Seeing Through the Trauma

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(So remember how I said I was gonna do a drawing of MK in that skirt from chapter 22? Well, I did! I hope you guys like it.)  

Macaque didn't do much more than sit there and hold Wukong for a long time after that, one loud with his cries while Macaque's tears slid silently down his cheeks. It wasn't as long as expected though, since Macaque was already aware of how long Wukong's sadness could go on for. 

Surprisingly, the king managed to pull himself together within what must have been a few hours or so, when the sun was just beginning to set on the horizon, sending an orange glow on the island. 

"We should get back to MK. He might be back already." Wukong said, breathing out a sigh and wiping at his eyes and Macaque's ears flicked, eyes closing as he tried to pinpoint the sound of their son's bright voice from the thousands of others in his way. 

He picked it out from the chorus of others easily though, biting back a smile as he heard him laugh at something, his voice bright and happy in a way that made Macaque's heart soften, and then he heard what could only be Red Son's response and his eyes sprung open. 

"They're still at the arcade," Macaque told him as Wukong stood and then held out a hand towards him, Macaque taking it and letting himself be pulled to his feet. 

"Sounds like they might be coming back soon though." He added and Wukong hummed, hand not letting go of Macaque's as he instead laced their fingers together. 

"We can meet them at the shop then." He continued, not looking down toward the spot they'd been sat crying at for hours and Macaque brushed his thumb over the back of the sage's hand.

"Are you sure you're ready to go back?" He asked, and Wukong held his hand back tighter in response, turning to him with a smile that was only a little broken.  

"I want to see our cub." He said in lew of a proper answer and Macaque hummed as he stepped away from the cursed spot that had almost taken away something so important to both of them. Well, it had. Wukong's cloud formed at their feet and Macaque leaned closer to him as they left, Wukong's eyes steadily in front of them. 

Macaque took one glance back before they left though, eyes staring at the dead grass and icy graveyard and feeling himself shiver. He was glad all that was over with now. 

Wukong was quiet on the way back but it wasn't fair to expect him to be his perky, normal self so Macaque said nothing and only entwined their tails to give him support as the city came into view, stepping off the cloud when they reached the shop and Wukong paused at the doorway before turning back to him. 

"Can we-" Whatever he'd been about to say was cut off when, not far from both of them, a burst of fire and flame caught them both off guard. For a second, Macaque felt his fur bristle and felt Wukong tense beside him, then he heard three familiar heartbeats and relaxed, watching as three figures came into view when the fire died down. 

Wukong too, catching sight of the trio, brightened, and any sadness from earlier was wiped off his face in place of a bright smile. 

"Baby!" MK's head turned at the shout, ears flicking and suddenly Wukong was rushing forward and picking the kid up in a hug, their cub yelping. 

"Baba! What the heck?!" Not understanding the overreaction considering they'd only been apart a few hours MK looked confused, sending his startled look toward Macaque who only shrugged unhelpfully as Wukong nuzzled the top of his head.

"Did you have a good time? How was it? Did anyone bother you?" Wukong asked as he finally set MK back on his own two feet and the boy's smile widened at the questions.