#no he doesn't consider what happens if mac wants to keep doing it

[psymachine]

ok sorry but imagine dennis stalking mac online and seeing that he wants to try freeuse parties. this sends dennis into a jealous tailspin which he rationalizes by "worrying" about how dumb and easy to manipulate (read: murder) mac is. so he creates a fake party invite to lure mac somewhere, plays music and ambient party sounds off youtube, and blindfolds mac when he arrives.

then -- through the use of different voices, special effects, and sex toys -- he pretends to be like 7 different dudes running a train on mac.

[kyri45]

✨ShadowPeach Bio Parents Bio AU Q&A! 12/09✨

Welcome to the Q&A! A space where I can answer related or similar question about the Shadowpeach Bio Parents AU! If you submitted your ask anonimously, then you’ll have to check the whole post if it’s answered here, if it’s not, worry not! Your asks might have been used for a future comic or just in the queue~

@snsp6 I really hope that this won’t change MK’s view on his bio dads :( Anonimo Hello! Wanted to ask or more so I am wondering, will MK start seeing Wukong differently after finding out he literally killed Mac and even after seeing their past and how close they were, dam the trauma, anyhoo I love your art and the Shadowpeach bio parent au! Keep up the great work! >:D

Oh it will. (In a good way? a Bad? that's for me to know and for you to wait a week to know)

@hopefulbelievertimemachine Imagine if MK found someone who recently found out that they were a demon and he comforts them cuz he had a similar experience.

Oh that would be sooo wholesome!!! It's one of my fav trope when there's another character who go throught the same exact thing as another character and the two of them bond over this.

@zammy357 Hello, hope your day/night is going well. I wanted to ask since me and a friend like your bio parents blog and wanted to know if we can use it for an arc? Our blog is called @amnesia-wukong-au. We wanted to ask before we started doing it.

Hi!! Yeah sure as long you tag me and the masterpost of the shadowpeach au

Anonimo Wait what is a glamour (in context of Sun Wukong and Macaque)

A glamour is a magic spell that changes/cover your appearance. Like in the show macaque should technically have 6 ears. for animation purposi I guess they are not drawing all of them, but we say he uses a glamour also for covering his scarred eye.

@clueless-simp ha chiesto: What if PIF, BDK, Sun Wukong, and Macaque (and most definitely Mei) did a "parent trap" tactic to get MK and Red Son together? Setting things up, getting them alone together, pretending they are all busy, and the only option is for them to spend time together under the sunset XD XD XD

Oh no that would end bad. like-comically bad.

@honeylavender27 ha chiesto: Imagine red realizing mk doesn't know about court napping and just invites him over one day. Red son: so I'm sure your wondering why I invited you here.. Mk: yeah it's kinda weird you didn't want Mei to come. Is everything ok? Red: perfect actually, I'll explain everything just enter here first please. Mk: oh ok -walks into the prepared courtnapping room and gets locked in-.....uh red? Redson: consider yourself courtnapped...

Ahah poor MK. I think they would make a disastrous courtnapping that would be the equivalent of the phrase "task failed succesfully"

@artgurusauce ha chiesto: ARGGGHHHH, they're SO CUTE! I love your bioparent AU so much! Altho I am wondering: When MK turns back to normal would he retain some subconscious paternal attachment to our ol boys here? Maybe he even calls Macaque "Mom" without realizing it...

@blazerratbluefire-blog ha chiesto: Plot twist of the century for the oblivious monkey men. MK remembers ~everything~ when he was a cub! I'm not sure if that is what is planned, but! It would be really funny! Especially if he just calls Macaque 'Mama' all casual and just walks away. While Macaque EXP. has crashed and is rebooting. Gosh, that would be so cute! I absolutely love your artwork, by the way! It is so adorable!

Can't answer yet. He does NOT have memories, but he will remember ONE thing...

@daniellemarvel4 Hi, fist off I love your work and can't wait to see what you do next! I was wondering who is more protective of MK when it comes to Red Son? Whether that would be Pigsy, Wukong, Macaque, or even Tang (mabye Mei but I don't think she could stay serious long enough). Also, can we see what Sandy's doing?

mmmmmm---- I think Wukong. Freenoodle is pretty chill with the DBK family after everything that happened. Mac is also quite alright since he was always in good relationship with them. I would say Wukong would just want to be sure his kid doesn't get hurt by the fire in any way

Anonimo I've been squealing, grinning, and kicking my feet going through the Shadowpeach Bio parents AU. Baby MK has been SO CUTE and fun. I wonder if he's going to remember or be embarrassed about it. Another part of me hopes that river is still in play so Sun & Mac can fall in and suddenly MK and everyone has 2 chaotic super-powered Baby Monkeys to take care off 😭 😭 😭

Anonimo ha chiesto: I almost cried they are sooo cute. I hope that we get more sweet family content. Loving the comic thanks for making it 💕💕💕💕

Anonimo ha chiesto: I don’t want the cure to work ! Or could it be like that: MK is such a powerful being that the Dosis Pif gave them, just wasn’t strong enough. Instead it only aged MK up a bit so now he is a small kid or a teenager but not a grown ass money man again. I am not ready to leave the monkey family stuff behind 🥺

unfortunately the river has been close untile further notice. (dw this wont be the end)

@cutvdo ha chiesto: Mei bribing Red Son with baby MK pictures

@luciferapollyon ha chiesto: I hope Mei, Red Son, Macaque and Wukong all got pics before they turned MK back

Anonimo ha chiesto: DHJSJDJDH LIL BABY BEAN! I wonder if Wukong and Macaque took any pics of lil MK while he was smol baby? She would keep them and use them as blackmail. (affectionately)

Anonimo ha chiesto: Your shadowpeach bio parent au is just perfect!! Thankyou for feeding the fandom with the nectar of the gods!!! Especially the one where mac slips into the bed after wukong waits all night. Like Mac would wake up in the morning and see him fast asleep and think of Peng asking 'is there anything Wukong could do that would break his hold over you?' and just seeing him at his most vulnerable right now he's like 'no, not when he always gives me a reason to stay.'

MY HEART

@queen-of-purple-roses Wait if MK is experiencing Macaque’s memories then does that mean that Macaque can experience MK’s? Are they able to dive into each other’s minds?

So the thing is that MK is hearing the past from both POVs. Macaque by definition can hear ANYTHING so yeah he could definitely experience MKs memories. But the thing is-does he want to? I headcanon that his future-present-past hearing abilities are something he only used a couple of times, and because what he heard from them was so traumatic, he decided to NOT use them again (like wukong laser eyes)

@sillygothpartykid ha chiesto: I know everyone is asking you to make the gay monkeys kiss but I actually like how you are developing their relationship. You letting them work through their problems and feeling first giving us that sweet, sweet slow burn! Love your art btw!❤️❤️❤️

awwww ty!!!! yes pls slow burn for life.

@kraytherandomchick ha chiesto: Hey, love your ShadowPeach AU! (Started rereading it after crying from the season 5 finale hehe :'D) But there's always something that's kinda stuck in my head, if MK's no longer immortal, would Macaque or Wukong get sad at the thought of getting older and forced keep going without him?

So- *sigh* technically, we don't really know MK immortality status. it's a grey area for now. Because on one side, he's a stone monkey, who, by nature like Wukong, can perfectly age and grow like a normal monkey. On the other hand, he's technically died already, and by the time he was created by Nuwa, both his biological fathers were already immortal (Wukong bc yes, Macaque because he's a demon, and he can die from wounds and illness, but can't age)

So to answer: we don't know yet what's with him. we will see (I promise that)

@lmk4ever ha chiesto: I LOVE THE SHADOW PEACH BIO PARENT AU SO MUCH!! Mk boi is so lucky to have a artist like you and fathers like them. I want to ask, will shadowpeach ever get into a fight out of anger in front of Mk? Or did they moved on from that phase?

If they will fight it will be more of like- the 2 dads grounding MK. If they need to fight they learned that they need to go on another mountain to do it so they don't bother their child

Anonimo ha chiesto: Will we get a traffic light trio ship?

Probably not, but I'm all for dragonfruit/spicynoodle and having MK and Mei NOT dating each other at the same time.

@yuk1yun ha chiesto: If lmk season 6 isn't like your au, then I don't want to watch it

BRUH THAT'S THE NICEST THING I HEARD ALL WEEK

@conniescialla ha chiesto: HIIII!! ok scusa l'italiano ma letteralmente trovare artisti italiani ispira sempre quel momento patriottico alla YES ONE OF US MUAHHAHAH Scherzi a parte, il comic Shadowpeach bio parents Au è meraviglioso, si approva soprattutto l'hurt/comfort ;p

Tanti kudos!!<3

AAAAHHH CHE BELLO UN ALTR* ITALIAN*!!!!!

Anonimo ha chiesto: I really wanna see jelous wukong!!!!!! I dunno maybe some random demon trying to flirt with emo monkie or something and wukong is like oh hell no!! He is mine!! I think it would be so cute

he would become incredibly possessive and start hissing and growling like a tiger. NOBODY TOUCHES MY SOFT PILLOW

Anonimo ha chiesto: I think it would be so cute if Wukong would take care of sick Macaque! It would show Macaque that Wukong changed and is no longer like he was before. I wonder if Macaque got sick, would MK help or would Macaque be too stubborn to let anyone know.

I know everyone says Wukong is this great sage with incredible abilities in every field (and he is) but I would like to imagine that, since he needs to do these thing for Macaque specifically, he's so stressed over the fact he needs to do them perfectly that he fucks up lmao.

Like, he would try his best to take care of him and almost burn the kitchen in the meantime, while Macaque was only hoping the two of them could just stay more in bed cuddling each other

Anonimo ha chiesto: im just imagining Mac getting anxious becouse he cannot find baby MK and Wukong is there to calm him down

@shadowpeachera ha chiesto: Heyy I absolutely love your shadowpeach bio au, the drawings, the text its perfect! Did Mk every run off or get into trouble now that he’s a cub or even play games with Wukong and Macaque like hide and seek? That would be really cute. I can imagine them playing hide and seek while Mk discovers he can make shadow portals, meanwhile his parents are stressing and scared as they have no idea where he is.

i think both of them would freak out.

WAIT I HAVE THE PIC I HAVE THE PIC

I'VE BEEN SAVING THIS PIC SINCE 2017

@nyx-daughterofchaos98 ha chiesto: Hi! For LMK, I watched a nature documentary on Monkeys the other day and a lot of monkeys correct each others behavior by doing something called “Disciplinary Nips” or “Discipline Bites” (This isn’t a sexual ask I promise) I think it would be absolutely hilarious, if Macaque and Wukong are napping together, and for whatever reason, Wukong keeps moving around, unable to get comfortable. And in his sleep-riddled state, Macaque gets annoyed and bites him. 🤣 Like; I’M TRYING TO SLEEP! KNOCK IT OFF! 🤣🤣🤣 And when Wukong does stop moving, Macaque does actually fall asleep. Even better is if Macaque wakes up and has absolutely No Idea he bit Wukong because he was half asleep at the time. Or he thinks it was a dream and ensue the shenanigans when he realizes it wasn’t.

OMG THAT'S SO CUTE AND SILLY AAHHHH!!! EVEN BETTER: what if they do this without noticing BEFORE they are like-actually romantically back together, and someone sees the mark bites AND THEY START TO ASSUME CERTAIN THINGS BRUH.

@tabs-tabi-tabby  Can Macaque help with MK’s clones? Or would that be Wukong’s area?

MK can't make the same clones macaque has. He can control a little bit his own shadow, and use that as a clone. so as long as it's his own shadow, it's more Mac area, if it's his own hair clone then it's Wukong's

@startdustmonkie ha chiesto: Does Mk and or Wukong know about Savage and Rumble? (If so how did they find out about them?) — (also: do Savage and Rumble see Mama macaque as a parent?)

@mushrum-soup ha chiesto: Hi just wanted to say I absolutely adore your shadow peach au it's literally the highlight of my week 💖I was wondering tho are rumble and savage just shadow clones in your au or similar to their Lego counterparts :O?

Yes they know about them. No they aren't his kids let's say. My own personal headcanon for the Au (or the show in general) is that they are both Macaque shadow, like- clones with a little bit of personality just like MK clones represent specific parts of his personality. He has 2 of them because he lived 2 lives, one before and one after he was brought back to life.

Anonimo ha chiesto: Just read the latest Shadowpeach bio kid comic, and i cant help but giggle a bit at how MK’s chirp woke Wukong and Macaque up lmao just the “and they snoozing- OH SHIT BABY CHIRPING WHATS WRONG-“

HE IS BABYYYY

@hellobur ha chiesto: Did you base when mk was reaching fr macaque after he was walking away because mk called him mama after this or was it a funny coincidence (mk also doe the pose but I can't find it lol)

Also I absolutely love this story and your art your work is incredible! ^^

Omg LMAO NO I DIDN’T BUT NOW IT’S 100% MORE FUNNY

@dragonaboni-blog ha chiesto: Hi! First off, I love your art and your Shadowpeach AU, it's the reason I'm reactivating my own Tumblr account lol One of my favorite tropes in this story is "A gets sick and B takes care of him" so I'm wondering… What would that trope be like in the AU? What would the monkey trio be like when they got sick? Do any of them sleep through their illness? Or are any of them extremely dramatic like "These will be my last words…"? CoughcoughWUKONGCoughcough

Aaahh I’ve seen a lot of asks asking this one but honestly I don t know If I’ll ever draw that trope. Maybe bc Wukong should technically have canonically too much knowledge about general illness to be worried about normal daily life illness. If it was something more life-threating. Maybe yes, but I still have to cook.

Anonimo ha chiesto: Counterpoint: wukong can't handle spicy foods because he has no impulse control and his monkee brain wants him to only eat fruit and peaches

Ouch. Yes that seems about accurate for him lmao

Anonimo ha chiesto: About the lmk bio au.... we have seen that MK can manipulate certain parts of his body in the 72 transformations... so..... Wukong and Macaque could technically have children.

I’ll be 100% honest I have no idea if stone monkeys are…fertile?

Anonimo Hey there! I am in love with your art. LMK is something that came into my life recently and damn I love it so much! Love your AU, and I can't wait to see more of it. Funnily, since the baby MK incident I imagine this later on becoming a somewhat spark of many funny arguments later on. What I mean is I see baby MK has a favorite parent (*cough-cough* MacCRACK *cough-cough*) [Sorry with the name joke, couldn't help myself]. XD. And I imagine Wukong be a bit jealous at times and go 'Anything you can do I can do better XD' Also see lovely Redson have a thing for MK, and then I imagine him ask his parents about advice on pursuing his crush. "So who is the lucky girl?" "Well, you already know him-" *Spits out water* "You got yourself a husband?" "What, no I haven't yet-!"

Aww I don't think MK would have a favourite but definitely there are times where he wants one parent more than the other (play time with Wukong, nap time with Mamacaque)

Anonimo ha chiesto: Yknow what they say… like father like son! In the sense that they’re all gay /j

Oh yeah absolutely it's genetic/j

@wolfasketch ha chiesto: Mac being on the sunny side and Wuwu being in the shadows

I know I'm looking into it too much but- AHHH!!!

That was unintentional but HOLY SIT U R RIGHT

Anonimo ha chiesto: Poor Red Boy never got to see baby MK! Imagine him just staring at the adorableness that is baby MK and being like 'I hope our future children look just like you OH MY GODS YOU'RE ADORABLE'. Baby MK: :3

Their child will literally be Kai from Ninjago so I guess THEY ARE RIGHT HE WILL BE

Anonimo ha chiesto: And then MK will wake up back to normal, confused, but proud that he managed to get them even closer?

100% yes

@drowning-in-webnovel-chapters ha chiesto: I can't imagine how the monkey dads are gonna try to go back to sleep after that, oof. Also Wukong definitely knows all that from when he used to help Macaque through visions, right?

Yup! He does indeed!

Anonimo ha chiesto: I’m guessing MK is getting a mini version of Macaque’s “can hear the past/present/future” thingy, did he managed to hear it accidentally or was he trying to learn more about his powers/Shadowpeach’s past ?

Yes, he was just wondering since last time that he found the sleeping cuddling with him, what exactly happened for them to rift away. Guess curiosity killed the cat

@aurabooboo ha chiesto: So. I'm rewatching season 5, right? I noticed that they almost had a yelling match with MK right in the middle. Would Wukong apologize to him for that?

