Children

"Master?"

"Yes, Skychild?"

"Where do baby demons come from?"

Ghirahim stared at the boy, shocked. "Where did that question come from?"

"Well, I saw some really young demons in the castle today and I guess I just got curious since I've never seen any female demons here."

"Well you see, Link, demons are created by magical means."

Link glared. "Really? You're going to try to use the magic excuse on me?"

"Well it's the truth! When two demons want to create a child for themselves they both drink a special potion before, y'know…"

"Yeah I think I know what you mean. What then?"

"Then a few days later, if Master approves, a child created from their essence will appear in their home…or room if they live in the castle."

"Oh. That's…really different than how humans do it."

Ghirahim's eyebrow raised as Link's face furrowed in disappointment. "All right, I think I've played along long enough. What's the real reason you asked me this, Link?"

"I just…I've always wanted a child of my own."

"And you wanted to know if it was possible for the two of us to-"

"No! I mean…okay maybe," Link finished lamely, face bright red in embarassment.

Ghirahim chuckled and leaned down to press a gentle kiss to Link's forehead. "Oh shush, Skychild, I'm honored that you would ask. And yes, it may be possible."

"Really? You mean we could-"

"I said it might be possible, not that I was willing."

Link's face dropped and he turned away from Ghirahim to hide the tears that were stinging his eyes. "Oh…I see."

The demon lord sighed in annoyance and gently turned the boy back to face him. "You humans and your overactive emotions. I was about to say I'm not willing yet."

"Yet?"

"You have to prove to me that you can handle the responsibility of caring for a child. There is a newborn demon in the castle right now. With the parents' permission I want you to care for him for the next week. Feeding, changing, and playing. Do you think you can handle that?"

Link grinned. "Yes I think so!"

"You'll end up losing a lot of sleep. I know how much you love that activity."

"I can do it, Master!"

"That's my little hero. Now go, start your work!"

Ghirahim smiled as he watched the boy race off to find the parents of the new demon. A hand dropped on his shoulder and he glanced up to see Demise watching him sadly.

"You lied to him."

"I had to. You saw how happy he was when I told him we could have a child. Knowing that the last attempt at a human-demon child created an abomina-"

"Ghirahim, we've been over this. You are not an abomination."

The demon lord frowned, reaching up to trace his finger along his one rounded ear. "It feels like it sometimes."