he feels… guilty enough.
He squeezes his eyes shut yet that doesn't help him. All he could see is his friend freezing because of him, punished because of him.
Vio?
Does he.. tell… him? He saw how harsh-..
Shadow grimaces as he shakes his head. “Focus. Focus.. I can't involve him too. It'll hurt. I'll- I need to not waste their time-” he whispers to himself. Whatever he decides to do, he needs to make sure they're all… going out of it unscathed. Not frozen, not burnt. Not choked, not cursed. None of that. He needs to make sure, these stupid heroes don't shield him and get hurt in the process.
Shadow freezes, ears perking up at the echo of a knock. Far away but loud enough to get him to groan and rub his face while Freryth flies off to see who's here. “W-wait!” he calls out, panicking and running after her downstairs without the use of his magic. Though as he stumbles to a stop, he groans at realizing the ‘customer’ probably heard the chaos and knows he's home..
With a clenched jaw and a strained smile, he musters up the courage to face them. “I'm sorry to say this but-” he starts, door not even half way open only to freeze at seeing Vio, laughing as Freryth lands on his shoulders and curls up, feathers tickling. Though his eyes glance down to the newspaper he's holding.
“A..ah. Violet.” he starts, nervously though slumps as he recalls their previous interactions.
Vio is smart and secretive.
He knows he's hiding something and he.. well..
Shadow doesn't have the heart to involve him any further- not until he's sure and isn't.. spouting nonsense where only he could see the truth.
The hero gives him a weak grin, “I wanted to check on you. You um.. worried me.” he whispers as he tilts his head, “May I..?”
Shadow averts his gaze, offering a silent answer as he steps away to let him in. The hero perks up at that and walks back in, setting the paper down on his desk then rubbing his gloved hands.
What will he do- will they-
“Have you seen the news? You and Freryth are on it, neat huh?” he starts awkwardly that Shadow feels enough pity for him to end his misery. Ignoring the pang of curiosity at being in the local paper- he almost looked into it but Vio's tone is alarming.
“Vio, cut the chase.” he mutters, cringing at his words that are starting to parallel Blue's. He forces himself to carry on with a softer tone. “Sorry just.. rattled.” he mumbles.
Vio, ever so.. gentle, doesn't comment except with a reassuring 'It's okay..' and a nod.
“I noticed. Wanted to get you out of the house. You've been so shut out, it's worrying us.” he mentions. Us…?
Blue and him? Or do Green and Red know?
Or worse… was it pretend? What if it's-
He makes a face. An uncertain look in his eyes as he hesitantly chooses to believe it's true than to entertain the thought of being.. lied to again. Even if he's scared of that being the case.
The thought of Vio lying to him is always in the back of his mind but it's gotten quieter through every moment. Every chance. Every issue. He just wishes it isn't pretend. He wonders if Vio would be as upset as Blue if he finds out.
Still, he sighs. “Fine. Fine. Tell me, what do you wanna do?” he whispers to him.
Vio grins, a bright hopeful one. Giddy that he agreed?
“Great cause I wanna spend time at the festival with you, so… shall.. we?” he urges and Shadow rolls his eyes.
“Fine. Let me change first.”
Emotions are a fickle.
He never wanted it to get this far.
Vio's hum is a nice distraction, a calming contrast to the town's lively jingle. Though as he stares at their hands, fingers interlocked.
He grimaces, prepared to blame Freryth's feathers on his neck as the reason for his discomfort despite knowing she'd be offended he would throw her under the wagon like that.
Not like Vio could see it with him leading. It's odd. Paralleling even.
If he lingers down memory lane, it's almost the exact copy. Except Vio is leading him down the town, quietly humming a tune, when with him?
He was loud. So very loud. He wonders if Vio found his voice as comforting as he finds his hums are or if he grimaced at every laugh..
He remembers the warmth of the tower, holding Vio's hand and pulling him away with joyous hearty laughter that filled the halls after defeating Green and leaving the heroes in distraught. The final push that got him to confess secrets that led to his demise.
The betrayal stung then and still stings now. Very much. It's the one thing that held him back from leaning against Vio. The fear of being hurt is.. scary…
Ironic, how Vio shown him time and time again that he wants to help him.
Help Ravio. Not Shadow.
What about him when he needed it? What about him when he confided secrets in dark halls?