These 3 have so much to talk about… i wont draw everything, but they definitely apologised offscreen.

@elianaroselight ha chiesto: It is quite telling how Wukong immediately knew what to do to help calm MK, but also, Macaque coming in with the perspective of having gone through it himself. The need for them to remain close by and wait until Mk is asleep before trying to leave. This means Mac has been through exactly what he is telling them not to do and knows the pain, sorrow and trauma that comes from feeling abandoned like this. They may be facing their past hurting their own kid through proxy and try to help him fight against the trauma. Luckily they have good people to help when they themselves can't. *looks at Freenoodles*

Yup! Their response is exactly related to what they do to calm the other!

@thenerdycupcake ha chiesto: So, does MK’s gold vision combine with his hearing sometimes so that he sees some of what he’s hearing from the past?

Oooohhh i guess he does! So he can literally see and hear the past!

@frogsfandoms ha chiesto: Omg why can I see after MK wakes up he thinks that it isn’t the past he’s hearing and that it actually just happened. Rushing to see if Wukong and Macaque are hurt and or trying to stop them from fighting 😭😭😭

Oohhh our baby still doesn’t want to believe it actually happened :(

Anonimo ha chiesto: Adult MK: OH MY GOD A SPIDER *desperate scared monkey noises* Baby MK: what's this? A 5 starts meal? *Tries to chomp said spider* He's gonna be sooo disgusted when someone tells him he tried to eat one fkdkdlfmfl

Oh poor MK. He’ll be teased about this for the rest of his days.

@sailera��ha chiesto: Hello I have question about you Shadowpeach bio dads au- How would Pigsy react that his only employee turned to a baby? And hadn’t answered his phone in few days? Also love your art!! And your ISAT comic got me again interested in playing Sky ✨

Mk only became a baby for like- 20 hours. Mei told him that he stayed at FFM because he was ‘tired after training’. As of now Pigsy didn!t found out

---------------

That's all for this week! Thank you a lot for all the asks!

[semisolidmind]

In the twice as bad au, what if they never met reader before and only met her in modern days? Maybe mk was talking about his new friends and she came up, they got curious, followed mk without him knowing and then saw her for the very first time, what then?

(....first thing that came to mind—they haven't learned.

in the scenario where they lose their previous reader, they've had hundreds of years to think about what they could've done differently to keep reader with them. perhaps they've also begun to realize that kidnapping and holding her hostage doesn't look favorably on them.

but—if they never had reader in the past, they don't know to be better for the reader in the present.)

perhaps, despite trusting his son to take care of himself, wukong doesn't trust anyone else to not cause him trouble. so, he sends macaque to follow xiaotian to the city.

the six-eared demon follows the boy, witnessing his battle with a young dragon (whom surprisingly quickly befriends xiaotian), and the subsequent trip they take to the noodle shop. he's given the same introduction to the gang as xiaotian is (from the shadows, of course). they all welcome the boy, despite their wariness of his appearance.

there doesn't seem to be any reason to intervene...not yet, anyways. these people don't have anywhere near the same power as the monkey bro's protégé, and what power they do have is untapped and relatively untrained. it's definitely an eclectic cast; two demons, a cat, a dragon, one magically-inclined monk wannabe, and a human woman. she's the only one without any sort of power, macaque notes with curiosity.

it's not love at first sight, but... he does think she's easy on the eyes. it's only as macaque continues to keep an eye on xiaotian and his new friends that he learns more about her. she's pretty nice and relatively easygoing, cares for her friends, and is surprisingly level-headed in stressful situations.

and she's ridiculously fun to tease.

macaque will occasionally antagonize the group in the name of "helping the kid train" (which has the added dramatic benefit of potentially sowing some discord amongst his friends; mac gets the feeling xiaotian isn't being honest with them about his family). while the others put up a good fight, reader seems to try to avoid conflict on the grounds of being a normal, non-magic human. this inability to fight (though that frying pan of hers gives her the confidence to try) makes her the perfect damsel in distress.

the dark-furred demon makes a habit of kidnapping reader after these fights, forcing her friends to scramble to find her. this happens often enough that it gets to where macaque and reader will have genuine conversations during the time that he's hiding her from the gang. they become tentative friends during this time and reader comes to realize that he's likely not going to actually hurt her... probably. and he's pretty funny and easy to talk to, all things considered. reader doesn't hate him. (though she probably should? maybe?)

macaque quickly figures out where her apartment is, and persistently shows up unannounced to pester her. he says that when he's "not on villain duty," he can hang out with her if he wants; not like she can stop him, right? it starts out as the six-eared demon just messing with reader; eating her food, using her television, hogging her couch, and generally being a nuisance. teasing and goading her every chance he gets, he enjoys her reactions (and her attempts to not react).

however, macaque starts getting more and more attached the longer he spends with her. even when he's antagonizing the other members of the group, he'll make sure she's not in harm's way. he'll extricate her from the gang's fights against other villainous demons (usually against her will), shadowing her away to safety.

it doesn't help that once he stops outright pestering her, she warms up to him more, too.

it's working in macaque's favor that wukong already established mandatory visits for xiaotian every so often to make sure he's not slacking, so if mac leaves for the city— eh, he's just checking on the kid, no big deal. he tells wukong almost everything about his visits, but not about his favorite human. wouldn't want him to get too curious; mac knows his brother, and he knows what's gonna happen if wukong finds out about reader.

is it really so wrong that he wants to keep this one fun thing for himself?

———

the monkey king finds it a bit strange that his shadowy brother is spending so much time in the city they ever-so-often destroy. sure, he knows mac likes to cause trouble, but his visits are usually more sporadic.

wukong is beginning to think he's not even visiting xiaotian anymore.

when wukong makes the decision to check on his son himself, he goes to the noodle shop in disguise (it's a bit tough to get anything done when the very sight of you is enough to incite a panic). it's been a while since he's interacted with a mortal that wasn't running from him in terror, so he's a bit awestruck when reader greets him kindly. he's embarrassingly unused to being spoken to like a normal person, but he manages to not make too much of a fool of himself.

he chats her up while he waits on both his son and his order, finding himself charmed. she's sweet, she likes jokes, she's pretty and nice and wukong likes it when she laughs—

he wants to see her again.

so he does. wukong no longer tells macaque to check on xiaotian, instead making the visits himself. seeing as his kid has taken up residence in the noodle shop, is it really so strange that he visits so often?

he also "runs into" reader when she's buying groceries or making a delivery, and offers to help her. he counts the little meetups as "dates" and is working his way up to asking her to be his officially. he won't resort to "ancient demon courting methods" just yet.

he also hasn't told her who he really is. he changes his distinctive facial markings and lightens his hair a shade, shifts the color of his eyes from bloody red to less threatening gold, and wears his hood up. he tells reader he "tries to keep a low profile"; monkey demons get a bad rap in this city, what with that dreaded monkey king always causing havoc.

he'd like for reader to come to care for him like he does her. but, since there's a chance she won't be as open to being with him if she finds out he's the monkey king and not just your average run-of-the-mill monkey demon, perhaps it'd be best to keep his true identity a secret for a while longer.

of course, he eventually runs into macaque (while on his way to reader's place, so he saw macaque leaving from there), and they have a fun lil conversation (that eventually turns into a brawl) about the whole situation. wukong makes fun of his lil brother for falling for a human, macaque hits him back with the fact that it took wukong even less time to fall for her than it took him, it goes back and forth.

when the battle cools off, the brothers talk sincerely about how they feel. neither are willing to give reader up, so...they'll share, like they always have. they both continue to court an adorably but frustratingly oblivious reader, eventually meeting her at the same time and telling her that they're brothers. she's only mildly surprised, to their relief. they're both glad they've fallen for a human who's so comfortable around demons, especially ones as powerful as them. it's not often that a human isn't immediately off put by their aura of strength.

things are calm for a while. xiaotian is being a hero and having fun adventures with his friends, the two monkey warlords are staying out of trouble (mostly), reader is happy... all is well.

however, it eventually starts falling apart.

things quickly begin to change. just visiting reader occasionally isn't enough; wukong wants her to live on his mountain with him. he wants to reveal himself as the monkey king and let reader know the truth. he wants to show her the stone palace, the fruit tree forests, he wants her to meet his people. yet macaque insists they take it slow, that stealing her will just make her afraid of them (and should only be a last resort). he doesn't mind a little fear, but it'll hurt their chances in the long run. so, wukong refrains.

still, he's getting tired of going to the city.

and it's getting increasingly dangerous there, besides. more and more powerful adversaries are coming out of the woodwork, and reader keeps getting caught in the crossfire. nothing serious has happened yet, but perhaps the king will need to arrange a surprise relocation for his darling peach...

———

it happens sooner than he expected.

a powerful foe re-emerges, and xiaotian and his friends aren't strong enough to stop them on their own. the young monkey demon is forced to call on his family for help, both his villainous father and shady uncle arriving just in time to help slow the threat.

the monkey warlords make the fight exponentially easier, their brutality in battle on full display.

wukong can't hide his identity from reader any longer. she knows who he is now, has seen the friendly facade of the peach-colored mask fade into the bright red of his signature warpaint-like markings. she's just a scared and betrayed as he thought she'd be. she knows just what monster she's been dealing with now.

said monster sees an opportunity, and he's done playing around.

while her friends are occupied with finishing off the demon...

...wukong steals reader.

a fitting reward for aiding in saving the world, he thinks.

[divinelolita]

YEHDKBDKDJ I THINK I GOT THE GOLDEN IDEA

HEEHEHEHEHE LEMME GET 4 BIG DICK BIG MACS(oh lord ive had too much sugar its full band headcannons seperate💀💀) with a bf who gives em princess treatment n shi😊

like mf will drive for them do that hand on thigh thing, will tie their shoe, buy em expensive ass shit, pull them on his lap(bro is prolly shorter than them too💀), opening the door for em alat jazz and you can look up more stufff(dont look at the urban definition)

LBZJSHDKSN STOP I CAN JUST IMAGINE TOM NOT TAKING THE TREATMENT AND MAKING READER TAKE IT INSTEAD I CANT😭😭😭

BAND X READER: PRINCESS TREATMENT

4 big dick big macs..oh lord. i regret looking at urban dictionary.

BILL:

・YES. YES. A THOUSAND TIMES YESSS!!!

・He likes being treated like royaltyyyyy

・Having you tie his shoes? He feels so special STOPP

・Your hand resting on his thigh as you drive, rubbing your thumbs in circular motions. He's so happy 🙏

・Sitting on your lap, leaning his head on the top of yours. He just feels so loved and cared for.

・Loves when you spoon him, holding him close to you and kissing his fading tattoo on his neck over and over.

・Feels like the luckiest man on earth if you offer to pay for his nails

"M/N, are you sure? It's really expensive and-"

"Of course I'm sure, here." then giving him like 200 fucking dollars 💀

・Especially likes if you help him with his mohawk!

TOM:

・He's not used to being treated like this. Like, he normally takes on the role of buying stuff, opening doors, etc.

・But he can't help but feel slightly flustered, smiling as you hand him gifts.

・HE LOVES GIFTS WHAT. I keep saying it over and over but gift giving is his love languageeeeee 🤞🤞🤞

・Eventually he starts to challenge you, doing things you would previously do.

・Like even if you has already opened the door for him he'd hold it open aswell, waiting for you to go through.

"Tom I got the door first, just walk in."

"Why don't you walk in? Your closer to the entrance."

"..Tom."

・...yeah it takes him a while before he just gives up, letting you take care of him.

GEORG:

・He feels relaxed yet..confused?

・Like Tom he's used to spoiling his partner, so having you spoil him is definitely something.

・That doesn't mean he wants you to stop, no. He loves it when you buy gifts for him or open the door to a store. Hell, even something as little as holding his hand has him wrapped around your finger.

・Honestly feels like a child if you tie his shoes 😭

"M/N, 'cmon. I can do that myse-"

"No."

・..Oh. Okay then.

・Just kinda let's it happen, he really does like it. It's just...new.

・Can't help but giggle whenever you pull him on your lap, running your fingers through his soft brown hair.

GUSTAV:

・He likes the fact he can worry less around you.

・He feels so safe, so happy and giddy whenever you call him "honey" or "love".

・Absolutely LOVES shopping with you. He feels bad about spending your money and tries to take out his own wallet but you demand insist you pay instead.

・He waits for you to open the car door for him 💔

・Loves cuddling with you, having you wrap your arms around him. It makes him forget about all his worries, instead focusing on you.

・He feels bad if you buy him something too expensive.

"Holy shit, M/N! Do you know how expensive this is-"

"...yeah. Considering I'm the one that bought the drum set, I would know."

[dairy-farmer]

Haven't preached the gospel of Civilian Tim in a while >.> my boy would be so disappointed in me. I forgot about my boy! <:O

So consider!

Smol Tim! Knows he has to be SUUUPER careful. Mrs. Mac or his parents COULD find his Batman Notes and collection of blurry Baby's First Photographs, after all. So he keeps it vague. Never any names. Cryptic references. The works. Nothing that someone who doesn't know what HE knows, would understand.

But! He's also slightly less athletic then Cannon Tim. Or perhaps, Mrs. Mac is slightly less oblivious. She suspects Somethings Up(tm). Gets that distinct wiff of "child doing something they know they shouldn't behind my back". So waits in her car one night instead of actually going home like she usually does.

Oh dear lord.

Is he SNEAKING OUT!?

TIMMY!!!

Unfortunately, she picks the worst time to startle him. He's half way down the wall, having avoided the already Alarm Primed front door, from the SECOND FLOOR. The small child falls. Eats it, crushing a decorative bush.

This does NOT calm Mrs. Mac down.

He gets a concussion and one of two DOZEN hysterical calls to his parents from Mrs. Mac at the hospital. They think he's dying. Drop everything and rush back.

Are FURIOUS but relieved he's mostly okay.

His Dad, determined to figure out what the FUCK he thought he was doing, finds his Batman stuff. Tim sits, woozy, and wonders if he's watching his parent's Villian origin story as they rage and curse Batman out. His mom wants to shoot him.

It's decided (for him, no he does NOT get a say) that he is NOT staying in Gotham. Where God forsaken furries stalk the night, tempting innocent people's sons into running around the crumbling rooftops and too their early graves. Absolutely not. Tim is going to boarding school.

Tim doesn't WANT to go to boarding school.

But he doesn't get a say.

However... his parents? Do seem really excited? And spend lots of time with him looking over the options. Telling him stories about trips they took to countries near by. It's... it's actually kinda exciting. Nice, even.

And boarding school isn't even that bad.

No one makes fun of him for being quite or "new money". He makes friends. His parents VISIT since the airport isn't too far and they can plan lay-overs through it. He slowly forgets about the Heros of Gotham.

There are local Heros. They kinda suck. He keeps trying to send them notes on how to improve but somehow? They interpret it as a threat? God, they are dumb.

The trip that should have killed his parents? Never happens. Because there was an important event at the School and then CERTAIN local idiots failed to stop their telekinetic Villian from destroying all the planes. By the time his parents managed to reschedule? The local police in Haiti were desperately calling to warn them to Stay Put.

He graduates. Heads... well, he guesses "Home"? Back to Gotham. After a decade away. It's still just as Gothic, shitty, and creepy as always. His parents are out on their new dig, so? Place to himself~ Sweet.

Even if his old room is basicly untouched. Kiddy sheets and all. He'll need new everything. Which? As he pokes around? Leads him to finding his own HIGHLY Creepy? Cryptic, Possibly-Haunted, Horror Movie Notes(tm).

Baby Tim... WTF.

He remembers these. Remembers understanding them...

Does... NOT understand them now.

Huh.

He can? Sort of decipher them. Based off what he knows about himself at that age? It's "something, something, circus, something, Wayne's." And this other one just references Bats, which... kinda obvious. This is all clearly about BATman.

The question is? Does he CARE?

.....maybe a little bit.

Curse his insatiable curiosity. He collects Baby Him's creepy notes. The horror movie photographs. Starts making a list of furniture he'll need, and... Ding~ Dong~! Door? Who in gods name would be at the DOOR? Houses around here are massively spaced out.

He goes to check.

