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janetbrown711 · 2 years ago

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Little Lion Man (.5)

Tang takes the kids to the zoo and surely nothing goes wrong <3

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 8.5 Part 9 Part 10 Part 10.5 Part 11

Ao3 Link

Tang was bad with maps, even on a good day.

Well– excluding maps of the Ming Dynasty, which he studied extensively in many classes and found rather fascinating– but that was the only exception. Plus– it wasn’t like he could really list where any of that mapped up in modern China so…

Yeah, Tang was bad with maps.

Which was why, roughly thirty minutes into this whole field trip, he, MK and Mei were already thoroughly lost and confused.

“Mr. Tang, I wanna see the monkeyssssssssssss,” MK pulled on his sleeve.

“I know, I know– I just– I thought they were right here, but this is just goats and stuff– I really wish these pictures weren’t so small,” Tang muttered to himself as he tried to examine the map.

“Nevermind the monkeys MK– The reptiles are right over there!” Mei pointed.

“Look, we agreed to see the Monkeys first, and then we’d see the reptiles at their feeding time, remember?” Tang reminded the girl.

“Yeah… but they’re right there, Mr. Tang– can’t we just–”

“That’s not fair though!” MK cut her off. “We agreed! I wanna see the monkeys first!”

"Mei, MK is right– we agreed monkeys first– plus don't you want to see them eat the spiders and bugs and stuff?" Tang tried to remind the girl again.

"Wait– did you said spiders…?" MK froze.

"Mr. Taaaang– you weren't supposed to let him know that!" Mei facepalmed. "Now I'll never get to see the komodo dragon."

"Oh MK– do you have arachnophobia?" Tang placed a hand on his shoulder.

"What? Why would MK not want Arachnids to kiss?" Mei asked and Tang turned red.

"N-no, no– arachnophobia is a fear of spiders and other arachnids," Tang coughed and explained.

"Oh– well then he definitely has that," Mei said and MK nodded in agreement.

Tang rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Would it help if I told you the spiders would be dead and are actively being fed to their predators so there’s nothing to be afraid of?”

MK shook his head. “They’re so creepy,” he shuddered.

Mei groaned. “See??? This is why I didn’t wanna mention it,” she crossed her arms and huffed.

Tang didn’t want to entertain this nonsense any longer, and so tried once again to study the map and his surroundings. They were at the Addex exhibit, which was near the sea lion show as well as giraffes and yaks and basically a whole bunch of deer-like animals.

As he looked around, it seemed the Sea Lions were to the right, and the deer were south, so if he went west… no, no that’d take him to the Zebras– well, if he cut through “Prairie Path” he could possibly make it back to the monkeys– though hopefully they wouldn’t get distracted by the candy shop in the middle of that path– UGH, why was this so tricky? And why couldn’t Pigsy be here?

He was proving himself. This was a test– a test that, like most, he didn’t study for, but he’d be fine… right?

“Mr Taaang!” MK suddenly said.

“What MK?” Tang sighed in annoyance.

“Mei ran off to the reptile room,” MK pointed into the bustling crowd.

“WHAT—?!” Tang immediately started looking for her, but due to this being a field trip, she was practically swept away in an ocean of blue and red uniforms.

“C’mon MK– let's go find her,” Tang took MK’s hand, but MK pulled back.

“Wait– but that’s not fair! W-we were s’pposed to see the monkeys first!” The kid repeated.

“I know MK, but we cannot lose Mei or else Pigsy will literally never, ever, ever trust me again,” Tang pointed out, and tried to get his hand again.

“B-but–”

“MK,” Tang snapped. “Do you want Mei to get lost or hurt?”

MK shook his head and looked at the ground.

“Good– let’s go then,” Tang successfully took his hand and together they stumbled through crowds until they entered what could only be described as the most humid building in all of existence.

“Mei!” Tang immediately called out, but nobody so much as turned their head. Tang rubbed his forehead and approached the nearest zookeeper.

"Uh– hi there," He waved awkwardly. "Have you seen a little girl in this uniform, with weird pigtails and hair that's finally starting to even out but still kinda looks like it was cut by a blind butcher?"

