Archive of Our Own ^beta

This is the 10th fan letter Monkey King had received this week alone.

He was used to fans yes, but not of him. It was always the racers, who cares about a freaky guy with an even freakier mask right? A child apparently.

He opened it, his little furballs all gathering around. The kid was gushing about how cool his racetracks were, how he wanted to be just like him when he grew up, how awesomely greatly cooly dangerous everything was. He guessed the kid was around 6 or 7, just from the writing alone. He tried not to show it in front of the monkey clones, but he was touched.

Another thing he noted was that it wans't delivered by a deliveryman no no, the letter was from a childrens hospital and apparently the doctor themself came to personally deliver it. Very unheard if. He cackled at the thought of such a caring doctor.

"Gotta be something horribly wrong with them..."

"Bao! Slow down!"

You were assigned to a little boy, Bao. He loved the idea of racing cars, the tracks themselves already exciting him immensely. You should know. You had just delivered his 10th fan mail to the mysterious race track boss just this week yesterday. And now, 11th.

"I can't! Racers never do! The track never...do?" He looks at you, "Does," you nod, "The race track never does!" He corrected himself. He's picked up the habit of whenever he says something he thinks might be grammatically wrong, looks at you for confirmation. It's adorable.

Currently, you were half-heartedly trying to wrangle him as he zoomed around. You knew he'd get tired eventually, but you also knew he'd cry on the spot if you didn't at least look like you were trying.

"Okay, okay, didn't you want to write another letter for Mr. Racetrack?" He gasps, "Oh! I most forgot!"

"Almost."

"Ah! I almost forgot?" You nod and he beams.

He runs back to his chair with the crayon and color paper ready at hand, "Boss, which color should I pick today?"

You were used to him calling you boss instesd of Doctor, you've given up trying to convince him otherwise, "Hmm, let's see, you've used blue, pink, red, orange, yellow, blue another four times..." you count on your fingers, "aaaand you just used purple, you want to repeat or choose something else?"

You sit next to him, leaning down a little. He places a stubby finger to his chin, closing his eyes in focus.

"I choose....I choose...uhhh...."

You whisper into his ear, "We haven't used green yet--"

"Green!"

He giggled in triump and you followed with your own. He began writing again, vibrating with all his excitement somehow contained in his little body. He was 7 years old, and nearly cured of his cancer. You remember how unresponsive and sickly he was back then, but after seeing the racetrack shows on TV, he perked up. You sagged a little at the memory until you heard a satsified hum.

"Aaaaaaaand drone!" He looked up at you, "Done," he smiled, "Done!"

He shoves the paper into your hands and urges you to leave and deliver it. He personally requested that you do it yourself. You obliged, it was such a simple task, but your colleagues thought of you odd. He wouldn't know if you didn't deliver it, he can't check, you're wasting your time yada yada, it was annoying.

You moved swiftly, going to inform the nurse but she simply put a finger up and nodded at you to leave. They were used to this by now and you bowed your head apologetically.

Li Yunxiang had successfully gone toe-to-toe with his strange mentor, who he finally learns is the Six-Eared Macaque.

"Good job good job! All that tinkering is paying off!"

He giggled ridiculously and Yunxiang laughed back, his mentor was a huge goof and oddball, but he helped him with the offer of a new bike. That might've been the strangest thing, "Thank you then, I'll be taking my leave--"

"Ooh wait wait do you know of this place?"

The masked man showed Yunxiang the address of the fan letterswhile leaning on the boy, "That's the childrens hospital in the lower levels," he was a little surprised that this guy of all people was receiving fan mail, "I didn't know they sent mail, especially to you..."

"There you go doubting me," he tuts and flicks Yunxiangs forehead, "I am quite a mysterious fellow, of course I have fans!"

Yunxiang rubs his forehead and snorts, "Yeah right..."

They bid goodbye and Monkey King puts the mask back on, plopping himself down on his couch with a content sigh. Trainings going well, his bikes nearly done, the fan mail strokes his ego and now he has a semblance of an idea on where it is! Could it be any better...

"Hello..."

A knock. And a voice. That wasn't any enemy he recognized nor his student. He sprung upwards and ushered his little monkeys to go check. The chittered and told him it was a doctor. They mentioned the doctor looked very kind which was weird, but he ignored them. Looking throigh the peephole, he noticed the familar fan mail held in your hands.

