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Chapter Text

            If Jen saw another spider in her lifetime, it would be too soon.

            After escaping the Webbed Hollow, travel away from the lair was swift but somber. Bajie barely spoke, keeping to himself during the day and turning in early each night. There was nothing Monkey nor Jen could do but offer quiet sympathy and support.

            Three days later, the trio came across a river and stopped to make camp. Jen nearly cried with relief; she was still finding webs tangled in her hair and clothes and desperately wanted a proper scrub down. Monkey seemed just as uncomfortable, his battle through the caves leaving his fur dirty and matted. He regularly scratched at his head with irritated huffs but little grooming could be done while on the move.

            With a campsite by the river, it was the perfect opportunity to wash up. Jen dug through her bag, finding the last of the items she had saved from her own world. She grabbed the bottle of shampoo, her bathing suit, and some combs before excusing herself from camp. After a quick change into her swimming clothes, Jen returned, wrapped in a towel and carrying the bath supplies in her arms.

            “Monkey, you mind coming with me?” she asked, nodding towards the river. He tilted his head but stood to follow without complaint. “We’ll be right back, Bajie!”

            Uncle Bajie hummed in acknowledgement, barely glancing up from the pot simmering over the fire.

            Jen grabbed Monkey’s hand and lead him further up-stream. When she spotted a shallow bank edged with smooth boulders, Jen set her supplies down and turned to Monkey.

            “Alright! If you get in the water, I can help wash your fur.” His brown eyes went wide, face flushing bright red as he looked between Jen and the river. “You can just take your shirt off if you want. Or would you rather do it yourself?”

            Monkey quickly shook his head and reached to tug off his shirt. He handed the soap bottle to Jen before clambering into the shallow water, shy eyes downcast and face never losing its rosy hue. Jen took a seat on the rock behind him, using a cup to pour water over his head and shoulders. In between rinses, she picked out webs, leaves, twigs, and anything else tangled in his fur. Monkey either couldn’t reach to brush them out himself or didn’t have time to worry about them on the road.

            At first, Monkey perched stiff and still as a rock, barely breathing as Jen sorted and wetted his fur. The longer he sat, the more he leaned into her gentle grooming, enjoying the attention from his companion. Then she added the shampoo and lathered it in, fingers combing through his hairs in soothing patterns. Monkey was gone; completely relaxed and purring in bliss.

            Jen had to hold back giggles she washed Monkey’s fur. Watching him melt under her touch, tail brushing against her legs and happy rumbles buzzing in his chest, was well worth the ache her arms would have later. She started at his neck, massaging the shampoo to the roots and working her way out over his shoulders. When the shape of his toned muscles started to flush her own face, Jen turned her focus back to his head, adding more soap to scrub along his scalp.

            “If you want,” she spoke, voice low and soft to keep the tranquility. “I can help with more of your back; or even your tail?”

            Monkey jolted upright, the mentioned tail yanked out of reach and tucked into his lap.

            Jen winced, not expecting such a strong rejection. “Sorry, it just an offer. I’ll can leave the soap for you to do it your–”

            A sharp screech interrupted her apology. Monkey tore away from her touch and jumped to his feet, flinging water in his wake. Growls and hisses startled Jen even further as he stumbled away, suds still clinging to his fur. It took Jen a moment to realize the problem, noticing Monkey’s furious head shakes and face rubbing.

            “Here!” Jen grabbed the cup and yanked Monkey’s arm to sit him down. Moving his hands away, she tilted his chin back and poured water over his face, rising the shampoo away. “Sorry! I forgot to warn you this stuff stings. You have to keep your head back so it doesn’t get in your eyes.”

            A few more pours and Monkey could blink his eyes open without wincing. Jen felt awful for how red and puffy they looked. She quickly splashed the last of the soap away, leaving him clean from the shoulders up.

            “I’m sorry,” Jen said again, quiet and contrite. “I just wanted to help, not blind you or anything. I’ll let you finish your bath and take a turn later.”

            Catching her hand in his gentle grasp, Monkey turning Jen back to meet his gaze. Even red and irritated, his dark eyes held the same soft kindness that warmed her heart and made her feel safe. His lips pulled into a barely-there smile, offering forgiveness.

            Leading Jen back to the riverbank, Monkey sat her in front him while he retrieved the cup and soap. He poured the water over her head and added the shampoo, coping her earlier technique with surprising efficiency. Jen relaxed, feeling Monkey’s careful claws comb through her hair and massage her scalp. When he eventually rinsed away the suds, he kept Jen’s head tilted back, one hand hovering to protect her eyes.

Chapter Text

            “Hey, Peaches!” A voice in your ear and hands hugging your waist startled you enough to drop your recipe book. Wukong’s tail was quick to catch it before it hit the ground. He placed it back in your hands, propping his chin on shoulder with a chuckle. “What are you doing?”

            “Making dessert,” you answered, setting the book up to read through the instructions. “I said I would bring something for the party tonight so I’m making a pie!”

            You gestured to the various ingredients scattered over the counter. A baking pan, some sugar and flour, and fruit waiting to be chopped for filling. Wukong’s eyes lit up when he spotted the peaches waiting to one side. “Oooh, my favorite!”

            When he went to grab one, you lightly smacked his hand away. Wukong rubbed his wrist, the sad betrayal in his eyes almost breaking your resolve. Almost.

            “I need those to make the pie, you can wait and have some later,” you chastised, pushing the peaches further out of reach.

            “But that’s going to take forever!” he whined. “Besides, they taste best when they’re fresh!”

            In his second attempt, you had to block him with your whole body, barely keeping his arm out of reach. He shifted from one side to the other, but you stubbornly stayed between him and your tantalizing fruit.

            “I won’t have enough for the pie!” you giggled, trying but failing to push him back.  

            “I’ll get you all the replacement peaches you want later!”

            The only warning you had for his next plan was a mischievous glint in his eye. He wrapped his arms around your waist and picked you up, physically moving you out of the way. Unable to touch the ground, you latched onto his arms, keeping them pinned where they held you aloft.

            “Ha! I got your hands!”

            Instead of admitting defeat, Wukong’s face leaned in close, his intense eyes and disarming smile coaxing a blush across your cheeks.

            “And I got my Peach,” he murmured, nuzzling against your neck. You giggled and squirmed in his hold until he pulled back. That’s you saw it. His tail, holding up one of the peaches. With a triumphant smirk, Wukong took a bite of the stolen fruit. “I win.”

            You tried to grab the peach back but his tail just held it out of reach. “Not fair!” you whined as he set you down. “I still have to make that dessert, you know.”

            Wukong hummed, taking another bite. “I said I would get you more.”

            “Then you better hurry.” Turning back to the counter, you started measuring out flour into a bowl. “You have until I finish making the crust or I won’t share any pie with you.”

