Chapter Text
“You want me to… what?"
Incredulity was clear in Macaque's voice, all-in with the energy alike to hearing a stranger proclaiming in the middle of the street that you two were lovers in a past life.
MK remained smiling, a brilliant smile unwavering in the face of such a non-believer. He further sunk into the couch, it being one of the only things that was not worn-down too much to be comfortable on in the dojo that he just as he pleases made himself home into―or well, broke into―several moments ago.
It was not uncommon for the hero to be suddenly barging in or announcing himself as the guest of the day out of nowhere. Macaque was used to it by now. But breaking in even before the break of dawn, that right there was rare even for his caliber.
He was truly lucky Macaque was awake.
Or not.
If he had planned to kill him in his sleep, then definitely not.
So, really, depended on what he came for.
Though Macaque barely slept most of the time anyway, he kept that mostly to himself.
Unimportant information, he deemed. Didn't concern anyone. Especially not the reckless young hero.
Because just how irresponsible you had to be to sneak into your ex-enemy-turned-ally's place?
Despite that thought, Macaque made no move to comment on how easily MK let down his defense at these passing moments. Something that he shouldn't have really done in the presence of someone like him. Who―as he mentioned earlier in his mind―happened to be an ex-villain.
But considering the hero's bizarre life choices on trusting almost every villain that he came across to in his adventures, it wasn't exactly out of ordinary. Hilariously. Frustratingly. A scowl briefly made itself known in his expression.
When he glanced to take a peek at the other, he wondered briefly if there was anything much better on MK’s side of the couch.
Because how could he make it look so… cozy.
‘If i were to just sink in with him...," his mind uttered without a place for it to arrive home and he adamantly ignored it.
MK hummed something like a 'yes' and not―a sluggish sound that slurred past his lips and mingled with the silence that rang between them―and went to repeat what he was saying, “I want you to help me make chocolates, y'know, for valentine.”
Then he paused, rolling his head to the side with a questioning gesture of the hand, before continuing, “Uh, you do know, right?”
Macaque wasn't sure if MK were asking whether he knew about the event or whether he had any idea why the successor of the Great Sage was asking him for cooperation on this out of all other people the hero knew and close with. The kid kept making ‘friends’ out of all the people he ran into. Who knows how many of those brainless minions he had by now? Beats him.
He opted for the former.
“I'm well aware. Don't know why you mortals even made up such events though but I know the gist.”
He leaned more of his weight onto the hand he had propped on the armrest on his side, cradling his cheek in his palm the way one would feign disinterest. “Which is today. Are you trying to rope me into being a last minute helper?”
MK immediately straightened up in his seat to that―catching Macaque and his poor poor heart off guard―and turned to face the shadow wielder again while seemingly taking a scolding stance in such a short time―“That is SO NOT right!” he exclaimed then and there―which wasn't really effective because when Macaque raised an eyebrow, MK seemed to hunch back into himself a little bit before somehow pushing through in his usual determined fashion, “Well, maybe a little. But! That is not the reason!”
Macaque blankly stared at him for a bit―which had MK started sweating―before he gestured at him to elaborate and MK, unlucky for Macaque, scooted closer to lean far into the demon's personal space bubble. He swore he could almost smell his shampoo.
“So you know how we don't reaaaaaally trust each other?” was said by the kid, bluntly with a much too childishly adorable mannerism for someone of his age, waving his index finger as if to draw a point. Macaque once again ignored his mind.
“Ouch, I'm hurt, kiddo” The monkey's tail swayed languidly in the air despite the mock hurt he was trying to aim for, a lazy smirk on the owner's face, amusement poorly hidden.
MK only pouted at the display.
“Well, it’s not like I completely distrust you.”
“Uh-huh.”
“But you would definitely do something," MK said as a matter-of-fact. "Like putting too much salt.”
“I honestly haven't thought of that… but hey, you know what? Great idea, bud! Let's do that one for Monkey King's.”
“See, that is what I mean! And if I were to give you chocolate right now, would you eat it?”
“No," He answered without a pause.
‘Yes,’ His heart unnecessarily added.
“As I thought,” MK appeared to be proud and Macaque could see an adorable little puppy in his place, he internally groaned, “That's why I made this perfect plan!”
“You―” the sunshine-incarnate simply grinned and pointed at him, unbothered by the perplexed expression Macaque was steadily taking on―”are going to help me with making them so you can't refuse them, saying I'm trying to poison you or something.”
