ritsuka-is-dawn

[ritsuka-is-dawn]

Periodic rent-lowering-gunshots:

Fiction is not reality.

You can enjoy things in fiction that would be awful in the real world. Like playing a murderhobo in a game! In the real world, being or supporting a murderer-thief would be pretty damn awful, while in the game it's just good fun. Same with anything else you choose to do with the pixels on the screen, like kinks that don't affect anyone real, so they're okay in fiction, but would be pretty damn bad in real life.

No one else is responsible for your online experience. They are required not to harass you, but they are not and never will be obligated to not post about ships, kinks, or tropes you dislike just to avoid you seeing them. It's up to you to blacklist words or phrases, block tags, or even block users as needed to avoid seeing content that upsets you.

No one can force you to read anything against your consent. Any content you don't like seeing can be instantly avoided by closing out of the offending post/fic.

You are not owed an online experience free of discomfort.

Nothing that happens in your imagination can ever make you a bad person. Words you write or read about fictional characters will never make you a bad person.

The claim that media consumption influences real-life behavior is intellectually dishonest and serves only to excuse the behavior of real offenders.

Fiction is a safe way to explore horrifying or confusing concepts. Therapists agree that fiction, even (or especially) about taboo topics is a good coping mechanism, especially, but not exclusively, for trauma survivors. Fiction is to adults what play therapy is to children. This doesn't stop being true if the work in question is of a sexual nature.

Sex isn't an inherently worse or better motivation than anything else. A work written to create feelings of arousal isn't dirty, shameful, or in any way less pure than works written to entertain, provoke moral questions, or for other reasons. And worth noting is that multiple purposes can exist in the same story, especially fanfiction.

You aren't entitled to an explanation for why someone reads, writes, or otherwise enjoys certain works, kinks, tropes, ships, etc.

[ritsuka-is-dawn]

Your hc was so good, it sparked the idea for my latest fanfic. Thank you!

Got Sick? Have a Monkey Nurse

Request: “since I'm sick with a cold, I wanted to ask for hcs and maybe scenarios if you're inspired, for both DO and Sun Wukong about how they'd react and what'd they do if reader got sick with a cold due to bad weather conditions. And while it's not life-threatening it has reader cough badly, losing appetite, being absent mentally, getting fever, headaches and not eating, body weakness and all around exhaustion, to the point she has to rest more often and longer hampering the group's speed. (She also managed to nearly collapse on the spot while walking because she wanted to carry on and keep it a secret maybe) Reader is also low-key embarrassed about it since she is so weak as a mortal and thinks DO and SWK will surely despise her for this. also maybe she is afraid she'll get them sick too so she will at first try to create distance”

Below will be a snippet, a reaction for DO & WK separately, and then some bonus stuff!

He knew something was amiss with you but he couldnt quite place what at first. Your scent had changed and you seemed sluggish, slower than normal as you helped pick up the small camp that morning so you guys could move on. He checked on you but you waved him off and with a shrug he decided to leave you be. But he kept a close eye on you, noticed how you lagged behind and seemed a little out of it. You didn’t even really react when tried sneaking up on you!

That evening when you guys bunked down for the night you didn’t hardly eat, much to his annoyance and concern. And you went to bed early claiming that you’d just been extra sleepy but that you’d be good to go in the morning. Come morning though, he realized you were NOT ‘good to go’. Instead you were even slower than the day before. And you were avoiding him, keeping a weird little distance between the two of you as if he suddenly started to smell, he sniffed himself self consciously of course because of this….a few times. But no, he doesnt stink. He wondered then if maybe it’s his breath? Or did you just need space?

Several times he had to stop and wait for you to catch up, or you seemed to stall periodically and would say you thought you saw something, which was starting to irritate him because there is never anything there, but he could tell by the way you were breathing that you were fatigued. Speaking of breathing, your breaths sounded strange. Rough. Like you were struggling to breathe.

