Chapter Text
“How long is he gonna keep at it like this?” Pigsy grunted, watching as as MK panicked around the shop, flipping literally everything in sight
“Well, until he finds Redson under one of those vases, I guess” Tang murmured, trying to cover up his laughter with his hand
Mk let out a worried whine as he continued to flip over things even a rat couldn’t fit under. “I-I gotta find him, I can’t find Redson!!” He complained, opening the cupboards as if he’d be stuffed in there
“Maybe go to his home? Why would he—oh my god, MK. Why would he be in there?” Pigsy groaned as the monkey shoved his way into the smallest shelf shouting ‘Redson!!’
MK chuckled awkwardly as he pulled himself out, a dumb smile on his face. “Oh, right…I should go over there.” He conjured up the staff and ran out the building, digging a staff end into the earth and pushing off as he soared through the air toward the Bull family’s home
Pigsy and Tang were left standing there in disbelief at how quickly MK left. Tang let out a small chuckle, shaking his head as he sat down in a chair. “Well, he’s practically become a whole new character. You know, ever since he’s accepted that monkey form of his, he’s become a lot more… how could I put this..”
“Obsessive and possessive?” Pigsy finished with a chuckle, sliding a bowl of noodles toward Tang, which the man happily accepted
Tang grabbed his chopsticks and slurped up some noodles, a smile on his face as he let out a content sigh. “Yeah, that”
Pigsy nodded and leaned against the table, propping his head up with his hand
“…am I still—?”
“Yes, you’re still paying for that”
愛
Macaque let out a small groan as he squirmed onto his side, wrapping the blanket around himself— ‘wait…blanket?’
Macaque shuffled up, sitting up with a heavy breath as he stared down at the blanket that was covering him. “What the hell..? Where am I—oh…” He rolled his eyes and let out a small groan when he saw that stupid Monkey King game on the TV. He pushed the blanket off himself and moved off the couch—no wonder he didn't feel any pain from sitting on that rotting couch—to walk out the small hut
He blinked a couple times stepping out, the sunlight blinding him a bit. He could barely remember what happened, or how he even got to Flower Fruit Mountain. All he knew was that Wukong was involved in it
“Wukong! Ugh, where is that monkey…” Macaque looked around the cave, there was absolutely no sign of Wukong anywhere—hell, the macaques aren't even here either, usually they'd flock around the shadow monkey like he was their mother or something
He moved out the waterfall, skipping from rock to rock as he continued to shout for Wukong’s name. “Damnit, monkey…” Macaque groaned as he leaped atop a tall tree, scanning the area he could see. “Wukong!!!… Ugh, where are you, you damn—AHH”
Macaque flinched and screamed as he turned around and saw Wukong standing on his cloud, a smug smirk on his face. Macaque immediately jumped away in fright, and Wukong quickly caught him before he could fall. “Woah, there! Did I scare you that bad, bud?” He asked with a laugh as he pulled Macaque onto his cloud
Macaque took heavy breaths as he recomposed himself, glaring at Wukong and punching his shoulder roughly. “What was that about?!” He huffed, crossing his arms over each other
“Well—Ow, hey!” Wukong whined as he rubbed his shoulder, a dramatic pout on his face before it turned back into that smug smirk. “Are you challenging me, right now~?
Macaque immediately realized his mistake, his ears pinned back as he shook his head vigorously. No, no!! You know that wasn't my intention, don’t start, Wukong!”
Wukong let out a hearty cackle, hunching over and hugging his stomach. “Relax, bud! I’m not that dumb, I know better!!” He wiped away a tear of amusement
Macaque let out a groan, his tail thrashing behind him irritably. “You’re an asshole.” He hissed, turning away so Wukong wouldn't see how mortified he was that he reacted that way. “Hey, um where are all the monkeys? I haven't seen a single one”
“Oh, they’re fine, don’t worry. I told them not to bother you in the meantime you're here, so they’ve been on the other side of the island” Wukong smiled, suddenly wrapping an arm around Macaque’s waist and holding him tightly. “Now, let’s get back to the cave!”
Macaque flinched when Wukong wrapped an arm around him and pulled him closer, “Oh, okay I guess that makes sense—Wait.. Wait, wait, wait, wait!! Wukong I’m still not used to riding on your cloud—Wukong!!”
The cloud soared through the sky, Wukong giving no warning. Macaque let out a yelp and couldn't help but cling close to the monkey king, arms grabbing Wukong’s and eyes closing tightly
They landed gently in the cave, Wukong let out a small grunt as he hopped off the cloud and helped Macaque down. “That wasn't so bad, you’ve done this a thousand times!”
