Chapter Text
If Jen saw another spider in her lifetime, it would be too soon.
After escaping the Webbed Hollow, travel away from the lair was swift but somber. Bajie barely spoke, keeping to himself during the day and turning in early each night. There was nothing Monkey nor Jen could do but offer quiet sympathy and support.
Three days later, the trio came across a river and stopped to make camp. Jen nearly cried with relief; she was still finding webs tangled in her hair and clothes and desperately wanted a proper scrub down. Monkey seemed just as uncomfortable, his battle through the caves leaving his fur dirty and matted. He regularly scratched at his head with irritated huffs but little grooming could be done while on the move.
With a campsite by the river, it was the perfect opportunity to wash up. Jen dug through her bag, finding the last of the items she had saved from her own world. She grabbed the bottle of shampoo, her bathing suit, and some combs before excusing herself from camp. After a quick change into her swimming clothes, Jen returned, wrapped in a towel and carrying the bath supplies in her arms.
“Monkey, you mind coming with me?” she asked, nodding towards the river. He tilted his head but stood to follow without complaint. “We’ll be right back, Bajie!”
Uncle Bajie hummed in acknowledgement, barely glancing up from the pot simmering over the fire.
Jen grabbed Monkey’s hand and lead him further up-stream. When she spotted a shallow bank edged with smooth boulders, Jen set her supplies down and turned to Monkey.
“Alright! If you get in the water, I can help wash your fur.” His brown eyes went wide, face flushing bright red as he looked between Jen and the river. “You can just take your shirt off if you want. Or would you rather do it yourself?”
Monkey quickly shook his head and reached to tug off his shirt. He handed the soap bottle to Jen before clambering into the shallow water, shy eyes downcast and face never losing its rosy hue. Jen took a seat on the rock behind him, using a cup to pour water over his head and shoulders. In between rinses, she picked out webs, leaves, twigs, and anything else tangled in his fur. Monkey either couldn’t reach to brush them out himself or didn’t have time to worry about them on the road.
At first, Monkey perched stiff and still as a rock, barely breathing as Jen sorted and wetted his fur. The longer he sat, the more he leaned into her gentle grooming, enjoying the attention from his companion. Then she added the shampoo and lathered it in, fingers combing through his hairs in soothing patterns. Monkey was gone; completely relaxed and purring in bliss.
Jen had to hold back giggles she washed Monkey’s fur. Watching him melt under her touch, tail brushing against her legs and happy rumbles buzzing in his chest, was well worth the ache her arms would have later. She started at his neck, massaging the shampoo to the roots and working her way out over his shoulders. When the shape of his toned muscles started to flush her own face, Jen turned her focus back to his head, adding more soap to scrub along his scalp.
“If you want,” she spoke, voice low and soft to keep the tranquility. “I can help with more of your back; or even your tail?”
Monkey jolted upright, the mentioned tail yanked out of reach and tucked into his lap.
Jen winced, not expecting such a strong rejection. “Sorry, it was just an offer. I can leave the soap for you to do it your–”
A sharp screech interrupted her apology. Monkey tore away from her touch and jumped to his feet, flinging water in his wake. Growls and hisses startled Jen even further as he stumbled away, suds still clinging to his fur. It took Jen a moment to realize the problem, noticing Monkey’s furious head shakes and face rubbing.
“Here!” Jen grabbed the cup and yanked Monkey’s arm to sit him down. Moving his hands away, she tilted his chin back and poured water over his face, rising the shampoo away. “Sorry! I forgot to warn you this stuff stings. You have to keep your head back so it doesn’t get in your eyes.”
A few more pours and Monkey could blink his eyes open without wincing. Jen felt awful for how red and puffy they looked. She quickly splashed the last of the soap away, leaving him clean from the shoulders up.
“I’m sorry,” Jen said again, quiet and contrite. “I just wanted to help, not blind you or anything. I’ll let you finish your bath and take a turn later.”
Catching her hand in his gentle grasp, Monkey turning Jen back to meet his gaze. Even red and irritated, his dark eyes held the same soft kindness that warmed her heart and made her feel safe. His lips pulled into a barely-there smile, offering forgiveness.
Leading Jen back to the riverbank, Monkey sat her in front him while he retrieved the cup and soap. He poured the water over her head and added the shampoo, coping her earlier technique with surprising efficiency. Jen relaxed, feeling Monkey’s careful claws comb through her hair and massage her scalp. When he eventually rinsed away the suds, he kept Jen’s head tilted back, one hand hovering to protect her eyes.