Trigger

A/N: Follow me on Tumblr at slayersfan132.tumblr.com thank you goodbye

"What was that earlier, Skychild?"

"What do you mean?"

Ghirahim ran his fingers through his hair and threw the other hand out to the side. "I thought that your entire mantra while we've been here in America was that it's fine to kill people because, hey, we're alive. Goddesses, you're the reason I'm still alive. And now - one fairy offers her services to protect you, and you refuse?"

Link shook his head, tugging at his bare earlobe. "No, you don't understand. I don't kill to keep myself alive, I kill in self-defense. They shot, so I shot back. I don't want to die, but I'm not going to throw away an innocent woman's life just because I want to see and remember Hyrule."

"So this isn't some old piece of your previous personality coming back to bite you? It's you, now?"

"Yes, but - why do you care?"

Ghirahim sighed dramatically, seating himself in the living room as Link worked in the kitchen, starting the coffee machine. "I just...what happens when I return to Hyrule? What if I suddenly forget everything that happened here and reset to my original personality?" He leaned forward, dropping his head into his hands. "I was evil, Link."

"We may as well be evil here, Ghirahim. We've killed dozens of people in ways that are considered torture by the general public."

The blond joined him on the couch, passing him a mug and, for once, paying full attention to him while he spoke. The demon took a sip and marveled at the fact that Link could always make the perfect cup of coffee. "But here, there's a very broad, faded line between good and evil. For example, we justify it as self-defense. In a court of law, if we were given a trial, if we provided solid evidence that we had been shot first, it could be heavily debated as to whether or not we were guilty despite murder. And yet, in Hyrule - " Ghirahim cut himself off, pausing. "In Hyrule, you're either good or evil. There is no in-between. You either kill innocent civilians or you seal away monsters and evil people. There is no killing on the good side. Their entire mantra is mercy."

"How do you know so much about Hyrule? What if they're not that different from how the United States are?"

"I can remember enough to compare their cultures, but nothing personal, and not on a conscious level. It's one of the benefits of not being dead."

Link rolled his eyes, taking a gulp of coffee. "Yeah, like I needed a reminder." He crossed his legs, cradling the mug in his hands. "I don't want to spend a fairy's life on my own, Ghirahim. I will not argue the point."

"Nor will I. I understand."

"I have an idea for you, though. What if, when Midna comes back, we ask her if she remembered everything? Then we'll know for sure whether or not you can return safely, and not try to kill everyone."

"I suppose it could work. But what if near-death changes the rules?"

Link shook his head. "Zelda read up on the design of the portal and explained it to me. As far as it's aware, Midna is just as dead as the two of us. It merely knows that it's collected enough blood to open up, and doesn't keep much track of who it belongs to besides the initial drop that lets you through."

"I see." Ghirahim took another swig from his mug of coffee and let out a gentle sigh. "Well, then, I hope she comes back with good news."

"Why do you care so much? I'm sure you wouldn't mind at all if you went in and reverted to your original personality. In fact, you may even be glad."