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the sounds of labored breathing filled the room, short pants and wheezes coming from the dark simian.
Macaque was sick, now celestial primates don't get sick too often due to their outstanding immune system but considering he basically Got revived, to say the least he wasn't very healthy as he used to be.
His centuries-old organs found it hard to function at times, sometimes macaque didn't even think his heart was beating anymore considering how barely audible it was. So his lymphatic system probably wasn't functioning too well after the whole revival, it's no wonder he's all sick.
There was a thump, and then the sound of bed sheets ruffling as a smaller body shuffled its way over towards macaques.
“Wake up” the small voice whispered, shaking the macaque gently, macaque turned in the sheets, curling into himself and groaning, he didn't wanna get up.
Just a couple more hours..
His eyes opened but only for what felt like a millisecond, because as soon as they opened fatigue overtook him and he fell back asleep.
“Baba” a muffled small voice called out
“Wake up, its wake time”
“I'm hunggrryy” the voice complained
macaque could only let out a strained groan as he sat himself up as slowly as he could so as to not make himself dizzy, eyes still closed as he rubbed them.
Macaque's eyelids felt heavy, he knew it was morning, that he had to get up but his body screamed whenever he tried to sit up. He wanted to succumb to sleep just for a little while, besides nothing wrong with sleeping in, that was until he was reminded of who he had to take care of.
“What happen’?”
“Jin, buddy” he said with a voice so raspy and harsh, as if he hadn't used it in days, “you're not supposed to be up this early” he recalled
“Is not early” Jin huffed, “sun woke up forever ago!” he exclaimed, macaque visibly cringed at the change of volume, gesturing to the child that he needs to put on his inside voice.
“ ‘Orry”
“It's fine kid, I'm just… not feeling too well is all” macaque explained.
He was doing worse than “not well” in fact he wanted to rip his ears off because of how loud and stimulating everything was. The clothes he wore felt stuffy due to the overproduction of sweat in his sleep, the way the fabric stuck to him was driving him mad. Macaque felt chills go up his body, everytime it sent a cold sensation and then a hot one. He wasn't stupid, he knew how his biology and anatomy worked to kill off the pathogens invading his body, but that doesn't mean it wasn't annoying.
His body ached, but he needed to get up
Macaque carefully slid off the bed stretching causing a pop in his joints.
“Baba?”
Macaque let out a humm, letting jin know the kid had the floor
“Miss Yu come over?” he asked
“No, Not today bud” macaque answered, getting himself ready for the day despite the fatigue whispering to him to let it take over. Macaque had things to do today, like for one he needed to go to the market, two he needed to take care ofJin. To say the least macaque was busy, dealing with this illness can come later.
“Ugh.. What time is it..” he muttered as macaque rubbed his bleary eyes to look at the clock.
12:32PM
oh .
So he did sleep in, because it's already midday, no wonder the kid was already awake, wait has he even eaten anything? He did saw He was hungry, shit and he hasn't gotten a propped groom, ugh he was the worst parent ever!
Ok.
focus.
Macaque took a deep breath and walked out the room, like a little duckling Jin followed.
“Hungry Bud?”
“Mhm!”
Macaque couldn't cook a proper meal without the ingredients so he took out an orange and peeled it for the cub, just a small snack to keep him full until he makes a real meal later. Jin took the orange slices eagerly.
But if mac was being honest, he wasn't excited to go outside at all, the guy's hearing is way more sensitive, it's summer, there are more people out and about because it's a weekend, ugh he was gonna dread this.
Another unpleasant chill ran up his spine causing a sneeze to ring out. He sniffed, Gods he didn't wanna deal with this.
“your sick” Jin blurted out
“I can handle alittle sickness bud” he groaned, “now stay still so I can apply your glamors ok? “
Jin nodded, staying as still as a little monkey could. Macaque kneeled down and with the flick of his hand a human disguise stamped right on top of the kid, although macaques magic was… Not the best. Jin looked human but still had his tail out, that could cause an inconvenience but macaque decided Jin could probably just hide it
To the best of his ability.