            “Fine,” he agreed with a dramatic wave of his hand. “I’ll be back before you even get a chance to miss me!”

            His hand grabbed your chin, turning you just enough to catch you in a chaste kiss. With a final wink, he vanished, leaving only the taste of peach on your lips.

Chapter Text

            “So, what do you even do today?” Wukong asked, still half asleep and cuddled up against your back.

            You had both stayed up late, drinking and partying with friends. It was your first New Years celebrated with Wukong so you planned to show him all the traditions and customs you could. He seemed more interesting in the midnight kiss than actually ringing in the New Year but you were happy to share his enthusiasm.

            The downside was waking up late the next morning with a mild hangover. You both were still lying in bed, reluctant to get up as the sun blazed in through the window. Whining, you rolled over to bury your face into your boyfriend’s furry shoulder. The bright light and pounding in your head weren’t exactly how you planning to start a brand-new year.

            “Everyone does something different,” you yawned. “Some people clean their houses, visit family, or get started on resolutions.”

            “Resolutions?”

            “Yeah, things like; ‘I want to go to the gym and work out more’ or ‘I want to save up and go traveling’. Goals and plans people make for the year ahead.”

            Wukong hummed in understand. “What resolutions have you made?”

            “I haven’t really thought of it,” you said. When you glanced up at him, the light made you wince. “Though, it might be to drink less and avoid future hangovers.” Wukong chuckled, brushing a soothing hand through your hair when you tucked your face back against him. “What about you?”

            “I don’t know. I guess…” You waited while he pondered the question, his thoughtful silence deafening in your sensitive ears. “Maybe spend some time with my mate?”

            You went cold, going completely still in his arms. Even your hangover took a backseat to the dread and betrayal whirling in your mind. “You…have a mate?” you forced yourself to ask, voice quiet and muffled against his fur.

            “That depends.” Wukong pulled back enough to meet your hesitant gaze. The cheeky smirk and mischievous glint in his eyes only added to your confusion. “Do you accept my proposal?”

            The question caught you off guard as the words slowly clicked into place. Panic was replaced by excitement, tears misting your eyes as you broke out into a joyous smile.

            “Of course!”

            Wukong caught your lips in a passionate kiss, sweet and thankful with heat simmering just under the surface. Even when you broke away to breathe, he hugged you close, face tucked against your neck.

            “This is already become my favorite New Year,” you said, running your fingers through Wukong’s fur until he was purring and nuzzling against you.

            He only chuckled. “Just wait until we celebrate Lunar New Year.”

Chapter Text

            “You think you can defeat me, Destined One?”

            Monkey whirled around, trying to follow the voice as it carried on the wind. He wasn’t sure where he was or how he got there, only that it was dark with black mist coiling around his legs.

            Worse, he had no idea where his companions were. Even when they stayed a safe distance from his battles, Monkey could always sense Jen and Bajie. Now, there was nothing. Concern prickled under Monkey’s fur, urging him to finish the fight quickly and find his friends.

            “You’re in my domain, now!”

            Something slammed into Monkey’s back, throwing him off balance. He recovered with a roll and turned to attack, his staff striking empty air. The demon had slipped away without a trace. Try as he might, Monkey couldn’t sense where his opponent would appear next. His keen eyes couldn’t discern anything in the hazy void, the air smelled of mist, and a noise like distant thunder stifled his hearing. Only the demon’s voice could cut through the cacophony.

            “There is no escape and there is no victory for you. Your journey ends here and now.”

            The smallest shift of air was Monkey’s only warning. His staff blocked the blade aimed for his neck, shoving the demon back. When he spun to strike, his opponent vanished back into the shadows with a laugh.

            “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to send your companions with you to hell!”

            A spark of anger ignited in Monkey’s chest. While his discipline and training helped him keep a level head during combat, the demon’s taunts had coaxed out his long-suppressed temper. His fur bristled and his tail lashed, a low growl rumbling from throat as he scanned for his target.

            “Oh, did I strike a nerve? Tell me, is it the pig or the human’s death that enrages you so?”

            Snarling, Monkey jabbed his staff towards the noise. Empty mist swirled out of the way as dark chuckles echoed all around. It was muffled but loud, ringing in Monkey’s ears and sending his head into a dizzying spin.

            “That is interesting,” the disembodied voice pondered. “I’ve never found the appeal of humans; weak and useless creatures, better served as dinner. You seem to be quite invested in yours, though.”

            Monkey lashed out again, spinning and swinging wildly, trying to flush the demon from his foggy hiding place. Rage burned through his coiled body, override his judgement, spurring him to find, hurt, kill. Even when his staff stilled, Monkey’s claws itched to deliver a punishing blow.

            “Maybe I’ll keep your little human for a while, see what the appeal is. After all, she isn’t dead…” A quiet shift of wind, a subtle swirl of mist, the near silent movement at Monkey’s back as a single word was whispered in his ear. “Yet.”

            Fueled by a feral rage, Monkey spun on his heel and thrust his staff out, slamming it into the demon’s chest with the full force of his wrath.

            But it wasn’t the demon that was struck down. Monkey blinked, then blinked again. First in confusion, then horror as he watched Jen crumple to the ground instead. Staff clattering from his shaking hands, Monkey fell to his knees, gathering the woman into his arms. Everything else faded away, cold dread smothering his anger and leaving him numb.

            There were many things Monkey knew from his time was a warrior. He knew the resilience of demons. He knew the strength of his own weapon. And he knew the fragility of humans. Even as he listened for a heartbeat or felt for breathing, he already knew it was hopeless. There was no pulse in her chest, no breath on her lips, even her skin had started to grow cold.

            Jen was gone. Monkey had sworn to protect her but brought her demise by his own careless hand. Guilt and anguish wracked through him as he clung to her. Quiet, whimpering sobs tore from his throat, tears falling as he begged for forgiveness. He barely even noticed when the demon’s sword pressed against his throat.

            “What a shame,” the demon tutted in mock sympathy. “Seems the kindest thing would be to let you reunite in the afterlife.” He raised his blade then froze, eyes going wide as he let out an ear-piercing screech. The distant rumble grew to a roar, voices calling out too warped and muffled to understand. Wind and mist swirled in the darkness, whipping into a gale as the demon continued to scream, clawing at his chest before collapsing to the ground.

            As the noise grew to fever-pitch and the shadows closed in, Monkey never let go of his companion as darkness overtook him.

...

            “Monkey!”

            He jolted awake, sitting up in a panic. Instantly, his head started to spin, bright light jabbing his eyes while his other senses were overwhelmed. Sky, shouts, grass, blood, mist. Sight, sound, touch, taste, scent. Taking a deep breath, Monkey got a grasp on each one, grounding himself as he forced his eyes open.

