Seeing Through the Trauma

Self Image (22)

Despite Wukong and Macaque wanting to go back to Flower Fruit Mountain MK wasn't as comfortable leaving the familiarity and closeness of the noodle shop after everything that had happened on FFM. He'd put on his best puppy dog expression, eyes wide and sorrowful, and begged them to stay for a week or so. 

When it was evident MK was going to stay, both of them easily relented and caved just as quickly, Wukong not wanting to be so far from his son and Macaque secretly just as anxious. 

(it was probably a little unhealthy, the amount of anxious attachment they both had, but MK was the same so he didn't worry about it, who wouldn't be after everything they'd gone through?) So even though they couldn't all fit in MK's little space above the shop, they'd moved in temporarily to Macaque's dojo, which was only a few blocks away so still pretty close.

That day MK spent time with the whole group, mostly just talking and then finally all squishing in MK's room with Wukong and Macaque lounging on the bed, MK, Mei and Red on the floor playing video games on the TV, and and Pigsy in MK's desk chair while Tang perched on the edge of the bed. 

Everyone was talking, and MK appreciated so much that they were all there, each person having been just as worried about the other now finally able to relax knowing they were safe. 

"I wonder how long it'll take the city to recover," Mei mentioned offhandedly, MK struggling to concentrate on the game and her at the same time as he nodded after a second too long. 

"Yeah." he agreed non-committedly and then went back to focusing on the game, his tongue stuck out slightly as his tail went back and forth behind him.

"When are you gonna open up the shop again, Pigsy?" Mei asked backward and MK could hear his shrug. 

"As soon as I can." He said and Tang snorted. 

"So tomorrow then? You really can't take any time off, can ya Pigsy?" He laughed, staring at him with a smirk as he leaned his chin on his hand and Pigsy crossed his arms. 

"Well I gotta 'ave something to do! We can't all be freeloaders like you." He huffed and MK tuned them out so he could focus on his next move, pressing buttons rapidly as he tried desperately to defend his character from Mei. Mei, who was looking behind them at Tang and Pigsy and still somehow beating him. 

Red had already died to her, so next time MK was definitely suggesting a cooperative game instead. 

"I wonder if other businesses will be open. Oh! Maybe the antigravity arcade is open. We should go!" She gasped, excitement clear in her tone and MK blinked at the suggestion, his character finally dying as he glanced over at her. 

"What's the antigravity arcade?" Red Son asked and MK's eyes lit up, a sudden picture of him, Red, and Mei in the place all having fun and dancing making him gasp in excitement. 

"Oh my gosh, only the best place ever! Mei and I used to dance there all the time, we should all go!" MK yelled, giddy with the thought, and then his mind ran off into thinking about what he could wear, wondering how any of his previous fancy clothes would fit around his tail. 

Skirts would probably work. He wondered what Red's reaction would be to seeing him in a skirt, cheeks warm at the thought as he smiled like a lovesick fool, wondering if he'd compliment him. Then he wondered if Red would wear something nice too, imagining the boy in a dress or something and feeling his cheeks heat up even more. 

"Yeah, good idea MK! Quick, Red do you have any stylish but comfortable clothes to wear?" She asked and Red gave her an unimpressed look, glancing down at his normal clothes that were still a little torn and dirty.