Work Text:
Weighed down. That's the first thing Red Son felt as he slowly became more awake. The thing wasn't heavy but weighed enough to pin Red Son to his mattress. He rubbed his eyes and tried to take a deep breath, it felt like the thing was laying directly on his lungs. Red Son finally peeled his eyes open, only to see his worst fear.
Mk, or at least someone who looks like Mk, laid on his chest. He could just barely see his eyes through his weird glasses. Red Son immediately panicked and pushed him off and sat up in his bed.
"Noodle boy!?" Red Son shouted. Mk smirked and tilted his head slightly. "No, you're one of his duplicates." Red Son looked away and took a deep breath.
"Hi." the duplicate drawled, winking at Red Son. "Your hair looks good down." He reached out and rubbed the tips of Red Son's hair between his fingers. Red Son's hair sparked, lightly burning the clone's finger, causing him to wince.
"How did you get here?" Red Son threw his blanket off and stood next to his bed and crossed his arms. Mk's duplicate followed his movement and stood in front of him.
The clone shrugged and glanced at Red Son's open window. He followed the duplicate's gaze and sighed.
"I need to start closing my windows." Red Son mumbled as he walked towards his closet. "Why are you here then?" He glanced over his shoulder and watched Mk's clone walk closer.
"I guess I just didn't want the porty to end." The duplicate threw his arm around Red Son's neck and leaned his head on his shoulder. Red Son's hair flickered, he could hear a quiet sizzling sound as the tips of hair came in contact with the gaudy tiger print jacket the clone wore.
"'Porty'?" Red Son slowly turned his head, their faces were much closer than Red Son thought, "do you mean party?" Red Son pushed the clone back, almost disgusted with the mispronunciation of the word.
"Yeah, that's what I said. Porty." Mk's duplicate shrugged and leaned his weight onto one foot. Red Son felt embers fall from his hair as he scowled at the clone.
"That does not explain why you are here." Red Son shook his head before rifling through his closet once more. The clone scoffed.
"Who cares why I'm here." He stepped closer, resting his head on Red Son's shoulder yet again, "I know you're glad I'm here." Red Son choked on nothing as he grabbed his usual outfit.
"What?! I want nothing to do with you, or the real Noodle Boy!" Red Son shoved the duplicate back and crossed his arms. Mk’s clone quirked an eyebrow, smirking at him. Red Son rolled his eyes and looked over his outfit.
“Do you mind? I would like some privacy.”
“I don’t mind.”
Red Son pinched the bridge of his nose and attempted to hide his flushed face. The duplicate chuckled before turning around and walked towards Red Son’s bed. Red Son took a deep breath and got dressed as fast as he could.
“Don’t worry, I didn’t peek.” Mk’s duplicate approached Red Son, “even though I really wanted to.” Red Son coughed and averted his gaze, earning a chuckle from the clone. Mk’s duplicate reached for Red Son’s hair, flinching when he ignites it. Red Son scowls at the duplicate as he ties his hair into his usual neat ponytail.
“You’re not going to leave me be, are you?” A sigh escaped Red Son’s lips as the clone excitedly shook his head. Red Son searched his room for the phone Mei forced him to have. He can’t find it. It must be in his workshop. Red Son took a deep breath before quietly sneaking to his workshop with Mk’s duplicate close behind.
Red Son creaked the door to his workshop open and pulled the clone inside before closing the door and locking it, earning a grin from the duplicate.
“Oh? Want me all to yourself, huh?” The clone leaned close to Red Son’s face. Red Son could feel his face warm as he shoved the clone away.
“No, you moron. My parents can not find out you are here.” Red Son took a deep breath as he began searching for his phone. Mk’s clone followed Red Son’s every move as an excuse to stay close to the demon.
Red Son found his phone plugged into the charger and triumphly grabs it and immediately calls Mk. The phone rings, rings, and rings.
“You reached Mk! Sorry I couldn’t answer your call, I was probably doing Monkie Kid stuff! If you leave a message I’ll try to get back to you as soon as possible! Bye!” The recorded message Mk chuckles before the phone beeps.
“Noodle boy! You better come over here and get rid of this moronic duplicate of yours now!” Red Son shouted into the phone before ending the call with a loud huff.
"Curse that Noodle Boy!" Red Son clenched his hand around his phone, almost breaking it. He immediately released his grasp and placed it on his workbench. Mei would kill him if he broke another phone. Red Son rubbed his face as he resisted the urge to scream.
"Aw, what's the matter Red Son? Too grumpy to porty?" Mk's duplicate leaned on Red Son's shoulder and smirked.
