Chapter Text
The countdown was set. The crowd was going wild and chanting a specific name over an over again, The stadium this took place in was alive and filled with a large audience with all sorts of merchandise and voices. This is the largest event held for a decade, holding thousands attendees whom were all wild and eager for the concert to start. This event was being broadcasted all internationally, Everyone anticipating the one and only...
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"...Macaque!" Mk said excitedly as he was practically bouncing around the couch, Wukong sat beside him and watched the little boy squeal with anticipation. Mk and Wukong were one of the many people watching the event live on television.
"Mk, stop jumping around like a monkey. Your little 'show' is going to start in a few minutes." Wukong said as he rolled his eyes with a hint of amusement in it. Mk immediately stopped jumping and giggled as he sat back down obediently. Mk loved it when his older brother referenced him as a monkey, it was practically like a nickname for Mk.
"It's not just a show! It's macaque! It's not everyday we get to see him perform live!" Mk exclaimed while gazing at Wukong with his cheeky smile. Wukong couldn't help chuckle and ruffle Mk's hair playfully, "Yeah right, it's just a silly program of a random guy with no talent." Wukong said.
Mk gasped and spoke in defensively, "He's not just some RANDOM guy with no talent!"
Wukong rolled his eyes and replied back almost nonchalant, "Oh yes he is. But hey, you're still young and won't understand real talent."
Mk gave a mocking eye roll and sat up on the couch, immediately broadening his shoulder to look tough and mature. Mk spoke, "I'm mature! I know real talent when I see it! And macaque has it!"
Wukong snickered at the sight and quickly tried tickling Mk to catch him off guard. Mk immediately squirmed and fell onto the couch with giggles at the tickles, "Yeah right, Bud. If that idiot has talent then I might as well be a god."
Mk continued giggling by the tickles and tried swatting Wukong's hand away from him. Mk spoke back defensively, "Hey! Stop that! Hehe!"
Wukong continued tickling his younger brother, he grinned in pride as he saw his younger brother giggling uncontrollably. "Not if you admit that idiot isn't as talented as your brother!"
Mk was practically shaking and laughing uncontrollably by the skill of Wukong's hand. Mk replied back in giggles, "Wukong! Stop it! I'm going to explode! M-macaque is just too talented!"
Wukong scoffed playfully and continued tickling Mk for a few seconds before withdrawing his fingers, allowing Mk to catch his breath. Wukong spoke back, "Hmph. How rude, Bud. You think a man like Macaque more talent-er than me?!"
Mk giggled and caught his breath before replying back, "Talent-er isn't even a word!"
Wukong rolled his eyes and scoffed playfully as his brother tried correcting him. "Whatever! You just need to realize your brother is much more talented than a guy like..."
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"...Macaque! You're on in a few minutes! Are you ready?" A person called outside the dressing room, knocking impatiently on the door as they awaited for a response from the other side.
"I'm almost ready." A voice said simply inside the dressing room.
"Okay! Just make it quick!" The person spoke impatiently outside the door before disappearing for a few seconds.
Macaque, whom was inside the dressing room. He was standing in front of the vanity window, checking his reflection and making sure he was perfect. Macaque outfit radiated charm, he made sure to wear his black gloves and eyepatch on his right eye to cover his past scars. Macaque was ready for the performance and spoke to himself in confidence, "I'll show them what I got."
Macaque soon gets ready to exit the dressing room, he walks over towards the door and grabs the door handle. Macaque takes one last sigh before opening the door, revealing his management team and manager outside the door impatiently.
Macaque sighed and spoke first with slight sarcasm, "No privacy at least?"
The manager was quite used to this attitude from Macaque, especially before performances this big. The manager didn't let it get to their head and spoke back, "Well, excuse us but we are running in a timed schedule. you're up in 3 minutes."
Macaque nodded and got out the dressing room, His management team followed after and inspected Macaque thoroughly and intense to make sure he was ready. They didn't want any fails in the concert, especially with such a big crowd and live broadcasting. Some of the people fixed Macaque's hair to be perfect while others attended the microphone Macaque would be using.
The clock was ticking...
The audience were anticipating...
Then the music started playing...
Following up with that, A sweet and charming voice was heard through the microphone and then...