As the day continued on something shifted, you started to cough. Light at first and you swore it was just due to a dry throat. But even after hydrating your cough continued, got worse even over the next several hours. Your scent also has changed even more since the day before. Around mid day, while he was keeping a suspicious eye on you, you seem to trip over your own feet and he had to rush catch you to stop you from falling. You’re warmer than usual, trust him he knows, and so he leans in and subtly sniffs you. You dont smell ‘bad’ or anything, but you dont smell healthy….almost like…

His eyes widen and he takes a moment to look you over carefully. Your face is flushed with a sheen of sweat on your brow and down your neck, your breathing ragged although you seem to be trying to hide it. You are also slumped in a way he hasn’t seen you stand before as though you are barely remaining on your feet. Plus, now that he’s looking for it there is a slight sway to your body and your eyes are slightly unfocused. The worsening cough, no appetite last night or this morning, and the slight sniffle you have going that wasn’t there before.

Shit, he should have know. You’re sick. As he watches you he wonders what caused this? You guys hadnt come into contact with any one who was sick and there hadnt really been any changes in diet and the pace of your journey hasn’t changed…but then it clicks. A few nights ago there had been a very quick and sudden downpour and the two of you had been taken by surprise. Normally he would have smelled the rain coming but he had been distracted by watching you try to show him that you’d been learning how to use a staff just by watching him. You’d picked up a stick and were waving it around with such fierce determination he hadnt had the heart to tell you that you definitely hadnt learned a single thing, but he did laugh at you though. Quite a bit.

The rain though had drenched you both and you’d taken shelter in a small shallow cave hed been lucky to spot. Scrounging up dry fire wood was a pain but after some searching he had managed. While you both sat in front of the fire to dry, him stripped of most of his clothes save for a loincloth covering his dignity, you had refused to take off most of your clothes, preferring to try to sit in front of the fire to dry. He had snickered at you for it, especially when later he was mostly dry and you were still sitting in damp clothes. Now though he realizes what a mistake that was.

He presses you about it and at first you try to lie, of course you do. But then you finally sag a little and tell him that ‘yes’ you are sick. And when you sheepishly explain that you didn’t want to slow him down??? He throws his head back with a groan and huffs. Of COURSE you would try to power through. He’s annoyed at himself for not stopping and pressing you as soon as he noticed yesterday that something was wrong. He doesnt want you to be suffering like this!

From your point of view how he is reacting is exactly as you feared. You assumed he would be annoyed with you, upset that ‘of course the human is so weak she catches a cold’. And that he’d be frustrated at the delay in your journey. Guilt weighs you down, you’d done your best to push through your exhaustion and aching body to prevent exactly this. Plus, what if you got HIM sick? Can he even get sick? This is when he stomps off without you right? Because you’ve finally shown you weren’t made for this…..cant keep up with him.

A cough tickles your throat and you try to stifle it but aren’t able to and before you know it your hacking, the feeling of his warm hand on your back rubbing soothing circles doesnt go unnoticed. You try to apologize after you’ve stopped coughing and clear your throat but the unimpressed look he sends you makes you look away in embarrassment.

Your supply bag is lifted off your shoulders and a surprised yelp leaves your sore throat as you’re bodily picked up, you’re not quite thrown over his shoulder but it’s a near thing. He stalks off carrying both you and the bag, walking with clear purpose and you try to protest but he wont have it. His grip remains tight and his pace steady all the way up until he finds a safe place for you both to bunker down and for you to rest.

What to do about this unexpected issue?

Both:

- [ ] Massage your aches, be it legs, shoulders, head, neck, back etc.

- [ ] Be super sweet.

- [ ] Manhandle you.

- [ ] Might whine in the back of his throat when you cough too long and knows it hurts you.

- [ ] You will NOT be getting up unless it’s to use the bathroom.

- [ ] A little overbearing….

- [ ] Hand feeding - unless you protest

- [ ] Checks your temp regularly with his forehead and hand.

- [ ] Depending on how bad your sickness is he may pace while you’re asleep and fidget or grumble as he worries over you. When you’re awake he wont show it though.

- [ ] Wants desperately to take your pain away.

- [ ] When you dont have a headache/ aren’t coughing a lot will try to make you laugh a little

- [ ] When you’re sleeping will give you forehead kisses and nuzzles.