Macaque applied a human disguise for himself and it didn't work out too well because the shadowy magic acted erratic causing him to immediately stop the spell. He panted as a wave of exhaustion hammered down on him, he almost would've collapsed if it wasn't for his stubborn nature.
“Baba?”
“Ok-” huff “I'm ok bud, huahh ” macaque stood back up using the wall as support,”I guess no disguise for me today, means I'll need to be more stealthy” he explained as he grabbed his scarf and arranged it so it worked like hooded cloak.
“Oo! Baba! Wha’ about me?” Jin asked brimming with excitement
“You're gonna hide that tail of yours,” he paused for a moment “just wrap it around your waist and hide it under your shirt”
Stabilize your breathing
“Oh ok!”
Breath in
He inhaled
And out
And then exhaled.
Jin hid his tail, they both were ready to face the city.
Leaving the building felt like such a chore, macaques shoes felt too tight, his cape was making him feel too overheated not to mention the stuffy nose, He should've stayed home but he had to stick to the schedule, if he didn't it would feel like the whole world has gone wrong.
With the click of the door handle the two of them were outside, Jin held macaques hand but cringed at the feeling of sweaty palms
“Ew”
Ew indeed, Jin wiped his hand on his pants, wincing at the feeling
“Sorry kid, maybe you should grab onto my shirt instead?” machine suggested, Jin did just that.
The two of them made their way out of the residential area of the city and more towards the market place, every step they got closer and closer towards the noise and macaque felt like hell.
Ok this was a bad idea in hindsight.
Macaque was leading the way towards the market but the crowd was just so unbearable
“B—a” muffled voice called
“Yo— b-eat—ng -unny”
Breathe
Breathe
Everything was so stuffy, everything was so loud .
Macaque led them both off of the sidewalks and into an ally, he needed to get ahold of himself and reassure Jin, but his voice wouldn't work, he could only try and breathe.
In and out, just like you practiced
In through the nose
Inhale
Out through the mouth
Exhale
and repeat
It went on for what felt like hours, but was actually about 15 minutes.
“you ok?” Jin asks, macaque can't really respond right now, he usually went nonverbal when things were too stimulating so talking would make it worse for him, but he had to reassure Jin, so he just gave him a thumbs up sign.
His hands were shaking
“Mmm, we go home” Jin decided
Macaque crossed his arms in a ‘x’ motion repeatedly
“But your sick, and and”
Macaque breathed out through his nose, and shook his head.
Macaque didn't wanna go home, today was scheduled to go to the market and get groceries, the sense of unpredictability was going to make him feel anxious and unsafe! He needed the routine, he needed to know what was gonna happen every day!
Sneeze
right, he was still sick, macaque blames this bad day on his sickness, if he was perfectly healthy he would've been up and at em today!
“Maybe I can find Ms. Yu” Jin said, his eyes filled with hope
Macaque visibly paled, it was a terrible idea he would NOT allow Jin to Travel alone, he was only 3! His shadow travel was extremely unpredictable and if he fell into the shadows who knew where hed-
Macaque blinked realizing that he was stuck in his thoughts for too long because Jin was already gone.
Fuck.
Ok this was terrible. Macaque's irritated mood turned into terror as he tried listening in on where Jin went but the thing was.. Everything was too loud and he could find him In the clamor.
Jin was lost.
Jin knew his father wasn't doing well, by the way sweat kept clinging onto his fur and skin, how his breathing was just not natural, the sneezing, and overall the way he was practically hyperventilating right now was NOT a good sign.
Jin didn't know what to do, he could only watch as the minutes went by, slowly but surely macaque's breathing got better but he was still sick so that was that.
But then suddenly, Jin had the best idea! Miss Yu was a teacher! She could help macaque, she was super smart.
Maybe I can find Ms. Yu” Jin said, as he stepped away trying to open a shadow portal like how Macaque did, he ended up Phasing through into the shadows and well that was a better start than nothing. Jin left the area looking for Yu ming but.. Accidentally fell out of the shadows portalling into a very different area.
It was a park, much calmer than the heart of the city. Children Played on the swings and playground while the caretakers who watched them would sit on benches making sure they didn't hurt themselves.
