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Red Son adjusted his cape as he stepped into the shady pawn shop, being sure to hide his distinctive hair. A bag hung heavy on his belt, and his free hand had a death grip on a golden cuff.
A gruff, middle aged demon with green skin leaned against the counter, seemingly bored. “Buying or selling?” He grunted.
“Depends.” Red Son said quietly, approaching the register, and making sure he wasn’t in sight of the windows. He wasn’t sure if this mission was going to account for anything really, but he was desperate. Everyone was desperate.
It had been five days since MK went missing, vanishing off the face of the earth with only a few belongings, and a letter saying he was sorry, but couldn’t stay there any longer, that he was going to hurt someone, and needed to leave.
No one had any luck finding him.
No one but Red Son.
Of course Red Son didn't actually know where the other boy was, but he had a start.
When Red Son learned MK was missing he sent his Bullclones out to search. Most were in Metropolis and the cities around, but he sent some to the demonic realm. Honestly Red Son didn't expect to find anything, he just thought it was better safe than sorry. Just to cover all options.
But then one of the Bull Clones alerted him to the Bull family sigil in the demonic city. It was on a golden cuff, worn by a demon in the poorer districts.
A very familiar cuff to Red Son.
One he'd given MK a few months ago, to signal he was under the protection of the Bull Demon family.
Of course being debatably human, MK had no idea what that meant. But to demons it was crystal clear.
MK was bearing the sigil, so MK was off limits. If someone hurt him, there had to be consequences. Retaliation. Usually Red Son would just rescue MK and leave the demons be if he wasn't too injured. MK wasn't a fan of revenge, and didn't like people getting hurt. However, considering what happened, Red Son didn't have a choice.
Before tracking the demon down Red Son rushed home, grabbing every sigiled piece of jewelry he could find, and shoving it his bag. Along with a spare set of clothes, of course.
"I don't know how, but the noodle boy managed to lose the cuff I gave him." Red Son explained to his father. "Now some lowlife is flaunting out family sigil like he earned it. I need to learn what he knows and teach him a lesson."
The Bull Demon King just grumbled. "What did Wukong teach that boy? He should know better." He rubs his head, before looking at his son. "Take care of it. Call me or your mother if you need backup." Usually he wouldn't offer so candidly, but this was a family matter now.
It took very little time for Red Son to track down the foolish demon wearing his family's sigil, and even less time to convince him to spill where he got it; a shady pawn shop in the least reputable part of town.
For his cooperation and willingness to give the cuff back, Red Son only broke one leg.
It was even a clean break.
But now Red Son was making his way to the front of the shop, sure to hide his features.
"What do you know about this?" He demands, holding up the golden cuff.
The pawn shop owner's eyes flash in surprise. "Well I know it keeps getting stolen."
"Stolen?" Red Son questions.
"Well that's how you got it, isn't it? Cause I just sold it to someone who very much wasn't you." He sighs. "I'm not interested in buying it back."
"Well I'm not interested in selling." He replies sharply.
The owner narrows his eyes. "Then why are you here?"
Red Son smirks to himself, and then throws his cloak off dramatically. "Because of a family matter."
The demon pales, and swallows. "I- you're Red Son."
"In the flesh." He narrows his eyes. "Now that we've established that, let's get back to the topic at hand. How did you get this?"
"Someone brought it in to sell it. Just some boy. He seemed to be out of sorts, and desperate." He nervously taps his fingers on the desk.
Red Son pulls up a picture on his phone. "Does he look like this?"
The demon leans in close "Yeah that's him alright. He steal that from you?"
"No, it was a gift." Red Son purrs, watching the demon's face pale even more at the implication. "He's a human, so he doesn't quite understand the implications of his actions, but he's also not the type of human to pawn off gifts and run away from home. So as I'm sure you can tell I'm in quite a hurry to find my friend. " The word was heavy, and full of implication.
He started to spill everything. "Well, you see, I thought it was stolen. And yeah I didn't think selling it was a good idea in its state, so I was gonna get a buddy to erase the sigil."