Standing there, in their work out clothes, is the unfairly gorgeous Dickie Wayne and sharply handsome young blood son, Damian Wayne. Life long neighbors. Haven't seen one of them since childhood, the other at ALL. Why are they at his house?

Hi?

Dickie is like getting hit by a semi-truck of Friendly. Tim feels an almost feline urge to hiss and bite the man to make him back off. The blood son just watchs. Sharp gaze an unfairly beautiful green, as he just? Seems to observe and consider. So, clearly no help there.

Dickie seems to think Tim is moving in? Is new? Wow. Way to be observant. Dude, the Drake's have lived next to your family since BEFORE TIM WAS BORN. We're just abroad a lot. We travel. Tim's just graduated. Is going to start his work in Drake Industries.

He gets a blank look from Dickie.

Damian at least know exactly what he's talking about. Was simply unaware that they were neighbors. Apologizes for Dickie's... He means well.

Tim has to laugh.

What a brutal kid. He likes him. They part ways. Tim doesn't notice the lingering looks or flushing cheeks, his fluffy and unguarded appearance has gotten him. Soft in a way nothing in Gotham or their lives ever is.

Tim gets to work. Modernizing the house and updating the furniture. Lots to buy and do, after all. Its exhausting. Thank god for the pool. And since it in the back, away from the road, he doesn't have to worry about all those absurd prudish drama queens he's met at the local market, getting food.

He can relax in a barely-there, string, bikini bottom. Topless. Soak in what little sun there manages to be.

Utterly entrance various Poor Bats, who are just trying to get their steps in. With so, so much soft and unmarked skin. Pretty little mosquito bite tits, the gentle curves and dips of his lounging body. Long legs, relaxed and sprawled teasingly open. Enough to torment but not enough to see.

They could never be that relaxed. Too many enemies. Too deeply ingrained to stay on gaurd. But there Tim lays, soaking up the sunshine with a drink and podcast. Utterly boneless.

A glimpse into another world. What they fight to protect. So different it... it almost become a fetish.

And it quickly does. Mentally playing house. Pretending civilian. They would go on dates and bring him flowers, they think, spying on him. Have dinners for two, cuddle on the couch, they imagine, as they break bones in the frigid rain. On and on. Them and their pretty civilian boyfriend.

The boy next door. Hallmark romances. Romantic novels. Fated encounters. Each of them framing it differently in their head. No less obsessive. Getting more by the day.

And Tim? Well, for him, things are feeling... Off(tm). His neighbors are? Weirdly friendly. He'd say cultishly friendly, but he doesn't even think they're religious. Yet his gut is SCREAMING "somethings not right here".

He can't figure out his creepy kid-self's notes. And it's starting to seem IMPORTANT. Because he HEARD that Brucie Wayne? Was a himbo. An idiot. But no one in that family reads as genuinely dumb to Tim. So why are they pretending? What are they HIDING? And??

Does it have something to do with how he keeps seeing the fuckin BATS around his house? His office? He's pretty sure they broke in. Found at least on bug. There might be cameras. He got kidnapped and like? Five! Of them showed up. FIVE.

Crowded super close to untie him, all lingering touches and predators grins.

Is he being hunted by vampires? Demons?

Bat people?!

How many times did they watch him masturbate before he realized there could be cameras!? And is he REALLY sure the shower is safe to get off in, now? It better be. He refuses to stop, just because he's being hunted by cryptids!

And off course~♡ Ivy, our Beloved. (We salute you o7) Oh dear and precious Bringer of Convenient Plot Devices. Escapes! Oh nooooo! And she was doing so well.

She hits? You guessed it! Drake Pharmaceuticals. The main branch of Drake Industries. Because a CERTAIN member of the Board has been lying about where he's been putting run-off. Like that's not a known death-sentence in Gotham. Are you KIDDING US, Geoffrey!?

Tim, bravely, tries to talk her down. Was already trying to fix other damage. WILL fix that. He didn't know. Please, Dr. Isely!

She thinks he's young and twink-y. Gives him a chance. Feeds Geoffrey to a plant. Chaos and Bats ensue.

But on no! Ivy definitely pulled the "remember. I can DESTROY YOU" card with her Chance(tm) and hit Tim with a Pollen dose. It's already been too long. Anti-agent will help, but? Ultimately not enough. Tim needs treatment.

......don't WORRY, Civilian! The Bats say with far more enthusiasm then the rightfully should, coming dangerously close to perky chirping. They are Here To Help~!

Odd, how Tim does NOT feel terribly safe, being stared down by the hungry eyes of Bat Cryptids. But also his skin feels like it's on slow fire and his insides hurt, soooo.... Make It STOP.

He's scooped up and dragged to the nap room he had set up connecting to his office. The don't stop CROWDING. Hands reaching out, stroking and touching. Gazes heavy enough to feel lewder the their hands, as they blatantly plot what they're going to do to him.

Batman, who by all accounts, is supposed to be the one to keep his various hellions in check, leading the charge. Seeming almost giddy as he carries Tim off. Gently dumps him on his napping bed.

He's surrounded.

They work together to get rid of "pollen contaminated clothing". Which is apparently everything. Hands are everywhere, making him whimper as they stroke oversensitive skin. Nightwing holding his head and neck still, plundering his mouth until he can't breathe.

Gloved hands are teasing his tits. Stroking his stomach. Holding his hands tight, to wrap it around something hard and hot. Thrusting against his palms. Legs being held open by strong hangs. Hearing Batman shift but being unable to move.

Embarrassing noises ripped out of him, back bowing, as squirming wet heat starts eating him out. Sucking, swirling, fucking in and out. None of the boys at school could EVER have come close. Tim finds himself twitching and coming apart embarrassingly fast.

Only it doesn't end.

He's never gone past one before.

The Pollens going to make sure EVERYONE gets a turn. Bruce barely holding back, while he stretchs him. The instant he decides it's enough, he's surging up, lining up and fucking himself in. Tim is utterly destroyed. Not a single Bat missing their golden chance to fuck Tim. Several times, at LEAST.

And of course? Once you have a taste of what you desire? Obsessions get so, SO much worse. A few more Pollen incidents that spring and summer? Well obviously, he's their Boyfriend now. Even if he doesn't know it.

It's all very horror movie, but the moster wants to bone you incoherent. Will Tim ever figure out the secret of the Waynes? Will he eventually be seduced by the constant, unexpected, but frankly mind-blowing dickings? Can orgasms win the day?

Who knows! Not me!

I just want them to obsess over Civilian Tim, fetishize his sexy Normal Life and hot bod, and (importantly) LOVINGLY gang bang the Timmy. He deserves to be the center of attention, you know? Get so, SO many orgasms. Be treated like a treasured princess of fuckies. Then cuddled for taking it so well, when they pounded him drooling and nearly to tears.

Give the Bats something to come home too! Their lives suck! They should have a Tim!

-🐼🐼🐼

them fetishizing civilian tim's life, growing more obsessed and voyeuristic with him!!😍😍

[quitealotofsodapop]

it has been awhile, but I've finally gotten around to doing another one of these! hope it will help with my writing funk.

[and is super guilty for not having told him back then. At the same time, Wukong is confused why Max seems so... ok with it suddenly???] + [He ultimately doesnt want to open up any old wounds Wukong has from the incident since he's been living with the outcome of that fight far longer than Mac has.] + [Why was Wukong protecting the monk that hurt him? Why was Wukong going on this Journey and not returning to his throne? Why did he hide the Stone Egg from the world?]

honestly? Wukong is probably more concerned by how okay with having been killed Mac is than he would be if he was still upset and causing problems because of it. I feel like Wukong would actually be very ok with talking/answering any questions about what happened, it'd be a hard conversation for sure, but he's grown to have enough emotional maturity to know it's a necessary one. the only reason he let Mac get away with pushing it off for so long to the point of it blowing up in there faces a little was because he was trying to let the other have time to process and work out how he felt before trying to hash things out together.

but perhaps, Wukong is also deflecting a little, worried that trying to talk about it would spur into an argument. neither of them are very good at listening to each other when they get riled up, and after how their fight went... he knows he did his best trying to talk Macaque down, but he always kinda feels like he should've tried harder. he just doesn't want things to get out of control again.

[Ao Lie and Wukong are quickly panicking over each other while their other bros are forcing them to rest after the Samadhi Fire Ritual.]

the Tripataka forces them both onto bedrest, but it's a combined effort of the uninjured pilgrims to keep them there considering how restless Wukong can be. between Wukong and Ao Lie? it's an endless cycle of "no, I'll get up and ask for water, you stay in bed" and "no, I'll grab the extra blankets, you need to rest".

[Wukong was in so much pain that he was convinced that he was going into labor, or that he even lost Yuebei as a result of joining in the Ritual.]

now I'm just picturing the others waking up to Wukong (who normally has a very high pain tolerance) loudly sobbing from how much it hurts and inconsolable because once the thought of having lost the egg even crossed his mind he became convinced that's what happened. he must have cried so hard, they'd have to call Guanyin to do a check-up while he's still sobbing to show him the egg is fine for him to even begin to calm down.

[Nezha makes note of hiding anything flammable whenever he visits the monkeys.]

it does seem Yuebei has a taste for the spicy-er things, huh. wonder if she'd like any of Redson's cooking?

[Pigsy: "Sure thing. Guess little monkeys aren't much different from little MKs." *gives Yuebei her nose back*]

heh- funny thing about that pigsy-

[Memory!Ao Lie, frowning: "Why are you so stubborn to admit that it wasn't your fault? I really truly never blamed you, or her." Wukong, crying: "Why were you so ok with it? Because of me, the Samadhi Fire it... hurt you."]

Wukong has had a real rough go with people ditching him after one mistake, real or even just perceived mistakes alike, and messing up the ritual and letting the fire hurt Ao Lie? a monumental fuck-up to almost anyone you ask. Wukong, rather unfortunately, has very good reason for believing Ao Lie would hate or resent him for it, anyone else would. he's grown used to it, apathetic, maybe even has grown to expect it.

as it is, this means Wukong has a very hard time understanding/grasping it when someone doesn't hate him over things like this.

[Ofc Nezha feels like garbage for treating Wukong's actions during the Ritual as a failing.]

worst part is, Wukong doesn't treat him like he was wrong. when it gets brought up he talks about matter-of-factly, nonchantly, like it was no big deal that he was in pain, at risk of sacrificing his unborn egg and basically everyone aside from the pilgrims was treating him like he was the ultimate disappointment.

this is in part due to Wukong's own guilt over the ritual, insecurities about being enough/strong enough, and because he, again, doesn't blame Ne Zha because he didn't know about the egg because Wukong never told him and therefore, it's actually on his shoulders .

(Wukong needs a therapist)

[The Spider Gang has nightmares of Guanyin coming to beat the rest of them up like she's a Jojo stand.]

they're so terrified that they basically start praying to Guanyin- more so begging to be left alone, but still.

[To hear that Wukong has named her his little "Moon Comet Star" just makes him cry harder, especially with how casually Wukong names her.] + [But I bet Wukong is just so happy that he tells everyone Yuebei's name long before that time.]

I think Wukong probably had a lot of trouble coming up with names before Yuebei was born, nothing just ever seemed right! he honestly tried not to think about why the only ones that ever seemed to be good candidates were space/moon related names. but then Macaque came back. he stopped denying it at that point, and just went all for it. no matter how things with Mac end up going, Wukong probably already had the name chosen by the time he came back from looking for the map. And yeah, Macaque loves the idea that this was always Wukong's plan, and Wukong being just as happy about the name is also just so cute to him!

[It's PIF anf DBK's fave baby photo of Yuebei - besides the one where she tried eating Red Son's hair.]

oooooo what do you think would be everyone else's fav baby photos of Yuebei?

[and when he gets to Camel Ridge, he pauses before looking towards Wukong for confirmation. At Wukong's excited nod, Macaque grins evily.] + [Macaque also deliberately exaggerates the voices of their allies like PIF and DBK so Yuebei doesn't accidentally associate their voices with the muddy past shown in the book.]

let's be real, Peng's voice is the most bastardized.

love the fact that Macaque doesn't even really have to ask, Wukong already knows what he's planning and is living for it. Wukong enjoys the retelling almost as much as Yuebei does, if only for Macaque's dramatics. and doing his best to change her perception of their current allies? a very appreciated effort.

[Azure is clueless and isn't sure if monkey cubs work like lion cubs or not. Yellow Tusk has the sense to ask the remaining servants for help with tending to the infant - a group of seven brave orchard maidens stepped forward to run the baby a bath and prepare her a meal. Yellow Tusk is sure that he recognises them.]

so long pining for a monkey and he has no clue how they work or how to care for one. at least Yellowtusk is at least a little bit sensible. and ah! the peach orchard maidens Wukong was friends with! imagine if this was their first proper intro to Yuebei. they've never met but they know this is their old friends child so the seven will do anything for her, take on as many responsibilities as it takes to keep Yuebei out of Azure's claws as long as they can.

they don't like any of the brotherhood, but tusk at least seems remorseful enough to consider him safe enough to help bathe the little infant- with supervision of course. Yuebei latching to his trunk was probably as funny to them (at Yellow tusk's expense) as it was heartbreaking because they could probably recognize the behavior for what it was due to their time spent with the Monkey King.

at least Yuebei's comes out of it thinking/feeling very positively about peach maidens.

[So when the elephant gently put Yuebei in the warm bathwater and offered her mashed fruit, she instinctively clasped around his trunk like it was the arm of her parents, making sad hooing sounds as she sucked on her fingers. Yellow Tusk felt his heart break at the sight. He simply cannot fathom harming her in any sense of the word.]

oh no, Yuebei's sucking her finger, means she's missing her mama. imagine if after her rescue Wukong/macaque notice she's developed a small oral fixation from the trauma of her kidnapping.

I wonder if Yellow Tusk ever looks down at this tiny monkey and has an epiphany about how he treated Monkey King and Macaque, or the treatment of them he was at least complacent in. those two were never truly infants sure, but they were young minds, perhaps the thought had never crossed his mind because they're looks were deceiving when it came to age. how young had they truly been? what age were the children the brotherhood sent to war and martyred?

perhaps it doesn't matter anymore, the chance at redemption long forgotten, but at least he knows i his heart of hearts he will not make the mistake again. even if it means betraying those he's held dear for so long...

[Mac would make a show of picking up his baby girl and kissing her all over while commenting in baby-talk; "Did you have fun with the birdy and kitty, moonlight? Yeah? Do you want Bama to take something to remember your little play date?"]

the fact that Macaque baby-talks to the obvious victor only makes Peng's humiliation worse. Imagine getting turned into ground beef by an infant and her dad comes in and makes it all the more real that you were beaten by a less-than-a-year-old baby by outright baby talking her in front of you. like you always were and always would be nothing but literal child's play to deal with that you weren't even deserving of having your defeat be treated seriously, no. your opponent gets baby talk congratulations.

Macaque will forever tell the story of Peng's defeat when having proud dad bragging moments.

[Macaque has one of the feathers preserved as a bookmark. It brings him great joy.]

he takes a couple feathers for himself, makes a few different things out of them, like a quill. but he also made one or two for other people like Wukong and of course Yuebei's toy. they all bring him (and the receivers of the gifts) great joy.

prev.

yesyesyes some SlowBoiled thoughts! Also btw I've shortened what parts I'm replying to for brevity.

[honestly? Wukong is probably more concerned by how okay with having been killed Mac is than he would be if he was still upset and causing problems because of it...] + [but perhaps, Wukong is also deflecting a little, worried that trying to talk about it would spur into an argument... ...he just doesn't want things to get out of control again.]

YES

A big reason for their fight just as S4 starts is the fact they're avoiding some pretty big glaring questions/concerns to "avoid conflict", only to hurt themselves and each other more by deflecting. Sometime avoiding confrontation is more harmful than tackling your demons head-on and de-escalating any anger that it brings up as it comes. Wukong would be ok answering any questions Mac needed to be answered, but the real hard part is getting both monkeys in a space where they can vent it out a bit without one or both trying to portal away from an escalating conversation.

A good marriage counsellor needs to take on Wukong and Macaque's case and let the monkeys honestly Talk for a while without interruption.

