He didn't expect the text.

Ash had picked the perfect time, honestly. The second he had walked into his apartment his phone lit up, alerting Shao that someone wanted to contact him. He tossed it on the table at first, heading off to the fridge to grab a quick glass of water and a left over sandwich before wandering to his couch, kicking his feet up onto the coffee table. The phone was forgotten for some time until the second commercial break of his show thanks to the phone, for a fourth time, chiming again to remind him he had a notice.

Groaning softly, the exhausted demon wandered close to the phone, clicking the center button to check who it was from. Ash. Huh.

'How do you feel about imbuing?'

What? For a second he just blinked at his phone, lifting it closer to his face to inspect it. How did he feel? Was that a trick question?

'It's fine, why?' That was stupid, but really? What was Ash getting at? It only took a few minutes for the next response, which Shao had been prepared for, glued to his phone in anticipation for some clarification.

'I want to imbue. Would you be my imbuing partner?'

Shao froze, eyes widening at the screen. Him? A father? Nononono. He wasn't father material. He couldn't..... a kid? He couldn't. Not after.....

'I'm not ready to raise kids. :c' Shao admitted, adding a small frowny face in hopes to soothe the response over.

'You don't need to raise them. I don't mind.'

Shao set the phone down for a second, collapsing into the couch once more. Kids. Genetic part of him. It wasn't like he never thought about it, and a part of him was sentimental. His entire family either was infertile or had no desire to have kids. His mother was too grief ridden after losing her youngest son. It wasn't like the family blood would continue on at this rate if Shao didn't step in, really. And who did it hurt if he didn't raise the kids? Kid? How many?

He didn't even want to see them, though.
That probably wasn't fair.

He didn't know what else to do, unfortunately. After losing his brother the sight of kids was too much. But logically, if he thought about it, it didn't hurt anyone if he imbued with Ash and walked away. Ash would have kids. His family genes would pass. Everyone would be happy.

So who would it hurt?

'If I don't have to raise them, or see them, or even talk about them, fine.' That.... sounded dickish. It really did, and a part of it WAS. 'I'm sorry. I'm happy to help you. I really am. I'd like to do that. I just don't want to be a part of their lives right now. I'm not ready to be an active parent.'

With that, he set the phone down. This.... was going to be complicated.