Jin looked around at his surroundings, Yu ming was definitely not here. He tried to portal again and
He couldn't.
The thing was, he was JUST learning how to portal, macaque told Jin to strictly not try portalling yet and to just try staying in the shadows, and this was the reason, because it took a lot of ebert from Jin and due to his inexperience who knows when he could conjure a portal back up again.
Jin huffed as frustration and fear began to manifest, he fidgeted with his hands and backed up accidently bumping into a person.
“Ah! I'm so sorry little one!” the woman apologized
Jin felt a panic and his fur prickled up under the glamor his father set up for him.
“Are you lost?”
“Do you know where your parents are?”
“I- my Baba he- I need” Jin squeaked out, tears pricked the corners of his eyes as he began to Feel overwhelmed, he just wanted to find Ms.Yu, so she could take macaque and Jin home and maybe macaque help with the sickness!
He quickly ran away to the nearest isolated area he could find. Jin ran past complete strangers who'd either ignore him or asked questions while he scampered past. With tear filled eyes he tried scoping out where he was in the first place, how far was the market place? Macaque was usually back by now! Macaque usually would've found Jin by now. In the end Jin landed himself on the outskirts of the park area
Jin wipes the tears away with a sniffle but then hears a noise
Rustle
He flinched and turned towards the sound.
A figure walked up to Jin
“You uh- alright bud?” the golden monkey asks
Stranger danger
…
Wukong didn't mean to get involved with mortal affairs but when you're technically the hero of the city and you Spot a kid who seems lost and overwhelmed well who isn't gonna wanna help em!
He just needed to take a closer look.
The monkey king rode his nimbus cloud and kept up with the kid with ease. Upon further inspection Wukong found out this kid had heavy glamors on her. Also her tail wasn't that well hidden so that was bound to give it away, if anything she looked to be a monkey demon.
The kids' scent was also peculiar, she smelled of.. Nectarines but also rain? No it was.. Something familiar, it made his mind meld as multiple thoughts tried to piece together who this kid had been around that wukong recognized.
“You uh- alright kid?” the golden monkey asks
The child freezes and looks around as if searching for a way out of this mess
“Hey hey it's ok,” wukong said calmly, kneeling down to eye level with the young monkey, ”I Wanna help you”
Help? Maybe this guy can help macaque, Jin thought
“Now I'm Gonna need you to answer some questions for me Ok?” The older monkey's voice was so calming, it made Jin feel safer, but macaque always said to be wary of strangers so there was obvious hesitation.
“O-ok”
“Now, Do you live around here?”
It was a big question, Jin didn't know the exact area he lived in, just that it was somewhere sorta outside downtown.
“Not Too far” Jin mumbled
“Ok, and can you tell me where your parents are, I'm sure their worried about you”
Ah right
Macaque needed help
“My Baba! Only him! He needs help!” Jin blurted out “he sick! An’ he went outside and it was too loud-” the kid rambled
Ok this was raising some red flags up, not in the bad way but in a way where wukong felt like he really needed to step in and help now
“Where is he? Is he hurt?”
“No no! Just sick and-” Jin sniffed and the tears began once again, “I should’ listen, he said not to go off” he cried
Wukong just felt straight up bad for this kid, but experiences teach you a lesson, and this lesson was to listen to your dad when he tells you something, speaking of her dad, he was sick? Going into the city? Wukong thought demons nowadays did what humans do, just taking medicine and resting up. This demon had to be an idiot of some kind.
“It's alright kid, mistakes happen” Wukong comforted, placing a hand on her shoulder, "now do. You know where he is, your dad I mean”
“the m-” before Jin said anything A shadow portal opened up with a very stressed macaque popping out, immediately at the sight of wukong right next to Jin, he was not feeling pleasant in the slightest.
Wukong stared wide eyed at the dead man walking.
“Mihou..?" He stood up, unsure if what he was seeing was real, but unfortunately for him, macaque was real and he was.. He looked terrified.
Macaque's pupils shrank and his heart rate sped up frantically, his body more than before yelled at him and screamed to get out of there due to the dangers that lay ahead.
