#painter mk

Even Pigsy noticed the glossy look of sweat, as Xiaotian sat down, rubbing his face "was it the nightmare again?" their son immediately nodded, not even meeting their gazes

His dads exchanged looks.

Tang pushed the bowl of dumplings at Xiaotian. He accepted the gesture with a small smile. Tang smiled back before burying his face back in his book. Xiaotian turned his face to the window, smiling at the sight of the sun rising over the city. Hopefully, this week would be better.

Of course, that was before he got so overworked that clones because a reasonable solution.

-_-

Red hadn't planned on this.

"You aren't Xiaotian," he said blankly. He had seen him on his trip to the grocery store, alone, and had thought it to be a good opportunity to kidnap him. Except this wasn't Xiaotian. The paint-covered creature that certainly looked like his groom stared back at him. Something niggled in his brain, a memory of one of Sun Wukong's powers. "Are you a clone-"

"You're perfect!" And suddenly the clone was there, grinning at him with sharp teeth. Red yelped, moving to step back, but strong hands grabbed his arms before he could. "No, no, you're perfect!" the clone repeated. "The perfect subject!"

Red nodded. That sounded creepy. A touch weird. "Okay...?"

"You're so handsome!"

That caught his attention. A hand cupped his face and turned him, but Red's eyes were locked on the clone's face. Despite the fact that this was a clone, the words sent heat flickering through him. He had wanted for so long to Xiaotian to tell him he was handsome.

He would take this.

"C'mon, my muse," And the clone was leading him into the ship, having come to some decision. "Let's get you set up for your portrait!"

"...okay..." A burst of courage ran through him. "Can we cuddle after?"