Bring me to Light

Thanks to the people who reviewed the last few chapters. Ladies (and possibly gentlemen) this is officially the penultimate chapter.

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Red Tears

He burst from the ruins with eyes aflame; glowing in what seemed to be total darkness as masses of stone and metal shattered, raining down in a lethal hail.

Link recoiled instantly, arms shielding his head as he heard the cries of shock from behind him and he glimpsed his companions through a curtain of fire that had erupted from the bare, stone ground.

Ganondorf hung in the air; limbs limp as his chest heaved with effort, ragged, pained breaths being drawn through a grimacing mouth. Blood coursed from tears in armour and flesh, dripping and pooling onto the rubble below.

The Gerudo King screamed, a giant hand clenching, raising the symbol of the Triforce to the sky as he curled into the foetal position. Light shot from his body, engulfing him in soft, blue tinted light…so surreal in its calming effect in the chaotic moment.

Link flinched his head away, eyes slamming shut, cracking open cautiously a second later to see a shadow in light, human form morphing into something...bigger, stronger…primal. It slammed into the ground, dropping from its floating position and unfurling, snarling and towering over the Hylian.

There was nothing he could do but gape when the transformation had ended, blue eyes roaming a gargantuan form, only able to take in the full image by staring at individual parts, piecing it together in his mind.

If ever anyone would ever ask him to describe it…the only thing that he could liken it to, that would be in a normal person’s comprehension, would be a twenty foot tall bipedal boar…with opposable thumbs.

And he was sure twenty foot was an understatement. Its hooves alone reached mid-shin, and when it stretched up to its full height, emitting a roar that shook the heavens, Link barely stood up to its knee.

That familiar red mane fell in a tangled, sweat slicked thicket down its back, scraped away from a hog-nosed face by adornments that looped around arm length tusks.

And all the time those eyes remained the same, burning with a hatred of everything living…and Link trembled before it, breath hitching in throat as his neck craned back and eyes widened to take in the impossible creature.

Thunder shot through the sky as rain began to fall, illuminating the monstrosity in its dark glory as it lifted glimmering blades, swiping them through thin air…coming ever closer to the hero until one split the air in front of his face.

The Master Sword snapped up in his hand instinctively, anticipating that the next blow would be the last if it came…

Sparks flew as blades collided and as the sword was wrenched painfully from his hand, wrist snapping back, Link could’ve sworn he felt its holy core tremble. It spiralled through the air, and he watched it go with a knotting stomach, bile rising in his throat as he saw the hope of Hyrule sinking, into now sodden ground…outside the ring of fire.

He saw Sheik turn; looking at the blade before turning back to Link…and for the first time Link saw unbridled fear tear across his lover’s face, red eyes wide with fear for his partner.

Link stared, for just a split second, hoping to communicate anything and everything in a single glance…and then he turned back to Ganon.

He may be about to go down…but he was going to go down fighting, to the bitter, inevitable end. Sword or no sword.

Ganon roared again and in response, Link straightened his spine, taking a single, steadying breath as it lifted the blades, ready to cut him down…

And he dived.

Shoulder slammed into hard, stone ground, jarring the joint as he narrowly missed the path of the blade’s swipe before rolling to his feet, straight through its legs, ducking out of the way of a wildly swinging tail.

If there was one thing that the Goddesses had blessed Link with, it was his relatively small size…at the very least it meant he was more agile than Ganon.

He used the knowledge to his advantage, lingering around the back of the creature, ducking away from that mottled, flesh tail, mind racing for ideas on how to harm it.

The creature’s hide must have been inches thick, armour coating the rest of its body, making it impossible to penetrate the flesh…except…

The tail caught him out, slamming into his cheek, sending him sprawling on the ground a few feet away, coughing as he slammed down onto his back, rolling a second later to avoid the swipe of blades again.

He sprang to his feet, dodging past blades, making for the gap between its legs again, ideas blooming in his mind…there was a weak point, and he could find a weapon.

He sprinted past a black block of marble, searching for anything that had a sharp edge, hand trailing over the ground…and yanking away in pain, fingers bleeding.

Glass.

A fist sized pane of sulphuric yellow, one edge coated with the red of Link’s blood.

