#pigsy is still in denial

[skywillow28022]

Comic version of chapter one of my fic, "Well Yes, but actually no"

[zaacoy]

Short freenoodles focused comic inspired in part by takakmimi's freenoodles post on twt!!

[quitealotofsodapop]

In century egg au, it does not take long at all for the crew to figure out they are decendants and reincarnation of the Great Pilgrims. All they need to do us as Wukong why there's such a strong barrier around the mountain, probably a question posed by Pigsy because he was somewhat bitter about the whole secret island paradise deal, and Tang who was curious about how they could pass the powerful protection spells placed by the Monkey King himself. Wukong is happy to answer, not seeing the harm in what he thinks is just a group of decendants that he just kept access open for his former troop's decendants and potential reincarnations. Literally happens same day or shortly after meeting Wukong

Yeah its pretty hard to keep the big reveal from the Noodle shop gang that they're the reincarnations/decendants of the Pilgrims when the Monkey King himself mistoke them for his bros when he woke up.

There's some denial obvs, mostly from Tang ("I'm not cool enough!") and Pigsy ("Ugh. The worst pilgrim."). Sandy just smiles pleasantly like "Oh! Thats nice!" and quickly moves on.

The Ao Longs have a more complicated reaction since well...;

Long Chao: "Yeah that checks out. Ao Lie was one of Ao Yi's ancestors. It only make sense for her to be his reincarnation." Ao Yi: "It really isn't uncommon for someone to be reborn into the same family lineage. I am a little startled though." Wukong: "Oh don't worry it's not you, It's your pup." Both parents: "WHAT?!" "No! She is way to young to have such responsibility!" Baby Mei: *still happily chewing on Wukong's tail* :3

Wukong is very blunt/open about the situation, especially since he sees it as a sign that the Stone Egg truly is "ready" - not only to be born/hatched but also to meet his pilgrim brothers in this new life.

[fluffypotatey]

Hcs about shadowpeach pining (angrily and in denial) during their nemesis era?

hmmmm ngl i’m not that great at listing my headcanons 👉👈 i simply tend to just let them unfold in my writing but let’s say shadowpeach in their nemesis era….

Macky would take (and had taken) every mention of Wukong to complain and shit-talk on the guy. this is less of a headcanon and more of an observation, but keeping that in mind, i like to think that because of Macky’s knee-jerk reaction to always spew the most venomous and harsh comments pertaining to Wukong, it has allowed for Macky’s own memories of Wukong to be distorted and negatively biased. for example: the shadowplay™️ :)

it definitely holds truth to it and shows Macky’s side of the story…..however, it is such a skewed perspective and blantantly anti-Wukong propaganda, which goes to show how much Macky spends his time stewing in his bitterness and anger

anyway, add pining to that and you get a hot fucking mess lmao

we just established that Macky struggles with viewing his memories of his past with Wukong in a objective and unbiased way and has an unhealthy obsession with finding ways to test the guy’s golden character apart like a chronically online Twitter anti….ADD PINING TO THAT???? jfc Macky would be so fucking unbearable. worse than the most exaggerated tsunderes in the cheesiest shojo anime’s ever. he’d be insufferable.

an “obsessive demon”, some might say

Wukong on the other hand…..he’s a little busy with mentoring MK, mitigating his own existential crisis (part 2???? part 3????) about immortality and the fact that he’s lived longer than he expected and he outlived his friends but not his old enemies and—

his mind’s little preoccupied to really focus on the fact that his old flame not only wants to kill him and MK but also might be someone he still never moved on from. also there’s no Tripitaka or Zhu Baije or Ao Lie to call him out on it (MK and Pigsy are the closest who could but Pigsy’s a little busy being suspicious and critical of Wukong’s mentoring methods with MK and MK is a little busy protecting the city & learning new moves & ignoring all his problems to call Wukong out with this particular issue)

though, could we really call it pining if Wukong just finds enjoyment in teasing his old friend now turned enemy from time to time? so what if Wukong enjoys ruling up Macky whenever he comes on to the scene in the name of LBD??? it’s just some harmless flirting teasing! it’s not like Wukong enjoys seeing Mac get all flustered or enjoys having someone to fight against that’s actually a challenge and for fun (not like fun fun, obvi, bc MK and the team are on a mission that Macky cannot find out about but 👀)

teasing Macky helps with Wukong’s boredom. that’s all. nothing else that needs to be examined further. yes 👍

[smokeypeaches-and-honeyplums]

can i request redson x a s/o that is always energetic headcannons hopefully this makes sense good day!

Whoopsie I've been dead for a tad too long lol my apologies

Reader is gender neutral by default.

(god looking for monkie kid gifs are harder than they should be--)

You remind him a lot of MK and Mei

In a good way dw

We can all agree Redson falls under the tsundere archetype, so it's not hard to believe he'll be in denial about enjoying spending type with you at first

Your high energy is a big contrast to his, which eventually puts out his flame enough to not insist on bursting a little less now

He's still as snarky as always, but to a lesser degree towards you considering he insists you're "worthy of special treatment"

Doesn't call you peasant!

He's not very enthusiactic about PDA, more bias toward showing his intimate side indoors

But he can't help but cave when he sees just how giddy you are just from holding his hand

Bouncing off the walls even

When you guys are in public, you're very enthusiastic about even the smallest things to do together

"Let's go to the gravity arcade!" "Let's get some cheese tea!" "Let's go to pigsy's!" "We should get matching necklaces-"

He does tend to have to calm you down and bring you back to earth, but he does find it strangely endearing

He doesn't dote on you too much in public as to keep you safe as he, being DBK's son, would have some sort of enemies

But he can find time to make some exceptions

In private, your energy is just the same, but as a means to be his personal cheerleader

Whenever he has a hard time with an invention, you're piling him with compliments and reminders of his achievements

You're kinda like his charger

No matter what it is, you always bring a special sort of energy to things that otherwise might not be his cup of tea

(With consent of course!)

But just like Redson, You also happen to remind his parents of MK and Mei

But not in a goodway

His parents are quite judgemental of your behaviour, thinking it's unbefit of someone who could possibly be a part of the DBK family

They don't tend to voice this opinion, but given who they are, it's not that foreign of a concept or conclusion to come to

Their gazes are piercing

It does make Redson subconscious about the relationship, given his innate need to please his parents

But your strangely optimistic behaviour despite it all makes it all the more easier for him to put down his worries

Only you could stay as energetic and bouncy after getting judged and belittled by demon royalty

It's endearing

[peachshadows]

Ever since I've heard about the Sundown Era Au (not the Little Dawn one) the only thing on my mind was...

What if MK accidentally calls Tang "mom".

Like, the boy was found raised by him and Pigsy, and we all know that Pigsy is the dad (Dadsy) so that means that Tang assumedly had the role of the mom.

Imagine what would happen if Macaque heard him call Tang mom. The poor empress was already heartbroken by the thought of Wukong cheating on him and having Mk.

But Wukong cheating on him with a Mortal? A HUMAN MORTAL no less.

And since Pigsy and Tang are together in this Au I imagine him being in absolute denial. He doesn't usually even let Tang out of his sight, (let alone near the emperor.) So why did the prince call Tang mom?

(sorry for any grammatical errors, English isn't my first language)

-Purple (He/They)

Ooooo interesting! I feel like in this scenario sd!Tang is good as dead atp like sd!Macaque is a vengeful and petty person so knowing that the "mom" could still be alive and reclaim MK as their child it could mean huge trouble for sd!Macaque (who y'know wants to keep sd!Wukong all to himself and have the heavenly court not be an asshole to him)

sd!Pigsy and sd!Tang can deny it all they want but as soon as MK let's that "mom" slip out they're absolutely gone

[janetbrown711]

The Smoke Clears When You're Around

Pigsy reels and recovers from the previous night's kiss while also opening his shop for the first time since the adoption.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

Ao3 Link

Pigsy had kissed Tang.

Tang had kissed Pigsy.

No matter how many times the pig demon repeated that in his mind, he still couldn’t process it. It felt too– too fake. Something that shouldn’t be possible for at least five to ten years– and to be honest, he felt it was more likely to just have never happened in the first place.

But it did.

He could still taste the rice noodles on his lips.

Tang kissed Pigsy, and Pigsy kissed him back.

“Pigsy..?” Tang’s voice called to him, which sent Pigsy jumping back.

“O-oh– sorry, what’s up?” Pigsy pulled on his chef’s shirt a little.

“I-i, um, just wanted to tell you I’m gonna head home now,” Tang said, a slight quiver downward in the corner of his mouth.

“O-oh, really? What about your food?” Pigsy asked, and Tang gestured to the empty bowl in front of him at the bar.

Pigsy was in the kitchen and didn’t even realize it.

“Right– it’s been a while,” Pigsy shook his head as he looked out the window and realized the sun had already set.

“Y-yeah… you’ve… been kinda quiet,” Tang said, standing and putting his bag on his shoulder. “L-look, if I upset you with– earlier– I-i didn’t mean to– I know you’re all reserved and stuff, a-and I really should’ve asked first or something a-and I just– I’m sorry,” Tang gripped the straps of his bag.

