#jttw reader

Snow

Snow fell in white flurries, chasing away the blossoms and birds that had been sitting in the trees just moments before. The storm was in a full frenzy now, peeling petals from overeager trees who had budded too soon, and throwing the birds from the sky. The wind whipped up the cold powder to spray back in the face of the pilgrims as they continued on their journey. They had left the warm subtropical forest only hours ago, where Sophie had rolled her sleeves up to relieve some of the excess heat. Now however, she was shivering.

None of the group, save for Wukong, was truly equipped for the snow and cold. Pigsys ears were turning purple from the temperature as he tried, and failed, to hide from the worst of it behind Sandy. Sandy silently continued on, carving a path for Sophie (who trailed farther behind) to walk through. The snow was already deep, coming to her knees as they continued to follow the tiny path up the mountain. Black rock jutted upward and outward like broken teeth into the white air. Horse and Monk both were struggling ahead, Yulongs sides shivering in the wet as the snow melted on his fur. Tripitaka called Wukong over, asking him to scout ahead to look for a place they could shelter for the duration of this storm. Sophie could see there heads bent together as Master and pupil discussed. Wukong, for once, didn’t reply with a snort or a quick jab at how Trip should be lucky for him to be his disciple. Instead he had somersaulted off, gone in a flash of fur and tiger stripes, into the air.

“Would be nice if I could just somersault out of here.” Sophie muttered.

A freak blizzard had not been on the list of things Sophie was ready for. She had faced shape-changing demons, women that turned to great tigers to devour Tripitaka, mountain gods throwing stones down into their path and the like. Sophie was prepared for any person or creature - or at least- expecting it. The weather however? She was severely underprepared for. She had the travel clothes she had bought with the coin purse she’d been given. They were meant for light rain and mild heat. Not for a snowstorm. Sophies hair was getting wet and the cold was starting to chill her ears from where it melted.

“It’s so cold…” she muttered. She kept following Sandys footpath, thankful for the giant of a river demon and his slow shuffling walk. If he was walking normally he would have left her far behind in the snow.

Her foot hit a rock and slipped, sending her flailing into a rapidly growing snowbank. “F-f-f-freezing! AH!” Snow had gone down her shirt, sending a chill up her spine. Faster than a wildcat she had hopped from the bank, shaking herself.

“Hate snow hate snow hate snow—“ she chanted her mantra as she slapped off the powder, trying to prevent it from melting and wetting her clothes. Wet clothes would only spell disaster. Sophie could recall all the cold born illnesses from one special National Geographic did on Everest and the extreme exposure the hikers faced there: pneumonia, Trench foot, frostbite, hypothermia, flu, Chilblains, bronchitis —

Her foot slipped again as her mind was listing all the things that could happen. Sophie would have been in the snowbank a second time except something caught her by the midriff and hauled her up.

“Stupid women stay on your feet!” Wukong snarled in her ear, setting her down. Sophie nodded, teeth chattering and nose turning red as the cold began to chap it. “Of all the people here I thought at least you had the common sense to be aware of ice!”

From up ahead came the faint cry and heavy fall as Pigsys fell face first in the snow. Sandy had to quickly turn to hid a chuckle as the drenched demon began wilding swinging his rake around in rage.

“S-s-sorry.” She mumbled, shoving her hands beneath her armpits. “Slipped.”

“What’s wrong with your speech? You sound like a squirrel.” Wukong cocked his head, an eyebrow raised. He rolled his eyes when Sophie didn’t banter back irritated she wasn’t snapping back at him. That agitation grew when he felt something like worry begin to itch his pelt. Of the pilgrims, the two mortals were in his charge of care and were the most delicate. While Wukong could fight off monsters and Demons and wicked minded mortals he could not fight a storm. Well- he could if he really wanted to find the celestial body responsible for its creation. But that would take time- and time was not on his side on this.

Tripitaka had put on a brave face when he had asked the Monkey King to find shelter. That didn’t mean Wukong had not noticed how his Masters hands had turned red at the growing cold, how his body shivered and his nose sniffed. Wukong would have teased, poked and prodded at his master- it was his nature to rile and cause mischief. But when he had seen the half awake expression on the mortal man’s face, Wukong had bit his tongue (with great effort) and had instead nodded.

Seeing Sophie in a similar state made the itch beneath his pelt grow worse as fire ants had begun to bite his skin.