"It's party! The word is party!" Red Son could feel the tips of his hair sizzle as they came in contact with the jacket Mk's duplicate wore for the second time, singeing the edges of the faux fur. The duplicate rolled his eyes and backed off. Red Son didn't have the heart to destroy the duplicate. Not when it looks like Mk. Red Son hates to admit the fact he has gone soft since becoming friends with Mei, and reluctantly Mk.
Mk's clone leaned close to Red Son's face, smirking. Red Son attempted to push the duplicate away. The clone grabbed his wrist and pulled him close, placing his free hand on the small of his back
"I can see why he likes you." Mk's duplicate was inches away from Red Son's face. "You are gorgeous." The clone's breath felt hot on Red Son's face. This confused Red Son, usually his above-average body temperature made it hard for anything to feel 'hot'. Red Son couldn't look away from the duplicate's eyes. They looked just like Mk's, Red Son tried to pull away. The clone pulled him closer.
"Let me go!" Red Son squirmed as Mk's clone quietly chuckled. This wasn't right, this isn't actually Mk. Red Son's mind was frazzled on what he should do, embers falling from the tips of his hair.
"You're cute when you blush." The clone finally released Red Son from his grasp and backed off, wandering elsewhere in his workshop.
Red Son breathed heavily as he leaned over his workbench. The sound of Mk's clone chuckling playing over in his mind. Red Son slapped his cheeks before glancing at the duplicate, who was inspecting anything and everything. He picked up his phone and tried to call the real Mk again, but no luck. Red Son sighed before reluctantly ordering noodles from the pig's noodle shop. If Mk won't answer his phone, he'll have to drive all the way out here.
Red Son wasn't sure what to do with the duplicate as he waited, he managed to convince him to stay in his workshop to avoid detection from his parents. He wasn't even sure how'd he explain what the situation was, especially since he didn't even know to begin with.
"Noodle Boy should be arriving soon, then he can finally deal with you." Red Son pinches the bridge of his nose as the clone sits in his work chair, spinning. "Will you stop that!" Red Son's hair burst into flames, earning a quiet chuckle from the clone as he turned the chair towards him and propped his head up with his hand, looking up at Red Son through his glasses. If you could even call them that.
"You sure you want this porty to stop?" Mk's duplicate stood up, causing Red Son to back into his workbench.
"The word is party!" Red Son stomped his foot, clenching his hands into fists at his sides. The clone smirked, Red Son swears he caught a glimpse of a fang. Mk's duplicate gently grabbed Red Son's hand and brought it to his lips, placing a small kiss on his knuckles. Red Son felt like he was about to combust.
The duplicate placed his hand on either side of Red Son, pinning him against the workbench. Red Son was just a tad taller than the clone, the tips of his hair sparked as he nervously fiddled with his hands in between them.
"You'll miss me." The clone inched his face closer, breathing on Red Son's lips. "You know it. I know it." Red Son closed his eyes, bracing himself for whatever came next.
A quiet 'poof' sound caused him to slowly open his eyes. The clone was gone, in his place, the real Mk.
“I am so sorry!” Mk quickly apologized, placing the delivery bag on the workbench, “I just got your message and I wasn’t sure if I destroyed the duplicate last night, Mei couldn’t remember either and-”
Red Son's hair ignited as he grabbed Mk by the collar. Mk threw his hands up in surrender with a nervous smile.
"Hey! I apologized!"
Red Son took a deep breath and let go of Mk. He turned away from him and covered his face, he could feel his cheeks warm as he thought about what was about to happen before Mk arrived.
He was totally about to kiss Mk's duplicate.
"Right, well don't let it happen again." Red Son cleared his throat and dusted off his red coat in an attempt to look composed. "I'll kill you." Red Son glared at the Noodle Boy. Mk awkwardly chuckled as he rubbed the back of his neck.
"So what was going on when I arrived?" Mk leaned close to Red Son's face with an innocent expression, before gasping. Red Son flinched, he didn't want to answer whatever question just popped into Mk's mind.
"Did my duplicate go rogue and try to attack you!?" Mk grabbed Red Son's shoulders and shook him wildly. "Why didn't you just destroy it?" Mk backed off and placed his hand on his chin. Red Son wasn't sure how to answer, he glanced at the delivery bag and took a deep breath.
"It doesn't matter. Thanks for the noodles, Noodle Boy. Your presence is no longer required." Red Son shifted through the bag, two orders of noodles were inside. He only ordered one, he turned towards Mk who wore a hopeful smile and rocked back and forth.
"Actually I was hoping to have lunch with you?" Mk walked over to the delivery bag and pulled out the bowls of noodles. "Since I'm on break, and since I'm here." He awkwardly chuckled. Red Son stared at Mk for a beat too long, causing Mk to sigh and look away.