“W-wait, Tang, that’s not at all– I-I’m just– I’m bad at this, remember?” Pigsy wished he could melt through the bar so he could grab his customer’s shoulders and comfort him and maybe kiss him again too

“E-either way, I should get going before the trains start going to the night schedule,” Tang said, making Pigsy’s heart drop.

“If… you’re sure,” Pigsy forced a little smile.

“I…” Tang looked at Pigsy before it seemed he physically couldn’t. “...I am. W-we can talk… later.”

“I’d like that, Tang,” Pigsy tried to smile more, but Tang’s glances and words felt like gut punches.

“Thanks for the food,” Tang had a similarly forced small smile before he lifted the iron security shield and headed out into the night.

Stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid Pig man. So deprived of affection he practically blacks out the moment he receives it. So in denial of his own feelings he doesn’t chase after the man he’s fawned about for a year, that he now knows likes him back. Such a big, dumb, idiot that he doesn’t know where the kids are or what they’re doing. So selfish that he almost doesn’t care and just wants to buckle his knees and cry. So weak and pathetic that he almost does it, a singular tear managing to escape.

What was he doing…

“Kids?” He called out.

“Yes?” They both replied, and Pigsy realized they were sitting in the booth still coloring as they had before.

Good, that was– that was good.

“Let’s call it a night,” He said, and after a bit of moaning and groaning, they cleaned up their things and after turning off all the lights and setting all the alarms, they headed up to the apartment.

Pigsy quickly and brainlessly made them some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for dinner, though didn’t make one for himself, assuring the kids he just wasn’t hungry. He didn’t bother putting in too much effort into convincing them, he was exhausted.

He poured himself a glass of sake and immediately chugged it down.

He was such a fucking idiot. He should’ve said something– something better. Literally anything he could’ve said would’ve been better than his stupid inaction. What was he doing spacing out like that??? What was Tang thinking– god, he hoped he was feeling better than he was, but Pigsy wasn’t hopeful.

He tried to warn him.

This is what he did. All he ever did.

Pigsy poured another glass and chugged again.

“Mr Piggy..?” Mei’s voice called him from his trance.

“Yeah kid?” The chef sighed, tapping his fingers against his glass.

“...Are you sad?” she asked so bluntly it stopped his fingers in an instant.

Do better, Pigsy. Be that good Tang said he believed in.

“I… a little. But I’m tough so I’ll be fine,” He forced a smile again while he kicked himself internally.

Tonight looked to end so well…

“That’s good,” Mei nodded her head in approval, so that wasn't too bad, right?

“Is it cuz of Mr. Tang? Was he mean?” She then asked, and Pigsy quickly shook his head.

“No, not at all kid– he’s a saint, I mean it,” Pigsy was quick to jump to his defense, though it made him regret his earlier behavior even more.

“Then why’d you look so sad after talking with ‘im?” She asked, looking at the bottle of sake next to the pig.

Pigsy sighed. “I’m the one who messed up– I’ll have to try and talk to him tomorrow– if he even wants to see me tomorrow, which–” Tang’s sad frown flashed in Pigsy’s mind.

He did this.

“...Which he might not want,” Pigsy tapped his glass again and pondered pouring himself another, but he didn’t need to get wasted in front of the kids.

“It’s late, kiddo. Let’s get going to bed,” he stood and put the bottle away despite his mind desperately calling for more of that poison. His heart also called out for the pack of Marlboro Reds he kept in the back of the junk drawer, but he wouldn’t do that either.

No, he was going to live with this blanket of guilt over him, and allow himself to feel crushed under the weight of screwing up the one thing he’d wanted for months.

He’d called him an angel.

Tang called him angelic back.

Yeah, some angel now.

Pigsy waited for MK and Mei to change into the pajamas he’d bought them before going and changing and turning off the lights, and he flopped onto his bed pathetically, a hand immediately going to cover his eyes.

He had been doing so well– Tang probably hated him– he called him angelic and sweet– he told him to have more faith in himself– he was right but it wasn’t easy– look at him now– He missed Sandy– he missed his grandmother– he didn’t get the kids candy when he promised– Tang wanted to know him better, was that still true? Maybe he was just tired– Pigsy knew he sure was– he should’ve chased after– he’d thought he was too hard on himself– Pigsy didn’t think he was harsh enough– god– He didn’t even check on the kids before turning off the light– he should’ve–

“Mr. Piggy? A-are you okay?” MK called from over by the sleeping bags.

“Yeah kid,” He blatantly lied again.

“O-oh, okay– it just… sounds like you’re crying…” MK said real quietly, which made Pigsy shoot up and touch his face, realizing he was.

Dammit dammit dammit dammit–

“Sorry, I’ll– um–”

Be better, Pigsy.

“...Sorry,” The chef sighed. “I’ll be quiet. You two just focus on sleeping,” He laid back down and turned over on his side.

Crying now? Really? What was he– five?

There was a bit of shuffling behind him, but the kid didn’t say anything else.

Another failed interaction added to his list, but Pigsy was just way too exhausted to care right now. No– he needed to sleep now. He had been planning to open the restaurant again tomorrow and see how the kids would adjust and so he could come up with a solider plan when they started school.

Any consequences of his actions would just have to wait til tomorrow, because Pigsy sure as hell wasn’t capable of fixing anything now.

And so the pigman forced himself to drift off into a dreamless, guilt-filled sleep.

.o0o.

Pigsy needed to change the sound of his stupid-ass alarm.

Every single time it felt like a reminder to the chef that life was hell and this was the path he chose so he needed to suck it up and deal with it. He hated it, he hated the damn thing.

He slowly turned it off with the same grumble and grunts he always had, eventually pulling his exhausted body up one arm at a time when he noticed Mei and MK’s sleeping bags were at the edge of his bed, not in their usual corner near the couch.

They moved.

To be closer to him.

“Morning kids…” Pigsy stared at them, the hollow chest pain from the previous night managing to return in an instant.

“Morning Piggy,” Mei turned over to him with a smile. “What’re we doing today?”

“We’re gonna open the restaurant, after we get– shi– shoot, it’s delivery day,” Pigsy dragged a hand across his face to force his brain to wake up with the rest of him before standing to make himself a quick cup of coffee. “We gotta unload some stuff today and then I’ll show you two how to prep the restaurant and then how to help clean off tables when customers leave– that sounds like something you two can handle.”

Mei tensed at that, but MK nodded excitedly.

“I can clean tables, Mr. Piggy-! I bet I can clean ‘em faster than Mei,” MK bragged.

“Can not,” Mei protested.

“Can too!” MK fought back.

“Can not!”

“Can too!”

“Can not!”

“Can too!”

“Can not!”

“Can—”

“Kids, can we not start arguments at 7:30 in the morning,” Pigsy pleaded with them as the coffee machine beeped and he poured himself a cup.

“Sorry!” They both said simultaneously.

Pigsy sighed and rubbed his face again. “We’ll need to be downstairs soon, so let’s get eating, no?”

The kids nodded, and Pigsy helped get them the bowls and cereal and milk and they yet again ate cereal. One of these days Pigsy was going to actually make them a solid breakfast, but he always felt like they had too much to do to really get that done. Besides, the kids seemed to like it well enough.

After they finished, Pigsy could hear the truck pulling up to the restaurant below and so scrambled to get dressed and rushed down the stairs to sign for all the food and he got straightaway to placing everything where it needed to be.

The kids came down in not too long and started helping with extreme Pigsy supervision– making sure they only grabbed the smallest of bags and boxes (a behavior that was rather hypocritical, since those bags of rice were probably single handedly destroying the poor chef’s back).

It felt weird when Pigsy realized just how quickly everything had been brought inside– it made him wonder if Tang had been right about how he should’ve hired people ages ago.

Tang…

“C’mon– I wanna show you kids the labeling gun,” Pigsy ushered the kids inside after checking everything was gone from outside and MK and Mei followed curiously.

Pigsy went to the “office” and unlocked a filing cabinet with his keys, where he pulled out the labeling gun, which both Mei and MK were in awe of.

“What’s that do?” MK asked as Pigsy took a seat in the folding chair that Tang kissed him in the previous night.

“See here? It’s a label gun– you just find a product like this…” Pigsy said, struggling to push the worn down buttons, but eventually found the label CHL, which was for the chilis.

“And then you enter today’s date like so…” He then struggled even more to push the buttons to the day's date.

“And then presto– print it out, and it calculates an expiration date, bada bing bada boom,” Pigsy grinned as the machine printed out the sticker and he placed it on the box of chili peppers.

“WOAH! That’s so cool!” MK gasped and looked at the printer closer.

“Why didn’t you show us this sooner! This is the coolest!” Mei agreed with her friend. “Can I try it out?”

“Oh– uh– sure, what’s the harm?” He said, knowing that the harm was probably having to print everything twice, but if it made her happy…

Pigsy explained how it worked again, and wrote down the date, as well as every food that needed to be labeled and she got straight to work.

“Ooh, what can I do Mr. Piggy?” MK asked once that was situated.

“Kid, how many times do I have to say it’s just Pigsy, no ‘mister’ and no ‘gy’,” Pigsy laughed a little. “And, let me think…”

Pigsy looked around the storage area, which hadn’t gotten all that dirty yesterday due to the only customer being–

Tang.