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"Hello everyone!" Macaque said through the microphone, The crowd immediately goes to wild and started chanting Macaque's name louder. Mk and Wukong watched this from the Television at home. Mk was in complete awe and started to immediately squeal like a chipmunk once he got to see Macaque on screen. Wukong took a glance and scoffed at the sight of Macaque on their television screen,
Wukong didn't understand how many would like such a basic guy like Macaque! He kept flickering his gaze from his little brother and then back to the television screen, Wukong could tell Mk was in complete excitement just by a simple introduction. Wukong just sighed heavily and decided he might as well sit through the whole concert live from the comfort of the couch.
"What a generic guy. He doesn't look like he has talent at all. What does Mk even like from this...this imbecile...?!" Wukong thought to himself frustratedly and confused.
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Macaque appeared up on stage, looking as charming as ever. Macaque stepped in-front of the edge of the stage, he spoke in such a confident and loud voice through the microphone, "Hello to people around the WORLD!" Many people immediately cheered louder and some even screaming out praises for the idol.
Macaque grinned at the response he was getting and then spoke out confidently in the microphone, "Are you guys ready for a journey to the stars?!" The crowd went wild and chanted out a answer 'yes' almost immediately. Macaque then spoke through the microphone in eagerness, "Then let's get it started!"
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Many people around the world watched as their shining star, Macaque sang through the microphone songs from his newly released album. Even with Macaque being seen by the other half of his audience in broadcast, the television did his justice. The television captured the beauty and power radiating off of Macaque as he sang with all his might. His vocals were clear as water and carried against the wind.
Macaque' performance and voice were perfection and timed well along side the songs he sang. Time went by slowly as many eyes were on Macaque, watching him intensely. Macaque was the star of the universe, the cameras on him in every angle. Many of the people in the audience grew wild and some fainting at the performance they were getting. Many of Macaque's crew had to made sure that the people fainting were taken somewhere safe, others making sure that the audience didn't do anything too feral.
Throughout the concert, Macaque also delivered plenty of extraordinary and almost angelic like clothing that corresponded to the songs he was singing. Macaque occasionally danced on stage with his backup singers, his movements were fluid and soon enough sweat started drawing from his brow. Macaque's hair became damp with sweat as time passed. he clearly gave it his all.
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Mk watched every second of Macaque's performance on screen. Wukong watched in boredom, clearly just watching it to make sure his younger brother didn't go too crazy. Although Wukong was bored in watching the same guy on screen walk in circles like a mad man and changing outfits ever so often, he couldn't deny that the melody of some of the songs were quite...good..?
"How long is this going to be?" Wukong said simply, flickering his gaze at his younger brother.
Mk didn't answer, he was clearly to absorbed and distracted to the television screen. Wukong took a peek at Mk and tried poking him for attention. Mk didn't budge though, he was completely addicted to the screen. Wukong sighed and tried a more playful approach.
"Buddy, come on. Give your ol' guy some attention. Do you want some snacks?" Wukong said in tease and moments after, Mk flickered his gaze to his brother and his eyes lit up at the mention of the snacks.
"Sure! Can you get some please? Macaque is getting to the good part!" Mk spoke with a glitter in his eyes before focusing back on the television screen.
Wukong nodded as he stood up from the couch, after slumping for an hour watching the TV screen. Wukong started walking towards the kitchen, past the refrigerator with plenty of drawings and Polaroid pictures of his adventures with his younger brother. Wukong eyes drew past a Polaroid picture that was ripped off, top half was ripped that showcased His and MK's parents. The lower half shown very young Wukong with his cheeky smile.
From Wukong's knowledge, that could've been that last picture taken when he was very young and his parents were apparent in his life before Mk was born. Wukong couldn't remember much of his earlier years with his parents before Mk was brought to the world. All he could recall is holding Mk in his arms around when Mk was 5 months old while Wukong was still quite young at the time. This was the last memory he remembered having before the unknown disappearance of their parents one day. Many people speculated it may have been simply by natural causes or something more deeper meaning...
But that's the past. Wukong really didn't pay much attention to the past tense. Wukong just shrugged it off and continued what he was going to do. Get the snack. The real task at hand.
Wukong opened the refrigerator and started looking around their inventory to find something suitable to snack on while they watch...that...
"Hmm...maybe a fruit snack wouldn't be so bad." Wukong reached for his quite large supply of peaches inside the refrigerator. He and his younger brother had quite an obsession with peaches while growing up, describing them as 'delicacy of the fruit gods'.
Wukong grabbed two peaches from the refrigerator and soon closed the refrigerator door. Wukong started walking back to the living room, where he last saw his younger brother.
As Wukong suspected, Mk was sitting on the couch like stone. Mk hasn't moved an inch and seemed like he hasn't blinked once as he watched the Television screen with intensity.
