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‘Hello, my name is Sun Wukong, ruler of Flower Fruit Mountain, and I am in love with you.’
A simple string of words that popped into his mind unbidden the second he first laid eyes on the ethereal beauty that was the Six-Eared Macaque.
Wukong didn’t even wait to feel nervous, too love stuck to contemplate his actions. He took a deep breath, eyes never leaving the frightened, stunning monkey before him that just came out of hiding, and opened his mouth to confess-
“H-hi there, my name is Sun Wukong-!”
Smack.
The defensive monkey hadn’t hesitated to throw a reflexive punch. Wukong couldn’t even hear the frantic apologies as the other realized the king was truly no threat if he wasn’t going to fight back.
His hearing was fuzzy like cotton over the sound of his heartbeat thundering in his ears, but he noticed the voice filtering in his ears was smoother than silk and honey.
Oh, he could listen to this melodious voice for hours on end.
Blood rushed to his face, coloring it red, maybe partly because of his new injury but likely more due to the presence of the gorgeous shadow. He distantly wondered if the six alluring ears would catch his heavy pulse.
…Probably.
In his mind’s eye, Wukong replayed the fierce look the dark-furred monkey gave him as he moved forward with his strike. Wukong’s hand moved to cup his cheekbone where he’d been stuck. He resisted the urge to sigh longingly.
He would’ve stayed dazed if not for soft fingers caressing his jaw and thus grazing his own hand, bringing him back to reality with a zing.
The other said something, seemingly fretting over Wukong’s black eye, but the words were jumbled to him. The gold monkey simply nodded dumbly to whatever he was just asked, and the shadow looked skeptical before helping him up and leading him somewhere more secluded to take care of the welt.
Wukong hadn’t had the heart to inform him that it would mystically heal on its own in about an hour or so. He was too lost in those worried pools of swirling honey with flecks of violet petals.
Wukong didn’t attempt to confess a second time that day. But the golden-furred menace was known for his overwhelming determination and sheer willpower. He won’t give up so easily!
The Monkey King decides then, peeking out of the corner of his eye at the beauty that was now assessing his injury with careful hands, that he’ll give this bewitching creature a memorable confession. One that will stand out as the best love confession he’s ever received, one so impressive that even if Wukong were rejected, every other suitor would pale in comparison.
He just has to wait for the time to be right.
____
Macaque stuck to him after that. He stayed distant at first, ten steps behind or in a nearby shadow, too timid to so boldly walk alongside the king. Wukong had to call Macaque over every now and then like one would call over a skittish cat, and thankfully Macaque finally summoned the courage to wordlessly join him.
Before long, the king and his warrior became inseparable. From rumors milling around, people even said they were like the sun and the moon.
And oh, how the sun loves his moon!
Since they first met, his feelings have only grown stronger, which Wukong hadn’t thought possible. But it was true! With every little twitch of the ears, twist of the shadows, or teasing glances, Wukong finds himself falling harder and harder and harder. One beaming smile from his shadow, and his heart felt like it would burst. He still made plans to confess to him, of course, but…
Well, he’s had complications.
The issue with trying to confess to Macaque, the drop-dead gorgeous warrior who fought ruthlessly and happily all for his sake, was that Wukong was incredibly nervous.
Yes, Sun Wukong, the great and mighty Monkey King, was scared. He was ashamed to admit his cowardly feelings got the better of him. Becoming king of the mountain and stealing his staff from the dragons was a way easier task than telling his dearest companion how he truly felt.
It was just hard to admit such big feelings! It was hard to confess when your knees started shaking, your tongue went dry and swells in your throat, and your brain couldn’t form the right words because it was too busy focusing on how irresistible Macaque’s lips were.
Wukong has tried a few times now, and he’s ruined multiple perfect opportunities to tell him he loves him. The worst failed attempt by far had been after he’d erased names from that silly book in Diyu.
Macaque, though shy and quiet at times, when he came out of his shell, turned out to be a sucker for dramatics and a bit of a romantic at heart.
Which worked out for Wukong because big, dramatic gestures were his specialty!
So after contemplating mortality and running off to erase as many of his subjects’ names as he could from the book, including Macaque’s, he’d prepared himself to finally tell him after bringing back the news.
‘Macaque, my darling, my affections for you run so much deeper than that of mere friendship. I would conquer death for you, if it meant I could spend the rest of eternity blissfully basking in your presence. And I did just that for you, my love, and for everyone else on this mountain- I’ve erased our names from Diyu! Please, say you’ll allow me to be yours for the rest of forever.’
