A/N: Not many warnings for this chapter; it's mostly pretty fluffy and wholesome. Ghirahim does get hurt again at the very end, though; poor boy just can't catch a break. But there's only one sentence describing it, and it's not graphic.

Link wasn't sure how long he stayed like that with Ghirahim. It could have been minutes, could have been hours. The demon's cries had slowly gotten quieter and softer until they faded to hiccuping breaths, and then completely tapered off into silence.

The time was also long enough, and calming enough, that link fully found his voice once again, and was able to speak without stuttering. "Are you okay?" He asked softly.

"Mmm…" It would seem that Ghirahim didn't feel up to talking for once, letting out a low hum that was almost swallowed up by Link's shoulder, his voice raspy from crying.

It wasn't as jarring as Link would've thought it'd be, seeing Ghirahim cry. Don't get him wrong, it wasn't a pleasant thing to witness, by any means. Some people were beautiful cryers. Ghirahim was not one of them. In fact, one could easily describe what the demon had just done as 'ugly crying.'

But at the same Time, it felt good that Link could be there for Ghirahim at this moment, to be the one to comfort him through his tears. How long had it been since Ghirahim last cried? Was someone there with him before, like Link was now? The Skyloftian had a feeling he wouldn't like the answer to that question.

Link also found that his rapidly changed viewpoint on the demon didn't feel out of place, either. Maybe it should have, going from his enemy to someone he wanted to help and protect in a matter of days. But actually, it felt right. Like a puzzle piece finally slipping into place.

"I shouldn't have left you alone for so long," Link continues, his voice also cracking a little. "I didn't mean to. I lost track of time, and I'm so, so sorry about that. I promise, it'll never happen again. That, and the not telling you stuff thing."

"Mmm?"

"Yeah. From now on, it's nothing but honesty from me."

Link lets out a small breath. It'd been a while since he'd hugged someone for this long, and it was filling his body with a warm, tingly feeling that he didn't realize he'd missed until it was flooding his mind with feel good sensations. But as much as either of them would like the moment to last, the sky was dimming. They had to return to Skyloft, else they would be stuck here for the night, And that simply wasn't an option.

Link would not allow Ghirahim to spend the night in that tiny building, nor did the hero wish to sleep near the grave of the Imprisoned. Or a grave in general, really.

Link begins straightening up. As he does, the hylian notices that even though the metal patches aren't entirely gone yet, they are substantially smaller than they were before, and there doesn't seem to be a sign of any new ones appearing. If this kept up, Ghirahim would be back to normal in no time. The hero ponders mentioning this, but ultimately decides against it. He would rather not stress Ghirahim out by drawing attention to it again. Instead, he asked: "Are you awake?"

"Mmmmmm…" Ghirahim's grip had loosened slightly, and it felt to Link that the demon was slowly leaning against him more. Though Link didn't blame him for being exhausted, anyone would be after the day Ghirahim had, he knew it wouldn't work out well for either of them if he put all his weight on him.

"Hey." Link gives the other boy a gentle but insistent nudge. "You can't fall asleep on me like this, I'll be flattened." though the hero made sure to say this in a relatively light-hearted tone, this was a very real possibility.

Ghirahim groaned. Though he clearly wasn't happy about it, the demon slowly began to detangle himself from the embrace. He really did look worse for ware. His bangs clung to his tear-stained cheek, his gaze unfocused. He stumbled a little on his feet, and Link stuck out a hand to help him. Actually, that reminded him of something.

"Here." Link fished Ghirahim's gloves out of his pouch and offered them to him. The demon's lips curved upwards slightly at the sight, even more when he noticed his hands were almost back to normal. All that remained of the darkness there were a few minute speckles scattered on his fingertips.

Ghirahim takes the gloves one at a time, daintily sliding each of his fingers into their proper place. "Thank you."

Link can feel himself smiling. He has a feeling that Ghirahim isn't just referring to the return of his gloves. "You're welcome," he replies.

Ghirahim does a big stretch with his arms raising high in the air, shaking and tossing his head. Then he yawns. And even though he politely covers it up with a hand, Link still finds himself unsuccessfully fighting off a yawn of his own.

All of a sudden, it felt as if LInk's possessions weighed much more than they used to, and were becoming heavier by the second. This was because he had grown quite exhausted, himself. I guess it'll be an early bedtime for both of us tonight.

"Link?" Ghirahim's voice, though stronger than it had been, was still slightly dry and brittle sounding.

"Hmm?"

"Are you certain you wish for me to return to Skyloft with you?"

Link lets out a sad, soft sigh. "Yes, Ghirahim, I'm sure. I know that today hasn't been the best for you, with all kinds of things going wrong. But it's not always going to be like that. Besides, you're hurt. Worse than before, it seems like. You're not going to get any better down here on your own."

Ghirahim opens his mouth, presumably to protest. But then, he stiffens. He's not looking at Link anymore, instead the demon's gaze has locked onto something a ways away from him. "Ghirahim? Are you…"

"You're right," the other boy says abruptly. "I-I cannot stay here, now that I've seen it."

