Link plummeted to the surface with determination later that afternoon. As he fell, he pictured returning home with everyone, and hopefully receiving another hug from Groose. A smile spread across his lips and he readied his parachute.
After defeating several enemies and solving many puzzles, Link needed to refuel on the surface once again. The first thing he did was immediately set out to find Groose. While he was searching, Link saw Pipit waving to him from the roof of the academy, so he went up to talk with him.
Link moved briskly over, putting Groose at the back of his mind for now. Pipit fiddled nervously with the side of his belt, avoiding eye contact. It was Link who spoke first.
"Hello Pipit! How are you today?" Link smiled.
"Link! Where have you been? I was worried sick."
"H-huh? I thought you knew that I have to find Zelda on the surface?" he asked confused. Unfortunately for Pipit, Link had no recollection of Pipit flying him home.
"N-no, I mean, I haven't seen you since that night, I wondered how you were feeling. And when you went missing, I thought the worst." Pipit was looking at Link with worry. Link's thoughts immediately went to that night on the island. He vaguely remembered being brought home on a Loftwing that wasn't his.
"Oh, so that was you who rescued me? I guess I never thanked you properly." Link touched his face in memory of the bruises, even though they had long since healed.
"No, it's no problem, really!" Pipit blushed and scratched at his hat. He let out an awkward laugh-cough hybrid in an attempt to sound like it was no big deal, but just made him sound like he was trying to hard to hide the fact he liked it. Pipit chewed at his lower lip as he looked at Link. The boy had only just returned home, and his boots were dirty, his hair was tousled, and he had an unmistakable grassy smell to him. Pipit thought about how the adventuring look suited him, and how he wanted Link all to himself. He was in the middle of admiring Link when the blonde spoke up.
"So where is Groose anyway? I've looked all over for him."
Pipit's heart sank in his chest. He remembered how sad and lifeless Link was, and how he wanted to hurt Groose so badly for hurting his precious underclassman. "He's... Busy." Pipit shook his head. Of course he had no idea where Groose was, but he just wanted to protect Link. He walked over and put a hand on Link's shoulder. "I won't let him hurt you again, don't worry."
Link's eyes widened and he looked at Pipit's hand resting on him.
"What? Where?" he shyly pushed away Pipit's hand, turning his focus back to Pipit's face. "Groose didn't mean to hit so hard, it's complicated..."
"I don't really know where he is, but I think you should avoid him, Link." Pipit held his hand to his own chest, the one that had previously been resting on the younger man's shoulder. "I'm just trying to keep you safe."
Thinking of all the monsters and trials he faced below, he was sure that Groose on a bad day wasn't nearly as bad as Ghirahim on a good one. He shoved Pipit's concern to the back of his mind.
"Pipit, I am trying to protect everyone here whenever I go fight on the surface. I don't need you to protect me from Groose."
"Link, I know you're brave, but please don't make stupid decisions." Pipit hung his head and took off on his loftwing.
Turning around in a huff, he saw Groose helping Henya carry several barrels into the academy. Hopping down from the roof, he excitedly ran toward the redhead.
"Groose!" Link called his name. Groose jumped at the surprise, dropping the barrels in the process. He turned around and grabbed Link to his chest. Link closed his eyes and melted into the embrace.
Groose realized what he was doing and immediately let go, embarrassed. "Uhh I m-mean... I'm glad to see you little buddy..." his face was almost the same shade as his pompadour. He picked up the barrels, save for one badly broken one that had been full of water. He turned back to the dazed hero.
"Come and tell me about your adventures later on, okay? I have to help Henya today as punishment for cutting class." He beamed as he strutted off into the academy.
Link's chest felt cold, immediately wanting to be back in that hug once again. Link sighed as he headed off to the market to restock and refuel, something he usually did first upon returning to the surface.
After feeling sexually harassed by Peatrice, and weirded out by Sparrot's eyes, Link was finally finished shopping. Since he had some time to kill, he figured he'd go around seeing if anyone had any work for him around Skyloft. He was flagged down by Mallara, Pipit's mother, first. She was enlisting his services cleaning and dusting. Link began tidying up but when he was almost finished, Pipit came home for lunch. Knowing that his mother had been paying a housekeeper, on top of his irritation at Link, Pipit became enraged when he saw the situation. He threw Link out and proceeded to scream and fight with his mother. A few seconds later, he stormed out of the house and grabbed Link by the collar.
"You're too good for my concern, but not too good for my money?!" Pipit punched Link square in the jaw, sending the hero flying onto the ground. Link had a rule of never laying a hand on anyone in Skyloft, but he was getting pretty tired of being manhandled. He scowled at his upperclassman, "You think I was doing it to rob you?! I was just killing time, and she called me over!" Link stood up and brushed off. "I don't need your concern OR money, and I damn well don't need this." It was Link's turn to walk away from the situation.