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All Macaque could feel was pain, so so so much pain. Blood poured out one of his hands, where his claws used to be.
Blood everywhere. Macaque let out a loose whine, biting back a sob. Everything hurts…
Stupid Bone Demon! Stupid Mayor! Stupid Wukong! Stupid Macaque!
He let out another whimper, blood pooling out of various wounds. After all of this, why did she keep him alive! Why!
Icy chills bit at his skin, seeping into every crevice and stilling his fur.
He buried his face into his sleeve, soaked red with his blood.
His hand hurt. Luckily only one of his hands was declawed but it was still bleeding.
He needed to stop the bleeding…
Carefully he grabbed his scarf and wrapped it around his hand wincing as he pressed it close.
The claws can and will grow back luckily, yet it’ll take time and a lot of magic. Macaque wasn’t even sure if he’d have chronic pain for the rest of his life or until they fully heal back.
His head snapped to the sound of his cell door opening. He bared his teeth at the familiar gray haired individual.
“Relax Six-Ears,” The Mayor said causally before throwing some frozen fruit at him, “Gather your strength…you're gonna need it to fulfill your destiny.” He added with a cruel smirk.
Macaque growled as The Mayor left, he didn’t like the sound of that. He needed to get out.
He didn’t even bother with the fruit, it smelt weird and he didn’t know if the henchmen had done anything to it.
Macaque took a breath as he pushed down the pain in, well, everywhere.
After looking around a bit and not being able to find any weak spots he laid down, his tail wrapping protectively around himself.
He’ll rest for a bit then…he’ll go back to searching.
Macaque shot his head up, awake but not yet alert.
The only words he could make out are, “You just guard him, we don’t want that kid breaking him out”
Macaque stared up at the familiar ginger monkey. Wukong’s fur was more muted and his clothes now blue and silver. Macaque felt a shiver crawl up his spine looking into those blue eyes.
How did that witch possess him?!
Macaque backed up wearily, pushing against a corner.
Wukong looked sad?
Macaque snarled as Wukong approached slowly, cautiously.
Wukong gently grabbed his hand, the one without claws causing Macaque to whine in pain.
Wukong pressed his scarf closer to the wounds to make sure the blood was stopping.
Macaque winced and yelped trying to pull away but Wukong gently pulled him back.
Macaque was seriously hoping that this was Wukong fighting against her control and not the Lady Bone Demon.
Wukong placed his free hand on Macaque’s cheek, gently rubbing it.
Macaque knew this had to be Wukong, The Lady Bone Demon would never be doing this! He couldn’t understand why Wukong was doing this though.
His eyes felt heavy, the pain seemed to lessen, he pulled his ears back and looked up at Wukong. Will you keep me safe?
His vision faded to black.
The next thing he knew was much yelling and the sounds of battle. It made his ears ring and his wounds started to bleed again…just great.
The next few things were a blur, just more blood leaking out of his various wounds, his head ringing from all the noise, and icy cold biting into his skin.
Then he recognized a scent, then a voice…Wukong.
“MACAQUE!”
That was the last thing he heard before everything turned to black.
Macaque barely registered where he was, it was warm, nice, and comfy.
His wounds stung but he could feel bandages over his wounds.
He noticed two more things, his glamours were off and he recognized Wukong’s scent.
From as far as he could tell, Wukong at least wasn’t in the room.
The room was dark, curtains covering the window. It smelled faintly of peaches…great, was he in Wukong’s house?
Macaque shifted, pressing his back against the nearest wall. He didn’t want anyone sneaking up on him.
Pulling a blanket on top of himself he kept his eyes fixated on the door, everything stung, especially his hand, but he can manage it much better.
The door slowly creaked open.
“Macaque!” The familiar ginger simian chirped happily and rushed over to him.
That earned him a snarl and a swat from Macaque’s clawed hand.
“Sorry!” Wukong immediately backed up, “Just happy to know your not dead, you scared me when you passed out”
“Why do you care?” Macaque said defensively, his fur on end.
“We may not get along but I don't want you to die!” Not for a second time. Wukong didn’t say those words but it hung heavy in the air.
Macaque didn’t respond, instead he buried himself into the blanket.
The silence hung heavy in the air.
Wukong waited a bit before breaking it, “Mk wanted to see you.” He said, scratching his head.
“I don’t want to see anyone right now,” Macaque replied dismissively.
“I- Alright…I’m getting you something to eat though,” Wukong responded hesitantly before leaving the room.
After a few minutes Wukong came back with some fresh fruit, giving it to Macaque before excusing himself from the room.
This repeated for a few days, Wukong checking in on him, Macaque growling at him, and Wukong giving him food.
Macaque couldn’t wait to be healed, he didn’t want to be here for any longer then he knew was wise.
He felt bad for not wanting to see anyone but he couldn’t help it. He was pretty sure at least some of Mk’s friends hated him, he was pretty sure they were just doing this out of the kindness of their hearts, he’ll be chased away the minute he was better.
“Hey”
Macaque was a bit surprised that Wukong managed to sneak up on him.
“What do you want?” Macaque asked. Why was he being so kind? I don’t deserve it…
“Just checking on you,” Wukong answered, hesitating before taking a step closer. “Can I rewrap your bandages?” He added.
Macaque flicked his tail wearily. He can wrap his own wounds, that’s what he has been doing for the past few days.
But…he’ll humor Wukong.
“Sure, I might bite though.” Macaque teased.
Wukong rolled his eyes before settling down beside Macaque and grabbing his wounded hand.
