Chapter Text
Their relationship started out normally.
Well as normally as any relationship between a hero and his first villain can be. Strained but, friendly, in an odd way. Friendly from MK’s side of it at least, it was more like, what could be friendly if they tried to make it friendly.
They weren’t nearly the same age, not physically at least, but from demon to human years, they were about the same maturity level. Red Son definitely acted like he was more mature, but I’d blame DBK’s imprisonment, and PIF’s parenting in general for that one.
They didn’t have any aligning interests, or hobbies, nothing in common at all, save for the massive amounts of pressure placed on them when they were fully unprepared for it.
All of that, and here was MK, waving hello to someone who considered himself the closest thing the young hero had.
“Hey, Red-Boy!!” He yelled it across the busy market and suddenly all eyes turned toward the demon. He began to flare up, but stopped himself before it got worse than it needed to be. Silently acknowledging the greeting with a wave but not giving MK much notice after that, he tried to return to his business.
His first mistake.
Even such a small gesture was enough to send MK over to him at near light speed.
“Hey! I didn’t know you shopped here! What’re you shopping for?” He wasn’t sure how much he should say, he knew about their restaurant, so saying he was out getting ingredients wasn’t too much of a stretch. At the same time, why tell noodle-brains anything? He probably wouldn’t shut up if he didn’t say anything, that’s why.
“If you must know, I’m collecting ingredients for my father’s restaurant.”
“Oh, I’m just getting groceries for my house, y’know. But it’s really cool that I get to see you, like, out of your element. We never get time to talk and just hang out as friends.” By ‘out of his element’ he meant in clothes other than what he wore every other time they’d met each other. Choosing to go for a more incognito shopping trip in a red crew-neck and gray joggers.
“Because we are not friends,” sure the thought had passed in his mind, but real friendships were foreign to him. He was isolated as a child, because of his power, and as he got older he grew a distaste for humans and even other demons. He couldn’t be around people for too long, he’d convince himself either they’ll hurt him, or he’ll break something in them that changes them. He was happy around his parents, sure they were demeaning from time to time. But they meant well, and that’s what really matters. “This is one of the first real conversations we’ve had that didn’t happen mid battle or between two.”
“Right, I think we should hang out. You seem like a cool guy, you’re not too friendly, but I don’t mind.”
A warmth moved up Red Son, not like, fire warmth, this was something new, something he’d never experienced before.
“Right, well, I suppose, after I finish up here and drop off what I have at the restaurant I will be free for the rest of the day.” MK blinked, like he didn’t understand, “So we can “hang out” later today, if you’d like.” Not waiting for the other’s response he began walking to the next stall, to see if they had what he needed. Though he was quickly followed by the other,
“Oh! Sure! How much more shopping do you have to do?” Red Son stopped in his tracks
“I’m nearly finished, but I’d rather do it alone.” MK’s face fell in an instant, “Just so I can do it at my own pace, I don’t like it when people are with me when I’m doing important things like this. That’s why I come on Fridays, it’s when the least people are here. The foot traffic through this plaza on say, a Sunday, is too much for me to handle. Having that makes me feel like they are scrutinizing my every movement, like at any moment I could do something wrong and they’d all just think I’m-“ he caught himself, “apologies, I began to ramble some. I’m sure it’s not what you want to hear at the moment.”
“You’re good, you could’ve just said you get anxious when you have to do stuff with other people around. I would’ve gotten it.” He smiled brightly. Come to think of it, the horrible pit-like feeling he usually got when he had to speak to people like this had gone away since MK approached. “Here, gimme your phone, I’ll put my number in and you can text me once you’re done.”
“Alright.” He quickly handed the device over and watched as MK typed something in, chuckling to himself. His laughter continued as he handed it back for the other to see his handiwork.
“Hunky Kid, really?” Red Son was only slightly amused, though he didn’t show it to any degree.
“What can I say, I’ve been working out, I’m becoming a real deal hunk.” He grinned, proud of himself.
“Surely,” he slid his phone back into the pocket it was originally tucked into. “I will text you, be ready, I am not a patient person by any meaning of the word.” He said as he turned on his heel and began toward the next stall, that warm, foreign feeling in his chest still residing.