Macaque tried to fix his disheveled appearance from the wind pushing his fur back and out of place. “That doesn't mean I’m used to it! I hate riding that cloud…” He groaned, sending a glare at Wukong
Wukong let out a dramatic gasp, “Macaque! Don’t say that about cloud! He’s sensitive!” He huffed, hugging his cloud tightly
Macaque just stood there with irritated eyes, his hands balling into fists. “You’re so annoying,” he huffed as he turned away and walked off
Wukong scoffed, “And where do you think you’re going? You’re still too weak to be moving by yourself!” He scolded as he walked toward him, hands dramatically on his hips
“How do you know I’m weak?” Macaque huffed as he looked over at his shoulder at Wukong, rolling his eyes at the ridiculous way the monkey had his hands on his hips
Wukong smirked, jabbing a finger into Macaque's back. “Because you haven't used your powers, and you’re very jumpy.” He said with a triumphant hum, “I can read you like a book, Liu’er~ You’re not slick”
Macaque winced when Wukong pointed out his obvious lack of power, it was true after all; his powers are dulled and weak at the moment, and he couldn’t remember why. “Nevermind that,” He huffed to change the subject. “I wanna know why I’m even here–and for that matter, why I woke up on your couch wrapped in a blanket”
“You don’t remember? You must’ve been real tired, bud.” Wukong chuckled, draping an arm around Macaque's shoulder and earning an annoyed grunt from the shadow monkey. “You were being chased by demons, remember? I was able to smell your distress from here—”
“How the hell were you able to ‘smell’ my distress—”
“Nevermimd that,” Wukong waved him off. “Anyway, I found you in an abandoned house trying to sleep on a rotting couch and decided it was better and safer to just bring you home” He explained
Macaque took all of that in, scoffing and shaking his head with a small smile. “Alright, I think I remember now. Mating season’s been kicking my butt this year, I didn't think I’d be this desired this year” He said with a chuckle
Wukong scoffed, “Oh, come on. What’s there not to desire of you? I mean, you’re cute, and hot, and frankly pretty sexy—” He trailed off with a big smile and half-lidded eyes
“Wukong…”
“What.” Wukong blinked in confusion, turning his head a bit to look at Macaque's face. He saw the red on his cheek, and the furrow of his eyebrows, and that cute little pout—”Oh..” He murmured as finally realized he may have been thinking out loud
Macaque pushed Wukong’s arm off him, making a bit of distance between them. He hated how awkward they were with each other now, back in the day, they were practically inseparable… now they’re this mess
Wukong let out a hearty laugh, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly, “Well, isn’t that a bit embarrassing! Uhh, don’t take anything I said seriously, I swear I didn't mean it I was just rambling”
“You didn't mean it..?” Macaque muttered with a bit of hurt in his voice, which made Wukong flinch with shock at the tone the shadow monkey just gave him
“Woah, woah! Hold on now, I didn't mean it like that! Obviously you’re very desirable, and everything I said was true it’s just— I-I was saying it based on how those demons after you probably thought of it! Come on, Liu’er, don’t do me like this!!”
Macaque stood there in shock at Wukong’s rambling, he let out a snort before bursting into a laughing fit, hunching a bit as he pointed at Wukong. “Oh my heaven’s, you were so panicked! Relax, relax, I was teasing”
Wukong’s mouth opened in shock at how quick Macaque bursted into laughter, he groaned and glared daggers at the monkey, hands balling into fists. “Oh come on! You got all pouty on me, what did you expect?!”
“I didn't expect you to get all like that! You looked ready to cry and beg for forgiveness!” Macaque laughed, shaking his head as he wiped away a tear. “I haven't cracked up like that in a while, who knew the Great Sage, Equal of Heaven would get so defensive and protective over a little pout—”
“Shut up!” Wukong growled as he leaped toward Macaque, grabbing the monkey and roughly shoving him against a rock. He grabbed both wrists and pinned them over Macaque’s head as he leaned close to the shadow monkey’s face, breathing heavily
Macaque yelped when Wukong lunged at him, panting as he was pinned against the rock. He squirmed a bit, an uncomfortable feeling rising at the look in Wukong’s eyes. “H-Hey, now… I was just teasing! Don’t go all monkey on me..” He murmured, maybe a bit nervously
Seeing that look on Macaque's face, Wukong finally realized how irrationally he acted just now and let go of Macaque, taking a couple steps back to make some room between them. “Uh, I’m—I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me…”
Macaque rubbed his arms, his eyebrows furrowed and his body a bit tense. “Yeah, yeah.. it’s alright..” He replied, despite how much he wanted to curse out the monkey and probably punch him a few times, it didn't seem right with how regretful Wukong looked. “Uh… I’m gonna go find myself something to eat, I’ll be back later”
With that, Macaque leaped away to look for something to eat. There was an awkward feeling in his lower stomach, like… a pool of warmth—”No. No, absolutely not. I’m not submitting to that damn monkey.” He hissed as he pulled at his hair to distract himself, letting out a loud groan. “I need to get off this damn island…”
Meanwhile, Wukong stood there in shock of his own actions. He knew one thing, though
“That monkey’s gonna be mine