Retracted Memories //LMK//ShadowPeach//

Chapter 14 (Part 2)

(I promise it gets better 😅)

Macaque didn't know how long he'd been sitting here. Three days? A week? It wasn't like he cared.

The stone monkey next to him was all he cared about. Wukong was just smiling, facing the living space so that he could watch the others.

MK was offering Macaque food again, but he just stared at him blankly. "Macaque, you haven't eaten in three days! He's been stone for just as long, so it won't be long until he turns back!"

Macaque didn't even process what MK was telling him, he hadn't been able to sleep, either. What was the point? He didn't feel tired, just distant. His mind would constantly wander.

MK just sighed and pressed the food into the shadow monkey's hands and left him be. There wasn't much anyone could do to comfort Macaque, and he twitched constantly. Now it was more sluggish due to exhaustion, but that didn't comfort anyone's worries.

Macaque put down the plate and whispered to Wukong, "Peaches, what're you watching? Mei and MK are being chaotic. Sandy and Tang are the only ones not creating chaos. Funny, huh?"

No answer, and that only made Macaque want to sob all over again. And he would've, if he had any tears left and drank anything.

Instead, he imagined a reply. He imagined Wukong teasing him, "Hah! What about Pigsy? And I thought you were chaotic!" Macaque hummed, "Well, Pigsy's arguing with Red. Yeah, he's here, too. And I can be chaotic when I want to-"

Macaque coughed roughly, his dry throat didn't do him any favors. But why should he care? It wasn't like Wukong could make him do anything.

And it chipped away at his heart.

---

Wukong was bored, sad, and stiff. He couldn't see or feel anything, but he could hear and sense the world around him.

He could sense Macaque, and it made him sad to know he wasn't doing okay. He hated listening to him cry, and the sound of his neglected voice.

He wanted to get better so Macaque could, too.

But it was taking a while. How much longer would he have to wait? He hated waiting. Did Macaque at least eat?

Probably not.

And that broke his heart.

---

Days ran by, and it seemed like nothing new was going to happen.

Macaque glanced over at the statue next to him and froze, two dusty feet and hands greeted him. He was coming back, back to Macaque!

Macaque grinned, crying out in relief. The others crowded around and laughed with joy, "Monkey King, you're starting to turn back!"

If he could, Wukong would've whooped with joy. About time! Excitment filled his chest and he wished he was more patient.

"Wait, it's reversing quicker than it spread! YES!" Wukong felt his arms and legs go light, and it steadily kept spreading.

Everyone went silent as his head turned back. Monkey King squinted his eyes and coughed out dust, he was covered in debris and dust and looked exhausted.

"Ugh, 0/10 would NOT recommend." Macaque cried out and hugged Wukong close, his eyes were glassy and his hands were shaking as he attempted to groom Wukong.

Wukong still couldn't move very much, but the numbness was wearing off. Excited chatters filled the air, talking to him about what he'd missed. Macaque just kept grooming, shaking like a leaf.

"You're back, you're really back..." Wukong smiled gently, "Mango, drink something. Then we can eat together, yeah? I'm starving." Macaque numbly nodded, and Mei handed two cups of water over.

Wukong gladly gulped it down, and Macaque sipped at it. Wukong glanced over at Pigsy, "Um, I feel hungry. Would it be okay if you got us something to eat?"

Pigsy gave a snort, "Obviously, hold on." Macaque sipped the rest of his water and went back to shakily grooming his sun.

Pigsy handed Wukong two bowls of rice and chicken, "Macaque, here. Eat with me?" Macaque took the bowl and ate painfully slowly. But he was eating, and that was a huge relief.

After eating, Wukong stretched and yawned, "Ugh, I'm exhausted! Listen, Macaque and I will bathe, and then head to bed. You guys can join, too, it's just a hotspring and soap. Macaque and I can wear swim trunks, too."

MK and Mei nodded, "Yes! Wait we don't have swimwear-" Wukong made them swimwear, including one for Red Son, "Problem solved! C'mon Mango, we gotta go change. Help me up."

Macaque helped him up and they both headed towards their room. Macaque felt stiff, he hadn't moved in days. A bath sounded like a great idea after all.

---

"Come on in!" Wukong scrubbed himself with soap as the others hopped in, splashing eachother. Macaque sat blankly, unable to process due to his lack of sleep.

Wukong rinsed himself and turned to his friend, "Macaque, come here." Macaque leaned over and Wukong started scrubbing away, grooming him every now and then. Macaque sighed deeply, he'd wanted this so badly...

Was this even real?

Wukong continued to clean Macaque, humming a tune he'd heard while in the city. "Mango, how the heck do you have so many knots?" Macaque shrugged as water was splashed on him.

Wukong rinsed him out and sighed, "Okay, bedtime. Come on." Macaque felt himself get lifted up, and a towel was wrapped around him. He sluggishly dried off and started to head off to change.

Wukong rummaged around, pulling out sweatpants and loose shirts for them. "C'mere, Mango." He helped him get dressed, despite feeling flustered.

Wukong hopped into bed, bounced, and laid near the wall. He patted the space next to him and smiled, "Come on, heaven knows you need your beauty sleep."

Macaque lazily flopped down next to Wukong and instantly fell asleep next to him. Wukong sighed in relief, they would be fine. He would get better now, and then he would confess and it would be done just for his Mango.

And that made his heart flutter.