            The first thing he saw was Uncle Bajie across the field, his rake whacking something on the ground. Every swing was accompanied by a string of colorful threats and profanities.

            “Hey, welcome back!” The voice in his ear was teasing and painfully familiar. Monkey snapped his head to the side to find Jen watching him with a soft smile. “That nightmare demon got a hit on you but Bajie took care of him. How are you feeling?”

            Monkey couldn’t believe it. He reached out a shaky hand, grasping Jen’s face while his eyes roamed over her, searching for injuries but finding none. A nightmare; just a trick of the mind conjured up by a conniving demon. Even so, it had felt real enough to shake Monkey to the core.

            Jen’s relief quickly shifted to concern when tears filled Monkey’s eyes. “It’s okay; you’re okay now!” she said, trying to comfort him. “Whatever you saw, it wasn’t real.”

             Instead of answering, Monkey grabbed Jen’s hand and pulled her into his lap. He hugged her close, tail looping around her legs and arms cradling her against his chest. Every breath as she spoke, every beat of her heart, every shifting movement was proof she was still alive. Monkey tucked his teary face against Jen’s neck, her scent and warmth a balm for his raw emotions. Slow and soothing, Jen ran her fingers through his fur until his tears ran dry and his worst fears were put to rest.

Chapter Text

            “Peeeeaacheeees!” Wukong whined, slumping against your shoulder. “I’m booooored! You’ve been on that thing all day!”

            You rolled your eyes, struggling to type as Wukong’s weight tried to throw you off balance. “I already told you; I need to finish this presentation for work. I’ll be done soon.”

            Wukong huffed, dramatically flinging himself back in his chair. “You said that an hour ago!”

            “You know the more you distract me, the longer it’s going to take right?” You raised a brow when he sat up with an offended gasp.

            “I want to spend time with my lovely mate and you accuse me of being distracting?”

            “Flattery isn’t going to speed up my work,” you said, turning back to your computer. “Just…go meditate or nap for a bit. We can do something fun once I’m finished.”

            You refused to glance at him but heard his weary, defeated sigh. “Fiiiine, I’ll leave you be.”

            Hearing him give up so easy set off alarm bells in your head. It was suspicious but you focused back on your task, hoping to take advantage of your hard-won peace. Wukong shuffled into the living room but instead of sulking on the couch, he stood in the middle of the room and started to…stretch.

            You watched as he stretched one arm, then the other, then moved onto his neck and back. All graceful movements and enticing angles. It wasn’t until he reached down to his toes, tail arched and butt on display, that you realized you what he was doing. Tearing your eyes from the tempting view, you forced your attention back to the screen, furiously typing the same sentence twice.

            The next time you dared to glance up, Wukong had moved on from stretches to martial arts, simple kicks and punches against invisible opponents. He flowed like water with each move fast as a lightning strike. It was mesmerizing to watch and made even more appealing by his sudden lack of shirt.

            Coiled muscles rippled under fur with every movement. Sweat glistened on his brow and bare chest. You stared, knees weak and mouthwatering, as he showcased his very enticing physique. Even his cheeky smirk when he noticed your blatant ogling was sexy.

            “Enjoying the view, Peaches?” he asked with a wink.

            Face burning red from both embarrassment and frustration, you turned your gaze pointedly away. “I know what you’re doing; it isn’t going to work.”

            “What? I’m just exercising!” Wukong claimed, eyes wide and brow quirked in fake innocence.

            “Do you have to be dressed like that?” you whined, fighting the urge to glance at the toned arms crossed over his muscular chest. Every shred of your willpower was put to the test but you stubbornly typed out another sentence.

            “There, is that better?” Wukong called after a few minutes of silence, the tone much too teasing to be up to any good. You looked up and immediately covered your eyes with a shriek.

            “WHERE ARE YOUR PANTS?!”

            Wukong cackled, stripped naked with only his fur left to cover him. “Weren’t you the one complaining about how I was dressed?”

            “I WAS TALKING ABOUT YOUR SHIRT AND YOU KNOW IT!”   

            You were at your wits end. Half of you wanted to strangle him, the other half wanted to give in and jump his bones. But the presentation was almost done, only the conclusion left to wrap up. Your shaky fingers rushed to finish as you felt Wukong approach. He hovered just behind you, close enough you could feel the heat radiating off his fur.

            “Don’t pretend I didn’t notice, Peaches…”

            Last sentence typed.

            “…your needy stare…”

            A final read through.

            “…you like my distraction…”

            Saved and copied.

            “…why don’t you take a break…”

            Document attached.

            “…and we can…”

            Email sent.

            “Done!” you shouted, slamming your laptop close and whirling on Wukong.

            He looked surprised and a little nervous when you grabbed the fur on his head and hauled him into a filthy kiss, all tongue and teeth and burning need. “You wanted to distract me?” you growled, tightening your grip on his fur until he hissed. “Now, you have my undivided attention.”

            Wukong’s eyes flashed to something predatory, his fangs sharpening and clawed hands grasping your hips. “Good.” He hauled you up and carried you into the bedroom, tail lashing in anticipation. “I plan to keep it that way.”

Chapter Text

            “You need to be more careful!”

            “I’m fine, leave me be!”

            “Wukong, you are not fine!” you argued, trying to catch his furious gaze. “You got set on fire and thrown in a river. We all thought you were dead!”

            The fight with Red Boy had been disastrous to say the least. No one expected his fire attacks to actually hurt Wukong and lay him low. Watching Sandy and Pigsy fish him out of the river, unconscious and barely alive, had you on the verge of a full blow breakdown. Even after the demon was subdued and the group freed, there was plenty to worry about. The fur on Wukong’s arms and chest had been singed with small burns along his face. He put on a tough façade but there was a distinct weariness and wince in his movements as the pilgrims found a safe place to rest.

            Following Wukong outside of camp that evening hadn’t been much of a challenge. Trying to treat his injuries, though, was a whole other story.

            He scowled when you dabbed a cool cloth against his smarting cheek. “I’m immortal, remember?” he snarled, smacking your hand away. “I’ve fought heaven itself! Do you really think some demon child would be my downfall? Quit insulting me!”

            You rubbed your stinging hand with a tight frown. “I’m just trying to help–”

            “I don’t want help from some human accusing me of being weak!”

            His harsh words lashed your raw emotions and brought tears to your eyes. During your captivity in the cave, you had prayed for his safety and swift victory. Then the relief of finally being rescued was damped by his disheveled state; simultaneously burned and soaked as a half-drowned cat with a temper to match. The overwhelming concern you felt since then was shoved aside, replaced with the hurt and anger of only being ‘some human’.