Macaque winced as Wukong undid the bandage but kept his expression stoic.
However Wukong still noticed his pain and moved more gently.
Macaque winced at the dried blood that covered where his claws used to be but he could see the slightest hint of them growing back, just some tiny nubs.
“How are you feeling?” Wukong asked, he pressed some of his power into the wound to lessen the pain.
Macaque let out a sigh of relief but quickly covered it up with a yawn.
“Getting better.” He replied dismissively.
“That's good…” Wukong replied absentmindedly, he hummed as he rewrapped the darker simians wounds.
“Mk asked if he could see you again,” Wukong added even though he already knew the answer.
Macaque didn’t respond for a few moments, “I’ll think about it.” Maybe that would be an answer the persistent young adult would accept.
Wukong didn’t say anything back, instead he finished up with changing the bandages.
Once he was done he turned to Macaque, “Want anything?” He asked.
“Nah,” Macaque replied dismissively. He flicked his tail before pulling a blanket over himself.
Wukong nodded before switching off the light and leaving the room.
Icy claws ripped down his back. His fur froze to his flesh.
Pain…so much pain, his hand felt like it was on fire that consumed the rest of the arm.
He tried to push away the pain. Force it down.
“It hurts…”
“My Champion”
“Six-ears-”
Pain
Bleeding
Dying
No…
No…
Not again!
Dying
Over
And
Over
Again
And
Again
Again
And
AGAIN
“Macaque?”
Macaque gasped for air. He felt a warm hand grab his shoulder gently.
He felt tears cling to his eyes.
Stupid nightmare.
Ginger hands gently wrapped around his stomach, not restricting just…protective.
Macaque after a bit turned to Wukong, he tried his best to maintain a glare. Yet a small part of him was relieved to not be alone.
“Don’t give me that look,” Wukong teased but his worry was clear. The ginger simian cast him a look of concern before reluctantly releasing him.
Macaque let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. He laid back before burying his face into the pillows and promptly screamed.
Wukong let out a soft chuckle and laid down beside Macaque. He paused for a moment, “You good?” He asked hesitantly.
“Would you believe me if I said yes?” Macaque shot back, flicking his tail in annoyance.
“Nope,” Wukong said in a fake cheery tone, masking his concern.
Macaque let out a sigh and ignored Wukong’s presence.
Wukong however didn’t accept that.
“Macaque” He said softly, Wukong moved to be closer to him. A hand grasping his shoulder.
“Don’t wanna talk about it” Macaque retorted, he didn’t want to admit how much the dream had shaken him up, he didn’t want to admit his fears of being kicked out once he was better, he didn’t want to admit how badly he missed being open with Wukong.
Wukong let out a sigh before moving to be in front of Macaque.
“Look, we may not get along at all in these current centuries, but…I don’t want to fight you anymore.” He said before adding, “I know that nothing I could ever do will be able to make what I’ve done to you better or ‘justified’, you have all the right to hate me, you should hate me.”
“But, I wanna at least try and mend some of what is broken,” Wukong declared, trying to convey how sincere he was in his voice.
Macaque looked at him, his eyes slightly widened. That was sweet.
Do I hate Wukong?
No I don’t think I do…
Macaque stayed silent for a bit, processing what Wukong said. After a few quiet minutes he spoke up,
“I’ll give you a chance”
Wukong flicked his tail excitedly and wrapped his hands around Macaque, hugging him close.“Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou-”
“To close” Macaque grinned uncomfortably while pushing Wukong back.
Wukong, to his credit, backed up. “Sorry sorry,” he said, raising his hands in surrender.
Macaque smiled softly.
Maybe this can work out…
It took awhile for Macaque to trust Wukong and show him affection.
It was a lot of trial and error but they managed.
Macaque comfortably laid on a sleeping Wukong’s chest.
Every now and again Macaque would smack Wukong with his tail due to his loud snoring but he mostly ignored.
He felt warm, safe. Macaque buried his head into the crook of Wukong’s neck, inhaling his scent.
He still didn’t want to see Mk or his friends, he just…he just didn’t feel mentally prepared.
Yet today was an up day, things felt lighter, more comfortable. Maybe he’ll see them soon.
Dragging himself out of his thoughts he nuzzled Wukong who let out sleepy purrs.
He snapped his head around at the sound of the door opening.
Mk looked up at him with big curious eyes. His mouth opened and closed like a fish, both confused and curious.
“Uhh, hi kiddo?” Macaque said awkwardly.
"You- wha-...YOU AND MONKEY KING!” He sputtered.
Macaque blushed embarrassed, “It’s not like that kid,” he quickly excused.
‘Then-” Mk started before Macaque explained.
“Wukong wants to try and mend our relationship…and I guess I do too,” Macaque said awkwardly.
“Then why are you two all cuddled up,” Mk asked suspiciously.
“We’re monkeys, we’re naturally clingy” Macaque explained with a yawn.
The silence hung heavy in the air. Tension so sharp it cut like a blade.
Macaque broke the tension with a sigh, “You're a good kid Mk,” he added shortly after.
Mk brightened up and gave Macaque a soft smile.
Macaque stayed quiet for a bit before adding, “I’m sorry for well- everything. I was just so upset with Wukong that I hurt those who didn’t deserve it. I am truly sorry MK…”
The two stayed quiet for a few long seconds until Mk forced himself forward, wrapping his arms around Macaque, pulling him into a hug.
Macaque froze in shock and confusion before releasing the tension in his muscles and hugging him back.
Maybe this can work?