“Damn it.” He cursed beneath his breath. He snatched her arm, avoiding her hand, and started dragging her behind him. “Come on just a bit farther you softie. I found a cave up ahead where we can get out of the worst of it. You mortals are ABSOLUTELY worthless when it comes to weather —“

Sophie was only half listening to Wukongs ranting. She allowed herself to be dragged up the mountain pass, trusting the Monkey King to find a better route than her own dimming senses. The cold was like a blanket she wanted to escape out of. Or escape into? She couldn’t remember clearly. If she closed her eyes… she was so tired. The snow looked inviting, comforting. Like the best downy comforter. Like the fluffiest pillow.

Maybe I just … need to lay … down in the comfort. Just close my eyes for a few minutes.

They had been walking for hours before the storm blew in. Her feet hurt, her hands shook and it was so cold. Cold. She just wanted to sleep.

“SOPHIE LOOK AT ME!” Wukong yanked her and she was rattled enough to open her eyes wider in surprise. Sun Wukong was right in her face, leaning so close she could see every line of his facial markings in detail. His breath came from between his teeth like some dragons as he glared.

“Ye-es?!”

“Stay awake- we're almost there. If you fall asleep while I’m dragging your ass up the mountain I will bite your pretty nose clean off!” The demonic monkey spat, then, half carried, half dragged Sophie the rest of the way. Leaning against his back Sophie sighed. Through the clothing she could feel it- like desert sand warmed by the sun. Delicious heat. Sophie - who wouldn’t in normal circumstances have cuddled so close- practically melted against the warmth. What else could she do? Wukong was dragging her up the mountain- practically carrying her. She could see the bend in the mountain pass- a steep cliff where the road cut itself around and hugged the mountain as a snake would do climbing along a vine. Almost there.

“How come you get to be so warm?” She grumbled, not realizing she had said it aloud. Wukong had heard however, and his face became a storm cloud as his heart took a shuddering beat.

“Maybe grow some fur or ask for the Buddha to make you some furry creature. Bet he would too.” Wukong grumbled back.

Stupid fucking women.

They reached the curve in the mountain where Pigsy and Sandy- mostly Sandy since the pig demon kept complaining about how cold his snout was- were setting up three tents. The tents were simple, the leather treated against wet weather and solid. All pigsy had to do was drive the stakes into the stone which, it seemed, he was failing at.

“It’s so damn cold!” Pigsy snorted angrily stamping his hands together, having missed the spike for the third time. “Blasted Heaven and whoever ordered a storm now of all times! Don’t they know who’s crossing these mountains?”

“Less talking more working.” Sandy angrily chided. He had finished setting up the second tent all on his own. When Pigsy went to open his mouth to make another comment and the usually peaceful Sandy shoved him across the shallow cave to the last tent and the one closest to the entrance.

As Wukong walked past, Pigsy lifted an eyebrow at the strange sight. The Monkey King could see the pig beginning to lift a lip in a smirk only to stop when he noticed Sophie’s shivering.

“What did you do?” Those were the last words Wukong expected to come out of his fellow brothers mouth.

“WHAT DID I DO?!” He bared his teeth, fangs on display. He didn’t have time for Pigsy or for his own feelings to confuse him. He knew Sophie was practically clinging to his back like the newborn monkeys did to their mothers back on Flower Fruit Mountain. He was very aware of it. The last thing he needed was for this thick pink idiot to start shit with him.

“I DIDNT DO SHIT YOU THICK HEADED BOAR.” He spat, continuing past. “THIS IDIOT STARTED FALLING ASLEEP IN THE FUCKING STORM. NOW SHUT UP AND GET THE OTHER TENT SET UP.”

Wukong left Pigsy behind, angrily chattering to himself and feeling embarrassed all the while. He couldn’t let that thick womanizing boar know any of Wukongs feelings. If he did, the damn brute would only press his nose to it and route deeper. The sooner he got Sophie off his back the better. Even though he didn’t entirely want that.

He reached the back corner of the cave, setting Sophie down. She huffed, letting go with some reluctance to his warm back. The Monkey King knelt, leaning in. Sophie’s shivering was less. Good.

“I’ll be back- I have to make sure the pink ham doesn’t fuck up the last tent. Once I’ve tended Yulong and seen to my masters comforts I’ll be back to check on you.”

