Celestial Vows~ Yandere Nezha

Chapter 7: The Wake of a Decade

When Y/N finally stirred, the world around her seemed hazy and distant, as though she were trapped in a dream. She barely had time to gather her thoughts before a familiar weight suddenly pressed against her.

"Y/N!" Sun Wukong's voice boomed with excitement as he leapt onto her, shaking her shoulders like an excited child. "Guess what? I think I found my student!" His eyes sparkled with the enthusiasm that only Wukong could muster, his grin wide and mischievous.

Y/N rubbed her eyes, still disoriented from her long sleep. "A student?" she repeated, incredulously. "What in the world are you talking about, Wukong?"

He huffed and crossed his arms, looking slightly offended. "I'm serious! I defended Demon Bull King, retired from all that hero stuff... and now I'm ready to pass on my staff to someone else!" he announced proudly, striking a dramatic pose as if he were declaring the start of a new era.

Y/N blinked, taking in his words. "You retired?" Her tone was one of complete shock. "And you want to give away your staff?"

He pouted when he saw her reaction. "Hey, don't look at me like that! I retired because I wanted more time with my best friend." He looked at her with those wide, pleading eyes, knowing full well it was her weakness.

Sighing deeply, she reached up and tugged on his ear. "Honestly, Wukong. That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard."

"Ow, ow, ow!" he whined, but he couldn't suppress a grin as she let him go.

Shaking her head, she sighed. "Fine. You win. Retire if you want, just don't do anything too reckless." At her reluctant agreement, he cheered like a child, pumping his fist in victory.

Before she could even fully process everything he was saying, he grabbed her hand, pulling her to her feet. "Come on, come on! You've been asleep for a decade, you need to freshen up! We'll start with the hot springs."

"A decade?" Y/N's jaw dropped. She knew her sleep had lasted longer than expected, but a whole decade? It was almost too much to wrap her mind around. As they reached the hot springs, she shook her head in amazement. She couldn't believe so much time had passed.

He led her to the edge of the hot springs, stopping just at the entrance to let her have privacy. "Go on, take your time. I'll be just outside," he said, giving her a reassuring grin before he darted away.

Alone, Y/N slowly slipped out of her clothes, letting them fall to the ground. She stepped into the steaming water, and a sigh escaped her as the warmth enveloped her. The tension began to melt away, and for the first time in a long while, she felt a semblance of peace. She leaned back, closing her eyes and letting herself sink deeper into the soothing heat.

Yet as she sat there, her thoughts wandered to a familiar face. Nezha. His name lingered in her mind, and with it came a swirl of emotions—worry, guilt, and a pang of longing. She remembered his fierce loyalty, his gentle kindness, and the way he had once looked up to her as a mentor and friend. Had he changed over these years? Was he also suffering as she was, haunted by the past?

She couldn't help but worry about him. Deep down, she still cared, perhaps even more than she'd allowed herself to admit. He had been like a part of her, someone she had trusted with everything. She knew how much her fall from grace must have hurt him, how torn he must have felt between loyalty to the Emperor and loyalty to her.

"I hope you're alright, Nezha," she whispered softly to herself, the water rippling gently around her. "Please, don't let this tear you apart."

The warmth of the water offered some comfort, but her thoughts wouldn't let her fully relax. She closed her eyes and tried to imagine him somewhere out there, carrying on as he always had, but the pain in her chest reminded her that things were never that simple. She could only hope that he had found peace in her absence—that he hadn't let the weight of her betrayal consume him.

After a while, she stood up, letting the water run down her skin. She wrapped herself in a robe and stepped out, finding Wukong leaning against a tree, waiting for her with a soft smile.

"Feel better?" he asked, his voice gentle, different from the usual energetic tone he carried.

"Yeah," she replied, her voice quiet. "Thank you, Wukong. Really."

He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I'm here, alright? Whatever you need." There was a seriousness in his gaze, a rare moment of vulnerability that reminded her that he was still by her side, no matter how much had changed.

They stood there in silence for a moment, the weight of the years hanging between them. But for now, she had a friend, a place to rest, and perhaps, the first step toward healing the broken parts of her heart.