Work Text:
Tang watched Macaque closely, thinking about how strangely complicated everything had become in the last few hours. Wukong got injured stealing the map from Ne Zha and had been on morphine for almost 16 hours, and then Macaque had appeared. Tang hums as he stared out the small kitchen window, waiting for the water to boil. Macaque was on their side, and that gave them a certain advantage over Lady Bone Demon. The only problem was that Macaque was more antisocial than Wukong, and convincing him to eat or spend time together was almost nonexisting. Tang had watched him with intrigue over the past two days and noted a few facts.
Macaque didn't touch the food prepared for him, but always stole others' food.
Macaque never slept when Wukong was asleep and watched over him in the nest he had created, allowing only MK and Mei to get close.
Macaque wasn't interested in their mission at all. The only things that interested him were Wukong, sleeping, and stealing food.
Macaque didn't like Tang for some reason.
Tang sighed and rubbed his forehead. Wherever Tang went, Macaque almost immediately disappeared or looked coldly in his direction. If it was just a simple dislike of humans, then he should also look the same way at MK or Mei (although she's a dragon, so she didn't fall into that category), so if he tolerated them, then he probably didn’t like Tang. He just didn't know why. Tang turned around as the kettle boiled and almost immediately fell flat on the floor with a broken cry as Mo ran under his feet. His glasses slipped off his nose and flew somewhere on the floor.
"Oh... Oh, no..." He mumbled.
He absentmindedly began to touch the floor, hoping that his glasses hadn't fallen far. Worse, the kitchen floor was the same color as his frames and it was half dark, which didn't help the situation at all.
"Oh! I-I'm sorry!" He got up from the floor, still on his knees, when he bumped into someone with his head. "I lost my glasses and I can't find them..."
Macaque, because he suspected that the black-brown mass with yellow eyes was him, looking at him for a long moment, snorted, and suddenly something fluffy nudged Tang on the nose. He instinctively closed his eyes and blinked quickly, almost immediately when he realized that he was able to see well again. The blurry shapes of the kitchen became sharp again. He looked at Macaque with a smile.
"Thank you, Macaque!" He adjusted his glasses as they were falling off his nose. "I appreciate your help. I'm clumsy, and I tripped over Mo when I wanted to pour tea."
He stood up quickly and dusted off his robes. Macaque looked at him intensely and with a distinct coldness, his tail gently swing behind his back.
"Um, I was just about to make myself some tea. Would you one some too?" He suggested hesitantly, pointing to the small kitchen table. "We have many kinds."
Macaque looked at him for a long moment and headed for the exit. Tang watched as Macaque quietly walked out of the kitchen with measured, confident steps, even as his tail twitched slightly, reflecting his nervousness. He couldn't help but feel disappointed, and maybe even a twinge of wounded pride, at Macaque's obvious lack of interest in his company. Tang sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping as he turned back to his unpoured tea. He grabbed the kettle and poured water in the mug. He put the kettle away and sat down at the small table, the steam from the mug fogged his glasses. Tang took a few tentative sips, but his mood had soured slightly. The kitchen seemed too quiet, too empty without Macaque. He glanced toward the door, expecting the monkey to return, but the only sound was the gentle creak of the ship as it sailed through the air.
Tang pushed his mug away, frowning thoughtfully. He had hoped that living together (even if only for a short time) might result in some interesting relationship between them, but Macaque seemed to keep them all at a distance, and Tang couldn't help but wonder why.
With a heavy sigh, Tang stood up and began stirring the cups with his spoon, his mind still occupied with thoughts of the mystery that was Six-Eared Macaque. He had to find a way to break through the rock shell he had surrounded himself with, to find some common ground, but for now all he had left were his own thoughts and the burden of the discouraged gaze Macaque gave him whenever he was near the scholar.
The next day, Macaque was laying on top of the small roof of the deck while the others looked at the map to understand where they had to go to get the first ring. Wukong explained to them what the rings looked like and about the map that would lead them to them, even though the map was completely illegible. He was also briefly glancing at his older brother, who didn't seem to want to help.
Tang wrinkled his nose and adjusted the drooping glasses, before he moved his gaze from the map, which was hard to read anyway, to the small roof to the entrance of the lower deck. Macaque was sprawled out like a cat in the sun. Closed eyes, relaxed face, lazily swinging his tail. Macaque was definitely not very helpful, nor was he willing to help with anything, but for some reason, Tang couldn't help but think that he wasn't approaching their group because of him.
