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Macaque was dangling precariously on the verge of committing unforgivable acts of violence, and it was all that damn lion’s fault. All the brazen flirting Azure was doing with his lover was going to push him to his limit.
Peng, Yellow-Tusk, and Azure don’t come to visit the city often, but when they do, their time spent here is agitating torture to Macaque. Mind you, he’s no longer the small fry he used to be. People stepping all over him isn’t something he allows anymore. He’s served Peng’s ass on a gold platter on more than one occasion and would happily- enthusiastically- do so again at the drop of a dime.
However, Mk had asked the two to be tolerant. Everyone had decided that picking a fight with the powerful ‘redeemed’ trio was more trouble than it was worth, so the pair had hesitantly agreed.
And so here he was, trapped with his partner in Pigsy’s noodles shop. Being ‘tolerant’ against his own wishes.
“Greetings, everyone! Apologies for the sudden visit, but we happened to be in town.” Azure bellowed as he dramatically threw the doors open. Ugh, with the grandiose douchery.
Pigsy and Tang eyed the lion warily but said nothing rude. This was unfortunate, because Tang dished out the most pleasantly scathing commentary out of all of them, and Macaque would’ve paid good money to see the scholar roast them into oblivion. Mk and Mei, who were both sitting at the bar, shifted to happily welcome the camel ridge trio inside but paused. They stayed in place, watching nervously as Azure strode confidently forward to the monkeys on their lunch date.
“And hello to you, peach blossom. You’re looking absolutely radiant today,” Azure purrs, eyes running appreciatively over Wukong’s figure. He reaches for Wukong’s hand, the one closest that he was using to eat his lunch with, leaning down, no doubt to kiss his knuckles.
Oh, like hell.
Immediately, the warrior’s hackles rose, and he let out a nearly feral growl. Azure reluctantly backed off, not looking much affected by it other than the clear annoyance on his face.
The feeling of annoyance is quite reciprocated, you entitled house cat.
Growling rattled low in his throat, the ever-looming threat of ‘you touch him, I break you’ made abundantly obvious, even to a dense brick like Azure. The large lion caught his gaze and matched it with his own jealousy-filled glare, disrupted only by the awkward chuckling coming from Wukong.
“Azure! Buddy! What a surprise! You’re here...!” He trailed off, aiming for cheerful, but Macaque saw the uncomfortable undertones like blaring headlights. Not to mention the way he peeled away from the lion, scooting closer to the wall, gave off strong impressions of even more discomfort. He’s told Macaque before how he wishes to simply not interact with Azure at all, whether or not he’s redeemed himself from his significant betrayals, and it’s obvious in his body language.
Despite the blatant discomfort, Azure chuckled warmly, appearing to puff out his chest. “I am, indeed. Yellow-Tusk has some impromptu business here in the city today, and so we thought to make a little trip of it.” Azure explained, then crowded Wukong back against his seat until he couldn’t back up any further, ignoring Macaque’s second warning growl.
“Would you like to come have a day out on the town with us, Wukong? I’ll treat you to whatever you like.” Azure inquires hopefully. Bold of him to openly ask his partner out in front of him. Not like Wukong even liked the crowded environment, let alone the company. Macaque growled again, louder. Azure’s ears flicked in his direction, yet his warning was ignored.
A cyan blue palm had the audacity to extend down and caress his partner’s chin.
And Macaque had the audacity to stand up and wrench the hand away.
The warrior slammed it down so hard onto the table that the sturdy wood splintered and rocked under the force, causing scalding hot noodle broth to spill on their hands. Macaque was livid enough to endure the faint sting without even flinching. The mighty lion jerked at the sudden assault, not expecting Macaque to lash out.
Mei and Mk gasped while Pigsy bemoaned the damage caused, and Tang looked all too ready to start filming the inevitable smackdown on his phone. Macaque distantly hopes he does, if only so he can ask for a copy of the video. Wukong was silent, but since he was too busy putting the pest in his place, he couldn’t see his reaction.
Macaque’s focus remained on Azure. He yanked the taller down to his eye level by the beard and bore his gaze onto Azure with a look so filled with unspeakable malice it would’ve had the Jade Emporer himself quaking in his boots.
“Listen to me, you degenerate cat, and listen good,” Macaque spat, the growl in his throat distorting his deep voice, causing it to sound far rougher than his usual honey-smooth baritone. “I would sooner tear you apart before I let you lay another finger on my partner. Wukong might excuse you for your actions but do not expect the same mercy from me. If you make any more moves on Wukong, I will drag you through these streets, and I promise it will get ugly. Got it, kitty?”
