Chapter Text
A peaceful slumber did not last long. Six ears picked up on fast breathing and rustle sound of rolling from side to side in the nest. Macaque slowly opened his eyes, still half-blinded by the dreams. He furrow his brows at the sounds, he wanted to come back to sleep, but... ‘I live alone!’ His mind screamed alarmed. He got up quickly just to fall off the armchair. ‘Wait. Armchair?’ Six-Eared looks to his nest. ‘Wukong..? Ah, right, circlet.’ he sighted, the rusty-furred monkey was apparently just having a nightmare.
Macaque got up and moved closer to the other. Comforting Wukong wasn’t the top of his dreams, but he also wanted a moment of silence. He kneeled next to the nest and lightly put his paw on Monkey King’s shoulder to keep him in place „Wukong.” he said strongly, shaking him a little.
Fortunately, he didn’t have to put too much effort, since after the first call Wukong opened his eyes. His breath was fast, and he looked around alarmed and visibly unsteady. Macaque could very well hear how hard and fast his heartbeat was, and if Sun wouldn’t have been immortal he would start to worry if that was even healthy.
When golden eyes landed on the dark-furred monkey, there was a bit of change in his gaze. Before Six-Eared could say anything, he was pulled into a tight hug. A breath was lost from his lounges, and in the first few seconds, his fight or flight instinct was triggered. He struggled for a few seconds, before realizing this was an embrace, not an attempt at murder...
„Wukong. You just had a nightmare. Everything is fine now.” he muttered, looking at the still uneasy monkey, that was clenching to his chest.
„NO!” Monkey King shouted, at what Macaque groaned quietly as his ears ached a little „No! Nothing is fine! The- The pain will be back! It will hurt again! Hurt so much! So, so much!” he clenched his fingers on black fur painfully, at what the other just hugged him back firmly „I don’t want it! I don’t want that pain! I- I paid back already! I learned my lesson! I- I really don’t need to be punished anymore! I’ve been good. I’ve been good... I- I’ve tried to be good...” he was shivering and crying. He did payback for his past mistakes. He really did learn his lesson then. He really couldn’t take all of this again.
„Hey, calm down.” Macaque pulled away a little and looked at the other’s face „We’ll get them. Whoever and wherever they are.” he assured, cupping his cheek. His heart hurt at how fast Wukong leaned into his touch „And the pain will go away. And you won’t be hurt anymore...” Six-Eared hugged him again „You don’t deserve that pain.” he whispered ‘You never have.’ was silent in this.
„Macaque.” Wukong looked to the other stunned, surprised at those words. In the fact, that he was comforting him at all... He didn’t deserve that help, he knew that very well...
„I’m sleepy, that’s why I’m so nice. So don’t ruin this.” he got up to move away but his hand was grabbed. Six-Eared looked to the other with question painted on his face.
„Could you..? You know...” rusty-furred monkey looked to the side. A playful grin appeared on Macaque’s lips.
„Mmm, could I do what?” he asked sarcastically, but stopped on his plans of getting out of the nest.
„Ugh, don’t play dumb. You perfectly know what I mean?” Wukong spat, getting back to his feisty persona. Embarrassment turned into a defensive attitude.
„But my King, I do truly have no idea~.” Six-Eared continued on annoying him slightly, visibly enjoying how frustrated the Sun was by that.
„...You want me to say that...” quick gaze of golden eyes to the darker simian.
„I’m dying to hear that~.” the black-furred one admitted with a wide grin. There was a moment of silence, rusty tail was nervously moving from side to side on the floor.
„...Macaque.” Wukong looked at him, playing with a longer strand of his fur „Please, stay...” finally was said.
Macaque blinked a few times before he truly understood the meaning of what he heard. There was a mixture of fillings that said words had triggered. Anger, anxiousness, bitterness, but also some kind of ease. He wanted to scream at the other monkey or leave, saying something hurtful so he would feel exactly what he felt when Wukong left him. But at the same time there was that sense of duty; the duty of that Warrior that did not die that day. And from that bloomed the joy of being needed. ‘I’m strong. I can be bigger than that.’ he clenched his fists ‘But he left me. He didn’t have a problem leaving me behind. He killed me! Now I can make him pay! I can make him feel what it’s like to be betrayed! I-! I-. I... can’t...’ he curled up his tail ‘He needs me now... I can’t leave him. Not with this.’ he saw how the rusty-furred monkey looks away as if feeling the coming his way rejection ‘He looks so pathetic and weak right now... It doesn’t suit him at all.’ he sights.