The hero yanked it from the floor, peering over the top of the rock watching Ganon advance slowly. It seemed to know where he was, no matter how fast he ran or where he hid and he stood slowly, tempting it closer, waiting until the last moment…

He threw the shield on his right arm at the blades, knowing it to be useless in this fight, just as it had been against the knuckles, watching as it was torn asunder between the blades, occupying sharp edges for the split second he needed to reach the backside of the creature.

His hand found, strange, cold flesh, seizing in the tightest grip he could manage as he lifted the glass, arcing it towards flesh, shearing the air…and it embedded, tearing through muscle, a shriek emitting from Ganon as it lodged.

The boar spun quickly, twisting in pain. Too quickly, the flat of one of its blades colliding with the unarmoured torso of the Hylian, snapping ribs as if they were a wishbone as sheer force sent him soaring through cold air.

He plummeted, crashing into stone, bones cracking further upon impact sending waves of pain racing through his body, forcing strangled notes through a constricted throat. Eyes closed against the barrage of senses, as his head struck the floor, body seeming to paralyse.

His head lolled to the side, watching the king pound closer through half-lidded eyes, hooves shaking the earth as lungs inflated painfully slowly and a heart raced frantically.

“Li…!”

The word was screamed through the air, fractured by interference, raw with desperation and fear.

“Lin…”

Louder this time, clearer as ears locked onto it.

“Link!”

He jerked, recognising the male voice, head craning to see the Sheikah standing at the edge of the flame, as near as he could get without touching…but still so far away.

Blue eyes rolled to the approaching threat, so close now, and back to his lover, understanding the emotions behind the words to clearly…and the words themselves were becoming clearer.

“Link, use the light arrows to stun him!”

With realisation came awareness, the bow pressing into his back…and through sheer will alone, he staggered upright, swaying as blood trickled from mouth, nose and head.

Wood and string were in his hands a second later, moving of their own accord, a golden arrow set against string and pulled taut by trembling arms.

His aim was poor; the glittering head of the arrow wavering between tusks…but the creature was so close now that if he didn’t release it, it would be upon him. Fingers unclenched. Wood and metal shot through the air. Light burst into life.

The boar reared back, bellowing out its pain in a long, unbroken note as it froze in place, allowing its prey to stumble past, grabbing the glass embedded in its tail and pressing down on it, forcing it in further, cutting into his palm, until it shattered under the force.

Link turned and ran, needing a new weapon…a chunk of rock, a sliver of metal. As long as it could inflict pain on his foe it would do.

A silver glint caught his eye as he sprinted, legs trembling with each step and he skidded to a halt, falling onto his knees and scrambling for the object.

A thin, steel needle, about six inches long, curved subtly…it looked remarkably like…he looked up, outside the ring of fire.

Sheik stood at the edge, holding up one of the thin blades and Link grinned, grabbing the weapon he had thrown, turning to face the now recovered Ganon.

The bow was in his hands again, steadier this time as he aimed and fired, the arrow striking it in the face. He darted round to the back within seconds, slashing with the thin blade to make inch deep wounds bringing the creature down to its knees as he struck something vital. Black blood sprayed violently from incisions and Link recoiled, wiping the thick, oily substance from his face as the creature hung onto its swords for support, labouring to breathe.

“Link!”

He spun at the sound of his name, already running for Sheik.

“The Master Sword! Quickly!”

The blade was within sight, just behind Sheik and the warrior stepped aside, letting Link grab it and wrench it free from the earth.

“You…couldn’t have thrown it?” He panted as numbing fingers wrapped around a cold metal hilt.

“I did try to free it but…”

“It’ll only do it for me?”

He swiped the blade cleanly through the air, comforted by its familiar weight in his hand, despite the pressure it put on his injured wrist.

Sheik nodded, watching Link as he eyed the blade, trailing back to the gradually rising form of Ganon before facing his partner again.

“I know…we don’t really have time,” Link started “but if I…”

“Not going to happen.” Sheik stated folding his arms over his chest and flinching his head towards the boar.

“Give him hell.”

Quietly, Link nodded, turning and heading back for Ganon, his gait wavering slightly as he walked.

The creature rose fully from its crouching position, injured tail lashing angrily as it pulled itself up, great chest heaving.

Link gripped the hilt of the Master Sword tighter, gritting his teeth as it let out another roar, blades carving through the air. He back flipped, evading the swords’ reach, ducking when one whistled through the air towards his head, throwing himself between the creature’s legs.