Azure hastily nodded. Macaque peered over his shoulder to his two friends, still standing uselessly by the door. Peng and Yellow-tusk nodded just as quickly. The trio’s flimsy agreement wasn’t entirely trustworthy, but the fear and apprehension he struck in their hearts were more than enough.
Satisfied with the claim he’d established on his lover, Azure was released. Macaque sat back down in his seat with a flourish of his scarf. “Your trip’s over. It’s time for all of you to leave.”
And so, leave they did. They tried not to act as though they were rushing out the door, but they’d hardly even said their goodbyes before they bolted, betraying their carefully collected stances and cool expressions.
Macaque scoffs as they retreat, his eyes brought back to the table in front of them. The table was cracked in the middle, though impressively still in one piece. One bowl of noodles was knocked over, the one Wukong had been eating from, while his was spilled but was mostly salvageable.
Macaque cringes. So much for being tolerant of Azure… Acting out of jealousy and then threatening borderline murder definitely just ruined their date.
“Gods, that was so hot, Macaque.” Wukong shamelessly groaned, causing Macaque to double-take at the admission, face lighting up like a tomato.
A vibrant flush also stretched across Wukong’s features, complementing his half-lidded golden eyes. Adorably, he seemed unaware of his tail wagging in very loose curls behind him. The sage looked absolutely besotted with him. The warrior’s tail subtly thumped against his seat in sync with the other.
Macaque tilted his head with a perplexed grin, unable to wrap his head around the confounding and ridiculous monkey across from him. “I literally just called Azure a degenerate cat and threatened to drag him through the streets?” He says, his confusion is only answered with a dreamy sigh from his lover.
Wukong practically had hearts in his eyes now, his expression utterly lovesick and devoted. “I’m so in love with you,” He breathes, not even waiting for Macaque to say anything back before he leans over the table to press a tender kiss to his lips. Macaque couldn’t smother the slight infatuated smile that seeped into the sudden kiss.
He tried opening his mouth to naturally respond with ‘I love you too’, as he’s done so many times before but was interrupted yet again by more of Wukong’s kisses.
Dozens more of Wukong’s kisses, actually, and not just kisses on the mouth.
A trail of doting pecks was left, starting from the corner of his mouth, then to his chin and jawline. They moved up along his cheeks, where a few exaggerated little kisses were placed, softly pressed kisses against his forehead while impossibly warm hands looped around his neck and delightfully tangled fingers in his fur. A few final pecks to the tip of his nose, and then his mouth was occupied with Wukong’s plush lips once again.
Macaque's heart was racing. He's always loved being the center of his sun’s attention, but he’ll always get so flustered under Wukong’s little pamperings. But of course, he’ll never say no to being spoiled like this.
Lost in their own little bubble, he hardly registered the several groans of disapproval from everyone else, he was so far gone in his partner’s lips.
Those mischievous fingers matted in his fur twisted ever so gently. Sharp teeth grazed his lip, and the passionate kiss deepened. Wukong even went so far as to fully crawl atop the table just to kiss his darling moon better. Macaque chirped softly through the kiss, appreciating how Wukong so easily drowned out his senses. Adoring little coos from Wukong sounded back, the noises being quickly crushed between their eager lips.
The next window of opportunity he had to tell Wukong he loved him back was interrupted by Pigsy yelling at them, "Get off my table! You've caused enough damage already!" Probably gesturing their wrecked lunch spot wildly with a soup ladle. Another chance to properly say ‘I love you’ back, missed again.
Though, they do say there is more than one way to say I love you... Chasing away unwanted advances with malicious intent was probably a non-verbal declaration of love on its own, somehow.
And by the passionate yet tender kiss they shared, his partner must already know he was so dearly loved.
Pigsy was shouting at them again. “Gah! Have some decency!”
Macaque huffed through his nose and would’ve rolled his eyes, annoyed at the mood breaker. But then he felt Wukong’s laughter kissed onto his mouth, and all his annoyance melted away.
Decency is for people who give a damn, which right now, he sure doesn’t.
The giggling king is scooped up off the ruined and messy table to be carried back home to the mountain, where they can continue their activities without any more interruptions.
On the way out, they throw down enough change to cover their meals- it’s centuries-outdated currency, Tang is going to have a field day- and the two lovebirds haphazardly fumble their way through a shadow portal without separating, not even once.
Thanks to Macaque, Azure doesn’t stop by to get noodles for a solid month.