A/N: Chap 20 of ADSB is really angsty as you might have guessed, and I've been writing so much of that as of late that I needed a break. I had to write something cute and wholesome. So here, have some little!Link and caregiver!Ghirahim content.
"Link, you know there is more to eating than simply pushing the food around the plate with your fork. You must actually consume it." Ghirahim chastises lightly from across the small wooden table.
"'m eating it," Link insists huffily, scowling down at his plate as if the remaining baked potato were an old smelly boot, or something equally disgusting.
"I don't understand it," Ghirahim complains, leaning backwards in his seat with a loud sigh. "You are never this fussy in your bigger headspace. I've seen you eat tubers directly from the earth, without even bothering to wipe the dirt off! Why now, when you have a reasonable method of consuming a potato quite literally laid before you on a silver platter, do you turn up your nose?" The demon taps his plate irritably. It has been empty for several minutes now. Well, actually it is a plastic platter. With a picture of a disproportionally inaccurate bokoblin on it. But, should that not sweeten the deal for you?"
"Doesn't sweeten the 'tato," Link grumbles.
Ghirahim scoffs. It had been one of those days when his Sky Child had been in a particularly bad mood. It started first thing in the morning, waking in tears due to nightmares about his journey (specifically those accursed trials those damned goddesses put the boy through), causing him to regress into littlespace to cope with the feelings.
After a considerable amount of cuddles from his favorite demon, Link was calmer, but still feeling little. He'd wanted to go play outside after breakfast, and Ghirahim was all too willing to let him, seeing as it gave him time to catch up on some much-needed chores. [Seriously, who knew that a household consisting of only two people could get so messy so quickly? Even if he used magic, straightening everything out was going to take quite a while.] But then it started to rain, far too heavily to risk playing in. That meant Link had to remain inside, much to his frustration.
Ghirahim had tried to lift his charge's mood as best he could, with stories, songs, and games. And though the boy definitely appreciated it, and even enjoyed himself somewhat, there was still an air of grouchiness hovering about him, not too dissimilar to the storm-clouds outside.
Ghirahim had even allowed the little to help him make lunch, since cooking was one of Link's favorite things to do, apart from puzzles, exploring, and flying with his beloved loftwing. But it had only helped the boy's mood slightly. Though the demon supposed the fact they ran out of apples was a major contributing factor to the Sky child's grumpiness.
"I wan' an apple," Link informed his caregiver with a pout, staring daggers at the small lump of vegetable before him as if it would magically transform into a fruit if he concentrated hard enough.
Speak of the Calamity, Ghirahim thought, taking a long sip of his herbal tea in an attempt to center himself, wincing slightly at how cool it had become. "I'm aware," he replied. "As I'm sure you're also aware there are none left." He takes a breath. "However. We do have some cookies."
The boy's blue eyes grew wide and sparkly with the news, rivaling the ex-demon lord's earring gem in their radiance. "Really?"
"Yes." Ghirahim hesitates on what he knows he must say next for a moment, but only for a moment. He had to stick with his plan, no matter how hard his Sky Child may attempt to thwart him with his cuteness. "But you must eat your potato before you may have one."
"Awwww, hmph!" Link's face scrunches up in a stubborn pout, but the demon doesn't back down. And eventually, the little relents.
"There now, was that really so difficult?" Ghirahim asks a few moments later as he clears away the dishes.
"Mmmmh…" The Sky child mutters incoherently, sullenly finishing his last bite of potato. He was trying to pretend that it was the most terrible thing he'd ever eaten, but the sword spirit could see his lips curving upwards ever so slightly, and taste the ripples of pleasure at both the meal, and being so well taken care of flashing over his aura.
Ghirahim allows himself a small, proud smirk at his accomplishment. Ordinarily he hated resorting to bribery to get what he wanted, finding it to be a cheap, dishonorable tactic. But caring for a little is quite a different experience to war and conquest, he supposes, and one must make exceptions when one must.
"And now, as promised," he begins in a showman announcer-esque voice, feeling a surge of delight when it gets the desired reaction from his Sky Child. LInk's smile grows even wider and he leans forward in his chair, gaze full of excited anticipation. "Your reward!" The demon snaps his fingers and with a small poof of diamonds and a sparkling sound, a large chocolate chip cookie appears in his hand, which he presents to link with a flourish.
"Yayyyyy!" Link bounces in his seat a little, clapping his hands with delight before he snatches up the sweet treat. "Cookie get!"
"'Cookie get' indeed," Ghirahim repeats, knowing that he's probably grinning as widely and stupidly as his little. But he simply couldn't help himself; it felt good to be appreciated like this.
"And don't bother trying to sneak out of bed to find more tonight," the sword spirit warns, though his voice is still light. "I have them tucked away safely within my hammerspace where little heroes cannot find them."
LInk's shoulders drooped for a moment, but only for a moment, seeing as he had a perfectly good cookie in the present to distract him from future ones. At least for now. "Mmm, cookie!" He takes a big bite, and chocolate smears on his cheek.
"So messy," the demon bemoans good-naturedly. "But also, so cute. I shall have to scrub your face when you're done."
"Ugh, Ghiriiieeeee!" Link whines in protest at the idea, but it would seem the mere presence of a cookie meant he couldn't get upset for too long.
If only I had known it would be this easy before, Ghirahim mentally laments. Oh well. I'll be prepared for next time, at the very least.
No sooner than the little had finished eating his cookie and his caregiver had wiped him clean, Link's energy began to wane. His eyelids began to droop and he let out a big yawn, with the most adorable little squeak at the end.
Ghirahim chuckles at this. "It looks like someone is in need of a … a… ah…" The demon had tried to fight it, but the Sky Child's yawn was just too contagious and soon, Ghirahim was completely overcome with a considerable yawn of his own. "Nap," Ghirahim finished once the yawn had subsided, voice still slightly deeper than normal.
"Hehehe…" Link giggles sleepily at this. He was too tired to complain or protest the nap in any way. Instead, he leans back, spreading his green-clad arms wide. "Uppies?"
"My my, aren't we needy today?" Ghirahim teases, but he still immediately reaches out to scoop his charge up. Even though Link is substantially larger and heavier than those who matched his current mental age chronologically, since his caregiver was a strong and powerful demon, he could lift him just fine. "And so clingy," he coos, when the little buries his face into the collar of his cape, nuzzling against his neck.
"You like it," Link mumbles, as they begin moving towards his bedroom.
"I do have a certain fondness for your affection, yes," Ghirahim agrees immediately, whispering softly into his Sky Child's pointy ear. "Shhh, don't tell anyone." He then playfully flicks the very tip of the boy's ear with his tongue, eliciting yet another sleepy giggle.
They arrive in LInk's cozy bedroom moments later, and Ghirahim begins to gently settle him into bed. He tucks the fluffy green blanket snuggly up around the little's shoulders, handing him the crimson loftwing plushie he had sewn for him by hand, which he now refused to sleep without.
Lastly, Ghirahim removes the hat from LInk's head, placing it softly on the nightstand so it could be easily retrieved when his little awoke. He tenderly pushes some soft blond hair away from Link's forehead, planting a soft kiss on his brow. "Sleep well, little gem."