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kaynanarie · 3 days ago

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Eyes of Gold (Part 15)

(A WukongxReader story inspired by Beauty and the Beast and Lutung Kasarung.) (First) (Prev)

The peak of Fruit and Flower Mountain towered above the surrounding forest and stretched high enough to pierce the sky. A spout of water flowed from the very top and cascaded down the sheer rockface in streams of white and blue. Across from it, a rocky ridge jutted out from the trees like a half-built bridge. Open air stretched between its sudden edge and the distant waterfall, promising a plummet to the pool far below.

Standing atop the ledge, the reality of Shihou’s challenge was suddenly more daunting than you originally expected. “There’s no way I can make that,” you gulped, clinging to the monkey.

Shihou laughed but kept you close, his presence safe and reassuring. “Aw, come on, Peaches. It’s not as far as it looks.”

You glanced across, then down, the height making your head dizzy and knees weak. “But what if I fall to the water and it’s too high? Or make the jump but hit the rock instead? Or–”

“Hey,” Shihou cooed gently. He tilted your chin up to meet his gaze, a reassuring smile soothing your worries. “I promised I wouldn’t let anything happen to you, remember? I’ll keep you safe no matter what.” When you continued to throw doubtful glances towards the waterfall, Shihou’s golden eyes softened and he pressed his forehead to yours. “You really don’t have to jump if you don’t want to. There’s plenty of other things we can–”

“Will you jump with me?” The words were blurted out, hopeful and thoughtless, but you couldn’t find it in yourself to regret them.

Shihou stared in surprise; eyes wide, fur fluffed up, and tail twitching in flustered flicks. Slow and giddy, he nodded as a grin lit up his face. “Of course, my Peach. Nothing would make me happier.”

Turning you towards the waterfall, he leaned in close, pressing his chest against your back and looping his tail around your waist. Every brush of his soft fur, every whispered breath tickling your ear, set your cheeks alight and your heart aflutter. Shihou didn’t seem to notice, propping his chin on your shoulder and pointed out over the drop. “See that stone there?” His finger drew your eye to a craggy outcrop off to one side. “Just aim for the middle of the waterfall right next to it.”

“You sound like you’ve done this before.” It was a suspicion murmured to yourself but Shihou’s sharp ears still caught the curious words.

Large, callused hands covered yours and raised them up as if for a dance. Despite possessing the incredible strength of a demon, Shihou’s grip was tender and painfully delicate around you. “If I said I have, would you trust me to make the jump?”

Smiling through a bashful blush, you caressed your fingers against his palm. “I always trust you.”

His tail and hands gently squeezed you in affectionate gratitude. “Ready, Peaches?” he asked, voice warm and teasing against the shell of your ear.

“As I’ll ever be.”

Backing up to the bottom of the ridge, you took a deep breath then started a running sprint up the rock. Shihou followed your lead and kept easy pace as you picked up speed. The instant your feet leapt off the edge, you felt the monkey pull you closer and push off further, adding his own strength to the jump. You both flew through the air, the thrill and fear pounding in your chest and tingling to the tips of your fingers and toes.

As you hurtled towards the waterfall, Shihou shouted, “Hold on!” and huddled you tight right before you both crashed into the rushing water. Cold, wet, and loud, it took only a few seconds to pass through and tumble out the other side. Shihou held you steady while you found your footing, soaked and shivering but still in one piece.

You glanced around, shock and disbelief rooting you to the spot as your eyes adjusted to the sudden gloom. It was a cave, one you instantly recognized; the Water Curtain Cave. Still filled with tables, chairs, and an imposing throne overlooking the empty cavern. And behind you was the secret entrance hidden by the endless flow of the waterfall. The same one you had just successfully jumped through.

“I did it,” you finally whispered in awe.

“I knew you could,” Shihou said, a fond pride coloring his words.

“I can’t believe I actually did it! That was amazing!” Triumph rushed through you in exhilarating waves. Despite the cool water drenching your clothes and dripping onto the stone floor, you felt invincible. Like you could do anything. Maybe even jump again. Spinning in place, you threw your arms around Shihou and squeezed your monkey tight. “Thank you! I never would have made it without you.”

His embrace was warm and encompassing in return. “Anything for you, my Peach.”

When you met his eye, Shihou’s soft gaze and gentle smile held nothing but pure affection. Sunlight sparkled through the waterfall, setting his gilded eyes alight and turning his fur to strands of silky gold. He was perfect. Handsome and charming in his unique, simian way. Endlessly kind and patient with just a hint of hidden mischief. And always protective and supportive in your times of need. Demon or not, everything about him captured your heart and now, you ached to hold him close and never let go.

Excitement still trembled through you, turning you brave and reckless for a split second. But that was all the time you needed. Clutching Shihou’s robes, you stood on your toes and pressed a chaste kiss to his lips. It was short and sweet and over sooner than you wished.

Hope turned to chilling dread the instant you saw his reaction. Shihou was frozen in place, still as stone; even his tail was stiff and unmoving at his heels. All of his damp fur was standing on end and he stared past you into the unseen distance. He didn’t speak, barely even breathed, when you took a cautious step out of his space. A deafening silence grew between you before his eyes slowly blinked and focused back in a red-gold flash.