–So Pigsy went to the kitchen to try and think of something there. He looked over all the booths and decided that since there was no way he was gonna let MK do any slicing prep work, he could mop the floors and clean the tables or something. It wasn’t like they needed the work, so it would be a perfectly harmless and out of the way job.

“Alright, if you run out of water, just tell me, okay kid? Don’t ever try to fill it yourself– it’s just not gonna end well,” The chef informed the kid as the bucket filled with sudsy water.

“Got it Mr. Piggy,” MK saluted before laughing at himself. Pigsy rolled his eyes with a snort before turning the water off, having reached halfway up the bucket. He then grabbed a sponge and rag and gestured for MK to follow him.

“Wipe in circles like this, okay? Make sure you get every inch of the tables, move the napkins and stuff if you need to,” Pigsy said, displaying for MK what he meant. “When you’re done, use this dish towel to help speed up the drying process– customers don’t like sitting at wet tables, even if they are clean.”

“Got it,” the kid nodded with serious intent, his eyes following his every movement, which was probably the most focus he had ever seen the kid have ever– next to when he was reading Journey to the West, of course.

“You got that?” Pigsy asked, finishing the demonstration.

“I am a master of the cleaning arts, Mr. Pigsy,” MK tried to crack his knuckles, but just hurt himself instead, which made Pigsy laugh.

“You good, kid?” He placed a soft hand on his back.

“Y-yeah! Like I said, total master,” MK regained his confidence and Pigsy allowed him to get to work while he got to slicing and dicing the meats for his own prep work.

It was… weird having people able to help. Like– yeah, he’d have to check over the labeling over his lunch break, but things were undeniably getting cleaned and Mei was smart so maybe he wouldn’t even have to fix anything and then it's like everything got finished all at once and he’d have time to relax.

Now there’s a concept.

No, he probably wouldn’t relax. He’d send out another email to the leasing agent to tell her that surprise surprise he was going to select the first apartment they examined– and after that he’d work on moving stuff, and work on getting MK and Mei their school uniforms– though he still had time since they weren’t expected til Monday and it was only Wednesday.

Yeah, relaxing wasn’t exactly a luxury the chef could afford– even with the sudden influx of Dragon Family money.

That was fine. He didn’t deserve it anyways. Not after he pushed Tang away.

It took about fifteen minutes before Mei burst from the back and said she was done with the label gun, and said she put it back where it belonged (which he was doubtful of, but that wasn’t a big deal). He then taught her what he taught MK about cleaning off countertops and the bar, and she too got to work with a sponge.

Wow, at this rate he could’ve set his alarm back a whole thirty minutes– if it weren’t for the delivery truck– but still– wowza they were making progress. And the restaurant wasn’t even supposed to open til 9– dang, he’d have to think of a way to keep them busy, wouldn’t he?

Well he was supposed to have technically already done that– they’d certainly need something while the customers worked.

“Mr. Piggy! We forgot to give Mr. Tang his crayons!” MK said, reaching under a table and revealing his crayon box.

“O-oh– Guess we should return that… sometime,” Pigsy scratched the back of his neck.

“Ooo– Can I color when I'm done?” MK asked.

That was an idea– though Pigsy didn’t know if he had much paper– the takeout menus were double-sided and he didn’t really believe in “kids menus” (waste of paper).

“Maybe,” The pig said with a slight shrug. “I’ll need to find some paper though.”

“Cool!” MK cheered, doing that hand flap thingy again, which both confused and made Pigsy smile each time.

The gang all got back to work, though MK finished quicker than the rest of them, so Pigsy showed him how to use a broom and dustpan and got him sweeping– something that managed to distract him for a very long time, since he clearly didn’t see what sweeping was supposed to do and so just kept dragging it against the floor and bringing next of nothing to the trash and just repeating the cycle endlessly.

By the time Pigsy was done with the food prep and Mei with the cleaning of the kitchen and bar it was 8:45, still fifteen minutes til opening. To get even more of a jumpstart, Pigsy started working on some of the more commonly ordered broths, with Mei now observing the process closely.

By the time it was actually 9 o’clock, Pigsy had done just about everything he could possibly do to prep the restaurant, and Mei was working on drying off everything with a dishtowel again (as per pigsy’s orders since she had to do something). When he came to that conclusion, he grabbed his keys and unlocked and lifted the rolling door, tied up the bamboo cover, and set out the two stools for the outdoor bar.

There was nobody waiting, as was somewhat expected, meaning he still had a bit more time. However– he didn’t need that time, everything was… ready.

But he couldn’t relax.

No, no– there had to be something he could do– no, instead he went to the back office and dug through the piles of old paperwork that was completely useless to him and wafted through which ones had backsides and which didn’t, and when he completed that he appeared once more and set them down on one of the tables.

“Alright, you two’ve done enough work for now. If I need you two to help clean I’ll holler, but for now, draw some stuff– maybe I’ll even hang some around, who knows,” Pigsy shrugged, startling when he heard the broom go crashing down as MK zoomed to his side.

“You really mean that?” He asked, stars in his eyes.

Pigsy shrugged again, and MK immediately slid into the half-booth with such speed and determination Pigsy wondered if that kid was on something for a second.

“C’mon, you too Mei– I gotta keep you in my line of sight until this place gets busy– you two’ll move to the office when that happens,” He instructed.

“Man, I don’t wanna color, I’m not five,” The seven-year-old girl huffed against her bangs. “I wanna cook with you!”

“Kid, that’s–”

Sweet. Really sweet. Probably the sweetest thing anyone had ever said to him ever, except for Tang calling him angelic.

“You’re too young, and I’m also pretty sure that’s illegal. You can be on cleaning duty if you want but that’s not until I say so, okay?” Pigsy asked and Mei huffed and crossed her arms.

“Fine,” She eventually muttered, taking her seat across MK on a stool, adding another tally to Pigsy’s list of Guilts and Fuck-ups.

At least one of them was happy…

Pigsy continued doing absolutely nothing of use until customers did finally start coming in. Some joked about how much they missed the place, some said they thought the chef was dead or something because he never closed for more than a day, and others pointed to the children coloring and asked what was up with that, to which Pigsy had to improve a very, very short version of the whole adoption. In response, many folks joked about parenthood and gave tidbits of advice that ranged from ‘i guess that’s helpful’ to ‘sir I’m pretty sure that’s abuse’ but he just nodded along to it all.

Hours passed, and he called the kids to help clean once or twice after rush, to which MK showed the chef drawing after drawing of Sun Wukong, the Legendary Monkey King who did you know fought the court of heaven and was also trapped under a mountain for a long long time? And also is super cool and indestructible and cool and has red eyes that can see secret demons?

Pigsy did know, but it was fun to hear the kid ramble sometimes.

Reminded him of Tang.

More hours passed, and the kids had to move to the back office for the dinner rush, which Pigsy couldn’t deny was still as much of a pain in the ass as ever. Still, he was professional, and with all that prep work he’d done, he was doing pretty okay (except for the stress and strain on his back– as well as just the emotional tax of talking to some of these people).

He was a pro though, and not having to go back and forth to clean tables was kind of nice– he could focus on really making the noodles the best he possibly could, which was clearly yielding some results based on the customer’s faces when they left.

Still– the day just couldn’t be enjoyable and Pigsy couldn’t quite figure out why. Sure, he knew he felt bad about telling Mei she couldn’t cook, but that was like– a responsibility thing– she shouldn’t be dealing with the knives he dealt with. Granted, maybe he could’ve taught her to pull noodles, but that would make the results fluctuate and he needed his customers to be satisfied and– no, that was a dick move. He should’ve just taught her how to make the noodles.

Tomorrow.

Right now, the restaurant was practically empty, and Pigsy was working on some of the dishes since the kids were napping in the ‘office’, last he checked. Besides, he didn’t mind– cleaning the dishes let him into a routine where he could just keep his mind blank as he followed a repetition he’d known for years now. It was simple, it was easy, and it was calming.

After washing about ten bowls and some pans, he heard footsteps, and then a familiar sounding scrape of–

Tang’s stool.

Immediately Pigsy turned the water off and grabbed a towel to dry his hands, scrambling to think of some kind explanation or apology for Tang when he turned around and saw–

some… twenty-something year old with his arm around some girl in the stool next to him.

Pigsy couldn’t help his face from falling.

“Uh– I can sit here, right? Not like– reserved or anything?” The man looked at Pigsy strangely.

Pigsy shook his head. “No, no– you’re… you’re fine.”

“Yeah okay– well then, I’m gonna get the uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh– the udon noodles,” The man said.

“And you?” Pigsy asked the woman, ignoring a sharp pain in his chest.

“The chow mein,” She replied, and after he punched it into the register and took their payment, he went back to work, trying his best to tune out any of that ooey-gooey couple talk.

Who was he, getting his hopes up like that? Tang wasn’t gonna be here– he was upset with him. And he had every right to be! Spacing out like that– what the fuck was wrong with Pigsy– he wouldn’t be surprised if Tang never set foot in this goddamned place again. Hell– he wouldn’t be surprised if he review bombed it and somehow managed to get him completely shut down.

