Chapter Text
Mk finally finished his last round of deliveries across the city. With a sigh that dropped his shoulders, he parked the delivery truck on the side of the road and hopped out. The familiar flashing pink sign of Pigsy’s Noodles was oddly not blaring its neon lights, yet the brunette was too stuck in his head to realize.
Instead of being met with the heat of cooking, his face smacks against the cold metal door. He shook his head and looked up in front of him, realizing that the shop was locked up. Panic weaved its way through his veins and he ran to the back and busted open the door, running through the disorganized kitchen where there were still dishes yet to be washed.
He slid his way into the main room where he still saw the lights on.
“Wow kid, why are you in such a rush?” Pigsy’s voice raised as he fixed up his surprisingly clean white button up shirt. Mk, in a panic, grabbed the man by the shoulders and shook him.
“What’s happening?! You never close up shop this early, WHO DIED?!” Pigsy took a hold of the boy's arms and shoved him back, “Relax kid, me and Tang are just going out tonight.'' Mk shot him a confused look in return, slowly turning into one of understanding.
“Hurry and go down Tang! You look great!” The two looked up to the stairway to see a very excited Mei pushing down a well dressed Tang, still accompanied by his scarf around his neck. Redson following behind them. “Alright, Alright relax Mei!” the man chuckled out.
“Do I really need to wear this watch though?” Tang asked as he looked at the very expensive looking gold watch around his wrist, a small pit of fear growing in his stomach. “You know I’m a clutz when it comes to fancy things, what if I break it?” He looks back over his shoulder to her where he sees her wave a hand in dismissal.
“Those things are the cheapest ones I got! It's perfectly fine man!” she exclaimed as she finally pushed him to the bottom of the stairs. Mei turned over and met Mk’s gaze, a somehow even wider smile coming to her face.
“MK! About time, those deliveries took you forever boy!” She exclaimed as she went in to give her best friend a hug, which he gladly returned. Redson showed a small smile and made their way over, “She insisted on waiting until you got back to start the new show you wanted us to see.” they explained as they ruffled the boy's hair up, making Mk chuckle a bit.
“So after two years, you guys finally decided to have another date?” Mk grinned as he pulled away from the hug. Pigsy chuckled a bit, “Well, after basically almost dying time and time again, we figured we start doing more of these again.” Tang took the demon's hands into his own hands, “Besides with the shop doing better, we don’t have to worry about money so much!”
“Yeah, you dont worry so much cause you're given everything for free or at a discount.” Mei joked, getting a few chuckles from the group. After dying down his laughter, Mk spotted the familiar rings on the couple's hands.
“Wow this must be serious if you're pulling these boys out!” Mk pointed out as he examined the couple's hands up close. Tang extended his hand out as the other three examined the ring on his finger, “Well, of course, we have to go a bit fancy” he smirked.
Mei took the older man’s hand into her own, closely examining the ring, her face one of awe. It was rather simple, the ring was gold with a white streak across the middle of it, but it looked as if it was just brand new. “Wow you really keep this thing clean huh?” Mei joked as she let go of Tang’s hand. He chuckled and looked down at it himself, “Well I decided it was best to keep it in a safe place and not use it until it was important to decrease the risk of losing it.” Tang explained.
Redson looked up with confusion, “You two are married?” they asked, moving away to get a better view of the couple. Pigsy nodded his head, “Yup! Almost 16 years now, right?” he asked, looking over to his partner. Tang gave a simple nod, “15 years and 7 months to be exact!”
Mei smiled, pulling over a chair and sitting down excitedly, “I need all the details! Who proposed to who? Did you guys have a wedding? Did you elope? Oh! Oh! Did you guys-!”
“Not to ruin the moment,” Pigsy interrupted, “but if we’re gonna make it to our reservation we might wanna go now, Tang.” Pigsy said as he walked over to grab his coat from one of the tables. “Right!” Tang said, a bit flushed but he quickly brushed it off as he began to walk out the back of the shop along with Pigsy.
“Take care, you three! Try not to burn anything down!” Pigsy yelled as they walked towards the sidewalk to begin their travels. “No promises!” Mk yelled back as he waved them goodbye. He walked back into the shop and locked the back door. He walked back to the main room, seeing Mei and Redson patiently waiting for him.
“Alright, let’s get this Detective Monkey King Marathon started!” He exclaimed as he grabbed both of their arms and pulled them up the stairs. The two giggled as Mk started to make the room a bit more comfortable with more pillows and blankets that were stored away in his closet. “You guys get the show set up, Imma change real quick!” He exclaimed, voice laced with glee.
“Alright!” Mei smiled, turning to get the controller and scroll through the numerous shows on the TV. Redson organized the pillows into more comfortable positions, once settled they leaned back and stared at Mei as she tried to find the show Mk wanted to watch. They pulled a pillow close to their chest and stared off more intensely.
Marriage..
Finally back in their own home, Redson laid wide awake in their bed, staring at the ceiling, their mind now in a constant loop at the idea of marriage.
Sure, they have thought of marriage before, it wasn’t a groundbreaking idea. But they were never this.. heart wrenching before.