            “Fine.” Standing up, you threw the cloth back in the bowl, water splashing out onto the ground. “Tend your own wounds.”

            Wukong watched you stomp away, taken back by your sudden outburst. After you disappeared from sight, he flopped back on the grass, biting back winces where his burns stung and pull. The longer he sat alone in the darkness, the more he felt guilt nibbling away at his conscience. Regretful words and misdirected frustration whirled in his mind; all foolish things he wished he could take back but had already pushed you away.

            The night passed slowly but Wukong didn’t sleep, too deep in thought and desperate to make things right before he lost you for good.

…

            Morning came and the pilgrims were up with the dawn. With the most recent danger behind them and one of their companions still recovering, the group agreed to spend the day in rest. The monk meditated, Sandy made breakfast, Bajie took inventory of supplies, and you offered to gather food and water.

            Wukong was nowhere to be seen but you dismissed it as either him tending his wounds, sulking in solitude, or both. You were still too angry to give it much concern and shoved thoughts of the monkey from your mind.

            It wasn’t until you were refilling everyone’s water at the stream that Wukong finally showed himself. The sudden presence dropping next to you would have been surprising if you didn’t recognize the colorful robes and singed fur out of the corner of your eye. Instead of acknowledging him, or even looking his way, you moved onto the next calabash and started filling it unperturbed. When you sat back to switch gourds, something rolled into your lap.

            A peach. Plump and ripe with a slight blush on the fuzzy skin. You picked it up and examined it, glancing at Wukong. His hopeful look deflated when you set the fruit aside and continued your task.

            “Look, I’m…” he spoke, mouth puckered like the words were too bitter to bare. “I’m sorry, alright?”

            You turned and pinned him with a sharp glare, silently demanding a better explanation. Wukong startled a bit at your icy attention, fur puffing and eyes widening nervously. Gulping a bit, he continued.

            “You…were right,” he admitted with a grumbled sigh. “I should have been more careful.”

            “Oh, so the human was right?” you retorted. “And here I thought you were immortal?”

            Wukong flinched as his words were thrown back at him. “I am,” he answered bluntly. No sarcasm, pride, or even anger in his words; just a stated fact. “But…I underestimated Red Boy and could have paid a heavy price for it.”

            The crestfallen expression and heavy, humble words softened your resolve. You handed Wukong one of the filled gourds with a reassuring smile. “It’s over now. Red Boy is defeated and your burns will heal in no time. No sense in worrying about it.”

            “It wasn’t me I was worried about!” The frustration returned, eyes flashing and teeth bared, but there was an edge of panic to it. Wukong stared you down as he snatched your hand, clutching it in a desperate but gentle grip. “I was…afraid. If I couldn’t find a way to defeat Red Boy, if I couldn’t rescue you…I didn’t know what would happen.”

            “But you did,” you soothed, carefully brushing fingers over his singed fur. “Everyone’s safe and we can continue our journey. We’ll just have to be more careful next time.” He flinched under your pointed gaze. “That means you, too.”

            “Alright, I’ll try not to get set on fire again.”

            Wukong jumped and chirruped in surprise when you suddenly hugged him. “Thank you.” He turned his blushing face away, fur fluffing even more and tail twitching in place.

            You pulled back with a bashful smile. “Let’s head back to camp before the others get kidnapped again.”

            Wukong nodded, gathering the calabashes and pulling you to your feet as he stood. With high spirits and a flushed face, you walked back with him, carrying the gifted peach in one hand and holding Wukong’s with the other.

Chapter Text

            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.

Chapter Text

            There were plenty of advantages to visiting the Zodiac Village. The rare moments of safety and peace, training and improvements to gear, and Jen always seemed to enjoy the company of the residence. Something Monkey begrudgingly noticed the longer they stayed.

            His first twinge of annoyance came at Yin Tiger’s. The morning was spent repairing and reinforcing some armor damaged in his most recent battle. While the two demons worked, Jen sat on the nearby porch, taking inventory of their meager supplies. It wasn’t until they prepared to leave that Monkey noted the barely-there scent of tiger lingering from the blanket Jen had been wrapped in. Something about it pricked Monkey’s mind but he quickly dismissed it, focusing on their next errand.

            Xu Dog’s place was always a cacophony of overpowering scents. Bitter herbs, sweet flowers, aromatic elixirs, and the ever-present choke of smoke from his always burning brazier. He had the endless energy of a canine, bounding around his apothecary to gather ingredients and fan the flames for his concoctions. Whenever he would stop, it was always too close, leaning into Monkey and Jen’s personal space with slitted eyes and a sly grin. With more medicine secured, they waved goodbye and were on their way. As the smell of smoke and spices fell away, Monkey could still catch the lingering odor of dog following them. Subtle as it was, the observation refused to leave Monkey’s mind and soured his mood.

            The gardens of Chen Loong always seemed peaceful and serene until Monkey remembered the gardener tending it. Endless complaints and village gossip fell on unfortunate ears as the dragon gathered his latest harvest. More annoyingly, Chen Loong was dramatic in his tellings, leaning against his audience and even hugging them, seeking comfort from his woes. By the time the garden was left behind, both of them reeked of dragon and Monkey was becoming more irritated by the second. Jen patted his shoulder in sympathy but the mixed scents on her skin only flared his temper. He ended up stomping ahead to escape it, tail lashing behind him.

            Finally, they arrived at Shen Monkey’s place only to find him drunk and napping under one of the nearby trees. Monkey went to help himself, filling his gourd and comparing soaks, while Jen tried to wake the sleepy simian. She helped him up, Shen throwing an arm around her shoulders to support his wobbly steps. Monkey glared, body stiff and fur bristling, but it wasn’t until Shen caught his eye and winked that the last of his composure snapped.

            In a flash, he was blocking their path, yanking the other monkey off his companion and hoisting him in the air with a growl. Shen seemed amused by the display but Jen was confused and frantically tugging at his arm.

            “What are you doing? Put him down!” Monkey didn’t glance her way but complied, letting Shen drop to the ground. Jen managed to pull him back and angled him around to face her. “What is your problem? You’ve been acting pissed off all day!”

            “Stinks,” he grumbled in response, nose wrinkling as the mix of tiger, dog, dragon, and now other monkey clinging to his companion only fanned his rage further.

            “What?” Jen asked, crossing her arms and staring him down. “What stinks?”

            “You!” he snapped, backing away even as his hands twitched to do something. Every whiff of other clinging to Jen played on Monkey’s instincts and muddled his thoughts. It took every discipline he learned to keep himself under control.

            He only realized his mistake seconds later when Jen’s confusion turned to outrage. “Excuse me!?” she screeched, “What is that supposed to mean!?”