- [ ] You will be taken care of and pampered. Comfortable. Made to feel important and not like a chore.

Destined One:

- [ ] Bare with him….he has never been someone’s nurse before. So he’s going to be a bit tentative as he gets you settled on to your bed roll and tucked in with furs/blankets.

- [ ] He’s a bit annoyed at you at first, mainly because you didn’t tell him you were sick and had tried to pretend, probably making it worse.

- [ ] But as he see’s how truly sick you are he’s going lose that irritation and concern will swallow it whole.

- [ ] He’s not going to know what to make of you but hes going to do his best.

- [ ] You‘ll probably have to guide him a little, hes never really been sick before so he’s lost.

- [ ] But once he knows what to do he’s going to take care of you. Getting you water, changing the cool towel on your forehead, getting you a little to eat here and there.

- [ ] When he figures you’re not warm enough he tries to use his body heat to warm you.

- [ ] Rolls his eyes at your protests and does it anyway - he wont be getting sick dont worry.

- [ ] He’s gonna be a bit of a mother hen….dont wanna eat? Too bad hes going to make you eat a few bites at least and wont stop prodding you until you do.

- [ ] He’s very soft during this time with you, gentle. Soft monkey noises to soothe and comfort - something hes not used to but cant help himself.

- [ ] Only leaves when necessary.

- [ ] He hates it the most when you say you’re dizzy and your head is throbbing from a terrible headache, seeing you be in such pain hurts his chest and he will gently massage your head for you while he rests it in his lap/on his leg.

- [ ] Towel bath. He will be respectful but he will wipe you down to get the sweat off of you.

- [ ] His voice, or well the grunts and sounds he makes are softer so that he doesnt hurt your head.

- [ ] Will rub your back and shoulders as you cough and hack.

- [ ] If you like ‘white noise’ he will rumble/purr in his chest to help you relax / sleep.

- [ ] When you finally let it slip that you were scared of upsetting him and that you’re sorry you were weak…please dont leave you behind, he is going to pout up a damn storm and very gently pinch your cheeks.

- [ ] If you HC him as speaking every so often he will finally use words to tell you that NO he isnt going to leave you and that hes not mad at you. That he just wants you to get better so he can see you smile again. He will sign this out or use his body language to tell you if you dont think he speaks. Either way, he just wants you to not be in pain.

- [ ] He’s gonna make sure you know he’s there for you. Sickness and in health.

Wukong:

- [ ] He’s gonna immediately jump on the mother hen shit.

- [ ] At first he’s going to be huffy as he talks and does things, but it’s because hes mad that he didn’t notice your plight.

- [ ] His movements at first will be rough but gentle as he lays you down and makes you rest on your bed roll.

- [ ] He’s going to tuck you in and if he has to, he will tie you down LOL dont play with him.

- [ ] He has helped with sick restless monkey cubs in the past so he at least has the basics down. Will definitely compare you to one teasingly by the way.

- [ ] He’s going to not take no for an answer, ever. He’s gentle about it though dont worry. But if he has to, he will put water in his mouth and kiss you - pry your lips open with his/his tongue and make you take the water. (So…I mean maybe refuse water for a kiss…?👀)

- [ ] He is going to ask you to do things ‘for him’ as in “Eat one more bite for me?” Kind of stuff. And hes gonna be sooooo sooo soft about it that honestly you’ll have to just do it because how tender he’s being.

- [ ] Will always be touching you, tail around you somewhere or hes massaging your neck and shoulders.

- [ ] He hates everything about this because you’re clearly in pain and feel horrible, but loves taking care of you. Loves that you let him.

- [ ] For once he’s pretty quiet, unless you ask him to tell you stories or talk. Might hum, very off key, for you too.

- [ ] Wont leave your side unless he has to for something.

- [ ] He’s going to tease you and coo at you - sweetly though.

- [ ] Will stroke your face and comb his fingers through your hair. Massage your shoulders/neck/head.

- [ ] Takes wiping you down seriously and wont make any teasing comments or do anything funny.