Red Son rolls his eyes. Unlike the other guy, who flaunted the sigil like he earned it, Red Son was under no obligation to retaliate against the pawn shop owner.
At least he didn't think he did.
He'd have to ask his parents later.
"I have no interest in your excuses." Or more accurately, lies. "All I want to know is where he is, and what state I should effect to find him in."
He hesitated. "I have only the greatest respect for your family and your clan. Taking a human under your protection shows your generosity, despite the difficulty of the task, and-"
"If I wanted flattery I would throw a ball. Speak candidly. Did he look hurt when he was in the store? Do you know where he may have gone?"
"The human didn't seem hurt but… he didn't seem to look as if your protection was doing any good."
"That rough?"
"Yeah, definitely." The demon sighed. "Like he hadn't slept in a while. Messy clothes, looked kinda thin, shaking voice. I can't remember much else."
Red Son grimaced. "That paints enough of a picture. Did you speak to him? Point him in any specific direction?"
He thinks for a second, then nods. "Yes. Kid was a bit rambly, clearly having a rough time. I told him he looked like he could use a drink, and he told me as nice as that sounded, he didn't bring any ID. So I pointed him to Lyon's tavern. They don't ID there." He took a breath. "Right next to Lyon's is a motel. Real shitty place, but cheap as it gets. If your friend has nowhere to go and no money, that's where they'd be staying."
Red Son nods. It made perfect sense. "Thank you for your cooperation." He snarled. "Though in the future I would advise you to be careful about what you purchase. We'd want to avoid any, well, misunderstandings, in the future." Then he turns and leaves, not taking a second glance at the sputtering demon.
Even if the pawn shop owner was lying, which he probably was, he still seemed like just a middle man. Neither stealing the sigil, nor wearing it as his own. So under demonic laws of hospitality and honor, he could be left alone.
As Red Son made his way to the tavern, the air started to thicken with cigarette smoke, making him raise his nose in disgust.
Naturally Red Son had been to such areas before, and usually it was no issue. But to have someone under his protection flee there, as they felt they had no choice?
A complete disgrace.
The tavern was easy enough to find. The bartender was all too ready to talk.
One look and MK's picture and he nodded. "Oh the kid, yeah I saw him. Real rough shape. Asked me for something to fuck him up. I got him some whiskey. He drank two glasses then left."
"Do you know if he went to the motel next door?" Red Son asked, grimacing. MK doesn't drink, almost ever. He doesn't like the smell, doesn't like the taste. "And did he order any food?"
The bartender just shrugged. "I don't remember him ordering any food. And he didn't say. But I don't think he had a car, and there's nowhere else to go."
"Thank you." Red Son sighed. "And I'm sorry for taking up so much of your time, but I have one more question."
"Shoot."
"Do you serve takeout here?"
15 minutes and three boxes of food later, Red Son approached the shady motel. The brick walls were stained black, and the lights flickered.
He just knew this place had rats.
"Excuse me, have you seen this boy?" Red Son asked, leaning against the counter.
The demon at the counter sat behind bulletproof glass just raised an eyebrow. "Even if I did I wouldn't be able to tell."
Red Son doesn't say a word as he slips 500 dollars on the counter.
She checks the bills for legitimacy, then says "Room 311."
Red Son nodded. He'd need to return to give her a gift later, if MK was unhurt. They had given him sanctuary by demonic law, and deserved to be rewarded by the demon Bull Family. Even if it was only ceremonial.
He finds his way to the room, Grimiching as he stepped over dirty clothes in the hallway.
Then he knocked. "Noodle Boy?"
The demon pressed his ear to the hollow door and strained to hear sniffling on the other side, but no verbal response.
"Noodle boy I know you're in there!"
"Go away, Red Son." The boy sniffled, clearly crying.
The demon huffed. "If you don't open this door I am more than willing to break it down." He'd be able to pay for it easily. "Besides, I brought food."
There's another sniffle, and the door creaks open.
MK looked like a mess. He was missing his headband, and so his oily hair sat messily on his head. His only clothes were an oversized old tee shirt and pants that were too loose. His cheeks were flush, and face red from crying.
