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emerialyncodevenice · 7 days ago

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Taken Back (Part one)

“Take. Him. Home.” Macaque’s voice was sharp over the phone.

Wukong ducked his head a little, “I did. We did. We are there right now.” he says, yet at the same time, was walking out of the gates to leave said location.

“I can hear you Wukong. You are walking away.”

“I took him home!” Wukong disagreed, one hand holding a phone up to his ear, the other holding the hand of a small little cub. They walked side by side, swinging their arms a little. Behind them was a run-down, horribly smelling, poor excuse of an establishment.

It also just so happened to be the little one’s home.

“Wukong-”

“I was telling him about Xiaoxiao, and he asked if he could meet him and well- he wasn’t busy, we aren’t busy- Play date!” Wukong says with a grin. Below him, the child, a little fella named “MK” looked up with an excited smile.

With chubby cheeks, large round eyes, and the most adorable little nose, it was no surprise that Wukong's heart was being stolen.

“Mihou,” he says before his mate could say more, “If you could just see him. Just look at him for a moment…” he exhaled. Wukong had only seen him once and it was like he was under a spell ever since. He couldn’t seem to let the child out of his sight, to stop holding this little hand- afraid to let go.

Macaque sighed heavily on the other end of the line. "Wukong, I know you mean well, but you can't just take the boy whenever you please. He has a home and a family-”

“He lives in an…!” Wukong paused, whispering, “Orphanage.” Wukong's heart clenched at the thought of returning MK to that dismal place. He looked down at the little cub, who gazed back up at him with those big, trusting eyes.

“Ah-” Macaque didn’t finish. He seemed to be debating. "Wukong, he’s human.” he says when nothing else came to mind. A human in their world was at greater risk.

"I know, I know," Wukong said, his voice softening. "But just for today, hmm? A play date. Xiaotian is always looking for more friends.”

There was a long pause on the other end of the line. Finally, Macaque spoke, his tone resigned. "Fine. But just for a few hours, Wukong. Then you need to take him back."

Wukong grinned triumphantly. "You got it, Mihou. We'll have him back before sunset." He ended the call and turned his full attention to MK, who was practically bouncing with excitement. "Ready to meet my little monkey?" Wukong asked, ruffling the boy's hair affectionately.

MK nodded eagerly, his eyes shining. "Yeah! Let's go, let's go!" he jumped up and down, swinging his hand against Monkey King’s. His hero- everything he thought he would be.

MK was afraid that he would bore the Monkey King with all his endless questions. He was used to being ignored or told to be quiet by the caretakers at the orphanage if he talked too much. But the Monkey King was different. He listened attentively, never getting tired of MK's chatter. And chatter MK did when allowed. “We’re you talking to the Six Eared Macaque just now??” MK asked. “L-Liu’er Mihou. That is his other name in the book! I drew pictures of him too-” he paused, and pulled out his sketchbook to show. “The book says he is pretty with 6 ears, but it never said what else he looked like.”

Wukong tilted his head, curious if the boy had somehow heard their conversation. “That was him, yeah. He’s my mate.”

“Your boyfriend?” MK asked.

“Mate,” Wukong corrects. The child looked confused so Wukong changed the word, “Husband.”

“Ooh!” MK nodded, understanding now. “And you’re the wife??”

Wukong choked a little. He sputtered and coughed, caught off guard by MK's innocent question. "No, no, I'm not the wife," he managed to say between coughs, a warmth to his ears. "We're both husbands."

MK looked up at him, his brow furrowed in confusion. "But in the stories, there's always a husband and a wife. He is the husband and you-" he drawled out, giving Wukong a look that CLEARLY meant he was the wife.

Wukong shook his head, and stammered, kneeling before the boy with a slight grouch, "I am not a wife! Sometimes there can be two husbands or two wives. Love is love, no matter who it's between."

MK considered this for a moment. “So then can there be a husband, wife and husband again?”

Wukong blinked, “Um…”

“What about a wife, wife and husband?” MK continued.

Wukong scratched his cheek, “I-I guess? I mean-”

“Love is love, no matter who it’s between.” MK copied Wukong’s words, as if something in this world was finally clicking for him.

Wukong laughed sheepishly. This kid certainly had a lot of questions. But it was nice that he wanted to learn and see the world. As they walked, he watched MK open his sketch book, trying to flip to a certain page with just one hand. Wukong peered down at the sketchbook MK proudly held up, his eyes widening with surprise and delight. On the page was a drawing of Macaque, with his six ears prominently featured. While the details were a bit childlike, the likeness was undeniable.

"Wow, MK, this is amazing!" Wukong exclaimed, gently taking the sketchbook for a closer look. "You've captured Mihou perfectly. I bet he'd be flattered to see this."

MK beamed at the praise, his cheeks flushed. “Hehe.” he giggled.