Yue Lao, god of marriage & true love: "Diiiid someone call for marriage help?" :3

[the Tripataka forces them both onto bedrest, but it's a combined effort of the uninjured pilgrims to keep them there considering how restless Wukong can be. between Wukong and Ao Lie? it's an endless cycle of "no, I'll get up and ask for water, you stay in bed" and "no, I'll grab the extra blankets, you need to rest".] +[now I'm just picturing the others waking up to Wukong (who normally has a very high pain tolerance) loudly sobbing... ...he must have cried so hard, they'd have to call Guanyin to do a check-up while he's still sobbing to show him the egg is fine for him to even begin to calm down.]

Aww. It's very sweet but also kinda sad to think about. Eventually Ao Lie and Wukong are both too exhausted from their escape attempts, so the rest of the Pilgrims tap in to tend to them.

And the miscarriage scare!! PIF had opened up to Wukong in the last few weeks about how she and Bull had suffered tragic losses before Red came into the world - and when Wukong feels that terrible pain in his body, he immediately breaks down at the thought of suffering the same loss. Guanyin has to check in since Wukong won't stop hyperventilating and crying at the idea that he lost Yuebei. The goddess thankfully is able to confirm that the soul within the egg was alive and well, just very startled by the surge of power. Wukong still cries, now from relief.

Sadly, if the Samadhi ritual occurred after Macaque's death, Wukong likely saw the Egg as the final reminder of his former-mate. Yuebei is his little moonlight, even if her creation was not ideal.

[it does seem Yuebei has a taste for the spicy-er things, huh. wonder if she'd like any of Redson's cooking?]

Now I'm thinking of a scene where post-S3/4, Red Son is messing around in the kitchen with MK and Mei while they're babysitting Yuebei. Cue the baby grabbing a handful of spicy bbq sauce Red Son has been preparing and shove it in her mouth like it's nothing. All three are speechless with terror as Yuebei doesn't appear to be bothered in the slightest. Then she tries going for more!

Red Son quickly moves his sauce pot away and wonders aloud if he's skipped an ingredient. MK takes a spoonful, and with his face sweating profusely wheezes "Nope. That's Australian-level."

Yuebei whines for some more, and all three now understand why she keeps trying to eat firey things. DBK laughes proudly when he's told about it later on - nothing less from his dear godcalf!

[heh- funny thing about that pigsy-]

Lets just say a lot about MK's upbringing makes more sense after Pigsy realises that his son is a monkey demon XD

[Wukong has had a real rough go with people ditching him after one mistake, real or even just perceived mistakes alike... ...this means Wukong has a very hard time understanding/grasping it when someone doesn't hate him over things like this.]

THIS is why Ao Lie and the Samadhi Fire arc are so important to Wukong's character. He has such trouble understanding that sometimes people who care won't hold your mistakes real or perceived against you. Ao Lie likely told Wukong to his face multiple times that he didn't care that Wukong "screwed up", he was just glad that Wukong, the Egg, and Tripitaka were alive and well after all things considered.

[worst part is, Wukong doesn't treat him like he was wrong... ....(Wukong needs a therapist)]

The fact that Wukong doesn't mind that Nezha treated his failure that way all those years ago, makes Nezha even more concerned in the modern day!

yes yes he does.

[they're so terrified that they basically start praying to Guanyin- more so begging to be left alone, but still.]

Guanyin can only grant the Spider Gang a swift end and perhaps a revival after S3. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[I think Wukong probably had a lot of trouble coming up with names before Yuebei was born,...]

Wukong is bad at naming things I feel. He did call himself "Grimpil Sun" when he pretended to be a different monkey in the Gold-Silver Twins chapter. Even after over a thousand years of prep, he's still undecided what he'd should call his Egg once they arrive.

He's called Yuebei his "little moonlight", his "star", and his "comet" since long before he finally decided on her name. And when Macaque came back into his life and confirmed that he wanted both of them to be safe? His little "Moon Comet Star" just made sense - she indirectly brought his Moonlight back to him.

[oooooo what do you think would be everyone else's fav baby photos of Yuebei?]

hehehe!

For Wukong it's any photo of Yuebei. Look at his daughter! She's here! She's so perfect! Has one of those giant wallets full of photos of her.

Macaque's favorite is one Mei snapped of Yuebei just after the baby had destroyed Peng and Azure - the cub's eyes gleaming with delight at seeing her Bama again, her mouth full of golden feathers. He also treasures a photo he took of Wukong just after Yuebei's egg was born - his Peaches smiling contentedly as he curls around the egg.

MK's is when Yuebei saw him put away the Staff, and she tried looking inside his ear for it.

Mei is taking so many photos all the time, so it's hard for her to have faves. One of her faves though is a pair of photos where Yuebei is completely calm and about to fall asleep, and then her eyes are glowing with eye-lasers cus a bang in the kitchen scared her. Mei uses it as a reaction meme.

For Pigsy its a photo of Yuebei attempting to eat her first mooncake - the pastry was bigger than her whole head. Chang'e took the photo and just knew Pigsy would love it.

Tang's is the one of MK holding Yuebei for the first time, tears and snot running down the older monkey-boy's face while Yuebei looks up at him curiously. Tang thinks it's hilarious.

Sandy's fave is Yuebei taking a curious sip of tea from her mama's cup, and frowning hard when she realised it wasn't as nice as milk. Also one where Yuebei and Mo got distracted by the same cat toy - seems that the baby girl likes attacking things with feathers.

PIF and DBK's faves are well known ofc. Red Son would claim that he doesn't have any, but secretly its one where the baby monkey is playing peekaboo with DBK. It just really heart-warming to see his father interact with Yuebei after missing out on a lot of Red's childhood. Red looks at the photo and wonders if his father ever tried such games on him. (He did. Baby Red Son exploded)

Jiuweihuli and the twins love any photo Wukong shares with them. The old Vixen's favourite is where Macaque managed to get Yuebei into an elaborate baby costume (lots of bribery with mashed peaches was involved) and the baby is just happily sticking her tongue out at the camera.

It takes Bai He a while to warm up to Yuebei all the way, but she likes the photo of Yuebei when she first met Mo. The cat was very cautious and the baby monkey was just fascinated.

The gods themselves get rare glimpses of Sun Wukong's baby. Nezha's fave is a short video of Yuebei's first ever swimming lesson - decked out in all the little floaties as she doggie-paddled in the kiddie pool, Wukong smiling and holding his arms out for her while Macaque filmed. Nezha loves it not only for it's content, but for how happy Wukong finally is after so long. He blesses Yuebei many times over for good fortune and safety.

[let's be real, Peng's voice is the most bastardized. love the fact that Macaque doesn't even really have to ask, Wukong already knows what he's planning and is living for it. Wukong enjoys the retelling almost as much as Yuebei does, if only for Macaque's dramatics. and doing his best to change her perception of their current allies? a very appreciated effort.]

Macaque turns Peng's voice into a harsh nasally sound with random squawks thrown in like a cartoon parrot.

Wukong and Macaque have a near psychic connection as a couple once they start cohabitating again (and deal with emotional stuff). Wukong cannot deny his Plums the chance to make fun of their former brothers. Wukong even gets in on it, mimicking his own younger self and a some of the Pilgrims in a silly voice. Yuebei loves story time.

[so long pining for a monkey and he has no clue how they work or how to care for one. at least Yellowtusk is at least a little bit sensible... ...at least Yuebei's comes out of it thinking/feeling very positively about peach maidens.]

Azure is an orange male cat at his core - he's standing there, holding Yuebei by her diaper and wondering "What now?" while Peng covers their beak. Yellowtusk atleast has the wisdom to ask around the palace for help when Yuebei starts getting fussy. And since Peng confirms that the Memory Scroll "took the cupbearers as well" in the special, the Orchard Maidens are running themselves ragged to ensure that the invaders are content, and by proxy Yuebei safe. Not many are aware of their familial connection to the Emperor on first glance, so they quickly disguise themselves as "just" servants that escaped the Scroll.

So when Yellowtusk approaches almost shyly for help to feed and clean the baby hostage, the girls knew they made the right choice to stay. The seven maidens had taken one look at the baby monkey, saw the power she wielded, and just knew she was their dear didi's baby. '

The Maidens provide a character statement for Yellowtusk once everything is said and done. Afterall, the elephant allowed his trunk to be nearly crushed if it meant the baby girl had comfort.

Oh oh! Imagine in the aftermath of S4, Wukong manages to ask Yellowtusk who cared for Yuebei while she was hostage?

Yellowtusk, in cuffs about to be taken away: "I tried my best, but without the aid of the seven Orchard Maidens I likely wouldn't have fared much better than my brothers." Wukong: "Orchard Maidens?" Seven distinct voices: "Didi!" Wukong turns to see the seven snake-cat-like celestials running towards him, their appearances unkempt from worry. They carefully check him and Yuebei over. Orchard Maidens: "Oh thank buddha you're ok!" "We were so worried!" "After what happened to baba we..." "We couldn't bare to leave her alone with them!" Wukong, touched: "You all stayed behind, knowing that you shared the halls with the lion that took your father away, just to make sure my baby was ok?" Orchard Maidens: "Of course!" "You're a fellow attendant!" "Aiyi would have broken her vow of pacifism if either of you were truly hurt!" "We knew she was yours just from the way she... shot lasers out her eyes." Wukong, tearing up: "Oh girls..." Wukong & the Maidens: (*all group hug, careful to give Yuebei some space*)

Yuebei considers the Maidens akin to aunties since they care for her so well and clearly have a good relationship with her mama. This indirectly leads to the mourning Xiwangmu to see the baby girl as a surrogate granddaughter once they are properlly introduced. Yuebei recognises something in the Queen Mother's heart is hurt and wants to hug and kiss it better. Xiwangmu in turn can only reminice on the times she and her dear Jade held their own cubs in their arms, the dawn of their empire.

[oh no, Yuebei's sucking her finger, means she's missing her mama... ... he knows i his heart of hearts he will not make the mistake again. even if it means betraying those he's held dear for so long...]

Yesss. Baby monkey who are separate from their mothers develop oral fixations/self-soothing behaviors, which is still seen if they successfully gain a foster mom/is returned. It's a learned habit. Now I'm imagining Yuebei becoming super attached to her pacifer long after she's weaned, just because its such a source of comfort for her. Wukong and Macaque had to ask around a bit to try and figure out how to wean Yuebei off the pacifer once her milk teeth started growing in.

Yellowtusk's redemption is very internal, but it reflects heavily in his actions. After the days of caring for Yuebei, and coming to realise how they as a Brotherhood treated their monkey brethern, Yellowtusk starts on the path of reversing the damage caused by the coup. Even if the Heavens never forgive him, he is ultimately glad that his brothers and their families are safe - a far greater reward than what Azure's plans brought him.

Note; in situations where the Brotherhood survive/are captured after S4 - I feel like the Buddha pulls a Jttw on them and suddenly theres three circlets on their heads for the next few millennium. >:)

[the fact that Macaque baby-talks to the obvious victor only makes Peng's humiliation worse... Macaque will forever tell the story of Peng's defeat when having proud dad bragging moments.] +[he takes a couple feathers for himself, makes a few different things out of them, like a quill. but he also made one or two for other people like Wukong and of course Yuebei's toy. they all bring him (and the receivers of the gifts) great joy.]

HAHA! XD

Peng ain't ever going to live down being turned into chicken paste by a baby monkey. A bunch of celestial soldiers and servants saw how the Six Eared Macaque waltzed in, picked up the baby monkey, and cooed at her while Peng lay broken upon the floor. Yuebei isn't some disguised immortal or god, she's a baby. One that quickly falls asleep in her parents arms once they're all reunited.

Macaque is so keeping a few of Peng's feathers as trophies. The quill idea is amazing - he'd sign everything with it. Wukong gets a cute broach made with one of the golden feathers intertwined, and thinks its beautiful (if a little arrogant but hey he loves trophies). Yuebei has a toy thats 80% feathers she's ripped from Peng, and 20% string and cloth that looks like a kitten toy - it's her fave thing besides her plush skeleton toy. Macaque sends Xiwangmu a few feather quills along with a letter of condolence - it brings her some comfort (as does the lion hide she drapes on her shoulder).

tysm for asking in! Its ok to take breaks from writing if we need it. I'm just glad that we can shoot ideas back and forth.

[franki-lew-yo]

inb4 nicer post than my last one:

I saw Chicken Run 2. It's pretty cute. Definitely not as big a letdown or wasted like a Pixar sequel is.

Keep in mind I think I'm one of the few people in existence who's never itching to get sequels and continuations of my fandoms. I never wanted a Finding Nemo sequel and Finding Dory broke my heart in the worst way; by having unlimited potential and squandering it and the characters I love.

Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget doesn't do that, happy to say. Mostly it's just underwhelming.

It's weird. I'm definitely not a better writer than these professional writers, I just find myself going "why didn't you have the characters do/say THIS instead? It would still be cinematic and in character". I'd have to rewatch to give you a play-by-play of exactly what I mean. Overall I'd call that a nitpick. Bigger criticisms, especially when this is a sequel to a 20 y old film with fans who've seen in hundreds of times and know the details:

Hated how they retconed the chicks at the end of the original. You Thanos snapped Bunty and Fowler and possibly some of Rocky and Ginger's children. Also, those little 100% chicks were adorable. I'm okay with Molly being Ginger's only chick, but she'd look adorable as one of these:

Another distracting continuity thing: Rocky gets upset that he can't crow anymore. Even though...he was never a crower. That was Fowler's job. I remember. I get that he's a rooster but my point is that was never a thing Rocky did in the original and that should be been better established as what he does now on the island. Put it among the lines that I think could have very easily been slipped in to make it more digestible; you could have had Rocky say to Ginger, "you gotta let me crow! That's, like, my thing now", implying that he's turned to being the island's crow-er to cope with abandoning his lone-free-ranger lifestyle. See? Small changes of dialogue that can imply so much and give you an idea of all the things you need to know in this newer story.

Even though Fowler did technically do something in the end most of the movie felt annoyed and just there. Really would have liked it if he and Babs were back up and helpful some other way while it was mostly Mac, Bunty, and the rats who went in to save Molly and Rocky. Idk. Maybe it's hard to be the absolute banger of a convenience that is the green aliens and ' the claaaaaw' in Toy Story 3-- needed to utilize him better for the gag and the story is what I'm trying to get at.

Rocky and Ginger's voices were distracting. It's odd because Rocky's is definitely the more noticeably different one that you have to get used to, but I am 100% replacing him considering who was his og voice. I'm mostly mad that in order to free Rocky of the curse they had to take the part away from Julia Sawalha.

This is probably going to controversial here but, um, I really wish Mrs. Tweedy wasn't the Mrs. Tweedy in this. I think it'd be a funnier, more of a "here we go again" gag that they actually find some way to contrive the villain of this movie to be Mrs. Tweedy's relative that just happens to look the same, sound the same AND have the same bloodlust for chickens. Like, the gag is that all of Mrs. Tweedy's family is Officer Jenny/Nurse Joy who are all identical to one another but they're also the Cruella of birds and all have a bumbling husband. Even though it's explained how she got here, it just kind of takes the teeth out of her original defeat and even her one in this film.

I kind of wish Ginger had stayed "colarred" for a longer stretch of time and the rest of the crew had to save her. I feel like Molly being placed in her mother's shoes would have been more dramatic and made the situation all the more dire and dependent on the other characters to think up a plan. Ginger being unable to do anything or "broken" would change it up a bit, provided she still makes the final save in the end.

That pop song during the 'Molly-growing-up' montage was bad and didn't suit the time period and vibe of the movie. It really took me out. Just play that in the end credits.

Mr. Fry never appeared again in his creepy chicken man suit and I kind of really liked the idea of this creeeeeepy farmer basically wanting to be friends with the chickens while dressing as one because he thinks he's more connected to them that way. But no that's just for one scene.

I was also expecting Mr. Fry to turn on Mrs. Tweedy as he noticed her obviously flirting with Reginald. Having the ending twist be that he assists the chickens in their escape or lives among them in a horrific chicken suit with the chickens taking advantage of this would have been right at home.

that's all I got.

[dogbound1128]

Punch Out!! Headcannons Masterpost!

This will be updated every time I come up with a new one!

Make sure to read the trigger warnings in the tags before continuing!

Little Mac 🟢🇺🇲

☆ Transmasc!

- All he had to do was knock off the "Kenzie" and he was good to go lol

- He is also pan

☆ He's actually the standard amount of talkative! He just goes quiet when he's annoyed.