            Monkey froze in the wake of her fury, mouth moving silently as he failed to explain himself. Even the smack of Shen’s hand to his own face in second-hand embarrassment felt like an applause to the blunder. With a huff, Jen whirled around and stomped away, leaving Monkey to stew in his own shame and fading anger.

            Shen chuckled from his crumpled seat on the ground. “Gotta hand it to you, my young friend; you sure have an interesting way with the ladies.”

            Throwing a final glare, Monkey turned away to reenter the village, accidentally smacking Shen with his tail as he left.

            A few training sessions with Yin Tiger helped burn off the last of his frustration and clear his mind. He meditated afterwards, sorting through the tangle of thoughts, emotions, wants, and instincts. By evening, he had composed himself enough to search for Jen, desperate to apologize.

            He found her sitting under a pine tree, dressed in fresh clothes and hair still wet from a recent bath. Seeing her efforts to remedy her ‘smell’ only added to Monkey’s guilt.

            When she saw him approach, Jen turned away, mouth screwing in a pout as she hugged her knees. “There, now I don’t stink,” she muttered, refusing to meet his gaze as she fidgeted with the grass at her feet.

            Monkey sat next to her with a sigh. “You didn’t stink,” he said after a moment. “You smelled like…everyone else.”

            Finally, Jen glanced at him. “Everyone else?”

            He nodded. “Yin Tiger, Xu Dog, Chen Loong, Shen Monkey,” he grumbled the last part, the memory of the cheeky wink still rubbing his fur the wrong way. “It was…overwhelming.”

            “Overwhelming?” Jen repeated, watching him curiously. The longer she stared, the redder his face became under her scrutiny. “So, I don’t…smell bad?”

            Shaking his head, Monkey pulled her into a comforting hug. “No. You smell,” beautiful, wonderful, perfect, “fine. I didn’t mean to insult you. I spoke out of turn and I’m sorry.”

            Jen didn’t answer, only hummed in thought and leaned into the hug. Relief flooded through Monkey at the silent forgiveness. The nervous tension he carried finally relaxed and he tucked her against his side to watch the sunset. Her fresh, sweet scent of incense and mist was soothing to his ruffled nerves. And if his own musk mingled with hers during their embrace, all the better.

Chapter Text

            Jen huffed, pinning the weasel demon with a glare. “This map isn’t done.”

            Monkey hummed in agreement, glancing over her shoulder to see the scroll. A vague line was squiggled across the middle with pointed arches making lazy mountains and rounded scribbles attempting trees. It looked more like a child’s drawing than any respectable map.

            The weasel tried to hide his frustration behind a smile. “That’s the beauty of it! You get to fill it out yourself!”

            “I’m not interested in cartography!” Jen snapped, toss the useless scroll back. “We just need a map of the Flaming Mountains! Do you have one or not?”

            “Of course I do! Let me just find it really quick!”

            Monkey and Jen watched the demon dig through his pack for the dozenth time. They had been traveling through the woods when the weasel merchant appeared out of nowhere, offering various goods and supplies. His promise of a map of their next destination caught their attention but after nearly an hour of refusing his counterfeits, they were both starting to lose patience. Monkey was growing especially annoyed with the lingering leers and flirtatious remarks towards his companion.

            After a few minutes, Jen let out an irritated sigh. “Look, if you don’t have it, we’ll just be on our way.”

            “I do! Here it is now!” The weasel held up yet another tied-up scroll in triumph. “A guaranteed path through the Flaming Mountains!”

            “Alright, let’s see it then.” Jen held out her hand but the map was dangled out of reach.

            “Now now,” the demon tutted. “I can’t just give out trade secrets so easily.”

            Jen met Monkey’s eye in silent question. He shook his head, earning a scowl from the weasel. It quickly shifted back to a smile when Jen addressed him. “We aren’t buying it if we can’t see it’s legit.”

            “Fair enough. Tell you what, miss human!” His grin sharpened as he leaned into Jen’s personal space. The closer he got, the more Monkey’s temper flared, fur standing on end and eyes narrowed in warning. “Why don’t you ditch the monkey and stay at my camp tonight? You can pour my drink, keep me company, and we can look over the map all night long.”

            Monkey lunged forward, screeching in outraged as he tried to catch the weasel by the throat. But Jen was faster. A loud smack echoed through the trees as she brought her hand across the merchant’s furry face. He tumbled to the ground, cursing and clutching his snout as he tried to right himself.

            “You wench! How dare you?!”

            “You absolute creep!” Jen shrieked, offended and wrathful. All the weasel’s snark vanished when she stomped towards him, hand reared back for another slap. “You need a map to find some decency!!!”

            With a cowardly squeak, the merchant shifted into his animal form and skittered away, disappearing into the woods. The instant he was gone, Jen marched over to the abandoned scroll, snapping it open to peer at the contents.

            “Good news is, it’s a real map,” she said, reading over the detailed paths and towns. Rolling the map shut, Jen tucked it into her own bag and leaving a gold nugget as payment. “Bad news is, we still lost an hour of time.”

            When she turned back to Monkey, Jen was surprised to see him still frozen in place. His eyes were wide in awe, face and ears flushed pink, and the fur from his brow to his neck fluffed up. Jen would have thought he was scared if his tail wasn’t wagging behind him in excitement. Her smile turned sultry, a flustered chirrup leaving Monkey’s chest as she sauntered towards him.

             “You know, the sun will be setting soon,” she mentioned oh so casually. Monkey continued to stare, heat and hunger darkening his eyes when Jen ran a hand over the soft fur of his chest. “Should we make camp and take a look at that map instead?”

            The question was barely asked before Jen was suddenly thrown over Monkey’s shoulder. She giggled as he quickly strolled down the path, scouting for a more private camping spot.

Chapter Text

            “Come on! You’ll never get anywhere just standing around!”

            You shot Wukong a dirty look. “Easy for you to say,” you snapped back, watching him float on his personal cloud without a care in the world.

            Wukong scoffed, pointing his tail accusingly. “Hey, you were the one that wanted to learn Cloud-Stepping, remember? This is how you do it.” He gestured out to the open air around him with a grin. “It’s not so bad once you get used to it.”

            In any other situation, you would be enjoying your time on Fruit and Flower Mountain. You could see everything from the highest peak; the waterfall cascading in brilliant blue, the monkeys playing in the jungle, and the ocean that separated the paradise island from the rest of the world. But the problem wasn’t the view.

            Swallowing your nerves, you glanced over the mountain ridge. Nothing but rocky cliffside all the way down; not even an overhanging tree to break your fall.

            “Is it safe?” you asked, trembling slightly as you toed the edge between stone and air.

            “Frankly…no.” Wukong quickly waved his hands to calm your rising panic. “But, don’t worry! I’m literally right here! What’s the worst that could happen?”