"I wouldn't say it was that bad," MK muttered.

"I'm sorry sir, but there are many students from Megapolis City Academy today– as you can clearly see," the woman gestured around. "Do you have anything more specific to go off on?"

"Uh… she wants to see the komodo dragon– where is that?" Tang asked.

"Ah, yes– our most popular room. Go down the right and you'll see a giant sign," The woman pointed and Tang nodded graciously before taking MKs hand and practically dragging him over there.

Lo and behold, there was Mei, standing atop the ledge staring intensely at the large reptile.

"Mei– holy crap– you cannot just run off like that-! You scared me half to death!!" Tang scolded and sighed a breath of relief at the same time.

"This isn't a real dragon," Mei frowned.

"Of course not– dragons are gigantic– not to mention they only live in oceans and rivers and stuff– and it's crazy unethical to trap a conscious being," Tang placed a careful hand on her shoulder.

"How do you know it's not conscious?" Mei asked.

"Well uh– it can't talk, like you or I," He shrugged. "Even the ancient dragons could figure out speech. Anything that hasn't at this point probably lacks the capacity from a– uh– scientific standpoint."

"Hmm… maybe that's why he isn't talking to me," she sighed and got down.

"Sorry Mei," Tang consoled despite his confusion.

"Whatever. I guess he is kinda cool– besides, the lady says feeding time'll start soon! Maybe I'll get to feed it some deer meat!" Mei beamed, meanwhile MK looked like he was going to be sick.

"Oh– I don't think that's how it works with kimonos– they're very dangerous lizards–"

"Well I'm a dangerous lizard," Mei crossed her arms.

"Mei– you are seven years old, and I swear to the gold star of Venus I am not having you die on my watch," Tang put his foot down.

"But you said we'd be here for feeding time! And it's gonna be soon– those stupid monkeys will still be there," Mei whined.

"Monkeys are a lot cooler than stupid old lizards!" MK fought back.

"Why did it have to be the day I'm watching them?" Tang looked at the ceiling and muttered.

"A komodo dragon could totally beat a monkey in a fight," Mei snipped.

"Puh-lease! Sun Wukong could totally wipe the floor with Ao Lie!" MK smirked.

"What?! Taaang-! There's no way that's true!" Mei turned to him.

"Ah geez– can't we just have a nice day you two? Monkeys and Dragons have very powerful aspects for their specific environment and circumstances– so how's about we accept the beautiful biodiversity of earth, and call it a day, hm?" Tang pleaded.

The kids stared at him blankly.

They then looked at each other.

"I bet I could beat you in a fight," Mei smirked.

"What?! I'm not a monkey!" MK protested.

"Aren't humans just monkeys?" Mei looked to Tang again.

"W-well– yes– but–"

"See? I'll totally kick your butt," Mei cracked her knuckles (or at least attempted to).

"Mei! MK! Can you please stop fighting?" Tang begged.

"Then tell him lizards and dragons are cooler!" Mei demanded.

"Mei, I–"

"You said we'd see monkeys, then lizards-! You promised! And I hate spiders!" MK was getting teary eyed.

"I know MK–"

“But it’s almost feeding time already! And he promised me that we’d be there-! And they’re dead!”

“Okay-! You know what–?” Tang took both of their hands and pulled them out of the room, out of the building and back outside. “If you two keep this up, then we won’t see any monkeys or more lizards, or any feeding times, understood?”

“B-but–!” Mei tried to protest.

“No– because you know what? You scared the crap outta me running off like that– and quite frankly, I-i don’t think I can let that go,” Tang crossed his arms.

“B-but I didn’ even do anything wrong!” MK cried.

“I-i know, MK–"

"What?! He was being a total meanie about lizards!" Mei gave him a look.

"Mei– please–"

"This isn't fair, Mr. Tang--y-you said– a-and I don't wanna see spiders– I wanna see the monkeys-!" MK protested as tears rolled down his cheeks.

"MK–"

"Oh sure, take his side," Mei mumbled.

"Young lady, that is no way–"

"I wish Pigsy had taken us instead!" MK suddenly shouted at Tang, stunning him.