- Which is why most of the boxers have never heard him speak lol

☆ His main social media account has like a pink anime pfp and says stuff like "( >w<)"

- He tries to let as LITTLE people as possible know this

- He keeps on accidentally replying to wvba posts with his main account then quickly deleting them

- One time, after deleting a reply on his main, he thought "Hey, if I reply with my official Boxing account and say "I DIDN'T MEAN TO REPLY ON MY MAIN", people might think that I was joking, and meme the heck out of it! That would be fun!!" Nobody thought he was joking.

- Is the Antonymph of the Internet (✿ UwU )

- Still fighting on Newgrounds over if his love is valid • m •

- Fuck the cynicism let the colors fly >X3

- Don't care you think it's cringe because it's not your life B)

☆ Gave the most DEVASTATING side-eyes as a baby

- He didn't even do them when he was dissapointed, his face just looked like that when he looked to the side

- One time Doc was showing off some jab techniques when babysitting, and asked "How was that?" and Mac just hit him with the (¬_¬ )

- Doc knew he didn't mean anything by it, but it still hurt

- It made him laugh though

☆ Backstory (warning this shit is just upsetting)

- His Dad is abusive

- He just spends all his days watching TV and taking his anger out on Mac when he feels like it

- This was one of the main reasons Mac got into boxing

- When Mac asked how old his Mom was, his Dad said she was exactly as old as him. Mac did the math and realized that the chances of an accidental child born completely healthy at 50 are highly unlikely. Every time Mac asks his Dad about it, he shuts him down, so Mac has his suspicions about how he's actually related to his "Dad".

- At some point in his early childhood, he got a best friend.

- They were inseparable. Even to the point where they'd share a cot at daycare

- He was the loud, and all-over-the-place one, Mac was more timid.

- This best friend LOVED birds. He also loved surfing, but he had, as his mom said, "noodle bones", so that wasn't really in the foreseeable future.

- He had a nickname that only Mac knows.

- One day he just stopped showing up, even for school. And Mac's Dad didn't care enough to call their family. Mac knew for a fact his friend would've never just left him like that, so he just spends his days not knowing what happened to him

- Mac sometimes wonders if he still thinks about him, too (he does. a lot)

- Not even Doc knows about Mac's old friend

- Despite his Dad being abusive, he still tries to make up excuses for him

- "Well, he grew up in a different time..." all that

- Nobody is happy with this

- Needless to say Doc hates Mac's Dad with a burning passion

- It's a miracle his Dad doesn't want to take care of him so much he lets him spend most of his time at Doc's gym

- It's to the point where Mac has his own bag with a toothbrush and deodorant and shampoo for the nights where his Dad is too drunk to drive him home

- Has a mat with a pillow and blanket specially for him but he usually just falls asleep on the couch while Doc does taxes on the computer

- He's completely fine with jokes about murder, stealing, shootings, or any of the bad shit, but for some reason he CANNOT handle car crash jokes

- He genuinely can't understand why or how someone could bring themself to be fine with jokes like that

- Doc's been meaning to point out to Mac that he treats car crash jokes way differently from other kinds and ask him if he's ok, but he hasn't found the right moment.

- He can sort of assume why, considering every time Doc tries to use his arm as a seatbelt for Mac (like if they're on a bus or using Doc's ancient-ass pickup truck) Mac will start freaking out and not talk for a while

Aran Ryan 🍀🇮🇪

☆ Despite him being mostly an Irish Stereotype, Aran prefers to stay sober

-That's because the first night he ever drank he was so excited to get that high but it never came. All his friends were giggling and hooting and hollering and throwing shit and trying to stand on each-other's shoulders but Aran didn't feel different at all. If anything it made him tired! So he doesn't drink because of that and everyone who finds out is BEWILDERED by it

☆ Might be part fish 🤨????

☆ So... how is fucking Undyne Undertale Aran's Sister?

- Take the Gumball Episode "The Origins"

- Replace Gumball with Aran and Darwin with Undyne

- There's your answer

- If you haven't seen the episode and plan to watch it REMEMBER TO DO IT IN AN ETHICAL WAY. Like don't give money to a company that's sending it's money to a genocide or abusing it's workers or something like that

[mylo-space]

City Nights

Summary: I'm awful at summaries, but it's basically Wukong dragging Macaque into having a conversation with a familiar face. Macaque, like most social interactions, doesn't feel very equipped to handle the situation at all. In other words, I kinda just wanted some Bai He content and since LMK won't give me it, I decided to write it myself.

Posted on Ao3: 2023-08-06 Word Count: 7,002

-

Living in the city had as many drawbacks as it did advantages, both of which being the constant noise and hum of people and cars. A little overwhelming, sometimes, especially during festivals or other big events, but it was mostly just background noise. And if anything odd happened, Macaque was the first to hear. Not necessarily the first to do anything about it, but certainly the first to hear.

The strangest thing was hearing his own name from time to time. It was very rarely, people occasionally referencing him in the Journey to the West or, more commonly, talking about a likeness of his on one of Wukong’s shows. Still, not a common occurrence.

It became a little more common after meeting the kid, though. The noodle shop where MK worked may have been on the other side of the city, but that was nothing to Macaque’s hearing. He didn’t like tuning in on the kid’s conversations or anything, but he did catch the occasional odd sentence or two, a few of which contained his name.

He tried not to think too hard about what the kid might be saying about him. Nothing good, he could assume, but he was never brave enough to snoop. He liked keeping an ear or three out for demons and other threats, but privacy was privacy, and MK was entitled to his.

Which was why it came as such a surprise to hear his name, not just once, but over and over again, coming from the direction of the noodle shop. He dismissed it, promptly trying to tune out the sound and go about his business, getting ready to make dinner.

“Macaque,” a voice cut through the sounds of traffic outside. “Macaque. Macaque, Macaque, Macaque-” It was an incessant, toneless sound. If Macaque hadn’t already dressed down for the night, cozy in a purple sweater, he’d have gone to go do something about it. But, considering who the voice belonged to, he’d decided that he would rather not.

It’d been so long since the Great Sage had called for him, not since they’d lived on Flower Fruit Mountain together. Anywhere Macaque was on the mountainside, he could hear Wukong, the sage never even had to shout. He could simply call, and Macaque would come. It was a habit that Macaque had assumed Wukong grew out of.

“Macaque, Macaque,” Wukong continued to drone. Macaque grumbled to himself and tried to let the sound fade into the noise of city nightlife. Pulling out a small pot and filling it with water, Macaque was determined to enjoy a bowl of noodles and ignore Wukong until he gave up whatever game he was playing.

Except that Wukong was frustratingly stubborn, and never gave up anything easily. “Macaque, Macaque, Macaque,” he repeated like a broken record. “Macaque? Macaque. Macaque, Macaque, Mac, Mac, Mac-”

Macaque turned off the water and slammed the pot down. “Oh, for crying out loud,” he muttered, opening a portal to wherever Wukong was, his shadows searching until they found the familiar auburn energy and ripped open the space in front of it.

Centuries of portaling around the world, and Wukong was still the easiest thing to find.

“Macaque!” He could hear Wukong through the opening portal. “Macaque-”

“What,” Macaque demanded as he emerged from the shadows, rising from the ground and glaring at the sage standing before him, “do you want?”

There didn’t appear to be any danger, just Wukong standing idly in an alley next to the noodle shop. Macaque recognized the color-blocked jacket, the hood pulled up over his ears as he leaned against the shop’s wall.  “Huh,” gold eyes blinked at Macaque in mild surprise, “didn’t think that’d still work.”

“My hearing?” Macaque asked.

“No,” Wukong replied. “Just the…” he trailed off, apparently remembering what he was supposed to be doing. “Uh- anyway,” he nodded to the noodle shop, “the kid’s here.”

Macaque crossed his arms, already annoyed with the sage for interrupting his dinner, and even more so with the vague response he’d received. “Okay? The kid lives here.” He pointed to the neon pink sign hanging on the side of the shop. “And he works here. Obviously, he’s here.”

“No, no,” Wukong waved him off. “The other kid. She’s visiting for the day, and she wanted to invite you to dinner before she leaves.”

Macaque’s brow furrowed. “Wait, the Lady Bone Demon kid?”

“Yep,” Wukong said, cheerfully popping the ‘p’ and pushing himself off the wall. “And now that you’re here, you’re gonna come say ‘hi’. I told MK that you probably wouldn’t show, but-”

“What?” Macaque asked incredulously, following after Wukong just enough to keep the sage in his line of sight, but not enough to leave the safety of the alley. “No, I’m not.”

“Yes,” Wukong emphasized, pausing to look back at Macaque, lowering his voice so that no one could hear them through the shop’s window. It was closed and locked for the night, but the walls looked thin, and the entrance to the shop was more of a wooden curtain than a door, “you are. You’re gonna come say ‘hi’ to the kid.”

Macaque took a definitive step back, away from Wukong and the gentle yellow light seeping through the shop’s door. “No,” he said, “I am not.”

Wukong’s head tipped back with an exasperated sigh. “Aw, come on, talking to a kid isn’t gonna, like, tarnish your ‘bad guy’ rep. Can you drop the act for one night and-”

“This isn’t about my reputation,” Macaque snapped. “It’s barely been a month since-” the words caught in throat, “and I- I’m the last person she needs to be seeing right now. What the hell made you think this was a good idea?”

“First of all,” Wukong started, "my ideas are always good ones.”

“Not even remotely true.” There was a rattling somewhere, the sound of soft footsteps, and Macaque retreated a little further into the alley to stay out of sight. Probably just a nearby pedestrian leaving their house, but Macaque didn’t want to risk being seen. “Historically, most of your ideas are actually really bad ones.”

“Second of all,” the sage continued, “it was her idea. She wants to see you, for some reason.” He shrugged. “I mean, I don’t necessarily approve, and the pig isn’t keen on having you in his shop, but you did kinda save her, so I guess we can make an exception.”

Macaque rolled his eyes. “Okay, I don’t think saved is the right word here,” he said. “It’s not like I got her unpossessed.”

“You caught her, though,” Wukong pointed out. “If I remember right, you were the furthest one away, and you still caught her.”

And while it was true that he had been the furthest from the kid when she fell, Macaque didn’t really see what that had to do with anything. “So, what?”

“So, knock it off with the tough, bad guy act,” Wukong said firmly, “and come say ‘hi’ to the kid you saved. You’re, like, her hero. It won’t kill you to visit for a little bit, and then you can go back to brooding, or whatever it is that you do.”

Growing increasingly frustrated, Macaque protested, “I didn’t save the kid!” He pointed to the noodle shop, a vague gesture to the people inside. “Look, if she knew half the things I did to the people in there, I doubt she’d ever want to see me again. I’m not a hero, Wukong, and I’m not gonna pretend I am just to impress some kid.”

Wukong groaned. “You’re impossible, you know that?” He rounded the corner of the shop, making his way to the door. “If you’re not going to come in, then I’m sending the kid out here to you.”

Macaque scoffed, moving to lean on the corner of the shop and just under the neon sign, keeping Wukong in his sight without being seen by anyone inside. “I’ll be gone before you can get in the shop,” he said, shadows already pooling at his feet.

“Oh, yeah?” Wukong asked, pausing in his steps to give Macaque an expectant look. “Go on, then.” Macaque scowled, Wukong’s expression growing smug as he stayed rooted to the spot. “Her name is Bai He,” the sage provided as he opened the door to the noodle shop. “Don’t move.”

The door opened and closed, warm light spilling into the streets before retreating again. Without Wukong to argue with, the buzz of the city returned to Macaque’s senses. The shop wasn’t located in a particularly busy part of the city, but it was still alive at all hours of the night, rumbling cars and distant headlights, the murmuring of people in their houses.

But Macaque had his own piece of the city, and a pot of water that still needed boiling if he was going to eat dinner at a decent time. Turning away from the noodle shop and taking a few steps into the darkness, he ripped open the space in front of him, a portal appearing to take him home.

And he was stopped by a sound. A series of sounds, all in very rapid succession. Something confused in Wukong’s voice, followed quickly by MK’s startled response, was enough to give Macaque pause, but the sound of a cat meowing was the thing that really made him stop. That, and the sound of a young girl frantically trying to coax it down.

“No,” Macaque muttered. “I’m not doing this.” Despite saying that he wasn’t, however, the portal sealed itself shut, and Macaque began walking. The girl–Bai He, Wukong had said?--must have been a pretty slippery kid if everyone in the noodle shop had seemingly lost track of her.

As the commotion in the noodle shop became more panicked by the second, Macaque rounded the side of the building, peering around the empty streets for the source of everyone‘s concerns.

And, sure enough, illuminated by a nearby streetlamp, was a young girl with her arms outstretched. “Come on,” she tried, attempting to persuade the cat down, though it seemed perfectly content to relax on the awning it’d found. “Not again, kitty, I really need you to come down now.” She gave a half-hearted jump. “They’re gonna notice I’m gone, please, come down.”

Macaque tilted his head back, glaring at the nearly full moon. It stared back at him impassively, as though daring him to walk away.

“Hey,” he said quietly from where he stood in the shadows, taking a few cautious steps forward, but staying out of the streetlamp’s glow. “You’ve got everyone worried in there.”

Bai He jumped at the sound of his voice, giving the street a panicked look around before finding him. “Oh,” she gave a small wave, her gaze averting, never looking directly at Macaque, “hi, um..” She gestured weakly to the stubborn cat. “He just… you know, he's doing cat things.” Macaque hummed. “I only meant to step out for a minute, just- but then my cat jumped up onto this awning and he won’t come down.”

Chuckling a bit, Macaque replied. “Yeah, cats can be pretty stubborn when they wanna be.” He squinted at the orange tabby, his tail flicking idly as he lounged on the awning, completely unaware of the stress he was causing the girl below him. “Here,” he moved a little closer, the shadows around him pushing and pulling into the space around the cat, “hold out your arms.”

“Um…” Bai He reluctantly held out her arms. “What’s this for?”

“You’re gonna catch him,” Macaque replied easily, opening a portal just above the girl’s open hands. “Count of three, alright?” Bai He nodded, looking skeptically at the portal, but had yet to recoil. Which was odd, Macaque thought, since most people were wary of his powers, but he supposed the girl had been exposed to worse things. “One,” he said, shadows solidifying under the cat, “two,” and the cat fell through the shadows with a started yowl, Bai He gasping as he disappeared, “and, three,” Macaque allowed himself a small smile as the cat was deposited neatly into the girl’s arms, both portals sealing themselves closed.

Bai He beamed, gathering the cat into her arms and holding him close to her chest. “Thank you,” she said, nuzzling into the cat’s furry head, “I didn’t think I’d…” Her gaze caught on him again, blinking rapidly as she finally took a good look at who had helped her. “Wait- wait, you’re the-”

“The guy who’s leaving,” Macaque interrupted gently. “I know, I just-”

“You came!” Bai He exclaimed, startling Macaque as she ran up to him. “Mr. Monkey King said you probably wouldn’t, but I’m…” she trailed off, deflating a bit as she registered what he’d said. “Wait, you’re leaving?” she asked. “But you just got here.”

Macaque hesitated, unused to people being upset at his absence. “Well, I-” he cleared his throat, “I thought Wukong was… I guess, I didn’t think you’d actually wanna see me.”

“Why wouldn’t I want to see you?” Bai He tilted her head. “MK said you’re the one who saved me.”

“Yeah, well,” Macaque shrugged, “MK’s a good kid, but I don’t think he understands that I’m not-” He gestured to the noodle shop, “Look, they’re the real heroes, kiddo, not me. I don’t think I’m someone you wanna be around.”

Bai He frowned. “Why do you get to decide that?”

Macaque blinked. “What-”

“Bai He! There you are,” MK’s voice cut through the quiet city air, “and… Macaque?” he looked relieved upon seeing the girl safe, though his gaze trailed warily to Macaque. “Hey, uh- good to see you, man. Glad I caught you before you disappeared, Monkey King said you were just leaving.”

“Well,” Macaque glanced at the cat in Bai He’s arms, wishing that he could curse the cat for making him stay and help the kid, putting him in a situation he had definitely not prepared for, “I was, but we had a bit of a… cat-related emergency, but I should probably go now, um- didn’t mean to intrude or anything.”

MK frowned. “But we asked you to come.”

