The MK Intimidation Squad

[forgingfires]

WHO: Red Son, Wukong, Macaque
WHAT: Payback
WHEN: After the masquerade
WHERE: A location not too far from the underground mall
WARNINGS: Violence, demon intimidation tactics, spicy talk

The Hearts Gang was lucky in many ways. The luck was in that the fact the person they messed with was MK, who was overall a very good boy who preferred it if no one had to get seriously hurt for problem solving.

The bad luck was the fact the person they messed with was MK and he had three extremely protective immortals who are willing to go as far as they think they can without truly upsetting him and there was enough wiggle room in that for an extremely bad time to be had.

Red Son probably could have had the information sooner, but working on Saya's hibernation project took priority. Helping loved ones was more important than revenge. But he had kept out the feelers, slipped in some sabotage, kept up the work enough to get the information he wanted. It still took a bit of time after, but he had it.

He had the full list of names of every Heart Gang member who was working the day MK arrived on Ellipsa. And he found a day where in that full list of names should be present again. There were a few others, but frankly, he didn't much care for collateral damage. They were part of the same gang, they would have done the same thing, so they deserved it well enough. All that mattered is that all of those who COULD have been involved WERE present.

So a few days before hand, he sends a message to Wukong and Macaque.

They should all be present finally to be taught their overdue lesson. Along with the day, time, and where to meet.

Red Son wasn't far from the facility, waiting for the other two to arrive not long after sunset. Wearing a new hairpin with red gems and has a small cooler nearby because hey, he's never one to be remiss about achieving more than one goal at a time.

Comments

[castaside]

[ He can't speak to what might happen tomorrow. He feels even less ready to have that discussion he promised to try and have than he did before this mess. Right now wouldn't be the time anyway. He just wants to be here. To stay like this a while, until it sinks in that Wukong is warm and alive instead of cold and dead. ]

[ That thought alone sends Macaque's arm over Wukong, tucking himself closer against his back. Burying his face in the back of Wukong's neck, breathing him in. He's still here, Macaque didn't miss his chance entirely. Even if he can't take the risk yet. ]

[ It reminds him of when Wukong would come home after one time or another of his running around Heaven and Earth after the next piece of power to add to his vast collection. Moments where Macaque didn't resent, didn't fear, only felt lucky for right now. Wishing it would last, knowing it wouldn't. ]

I shouldn't have said all that. [ He tries to leave the statement ambiguous, since even Macaque isn't sure which time he's referencing. But, for starters, forcing Wukong to get into his death. There's a reason he never brings it up. And really, it bothers him a lot less than other things, oddly enough. ]

[ And making a huge, obnoxious point of his tryst with Red Son, that also is on the short list. It was cruel. ]

[retirementsnotsopeachy]

He doesn't ask what he shouldn't have said. He can't, doesn't want to poke that yet. But he tentatively places a hand over Macaque's to acknowledge he's still listening to him, though is half expecting him to pull away. Saying something could shatter the moment, pushing make them both say what they don't need at the moment. At least his hands are warm again.

[castaside]

[ Macaque also keeps expecting that he'll pull away. But every time, he sees that expressionless face, feels a cold and brittle tail around his throat, and he just shifts closer. Sighs against Wukong's neck. ]

[ He can't get into the big stuff. Not with the worry about what it could do. At the very least, it would mean moving away, putting space between them, and he doesn't want that. But maybe... ]

I don't want to fight anymore. [ There's a big "but" in there. But, I don't know how to stop. But, I'm still hurting. But, you drive me absolutely crazy. ]

I just wish...

[ What exactly he wishes remains unsaid, for now. It's a lot of things. ]

[ He clings closer. ]

[retirementsnotsopeachy]

"...I wish...we could move forward."

It's quiet, barely a murmur, but he knows Macaque can hear him. The warmth and closeness is comforting and heartbreaking at the same time. He doesn't want to pull away, or for the moment to end.

