Chapter Text
⟬「❀」⟭ — CHAPTER 1
The Lady Bone Demon had been defeated, weeks ago at this point, but it was only now that everyone had regained the energy to properly celebrate.
More specifically MK, who had nearly gone comatose after all of the adrenaline left his body once she had been defeated; and while he did remain conscious, he wasn’t really in the right headspace for a while, and neither was anyone else.
And Macaque wasn’t stupid, he could tell that Wukong had been just as scared of the Lady Bone Demon as MK, if not more, so it irritated him to no end when he watched Wukong come to this little get-together with the biggest grin on his face with drinks in tow; laughing all the while.
They weren’t actually alcoholic drinks, it was just iced tea with a fancy label, but with how giddy and loose Wukong was acting Macaque was beginning to doubt it; but he ignored him, or tried to at least.
But before all that, in the morning, Macaque had half a mind to stay in bed that day. His limbs felt heavy and the makeshift bed he was sleeping on (literally just some leaves draped over a mossy rock) had been unreasonably comfortable that day. He had groaned, glaring up at the sun like it owed him money, and then stood up with a grumble.
Birds had chirped, sang with jolly falsettos, but all Macaque could do was hiss and clutch his ears; unusually sensitive first thing in the morning, even for the Six-eared. That was strike one for the oddities.
He’d shook his head and tried to get his bearings, glancing at the hanging willows and swaying branches, and it (weirdly enough) reminded him that MK had invited him to a small get-together to celebrate the defeat of the Lady Bone Demon; oddly, thinking of her didn’t make him shudder. That was strike two.
And then, as he weighed his options - attending the party and risk ruining the atmosphere with his mere presence (especially since Wukong is definitely going) or not attending and then having to deal with a sad and pouty MK trailing behind him, begging for answers as to his absence - he’d sighed and took one stride forward to step through his shadow portals, only for it to close around his foot that was already halfway in, propelling him forward and making him land on his face. “Ugh… What in…” Macaque had picked himself off the floor and glared downward, foot halfway stuck into the earth with a faint shadowy outline. He’d cussed under his breath and wrapped his hands around his calf, tugging and tugging and tugging until his leg finally came loose, the portal shutting with an abrupt vroom. That was strike three.
Something was wrong; wrong with him, and unlike most situations, he had no clue what it was.
⟬「❀」⟭
The dark-furred monkey took a cautious step forward, glancing around the lively party, letting out another groan as his foot got caught in his portal again. As he turned to pull it out, a bouncing ball of energy bounded to his side, stupidly making him jump. Somewhere in his head, he begrudgingly muttered something about a fourth strike.
“Macaque! I didn’t think you’d make it!” MK beamed as he got up in the monkey’s face, clenching his fists with excitement. “Well, no, pssh- It’s not that I didn’t think you’d make it, it’s more that I thought that you simply wouldn’t show up.” He scratched the back of his neck as he backtracked, his ramblings getting cut short when Macaque put a hand on his shoulder.
“Woah, slow down, kid. I’m right here, yeah?”
MK smiled again, “Yeah.. Yeah! I’ll…! Uh… What’s up with your foot?” He pointed to the foot in question, which was twisted awkwardly inside of the portal.
“Ahh, well, you know…” Macaque waved his hand, trying to play it off with an easy-going expression that was so obviously forced it made MK grimace. “Just… Morning hiccups.”
MK cocked his head to the side, “... But it’s noon.” He then gasped loudly, making Macaque flinch - what’s with him being so jumpy today? - which opened the portal back up somehow, making him stumble forward. “Do you think your powers were affected after all?!” MK whisper-shouted despite the other tripping and cursing under his breath.
The disheveled monkey let out a sigh, “What do you mean ‘after all’?... Is this something you’ve been considering?” He brushed off his legs and torso, smoothing out the creases before raising a brow. “And why would my powers be affected anyway?”
MK’s bumbling energy faltered for a second before he schooled his expression back into a happy-go-lucky one, something that didn’t go unnoticed by Macaque. “Well after the whole thing with the, uh, the Lady Bone Demon, I figured it would’ve affected you in some way… I mean, Monkey King’s been a little off but-”
“Off? The Monkey King is ‘off’?” Suddenly it was all worth dragging himself to this party as Macaque’s interest was highly piqued.
MK grinned worriedly, “... I mean, he didn’t actually tell me he felt off, I can kinda… Just tell.” He turned to look at the ginger monkey in question over his shoulder, who was laughing as he chugged the iced peach tea he brought, being cheered on by Mei and Sandy. “I dunno if it’s because I have his powers but… I can kinda feel it in my gut that there’s something wrong…”
Macaque hummed thoughtfully and followed MK’s gaze, “Ahh, like you can sense his energy?”
“His energy? What do you-” MK didn’t have a chance to finish his sentence because-
Speak of the devil, “Heyyy, kid! You should really try this tea, it’s veerryy…” Wukong trailed off and his beaming smile faded as his eyes caught sight of the other monkey and he groaned. “Ugh, it’s you.”
“Yeah, it’s me.” Macaque crossed his arms, the condescending tone in his voice making Wukong’s face scrunch up in annoyance. “What, didn’t expect MK to invite me? I was there when she was defeated, you know.” He took one step forward, maintaining eye contact. “I was literally right next to you.”
