Work Text:
Night had fallen over Flower Fruit Mountain some hours ago, leaving the Monkey King alone in his cave once more. He lies under an immortal peach tree he'd planted centuries ago during his Havoc in Heaven days. Around him lie dozens of peach seeds, Wukong having spent the last hour stuffing his face full of the heavenly delicacies. He lets out a satisfied huff, leaning back against the tree.
He stays in this position for a moment or so with his eyes shut, then opens them. He shifts his gaze toward his chest, eying the spot where the knot of his cape meets his shirt. A faint glow shines through the shaded section of his clothing. Wukong reaches inside and pulls out a blue flower. As he does so, he feels his face change, his expression turning sorrowful.
"Azure..."
This plant was Azure, or rather what was left of him after he sacrificed himself to save the world. Wukong could sense his lingering aura from it, and since then he's held on to it—storing it close to his heart.
He sighs.
In the end, Azure had done more harm than good for the world. But that didn't matter to the sage. No, what mattered was that Azure was his friend, his mate—someone he loved and cared for dearly.
Wukong stares at it, twirling the flower's stem between his fingers. A thought passes through his mind as he does so—one that compels him to reach for one of its petals. Petal in hand, he plucks it from its center. He quickly regrets this action, beginning to panic before realizing the petal he pulled off continues to glow.
"Hoof! Thank the gods!"
With confirmation that pulling the plant's petals wouldn't affect Azure's aura within, Wukong lets go of it and lets it fall to the ground.
"He loves me."
Then he plucks another petal.
"He loves me not..."
Then another.
"He loves me."
And then again.
"He loves me not..."
Finally, once more,
"He loves me..."
He clutches the now bare flower stem in his hand, a wistful smile forming on his face.
"I love you, too."
With a deep sigh, Wukong takes the stem and ties it around his finger like a ring. He then lies down in front of the tree and yawns, shutting his eyes. Soon enough, the king finds himself fast asleep, nestled between the immortal peach tree's trunk and the five luminescent petals he had plucked from its stem. As he sleeps, he imagines Azure himself is laid there behind him—holding him close, his strong arms wrapped tightly around him.
The dream is so vivid, he swears he can feel Azure's hot breath against his face, the rise and fall of his chest against his back. But come morning, Wukong is left as he was last night—alone. It doesn't bother him, though; he has become rather used to the feeling by now.
Besides, the petals' ever persistent glow is enough company.