"M-MK, I–"

The second the scholar opened his mouth, the boy booked it into the wild– just quick enough to slip out of Tang's reach and causing the scholar to trip onto the ground, hurting his ankle and hands.

"Wait– MK!" Mei called for him, but her friend was long gone.

"Ngh– cmon Mei," Tang slowly pulled himself up, cursing internally at his scrapped hands.

"Wait– but the–"

Tang shot her a look and Mei immediately shut up.

Tang took the girls hand and together they tried to chase after where MK had gone, but frankly the kid was a runner and with crowds this big and paths that winding, it was almost a lost cause in seconds. It didn’t help that Tang had tripped either, as his infamously weak ankles felt even weaker and he needed to sit after five minutes.

"W-well we know he wants to see the monkeys– so why don't we just go there?" Mei asked as Tang stopped to breathe.

"Because we don't even know where they are– much less MK," Tang sat on a bench and massaged his throbbing ankles.

"Why don't we ask an adult for help?" Mei asked, sitting next to him.

“You know I’m an adult, right?” Tang gave her a look and she half-shrugged. "Besides, if I lost MK and told an office, they'd call the school and then they'd call Pigsy and I really don't think he wants that right now," Tang rubbed his forehead.

"Is everything always about Piggy to you?" Mei asked in a confusing tone.

"I– no, of course not-! I want to have fun with you two, not just for him– you two are cool and nice and– gah– I don't know what I'm even saying anymore," Tang cursed himself.

Mei went quiet for a moment, legs swinging as she watched the crowd and Tang weighed his options.

Either go to the zoo's security office and report MK missing, getting him flagged by the school and turning Pigsys mood from bad to worse to awful, or believe that through whatever instincts MK had he was going to find the monkeys– even if Tang himself very much couldn't.

"I'm sorry for running off, Mr. Tang," Mei suddenly apologized.

Tang sighed, "Thank you, Mei, just don't do it again."

Mei nodded and scooted a little closer to the scholar, slowly resting her head on his arm, which surprised him.

"I… lizards are cool though, right?" She glanced at him.

"Of course, Mei, but you gotta respect what MK wants too," Tang shrugged his arm playfully.

"I-i know, but--w-well Mama and Baba used to take me to see the lizards eat when I was little," she looked at her feet. “The komodo is new though– and I– well I dunno…”

Tang paused. "Is that was this is all about? Do you miss your parents?"

Mei nodded slowly. "I-i know I shouldn't– that I have you and Piggy, but–"

"Mei, you're allowed to miss them until the sun burns out of the sky– it was a terrible thing that happened to you, something you might never truly get over, and that's okay," Tang wrapped an arm around the girl.

Mei nodded again. "I… I want MK to see the monkeys."

"Me too– I just feel really bad for getting us lost in the first place," Tang sighed. "Sorry you two couldn't get a better chaperone and group."

Mei just kind of shrugged. "No one else wanted us."

"What–? Mei, there's no way that's true," Tang turned to her.

"No, it is. I heard Mrs. Yang talking about it once. They said if we were together and by ourselves then I wouldn't fight Qiang or anyone else and nobody volunteered to have us except you because they don't want troublemakers who– run… off…" Mei's face fell as she realized.

Tang hugged her for a moment, before asking, "You wanna go check the monkeys first?"

Mei nodded and after Tang worked up the courage, they asked some of the zookeepers and made their way to the monkeys.

Lo and behold, MK was standing right in the middle of the interactive dome– and to Tang surprise, all of the monkeys were absolutely laser focused on him. They were jumping around, showing him rocks, and even attempting to reach through the dome to… groom?

"Does this… normally happen..?" Tang asked a zookeeper, who shook his head.

"Never seen any kind of monkey take a liking to a visitor this strongly– especially rhesus macaques," He said, stroking his stubble.

"Uh huh…" Tang agreed when Mei tapped his arm.

"Is it just me, or is MK lookin’ a little… goldy eyed?" Mei tilted her head.

"Mei, I'm sure it's just the lighting," He assured, though now that he got a look MK almost looked like he was glowing..??? Nonono, it had to be the light.