"Seen what?" Link glances around the area, but he can't see anything that warranted such a reaction from his companion.

"The statue, Sky Child, the statue!" Ghirahim's voice had nearly risen to a shout, making Link jump. The demon gives him an apologetic glance before continuing in a slightly quieter voice. "I do not like that statue, link. I can't quite put my finger on why, but to me? It's… it's creepy! It is unsettling! And, to put it bluntly, it is just a rather upsetting statue."

Maybe it's because he's so tired, but it takes LInk's brain a moment to digest his companion's words and realize that he is referring to the statue of Hylia now resting atop the Unsealed Grounds. [Okay, it's not a much better name than No Longer Sealed Grounds, but at least it's less of a mouthful. You have to give link that.]

Link looks over at it. He doesn't really understand what the demon is talking about. He always thought the statue was pretty. But maybe it was because it was Hylia, or some subconscious part of the other boy's brain remembered why it had ended up here.

"No!" His thoughts, and gaze, were interrupted by Ghirahim imposing himself between Link and the Goddess Statue. He wasn't moving quite as fast as he normally would, but it was still quite impressive. "Do not look at her, Link! Who knows what calamity may befall should we gaze upon her for too long."

Link had to stop himself from laughing at the demon's antics. Though he may very well have valid reasons to be disturbed by a depiction of Hylia, the Skyloftian didn't quite understand the demon's fear. It seemed irrational, silly. But at the same time, he didn't want to make Ghirahim feel like he wouldn't take his concerns seriously. That'd be a pretty terrible thing to do after all they'd so recently been through.

"Perhaps it's her expression," Ghirahim was saying. "Who knows what may be hiding behind that serene little smile of hers? I mean, no one can be that genuinely peaceful and calm all the time. It is like she is … planning something. And her eyes… they are mostly closed, but not entirely. She could still see. … But we can't tell where she's looking."

Well, when he puts it like that… What am I saying? It's the goddess Hylia. There's no need to be afraid of her…

"Also, she just feels… out of place, you know? That statue simply shouldn't be here. It doesn't belong."

Okay, Link can agree with Ghirahim on that one. It still feels weird to come to this place and not see a massive spiraling hole in the ground.

Ghirahim steps closer, placing an imploring hand on the hero's shoulder. Link doesn't mind the contact, in fact, it feels natural. "We need to get out of here," the demon says lowly.

"Okay, alright." Link agrees. And despite himself, he can't keep a small smile from his face. He's just about to call his loftwing when Ghirahim stops him.

"Wait!"

"What is it?"

The demon's face grows timid, suddenly. Soft. "Can I… may I bring my rug along?"

"Sure," Link agrees, without even thinking about it. "B-But, let me go get it for you, okay? You shouldn't be crawling through the hatch with your injuries."

Ghirahim doesn't look like he likes this idea. At first, Link thinks it's because he doesn't want him looking through his home. Which, the hero has to admit, isn't a completely unjustified fear.

Yes, Link can admit that he does sometimes have a habit of snooping. But he wasn't planning to do that this time, honest. He does have somestandards.

But this proves to actually not be the case when the demon shyly confesses. "I would very much rather not-not be alone with that… statue."

"Ah…" Link stops to think for a moment. Then suddenly, it dawns on him. "Fi!"

"What-oh!" Ghirahim's eyes widen, and a smile begins to form on his face at the sight of the spirit he calls 'sister.' Link still doesn't know how to feel about that, but Fi seems to make Ghirahim happy, and his sword doesn't seem to mind all that much, so…

"Yes, Master Link?"

"Would you stay here with Ghirahim and protect him from the Goddess Statue while I go get his rug?" The hero doesn't know how he manages to say that with a straight face, but somehow he does it.

Fi, of course, has no such problem, but Link could swear she seems a little amused as well. "I detect a ninety-seven percent chance that the Goddess Statue will not harm Ghirahim."

"That means there is a three percent chance it will," Ghirahim insists, and wow. Link isn't used to most people reacting to Fi's comments. "Which is grater than a zero percent chance. I do not like those odds, sister!"

"I will remain with Ghirahim if you wish, Master." Fi seems to decide after a short pause.

"Good," Link breathes. "Thanks, Fi."

"Yes. Thank you… Fi."

Ghirahim said the spirit's name in a way that it was hard for Link to pin down. Maybe he found it strange? The hylian didn't blame him if that was the case. It had weirded him out too at first, to have a companion whose name was essentially the hylian word for 'two' or 'second.' But he had grown numb for a while, used to it. It was normal to him now; it was just Fi's name.

"Same thing as before, okay?" Link reminds his companion as he leans the Master Sword against the side of the building. "Don't touch the sword."

"Right," Ghirahim replied. "But what about Fi herself?" He curiously approaches where the spirit is floating, his hand outstretched. "Surely, it would not matter if I—"

"Wait." Fi's eyes seem to narrow as she attempts to drift out of the demon's reach, but it was too late. Ghirahim's fingertips just brush against the end of Fi's sleeve.

The air fills with screams.