Red Son blinks. “What are you wearing?”
The boy sniffles, and wipes his eyes. “I don’t know. I kinda stole it from the laundry? My own clothes got wet.”
Taking a closer look, Red Son noticed MK was shaking. He sighed and rubbed his forehead. “Whatever. As much as I love just standing in the hallway, I feel this conversation is one that shouldn't be heard by everyone. May I come in?” Honestly he wasn’t really asking.
Meekly MK nodded, and opened the door up a little wider. Red Son stepped inside, and grimaced.
Somehow the room was even worse than the rest of the motel. The walls and carpet were covered in grime, the mattress was low to the ground and thin, and there was a persistent smell of smoke in the air. “How long have you been here?” He asks. It couldn’t have been too long, as the bartender from next door recognized him. So clearly the shifts hadn’t changed yet.
The boy shrugged. “A few hours?” He sniffles, and flops on the bed. “I feel sick.”
Red Son shudders when MK touches the mattress. It’s probably crawling with bugs. “I heard you got quite drunk.” He remarks, stepping closer to his friend.
“Some guy told me it would help.” He rolls over clutching his stomach.
“Did it?”
“No.” He sounds like he’s about to cry. “Now instead of being just sad I’m sad and I feel like I’m going to puke.”
Red Son pats him gently on his shoulder, placing the food next to him. “That sounds about right.” Then he pulls his hand away. “Why did you run away?”
He pulls out a bowl of noodles and waits a few seconds, before softly confessing “I don’t know.”
“You don’t know?” Red Son repeated, completely aghast. “How can you not know?”
He shrugged, taking a bite. “I don’t know, I just… Left. I panicked, and I ran away. When I realized what I’d done, I didn’t want to return. Then a day passed, and I couldn’t return. It was too late to return.”
Red Son sighed and rubbed his head. “Merciful Buddha…”
MK paused, then stood up, looking at Red Son curiously. “Wait, how did you find me?”
He rolled his eyes. “You remember that bracelet you pawned? It had my family's sigil, which made it very easy to track down in the city.” There was a lot more to it, but now wasn’t the time to explain it all.
At hearing this MK paled. “Red Son, I’m so sorry. I didn’t want to sell it, I swear. I just didn’t have any money, and it was the only thing I had, I didn’t have a choice-”
“It’s fine.” The demon reassured, brushing a hand through the boy's hair to calm him. “It led me back to you, so I don’t mind. Besides, I have it. Do you want it back?”
MK’s eyes lit up. “Are you sure? I-I didn’t mean to-”
He pulls the cuff out and ignores MK’s protests, slipping it around the boy’s arm. “It looks wonderful on you.”
Tears start to leak from his face. “Thank you. I’m sorry. I’ll pay you back, I swear.”
“It’s my sigil, so I didn’t need to pay, they just gave it back to me.” He lies, then pauses. “Though I do have a question.”
MK hums, and wipes his eyes, before looking at the demon.
“Why did you have it on you? You said you just left, and your dad said you didn’t bring anything from your room. So why did you have the bracelet?”
“Oh.” He mumbles, voice tight. “I always have it on me. I carry it everywhere.”
Red Son’s heart flutters. “You… You do?”
He nods. “Usually it’s in my pocket, I don’t want it to get stolen, so I don’t wear it much.”
A violent blush creeps onto Red Son’s face, as he tries to calm himself, to rationalize. MK wasn’t a demon. He had no idea what the sigil meant, nor what his confession meant. He didn’t carry it with him out of obligation or protection, he carried it around because he liked it. Because he liked Red Son.
The thought only made the blushing worse.
“Are you ok?” MK asks. “You look feverish.”
Quickly, Red Son stutters to distract from his blushing. “Well of course I am! Do you feel the air in here? It’s terrible quality! And you’re just a mortal. You’re going to get far more than just feverish here.”
The boy curls up. “I don’t have anywhere to go. I can’t go home-”
“Nonsense! You-”
“Well fine, I’m not going back home.” MK snaps sharply.
Red Son blinks. “Well, then you should come to my manor.”