„Sure, bud.” he says lying next to him, looking at how the other’s eyes light up, gazing at him with something he couldn’t describe anymore ‘Fuck, why is he looking at me this way.’ Macaque looked away „This will be our secret.” he added, moving his tail to the other and entangling it with Wukong’s one.
Six-Eared turned to Monkey King and give him a small, agreeing nod. He is immediately hugged by the Sun. Strong embrace is quickly returned with the same, if not stronger force. The Moon starts to coarse his fingers through the Sun’s rusty fur drawing various shapes and drawing a light, low purr from him. They stay like that for a while. Just letting themselves have a moment of relief. And somehow it felt like centuries ago, when there were just the two of them, young and innocent, with no worry about what the future will bring, with no knowledge of the tragedy awaiting them.
„So... you talked with MK?” Wukong finally broke that silence.
„Yeah. He and his friends.” he said, not stopping his hand movement „They were having a little party with small cats.” he continued with a light smile „MK hasn’t believed me, so I said I can’t tell him too much but we’re going on a little mission, but it is too much bound to what happened between us, to let anyone else come along. He said he trusts me on keeping you safe, and to tell you that you can rely on him if you need help.” he studied Wukong’s face, as it turned into a bitter-sweet expression.
„Hah, I could have figured...” a small smile appeared on his lips.
„ Yeah, he’s a really good kid.” Macaque commented.
„He is indeed...” Monkey King agreed „Sometimes I think he’s too good for his own good.”
„Scared some demon might take advantage of this?” he asked sarcastically.
„No... I’m scared I might...” he again looked away, and Macaque could almost taste all that worry and quilt of the other monkey.
„Nah, you might be a rascal and fuck up a lot...” he started hugging him stronger „But you don’t make the same mistake twice. You learn and you grow. I really used to like that about you.” he added, with a satisfaction observing how the other’s eyes look in shock at him, again that night. He smiles lightly, getting comfy in the other’s arms.
„You must be really tired to say things like that.” he commented with a light chuckle and a feisty look.
„Yeah, It would seem to be like this.” he messed fur on King’s head playfully „So I would suggest sleeping.” he added and yawned as if for backing up his suggestion.
„You’re right. A few more and I’ll think it’s not” ‘My Moon’ he wanted to say, but stopped „you.” he says instead.
„Very funny. Now sleep. We need to be well rested for our trip” he commented.
„Right.” Wukong agreed „Sleep well.” was added after a few seconds.
„You too.” was the response, the last thing that was said before they again fell asleep.
~*~
Again it didn't take long before Macaque was awakened. This time by an ears-tearing scream. He rose to a sitting position and put a hand on the other monkey's mouth. Wukong looked up at him. Red, unglamured eyes were filled with tears, and just begging him in silence for help.
„Shh, Give me a moment to focus.” Six-Eared said calmly and took down his glamours.
Glowing, petal-like-shaped, six ears were now in their full glory. Pink, blue, and green glow were reflected in Monkey King's eyes. He hasn't seen them in so long... He forgot how beautiful they were. And somehow it pained him even more that this stunning look was taken away from him. That he lost his previous privilege of seeing his moon like this. And the worst part, he could blame only himself for losing all of that.
Macaque closed his eyes to focus more on hearing. His ears moved around a little to catch the sound of incantation. He might have heard it centuries ago, but when something is bound to such agonizing screams of your dearest friend, you just don't forget.
He catches the voice pretty quickly. He clenched his fists, his eyes now open and filled with burning rage.
„Got him.” Macaque's voice is colder than the void in Dyu. Even the Sun flinches not being able to send his warmth that far „One of my clones will carry you.” he adds, letting one of those merges out of the shadows.
„Who..?” Wukong asks when lifted from the nest. He clenches too the dark shadowy clone, shivering, not being able to hold back his sobs.
