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The first time his glamours came off Wukong just wanted to stay in bed that day.
But it is hard too when the kid you love asks you to come over and have a movie night. Wukong was going to say no but when the kid pulls out the puppy eyes it’s hard. What's worse, his not-so-enemy was coming too. “I know you two don’t like each other very much but I really want both of you to be there!” Mk smiled at Wukong without a care in the world. He really didn’t want to go after that but instead now he’s sitting between Mk and Mei while they talk about the most confusing things to him.
A knock on the door makes Mk pop up. He runs to the door and swings it open, “Macaque you’re here!” Wukong can hear the happiness in his voice and it makes him smile a bit. He can’t like Macaque but he can’t help but feel happy when the black haired monkey brings a smile to the kid’s face. Mk pushes Macaque inside and they make eye contact. Wukong quickly looks at the floor, he doesn’t know why but he can feel his face heat up. Macaque is pushed onto a chair next to the couch and is now being bombarded by both Mk and Mei. Wukong's tail wraps around his own leg and he can’t stop the flush on his face. What is happening to him right now? He glances towards the chatter and Macaque seems a bit bored but he’s listening, until he glances at Wukong and they make eye contact again. Suddenly He’s really thirsty.
‘What am I doing…?’ Wukong rubs his face with hands. His tail thumps the ground so he grabs it. “Shit- what is wrong with me…” Wunkong hisses, and pinches the bridge of his nose. He walks back out to the living room. Red son is being cuddled by Mk, Mei is talking to Tang and Pigsy, and Macaque and Sandy seem to be having a nice conversation. Wukong sighs in relief, he wasn’t in the mood to have a conversation with anyone right now. Though his nose feels weird. Wait-
His sneeze shook the house. He rubs his nose, and realizes that everyone is staring at him. “Sorry about that guys! That was dramatic huh?” Wukong laughs a bit. He looks at everyone and they look surprised except for Mk and Mei. They both practically have stars in their eyes. Wukong looks over at Macaque and his face is flushed red, and he even looks shocked. “What? Is there something on my face?” He rubs his face, seeing if the sneeze left anything behind.
“Monkey King…” Mk starts, and Wukong looks over at him confused. “YOUR HAIR IS SO PRETTY!!!” Wukong flinches at Mei’s outburst. “My hair..?” Wukong lifts his hand to his head and feels his hair grow out. Shit- He runs to the bathroom and looks into the mirror. His glamors haven't fully fallen, thank Buddha, but the ones that he put on his hair has. His fur has darkened but thankfully his scars aren’t showing. He had let it grow out, he doesn’t want to think about the reason why, and now it is much past his shoulders, the curls almost swallowing his face. ‘I sneezed so hard my glamor fell off.’ He combs his hand through his head and sighs. He washes his face, opens the bathroom door, and promptly gets tackled.
Now the Great Sage finds himself sitting in front of the couch while the Monkey Kid and the dragon girl comb and mess with his hair. Red son lounging in another chair, while the others are getting food ready in the kitchen. “You have so much hair! I was really surprised but I guess it makes sense. Y’know I never thought about it-“ Mk just babbles and Mei adds in every now and again, so Wukong doesn’t really have a chance to speak. He felt a bit embarrassed because no one besides- it doesn’t matter, but it’s been a while since anyone has touched his hair. Macaque is still sitting in the chair that he was pushed into. His eyes narrow and never leave Wukong. This is freaking him out. Why was Macaque looking at him like that?! Wukong can’t help but cover his face with his hands again. “Done!” The dragon girl cheers. “Monkey King, you look so pretty!” Mk beams out. Mei hands him a mirror and what he sees surprises him. He looks… nice? His hair is tied up into a ponytail that reaches past his shoulders (was his hair really that long?) with braids on the side of his head connected to it, all of his hair pulled back beside a few strains working as bangs. “Wow! This is amazing, thank you guys!” A warm smile spreads on his face. “No problem, Monkey Man!” Mei grins, and Mk gives a thumbs up. “Dinners ready!” Pigsy yells from the other room stopping the conversation going any further.
The rest of the night goes on well. Each movie is a different genre and the comedy one is on right now. Everyone seems to be having a good time, though the movie is a bit dumb, but even Red son has cracked a smile or has laughed a few times earning a hug from Mk. Wukong is leaning on the armrest of the couch with Mk snuggling an embarrassed Red son. Wukong is just happy everyone’s together, but what’s getting at him is that Macaque keeps looking at him. It’s irritating! He feels like the blood won’t leave his face and it’s burning him! ‘Is my hair that bad? I should’ve just redone my glamours.’ His thoughts consume him, so when a sharp laugh from Sandy echoes in the room, it causes him to jump. ‘I need to clear my mind.’ He rubs the bridge of his nose, and glances around again just to catch purple eyes already looking at him. Wukong’s eyes go big but he doesn’t look away this time. Something about Macaque's eyes fill him with something warm, something that he hasn’t felt in centuries.