"Sorry if I'm disrupting," you cleared your throat a little nervously, "but the boy who writes your mail wanted me to do this...so..."

It was when you reached the building and decided to check Baos letter. He wrote on the top 'doctor deliver the mail to dor door'

Good grief. You sighed and asked to be let up to deliver a letter, the guards seemed to have gotten used to your frequent visits as they permitted you in. The building was fancy, you knew the racetrack owner had to be rich but geez did it feel like overkill. You waited patiently outside, not expecting him to open it. You were ready to leave the letter on the floor, but the door creaked open ever so slightly.

"Hello!"

You flinched. And you saw...a mask? Quite an exotic one. Is this how rich people spend their time? You cough into your fist and try your best not to stare at the man. He was wearing a pink suit and his hands seemed a little...furry.

"Ah, hello," you nod with a smile and hold the letter out in front of you, "you must've been busy just now, I apologize for--"

"Nope," he took the letter in between his fingers and inspected it a bit before looking at you and turning the knobs on his mask, making them look excited, "I thought you were suspicious, and watched you for a bit!"

He giggled, and your mouth was a little agape. He was strange.

"I...see," you let out a small 'heh' just to ease the awkwardness you're sure was only on your side, "I hope you enjoy the letter then, goodbye."

You step back but he holds onto your wrist, "So soon? I'm pretty curious about my one and only fan you know," he drags you a little closely. You can't see his face, but you feel like he's obesrving you. Did he think you were dangerous? You hope not...

"Uh," you wriggle yourself out of his grip and take a small step away, "sure, what do you want to know?"

"Out here?" You points behind you with a tilt of his head, "please please come in!"

He leaps (leaps!) Into his own house, and you hesitate for a bit. He could be an axe murderer. Or worse. You're not sure what but worse. At the same time however, Bao would be ecstatic if you told him his one and only idol was curious about him. You could already imagine his happy face, and without the little boy even needing to give you his pleading eyes, you walk inside.

You close the door behind you, and were immediately ambushed. You yelped as furballs, monkeys? Lunged onto you and you stumbled a little.

"What--," you lift your hands to your head and look at the masked man, who was once again giggling at you. He walked closer and picked off the critters, "These little fiends are my helpers, they seemed to have taken a liking to you! Weirdly quick." He mumbled the last part.

He sits o  his couch, this time without the intention of getting up and invites you over. You sit next to him, and he begins to open the letter.

"Hmmm," he brings his face closer to it and starts to read aloud, "Dearest racetrack boss, you are too cool and awesome, I am going to be..." he shoved the paper in front of your face, "I think he got too excited with this one, normally I can read buuuuuut," he waves it in front of you as you grab it.

You scan over the words before reading for him, "Oh, discharged," you giggle, his spelling was atrociously funny and the masked man tenses at the laugh, "I will get better at writing letters, it is all thanks to big boss, ah," you pause and look at him smiling shyly, "he likes calling me bis boss," he guffaws, "Boss! Hah, this kids great! Continue continue!"

You finish reading the letter, suddenly feeling more comfortable with the masked man.

"Didn't you have questions?"

You look at him and he seems to freeze. He might have forgot he made that excuse. He puts a finger to his chin and an arm below it, letting out a long hum. You're not to sure what to do. You've successfully met the Mr Racetrack, personally read Baos letter to him, and have a fun story for the little boy. The masked man snaps his finger as well as you out of your thoughts.

"Aha!" He points at you excitedly, "tell me, why does he personally ask you to deliver these letters? Quite peculiar..." he taps his chin humming again.

You smile at his question, "He believes that the mailmen will read his letter and make fun of him, he doesn't like people he doesn't know reading his letters," you remember his cries when you tried to negotiate the mailmen deliver it. You hold a hand to your mouth and laugh a little.

"What a cute reason," The masked man chuckles, his voice was less loud and sounded more sincere, "I think he deserves a prize!"

He moves, way too quick for you to have a reaction, straight into your face. You gasp and he laughs at that, just as quickly leaning back and jumping to rummage through a bag.

