Once Bitten

Petty Grudge (27)

The two of them had decided to go to the water tower, and by the two of them, MK meant just Macaque, who was confident that was likely where Wukong was and that it was far enough away that even if he did hear the bell, he'd have so far to travel that they'd still likely run into him on the way.

"So who were you looking for by the way?" MK asked curiously as they drove, trying to fill the silence and Macaque hummed. 

"Hm?" MK didn't mind repeating himself even though the older sounded completely uninterested. 

"You said you were looking for someone? Who is it? A family member, a friend?" MK asked and Macaque looked to the side, a frown pulling at his face. 

"Didn't think you'd heard that." He muttered so quietly that MK could barely make it out and he tilted his head.

"What was that?" 

"Nothing, now why don't you tell me more about this brother of yours? You said he has a gun. That must be pretty useful in an apocalypse." He said and MK perked up, happy to share information about his favorite (and only) older brother.

"Yeah! It's super helpful! He saved my life with it like twice now, maybe more! Oh, and a few days ago I got captured by this super creepy woman and her three creepy henchmen and he saved me! It was terrifying." Realizing he might be sounding a little pathetic MK quickly added, 

"But I wasn't scared or anything of course." Macaque glanced at him. 

"Sure, I believe you, pipsqueak." MK was pretty sure he didn't, based on his tone, and he huffed to show his displeasure. 

"I wasn't!" He insisted but his hands raised to rub around his neck, remembering the feeling of her hand around his throat and fighting back a shiver. Truthfully, he had been scared that day. Terrified even. He didn't catch Macaque's curious look though because he was staring out the window, the older man's eyes narrowing as he picked up on the discoloration around his throat left over from the fading bruises as his expression darkened.

"So what were the other times he saved you then?" Macaque asked and it snapped MK out of his thoughts, looking back with a head tilt.

"Huh?" 

"You mentioned two other times, although it's not surprising that you've had to be saved so much. You do have a knack for getting into trouble." Macaque snickered, leaning over and ruffling the top of MK's hair roughly, displacing the ribbon he was using as a headband with the movement. 

"Hey!" MK ducked out of the way, pouting as he tried to reach up and sort out his now messy hair.

"I do not!" He did, but he wasn't going to admit it.

"And anyway, the first time was only cause you left me in a town with no car! I had to walk all the way over to the next city on foot!" He added, crossing his arms and Macaque raised an eyebrow. 

"Oh yeah? You should just be grateful I didn't leave you on that mountain." He said and MK rolled his eyes petulantly. 

"Well you didn't, and I almost got caught trying to climb up a dumpster to get some high ground. That was when I met Wukong! I heard a loud bang and just like that, he shot like five zombies before reaching down to help me up. It was so cool, he looked awesome!" He saw Macaque roll his eyes but it didn't bother him, he was having far too much fun explaining what had happened to care.

"Right, so Wukong saves you and you act like he's some sort of god or something, but I save you and you barely even say thank you. I see how it is." Macaque drawled and MK jolted, gawking as he shook his head. 

"It's not like that! I just already thought he was cool before I met him, and I am grateful that you saved me!" He insisted, although at the time he'd been too distraught about Bai He to look or sound it, he supposed. This was pretty much Macaque's first time seeing him not miserable.