“I…I’m sorry,” you stuttered out, nervous and mortified beyond words. “I shouldn’t have surprised you without–”

The rest of your apology was swallowed up by his eager mouth on yours. A clawed hand carefully cradled your jaw, coaxing you into a deeper kiss brimming with hunger and passion. His other arm wrapped around your waist while his tail encircled your calf, pulling you close and holding you tight.

Your surprise was barely a skipped heartbeat before you melted into him. It was everything you dreamed and more. His firm body pressing against yours, radiating heat beneath his damp robes. Soft fur under your hands as they looped over his shoulders and hugging him closer. The soothing scent of peaches and stone mingling with fresh water. Something stronger than a purr but not quiet a growl rumbling deep in his chest. It was intoxicating, invigorating, and you were addicted from the very first taste.

After an eternity yet no time at all, you had to break away to breathe, both of your staggered pants echoing off the stone walls. Dizzying desire rushed through you and only burned hotter when Shihou trailed searing kisses down to your throat. Tongue, lips, and sharp teeth tasted the salt of your skin and drew needy cries from you like a song. Strong hands held you tight but never wavered in their careful restraint; the sharp tip of his claws digging but not quite piercing. The fur at the nape of his neck felt like strands of silk as you threaded your fingers through in a clutching handful. Whatever self-control he was still clinging to, you wanted him to throw it away.

“Shihou,” you whined, voice dripping with lust and want. It was a question, a plea, and an invitation all in one.

And his sudden stillness was not the answer you expected.

He seemed to grow cold against you. The desperate grasp of his hands flinched back as if shocked. Rough, heavy pants tickled the damp skin of your throat where his mouth still hovered. Slowly, he pulled back, leaving you reeling and unsteady in the wake of his sudden shift.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, unable to meet your gaze. “This…this isn’t right.”

The rejection was like a physical blow straight to your heart. Tears sprung in your eyes and blurred your vision before trickling down your cheeks. “But…I thought you had feelings for me, too…” you choked out.

Shihou finally looked at you, expression crumbling when he saw your distress. “I do! I just…ugh!” He tore himself away, pacing across the cavern in the blink of an eye. Each brisk step fueled his agitation, fur bristling and tail lashing while he scrubbed a hand over his brow. “This wasn’t supposed to happen. Everything just got so complicated so fast, and now…”

The overwhelming whiplash from his internal dilemma gave you shreds of hope while also fizzling out your patience. “How is it complicated?” you demanded, brushing your tears away. “I love you and you love me, right? What’s wrong with that?”

Shihou spun around, teeth bared in frustration. “You were supposed to fall in love with Sun Wukong!”

His shout echoed through the cavern, damning and shocking, before fading into uneasy silence. Neither of you moved, only wide-eyed stares shared as the startling words settled over you with the weight of a mountain.

“Sun…Wukong?” you repeated, pieces of an ominous puzzle slowly falling into place.

“Yes,” Shihou admitted with a heavy sigh. “That’s…why I brought you here.”

The confession broke your heart and set it ablaze like a spark to tinder. “You don’t want us to be together,” you spoke slow and careful, barely holding back the rage burning through you. “Because the Monkey King has some kind of claim over me?”

A shameful red colored Shihou’s face as he turned his gaze away. “…It’s not like that.”

“It very much seems like that,” you hissed back before whirling on your heels to leave.

“Wait!” Shihou called after you. “Peaches, please!”

“Don’t!” You paused long enough to throw a warning glance over your shoulder. “Just…don’t, Shihou.”

“If I can just explain…” he begged and reached out to you. The hands that had once offered care and protection and love suddenly seemed like a trap ready to snatch you up and deliver you to a waiting demon king.

“Leave me alone!” you shrieked, flinching from his touch. It was the first time you had ever shown any fear of him. Seeing his golden eyes fill with despair and hurt as he backed away almost swayed your heart to regret. Almost. “I just…really want to be alone right now.”

Shihou stared at you with pained desperation but eventually nodded. “Okay,” he said, voice weary and defeated. “But…can we talk later? Please, peach friend?”

Maybe it was the nickname. Maybe it was the hopeful plea in his words. Maybe it was the pitiful droop of his tail and the shimmer of his brilliant eyes that softened the edges of your anger. But it wasn’t enough to soothe the fresh sting of his betrayal.

You sighed after a moment. “Maybe later.” Without another word, you hurried from the Water Curtain Cave, leaving Shihou alone with nothing but the waterfall and empty throne for company.

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~🍑 Peach Friends 🍑~

@joyfulllittlething @iluxurycruisedthatship @drspecialhell @moondrop39-dovewing70 @happycarp @chibifox88 @rutabaga-menace @resident-cryptid @reynboe-sage @taffycandyqt @alicee-carter @epochal-oracle

(If you would like to join the tag list, let me know!)

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Hello Peach Friends! This chapter took so long and I'm so excited it's finally finished! (Sorry about the delay, life has been crazy busy for weeks now.) Listening to Geronimo by Sheppard for the first half then switching to Dynasty by Miia really hits the emotional whiplash. Thank you to all my wonderful readers, your support and patience keeps me inspired to write more!

You can also find this story on AO3:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/60643669