#sweetbeefshipping

Sun Wukong is beautiful.

That was a common agreement between the sworn brothers. You would have to be blind not to see it, especially when Wukong laughed. Yes, DBK knew the others were attractive, but nothing could compare to Wukong’s sunshine-warm laugh. Anyone would be a fool not to fall when they heard it.

Anyone.

Including the celestial sitting at Wukong’s side, across from him, who was smiling as Wukong poured him wine. DBK had no idea why Erlang Shen was here or eating lunch with them. He had arrived to find him here, chatting with Wukong, both of their weapons to the side and Erlang Shen’s hunting hound snoozing away. Before DBK could even think about what to do, Wukong had seen him.

And now he was here.

Eating with a celestial.

A celestial who stared at Wukong like he wanted to kiss him.

“So,” Wukong said as he dropped into his chair. “What brings you by, Brother Ox?” He grabbed a peach and took a bite, the juice running down his chin and dripping across his hand.

DBK took a breath and tore his eyes away from that peach. “Must I have an excuse to visit you, brother?” he said, smiling at his sworn brother. “I missed your face.”

Wukong made a delighted chirp. “Aw, I miss your face too!” he said.

Good, Wukong was unaware. “May I ask why you are here, True Lord Erlang Shen?” DBK turned his gaze to the celestial and allowed his smile to drop. He could smell scheming, especially around his oblivious beloved, and that smell grew stronger as Erlang’s smile faded to stare steadily back. “I found you chatting with dear Sun with weapons visible.”

“Ah, yes,” Erlang took a sip of his wine. “Blame it on my own curiosity. I heard that a powerful warrior, capable of striking fear into the dragon kings, lived here.” A small smile formed at another of Wukong’s delighted chirps. Wukong had always been very proud of that stunt. “So I came, wondering if I had found a worthy opponent.”

“And you did.”

“Until he got bored.”

Wukong let out a fake gasp, his hand on his chest. “Jian, do you say I’m a boring conversationalist?” DBK raised a brow. He was already so familiar with this man? Something boiled in his gut.

“Of course not, I think-”

"You're cold?"

Wukong and Erlang both paused. The former spoke, craning his head back to stare at the bright blue sky. "No? It's super sunny right now-"

“Take my cloak anyway." DBK dropped his cloak on his sworn brother. Wukong yelped, the fabric blocking his eyesight, preventing him from seeing DBK making a slashing motion across his throat. Erlang’s eyes went wide, the third eye set in his forehead even opening at his gall.

“Okay,” Wukong’s head popped up as he adjusted the cloak around his body. His cap had been knocked off but he couldn’t bring himself to be sorry. Not when his scent covered the beauty. “Weird, but fine.”

“Absolutely fine.” DBK leaned back with a satisfied grin.

“Wukong.”

“Hello, Azure,” Wukong felt a smile form as he turned to his sworn brother, away from the basket of fruits. It kept his mind away from last night and the subtle ache he could still feel under his collar. “My apologies for canceling dinner last night. Something…came up.”

The lion huffed, his fond smile appearing. “It’s fine. It was a boon for me.” He took a deep breath before reaching out and gently gripping his hand. The realization made Wukong’s heart sink. “Sun Wukong, I need to admit that-”

“What are you doing?”

The cold voice made Wukong’s heart sink even further. Azure’s hand clenched around his before he turned, raising a brow. “Brother Ox. What are you doing here?”

DBK glowered at them from the doorway. The fur around his mouth was still a little red. The throbbing under Wukong’s collar grew faster and a little hotter at the sight and Wukong eventually had to look away. Azure’s hand around his was a warm comfort. How long would he be able to have that?

“I asked you first.” DBK growled, stepping closer. Azure didn’t step away but simply glared back.

Wukong had thought that the fighting over him was just some lighthearted rivalry.

Oh how wrong he was.

“He’s asked to court me,” Wukong said. He pulled his hand away as Azure turned to stare at him. He couldn’t look at those shocked purple eyes, not without wanting to scream. “He stayed the night so we could…discuss things.” Please help me.

Of course, his sworn brother couldn’t read minds.

“I see,” Azure hummed. Anger flashed over his expression before it smoothed into calm. “Well, I see my cowardice has paid off.” He reached out and patted DBK on the arm. “Treat him well, brother.” He took a deep breath.

And then he was leaving.

DBK waited until Azure was gone. The moment the last flick of his cape disappeared, his hand wrapped around the hand Azure had gripped. “If he ever touches you again, I’ll cut his fucking hand off.”

Wukong bit back a whimper. He took a deep breath. “Azure won’t touch me again. I promise.” It was better not to fight. Not now, not until he figured out how to escape the claiming mark under his collar. “Don’t worry, my love.”

DBK sighed, leaning forward and kissing his forehead. “I trust you.”