"Our deadline is in two days, Dragmire."
"Then you shouldn't be wasting my time with pointless calls."
"Just tell me you've made progress on the manuscript."
Ganondorf sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"I'll have it in to you by tomorrow."
"It was supposed to be in my inbox yesterday."
"It's not my fault you've got me translating Hylian garbage."
"Allow me remind you that this 'garbage' is slated to be published in the next issue of The Great Sea Monthly. Assuming you can get it in on time."
Ganondorf exhaled and swiped his thumb across the screen of his phone to end the call. When he looked up, Link was standing in the doorway of his study.
"Dad, who was that?"
"That was my editor."
"Was he being mean to you?"
"It's his job to be mean to me." Ganondorf set his phone on his desk using more force than was strictly necessary.
"He shouldn't be mean to you. You know what I would do if I saw his stupid face?"
"What – "
Suddenly Link dashed across the room. Yelling iSheikah Chop!/i he smacked the side of his hand into Ganondorf's shin.
Ganondorf doubled over in pain. "Din, kid, that hurt!"
Grimacing, he growled, "What did I tell you? We. Do not. Hit!"
Link sensed that he had crossed a line. He looked as if he were about to cry.
The sound of the front door slamming came from downstairs, followed by a booming voice.
"HEY GANONDORK, YOU HOME?"
Link broke into a smile. "Bowser!" he shouted, dashing out of the room and down the stairs.
Ganondorf followed behind him. As he limped down the staircase, he watched Bowser bend down, scoop up Link, and toss him into the air. Link whooped as Bowser caught him and tucked him under his arm, ruffling the boy's hair. Link laughed and kicked his legs into Bowser's side, but the huge man didn't seem to mind in the least.
"So that's where he gets it from," Ganondorf muttered darkly.
"Didn't catch that."
"Nevermind. Is there a reason you let yourself in?"
"I'm on my way to pick up Junior from daycare. Wanna come with?"
"I can't. I'm on a deadline."
"Your editor giving you shit again? You know what I'd do to that guy?"
"What – "
"PUNCH HIM IN THE FACE."
Bowser and Link broke into peals of laughter. Ganondorf watched them with a blank expression. "Why don't you take Link with you," he said flatly.
"All right!" Link pushed himself away from Bowser and flung the front door open, running outside without stopping to put on his shoes.
"You'd better go catch him."
"Aw, he'll be fine. You sure you don't want to get out of the house?"
"I'll walk with you tomorrow. If I finish on time."
"Don't stay up too late. You need your sleep, old man."
"You're one to talk, lizard skin," Ganondorf grinned.
Bowser gasped in mock surprise. "Do my eyes deceive me? Was that a smile?"
"Bowz, hurry up! And tell Dad to throw me my shoes!"
Ganondorf already had Link's sandals dangling from his fingers. "Have fun," he said.
"Text me if you need anything from the store, yeah?"
Link appeared on the other side of the door. "Come on already!"
Bowser swatted at him playfully. "Hold your Yoshi, kid, I'm coming," he said, closing the door behind him.
Ganondorf stood in the foyer, listening as their voices traveled down the street. He rubbed his beard, a faraway look in his eyes. If only his own relationship with Link could be so easy.