Wukong took a few quick breaths. Right, that would work. That was sure to have Macaque all but swooning into his arms! Breathe in, breathe out. “Time to shine,” he mutters to himself as he dives his little nimbus cloud toward the sealed waterfall.
But before he could even get any sentences out, before he could even lay eyes on his beloved moon, a force barrels into him so suddenly that it catches him off guard and knocks him off his cloud. He lands on his back with an‘oof’.
Macaque was gripping his stomach in a death grip, many monkeys chattering worriedly as they too joined in to hug their missing king. Various sniffles sounded from the pile of monkeys, Macaque being the quietest crier, but Wukong heard it the loudest.
Oh...
So, maybe, just maybe, impulsively declaring that he was going to Diyu and darting away before anyone could get a word in had everyone scared shitless. Not just anyone could simply mosey on up to Diyu, erase names, and walk out unscathed just like that.
They probably thought that was the last they’d see of their king.
And Macaque himself was probably trying his best to be so brave, but he must’ve been terrified. Those beautiful ears are strong but not strong enough to reach the depths of Diyu, not strong enough to follow Wukong’s heartbeat during his little visit.
Wukong frowns. He’d meant for this to be a grand, unforgettable gesture followed by a heartfelt admission. And he’s sure it still was a gesture that Macaque would appreciate, but maybe he should save the lovey-dovey stuff for another time. Everybody seemed pretty emotional as it was. It wasn’t the right time. Right now, they all needed his comfort and assurance.
Oh well, Wukong thinks to himself as he fondly runs claws through Macaque’s dark, curly mane and wraps an arm around his toned waist.
He’ll try again some other time.
—-
Wukong tries again one night at the table with Golden-Winged Peng, Demon Bull King, Yellow-Tusked Elephant, Azure Lion, and of course, his lovely moon, the Six-Eared Macaque.
They’d been laughing merrily all night long, one of their nightly celebratory feasts of the week before their heavenly takeover, cackling at each other’s jokes and drinking their anxieties away.
They were trading stories, simple ones, lighthearted ones full of laughter and joy, and somehow tonight, the topic shifted to surround love or conquests in the bedroom. The tales were plenty and amusing, from Elephant having little crushes that he clumsily botched to Peng’s many easy lays with men who quickly fell victim to his snide charm, or Demon Bull being so far as stubborn as a brick when it came to love, finding yet none who he deemed ‘worthy enough’ to be his lover.
Every here and there, Wukong chimed in with jokes, although he and Macaque didn’t share many stories of their own. They both didn’t have much going on in the way of the bedroom, and certainly not in their love life, it’s not like they could contribute much. Wukong was the loudest between the two and talked the most, while Macaque sat contentedly next to him, laughing slightly at Wukong’s jokes and making the rare comment.
Though Macaque, for whatever reason, wasn’t laughing with a full smile, didn’t have that lovable mirthful twinkle in his eye.
Wukong chalked it up to nerves. After all, they had a big next few days planned ahead of them!
However, Demon Bull King eventually asked through a chuckle, “And what of you, Monkey King? Has anyone worthy caught your eye?”
Wukong looked around the table. Peng raised an expectant eyebrow. Demon Bull King, smiling that eager smile he wore wherever Wukong told his stories, looked back at him with amused interest. Yellow Tusk looked anxiously between Macaque and Azure, then up to Wukong. As for Azure…Well, his expression looked pinched for a minute, but that might’ve been a trick of the light.
And Macaque. His warrior looked at him with those beautiful golden eyes, glittering violet, trained only on him. A small dusting of adorable pink blush settled across his cheeks, and the sight, coupled with the drink he’s had, was enough to push Wukong to admit what he’s tried so hard to confess for so long now.
“Actually… Yeah. Funny you’d mention it! I’ve been meaning to confess to someone at this table for a while now.”
Sharp inhales and faint muttering could be heard from the other four at his announcement, but none of them mattered.
Only Macaque did.
Wukong steeled his tipsy nerves and left his chair to kneel at Macaque’s side. He loosely gripped smooth yet battle-scarred palms in his own and looked up at his love.
Wide, glittery eyes filled with wonder and hope, and Wukong realized that maybe all of his worries were for nothing. The way his moon looked at him so hopefully made him feel like everything would be okay once he just said it out loud!