Shadow sighs as he looks back at the hero, he knows it isn't fair to hold him to their past when he wasn't as good of a friend either..
Vio glances back and catches him staring, a small confused smile on his face that Shadow instantly averts his gaze away to the ground below him. 'Watching his steps' being the excuse he prepared on his tongue if asked if he's being shy.
“Vio? Can I ask you a question?” he whispers softly.
The hero blinks, eyes wide like a deer as he nods. “Of course?”
Shadow stays quiet for a moment as he tries to organize his thoughts. “Why do..” he stops then looks at him again with a slightly defeated look. “What do you gain from helping me?”
Vio hums then squeezes his hand as he answers. “I got two answers. One is complicated, and one is simple. Which do you prefer to hear, Rav?”
A decision?
He frowns, “That doesn't make it easy..”
Vio laughs softly then leans against him, head on shoulder. “Then hold off a bit with it. I'll show you instead.” he pulls him along the festival grounds and towards a familiar route.
Shadow raises an eyebrow at the maze. “Really Vi?” he asks and the hero gives him..
A soft look. A smile of sorts.
“Hold on, a bit okay.” he tugs him forward to the gates of the maze again.
And he realized a few things. This maze wasn't just a simple reach the end game.
There were three possible endings.
The basic exit on the other side. And then two other. One is a ‘garden’ and the other is.. wide open area with giant wooden chess pieces with frost patterns covering them.
At least that's what Vio mentioned though it doesn't continue into chess and instead focuses solely on the garden.
“I made it. Designed it myself.” he murmurs as they take a right towards a more.. leaf patterned route. The walls of ice now having a pattern of vine leaves that are increasing in numbers as they go deeper in that route. “Wanted to be the first to show you.”
Shadow raises an eyebrow then nods. “Why..?”
“Hm?”
“Why show me-” he stops walking and pulls his hand free. “I don't see why you'd waste time on me?”
Vio’s smile falters for a second. “I.. what?”
Shadow frowns, hand reaching to fidget with Vio’s gift. The necklace twisting between his thumb and finger.
“Vio, I.. there's a lot going on with me.. and.. I don't want you to get caught up in my mess. I'm not who.. you think I am.” he starts, hating how quiet his voice gotten nor how shaky it sounds. Curse his nerves…
Vio stays quiet then sighs as he walks up to him and grabs the hand fidgeting with the necklace. Then leans and tilts his head, “Rav, come on. You're overthinking it.” he mutters as he pulls his hand down and walks backwards for a second.
“Come on, there's a bench to sit there. Let's go, we can talk and clear everything up and well.. you'll see not everything is so black and white.” he murmurs gently. “Please?” Vio urges.
And it hurts to think that.. maybe this is the last time he hears Vio be.. gentle to him.
Silenced due to his inability to use his voice without stuttering and tripping over his words, he nods.
Weakly, but still.. nods.
It was enough anyway.
Vio smiles and guides him quietly. Peaceful. Heavy, but peaceful.
Yet they reach a wide opening and he sees an arch gateway of ice with the same vines and leaves of frost. On the arch, there's a center piece circular with a flower carved in. A daffodil. He knows it. The six petals with the center piece being oddly circular shaped like a trumpet.
He would've assumed it to be the silent princess, given the nation's symbol and it being Zelda's favorite.
Yet to see it's a daffodil isn't.. quite surprising to him. Not when he knows Vio.
Vio talked about flowers a lot, when he challenged him during one of their nights they weren't scheming. He asked what's the most ‘precious’ thing of the light world to him. Vio took a while.
But he eventually settled on flowers.
It confused him to hear such an.. odd answer. Flowers were.. nothing special. They didn't do anything as far as he knew? Other than being pretty. (At least that's what he thought at the time and then learned the many benefits in flowers and well. Something didn't need to be useful to be important so.. his thoughts on flowers changed a lot compared to then-)
Though he knows Zelda loved flowers. He wonders if Link did too and hid it by saying it's for her. Maybe it came from Vio loving it, and Blue hiding it out of his pride.
He grins as he points it out, “Daffodil?”
Vio laughs softly. “Yeah- exactly.” he then looks at him with a grin. “You know flowers?”
“Uh.. not a lot.” he mumbles, then, a risky choice. “A dear friend loved them. I never understood how lovely they are until I lost him.” he admits sheepishly.