Wukong looks away after what feels like forever. He shakes his head and tries to focus on the screen again but thoughts flood his mind. ‘I can’t. Not again. I’ve already hurt him so much and he’s hurt the kid. I can’t. But I want to so badly. To feel his cold embrace once more. To hear that stupid nickname and snarky remarks that flow with love. To not be alone in my bed anymore.’ A tap on his shoulder pulls him away. “Monkey King, what type of movie do you wanna watch next? Maybe horror or like a car movie?” Mk asks with his signature smile and happy tone. “Actually, bud, I think it’s best that I go home for the night.” Wukong tries his best not to look at the back haired monkey again. “Aw really? Well I'll bring a movie next time I’m over for our lesson!” Mk grins. Wukong smiles softly and ruffles his favorite and only successor's hair. “Of course kid, whatever you want.”
The second time was actually on purpose.
Kinda. He was in the river with all the other monkeys. The adult ones wanted to relax a bit so Wukong was watching over the baby monkeys and bathing them. He let go of his hair glamours because he recently found out the little ones love to lay and cuddle it. They’re much more cooperative because of it. Wukong is currently sitting under a tree drying off the youngest of them while the others are either playing or sunbathing. The little monkey has drifted off in Wukongs lap, so he’s just leaning on the tree while combing his hand through her hair. It’s been a minute since his head wasn’t overflowing with thoughts. “Hey Bud~,” a laugh from a branch above him ruins it. The shadow falls from the tree and hangs upside down in front of Wukongs face. “Having a good day it seems?” Macaque grins sarcastically. Wukong just gives him an unimpressed look. The earns a snicker from the other and Wukong just rolls his eyes. “Do you need something or are you just here to annoy me?” The orange monkey spits. “Hey I haven’t even done anything yet.” Macaque raises hands in defense. Wukong lets out a huff, raises a hand, and pulls his thick hair over his shoulder. Wukong forgot that his hair now has white streaks and fades into white at the ends due to his possession. He suddenly feels embarrassed and kinda exposed. He didn’t want Macaque to see it. He was about to put his glamours back on but one look at Macaque made him stop.
Macaque was staring at him? It seems like he is- His eyes are tracing all over him but their eyes never meet. His hand looks like it’s about to reach out and touch him. His face is a bit red and there’s this glint in his eyes. “Macaque..? You um- you good?” Wukong knows his face is fully red, and his voice a bit more strained than he would like it to be. Macaque snaps out of the trance that was over him and pulls his hand away. Macaque flips down and goes to the other side of the tree. “I’m fine.” Macaque barely mumbles out. Wukong’s eyebrow raises but shrugs it off, going back to petting the little monkey in his lap.
“Why did you grow your hair out?” Wukong hears from the other side of the tree. ‘Shit. I can’t tell him, I would die of shame if I wasn’t immortal.’ “Um I guess I just forgot to ever cut it.” It was soft but Wukong knew the other monkey heard it. “Really that's it?” Macaque obviously doesn’t believe him. “Y’know you’re a horrible liar.” ‘He can still read me like a book- this is bad.’ “Well I don’t know what you’re talking about because that’s the truth!” Wukong tries to act confident but it’s not working very well. “Sure.” Macaque laughs a bit before it goes quiet again and the monkey's mother comes to get her little one. “Hey.” Macaque nudges Wukong’s tail with his own. “What now?” Wukong sighs. “Take the glamour off your tail.” He says it more like a demand than a request. That surprises Wukong. He knows Macaque could probably see everywhere he wears his glamour but actually asking to see what underneath the facade he puts up is… interesting to say the least. It could even make Wukong feel hopeful.
Without more than a grunt, Wukong lets the glamour on his tail go. The hair on it has grown into long curls and because of the white streaks Macaque can't help but think it’s like a sunset in cloudy skies. He might be going crazy but he thinks he can even see stars in it. Wukong shifts uncomfortably, not knowing what the other is thinking is killing him. “What cat got your tongue?” He tries to be snarky but nothing comes from it. He’s shocked when a tail wraps around his own and squeezes very lightly, reassuring almost. He never thought his face could feel so warm.
The third time they were washed away.