Sophie pulled her knees to her chest. She was still so cold. She wanted nothing more then to curl up and sleep- to find something warm and hold onto it. She heard Wukong from far off - but she nodded.

“S-S-sure… just gonna fall .. asleep.”

“Don’t fall asleep you idiot.” He snapped.

“Why not?” Sophie groaned. She was tired

“Remember. You are in wet clothes. Wake up just to remember - Think. Use that reading brain of yours.” He flicked her between the eyes. That woke Sophie up enough as the pain cleared her head.

“Ow, what the hell Wukong?!” Sophie felt like she had come out of a daze. Her fingers started rubbing at the pain. It wasn’t terrible but … she felt like a child be scolded. Sophie glared up into the smug monkey face.

“Awake? Good. Now fucking listen before you nod off again.” Wukong smirked just a bit. The itching beneath his fur had eased just enough upon seeing her get mad. He spoke slowly, for her sake but also to press in how much he enjoyed giving her orders- and being right about them. “Your clothes are wet. You can’t sleep in them. Change to new ones. In fact, bundle up as much as you can. I’ll be back to check on you.”

Wukong stood up, then turned back around to flick her on the forehead again.

“Ow! I’m up, I'm up!” Sophie rubbed at the space between her brows.

“Did you hear what I said?”

“Yes yes …” she uncurled herself and stood as well, looking down at the Monkey King. “Get out of wet clothes and get new ones. Bundle up. That really hurt you know.”

“If you are still in wet fucking clothes, I’ll do a lot worse then just smack you between the eyes.” And then he was away, already cussing Pigsy out who had, somehow, managed to rip the tent.

It was a only about twenty minutes later but Sophie had managed not to fall asleep. She had gotten into the tent and had peeled the worst of the wet clothes off. Her poor shoes were the worst for wear- the socks and the soles were soaked. She would have to wear her spare shoes tomorrow and let these ones dry. Sophie had set the wet clothes to the farthest side of the tent. She was now dressed in a pair of gray sweats, a long sleeve and her hoodie of bright orange with clementines decorating the front. She felt much warmer and absolutely exhausted. Her fingers were red where the cold had gotten them, her lips felt chapped from the dry air, and her body just kept shivering.

Sophie had retreated almost completely into the hoodie- only her face was viewable.

The tent flap lifted and Wukong stepped in, a bowl of some sort of wild berries and cold rice in one hand. He took one look at her huddled there on her sleeping mat and snorted.

“You look like some orange orangutan.”

“Hahah very funny. See how you like the cold when you don’t have fur.” She shot back. Wukong offered the bowl to her and she took it, digging into it with gusto.

“How’s Trip?” She asked between bites.

“Alive.” Wukong leaned back, putting his arms beneath his head as he stared up at the tent ceiling. “You two would have frozen if not for me- you were both starting to look pinker than yangmei fruit.”

“Thank you.” Sophie said.

“Mm? What are you thankful for ?”

Oh he was gonna ask her for all of it then? Sophie looked at him. Wukong had propped himself up enough to stare at her, waiting.

“Thank you for the food.” She lifted the now empty bowl- she had been famished - to him. “Thank you for finding a spot to rest. And … thanks for dragging me out of the snow.”

“You almost died I hope you know that.” He smirked, laying back down, eyes closing. She followed suit, too tired to sit up anymore or even bicker back with him.

“Yeah I did …” Sophie yawned. Usually she wouldn’t admit so readily to Wukong just how certain situations had made her dependent upon him. He was always, in some way or other, saving the lot of them. When Tripitaka was snatched up by some Goblins belonging to some chieftain of a nearby mountain, when Pigsy had boasted that they didn’t need Wukong and then (almost immediately) failed to find food when Wukong was sent away. He had stopped the dragon horse from foundering and taken to the care of his hooves and coat many a time. The Monkey King had seen to restoring the missing supplies from Sophie pack when a group of mischievous raccoon spirits had taken it. Wukong had even replaced Sandy’s teakettle when it was smashed in battle (Sophie was pretty sure he had stolen it).

He may act aloof and pompous but deep down, this big old brute cared for them. Even Pigsy.

Sophie felt her eyes grow heavy as Wukong kept talking about how she had stumbled in the snow like some “dumb struck fawn” until he came to help her.

As she relaxed to the sound of his voice rumbling on and on, it almost felt … cozy. Yes Wukong may like to slide the occasional wriggly salamander into her water skin, he may thumb through her things like they were his, he may call her idiot, stupid women, and softie. But. There was no real malice behind his actions.

