Sweet and Sour Hearts (Sun Wukong x Reader x Macaque)

Chapter 30: Lament

It's been a week since Sun departed. You couldn't blame the monkey for taking all the time in the world after revealing your attraction to Macaque, but the scary reality that he might not return at all puts you in a state of depression. While the Monkey King sorts through his feelings, you holed yourself in the bedroom with your pillow. You are restless without the simian as your mind plunders into darkness. The worst part is being a Messenger, displaying your emotions for everyone in the house to feel as you do. You disregard triggering your defect as you fall for the blues.

On the lower level, Jin and Yin groan as tears streak down their faces. "Make it stop already," Jin whined. "I don't want to feel sad anymore."

"I'm emotionally drained from crying. I don't even want to move." Yin bawled.

"(Y/N), is heartbroken." Lixin started. "She needs time to mend. We just have to endure for her sake."

"I can't believe that Wukong." Macaque clicked his tongue as he fixes a light meal. "Running away in the middle of an argument. It's no wonder (Y/N) is devastated." He finished the plate and slams the knife into the cutting board. His reaction intrigues Lixin.

Ever since his arrival, Macaque's attempt at striking information for your sake has perplexed him. The lengths he went such as battles and scare tactics failed miserably because Lixin is a relative. After a heart-to-heart chat, Lixin was able to tame Macaque. However, there was more than friendship being the drive for the demon. "You're awfully invested in my daughter, Macaque."

"She's my friend. Of course, I care." He lied.

"That's the same excuse you use whenever I question your relationship with her, but there is more to it than you're leading on, my boy."

Macaque averts his gaze trying to play it off cooly. "I don't know what you're implying, but I assure you we're exclusively platonic." He takes a few steps before Lixin adds,

"You love my daughter too, don't you?" The demon halts in his tracks as Lixin continues to preach, "I'm not opposed by your interest in capturing her heart, but I don't believe she needs complications in her life at the moment."

Listening to Lixin's advice was a reminder of his position. He's second-rate compared to Wukong as he has always been. That includes not being on par with being a bachelor in your eyes. You've made your choice and whether he likes it or not must accept it. The white lies he's told himself were merely to keep him from breaking apart. "I know that but what am I supposed to do? I can't help but love her." He said dejectedly as he drags himself upstairs.

Once at your door he knocks on the door first then enters. He sets the bowl of oatmeal with fruits on the bedside table. "I'm not hungry." You mumbled barely above a whisper as you hid under the sheets.

"Neither were you the last ten times, but you know the rules. I'm not leaving until you eat." He takes a seat on the floor as per usual patiently waiting for you to finish your bowl. You begrudgingly oblige, stirring your oatmeal as it cools down. "How are you doing?"

"I'm ok, I guess? It doesn't mean I feel any better." Tears begin to pinprick. "I just feel lost."

Hearing your voice crack disheartens the male, urging him to search for the one responsible and take responsibility. "You shouldn't. Wukong wouldn't care. He's selfish that way. He left you in a moment's notice over an argument rather than working it out."

"You're wrong. He does care. That's why he left. I was in the wrong." You replied.

"I wouldn't have left you alone no matter how upset I was." He commented. You stare at Macaque from above, touched that he was defending you. You wanted to run your hand through his fur as thanks, but if you even tried, you wouldn't be able to keep away from his affection. You wanted Sun, you missed his scent, his touch.

"We have our own ways of coping. Honestly, him being here would drive him insane considering..." You bite your tongue nearly confessing the truth behind the quarrel. "...Never mind."

There is a long silence in the air. Every day it's the same. He will impart a few words, wait for you to consume all of your food then dip until the next meal. As the 'clink' of the spoon reverberates, Macaque cues it as the end of visitation. For a brief second, your hands touch his when handing the bowl over. Macaque blushes and you in turn feel a spark of connection.

'I want to tell him'

'You can't. It's not the right time.'

'There's never a right time.'

'You're emotionally vulnerable. What you crave is Wukong's

Reality hits like a thousand bricks. You curl back under the sheets with your back against him. Macaque sighs and exits the room. You hug the pillow in your arms and weep.

'Why can't you let me be?'

'Because you'll do something you will regret.'

'Who are you to tell me who to be?'

'It breaks my heart to see you in this state. You can't sulk forever. Please get back up. I want to see you smile again.'

You calm yourself as the voice disappears. You sit up piecing together the familiarity of the voice.

"Mother."

(A/N): Incredibly short chapter depicting reader to soothe the heartaches of the last chapter. I'm so sorry ToT! The next chapter will be fluffy and steamy to make it up to ya'll. I'm looking forward to writing that chapter. Also holy crapy guys 30 Chapters already and we're close to the rising action before the climax.