“No, I knew the kid invited you, he’s way too nice for his own good.” Wukong took a sip from the can, “just didn’t think you’d find it in you to show up. I mean, your whole thing of disappearing and all.” He gestured to all of Macaque, who only smiled though it wasn’t genuine.
“Uh huh.”
Wukong stared at him, and he stared right back.
“Soooooo…” MK started, sweating nervously as he had been awkwardly standing between the two, only speaking up as now there was silence between them. He should probably just leave. “You said I should try something?” He glanced at Wukong, giving him an out, but he didn’t take it.
“Besides, you’ve got a lot of nerve showing up, especially after assisting her.”
Macaque laughed, “Wow.” He actually seemed surprised. “Just, wow.”
Now really feeling like he should just leave, MK slowly took a few steps back and then bolted, making his way over to sit next to Mei who was chugging some of the same tea that Wukong had brought. “Yo, MK! You should try this! Monkey King brought it and it’s actually sooo good!” She took one look at his face and made an ‘eugh’ sound. “Sheesh, that bad?”
He let out a deep sigh and sunk in his seat, “Yeah… I kinda thought they’d get along a little better now that they like, saved the world together, but I guess not…” He leaned forward and rested his forehead on the table with a loud thunk, earning a few surprised glances.
“Woah woah, kid, you alright?” Pigsy, who had been standing nearby with Tang, turned and placed a hand on MK’s shoulder. When all he got back was a muffled ‘I’m fine’, he looked to Mei. “What’s up with the kid?”
Mei put the drink down onto one of the coasters, “MK invited the Monkey King and shadow guy here in the hopes that they’d become buddy-buddy with each other but… Well…” She gestured to the full blown argument that was now happening on the other side of the store. “It’s sorta not working, like, at all?” She smiled sheepishly and Pigsy snorted with mild frustration.
“I honestly don’t think they’ll ever get along,” Tang said, all while looking at Wukong, seemingly mocking Macaque who scoffed. “At least not like this.” He added through gritted teeth.
“Whaddya mean, Tangy?” Mei blinked.
“Well,” he pushed up his glasses. “The Monkey King is infamous for running from his problems and not taking responsibility, and Macaque… Well… We all saw what he was like before,” a small hum of agreements, “I imagine he’s likely the same.”
Mei whined and leaned back against the chair, “Maaann! Why’re these monkeys..’s.. Problems so complicated?!” She pouted and MK made a noise of agreement.
“What was up with that Macaque guy anyway?”
“Huh?” MK raised his head as Pigsy spoke up again.
“When he, uh, came through his shadow portal thing, he got stuck.” Pigsy put his hands on his hips, “What was up with that? ‘Cause I don’t want no funny magic business happenin’ in my store.” He gruffed.
MK suddenly shot up, “Oh my Great Sage! I got it! Pigsy, you’re a genius!” He leapt out of his seat and sped on over to the two mystic monkeys once more.
“... What did you say that inspired him this time?” Tang glanced at Pigsy, who shrugged.
“Ehh, MK gets these odd ideas all the time, Tangy, it’s worked out so far.” Mei pulled out her phone and moved to take another sip from her iced peach tea, only to pull back. “Aww, I still wanted more…” She tossed the can with a saddened pout.
⟬「❀」⟭
“Kid, I don’t think that’s necessary.” Nervously chuckling, Macaque raised his hands in a placating manner, glancing between a grinning MK and a fuming Wukong. “Really, it’s fine.”
MK huffed and put his hands on his hips with a loud harrumph, “Oh yeah? Well I think having your leg stuck in a portal is very, very bad! And who better to help control your powers than Monkey King!” He smiled and gestured to the angry monkey with jazz hands.
Forcing a smile and sighing, Wukong put a hand on MK’s shoulder. “Listen kid, this is really nice of you to suggest, don’t get me wrong, but I seriously doubt that Macaque wants any training from me.” His smirk faltered as what MK said properly registered in his head. “And, uh, what was that about a leg getting stuck?” Macaque winced and looked away sheepishly.
MK’s face lit up and he grinned wide, which only made Macaque more nervous. “Oh, you know, Macque’s shadowyyy… Portals? Yeah, his leg got stuck in one of ‘em.” He said, oddly proud, while a snarky look came over Wukong’s face. Nevermind, coming to this stupid party was a bad idea. He should’ve just let the day pass while staring up at the sun and doing nothing.
“... Your leg got stuck.” Wukong turned to face Macaque, smug.
“Actually, it was more that the portal closed prematurely around it–”
“I can’t believe it! The Great Macaque having power problems? Oh, this is gold!”
“... Ha ha.” Macaque deadpanned.
MK cocked his head, “Sooooo, you’ll help him?”
“Sure kid, if it means I get to look Macaque in the eye as he falls on his butt a million times.” Wukong puffed his chest out, seemingly already imagining Macaque struggling with his powers, which the monkey in question did not appreciate. Emphasis on ‘eye’, he thought to himself.
“... Awesome.” Macaque spoke through gritted teeth. “I’ll… See you in a few days when I don’t feel like hitting you in the face.” He raised his hand and turned to walk through a portal, only for it to not summon in time, making him walk face first into the wall. “... ow.” With a mutter, he ignored Wukong’s chuckle and finally walked through the portal.
“... AH!” MK suddenly shouted and Wukong jumped a bit.
“Gah! Kid, what is-?”
“I FORGOT TO GIVE MACAQUE HIS GIFT!” He cried, his tone ridden with despair. Wukong let out a fond sigh.