You place a hand on your chest and sigh, that surprised you, "What are you looking for? Honestly if you just give him a tissue with your sign he'd be over the--"

"VIP, front row tickets to the next race," he shot the tickets in front of you, waving them.

"Front- what," you splutter, even normal tickets are hard to obtain, Bao had only ever watched from the programmes that livestreamed it, he'd go crazy! "Are you...are you sure? This is so..."

"Five of 'em, his family I assume are four and," he puts a finger up and boops your nose, "you, of course!"

You cough, you! Why are you getting a ticket? You were basically just the messenger of this whole situation, "Me? W-why me? Sir three is enough really!"

"Oooh an only child huh? Then four tickets," he throws one behind him and places the four into your hands, he twists the knobs for a more cheeky expression, "it's rude to deny a gift you knowww."

You couldn't believe it. You'd have to basically live in the hospital for an eternity to even dream of affording these tickets, could you really accept them?

'...eh why not?'

"Thank you," you clutch the tickets and beam at him, he flinches at the genuine gratitude. He puts a hand to his face- mask, and another shoving you lightly acting shy, "Oh you, you're gonna make my mask red!"

You giggle at how silly he was, and get up to leave. He shows you to the door and the little monkeys clamour up to you squealing.

"No no, shhhhh quiet or I'm smooshing you," he tries and fails at kicking them away with his feet, "annoying little fiends..."

"They're really cute though," you look over them fondly, they're the cutest monkeys you've ever seen, "lucky you."

He huffs a laugh, "If you say so," you're ready to leave but he pauses, looking like he has something to say, "one more question actually."

You nod, "A number!" You...stare at him.

"Uhh...three?"

He laughs, ridiculously loud that you cover your ears at it, "Whoo, doctor after my own heart!" He changes the masks eyes to heart, and places his hands on his chest, acting like he got shot. You're very confused. But you laugh along anyways. His laugh was contagious.

He takes out a paper and pen, "Your number dear doctor," 'Ohhhhhh...' your face reddens a little, embarrassed at just blurting 3. You take the items and scribble your number down and hand it back to him, "You can call anytime, if I don't pick up then sorry about that."

You really wished you could see his face, but he gives a little laugh and you wave goodbye. A very strange meeting, but you felt light. You don't get to meet new friends very often, and this new friend was wonderfully charming.

Said new friend felt like a giddy schoolboy who just talked to his crush. He took the mask off and sighed. You were so cute. You said three. Is that your favourite number? He'll never forget it. He walked to his bedroom, but not near okay enough to sleep. He doesn't really like giving freebies, but he had a fan, and a perfect doctor who came along with it, he noted to thank the little boy when he ever gets to meet him.

He saw you through the peephole, and like the little furballs said, you had a kind look. And then you started talking, he could tell you were surprised, but you didn't scream. Or run. Or close your eyes, scream, leave the mail and run. You just spoke. Normally.

He couldn't remember the last time he could hold a simple conversation with no underlying doom in it. He liked Li Yunxiang, but they met because of the whole Nezha reincarnation thing, but you were just natural. You laugh and giggled at his antics instead of finding him gross. He like that. He liked you.

But realistically you must've seen him as an odd new friend! No need to dwell, he's just not lucky in those aspects-- not like he's ever tried. To sleep then, hopefully he won't see your face there.

Bao was going crazy when you told him everything the next morning. Genuinely, he was jumping and leaping around like the most extreme bouncy ball made, "Whatelsedidhesay whatelsedidhesay!"

"Bao calm down!" You laughed through every sentence, "I literally told you everything, nothing else afterwards happened."

The boy didn't believe you for some reason but let it slide. The tickets and your story combined made him simply combust on the spot, "I get to see my idiom!"

"Idol,"

"I get to see my idol!"

He squealed again, it was time for his food so you got up and told him to stay put. You had an inkling he'd run around and announce to the whole hospital of this miraculous miracle of his.

"Ohmigod you really did get tickets you sly fox!"

You were jolted by the sudden voice, your friend Xueli had sneaked up on you many times before, it's honestly a talent.

"Yeah yeah I used my ultra skills to get these for free," you roll your eyes fondly at the girl as you take Baos food tray, "he was just happy he had a fan, and I was lucky I'm the messenger, sucks to suck."