He was also kind of … warm. She scooted closer, half listening to the Monkey ramble on about the idiocy of mortals and the greatness of beings such as him. He was rambling on about his natural prowess over mortals and how he had mastered the arts of immortality and Tripitaka couldn’t even master warding off a cold. Sophie fell asleep before he could get to the part about her looking like a slack jawed idiot in the snow.

Wukong was only a quarter way through his regaling of the story of how he had saved everyone this day when he felt hands wrap around his chest.

His heart nearly flew into his throat as he stopped dead in his speech. His mouth was open, voice cut off halfway through his speech. Sophie curled into his side, face buried in the crook of his neck and so close to his ear he could feel her breathing against its shell.

Electricity shot threw him, fur standing on end as if he had been in a thunderstorm.

He was suddenly very aware of many things. Of Sophie’s hands that had escaped that ridiculous orange sweatshirt and were now burrowed into his fur. One arm was across his chest. The second one was now, somehow beneath his head and tugging on his shoulder. Sophie’s face rested on his arm and in the curve of his neck, her face rubbing back and forth like a cat. As if … she was enjoying the feel of it.

Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck.

Sophie moved just a bit, mumbling in his ear and Wukong felt his tail lash like it had just been bit. She didn’t say anything coherent but — the proximity alone—

Fucking Hell and all its Judges.

Sophie was … cuddling him.

She was practically twined around him.

And she smelled fantastic. Her scent always changed- sometimes it held a hint of lemons and the sweetness of grass, other times it floated like rain clouds and smelled of stones. But all of it together had a larger perfume beneath it. It was just her. Yes there were moments when her scent changed just enough that he felt like he was adding new spices onto his favorite dish. The essence of it, however, was just Sophie.

And now that cloud was all around him, filling his nose.

He looked at her, turning his head just a fraction to see.

Big mistake.

She was asleep, passed out completely. She looked so … fragile asleep. The dark circles beneath her eyes spoke of how she hadn’t been sleeping well. Her nose was stupidly pink like a Red Pika in her pale face. The cold must have chapped it. His eyes darted to her lips …

Mistake number two.

Wukong looked away, feeling his face flame. Fuck. Shit. He was stuck in a predicament now. He hadn’t meant to chat away about himself for so long that Sophie would fall asleep. Wukong was at war with himself. On one hand, he needed to get out of here. To leave before Pigsy and the others found out- before Sophie found out.

He couldn’t let anyone be that close to him- couldn’t let anyone be as close as Sophie was right now. It was a liability to his pride, to his reputation—

To his heart. Because if she rejected him it would ruin the friendship they had. And the feeling he had building in his chest- he would crush it in his fist before he let it jeopardize that peace between them.

I have to leave —

Wukong tried to move-

Only to feel Sophie’s fingers tug in his fur and her sleepy voice grumble “m’no don’t go.”

Jade Emperor flay me and boil me alive again.

In all the hundreds of years of living, Wukong had only felt trapped like this but once before. The first time he had lost his wager to the Buddha, having been unable to somersault out of his hand. The second time? He was trapped because he allowed it. He was trapped in a way no one in Heaven could have predicted- or had thought to do. Wukong had been placed in vats to be boiled, had wormed and tricked his way out of every trap and net that had attempted to keep his mischief managed. It had taken Buddha and his wager to finally end Wukongs terrorization of Heaven.

Wukong couldn’t move now. He was tethered here by frail fingers and the steady beat of a mortal's heart.

He could hear her heartbeat, feel it against his side. It was steady, soft. Like the steady roar of Water-Curtain Cave. Like the wind through the trees of the orchards on his mountain.

She was mortal. One day that steady beat would stop as all mortal hearts did.

That set his tail to lashing just a bit.

Hasn't she been afraid of dying? Of growing old? He remembered hearing a conversation late at night- when Tripataka and Sophie had those rare mortal conversations where he was explicitly not allowed to sit in on. He hadn’t known why it was such a secret conversation. So of course, since it wasn’t an order, Wukong had pulled a hair from his tail and made a doppel and floated somewhere nearby but out of sight to eavesdrop. The Monk and Reader had been chatting about death, about Sophie’s future.