Wukong mused, touching the picture lightly. He nailed his ears, his fur, his eyes… In a childish doodle, yes, but… how did MK know what color Macaque’s ears were? One orange, one yellow and one purple? Did it say that in the book? Did it say Macaque skin tone, fur color… did it explain the little dimple he had when he smiled?

Wukong didn’t know, as he had never really read the Journey to the West himself. Kind of pointless when it was something he physically was there for.

MK's drawing was remarkably accurate, considering he had never met Macaque in person. Wukong turned to the boy, his curiosity piqued. "MK, how did you know what Mihou looks like? Did the book describe him in such detail?"

MK shook his head, his eyes wide and earnest. "No, not really. The book just said he had six ears and was pretty. Was I close?” he asked, hoping he was.

Wukong paused, studying the drawing again. "You were more than close, MK. This is exactly what he looks like. It's almost as if you've seen him before."

MK's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Really? Wow, I can't believe I got it right!" He bounced on his toes, thrilled that his artistic instincts had been so accurate. Sometimes he liked to imagine when the Six Eared Macaque looked like in his dreams too. Silky fur, kind auburn eyes, and a sweet smile. Calling to him- “Moon Drop.” Though, sometimes the vision is fuzzy and like splots of color. His dreams are so strange.

Wukong stared at the piece of paper in wonder. There were no lies in MK’s words. No deceit in his presence… Actually, in contrast, MK had a very lack of presence. He couldn’t really smell him, or sense him, even with him right next to him.

He considered investigating this further, but they were starting to gather some eyes with them just standing in the street like this. Wukong hadn’t put on a glamor either, so the appearance of The Monkey King was definitely raising some eye brows.

Leaving this for later, he handed MK back his journal to put in his backpack again. “Well, let’s get going. Don’t wanna lose too much daylight,” Wukong chuckled and led the way, MK's small hand clutched firmly in his own. As they walked, Wukong pointed out various sights - a colorful butterfly flitting by, and a funny-shaped cloud in the sky. MK absorbed it all with wide-eyed wonder. Eventually, Wukong lifted the boy onto his shoulders, leaping up to the roof above.

MK squealed with delight, hugging his head tightly as he held on. Making some spitting noises, "Hair!" his face planted right into the Monkey's King's heap of orange fur.

Wukong laughed, "Sorry, a bit of a mess up there." The two shared a laugh before Wukong asked, “Afraid of heights?” he asked.

MK shook his head no. Such towering things never bothered him before. With that said, Wukong summoned his cloud, allowing it to rest before them as he settled MK on top of it. MK’s eyes were wide like saucers as he sunk into the plushness of the cloud, nearly disappearing in it’s fluff.

Wukong peered over with a wag of his tail when MK giggled.

Wukong hopped onto the cloud beside MK, the billowy surface dipping slightly under his weight. "Hold on tight, little one," he said with a mischievous grin. "We're going for a ride!"

MK's tiny hands gripped the cloud's fluffy edges as Wukong willed it forward, the magical conveyance gliding effortlessly through the air. The city below them grew smaller and smaller until the buildings looked like colorful toy blocks dotting the landscape.

"Whoaaaa!" MK exclaimed, his voice carried away by the rushing winds. Looking down, the city seemed so small and insignificant. Like a distant dream. Was this itself a dream?

Leaning against the Monkey King he clung to the man’s side, feeling secure and safe. The Monkey King smelled like peaches and sunlight- MK dind’t realize how much he loved that smell until now.

As the magical cloud soared higher, MK's initial excitement gave way to a peaceful contentment. Snuggled against Wukong's side, he felt a warmth and comfort he had never known before. The orphanage, with its cold, bare walls and strict caretakers, seemed a world away.

Wukong glanced down at the little boy, his heart swelling with affection. In such a short time, MK had captured a piece of his soul. He rubbed the boy’s back as they took the journey back home. As city turned to valleys, which turned into mountainy landscapes, a moment of lava covered lands, and then the jungle soon followed.

“My home,” Wukong says as Flower Fruit Mountain came into view beyond the lush canopy. His Home. Mihou’s. The tribes. His Son’s…

Maybe…

If he wanted, it could be this little Cub’s too…

As the cloud descended towards a clearing near the mountain's base, the tribe could be seen eagerly following after its descent. They chirped in greeting to their king, and curiosity to the little one clinging to his side.

Amid the group, a flash of bright white fur caught their eye. A tiny figure appeared, enthusiastically waving at me. It was Xiaotian, Wukong's energetic little monkey offspring, bouncing up and down in excitement, "Baba! Baba!" Xiaotian called out to warn Macaque, his high-pitched voice ringing through the jungle. "Daddy is back!" Throwing his arms up, he seemed to still when the cloud lowered enough to view. His Father upon it- but also someone else.

