A gentle gust of wind made the house creak, catching the merchant's pointed ears. He sat, legs sprawled out on the ground, looking up to the ceiling with a soft sigh. His purple robe and gold decorated rabbit hood loosely covering him, the hood falling into his face. All around him were tables and boxes, set up and covered with cloth to look like tables.

Sure, the house wasn't his. The bed was pushed precariously up against the wall, as well as the table the previous owner had. Various boxes sat around the room, surrounding the bird cage he'd set up for his buddy, Sheerow. The bird fluttered about happily, chirping as it landed on the various items that were set up on the table, the majority being weapons.

Ravio pushed his hood up to grin at the bird, holding his hand out in invitation. "What are you doing, silly bird?" he cooed softly to it, then smiled as his offer was taken. He leaned his head in to kiss on the white feathers affectionately, murmuring baby talk to the being. "Were you practicing picking them up, Sheerow? Were you being a good bird?"

His talk slowed as he saw a familiar figure pass the window. He grinned and kissed the bird one more time before standing up. Sheerow flew into the air next to him while he repositioned his black and blue scarf, then pulled his hood down to block all his sight except for the ground. He carefully tugged it up, keeping his eyes hidden, but his mouth and nose were visible. There... now he could at least see where the other would be going.

The door opened, and at the sound of the familiar boots, Ravio's heart nearly skipped a beat with joy. "Welcome back, Mr. Hero!" he said gleefully with a wide grin.

His visitor, no doubt the hero clad in green, was less happy to see him. He clutched at his side where a slight stain of red was beginning to grow, and his breathing came in heavy breaths. "Heya," he muttered.

There was a pause as Ravio scrambled to make sense of what was going on, only able to see the other's feet. "What can I do for you today, hmm?" His grin never faltered, and he added a bounce to his posture.

"Well gee," Link growled sarcastically. "I dunno. Maybe a healing potion, or something like most other shops have? Maybe set my bed back up?"

At times the merchant wished he didn't have his hood so he could take in the other's expressions, the only time he's been able to so far has been when the hero passed out. Yet now he was glad for his hood, glad to know he wouldn't be able to see the no doubt angry look being directed at him. "Eh... You know I can't do that, Mr. Hero."

"Why not?"

"There's... No room, silly!" He laughed a little, only for it to die down as he didn't hear the other laughing.

"What are you, heartless?" Link questioned harshly under his breath, stepping over to him. He abruptly reached out and gripped the front of the purple robe, making the other squeak in surprise. "You come in, steal my house, expect me to buy your items when I can't sleep here-" he took a sharp breath in, holding his side again.

Sheerow danced frantically above Ravio's head at seeing the sudden violence, and it didn't do much for him either. He took the opportunity and stumbled out of Link's grasp, his lips parted in surprise as his hands flew up to smooth his robe down. "Mr. Hero..." he whined softly, cringing back at the reaction he immediately got.

"Don't 'Mr. Hero' me." Link let out a huff. "What are you, blind? You never know if I'm injured or not unless I tell you!" He hesitated as he watched the merchant cringe back. "Why don't you just take the thing off and look at me for once!" He reached out to move it for him, but abruptly stopped at the other pulling back.

"I-I'm sorry," Ravio murmured pathetically as he reached up to shakily pull his hood all the way down, his fingers curling tightly into the brim as he tried to force himself not to shake. "You're right; I can't see through this, b-but..." He stammered quietly, his bird flitting about his head. "I... can't let you see me. I'm sorry." He squeezed his eyes shut in hopes of blocking out the memories of his home, of how angry and violent the people that lived there could get.

His words only spurred the blond further, but before he could retort he gasped again and fell to the ground. "P-please, Ravio," the blond begged. "Anything..."

The merchant let out a whimper, knowing the other was likely close to unconsciousness. "Um..." He took a breath, wanting to both help him and show he wasn't as bad as the other was likely convinced. "L-lay down and I'll be... r-right back." He took another, albeit slightly relieved breath as he heard the other sink to the ground, and held up a hand to his bird. As the white being landed on his hand, he quickly made his way over to the door, but paused as he looked over to him.

He opened the door as he hesitantly raised his hood, looking to the other. Link's face was a mixture of pain and exhaustion, reclining back on his elbow as his other hand continued to clutch his side.

With a furious shake of his head, Ravio quickly made his way outside and looked around. He hated seeing him like that. The only other times he'd been able to see his face was when the blond passed out. The bracelet he wore on his wrist was connected to the merchant's small amount of magic, and there was just enough there to alert him he needed help. During the trips of dragging him back to his house, he'd pause and trace a light finger across his face, moving his hood out of the way. Wait, he was distracted! He shook his head again and pushed his hood down, turning his attention to helping the hero.

A light blush spread across his face as he made his way to the apple tree to the side of the house. He cooed softly to Sheerow before raising the hand the bird was on. It flew into the tree and started to knock a few apples down for its owner, chirping the entire time. He gratefully gathered them in his arms before whistling softly, his hand extending for the other.

As he hastily made his way back, he started to murmur under his breath. "Please still be awake, Mr. Hero..."