Well her fears were unfounded. Doesn’t she know I would take care of her? Sophie shifted a bit closer as a gust of wind slipped beneath the tent flat he had left unsecured. Damn it all. Wukong carefully, o so carefully, shifted himself. He slid his body so he was now lying on his side, setting Sophie’s head beneath his chin. It was all the invitation Sophie needed to cuddle closer and escape from the wind.

“You stupid women.” He angrily whispered into her hair. He wouldn’t let her die. He would just fix that. He would fix a lot of her problems. She just had to tell him. He was Sun Wukong, Great Sage Equal to Heaven. He knew of a hundred different ways to achieve immortality. He could fix them all. Like her problem right now of being cold.

He was too tense to relax fully- too aware- but he grew just a fraction larger. His size now dwarfed Sophie’s a good bit and gave her a bit more to tangle into. And she did. Sophie curled her knees up, shivering slowing. Wukong waited. Watching. When finally the shivering had ceased he allowed just a fraction of tension to slide off of him. This stupid softie is gonna make me soft. The thought didn’t bother him as much as it would have months ago.

Maybe he wouldn’t get much sleep tonight but…

He could make her life Hell in the morning. It was something that she owed him on. His face was screwed furiously into a scowl because all he wanted to do was enjoy this moment but if he did- if he really truly did- he didn’t know if he would be able to stop.

She was most assuredly going to be bombarded tomorrow with the most annoying and snappish teasing and toying a King of Monkeys and tricks could give.

Sophie woke with a start as something cold and wet slapped her in the face. She panicked as any person would.

“GaH! DEMON!” She cried, grabbing at her face and throwing it aside. It was a wet rag.

“Relax.” Wukongs voice laughed at her. “Unless cloth can become possessed and has gained a hunger for red nosed mortal flesh, you're fine.”

He was at the tent flap, grinning ear to ear in a grin that promised problems. Really so early in the morning and he already wants to play games ?

“You could have woken me up in a number of other ways- why did you pick that?” Sophie rubbed at her face, feeling … huh. She didn’t feel as sore as she usually felt. When Sophie woke up there was almost a constant crick of pain in her neck from whatever odd angle she had slept in on the ground.

Maybe I had been so tired my body just finally didn’t care.

He shrugged. “You stink. Next place we stop at you better demand a bath of some sort or other.”

“Thanks….” She grumbled, letting the sarcasm drip off her words. She took the cloth up, rubbing the sleep out of her face and the worst of the dirt off her face and arms. She would kill for a warm bath, one that would wake up her bones and chase the last of the cold from her body. Once clean, she checked her wet clothes, bundling them away in a separate part of her pack to avoid them dampening the rest of her stuff. Then she stepped out of the tent, smelling the fire and the promise of breakfast being made.

Only for her feet to slip right from beneath her as a monkey foot stuck out and caught her ankle.

“WUKONG!”

He laughed, face full of malicious mischief as Sophie gathered herself up to chase after the errant Monkey. To do what, she didn’t know. He was a mystical demonic creature born of stone and she just a mortal women. As the morning light cut into the cave and Tripitaka had to order his disciple to calm down after he once again tripped her and she almost went sprawling into rocks, the pilgrims ate breakfast. They broke down their tents. And they were once again on the road.

None were the wiser of Wukongs happier mood. He hid it beneath a storm of frowns and a game of teasing torture as he became partically insufferable to Sophie. The threat of the hoop tightening spell was the only true damper to his mood when Tripataka heard Sophie scream as snow was dropped down the back of her shirt.

As the sun rose higher and the word was cast in a frosty flash of refracted gold, Wukong made a decision. He would solve Sophie problem of growing old. It was easy. And if Buddha couldn’t send her back…

Well she was a great sport for pestering and heckling. The least he could do as a benevolent King is give the poor women a roof over her head.

Maybe a few dresses down the line...

Girls liked dresses right?

“Hey Reader!” He called.

“What?”

“Dresses or suits ? What did you wear in that fake time long after this one ? Or whatever fake dimension you fell out of. What did you prefer ?”

Babies??

The gentle breeze brushes through the air, accompanying the sun westward as it carries on its descent toward the horizon. Golden hour approaches with pheasants flying overhead, returning to their nests. Clouds grazing the mountaintops are soft shades of pink and orange. The mountain itself is littered in dashes of colour from a thousand flowers and a vibrant green from the lush grass coating its earthy base. The world feels as though it is in blossom, though it might help that your group is spending the night at a temple in the Abbey of Five Villages. 

