Chapter Text
“Liu’Er! Liu’Er!”
“Ugh. What is it?”
“Don’t be like that! I got you your favorite!”
“You mean you got two peaches, your favorite, pretending that it’s mine?”
“No!!”
A raised eyebrow.
“Okay, so I got a bunch of peaches!”
“Knew it.”
“But! BUT! Those are for ME! And I also got YOU a buncha these!”
The taller monkey then presented a cluster of plums to the other.
Liu’Er stood speechless.
“See! I know your favorites! I’m not stupid!”
“At least not all the time.”
“HEY! So this is the thanks I get?! Hmmph! Then maybe you can go get your own then!”
“Don’t be like that, Peaches.”
“Nuh uh! That’s what you get, you meanie!”
“Wukong…”
“Nope! Meanies don’t get yummy stone fruits!” Wukong asserted, holding the coveted prizes high above his head, well out of the shadow’s reach.
“How about a trade then?”
That catches Wukong’s attention.
“A poem for the plums.”
Wukong’s reply is instant. “Deal!”
Score.
“But only if I like it!”
“You will.”
“Awful sure of yourself, Macaque.”
The shadow ignores him to clear his throat.
“The Hero and the Warrior
The Sun and the Moon
Together in perfect harmony they dance their song above the heavens.
Their light, the hope of the world
To each and every heart unfurled
Every night into day
Every bud into bloom
May the peach and the plum blossoms flower together and forever always.”
Silence is his immediate answer.
Macaque worries his pride got the better of him — or worse, he’s been found out — when he’s suddenly clung to by his best friend.
“Awww, I wike your pwetty words!”
A shove. “I’m trying to be sincere here! I put my heart into that!”
“I was toooooooo!! Really! You’re so good at this, Mihou! I loved it.”
A blush. “Th-Thank you…”
“Are you blushing?! Awww, so adorable!” Wukong cooed.
That earned him another shove.
“Shut up! Eat your stone fruit, Peaches!”
He quickly fumbles to catch his prizes Wukong throws his way.
“Eat yours, Plums!”
Macaque woke with a gasp, followed immediately by a groan.
Not that stupid dream again.
He should really count himself lucky it wasn’t one of his many recurring nightmares, but which was really the worst option here? Terrorizing trauma, or tainted memories?
Pros: He didn’t wake up with his sheets soaked in a cold sweat. Unlike the former.
Cons: He always got a raging headache from unwittingly shed tears. Again, unlike the former. This in addition to a thoroughly spoiled mood.
The shadow immediately checked his face and sure enough, the familiar wetness was there.
Great.
Macaque ran his hands through his hair and begrudgingly got up to face the day.
A shower here, a sad breakfast there. Some morning katas in the dojo. More exercises combining his stances with his magic.
Then a strike of inspiration.
“A body falling from the stars
Trying to reach the heavens
He didn't get far
It couldn't be undone
The desire to reach the sun”
Regret seizes him the moment he remembers himself.
Gods, he’s pathetic.
He almost can’t blame the shadows for laughing at him for that one.
Almost.
With a stern glare, the shadows make themselves scarce. Not wishing to provoke their master further.
Maybe some meditation will clear my head.
Anything to silence these stupid thoughts.
Of the past, of him, of–
‘Macaque?’
Macaque shook his head as he portaled to the roof. That was way too loud.
The fresh open air of daybreak as the sun breached the horizon. The faint din of the city in the distance drowned by the crashing waves and ocean breeze.
Heaving a deep sigh, he sat in the lotus position. Relaxing his energies and syncing his chakras for a day’s worth of meditation.
Deep breaths.
Focus.
‘Macaque!’
Focus harder, he told himself.
Calm the mind. Banish the intrusive thoughts. Which funnily enough, for some reason have been sounding a lot like the kid of late.
…Maybe he should talk to somebody.
Eventually.
‘MACAQUE!!’
“WHAT?!” The shadow yelled back, eyes glowing purple.
‘Yipe!!’
Now that Macaque got a better look, MK actually was there trying to get his attention. Well, his astral projection anyway.
‘I’m sorry! I-Is this a bad time? I can come back later– wait! No! I can’t! Macaque, I’m sorry to interrupt what you’re doing but this REALLY is super important! It can’t wait, and I’m gonna lose it if–’
“Just spit it out, MK…” Macaque sighed into his hand, cradling his growing headache. “What’s happened this time that’s got you bothering me now?”
‘MONKEY KING’S MISSING!!’