„Mayor.” Oh, how his voice was just dripping with rage. Monkey King was surprised at first, but not for long. It started to make sense in his head after all. Hence the pain started at the place where they’ve putted the end to LBD and the familiar cold chill that was with him there. Och and the motive. The motive was quite obvious.
„Agh! Son of a bitch!” he says through gritted teeth.
„Yeah, Bone bitch.” Macaque commented angrily.
~*~
His six ears were visible all the way. They moved around and glittered from time to time, leading their way through the shadows. Wukong locked his eyes on them, trying to focus not on the pain but on the way they were shifting and glowing. He might have been in the worst pain ever, but still was mesmerized by how stunning those delicate petals were. Well, in different circumstances he would probably feel quite honored to be able to see them again. Maybe after all of this, he could hide his pride for a moment and ask if Macaque would let him pet them a little. He remembered his Moon liked a lot when in youth he stroked them fondly. A weak smile for a moment passed through his lips when a memory of their old days flew before his eyes.
Macaque on the contrary was focused strongly on here and now. He jumps from one shadow portal to another, dragging both, his clone and Wukong behind him. The road seemed long, the voice was far away. But Six-Eared was pissed and was not going to take this slow. Even if it meant overusing his powers to their limits, he will get his hands on the not-Mayor as fast as it was possible. Yeah, anger was the best feeling he could focus on now. It used to be his main focus for past centuries. Then it was condensed around Wukong, now Mayor was going to have a taste. Oh, and he knew Mayor was going to end poorly after he’s done with him. All Wukongs cries and pained groans were making him sure of it.
Thanks to his hurry they were close in only a few hours. The place seemed to be some kind of old temple. Not too big, wooden, and kept in good condition. It was somewhere between mountains, hidden from any basic traveler.
Six ears were now standing on full alert, each one in a different direction. They were close. So close and Macaque couldn’t hide a smug smile at the thought it will soon be over. They had the advantage due to the element of surprise.
He showed his clone to stay here with the Monkey King and try to muffle his cries. He was going to get in, beat the shit out of fake-Mayor, and get his hands on the scroll, and then... And then they’ll be back to being kind-of-enemies-sort-of-allies. Yeah, that will do.
He entered the temple quietly via shadows, trying to be as sneaky as it was possible. He looked around, of course, it was a temple in name of Lady Bone Demon. A shiver run down his spine when he heard a slow clap from somewhere inside.
„Bravo! Brawo~!” the Mayor said, coming from the center of a room „Well, well, well. I figured the Sage wouldn’t go after me on his own in his state.” his voice as annoying as always „But I would never dare to assume you would fall so low to be the one helping him.”
„I didn’t come here for some lame pep talk.” Macaque said with an unamused look „Hand me the incantation.” he demanded furrowing his brows
„My Lady would be so disappointed.” Mayor ignored him, the distance between them was getting smaller and smaller „She rescued you from Dyu, and the second you have a chance you go back with the tail between your legs to the one who betrayed you.” at this Macaque growls slightly, trying hard not to show any emotions.
„Oh so you’re still obsessed over that Bone Bitch.” he spat back with a smug smile on his face.
„How dare you call that my Lady! Know your place foul demon!” this time it’s the Mayor who loosens his cool. And that’s actually exactly for what Macaque had waited. He gets a better grip on his shadow staff and waits for the first attack.
They exchange a few blows and kicks. Purple shadowy staff against silver katana with a light blue hand. Until Six-Eared lets a low chuckle, wanting to continue his plan of pissing the other more.
„But I must admit your loyalty is quite impressive.” he started when they get close again „She’s gone and you still try so hard to fulfill her mission.” oh that surely hurt, looking at how the other face shifted in pain and grief, but soon there was a weird glow in those blue eyes. Macaque shouldn’t have ignored it „I feel moved~.” he adds sarcastically, finally being able to lay a punch on the other, making him hit one of the pillars.
„Jealous?” Macaque raised a brow at that „Since you were left by your boyfriend after the death that he caused?” Mayor mocked. Getting up on his legs, just to protect himself from the impact of the next attack.
„He was not my boyfriend!” Macaque’s voice is loud and angry. Mayor smirks with amusement, oh how quickly tables have turned.
