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Despite being up long before the sun, working until it was long gone, Pigsy was wide awake. The night had been another massive success. A great turn out, a great crowd, reservations packed for the next few days.
The crew had begun to taper off for the night. MK whined, but went along quietly when his dad sent him upstairs after watching him trip over his feet and fall into a table one too many times. Exhausted, but always so eager to help.
That left him and -
The dull ring of the mic startled him out of his thoughts.
Pigsy shot a glare to the stage. His noodle shop had become a safe haven as of late for demons down on their luck. It came naturally, offering home cooked food and good entertainment before they were on their way again. It wasn’t every night a patron lingered so late after closing, however. He had hardly moved to advance to the stage when he realized just who was up there.
Macaque, he said his name was. Pigsy had scraped him off the pavement one night, weeks ago, and done his best to help piece the monkey demon back together again. Still, he kept to himself, hardly speaking to anyone. Pigsy could count on one hand how many words he’d heard out of the demon.
Under the fading stage lights he could really see his progress. He looked leagues better from the sorry state the pig had found him in, finally beginning to put on weight and fill out the simple robes Tang had managed to find for him.
Macaque shifted, raising his other hand. He gripped the mic like a lifeline, chin tucked into his chest. His shoulders heaved as he breathed deep. Finally, he lifted his head, eyes meeting the pig’s before they darted away again. He let out a breath, eyes fluttering closed, opening his mouth-
And beginning to sing in the softest, sweetest tone Pigsy had ever heard.
“ When you were here before… ”
His keys clattered to the ground, closing forgotten. The other flinched at the sound but pushed on, pulling the mic from its stand and taking a step back.
“ Couldn’t look you in the eye. ”
Those amber eyes opened, meeting the pig’s open mouthed stare. Then they blinked, surprise blowing them wide. His glamour faltered, one eye turning a milky shade of blue before he could throw it back into place. Macaque swallowed thickly, expression softening as he continued.
“ You’re just like an angel.
“Your skin makes me cry .”
Pigsy felt heat rush through his cheeks. The monkey took another shaky breath. His brow knit, grip turning so tight on the mic that his hands began to shake.
“ You float like a feather, in a beautiful world .”
The words pulled him closer, floating along with the tune. One step, then another, and another. He was within arms reach of the stage when the other stopped again, stilling him. Neck craned upward, watching as Macaque suddenly took a step back, screwing his eyes shut.
“ I wish I was special.
“You’re so very special .”
He dropped to his knees before the pig could break free of his trance and protest, throwing the mic back as his voice filled the empty lounge.
“ But I’m a creep!”
Pigsy shuddered, goosebumps racing across his body.
“I’m a weirdo!”
The edge of the stage crumpled under his grip as he watched Macaque curl into himself, a hand gripping his chest. Pigsy pulled himself up onto the stage, shuffling forward on his knees, unable to stay away.
“ What the hell am I doin’ here?”
A gasp echoed through the air. Macaque snapped his head up, mic slipping. Pigsy cupped his face, mindful of the hidden scar, thumb brushing under his good eye. His voice faded to a whisper.
“ I don’t belong here …”