He wouldn’t be surprised if he acted like the kiss never happened– that he never heard of Pigsy or Pigsy’s noodles and that he just managed to eat cheap ramen packets for the rest of his life.

Tang deserved better food than that, but he also deserved better than Pigsy.

Maybe he oughta get a delivery service for the best of both worlds, now wouldn’t that be something?

Pigsy sighed.

He mechanically finished up the order before turning off the neon sign when he realized there was five minutes til closing time. He rolled down the bamboo cover as a way to close the door without locking it and got to cleaning out the main pots and pans he hadn’t gotten to yet. When the alarm went off for 11pm, he closed the outdoor bar and pulled the stools in, and got to mopping while waiting for that obnoxious couple to finish their stupid food so he could wake the kids and they could all just call it a night.

At five minutes past closing, the lovey-dovey couple stopped smooching and flirting and finally left, meaning Pigsy could finally take their dishes and clean them and then he could finally, finally go home.

Just as he was about to take their bowls, he heard footsteps and the russell of the bamboo flap, which made him grunt, “We’re closed, bud. Take a hike,” without looking at them. When the person didn’t leave, Pigsy growled and looked over his shoulder at–

Tang.

“U-um, hi… Pigsy,” His regular gave a small wave, and Pigsy dropped the bowls, causing them to shatter instantly.

“O-oh my-! Are you okay?!” Tang asked, stepping forward, but Pigsy just stepped over the glass around him and immediately went and hugged Tang, which the scholar melted into.

“T-tang, I’m so sorry– I should’ve gone after you o-or something– I just– I was so happy– I haven’t felt like that in years and my brain just failed me and I just– I’m so sorry, Tang. Please don’t go out and eat instant ramen because of me,” The chef said, breaking the hug to grab Tang’s shoulders.

“I– wasn’t planning to..?” Tang puzzled, before shaking his head. “Anyway– I just wanted to say I’m sorry too– I was thinking about how awful I must’ve made you feel all day– I couldn’t take any notes in my classes, I just felt so bad– and I know you tried so hard to make sure I didn’t feel bad and I just–” Tang took another breath. “I’m sorry, Pigsy. I guess I was kind of reeling from it too.”

“Glad to know I’m not the only idiot around here, heh,” Pigsy laughed pathetically as he noticed tears were starting to form in his eyes, which he quickly brushed away.

“Yeah– I’m really not that smart– I just wear glasses and read books,” Tang sniffled and wiped his own eyes under his glasses.

“Ah, I know that’s not true,” Pigsy laughed a little. “You hungry? I can make you a quick bowl.”

“Ohmygosh, yes please? I swear I didn’t only come for the food, but I am absolutely starving,” Tang quickly agreed and Pigsy expected nothing less.

In an instant Pigsy fired everything up and got to making his usual while Tang cleaned up the broken glass for him (“it was the least he could do”). When the food was done, Tang ate it at ravenous speeds, proving to the chef he was by no means exaggerating, which brought a stupid smile to his face as he watched.

After a bit, Tang realized he was watching him and his face turned red. “W-what?” He choked out eventually, forcing himself to put the food down.

“Oh nothin’, I’m just thinking about when you first came in all scrawny and starving,” Pigsy teased and got to wiping down the counters again.

“O-oh, yeah,” Tang’s blush grew deeper. “That feels like forever ago, doesn’t it?”

Pigsy thought about that for a moment before nodding. “Yeah, it does.”

“S-so… what do you want to do now..?” Tang asked as he finished, setting down the chopsticks.

“I… I-i don’t know– this whole day I’ve just been thinkin’ about how much I hurt you– I didn’t think you’d come back– I was even thinkin’ about getting a delivery service to make sure you still ate good food and wouldn’t have to result to instant ramen,” Pigsy half joked, but his hatred of that instant garbage was very real.

“O-oh, that’s– wow that’s sweet,” Tang smiled, one of the biggest smiles Pigsy had ever seen him give in fact.

“Y-yeah, so… so I don’t really know what I want– what about you?” Pigsy asked.

“I… I don’t know either. It’s not like I have money for dates and stuff, and I was the one who initiated all this and stuff and I just– I’d like to go out with you sometime– but I know with the kids and the restaurant it’s all complicated and stuff, and so I get it if–”

“I can find a time-!” Pigsy blurted, causing both of the men’s faces to blush even deeper.

Pigsy was quick to clear his throat. “W-what I mean is– I’d love to go on a date with you two a-and since, you know I uh– run this place I can adjust when I’m open or not. A-and don’t feel bad about not paying for anything– I can afford it.”

“What about MK and Mei?” Tang asked, though it was clear he wasn’t too worried about them based on the stupid smile on his face.

“Bah, I can figure that out,” Pigsy waved it off, though that was very much an exaggeration and his head was already spinning as he tried to think of what he could do.

“O-okay! So– a date!” Tang clapped his hands, and Pigsy chuckled and nodded.

“It’s a date then,” He agreed.

“Oooh, this is so exciting– do you want me to plan? I could try and come up with restaurants or something, but frankly I know nothing would compare to this place so– hmm… I don’t think any good movies are out… and you don’t seem like the minigolf type…”

“Tang, let’s think about it later, okay? I gotta get MK and Mei to bed– poor kids are just snoozing on the back office table,” Pigsy regretted to inform.

“Oh my– of course-! Here– I can help you too,” Tang said, quickly slinging his bag over his shoulder and standing like a soldier waiting for commands. Pigsy tried his best not to laugh as he finished cleaning up and went to the back with Tang, where they found MK and Mei fast asleep atop their pile of drawings and crayons still in hand.

“Oh yeah, I forgot I forgot those,” Tang whispered so as not to disturb them.

“You wanna take Mei and I take MK?” Pigsy asked and Tang nodded. It wasn’t easy, but eventually the two managed to scoop up one child each and bring them up the stairs and with some minor fumbling, into Pigsy’s apartment, where they just decided it would be easiest to keep them on the couch for the night.

Pigsy had to run down and finish closing up for the night, leaving Tang to watch over them briefly.

When he came back, Pigsy was surprised to find that Tang had made his bed, and also had a cups of tea made for him as he sat at the dining table.

“I… figure it's better to drink this than alcohol,” Tang explained himself, but Pigsy didn’t need that. Instead he sat silently next to the man and gave his hand a tight squeeze.

“Thanks, Tang,” He smiled, before letting go and having a sip.

Goddamn that's the stuff.

“You like it?” Tang noticed his elation.

“It’s good– very good,” Pigsy said, allowing himself to embrace the warm feeling the hot drink gave him. “Much better than sake.”

“I was hoping so,” Tang relaxed his shoulders. “You looked like you’d had a long day.”

“I did– but it’s okay; you came back,” Pigsy smiled crookedly.

“I did,” Tang smiled back for a second before it fell. “Look– I really am sorry for last night– not for kissing you– o-of course, but for leaving in a rush– I really should’ve stuck around more. I was just so stuck in my own head– it’s not your fault.”

“I know, and I’m sorry too. I spent all day just forgetting everything you tried to tell me last night, which was really stupid of me considering you really were pretty damn convincing,” Pigsy took another sip of the tea.

“Well… just in case you need to hear it again, I really am sorry I hurt you, Pigsy. I know you’re reserved and while I don't exactly agree with you saying you’re ‘bad at these things’, I should’ve taken the very obvious hint that kissing me back means you don’t hate me,” Tang half joked.

“Don’t beat yourself up about it, Tang, I understand,” Pigsy reached out for Tang’s hand, which he returned and squeezed.

“I won’t– so long as you don’t beat yourself up about any of this either,” Tang smirked.

Dammit.

“Well, you go me there,” Pigsy chuckled. “But okay. I promise.”

“Good,” Tang got up and kissed his cheek. “Enjoy the rest of your tea– I have a train to catch.”

“I-i will,” Pigsy stayed frozen, lost in the sensation of the kiss on his cheek.

Tang chuckled. “Goodnight MK, Goodnight Mei, and goodnight Pigsy,” He whispered and finished with a wink before silently closing the apartment door, leaving Pigsy to his thoughts once again.

Well… it was really just one thought at this point– his emotions being too jumbled to form anything truly coherent except for it. Even as he finished his tea, checked on the kids, gave them a blanket, turned off the lights and got himself into bed he only had one thought:

What a man…

[countinglegoclowns]

I'm really hoping the best for ya in the coming days, I know the feeling of offline and mental stuff kicking ya down. But since you mentioned it, and if you’re up for it, are there any little tidbits about your Cicada Tang stuff that you've had in the back if your mind you've wanted to share but isn't super detailed or big enough for a long post or art? I love little one off pieces of trivia about people's aus and ideas and ocs and the like.

!!!!!!!

I have So Much

Cicada can actually possess Tangs body. Tripitaka, for some reason, can’t. (I sort of picture it as like dimple and mob where cicada just. Does backflips whenever he’s in tangs body)

Cicada and Tripitaka have some sort of corporeality when it comes to Tang, to the point where they can interact with him in a way others can see (cicada used to heft tang around as a kid and got them in trouble a lot)

Tripitaka is still kind of in denial that Pigsy and Tang are married. Cicada sort of like changes the subject and distracts him whenever it comes up and Tang is not fully convinced that the monk even Knows.