The great Monkey King didn’t allow his nerves to get the best of him this time. Without stuttering, quiet enough for everyone else to just barely hear him, Wukong said, “You’ve been my best friend for a long time now and I think you should know that… That… I love you, Macaque!” Wukong expelled the last four words in one breath.
With any luck, his beloved moon returns his feelings. They’ll fight the heavens as one, and they’ll return home happy and in love and-
Wukong’s stomach plummets when he realizes Macaque’s face has gone from amazement to humiliation. The dark palm rests so loosely in his that it slips away. He wasn’t responding, wasn’t looking him in the eyes. He was looking out anxiously at the other demons- But not at Wukong. This wasn’t about anyone else but the two of them, so why was he looking away? Wukong was spilling his drunken heart out over here!
Out of nowhere, three loud demons began cackling. Wheezing, as if he told the funniest joke on earth.
Wukong whips his head around to see Peng, Yellow Tusked Elephant, and Demon Bull King have gone nearly purple in the face with laughter. Even Azure himself spared a chuckle or two, though lacking that familiar brotherly warmth he usually held.
Wukong huffs a small breath of uncomfortable laughter. “W-was it something I said?” He jokes uneasily, eyes darting between the group at the table him and Macaque above him, who was wearing a sour expression that only darkened the more they laughed.
Peng giggles, “Ahaha! Good heavens, monkey, you surely have had too much to drink tonight, or else you are pulling our legs! Ha!” The lion's pinched face unwinds into some kind of understanding at Peng’s words and barks a laugh, less forced than before.
Azure slapped a hand to his knee before propping it up on the table to rest his chin on, an easy grin on his face. “Ha! And to think you truly had us fooled for a moment into believing you, of all people, were in love with someone at this table!” The lion bellowed deep laughter.
Wukong saw how Macaque scowled at the laughter that rained across the table, sinking further into his seat. His cheeks were aflame with hot embarrassment, and Wukong had never so desperately regretted acting impulsively more than he does now. His love shouldn’t be embarrassed by his admission. He should be giddy! Swept off his feet! Anything at all, except believe he was the butt end of a bad joke.
The lion continued, and Wukong really just wished he would keep his mouth shut for a moment. “A laughable joke indeed. Acting out a confession to your good friend as if you loved him… Ever the cheeky little thing, aren’t you, Sun Wukong?” Azure chuckled again, a deep throaty chuckle, before calming enough to speak again.
Wukong floundered, words failing him as he tried to clear up the situation, unsure if he should address Macaque’s or Azure’s misunderstanding first.
But Macaque just rolls his eyes, and though there wasn’t much heat to the anger etched on his face, more so simply humiliation, Wukong realizes how much he just messed this up.
Dread fills his heart when Macaque just scoffs and softly grits out, “Always happy to be your punchline, Peaches...”
Wukong was going to say, ‘Macaque, no, that wasn’t a joke, I really am in love with you!’ but he was intercepted by Peng, who sneered with a mean grin.
“Oh brother monkey, you mustn’t tease Six-Ears so. Look, his cowardly little heart can’t take it!” The group devolves into chuckles, though none quite as harsh as Peng’s laughter. Peng would tease Macaque pretty often, but it was supposed to be largely harmless fun and games! His comment just now definitely took things too far and didn’t help Macaque feel less of a joke.
His dear companion scowled, dripping away into his trusty shadows like water. The sound of windchimes in the breeze grazed his ear, and he could feel as though Macaque was saying something to him in the darkest depths of the shadows.
Wukong frowned at the now empty chair.
Damn it.
He really needs to watch how much he drinks. And his piss poor timing- Confessing at the banquet table when he’s drunk was a really bad idea.
…Wukong will confess another time. He’ll get it right yet, he swears by it!
After their surefire victory over the heavenly realm, Wukong will pull his beloved shadow aside and hold him close. He’ll lovingly breathe into six brilliant ears, ‘My darling Macaque, I have been drowning in my love for you from the moment I met you and have been happily submerged in this adoration since. Please be mine,’ and they’ll live happily ever after on Flower Fruit mountain for the rest of forever!
____
This wasn’t how it was supposed to go.
Out of all the ways he’d meant to confess, this wasn’t how this was supposed to go!
Wukong was curled around the front of a grave. The same hands used to harm his moon clawed desperately and protectively against cold, hard stone.
No matter how much he cried and wailed, it wouldn’t bring back Macaque.
It wouldn’t bring back the only love of his life.