MK was talking enthusiastically about how much treasure they could find, about the possible fight with pirates, and what a great adventure awaited them just around the corner. Wukong cleared his throat and smacked MK on the head with the rolled map, pulling him to the ground.
"Yeah, well, I think that would be really interesting, bud." Wukong tried not to snort while keeping a straight face. "But I'm afraid we won't be fighting any pirates. Not this time, unfortunately."
"Ohhh..." He groaned in disappointment.
Tang's gaze wandered back to Macaque's almost motionless form. He hesitated before finally calling out, drawing everyone's attention to the black monkey.
"Macaque, why don't you look at the map? Your sharp eye might have noticed something the Monkey King missed?" He smiled uncertainly and quickly added. "Especially since he seems to have a mild concussion after hitting the deck so hard and hurt his head..."
"Hey, my head is still here and doing fine, thank you very much!" Wukong huffed and then grimaced before leaning toward MK with a conspiratorial whisper. "What's a concussion?"
MK rolled his eyes and Mei snorted. Macaque opened one eye and his tail slid off the roof in a lazy, slow movement.
"Why should I help you? I don't care what you're looking for." He closed his eyes. "And a concussion is brain damage, Wukong."
Wukong looked from the map at his older brother and frowned.
"Macaque."
The black monkey's ears twitched a millimeter and he looked back, this time at Wukong. Their golden eyes met in silent conversation. He sighed heavily and disappeared, only to emerge from Wukong's shadow. He looked over his shoulder at the map. His tail flicked slightly in excitement, while his face remained bored and neutral.
"I think this is Bull family’s home." Macaque pointed to one of the three pictures on the strange map, then to the other side with a slight frown. "And this looks like a rabbit on the moon..." He pointed to the picture, then looked at Wukong with a hint of interest. "Do you think Chang'e has one of the rings?"
"Possibly." Wukong shrugged and looked at Tang. -"What do you think, smarty?"
Tang licked his lips nervously as everyone turned their gazes in his direction. He adjusted his glasses and furrowed brows, before leaned over the weird map, trying to analyze the strange images once more. Macaque might have been right. One image looked like a rabbit on the moon, but he wasn't entirely sure about the other. He cleared his throat, his voice taking on a thoughtful tone.
"W-Well... If the Demon Bull King has one of the rings, it won't be easy to get it." Tang looked up at Macaque with obvious curiosity. "As for the moon rabbit, it does look like a rabbit on the moon..." He tapped the image with a gentle smile, Macaque gave him a cold look, so Tang quickly lowered his eyes in embarrassment. "I-I'm just not sure how we could get to the moon!"
"Fly there." - Macaque snorted.
"Of course, if you have a rocket in your possession, we'd be happy to use it." Tang looked sharply at Macaque. "Not all of us have the power of teleportation."
Macaque faced Tang for a few seconds and then turned away with a shrug. It was clear that Macaque wasn't interested in talking to him. Tang watched him for a long moment. He walked stiffly, tail wagging sharply behind his back and ears flattened, something that monkeys naturally wouldn't be able to do, but who could understand the biology of demon monkeys? Certainly not Tang.
He felt a stab of frustration, but also a determination to break through the wall of discouragement and indifference that Macaque had surrounded himself with. Tang cleared his throat, finally finding his voice.
"If no one has any other bright ideas, I suggest we start with the Bull family."
Tang looked around at everyone and blinked when he saw the faintest hint of a smile on Wukong's face. He knew exactly what Tang was trying to do and was clearly amused by the whole situation. Tang didn't care though. He had his goal and planned to do whatever it took to get there.
Over the next few hours, Tang noticed a few more facts about Macaque.
When Wukong came sleepily over and laid down with his head on Tang's lap, Macaque watched him like a hawk watching its prey, his tail wagging sharply from side to side. He looked tense and ready to strike if the human made a wrong move towards his younger brother. Tang hadn't sat so stiffly in a long time.
During dinner, Macaque was again stealing the others' food, but he wouldn't touch his own. It was only then that Tang realized what he was getting at, and Macaque merely confirmed it when he was asked directly if he was afraid the food was poisoned. His pupils then narrowed like a cat's, he snorted at Tang, calling him a funny little human, and stole his plate.
Macaque had chosen a spot on the humble roof as the perfect place to bask like a cat in the sun, and no one was allowed to get within three steps of him except Wukong.
