Never Without You │ BOTW modern AU fanfic

Homeless

I gather the courage to assure him that he doesn't have to face it all alone.

"I know life has been rough lately, and maintaining that happy aura can be tough. But I want you to know, Pik, that I'm here for you. If you ever feel the need to talk, about anything at all, I'm here to lend an ear and support you through it all."

He stops, still staring straight ahead. I'm nervous about his response, unsure whether I overstepped a line. But he doesn't say much at all. He just gives me an honest smile and thanks me.

"You've already helped more than you know," he says.

"I haven't done anything..."

"Thanks for proving my point."

My eyes catch something behind him. In the narrow alleyway behind a rundown restaurant that is already closed for the night, my eyes spot a person sleeping on the ground, nestled among the bins and crates.

I gently nudge Pik and whisper to him, "I think I found a homeless person."

"Oh, let's give them the money," he says, following me into the alleyway.

Wandering around the city's most abandoned places in the dead of the night with a blind man as bodyguard makes me feel uneasy. I double check that we are the only people around. The homeless woman, slender and short in height, sleeps soundly, easing my fears of any potential danger.

"She's asleep," I let him know, hopefully easing his mind too.

"Do you see a cup for the money?"

"It's really dark, so it's hard to see."

"You're telling me."

Cautiously, I step closer, trying to find a place for Pik's tips. "It doesn't look like she's a beggar. But she's definitely homeless." I reach for my phone to use the flashlight but it's not in my pocket! Did I lose it? Did it get stolen?

I think back to the girl that threw her drink at me–did she use that as a distraction to rob me?

A realization hits me and I let out an annoyed sigh. Impa... She never gave me back my phone! The whole fiasco with Kiroh made us both forget about it.

"I don't mean to alarm you, but..." Pik clears his throat nervously. "Is she even alive?"

My stomach twists! I didn't consider that she might not be...

In the dim glow of the streetlights, the homeless girl's appearance tells a story of struggle and hardship. Her once vibrant clothing now appears frayed and soiled, bearing the marks of weeks, maybe months spent on the streets.

She lies huddled in a fetal position, vulnerable to the low temperatures of the night. I wish I had a blanket to give to her. Or more than 23 dollars and 46 cents. I don't carry cash on me, but perhaps I could find an ATM and come back.

Tangles of unkempt hair frame her face, hiding her eyes. I'm not brave enough to move her hair to see if her eyes are trapped in an eternal, lifeless stare, so I shift my focus on her torso instead, waiting with bated breath until the subtle rise and fall of her chest reassures me that she is still alive.

I sigh in relief. "She's breathing."

"Good, good," Pik also lets out a sigh. "Find a place for the money," he tells me in a whisper. "I'd hate having to wake her up and disturb her sleep."

There are a lot of cuts and odd spots on her arms, mixed with bruises and dirt. Her fingers are so dirty they appear black, and the soles of her boots lack any texture having walked for miles on end. She shaped her jacket into a ball, using it as a makeshift pillow. The jacket has a pocket, which seems like a safe spot for the money.