“And I will have a very generous helping hand. Another master plan from MK the Monkie Kid!”
Genius. Except for the part in the plan where the so-called generous helping hand was the most likely to poison the goods.
Macaque decided to not point out the holes in that logic. He had something way more critical that bugged his mind and needed to ask about.
“Why do you want to give one to me?”
And wasn't that the biggest mystery of it all?
Why would anyone even want to give anything to him, that just didn't make sense. In a lot of aspects. Mostly self-preservation wise.
“Last time i checked, it's a day meant for lovers.”
MK seemed to think for a bit, eyes glancing to the side and a finger tapping on his chin. Macaque observed the action, feigning indifference when the truth was his eyes tried their hardest not to wander further up.
There was so many things wrong with him.
“It doesn't have to be like that, tho? Mei and I exchange chocolates every year. And to Pigsy and Mr. Tang also. Oh and Sandy plus Monkey King last year too!” MK listed them all on his fingers while looking down at his lap with a blinding excitement, his love for them palpable in the animated way he explained about how the day for him was just meant to express appreciation for the people around him, friends and family.
How he celebrated it in the years before he became the Monkie Kid. How he first celebrated it after meeting his legendary admired hero.
Macaque's heart thumped a weak yet painful beat at that, melancholy clouding his expression.
There was envy in there, for reasons unknown. Reasons that he had always been avoiding to face head on. For acknowledging them would make him feel like he lost. He was never in tune with his feelings in the first place anyway. That fact alone just didn't help the matter at all.
Reasons that he couldn't realize for as long as his pride resisted.
It festered.
Deep down, he knew he was just slowing down the inevitable.
And MK must have noticed the strange change in demeanor. That, or he had already finished his long rant when Macaque wasn't paying attention. He might have zoned out for a little too long if that was the case.
Because before he knew it, MK's gaze was piercing straight at him, a surprisingly tender yet resilient look adorning his face, softer in tone than his excitement from earlier but somehow retaining a tenacity of emotion that the shadow just couldn't identify.
What he said next pulled the rug under him even more.
“I want to give you one this year.”
Those beautiful eyes looked at him earnestly, trying to convey something that his brain couldn't compute right now. Whatever precious sentiment he saw in those gems, it was directed purely at him. And a whisper in his head told him that it was not something he deserved. He agreed without missing a beat. Unlike his heart that kept jumping over their own rhythm.
No response. And yet MK barreled through like always. "Before you say no, I appreciate you with me here." He looked down then at his hands, nervously wringing them together.
And he glanced up back at him again faster than Macaque could decide whether he would like to just call this a dream and smush his face into MK's fluffy-looking tufts of hair to possibly suffocate himself within it to go back to reality. "I want to show that, and well, you can just think of this as a trade? We give each other chocolates that we make together?"
With each words that MK muttered shyly, Macaque could feel his brain steadily progressing into a shutdown.
MK continued nonetheless, oblivious to the dilemma that the shadow was having at that moment. He tilted his head, giving his best killer move―a massive set of damned puppy eyes. “Please?”
A pin dropped and made ripples onto the surface of Macaque's rationality.
Something definitely shifted between them and moments passed.
A deep exaggerated sigh and a facepalm later, Macaque had uttered his agreement which MK readily cheered for, a loud exclamation of joy akin to someone winning a lottery. Which in this case was probably true, the circumstance was about the same level of achievement of that. Normally, at least.
The ex-villain begrudgingly admitted to himself that this likely wouldn't be the last time he surrendered. He made a mental note to practice a means to refuse those puppy eyes later.
“Okay then leggooo!” The cheerful voice broke through Macaque's thoughts―”Huh?" a weak confused sound escaped him―as he felt hands pull him up onto his feet, almost stumbling forward onto the culprit that had eagerly disrupted him.
MK grinned at him cheekily, boyish charm at full power when they stood face to face like this, the younger out of the two of them somehow being a few inches taller.
"You won't regret this!"
Macaque lightly chuckled. "I sure hope so. You did barge in at 4 AM or something."
"If you would just take the initiative to hang out with other living beings, I wouldn't have to drag you everytime."
"And then miss the chance of having all the attention of our beloved hero for myself?" Macaque sneered at him, intentionally revealing his fangs in an all too-mean grin. The sharp glint clearly took the hero's attention by the way he briefly glanced to it.