"I don't want to fight anymore. Not like this."

[castaside]

[ There's a pause, a long one. So long that Wukong might wonder if he's going to get an answer, but Macaque doesn't pull away. Keeps breathing slowly at the back of Wukong's neck. ]

[ Finally he replies, his voice low. ]

Am I too late for that?

[ A lot happened. Time passed. Wukong changed entirely, if you believe the text and legends. Maybe found someone who doesn't want him to change, who accepts him without all this struggle. ]

[retirementsnotsopeachy]

That's the question he should be asking, isn't it? He was the one who pushed first. But either way Macaque is the one asking and he really doesn't know. He doesn't have an answer but...

"I hope not."

The warm breath against his neck is nice.

[castaside]

[ His mind tries to whirl with the things MK said to him while possessed, perhaps you've come to realize you'll never regain what you've lost. What was taken from you. You realize it isn't just the boy who has replaced you at this point, don't you? ]

[ The end of his tail flicks harder, just for a moment, before curling around Wukong's arm. Maybe it's the thought that he might really have missed his window, maybe it's the closeness, but for whatever reason he just. Talks. ]

While Mei and I were keeping Peng busy, they said that I was fighting side by side with my own replacement. Just to get under my skin, you know them.

--I didn't react, but it sure worked. [ He's not sure if he needs to specify here that he sees MK as far more than that. He's hoping he doesn't have to. The words chafed regardless. ]

All the times they called me a coward, though, that was dead on. I don't just mean not going back after our fight under the mountain, although that too, but for a long time before. I shouldn't have waited until I snapped to say all that.

But before that -- I couldn't have. [ Is any of this sinking in? Is he about to get ignored or brushed off, same as always? And if Wukong did either of those things, would Macaque be able to resist diving behind his mask again? ]

Do you understand why? [ Do you know how devoted I was to you? How much I wanted to believe that you could do anything? Do you get why I had to follow you into a giant mistake? Why I waited over and over and over for you until I couldn't do it anymore? ]

[ Because if he had even an inkling about any of that, it should be obvious that Macaque's feelings never changed. That was never the problem, and it still isn't. ]

[retirementsnotsopeachy]

"I wouldn't have called you a coward back then."

It's not an answer, but it's not not one either. He adjusts his arm a bit, and when he stills it should be more comfortable for arm and tail.

"I wasn't seeing the problem back then. I just figured you thought I was just off having too much fun without you, that I could make it go away if you knew my plan was to just be strong enough that nothing could touch us ever and we'd all be together. I never thought to ask what was actually bugging you."

He knows he wasn't the best friend back then. He was a fool...but he doesn't have the nerve to admit it. Not here, not now. But he can confirm that he never really thought Macaque was a coward back then.

[castaside]

[ Not really what he meant, but at least they're not yelling. ]

[ He thinks Wukong is shoving him off when he moves his arm, and the dread is so sharp and sudden that his heart pounds for a moment. He draws a few deep breaths to calm it, and to steel himself to keep going. ]

I wouldn't have called myself one, back then. But I was.

You said to MK in the scroll that you were doing it to protect the people you cared about. I never wanted more power than we had, by the end. I just wanted you.

[ Past tense because... he's trying to protect himself, still. Speaking of cowardice. ]

I should have told you, whether or not you asked.

[retirementsnotsopeachy]

"I just...didn't want to lose anyone else. But we saw how that ended."

Wanted makes sense. They've done an amazing job of obliterating the bridge between them over the years. But he doesn't blame Macaque for not saying anything back then. He doesn't think it was cowardly.

Maybe throwing it at him while he was entombed had been...but also he started it by being to proud and hotheaded. But he just lets those words hang in the air.