- [ ] Will ‘let’ you use him as a heated mattress (he makes you LOL) - if you get sweaty too bad he will just remove the blanket but you’re not going anywhere.

- [ ] When you finally come out and tell him you feared him leaving you behind, getting him sick, and slowing him down he full on scoffs and blows a gentle raspberry on your cheek.

- [ ] Tells you that you’re silly as hell for thinking that because, HIM? Getting sick? Fat fucking chance. And leaving you? Pffffffft good luck getting away from him (said as a joke).

- [ ] As for slowing him down? Well duh, you’re sick its gonna slow things down but he’d rather that then you making yourself worse - which he calls you an idiot for doing btw (but very fondly). But keep in mind he can literally just carry you and make up time. And he will.

- [ ] Go ahead, ask him for something, anything because it’s yours and he will GLADLY provide. He’s WAITING for you to make a request.

- [ ] He only asks for a smile as thanks.

Bonus 1 Both: He gets sick

- [ ] Huffing, whining, glowering at you when you aren’t near him so he can use your lap as a pillow/body as a pillow.

- [ ] Acts weaker than he is. Just so you will pamper him more. (Still able to manhandle you funnily enough…) He’s needy and clingy.

- [ ] Loves your attention - may not admit it. But his weak tail swishing tells you otherwise. Purrs while you take care of him. (Yes some monkeys purr)

Bonus 2 DO: He gets sick

- [ ] Tries to take care of himself at first but when you insist he allows you to - he’s not that hard to convince in his weakened state.

- [ ] Very cuddly and honestly? Kinda needy but silent about it.

- [ ] Very soft and has big imploring soft brown eyes that you cant resist. Never had to be taken care of so he’s living his best life right now even if he feels like shit.

Bonus 3 Wukong: He gets sick

- [ ] If he gets sick he is a HUGE fucking baby about it. I hope you’re ready for his pouting, whining, and dramatics (when hes awake, because when he sleeping hes adorable and an angel)

- [ ] Will pretend like hes fine, put a good show of refusing help, extra pouty. But when he gives in? Well….good luck.

- [ ] Will take everything you give him though like a good boy - wont feed himself, you have to hand feed him. He’s greedy for your attention.

Bonus 4: How I think he would sneeze in general (sick or not), this just was a passing thought….

- [ ] DO: Sneezes 1 of two ways, hides it or….sneezes like an adorable kitten with a little monkey sound in there. - first time you hear it you’d probably melt.

- [ ] WK: Sneezes loudly, suddenly, and obnoxiously like an old man whose soul is ejecting itself forcefully from his body. Does this on purpose just to be annoying and piss people off or scare them.

[ritsuka-is-dawn]

fever

Pairing: Sun Wukong x Destined

One Destined One = Tianming

Summary: Destined One falls ill, and Sun Wukong becomes an impromptu caretaker.

Note: I was sick last night, but I wrote this instead of sleeping🤒😅

Note 2: I wrote 1,775 words the longest I’ve ever written.

====================================

After Sun Wukong returned to Mount Huaguo, the once-barren peaks gradually began to flourish again, thanks to the root-strengthening Immortal Powder given to him by Daode Tianzun as compensation for the trees that had been destroyed.

However, the areas untouched by the magic powder would take time to recover. As a result, some parts remained barren and hotter than usual.

That day, the sun blazed directly overhead as if determined to scorch everything into flames. The intense heat caused the scent of dry grass to linger thickly in the air.

Amidst the stifling heat, Tianming saw a mirage of the sun drawing closer and closer. He dragged his feet along a treeless path, his breath faintly sour—a sign his body was weakening. A flush spread faintly across his face, and sweat trickled down his skin. He swayed like a weeble doll yet stubbornly pressed on, until the ground spun beneath him and he collapsed forward, dropping the bamboo basket nearby.

_

Sun Wukong lounged on his stone throne, one leg crossed over the other, chin propped on one hand. He stared forward But instead didn't look at anything Still, But finger that knocked on armrest revealed his unrest.