Over the next few hours, Tang watched Macaque's oddities with growing fascination. The way Macaque watched over Wukong like a hawk, his golden eyes never straying from his surroundings, and his ears set perfectly to listen for his younger brother. The tense set of his shoulders, the flick of his tail, the quiet growling warning to anyone who dared to get too close. Tang couldn't help but feel a mixture of awe and amusement as he thought that Macaque was a monkey but acted like a cat.
What struck Tang most was the way Macaque seemed to crave solitude and independence. The way he spent hours lying on the roof, basking in the sun like a cat seeking warmth. The way he had claimed a corner of the deck as his private domain, a nest of blankets and pillows where only Wukong, MK, and Mei could lay their heads.
Tang felt his curiosity grow with each passing hour. He was determined to unravel the mystery of the black demon monkey, to find a way to break through the stone shell he had tried to separate himself from the world.
As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow across the deck, Tang saw his chance. He approached Macaque slowly, his steps measured, his movements cautious. He watched as he stretched lazily on the roof, his black fur gleaming in the setting sun and billowing gently in the light breeze. He unconsciously placed a hand on Macaque's head and stroked it gently.
Macaque immediately looked at Tang with wide, cold eyes, his tail wagging fiercely from side to side. He looked like a wild cat ready to attack if Tang made the wrong move.
Tang froze, his heart pounding in his chest. He felt gallons of sweat running down his temples and back. He swallowed hard and smiled stupidly, slowly raising both hands in surrender.
"S-Sorry, Macaque!" He gasped with a panic. "I didn't mean to disturb your sleep. I just wanted to, um, thank you for taking such good care of the Monkey King, MK and Mei..."
Macaque watched him for a long time, and when his tail wagged fiercely, his gaze narrowed and then he turned his back to Tang.
"Next time, don't touch me without permission..."
His voice was as smooth and deep as ever, but there was no coldness in it like before.
"Yes, of course! Sorry!"
He looked at Macaque's back for a long moment, and his tail, which was wagging in a relaxed rhythm again. Tang took this as a positive sign, an indication that the ice between them was finally starting to melt. After all, he hadn't lost his arm, so that was a plus. He knew that gaining Macaque's trust and friendship would be a slow process, but he was determined to do it. For now, he would be patient and respectful towards him, waiting for Macaque to be ready to open up to him.
The next day, Tang ate a spoonful of noodles from the bowl prepared for Macaque, then passed it to the black monkey with a new spoon. Macaque looked at him for a long time, but without a word, he began to eat from the bowl he had been given. The others exchanged surprised glances. Wukong tried not to smile into his bowl, and Tang couldn't help but feel a flash of triumph, a sense that he had taken a small but significant step in bridging the gap between them.
Later that day, they had obtained the first ring with Macaque's help and kidnapped Red Son, despite Macaque claiming that Princess Iron Fan had agreed to let her son go with their gang. Tang wasn't 100% sure that was true, considering Macaque, MK, and Mei had returned to the ship with Red Son bound and gagged. However, he didn't comment on it at all.
That evening, while MK and Mei discussed something with Red Son, Sandy was steering the ship with Mo, and Pigsy was making dinner, Tang was reading a book with Wukong sleeping on his lap, and Macaque was watching them sideways from his favorite rooftop. After a few minutes, he moved closer and sat down on Tang's right side, closing his eyes and resting his head on his shoulder.
Tang held his breath and froze, surprised by the sudden weight on his shoulder. He looked down at the top of Macaque's head, at the shiny black fur that tickled his chin. Tang's heart beat faster, barely believing that this moment was real. His face immediately lit up like a million stars, and a wide smile blossomed on his lips.
He glanced at Wukong, who was sleeping peacefully on his lap, and back at Macaque, feeling a surge of pride. Finally, Macaque came over to him of his own accord and laid on him! Tang wanted to scream and cry with joy, but he tried to hold himself back so as not to wake up Wukong. Unsurely he raised his hand with the intention of petting Macaque on the head, but then he remembered that he had told him not to do it again without permission, so he took his hand away and smiled faintly.
"Rest, Macaque..." He whispered. "You deserved it after getting the first ring."
"Shut up..."
Tang snorted, but didn't say another word. He knew that Macaque wasn't saying it out of malice, but out of sheer tiredness and constantly keeping an eye on Wukong. He felt a surge of respect and understanding, knowing that sometimes silence is the most comforting reaction. Tang went back to reading the book he was interrupted with.