His feet dangle off the cliff side. Wukong hasn’t been in this spot for what feels like eons. He looks down at the old scarf he's cradling in his lap, his eyes soften, and memories flood into his mind. ‘“Aww Man!” Wukong holds his ruined head scarf in his hand. The brotherhood had just finished a battle and his scarf got torn up in the fight. “I told you to be more careful.” His knight walks over with an unimpressed look. “Cmon Mac, don’t knock me while I’m down!” Wukong whines. He then feels something wrap around his neck. “Stop whining already so we can get back to the others.” Macaque ties his own scarf around Wukong’s neck. When he’s done he is about to step back, but a hand grabbing his sleeve stops him. He’s met with a kiss on his cheek. “Wha- huh!” Macaque spazzes out confused. Wukong just gives him a toothy grin, “Thanks Mac!”’
Wukong finds himself laughing a bit at the memory. They can’t go back to how they used to be, he knows that. But he can’t stop his mind from bringing back all the happy memories. The ones filled with love and laughter. He grips the now withered scarf. ‘I truly ruin everything I touch huh.’ He doesn’t realize tears have swelled in his eyes until one falls onto his hand. Then two. Then a few turn into a waterfall. He brings the precious scarf to his face and cries into it as he shrinks into himself. He stays there. Maybe for a couple minutes or centuries, he doesn’t care to know. He knows he doesn’t deserve to cry about what once was but he can’t stop his body. He sinks further into his mind; he might as well be drowning at this point.
A chirp from behind him brings his mind back. He lifts his screaming head and looks toward the tree line. A few of the monkeys have found him, using the trees to cover themselves from the downpour. When did it start to rain? The monkeys chirp some more and motion for their king to come find shelter from the rain. The King tries to hide the scarf from the rain, he then gets up and goes with other monkeys. Wukong goes into his house with them. ‘Ugh my hair and clothes are soaked.’ He goes to his bathroom and moves his soaked hair out his face. Crap, why does this keep happening. You guessed it, his glamour fell again. This time on his eyes, his frighteningly red eyes glare back at him. ‘What, did I cry them off? He leans closer to the mirror. Man I’m glad Mk hasn’t seen them, I would give him nightmares.’ His laugh is dry. This is a poor way to try to make himself feel better.
Wukong takes a bath and changes into a hoodie, sweatpants and the oh so familiar scarf around his neck. He doesn’t bother putting back on his glamour, and he sits on his sofa while the little monkey cuddles and lays around him. He uses a towel to wrap his hair up so it can properly dry. He leans his head back. What is he doing? Why does he still try to hold onto something that’s not there anymore? Tears fall once again trailing down the side of his face and his eyes close. That night he dreams of purple eyes and mangos.
The final time he felt like he was complete again.
He would say he’s avoiding everyone. He’s just keeping himself anyway from the people that he has constantly hurt. Mk has tried to convince him to hang out some more but all he can see is him hurting the kid even more, so he finally found the will power to say no to the puppy eyes. He hasn’t seen Mk’s friends for a good while, which is obviously for the best. And Macaque- to be honest, he has no clue where he is. Last he heard from Mk is that Macaque was doing more shadow plays recently so who knows. Plus it’s not like he misses jerk, nope, not at all.
Wukong has been trying to keep himself busy. He tried painting again, but a lot of them kept coming out looking like a certain six-eared monkey. He decided he didn’t want to embarrass himself even more. So he did other things. Watching a series of something other than himself for once, taking care of the monkeys, cleaning around the whole mountain, and trying to come up with reasons why Mk shouldn’t come over. For some reason, he’s been more sensitive? You could say. Sometimes he’ll be watching the baby monkeys play or walking around the island, and he’ll just stop and tears will fall from his eyes. Crying off the glamour he’s put on a hundred times already. It always causes the sky to darken and rain to fall.
It’s been about a month or maybe two, he stopped keeping track, from the last time he saw Mk. They had a training session and Mk brought a few of the movies he missed when he left early from movie night. It was nice but the Sage was still very distracted. Mk noticed a few times and tried asking him questions. Wukong tried to act like everything was normal but the kid was obviously not convinced. When he left the mountain, hesitantly, Wukong felt worse than before. So of course the best course of action is to completely isolate himself, but, who would guess, seemed to make him feel worse. Right now he’s just rotting on his sofa, wearing the scarf that he cares for so much, and trying not to let himself cry once more. All his glamours are up, his eyes, his hair, his tail. Everything about his appearance is fake, and that’s how it should be. He had to hide the growing bags under his eyes this time though.
A knock at the door makes his ear shift. ‘It’s probably just one of the monkeys.’ He tells himself, burying his face into his scarf and pillow. A few more louder knocks hit the door. Wukong tries to bury himself even more. The knock goes away finally. “Hey y’know it’s rude not to answer the door~” Wukong hears an oh so familiar laugh. “And it’s rude to come into people's homes without permission!” Wukong’s about to sit up but then he remembers what’s around his neck and his face heats up. He quickly takes it off and shoves it under the pillow. The shadow monkey notices all the rustling and Wukong’s quicken heartbeat. “What is the great Wukong hiding now?” Macaque teases as he walks to be in front of Wukong, who is now sitting up straight. “I’m not hiding anything and if I was it would be none of your business.” Wukong doesn’t look at the other monkey. A few moments go by and Macaque hasn’t said a word. Wukong finally looks at him and he seems… disappointed?