An oppressive silence blanketed the cave. None of the monkeys dared to make a sound. Only the soft breathing and the rhythmic tapping of their king’s fingers could be heard.

“What’s wrong with our king today?” one monkey whispered to a female beside him in their language.

“because little king hasn’t come back in a long time,” the female monkey replied, eyes darting worriedly toward the throne.

Sun Wukong narrowed his eyes toward the cave entrance behind the waterfall. At first, he thought Tianming had merely gone out to gather herbs as usual—or perhaps had dozed off somewhere. But now...

An hour had passed—far too long for Tianming not to return.

Sun Wukong stood abruptly, and in a flash, his tall figure vanished from the cave, leaving the monkeys stunned and staring after him.

“Looks like the Monkey King’s gone to find his most important one...” a monkey murmured softly.

_

Sun Wukong soared into the sky, the wind whipping through his golden hair. His golden eyes swept the surroundings with grim determination. A white cloud hovered beneath his feet, cutting through steamy gusts and the shimmering waves of heat rising from the scorched earth.

The afternoon air was hotter than expected. Sunbeams pierced down in shafts, searing even the drought-hardened grass below.

“Tianming...” he murmured, the sound lost in the wind as he picked up speed. The magical cloud beneath him darted forward, tearing through the burning air as if to reach the ends of the sky.

His eyes held not only worry—but frustration at himself for letting the other go alone on such a blistering day.

He leaned forward slightly, almost whispering to the cloud beneath his feet: Faster... He’s waiting for you.

Bald mountaintops, cracked earth, and the slow recovery of vegetation flashed beneath him—until he spotted a figure collapsed on a treeless path beneath the merciless sun.

His heart clenched as he dove from the cloud like an arrow.

“Tianming!”

Sun Wukong rushed to support the unconscious monkey. Even through his clothes, the heat of Tianming body was alarming.

His strong hand trembled slightly with worry. His lips pressed into a thin line, unable to utter anything but Tianming name over and over in his mind.

The air around them was thick with the scent of warm sweat mixed with the faint dampness of fevered breath—a sick person’s scent. A scent that told anyone nearby: someone’s unwell…

Sun Wukong scooped Tianming up in a bridal carry and leapt onto the cloud, heading straight back to the waterfall cave.

_

A physician yaoguai, abducted by Sun Wukong in an emergency was now hurriedly examining the sleeping Tianming on a thick tiger pelt laid over the stone bed—Afraid he might be flattened by the Ruyi Jingu Bang (the Golden-Hooped Rod) if he delayed even a second longer.

'Why must I risk my life for a monkey’s love...' he thought, on edge.

Behind him, Sun Wukong paced anxiously, unable to sit still. His tail thudded against the ground each time he saw Tianming hadn’t yet woken.

“Th-The patient has a fever, a-a-and because he was in a high-temperature area, he fainted,” the physician stammered, hands trembling so badly he nearly dropped his tongue depressor.

“B-But no need to worry! Just use medicinal herbs like Cangzhu (苍术), Baizhi (白芷), Guanzhong (贯众), and Baifan (白矾), and the fever will subside.”

Sun Wukong exhaled slowly and stepped toward the bed, ignoring the yaoguai who immediately scurried toward the exit. His rough hand gently stroked Tianming’s face.

_

When Tianming opened his eyes in the cool, comfortable cave, the damp scent of the waterfall stones mixed with the fragrance of herbs placed around by Doctor yaoguai Breathing in deeply, he felt a refreshing sensation, so different from the dry, scorching air outside. The sound of water dripping from the high rocks echoed softly in the tranquil silence, like a lullaby calming his heart.

A breeze drifted in from a narrow opening, slowly cooling the heat still lingering in his body.

Beside him, Sun Wukong held his smaller hand tightly, as if afraid that loosening his grip would cause the other to vanish. His expression relaxed when he saw Tianming awake.

“What happened?” Tianming asked, his voice hoarse.

“You collapsed from the heat,” Sun Wukong replied, his brow deeply furrowed.

His coarse hand touched Tianming’s forehead again, firmer this time, and he let out a heavy sigh, filled with frustration.