The next day, Tang approached Macaque as he laid down on the roof, handed him a bowl of fruit, gently petting his head. This time, when Macaque looked at him for a longer moment, he didn't say a word of complaint, nor did he pull away, he simply closed his eyes and allowed himself to be petted for a moment. Tang took this as a small victory, a sign that Macaque was starting to get used to his presence. Tang's hand lingered a moment longer, savoring the shiny softness of his fur, before he finally withdrew his hand. He set the bowl of sliced fruit down next to the lounging monkey, stepping back to give him space. Tang's heart filled with a timid hope, a belief that with time and patience he would be able to build an understanding ground with him, and that Macaque wouldn’t be so cautious in their group. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but each small step forward filled him with determination to keep trying.
That evening, as always, Macaque sat at the front of the nest he had made from stolen blankets and pillows, while Wukong and MK slept inside, and Mei quietly clicked on her phone. Tang approached them timidly and couldn't help but feel curious, wondering what could be so absorbing in such a late hour that Mei was so focused on her phone. Macaque looked at him intently, his tail wagging sharply.
"Do you mind if I sit next to you?" Tang asked, his voice barely audible. "I couldn't sleep, and I thought you might like some company."
Tang gestured to the empty space next to him, visually asking for permission rather than simply assuming. He knew he had to respect the space and boundaries Macaque had set up even as he tried to wall himself off from everyone. Macaque looked away without a word, so Tang sat down next to him, leaving a respectful distance between them. He could feel the cool night air on his skin, hear the gentle rustle of the wind. The moon hung high in the sky, casting a silver glow over the deck and bathing everything in its soft, ethereal light.
He looked at Macaque curiously, noticing how his ears twitched and his tail occasionally wagged rhythmically. He couldn't tell if Macaque was simply lost in thought or if his presence was somehow disturbing him.
"You know, I've been thinking about our journey, what we're looking for..." Tang mumbled quietly, turning his gaze to the horizon. "I can't shake the feeling that there's more to this than just finding the rings. I think... I think we're supposed to learn something too, grow in ways we never expected..." He turned to Macaque with a slight smile. "But what do I know about the destiny and purpose of the journey. I'm just a scholar, I don't have superpowers like most of you." He scratched the back of his neck, looking away. "Out of all of you, I'm the only one who's an ordinary person, a scholar. It's a bit embarrassing, to be honest."
"You talk too much about useless things, just like him." - Macaque scoffs, glancing at him.
Tang blinked in surprise and pressed his lips together tightly, feeling a twinge of discomfort at Macaque's words, but he didn't show it. He frowned. Was he talking about Tripitaka? About Wukong's long-dead Master? He knew that in the story, Six-Eared Macaque was supposed to be killed by Wukong, his younger brother, because according to Journey to the West, Macaque tried to kill Tripitaka and a fight ensued between him and Wukong, in which the former lost his life.
He frowned. Macaque didn't look dead at all, so what really happened between him and Wukong? If Tang remembered correctly, in the story, Macaque and Wukong were never called brothers, they weren't related in any way, but they had admitted to being siblings in person. What was Journey to the West really like with Six-Eared Macaque? How much truth and how much fiction was there in that story?
"You think so?" Tang nodded slowly and looked up at the slowly darkening sky. "I tend to babble sometimes. It's a bit of a habit I've acquired over the years of studying and trying to get my way." He paused for a moment, carefully choosing his next words. "And what exactly is your story with Wukong, after he began his Journey to the West? I know the whole story by heart, and I know that you were portrayed in it as a fraud, a manipulator who tried to take Tripitaka's life without any reason. But I have the impression that in this There are holes in history, quite big ones." He frowned and looked at Macaque. "Do I remind you of Tripitaka in any way?"
He fell silent, giving Macaque the opportunity to change the subject. Tang knew he was treading on delicate ground, venturing into a past that was probably full of pain and regret, but he wanted to know the part of history that no one had written down.
Mei put down the phone and looked at Macaque curiously as the black monkey's tail began to wag nervously and a low growl emerged from his throat. His eyes were cold as ice as he looked askance at Tang. Okay, this was a difficult subject. A big no-no!
Tang raised his hands in a surrender gesture, his eyes wide, aware of the sensitive nature of the subject. Uh-oh!
"Sorry!" Tang blurted out immediately, startled. "I didn't mean to bring up a painful subject! I'm sorry!"
The air between them was thick with unspoken history, the weight of an untold past. He knew he had to tread carefully, to respect the boundaries Macaque guarded so fiercely. Pushing any further would only result in injury, or at worst, a part of his face being bitten off by an angry demon monkey. Tang liked his face a lot, thank you very much!