"MK!" Tang called to him, but the kid was too focused on playing peekaboo.

"MK!" Tang tried again, and one of the monkeys looked at him with a head tilt.

"Oh boy, we've totally lost him to his special interest," Tang half joked, but Mei didn’t know what he meant.

Seeing no other option, Tang walked awkwardly over to the interactive kid area, even having to go so far as to crawl on his hands and knees before he was next to MK.

“Having fun?” Tang asked with a small but smug smile.

MK jumped– bonking his head on the plastic dome, and causing a distress call through the swarm of monkeys.

“ACK– Sorry– I didn’t mean to scare you– though you did kind of scare me– so… even?” Tang tried to joke.

“I– y-yeah,” MK fidgeted with his blazer. “I-i– I’m sorry Mr. Tang– i just– a-and when you promised– I like promises– b-but not when–”

“I know, I really am sorry– this whole mess is my fault,” Tang sighed and MK quickly wrapped his arms around his neck, which filled Tang with relief as he hugged him back.

“I’ll never run away again– never, ever, ever!” MK declared, and Tang chuckled.

“I know, MK, I know,” he rubbed his back until MK was good and ready to let go.

“A-are you gonna tell Piggy?” He sniffled.

“I don’t know,” Tang sighed. “We can’t have this become a pattern, you know?”

“I promise I won't! Never ever for forever! N-no matter how sad or scared or angry,” He kept promising.

“Alright– alright, I won’t if you won’t,” He laughed a little and wiped a tear from MK’s cheek. “Now, how’s about you head out and you and Mei can swap apologies, alright? And then maybe you can let me make up for this whole disaster that is all technically-not-technically my fault by heading to the gift shop a little early, hm?” Tang smiled weakly.

“Oh– really?!” MK lit up and the monkeys hooted and hollered in excitement.

“Totally! Pigsy lent me some money the other day– plus he said he’d pay me back– so we can totally get something– anything,” Tang ruffled MK’s hair, which made the kid laugh before crawling out of the space and rushing over to Mei at such a pace Tang struggled to keep up.

“Mei-! Mei-! Tang’s gonna let us go to the gift shop!” MK beamed.

“Woah– cool,” Mei didn’t seem as excited (rich kid, go fig) but she feigned it for her friend.

“Ah ah ah– apologies first,” Tang stopped the two of them.

“Oh– uh–” Mei bit her cheek. “M’sorry I tried to stop you from seeing the monkeys and also said I’d fight you.”

“M’sorry I said lizards are lame and insulted your great million times great grandpa,” MK said.

“S’okay– you’re probably right from Mr. Tang’s stories,” Mei shrugged with a little smile.

“Not when it comes to underwater fighting! Monkey King sinks like a rock– cuz he is one,” MK said, and Tang nodded in agreement.

“Woah,” Mei’s eyes lit up.

“Alright you two, hug it out,” Tang laughed a little and the pair of besties instantly hugged each other tight.

“Can we go to the gift shop now?” MK asked the second he and Mei stopped hugging.

“Okay, okay–” Tang laughed, digging out the map. “The gift shop should be just on the other side of the monkeys so we can take a look at all of those while we make our way– does that sound good?”

Mei smirked, “Last one there is a–”

“Uh-uh–” Tang immediately grabbed both of their wrists, “–We are not doing that again.”

Mei laughed, “I was joking.”

Tang suppressed a laugh. “Yeah, not funny though.”

“Mmmmmmmmmmmm, it was a little funny, Mr. Tang,” MK pointed out.

“Why thank you, dear MK,” Mei grinned.

“Uh… no problemo, dear Mei,” MK grinned back, making the two of them burst into laughter.

“Alright you two– let’s go,” Tang said, finally letting go and thankfully the kids didn’t realize that it would be undoubtedly hilarious if they did decide to run off now.

“So why were those monkeys staring at you MK?” Mei asked.

MK shrugged. “I dunno. I think they just get me,” He grinned a little.

“With all the bananas you eat? Totally,” Mei snickered, and MK laughed too.

