Chapter Text
Pavlos stared at Wukong, whose tail twitched irritably behind him. His face was scrunched up in deep thought, and his usual lively demeanor was replaced by a tense silence. From what the monkeys had said, Wukong was in a bad mood due to another encounter with the celestial authorities. His eyes, usually bright with mischief, were now dark and stormy, reflecting his inner turmoil.
Pavlos had gathered from them and Macaque that Wukong despised their authority. He hated being controlled and the idea of being looked down upon by those above the celestial realm. Wukong’s desire to be “Equal to Heaven” was a constant source of his frustration. Today, it seemed, that frustration had boiled over, leaving him brooding and uncharacteristically quiet.
Macaque would normally be the voice of reason between the two and would always soothe him. But today, he wasn’t available as he had gone out to collect wildflowers to make his highly effective sleeping powder. This powder was renowned for its ability to induce deep, restful sleep almost instantly, even in the most restless of minds.
This left Pavlos with the task of soothing the grumpy Monkey King. The little monkeys sat atop his shoulders, looking at their king with concern as Pavlos sighed in defeat.
“You guys got any ideas to cheer him up?” he asked, looking to his little friends. None gave an answer, though one of them suggested giving Wukong his favorite fruit. It didn’t sound like a bad idea. Pavlos held a small basket of freshly plucked peaches as he quietly made his way to Wukong, ensuring the little ones stayed back so they could talk one-on-one.
“Hey there. Thought I’d give you something to cheer you up,” Pavlos said softly, awkwardly placing the basket down next to him. They sat in silence, the awkwardness hanging in the air. Pavlos glanced at Wukong, who continued to glare into the distance, uninterested in the fruit he usually adored.
‘Guess the fruits aren’t going to work this time.’ Pavlos thought, trying to come up with another way to cheer up the great sage. He decided that talking might be the best course of action.
“You know, talking about it could always make you feel better,” Pavlos offered, scooting closer to Wukong. The basket was the only thing preventing him from getting even closer. Wukong remained silent, and Pavlos quietly waited for him to respond.
After a while, Wukong finally spoke, clenching and unclenching his fists. “It’s just—it gets so annoying, you know? I just want to help the people I care about. But I still feel like it isn’t enough at all! We need to do something, and I just—I don’t know what to do. Like I’ve hit a wall…” He grumbled, covering his face with his hands and groaning loudly.
Pavlos stared at Wukong for a moment, taking in what he had said. The desire to be powerful enough to protect others and not be a burden resonated deeply with him. Pavlos’ heart ached as he realized he understood Wukong’s feelings all too well. No matter how far he went, it never seemed enough to protect those around him, especially against those with greater power.
He closed his eyes, recalling when his father had told him about Chronos and why Melinoë grew quiet whenever he asked about her noble story. Pavlos often felt the weight of his perceived weakness. He remembered the countless times he had trained, pushing his body to its limits, only to feel like he was still falling short. The frustration of not being able to match the strength and prowess of those around him gnawed at his confidence. He longed to be someone his family could rely on, rather than someone they needed to shield.
The memories of his family’s worried faces haunted him. He could see his father’s stern expression, masking the deep concern in his eyes, and his mother’s gentle yet anxious demeanor as she tried to reassure him. Pavlos felt a pang of guilt every time he saw them worry, wishing he could ease their fears by becoming stronger. The pressure to prove himself, to show that he wasn’t a liability, weighed heavily on his shoulders.
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Pavlos laughed sadly, making Wukong turn to him in surprise. “To think I thought that my struggles could not be understood. Yet here I am hearing it again from you, Monkey King,” he said, his voice weary as he continued. “We both struggle to feel like we’re enough, wondering if our actions will lead to a better path.”
Pavlos paused, his eyes reflecting a deep empathy. “You know, Wukong, I’ve always felt like an outsider, never quite fitting in. My family loves me, but there are times I doubt if I truly belong. Especially when everyone in my family is a powerful being and yet. I see you, with all your strength and wisdom, and I realize that even the mightiest can feel this way. It’s comforting, in a strange way, to know that we share this struggle.”
Wukong couldn’t help but stare at Pavlos, feeling both shocked and somehow embarrassed by the praises Pavlos was giving him. He had always been praised by his brotherhood and many others, but the way Pavlos spoke with such honesty sent shivers down his spine. It reminded him of when he and Macaque first met. Could it be? He shook his head at the thought.
Nope, absolutely not. You were already happy with Macaque. Pavlos was just complimenting you, Monkey King. Keep your thoughts straight,’ Wukong screamed in his head as he cleared his throat before responding to Pavlos.
Yet, despite his internal protests, Wukong couldn’t deny the impact Pavlos’s sincerity had on him. Each word felt like a gentle touch, reaching deep into his heart. Pavlos’s genuine admiration and empathy made Wukong feel seen in a way he hadn’t experienced with any other than Macaque.
Pavlos could also see past his overconfident personality and recognize the vulnerabilities he often kept hidden.
“Ummm, Wukong, are you okay?” Pavlos called, pulling him out of his thoughts. His face turned slightly pink with embarrassment. Wukong grabbed the peach Pavlos had offered him and shoved it into his mouth, his cheeks puffing up as he spoke.
“Mhm!” he responded, swallowing his share and fumbling with his words. “Sorry, I was just—well, thinking about what you said and, err—” He looked away, too embarrassed to meet Pavlos’s eyes. “Thank you for telling me that. I appreciate the idea of having someone else who wouldn’t—you know.”
Pavlos couldn’t help but chuckle at the way the Great Sage fumbled with his words before nodding. “Of course, it’s the least I could do. Whether or not we like to admit it, we all have problems—from lowly mortals to the Great Sage Equal to Heaven,” he teased, elbowing Wukong playfully and grinning ear to ear.
Wukong grinned, giving Pavlos a side hug and ruffling his hair. “Hah! You’ve got that right! You ain’t bad yourself either.” He laughed, continuing to ruffle Pavlos’s hair while Pavlos grinned, trying to push him away.
“Hey, hey! Watch the hair!” Pavlos protested, laughing. “So, what were you thinking about, really?”
Wukong sighed, his playful demeanor softening. “Just… how nice it is to have someone who understands. It’s not easy being the Great Sage, you know? Everyone expects so much.”
Pavlos nodded, his expression turning serious. “I get it. Sometimes, it feels like no matter what we do, it’s never enough. But you’re doing great, Wukong. You really are.”
Wukong smiled, a genuine warmth in his eyes. “Thanks, Pavlos. That means a lot coming from you. You’ve got a way of making things seem… less heavy.”
Pavlos shrugged modestly. “Well, that’s what I’mare for, right? To share the load.”
“Right.” Wukong agreed, his grin returning. “Now, how about we go find some more peaches? I’m still hungry!”
Pavlos laughed, shaking his head. “You and your peaches! Alright, let’s go. But this time, you’re climbing the tree!”
He runs off as The Monkie King runs after him, his thoughts still lingering like he had butterflies in his stomach.