Link was about to express his appreciation that Shadow understood his sense of humor, when Clef started talking...and talking...and he felt Shadow's reaction beside him. He shifted slightly to be a better physical anchor, to show his support wordlessly.

"Clef." Link took inhaled and shook his head. "First off, people would have been pretty peeved if he'd killed us, top of that list being Zelda herself. Can't lie, I'd have been pretty miffed too." A fleeting smile for Shadow, before continuing.

"Secondly, you keep saying the same things over and over to Shadow. And the result is the same each time. You're an intelligent man, Clef, find a different approach for a new result. I know you mean well, but, you're really, really, bad at listening to anything you don't want to hear. And I'm tired of seeing him get hurt, because you think your view of him is the only right one. I want so badly for you to be proud of him for who he is, not who you think you see."