This seems to confuse him. “I couldn’t ask that.”
“Well unless you decide you suddenly want to go home, or find an actually livable arrangement in the next 30 seconds, then I’m taking you home. There is absolutely no way I’m going to leave you here.” Red Son huffs, crossing his arms for emphasis.
Usually MK would protest more, would argue, and insist that he was fine, but instead he just sighed. Clearly the mortal was exhausted. “Alright. We can go.”
Red Son had to hide his smirk. “Glad you’re seeing reason.” He clears his throat. “Now, those clothes don’t look comfortable at all, so change into these.” He commands, handing over the spare set of clothes.
“Are you sure? I don’t know if it’ll fit.” He looks down at them awkwardly, making no move to change.
“I’m absolutely certain.” Red Son hums. “A change of clothes will do you some good. Besides, I am not going to be caught dead next to you wearing that.” Or more accurately, Red Son refused to let someone under his protection be seen like that. It would be extraordinarily damaging to his family's reputation, and might even put his family in danger.
Besides, it was just undignified.
MK just nods and ducks meekly into the bathroom.
A few minutes later when he steps out of the dingy room, Red Son almost completely loses control of his flames.
MK was dressed head to toe in his clothes. A black shirt. Indigo jeans. Black shoes. The cuff around his forearm. Every single part of it was his . MK was his .
His his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his his-
Red Son shakes his head frantically, trying to get a grip. Usually he had better control over himself, but he’d never seen someone he cared for so deeply wearing so many things he owned.
Demon instincts got possessive over such things, and Red Son didn’t exactly have experience with this, and so it was all he could do to stop from getting weird.
“Um, thanks for the clothes.” He chuckled sadly. “You were right, I do feel better. They’re a little big though-”
“You look perfect.” Red Son blurted out before he could stop himself.
“Oh, thanks.” He blushed and smiled. “Do you wanna leave now?”
The demon blinked. “There’s one more thing first.”
MK tilts his head. “There is?”
Red Son swallows. “Yes, as a human it’s dangerous for you in the city. Being next to me isn’t enough, you need to be under my protection. At least in the eyes of demon society.”
The mortal seemed confused. “How do I do that?”
Red Son grabbed a handful of jewelry and practically threw it at MK. “Just, put some of those on.”
“Um, thanks? Are you sure this is all necessary?” He asks, but he starts putting on a necklace. “I mean, I was fine on my way here.”
“That was before I was here. I’m the heir of the demon bull family. People are going to take notice of me, and therefore you as well. If I don’t mark you as protected, then you’ll be seen as easy prey. Someone they can go after without any retaliation.” MK starts to put on a choker, and Red Son has to force himself to calm down.
Not only are his protective instincts flaring up, but MK is also hot as sin, which doesn’t help at all.
MK seems to believe him. “You probably know what you’re talking about.”
“Trust me noodle boy, you’ll wanna stick by my side.” Gently he drapes his cloak over MK’s shoulders. The room felt cold to him, so the poor mortal must be absolutely frigid. Then he wraps his arm around that. “Remember, stick by me.”
The boy just nods, leaning in close.
Red Son blushes harder.
Slowly and deliberately, Red Son escorts MK out of the motel, standing up straight and proud. He leads MK into the street, and can feel the eyes of demons glued to both of them. He can hear their whispers.
MK leans in closer, clearly nervous, having no idea that them being seen together was a good thing.
He walks further down the street, about a block, with the mortal leaning on him. Far enough to get away from the more crowded areas, and also long enough to make sure at least a few demons were able to snap some pictures.
It wouldn’t take long for the word to get around. That the Bull Demon family had someone under their protection.
That MK was under their protection.
Once he was confident they were seen by enough people, Red Son summons his fire. “This is going to be hot, but it won’t burn.” He warns. When MK nods in response Red Son yanks him even closer, and summons an inferno around them, teleporting back to his manor.
As soon as their feet hit the ground, MK goes faint and nearly collapses. Red Son holds him steady as he rocks back and forth, regaining his composure.
“Sorry, Sorry.” He mumbles, dizzily, gripping onto Red Son’s shoulder.