“Damn it... I should’ve known you were sick from the start!” he said, his voice firm but laced with deep concern.

“Why didn’t you tell me, Why did you push yourself”

Sun Wukong’s brows furrowed even tighter before his voice softened, his hand still gently caressing Tianming’s forehead.

“Don’t make me worry like that again.”

Tianming nodded faintly, his face full of guilt.

“I’m not angry with you,” Sun Wukong sighed softly.

“Don’t try to get up,” he said firmly, though his eyes were gentle.

“I... I didn’t want to trouble the Great Sage.”

Sun Wukong scowled slightly before replying, his voice stern but earnest

“If I feel troubled, it means you’re seriously ill. There’s no way I’d let you go through it alone.”

He poured water into a ceramic cup without waiting for a reply. One hand gently supported Tianming’s head, then brought the cup to his own lips to sip.

Then he leaned down, pressing his lips against the other’s, nudging them open slightly with his tongue to pass the water through.

“!!!” Tianming’s eyes flew open, his heart pounding furiously. The other’s scent lingered at the tip of his nose, the warmth of those lips embedding deep into his soul.

Sun Wukong lingered just long enough to ensure the water had been swallowed before pulling away.

"So it won’t spill... Besides, you can’t sit up by yourself,” he said evenly, though a slight smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

“Are you in pain anywhere? I’ll massage it.”

He changed the subject immediately. Tianming, still stunned, could only shake his head slightly.

“Are you feeling hot?”

Tianming was silent for a moment before nodding.

Sun Wukong reached out to pat Tianming’s head lightly before saying, “I’ll be right back.”

Just as he was about to rise from the chair, he felt a faint tug on his wrist.

Looking down, he saw Tianming staring up at him silently, one hand reaching out to grasp him as if to say–don’t go.

Sun Wukong lifted a hand to cover his mouth, suppressing a smile that had crept up without his permission.

‘little monkey had never clung to him like this before…’

He coughed softly to hide the sound of his own heart, then leaned down to whisper gently

“I’m just going to get some water. I won’t be long…”

Tianming reluctantly let go.

Soon, Sun Wukong returned with a bucket of water and a cloth.

“It’ll be a bit cold,” he said.

He dipped the cloth into the bucket, and as he began to wipe Tianming’s body, he was unusually silent completely focused, as if pouring all his attention into every motion of his hand.

When he was done, Sun Wukong lay down beside him, wrapping the little monkey tightly in his arms. One leg draped over Tianming’s waist, his golden tail curled around his thigh. He let out a soft purring hum, like a cat lulling its owner to sleep.

Tianming was trapped in that embrace feeling both suffocated and too shy to move. He surrendered to being a makeshift body pillow, his consciousness slowly fading away in the warmth of those arms.

[ritsuka-is-dawn]

Hot springs

Pairing: Sun Wukong x destined one

imagine: Sun Wukong and Destiny go to a hot spring together.

Note: I wrote this while I was in the sauna.

CW : blood (minor)

destined one = Tianming

====================================

Tianming made his daily rounds around the mountain as usual. But on his way back, he encountered a yaoguais lurking in ambush. Without hesitation, he swiftly killed it. The yaoguais dark blood splattered across his clothes and matted his gray fur. The stench of blood clung to him so strongly that not even the mountain wind could dispel it.

When he returned to the cave, Bajie took just a few steps toward him before wrinkling his nose and exclaiming loudly,

“You smell like a corpse, my dear nephew! Your fur is all tangled, and the dried blood is crusted on you! Go take a bath, please! I really can’t stand this smell!”

He quickly covered his nose and took several steps back, continuing to speak in a muffled voice behind his fingers:

“There’s a nice place in the human world called a hot spring you could smell a whole lot better there, rather than like a yaoguais left out in the sun for three days!”

But Tianming shook his head, not even considering it.

“I don’t want to leave the mountain… I’ll bathe later.”

Bajie sighed heavily. Though he tried to persuade him for quite a while, Tianming remained as stubborn as ever. In the end, Bajie had no choice but to give up.

