Chapter Text
Red Son had never screwed up this badly before.
Being the son of the Demon Bull King meant that things were supposed to, and had always been, a certain way.
Since he was a little calf, his mother had always made this clear. Being demons, and demon royalty, she had to make sure her son wouldn't turn out to be a disappointment. A traitor.
You would expect more from him. Red Son, Son of the Demon Bull King. Inventor, cook and infamous evildoer. Endlessly loyal and devoted to the Demon Bull Family. At least, he used to be.
Gods, his parents would be disappointed. He was so pathetic, he’s been keeping it secret from them. For what? Seven months now?
Mk the Monkie Kid and Mei the Dragon Horse girl were heroes. Too loud, enthusiastic and insufferably kind to anyone unfortunate enough to be in the same room as them.
They were annoying. So annoying. They hadn't stopped pestering Red Son with their presence constantly. Ever since the battle with the bone demon, the heroes hadn't stopped insisting he "come over to hang out" They were enemies! It was absolutely ridiculous! They assumed that- that because they were forced to work together once or twice, he was their ally? Their friend?
Maybe he should be ashamed of how easily he gave in.
They're heroes. So cheerful, so kind, so charming, and they tricked him into spending more time with them. They softened him up, and made him start having irrational thoughts. Perhaps their stupidity was contagious.
Red Son couldn't say he had many friends growing up. A demon, and creator of the dangerous Samadhi Fire didn't exactly give him a good reputation.
Even after that, most of his teenage and adult years were endless centuries of working, creating, inventing. He needed to lift the Monkey King's staff, and pull his father from under that mountain. There wasn't any time to spare "making friends his age" or "hanging out with others".
So of course, of course his first ever friends had to be the sworn enemies of his family. Sun Wukong's successor and his closest companion, the current wielder of the Samadhi fire. They tricked him into longing for their company, they tricked him into trusting them both more than he had ever trusted anyone before. It was infuriating, terrifying, and possibly the best thing that could've happened to him.
… Gods, what had they done to him?
Somehow, their endless, obnoxious, and genuine hero kindness had turned him into a traitor. A disappointment. What would his parents think of him if they ever found out?
He… He knows he should cut them off. Burn his phone and never go looking for them again. Returning to the cold lonely nights he’s been used to his whole life.
But they made him go soft.
He couldn't. He couldn’t imagine life without them again. Their stupid bright smiles that could light up an entire room, their chaotic presence that would follow him everywhere, even if they weren't there, and plagued his mind 24/7. They were so touchy and affectionate, smothering him with hugs, kisses, affection. Love and physical contact he'd only dreamed of before, and that he had never received from anyone else.
Has he ever fallen so low?
He betrayed his family, like some- some lovesick fool, he went and betrayed his family for… what? some sweet, honest words of affection? Because of his stupid, irrational heart couldn't bear the thought of not having them by his side? to be alone again? Had he become so childish and emotional that the thought of being anything other than welcoming of their affection made him sick to his stomach?
He should have killed the Noodle Boy when he had the chance.
Instead, he fell right into their trap. He's so miserable that a few honest, loving words broke him down. They made him go soft. So soft, that thinking of ever hurting them again made him feel so guilty. It was almost funny. When was the last time the Great Red Son felt guilty?
He couldn't keep doing this. He had to wake up from his little fantasy. He had to- to undo this awful thing he’s done.
This could be fixed so easily. He could pretend all this had never happened. Wash his hands, and maybe one day he’ll look at his parents without feeling so worthless.
But truly?
Red Son was selfish.
He was so selfish, he dreamed of having them both asleep next to him in bed each night. He was so selfish, he wanted his father to call him son, and his mother to say she’s proud of him, at least once.
He dreamed of never disappointing his parents again, of being the perfect son, but he still longed for the sweet words and unwavering, unconditional love from his heroes. Something he never expected to have.
He wasn’t a good son. He wasn’t even a decent lover.
He was selfish, and wanted all these impossible things for himself. Unrealistic and, frankly, ridiculous things for himself
So, so selfish. Foolish.
Pitiful.