The sword was out to his side in a second, scraping thick flesh just below the knot of a knee, blue flames beginning to lick along the blade as he charged the attack, hoping that Ganon didn’t decide to kick…and that the magic needed would charge up faster.

Blue flames burst into red as Ganon began to move and with a desperation not to lose this opportunity, Link released the energy.

Roaring pain erupted from Ganon and Link felt hot blood spatter onto him as the silvered blade sliced deep into the dark flesh and muscle of its legs, flames burning fresh lacerations.

He sprinted away as he saw a black hoof rise, no doubt with the intention of crushing him, swiping vaguely with the sword in the hope of hitting the swinging tail.

It missed by a hair’s breadth and he spun, bow and arrow in hand, watching Ganon make a limping circle to face him with a disturbing sense of satisfaction.

The arrow was already aimed, let loose when the boar was barely facing him, the sword sinking into the flesh of the tail mere seconds later, hacking through bone and flesh with the force of the swing.

It dropped to the floor with a thud, splattering mud as rain continued to pour onto the two combatants, both weary and wounded.

Ganon spun suddenly, faster than Link thought was possible with his injured legs, blades extended to full reach, and the Hylian’s eyes widened as he realised that they were close.

Too close!

Golden metal slammed into his chest for the second time that night, sharpened edges shearing through cloth and flesh, hot blood spraying from the wound.

Link recoiled, screaming as pain shot through his chest, gashes burning, cracked ribs creaking in pain as fresh bruises were split open.

In the distance there was a high scream, female and panicked.

Zelda.

Sheik stood at the edge of the flame still, staring with wide eyes as Ganon marched towards Link, aiming a blade at his legs, knocking them from beneath the hero.

He hit the floor, hard.

Sheik ran, circling the fire and trying to reach where Link lay, eyes fixed on Ganon as it limped towards the fallen hero, ignoring the cries from Zelda not to interfere.

No one had ever said Link had to do it completely alone.

His hand brushed the fire as he ran, burning and blistering his flesh instantly, but the Sheikah was so focused on helping his lover that the pain barely registered.

As if it wasn’t happening to him.

He skidded to a halt, standing outside the circle of flame behind where Link lay bleeding. Ganon was a mere foot away, his heavy steps halting as he lifted a single, giant hoof, leaving it hanging over Link.

The Hylian suddenly seemed so tiny and fragile in comparison.

The chain he carried with him was on his wrist instantly, and he cast it towards the boar, watching at it wrapped about its raised hoof.

Sheik tugged, pulling with all his might, knowing that his mere strength would not be effective enough to stop Ganon crushing Link…

“Link! Get up for the goddesses sake!”

There was no response from the still figure.

“Link!”

No response still and Ganon’s hoof was pulling back, dragging the chain against his palms, leaving bloody welts in soft flesh.

Blood slid against the chain and with a gentle tug, as if mocking him the chain was wrenched free.

“Link!”

His cry was desperate and he hoped that the ‘third time lucky’ rule worked again.

The blonde stirred, unaware of the hoof hovering over him and Sheik called his name again and again, trying to rouse him.

The blonde head lifted suddenly, and through half-lidded eyes a blue gaze slid over to him…and up. They widened instantly and the blonde scrambled onto all fours, rolling to avoid the hoof as it slammed into the ground where he had been lying, powdering the rock beneath it.

Except that he wasn’t clear; not fully and he screamed again in what must have been all-consuming agony as he tried to stand, his right forearm beneath the hoof.

Ganon reared its head back, letting out a hiccoughing roar that may have been a laugh as Link jerked again, a raw cry pouring from his throat as tears streamed from his eyes, blood from his wounds, sweat from his skin.
The hero cringed as the giant hoof pulled back, skittering away as soon as it was lifted enough to free his arm, cradling the shattered limb with his left arm.

This… was going to make things difficult.

Without a function right arm, he couldn’t hold the bow to fire an arrow, meaning that his swings at Ganon would be made through sheer luck.

Which meant he was going to die.

Except…

He grabbed the quiver of arrows and the bow off his back with his left hand, yanking them from restraints and trying to ignore the feeling of his dead arm swinging uselessly as he released it and turning to where he had seen Sheik.