Back at the waterfall cave, Bajie went to complain to Sun Wukong about the overwhelming demon stench clinging to Tianming.

Wukong raised an eyebrow and nodded in agreement.

“It’s true... that smell is so strong it completely covers up his natural scent,” he said, then smiled mischievously. “Guess I’ll just have to come up with a way he can’t say no to...”

Moments later, Wukong announced a trip to the hot springs for all the monkeys of Mount Huaguo. The monkeys cheered with joy.

“You all go ahead. I’ll stay and guard the mountain,” Tianming said.

But Wukong leaned in close, his golden eyes shining like a puppy’s or kitten’s. In a soft, coaxing voice, he said,

“You’re really going to leave me to go have fun all by myself...?”

Tianming’s heart skipped a beat. Their eyes met for only a moment, but it felt like time had stopped.

“I’ll go…” he replied without thinking.

He only realized what he had done when he saw Wukong’s wide, joyful grin. He had fallen for him... again.

---

[Evening at the hot spring]

Warm steam rose through the air, carrying a faint scent of sulfur. The natural stone pools were filled with clear, comfortably hot water. Little monkeys ran about, splashing and laughing, while the older ones soaked and relaxed. Some peeled fruit to eat in the water, while a few warrior monkeys sat motionless, like stones.

Wukong led Tianming to the edge of one of the pools. Tianming wrinkled his nose at the overwhelming smell of medicinal herbs. The dried blood on his fur made his body feel sticky and uncomfortable. He was already regretting coming here—he wished he could just go home and jump under the waterfall.

Wukong chuckled softly at Tianming’s sour expression.

“That blood’s been stuck on your fur too long. A waterfall won’t scrub it out anymore. And you smell terrible. Don’t you feel bad for the others?”

Tianming didn’t answer, but his eyes flicked toward the other monkeys, who were wrinkling their noses and quietly inching away from him.

At last, he stepped into the hot water. The moment his body submerged, the tension in his limbs melted away like air escaping from a balloon. He closed his eyes and sighed, letting the warmth seep into every strand of fur. He had never felt this good before.

“See? Feels nice, doesn’t it?” Wukong said teasingly as he slipped into the water beside him. “Turn around—I’ll brush your fur.”

Tianming turned as told. The water rippled softly as Wukong moved closer.

A golden-furred hand rested gently on his back, stroking slowly and carefully as if memorizing every contour. Wukong’s fingers moved with a slow, tender rhythm, brushing through the sleek gray fur. The touch was so gentle it seemed to invite more.

As Wukong hummed an unfamiliar tune, the warmth of his hands and the softness of his voice made Tianming’s heart race. He never imagined that such closeness could make him feel this flustered.

Wukong’s golden eyes slowly trailed along Tianming’s back, from his waist beneath the water to his slender neck, finally resting on his round ears, now tinged with red. Wukong smirked. He knew exactly what that blush meant.

His gaze slid down to Tianming’s collarbone, where it caught on a small, faint mole he had never noticed before. And in that fleeting second, Wukong realized—he wanted to kiss it. He wanted to kiss every mole on Tianming’s body.

Unsure how to contain the flood of feelings, he let his body speak instead of words.

Suddenly, Wukong reached forward and pulled Tianming into a tight embrace. Tianming let out a startled yelp.

“G-Great Sage!?”

Wukong laughed quietly, nestling his face against Tianming’s shoulder.

“Don’t call me ‘Great Sage’ right now…” he whispered, his voice almost lost in the rippling water. “Just call me Wukong.”

His arms tightened slightly, as if afraid Tianming might disappear if he let go. Tianming could feel his heart pounding in his chest.

He froze for a moment, then softly said,

“…Wukong.”

It was the first time he had ever spoken the name without any honorific. And for the first time, Wukong felt that just one simple word could warm his heart so deeply.

“I really like your natural scent, you know?” Wukong said, still resting his face against Tianming’s shoulder. “When you’re not covered in blood… you smell wonderful.”

Tianming tensed as if struck by lightning. His face flushed red, but he chose not to answer.