It took two and a half hours for MK’s phone to go off.
Once he’d gotten home at 10, he’d put his groceries away, only to sit in a paralysis-like state, waiting for the message. He hadn’t even taken off his shoes.
‘Unknown Number: Are we meeting somewhere, or am I picking you up?
Unknown Number: This is Red Son by the way.’
He saved the number, then responded.
‘MK: either or
MK: i don’t mind either way :]’
He honestly hadn’t thought this far ahead, he was beginning to think Red had just said all that to get him off his back.
‘Red: I will come to collect you, I do not want to be seen near your, ~newdle car~ .
MK: why do you text EXACTLY how you talk?
Red: I value consistency.’ MK laughed lightly, he started to type a response, but deleted it when Red Son began typing again.
‘Red: I am to believe you heeded my warning, and are ready to leave now?
MK: yep!
Red: Good.’ Almost as soon as MK received the message he heard a knock at his door. When he answered he found Red Son on his doorstep.
“You’re fucking creepy.” MK laughed through it, but the face Red made, made it clear he didn’t understand he wasn’t being serious, “It’s a joke man, it’s no big.”
“I apologize if my showing up was genuinely uncalled for, I did not want you to have to wait for me to arrive.”
“You’re alright dude, are you gonna do this every time we hang out?”
“Next time we are to, ‘hang out’ you will have an exact time that I will be arriving. I just didn't know how long the weekly preparation would take so I did, this, instead.” MK laughed again, causing the taller’s hair to flare up some, his cheeks going slightly pink in tandem. “I can go, if I am, overstepping. I assume it is, abnormal to begin planning to spend more time together before you have even become real friends.” His hand quickly found his face, hiding his embarrassment almost by muscle memory.
“It’s fine, I get weird about hanging out sometimes too. I’ve been doom-scrolling since I got home because I was scared to start a task that I wouldn’t be able to finish because you’d get here before I was done.” Red Son’s hand lowered to just cover his mouth,
“Are we leaving now then?”
“Sure.” He grinned and they headed down to the bright red car in front of the building. “What kind of car is this?”
“I designed and built it myself, as I do all of the vehicles myself and my family use.”
“Red Son exclusive! Cool! How much would it cost for you to make me something?” Red Son almost looked, perturbed as the other slid into the passenger seat of his car.
“You know my father still, does not like you, nor your master. If you were to be seen riding around in one of my designs, I don’t think I’d ever hear the end of it.”
“Why don’t you hate me anymore?”
“I,” he slammed the door so he wouldn’t have to say more, making his way to his seat as MK rolled his eyes at the antics.
“Do you have an answer, or was that your way of telling me I’m not getting one?” He asked as Red Son slid into his own seat, and began driving.
“I do not have an answer. I thought I still hated you, but you don’t seem to hate me. It doesn’t seem fair to hate you, you’re such a genuinely good person, and even to people you’re supposed to hate.” He glanced at the other, finding a massive grin adorning his face.
“Awee, that’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
“Don’t take it too personally, if you get a big head about it this will be the one and only time we do this.” The grim didn’t drop, “And don’t think you’re special just because I said yes. I’ve never just, ‘hung out’ with anyone before, the offer, interested me.”
“To be honest I haven’t just hung out with someone in a while either, everything has been crazy. I just wish everything could be normal again, y’know? Like when I was younger.”
“I never got a ‘normal’ life, I’m a demon after all, my upbringing was truly unlike any other creature. As enticing a normal life is, I don’t know if I have the capacity to truly appreciate it.”
When MK went quiet he feared he stepped over a line again, but after a moment, he almost yelled,
“What if we like, pretend to be normal together!”
“…What…”
To no one’s surprise, he was still the Monkie Kid, he was still spouting constant nonsense.
“Like, we hang out like this, and go places normal people go, and pretend we’re normal. Then you can see if being normal would suit you, and I can be normal for a little while!” His grin turned into a proud smirk, as he sat back in his seat.
“That is one of the most idiotic things I’ve ever heard.” The smirk fell slightly, but as soon as his eyes found the demon’s face, he realized it held a furrowed brow that was contemplating “However, I will not say it isn't tempting, to say the least.” He paused to think a bit more.
“Fine. It sounds like fun.”