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A blissful night, they thought. Nothing more rewarding after an entire day fighting crooks than lying in Wukong’s nest whilst the owl sang them a lullaby. They held each other tight as they drifted off to slumber, with Yang Jian’s hands around Wukong’s waist while the monkey simply laid his smaller body against the demigod’s chest. A peaceful moment between them, till they heard a couple of soft footsteps coming towards their chamber, and a hand pushing the wooden door open. It didn’t take them long to be awakened from their deep sleep, to see two little boys holding each other’s hands, each clutching their stuffed animal tight to their chest.
“Bàba, Jiùjiu… Can we sleep with you?” Chenxiang asked. “Nezha had a nightmare.”
“No, I didn’t! You were the one waking up and asked if there was a shadow monster under the bed.” Nezha argued.
“Okay? Then who was too scared to go back to sleep because he thinks the shadow man is in the closet?” Chenxiang scrunched his nose.
“You disturbed me! And you don’t want to sleep either.” Nezha said, puffing his cheeks.
Wukong and Jian looked at each other. Ah, their boys’ monthly nightmare. They didn’t think they'd still be asking permission to sleep with them, but here they were.
“Okay, okay.” Yang Jian sat up. “You both had a nightmare and want to sleep with us.” They both nodded.
“Come here.” Wukong patted on the space between him and Jian. Chenxiang and Nezha didn’t hesitate to get on the bed, Chenxiang next to Wukong while Nezha next to Jian, tucking themselves underneath the soft blankets Sha Wujing gifted, as their parents pecked their foreheads. They were about to return to their slumber, until Nezha said;
“Wait! Don’t you think we should…”
“... Check if the shadow monsters are here?” Chenxiang continued.
Had it been any other day, Wukong and Yang Jian would laugh it off, saying there was nothing that could hear them, much less they’re deities—aside from the fact Nezha and Chenxiang were barely scared of anything. But given how exhausted they all were and to soothe their paranoia, Jian opened the closet room and confirmed it was empty. The boys sighed in relief, making Wukong giggle.
“Don’t worry. Your Bàba and I’ll make sure nothing gets the both of you.” Jian assured them.
“And if they do get you, we’ll make them regret the day they were born.” They all laughed.
“Diē,” Nezha turned to Jian. “Can we go to the funfair in the city tomorrow afternoon?”
“Of course, Xiǎolían.” Jian softly ruffled Nezha’s hair.
“That means we can wear our new hanfu!” Chenxiang excitedly said, thinking about the beautiful sets of hanfu Ao Lie gifted them. “Can we, Bà? Can we?”
“Of course, cub. Just don’t get it dirty, okay?” The boys nodded. “Go to bed. We’re waking up early if we wanna go to the festival.”
And they all drifted off into a blissful slumber while snuggling each other, with another chaotic day awaiting.