The shadow warrior still stood by the flame, cradling his own burnt hand, a look of sheer remorse in his deep red eyes.

“Sheik! Stun him for me!” His voice was higher than usual, strained, the pain shaking every nerve in his body.

Sheik’s head tilted questioningly, nodding in understanding when Link held up the bow and quiver, running towards his lover and throwing them over the flame, dodging to the side to avoid Ganon’s attack a second later.

Grabbing his useless forearm with his working hand, he turned and ran again, shoving the broken limb under his baldric to keep it in place as he ran, jerking the Master Sword into his hand a second later.

He spun, facing Ganon as it stomped towards him and he circled to the right, trying to get it to face Sheik so that he could get a clear shot at it.

Lightening shot across the sky in the distance, illuminating the battle field with brilliant white light, the raindrops as they fell seeming to glow with it.

The off white tusks of Ganon shone, searing eyes gleaming in a black face as everything turned black and white.

And Link never thought he would actually see an arrow as it shot through the air, its white edges highlighted by the brief fork of lightening .

Everything seemed to run in slow motion. He saw the arrow impact, embedding itself in the boar’s mutilated face, saw light erupt from the tip as it impacted, splitting the face of the boar.

Ganon let out a sound that reminded Link of sheets of metal being torn asunder as the light faded, giant head wrenching back, red mane flying as its mouth twisted into a bizarre shape, arrow shaft protruding from forehead.

Light, the intensity of an exploding sun, engulfed the massive form barely a breath later, crippling it and Link heard the princess’ light voice cut through muggy, smoke filled air.

“Link! I’m using my power to hold the Evil King!” She panted, wavering under the force of her own magic, struggling to continue.

“…Use your sword and deliver the final blow!”

She lurched, power trailing off as her chest heaved, one hand clasping over her heart, eyes widening as they locked onto Link.

He held the Master Sword above his head, arm stretching to its max, raising it to the sky as it glowed brilliant blue and white, the power from the weapon overwhelming.

Link ran towards the now fallen, helpless creature, sword gripped tightly in hand as he felt power surge through his veins, banishing fatigue and pain as he swung the weapon as the creature, driving it back until it lifted its huge head…

The Master Sword lodged in its mouth as the hero thrust the weapon forwards, plunging it upwards into its mind before ripping the sword free, taking a step back to watch the creature in its final moments.

It jumped to its feet, hooves pounding into the ground, vibrations humming through solid stone as it landed, throwing Link off balance.

Blades slashed wildly, uselessly through the air, trying to finish its executor before its life was extinguished.

Link’s eyes slammed shut, head turning away as he saw a blade swing downwards at him.

“Six Sages now!”

Hands lifted to the sky as an orb of pure light formed above Zelda’s head and she released it, dropping to the floor and closing her eyes to the fate of the hero of time, as a voice cried out:

“Ancient creators of Hyrule, open the door and send the evil incarnation of darkness into the void of the evil realm!”

--

Sheik heard Ganon’s fading threats as he was banished to the Evil Realm, not caring what was said as long as he reached the prone form of Link through the chaos of light on the battlefield.

“You!...

“Curse you, Zelda! Curse you, Sages!”

There was a pause before a roaring:

“Curse you...Link!!

One day when this seal is broken…that is when I will exterminate your descendants…as long as the Triforce of Power remains in my hand…”

Sheik physically felt Ganon’s presence fade…but, as he skidded to the floor beside Link and gathered the bleeding form into his arms he didn’t care.

Ganondorf’s banishment from Hyrule meant nothing if Link wasn’t here to live in the land he had saved with him and Sheik’s trembling, burnt hand rubbed fervently at the Hylian’s chest as if trying to stimulate heart and lungs into working again.

“Link…Link…come on, you can’t leave me…not now.”

Still no response. The Hylian’s head remained tilted back, chest unmoving as blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

The bandaged hand balled into a fist above the hero’s heart, stained in his blood from the gaping valley in the flesh of his torso where Ganon’s dying blow had struck, splitting the flesh down to bone.

The fist lifted, hung in the air, before slamming heavily into the chest. Just once.

A slender hand settled onto his shoulder.

“Sheik…he’s…”

The hand was shrugged off.

“Don’t you think you’ve done enough damage?” Sheik hissed, red eyes locking onto Zelda’s light blue gaze, so supposedly harmless and innocent. He knew so much better though…

“We need to get out of here before the land is restored.”