I really really wanted to draw a scene from s4 where, instead of finding Tang Sanzang, they find The Great Master Golden Cicada and Mk and Mei just short circuit

Tang is actually a lot more confident in his abilities compared to canon because he has two people who have used these powers before, and are great teachers

Tripitaka’s opinion is Very Important to Tang, and he looks up to him a great deal, but he finds it easier to talk to Cicada because he relates to him more

When Tang was little and Tripitaka was otherwise engsged, Cicada would have to shift to his human form to calm him down. (The bug form is a choice)

[real-sun-wukong-fan01]

How would you think monkey kings enemies and the Mk gang would react to his past??? Would they care (minis Mk group) or be like eh don’t care 🤷‍♀️????

most of wukong enemies do know about wukong (or should), for example DBK was there since wukong got his new powers from master puti. He was one of the sworn brothers of wukong's.

But he probably doesn't know the story as well because he wasn't there to witness it, he likely got confused when he got to know that the so called hero was once a merciless monster who killed everyone on his path, and got in a fight with Buddha as well!

some may not know about it, such as red son (we don't count him as an enemy, but more on the MK squad) in the LMK universe he never fought wukong, he was born likely after the journey or during it, either way, he was too young to even fight and kidnap the monk.

But all enemies for now should know the past.

I'm not sure about the spider queen and the Scorpion princess, i do know that the scorpion princess exists in the book but in the show she doesn't seem to even know about wukong.

She was there to get some friends, she was kind of a reference to her chapter in the book I'm pretty sure.

Macaque also seems to know about wukong and how he used to be ("the old wukong would have weighted a whole mountain to stop me!" y'know, those lines.)

And nazha also seems to know, they kept the fact that they know each other ("I've known sun wukong for longer, he's not the loner he pretends to be"), so he might as well have witnessed the havoc in heaven.

The MK gang likely dosen't.

Well, not all for sure.

there are hints that the story was changed, the Legend of the monkey king has changed.

And i talked about it before too! It likely got changed to make wukong seem like a good guy from the start.

So while MK and Tang (the ones who knows about the story the most) may know about wukong stealing from heaven, bajie and wukong never getting along, they also missed some parts too.

I doubt they would know about wukong actions (killing people, eating people ect.) But they know most of the story. changed into a more family friendly and to make wukong look in a better light, but they know the story.

Now about knowing the true story?

The enemies (who don't know the story or the full one) would likely get shocked to know what wukong did and has been through, most probably won't feel that bad, they'll just be shocked. And probably in denial because it's hard to accept that wukong, someone they know to be a HERO, was once bad like them.

the MK gang? All differently.

MK would be also shocked and a bit in denial, with the whole "what?? Nahhhh!! Monkey king would never do that!!" But he'll also accept the fact that wukong was once that person, and that now he changed for the better.

I don't see MK disliking wukong because of a hard past, MK would see what wukong is now and be happy that he changed.

Mei, as she didn't have much fun times with wukong would be shocked simply because wukong was very, very cruel. And most times he didn't care.

Her opinion wouldn't change too much on wukong, but she would also understand that he at least changed. He still makes dumb mistakes and hurts the one he loves, but at least he doesn't do it on purpose right?

Pigsy? I don't think he cares. He cares more about what wukong is now, than what he was.

Sure, it would be disturbing to know what wukong did and was before, but who cares?? He's not that person now.

Tang? Fucking fanboy.

But seriously, i do think he would act similar to pigsy and MK.

Sandy? Likely the only one who gets that wukong was like that because of trauma.

The only one who gets that wukong is still traumatized and that he was like that because he grew up to think in a certain way.

Sandy relates to wukong in the sense "I've been there too", sandy has been a horrible person before and he knows what it feels like to be ashamed of the past and being afraid of becoming once again that person you hate so much.

He'll probably the only one who will actively try and help Wukong more than caring about his past.

[madammonkie]

Everything according to plan

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Summary: what if Wukong's plan work accordingly in his favored (and Macaque is too little too late to the party)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He told them to wait, and wait they did. There's seem to be no other enemy nearby, aside from the lotus prince himself it's a good sign for the group. They can finally catch their breaths. They have been traveling for so long.

This is it

The time to finally save the world once again, and just like before Monkey King will be there by their side as they finally stop the ever terrifying Destiny the Lady Bone demon bestowed upon the world.

However..something is not right...

Pigsy and Wukong has a cold war going on, and The Head chef kept talking about a fourth ring.

It can't be true, Monkey King would never kept something so important from them ...right?

Of course he wouldn't, not after what they have been through, XiaoTian trust him and he trust him....right?

XiaoTian keep getting more and more Anxious...

Every second passes, he can feel the cold air of the mountain stabs him right into his bones. Pun intended .

Suddenly something fell off the sky. A familiar golden aura. It wasn't as strong as before, but it certainly does gain their attention.

Sun Wukong victoriously escape the Lotus Prince. How he do it, is not relevant and only him and Buddha knows.

"We haven't have much time let's get this over with" he said as he instructed the group to get in position, He then tells Tang to stood on the altar with the map and stay still.

He then began to shoved pass through the group and power walking towards XiaoJiao.

Poor girl has no clue why Da Sheng is heading towards her "W-what?" She ask still a bit cautious around the Monkey King. Unlike her best friend who has been oh so blindly eats up every words Da Sheng spewed, she was on the more smarter side. She knows every single lie Monkey King spewed, the gaslightings. It honestly starting to pissed her off.

"Long XiaoJiao, I need you to stay still, I promise it'll be all over soon" He said with the most soothing and calming voice she has ever heard. Now she gets why XiaoTian easily followed his every words. He was quite a charismatic fellow.

"What are you-"

Before she could ask, Wukong already put a hand on her chest and begin to chant what appears to be prayer or spells.

The Monkey's claws dug into her body without actually harming it all the while telling her that "it's going to be fine everything will be over soon". But boy does it hurts. XiaoJiao was wailing in agony as her chest seems to be glowing and before she knows it the monkey king is elbow deep into her body.

He then began to pull back.

The pain was even more stronger than before.

She screams and screams, and to his credit Wukong is doing it in the most gentle way he could.

After what it felt like an entire hour. He manage to pullout a familiar object. What's that object you might ask?

Why.. its one of the Fire Ring

XiaoJiao's body felt like its shutting down on her, and with a swift move, Sun Wukong grabs her before she can fall in to the ground.

The group was frozen in shock, many thoughts blooming in their heads, they grew a garden of question and emotions.

The silence was broken, by none other than XiaoTian Himself, the boy who has been following Monkey King's word oh so blindly,

"..the Fourth Ring..." he turn his head towards his Employer, who was already staring at him with an expression that was a mixture of "I told you so" and "are you okay?" kind of look. But whatever it is, its pretty darn obvious that his concern is more towarded to XiaoTian and XiaoJiao.

"Hah...Y-You just know that didn't you, Monkey king-- M-man, It's a g-good thing that you found that out last m-minute ahahahaha" XiaoTian tried to rationalize denying the possibility of his mentor keeping this a secret.

"Right? Monkey King"

"No,...I've already knew...for centuries actually " Monkey king replied, shattering the denial XiaoTian spouting. no more game, no more lies, no more avoiding.

Face all of the consequences. He hand the half conscious XiaoJiao to the gentle Giant Sandy and began his tale of truth.

"I've made a grave mistake back then, I let a ray of fire escaped my grasp and into a near by host. That host is none other than Long XiaoJiao's great great thousands time grandfather. Ao Lie, the white dragon horse. It kept getting Passed down from him to his descendants. Till it reaches, well... XiaoJiao"

XiaoTian feels betrayed, he wanted to yell, he wanted to scream. How could he left him out on a very important detail.

But He can't, there's more to it than what he did.

XiaoTian just stood there in silence still on a battle field with his mind. Debating if it were his fault that he's not worthy enough to be trusted with such information, or was it because Wukong isn't the hero he thought he was.

And frankly he rather the first one to be the truth. He don't want to lose his role model. Its a fate worse than hell.

Before he falls deeper and deeper to his ever growing self-doubt and self defense.

A strong, warm arm wraps around him. Claw like hands soothingly caress his head. "I never wanted to lie to you, i don't want you to get more involved than you already have, I'm sorry "

"Why..? Am I not good enough? Do you regret picking me as your successor? What did I do wrong, Monkey King" every question he spewed, his voice cracks even more. Waves of guilt and sadness, washed away any lingering attempt of being firm.

"Oh XiaoTian, you're Always perfect, I never regretted picking you. You did nothing wrong. You were never to blame. Normally I would trust you in handling things on your own...you have potential. And it takes time to honed your skills" he whispered oh so soothingly.

"But ever since her return, I knew time is ticking and you are not ready to face her yet.....I- I don't want to put you in danger"

He himself began to tremble, but he tried to keep it together, for XiaoTian's sake. "Everyday was a restless night thinking what would have happened to you, if I was too late."

