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Soulmate strands tie everyone together in someway.
Whether it’s a platonic tie between friends,
Or a parental tie amongst family
Soulmate strands are predetermined-
They exist before you’re born- even if they aren’t visible right away.
But…. In all of MK’s years… he never had a single tie to anyone-
The miniature Monkey Demon had lived in Pigsy’s shop for almost his entire life and even though he loved the people that resided inside-
That love was never reciprocated-
Not out of maliciousness just…
No one had know he was there-
So no bonds were made
But now-
Now he had been cradled in the Monkey king’s hand
MK thought… maybe.. just maybe something would form
After all he had been chosen to be his successor! MK was certain that they’d have a string of fate connecting them-
That some kind of bond would be forged and reveal their link!
But there was nothing-
MK had always loved Wukong and his stories-
And Wukong chose him to be his successor right???
So….
Something.. should have shown itself…
Unless…
..
He had changed his mind-
Or never meant it in the first place-
When he had defeated the bull king he had been the only one who could sneak into his armour without being noticed.
So…
Did the Monkey King just say that because he he was there?
Was he just a place holder until he found someone better?
Someone bigger?
Someone stronger and more capable?
I mean- Monkey King was supposed to meet him today!
MK had been waiting on top of Pigsy’s shop for well over an hour so he could train his powers with the King himself!
But….
Why would he??
MK was just some borrower Demon-
Just some Kid!
Why would the Monkey King even pay attention to him.
Another hour goes by and MK wonders why he’s even still up there when a falcon lands on the roof-
Then transforms into the Great Sage before his very eyes
“Oh gee I’m so sorry I’m late bud! There was drama with the monkeys and I lost track of time- but as soon as I realized I raced over here!”
MK couldn’t meet his gaze. The obvious lie only stung the Little Monkey’s heart more but he tried to shrug it off-
“It’s fine- I understand.”
“Great now let’s-“ Wukong faltered “hey… are you okay bud?”
MK just nodded
Then the great sage kelt in front of him. “MK… look at me please?”
He didn’t want to… but he listened- lifting his chin up to look up at his hero-
“Oh MK-“ Wukong reached forward, brushing a tear away from the Borrower’s face that he hadn’t even felt-
“Bud I really am sorry for being late, it’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again-“
“N-no it’s okay- really- I get it-“
He’s not important
He’s not worthy
“MK- … I don’t think you do-“ without another word Wukong scooped the little monkey into his palm-
“What’s going through your head bud? C’mon I’m your mentor- you can tell me-“
Could he?
Could he call out the Great Sages lies?
Wouldn’t he rather things be honest and be alone?
Then living in a lie just to have someone-
No… … he wanted the lie to be true-
He wanted Wukong to want him…
But..
It would only hurt more when he did eventually leave him.
Might as well face the music now rather than later-
“We’re not connected-“
“Huh?” The Sage almost looked baffled
“There’s no bond or string tying us together… if I was really supposed to be your successor then there should be… something.. anything right?!”
“Yeah but bud that’s-“
“And I know soulmate strings don’t just happen Willy nilly-
But if one didn’t even make itself visible when we met-
Then…
Then it must not be right!”
“Bud can you just list-“
“So I know you just felt guilty about getting me to fight the bull king- but the lie hurts more okay! I know I’m not your real successor so please don’t Lie-!”
“BUD!” Monkey King’s voice got loud and MK froze-
“Sorry- sorry I don’t want to yell but… MK… you ARE my successor you-“
“But there should be some kind of bond- anything! There-“
“There is! There is Bud- I’ve just.. I just hid it..”
“What..?” Now it was MK’s turn to look baffled.
Wukong sighed, cupping his hands around MK protectively-
“Honesty time bud, heh… I’ve kinda been watching you for a while…”
“Wait what???”
“Ehh.. yeah… not looking like this all the time but… as a butterfly, or the falcon- even in a human disguise before-“
“But- but why??”
“Because I saw this… “ Wukong glowed gold for a moment and then a shimmering illusion dropped from his form-
Glamour-
Monkey king had been wearing glamour-!
there was burns across his skin, and his eyes were red-
Just like the old legends use to describe him
But MK wasn’t focused on that-
Instead.. he was locked in on the little red string that was tied to Wukong’s pinky finger-
The miniature Monkey’s eyes traced along the delicate thread until his eyes landed to his own pinky- where the string ended-
Tears welled up in his eyes-
He had a string-
He had someone who loved him-
“Wh-why did you hide it????”
MK’s voice warbled with emotion as he looked up to the monkey king “why didn’t you tell me??”
Wukong at least had the decency to look guilty-
“I was scared bud… everyone I had bonds with are long gone… I didn’t want to lose another- but… … I couldn’t just leave you… …”
MK looked back at the thin glowing thread attached to his smallest finger-
“So… what does that make us?”
The monkey king nervously smiled, “Well… do you still want to be my successor?”
MK wiped his tears, “I just… don’t want to be all alone again… do I have to be your successor to just be around you
Wukong’s pointer finger gently ruffled MK’s hair with such affection-
“Of course not-“
“Would you still teach me if I asked?”
“Anything you want to learn bud…”
MK was quite for a moment-
He still didn’t feel worthy to be called Wukong’s successor but-…
..
They were connected-
They were soulmates and they were meant to meet each other so…
“I’d still like to try and succeed you… .. I might not be able to do it but… I want to give it my all!”
Wukong’s hesitant smile bloomed in full to a widespread grin-
“Then that makes me your Mentor bud, but if you ever need that to change.. and just need a parent or… wacky uncle- I can be those too-“
MK sniffled returning his smile-
“Sounds great…”
For the boy who once had nothing-
It now felt like he had everything,
His heart full and his anxieties banished-
MK finally felt like he truly had a home-