„Yeah, right, and that makes it even more pathetic when I think about it.” he says making some distance between them ”Let’s have a look. A guy you love chooses everyone else over you. He leaves you. You trying to help him, and he kills you with as much as no hesitation. Then he just forgets you. He leaves you again. And when you’re back alive he greets you like some lowly demon trash that he just needs to throw away.” he sums up with satisfaction observing how rage is rising in Six-Eared „But the moment his well-being is truly threatened you’re stepping in as if non of this happened.” he laughs like on some good joke, fighting back attack after attack „Oh how miserable, how pitiful. I’m almost sorry for you simian.” he says with such a mockery in his voice, the dark-furred monkey can almost taste it.
„Shut up! You have no idea what you’re talking about!” he finally can say something, because for a moment all that monologue made him speechless „He had a right to choose his life. He had his dreams, and followed them! He didn’t know how I felt, but I never told him!” he rushed forward again, trying to get his hands on the men, who was jumping away from his attacks „And later I threaten his friends, impersonated him, he didn’t have a choice but to...” he stopped dumbfounded at his own words „ He didn't have a choice but to kill me...” his eyes went unfocused for a few seconds and that was exactly the moment Mayor was hoping for.
He immanently reduced the distance between them to almost zero, and with one strong blow, he threw Macaque through one of the walls, making him leave this sanctuary. And there was that clearing where he left Wukong. And he was here with his clone, still curling in pain. He looked at Six-Eared alarmed, seeing him getting on all fours and coughing blood .
„Macaque!” he shouted with his hoarse voice and tried to crawl his way to the darker monkey. Unsuccessfully.
„I’m fine...” he mutters not sure to who he was telling this lie. Oh, he should have been a bit more careful with his powers today. He felt how his clone melted into the shadows.
„Not for long~.” Mayor just got closer now not wasting precious time and kicking Six-Eared in the stomach, making him roll a few meters
„We’re agh-! ...gonna kick your dumb ass anyway!” Wukong warns, trying to get up but failing again. It pissed him off how miserable and helpless he was now. He wanted to rush over to his Warrior Macaque, to punch that stupid henchmen in his stupid head and protect his precious Moon Six-Eared. But he could not do a thing.
„Ach Wukong.” he says with an even wider grin „I always admired your stubbornness.” he crouched down next to Macaque. His katana shone in his hand disturbingly, when it came close to the monkey’s head.
Of course, Six-Eared moved away as far as he could in his position. He wanted to sink into the shadows, but the world was spinning around him and his whole body felt dizzy. But the moment he tries to struggle he’s met with another hard blow to his head, making him almost lose consciousness.
„A, a, a~. Just accept it, you’ve lost. You always do, no matter what side you’re on.” he whisperers in Macaque’s ears „You’ve failed again.” he adds and stands up. Mayor looks at the rusty-furred monkey and smirks at how his gaze is fixated on what was happening to the other simian.
Macaque clenches his fists, he failed his King yet again. The taste of failure is well known but it’s something he’ll never get used to. He just wanted to help, and now it will be an end to him, again. And again he’ll die for nothing. Such a sad and pathetic death. The Mayor puts his leg on his back, making him huff in pain, as he can feel one of his ribs break.
„How about that?” Mayor speaks, looking to Wukong „You will finish him off,” he points at the lying monkey „and then I will stop the pain.” he offers with a crazy grin „How does that sound, dear Great-Sage~?” he asks.
Macaque looks at Wukong, golden eyes meet the purple orbs, one blinded. There is a silent exchange of thoughts. Macaque at this point wouldn’t really blame Monkey King if he would choose to end him. It’s not like it would be the first time he has chosen something over him. This time he could forgive him. He had the first-row seat witnessing how really agonizing the pain must have been for the rusty simian.
And Wukong could see that silent acceptance of his own fate in these purple eyes. And he swore it hurt more than that stupid cursed circlet. It burned him from inside out that the other, not only had thought he could do that, but also he already embraced this outcome giving him silent approval. And the worst part was he was totally reasonable in this. He could only blame himself for how low Macaque was thinking of him.