Macaque flinched and looked back sharply as Mei as she gently smacked him over the head with a rolled-up newspaper.
"Calm down your hairy ass, MacMac. Tangy didn't want you to recall past unpleasantness, he was just asking out of curiosity." She smiled as she lowered the newspaper. "Besides, if you're going to be so hot-headed, you'll wake up Monkey Men and MK."
Macaque glanced at the still-sleeping MK and Wukong and pursed his lips tightly, looking away. His tail was still wagging harshly and nervously behind him.
"I didn't like him, and I still don't." He simply mumbled.
Tang nodded slowly, taking Macaque's words into consideration. It was almost tangible that Macaque had some serious grudge against Tripitaka, but the question was, what could it be? Was it the fact that he had enslaved his younger brother? That Tripitaka was the reason he and Wukong had fought to the death? Or was there a completely different story, not written in any book, known only to Macaque and Wukong, the only ones alive at this time.
Mei looked from one to the other, then stood to her feet and dusted herself off with a big smile.
"You have a lot to talk about, and I still can't sleep, so I'm going to go pester Red Boy with puppy videos!"
Before they could protest, Mei disappeared through the door leading below the deck, where Red Son was working. Tang scratched his cheek, and Macaque didn't seem eager to talk. So once again, the conversation is one-sided. Okay...
"I know how hard it is to look back on certain chapters of our lives. What's important is that we all moved on, in our own way. Wukong found a new path, a new purpose." He looked at the peacefully sleeping Wukong and MK, cuddled up to each other. "And you, Macaque, have found the role of a loyal and devoted guardian. That says more about your character. We all have our history, our regrets, but our past and experience define who we are right here and now." He looked at Macaque with a shy smile. "I understand you, I really do. You didn't like Tripitaka and you still don't, and I won't press you for details, but I want you to know that I respect your privacy."
Macaque looked at him for a long moment with a neutral expression.
"I don't like you."
Tang bent in half, as if he had been hit in the guts by something sharp. Macaque's honesty was painful, but he appreciated it.
"I-I understand." With a trembling smile, he looked at Macaque, his voice quiet. "At least you're honest, and that's appreciated." He fell silent for a moment and sighed heavily. "But I want you to know that I'm not him. I may have the same name, and I may even look like him, but I'm not Tripitaka. I'm not really a monk." He laughed quietly, rubbing the back of his neck. He sent Macaque a sad smile. "But if it makes you feel any better, I'm sorry for what happened to you in the past because of him."
Something in Macaque's eyes changed, and his tail stopped wagging nervously before he slowly took his eyes off Tang. He pressed his lips together tightly.
"I know you're not him..." He mumbled. "But I appreciate the apology..."
Tang felt a spark of hope for a change in Macaque's demeanor, the way his tail stilled and his gaze deepened and calmed. It was a small sign that spoke volumes. Emboldened by the moment of understanding, Tang decided to add something of his own at the end of this quiet, emotional conversation.
"I know I can't undo the pain of the past, but I want you to know that I am here to offer friendship and support, not judgment or reproach. You are not alone, Macaque."
Tang's gaze drifted to the stars above them, the moon casting a silver glow on the deck. He could feel Macaque watching him out of the corner of his eye, but neither of them said anything more. The night, the company, the quiet conversation, everything seemed like a step in the right direction.
The next day, Tang brought Macaque another bowl of sliced fruit as he lay on the rooftop, basking in the morning sun as usual. He removed Wukong's bandages as the monkey healed, and after breakfast, Tang sat down at his favorite spot on the ship to read a book. This time, however, Wukong didn't come to lie on his lap, too busy helping MK with his training session.
He froze and blinked in surprise as he felt Macaque's weight settle on his lap, the warm fur of the monkey's body a stark contrast to the chilly morning. He sat perfectly still, barely daring to breathe to not startle Macaque or disturb the unexpected moment of peace. He felt the sweat dripping down his body in gallons, his heart pounding wildly.
Slowly, timidly, Tang reached out to pet Macaque on the head, but he withdrew it almost immediately. He felt a surge of pride at having been honored by Macaque, but at the same time an uncontrollable panic that if he made the wrong move, he would lose face. Tang liked his face untouched by teeth or claws, thank you very much.
His gaze wandered to Wukong and MK, watching them train together. He felt a pang of jealousy, wanting to be as useful and helpful as they were, but when he looked down again at Macaque lying with his head in his lap, he knew he was exactly where he needed to be. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing thoughts, and turned his attention back to the book he had been reading earlier. He felt a sense of contentment wash over him. The morning was quiet, the air light, and the weight of Macaque's body on his lap was a comfort he hadn't known he needed until that moment.