“Let's get you inside.” Red Son murmuring gently, half guiding half carrying him into the manor. Even a normal mortal usually wouldn’t be this exhausted after teleportation, and MK wasn’t a normal mortal.
His state was probably even worse than Red Son knew.
The Demon Bull King was waiting in the foyer for them. Red Son shot him a text as soon as he found MK, letting him prepare.
MK might not understand, but as someone under a family's protection, the entire family was required to tend to him in some sort of way. Red Son had already gotten MK and covered him in their sigil. Now it was his parents turn.
As soon as they stepped through the threshold, the Bull Demon King leaned down and gently scooped MK up.
“Whoa!” The boy shouted in surprise. “Demon Bull Daddy- I mean, Sir King Bull- I mean Bull King!” He stuttered, face more Red than the demon boy’s hair.
The Bull Demon King smiled softly. Despite his size and gruff nature, he had long learned how to be gentle. “Are you hurt?”
MK glances at Red Son nervously. “Uh, no?”
The demon boy smiles back. “Father, I think MK could use some rest. Perhaps bring him to the guest room, and we can see if he’s injured in the morning.”
Of course they had already discussed this. Red Son was only reiterating the plan for the mortal’s sake, as he seemed scared. A bit of reassurance would never hurt.
The Bull Demon King looked down at the mortal in his hands. “Do you want to lay down?”
“Um, yeah! Yeah that would be great actually!” He rubs the back of his head nervously.
The Bull Demon King pulls him closer to his chest, cradling him, and slowly walking off to the already prepared room.
As soon as they’re out of sight, Red Son sighs and leans against the wall. He takes a deep breath, and tries to get a grip. This entire situation was a mess. MK really needed a lesson on demon culture, sooner rather than later. And Red Son needs to calm down.
His father was escorting MK to bed, and would make sure he was uninjured. Because of her complete inexperience with human’s, Iron Fan was going to prepare food for him and bring it to his room.
Red Son should probably check to make sure that was going well.
He makes his way to the kitchen, thankful that almost no servants crossed his path, and the ones that did ignored him.
When the demon finally approaches the kitchen the first thing he notices is an odd smell. Spices, but all of them clash. But he also smelt something floral, almost, and meat. Not quite rotten, but definitely turned in some sort of way.
He walks a little faster, now slightly concerned. “Mother?” He asks, stepping into the kitchen, and noticing Princess Iron Fan standing over a pot of… Something. “What are you… Making?”
Red Son leaned over and took a closer look. It didn’t look inedible, but it didn’t exactly look edible either. Like some sort of soup. The broth looked thick, too thick, and nothing was cut up. Floating in the dense broth was a full, uncut onion, a full chicken, and… Feathers?
Where did she get a chicken with feathers on it?
“Soup.” She responds curtly. “Humans can eat meat, correct?”
Red Son hums. “Yes, but… Where did you get the meat?” It didn’t smell right. Or look right. The meat was grey for some reason.
“It’s just an ash chicken.” She explains, using her wind to stir the pot.
What the fuck was an ash chicken?
“Mother, if someone else makes the food, can you present it? Will that fulfill your obligation?” Red Son asks slowly.
Princess Iron Fan Nods. “Yes, that would work.”
“Perfect!” The demon boy responds, before immediately picking up the pot, and throwing it straight into their lava trash bin, figuring the metal wasn’t even worth trying to salvage at this point.
What did MK like again? Noodles. But his dad made noodles, like, every night. They should probably go with something easier on the stomach. Peaches, but that wasn’t a proper meal. They’d be seen as bad hosts and protectors if they only offered peaches.
No, Red Son needs to make this perfect. Absolutely perfect.
“My son, are you alright? You look flush.” Princess Iron Fan comments, raising an eyebrow.
“It’s just…” He takes a deep breath and tries to think about his next words. “MK really doesn’t understand demon culture.”
Iron Fan only seems more confused about this. “We already knew that. He needs lesions of course, but you found him so quickly that-”
“Apparently the reason he had our sigil at all,” Red Son interrupts. “Is because he carries it everywhere, only hidden.”