“I can also climb good! Up stairs, on cabinets, on trees– I’m a total ninja,” MK bragged.

“Oh I can believe that,” Tang laughed along, and MK had a little more pep to his step after that.

When they reached the gift shop, Mei bolted to the stuffed animals and started looking for something big (sorry Pigsy), meanwhile MK was more keen to browse.

“This magnet’s funny,” MK chuckled and showed Tang a magnet with a howler monkey drinking coffee out of a mug that said “I HATE MONDAYS”.

Tang snorted, “Is that what you want?”

MK hemmed and hawed before shaking his head and setting it down. “I want something that I can have in my room that’s– like– mine, you know?” He looked up at the scholar.

“Of course,” Tang understood. “Do you want a shirt? Or something like an action figure or toy or something?”

MK thought about it, eyes glancing over at the shirts before he shook his head. “Mr. Piggy’s got me lots of shirts and stuff, I’m okay.”

“What about a snowglobe?” Tang looked at one that had a bunch of dinosaurs lighting firecrackers for what was supposedly New Years.

“Mmm, I dunno I–” MK’s eyes were suddenly stuck over where Mei was, and when Tang noticed he followed his gaze to a long armed monkey stuffed animal– complete with a red hat atop its head.

“Ooo, you want one of those?” Tang smiled, but MK shook his head.

“No– I’m not allowed soft toys– makes ‘soft boys’.”

Tang furrowed his eyebrows, “That’s not true, MK– and besides, I’m sure Pigsy wouldn’t mind,” he gently reminded the kid of his new state of life.

“Oh–! Right! Yeah!” MK instantly lit up and ran to the plush, instantly giving it a hug test before nodding. “Yep– this is the one! I love it,” he beamed.

Tang laughed, “I’m glad you like it– Mei, do you have anything?” He called out to her and she hid her plush behind her back with a mischievous grin.

“I wanna get me one of these bad boys,” Mei revealed her selection to be a rather large dragon plush with quite the immaculate detail (which would of course raise the price– sorry Pigsy but Tang really needed to make it up to them).

“Ooo, what’s his name?” Tang asked.

“I’m namin’ her Jade– like the rock and color,” She grinned at the plushie.

“You know– Jade is half the size of you. Are you sure you’re gonna be okay carrying her around all day?” Tang pointed out.

“I am a big strong dragon girl– I think I got this,” Mei flexed one of her arms.

“Alright– but I’m warning you that if you’re too tired by the end of the day, I’m not holding it,” Tang said.

“Psh, I totally gots this, Mr. Tang,” Mei waved him off and Tang rolled his eyes before going to the checkout.

…By 1:03, Mei’s arms were tired of holding Jade and Tang was basically the certified toy carrier as Mei and Mk ran to get as close to the exhibits as possible, and Tang didn’t want either of them to get left behind or damaged. After looking around at leopards and gazelle and bears, the three of them had lunch and ice cream before it was time to head back home.

Tang was technically supposed to have brought the kids to the restaurant, but he did have a spare key, and the kids were pretty tuckered out, so Tang decided to take them home instead– shooting Pigsy a quick text to explain.

Tang was let right in, thanks to Pigsy adding him to his security listing, and in not too long, they were finally all home free–

Except Pigsy was there with Gatita on the couch.

"Uh… hi?" Tang approached and Pigsy nearly jumped out of his own skin.

"Hey-! How was the field trip?" He asked, and Tang raised an eyebrow.

"It was cool! All the monkeys loved me!" MK gloated, "And Mr. Tang got me a monkey!! I love him so much! I’m gonna name them Luanshi– that means pebble."

Pigsy got up and looked at it with a crooked smile, "Yeah I think it suits ‘em"

"Ooh, Mr. Tang! Show him mine!" Mei demanded, and Tang pulled out the large dragon plush from the gift shop bag.

"Wow– how's about that? She looks just like you," Pigsy snorted.

"I don't have a mustache," Mei giggled.

"Eh, more in spirit," Pigsy ruffled her hair and she laughed as she pulled away.

"So… what's she doing here?" Tang glanced at Gatita, who stood up from the couch now.