You shrug and stick a tongue out at her and she returns it, "Yeah but these are crazy," she walks next to you, linking your arms, "you sure he wasn't flirting?"

You laugh heartily at that. Flirting? With you? A guy like him? Never in a million years, "No way, he was just nice," she narrows her eyes at you, "your romantasies are getting out of hand."

She huffs, "You're super dense when people like you, you know?" She pokes at your side and whispers, "did you realize Dr. Qing was super into you?"

"What!"

You whisper shout, careful for no one to hear, "She..she was? I never noticed..."

"The craziest part..." she leans closer, "was that nurse Jian like you too, stupid."

Now you're even more inclinde to shout, but you clamp your mouth shut. Him too? You had two people pining over you? That was a little scary.

"I barely talk to them, how was I supposed to know?"

"One time Jian asked if you wanted to go get coffee, and you replied by inviting the rest of the team."

Oh dear god, you thought he wanted you to pass on a message, not a date! You were starting to heat up.

"Okay well..." you had no way to defend yourself. Were you seriously that oblivious?

"At least you know now," she sighs and pats your head, you reached Baos room and you were in a complete daze, "try to be more aware okay! It sucks when your crush unknowingly rejects you!"

You nod absentmindedly and enter the boys room, placing the food down. He munches messily but stares at your blank state.

'Ok let's think back, did he flirt? Or is that his friend humour? Or was that not humour? Is he real? Was he serious...what...'

"Boss are you nervous?"

Bao looked up at you with a tilted head, reminded you of the masked man...

"No, no I'm fine," you dismiss his worries and he shrugs, getting back to eating.

'Tonight...'

Monkey King had readjusted his suit about a million times. He wasn't sure what he was checking for, but it simply wasn't there. He looked outside and didn't spot you, nerves tangling in a mess. What if you didn't show up? You are a doctor, that'd make sense.

He'd still hate it though.

The VIP seats were coincidentally where he sat, the best view. No, he didn't want to show off his emcee skills and how good he was at hyping up the arena. Not at all, nope. His seat also happens to be the most protected, im case the kids parents actually let him go. He highly doubted it.

"Big boss!"

His ears perked up, a small voice. He looked below and saw his little fan. And you, and...a friend? She didn't look like the boys mother.

"Is that who I think it is?" He leapt down, shocking you and your friend, but earning an earnestly amazed wow from the boy, "little fan! We finally meet huh?"

Bao was vibrating. He couldn't even speak. Just squeals. The masked man laughed and turned to you, "You made it, and this is...?"

"Xueli! Sorry I brought my friend along instead, his parents entrusted me to go, they were a little..." you pause, trying to find the right word, "intimidated?"

He barks a laugh at that, "Intimidating? Moi? Oh silly silly," he offered a hand to Bao, "now, would you rather climb boring stsirs like those two or hop on my back and leap?"

Bao gasped and nodded vigorously. Xueli opened her mouth to protest but you patted her arm reassuring her, "He'll be safe," she stopped, a little doubtful nonetheless.

Xueli and you made it up 'the boring way' and Bao was giggling in delight after the little ride up top. The masked man sat in the left most chair and you go to sit at the opposite, but Xueli shoved you next to him. You looked at her with a 'what are you doing' expression and she responded with a wink. Odd.

You all took your seats nonetheless, Bao getting the middle. This was admittedly the first full show you get to see. You've watched a little, but never had time to stay for the whole performance. You felt a little nervous, clutching the armrests. And then, you felt a warm hand on them.

"Relax," he spoke barely above a whisper, "this is the most protected spot, given by yours truly." With a wink, he got up and grabbed the mic, full of vigor. You had to admit, the charisma dripped from his mouth like honey, the way he talked got you hyped up. And Xueli was already yelling.

The race was a rollercoaster. Your heart dropped, rose, shook, got attacked and never stilled even for a moment. Bao was going crazy beside you but his screams were drowned out. You never stood up from your seat, unlike your other 3 companions jumping around.

The masked man grabbed you to stand, he yells something but you can't hear and just laugh back. His hands are wrapped around your shoulders as he's whooping. Xielan spared a glance. 'I knew it...'

The race ended, but you heart was still going at a mile per hour. Bao fell asleep at some point, no idea how, but you carried him as the three of you went down. You and Xielan were talking but the masked man was oddly silent. Ever since you both stood up and cheered, he didn't really look in your direction.

