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Ghost looked over the light spirit sleeping in the little part of the cave they decided to hide out in from the pouring rain. Ghost had not seen such heavy rainfall since the City of Tears, yet here, the rain was far more vicious than it was before. He was drenched, and Ori was soaked from earlier.
He could remember how Ori was smiling it off, he was always smiling at him. He was nothing but pure kindness and helpfulness.
He… wanted to smile like Ori. No mouth to speak but his eyes were probably the closest he could get. However, the crinkle crackle of the fire that he set up got his attention, drying both his cloak and the bag Ori was carrying. He had forgotten about the cloak, and it was looking very much dry now.
He pulled the cloak back and the bag, turning to face the sleeping spirit once more. The fire was only to give off warmth for the night, something Ori would’ve needed. Not Ghost really. The fire wasn’t bad, it was just… kinda there for Ghost.
He slipped his cloak back on, and he felt tired, the fire was slowly dying out, but it seemed as if it did the job and warmed Ori enough.
Thoughts did, however, start to form in Ghost’s head. Safe thoughts, one that Ori’s light protected him from, to what to do now that Ori was asleep. Would he get cold during the night? Would he be alright? Should Ghost leave him alone?
Well, no not really, Ori seemed to be very comfortable and even affectionate towards Ghost. Ghost… liked that. They liked the feeling of Ori, and all of the kindness he would show him.
He called him a name, one that was originally used to coax him into fighting. He treated him as an equal, one worth protecting. He also would care for him, when he got hurt or if he needed to be helped.
Ghost genuinely liked Ori. If he could figure out how to speak… he would tell Ori how he liked him, cared about him, and wanted him to succeed in his journey in saving his little sister.
In a way, Ghost knew that his original plan was now impossible. There was doubts before that he could just take Hollow’s place, but now it would be impossible. Even then, he didn’t want to as it would get him away from Ori, who would have no choice but to leave him as well.
He didn’t want that anymore.
As the rain continued to pitter patter on the ground, Ghost slowed his movement down to lie on Ori’s side, his mask resting on his soft white fur, listening to the purr like snores. Feeling that warmth all over again that Ori gave him.
He felt an arm slowly wrap around him, and soon was pulled into an embrace. Ori had slowly shifted over to Ghost and now their white and black bodies were curled up once again.
Ghost adjusted his cloak, covering them both up as Ori’s nose pressed against the side of his mask. His purrs vibrating him gently and lulling the vessel to a sleep. He started to do the same and wrapped an arm around Ori, another between the two, his stubby hand touching Ori’s paw. Ori’s paw wrapped around Ghost’s hand and Ori’s lips began to smile once again.
Ghost held on close. He wanted this, he wanted to be cared for like that, be treated nicely and with unconditional love.
Ghost loved Ori.