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MK knew he wasn’t the sharpest knife in the shed, but even he knew that trying to find Monkey King through the whirlwind of memories in the broken scroll would probably take a while.
After he and Macaque made the decision to travel through the scroll that imprisoned Wukong (after Macaque rightfully called him out of not being very educated on the journey to the west) the two were jumping from one memory to the next. From when Wukong first met the other monkeys to when he failed his mission to defeat the Jade emperor, they traveled through the ripped and broken memories.
After his defeat, Wukong was placed in a prison underneath a mountain for the next five thousand years. MK felt his heart pulse with emotion at seeing his hero/idol in such a predicament. Even though he knew that Wukong technically deserved it in a way, it still hurts!
The pain for Macaque became ten times greater when the monk showed up. The black furred monkey sighs as the man walks up to Wukong “that is until…he showed up. The monk.”
MK didn’t pay much attention to this character in the books, despite him being the literal main character of the journey to the west. (In his defense however they did dedicate the first seven chapters to Wukong so it’s kinda surprising is all.)
Now there were times that MK actually tried to read about his story in the books, but he never managed to capture his attention like Monkey King did so he never got far. He seemed like a nice guy and his bubble powers are pretty cool but they aren’t on par with Monkey King’s powers. And whenever he made the decision (on the rare occasion) to ask Monkey King about the monk and what it was like to travel alongside him, his reaction always stuck with the kid.
At first he would be surprised by the question before visibly sagging his shoulders, a heavy sigh leaving him as he looks away and merely saying “it was fine.” Before diverting his attention away to some training method.
He never gave it much thought before…
He was snapped out of his stupor when he hears shouting coming from Wukong. While he was thinking, Tripitaka had managed to free Wukong and place the circlet on his head, ensuring that the monkey would be kept in check while they traveled.
Macaques hands clench in fists at the sight but they had to leave since clearly, this was in the past and there is no changing it.
“So it’s true then? Monkey King was really a bad guy?”
“Well…that’s what Azure would have you believe. He was on a path to destruction but when he followed the monk on his journey…he was put on another path.” Is what Macaque decides to say instead.
“Ah- the path of the good guys right?!”
“Not…exactly.” He shakes his head “Wukong became more subdued but old habits die hard, kid. Took him a while to get accustomed to being restrained by a mortal. But eventually even his stubborn instincts were dulled…”
MK tilts his head quizzically, “how did the monk manage to get the monkey king to become more calm?”
Macaque stills. His form tenses before sagging with a sigh, “throughout their travels they had to become closer and find a middle ground. That changed both of them.”
The two jumped through the tear and ended up in another memory. MK and Macaque look around, unsure of what this one was.
“Master wait!” The voice of Wukong spoke up, catching their attention. The two see Wukong lightly jogging to catch up with Tripitaka who looked to be in an upset mood “I-I didn’t mean-!”
Tripitaka whirls around, his face contorted in pain “I- I just-please give me a moment of reprieve Wukong!”
The other pilgrims followed behind them, with Ao Lie speaking up “but master we didn’t mean to-!”
“Silence!” His voice is firm and left no room for argument “I- simply wish to alone…”
He makes no more moves to leave them, merely slumping down to the ground, uncaring about how the ground will dirty his clean robes “I…I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell at you. I’m just so tired…”
The pilgrims look at one another, differing expressions of sadness and confusion were traded amongst one another as the monk turns away “I-I miss home so badly…even if I was bullied heavily and I-I didn’t really have any friends…it was at least safe…”
Wukong has known about how much Tripitaka has suffered at the hands of the older monks at the monastery, one of the only comforts he had was books and learning. Sure, eventually as he grew older, the other monks had mellowed out eventually and they would make amends with Tripitaka. However even after he forgave them, he was already far too engulfed in learning and knowledge that he simply had no more interest in friendships.
The monk was then sent on this journey with four other demons who were all learning to grow as well. The change from the safety of the monastery to almost getting eaten every day was drastic. While Tripitaka had no problem with getting eaten at the beginning of the journey (if it meant no violence then he was willing to be sacrificed) there gets to a point where even he can barely stand it. He was just so tired of the danger and not being able to somehow get the demon to change their mind. He knew it wouldn’t be easy but can’t one demon hear him out?
Macaque gestures to another gap in the memory “cmon kid, we should leave. This isn’t our Wukong either.”
And MK would have left with no issue. He gets up from his kneeling position and then takes a step in Macaque’s direction-
When a light airy whistling sound reaches his ears. It also reaches Macaque’s hidden six ears as the dark furred monkey turns back to see what was happening.
The two see the monkey king’s lips pursed together, whistling a tune that seemed to travel through the air as it rose and lowered through the tones as he stares at Tripitaka with a soft smile as his eyes glimmer with hidden affection.
MK has heard that whistle before… whenever he would train for long periods of time, Wukong would mindlessly whistle that tune as he lounged or ate peaches. Whenever MK would call him out on it, he’d stop the tune. (After a couple of minutes he’d whistle it again though.)
The monkey child slowly kneels back down, his knees making a thumping noise in the dirt as he gazes at the scene. Macaque does the same.
Wukong walks with precision towards the monk, every step deliberate and slow as if to not startle him. When he reaches Tripitaka he gets on one knee-
“I’ll swim and sail in savage seas… with not a fear of drowning.” He softly sang, his tone so calm yet strong it seemed to make the world stop.