He recalled all those nightmare he awoken to during his "vacations" and he wouldn't be able to sit still knowing he has yet to send another lesson for him to learn, at least new skills that might help him survived long enough until he got back.

The Astral Projection was something he will always thanked XiaoTian's fast learner traits. He can see how he was doing and talk to him. Of course he gets annoyed with the timing he pick. He can't even speak a little bit longer with XiaoTian.

XiaoTian can feel the Great Sage trembling while trying to sooth him. 'How can you still be thinking of me when you're trembling this much' XiaoTian thought to himself.

He raised his own arm and wrapped it around his now trembling mentor.

"I wouldn't be able to live with myself if anything were to happen to you all.." the monkey king finally spoke, loud enough to be heard by all.

It certainly didn't ceased pigsy's and XiaoJiao's anger towards him. But it certainly gave them a new understanding of Wukong's well meaning.

A poor old monkey, trying his best to protect everything he hold dear in his own twisted way.

Before he could say anything further, a row of calcium spikes grew from the ground right below where Wukong and XiaoTian were standing. Wukong and his fast reflexes managed to push XiaoTian and himself away from the calcium.

The Six Eared Macaque...

He has come back, new and "improved"

The Bone Spirits has taken control over his body. And the poor thing looks like he's in so much pain. No more of his cynical attitude, just straight up charging towards the group in inhuman speed from the direction of another mountain.

"WUKONG"

The raging black furred monkey yelled in an Uncharacteristic rage that XiaoTian has never heard him do.

"EVERYONE ON POSITION" The Monkey King commanded.

"But- What's the plan--" XiaoTian ask still unsure of what are they going to do after releasing the fire.

"JUST DO IT-" Monkey King didn't mean to yell, but he couldn't control his own anxieties.

Pigsy, Sandy (still holding XiaoJiao), and XiaoTian each stood in front of the slots to put in the rings while Tang Remain standing on the altar.

He commands the group to insert the ring as he held the fourth ring in hand standing in the middle of the circle.

And also on command Tang put the map on the altar as The great sage began to absorbs the Samadhi fire.

And so it began.

His grand part of his grand plan.

The Fire creates a burning hot heat wave. Sandy, blessed his giant heart, immediately shield his companions with his inhumanely durable body, shielding his Friends with his back.

The six ear Macaque arrived just in time to witness Wukong blazing with dark magenta fire.

This could actually work in his favor ....if it were true, that The Samadhi fire can destroy her..then...maybe Wukong's attack can help him break free of this cursed calcium.

On a whim, Macaque attack the blazing monkey in hopes to get the fire burns the calcium off him.

Which it works.

His calcium armor was destroyed and now he's free. He can..HE CAN...

...

..

He turn around to see that Wukong's struggling to keeping it together, XiaoTian was being held back by Pigsy and Blocked by Sandy as the younger one trying desperately to go to his mentor's side. It seems that fire itself is too strong even for the great sage himself.

He was pondering of what should he do next, on one hand he could've just let Wukong be, there is no Way in hell he would sacrifice his ass to help them.

But on the other hand,...What is even the point of being revived anymore if he can't kill Wukong himself.

"XIAOTIAN NO"

The cry of Pigsy rings in his ears, before he even could make any decisions. He saw a flash of orange pass by him and towards the blazing Wukong.

Xiao Tian Run as fast as his legs could take him, he doesn't care about the painful burns of fire. Sandy as Much as he would like to stop

"KID WHAT ARE YOU DOING" out of instinct Macaque yelled out to the adrenalin rushed Kid simultaneously grab his hand preventing him to move any closer to the unstable Wukong. What was this kid thinking? Is he trying to get himself killed?

"LET GO OF ME" XiaoTian tries to struggle to free himself from Macaque's grip. His grip is certainly way stronger than the noodle chef.

"DO YOU WANT TO DIE??" Was all Macaque could responded.

"WHY DO YOU CARE?!" XiaoTian yelled, the frustration that's been stacked finally erupted as he stare directly to the demon monkey with an uncharacteristically unkind eyes.

Macaque flinched at the sudden outburst from the boy he thought was so meek. He couldn't give any answer. He himself doesn't know.

He slowly let's go...fine then if the kid can't even appreciate his moment of caring, then so be it.

As soon as XiaoTian was freed, he continued to run disregarding his friend's cries for him to come back.

Into the flame he goes.

The cries of agony from his mentor sounds so bizarre to him, it actually make him felt like a weak little insect.

If The Great Sage Can't handle this what CAN he do?

He push aside his thoughts and Hugs the Monkey King as Tightly as he could.

The Great Sage gasp as if he just been drowned and hoarding bunch of sweet sweet air. And just like that the Samadhi Fire had calm down. XiaoTian's sturdy body still got burns and bruises all over it. Despite this he still held his mentor tightly "I know you're used to being alone, But not this time, You have us now,.. we can beat her together,...don't shoulder this on your own...please, Shifu..."

Sun Wukong's eyes teared up, all the bottled up emotions are leaking and it even prevent his usual jokester attitude.

He can't ... he just can't....

Wukong gently pushed him away, XiaoTian look in horror as he look at his mentor, shaking his head, and give a sad yet big smile,

"Not this time Bud"

Before finally jets away with his new power.

To the direction of the Lady's Mech direction.

[tuesdayscanons]

I've been wondering who fell for the other first and all I'm sure of at the moment is that Pigsy started developing feelings much earlier than he fully realizes.

Not that Pigsy crushed on Tang immediately (although he found Tang endearing from the start), it still took a certain moment for Pigsy to go "Oh, this guy is cute". Probably something that proved Tang genuinely cares about him or is a good person in general. Of course, Pigsy doesn't think he's gay and he's in denial about his feelings so it doesn't register to him as anything more than platonic.

Pigsy would subconsciously start touching Tang's hands more after "The Moment" though.

[strange-lace]

Almond.

I know you sent this as a joke but I’mma use this as an opportunity to provide some angst! S3 finale spoilers under the read more.

Now Almond likes to deny that she’s “motherly” in any capacity or that she’s anyone’s mother, yet the sight of Mei engulfed by the Samadhi Fire made all those denials go out the window as she wanted nothing then to help her kid. When Mei goes supernova, Almond has no cover like Pigsy and Tang with Sandy or MK with Wukong and she was exposed to the force of the fire. She doesn’t even notice the pain at first, only determined to help Mei with adrenaline keeping her going. Once MK helps Mei temporarily control the Samadhi Fire, does the pain finally set in and the realization that her face was burning, oh god was it burning, and her sight was still blurry. She stumbles forward to stop Mei but before she knows it, she’s gone. Almond is struggling extremely hard to just keep herself together, constantly reminding herself that she needs to keep it to together for MK, for Mei, for everyone. She needs to be the rock of comfort for them all and can't show weakness. But she’s struggling to stay on her feet, needing Sandy’s help to stay upright while everyone plans to get back Wukong and find Mei.

Almond’s upper half of her face gets permanently burned along with her hands and possibly her eyes, but she refuses to let that stop her from keeping her family safe and helping stop LBD once and for all.

[lunar-wandering]

“Not Sick.”

Wukong gets sick, except this time, I’m writing comedy instead of hurt/comfort.

Word Count: 2k

Read on Ao3

MK blocked a kick from Wukong with the staff, sending dust into the air from the force of it. Smirking, proud of himself for blocking the hit, he pulled back before Wukong had the chance to push off of him, and immediately swung the staff in an arc. Wukong, as expected, ducked down under it, flipping backwards once the staff was out of the way, then jumping and flipping again when MK moved forwards with a follow up attack.

They'd been at this for a while now, dodging and blocking as they sparred. It was still early morning, MK having arrived bright and early for a full day of training.

Wukong landed another flip, only to stumble, just the slightest. MK, in the moment, didn't register how weird it was for the Monkey King to stumble, instead only seeing the opportunity. Planting the staff in the ground, he used it to propel himself as he spun around, kicking Wukong in the side, knocking him into the nearby mountain, birds flying away and more dust flying up as the Monkey King slammed into it.

"I did it!" MK cheered, before pausing. "Wait. I did it? Monkey King, you didn't throw the spar so that I'd win and get more confident or something, did you?"

"Nope, you won that one fair and square bud!" Wukong pushed himself off of the mountain, and MK noted that the Monkey King seemed.... a little unsteady on his feet, slightly wobbling back and forth.

"...Are you okay? I didn't hit you that hard." MK said, eyes narrowing in concern as he re-evaluated his mentor's physical state.

"Oh, I'm fine!" Wukong said- then immediately disproved that claim as he sneezed, the ground literally shaking from the force of it. MK barely kept himself from falling using the staff for balance, looking at his mentor with a deadpan expression. Wukong coughed a little, avoiding MK's gaze.

"Ah." MK said, "You're sick."

"What? No I'm not." Wukong waved his hands in denial, "It was just- just the dust is all."

"I bet if I walked over there and checked you'd have a fever."