He mourned on the top of the grave, the stone being the only sense of comfort he could find as he held it like he would have held his moon. “Macaque… Macaque, I’m so sorry. I’m sorry for abandoning you! I’m sorry for never telling you how much I loved you!” Wukong warbled out through a strained throat, raw from wailing. The tears burned his eyes, still sore from the furnace. He ignored it. A monster like him deserved the pain.
Wukong also ignored the quiet gasps of understanding behind him from his brothers and the monk.
Wukong just wanted to cry. He could sob here for ages if they’d let him.
None came forward and interrupted him, especially not after his bittersweet confession, so he stayed firmly grappled for now. “My sweet Macaque, if I could undo what’s been done, I would… But this is the one thing even I cannot do for you.” He softly mourned.
Footsteps, crushing the grass beneath wooden sandals. A warm hand comfortingly grabbed his shoulder.
Wukong lifted his forehead from the stone etching of what he knows is Macaque’s name.
Tripitaka looks down at the stone, soft, saddened eyes before meeting his gaze. “I’m sorry for your loss, Sun Wukong. Especially one so dear to you. May his memory live on in your heart forever.”
Forever.
Wukong had promised Macaque forever the night before their life together fell apart.
Tears streaked down his face, but it wasn’t enough to wash away the filth of his sins.
Wukong pried his body away with slow, aching movements, one limb at a time, and allowed the monk to take his turn kneeling at the grave and mutter soft words, he assumed a prayer of some sort, for the dearly departed Macaque.
Tripitaka was a good man, for mourning the loss with him. He may be sassy, oblivious, and entirely useless at the worst times, but he's here helping Wukong grieve and properly pay his respects so that these heavy emotions can find some form of release.
Wukong appreciates him for it greatly. He needed this.
Wukong swears for the kind monk and his fallen beloved warrior, he’ll do better on this journey. And he’ll return home to the mountain- But things just won’t be the same.
Tripitaka stands and tilts his head towards the rest of the group, then walks away. An invite for him to take when he’s ready. Wukong nods but turns to quickly kiss the headstone before he leaves.
“Words can’t tell you how sorry I am. I’ll be back soon… I love you.” Tears start falling uselessly once again on the unforgiving stone. “I love you so much.” The broken sun sobs.
He finally confessed though it meant so little now. It wasn’t love and courage that brought about this admission, it was his cowardice and mourning.
Another parting kiss.
He stands.
It pained Wukong to leave more than the circlet ever could, but leave he did.
_____
The old flame of love never left him.
His beloved moon has returned, and somehow Wukong loves him still just as strongly as he once had. His love warped at times, with feelings of resentment, anger, and even concern, and mostly took a backseat to his priorities as a mentor to Mk, but it never left him.
It burned him whenever they fought, but the ache could be drowned out easily by his need to protect his student.
But there were moments like this where he couldn’t ignore it.
Not when Mk’s words cracked them both open and left them vulnerable.
“No! Mei is my friend! I’d never abandon her when she needs me! We’re heroes, it’s what we do!”
Sun Wukong couldn’t help it. Faced with a life-threatening situation for everyone present, and yet he still turned his head at the shadow behind him.
He was still as painfully beautiful as he was long ago. Gleaming fur, tinted magenta in the fuschia light of the samadhi fire. With the flames swirling about, he couldn’t see the flecks of purple that lived in those enlarged golden eyes, but if he were closer, if there was no all-killing eternal fire, he’d get lost in violet-glittery honey orbs lined with adorable fluttering lashes. His pretty, still ever-so-kissable lips parted in surprise, the words shocked clean out of his mouth.
Macaque looks stunned. Sun Wukong doesn’t blame him.
The burn in his heart makes itself known with a vengeance.
For the first time since Macaque reappeared in his life, Wukong truly paid attention to it. He tries to recall his teachings with his master about acknowledging and releasing feelings rather than simply ignoring them and shutting them away, but Wukong has spent so much time shutting these bad feelings away that he’s not sure if he’s doing this right.
Was it supposed to hurt this much? He couldn’t remember. And is it supposed to make him feel guilty for having locked away this grief in the first place?
In the brief few seconds that seemed to have stretched on forever, Wukong got carried away with the return of this familiar ache.
He’d been staring too long.
Look away. He had to look away.
His focus snapped ahead toward the raging fire. Staring at Macaque for so long wasn’t good for his heart right now.
There was once a time when staring at Macaque brought only butterflies and warm, fluttery feelings. The butterflies were still there, slow and careful, but the warm feelings were swallowed whole by the cold, lingering regret and longing.