Six-Eared helped him through all of this suffering. His Warrior was strong; was bigger than him, being able to put the past behind him, and be the friend that King’s needed now. And Wukong was not going to make him regret that
„Fuck. Off.” Wukong spat, and Macaque’s eyes widen in shock.
„And I thought you were at least smarter than that.” Mayor recited the spell, drawing another pained scream from the King „I thought there would be at least some use for you, but I guess I’ll just get rid of you.” he shrugs, getting his spear into one hand „I know you’re immortal an all, but I wonder what will happen when I chop you to pieces~.” he smiles widely, his eyes fixated on the Sage.
Shadow looked weakly at Wukong. The Agony of the Sun rang in Moon’s ears. All of his glamours fell down, and shadows around the clearing seem to tremble, and slowly started to grow. Purple glow was evaporating from his whole body.
„Leave. My. King. Alone.”
The Warrior growled clenching his fists and heavily getting up. Soon behind him, darkness develop into a Smokey monster, and Macaque himself fell into shadows beneath him, reappearing between the Mayor and Wukong. He felt the adrenaline pumping through his veins, and all his shadows screaming aggressively to tear that man to shreds.
„O ho ho~. Someone wants to get bitten up again?” The Mayor seems rather amused with this outcome. He brushes off the chill that runs through his spine „You just don’t know when to quit simian, do yo.”
But Macaque did not say anything back. Too much consumed by his rage. He heard everything better than well due to his six ears, but he didn’t understand a word from that. His thoughts fixated on just tearing the gray-haired man, shadows surrounding them closer and closer, cutting off all ways of escape from the other.
There was weird uneasiness to the silence of the black simian. Monkey King knew Macaque, and during fights, he was always a talkative type, sure of his abilities and skills, he just wasn’t able to shut up. So the fact that he was now just so focused on attacking, not even growling or insulting in rage opponent it became pretty clear that he was going for a kill. And Wukong recognized it before the Mayor had a chance to feel something was off. Before he felt all of his instincts scream for him to run.
There were only a few hits Mayor was able to lay this time, and black simian did not even flinch or back off when the katana draw blood from him. He just went for another, and another hit. And when the old man knocked his staff out of his paws, he just started to attack him with bare hands. Striking with fists, tearing with paws, and scratching with claws.
Mayor felt fear rising in his body, panic striking his scenes and ripping off the smile on his face. Sweat ran down his temple. And finally terrified scream escaped his mouth as Macaque’s hand went through his chest, getting out on the other side with a still warm and beating heart in his hold. The scream died fast, and when the monkey backed his hand lifeless body fell to the ground.
He stood there for a few seconds, now panting heavily before looking down. Disgust run through his face as he looked at the dead body of Mayor fall. Macaque studies his own hand emptily and then he drops the heart to the ground and crouched down to grab the scroll that the other still held. Well, it won’t be any use to him now anyway.
Macaque got up slowly, unrolling the scroll and looking at it with a conflicted expression. In the meantime Wukong slowly stood up, getting a few shaky steps closer to the other, as the pain wore off.
„Macaque...” Wukong looks at him a bit unsure. He sees the way the monkey’s hands are shaking a little, his six ears being laid against his head, and that look on his face... He studies all parts of his expression and it’s just making his stomach drop. He could tell the other was plotting something, but could not tell about what. Well nothing good, was his mind telling him. „Please... Hand me the scroll.” he said as if he was trying to calm a wild animal.
„Huuuh~.” Amusement in black-furred monkey voice was threatening.
Monkey King could swear any minute more and he’ll lose it. He could feel panic crawling under his skin, and his heartbeat skipping a beat after beat. Six-Ears made a step back from his former friend and moved his gaze to the incantation again. Wukong felt a shiver go down his spine and uneasiness making flips in his stomach at the terrifying thought that maybe trusting Macaque, with something this powerful, wasn’t exactly... good idea.