Was heart wrenching the right word? Maybe?
All they knew was they’ve never had their heart pounded so fast and mind filled with so many scenarios.
Not just about being married to their two partners but spending a life with them.
Waking up to see their faces being touched by the sun’s light that manages to sneak through the slight cracks of the curtains. Seeing Mk struggle to make breakfast, pushing his messy hair out of his face once again persisting he needs to get it cut soon. Mei preparing the table, sliding her feet against the floor in a lazy manner as she half heartedly complains on why they had to leave the bed so early.
Coming home to them as they hold out their arms to Redson urging them to have a cuddle session as they put on a show they have watched countless times before. Persisting that they should at least have some sort of dinner, which would end with Redson getting up with both their partners at their side holding onto them in some manner.
Lazily watching them make a simple meal for them all to enjoy and then go right back to cuddling on the couch.
Redson’s mind was filled with countless scenarios, one right after the other.
Morning talks, Dates, how babysitting Bai He once in a while would go, arguments, outraging episodes, deep talks.
They thought about it all.
And the more they thought, the more they wanted it. The more they’re heart was tightening and pounding. The more they’re face hurt from smiling and silently laughing to themselfs. The more their hands shook at the overwhelming joyous feeling.
And then it all came crashing down with worries.
They have only been dating for a year and a half, is that too early for mortals? How do mortal’s even get to be engaged to one another? Could their own traditions of marriage be an option? Would they even need to do the whole courtnapping thing? Would courting gifts still work? Would they even want to marry them?
They let out a groan and sat up. Clearly with all this thinking they weren’t going to get sleep. They looked at their phone in hand and looked over at the time.
‘2:09a.m. No harm in getting something small to eat I guess.’
They walked down the long hallways, much to their dismay, their mind still rushed with thoughts to the endless possibilities. Finally reaching the kitchen, they head over to the abnormally large fridge and quickly skim through it to find something to eat.
“What are you doing awake at this hour?”
They turned to the side, seeing their mother turn on the lights to the room. They squinted a bit at the new light, quickly adjusting however. They turned back to the fridge and continued their search, “Simply got hungry, nothing of concern.”
Iron Fan shook her head and walked over to their side, “I am your mother dear, do you think you can fool me?” She continued to walk over to one of the various bull clones in the room and took a plate from its hand.
“You only come out to get food like this when something is troubling you. I’m just hoping this one isn’t going to be like last time when you filled yourself up to the point of becoming ill.”
A chill ran down Red Son as they remembered the countless hours throwing up the ungodly amount of food they ate due to their stress eating. They cleared their throat, finally opting to get out one of the frozen dinner packs from the freezer, handing it to another bull clone to prepare for them. “I am fine mother-”
“Ever since you returned from that city you have done nothing but be in a daze.” Her stoic face now held a hint of concern. “Did those two do something to you?”
Redson's eyes widened in shock, “What? Of course not!-”
“Then why are you acting like this?” Iron Fan interrupted once again, her tone more gentle than before. Redson brushed a hand through their hair, and let out a sigh. It wasn’t unusual for their mother to see through them. But it did seem rather embarrassing to ask their mother about their questions for marriage.
But who better than to ask then someone who is married and has been married for centuries. Besides, their mother was rather wise on the subjects or romance and such, that is all she ever read.
They looked off to the side, seeing the Bull clone nearly done with preparing their ‘snack’.
“Two of their friends we saw today were going on a date night…they both had rings and it turns out they have been married for years.” A timer went off, signaling the food was done. Iron Fan hums and nods showing her attentiveness, as she hands the plate to the bull clone in order to place food onto it.
“Mk continued to talk about them..how they’re dynamic worked and such.” They took the plate from the bull clone immediately after the food was placed onto it.
“And now you're thinking of marrying those two.” Iron Fan stated, leaning against the counter next to her child. Redson only nodded, starting to scarf down the food.
His mother sighed and took a hold of their wrist, stopping them. “You keep eating at that pace and you have another vomiting fit.” Redson sighed and placed the plate down.
There was silence, not quite comfortable but nor was it uncomfortable. Iron Fan sighed once again and gently took a hold of the child's head, gently pulling it down onto her shoulder and she moved her fingers threw their hair.
“You absolutely worry too much about the smallest matters. Not all of this has to be decided in one night.” she said in a gentle tone, close to a whisper.
Redson stayed still, fearing moving at any bit would break the rare loving moments their mother gave them. “But” she began again, “of course you would have to make a decision at some point, mortals don’t have forever after all.” She moved away from their touch, taking the plate of food into her grasp and proceeding to walk off to her bedroom.
“Wha-”
“Best be off to bed now. Your father isn’t going to like it if you're cranky and late to brunch again.” She laughed, as she walked down the corridor.
Redson pouted but shrugged it off nonetheless, he reached inside the fridge once again to retrieve a bottle of water and retreated to their room.
Perhaps doing a bit more research on the tradition of mortal weddings wouldn’t be so bad. Or talking to that Pig and Scholar to receive some first hand experience might work as well.