            The Monkey King smirked in self-assurance but you couldn’t help the primal urge to stay planted firmly on the ground. The more you thought of the empty space below, the more you wanted to scramble back down the mountain. “You’ll…catch me if I fall, right?” you asked quietly.

            “Whaaa? That’s not the attitude you wanna be using, right now!”

            Instead of retorting, you only stared with a fearful plea. Wukong seemed startled at first but quickly sobered his attitude. He met your gaze, golden eyes more serious and reassuring than you were used to. “I promise, I won’t let anything happen to you.”

            You nodded and glanced back down to the cliff. Steeling your nerves, you took a breath and jumped, flinging yourself towards the void.

            For a gleeful moment, you felt like you were flying, floating weightless on the wind.

            Then gravity took hold, breaking your hopes with a ruthless pull. You saw Wukong’s mildly surprised face spin away as you plummeted off the side of the mountain and towards the rocks below. Wind whipped past you, doing nothing to slow your fall. You could only scream and brace yourself for the inevitable crash.

            Instead of the ground, something much softer caught you. Hands scooped you out of the air, gently breaking your fall and holding you close. Still trembling and fighting to breathe, you peeked your eyes open to find Wukong. His grin was teasing but his tight grip was almost apologetic as he cradled you to his chest.

            “See? Told you I was right here!”

            “You couldn’t catch me sooner?” you cried, clinging to his robes. The ground was still too far away for your liking even from the safety of the Monkey King’s arms.

            He shrugged, slowing his cloud down to an idle float. “I was waiting to see if you could actually pull it off.”

            The words prickled your already frayed nerves. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

            Wukong realized his mistake too late, chuckling a bit and refusing to meet your furious stare. “Weeeell…only immortals and demons can really figure out the whole flying thing. But you seemed so excited to try it and I didn’t want to discourage you.”

            “So, you’d rather watch me jump off a cliff to try and fly like an idiot?” you asked, crossing your arms.

            “You wanted to try Cloud-Stepping; I was there for safety reasons,” he argued with a frown. “Besides, if you train hard enough, maybe one day you’ll learn it for real.”

            “Like that’s ever going to happen.”

            “Hey, you never know! But for now,” Wukong nuzzled against you before pressing a kiss to your cheek. “I’ll be more than happy to fly you wherever and whenever you want.”

Chapter Text

            “I’m back!” you called. The door had barely swung shut when you froze, taking in what you could only describe as chaos.

            The whole apartment was turned upside down with a dozen Wukong’s rushing about. Every cabinet and drawer in the kitchen was open with utensils and cutlery crowding the counters. A pot was boiling on the stove, being stirred by one of the monkeys wearing an apron. In the living room, one of the couches had been lifted on its side for a vacuuming Wukong to reach underneath. Another monkey was hanging from the ceiling, dusting the fan. From your shocked position by the door, you could see a trail of clothes leading to the laundry room and the unmade mess that used to be your shared bed.

            Something floated in front of your face before popping in a flash of gold sparks. “YOU’RE HOME!” Wukong was suddenly in front of you, grinning wildly as he lifted you into a hug. “YOU WERE GONE FOREVER!”

            “I was only gone for a few hours!” you said loud enough to be heard over the still running vacuum.

            Wukong set you on your feet but kept his arms around you, still bouncing in place. “It felt like forever and I missed so you so I started cleaning the apartment! I’m dusting, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, running laundry, washing dishes, and even making dinner!” he said in a rush, all the other clones grinning and nodding with pride.

            “That’s…very sweet of you.”

            You glanced behind him, noticing a can sitting innocently on the coffee table. Stepping over the pile of clothes and around the vacuum, you picked it up for a closer look. It was one of your energy drinks you kept in the fridge. A shake confirmed your suspicions; empty.

            “Did you have one of my drinks?” you asked, holding the can up.

            “Yeah, I found it in the fridge! It was peach flavor so I wanted to try it. Didn’t taste very good though.” Wukong made a face before zooming over to you, hurtling the loveseat with a perfect flip. “Why? You’re not mad, are you?” His excited face crumpled, eyes wide and apologetic. “I’ll go get you some more if you want.”

            “No, it’s not that,” you assured him, kissing the corner of his pout. “They’re supposed to give you energy. Which I guess explains all of…this.” The clones all turned to you at once with curious head tilts. It was too cute not to giggle at. “How about I help you finish cleaning then we can eat dinner and relax? Sound good?”

            It took a few hours to put the apartment back in order. You directed each monkey to finish their tasks one by one. The laundry was folded and put away, the bathroom was scrubbed clean, the bed was remade with clean sheets, the sofa laid back down, and dinner cooking in the organized kitchen. Each clone received a thank you and a kiss on the cheek before vanishing in a golden hair. Soon enough, it was just you and the original Wukong left to relax.

            “Thank you for all your hard work today, Wu,” you said, reaching to scratch the fur on his head. He didn’t answer but leaned into your touch with a grumble.

            Curious, you rounded the couch and found him fast asleep, sprawled out and quietly snoring. You bit back a laugh while nudging his shoulder. “Come on, Wu, let’s get you to bed.”

            He whined, flopping onto his side to lay down instead. “Too tired.” When you tried to rouse him again, Wukong wrapped his arms around you and pulled you onto the couch with him. Within seconds, you were trapped in a monkey cuddle, Wukong already half asleep as he nuzzled against your neck. Chuckling, you pressed a gentle kiss to his temple and settled in for an impromptu nap.

Chapter Text

            It wasn’t a particularly nice bar. Just a nondescript hole in the wall on the dodgy side of town. Wukong wasn’t even sure of the name. He found it one night while sheltering from a sudden downpour. The food was greasy, the liquor was cheap, and it was dry enough to wait out the storm.

            He was nursing a drink in the far corner when a microphone was brought out and set up across the room. Only then did he notice the sign ‘Friday Night Karaoke!’ and groaned in immediate regret. A few drunk patrons with enough liquid courage in their system started the torture with tone deaf slurring and off-key screeches. By song three, Wukong had ordered a stronger drink and was ready to make a quick escape, rain be damned.

            That’s when he saw you for the first time. A quiet commotion by the bar caught his eye; some of the servers were giggling and shoving you towards the stage. With an embarrassed smile, you took the mic and waved shyly as the drunkards cheered. Clearly you were a regular and a crowd favorite.

            Wukong downed his drink, preparing himself for another round of suffering. Instead, the most enchanting sound perked his ear and captured his full attention.

            It was a love song, sultry and sweet as it floated through the air. Everyone, including him, listened in silence as you serenaded the bar in velvety tones. Every soft word and caressing note tugged at Wukong’s heart and flushed his face red. Too soon, the song ended and you bowed to the roaring applause. Stunned and a little flustered, Wukong slowly clapped along with the others, watching as you rejoined the crowd.