Wukong chuckled and walked towards the couch and slumped back down. Wukong nudged Mk with a sly smile on his face, "Take a break, bud." Wukong said playfully and threw a peach towards Mk.
Mk grabbed the peach eagerly and nodded his head. Mk snapped out from his obsessed state of mind in watching the television, instead he leans back against the couch comfortably and started biting the peach.
Both Wukong and Mk are their peaches as both of them now continued to watch the performance on their television more comfortably and relaxed. This time though, Mk was leaning closer to Wukong as he watched it, small gesture of love they share.
The performance luckily ended in two hours. Wukong was rather pleased that the broadcasting was over. Wukong was also grateful with the snacks he and his younger brother were eating, causing the little one to get tired as his head leaned on Wukong's shoulder. Wukong smiled softly at the sight and decided to turn off the TV, focusing on making the house quiet while dealing with the task at hand. Wukong's task to get Mk to bed.
Wukong started to reach over for Mk' body, carrying him in his arms and making sure the little guy was comfortable and still asleep. Wukong sighed and started walking towards the stairs, where Mk' room was located. Wukong walked up the stairs and gazed around at the simple yet charming hallway towards Mk' room, decorated in silly drawings and portraits of one another just like the refrigerator. Some might describe it as messy but Wukong found it cozy in such a environment.
Once Wukong approached his younger brother's room, Wukong carefully carried Mk with one hand expertly to use his free one to open the door. The door had a small creak to it as it opened, Wukong tried to open it slowly so Mk wouldn't stir from his slumber. Wukong then took gentle and quiet steps inside Mk's room.
The room was decorated by the creative mind of the little boy. Things like some sort of building blocks made to a certain construction, crayons and markers scattered on the floor with a notebook, and plenty of posters around his room of his favorite cartoon characters. Wukong smiled at the quite endearing sight.
Wukong made his way slowly yet carefully towards Mk's bed. Wukong knew he should've at least told the kid to do his night routine and change into his pajamas, but he couldn't help it when Mk looked so peaceful and comfortable in his sleep. Wukong just sighed and placed his younger brother onto the bed. Although the bed wasn't the most decorative thing in the room, it was still cute in a way that Mk had a quite large monkey plush on the bed.
Wukong carefully helped Mk take off his head accessory off and pull the covers over his body. Wukong smiled with such warmth at the sight and whispered quietly, "Goodnight, Bud."
Wukong then started to withdraw himself from Mk and walk over towards the door. Before wukong could close the door behind him, he took one last glance at Mk and making sure he was completely asleep and comfortable. Wukong then closed the door.
Wukong stood outside MK's door for a few seconds before walking away, Wukong started walking back downstairs to clean their snack mess they left on the couch. As wukong went downstairs, his mind started thinking...
"I wonder what time it is..." Wukong thought to himself before reaching out for his phone, it was clearly past 11 PM.
"Damn. No wonder the kid was so passed out, he usually sleeps around 8 PM." Wukong mumbled to himself as he placed his phone onto the coffee table and then resumed to cleaning up the mess. As he cleaned up the mess and traveling back and forth between the kitchen and the living room, His phone started buzzing surprisingly. Wukong notices this and finds it strange so he walked back over to the coffee table to pick up the phone. Wukong takes a glance to see who was calling, it was none other than his friend...
DBK...
"Why is he calling this hour...?" Wukong thought to himself, he knows he should at least answer the phone to him but since the house was quiet and Mk was asleep. wukong couldn't bring himself to answer the buzzing phone, he just left a message for DBK instead.
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DBK
Sun Wukong:
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| What do you want?
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Sent at 11:36 pm
<(....)
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DBK
DBK:
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Just answer my call, you idiot. |
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Sent at 11:38 pm
Sun Wukong:
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| Fine, just give me a second to go outside.
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Sent at 11:39 pm
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Sun Wukong sighed and started heading out the door, He didn't want to make any noise inside the house in risk of awaking Mk. Wukong walked towards the door and slowly opened it, exiting out the house discreetly. Wukong made sure to close the door behind him quietly until he heard the soft click made from the door. Wukong sighed in relief as he made no noise and he went back on his phone.
Wukong noticed his phone ringing once more in the palm of his hand, Wukong decided to answer DBK's call.