“Why does it matter?”
“Sheik,” she circled to his front side, kneeling before him, Link’s body cradled limply in his arms. “All is not lost…he is not yet gone but…we need to move. Let me transport the three of us…”

“To?”

“You’ll see.”

--

Air rushed about them as they were transported by Zelda’s magic, and when Sheik opened his eyes, he found them floating high above Death Mountain, the whole of Hyrule at their feet.

And yet its undeniable beauty was lost on Sheik as he stared at the greater beauty of Link’s pale face.

He pulled the limp Hylian against him, burying his head into the shoulder of the older blonde as one hand supported his head, the other massaging his back gently.

He reached up to his own face, yanking the mask down suddenly and pressing his lips to Link’s ear, ignoring Zelda’s gasp of surprise at seeing his face unveiled.

“Don’t leave me Link.” he whispered, smoothing back strands of blonde hair, his movements a silent beg for the Hylian to open his eyes and smile, and tell Sheik that he was fine…that everything would be ok…

“Sheik…lay him down…”

He did so without question, reluctant to part with his lover, his hand grasping the Hylian’s still…and realisation that the hand was still warm shot through him.

There was still a chance that…

Zelda was leaning over the hero, whispering prayers, or spells or…something.

Sheik couldn’t tell. Didn’t care as long as they helped Link, as long as it meant that the only person he would ever love like this woke up.

The princess pulled away after a moment, shaking her head. “I’m sorry…”

The shadow warrior snatched Link into his arms before her words were completed, forehead pressed against Link’s as he rocked the body soothingly.

Hands clutched desperately at blood soaked fabric as his mouth parted, taking in a single, gasping breath that shook with emotion…

And that was all it took for every wall he had ever built to protect himself to come crashing down and powder into rubble.

He rocked slowly, head lifting to rest his chin atop a blonde head, eyes staring up into the darkness of space above them as he dragged in air in shallow sobs.

His throat was raw, dry, burning…and his eyes just the same. Unable to form the tears that he needed to, because if he didn’t release tears, then he would have to scream in misery until his lungs collapsed inwards on themselves from forcing out air so hard…until he suffocated himself.

He was a Sheikah.

He wasn’t supposed to feel emotional pain. Or grief. Or all consuming loneliness…and so he couldn’t cry…but he did feel those stabbing, horrendous pains in his heart so why couldn’t he cry? Why could he not form a simple saline solution in excess?

Well if he couldn’t cry…then he would scream, and hope he die in the process instead of living a pathetic excuse for a life that would be spent slinking around in the dark and grieving everyday for a hero everyone else would forget.

Looking up into the sky he opened, his mouth, drawing in a deep breath, squeezing his eyes shut…and he felt them…

Just at the corner of his eyes, prickling and spreading along his bottom eyelid to overflow and fall down his tanned cheeks.

They were cold. Slow –moving.

And they felt like the only thing in the world that was worth creating, because at the very least now, as he lowered his head again to press a kiss against Link’s no-doubt-cold lips, he could mourn and grieve like a normal person.

Those lips were still against his...but warm still and as Sheik pressed a heavier kiss onto them…they…

He pulled away, staring at Link, shocked, as lips twitched.

Bloody tears ran down the Hylian’s cheeks…and as Sheik brushed one away, he realised them not to be blood…merely red. The tears of a Sheikah. His own tears on Link’s cheeks, waking the man he had thought dead.

Blue eyes flew open suddenly, lips parting to let out a scream of indescribable agony and Sheik was comforting him instantly, tears still flowing as he cuddled the pained form to him.

Zelda was there a second later, kneeling beside the two men once again, resting a hand against forehead, soothing his pain through magic.

Link gasped, his breaths wheezed and shallow…but there and his eyes were fixed on Sheik’s eyes, brow furrowing as he noted the red tears on his cheeks.

Sheik lifted his hand to stroke at Link’s face slowly, smiling at his living lover. Just so glad he was here. But the Hylian was frowning, lifting his left hand to grasp Sheik’s right, pulling it into his line of sight.

Blue gaze strayed up to red.

“You’re hurt.”

His voice was cracked and weary, but filled with so much concern that Sheik laughed. It was just so like Link to be concerned about a minor injury on another person when he himself was in such a precarious state.