“I-” Macaque wasn’t sure how to explain that being invited did not mean that he was welcome. Wukong had already said that the pig didn’t like him there, and he was sure Tang wouldn’t appreciate his presence, either. And Wukong himself seemed exasperated at even having to call him, so, “I just don’t think it’s a good idea.” The orange tabby in Bai He’s arms gave an obnoxious meow. “See? The cat agrees.”

“No, he doesn’t!” Bai He protested. The cat meowed again, quickly shushed by the girl holding him. “MK, tell him that we don’t want him to leave.”

“I mean, I don’t want him to leave,” MK agreed, “but it’s not like I can make him stay, either.” He gave a cautious smile. “He’s, uh- a pretty slippery guy, when he wants to be.”

Macaque clapped his hands together. “That settles that, then,” he said. “I’m not going in the shop, and you can’t make me, so-”

“Can I stay out here, then?”

“I’ll just be-” Macaque stopped, the shadows he’d been summoning to make a portal promptly falling back into place. “What?”

“Sure!” MK replied. “I’ll bring you guys some noodles.” He waved them off as he retreated back into the shop. “Be right back! And Macaque,” he narrowed his eyes and jabbed a finger in Macaque’s direction, “you better be nice.”

Affronted, Macaque spluttered, “You- what-”

“Be nice,” MK warned, though there was a lilt of playfulness that suggested that MK didn’t actually believe Macaque was going to do anything. “I’ll be back when Pigsy finishes up the noodles.” And, frustratingly enough, MK disappeared before Macaque could give a retort.

Macaque sighed. “Ah, that kid.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Listen, Bai He, right? I don’t… I don’t know what you’re expecting here, but I really don’t think it’s a good idea for me to be around.” He shoved his hands in his pockets, regretting the lack of scarf to hide in. “I’m not the sort of company people like to keep.”

Bai He made a noise of disagreement. “MK says you’re actually kinda nice, and you’re only pretend mean.”

“No, MK is nice,” Macaque corrected. “And he’s giving me more credit than I deserve.” He shook his head. “But you’re the one that wanted me here, I guess, so… color me curious.” Nodding to the sidewalk. “Wanna sit while we wait for the noodle delivery boy?”

“Did you make a portal?” Bai He asked, taking a seat on the sidewalk. The change in subject was sudden, but Macaque wouldn’t complain. “To catch my cat, I mean. It looked like a portal.”

Macaque nodded. “Yep. I can, uh-” he held out a hand, opening it slowly to reveal a small mass of shadows dancing across the lines of his palm, “well, I can do a lot of things, but, yeah. Portals.”

“Monkey King can shapeshift,” Bai He added, her cat curling in her lap with a content purr. “Can you shapeshift, too?”

It was probably the easiest thing that Macaque knew how to do, shifting his shape to suit his needs. “I mean, I wouldn’t go comparing my powers to Wukong’s,” because while there were similarities, there were also a great number of differences, “but, yes. I can shapeshift.”

“How come you never tried to portal away from me?” Bai He asked. “Or- or turn into a bird, and fly away? You could do that, right? I think I seen you turn into a bird before.”

At that, Macaque tilted his head. “I’m… not sure I’m following, kiddo. I mean, yeah, I could turn into a bird, but I don’t need to fly away from you. Or portal away from you.”

“Not me,” Bai He glanced away. “You know, me. When I was… not me.”

“Oh,” Macaque said in surprise. It hadn’t occurred to him that Bai He might remember some bits and pieces of being possessed. Wukong certainly did, moments where the Lady Bone Demon’s hold on him had been weakened for just a few seconds, but, “Listen, kiddo, we don’t have to talk about all that.”

Bai He nodded. “I know. But,” she glanced up hesitantly, “can we?” Her teeth dug into her bottom lip anxiously. “I tried talking to MK about it, but I don’t… I don’t think he likes talking about it too much. I think I make him nervous.”

All Macaque had wanted was a nice, quiet night in. He’d wanted to make himself a bowl of noodles and fall asleep to the sounds of the city. Whatever this was, he hadn’t been prepared for it in the slightest. “It’s not you, really. It wasn’t you.” He took a seat next to Bai He, though he was sure to leave some distance between them. “MK tends to, uh… not talk about a lot of things.”

“I talk to Sandy sometimes,” Bai He tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, and Macaque couldn’t help but notice the streaks of snow-white that bled into the dark strands. “He’s really nice, and he has lots of cats.”

Macaque offered a small smile. “It’s, uh- good that you’re talking to someone.” He remembered advising MK about something similar, about getting it all out. Macaque had always been good at giving advice, but never at following his own.

“But still I feel bad,” Bai He said, “and I know I wasn’t- she wasn’t very nice. I don’t remember a lot, but I remember that I was mean.” Macaque set his jaw, refusing to let even a twitch of emotion betray him. Bai He clearly needed to talk, and she didn’t need to see Macaque upset about it. “I think I was mean to the whole world.”

“She was,” Macaque corrected, “but you were just-”

“And I think I was really mean to you.” Bai He looked up at him, something sad and apologetic shining in her eyes. “Or- she was, I guess.”

Macaque took a slow breath. “You don’t need to worry about what she was to me,” he said carefully. “I- are you sure you don't want to go in and enjoy a nice dinner with… nicer people? I’m sure there’s someone better to talk to about this. Wukong is a certified hero,” he gave the word a pair of air quotes, as he didn’t believe in the title as much as the rest of the world did, “wouldn’t you rather-”

Bai He made a face. “I think the Monkey King almost killed me.” Macaque’s heart twisted at the words. He knew Wukong might have been capable of it, with the Lady Bone Demon’s power steadily weakening the way it had been. If it had come down to it, Macaque had no doubt–absolutely zero doubt–that Wukong would have killed the young girl sitting beside him if it’d meant saving the world. “It’s weird talking to him.”

“I get that,” Macaque replied. “I don’t really talk to the guy, either.” He leaned back on his hands. “I dunno if you’ve ever noticed, but he’s kinda full of himself.” At that, Bai He gave a small laugh, which Macaque felt a weird sort of accomplishment about. “Did you know his whole title is the Handsome Monkey King? He made it up himself, no surprise there.” And Bai He exploded at that, laughing hard enough that her voice gave way to a series of high-pitched giggles. “You good, there, Squeaker?”

Nodding, Bai He gasped for breath. “I’m okay, I’m okay.” She let out a slow exhale and went back to petting the cat in her lap. “So, who do you talk to?” she asked, her bout of laughing apparently not distracting enough to stray her from the conversation. “I talk to Sandy, but-”

“No, see, I,” Macaque said, “don’t need to talk to anyone about this kind of stuff.”

Face scrunched in thought, Bai He made an unsure sound, “I don’t think that’s how it works.”

“Sure, it is,” Macaque replied. “Because I say so.”

“Could you talk to me?” Bai He asked hopefully.

“I am talking to you,” Macaque pointed out. “We’re talking.” The sound of Pigsy’s voice caught his attention, informing MK that two bowls of noodles were ready to go. He could hear MK take the noodles, and then hesitate, and then he started passing the bowls off to someone. “And… I think MK is sending Wukong with our noodles.”

“The Monkey King?”

With a hum of confirmation, Macaque glanced up to the roof of the noodle shop, an idea coming to mind. “Wanna do something really funny?” he asked. “Maybe try out a portal?”

An excited gasp left Bai He. “Yes!” She jumped up, keeping a secure, gentle grasp on her cat as she stood. “Yes, I want to try a portal!”

Macaque laughed. “Alright, then.” He rose to his feet and summoned a portal to the roof. “Come on, Squeaker. Let’s give ol’ Monkey King the slip, huh?”

Despite her earlier giddiness, once presented with the swirling pool of darkness, Bai He suddenly had a look of trepidation on her face. “Um… it’s safe to go through that, right?” And Macaque couldn’t blame her. He’d been wary of his powers at first, too. It was intimidating to take a blind step into the darkness.

“Of course,” Macaque replied, taking a step forward and shoving his hand through the portal, “nothing to worry about.” He pulled his hand back out to show his unscathed palm. “Just a little shadow magic. Perfectly harmless.” Unless Macaque was pissed, of course, then there were plenty of ways to harm someone with a shadow. Not that Bai He needed to know that.

Bai He shifted to hold her cat in one arm, and reached her free hand towards the portal, just barely grazing her fingers across it before recoiling slightly in surprise. “It’s cold.”

“Ah,” Macaque said awkwardly, “sorry, it’s…” he trailed off as Bai He brought her hand back to the portal, pawing at the shadows curiously.

“It’s like standing in the shade,” Bai He said in wonder, “is it like that all the time?”

“Most of the time,” and it was. Macaque had always found comfort in the shadows, a refuge from an otherwise bright and deafening world. There were days, though, when the darkness was a cold and suffocating presence that rooted itself in his chest. Still not something a child needed to know, though. “You ready?”

Taking a deep breath, Bai He nodded and held out her hand to Macaque. “I’m ready.”

It was such a simple gesture, an unsure child doing something for the very first time, requesting guidance. A hand to hold. And she was asking Macaque. It wasn’t a level of trust that he was accustomed to being given–not anymore, at least–and for a moment, all he could do was stare.

Then he heard the noodle shop’s door begin to open, the heavy sound of Wukong’s footsteps making their way outside. “Alright,” he offered his hand, allowing Bai He to take it, small fingers curling around his, “let’s go.”

Traveling through the shadows was as easy as breathing, if a little disorienting the first time. Bai He stepped through the portal with him and stumbled a bit as they landed on the roof of the noodle shop. “Woah,” she watched as the portal closed, “that was so cool.” Her hand slipped out of his as she took a walk around the rooftop. “You do this all the time?”

“Gets me places quicker.” He peered over the side of the roof, watching Wukong appear with two bowls of noodles in his hands. “There he is,” he waved Bai He over. “What do you say we prank the Monkey King?”

Bai He brightened. “What are we going to do?”

“Watch this.” Macaque summoned a clone from the alleyway shadows, eyes glowing an eerie purple in the moonlight. It appeared silently, just behind an unsuspecting Wukong, and tapped on his shoulder playfully before vanishing.

“Hey!” Wukong whirled around, as much as he could with two bowls of noodles. “Hello? Macaque?”

Another clone rose from the ground, watching Wukong in a vague reflection of Macaque's own amusement. It looked up to the rooftop and waved to Bai He. Then it gave Wukong another soft tap on the shoulder before sinking back into the darkness.

“Macaque!” Wukong exclaimed, turning in circles, looking for the culprit. “Very funny, you- sneaky little… shadow thing-” another clone placed a hand between Wukong’s shoulder blades and gave him a soft nudge. “Dude!”

Macaque felt a tug on his sleeve, and glanced down to see Bai He staring up at him, eyes sparkling with barely suppressed laughter. “Can we-” she giggled, “can we have our noodles now?”

“Sure thing, Squeaker.” He summoned another clone to appear right in front of Wukong, who scowled at it. When it held out its hands for the noodles, Wukong hesitantly handed them over. Then the clone disappeared into the shadows, reappearing next to Bai He on the roof and leaving Wukong at a loss on the ground.

Bai He set down her cat and took a bowl of noodles from the shadow clone. “Thank you,” she said, taking hold of the chopsticks that were set in the bowl. The clone blinked, then passed Macaque his bowl of noodles, and disappeared. “I didn’t know you could make clones.”

“I can do lots of things,” Macaque replied easily.

“You!” Wukong’s voice echoed off the walls. Macaque glanced down to see Wukong glaring up at him, hands set sternly on his hips. “What are you doing up there?”

“Hi, Mr. Monkey King!” Bai He peeked over the side of the roof. “I’m on the roof!”

Wukong sighed. “Yeah, I can see that.” He squinted up at them. “You okay up there, kid? Need me to come get you?”

Bai He shook her head. “No, I’m okay! It’s fun up here!”

“Hear that, Mr. Monkey King?” Macaque taunted. “All good.” If Wukong was going to put Macaque through the trouble of traveling halfway across the city, then he was absolutely going to make the whole thing as annoying as possible for the sage. “Thanks for the noodle delivery.”

With a long-suffering sigh, Wukong rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah, you’re welcome, I guess.” He looked to Bai He. “You holler if you need anything, okay, kid? I can send MK out and check on you in a few minutes.”

“Okay!” Bai He said agreeably, “But I think I’ll be okay with Mr. Macaque for a little bit.”

“If you’re sure,” Wukong stepped away, back towards the door of the noodle shop. “Guess I’ll leave you guys to it, then.” His gaze caught Macaque’s for a brief moment, gold eyes searching his expression before turning away. “Better not start scheming up there.”

Bai He grinned. “Scheming?”

“No,” Wukong said quickly. “I said no scheming!”

Macaque hummed. “Well, maybe a tiny bit of scheming. Little scheming never hurt nobody.”

“You’re a terrible influence,” Wukong called up to him. “I’ll tell MK!”

Gasping, Bai He set down her bowl and happily bounced on her heels, “Yes! Can MK come up here and scheme with us? And Mei?”

“No!” Wukong protested. “You-” he gave an exasperated sigh. “Macaque-”

“Oh, relax,” Macaque reassured him. “I’ll get Squeaker down, safe and sound. No schemes.” Another clone emerged from the shadows behind Wukong as he said the words, prompting a giggle from Bai He. “Absolutely no schemes, at all, whatsoever.”

Wukong’s eyes narrowed, and Macaque raised an eyebrow in response. The clone behind Wukong made a face, which got another smothered laugh from Bai He. “Fine,” Wukong said, ”but!” he jabbed a finger in Macaque’s direction, which the clone immediately copied, much to Bai He’s amusement. “I’m still gonna send MK out here to check on you guys later.”

Macaque and Bai He bit their tongues as Wukong retreated, the shadow clone following after him in an amusing mockery of his walk. They waited with bated breath until Wukong had moved from their line of sight, then Macaque recalled the clone to the shadows, and Bai He nearly collapsed with laughter.

It’d been a while since Macaque had gotten anyone to laugh like that. The last person he’d gotten to even enjoy his company was MK, and it was only for training under false pretenses. Maybe he had the option to do something about that, with the impending danger of the Lady Bone Demon subsided, but Macaque also knew how it felt to be betrayed, and he doubted MK would be okay with anything resembling friendship.

“You need to eat your noodles, Squeaker,” Macaque told his giggling rooftop companion, taking a seat to start in on his own bowl. “It’s gonna get cold.”

“Okay, okay,” Bai He managed, sitting up and grabbing the bowl she’d set down. “Mr. Pig makes really good noodles.”

Macaque nodded agreeably, taking a bite of dinner he’d been given. “Guess he’s got his own restaurant for a reason.” The meal was certainly better than anything he would have made himself. “Can’t remember the last time I had a home cooked meal like this.”

“Maybe you should come around more often,” Bai He suggested, scooping up another bite with her chopsticks. “I think MK would like it if you did.”

“Huh…” Macaque shifted, unsure of how to feel about that statement. “Maybe- I don’t know. Maybe I should.”

With that, Bai He seemed content to sit and eat her noodles. Macaque, with the sounds of the city floating around the night air, very begrudgingly enjoyed his dinner. He hated to admit it, but he was glad that Wukong had interrupted the meal he had been about to make for himself. The whole visit, really, hadn’t been the grating experience Macaque had expected it to be.

“You know,” Bai He said suddenly, swirling the broth in her nearly empty bowl. “I don’t know why Mr. Monkey King said you were weird and broody. You’re actually really fun.”

“Eh, he’s got his reasons,” Macaque answered. “We don’t really get along, in case you haven’t noticed.”

Bai He set aside her bowl, reaching out a hand to pet her cat, who pressed into her affection gratefully before flopping onto his side. “I think you guys should get along better.”

Macaque chuckled. “Think so, huh?” He tapped his chopsticks idly against his bowl. “I guess it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.” Which wasn’t something he’d admit to Wukong or MK and, when he thought about it, he wasn’t sure why he’d admitted it to Bai He, but he was surprised to find that it was the truth.

Although, maybe it shouldn’t have been too much of a surprise, all things considered. They’d been friends before, and it wasn’t impossible that they could be friends again someday.

“Maybe when he stops being so hard-headed,” Macaque mused. “Which will be pretty tough, considering he’s made of stone.”