"Thank you so much," you turn and smile at him with Xielan bowing in thanks, "without your help, Bao would probably never get to do this."

He's silent for a second, "Of course, no problem," he chuckles, "only the best for the doctor and fan right?"

He seems oddly lacking in his earlier energy, but you chalk it up to him being tired, he did seem to use a lot of his energy speaking earlier.

"Well bye then--" "Ahem!"

Both of you turned to the loud cough coming from your friend, "Actually, I'll take Bao," she gently picks him from your arms, "you two should go ahead!"

You mouth a silent what as the masked man simply stares. Or maybe he was makimg a face but you couldn't tell. It was quite late, and you hated being out too late. But you were with a friend...

"Okay bye!"

"Xie--!"

She leaves without you being able to even start thinking of rejecting, and you slowy turn to look at the man beside you, "Aheh..." you scratch your head, you honestly don't mind spending time with him, but you couldn't assume he was fine with it too, "sorry, I'll go find some transport."

He gently grabs the sleeve of your shirt, pulling you back a little, "Don't wanna hang out then?" You swear beneath the mask he'd be making puppy dog eyes, "You're...okay with that?"

"Oh am I!" He takes your hand and twirls you around, "the little fiends really miss you."

You laugh a little, "Then I guess we better get a move on."

You make it to his house again, and were immediately swarmed by the furballs. This time you give in and put your hand out for them. A similar set up like the last visit, you both sitting comfortable on the couch beside one another.

"They're so soft..." you giggle at their reactions, it looks like they picked some dramatics from their master, "how do you manage?"

"Oh nah, they've got thenselves covered," he waves a hand, "I just supply the habitat really."

You absentmindedly pet their heads gently, your mind wandering elsewhere, "Say..." you trail off and look at him.

"Were you okay? Earlier I mean," he was leaning back on the sofa, an arm dangling behind you, "you were awfully silent after it all."

He doesn't answer, but rather looks down.

'Did I overstep? Crap'

"Sorry, you don't have to answer that.."

The little monkeys feel the tension and back away slowly, "No, no," he moves to lean on his knees, "do you know who I am?"

"...the racetrack..owner?"

He chuckles, "Yeah, but do you know my name?"

You're silent. You don't know much about him. He has a mask, he's charming, a huge goof, rich, and has a bunch of little monkeys. And was most likely a monkey himself you deduced. Very furry.

Your silence was enough if an answer for him as he slowly removes his mask. 'Woah woah woah' you grab his hands in a panic, "What are you doing!?"

"Uhh trying to show my face?" He sounds confused and honestly, so are you.

"But...are you sure?" You loosen your grip, "you won't be uncomfortable?"

And suddenly he's laughing. A genuine sound, "You are such a sweetheart you know that?" His laughter dies down as he takes your hands and sets them down, "yeah I'm sure, so relax."

You did as such and he removes it. Your hypothesis?

"...so you are a monkey..." you breath out and he chuckles, "That obvious?"

"Well, your hands are abnormally furry," you finally smile. While yes, he's a monkey, in a weird way you found him rather handsome? You weren't sure but definitely not ugly.

"Well then did you guess my identity?"

"What? Yeah a monkey," you tilt your head, "Not just any monkey dear doctor," he leans on his back, a little closer to you this time.

"Monkey King."

You stare. And stare. And keep staring. You eyes get wider with every stare and he giggles at it. Monkey King, the legendary Great Sage Equal to Heaven, is your friend and possible crush that you just processed could be a crush.

You make great choices don't you?

"Y...you're..." you point at him, "Sun Wukong!" You squeak.

"Yup," he yawns, "pretty good surprise right? Ta-daaaa."

Something in his voice told you he was defensive. About what exactly?

"It...I guess? Well now I don't need to think of you as racetrack guy or masked man," you smile, "but as Wukong."

His name has been said dozens of times in his long immortal life, but this is the first time he's felt it said with such warmth. He loved the feeling, "Yeah, just your average Wukong..heh..." he joined you in smiling too.

Finally, you have your friends name.

Xielan bombarded you with questions the following day. They were all different sentences with the same exact meaning; are you dating the mysterious man?

