From the Mouth of Babes
(Hero is Back) Sun Wukong x Reader
(Prompt - Ego)
“Did you know the Great Sage got his red eyes from heavenly fire?”
“Oh yeah?” You half listened to the boy’s ramblings, sorting through the tangle of plants before plucking a few familiar leaves.
Liuer nodded in excitment. “Uh huh! They can see through lies and shoot beams of light that can reach all the way into the sky!”
“Sounds like we can use him as a lantern next time we get lost in the dark.” You bit back a giggle when you noticed Wukong indignant huff from above.
While the temple had long since been abandoned, it did offer your ragtag group shelter for the evening. Bajie had volunteered to stay inside with Silly Girl, no doubt both taking a nap after a long day of travel. Liuer had followed you to the overgrown garden to ‘help’ gather herbs while also sharing his extensive Monkey King knowledge.
The monkey in question was lounging on the roof to avoid the barrage of questions always following at his heels. He made it a habit to perch up high, either in trees or ceiling rafters, claiming it was for peace and quiet’s sake. But while Wukong acted aloof and disinterested, he always stayed close and kept a watchful eye over his companions. Even now as he enjoyed the last rays of sunset, his dangling tail curled in amusement and the tiniest smile quirked his lips as Liuer continued to feed his ego.
“But the Great Sage can never get lost!” Liuer argued with a frown. “He can just fly on his cloud and go anywhere, faster than the wind! He could even go back to his mountain whenever he wants.”
You paused as the thought settled over you. Wukong had stayed with your group so far but knowing he could return home and never come back unnerved you a bit. “Is that so…”
“Yep!” the boy continued, oblivious to your dampened mood. “Great Sage said one day, he’s gonna fly all the way home and get his kingdom back no matter what.”
“Oh, he did, did he?” Wukong’s relaxed form fell stock-still, even his tail was barely twitching while he pretended not to eavesdrop on the conversation below.
Liuer’s sharing continued, much to his monkey guardian’s dismay. “He wants you to go with him, too, so he can show you what it’s like to be royalty; whatever that means.”
A furious blush burned your cheeks at the accidental admission. Whatever secrets the boy planned to spill next were cut off by Wukong appearing by his side and hushing his mouth with a gentle hand.
“I think that’s enough yapping for today, kid,” the monkey suggested. His tone was casual but the red of his cheeks and the flustered fluff of his fur gave away his embarrassment. “Why don’t we go get some water before it gets dark?”
“Okay!” Unperturbed by the interruption, Liuer skipped across the yard to the grab the empty bucket. Wukong trailed after him, tail lashing and ears hunched down to his shoulders as he avoided your curious stare.
“Wukong?” He paused, glancing your way but still hesitant to meet your eye. You smiled to ease his worries. “I would very much like to visit your mountain one day, if that’s alright?”
His dumbfounded expression was quickly shaken away and replaced by a cheeky smirk. “It would be my pleasure, Peaches.”
“Are we going to visit Fruit and Flower Mountain, Great Sage?” Liuer suddenly piped up, drawing a weary sigh from Wukong and a stifled giggle from you. With a final fond smile, you carried the herbs inside while the monkey was left to endure the boy’s endless chatter all the way to the river.
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(Nothing kills an ego quite like the brutal honesty of a child.)
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AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/62162575/chapters/194444301