“What’s so funny?”

Sheik leaned in and kissed Link’s forehead, grinning. “Nothing.”

Zelda watched the two men from a suitable distance, not failing to miss the love in Sheik’s face as he spoke with his lover, his movements gentle to avoid causing him pain.

The sight of Sheik, mask-less and weeping had wrenched her gut. Smiling, she quietly eavesdropped on the conversation between the two men. Link, despite his physical state was inundating Sheik with questions about Ganondorf as Sheik tried, unsuccessfully, to get him to rest.

He turned, giving her an apologetic look and she wandered over to the two, kneeling beside them once again.

Her heroes.

Calmly, she explained the situation to Link, nodding in understanding when the hero sighed with relief and she stood.

“Now, Link, I as well as Sheik I would imagine, feel that it is prudent that you rest and have those injuries seen to…”

“What about?”
She held up her hand, interrupting him. “All in good time, this matter is more urgent. I will transport you and Sheik to an inn …there will be a doctor waiting to attend to you for as long as you need, since I’m sure that neither of you wish for your home to be revealed.”

“No kidding…we’d be molested by fans constantly.” A sarcastic smirk crossed his lips as Sheik shifted him into a more comfortable position within his arms. The hero nestled into his shoulder immediately, eyes closing.

Taking that as her cue, Zelda stepped back, spreading her hands to conjure a spell.

“I shall be in contact with you soon…and I wish you both the best of luck, my friends.”

Sheik nodded. Link was already almost asleep.

“Oh…and though this will never be enough…I thank you, both of you for everything that you’ve done for my kingdom. You truly are heroes and I shall see that you get the rewards you deserve.”

--

Sheik felt his feet hit soft grass and he staggered momentarily as the effects of Zelda’s warping spell wore off.

Red eyes instantly cast about for any recognisable feature, finding himself staring at a large bell.

Lon Lon Ranch.

Lowering a know sleeping Link to the floor he pulled his mask back up, wiping away dried, blood like tears from his cheeks before picking his partner up and carrying him into the ranch.

Malon stood nervously by the door to the house and when her eyes fell upon the two she rushed over, gasping at the state of Link and quickly ushering them inside and guiding them up to the bedroom.

Sheik gently lay Link on the bed, noting the doctor in the corner who trotted over quickly, shooing the Sheikah warrior out of the room, slamming and locking the door behind him.

“How pleasant.” He remarked to the door, slumping to the floor outside. He knew that it was probably for the best that the doctor should examine Link without him hovering there but…well…didn’t he know that Sheik was his lover?!

Of course he didn’t. No one did, or would. Save for Zelda…and from the way Malon was looking at him, possibly her too.

--

Hours passed and Sheik eventually wandered outside, into the pasture, finding Epona and Thara lying in a far corner of the ranch together.

It seemed that he and Link weren’t the only ones to have formed relationships.

Staring up at the sky, he noticed that it was nearing sunset…and he could not believe that Link had spent literally all day performing heroics.

The gentle blue of the sky faded to brilliant pink as he watched the sun set, and as pink faded to orange, and orange to red, he was called back to the house.

Weary, he walked back to the ranch-house, giving a courteous nod to the doctor before heading into the bedroom.

Link lay in the bed, blankets covering the lower half of his body…and most of the rest of him covered in bandages.

Sheik sat on the mattress beside him, watching as blue eyes opened almost mesmerically.

A blue gaze ran down his own body then across to Sheik, and with a smirk he stated “I look like you.”

The Sheikah warrior rolled his eyes. “Hardly. I’m better looking.”

“Really? Then why do you keep that mask on all the time?”

Sheik smiled, shifting himself into a position where he could lay down next to Link, tugging his mask down.

“Well if I take it off you’d be trying to get me bed constantly.”

Link’s left hand gestured to the situation.

“Looks like I already have…care to take advantage of the fact?” he licked his lips in a manner that should’ve been seductive.

“…You’re injured.”

“Tell me about it.” He grabbed Sheik’s burnt hand suddenly, causing the Sheikah to wince and he gently kissed the tips of his fingers, soothing the burns.

“So…tell me Sheik… given that we’ve defeated ultimate evil today…”

“Yes?”

“...What do you want to do tomorrow?”