The dangers, being wukong. He was dangerous. He was a danger to Jin. At least in macaques' minds.
"You stay away from him." macaque mumbled with a growl
"Him?" wukong thought, looking back down at the kid slightly confused, whatever he wasn't gonna fuss about it, maybe the kid wants to be referred in a masculine way since s- he's not complaining about it.
"Do you know him?" wukong asked Jin
Jin didn't answer before before he could macaque shrunk into the shadows grabbing Jin and booking it towards home, if he portaled any more he might collapse from the use of magic adding onto his already terrible exhaustion.
“Baba!” Jin called out, “I'm sorry I-”
“Shh!” the macaque hushed him, he knows he shouldn't have but only fear ran in his mind right now, barking at him to run like a worthless animal being hunted down by a powerful predator.
In wukongs mind
Macaque looked like he just stole a goddamn child. Why would he even?? He didn't know but he knew he needed an answer and also needed to get that child back to find his parent!
Wukong jumped on his nimbus cloud and chased after macaque
“Macaque! Stop this!” he shouted but macaque did not answer, he only ran. Wukong calculated the jump and lunged. He didn't take his staff out because there was no need for it.
Macaque was weak
With an audible wince of pain as macaque was tackled down by wukong Jin immediately stumbled back. Wukong sighed and got off the simian, still looking at him firmly. There's a child present, he must keep it in mind.
“Mac what the hell are you thinking, taking a child and running off like some- cubnapper!” wukong hissed, it was true that in most monkey culture cubs were often stolen by mothers who didn't have children and had an infant who sadly passed so wukong assumed that macaque tried taking this child because he wasn't in his right mind or for a different reason.
“don't” he wheezed ”lookat” he coughed "me” his voice sounded like sandpaper, and if macaque was gonna be honest his body was aching all over, all this action was making him dizzy and nauseous not the mention the terrible headache.
“are you serious right now?” wukong scoffed "you're back from.. I don't even know how that's possible and you!-” he paused “,you don't want me to look at you??” Wukong was just baffled and confused about this whole situation.
Like how macaque was alive, why did he take this child? Where is he off too? What's wrong with him and is he ok in the head??
Macaque groaned and his ears were ringing.
“Baba! Your sick” Jin once again blurted out
Baba..
Wukong recognized that scent now.
It was the smell of rain and plums, it was macaques scent.
“You” he was at a loss for words, even more questions were popping up in his head, “who-”
“Don't ask stupid questions.” macaque grumbled weakly
“baba, we need to Go home” Jin urged quietly “and get Yu ming”
Macaque took a breath and got up but unfortunately it was too quickly because almost immediately he got a dizzy spell and almost lost his balance.
“Macaque-”
“Leave me alone wukong.” macaque rasped out, “I have things to do. Without. you .”
Macaque had every reason to be mad at Wukong, and had every reason to hate him. Sun wukong understood that to the fullest
Besides He couldn't quite forgive himself either since that day.
“Don't follow me , or come near my son again.” he warned with a display of aggression bearing his teeth before carefully picking Jin up and walking into the direction of what they called home.
Wukong stood there for a bit, just processing everything until they were completely out of view
Macaque had a son
A son
Wukong chuckled dimly at that
“macaque said he wasn't fond of cubs, I guess that changed”
The two of them left at 12 something PM now it was 3 PM. When Jin and macaque got him the charcoal furred monkey immediately collapsed on the couch, his eyelids so heavy he didn't think he could stay awake any longer.
“Ba!”
He felt terrible, his body could only shiver as chills relentlessly went up and down his body causing shocks of temperature change. The sounds around him muffled until he could no longer hear any more.
He'd been knocked out cold by fatigue
The inky black abyss was the only thing he was met with he didn't wake up for another couple of hours
…
“I can't believe this idiot didn't call me! Ugh!”
“Miss Yu hes sick”
Sigh
“Don't you worry about that ok? I'll make you dinner and then I'll take care of him”
“Ok”
Wukong overhead the name Yu ming
The mortal was strangely unphased by what Wukong described to her, and then she left to go to the dojo.