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The shadow monkey glanced at the city. Night seeking in. The city was illuminated by beautiful, bright colors. And those colors didn’t even seem to dim when places began to flip themselves to close.
It was a wonderful sight that tugged at his heart. How had he ever wanted to destroy this view? Although the city wasn’t his main goal. Might be considered a plus to most of the villainous yaoguai out there but it wasn’t important in his grand plan. In fact, it had merely been a speck.
His old villainy used to make him smile widely. A smirk forming whenever one of his plans was successful. Ruining lives, hurting people, it didn't faze him. In his eyes, it was a necessity.
But now his past caused him to hang his head in shame. Grip tightening on the railing. Despair filled his chest. How could he have been such a fool? Revenge blinded him to life’s fascinating mysteries and more importantly, his own flaws. He had been an idiot. Letting hurt blind him to the pain of others.
But thankfully, he had been handed a second chance. A chance he had almost taken for granted until the others refused to put up with his crap.
And he managed to transform for the better like a beautiful butterfly emerging from its cocoon. Then eventually, he had gotten together with the love of his life. The gorgeous scholar who had plagued his mind. Hazel eyes making his heart flutter. An intelligent brain who could pull knowledge from anywhere at the drop of the hat.
He was truly lucky.
A noise suddenly reached his six ears. Without looking back, he said, “You’re late.”
“Sorry, I was helping Pigsy close the shop.” Wukong approached him with a container in hand. Silver bracelet shining on his left wrist. He removed the lid to reveal a couple cut up peaches. “He gave me some peaches before I left. Left for home, told me to see him when I was done.”
“Awwww, good for you, lover boy,” he teased, then his eyes drifted forward to focus back on the city.
“You’re just jealous that Tang doesn’t do this for you.”
The shadow monkey scoffed and rolled his eyes. “He does. And it’s way sweeter when he does it.”
The king gasped and quickly placed a hand against his heart. While his face was scrunched up, eyebrows furrowed, it was clear judging by the twitching of his lips that there was no offense taken. “How dare you! My snuggle pig is the sweetest person in the whole world!”
“I wouldn’t call him that when he has such a sour look on his face.”
“It’s cute!”
“Yea. In your head it is.”
The Sage’s eyes danced with amusement. If this was a year ago then he would have punched Liu’er for insulting his love but things had changed. Nowadays they would take one or two days out of the week to travel to a bar, a restaurant or some other location to discuss Liu’er’s progress and gush about the love of their lives and various subjects.
It started as a rather small tradition when Wukong had found Macaque sitting with his knees pressed up against his chest, lamenting if he was making any developments. And Wukong, who had initially doubted it was even working, decided to sit down and discuss it then they decided to go to lunch to cheer the shadow monkey up. Then it became a regular thing, especially after Macaque had gotten with Tang.
Something that caused the monkey to panic as this was his first serious relationship in a while and he repeatedly asked Wukong for advice.
“How’s Tang?”
“Why are you asking that? Didn’t you see him earlier?”
“Yea, I know but I meant your relationship.”
He smiled earnestly. “Oh, it’s wonderful. Tang… he’s uhh… he’s sweet.” Heat rose to his face. “I gave him some ancient books I had on hand. Didn’t understand a word of it so I helped him translate it for him. Thanked me with a kiss on the cheek.”
“Oh, you sap. Melting over a kiss on the cheek.”
“Shut up. Pigsy could just hold your face and you go all heart eyes.”
“Because my love is a very beautiful man. I absolutely adore him.”
“You’re a dork.”
“No, you’re a dork. Now go on.”
“I don’t know. It’s just been going well. I’m actually happy. I was thinking of… well since I’ve come so far. I should… propose to Tang.”
Wukong stared at him wide-eyed. “Propose? That’s… Wow, I’m happy for you. Have you planned it out?”
“I’m not sure. Not even confident if I should.”
Nudging him, he smirked and said, “You? The confident Six Eared Macaque? I’m shocked.”
“Shut up. Things are different, you know? I know Tang loves me but… do I really deserve to marry someone as beautiful as that?”
Instead of teasing him further, the king laid a comforting hand on his shoulder. Whispering softly, “I understand that. I used to think the same thing about my relationship with Pigsy. Rather I deserved to be with him after everything. I had so much self-loathing that I wasn’t sure I deserved to have a home with the others. But they made sure to be there for me, let me prove myself even with some doubts. Then I got better. Now there’s no more secrets, no more lies. I’m not alone anymore. I’m more than just a protector. That doesn’t have to be all I am. I don’t have any more pressure. I am so much more than I thought I was.”
The Sage hummed. A lovestruck look on his face. “Pigsy is amazing. He’s gruff but sweet. He’s not afraid to tell me when I’m wrong and I appreciate that. I feel like that’s something I needed to hear even if I didn’t appreciate it in the beginning. He’s wonderful. I could get lost in those beautiful blue eyes forever. My gorgeous crimson moon. He made sure I took care of myself, challenged me to do better. Comforted me when I needed it. I couldn’t ask for a better person. I wasn’t sure he felt the same in the beginning. Was sure he still hated me.”
“Heh, that’s what I thought with Tang. Spectacles didn’t make it easy with all his glaring.”
“You and my partner both. One of the reasons they’re best friends. Let me ask you. Do you love Tang?”
Macaque’s brows furrowed and he narrowed his eyes. Clearly about to curse him out for implying he didn’t but the Sage halted him with a raised hand. “I don’t doubt you. I’m asking honestly. Do you love him?”
The macaque sighed and nodded. Shoulders tensing up. “Of course I do. Hell, I used to find him fucking annoying. He used to prattle on about you like you were the best thing in the world. And… And I couldn’t understand that. I was so enraged by him praising you yet hating me. Back when I thought… When I thought about you know. But like you and Pigsy, he made me do better. Challenged me then opened up. When he wasn’t looking, I saw a kinder, softer side when he was with you all. I thought he was dumb, weak. But he’s smarter and stronger than any of us give him credit for. Especially on the inside. And that’s what people always say matters, right? The strength on the inside.”
“I never understood that until now. How could such a weak mortal be so strong inside? Was it a trick? But no. It was him. All him. His fantastic lips, intelligent mind. Far more intelligent than anyone else I have met.” He ignored the offended gasp. “He deserves everything and I would do anything to keep his smile.” He placed a hand to his neck. “Hell, that sounds so cheesy. You all turned me into a sap as big as you are. That used to bother me but now it doesn’t. But anyway.” Staring into the Sage’s eyes, he answered, “When you ask if I love him, I do.”
The Sage laid the container on the ground. “Then you should take the leap. It’s what we did before. We took the leap, took steps to improve. Opened ourselves up to change, to love. We chose to date the people we love even though we were scared of messing it all up. And look at us now. I’m married and you’re thinking of proposing to Tang. If we never took chances, we would remain stagnant, broken. And Tang loves you. I can see in his eyes that he does. So do it. He’ll say yes. I know he will. Take the leap.”
Macaque laughed. Six ears fluttering happily. “I hate to admit it but you’re right.” His heart pounded and he gazed down to see the city. A content smile forming. “I want to share this view with Tang forever. Okay. I’ll do it. Maybe something with a shadow play. Or maybe it’s not a good idea after the first time we met.”
Wukong handed him a peach. “I’ll help you plan it out.”
And under the night sky, the monkeys conversed. Their past together now healed and ready to live their lives with the people they love.