𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐎𝐌𝐍𝐈𝐀𝐂 𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐎.•

• a worried pupil.

He's gotten way better.

The monkey took a punch to his face, and a kick to his side.

Way, way better.

Qí Xiǎotiān and Sun Wukong had been on a sparring session for about an hour past dusk. In every occasional moment, the delivery man would land a powerful blow on his instructor, which was a rather rare occurrence between the two species.

MK used his staff to throw another powerful blow, but the ape jumped and eluded the attack before it could hit a strand of his fur. With a proud grin, Wukong lunged at his disciple in a pursuit to kick his side, but was blocked by a red staff wielded by MK.

"Good reaction!" He praised the boy and added more power to his kick, thus sending Xiǎotiān flying across the field with the staff.

The monkey hovered over the training ground, leaving MK writhing in pain as he flew over the field.

"Focus, MK! Stop yourself before you fall off," yelled the king. In response, Xiǎotiān screamed and pummeled the tip of the staff into the ground, sluing to a complete stop before he could fall off of the cliff.

Wukong's eyes softened as he released a breath.

Thank God.

"Good job, bud. You've gotten way better," praised the monkey. MK vaguely got off of the ground. He groaned at his teacher's plaudit and leaned on the staff for support, "Thanks."

Wukong hauled an eyebrow. He flew his way over to MK, visibly concerned for the boy's physique.

"You okay there? Hit you a little too hard?" He asked slowly.

"No. I'm just a little tired," complained the boy, "Pigsy's been giving me more deliveries than usual. Probably because of what happened with LBD." The boy brushed it off and rolled his shoulders back, letting out a heavy sigh, "Anyway. I've got a question for you, Monkey King. If you don't mind me asking, that is." He looked at his teacher, keenly heeding for the approval to continue.

Oh no.

"Uh. Sure, buddy! Ask away." Wukong awkwardly chortled in response. He shifted under his pupil's dour gaze, lips tightening into a thin line, his tail flicking anxiously behind him.

"Okay..." The boy took a moment to recollect his composure. "Okay. So, you've been spacing out a lot lately. Not just today but these past few days, too." MK pointed out, lips puckering nervously, "I wanted to ask if you're alright. But I didn't exactly know how to properly approach you."

The sage grimaced and hissed. He knew that that question was coming.

Groaning, Wukong placed his hands on his hips. His body languished for a hole to secrete into, but he needed to stay adamant because, he quotes, "My reputation as the inevitable Monkey King would be at stake," or something like that. He shook his head.

"Me? I'm fine!" His laugh trembled, "I mean why wouldn't I be? I'm the great Monkey King. I'm always alright!" Wukong looked away to resist an urge to retch in anxiety. He could feel the boy ogling through his soul, discerning an opportunity to somehow catch his teacher off guard.