Silence settles between them. Not as heavy this time either. If anything, he feels calmer. Despite his sadness, he feels.. calmer.
Though he pauses at the sight before him. As soon as he walks in, he realizes what Vio meant by a garden. It's huge, like he walked into the queen of hearts garden of roses except there's a few frosted flowers. Ice sculptures all around that Freryth takes off and flies too close to a few yet when she lands, the cold startling her enough to send her flying back and curling against his arm with a hiss. He laughs as he pets her then pulls her to hold in one arm carry that she coils around his arm while he admires the scenery. He sees one of the four sword, stuck in stone of ice. Another is a knight. So on, so forth. Yet he freezes at the farthest between them. A dragon sculpture based on the giant bat wings and reptile like face.
Yet, he couldn't ask or rush ahead to get a closer look. Instead Vio pulls him to the center where a few benches surrounding a frozen fountain. As they walk, he notes a few flowers. Silent princesses are there. A bunch of them.
But so were zinnia flowers. He recalls them. Vio talked a lot about their meanings and how different flowers meant different things. He recalls picking a few of them to give Vio after he found out what they symbolize.
Friendships. He remembers how embarrassing it felt after the betrayal. He wonders if Vio even kept them after he died.
He frowns then sighs, “I liked those flowers.” he points towards them. “You?”
“Oh um.. I like hibiscus flowers. Well I used to like silent princess but… yeah.” he answers weakly.
Shadow grins. “That's a nice flower.”
Though, he stops talking after that and instead sits with him in comfortable silence. For a short while until Vio breaks it.
“Ah.. sorry to hear about your.. friend.” he coughs then looks over at him. “Is it okay if I ask what happened..?”
Shadow frowns, hating he's speaking in codes but nodding slowly. “I screwed up.” he answers simply. “I misunderstood him, thought we are something more when in reality our values at the time.. weren't.. compatible.” he murmurs as he avoids looking at Vio in the eyes. “Now I'm scared if I try to reach out and tell him everything, he'd reject me anyway.”
Vio stays silent through it all then squeezes his hand. “And what if he doesn't?”
“Why wouldn't he?” Shadow grumbles.
“What if..” Vio stalls. “What if, what if. Well.. I can't tell you things are.. always perfect but..” he grins, “I know you and you've been a great friend. Anyone would be lucky to have you.” he whispers encouragements.
Ironic.
Shadow groans. “Don't say that. You barely know me.”
“Well, I wanna know you. So tell me.”
He sputters then scoffs. “Vio, I'm a- I lied to you. I lied about so many things-” he starts then stands up to pace. “Vio, it's my fault a lot of shit is happening- Blue got hurt cause of me and I already- I messed up so many times and-” he struggles, dancing between complete transparency and secrecy.
“I screwed up so.. so- you wouldn't trust me if you knew-”
He never notices Vio getting up from the bench, not until he grabs his hand and forces him to stop. “And if I already do trust you?”
Shadow grits his teeth, looking away from him. “You wouldn't if-”
Vio groans as he cuts him off, soft gloved hands cradle his face as he forces him to meet his eyes and for the first time he sees annoyance flicker in Vio's eyes. Not hate, nor anger. Just.. exasperation-
“Quit being dramatic-” he grumbles. Then grins, “I know.”
“Wh-”
Vio presses their foreheads together, a weak grin on his face as he closes his eyes. “I known, Shadow.”
“No yo-...” he freezes, eyes wide as he places his hands on Vio's shoulders and shoves him off yet close enough to stare at him flabbergasted.
“What.”
The hero just smiles, cheerily as he grabs his wrist and presses his cheek against his palm. “You thought you can trick me, Shadow?” he whispers, challenging tone.
Smug.
So.. very.. smug.
That Shadow opens, closes his mouth then opens it again.
“What.” he repeats.
Vio rolls his eyes and pulls the hand off his face just to hold his hands tightly, a huge smile on his face. “You don't gotta ‘pretend’, I've known.” he whispers.
“Since.. how? ” he stutters out, wide eyes at Vio's.. honesty. What the fuck-
Vio hums then moves to let go, folding his arms behind his back as he speaks like a detective. “Well, I known since I saw you. Had a feeling. You stuck out to me.” he mumbles then tilts his head, “As for how,” he tilts his head, a smug smile on his face.