His mothers eyes go wide. “I see.”
A sigil being worn openly could mean anything. It was most commonly used in courtship, but really it just meant the person wearing it was valued by someone in the family. It was a sign they should be protected, and nothing more.
Having a sigil, carrying it, and keeping it hidden, sent a completely different message. It meant they were willing to protect the family too, to fight for them, to be part of them. And in very few cases was it not romantic.
Hell, it was almost always meant to be a proposal. A demonstration that one was enough of the family now to not have to flaunt it.
Even if it wasn’t romantic, the gesture was shockingly intimate. It took decades, sometimes even centuries, for mere friends to hold a sigil hidden.
Red Son was still trying to wrap his head around all of it.
Princess Iron Fan pours a glass of water, and hands it over. “Cool yourself. You look mere seconds from bursting into flames.”
The boy looked down in shame. “Sorry mother.”
Instead of her usual loving yet harsh remarks, Iron Fan just shoves the water into his hand. “Come now, your self control is remarkable. Once we get MK fixed up all of this will be explained, and it won’t happen again.”
Red Son can feel his control slipping. “It’s all so confusing. I feel sick and uneasy. But I wasn’t before.”
“It’s because you’re away from him.” Iron Fan explains calmly. “Demons always feel nervous when someone is under our protection and they need our help. You’ve never dealt with such a thing before, so the feeling is especially odd. It’ll pass.”
“I hope you’re right.” Red Son sighs, as he decides what to cook.
Though his mother couldn’t cook, she did have the right idea. Soup was easy for humans to eat, and it was considered comfort food.
Besides, they already have broth, so it wouldn't take too long.
Methodically preparing the soup did actually help Red Son calm down, especially paired with his mother’s steady chatter.
He headed his mother’s knowledge on the subject of demonic culture, and listened to her advice.
“You don’t need to give the motel a gift; MK paid for their services, and they were bribed to give away his location.” She explains. “None of that falls under the category of protection.”
“And the pawn shop?”
“He really should have known better.” She smirks. “Honestly he should be lucky that MK would be upset if we enacted proper justice. Hopefully he takes this as a warning. I doubt the next family will be as lucky.”
Red Son nods. He knows he went pretty light on the people he ran into, all things considered. A family as distinct as the Bull Demon family could have outright murdered anyone who so much as touched the cuff and have gotten approval from other demons.
Princess Iron Fan had to bring the soup without Red Son; each family member must do their own part independently. Though even then, the boy was tempted to follow. MK wouldn’t know that he wasn’t supposed to be there, and knowing MK, he wouldn’t care.
But eventually the demon decides to stay back. Partially because of tradition, but mostly because his heart was still fluttering anytime he so much as thought of the other boy.
Curse him.
MK was usually so aware and considerate of others. Overly apologetic, almost to the point that it seemed exaggerated.
So how was he so completely oblivious to his effect on Red Son? To how he made his heart flutter, his cheeks heat up. How one look at his face would have Red Son doing anything, absolutely anything, to see him smile.
The boy forces himself to sip some more water and calm down.
Accidentally lighting something on fire would do no one any good.
Not longer after Iron Fan returns, heels tapping softly on the tile floors. “My son, it might be best if you explain to our guest some of the basics of demonic protection sooner rather than later.”
Red Son put his glass down and raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
“He seems about three seconds away from trying to jump out the window.” She explains, matter of factly. “Considering he is on the fifth floor, I doubt it will end well.”
The demon boy rolls his eyes. “I wouldn’t put it past him.” Then he sighs. “I’ll go talk to him.”
He starts to leave, but is stopped by his mother calling after him. “Oh, and Red Son?”
“Yes mother.”
“You did well. Both by the child and by our family.”
Praise from his mother is rare, and makes him blush slightly as he heads off.
All too soon he’s at the wooden door reserved for only the most esteemed guest. He takes a moment to regain control of himself, taking a few deep breaths, before knocking. “Noodle boy? It’s me, Red Son.”
“O-oh, come in!” He calls, stuttering slightly.