“Uh- Macaque? Bud?” Wukong grabs the back of his neck, a bit insecure about how Macaque is staring him down. Macaque shakes his head and his sly smirk returns to his face. “If you’re not hiding anything, then what’s under the pillow?” Macaque steps closer, reaching for the pillow. Wukong’s tail smacks Macaque’s hand away, and covers the pillow with his hands. His face is burning at this point. Macaque looks at his tail and his eyes fill with an emotion that Wukong can’t put a finger on. “Come on, Wukong just let me see!” Macaque leans closer while Wukong’s hand presses his hand on his chest trying to push him away. “No! Back off!” A wrestling match starts and it puts a smile on Wukong’s face after months. It reminds him of how they used to be. After a few minutes, Macaque ended up on top of Wukong on the floor and their play fighting caused the pillow to fall anyway. Macaque looks over, sees the scarf, and freezes.
Wukong realizes that Macaque saw it and he pushes him off of him. He grabs the scarf and hides it behind himself. “I uh-! I can explain!” Wukong stammers, his face is completely flushed. Macaque's face turns slightly pink as well and he just stares at Wukong wide eyed as he tries to explain himself. Due to Macaque’s lack of reaction, Wukong can’t even speak anymore and sits back down on the couch, his bright red face buried in his hands with the scarf on his lap. Macaque’s tail thumps the ground as he realizes what this could mean. “You still have that?” Macaque asks in a quiet voice. Wukong just nods, too ashamed to even look at him.
Macaque sits next to the embarrassed monkey. “Wukong, your glamours, take them off.” Macaque grabs Wukong’s hand and peels it from his face. “Why? So you can make fun of me? Isn’t that why you came here in the first place?” Wukong hisses. “No actually, the kid came to me worried sick because he hasn’t seen someone in 2 months. He practically begged me to check on you.” Wukong’s eyes widened. “Really? Shit- I’ll have to visit him soon…” Wukong voices quietly but he knows that Macaque heard him. “More importantly, what’s been up with you lately? You stop wearing your glamours and suddenly they’re back up in full swing?” Macaque starts interrogating him. “Why do you care? It’s not like I look good without them!” Wukong snaps back, avoiding the question.
“What?” Macaque looks like Wukong like he grew two more heads and an extra tail. “You- don’t think you look good? The Handsome Monkey King doesn’t like his appearance?” Macaque says it like it’s the most shocking thing in the world. “Well it’s not like I look like the ‘Handsome Monkey King’ without them…” Wukong wraps the scarf around his neck and looks away from him. “I don’t believe that.” Wukong whips his head back at Macaque. “What?” Macaque acts like he didn’t just say the craziest thing he’s ever heard. “Take your glamour off and I'll show you.”
Wukong’s glamours fell from him, hair flowing down his head and tail, and his red eyes matching the color of his face. “All of the glamour, Peaches.” Macaque scoots closer. Wukong's breath hitches then he sighs. Scars start appearing across his skin and over his fur, but the most apparent one is on the crown of his head. What surprises Macaque the most is that white freckles appear on his face. His hand comes to cradle Wukong’s face. “Shit… Peaches you..” Macaque can't even describe how beautiful Wukong is. How could Wukong hate his appearance? How could he say that as if he does hold Macaque’s heart in his hands? Macaque’s hand grabs the back of his neck and collides their mouths together earning a gasp from Wukong.
Macaque pushes Wukong back onto the couch, shifting his head to the side to deepen the kiss. Macaque’s hands travel up and down on Wukong’s waist, making Wukong whine a bit. Macaque pulls back to see one of the prettiest sights. Wukong’s face is extremely red, the blush even traveling down his neck. His freckles almost seem to glow and stand out even more. His hair lays around him like clouds bathed in sunlight. “Fuck you’re gorgeous.” Macaque kisses all over his face. “Moonlight…” Wukong combs through Macaque’s hair and Macaque relaxes and puts his full weight on him, tucking his head into his neck. Wukong wraps his arms around Macaque’s neck and gently pulls Macaque’s head back so he can look at him. Wukong kisses Macaque's eyes, a wordless apology. “We should talk about everything…” Wukong sighs as Macaque kisses down his neck. “We will… later though.” Macaque snickers, then nips the nape of his neck. Wukong shivers but laughs a bit. “I’ve missed you, my moon.” Wukong holds Macaque's face in his hands. “Me as well, my King.” Macaque nudges their noses together. That night, the two monkeys found peace with each other, even if for a little bit.