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In a tree somewhere on Flower Fruit Mountain, Nine and Peng laze comfortably on a tree's branches, surrounded by ripe plums. Nine's nestled in Peng's lap, munching on one of them.
"Honestly, how did you know where to find this place?"
Nine looks up at Peng.
"Huh, you don't like?"
Peng replies, "No, it's not that; it's just that my brothers and I have lived on this damned mountain for centuries now, and I still find myself getting lost sometimes. Yet, you've only visited me a handful of times and walked me straight here..."
Nine takes another bite of his plum and says, "You really want to know?"
"Yes, I would."
"Sorry," the snake demon says, putting a finger to his lips, "but insiders secret, love. Shhh..."
The eagle crosses their arms and scoffs.
"You are insufferable with that bullshit, I swear!"
He chuckles, stating, "You know, you're remarkably cute when you get all pouty like that."
Peng scowls at him. With that, he quickly relents, "Okay, fine, fine," and admits the following, "The truth is, I knew Wukong in a past life. We used to come up here all the time."
They laugh, leaning down to rest on Nine's shoulder.
"So, what were you both, just your average chimp back then too?"
They tease, calling his bluff.
Nine answers them with a lie, "Of course, what else?"
Peng blinks, surprised by his earnest tone. But they are far from convinced. "Huh, the cycle of reincarnation is truly an odd one, then."
He picks up Peng's hand and says, "Odd indeed," then kisses it.
Peng blushes, caught off guard by his sudden affection. They pull away from him, nonchalantly reaching for a plum, like nothing happened.
Watching them do so, Nine comments under his breath, "Oh, you are far too easy, Peng."
"Hey, I head that!"
The avian scoops him up in their arms, the snake-haired man, laughing like a madman as they do. The two lock eyes. Peng coos, placing their forehead against his.
"I love you," Peng says.
Nine sighs, saying back, "I love you too..."