"No- No I wouldn't. Because I'm not sick." Despite saying this, Wukong still backed away when MK started walking towards him. "You do know that I can't even get sick, right? It's absolutely a ridiculous notion, I mean, I'm immortal in at least 5 different ways, and not to mention the invulnerability y'know? I'm also made out of stone, so you know, I don't get sick-"

"You're doing the lying smile again." MK didn't stop walking towards him, and Wukong didn't stop backing away. At this point, it was almost starting to look like they were on a normal walk. You know, that is if MK wasn't walking towards Wukong in a mildly threatening manner and Wukong didn't look like he was two steps away from outright starting to run. "You're also rambling."

"Rambling? I'm not rambling, why would I be rambling-"

"Because you're trying to convince me that you're not sick, which you absolutely are."

"I am not." Wukong's back hit a tree, cornering him. MK stopped mere inches in front of him.

"Yes, you are." MK wasn't going to take no for an answer. "I didn't have Pigsy and Tang spend an entire 2 hours teaching me to take care of myself just to watch you attempt to push your limits. You're going to go back to your house and rest."

"I'm fine. And even if I wasn't- what about you're training?" Wukong asked.

"I can come and train another day. I'll just spend the rest of today with Mei." MK went to put his hand against Wukong's forehead to check for a fever, but the Monkey King ducked under his arm, moving to the right, grabbing onto a tree branch and hauling himself up. "Would you stop straining yourself?!"

"I'm not straining myself, because I'm not sick." Wukong sat cross-legged in the tree, looking very proud of himself.

That is, until a monkey climbed up on his shoulder.

Followed by another climbing onto his back.

And another grabbing onto his leg.

"Wh- hey!"

Ignoring his mentor struggling to get out of the monkey's grip, MK turned to a monkey that was sitting on a branch nearby.

"I take it you guys will look after him?"

The monkey nodded, and MK gave it a high-five, before turning and starting to walk away.

"Hey- kid! Wait!"

"I'll bring you some noodles later, okay?!"

-

"Monkey King is sick?" 

"Yeah, hopefully the monkeys will keep him resting until I drop by again tonight..." MK and Mei walked down the street as he talked, passing by some stores, a food van, a street sign with a bird resting on top of it... 

"Wait a second." MK stopped in his tracks, turning back around, just in time to see Wukong sneeze, changing from his bird form back into his normal self, tumbling off the street sign and onto the ground, indenting the pavement on impact. "Monkey King, what are you doing here?"

"What does it matter what I'm doing here? Can I not be allowed to go about town?" Wukong asked, slowly standing back up.

"I- you're sick, Monkey King. You're meant to be resting." MK crossed his arms, walking over to stand in front of his mentor.

"I keep telling you kid, I'm fine." Wukong emphasized the word fine, dragging it out for a few seconds as he leaned against the street sign-

The street sign ripped out of the pavement and toppled over, Wukong stumbling, almost falling down with it. He laughed nervously as MK fixed him with an unimpressed stare. 

"Ha ha, whoops, uh, I totally meant for that to happen, let me just fix this real quick-" Wukong picked up the street sign, trying to place it back where it had been. MK sighed, grabbing hold of the sign and taking it out of Wukong's hands. 

"Monkey King, go home and rest, or I'll hit you with this sign." He threatened. He wouldn't actually hit Wukong with the sign, not in the condition the Monkey King was currently in, but he figured that if nothing else, a threat might get through the monkey's stone thick head.

"...I'm not sick, but y'know, I'd rather not deal with a sign related headache so-" Wukong summoned his cloud, taking one wobbly step towards it- and it occurred to MK that, you know what? Having a sick Monkey King attempt to fly home on his own might not be the best idea.

"Mei? Grab him."

Mei didn't need to be told twice, rushing forwards and wrapping her arm around Wukong's own, stopping him just as he was about to step onto the cloud. The cloud itself dissipated, as Wukong looked at the both of them, confused.

"Wh- I thought you wanted me to go home?" He asked, struggling to get out of Mei's hold, and honestly, the fact he was actually struggling spoke volumes.

"I changed my mind." MK nodded to Mei, and she turned, heading in the opposite direction she and MK had been walking in. "We're taking you to the Noodle Shop."

"What- to Pigsy's- wait no-" Wukong started struggling more, Mei having to shift her grip to keep him from getting loose.

"What's so wrong about going to Pigsy's?" She asked, "Surely, if you're not sick, there's nothing wrong with going to visit the mother hen of the block."

Wukong opened his mouth, about to argue- only to seemingly realize that doing so would just be dooming himself, as his mouth clicked shut.

MK gave Mei a thumbs up, before sending Pigsy a text, warning him of the storm that was about to enter his shop.

-

By the time MK and Mei entered with Wukong in tow, Pigsy had already kicked out any customers for the day. Tang was still there, of course, chatting with Pigsy about something or other, and Sandy was sitting over in a corner. Mei let Wukong go as soon as the door had shut behind them, and she and MK went over to sit at the counter.

There was some cold medicine set out, along with some various teas and other things.

"What's all this for, is somebody sick?" Wukong asked, looking at all the supplies on the table, and the room went dead silent. Wukong sniffled a little, rubbing his nose on the edge of his sleeve, before processing the way everyone in the room was staring at him. "Wh- hey, I'm not sick, I'm perfectly fine!"

"Monkey King." MK rose from his seat, looking the most serious Wukong had ever seen him. "If you try and insist you're fine one more time. I will call in even more reinforcements, and you will not like it."

"But I keep telling you, I. Am. Fine."

"Your funeral, then." MK pulled out his phone, and Wukong suddenly had the distinct feeling that he might of made a mistake of some kind. "Hello, Mr. Demon Bull King Sir?"

"Wait- Hold on-" Wukong rushed over, misjudging the distance and hitting the counter, cracking it slightly, before pushing himself off of it, turning and trying to grab the phone out of MK's hand. MK, having expected this, practically danced out of his mentor's reach. "Kid-"

"I'm calling you because Monkey King is sick, and we might need some reinforcements." MK continued, completely ignoring his mentor's protests. "You'll be over right away? That's great!"

"No it's not!" Wukong made another lunge for the phone, having to stop for a moment to cough as he swayed, the sudden movement having made him dizzy. "I'm fine! He doesn't have to come over!"

"You do realize you're just proving the kid's point by how much you're protesting right now, right?" Pigsy said, making Wukong yelp as he hadn't noticed that the pig demon had gotten so close to him. Pigsy used the Monkey King's surprise to grab hold of his scarf, dragging him down so that he could press his hand against his forehead and take his temperature. "...Yep, that's a fever alright. Nothing too concerning, but it's there. You're sick."

"...I'm not." Wukong denied yet again, but it was quieter, a little bit weaker this time. He was starting to recognize that he was fighting a losing game.

The door swung open, and everyone turned as the Demon Bull King entered the shop.

"Oh, that was fast. How'd you-" MK started, before noticing Red Son standing just slightly in behind his father. "Oh, fire teleportation, right."

Wukong laughed nervously as Demon Bull King's gaze landed on him.

"I see you're being a stubborn fool when it comes to your own weaknesses yet again, simian." Demon Bull King picked up Wukong by the back of his scarf, letting him dangle a few inches off the floor. "If I remember right, I'm pretty sure you promised you wouldn't do this again after what happened the last time."

"...What happened the last time?" Tang dared to ask.

"It's nothing you need to know about, because there wasn't a last time, because I don't get sick." Wukong said- then sneezed again, this time dispelling his shapeshifting, shrinking a few inches down to his real height. Everyone rolled their eyes, no-one bothering to audibly argue with him.

"The last time the simian pulled this kind of stunt, he ended up in bed for three days after he injured himself in a bout of fever-induced delirium." Demon Bull King clarified, "Truly, I'm glad we've gotten him before he reached the delirium point. It is not a sight you would want to see."

MK momentarily pictured what a delirious Monkey King would be like. He ultimately decided he never wanted to know.

"I'm not at a delirium point, because I'm fine." Wukong somehow managed to pry Demon Bull King's fingers apart, landing on the ground. "I keep telling you, I'm perfectly and utterly healthy."

As he said this, he put one hand down on the table beside him for balance. Said table almost instantly cracked down the middle, crumbling down, Wukong falling down onto the ground with it.

Red Son shook his head, sighing, before grabbing onto Pigsy's arm and dragging him into the kitchen.

"Come, I've got a soup recipe here that'll blow his mind so much he'll completely forgetting about keeping up this whole 'healthy' pretense." He said, Pigsy willing following along after him.

Wukong sat up, pouting, a piece of table falling off of his head. MK sighed, Mei comfortingly patting him on the back.

"Was I this bad?" MK mumbled.

"Maybe in the denial part, but you didn't cause this much property damage, so no." Mei answered.

Sandy placed a blanket around the Monkey King's shoulders, Demon Bull King making sure that Wukong didn't protest or try to stand up by keeping a hand resting on top of the monkey's head. Tang sipped his coffee, contemplating.

"I suppose I'm going to have to make another powerpoint presentation."

[ninja-knox-ur-sox-off]

Tell us more about the "If you want… me" WIP

(Thank you for sending this ask in I love you with my entire soul, Lace)

Pigsy adopts Mk.

That's it. That's the fic.