MK then pretended his gaze hadn't drifted away and just shook his head at Macaque's antics.
“The stuff is in my place,” His hands stayed where they were, holding the shadow's hand as if it belonged there. Warm. Macaque didn't mention it, didn't want for it to be noticed. MK continued without a care as if granting Macaque's inner wish, “You can just teleport us there, right? The kitchen is free for use right now, Pigsy opens the shop later than usual today.”
“We just gotta be sneaky,” MK whispered to him scandalously, unexpectedly low voice deep with mirth.
He knew then what kind of motivation MK was going for.
A secret mission of some sort. The kind of shenanigans that brought muffled giggles into one's day.
Macaque scoffed at him, at how ridiculous it was all as well as how traitorous his heart was being by thinking that such a thing would be most enjoyable as long as together with the person holding his hand and his heart right now.
Even though he knew it wasn't true. He knew for a fact that MK would invite Macaque of all people into the chef's kitchen. MK wouldn't betray Pigsy's trust just for this.
Still, he played along.
Because the thrill of it ran through his veins deliciously.
Because it wouldn't do any harm, right?
And maybe because MK looked at him like that.
The mere thought of that last one made him internally scowl.
“Oh yeah?” Macaque drawled out, even if he was quite done with all this already despite the enticing aspects of it. They were just beginning, he thought mournfully. Can't let them just beat me, hm?
To spite the world for their tricks at him, he retaliated. “I know a thing or two about that," he flashed him a gleefully wrong sight of a grin before sidestepping MK while managing to nimbly swerve his steps until they spun to a mirror image of their position previously.
MK held on to him and followed his steps all the while letting out a few surprised noises. Blindly obeying the strings like a puppet. He wondered if MK would still hold his hand tight and never let him go, even if he were to lead him into a sharp and deadly tango of the limbs.
Would he still keep his grip even if he lost his footing and fell to the cold ground because of him? Would he willingly held on as they dived into the abyss, never to be found after? Horrifying. But a thought nonetheless. Something to be considered later.
For now, he opted to squeeze the warmth in his hands and pull them down with him as they fell right into a portal of his making. The cold was very much welcomed for he was akin to burning alive from the warmth on his hands.
They fell. And fell.
The next time they emerged out into the real world, still intact and breathing, they landed squarely onto MK's bed. Groans muffled into Macaque's front with Macaque's own huff squeezed out, pleasant warmth all over pressing onto him.
On second thought, he didn't really think this through. But an actor could not and would not stop the show once they were on stage.
Hands still intertwined, with the hero's hands pinning each of his besides his head due to how they fell, Macaque waited patiently as the weight on top of him shifted and lessened by the seconds.
Puffs of breath dangerously close to his neck. Vulnerability and close distance that his body somehow both craved for and recoiled away from.
Finally, MK got up enough to notice their position, with him pinning his ex-mentor down on his own bed.
If anyone saw them like that, they would definitely misunderstand the situation.
Even themselves didn't know what to make of the situation.
MK's cheeks rapidly gained a reddish color, face flaming to a degree that could burn several houses. He immediately let go of the other's hands and rolled over to the other side of the small bed, not surprisingly managing to headbutt the wall in his haste.
Macaque sat up, entirely confused still and trying to register what just happened, only to double over laughing at the state the young hero was in, clutching his forehead in the form of a whining curled ball. The several whines started loud before tapering off into smaller noises.
Macaque laughed despite how his heart felt like he had teleported a hundred times over within a few seconds. The shade of redness that contrasted his mask could either be explained from how much he laughed, how long he held his breath while under MK, or how fast his blood was being pumped to his face from all that happened. Answer might be all three but no one would know.
At least this would teach MK not to willingly go along with him and not to carelessly touch him if he didn't want to be pulled into an uncomfortable situation with him.
He hoped so. He could only hope.
After Macaque was done laughing at the other's ridiculous reaction, he noticed the other was in some kind of trance―gaping at him in awe with his hands still on his forehead, no longer rubbing the ache out of it.
Out of breath and unguarded emotions.
Before he could question it, MK broke out of the trance and got out of bed in such a short time as if he got caught doing something bad. Which he probably did. Just that Macaque couldn't pinpoint the reason for that look.
Weird.
MK sheepishly chuckled once back onto his feet. "That was real weird, huh?" Yes.