‘No. No. No, he wouldn’t. He wouldn’t use it... right?’ he thought nervously, more and more unsure with every second that passed. Well, Macaque did say earlier he would be capable of doing that, so... ‘Fuck. Fuck. I’m so fucked. Hah...’ and he slowly started panicking, as he had no idea what to do in this situation. Should he fight him? ‘No. No, no, no. We can’t fight. He’ll activate a circlet and I’m toasted. Or I’ll hurt him /lose control and kill him/ again... no, we can’t fight.’ Should he beg? Plead for mercy? ‘It’ll be so humiliating, but... I can hide my pride. I- I can try.’ Maybe he should apologize? For leaving? For killing? Everything probably? ‘But what if he’ll gets it wrong? As if it was not sincerer? Ugh, fuck, fuck, what to do?’
„Hah. Ha ha.” short dark laughter escaped black-furred simian mouth. And Monkey King went pale, preparing mentally for this agony again, knowing very well he won’t be prepared at all when it’ll actually comes. And that he perfectly deserved it from black simian, even if he wouldn’t admit it out loud. He looked with desperation in his gaze to the other, trying and failing to read his expression.
„You should have seen your face.” he finally snored with a sarcastic expression on his face and tore the scripture to pieces as if it was just some worthless piece of paper and not a powerful tool to control Oh-So-Great Sage Equal to Heaven.
Wukong looked at him even more dumbfounded now. Not being able to speak because of how confusing this gesture felt. There was that terrible fright at first, that was now turned into the biggest relief he felt since he was freed from beneath that mountain. It felt as if he was reborn. But it also hurt, deep inside there was that weird feeling of uneasiness and... regret. Guilt crawled out after centuries and- How could he never see this before? He felt like he knew and was totally unaware at the same time that there was just no option for Macaque to betray him. Especially not like that.
Colors slowly started to go back to him, but his breath and heartbeat were still fast and unsteady.
„Oh stop looking at me like that, or I might start regretting doing this.” he huffed, playing offended „How could you think I would use- ” he hadn’t finished, because the other rushed to him and hugged him strongly, almost breaking his ribs... He was in such a shock only minutes later he came back to his senses realizing the clung to him monkey was shivering and crying like he never heard before. Even because of the circlet...
„Thank you, thank you, thank you” were mixed with ”Sorry, I’m so sorry, sorry” all over, in one mumbling mess, and if Macaque didn’t have those six ears he would not hear it well. But he had. And he heard every each of those words. He smiled and hugged back the other.
”I was you’re friend Wukong. Even if I would be angry at you I wouldn’t... do that to you. Even now, even as an enemy, I wouldn’t. Never...” he whispered close to the other. Wukong started to calm down, pulling his head from the other and looking in purple eyes he give a smal laugh.
„You totally would.”
„Yeah, I would.” he chuckled, and within a few seconds the other joined in more lively „But I wanted to sound good, like in some dramatic theater play, and you just ruined this.”
„Oh sorry, you drama queen.” Wukong mocked him lightly „Take this as payback for scaring me with that.” he looks to the thorn to pieces scripture, not letting the other even for a second.
„Och it was totally worth it. You were paler than that Bone Bitch.” Macaque sneers, but in no longer a negative way.
„Och shut it. You’re an asshole.”
„Yeah, sure I am.”
They look at each other and seconds later they’re lying on the ground. Macaque and Wukong just drained out of strength. It was an exhausting experience and their bodies just screamed for a moment of peace.
„Thank you...” Wukong started slowly.
„Och sush it.” he was brushed by the other monkey with just lightly smacked him on the shoulder.
„No, really Macaque.” Wukong turned in a way he could now better see Six-Eared „I really appreciate all you’ve done for me... Especially after what I did to you. I guess you really were a better friend all along...” he continues in his monologue „Thank you for helping me. If it weren’t for you, I would probably end pretty poorly... And I’m sorry for k-”
„Don’t mention it. It was my duty anyway.” Wukong got the memo, it just wasn’t the time for getting to terms with their past. There were too many emotions now, and they should focus on getting some rest, not starting a new hard topic this second „Hence I’m the Warrior, I must protect my King~.” rusty-furred monkey looked at the other smiling, feeling a light peachy blush on his chicks. A sense of comfort warmed his insides. Oh how he loved this statement.
„Buuut I rather not sleep here.” he ads after a while „Grab me harder” they fell through one of Macaque’s shadow portals, landing in his nest „Much better~.” Their tails tangled them.