Going Without
Destined One x OC Jen
(Prompt - Hunger)
Six days, nearly a week, since the food ran out. Monkey could ignore it; the ache in his head and the gnawing twist in his gut. He had trained to preserver through cold, hunger, and pain. His human companion, though, was much more delicate and the consequences were starting to set in.
Monkey and Jen had been warned about the New West but the snowy mountain had proven even more inhospitable than expected. A demon attack on the first day had shredded the backpack and spilled supplies over a cliff. What little food was left was saved and carefully rationed. Despite his best efforts, Jen refused to take Monkey’s share, shoving it back even as her stomach grumbled.
“You need it more; you’re the one fighting all the time.”
When the food was gone, they continued up the mountain, scavenging as they went. Days passed with no luck and nothing but melted snow to ease their hunger. Monkey watched warily as Jen started to slow bit by bit, easily fatigued and taking longer to catch up. He slowed his pace and insisted on frequent rests but her condition continued to decline.
The day Jen collapsed was the last straw. One moment she was shuffling through the snowbank behind him, the next, she was face down unmoving. Monkey hurried back, worried to find her unconscious or worse. She chuckled quietly when he sat her up to brush snow from her hair and pale face.
“Sorry, got dizzy,” she said. Even her voice sounded fragile and weary to Monkey’s ears.
Jen didn’t protest when he wrapped her arms around his neck and hoisted her onto his back. She just leaned into him, whispering apologies while Monkey desperately searched for somewhere to rest.
Within minutes, he had found a small cave and built a fire. Jen was wrapped in blankets and huddled by it while Monkey gathered snow and pine needles in a pot and set it near the flames. Once it started to simmer, he poured some into a cup and pressed it into Jen’s trembling hands.
“Pine needles? Really?” Jen asked, wrinkling her nose at the taste.
“Something to keep you warm,” Monkey responded. He stood, summoning his staff with a flash of gold. “Wait here till I get back.”
“Oh…okay.”
The small, defeated sound nearly broke Monkey’s heart. He knelt, settling a hand over Jen’s shivering shoulder. “There were guards nearby,” he explained, trying to catch her eye. “If they’re out this far, they must have food stored somewhere. I’ll find what I can and be back soon, okay?”
Jen seemed unconvinced but nodded, something apologetic in her gaze. Monkey pressed his forehead to hers, cooing softly and tucking the blankets close to comfort her. “I promise I’ll come back.” With a final reassuring smile, he turned and marched out of the cave.
Perched on a nearby ridge was a building guarded by a pair of demons. It was likely there was food inside and Monkey was going to find out one way or another. Even if he had to singlehandedly storm a demon stronghold to take care of his companion, so be it.
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AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/62162575/chapters/159475846