The only thing that would ease this painful longing would be…They could try to fix things. They could be honest with each other and make up. It would erase this empty feeling plaguing his poor heart.
Wukong imagined, for just a second, that he turned around again and just said what was on his mind, what’s been on his mind for a long while now.
Wukong turned around. Fire be damned. He swoops Macaque up into a hug and says to him, “Macaque, I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness. But I’m sorry. I'm so sorry. Leaving you behind was my biggest regret. You have to know I mourned you with every breath I took! You have to know just how much you meant to me!” He savors the feeling of having the monkey in his arms. He’ll never let go of Macaque again.
The daydream whisks away in the heat of the samadhi fire. Wukong briefly considers giving Macaque this apologetic confession. A fleeting thought, dashed by the sound of windchimes and a whooshing over the rushing blazes, and Wukong realizes that Macaque had already left via his shadows.
But Wukong didn’t plan on letting it go so easily. Those are the words he’ll tell Macaque later, he decides. After they defeat Lady Bone Demon.
He’ll apologize, and if Macaque can apologize too, then he hopes that maybe Macaque would be willing to stay on the mountain with him again. Eating fruit and living life together peacefully.
Just like they used to.
____
It was a dark, lovely night.
The stars blanketed the sky, dimly illuminating the downward slope they were lying on. Buttercups and wild violets tickled Wukong’s fur. Crickets sang in his ears.
Macaque lay right beside him, hands clasped over his torso. Their tails curled together, and their sides were touching, but neither mentioned it.
It’s been a year since Lady Bone Demon’s defeat. Things have been peaceful. Macaque has been staying with him on the mountain ever since.
After they took down Lady Bone, Wukong was quick to apologize to the warrior at his old dojo and made it clear he wanted to make up, just like he’d decided. He offered Macaque an invitation to the mountain, to go or stay if he chooses. Macaque had chosen to quietly come home, quickly disappearing into the trees. It had been a few days after that the solitary shadow appeared at his doorstep with a sincere apology of his own.
That didn’t mean things were automatically peachy between them. Just that it was the first baby step toward fixing things.
It had taken a little bit longer for the two of them to talk about their past. Understandably, they were both hesitant. Trying to dig up such wounds so soon after just having reunited scared them both. But the uncomfortable silence that followed when they were reminded of their shared past had become unbearable for them. Gradually, little by little, the subject was successfully discussed in digestible increments, and their grievances could be put to rest.
It wasn’t easy for them, learning to be vulnerable after spending so much time putting up walls and cocky facades.
It’s taken them quite a while to get to the point they could consider themselves friends again as they do now. There were still scars that no amount of talking nor apologies could heal.
But it was moments spent like this one, curled up beside each other under the light of the moon and the starlit sky, that healed those little broken pieces of their souls.
Wukong was tired, but the lull of sleep wasn’t strong enough yet to pull him under. He yawned. Macaque yawned too.
The golden monkey sniffed, subtly scooching even closer to his dark counterpart. From this distance, Wukong could smell the sweet scent of smoked plums coming from Macaque and resisted the urge to snuggle into his side or, even worse, kiss him.
Wukong’s feelings for the other were still painfully present. It was hard to swallow them down, with the shadow hanging around him so genuinely.
Macaque was still Macaque, all sharp grins and teasing jabs and that stupid cool guy persona that he loves hates, except now there was a layer of trust in his eyes whenever he turned to Wukong. Wukong hasn’t had the privilege of seeing that fond, trusting look in hundreds of years. He laughed with Wukong instead of at Wukong. He supported him again, having offered his encouragement and aid during training or chores, and that meant everything to Wukong.
So, because it was clear those stubborn feelings won’t stamp themselves out, Wukong thought enough was enough. No more dragging his feet!
He decided to roll forward with his old plan to confess with a dramatic feat of romance. He owes it to his past self anyway, who dreamt day and night of swooping his precious moon clean off his feet.
But Wukong couldn’t for the life of him figure out how to do it. He was the legendary Monkey King for crying out loud! There are a million things he is capable of that could prove his affections, and yet he just couldn’t figure out the right way!
However, there was no real rush. Sure, he doesn’t want to wait so long he misses his chance with Macaque, but he doesn’t need to hurry so badly.
Not tonight. Right now. Wukong should just appreciate having Macaque at his side.
He glances over.
