Chapter Text
It was a day as Macaque likes them. The sun burned his skin gently, while he lay in the grass and flowers. The monkeys played gently around him, the sounds around him were slightly muffled by the slightly too tall grass in which they were lounging and; a gentle breeze made the tips of each hair of her body dance in such a way as to imitate a pleasant caress. Really, the only thing missing was a monkey with red fur, and a smile a little too wide.
The thought took a second to register in Macaque's mind, before his throat tickled him unpleasantly. The ebony furry monkey immediately straightened up. It was over, he was certainly not going to be able to enjoy the day anymore.
– Macaque!
The concerned was seized with a strong cough, when his friend hugged him behind his back as a sign of greeting. The monkey that Macaque was thinking of recoiled under Macaque's violent cough. His eyes fill with concern before he bends down. He gently rubbed Macaque's back and whispered to him to breathe.
Macaque followed his advice, he tried, really, but the thing in his throat burned with every breath, and turned his breathing cycle into an even stronger coughing fit. Wukong clenched his free hand in the dirt, praying that whatever he did would appease Macaque.
– There, there. You're doing very well. It's okay. You'll be fine... There, there...
Macaque's eyes moistened as he felt his throat sore from coughing. Finally, he spat out a few peach petals, and breathed loudly, once his throat was clear.
Around him, the silence had become louder than ever. No matter. Macaque only had to focus on the most important thing. His breath, the beating of Wukong's heart, and the circles his king made on his back were more than enough. Its king with orange fur; like a ball of flame under the sun's rays...
A new itch was created in his throat; and again; Macaque coughed, trying his best to expel the petals as quickly as possible. It was painful. Truly painful. He didn't want it to start again. But here it is. At the mercy of yet another coughing fit. Macaque put a hand on Wukong's chest. It was a feeble attempt to keep the most powerful monkey demon in this universe away. Still, the surprise was to Macaque's advantage, and the shadow monkey had just enough time to move his friend a step or two aside, before spitting out even more peach blossom petals. When nothing was obstructing his throat anymore; Macaque took the time to dwell on the fact that he wanted to collapse from fatigue on the ground. He did not do so. Instead, he took deep breaths, and let his gaze linger on the blood-stained flower petals. His heart began to beat a little faster, hindering his attempts to breathe.
– It's getting worse...
Macaque hung his head when his friend said exactly what he was thinking. He couldn't face him. He couldn't look at him and see how pathetic he looked to Wukong's eyes. It was just a cough. Anyone would have gotten rid of this inconvenience after two weeks in the worst case. Of course not. Of course, not him. Not only did this inconvenience not go away, but it got worse. First the cough, then the flowers, then the blood...
Macaque didn't want to know what would come next.
The monkey demon gently pushed his red-furred friend away, and walked away a few steps.
– It's good, your highness. I'm not made of sugar! I've gotten used to it now.
This was false. He would never get used to it. He had simply accepted that it was something weird that he had. Macaque and Wukong both knew this.
– But...
Macaque rolled his eyes in exasperation.
– It's good Wukong. If it's really unbearable, I'll tell you. Unless I'm too dead to be able to speak.
– Hey!
The monkey king is immediately indignant. Macaque smiled when he heard Wukong feel offended. He strode away, his hands behind his head. This last move was more to copy Wukong than anything else, poking fun at the times when the Monkey King was a little too relaxed.
Wukong puffed out his cheeks, and ran to catch up with his insolent friend.
– It's not funny.
– Yes, yes. It is~
– No. It isn't. Wukong is sulking.
The Monkey King was catching a piece of fruit as he passed a tree. He cut it in half and handed one half to Macaque, who accepted it without protest.
Wukong grimaced as he realized that Macaque had managed to distract him from the most important thing. He let out a sigh, and bit into its fruit before turning his attention to Macaque. He seemed to be getting better. Both ears of the dark-furred monkey twitched almost imperceptibly. The head of the person concerned was tilted slightly to the side, and he stared into the void as if the wind was telling him unpleasant secrets. Wukong admired how the sun changed the colored pupils of coins into two white balls of midday sun. The pretty marbles then came back darker when the leaves of the trees hindered the sun's rays.
– The fraternity is there.
Wukong almost jumped when Macaque burst out of focus.
– Hu. It's a bit early, isn't it? We had a meeting today?
– Not at all. There was an emergency.
– Oh? What urgency?
Macaque tilted his head a little more to the side. He frowned, and whispered a silent "hum," as a sign that he was listening. Once again, Wukong saw Macaque's ears twitch. He was disgusted by the fact that Macaque hid his six ears under a glamour. It almost saddened him that he had learned the power to transform. Macaque must have learned by listening to Wukong learn. This was pretty much how Macaque knew everything he knew today. Wukong reached out, intending to touch the ears and see if he could feel the three pairs through the magic. But he abstained. He didn't want to scare Macaque.
– Obviously, the celestials have managed to take Yellow Tusk's landmark.
– Ah! It's not something that could happen to us! Wukong swaggers punching Macaque in the shoulder. Right? Uh...
Wukong fell silent as he noticed how Macaque had immediately tensed up to Wukong's assertion. Ah... It's true... It's happened before.
– I mean... It's not going to happen any time soon. We have powers now. We're mega strong! You made sure to tell the monkeys to be super careful with their comings and goings. And you've made me rebuild that magic barrier so many times, that I'm pretty sure not even a little demonic insect could get through.
– I just wanted to be sure. Macaque immediately defended himself? Turning to Wukong.
– Totally. Wukong approved. So don't worry. OK?
Macaque blew; but he felt a little more reassured.
– As you wish, Your Highness. Good. Hurry. I can already hear Peng complaining.
– It's not like they called us.
– In fact, Azure has called us twice already. He begins to think that we are not there.
– In that case...
Macaque raised an eyebrow when he saw his friend's demonic smile. Wukong grabbed Macaque in his arms, and jumped on his magic cloud in a pirouette, before rushing to the bottom of the hill. Macaque screamed in surprise before hugging Wukong, and yelling insults at him.
They arrived in front of the rest of the brotherhood, just as the other demons had decided that it was time for them to leave. Macaque hit Wukong for the sake of form. The latter laughed at Macaque's feeble attempt to regain his dignity, and let him down without creating any further embarrassment to his friend's ego.