"You can touch me. I don't mind."
Macaque's voice was as smooth and low as ever, but there was no hint of coldness in it. His eyes were still closed, and his tail was twitching slightly on the side, a sign of complete relaxation.
Tang blinked once, twice, and only by sheer willpower did he stop himself from crying out in excitement. Macaque had let him touch him! He felt like crying with joy.
With a gentle, almost reverent touch, he placed his hand on the monkey's head.
Tang's fingers moved almost of their own accord, gently stroking the silky fur and behind the monkey's ear. He admired the texture, the softness, the way it seemed to invite his touch. Macaque's eyes remained closed, his breathing slow and even, a picture of pure satisfaction. Tang couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration and gratitude. This moment of trust was a turning point, a testament to the growing bond between them.
Emboldened by the obvious acceptance, Tang allowed his hand to explore further, running his fingers along Macaque’s arm, feeling the outline of the muscles beneath the fur. He traced the line of the monkey’s back, the dip of his waist, the curve of his hip. Each touch was a silent thank you, a wordless appreciation of the privilege of the moment. He knew that if Macaque felt any movement was unnecessary, he would let him know.
Two hours later, Wukong approached Tang, intending to lay down on his lap as he always did, but stopped abruptly when he saw Macaque asleep in his place. Wukong blinked once, twice, and smiled faintly.
“He trusted you,” He whispered, barely audible, and sat down to Tang’s right. “Mac has trouble trusting anyone, so that’s a good sign.” He leaned forward and rested his head on Tang’s shoulder, closing his eyes. "I’m glad..."
Tang felt a surge of pride and happiness at Wukong's whispered words, a sense that he had gained at least a modicum of Six-Eared Macaque's trust. Trust that had been trampled down centuries ago. He looked down at the sleeping monkey in his lap, his heart softening at the sight of his peaceful face.
Tang sighed, feeling a deep sense of contentment. Here he was, sandwiched between two of the most extraordinary creatures he had ever met, each in their own way. Tang's hand was still gently running through the black fur, even as he turned to Wukong with a gentle smile.
"He is an extraordinary creature," He murmured. "To have suffered so much, to have cared for you with such devotion... Six-Eared Macaque is special." He smiled faintly. "I’m honored that he feels he can trust me enough to rest like this. It means more to me than I can express." With a sigh of pure satisfaction, Tang leaned back so he could stroke Wukong's head. "We're all lucky to have him on our side. Lucky to call him a friend." He closed his eyes.
"And we're lucky to have you with us, Master..." Wukong mumbled sleepily. He hadn't noticed that he had called Tang his Master again. It was nice.
Tang felt a warmth in his heart and knew that he had found something far more precious than any treasure, a place where he truly belonged, with these extraordinary beings.
Tang's gaze drifted back to Macaque, still fast asleep in his lap. He knew that he needed this moment of peace, rest, and freedom. And Tang was determined to give it to him, to stand as a silent guardian, just as Macaque had for so long.
Overwhelmed by emotion, Tang pulled them both as close as he could, yet trying not to disturb their moment of relaxation, one hand in Macaque's soft fur, the other gently wrapped around Wukong. In this one moment, he felt like he could really get used to moments like this. And he knew he would treasure every second.
Monkey instincts are fascinating , he thought to himself, and a blissful sleep took over him, surrounded by the warmth of two furry bodies.
"Awww, Tangy has become a monkey cuddle toy~!" Mei chirped with a wide smile.
"Huh?"
MK turned around, a bowl of noodles in his hand and strings hanging from his mouth. Red Son growled something about table manners and the peasants he had to socialize with, but was ignored. MK slurped down a large amount of noodles and swallowed quickly, blinking in dismay.
"Did Mr. Tang adopted Monkey King and Macaque?"
"Definitely." Sandy nodded with a smile, and Mo on his shoulder meowed shortly. "Mo thinks so too."
"That buffoon doesn't know what he's gotten himself into." Pigsy snorted, but couldn't hide a small smile of his own. "He will wake up with a broken back."
But none of them could help but smile at the adorable image. Tang had fallen asleep with his back against the ship, and Wukong and Macaque were sleeping on his lap and shoulder. They knew that Tang had done something amazing, and it wasn't just about adopting thousand-year-old demon monkeys.