Not Your Romeo and Juliet

Chapter 13

Staying in the lab was essential, I was still unstable, and barely felt conscious.

They explained to me; "Red Son, you have found your power. We do not know how, but the Samadhi Fire is back, and so is the Bone Demon."

But it was Macaque who gave me the truth. "One of the rings has been broken entirely and it went to the last user, you. Be careful. I can tell you've sort of already figured out how to keep it within, good job, Bud." Macaque was doing a better job than my own father.

I felt bad, first my mom, and now this, in the same day. It was my fault as well, Mk was mad and then that power came out. Why would he even have her power?

I wasn't able to get that answer either, but they allowed me to leave the next day, with a single bull clone walking with me. I didn't like it but I thought it was understandable.

I was killing myself as a kid with the Samadhi Fire, and I might end up doing it again if I let it take over. Good thing it was just one singular ring, if it wasn't, I would've killed my mom.

Walking through the halls was a little awkward, the clang of the clones feet behind me. I was looking for Macaque who was barely anywhere to be seen, but I knew he'd show up at some point, it was sort of his brand.

I wanted to see Mk. I was told not to go near, but they had contained him in a room, another lab as such, but it wasn't anything for my type. It was a room where no one went unless it was for punishment. Maybe looking in the room is a little unsettling, but for right now it was being used to contain Mk, or, the Bone Demon.

I was right, Macaque slipped from the shadows with his tail lashing, now because of me, because of something from that shadow portal. I wondered for a moment if he was talking to my dad.

"Mihou!" I called and his head instantly turned to me. "Take me to Mk."

He scrunched up his nose in disgust, "You want to see the kid in his condition?"

"Er-..." I was having second thoughts, because he was right, everyone telling me not to go was right. I mean, my behaviour and movement is being monitored right now by the bull clone, I literally coded them to do so. "Yes. I want to see him right now."

Macaque just sighed, irritated, but nodded. "Fine. And I swear, don't call me Mihou. It's Macaque to you."

I scoff, "Jeez, okay."

He shoots a glare towards me then turns, scarf swaying and tail waving as he walked. It took me a moment to realize and I had to jog at first to keep up, then I walked alongside him.

It was silent the first half and I wished I had not asked to see him with Macaque. I was still a little upset with him even if he's helped me, and I've hurt him and he still does, but he had been ruthlessly torturing Monkey King and probably hurting Mk outside of training. I watched him hurt Wukong once, and I never went with him again.

I understand what Wukong has done to Macaque, but he doesn't deserve all of it. I wonder now what Mk has seen.

"We're here." Macaque grumbles, opening a door to the lab.

"I know that," I roll my eyes and walk in, seeing the familiar glass of a window surrounding the room walls. I walk over and look down into the room, and there he was, Mk, still white-eyed, angered, and out of his mind.

I can hear Macaque sigh as he walks over, "The kid's already tore up equipment down there and fucked up the walls. Trying to walk in there means immediate disconnect from your body, it's hell."

I look to him confusingly, "You mean like what happened when you saved me?"

Macaque doesn't look to me, continuing to blankly stare at Mk, who keep repeatedly sending himself into the wall in a blue puff of magic. We shake a little but it isn't enough to shake above. "Yes. When possessed by the Lady, you become mindless and have no colour to your eyes, she is in control."

I shiver a little and look back down to a now tired Mk, crouched on the ground and picking at his brown hair, pulling and messing.

"She has no mercy, and with Mk being corrupted by himself, he's just as bad. I don't understand..."

I place a hand to the window, and I must've let my motions override because I could feel the glass warm up and I immediately take my hand off of it hoping Macaque didn't realize. Apparently he did because he was softly chuckling at me.

"What did you get yourself into with Mk?"

My face goes red and I give him a glare, "What's that supposed to mean?!"

"You're staring at him like he's your lost lover even though he is absolutely not the Mk you know. Plus, he isn't on your side. He's- not on anyone's side any more."

My glare fades to sadness and I look to the ground. "I know, but- he's saved me, Macaque. I- feel okay around him, unlike how I feel here. I'm just here for my parent's satisfaction but they no longer want that with me. I hate myself for doing that to mother."

Macaque gives me a soft look, I can just feel it. I never knew he could feel this nice to be around. "The princess will be okay. She's living and thriving, just severely burnt. She'll be back and ready soon."

"I know, but they look down on me more now. I'm just a big failure."

I can hear the monkey demon scoff, tapping his foot rapidly on the ground. He cursed under his breath and the next thing I know is his arm is around me, only one, as a side hug.

My eyes widen in shock, and something breaks in me. It's like when I went berserk, right after when I had my meltdown, but this time it was different. It felt... nice.

I let myself break down, hearing Macaque's whispers as I crash into him, face stuffing into his scarf as I sob, arms wrapping around him. I needed this, but I really wished it was Mk.

I could tell Macaque hadn't planned for this type of interaction, his arms hovering around my back like he was trying to figure out where to put them. I continue to cry and eventually I feel them wrap around my back pulling me in warmly.

I feel at home, like I'm actually accepted for once in my lifetime. Macaque isn't even my father, not even close to my dad. But he's doing better than the king, so maybe, just maybe, I have someone here for me, once in my life time.

"Thank you, Macaque."