---

From that day forward, Tianming started deliberately getting bloodstained after every patrol, using it as an excuse to bathe with Sun Wukong. But Wukong eventually caught on and said,

“You know... you don’t have to cover yourself in blood every time. Even if you’re clean, I’d still be happy to bathe with you every day.”

And from that day on, Bajie’s nose was saved.

[ritsuka-is-dawn]

the most humbling experience of being a writer is when you spend hours writing and think you wrote 10k words but it was actually more like 400. and then you do it again

[ritsuka-is-dawn]

She's so precious!!! How can I say no to her, I mean, look at her how do you not she's so cute I want to draw her so bad!🥺😩😅🐵🌺

( Movie : Saiyuuki 1960)

[ritsuka-is-dawn]

Drink

[ritsuka-is-dawn]

Remember that every day is an opportunity to be a better fanfiction writer than you were yesterday. That being said...

...improvement isn't only in the big things like writing a 10k story in one sitting or responding positively to negative comments on your work. Progress is in the seemingly small but actually big things too;

You finally learned how to correctly spell that word you frequently use.

2. You found a different word you can use in place of the verb you've abused

3. You wrote a whole ass paragraph for your draft without feeling insecure about it because you're finally understanding that drafts are meant to be messy.

4. It's taking you months to complete the next chapter of your story. At first you felt bad about it every second of your day but now you actually haven't felt bad for a whole hour. Slowly you're understanding that art takes time and you deserve to be patient and kind with yourself.

5. You took the step to read/listen to a random post about how to write better. Maybe you haven't put that advice into practice yet but hey, you clicked on it and listened/read till the end

6. You managed to read one of your own posted stories, ill feelings about it or no

7. You now celebrate every vote/kudos/like you get on your story because you know that a real human being is behind it, loving your work, shoddy as you think it might be.

8. Today you woke up caring a little less about how your stories aren't that popular in the fandom. Finally you're learning to write for you and to just dwell on enjoying the writing process instead of focusing on how the world will receive your story when you post

9. You read comments on your story which suggest you take your story in a certain different direction, but you successfully ignore those suggestions and courageously stick to the story you want to tell.

10. You ended the day still resisting the urge to have AI write your story for you.

Congratulations to you, most improved writer, even if only one of the items on this list resonates with you👏👍🤝

You're still growing and improving after all.

[ritsuka-is-dawn]

me, after clearing my schedule to write:

uhhhh it was raining... and dark (and also night) and um... cold i guess?? anyway, something dramatic~ happened

me, stuck in traffic on my way to work:

Rain tumbled through midnight leaves, casting the forest in liquid moonlight. A low growl shook the horizon. Death had come.

[ritsuka-is-dawn]

“I’m writing,” I say as I pace around my room listening to the same song for the 19th time, daydreaming about the general *vibe* of my story.

[ritsuka-is-dawn]

you're not turning your fandom hobby into a job are you? giving yourself deadlines and quotas that you have to meet? focusing on the numbers instead of your enjoyment of the act of creation?

[ritsuka-is-dawn]

the great thing about being a fanfic writer: if there's a certain fanfic plot you can't find, you can make it yourself.

the terrible thing about being a fanfic writer: now you *have* to write that fanfic plot you can't find.

[ritsuka-is-dawn]

Writing in my head; Beautiful flowing sentences full of powerful phrases and witty dialogue.

Writing on my page: They did a thing and said some stuff. There was snark.

[ritsuka-is-dawn]

Me, writing something at 1 am: Omg I'm literally a genius this words sound amazing I ate totally whith this one omfg

The writing:

[ritsuka-is-dawn]

lowkey guys, remember to write for yourself too. i abandoned my favorite wip of all time for two years because i thought other people wouldn’t like it. that sucked, and i decided to stop caring if other people will think it’s weird and write what i like. it’s made me a lot happier since i’ve accepted that

[ritsuka-is-dawn]

This is me. Kinda jealous of all the writers who can write quickly because I can't.

[ritsuka-is-dawn]

I'm just curious if destined one are other versions of him.