Tripitaka has slowed his crying, his tears shiny against his cheeks as he sniffles “W-Wukong…?”
“And gladly ride the waves of life~ if you will stay with me… no scorching sun, nor freezing cold will st-“
“Will stop me on this journey!!” Bajie shouts, interrupting them with his impromptu singing.
…
“Sorry…” he mutters as he steps back with Wujing giving him a side eye and Ao Lie lightly slapping him on the arm for interrupting.
Wukong glares but then places a hand on Tripitaka’s trembling one and continues:
“Could you promise me your heart…?”
The monk gasps and his eyes widen as the monkey blushed, his tail slightly curled in to convey just how anxious he truly was in this moment. Tripitaka could feel his heart beat so fast it was thumping against his ears like a rhythmic song “I…you…”
“And love…” his smile slowly disappears as Tripitaka looks away, not even daring to look at him. That was enough to tip off that his master didn’t reciprocate his feelings. Wukong was about to back off, feeling saddened and embarrassed by his rejection…
But then-
“And love me for eternity.~•” Tripitaka sang out a lyric, his voice as light and airy as ever as he sung. While no professional, he still sounded as elegant as ever, akin to a bird and it’s high tone.
Wukong’s eyes widen as his master stands up and places a hand on his furry cheek, “my dearest one, my darling dear, your mighty words astound me-“ he walks around Wukong with gentle footsteps that barely leave any footprints in the dirt, “-but I’ve no need of mighty deeds when I feel your arms around me.”
The monkey can feel his heartbeat pick up as his master holds up his hand, his palm facing him. Wukong copies him and placed his hand on his as they circle one another. Wukong grins, “but I would bring you rings of gold and even sing you poetry!”
Tripitaka rolls his eyes with a fond smile, “oh would you?”
Wukong grabs his other hand, “and I’d protect you from all harm- if you would stay beside me!”
The other pilgrims watch as Wukong places one hand on Tripitaka’s waist while the other was still gently gripping his delicate hand. The monk returns his touch with placing one hand on his shoulder and letting him lead him in a slow dance.
Wukong twirls him as Tripitaka sung, “but I have no use for rings of gold, and I don’t need your poetry! I only want your hand to hold-!”
“I only need you near me!”
Sandy whoops as he grabs Pigsy and Ao Lie and spins them around, “let’s dance you guys! Can’t let them show us up!”
“W-wha!? Hey Sandy-!” Pigsy sputters.
Ao Lie cackles with glee, “woooooooo!!”
Wukong lifts up his master in the air by his waist as they sung, “to love, to kiss, to sweetly hold! For the dancing and the dreaming!” Tripitaka laughs out loud as he was dipped, “through all of life’s sorrows and delights I’d keep your laugh inside me!”
MK was one awe at how gentle his teacher was being with Tripitaka. From how sad and angry his teacher looked every time he mentioned him he assumed they were enemies, or at best, reluctant friends that had to put up with one another. He never imagined this was how they were. It was like a scene out of a romance movie.
Macaque watches them sing their hearts out with great envy, wondering how such a weak and spineless monk ensnared such a powerful demon. Wukong always hated weak people and demons, deeming them unimportant and a waste of time.
Yet here he was, happily dancing and singing with other demons and a human who he wouldn’t have given the time of day way back when. Even now, he helps MK and his friends stop whatever monster or demon that tries to hurt people or take over the city or something else along those lines.
Macaque clenches his hands so hard, his nails dig into his skin, ‘I hate how you changed so much for him.’
“I’ll swing and sail those savage seas-! Not a fair of drowning! And gladly ride those waves of life if you would stay with me!” They sang while pressing their foreheads against one another as the other three pilgrims sang with them.
Wukong chuckles as he presses a delicate kiss on his forehead and whispers to him, “I know we’ve had a rocky start to this pilgrimage…”
Tang gives him a look, a smile that stretches so wide it splits his face, “you’ve come such a long way my pilgrim sun.”
“But I’m glad it was you who saved me from that mountain. I’m sorry I lost my temper once again…”
The monk smooths his furry cheeks out with his hands, a look of awe on his face, “I forgive you. I’m happy as well…” he takes Wukong’s hand in his as he turns to the others, “you’ve all made wonderful progress throughout our journey together and while I do miss my home at the monastery, I’m also glad we’ve made this journey together.”
Sandy and Pigsy blush bashfully as they take in the praise, nodding eagerly and thanking their master. Ao Lie smiles and jumps in joy. Finally, Wukong embraces him again, his tail even wrapping around Tripitaka’s thigh, “thank you…master.”
Tripitaka smiles that serene smile of his before planting a gentle kiss on Wukong’s forehead, “thank you Wukong.”
Sandy brings everyone into a group hug, while mildly tearing up, “I love you guys!” He shouts as they embrace him back.
MK sits back from the interaction, pieces inside his head clicking together. No wonder his teacher never wanted to talk so much about his master.
Were they actually…?
Macaque clicks his tongue against his teeth and abruptly stands up. His black furred tail lashed out in irritation and he swiftly turned away from the heart wrenching scene, “we… we should probably get going now. Still gotta find Wukong.”
MK wordlessly nods as he follows Macaque. He does turn around one more time, watching the pure adoration from Wukong’s eyes as he stares at his master.
MK sighs and jumps through another tear in memory, ‘I’m sorry monkey king. I wish I could somehow help you.’
Maybe he should really get into the books after this save oh the world mission…