Wukong started the conversation in a confused tone, clearly questioning DBK's actions. "What do you want in this hour? It's literally—"
DBK interrupted Wukong and spoke in a surprisingly urgent tone. Striking contrast to DBK's usual calm and collected tone, "Wukong, can you possibly babysit Redson tomorrow? Sorry if it's urgent, it's that my wife actually has a event coming up out of the blue and-"
Wukong chuckled in the phone and decided to walk slightly in the front yard of his home, as he replied back almost nonchalantly, "Oh don't worry about it. I have time tomorrow. I can take care of Redson."
There was a few second pause and silence in the other line of the phone. Wukong could tell DBK was quite shocked at his response to DBK' desperation plea. Wukong just took small steps around his front yard as he had the phone against his ear, awaiting for DBK's reaction. The outdoors was fresh and beautiful as the moonlight from the sky radiated on the short grass. The stars twinkled in the sky as Wukong took a small glance at it in appreciation.
Then the silence was broken as DBK spoke in pure disbelief yet speculation, "Really? This isn't one of your pranks is it?"
Wukong smirked at the uncertainty of DBK's words, both knowing how Wukong loved pulling pranks on everyone in the most unsuspecting time. Once when Wukong and DBK were in high school together, Wukong pranked DBK by shrinking DBK's uniform for physical education class. This left DBK annoyed yet chuckling at Wukong's silly pranks. It was always a never ending prank cycle between them, even after they both got out of high school and parted ways for their own life.
Wukong stopped his tracks as he stood in a patch of grass in his front yard, A patch getting lit up by the moonlight above. Wukong spoke in the phone in a reassuring tone, "It's not a prank, Bud."
DBK almost immediately let out a relieved sigh in hearing that reassurance. DBK then replied, "Thank god, you were my last hope."
Wukong just chuckled at those words and shrugged his shoulders. speaking nonchalant in the phone, "It's not problem. Either way, the kid loves having guests over and especially if it's Redson. You know how those two little ones love being around each other."
DBK and Wukong share a laugh about it for a few seconds before Wukong added, "And if you ask me, it's a win. Mk would be distracted in Redson while he stops by. While I get to do some other things like my work."
DBK agreed with a hum and decided to change the subject. DBK spoke in a curious tone, "Oh, I always forget you are working sometimes. How is that holding up?"
Wukong chuckled softly in the phone and decided to change the position of the phone on his ear, swapping it for his other. Wukong spoke in the phone, "it's so far great, sure it can be quite a hassle working from home while a energetic kid is in your face. But i managed to have time for Mk and my work."
DBK understood the environment Wukong is in, he knew it could be quite stressful managing to control two important factors in one's life. Work and family. DBK couldn't help but praise Wukong, "You sure know how to be responsible. I appreciate that. So when could I drop off Redson?"
Wukong heard then questioned and hummed as he thought of a answer. Wukong was deciding something for a few seconds before speaking, "Is morning alright with you? I'm usually quite a early bird if I do say so myself." Wukong said in a slight arrogant and playful tone.
DBK laughed at the tone and then agreed as he spoke, "Morning sounds great. See you then, Wukong."
Wukong smiled at DBK's words and spoke sincerely in the phone one last time, "See you, old pal."
Then Wukong hanged up on the phone, He then started sighing with sigh relief and worry for the chaos in the morning. Although Wukong knew tommorow both kids will be distracted with each other, Wukong knew how much more stress it'll bring onto him as he will now have to manage two kids and a job. Wukong just placed his phone away in his back pocket before gazing up at the twinkling stars of the night sky. Wukong knew he was in a tight position for agreeing to the chaos tomorrow, he just mumbled under his breath,
"It could be worse...but I can do it..."
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"...It was a great performance you delivered, Macaque! The people loved you!"
One of Macaque's crew members spoke towards the idol, they handed him a towel to wipe the sweat from his face. Macaque gratefully grabbed the towel and wrapped it around his neck. They were all backstage and people in the audience started departing after the live event.
"Thank you, I'll always show my best to the people whom love me the most." Macaque said simply and started walking towards the dressing room. The crew couldn't agree more with macaque's words and his determination in showing the best of him towards his beloved fans.
"We already have booked you a plane ticket for tomorrow and a hotel room tonight for you can rest. You have quite a tight schedule but we promise to provide as much space and comfort you need." Macaque's manager suddenly spoke and approached the idol with a grateful hand on his shoulder.
Macaque notice this symbol of appreciation and couldn't help smirk and let out a soft chuckle. Macaque placed his hand on top of his manager's and spoke, "Thank you, I'll be heading over there in a few minutes. I just need to pack up my stuff from here."