“He is?” Bai He asked. “I didn’t know people could be rocks.”

“It’s just Wukong, as far as I know,” Macaque said, stacking his bowl on Bai He’s and moving them so that they were out of the way. “Never met anyone else made of stone, anyway.”

Bai He tilted her head at him, scooting so that they were sitting side by side, and settled against the small wall bordering the roof. “What are you made of?”

Macaque shrugged. “I’m just flesh and blood, kid, not made of anything special.” It was something Wukong had complained about pretty often, back in the day. Constantly trying to readjust Macaque’s armor, fussing over every scratch and bruise, Macaque was pretty sure Wukong was more upset about the lack of stone skin than he was.

But that was a long time ago.

“Have you and Monkey King known each other very long?” Bai He asked. “You guys seem to know each other.”

“That’s…” Macaque hesitated, “a really complicated question, but, uh- the short answer is, ‘yes’. We used to be pretty close, like, a thousand years ago, give or take.”

“A thousand?” Bai He’s face scrunched. “You guys are old.”

Macaque spluttered, the sound somewhere between shock and a strangled laugh. “Oh, yeah? And what are you, six?”

“I’m eleven!” Bai He protested.

“Hm?” Macaque hummed. “Seven, you say? Well, I was pretty close.”

“No,” Bai He put a hand on his shoulder and shook him. “I said I’m eleven.”

“Yeah, seven,” Macaque replied, “that’s what I said.” Which only earned him another protest and a half-hearted shove. “Woah, there! Anybody ever tell you that you’re pretty tough for a seven year old?”

Bai He’s cat, which had been settled beside her rather peacefully, gave a plaintive meow as she attempted to tackle Macaque, though it mostly amounted to her pulling on Macaque’s arm and demanding, “Say I’m eleven! E-lev-en,” she emphasized.

“Oh, yeah?” Macaque stood, with Bai He still clinging to his arm. “And what are you gonna do if I don’t?” She squealed in delight as she dangled above the ground, swinging her legs in a playful attempt at kicking Macaque. “Looks like we got two monkeys on the roof, now.” He moved around the rooftop carefully, gently swaying his arm to jostle Bai He. “You sure you’re not hiding a tail somewhere? You’re swinging like a pro, Squeaker.”

“Hey, Macaque!” Macaque’s ears flicked to the sound of MK’s voice. He could hear the iron rod briefly hit the ground, and then Wukong’s protege was rocketing over the side of the roof. “Monkey King said to-” he paused upon seeing Bai He dangling from Macaque’s arm, a smile slowly stretching across his face. “to, uh- check on you.”

Macaque squinted at MK. “Not a word.”

MK lifted his hands in surrender. “I didn’t say anything!” he exclaimed, though Macaque could hear his voice waver from suppressed laughter. Then he tilted his staff to point in the general area to his left.  “Monkey King will probably have something to say about it, though.”

As if on cue, Macaque could hear a cloud being whisked from the night sky. Macaque didn’t have nearly enough time to try and detach the child swinging from his arm before Wukong was appearing over the side of the roof, floating on a wispy gray cloud. “Is everything okay up-” he blinked at Macaque and Bai He, “uh… you having fun there?”

“Yep!” Bai He chirped, dropping from Macaque’s arm and beaming up at Wukong. “I think you should invite Mr. Macaque every time I come over. He’s a lot of fun.”

Wukong’s lips quirked in a barely concealed smile. “Oh, is he?” Macaque glared, though it didn’t appear to have the effect he wanted. “Well, we’ll talk about inviting Mr. Macaque next time, alright? I think you gotta get back home.”

“Aw,” Bai He pouted, “really? Do I have to?”

MK gave her a sympathetic smile. “Yeah, it’s getting pretty late.” He crouched so that he was eye level with Bai He. “But, hey! We can meet up again real soon, okay? Mei and I could take you to the arcade!”

Looking somewhat less deflated, Bai He nodded. “Okay.”

“Alright, then,” MK straightened and walked to the edge of the roof. “Let’s go ahead and get you down, and then I’ll take you home.”

Bai He gasped. “Wait!” She turned and ran back to Macaque. Expecting a goodbye, Macaque lifted a hand to wave, only to be met with Bai He’s entire weight barreling into him, arms thrown around his waist and face buried in his purple sweater.

Despite the fact that Bai He couldn’t have weighed more than seventy pounds soaking wet, all the breath left Macaque at the impact. At a complete loss of what to do, Macaque gave her a cautious pat on the head. “I, uh… I’ll see you later, Squeaker.” Bai He nodded into his sweater, giving him a squeeze before pulling away.

“Tell Pigsy I’ll be back to help clean up in, like, fifteen minutes,” MK said, scooping up Bai He’s cat and handing him to his owner. “Ready?”

“Mm-hm,” Bai He said, waving to the celestial primates with the hand not holding her cat as MK picked her up and prepared to get her off the roof. “Bye, Mr. Monkey King! Bye, Mr. Macaque!"

Macaque watched as MK’s staff stretched to the ground below, acting as a rather effective elevator for getting himself and Bai He down. Wukong was a persistent presence, floating on his cloud and staring at Macaque expectantly, though Macaque waited until he heard MK’s delivery car start up before directing his gaze to the sage.

Wukong, the smug bastard, simply grinned at him. “The last person she needs to be talking to, huh?”

“Shut up,” Macaque said, picking up his and Bai He’s empty bowls. “I didn’t actually plan on sticking around. She just needed help with her cat.”

“If you say so,” Wukong drawled. “You enjoy your noodles?”

“I enjoyed when the rooftop didn’t have you on it,” Macaque muttered, dropping the bowls through a portal, hoping that the resulting clatter into the sink didn’t startle anyone in the shop too badly.

Wukong hummed. “Technically, I’m not on the roof.” He gestured to the cloud he was lounging on. “I’m floating above the roof.”

“Whatever,” Macaque crossed his arms. “Look, you got what you wanted, alright? I came here, I said ‘hi’ to Squeaker-”

“That’s adorable, by the way,” Wukong interrupted.

“So, I’m going home,” Macaque continued sharply. “And if you so much as breathe a syllable of my name in the next few days, I’m opening a portal to the ocean and dropping you in.”

Leaning back against his cloud, Wukong relented, “Fine, fine.” He waved Macaque off. “Go back to your dojo of brooding, I guess.”

“Gladly,” Macaque replied, the shadows around him solidified into a portal leading home. “And…” he hesitated for a moment, “I guess, I wouldn’t mind visiting again.” He cleared his throat, expecting some kind of rebuttal. “If that’s alright with the Great Sage.”

“Hey, fine by me,” Wukong said flippantly, much to Macaque’s surprise. “Just keep the scheming to a minimum, and I don’t really care what you do.”

Macaque nodded slowly. “Right. Well,” he took a step towards the portal, “guess I’ll see you when I see you.”

“Here’s hoping it’s not because of the end of the world,” Wukong replied. “Again.”

Huffing out a laugh, Macaque retreated into the portal. “Here’s hoping.”

If the sage had a response, Macaque didn’t hear it, already stepping into the quiet halls of his dojo. It was almost eerie, the near silence that his safehouse offered, and Macaque sighed as the portal behind him closed. He’d long since grown used to the quiet, and having nothing but city sounds to keep him company, but… he could admit that having actual company to share a meal with hadn’t been the worst thing.

The pot he’d been preparing for his dinner still sat on the counter, and as Macaque poured the water out and put the utensil away, he wondered if Wukong truly meant what he said. If Wukong truly didn’t mind what Macaque did, so long as it was nothing malicious, would he object to Macaque visiting MK and his friends? If he appeared on Flower Fruit Mountain, would he be immediately turned away? How tolerant of Macaque would Wukong be, and–perhaps the trickier question–would Macaque be able to deal with Wukong?

Questions for another time, he supposed. For the moment, he was content to find something not Monkey King related to watch on TV and listen to the dull roar of city nightlife until he fell asleep.

And maybe next time he heard Wukong calling his name about something or another, he’d be just a little less annoyed about it.

[missyblogs]

Saw folks doing selfship templates sooo hopping on the bandwagon with these two! unaltered OG can be found here! This expands on the aesthetic version I'm working on for my About Me because I have many Thoughts about these two that I haven't had the spoons to draw for and one tiny little box won't explain why they "both" cook ( the answer is Sporty does it more bc he cooks healthier, but Sophia brings the entire town to the yard on mac n cheese Mondays )

- The relationship not only comes very close to not happening but Sportacus also comes dangerously close to losing a friend for good. He was trying to be respectful, to keep a friendly distance because he wasn't sure Sophia felt the same way and didn't want to assume, but his plan to bite back his feelings for the sake of keeping her close backfired spectacularly when she took this as an implicit sign of rejection Note: he did not ever say no and they did not discuss dating. It was a topic neither of them broached. A + communication here, absolutely stellar /sarcastic - As an ADHDer with poorly treated symptoms, Sophia is unable to mask and is well aware that her heart is glued to her sleeve. She'll never be content with friendship but for at least the first two months she thinks she can pretend, for his sake. She can quietly fall apart when she thinks no one is looking. Cue Stephanie's 3rd try at an appreciation party and the realization that... the artist knows a lot about this guy that most people don't, but she actually can't be in the same room with him anymore. Not for something she helped plan so intricately, not for something made with a love that is eating her alive, not for something about him. If she hears him call her "friend" one more time she will Simply Die - Sophia has been rejected before. Publicly. Multiple Times. She would rather unceremoniously cut people out of her life than set herself up for that again and is fully prepared to do exactly that. - This goes about as well as expected with Sportacus, who is devastated at the thought of the person he adores more than anything else just,, not being in his life anymore... so when she starts avoiding him after the final time that he confirms "you are my friend", he takes it pretty hard - Robbie is LIVING for this... at first. He has no idea what brought on the change but he could have never dreamed that the thorn in his side could become such a soggy wet cat on main and he is soaking up his nemesis's misery, reveling in that delicious humiliation. He doesn't even NEED a Rotten Plan TM - He's not so excited, however, when his best friend stops sleeping, stops laughing, stops singing. She won't eat his cake anymore and he hasn't seen such a dark hopeless look in her eyes in years. She's hurting and he doesn't like THAT one bit - Stephanie to the rescue! She knows exactly what's up and cutely sets the pair up for a talk without telling the town storyteller - This is the first and one of the only times Sportacus sees Sophia angry and he is stunned. He had known something was off but he could never have imagined how he came across to her or how deeply she felt about him or just how much he hurt her without even knowing. - "We are NOT friends. I can't pretend, not when I've loved you my whole life" ( A slight exaggeration considering that she has known him three months, but it gets the point across that she's never been normal about him and suddenly he realizes exactly how bad the both of them have been at communicating. Oops ) - The rest of their relationship goes pretty smoothly up until Robbie connects the dots. Sophia has to get her scissors out again for a different person this time but that may or may not be an infodump for a different template >. > - Realistically she knows that Sportacus is not the type either of her exes were but you get lied to enough you learn not to trust people - He doesn't take it personally. He is pretty horrified when he hears the way she was treated before she moved across the pond though and it convinces him to take a closer look at his policy of trying to befriend people unconditionally. This also convinces him to strengthen his boundaries with the town and start teaching the kids about consent and the importance of ✨ honest conversation ✨ lest they also find themselves shrugging off being poisoned and smiling politely at being pressured into remote controlled shoes... or ghosted by their zing

[pharawee]

okay you seem to understand what the whole ordeal is with mac and omg i can't remember the other guy's name... but for the life of me, i don't get what happened, why he's so mad at itt and day??? what did they do to the lil baby boy?

Tbh you don't need to remember the other guy's name. He's the worst.

His name is Nan.

Okay so please bear with me if I get some of this wrong, I read a very wonky translation months ago and some parts I fast-forwarded through because ugh. Also, this is going to be awful and unpleasant so consider this a cw for SA.

So Mac's in love with Itt but he has a very weird way of showing it and when eventually the truth comes out he's just generally being very annoying about it and won't take a hint. That's all. That's all he ever does. He's not even being very pushy. Mostly he's just a spoiled brat and uses his father's company to get with Itt (both their families are selling/repairing cars).

Day being Day asks one of his friends, Nan, to kidnap Mac and teach him a lesson. The same lesson Day once "taught" Itt because apparently that's all the author he can think of.

Nan kidnaps Mac right off the street (after Day lures him out with the promise of meeting Itt) and has him brought to his garage (he's also dealing in cars and he owns a racetrack) where he chains him up and drugs him. He then sets up a camera, r*pes Mac and films the whole thing in order to blackmail him.

He keeps him a few days. Mac tries to escape. More r*pe happens. At one point Day and Itt show up and Mac has to apologise to them with a promise to keep his distance.

Itt literally tells Mac (from one victim to another, I suppose) to "write his own story" in order to somehow get over what's happened to him. Whatever that even means. Everyone victim-blames him. There's more r*pe, then Nan sets Mac free.

Mac, naturally, is severely traumatised. He won't leave his room until his bruises have healed, he won't tell anyone what happened, he won't really return to who he was before.

Weeks later Nan and Mac meet "by chance" (yeah, right) and Nan tells him that he won't let him go after all. Mac has no choice in the matter because the blackmail recording still exists (apparently Day wanted Nan to delete it once everything's resolved but surprise! Nan never did). Then Day has his accident. Mac is understandably very gleeful about it, which doesn't really go over well with Nan (and that's an understatement).

And that's probably where we're at right now - although the timeline could be a bit wonky because of the "3 years earlier" flashback in the series.

Eventually, in the book(s - Nan & Mac now have 2 novels, I think), they fall in love. It's very similar to Day & Itt's story - only somehow it's even worse because Mac is never as devoted and dependent as Itt. He's very spoiled and bratty and Nan constantly has to "tame" him.

So, yeah, that's about it. Mac has every right to be angry because Day and Itt knowingly set him up with a guy even worse than Day.

[an-aura-about-you]

I have finally got my house mostly clean including fully cleaning my bathroom, so let's see how much Handbook for Mortals I can do during the rest of my lunch.

going into Chapter 10 part 1:

when we last left our hero, Scheherazade hadn't really done anything, but we saw a bunch of boys gushing about her. seems kinda ironic since one of those characters bothers to mention that girls gush when they like a guy and we hadn't actually seen that yet.

anyway, Chapter 10: The Hanged Man

-tbh I can't think of the Hanged Man without thinking of Drumbot Brian in High Noon Over Camelot, and I would probably enjoy this a lot better if the Mechanisms showed up and caused a bunch of violence.

-Zade, as usual, is thinking about Mac and Jackson, but this time she's at the same bar where the gang celebrated Drew's birthday! idk if I mentioned that Zade wasn't there because she doesn't actually make an effort to make friends.

-she once again says Mac and Jackson had been friends before, but again, we don't really see this. Jackson spent his part of the last chapter needling Mac about how he's going after Zade. that is literally the only time we've seen those two interact and it was antagonistic.

-here we are, 11 chapters into the book (remembering to count Chapter 0) and we FINALLY get something resembling world building, and it's cribbed from Queen Terf's magical British school system books because Zade tells us it's frowned upon for those with magic (no I am not gonna spell it with the k) to get with mortals.

-this is also the first time Zade mentions ANYTHING about her father, and that's saying he's a mortal. this is insulting with all the other shit she's keeping under wraps about her dad.

-Zade's like, "I wasn't marrying anyone," as if we haven't been hit over the head every single time someone brings up dating that a long-term commitment is expected. girl, forever is not guaranteed. what happened to just dating people? for fun?

-quotations are placed weird in this bit:

Jackson was close to perfect minus the whole "just a mortal situation"

also

...something I hadn't quite place [sic] my finger on.

-"It could just be fear and my lack of ability to want to make a decision." excuse the fuck outta me?????? I'm so mad that this is going unexamined. you KNOW you're gonna have to make a choice at SOME point right? if you're insisting that the love triangle is the most significant thing going on in this book, that means you're gonna have to figure out WHY you don't want to make a decision. is it the destiny bullshit? do you have any agency at all??????