He refused to look back at Macaque, trying not to give away whatever expression he currently had. Though, his ears were clearly red despite the barely enough source of light in the room helping Macaque to confirm it.
“Uh, kid? Are you―"
“Well! Um, gotta prepare the stuff for the chocolate thingy! I’ll go down first!" MK spouted out in a hurry. "Come down when you're ready, kay? Bye bye! SEE YOU LATER, I MEAN! Reaaal soon haha!”
With that, MK opened the door and didn't bother to close it again before zooming out of Macaque's sight. He wanted to call out to him but he was too far by then.
Weirded out with a strange feeling in his chest, the celestial primate instead let himself fall back into the cushion, sprawled there as he thought back to the reactions he saw.
Silence swept over him. The quiet a balm for his still rushing heart. Letting it calm down enough to retrieve its usual beat.
Macaque liked inducing reactions out of the people he provoked.
Yet this was different.
To be honest, he was expecting annoyance, an unnerving look, that or straight up disgust afterwards. He didn't expect whatever was that earlier. Getting flustered in that promising position was normal, he supposed. But that was... it felt too out of place somehow.
A reaction that he could only identified as... No, that couldn't be... Whatever.
He decided it was too many dilemmas to be had at this hour, he could quite literally portal back to his dojo and call it a day at this point. It was not like MK was with him right now. He really could just be done with it.
But at the same time, he just couldn't.
He actually wanted to be better, didn't he?
He wanted to be deserving. Of what?
MK's warm hands came to mind as if answering.
He cursed his heart, as always a disappointing little thing. It was supposed to be dead.
Not that he had any right to complain. He made his bed, now he has to lie in it.
Knowing that wallowing there wouldn't solve anything, he reluctantly got up and fixed his appearance to at least reduce the dishevelment caused by what happened earlier. No one would need the reminder. Not him. Not MK.
He then followed the previous steps taken by the other.
Going down, he realized it was the first time he ever got a chance to see the place while it was still pleasantly quiet. No one else seemed to be there besides them two. It was quite odd for the chef to not be there, no matter what, even if the place supposedly opens way later. Macaque thought he would already be there to prepare early, looking at his personality. He brushed the thought away. After all, it was none of his business.
MK was already there with his apron on when Macaque made his way over. He was glaring at the items all spread over on the counter before he noticed the monkey's presence who couldn't help giving a flick or two of his tail when the hero looked his way.
“Ah, there you are!”
MK was back to the unforgivingly bright persona and he was glad for it. He could pretend nothing happened too.
“Well, well, the chef of the day is ready, I see. What are we making?" Macaque leaned on the pillar beside the counter, asserting the ingredients. “Doesn't look like much to be done with.”
“We are just making cocoa coated pieces of chocolates. I got a weird shape cutter to try on for Mei and then...” MK went on to mutter almost too quietly to belong in a conversation of two as if he were just wondering out loud to himself but Macaque had no problem on hearing him so he just hummed back at him, acknowledging the basic plan.
MK then turned to him as if only just now he remembered the other was there, and quickly shortened the distance between them. “Take off your scarf, or cape, just whatever this thing is," he said while tugging at the material that hugged snugly around Macaque's neck.
Macaque only blinked at him for a moment, gears turning in his head before blurting out, “Excuse me??”
“I don't want you flapping your dramatic way into getting chocolate all over this thing and blame me for it. Here, I got you an apron too." He retrieved a simple white apron like the one he wore before shoving it to the slightly shorter monkey, tugging the red fabric again like an impatient child and starting to fuss over his clothes.
Macaque felt the blood trying to rush to his head again at the pull and tug. Did MK even know what this would have looked like to others? He could only guess the answer. “I can take it off myself, bud."
At the reprimand, MK froze in his place and slowly returned his hands to his side. Quite stiffly. Scratching the back of his head, he backed away to give the poor monkey some breathing room that didn't involve them directly breathing in each other's smell.
Macaque brushed it away like he did for every life problem he has had, settling on to ease the atmosphere with what he does best. “I'm surprised you didn't give me a Monkey King apron, to be honest, considering how you claimed to be his biggest fan.”
Poking fun at the kid's almost-blasphemous obsession to the Great Sage, that is.
MK let out a gasp, exaggerated offended look plastered on his face. “You would run the moment I pull that. I’m trying to be a good host over here, mind you!”