While away for the night, the Abbey is home to a daoist known as the Lord Equal to Earth, Zhenyuan. You’ve never met him, but know enough from the occasional gossip in the Jade Palace that he is a respected figure. Already aware that your companions would be arriving, he had two of his disciples stay behind to host. While the others settled in, you accompanied Sandy in making sure the horse was properly fed. It also gave an excuse for you to gaze out over the beautiful land of the Abbey.

It also helps that you find Sha Wujing the easiest to get along with out of Tripitaka’s disciples. He’s much less boorish, more open to peaceful conversation without jabs or insults. Though, you suppose you were no better at times. “I have to admit, it is nice being off the road, even if it is only for tonight.” The sand demon hums as he guides the horse to his meal.

You nod with a smile, your sight trained on the beauty of land before you. “I agree. If we were not on our journey, it would be nice to stay longer. Looking at this view, I’m reminded of home.”

At this, the buddhist turns to you. “Where is it you come from, little soother?”

The two of you begin to head back inside the temple. “I’ve lived most of my life on the Potalaka Mountain with my master, Guan Yin. There’s a village not far from her home I would visit quite frequently.”

“Is that where you are from?” He questions, and you shake your head.

“No, my first home was burnt down when I was only a child. My master found me in the wreckage of my family’s home and gifted me with a second chance.” You explain, your companion humming in acknowledgement.

“That is a beautiful story.” He smiles, which affirms his friendly nature, despite the sharpened teeth.

You walk through the silent halls together, your steps echoing through empty halls. “Indeed, I owe everything to her.” The talk reminds you of how much you missed her, and everyone from before your trip to the heavens. Guan Yin, Moksa, all of those from the village who have now passed. But there was no point in dwelling on it. What’s past is past, and now you have but one goal. Get the Tang Monk to the west.

A blur of ochre flashes down the hall ahead, quickly returning to reveal itself as Sun Wukong. His face brightens up at the sight of his brother disciple, the stone monkey approaching rapidly once catching sight of Wujing. “Sandy, I’ve been looking for you!”

“Hello, Sun Pilgrim.” The man greets him. Monkey looks as though he’s about to say something, but stops himself when he glances at you. The bright look in his eye is quickly snuffed out and replaced by a rather bored look.

“…What?”

“I need to speak with my fellow disciple. Alone.” Your eyes roll, unsure of what you were actually expecting. “Go ahead. I’ll talk to you later, Wujing.” Not having to be told twice, you say your goodbyes to the sand demon and continue through the halls of the temple on your own. 

“Of course, thank you for your help.” He calls back before you disappear around the corner Monkey came from. Whatever he needed to talk to Wujing about, you can’t find it in yourself to care. As long as they don’t cause a disturbance, it should be fine. Besides, Sandy seems quite reasonable, you doubt he’d go along with anything Sun Wukong suggests.

You soon find yourself in the main hall, Tripitaka sitting at one of the tables ahead of you. He’s massaging his temples, his eyes wide and confused until they notice your presence. “Ah! There you are! You won’t believe what just happened.” He quickly rises from his seat as you approach.

It’s rare to see the monk so highly energetic, it’s as though he’s bursting at the seams. It’d be a lie to say you aren’t curious over what could make him react in such a way. “What is it?”

As you reach the man, his hands clutch onto your arms. “Our hosts tried to feed me infants!”

You pause, the statement taking a moment for you to process. Is this some jest? “Infants? As in, human children?”

“They could not have been more than three days old!” He exclaims as you sit him back down at the table, joining him as he continues to hold onto your arms in disbelief.

Offering a buddhist monk a child to eat? Surely they haven’t mistaken Tripitaka to be some demon like his disciples, even they follow a strictly vegetarian diet. “What did you say?”

“I told them to bring the children back to their parents, what else could I have said in that situation?!” He asks. “‘Mm, how delicious, two babies?’”

Despite the distress in his voice, you can’t help but let a chuckle escape. “Surely they would not expect that of you.”

“They insisted they were grown on trees!” Yes, that does sound odd. However, the description does scratch at a particular itch in your head. You’re certain this sounds like something you’ve heard of before, but the answer escapes you in the moment.

“Perhaps I could ask the two to explain themselves?” You shrug, the monk finally releasing you from his grip.