"I think I should get going now, Mr. Zhu– it was lovely seeing you all again, take care now," Gatita smiled warmly at the four of them before taking her leave, which didn’t help Tang’s suspicions.

Pigsy took a long breath before forcing a more jovial expression for the kids. "I bet you two little rascals are tired, huh? So how's about you go rest in your rooms for a bit?" He looked at MK and Mei who ultimately agreed and headed to their rooms to crash.

"So…?" Tang asked, a bad feeling forming in his stomach.

"Woah– hey now– it's nothin' like that Tang, I swear," Pigsy practically read his mind.

"Sorry, I– uh– I didn’t mean like that–" Tang rubbed his forehead. "It's just a little weird to see Gatita so relaxed– she's usually so proper it's borderline ethereal," He laughed a little.

"Yeah, well she was just helping take care of me after I- uh…" Pigsy stopped and rubbed a white bandage on his hand.

"Oh– did something happen at the restaurant?" Tang got concerned.

"Yes and no," Pigsy sighed, going to the fridge and getting a soda.

"What does that mean? Was there a bad customer– did that one lady come back? The wife of the inspector or the one who accused you of kidnapping? Either way, they’re totally gonna pay" Tang riled himself up.

"No– no, not like that, I–" Pigsy looked everywhere except at Tang.

The demon sighed. "Remember how I told you about… Sandy?"

Tang's face fell and he nodded.

"...that was eight years ago today."

"Oh…" was all Tang could think to say. His instincts told him to hug Pigsy, his fingers twitching to urge him on, but the scholar didn't move.

"Y-yeah, and I got a bunch of phone calls too– or maybe I didn't and I was hearin' things– either way I was set off and made a complete fool of myself by not even turning on the sign outside, or setting out the stools or whatever," Pigsy scratched his neck and went to the couch, where Tang followed.

"Sounds serious,” he tried to console.

“It was…”

Tang placed a hand on his knee. “How’d she find you?”

"She had apparently called me twice to ask if I wanted to get lunch or something to check up on the state of things. When I didn't answer or open the shop she got concerned and went lookin for me," Pigsy explained.

"Oh, well that's good," Tang smiled a little. "I'm glad you were taken care of– and sorry I couldn't be there."

"Don't sweat it– I knew what I was doing," Pigsy tried to laugh, but he just sounded sad. Thankfully this time, Tang listened to his instincts and held Pigsys hand.

"I'm so sorry," He looked into the deeply tired eyes of his– Pigsy.

"It's okay, she gave me a good talking to," Pigsy squeezed his hand, and Tang dared to sneak a little kiss on the cheek.

"I'm glad," Tang smiled a little as he saw Pigsy blush.

"Y-yeah– I… it was really embarrassing– I'm only half glad you didn't see it," the demon confessed.

"Do you need to talk about it more?" Tang asked.

"No… no, Gatita did a good job of getting it all out– I'm tired more than anything," the demon informed, taking a drink before stretching his arms out.

"Ugh, I feel you," Tang agreed, instinctively curling up to Pigsy’s side, which the demon didn't protest.

"They didn't give you too much trouble, did they?" Pigsy snorted and relaxed his eyes.

"Nah, it was mostly just me and not being used to kids– but I'm making progress I think," Tang blatantly lied.

Pigsy yawned. "That's good– Proud of ya."

Tang smiled cheesily as he snuggled even closer to his Pigsy and said, “Thanks,” as he too yawned.

‘Yeah, no problem,” Pigsy tried to joke off the thanks, but Tang nuzzled closer to make sure he knew it. Pigsy chuckled, before relaxing even further.

In a matter of minutes, the lovers were fast asleep without a care in the world for any peering eyes or sneaky kids– today had been exhausting, and they deserved all the rest they could get before acting like nothing had happened, which was just the way they liked it.

#lmk #lego monkie kid #tang lmk #mk lmk #mei lmk #lmk fics #my fics #pigsy lmk #guanyin #hurt/comfort #what's better than this? just buncha kids bein' kids #bro is struggling but it's okay bc he has homosexuality on his side #also little MK is a freak and I stand by that #we love them

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