Someone…

XIaotian lowered his hands slowly, a strange sensation coming over him. He was alert, eyes wide. To anyone else it might seem that he was just taking in the account of a stranger coming into their midsts.

Yet, something far deeper was clicking in Xiaotian’s little head. Something he hadn’t prepared for- and didn’t know how to comprehend. It froze him in place, stiffening his joints.

Behind him, from the shadows, his Baba emerged, arm cross and staring at his husband. “He certainly is, Sun spot.” he sighed, settling his hand on his baby’s head. He glanced down when Xiaotian seemed tense, curiously brushing his hand to the child’s cheek. XIaotian subconsciously turned into the comfort, but his eyes never left his Father- or more correctly, the child his Father brought with him.

The cloud settled gently onto the ground, dissipating into wisps as Wukong stepped off with MK. The little boy clung to Wukong's hand, his eyes darting around nervously at the unfamiliar surroundings and the curious faces of monkey’s peering at him. They sniffed, but could get no scent from the child.

"Welcome to Flower Fruit Mountain, MK," Wukong said, giving the boy's hand a reassuring squeeze. "This is my home, and my family." he mused when MK half hid behind his leg. MK’s eyes were moving wildly, taking in every sight. The monkeys, the trees, the man with six ears who, as the stories had said, was very beautiful. And then…

MK's eyes landed on Xiaotian, who continued to look at him with a difficult-to-describe expression.

Whole

MK jolted, his knuckles turning white as he grasped onto Wukong’s pant leg.

MK and Xiaotian stared at each other, transfixed, as if the rest of the world had fallen away. The parents were speaking above them, some banter and slight annoyance on Mihou’s part. A nervous chuckle from Wukong.

All of it was distant, even to MK’s incredibly good hearing.

All that mattered, instead, was this boy. Like a memory from a dream.

He had never seen this boy before and yet, he recognized his eyes. Recognized the snow white fur of his arms. Recognized the butterfly marking on his face, and the dimple on his cheek. A fluff tail that seemed to move on it’s own agenda. He knew this boy.

Xiaotian tilted his head, mirroring MK's entranced expression. He took a tentative step forward, then another, slowly approaching the human boy as if drawn by an invisible force. There was a moment of tense silence as the two children regarded each other, the jungle itself seeming to hold its breath.

Above them, the adults were in the midst of a small chat- Whatever annoyance MIhou had, he held his tongue about, giving only a grumpy look. Wukong smiled sheepishly, but had no doubt his mate would understand once he had a chance to just talk to MK. When they finally looked back down the children, they saw a strange sight of two in complete awe of each other.

Yet, what happened next, Wukong didn’t know if he would ever truly understand. He expected his son, Xiaotian, to be curious of this new little boy. He expected Xiaotian to perhaps be nervous, or over eccentric. To ask a million questions on who MK was and why he was here.

What Wukong didn't expect was for Xiaotian to suddenly burst into tears, his small body shaking with sobs.

Macaque was reacting immediately, dropping to his knee in concern for their son.

“Sun spot??” he panicked, gently touching the boy’s back. They worried perhaps he was in pain, that his illness was flaring, uncertain as Xiaotian rubbed the tears on his chubby cheeks.

The pitiful cries sounded so pained. He couldn’t speak, even as much as he tried, wheezing and extending his hand out. Holding it out feebly to the one that he didn’t know the name of, but had been so desperately seeking for so his entire existence.

Wukong thought Xiaotian was reaching for him and was about to rush to his child- when MK reacted first.

He was running.

MK eyes had be wide when Xiaotian dissolved into tears, the little monkey's cries echoing through the jungle. Without hesitation, MK stepped forward, his own small hand reaching out to meet Xiaotian's.

Their fingers touched, and in that moment, a strange sensation passed between them - a flicker of recognition, of familiarity, as if their souls had known each other long before this meeting.

They felt whole. Complete.

MK was never a child who cried. Perhaps once, like any child would, he was prone to little tears and whines. His time at the orphanage had taught him quick enough that he couldn’t allow himself to cry. There was no comfort in his tears, nor did it bring any rescue from his pain.

Still… Perhaps if he was older, and his heart was more hardened, even this moment would not bring those emotions forward. He was not older however. He was not someone grown.

He was just a little boy. A little boy who had been so alone, so lost, until this very instant.

MK's own eyes welled with tears as he grasped Xiaotian's hand tightly, as if afraid to let go. A sob escaped his throat, and then another, until he too was crying openly, mirroring Xiaotian's heartfelt display of emotion.

Wukong and Macaque watched in stunned silence as their son and this human child, strangers mere moments ago, embraced each other like long-lost brothers. Xiaotian's sobs gradually quieted, replaced by soft hiccups as he buried his face in MK’s shoulder.

To start the new year, I give you the first part of

TAKEN BACK

I'll most likely make more parts, though I do not know If I will also make art to go with it. We shall see. But for now, the boys are reunited and home~

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