His manager nodded and watched Macaque walk towards the dressing room. The manager couldn't help but feel grateful for having such a talented and grateful star in his presence. As Macaque entered the dressing room, he took off the towel around his neck and threw it over a chair to dry off. Macaque approached the clothes that was selected from his crew members to wear as a disguise in public. Macaque smiled at the selection of clothes, completely mastering his choice of style. Macaque started changing his clothes, his movements were fluid and swift even when no eyes were looking.
When Macaque took off his shirt, he suddenly heard a knock on the door. He suspected it was his manager or another crew member. Macaque quickly tried putting on the more comfortable shirt on and spoke out, "coming."
Macaque walked towards the door and opened it, suspecting it was his manager or someone else trying to get on his nerves about the tour and or schedule.
To Macaque's disbelief, he opened the door and was greeted by a familiar face...
"Chang'e..." Macaque said as he was quite caught off guard by his friend's presence. Chang'e was holding a quite small but beautiful bouquet of Moonflowers.
Chang'e smiled warmly and extended her hand to offer the bouquet of flowers to Macaque. Chang'e spoke in such gentleness, "Great job on the performance, tonight..."
Macaque returned the smile and grabbed the bouquet of flowers with gratitude. Every time Chang'e gave Macaque flowers, they were always his favorites. Moonflowers. Special flowers that grow only when the full moon is out. Macaque finds these type of flowers so unique and drawn to his heart. Macaque then spoke, "Thank you, Chang'e. These are so beautiful."
Chang'e reached out to brush a strand of hair away from her face, Chang'e smiled gently and spoke, "Anything for someone like you. You deserve it with how much effort and talent you hold. This is the least I can do..."
Macaque always appreciated Chang'e support, through flowers. Chang'e ran a flower business which she sold diverse type of plants which she kept in great condition. Macaque would always stop by her shop when he had the chance, as well as Chang'e with Macaque during his concerts. They were both very supportive and although Macaque sometimes doesn't want to accept such gifts from his friend. He knew that occasionally Chang'e business could be slow, which is why he tries convincing her to not give gifts and instead focus on the growth of her business.
Macaque just took the flowers in his hand and brought the bouquet to his nose, Taking a sniff at the sweet smell from the flowers. He then spoke, "You really shouldn't have though..."
Chang'e chuckled softly and gazed up at Macaque, since Macaque is quite more taller than her. Chang'e replied back, "I insist! You're performance on stage was just amazing!"
Macaque chuckled and stepped aside from his dressing room, allowing Chang'e in. The dressing room had plenty of Macaque's already worn performance clothes he used. Chang'e was in awe at the sight of the backstage details of the after-performances.
Macaque noticed Chang'e amusement and couldn't help smirk at the reaction. Macaque walked towards the vanity with the quite large mirror in it. Macaque then resumed into finishing his disguise and taking off his decorative eyepatch and black gloves, revealing his past scars. Chang'e was one of the few people to know about these past scars and what's underneath the surface. Macaque's scars varied from being light, faded to deep. His eye had a deep (X shaped) mark which he never really found the beauty of it.
Chang'e gazed at Macaque's scar on his eye and she decided to comment on it in the nicest way possible, "I don't see why you'll hide such beauty..."
Macaque turned to gaze at Chang'e with shock by her words, completely touched those simple words about his scars. Macaque's mouth twitched to a smile and he spoke, "Thanks Chang'e..."
Chang'e smiled and then she walked towards Macaque, her movement could be seen from the reflection of the mirror. Chang'e placed a hand on his shoulder and spoke, "Do you have somewhere to stay for the night?"
Macaque's eyes widen momentarily by those words, caught off guard as he realized the tight schedule he was in. Macaque sighed and forced a small smile, "Yeah, my manager assigned me a room in a hotel...i mean, he already booked everything for me for the upcoming events."
Chang'e nodded as he understood Macaque's direction and where he was coming from. Chang'e just spoke simply, "Ah, I understand...I can walk with you if you want, taking you to that hotel."
Macaque's eyes immediately lit up by those words, he thought he had to reluctantly push his friend away before of his schedule. Macaque felt huge relief in Chang'e offer and turned around to gaze down at her. He spoke in a calm yet undercurrent joy, "I'd love that."
Then both Macaque and Chang'e smiled at each other for a few seconds before deciding to head out the dressing room together. both of them walking in union towards Macaque's hotel.
The moment was filled with ease and joy between each other, both finding relief that they could talk fluidly without any distractions between them. Like friends.
They both walk in the distance of the beautiful night ahead of them...
Just...
Perfect...
For now...