He sounded weak. Was he more hurt than Red Son knew? Sick? Or was it just the exhaustion?
The demon throws the door open and it takes all his self control not to immediately rush to his side. He does, however, jog. “Are you alright? In any pain?”
“Oh I’m fine.” MK stutters. He’s tucked very tightly under a literal mountain of blankets. “Your, uh, dad seems to think I’m going to freeze to death. Which is odd. It’s very warm.” He laughs nervously. “And your mom. She, uh, brought soup.” He glances over at the bedside table, where there sat the untouched bowl.
“Do you not like lamb dumpling soup?” Red Son questioned. He’d get MK anything he asked for, just so long as he ate.
“That's what it is?” MK seemed a little surprised. “Your mom just said it was soup that mortals eat. I wasn’t entirely certain it was edible.”
Red Son chuckles as he picks up the bowl. “Don’t worry, I helped mother make it. She’s just inexperienced with mortal food, that’s all, but it’s perfectly safe.” Absent-mindedly he scoops some of it into the spoon and holds it out to MK.
Almost immediately he realizes how awkward that is and goes to pull away, but before he can MK leans forward and takes a bite.
He actually takes a bite.
Ok, Red Son reminds himself, don’t panic. You need to stay in control, and not make a fool of yourself.
MK lights up. “Oh that’s delicious! You’re an amazing cook Red Son!”
Oh look; his hair is on fire.
For his credit, MK doesn’t even seem surprised. He just tilts his head and watches, until the demon manages to put the fire out.
It does little to stop his heart pounding against his ribcage. No, that absolutely will not behave apparently.
Thankfully MK takes the spoon and the bowl, and starts eating on his own. “So, I don’t mean to pry, but did I offend your parents in some way? They were acting a little weird. Even for them.”
The demon boy huffs. “Wukong really has failed to teach you anything about demon etiquette, hasn’t he?” Red Son sits on the bed beside him. There was plenty of room; their beds were huge. “If you offend a demon you will know; they won’t bring you food and tuck you in, they’ll challenge you to a duel.”
“I thought they were being passive aggressive.” MK chuckles nervously.
Red Son rolls his eyes. “We don’t do passive aggressive.”
He thinks for a second, then nods. “That makes sense. Even Pigsy doesn’t do passive aggressive. He’s straight up aggressive.”
Pigsy is what people call a ‘domesticated demon’, though Red Son distains that term. But demons don’t have a term for it so it’s what he’s stuck with.
A domesticated demon is a demon that lives entirely with humans. Often they live about as long as humans as well, if not slightly longer. Usually their families have lived with humans for generations and have entirely dismissed demon culture.
He probably doesn’t even know anything about demon culture, but Red Son finds it amusing that even demons like him do not care for human mind games or indirectness.
Still, Red Son doesn’t need to get distracted. MK needs answers. “That cuff I gave you was more than decoration. It was for protection.”
The boy blinks. “It wasn’t enchanted though?”
Red Son sighs. “Not like that.” He explains, suppressing the urge to rub his forehead in annoyance. “It means you’re under the protection of the demon bull family. So if you go missing, or are hurt, or need help, we are obligated to go and find you.”
The boy’s eyes go wide, and his mouth rounds into an O shape. “I am so sorry.”
“You should be; I was worried sick! Everyone was!” Red Son scolds. As strongly as he feels toward MK, running away like that was still a bit of a dick move. “And then when I find you you’re a complete an utter mess! What were you thinking.”
MK looks down in shame. “I’m sorry.”
The demon huffs. “It’s… It’s fine. I was just worried.” He runs a hand through his hair. “But what were you thinking? Running away like that? You didn’t even bring anything with you.” Gently he reaches forward, cupping MK’s cheek with his hand. “What happened?”
It looks like the boy’s about to cry when he pulls away. Red Son fears he may have pushed a little too far, until… “Here, let me show you.”
The boy starts to glow a bright gold. His skin shines, literally reflecting the light of the room as he shimmers.
A blush starts to creep back up on Red Son’s face at the sight, but after only a few minutes the glow dies down to reveal a…
A monkey?
