Chapter Text
Whatever that Azure was expecting was not this.
Sure, they’ve told him about watching the events of their past unfold on the black screen, which he finds invasive and a violation to people’s right to privacy and is planning to file a lawsuit against who did this once they get out, but he never would’ve imagine the drama that would happen from the other group because of it. Actually he suspected it to happen but not to that extent.
He wanted to give them a piece of his mind when he found out about the stuff they said, especially from the C!Brotherhood, but apparently their lotus prince already said what needed to be said which earned him his respect. He turned to look at his counterpart and the other lion noticed him staring. They looked at each other for just a brief moment before the other quickly turned away.
To be honest, he doesn’t know how to feel about the other him...
Okay, scratch that, he knew exactly how he felt about him. I mean, he almost unalive him for crying out loud but has he stared at him, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of pity for him.
This could’ve been him if Wukong didn’t managed to pull off that trick, this could’ve been him if he didn’t decide to change and let go, this still could’ve been him if it weren’t for Wukong taking a risk for them. He and the others will remain forever grateful to the golden-furred monkey for giving them this second chance and they made sure not to waste it.
While his counterpart never got that chance.
Azure turned towards the babe, happily playing with the stuff toys to notice the tension in the room, then he turns towards his counterpart then back towards the baby and lets out a sigh. He thanked whatever deities there are that the other Wukong, the adult version, is out of commission for as long as possible because if Sunny were his adult self, he knows without a doubt that it is going to be an absolute shitshow.
He lets out a sigh again and proceeds to pick up Sunny, and a stuff bunny.
(No, he was not jealous. Why would he be jealous of a toy? Cats are much cooler in his opinion, shut up Macaque)
He then proceeds to walk towards Peng and Yellow Tusk, and sat on one of the two chairs that were no doubt reserved for him and Wukong. He smiled in thanks towards them then carefully maneuvered Sunny on his lap to make it comfortable for the baby monkey. He can feel eyes on him and he can see from the corner of his eyes that the other Mk was staring at him, looking like he was contemplating the best way of stealing the child from him.
Azure should’ve felt offended by that but instead felt an understanding as to why the other doesn’t trust him. Azure knew that Xiaotian experienced situations where he was always deceived or betrayed due to his willingness to trust others which is a remarkable attribute to have but can also a liability. The trauma it caused had cut deep into the boy’s insecurities and fears but with help and a good support system, he managed to overcome them one by one.
He has no doubt that the other must’ve experienced the same ordeal as well but it seems to him that despite having the support from his friends and family, the boy looks like he’s carrying the weight of the universe on his shoulders which makes him worried about the boy’s mental state because it seems to him that Mk has never met up with a therapist, not even once, which worries him even more.
Maybe he can ask USK!Pigsy and USK!Tang to convinced their counterparts to schedule a therapy session for the boy or have C!Sandy be his confidant/group-appointed therapist. In fact, maybe they all should schedule group therapy now that he thinks about it.
He was so caught up in his thoughts that he failed to notice that Wukong was back with a bottle of milk and blended fruits, took Sunny from him then proceeded to surprise him with a tickle attack to the gut. He was so surprised that he jumped out of his seat with a shout (he did not scream, shut up Peng) and face planted on the ground.
It was a few moments of silence before laughter broke out.
Azure groaned has he got up from the floor and rubbed his face has he sat back down onto his chair. He looked up and gave Wukong an exasperated look as he watched him laugh along with Sunny, who was also clapping his hands in joy.
“Glad to know that you both find it funny in scaring me.”
"So you were scared."
"Shut up, Peng."
That comment made Wukong laugh even more and Azure, despite his embarrassment, couldn’t help but smile. He always loved it whenever Wukong smiled, it was one of the things that made him fall in love with the celestial monkey, especially when he starts laughing. He would do anything to hear his beloved laugh even if it costs him his pride.
He can feel multiple eyes on him again and he glanced towards the Canon Crew, to see them all staring, specifically Azure Lion, Macaque, and Mk. He can feel the intensity of their stares then looks up towards Wukong and sees him staring at them while at the same time feeding Sunny, who is happily chirping and wagging his tail.
Azure raised a brow when he saw the calculating look on Wukong’s face as he narrows his eyes in thought, makes him wonder what his mate saw that he missed. He watches as Wukong walked over to Tieshan and Niu Mo Wang and hands Sunny over to them, who happily accepted and started cooing over the baby.
He then starts to walk away again which made everyone confused and curious. A minute later, Wukong came back with a first aid kit at hand which made them even more confused, especially when he started walking towards the Canon Crew. Everyone watched with apprehension has the golden furred monkey makes it to his destination and stands in front of Azure Lion.
Azure can see the tenseness on the other lion’s shoulders and he narrows his eyes in confusion. Why would Wukong get a first aid kit and stand in front of Azure Lion? He knows that he went overboard beating the crap out of him but he is mostly healed now, so what is he missing?
His ears twitched when he heard his counterpart speak. “Uhm… Wukong, what uh… what brings you here?” It was obvious that he was nervous, he can see his fur fluffing up and how strained his smile was. He can see Wukong’s tail flick in annoyance and judging by how his counterpart seem to shrink back, Wukong is no doubt giving him an unimpressed look has he heard him scoff.
“Don’t play dumb with me, I know you’re hurt and it’s not because Az almost beat the crap out of you.”
His Jewel shot him a reprimanding look which made him groaned in exasperation. “Jewel, I said I was sorry.”
“To the wrong person.”
Yeah, no. Not gonna happen.
He feels zero remorse about beating the shit out of Azure Lion and no matter how much his Jewel or anybody tells him to apologize, he isn’t going to. Wukong can be mad with him about it all he wants, he isn’t apologizing and Wukong knows this because he huffs in annoyance and rolls his eyes at him before turning back to the other lion.
“Look, I know this seems weird to you but I’ll back off once I patched you up.”
“I assure you, I’m just fine.”
“Well sorry to tell you but I don’t believe you.”
“Truly there is no need for you to concern yourself with me, I’m okay.”
"Quit lying, I know you're hurt. Why else are you deflecting me right now?"
"I'm not. I truly am fine, Wukong."
He can hear the desperation in Azure Lion’s voice and how he always stressed that he was fine. It raised alarm bells in his head and he looked at him with concern but then his eyes widen when it finally clicked.
‘Out of all of our similarities, it just had to be that.’
He mentally slapped himself on the forehead for being stupid.
“Oh really?”
Azure’s ears twitched when he heard the sarcasm dripping from Wukong’s voice. He can already tell that Wukong is fed up with his nonsense and is about to drop a bombshell in a few seconds then chaos would erupt and he was right when Wukong spoke.
“Then care to explain why your seat has a huge bloodstain on it?”
“WHAT?!”
He should've stayed in the room.