            More songs were attempted and the bar filled as more people hurried in to get out of the rain. Eventually, Wukong lost sight of you in the suffocating horde and decided to call it a night. With a final longing glance over the room, he ducked outside, your voice still stuck in his head as he hummed along to the pitter-patter of raindrops.

…

            A week later, Wukong found himself in the same bar. This time, the room was already packed with a party crowd claiming most of tables. He almost turned on his heels to leave but paused when he spotted you, drinking and chatting with the others. Retreating to his quiet corner, Wukong ordered a drink and settled in, eager for an encore performance.

            His excitement to see the mic was dampened by a whole group following you to the stage. The song was up beat and popular, encouraging the whole bar to sing along. While he was hoping to hear your beautiful voice alone, the crowd’s enthusiasm was too infectious to leave him discouraged. Others took the mic but you stayed seated the rest of the night, much to his disappoint.

            Closing time rolled around and you stumbled out the door with your friends, still giggling and singing as you walked together. Wukong followed at a distance, listening to your drunken melody echo down the street until you were safely home.

…

            Friday came and Wukong strolled into the same bar, making his way to what was becoming his regular table. Before he could even order his drink, he picked you out of the crowd. This time, you were alone, seated at a table with a half empty glass and a nervous expression. The mic was brought out but you didn’t move, too busy staring at the door. An hour passed and your face become more crestfallen with every person who entered.

            Wukong watched curiously as a server brought you another drink and patted your shoulder in sympathy. They whispered something and gestured to the stage with a hopeful smile. You nodded, downing the glass in one go before standing.

            Mic in hand, you started a slow, somber melody. It was another love song but one of heartache. Raw emotion filled every beautiful note while you sang your heart out. Wukong could almost see tears in your eyes as you released whatever feelings were bottled inside. It pulled his heartstrings, made him want to hug you close and protect you from whatever caused such pain. The final note trailed off and you were already shuffling off stage before the applause began.

            Snatching his glass, Wukong weaved through the crowd, casually sauntering up to your table as you sat back down. “You sing beautifully,” he said, offering a toast with his glass. “The song was a little sad, though.”

            You shrugged, glancing at him with watery eyes. “Thanks. Wasn’t really in the mood for something fun.”

            Seeing you so sad nearly broke Wukong’s heart. Half of him wanted to cheer you up, the other half wanted to demand who was responsible and make them pay. He settled for a sympathetic query. “Everything alright?”

            Taking another swig of your drink, you set it down with a sigh. “It’s dumb. My friend tried to set me up on a date but it looks like the guy stood me up. Just my luck, I guess.”

            “Sounds like he’s the only dumb one,” Wukong snorted. Your quiet chuckle instantly lightened his spirit and brought a blush to his face. “But in that case…” He set his glass down and pull out the other chair, seating himself with a charming smile. “You mind if I keep you company?”

Chapter Text

            They were talking again. Well, the spider lady was talking, Monkey nodding along as she gestured to the cave below. Jen couldn’t hear what was being said across the cavern and wasn’t really in the mood to find out.

            The fourth sister was leading them through the spiders’ lair, bypassing traps and dangerous bugs that would have slowed their progress to a crawl. It was beyond helpful and put her in great danger if her family found out. But there was a tension Jen couldn’t help noticing.

            Spider lady only ever spoke to Monkey, whispering warnings and chastising him with insults that were almost playful. She watched him wistfully, a fond look in her eyes whenever his back was turned. Over the course of the day, she slowly gravitated closer to Monkey, never quiet touching but constantly lingering in his space.

            As the spider sister inched closer, Jen hung back further, weighed down by her heavy pack and heart. Every once in a while, Monkey would check she was still behind them; just a quick, confirming glance before following whatever path the fourth sister pointed out next.

            By the time the group stopped to make camp, Jen’s fuming had fizzled out to a weary melancholy. It was childish and petty but she couldn’t help the jealous eating away at her. The fourth sister clearly held an affection for Monkey and, as far as Jen could tell, he was fine with letting her all but cling to him. As bitter as it made her, the pair made sense; the spider was lovely in her human form and was demon like Monkey. Jen could only resent her meager human status and accept overwhelming defeat.

            She jabbed at the fire, taking her frustrations out on the glowing coals. It was small, not much kindling to burn, but it was enough light and warmth to make the cave feel less gloomy. Jen’s fire abuse was interrupted by Monkey taking a seat next to her. Fourth sister had disappeared, leaving them alone for a moment and letting Jen breathe easier. Monkey grabbed one of the sticks skewering a roasting mushroom and tried to hand it to Jen. She shook her head, stomach churning at the thought of food.

            “Not hungry.”

            Monkey frowned but set the refused meal back by the fire. He untied his calabash next, offering water but Jen barely acknowledged it.

            “No thanks.”

            Concern growing, he scooted closer, scanning her over for injuries or illness. Even as Monkey stared, Jen refused to look up, making him more anxious by the second. He placed a hand over hers, stilling her fire tending.

            “What’s wrong?” he asked quietly.

            The fact that I had to watch a spider lady flirt with you all day while following along like the unwanted third wheel?

            Jen shoved her bitter thoughts aside. “It’s nothing.”

            A hand brushed her cheek, trying to catch her attention. “Please tell me?”

            “It’s not important,” she dismissed again. As she was set to continue her jealous brooding, Monkey’s face leaned in until Jen had nowhere else to look. His dark eyes were wide and soft, a pleading pout on his lips as he stared pitifully at her. It was such a strange but adorable expression to see on his usually stoic face.

            Jen rolled her eyes, biting back smile at his antics. It was enough for Monkey, who reached up to poke the upturned corner of her mouth. She was too distracted to notice the tail creeping up on her until it was rubbing against her neck, soft fur tickling a surprised laugh out of her. While Jen tried to escape the tail, Monkey sat up and pulled her into a hug. He nuzzled against her hair and coddled her with comforting coos.

            “Alright, jeez!” Jen huffed but didn’t pull away from his embrace. Silence followed as Monkey waited patiently for her to explain. “You and the spider sister have been getting close and…I feel like I’m just in the way.”

            Monkey tilted his head in confusion. “She’s just helping.”

            “I know.” Shame and embarrassment burned through Jen as she forced the words out. “I’m glad she’s helping. She just seems to like you a lot.”

            Realization lit up Monkey’s eyes and he smiled, soft and reassuring. “She is a friend and ally but nothing more. When we leave, we leave together. Fourth sister will have her own path to follow. Okay?”