Well, a monkey demon. Kinda. It looked… Almost incomplete. Like he was a mix between. His face and hands looked the same, but his hair was longer, thicker, arms covered in a thick tuft of dark brown fur. There were red marks around his eyes like a mask, and his eyes were glowing white.
He looked beautiful, but also, so heartbroken.
“Why are you about to cry?” Red Son questioned as he reached forward to try and console him.
MK immediately flung himself backwards, right into the wall with a surprising amount of strength; it broke on impact.
“Don’t touch me!” MK cried out. “I’m going to hurt you! Don’t touch me!”
Red Son took a step back, but more in confusion than fear. “Alright. I won’t touch.”
It didn’t seem to put him at ease. The boy was completely hyperventilating now, but for the life of him, Red Son didn’t know why.
“MK, what's wrong? You look fine.”
The boy laughed hysterically. “Are you kidding? Don’t you see? I’m a monster.”
This only confused him further. “No? At least not if you don’t consider Wukong or Macaque as monsters. Or my father.”
“But they can control it!” He sobbed, wrapping his arms around himself and holding tightly, tears starting to drip down his cheeks. “I can’t!”
“You don’t seem to be losing control now.” Red Son questions. “Can you not change back?”
“Sometimes.” He stutters. “But sometimes it happens on its own. And my heart starts to race, and I get so angry, and… and..” he starts to stutter, looking seconds away from sobbing.
Red Son wants to jump forward, to pull MK in his arms and hold him tight while he sobs. To comfort him until he stops crying, because nothing sounds nearly as heartbreaking as his sobs.
But he held back. “What happens next?”
“I get angry.” He forces out, still holding himself tightly, and now shaking. “And I want to destroy things. Everything.” His voice cracks. “And I’ll hurt someone. I might kill someone. I can’t… I can’t…” He finally lets out a hysterical sob, burying his head in his arms.
The demon moves slowly as he leans closer. “That’s not going to happen MK.” Red Son promised softly.
“You don’t know that.” He sniffled, voice muffled.
“Of course I do.” Red Son responded, voice completely sure. “Because I know you, MK. You’re the kindest, most gentle soul I’ve ever known. You wouldn't hurt a fly.”
“But I can’t control myself!” He sniffles. “Or it feels like I can’t. I haven’t hurt anyone, but it’s going to happen! I know it will.” He takes a deep breath, finally calming down. “So I had to leave before that happened.”
His demon form flickers, before MK turns back human.
The boy slumps in exhaustion and leans forward. Red Son catches him. “Easy, the adrenaline will have exhausted you.”
“But…” He mumbles weakly.
“We can talk later.” Red Son tells him, leaving no room to object. “But you’re not a monster, and you’re not going to control.” The demon moves the bowl back to the bedside table and tucks him back in. “Your family wants you back. They miss you.”
“I can’t hurt them.” He sniffles, eyes fluttering. “I’d rather die than hurt them.”
The demon’s heart twists at this, and he feels sick at even hearing the words. “Well they’d rather get hurt than attend your funeral.”
MK started for a few seconds, until asking “Are you scared of me?”
Red Son can’t help but laugh. “I could never be scared of you.” He says softly, taking MK’s hand in his.
It’s much colder than his own, a little shorter, slightly wider, and much darker.
Red Son never wants to let go.
“Can you stay?” Mk asks. “Please? Jut until I fall asleep.” He sniffles. “I don’t want to be alone again.”
Red Son softens more, if that was even possible. “Of course I will. Here, scoot over.” He commands, crawling under the blankets right next to him.
MK seems surprised, but smiles, and gives the demon space.
Of course the boy doesn’t want to be alone. He’s always with his friends, and will freak out if he’s left alone for even a few moments. Having to be away for them days, being terrified of hurting them, killing them, would drive the boy insane.
But now? Now he’s in Red Son’s arms, in his manor, completely safe from himself or anyone else who would hurt him.
Now he’s breathing heavy, eyes fluttering as he dozes off, safe for the first time in days.
Now Red Son has the boy he loves right back home, back where he belongs.
And he’s never going to lose MK ever again.