-this following passage pisses me off so bad:

I have always hated making tough decisions, but usually the tarot was far more helpful than it had been so far, considering that it hadn't given me a clear-cut winner no matter how I asked it. Its "freewill clause" must have been behind some kind of weird lesson I was supposed to learn.

first off, you IGNORED a trump card in your spread because you ~didn't know why it was there~ meaning you're skipping over any insight you might have gotten from it. (though if we're going with my interpretation, you overlooked it because seeing it would have meant admitting to yourself that you're the problem.) you also overlooked part of the nature of the Lovers in your spread, a fairly important part since its imagery was mirrored in another card in that same spread.

second, what the fuck do you mean by this "freewill clause" bullshit???? I know you're some kind of fatalist, but if that's the case why are you even entertaining the idea of free will? and if you're not a fatalist, then you know that means the cards are telling you that YOU'RE the one who has to make the choice on this one, right?????

I get. so very mad when tarot cards are viewed this way. they help you make decisions through interrogation, meditation, and self-examination, not because they're a 78-sided die in a Magic 8 Ball!

(╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻

my poor tarot cards are now scattered all over the floor.

and my lunch is basically over so we're putting a pin in it.

[wu-kongs]

Can I just say how much I love your Ao3 fanfic and how you write stuff, like my favourite thing are the characters dynamics.

My favourite one has to be the one between Macaque and Bai he. I adore how Mac shows his parental side with her (reminding him of how he used to take care of the little monkeys in the past) and that he genuinely worries about her, relating to having bad expierences with Wukong but at the same time being aware that Bai He and MK, despite their similarities, are not Macaque and Wukong. He also cares about her well being like when he goes to see her in their trip to Flower Fruit Mountain and make sure she's alright when Wukong appears, ready to get her out from any uncomfortable situation and ready to jump in when she and Wukong slide if anything goes wrong.

And although Macaque isn't able to help her with her fears reganding Wukong, Bai He comes to him anyway because hes a safe space for her to talk to and thinks he's a good monkey and how baffled is Macaque by her not being scared of him in the slightest. I'm pretty sure Bai He also sees him in a good light like with MK due to him saving her from her fall and gently placing her in the ground in "Destiny Fullfilled", and also due to the fact she was probably watching how LBD treated him in "The Winning Side" and "Benched", fearing for his safety (who knows, maybe getting flashbacks to what happened to the Spider Demons in S2 finale) and feeling in a similar situation as they were both forced to be part of LBD's plan. Plus, I think Mac might have inspired her to be brave and go check for herself about her feelings regarding Wukong with his phrase of: "If you want to figure out what to feel about him, well... That's something you'll need to do on your own" Other little details I adore were how Macaque refrains to say anything that might scare or hurt her, him invinting her to sit with him in the bench, Mac letting her chip at the paint of the bank even if it grates his nerves, him deciding not to lie to her, how Mac was willing to throw hands when he thought Wukong did anything to her when she was fiddling with her hair strands and when he showed up and Bai He had to stay with him, Mac refering to Bai He as his little ward and Mac wanting to go comfort her once she starts crying even if he has no idea on how to cheer her up (he wants to be there for her in her lowest moments).

Also, the Traffic Light Trio being like older siblings to Bai He is honestly very heartwarming. With MK making sure she's not lonely ever again, Mei serving as a safe space for her to hide when she's nervous and that Red Son promises to keep her safe and actually helps her with her elbow pads. And the fact that she refers to Mei and MK as older sister and older brother respectively-My heart!

I also greatly appreaciate how you wrote Wukong and the dynamics with the other characters. Like how he's also a victim of LBD just as much as Bai He and Macaque and he never meant to harm anyone but things went sideways (with Nezha appearing, the Monkie Kids accidently starting the ritual and Mac's intervention. Plus he isn't happy about harming an innocent kid but the sake of the world was at stake if he didn't kill LBD, so he had to but it doesn't mean he didn't feel guilty for how everything turned out) And also that despite what happened in s3, Mei, although not really forgiving him for the whole Samadhi situation, she doesn't seem to hate him and is willing to accept him in their plans even though their relationship cant be like it was before S3. About Bai He and Wukong, I loved how you wrote their conversation, with Bai He admiting her fears about him and Wukong accepting it but also showing her that she's not alone, as they are both damaged. And them reconciling and her making physical contact with Wukong like taking his hand, her accepting his offer of sliding with him and him carrying her like a monkey cub; this is a great step for them both considering that in S2 and S3 most of their interactions were him being violent towards LBD, the spirit inside her body and Bai He realizing that Wukong was also scared, just as much as her with LBD.

And the baby monkeys!!! Aaaah! They were adorable!!

getting a message like this is wild because i've never had anyone go into the depths you did with any fic i've ever written, and i've written a lot. you really just. gatdamn. my reaction was so visceral and incredibly overwhelming that i sprung a few tears at how you genuinely saw what i was trying to convey. i mean it's not that serious but also i'm overjoyed that you enjoyed it so much and saw so much of it that you wanted to tell me, it sincerely means more than i can express. i'm delighted. i'm in shambles. i can't thank you enough.

[semisolidmind]

i dunno if this has been asked before, but i kinda wanted to splurge a little bit.

how and where does azure lion and the other animal celestials play a part in the BEW au? or even TAB AU. my personal idea on it could be that azure uses reader kind of as leverage against wukong, while as in TAB maybe reader is used to cause a rift between the brothers so that azure has an easier time murking wukong.

alright, so. the big bad brotherhood. they mostly just play the part of extra soldiers and sovereigns in wukongs conquests, his own little war council. im gonna go with the idea that the betrayal hasn't happened, since wukong doesn't get recruited by heaven in the base versions of these aus

(ive said before that, at least in bad end, the brotherhood wouldn't bother with reader too much. buuuut i don't think i specified what they're like in TAB and their reaction to their comrades marrying reader.)

peng (the bitch) doesn't much care for reader. they wonder why the all-powerful wukong is bothering with a human. they likely make a snide comment or two when wukong first introduces her to them at a meeting, which wukong (and macaque) immediately shut down with threats of violence. mac especially doesn't tolerate peng being an ass to his wife; his hatred for the winged menace is potent. luckily the bird demon is catty, not stupid; and surprisingly, they learn to keep their beak shut about their leader's wife. this leads to them largely ignoring her. reader doesn't like them much either, but tries to be polite.

yellowtusk feels pity for reader. he knows she didn't exactly become queen of flower fruit mountain willingly, and believes that she would be happier with other humans. but he's not called "wise" for nothing; he won't be lifting a finger to help her. even as strong as he is, he knows he stands no chance against the two simian warlords. regardless, he's polite to reader and will speak with her about the various topics that she's read about. he's a surprisingly good conversationalist.

demon bull king is ambivalent towards reader. he knows what it's like to want someone outside your station, so he doesn't say anything negative to wukong about it. he'll speak to reader if she speaks to him, and is overall polite (seeing as she is technically a queen and he has a lot of respect for wukong), if not very gruff when doing so.

azure lion is the only one who would be actively kind to reader, the only one who would speak with her like a true equal. despite his status as a once-celestial soldier, demonic sovereign, and a general of the infamous monkey kings' demon army...he still has a soft spot for mortal civilians. if a platoon of the monkey king's army is passing through, one would hope that he's leading it. less innocent blood is spilt when the lion general is at the helm.

its because of this that he was concerned when wukong introduced reader to him. what was a human doing on flower fruit mountain? she's married to the monkey king? she seemed...very uncomfortable in the presence of her husband. the lion demon knows that she was likely frightened by the two monkey warlords' use of "demonic courting tactics" and introduced himself gently. the fact that she responded to him (considering his size and appearance) without too much hesitancy, was able to bow politely and look him in the eyes despite all she'd likely been through at the hands of his brothers–he couldn't help but admire her bravery.

azure is aware that his sworn simian brothers are unconventional in many aspects of their life, so the fact that the two of them would marry a human (the same human, no less) isn't too surprising. the two are of one mind, and azure has made a tentative peace with the ruthless way his brothers conduct their business.

...but he can't help but feel sympathy for reader. she didn't choose this life for herself, though he can see the lingering affection she has for wukong and macaque. and once he gets to know her (an occasional talk outside the council room while the warlords are busy discussing strategy, a close seating at a banquet, or during a party on the mountain), azure begins to understand why they chose this woman. a fondness grows in his heart for the quiet human who is kind to him despite knowing what he's done.

he won't say it aloud, but...had it been him who'd been found and tended to by reader, azure couldn't be sure he wouldn't have made the same choice as his brothers.

[kopawz]

it is wip wednesday, my dudes. i wish i could add a keep reading on mobile... oh well! here:

CNMN had placed a small, featureless, saturated brown journal into Chai’s hands.

808 brought a paw up to slightly pull the journal downwards so she could examine it herself. Smelled like CNMN.

Staring at it for a few moments, Chai opened the pages, flipping through–

"Hey, these are all blank."

"For now, Mister Chai–" CNMN had a big, open-mouthed smile drawn on his face, "But soon, you should be able to write your experiences with your dreams inside this journal!"

…He wants me to write a dream journal?!

CNMN guffawed, "Oh– There is no need to look so embarrassed, Mister Chai–! I believe you can customize the journal with any drawings and stickers you see fit.

"I *do* like customizing the hell out of things, but–" He snapped the journal shut, "What if somebody reads all the embarrassing stuff I write in it?"

"This is just to help yourself, Mister Chai. It doesn't *have* to be shared with anyone,"

CNMN gave him a double-thumbs up, "Unless you would like additional help or advice on what to do with your dream business in future counseling!"

Humming, Chai flicked open the pages.

"...That doesn't sound so bad, actually."

He palmed at the pockets on his jacket, trying to feel for a pen–

Macaron laughed, "You want to start writing in there already? Alright, here," He reached into his floral sweat-pockets, producing a novelty pen. Handing it to Chai, he laughed when he swiped it from his hands–

The little guy was filling up a page so fast, the pen would have had been smoking.

Looking over what he had written with a little nod, Chai grinned, and handed it over to CNMN to read, "Here y'go. The last two nights were pretty vivid, so I wrote about those."

Examining Chai’s handwriting so he could decode it after a moment of processing, CNMN hummed at what he read. Accompanying his writing was several doodles, alongside the retelling of the dreams.

The dream he was mumbling in his rest last night was included, along with some additional context from Mister Kale’s end. CNMN almost wishes he could offer this strange, angry man counseling, too. Oh well! Like that's ever going to happen.

On the next page was an earlier dream of Chai getting upset with Kale, as he was bothering him while driving to…

The words on the page stopped there. "Hm."

"Mister Chai? I don't believe you finished this one. Do you not remember?"

Chai scratched his cheek, "I mean, kind of. It's just hard to tell if it was a ride to school or a ride to the coast…"

He shrugged, "I wasn't really paying attention, because Kale broke the window–" He frowned, furrowing his brow with annoyance, "The jeep'd been through enough as is with *my* crap-ass driving, so I don't see why he had to go and break stuff like that."

"But, I guess?" Chai leaned back into the sofa, "It's not like he’s hurting the real jeep. He’s just doing that, uhh–"

He paused, thinking it might be a good idea to use what he had just learned for once.

Chai nodded, "The projecting thing, again. Right?"

"Right! And you know, Chai–" Macaron looked over from his screen, and reached to hold Chai’s shoulder and back with a big, warm, supportive arm,

"If you ever wake up from a bad nightmare, it's okay to call someone, too. Hell, if you want, so you can really be secure with the dream strats,"

Mac gestured between himself, Chai, 808, and CNMN, "We could even have a sleepover tonight!" He offered with a grin.

"Ooh!" Clapping his hands together, CNMN's eyes sparked at the proposal, "And if you awake in a panic– We could support you after your first night implementation these new strategies. How fun!"

Chai’s eyes went wide. A sleepover, huh. Never had one of those, before.

Does hanging out at Peppermint’s house for nearly a year count as sleeping over? Well it mustn't, considering Macaron would thinks this would be one… Eh, best not worry about it, this sounds like a good idea.

After thinking it over with a scrunched face, Chai smacked his forehead, and smiled earnestly, "Oh, what the heck, why not."

Chai pat Macaron’s arm draped over his shoulders, "...I call dibs on the couch, though. I'm kind of all over the place when I sleep." He scratched his cheek bashfully.

Macaron practically squealed with glee, and had promptly placed his computer onto Chai’s lap,

"Here! Hold this for a minute, I wanna grab something," Mac lifted his arm off the little guy, and got up from the couch–

The whole thing creaked from his absence. Chai tilted his head, confused about what Mac would need from the… bathroom?… Oh well.

He glanced at the laptop, seeing as it was given to him temporarily. Pretty old model, too. Very retro… Cool. Reminding himself for later, Chai should get a computer for his own place, eventually– Wait–

808 was staring at something on the screen with awe and intrigued curiosity. This is what she was so insistent on trying to sit on Macaron’s laptop earlier for.

Chai squinted at the screen, adjusting his glasses so the glint of the laptop's light bugged his eyes a bit less, "Huh."

There's a display of… a schematic of his power unit's model? Chai whispered, confused at what exactly he was looking at, "…Something about an upgrade?"

"Oh, that?"

Macaron had returned, holding several, tiny, glass containers of various containers of nail polish,

"I was gonna wait until your birthday to show you, but–" He had sat back onto the couch with an audible 'OOMPH', and began placing all the polish onto the table–

"I guess now wouldn't be a bad time for you to hear about this idea I had–" He picked up the laptop back from Chai, pulling up a file to view with a slight excitement, "To let you switch between more than two special attacks at a time!"

Chai’s brows flew up, giddy at the idea of more firepower. He could barely contain his enthusiasm– "SERIOUSLY?" He and 808 leaned over Mac's arm to get a closer look.

"I suppose Chai’s triggerhappy tendencies are something that not even counseling can quell," CNMN gave a scolding, funny look to Mac, "Is it, Sir Macaron?"

"Nope!" He looked proud of himself.

[the-amber-raven]

speaking of in the mortifying ordeal series, in a what if scenario, how will it go if there is a situation that buck needs to go to dr wells, like how will he reveal what happened to bobby?

Hmm, the problem with trying to put it in this universe is that if we assume that the inciting incident remained the same (Buck experiencing his first loss on the job) then it wouldn't get as far as it did in canon.

Because it would be like - they have the carnival call and of course as soon as they're back at the station Bobby starts whipping up brownies and muffins and he sends some of the crew to buy 5 different types of cheeses so that he can make the most decadent mac and cheese in existence for dinner.

And while some of those are baking, he'll assume that Eddie has had the chance to talk with him so he'll go find Buck to take his turn. And he'll recommend a therapist of course, and he would probably tell him that he can see the same person he's seen in the past - but also the department has therapist's if he'd prefer to see one that has experience with first responders.

And Buck is struggling with the loss, because of course his need to save everyone is rearing up and reigniting his feelings of failure as a child, and he decides to see the department one.

And then she would come onto him during the session - perhaps some light flirting at first which would make Buck a little uncomfortable and make him decide he doesn't actually want to share everything he's actually going through with her. So he drifts into a different topic, like say his journey to stop seeking instant gratification through one night stands in favour of building something real.

But he doesn't manage to get to the second half of that sentence before she's coming onto him earnest. But this Buck has been with Eddie for almost a year, so he just goes WTF?!?! And puts a stop to it immediately.

She gets flustered, he goes I HAVE A BOYFRIEND THANK YOU and in his brain he's like "I have never wanted to pull the My Dad is The Captain card so badly" but he doesn't because he just wants to get out of there.

I think he would at least consider keeping it a secret from Bobby (alright, so the fire academy secret kinda blew up on him, but the Daniel secret has been going great!!) However, he would reluctantly realise (with some help from Eddie) that he shouldn't.

So he tells Bobby and of course he freaks out because a therapist tried to assault his kid?!?

Buck enlists Hen and Chimney to talk him down, which they do very begrudgingly because a therapist tried to assault the stations kid?!?!

So the three of them start plotting a way to get the therapist investigated/fired because that's the next best thing if they aren't allowed to go over there and give her a piece of their mind.

Exasperated, Buck turns to Eddie for help in talking them down from that... and he's just like um, a therapist tried to assault my boyfriend, I already invited Athena to the station.

Athena makes damn sure that the book is thrown at her (and nobody can prove that she checked the offices schedule to make sure there were as many people as possible in the area when they made the arrest).

The 118 crew end up getting comfort food for days, Buck ends up seeing his old therapist, and Bobby gains a reputation among department therapists because he always insists on calling them to ask about their views re flirting with patients before he sends anybody to them.