"Ah, you must be busy. Another time then." He gripped his bowl and began to walk towards the work shop's open window. Red Son snapped himself out of whatever trance he was in and reached for Mk's arm.
“Noodle boy, wait.” Red Son let go of Mk’s arm when he turned to look at him. “I wouldn’t mind the company.” A wide smile appeared on Mk’s face as he pulled up a chair and began to eat his noodles. Red Son couldn’t stop the soft smile that made its way onto his lips as he took a seat next to Mk and watched him eat. Mk paused and tilted his head slightly.
“You’re not going to eat?” He pointed to Red Son’s noodles with his chopsticks. Red Son glanced at his bowl before pushing it towards Mk.
“You can have them. I only ordered them to get you to come here so you could take care of your duplicate.” Red Son shrugged. Mk raised an eyebrow as he slowly grabbed Red Son’s bowl of noodles.
“I really don’t understand why you didn’t destroy it yourself.” Mk finished off his bowl in record time before digging into Red Son’s bowl. “You’ve done it before.” Red Son averted his gaze and cleared his throat.
“Well, yes.” Red Son began, “but I thought since we have somewhat of a truce, that it wouldn’t be right for me too.” Mk stared at him for a moment before simply shrugging and going back to enjoying his noodles.
The two sat in silence for a moment as Mk finished off his second bowl of noodles. Red Son wore a content smile as he watched him enjoy his meal. Mk stacked the bowls before glancing toward Red Son.
“So,” Mk paused and looked around the workshop before looking at Red Son again. “What was going on when I arrived?” Mk leaned closer to Red Son. Red Son could feel his face flush as he thought about the situation Mk interrupted.
“Did my duplicate go rogue and try to attack you?” Mk showed genuine concern as he leaned even closer, placing his hand on top of Red Son’s.
“No, nothing like that.” Red Son averted his gaze and looked at the floor before taking a deep breath. “I think, he was about to kiss me.” Red Son looked up and watched horror creep onto Mk’s face. Mk removed his hand from Red Son’s and covered his face. Red Son cradled his hand close to his chest, as Mk’s mind slowly unraveled.
“Are you sure?!” Mk accidentally shouted, and he immediately covered his mouth with his hands. Red Son’s face flushed an even deep shade of red. Mk took that as his answer before cradling his head yet again.
“I’m so sorry.” Mk practically whispered, “I didn’t know my duplicates would feel the same as I did.” Red Son just barely heard what Mk had said, but he did in fact hear it. Red Son resisted the urge to question exactly what he meant.
“Ah! My break is almost up! I promise I won’t let my duplicates bother you again! Bye!” Mk quickly shouted before transforming into a hawk and flying out the open window. Red Son just stared as Mk disappeared.
“What did he mean, ‘feel the same way he does’?” Red Son mumbled to himself before standing up and cleaning up his workspace.
The rest of the day went by rather slowly, to the point Red Son sat in his workshop and actually scrolled through different apps on the phone Mei got him. He was so zoned out that his phone ringing jump-scared him, almost causing him to drop his phone. Red Son grumbled as he answered the call, it was Mei.
"What do you want, Dragon girl?" Red Son feigned annoyance.
"You, Me, and Mk. The anti-grav arcade. Tonight." Mei practically demanded.
"No-"
"You are coming! Or I will drag you there!" She threatened him.
"She will!" Mk could be heard in the background. Red Son sighed.
"Fine."
----
Mei dragged Red Son by the arm into the arcade. He certainly wasn't happy to be there. Mk laughed as he walked behind the two of them.
"Is she always like this?" Red Son looked towards Mk, who simply nodded.
"Oh yeah. When she wants to hang out, she will force anyone along." Mk smiled as he approached a game machine. "Play with me? I'll teach you!" Mk excitedly pointed to the two-player set of controls. How could Red Son resist?
“How are you so bad at this?” Mk chuckled as he very easily beat Red Son in the fighting game they were playing. Red Son slammed his hands on the control panel and whipped his head towards Mk, his hair beginning to flare.
“What do you mean? You are clearly cheating!” Red Son shoved his finger into Mk’s chest. Mk threw his hands up in surrender and tried to hold in his laughter.
“I’m going easy on you.” Mk let a quiet chuckle slip and that set Red Son off. His hair ignited and Mk immediately panicked. “Dude! You’ll get us kicked out!” Mk frantically waved his hands at Red Son’s hair, the tips of his fingers tingled at the heat.
“I’ll go get you some water. Stay here.” Mk gestured at Red Son, whose hair has died down. Mk ran his hand threw his hair as he walked away, accidentally pulling a strand out. Mk didn’t notice it on his hands as he blew on them in an attempt to cool them down from getting too close to Red Son’s hair. Mk continued on his way as the strand of hair floated to the floor, before turning gold and creating a duplicate.
