Before The Storm

Protection

The candles burned emanating their soft light through Fi's bedroom. She sat stretching her legs, lacing up her special shoes that she used to dance in. She used to toe dance all the time when she was little. It was a rare dance, not many people knew it, there were rumors that it came from the Shiekah that cared for the Temple of Hylia.
Fi stood up and slowly raised her self into the tips of her toes. Her shoes had thin pieces of wood in the tips of the toes so that she could stand on them. She raised her arms slowly and stretched her neck. She slowly bent her torso and arms down and then popped up and began frolicking around the room. Always keeping on her toes, her small night gown flowing with her.
Dancing like this gave her joy, she felt as if she was dancing on the air.
Until..a sound came from her window and startled her. She lost her balance and fell to the ground.
"Are you okay?!" A familiar voice came from the window, she turned to see Ghirahim's face peeking through.
"Uh..guess I'm not as nimble as I used to be.." She said laughing nervously.
"No..you've always been perfect." Ghirahim said in a low voice. Fi gave a pink cheeked smile and a half hearted giggle. Ghirahim lifted himself over the window sill and into the room, closing the shudders behind him.
Fi began to untie her shoes, Ghirahim sat in front of her and helped.
"Oh, no, you don't-" she reached out to stop him but he gave her a look. She sighed and let him remove her shoes exposing her blistered feet, Ghirahim winced, "ouch! Looks like it hurts..."
"It isn't that bad. " she said softly with a smile. Ghirahim removed her other shoe and exposed Fi's bleeding toes, he rushed to get the cloth and water basin in the room and began treating them. He had begun to learn healing spells and tried one on her foot. After a few moments the blisters and cuts were all healed, although Ghirahim insisted on carrying Fi into bed.
"Why aren't you asleep yet?" He asked her.
"I-uh...couldn't get to sleep..." She said.
"Why not?" Ghirahim asked but there was no answer, "you're afraid...aren't you?"
Fi nodded and tears began to fall, "I just don't know how I can do this much longer...I'm so afraid for grandfather..." She muttered as Ghirahim drew her close to him in an embrace. She wept into his shoulder and he whispered softly, "hey...I know it's hard, I love the old man too...but you are so strong, Fi...you are so strong..."he held her as long as she needed. When she pulled back, she wiped her face, "I'm sorry...I don't mean to drag you into this." She said.
"Hey, what else am I here for, huh?"he joked softly.
"So much more, Ghirahim..." She said back in almost a whisper. His heart fluttered a bit, she leaned in and rested her head on his shoulder again. "Ghirahim..?"
"Hm?"
"Would it...um...will you stay here with me...?  Just for tonight? I'm just....so afraid...I feel like you're the only one that can protect me..." Fi admitted. Ghirahim's heart leapt but he remained calm, "s-sure...of course..."  Fi shifted and stretched out her legs, Ghirahim moved to lay next to her. He removed his shoes and belt so as not to get her bed dirty and to be more comfortable. He usually slept in his undergarments, but he wouldn't tonight, he didn't want to make Fi uncomfortable.
When Ghirahim laid back down, Fi was already half asleep, she rolled over and snuggled up to him. She ended up with her head on his chest. Ghirahim worried that his rapid heartbeat might wake her, but it didn't, she was so very tired. He gently rubbed his hand over her soft blue hair and pale shoulder. After a few moments, he reached with his other hand and blew out the last candle by the bed.
The next morning, Fi awoke softly as the sunlight peeked through the shudders. She felt rested and energized, peaceful. Usually she would still be tired when she woke. This morning was different somehow, then she noticed that she was laying on Ghirahim. She popped up and slid up her fallen nightgown sleeve with slightly pink cheeks. She got out of bed and ran quietly out of the room and went to change into her day clothes.
Shortly after, Ghirahim awoke, he remembered where he had slept that night and his heart picked up with its rapid pacing again as he realized that he would have to deal with the usual morning male issue. In a panic, he pulled on his boots and belt, he opened up the shudders and began to climb out when Fi walked back into the room, dressed and washed. She stared at him wide eyed for a moment, he stared back.
"Hi..." He said.
"Hi...going so soon?" She asked.
"Uh, y-yes..I forgot I have a morning class." Ghirahim said.
"Oh! Of course, go on, you should hurry!" Fi nodded.
"Right-uh- I'll see you later bluebird!" He said as he jumped down to the ground and out of sight, back to the Mage Academy. Fi stood for a moment and giggled to herself a bit. She walked down the stairs and began cooking breakfast for her and her grandfather.
Throughout the day, she couldn't stop thinking about the situation, how comfortable she felt with him and hot her chest and cheeks felt after she woke up next to Ghirahim. She couldn't quite put her finger on it...