[castaside]

[ How is it possible that they're physically closer than they have been in centuries, and yet Wukong feels so far away? Even farther with that statement, the discussion of endings. Finality. And sure, Macaque started that with his past tense bullshit... still waiting for Wukong to take that first step. Because he absolutely is a coward. ]

[ Macaque goes quiet for a while. Not moving away, because this is nice, almost comforting, so close to what he wishes they could have again. He almost says a hundred things, a thousand, what can I do, tell me what I can do. ]

Do you need anything? [ It's the closest he can get to what he wants to say. ]

[retirementsnotsopeachy]

[Does he need anything. Yes. No. Everything. Nothing. Comfort. Space.

Another slow breath. One thing.]

Time. Before we really talk about the deeper issue. I don't want to fight...and I'm too worn down to be sure I can...not ruin things.

[An admission of weakness. Sensitivity. That he might be the one to cause the rift to widen.]

[castaside]

[ Is that ever not what he meant. Or wanted. He meant more along the lines of "yes please fetch me a piece of fruit." ]

...Time. Okay.

[ Macaque is so wrapped up in his own reaction that he mentally skips over the "be sure I can not ruin things" part. ]

[ He pauses for the space of a few breaths. ]

You want me to go, or...? [ He doesn't want to go. Please don't tell him to go. He's hoping that he hasn't even tried to put an inch between them conveys this well enough, since he can't say it. ]

[retirementsnotsopeachy]

That...That's not what I meant...

[Maybe he's just that bad at this. Maybe that's why he can show his intent that well. His arm presses tight into his side as he curls up a little, effectively pinning Macaque's tail. It won't stop him leaving if he really decides to...but...]

[castaside]

...Okay.

[ The words are enough to keep him where he is, though the curling up with his tail helps. Okay, he can stay. (He's so relieved he gets to stay.) ]

You're okay, right? No more changing...?

[ Because he'll be honest, you seem incredibly -- dull. He's not used to Sun Wukong being anything but all over the place. ]

[retirementsnotsopeachy]

[Honestly, that's the him he'd rather be but he just can't. Everything is piling up, keeps piling up.]

No. I've been me since then.

[castaside]

[ A long, slow exhale. Still against Wukong's neck. This is so physically comfortable and yet... ]

[ (What can he say that won't violate what he just agreed to, about time?) ]

So when did you start distributing cardboard cutouts of yourself all over the place?

[ Look, it's a change of subject. He's trying. ]

[retirementsnotsopeachy]

When I realized I was terrified to be the center of attention.

[The attempt is appreciated. So is the attempt at confort. He just...wishes things weren't so complicated with them.]

[castaside]

[ Afraid to be the... Wukong what happened to you? He seemed to relish the attention before the mountain. But Macaque figures he might be answering his own question there. ]

The first time one of those things started talking at me, I stumbled and almost fell on my face.

[retirementsnotsopeachy]

[That actually does get a chuckle out of him. The mental image of Macaque brooding up the street and suddenly tripping in shock.]

With your hearing it must have sounded like I was practically in your ear.

[castaside]

[ Normally he'd be indignant about Wukong laughing at him, but that was the point here. That tiny chuckle is at least some indication that the Wukong he knows (loves) is still in there. Just -- buried. As Macaque buries parts of himself. ]

All my ears. I should sue you for emotional distress.

[retirementsnotsopeachy]

I mean, you could try. But you'd need a good lawyer.

[castaside]

[ There is some grumbling, but in a way where it's evident he doesn't really mean it. ]

Of course you went all in on the corporate thing. I was wondering how you could afford all the games and things. [ The VR headset is actually pretty cool. ] Or electricity way out there.

[retirementsnotsopeachy]

I actually handled the electricity myself. And the overall design of at least one of the games.

[But yeah, let corporate stuff handle most everything else.]

[castaside]

I guess there are only so many games of Go one can play in however many centuries. [ He assumes Wukong still gets easily bored, but maybe not. One thing being made abundantly clear is how much of the past isn't still true. ]

What's the best thing about the modern era? I'm trying to catch up. [ Which he's not saying to be pointed. Hopefully his low, casual tone makes that clear? ]