The Jade Warrior

Mortal Machine

*Three days later*

Wukong went around the area, prepping and smiling as Y/n stood still. His eyes following Wukong like normal, ever calculating, ever waiting, with no emotion.

"Sooooo you liked the tea right?" Wukong asks, his hands working tirelessly before he pours out a cup, and then a large bowl.

"It was acceptable, however I do not need it. It was a inefficient moment" A visible tick appears on Wukong's head after he said that. Y/n looking down at him as Wukong offers him the bowl.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, just drink this" Y/n takes the bowl before sitting down, Wukong doing the same as they clink glasses. Both put the drinks to their mouths as they drink, Y/n almost immediately stopping.

"Poisons do not work on me Wukong" He says before looking at the Monkey king infront of him. Wukong looking genuinely confused at the large warrior. "It's not poison?"

"This isn't tea though" Y/n leaned down, smelling the drink with a suspicious look. "It has a strong aroma, and tastes sweet?" Y/n says with a tone of analyzation.

"If poison doesn't affect you just drink it! You have nothing to worry about, not to mention I'm drinking the same thing" Wukong says taking a sip from his cup, huffing and crossing his arms.

"Very well" Y/n says drinking again, Wukong's ears twitching at the sound of sharp clicks against glass. Wukong grinned as Y/n took another sip, trying to contain his excitement. The Jade Warrior's face remained stoic as ever, but Wukong noticed the faintest shift in his posture, a slight relaxation, barely perceptible. Y/n set the bowl down gently, his eyes glowing faintly under the dim light of the temple.

"What is this?" Y/n asked, his voice still calm, but with a slight edge of curiosity.

Wukong leaned back, swirling his cup with a playful smirk. "It's sake. You know, a drink to relax, unwind. It's been around for centuries. Figured if tea couldn't get you to loosen up, maybe something stronger would."

Y/n blinked, considering this. "Relaxation is not my goal."

"Yeah, yeah, I know, you're all about duty and efficiency," Wukong said, rolling his eyes. "But even someone like you could use a little downtime, don't you think?"

Y/n stared into the bowl again, his fingers tracing the edge. "I do not require downtime."

Wukong laughed, leaning in closer. "Yeah, but I do. So just keep drinking bud" He raised his cup again, and Y/n, after a pause, mirrored the motion, taking another sip.

Minutes passed in silence, with Wukong humming quietly to himself, enjoying the drink. Y/n, on the other hand, continued to drink, his motions becoming just a little less rigid, though his expression remained unchanged.

Then, Wukong noticed it. A slight wobble in Y/n’s posture. He nearly choked on his sake, biting back a grin. "Uh...you good there, buddy?"

Y/n blinked slowly, turning his head toward Wukong with measured precision, though his movements seemed... off. "I am... functional."

Wukong grinned wider. "Yeah, but how’s the efficiency?"

Y/n paused, his usually analytical mind seeming to work slower than usual. "It is... acceptable," he said, though the words came out softer than before. He raised the bowl to his helmet again, the several small clinks ringing out, Y/n began drinking even deeper this time, the faintest glow flickering in his eyes.

Wukong chuckled. "Looks like you’re warming up to it."

As the evening wore on, Wukong poured more drinks, keeping the conversation light and casual. Y/n continued to drink, though his responses became more sporadic, his words losing their usual sharpness.