“Yo! Red Son!” The duplicate swung his arm around Red Son’s shoulders. Red Son immediately panicked. “You miss me?” Mk’s duplicate smirked.
“Where did you come from?!” Red Son pushed the clone away, earning a chuckle from him. Red Son frantically searched for Mk or Mei, but neither of them were in sight.
“Who cares! I’m here now, and now, I can make this porty better.” The clone leaned close to Red Son’s face. The word ‘porty’ enraged Red Son, he tried to keep his hair from bursting into flames, as it flared at his tips. The clone backed Red Son against the wall and leaned inches away from Red Son’s face.
Red Son didn’t stop him, in fact, he was going along with the duplicate, willingly. Was Red Son really going to kiss Mk’s duplicate?
"Woah, woah, woah!" Mei appeared next to Red Son and pushed Mk's duplicate away from him. "You can't do that!"
"Thank you-"
"You'll make the real Mk jealous!"
"Huh!?" Red Son sputtered as he whipped his head towards Mei.
"Like I care what the OG Mk feels." The duplicate leaned his weight onto on foot and crossed his arms. "Ah, whatever. I'ma make this porty better." He winked at Red Son and marched his way toward the DJ booth.
"What do you mean 'make Mk jealous'?" Red Son questioned Mei. She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.
"Dude it's so obvious he has a crush on you." She shoved her finger on his chest. "It's almost embarrassing." She let out a quiet chuckle.
"Where is he anyway?" Mei glanced around. Red Son stood there frozen. Mk has a crush on him? "Oh, there he is! Mk!" Mei called out to the Monkey King's successor.
Mk marched over, bobbing his head to the music as he carried a glass of water. He smiled as he handed it to the very red, Red Son. Mei covered her mouth as she giggled. Mk glanced between the two and tilted his head before Mei pointed to the DJ booth where Mk’s duplicate was manning the booth. Mk’s face went bright red as he looked at Red Son, who swirled his water around in the cup.
"Aw, man! How did this happen again?" He gripped his hair.
"Your duplicate was flirting with Red Boy here." Mei smirked as she wiggled her eyebrows at Red Son.
Mk nervously chuckled as he bit his lip. He leaned close to Mei’s ear and whispered something Red Son couldn’t hear, but if he were to guess it was something along the lines of ‘give us a minute’, because after Mk finished whispering, Mei nodded and walked a little ways away.
“I am so sorry.” Mk stood in front of Red Son, his brow furrowed, “I know I promised I wouldn’t let-”
“Do you have a crush on me?” Red Son cut Mk off and finally looked up from his water, only to see a very flushed Mk. “I’ll take that as a yes.” Red Son glanced around before setting his water down on a nearby table.
“I don’t know what you are talking about.” Mk nervously chuckled. Red Son raised an eyebrow and leaned closer to Mk’s face.
“I heard what you said when we had lunch together.” Mk tried to interject, Red Son put his finger up to stop him, “and Mei literally just told me.” Mk averted his gaze.
“I’m sorry.” Mk mumbled. That was the last response Red Son expected.
“You’re sorry?” Red Son repeated. Mk nodded, refusing to look up. Red Son took a deep breath and placed his hand on Mk’s chin and forced him to look at him. “Sorry for what?”
Mk didn’t answer right away, nervously chewing his lip as he rubbed his upper arm.
“I’m sorry that I have a crush on-”
Red Son heard enough. He pulled Mk against him and their lips met. Red Son placed his hands on either side of MK’s cheeks and pulled him as close as he possibly could. Mk took a deep breath and placed his hands on Red Son’s waist, leaning into the kiss.
When they separated, Red Son couldn’t stop the smile that appeared on his face, he took a step back and leaned against the wall.
“Do not ever apologize for having feelings.” Red Son sighed as Mk wore a soft smile. "Besides, it doesn't suit you to look so somber." Red Son smiled.
“Right.” Mk took a deep breath and stared into Red Son’s eyes, before glancing at his duplicate. “I should go take care of that.” Red Son closed his eyes and sharply nodded.
The rest of the night went rather smoothly, Mk appeared to destroy his duplicate and they all went their separate ways.
----
Red Son resisted the urge to shout as he looked through the weird glasses MK’s duplicate wore, as he laid on top of Red Son, smirking.
“How are you here?! I watched the Noodle boy destroy you!” Red Son shoved the duplicate to the floor and sat up in his bed. The clone laughed as he laid on the floor.
“I shrunk myself right before Mk did the final blow.” The clone wiped tears from his eyes. Red Son huffed as he held his head in his hands.
He will kill Mk for this. Well maybe.