Macaque was already looking right back at him, a look of barely hidden reverence on his face. The stars reflected in his eyes, glittery and bright, contrasting the trusting pots of honey-gold as they traced over him like he was the most enchanting creature he’s ever seen.
Wukong can’t say he’s staring any differently. He can practically feel the awe that must be clear on his own face as he looks at the ethereal monkey next to him.
It was late. Wukong was tired. He hasn’t been all that active recently. He’s eaten too many bad peaches.
These are the excuses he blames after blurting, “I love you so much,” like a cloud-brained idiot.
Macaque doesn’t respond, but his eyes soften that little bit more, and he just chuckles. It’s no longer that youthful laughter he had before they fell apart, but it’s not the cruel laugh he belted under Lady Bone’s control. Those who don’t know him well enough might think his gruff chuckle was a mean one. But Wukong knows it was a nervous laugh, disbelief ringing in the smooth husk of his laughter.
An onyx arm slides under the king’s neck and tugs him closer, placing his head onto his shoulder.
They sit in silence. Macaque still hasn’t said anything. Was he rejected? Were his feelings returned? Wukong grows restless, worrying if this response was good or bad, if his terrible confession was somehow enough to swoon his darling Six-Eared Macaque or if it made him uncomfortable.
“I’m sorry.” Wukong says after another minute of silence. The arm around him shifts as the other cranes his neck down to blink at the concerned golden monkey.
“For?” Macaque asks, as if he has nothing to apologize about at all. As if he hadn’t just been nervous not too long ago.
Wukong pouts. The shadow blinked to the childish downturn of his lips with what could be adoration. “I wanted to give you a better confession than that. Something better than just ‘I love you’…” Wukong explains, though his words were muddling with the strain of drowsiness.
The dark-furred monkey looked around, out to the sky, at the stars, at the mountain in which they lived happily together on. His gaze traveled back down to his gorgeous king, who made this mountain home for him again and counted the stars with him when they couldn’t sleep.
By the time they made eye contact again, Wukong’s eyes were drooping. Sleep was taking its hold, and it wouldn't be long before the sleepy sage fell asleep. Forcing his initial nervousness away, Macaque nuzzled the top of Wukong’s head. Blearily, he tried to nudge back, sleepily snuggling close into the affection with a groggy chirp.
“It was good enough for me, Peaches.” Macaque murmurs into soft golden fur. Even quieter, he whispers near his ear, “I love you too.”
Wukong leans back a little and smiles giddily, his eyes fluttering shut for a long moment. When he opens his heavy eyes again, his drowsy mind realizes Macaque tilts his head ever so slightly.
Whether he was aiming for a kiss or not, Wukong leaned in the rest of the way for a lingering peck on the lips.
It was a terribly clumsy kiss, far from the best he’s ever given. Actually, it was arguably his worst. He was sleepy, placing all of his weight onto the shadow beneath him. His lips heavily pressed a bit too crookedly into another set of plush chapped lips. His nose dug into the other’s cheekbone. He was purring so roughly it probably wasn’t comfortable.
It was awkward, and in the morning, Macaque will surely make fun of the charismatic Monkey King for landing the most awkward kiss in all of history. But as Macaque had said, this was good enough for him.
Pulling away from the short kiss felt like coming down to earth from cloud nine. Wukong felt like soaring through the air. Or dashing around the globe a few hundred times. But not really. He was tired.
Butterflies swarmed in his stomach and tickled his throat. He’s waited an eternity for this moment, for this kiss, for his love to be known, and here it was.
The moment wasn’t grand or dramatic. There were no fireworks or angel choruses accompanying the little kiss. Macaque didn’t swoon directly into his arms.
It was soft and delicate, a blissful moment shared in the comfort of the night.
It was good enough for them.
A lovestruck dopey smile stretched across Wukong’s face, but his eyes kept drooping. He must’ve looked like an idiot. An amused snort tells him Macaque thought just about as much. Wukong didn’t have the energy to defend himself, simply loudly grunting and shuffling back under Macaque’s chin. He got another amused huff for his effort. Both of Macaque's arms wrapped around his waist as they get comfortable for rest.
Sleep was coming quicker for Wukong by the minute. In the morning, he’ll wake up elated, wondering if it was all a marvelous dream. He’ll jump up from the ground and pounce on his beloved, regardless if he’s awake or not. But for now, Wukong lets his eyes fall closed.
The sun fell fast asleep in the loving arms of his precious moon, his confession successful at last.