LMK request one-shots

A Different Tale (Part 2)

It was lucky that MK had no idea what he was doing because as soon as he was out of the cave he saw the kid falling through the air, screaming pretty loudly as he hugged the staff and Macaque wasted no time in racing over to the boy, jumping up to the roof he was headed for and catching him before he could hit the ground, the boy blinking in his arms only to quickly jump down and move away from him, the panic turning back into a huff as he crossed his arms. 

"Kiddo please-" 

"What are you even doing here? I said I wanted to be alone." He huffed childishly and Macaque sighed, resisting the urge to tell him it was a good thing he had followed, otherwise, MK would have a lot of bruises right now. But that wouldn't help so instead he said, 

"I didn't want you running off thinking for even a second that I kept you only because I thought I could use you because I didn't. I love you, kiddo, and I'd still love you even if you had been a normal human." He said, and MK turned back, eyes searching. 

"Then... then why didn't you mention it?" He asked and Macaque sighed. 

"I didn't want you thinking you were different or trying to understand what you were. Looking for answers to those questions requires Wukong and I didn't want you ever trying to find him. That and... well I was scared you'd think I only kept you around because you've got power when it has nothing to do with that." He explained and MK's eyes went wide, softening as his grip loosened on the staff. 

"Really?" He asked a little timidly, hopefully, and Macaque nodded, all soft edges. 

"Of course kid." MK sniffled and then darted forward, colliding with Macaque in a tight hug as he quickly wrapped his arms around his insecure kid, holding him close and feeling glad they'd managed to talk this out. 

"So... if I'm powerful how come I've never used any magic or anything then?" MK asked after a moment, drawing back out of the hug to look at him and Macaque shrugged. 

"I don't know. It's always been pretty dormant inside you. I think you just needed something to activate it." He said, sending a pointed glance down at the magic weapon in his hands and MK followed his gaze only to blink. 

"Oh. You mean like the staff?" He asked and Macaque nodded. 

"Yep. That's one of the reasons I wanted to wait until you were an adult to try lifting it. You'll probably need help training whatever powers you do have, though based on the magic in your soul, I'd guess you can do most of what Wukong can do." He said, sighing at just the thought but MK brightened, an excited look crossing his face that spelt trouble. 

"Really?" He asked, mischief and awe in his tone and Macaque had the feeling he was going to regret even letting the kid grab the staff as he stared down at his hands like he'd never seen them before, obviously excited. 

"Can we try? Please?" He asked, looking up with puppy dog eyes and Macaque sighed, reaching out to ruffle his boy's hair as he smiled. 

"Maybe later, okay? We've both had a long day and we should be getting back to Iron Fan's place so they know you're okay." He said and MK deflated before perking up again, holding the staff with one hand. 

"Right! I can't wait to show Red the staff. Do you know how it did that thing earlier, I wonder if I can get it to do it again?" He said and Macaque could already feel the stress mounting on him at the thought. 

"Please don't try using it without my supervision, okay? I'm not sure I can handle the chaos you and Red Son get up to when you're left to your own devices if there's a magic item involved." He said, and MK grinned cheekily, probably knowing full well the headache he was going to give his dad.