Abscond

Chapter Seven: Train Me

He knew the hero would be travelling through Faron; he just didn't know where. And after an afternoon of searching and trying to swallow down his nerves, he was about ready to give up looking for Link.

"Ghirahim?" The voice accompanied by approaching footsteps was enough alone to draw out a small smile from the demon lord. However, his fingers drummed against his outer thighs as he turned around to face the hero, giving away how nervous he actually felt. "Are you okay? You look like you're about to puke," Link laughed, crinkling his nose.

Ghirahim forced out a short chuckle, trying to slip into his cocky persona, but it just didn't quite seem to work. "Okay," the demon muttered more to himself than the hero, "I have a reason for trying to find you today."

For a moment, fear flashed across the blond's face, and Ghirahim wondered what was going through the other's head. "Alright, well, I'm all ears," Link encouraged, but the smile on his lips was full of worry. The demon decided to ignore it for the time being.

"Okay, I tried to make it as perfect as I could by hand, but I had to end up cheating and use magic to smooth out the rough edges," Ghirahim laughed as he took Link's hands into his own. The other looked extremely perplexed. "And, I want to add that I have no idea if I'm doing this right. I'm not entirely educated in Hylian culture."

"What in Hylia's name are you talking about?" Link's grip tightened on his hands, and his voice took on a note of distress. Ghirahim paused, concerned about why Link looked on the brink of tears.

"What's wrong?" Link sniffled and pulled his hands away at the question.

"I hate you so much," the blond managed to gasp out before the tears started to spill down his face. Ghirahim took a step towards him, ready to console the hero, but Link backed away.

"Link," the demon pleaded, not knowing what he had done to so suddenly upset the other.

"You are not about to do this to me Ghirahim!" The blond's voice raised, and his hands tightened to fists at his sides. "You are not about to stand here and break up with me-"

Ah, there it was.

"Link!" Ghirahim snapped, making Link grow silent as he sniffled. I don't know why you think I sought you out to end our relationship, but that's not why I'm here." Link's sniffling slowed down a bit as he tried to comprehend the words.

"Then why are you here and talking about Hylian culture and..." Link's breath seemed to sharply inhale on its own accord as the realization hit him. He looked at the demon with wide eyes as Ghirahim took a knee in front of him.

"I was actually wondering if you'd agree to marry me," Ghirahim cracked a smirk as a ring appeared in his hands.

"If you're joking right now," Link started, but Ghirahim cut him off.

"I'm not Link. I don't want anyone else by my side for the rest of my life besides you." Ghirahim meant those words with his whole heart. He'd accept their doomed fate and let this make-believe romance play out if it made Link happy. However, he might have been more hesitant to accept such a grisly fate if he knew how easily he'd be discarded afterwards. "So, is that a yes or a no?"

Link broke out in a grin. The smile was a much better look on him than the tears, Ghirahim decided. "Of course it's a yes, you doofus!

The demon over dramatically flourished a hand, and Link peeled one of his fingerless gloves off before setting his hand in Ghirahim's. With an ease, that made the hero wonder if the other had secretly practiced this before, slid the ring onto Link's finger. The boy spread his fingers as he held up his hand, watching the sunlight catch in the ruby embedded in the black band. The moment felt surreal, like a dream.