Goretober

Bones

a/n: wow this was really rushed, really short, and I'm really sorry. I can't believe I have to write a chapter a day for this challenge. I'm going to die.

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Despite what Ghirahim advised, Link could barely get any sleep that night. The stench of burning flesh still seemed to hang in the air despite the lemon scented cleaners the demon had used, and any time sleep finally came, he'd jolt back up from nightmares of sulfuric acid cracking his skin open. For most of the night, he sat huddled in a corner, terrified that the demon would come waltzing in at any moment.

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"Link, wake up, Link," Ghirahim purred. He lightly slapped the side of the boy's face. Link's nose crinkled at the contact, still half asleep. "Come on Link, this is ridiculous." Blue eyes slowly blinked open, still groggy and unsure of what was happening. However, at the sight of pale gray skin, he jerked awake, pressing himself against the wall. Ghirahim grinned. "Good morning!"

"What-what do you want?" Link spat, the words out, trying to sound venomous. However, his voice shook, rendering him more pathetic than ferocious.

"I felt bad about yesterday," the demon apologized as he picked up a bottle of lotion beside him. Link didn't budge, preparing his body to launch itself away from the man kneeling in front of him. However, he was caught off guard as Ghirahim suddenly grabbed his two clenched fists and tugged him closer to the demon. Link yanked his hands away, his breathing getting rapid out of fear. "Come on, don't be that way, just give me your hands," the demon cooly requested. Link didn't do that, instead choosing to keep his hand by his sides. Ghirahim let out a huff of annoyance before yanking Link's wrists back.

"Just relax," he soothed. He released his hold on one of Link's hands to pick up the bottle of lotion and squirt some onto the back of the boy's hands. Link shivered, but whether it was from the coldness of the lotion, the pungent aroma of sweet lotion mixing with burning flesh, or how Ghirahim's eyes stared at him, he didn't know. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end as the demon diverted his attention back to Link's hand and slowly started to massage the lotion into his hands and up his arms. It did feel nice, but Link couldn't relax. He was too worried about what the other was playing at. "So Link, about that triforce?"

The boy stiffened, bile immediately welling up his throat. "I don't even know what a triforce is! How would I know where one is?" Ghirahim's calm expression soon tugged down into a frown at that answer.

"Why must you always make us do this the hard way?" Link flinched as Ghirahim snapped one of his fingers, half expecting the demon to summon a rapier. However, in an array of diamonds, his body morphed into his second phase instead. The warm gentle hands that had felt nice again Link's arms were replaced by solid metal ones. He suddenly felt too fragile in Ghirahim's grip. "I'll ask one last time: the triforce?"

Link shook his head frantically, a small whine escaping his mouth as Ghirahim's hands made their way to his own. The demon gave him a contemplative look as their fingers intertwined, but said nothing. Link stared in anxious trepidation, a cold sweat glistening against his skin. "This was your choice," Ghirahim reminded him.

Link's mouth dropped open, and his body heaved, but no sound would come out. Only the crunch and popping of the bones in his fingers broke the tense silence. Ghirahim didn't relent, twisting his fingers clockwise. Link's head fell weakly against the demon's shoulder as his the first scream erupted from him.

It's not as bad as the acid.

It's not as bad as the acid.

It's not as bad as the acid.

He kept repeating that mantra in his head, trying to tune out the pain shooting through his hand or the feeling of defeat as wet tears slid off his chin and down the other's chest. He was only numbly aware of when the other abandoned his vice like grip on his hands, much to focused on the stinging humiliation in his heart.

"Fuck, why are you so hot when you're like this?" Ghirahim whispered, his breathing growing heavier. The hero finally pulled away, fear shining anew in his eyes. However, the demon was quicker, tugging him back by his hair. The blond sniffled, trying to stop his tears and muffle the pain in his hands.

"Fuck off," Link growled, not appreciating the hand on the back of his neck or the one travelling down his back. The both pressed harshly into him, not enough to break anything, but enough to leave bruises.

"Oh, I will," his sultry voice muttered, "but not in the context you mean." He released his hold on the boy, and Link scooted back. He cradled his hands in his lap, refusing to look down, not wanting to pass out. Ghirahim slowly stood up before conjuring another red potion bottle and setting it down in front of Link. "I'll see you later, Skychild."