“You try living with someone and studying them for a while. You notice the little things.” he points out. Then continues with half lidded eyes and a soft teasing tone like a cat towering over a mouse- when did the roles change? He always thought he was the one challenging them- toying with them-
“Like the way you carry yourself, the way you talk and tease. The quick decisions, the anger, the kindness and guilt? Even then,” he reaches to hold his palm again and interlocks their fingers.
Shadow's ears perk up at that, face reddening at being read like an open book yet Vio doesn't stop as he leans close to whisper to him. “You react the same way when I shown you affection.” he reminds, warm breath against his neck and he wants to die- crawl in a hole and die!! He was being a little shit- fuck him! Fuck this!!
“You're being dramatic..” he mumbles.
Vio snorts at that, “You wanna know how dramatic I can get?” he points out then moves to pull him away towards the dragon statue though his mouth starts to feel dry as he sees the patterns and size and design.
The curve of the horns, the constellation like patterns on it, the sharp eyes that look ghostly. All detailed to symbolize one dragon.
His dragon.
His Nebula.
Wide eyes, he snaps to look at Vio who has a weak smile on his face. “I wanted.. to gift you this. I know it's not the same as her.. but.. it's a remembrance of sorts. I have no idea where she is but..” he crouches down to wipe away at frost covered pedestal of sorts with carvings. ‘Memory of Nebula, Protector of the skies.’
Cheesy. So so cheesy-
Yet seeing Vio's goofy smile and the dragon name and-
“I know it isn't much but, Shadow it's kinda easy to realize it's you.” he snickers.
The shade grins, weakly as he kneels to sit next to him. “You're such an idiot…” he groans as he leans against him.
“Rude. I think a good description would be thoughtful.” he claims and Shadow rolls his eyes.
“Okay, oh thoughtful hero. I'm surprised that you even found out it's me.” he admits weakly.
“What kind of hero I'd be if I couldn't tell it was you?”
Shadow pouts, “The other three..? They don't know.”
Vio rolls his eyes then leans close to whisper a tease, “Blue clearly knows. I saw you both. Never expected it, but I seen the way you two act around each other.” he says bluntly yet smugly grinning.
To which Shadow flushes and looks away as he moves to get up, suddenly feeling too warm. “I have no idea what you mean by that but Blue found out cause I told him. I admitted it to him.” he mutters.
Vio blinks as he gets up, patting his coat off the ice and snow, face morphing to confusion as his eyes bounce from one side to the next like he's thinking. “Wait..” he starts quietly. “You mean to tell me you told him before you told me?” he complains.
“Not cause I wanted to- I had to.” Shadow starts then pauses and makes a face before narrowing his gaze. “Actually, so what I told him. You haven't been the kindest of allies when you knew me as Shadow.” he points out with a scoff.
“Touche.. but how long did he…” Vio trails off.
Shadow hums then sighs. “Blood moon.”
Wide eyed, Vio sputters. “Over a month ago?!” he blurts out then groans, “Ugh it explains a lot about him though. I was wondering what happened during that night. I had a hunch about it but Blue was such a wall when I asked him about that night.” he grumbles.
Shadow's ears perk up. “Wall?”
Vio grins, “No clue what you've done, but he was mad but refused to talk about it except that you got hurt and want someone to check on you. His excuse was ‘Artura’ will have his ass so he can't be the one to check on ya.”
Shadow tenses, averting his gaze at the mention of Artura.
To which he gets a soft, “Hey it's fine. He's..”
“Vio I.. I don't think he's.. good.” he starts, hating himself for talking. Often he promises himself he won't do something and he always ends up in the same problem he promises himself to avoid.
He can't. He can't involve him. He needs to..
“Vio.. I.. can you just.. check on Blue often? I think something is wrong in the castle and he's caught up in it.” he admits.
The hero frowns then tilts his head. “I.. know the captain is rough and strict but…”
Shadow shakes his head. “Not just that. Curses are.. abundant. I'm worried something happened with the knights. That's all. Can you.. check at least?”
Vio frowns then tilts his head. “Would.. joining Blue's side help reassure you?” he mentions.
Shadow chews the inside of his cheek again. “I.. I think so.”
Vio sighs then nods. “Then don't mention it. I'll figure it out, if I see anything is off, you'll be the first to know.” he grins at him.
Shadow's eyes widen as his face warms. “Okay- Okay. Too sweet. You're too sweet.” he scoffs as he moves to get up then leave.