“Do I even have to help? I could just… stand over here, on a safe distance from your potential mishaps—” an indignant protest can be heard from the hero—”and cheer you on just like how your loyal fans do it. Certainly no one helps you usually, why should I? I’m just a weak, weak bystander. An endangered species too. There are only 4 of us mystic monkeys, you know?” If MK were to be counted, five. Macaque mused.
“Haha, real funny.” MK rolled his eyes yet a small smile still blossomed afterwards, amusement remained clear to one’s eye as well as something else—a hopeless endearment if he dared to think of it as such. Alas, he was a coward. Had been for a long time.
Macaque shook his head, hoping to bury the feeling that he couldn't—and wouldn’t—name as well with it. Curiosity killed the cat. Curiosity killed the cat. He didn’t want to be the cat.
“You are not really baking anything anyway. Couldn’t you have bought those weird shaped chocolates for Valentine at the store? Why bother with this?”
“Well, for one, that is not made with love—” “It’s the exact same thing.” Macaque insisted—”TWO,” MK narrowed his eyes at him as if reprimanding a naughty cat who just bit him out of boredom. It was clear that he didn’t want to be interrupted so Macaque graciously, out of the generosity of his heart, shut himself up, “Those are lovingly paired with ravenous taxes. So it is both a product of no love AND money-hungry top class of the food chain. And I'm a low-class worker. Did you get it so far?”
“They really should just pay you for saving the city. It would only be fair.”
“I wish.” MK woefully sighed.
He then regained his energetic aura, “Besides, intentions are real important in this kind of stuff! You thought of the person it is meant for when you’re making them. That’s what makes them special.”
MK softly smiled while starting to work on melting the block of dark chocolates. Getting all the utensils needed. Movements calm and content. Something that Macaque again noticed he had been allowing to happen around him for sometime now. Since after they started hanging out more often. Since his presence became more of at least a weekly occurrence.
Macaque went to take off the scarf around his neck as he let MK’s voice drone on in the background, soothing him, “And if it’s an easy thing, then that is all the more reason to make it with our own hands. I just think it’s nice…” MK noticed when he came over to his side, wearing an apron that didn't suit his persona at all, sorting out what was sprawled across the counter.
The hero's expression turned even more soft if that was even possible, mellowed at the edges, and closed his eyes as he bumped his elbow to the person next to him who had somehow become another precious person in his life.
His words echoed, “....it’s nice if your feelings can reach that person in that way.” What was uttered seemed like it was hinting at something, desperately trying to reach past invisible barriers.
Macaque only hummed, undisturbed, his facade not betraying the fluttering that threatened to escape his insides—a fast thumping that he prayed only heard by him.
A strange form of blessing that MK had been Wukong’s successor and not his. If he were any similar to him in abilities, if he were the same kind of celestial primate like he was specifically, he would have known what the shadow’s heart sounded like when infected by his simple touches. A ticking bomb just thrashing around in his chest.
“Yeah, maybe you're right.” Maybe it was all that he ever wanted.
MK laughed a joyful one, like the telltale of spring awaiting them after the harsh winter. The note of his laugh, reflection of his soul, tingled Macaque's own core as it recorded and saved the precious thing so that he could always remember what the sound of happiness defined as.
“You could always talk to me, if you want to. You did say you should, remember?”
“Should I be honored that you remembered that?” MK only gave him a shrug, a lazy smirk sat there on his face, one that day by day resembled his own too much, which spoke of how entangled they were becoming by each day, a saying goes that you will eventually imitate the mannerism of people close to you.
Macaque chuckled under his breath, “I'll keep it in mind”
They both smiled a genuine one, each to their own characteristic. A pure buzzing delight for one of them, and a serene calm radiance for the other. Contrasting yet fitting in a way.
The quiet soon engulfed the space as they worked together, hands occasionally brushing each other's.
If they could just stay like this forever, it would have been nice, Macaque selfishly thought and wanted.
“On second thought, how about we do your idea with the salt―”
“No.”
An argument.
A plea of the guilty.
Mischief that requested for approval.
No matter how many times the shadow wielder argued, the answer was always a ‘No’. But he could tell that MK wasn't particularly bothered by the incessant prodding, judging by how he laughed at every new argument that Macaque served to him.
Sly hands that was then granted.
A satisfied look that was its own reward.
If MK did notice Macaque sneakily putting an unholy amount of salt on one piece of chocolate from the batch meant for Monkey King before freezing it, he didn't mention it.
It was a compromise, after all.