            Jen’s face flushed red but she nodded, nerves calmed by his words. She leaned into his warmth as his arms and tail cuddled her to his chest. Even the spider sister’s eventual return did nothing to dampen her lifted mood. Whatever they faced in the webbed hollow next, Jen was relived to know they would face it together.

Chapter Text

            Pain. That was the first thing Jen registered as she came too. A dull throbbing at the back of her head and a ringing in her ears. She slowly opened her eyes and winced at the bright light. The world was a spinning mix of colors that left her dizzy. Smoke and soot burnt her nose, turning her stomach with the acidic scent. She tried to get up but her body wouldn’t cooperate, limbs weak and heavy where she laid on the ground.

            The last thing she remembered was the bridge. Monkey had been ahead, taking on the tiger’s acolyte while Jen gave long range support, returning arrows to the archers taking potshots at them. Bringing up the rear was Marianne, consulting their jumbled mess of a map. The group was nearly across when all hell broke loose.

            “Watch out!” Mari shouted, pushing Jen forward while she scrambled for cover.

            Jen had seen an arrow with a lit fuse strike the ground just before it exploded. The sound was deafening, the heated blast slamming into her chest. She was flung off her feet and sent crashing into a stone pillar before her mind went blank.

            Still regaining consciousness, the woman blinked as a face swam into view. Mari. She barely looked at Jen, annoyance clear in her half-second glance. A tug on Jen’s belt pulled her translator talisman loose and into Mari’s eager hand.

            “It’s no use,” her voice echoed over the ringing. “We need to go before the other rats come to investigate.”

            Mari was shouldered out of the way as another person came into focus. Monkey. He looked panicked, dark eyes wide with concern and mouth pulled into a deep frown. Jen tried to smile but winced when it twinged her aching head.

            Slow and steady, Monkey lifted her off the ground and leaned her against the wall. His hands felt along her skull until she flinched, gently brushing the bump under her hair. The grimace deepened but he cooed in reassurance, checking Jen over for other injuries.

            Mari watched on with increasing impatience. “Just leave her! She’s no good to us in this state; she’ll only slow us down!”

            Monkey shot Mari a warning glare, lips pulled back just enough to show the tips of sharp teeth. She quickly backed off, hands up in surrender; Jen noticed one of them was still clutching her jade talisman. With a final huff, Monkey turned back to his injured companion.

            “I’ll be fine,” Jen said though she knew Monkey wouldn’t understand without the translator. She smiled softly and patted his hand. “Just hit my head a little.”

            Shoving off the wall, Jen stood and instantly became dizzy. The world spun and the ground shifted as she stumbled sideways. Quick hands caught her and tucked her against Monkey’s side. Jen’s head was still throbbing and her balance was skewed; there was no way she could keep up with the others.

            “Whatever we’re doing, we need to do it fast,” Mari said, grabbing Jen’s backpack and bow. “If we keep moving forward, we might be able to find a hiding spot before the rats catch up.”

            Monkey nodded but didn’t let go of Jen. Instead, he knelt down and wrapped her arms around his neck before lifting her onto his back. Any other time, she would have argued, but the pain and vertigo dismissed her complaints.

            Mari scowled, muttering in disapproval. “I still say we leave her.”

            Growling quietly, Monkey marched passed her and continued their trek across the bridge. Even with Mari’s glare digging into her back, Jen clung to Monkey, selfishly relieved she hadn’t been abandoned.

Chapter Text

            A loud, gurgling sound echoed from the back of the group. Monkey and Jen paused, exchanging questioning glances before both turning to Bajie. He had been keeping a slow pace most of the day and was now leaning heavily on his rake, pale and clutching his stomach.

            “You feeling okay, Bajie?” Jen asked.

            “What do you think!?” the pig snorted, wincing when another sound bubbled from his belly. “You should have warned me you were keeping poison in that pack of yours!”

            Monkey raised his brow in alarm while Jen only stared in shock. “Poison? What are you talking about? I don’t have anything poisonous. There’s just some medicine and bath stuff you shouldn’t eat.”

            “No, it was definitely food! Or was supposed to be. I found the bag you were hiding in the side pocket. It wasn’t very good but I finished it anyways.”

            Jen patted down her pack until she found the empty bag in question and bit back a grimace. “Bajie, these snacks went bad weeks ago. They probably weren’t safe to eat.”

            Bajie growled, nearly doubling over. “Too late for that. Should have gotten rid of them instead of hiding them for nefarious means!”

            “I forgot these were even in here!”

            Monkey stepped in before the argument could go further. “Uncle, will you be alright?”

            He scoffed. “It’ll take more than a meager poisoning to take me out. Let’s get moving.” Bajie stood up straight and immediately broke wind, long and loud until it trailed off with a high-pitched toot. He glared when the others tried and failed to stifle their giggles. “You think this is funny?”

            Jen broke first, nearly wheezing as she doubled over, tears in her eyes and sides aching. Monkey had turned his back to hide his own chittery laughter, tail twitching and curling in amusement. Their Uncle glared and snorted before stomping off the path and into the trees. “I’m going to take a break! Don’t laugh yourselves to death while I’m gone!” he fumed, rolling his eyes at the snickers and giggles still echoing through the forest.

Chapter Text

            “Wukong, what is all this?”

            An ornate chest was perched your coffee table, the poor wood creaking under the massive metal weight. Inside was overflowing with gold coins, pearls, and jewels. Your eyes scanned over the priceless treasures but you didn’t dare to touch.

            “Well, you said you always have to work to get money, so…” Wukong gestured to the chest with a proud smirk. “Now you can stay just stay home with me and not have to work ever again.”

            You smiled but it was with a pinched wince. “Wu, that’s very sweet of you but I said I go to work to earn money. I wouldn’t feel comfortable just taking all of this. Besides, trying to pay rent or get groceries with a bunch of gold coins isn’t really feasible these days.”

            Wukong’s enthusiasm crumpled, his face falling into a pout and his tail drooping. “You don’t like it?”

            Guilt tugged at heart and you almost changed your mind just to cheer your monkey up. “Of course I do,” you soothed, wrapping your arms around him. “It’s a very thoughtful and lovely gift. I’m glad you want to help but I like my job and earning my money through hard work.”

            He sighed but nodded, returning your hug. “I understand. I was just trying to help.”

            “I know and I appreciate it.” You pressed kiss to his furry cheek in thanks. Wukong still seemed crestfallen at his fumbled gift, glaring at the chest like he wanted it to vanish on the spot. “If you want…” He glanced at you, tilting his head curiously at your pondering tone. “Maybe I can take a few days off and we can use your gift here for a little vacation? Just the two of us?”

            Wukong’s tail perked up and his gold eyes brightened excitedly. “Really?”

            “I said I liked to earn my money,” you teased with a suggestive smile. “But I’m not opposed to the occasional pampering from my King.”