“Sweet as honey?” he asks, a smirk on his face.
“Vio, I am one second away from screaming.” he points out with a laugh, grinning as Vio cackles with him. “Can I tell him that I know now- I got so many things I wanna say to Blue. Please- I need to mess with him.”
Shadow narrows his gaze. “Mean spirited things?”
“Wha- me?” he bats his eyes. “I'm an angel, Shadow.”
“A fallen one if anything.” he mutters, relishing in the scoff and complains he gets from Vio.
Though ironically.
It feels.. nice. Though he has one question left on his mind.
“Vio?”
“Yeah?” he whispers.
“Why.. why did you choose to trust me?” he whispers. “I still lied to your face even though you knew…? You never answered me... what do you gain from all of this?”
Vio smiles bitterly as he looks back at him. “I.. figured you had every right to lie to me. I did the same to you. Didn't want to complain.” he sighs as he looks at the floor. “Yet still.. you continued to be nice to me. To all of us. Despite it all. You continue to be so kind.." then he glances back at him with a soft grin with a look that he could describe as.. love. "As for gain, I have no interest in that. I just... I wanted to be your friend again. For real- Not as heroes or any of those titles. Just us, you and I." he whispers. "I just wanted to make it right.. but I figured I needed to earn your trust and well.. I was okay with living in the shadows until you were ready to tell me..” he continues.
Sheepishly though, Vio continues with his own red face. "Though I noticed you were getting rattled and more closed off. I was scared you'd push us away... I thought by making the sculpture and gifts and being there for you, you'd... notice me." he blurts out shyly.
Shadow's jaw falls as he looks at him in shock. “I..I wanted to earn your trust too.” he blurts out as well then cringes, "I.. I mean.. I did notice and well.. I wanted you guys to forgive me and trust me too." he admits, equally as shy if not more.
“Well you had it since I saw you.” Vio teases as he squeezes his hand and swings their hands as they walk back home. “And you.. I know I'm not perfect but..” he tilts his head, “If you'd let me, I'd love to get a second chance. I'll prove it this time, just.. do you think there's a chance for you to let me in?”
Shadow stays quiet then nods slowly. “Maybe.”
“That's good enough.” Vio laughs.
And Shadow laughs with him too.
Until they arrive home and opens the door, ready to step inside and close for the night, Freryth beating him by flying up to his room probably. As he glances back at Vio, the same goofy grin on his face. He lingers for a moment- hesitant yet he steps forward and pulls the hero into a hug, a weak whisper as he feels Vio's arms tense then hug him back equally as tight.
“.. Thanks for waiting for me.” he whispers to him.
"No need, my dear friend." he says, and he knows he was teasing him with the petname.
Not that it didn't work but he could blame it on the weather-
"Will you wait for me a bit longer?"
Vio nods, “Always. Shadow.”
With that, Shadow steps back and smiles at him. Vio grinning too then turning to leave. Locking the door behind him, a weak smile on his face as he giddily floats upstairs like a lovestruck idiot ready to call it a night. A relieving night for once.
He doesn't have the heart to be annoyed with Freryth on his bed pretty much making biscuits with his blanket- he should trim her nails- too comforted. Too happy. With an eye roll, he goes to change out of his clothes in the bathroom. He refuses to take off the necklace, the thought of it brings a weak smile on his face.
A soft hum, similar to the tune Vio was singing earlier today, as the disguise falls. He blinks at his face, bangs are slightly longer than he remembers- maybe he should get a haircut. It's getting longer. He’ll ask Vio or Blue for help with that. As he steps out, folded clothes in his arms. He pauses at the lack of Freryth on his bed or.. anywhere-
“Freryth?” he calls softly though he hears a loud chirp upstairs- attic?
He frowns as he floats up, “Girl what are you- Freryth!” he sees her by the window. The open window- did she?! How can she- he lands on the floor as quickly as he rushes to shut it. “You want it to be cold?” he grumbles to which she scowls and bumps his face before chirping loudly. Almost bristled with the sharp glow of her eyes and static that makes his hair stand. She flies off by the board and stays there.
“What are you..” he walks to it, a frown on his face yet he freezes.
There's a new addition.
A ripped picture from the news, of his face with Freryth scratched out. A red circle around his poster and stuck right in the middle.
Under it, a symbol.
An eye.
Vaati's eye.
