Work Text:
Sky gently carded through Legend's hair and tried not to mind how sweaty it was. The younger hero shifted in his hold and whimpered, blindly reaching for something. He settled for Sky's sailcloth, cradling it in his hands like his life depended on it.
"Hold on, Legend," Sky said, though he knew the other wasn't awake to hear it. "Four will be back with help any minute now."
Sky hoped so, at least. The smithy had left hours ago in search of medicine and help, splitting into the Colors to cover more ground. They hadn't seen the rest of the Chain since a portal split them up more than a day ago. Back then, Legend's illness had been little more than a common cold, but it had progressed with a frightening speed during the night. It was risky to split their group even further, especially when Legend was incapacitated, but Four and Sky had agreed it was worth it. They couldn't afford to let Legend's condition get any worse.
Legend let out a high-pitched whine, and Sky stroked his hair again, wishing he could do more to help. It was agonizing to see his brother like this, and he knew Legend would hate being this vulnerable if he was awake. Unconscious, he had no control over it, and it made Sky's heart ache to see him so agonized.
Legend's eyelids fluttered, and Sky bent forward, trying to get a good look at him. His brother hadn't been awake at all since before Four left, and even then, he'd barely been aware of his surroundings.
"Legend?" Sky asked gently. Legend groaned and turned away from the sound, burrowing his head in the sailcloth.
"Legend, it would be really good if you could wake up for a little. You need to drink some water."
"Don' wanna."
The words were muffles by the cloth and more fit for a grumpy kid than an adult, but they put a smile to Sky's face anyway. It was beyond relieving to hear Legend's voice.
"C'mon. It'll be good for you," Sky insisted.
"I don' wanna wake up," Legend pouted. "I wanna keep dreamin'."
He turned his head to look up at Sky. His eyes were bloodshot and cloudy, and his cheeks were flushed with heat. Still, there was an intensity to his stare that Sky couldn't explain.
"Why d'you wanna wake up so badly? Being a seagull can't be that great anyways."
Sky found himself at a loss for words, his worry spiking as he realized Legend was significantly worse than last time he'd woken up.
"You can go back to sleep as soon as you've had some water," Sky said.
Legend mumbled something incoherent, and Sky decided to take matters into his own hands. Gently, he raised his sick brother into a sitting position and found his waterskin. He tapped Legend's cheek. It was way hotter than it had any right to be.
"Link, I need you to drink something."
Legend opened his eyes again, looking confusedly at the waterskin right in front of him. Sky brought it to his mouth and slowly poured a little, careful to make sure he didn't choke on it. When Legend had drunk a few mouthfuls, he lowered him back to the ground. That would have to do for now. Hylia, he hoped Four would be back soon.
"Sing for me?"
Sky looked at Legend in surprise. He knew the veteran owned a bunch of instruments himself, but he rarely played them. Sky had no idea he was an enjoyer of music, in fact.
Sky pulled his harp out of his bag and started playing, accompanying the music with his voice. He was only a few beats into a popular hymn from Skyloft when Legend interrupted him.
"No, the one you usually sing," he requested. He croaked out a series of notes from a song Sky hadn't heard before.
Sky experimented with the notes for a few minutes before he managed to get it right. When he did, the music filled their little camp, melancholic notes fluttering through the air like birds on a summer's morning. It was an intriguing melody, one which spoke of wispy clouds on a blue sky and brilliant sunlight which cast deep and ominous shadows.
Legend hummed along, his raspy voice breaking at the high notes. He opened his eyes when Sky briefly stopped to catch his breath.
"This is a nice dream," he said. "I wish it didn't have to end."
He fell asleep shortly after, looking almost peaceful. The notes of the music wove into the afternoon like the gentle brush of waves.