The door opened and he let out a sigh of relief. He was still in the same spot, but he looked slightly worse. With a nervous gulp he walked over and set the apples beside him, grabbing one so he wouldn't have to talk nearly as much. Link picked one up and sank his teeth into it with a satisfying crunch. "Thanks," he muttered around the mouthful.

The merchant nodded softly, sitting across from him as he bit into his own apple. Sheerow took to the air at the action and flew to its cage, letting out a few squeaks. That and the sound of the apples were the only things keeping them from eating in total silence. Ravio slipped the apple up under his hood to eat it, not wanting the other to see his face in the slightest, and he kept his eyes tightly shut.

Link finally looked over to him, draping his arm across his waist. "Hey..." He sounded considerably better, and would have looked it as well if the merchant were willing to see. "Sorry 'bout that earlier," he sighed. "I was panicking... I didn't mean to be a jerk."

Ravio nodded softly, hesitant about speaking. "It's alright," he said, his voice soft.

There was a pause, then the blond scooted over to him, his head tilted slightly in question. "You're not crying, are you?"

Both of Ravio's hands reached up to grasp the apple, backing away with another furious head shake. "No I'm not!" he whined, and despite the truth in it, it seemed otherwise. "I just..." he hesitated. "I don't handle blood well. That's why..." his voice trailed off as he turned his head away, biting his lip.

"Oh." Link blinked and leaned back. "Then why didn't you say anything?" He just got a shrug in response, and his pointed ears lowered slightly, a brief moment of irritation passing through him. "You know, it's hard to talk to someone if you can't see their face."

There was a soft crunch from under the other's hood as he bit down hard on the fruit, attempting to block the hero's words out. Silence rung in the air again as he chewed, then with a soft sigh he knew he had no choice but to answer. "I'm sorry, but it's like I said before... You can't see my face."

"Not even for a moment?" Link inquired, leaning in slightly.

Ravio let out a huff and looked at him, or at least towards his voice. He knew his face was heating up, but he decided he needed to stall. "There... Is one condition you can see it." He turned his head away and bit into the apple again, seeming indignant with his sudden posture.

The news brought a grin to Link's face. "Oh?" he chuckled softly.

"You have to make love to me." There was another crunch of the apple, hiding the beet red face beneath the hood.

There was a sudden fit of coughing from the blond hero as he attempted not to choke on the bite he just took. "I-I what?!"

"Mhm."

Link stared at him incredulously, the apple threatening to slip from his grasp. He had no idea how fast the other's heart was pounding, and he had no idea how it'd increase with his next few words. "Alright," he said with a shrug. "I'm curious and sore and I need the comfo-"

He was cut off by a black boot being pressed to his chest as he advanced on him.

Ravio's heart was beating a hundred miles an hour, his hands shaking on the remains of the apple. "I-I was... j-just kidding," he managed to whisper, panting slightly as his heart had nearly skipped a few beats moments earlier. "I'm not l-letting you look!"

The blond stared at him, noticing the sudden abrupt change in attitude... And also a slight bit of a blush that was visible from under the hood. His face fell slightly as he blushed as well, and stammered out an apology. "R-right sorry, I was too."

There was a soft nod before Ravio pulled his foot back, and scooted away again, earning a squawk from his bird. He looked away and finished the apple, determined to avoid any more awkwardness between the two of them. Lucky for him, the hero did as well, picking up another apple and munching on it, grateful for the safe place to stay and the healing properties of the fruit.

As the hero finally recovered completely, he stood up and patted his tunic down. He took a step over and lightly patted the other on the head, making his hood and hair beneath it go askew. "Thanks again, Ravs."

The blush returned full force on Ravio's face at the touch. "M-Mhm..." he hesitated, not wanting him to go quiet yet. "Where... are you going now?"

Link reached up to rub the back of his neck. "Well... I have three more sages to save, if that's what you're asking."

The merchant pondered over this. "So... Where... are you going next?"

"Probably Turtle's Rock," came the reply.

He was hesitant. He didn't want him to think he was just wanting him to buy his items for the money, despite that being a high point. He glanced in the direction of the tables, a finger reaching up to bounce on his chin. "Um..."

"Ravio," Link sighed. "Don't. If I need an item, I'll come get it. Alright?" He sounded exasperated.

"O-Okay." Ravio's shoulders sunk with visible defeat. "Just... if it gets too dangerous without the proper equipment..." he hesitated, not wanting it to sound wrong. "Don't be afraid to get out of there," he finished quietly. And come back to me, he added mentally.

The blond raised an eyebrow in question as he looked to him. "Really? I mean, I still have the hookshot and boomerang rented. Could always let me pass out so I'd have to rent them again-"

"Mr. Hero," Ravio sighed, sinking further into the ground. "Please just stay safe."

The words hit Link in an odd way, and he tilted his head to the side. "Alright," he muttered, confused. He knew the other had his moments, but this was... different. He shook his head softly as he started for the door. "I'll probably be back soon anyways."

Ravio nodded softly, then slipped his hood off as he heard the door close. Then to Sheerow's dismay, he dropped his face in to his hands with a sigh. "I'm such an idiot!" he groaned to himself before flopping on his side. He let out a long breath as his bird flew over to land beside him. He reached out and gently ran a finger down the top of its head, murmuring softly. "It's alright, buddy." He tilted his head back and closed his eyes, deciding to envision the hero on his way.