Just a thing about Pigsy slowly realizing just how much he cares about the kid (which he's been in denial about for a while now.) There's a moment in which Mk gets sick and is a little delirious and is practically crying and begging Pigsy not to leave him because abandonment issues go brrrrrrr, and it hits Pigsy that even after everything Mk still fears he might drop him somewhere and, well, abandon him, so he decides to do something that scares him to make sure the kid knows he's loved because action speak louder than words, right? And he's never been real good at talking anyways. Mk's worth it. When Mk calls him dad as he's falling asleep that pretty much solidifies his commitment.

So he starts researching and filing out adoption papers.

Tang gets a little concerned because Pigsy's practically running himself ragged between running the shop, dealing with bills, and filling out adoption papers, and confronts him about it which is a bit of a mess for a sec cause Pigsy hasn't actually told anybody what he's doing lol skdmfa;oghe It turns out fine though and Tang finds out and is just absolutely ecstatic for him. (Freenoodle in this AU but they're both kinda still in denial about it lol)

It's been in the works for... a long time now actually lol, pretty quick after I finished my first fic for the fandom Family is What You Make it. But I've never quite been able to get it moving the way I want it. Might have to re-start it sometime, but I do eventually want to write it because this is something I've wanted to write since I got into this fandom lol skldmf;aghoae

Anyway, without further ado, here's a (rather large) snippet! <3

3:43am.

He'd need to open the shop in a few hours. He didn’t really want to leave the kid alone though. He could probably get Tang to come watch him, but he most likely wasn’t awake yet, and he didn’t want to accidentally wake him up. He could have made the call downstairs, but didn’t really feel like moving somehow.

It had been a while and his fever didn’t show any signs of breaking. Pigsy was thinking that maybe he should take him to the hospital, or at least get him some sort of medicine. There wasn’t any in the noodle shop, and he made a mental note to stock up on another first aid kit with some essentials in there somewhere so the kid would have easy access to it in the future. He had one down in the kitchen in case of cuts and other injuries, but medicine was another story altogether.

Pigsy glanced at Mk, who was still asleep, and looking no closer to getting any better. He stood up, reaching for his jacket, which he’d taken off sometime in the night or early morning, pulling it on, his hand slipping into his pocket to check for his phone and keys out of habit, the metal clinking together as his fingers touched them.

He turned away, about to head for the door when a weak tug at his sleeve stopped him and he started slightly, head snapping to see Mk, still curled up clinging to his sleeve.

“Kid?” he said, questioningly, his brow furrowing.

“Don’t leave,” he whispered, his grip tightening a little, but still weak.

Pigsy blinked.

“I’m sorry,” Mk mumbled, and to Pigsy’s alarm he saw tears gathering in his eyes. “Please don’t leave.” He hiccuped, curling up a little tighter. He was still shivering, which suddenly looked a lot more like trembling.

“Kid…” Pigsy said, his concern growing. He still didn’t look quite there, he wasn’t even sure he realized he was awake.

“Please, I’ll--I’ll be better,” Mk hiccuped, shaking even as he clung to his sleeve. “I promise, I’ll be better, please don’t leave. Please. I’m sorry. Please keep me.” He was crying in earnest now, and Pigsy just… stared at him, his fractured heart aching.

“No, kid…” he started, but couldn’t think of anything more to say, closing his eyes, his face screwing up in a grimace because… Mk didn’t talk about before they met, but it didn’t take a genius to figure it out, especially not with him trembling and crying and begging Pigsy to keep him, of all things, apologizing for no reason, promising to be better, like he needed to do something to be worthy of someone wanting him around.

He wanted to do something, say something, anything to reassure him, but… kind words, physical affection... they weren’t something he was good at. He wasn’t even sure he knew how to be anything other than gruff and loud. Mk deserved someone so much better than him, but…

Mk was still clinging to his sleeve, curled up in a tight ball and trembling, his face hidden, pressed into the covers like he was afraid it was wrong to cry, or that he might have gotten in trouble for it, tensed as if expecting a blow (one of words or one of the physical kind Pigsy wasn't sure he was ready to know), and yet through all of that, still holding onto Pigsy.

Mk deserved so much better than him, but he was what the kid had right now. The least he could do was try his best, even if it was rough, blunt, and unpolished.

He crouched down at the side of the bed, careful not to make Mk think he was pulling away--even in his deliriously feverish state, he didn’t want the kid thinking he was going to leave him, that would likely only make him more distressed--and haltingly placed a hand on the top of his head.

Mk stiffened at the contact, and Pigsy did too, suddenly afraid he’d done something horribly wrong by touching him, but then Mk was relaxing and leaning into the touch and his crying was more of just, shuddering breaths and shivers.

He still didn’t release Pigsy’s sleeve, and Pigsy didn’t try to make him.

He stayed like that, crouched at the edge of the bed, his hand resting on Mk’s head, just… letting him know he was there.

Somehow, miraculously, his half-aborted, unsure attempt at comfort seemed to be enough for him, and Mk fell back asleep after a few minutes, still mumbling things now and again.

“Yeah,” he said quietly after Mk had drifted off. “I’m not going anywhere, kid.”

Wip Ask Game ASK ME ABOUT MY WIPS (wip list post)

[wolfcamellias]

*drops in through your roof*

What role does Sandy play in your aus?

OH BOY

Valleys AU (this contains spoilers to the AU but awa)

Sandy is an old friend of Pigsy's and Tang's, the three of them knew each other in their early 20s more or less and had a wonderful friendship before Sandy decided to head to the mountains for a short journey, to which the other two encouraged. They sent letters to each other and kept contact for a couple of months. But sometime later Sandy decided to stay in one of the mountains and although Pigsy and Tang were distraught (Pigsy went straight into denial and anger while Tang tried to pretend it was all okay), they still are happy for Sandy for finding a new home with new people and still send letters to him to check up on the demon.

Sandy takes care of Ba, Beng and Ma on Flower Fruit Mountain. He takes care of their injuries and makes sure all the demons in the village that rests at the foot of the mountain. He's a therapist and still owns a lot of therapy cats and has a nice dynamic with Ma, makin sure she's healthy and that her scars are taken care of.

The three of them are very close, too.

Magnolias AU

The Sun Family's flowershop is organized and run by Sandy; he offered to take the job after they acquired the flowershop from the previous owner and happily runs it with Mei, Nezha and Sen working with him on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. He acts as a sort of therapist for the family but it's said light-heartedly and doesn't give serious advice unless the family genuinely needs it when they ask.

He's a bit of an uncle-character and hangs out with Zhizhu the most during the weekends. The two have small friend dates and have self-care days with each other (they also 🤝 bc trans rights)

[purble-turble]

I'm just imagining Prince MK reuniting with his friends when they finally reach the secret village and at first, he thinks it's some kind of trick. But then Mei starts babbling every secret she has and oh my gods it's them. The tears get worse when Shan and Jiayi finally meet their auntie, their Grunkle Sandy, and their grandpas Pigsy and Tang.

Oh yes, I'm sure he doesn't trust that they're real at first. After all, he's spent years of his life assuming he was alone in the world save for King Red.. in fact, maybe it's not even that he thinks it's a trick; he might just think he's losing his mind. He probably suffered nightmares and hallucinations of his friends coming to rescue him for a long time, so why would he think this was anything other than that?

So he hears Mei's voice calling out to him and he looks around to see all his friends, looking a little worse for wear, but they're all running towards him over the hill. MK just kinda stares for a minute, but then goes back to what he was doing. Maybe playing with little Jiayi on a blanket or something... he thinks maybe if he just ignores them long enough, then they'll disappear, and he won't look crazy in front of Monkey King when he comes back.

This is extremely confusing for all his friends, who kind of expected a different welcome... even as they're all standing around trying to get MK to speak to them and talking to him about where they've been and how much they've missed him, he won't even look at them or acknowledge their words. I think Mei is most frustrated by this. Pigsy tries to shush her, but her voice gets noticeably annoyed with MK. She keeps poking him and demanding to know why he won't look at her- they went through a lot to come find him, and he doesn't even want to see them? Didn't he miss them?? Didn't he miss her????

That finally gets a reaction out of MK, but it's that he just starts openly sobbing. He knows it's his own fault that his friends are dead but his stupid brain is so cruel to show him these hallucinations and ask him such awful questions... of COURSE he misses them! And he's not sure how much more of these fake ones tormenting him he can take!

In any case, Mei feels terrible about making him cry and tries to comfort him a bit (which he also ignores), but then the situation gets much much better because Monkey King shows back up. He was taking Shan for a ride around on his nimbus or something to make her laugh, but when he flies down and lands nearby, he comes upon a scene of MK surrounded by his old friends and furiously trying to wipe away his tears and look like he wasn't just crying uncontrollably. Monkey King is kind of shocked to see all of them, so he doesn't really react at first, but Shan does. She just runs right up to her baba and hugs him to cheer him up asking if he's alright and if these guys are bothering him? MK, still in denial, is like "haha yes of course I'm okay? What guys? It's just me here!" So Shan points at each of them and describes them all, and it's not until that very moment that MK realizes that OH she can see them too! They're here?? They're REAL???!!! And yes, the tears come back, and there's much more of them, but at least they're happy tears this time :U