He releases a drawn-out sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. “It’s alright, I can ask myself when we gather for the rice. After everything we’ve experienced on the road, I was just looking forward to some normalcy for the night. It only took me by surprise, that is all.”

You place your hand on his shoulder in comfort, offering up a smile. “I’m not sure I would act any different if I were in your shoes.” You let out a soft laugh before looking around the space. A thought strikes you at that moment. “Where’s Bajie? I haven’t seen him since we arrived.”

The monk hums for a moment in thought. “The last I saw him, he was in a hurry to find Wukong.” Oh, really?

A sinking feeling worms its way into your gut. Should you have been more worried about Monkey and Sandy? What does Pigsy need that ape for? Something feels off. “I should go ahead and make sure they’re not getting into any trouble.”

You rise to leave and the monk shakes his head. “I’m sure they’ll be fine. My disciples should know not to cause any disturbances while we’re here.” He reassures you, but it doesn’t help the worry settle in your stomach

“I will feel better once I check for myself.” You quickly nod to Tripitaka before leaving the main hall.

You head towards the area you left Wujing and Wukong at last, mentally preparing yourself for whatever you may find. They can’t have gotten into too much trouble, right? It’s only been a few hours since your group has been here, they can’t have done anything too outlandish. Not yet, at least.

It takes some time before you are able to find them, the three demons huddled together at the end of a hall. They talk to one another in hushed whispers, like children plotting with one another. The sight did little to comfort your concerns.

Monkey is the first to notice your presence, his back straightening before turning to face you. “Hello, Dove.” His tone is casual, contrasting heavily against the wide-eyed faces behind him.

“Wukong.” The two on either side of him straighten up as well, turning to address you like their elder brother. You eye each of them in suspicion, it looks like you were right to be worried after all. “What have you three been up to?”

The stone demon shrugs casually, his posture relaxed despite the sharp look in his eyes. “Not much, we just returned from marvelling at the beautiful gardens they have here. You should go see for yourself.”

How stupid does he think you are? Or maybe he just doesn’t care enough to properly lie. “Oh, I suppose I could later. I just wanted to make sure the three of you weren’t getting into any trouble.” Your eyes shoot to Bajie, then Wujing, neither offering you eye contact.

“Trouble?” Wukong laughs, drawing your attention back to him. “Of what kind?”

Even you had to admit, it was impressive just how smarmy this man can get. Nevertheless, you play along. If he wants to play this game, you’ll play. Stepping closer, you narrow the gap between the two of you, a smirk finding its way on your face. “I wouldn’t know. But someone ought to remind you that your actions here reflect on Tripitaka. So if you mess anything up,” grabbing onto his shirt, you tug him close enough for you to whisper, “you will have a lot more to worry about than that gold around your head.” You almost miss the wide-eyed look of shock on his face before masking it with a grin of his own. “I’m impressed, Dove. Trying to threaten an immortal being, with what? Your pointy little sticks?” He laughs, his voice low.

The assumption makes your smirk drop. “I’m not threatening you with pain.” Your eyes narrow as he does the same. “It’s a warning. This temple belongs to Zhenyuan, and I’ve heard enough about how he carries out justice on those who have done wrong unto him.”

“You think some immortal scares me? Don’t forget, woman, I’ve taken on entire armies single-handed.” A single brow raises as he gloats, and you let out a huff of air at his words.

There truly is nobody as self-absorbed as the Monkey King. “Then you shouldn’t forget what I said. Your actions reflect on Tripitaka. Whether or not you can take punishment won’t matter if the monk is the one in the crossfire.” You warn, and for a moment you see his prideful facade falter.

With the message thoroughly received, you release the demon from your hold. Your graceful smile returns as you look back to Pigsy and Sandy. “Now, I think I will take a look around those gardens you speak so highly of. I’m glad we’ve come to an understanding.” With everything that needed to be said now dealt with you turn to leave.

That is, until Sandy clears his throat.

“Little Soother… say something has already happened.” Your head whips around at that, and you see Wukong has done the same, his hands moving frantically in a motion to stop.

You knew it. “Like what?” “Disciples!”

I would think child au!Sun Wukong would have really need a friend since when we're children, we really need a connection with someone that isn't scared or disgusted by our eccentricities, someone willing to play despite what we "are".

I also can't help but think that child au!Sun Wukong is somehow a bigger menace, and so someone was like, "Just give em' a playmate" instead of really doing anything. 🤔🤨😮‍💨