You didn't tell her his real identity and told her a firm no, while you may have taken a liking to him, you weren't sure if you should confess. You went to do your job as normal, ignoring the excited girl.

The weeks went by as usual, Bao was finally discharged and gave you a firm hug along with a letter, you might have cried after reading it, the spelling perfect as he said how much he loved you like a big sister.

The only new thing added to your routine was the Monkey King himself. He'd visit the hospital, but shapeshifted into a human form to see you. He knew you weren't a fan of being in the spotlight and accomodated.

You both hung out a lot, each time Xielan giving a knowing look. She was a smart girl, and realized this man and your man (as she calls him) are the same. She didn't question it, telling you it 'adds to the attraction'...whatever that meant.

And you, had no intention of confessing. You didn't want to ruin a perfectly good and healthy friendship over a silly crush, so you tried your best to get over it. Failing miserably of course. It grew and grew and grew. You found him cute, his little habits, his expressions, his manners. How sweet he could be, the time he brought a fruit basket because you said you were craving some mandarins a few weeks before. He thought of you, and that made your heart feel lighter.

Today was another house visit, his place has become the main spot it seems. You brought peaches, all shaped into monkeys. You spent way too much time shaping it, but it came out pretty decent. You were content with this. It was enough.

Sun Wukong isn't a master at romance.

He was going to confess after he gave you those mandarins but got distracted by your sincere smile aimed right at him. This seemed to become a trend. Everytime he planned to do it, distraction hit in the form of your smile, your words, your gifts, your touch. You.

He had a hunch that you might be reciprocative of his feelings, but one can never be too sure unless they try. Today was another house visit, it was always timed to be in the early evenings just to be fit into your schedule. He was actually supposed to train with Yunxiang today but he dismissed the boy, saying he had 'important bussiness'. You really were a busy bee.

He had rehearsed how he would say it. It'll go perfectly. He's a little tense but he can cover it up with some amped up charm and charisma, humor sprinkled...everywhere.

His ears perked up, you were here.

You don't even need to knock anymore, the door is already swung open and you walk in as if you've lived here for years. The little monkeys chirped at you, "Helloo, wheres your big boss?" You lean o  the counter they were playing on, scanning the house.

"Looking for little ol' me?" He jumped from behind the counter and you yelped, he loved jumpscaring you, "Yeesh not anymore! You don't deserve my gift." You cross your arms, faking offense.

"Aww, come on genius," he slinked an arm around your shoulder, "can you blame me? I get such adorable reactions everytime!" He pinched your cheek and you roll your eyes playfully, swatting his hands.

You place the box down and open it, revealing the carefully shaped peaches, "I like being called genius so all is forgiven, here," you pick one up and place it in his hand, "your favourite fruit."

He doesn't say anything as you turn to give the other little monkeys the fruit. They all deny the fruit vehemently. Odd, they normally eat all the fruits in the house as you've observed, what's the problem now?

"Hey, do they need a specific fruit or something? How come they--"

"It's a ritual."

"...huh?"

A ritual? Did they think you were gonna sacrifice them? You weren't exactly well versed in monkey culture, let alone demon ones, so you simply look at Wukong with furrowed brows, "What do you mean?"

"A sign," he takes a step closer and you stiffen, "that you want to court the other monkey. Sharing fruit. Favourite ones show a stronger desire to court."

You slowly processed his words. Courting. Ritual. Favourite fruit. Stronger desire to court. To court. Court.

'Court!'

You slap a hand to your mouth. No way. You confessed basically.

"Wait Wukong," you hold a shaky hand up, "uhm, I wasn't aware-- that is to say-- what I mean--"

"I accept it!"

Huh.

He leans closer with a huge grin, "Why do you think I gave you mandarins silly?"

"...that was on purpose!?"

He laughs and throws the leach in the air, catching it with his mouth, "Mhm! Yours was an accident but now we're both in the clear."

"What? In the clear?"

He places a hand on your waist, "Yup, to be together," you gawk, "unless you don't wanna?"

You furrow your brows again. Honestly...

Why shouldn't you?

"I accept!"

You blurt out and he laughs again, pulling you into a tight hug, "I'm so glad," he sighs, "I honestly forgot to confess again cause you smiled."

You redden.

He likes you too.