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janetbrown711 · 1 year

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Fine, Great

Pigsy has a sense of impending doom around the Mid-Autumn festival but cannot put a finger as to why, until some very unexpected guests show up at his door.

tw for references to child abuse and homophobia, as well as smoking

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 8.5 Part 9

Ao3 Link

By some weird, twisted turn of fate, an entire week managed to pass without a single incident. Seriously– even when their lawyer contacted him, Gatita was pleased to inform them that there would be no charges, the case had been dropped entirely and that both cops left the force to go be paralegals for her??? Didn’t make a lick of sense, but he’d take that over an investigation anyday, and was sure to thank Gatita immensely.

He had held his breath when Mei’s suspension ended and she went to school with MK but day after day and there weren’t any incidents, other than the office reporting that Mei was talking too much or too loud, but compared to fist fighting, it was basically a non-issue and even the faculty were starting to acknowledge that perhaps that teacher just had issues.

It was good for Pigsy’s sanity to have a functional routine again though. He’d wake up, make sure the kids were up, make breakfast, eat, drop them off, take the subway to the restaurant, and work there til closing, with the kids taking the city bus to get to the restaurant themselves. Pigsy wasn’t the biggest fan of them being on their own, but MK had technically survived this long and it was broad daylight and also one of the most popular routes so it could’ve been worse.

Could’ve been four fucking years old– Seriously, if MK’s parents weren’t already dead, they’d be dead by Pigsy’s own hands.

Tang would also stop by whenever his classes were over for the day, and they’d talk and flirt a little and he’d make him food, and Tang wouldn’t pay and Pigsy would egg him on about that, and overall it was a good time.

Which was weird.

Something was supposed to be wrong here– and something was– Pigsy just couldn’t place it.

Then again, there was something that threw him off, and that was that today was the Mid-Autumn festival. The day had been incredibly busy, despite closing early for the holiday. Catering order after catering order– Pigsy started to wonder why on earth people couldn’t just make their own noodles, but also realized he made quite a bit of profit today, so while exhausting, it wasn’t a waste. Plus, it wasn't like he sold mooncakes– he preordered those from culinary genius Chang’E forever ago.

But still. Something felt… wrong.

Maybe it was because it was the first time in years he wouldn’t be alone, maybe it was because it was weirdly cold, or maybe it was the fact that it was almost the six year anniversary of–

“Something on your mind, Pigsy?” Tang asked while MK and Mei ‘mopped’ together around his stool.

“The usual,” Pigsy flat out lied as he watched Mei and MK ‘cleaning’ happily.

They were accounted for, Tang was accounted for, The restaurant was accounted for, Sandy was–

Just then a particularly cold breeze from the late autumn air blew through the restaurant, getting Pigsy out of his thoughts as the kids and Tang shivered.

“Mr. Piggy, why don’t you have a door if it gets so cold?” Mei raised her hand to ask.

“Bah, it doesn’t get that cold,” Pigsy scoffed. “Though I do have a different type of door I install for the winter since customer’s usually aren’t working right next to the grill– I guess I’m a little biased.”

“I’d say a lot biased,” MK laughed.

Pigsy snorted and rolled his eyes, “Alright, alright– a lot. You two gonna actually clean, or are you gonna keep sword fighting with the mops?”

“...Can we choose sword fighting?” Mei raised her hand again.

Pigsy gave the girl a look, and they understood, quickly going to actually do the task at hand.

“You know, you’d think getting kids to help close a restaurant would be easier,” Tang joked.

“Yeah, yeah,” Pigsy smirked before going back to his dishes. “Your folks coming to visit tonight?”

For some reason, Tang didn’t reply to that. It was probably just the sound of running water drowning him out, so Pigsy stopped it momentarily and repeated his question.

“O-oh– um– no, not really,” Tang didn’t– couldn’t– look him in the eyes.

“Ah– you got siblings?” Pigsy asked, drying his hands.

“No,” Tang started typing intently.

“Do they live out of town? Cuz that’s the deal with my folks– halfway across the damn country when they aren’t ‘touristing’ or whatever,” Pigsy snorted in an attempt to get Tang to laugh, but at most his customer managed a weak smile.

“No, they live on Huayuan Road, along with my grandfather,” Tang said, his typing pausing briefly before continuing.

“That’s just a couple blocks from here– why aren’t they coming over?” Pigsy furrowed his brow.

Tang sighed. “Pigsy, I really appreciate what you’re trying to do, but I’m fine,” his customer tried to assure with a tight smile.

“Tang–”

“Pigsy, when I say I’m fine, I’m fine,” Tang looked away again.

Pigsy knew that was absolute bullshit.

“You know for someone so preachy about opening up, you haven’t told me much have you?” Pigsy pointed out.

“I’m not having this conversation now, Pigsy,” Tang was getting annoyed.

“I just– do they have some kind of excuse, or place they’re visiting or something else that makes this make any bit of sense?” Pigsy couldn’t refrain himself from asking, and Tang shut his laptop.

“Yes, Pigsy. They’re visiting the Temple of the Moon to worship Chang’E properly.” Tang huffed, putting his laptop in his bag.

Pigsy took a step back. “Wait– Tang– I’m sorry– I didn’t–”

“I know, Pigsy. I know,” Tang rubbed his forehead. “I just...”

“I’m sorry– you’re a lot better at the whole helpin’ thing than I am,” Pigsy sighed. “If it helps I really just wanted to know what you’d be up to in case you… want to join us for tonight?”

“I… yeah, I’d like that,” Tang gave a much more genuine, although weak smile before adding– “Just– don’t… bring up my folks. Especially to the kids.”

“Promise,” Pigsy swore and Tang’s shoulders relaxed.

“Good, then it’s a date– wait– nonono, this doesn’t count as a date– Shoot, we need to plan a real date, don’t we?” Tang laughed a little as he ran fingers through his hair.

“Jeez, you’re right– I can’t believe We’ve gone this long without even talking about it,” Pigsy chuckled a bit and started to dry off some glasses with an old rag.

“Soon?” Tang asked.

“Soon,” Pigsy agreed.

.o0o.

The feeling of something being wrong still didn’t go away as Pigsy closed and started making food at their apartment. Even as he set up his new lazy susan and let the kids play with bubble wrap, and he was watching them having fun, things were just– they were off. Even as the kids set the table, even as the crab looked absolutely delicious and Pigsy was half tempted to crack one open right now, it still was odd.

He had thought it was just Tang, because something was very very clearly on his mind, but acknowledging it didn’t make the worry go away. There had to be something else afoot here.

Despite that though, things were still going alright in the kitchen and everything was moving at a fair pace until there was a knock at the door and Tang let himself in.

“Well aren’t you three the busy bees?” Tang commented as he set down a bottle of cassia wine and a box of lotus root.

“It’s a feast alright,” Pigsy wiped sweat from his forehead before examining the bottle. “Peach wine?”

“Y-yeah! I thought something fruity– er–! sweet would be good for all the meats and stuff,” Tang laughed nervously, much to Pigsy’s confusion.

“Yeah, it’ll definitely compliment the spiced bean dumplings I got the kids working on,” Pigsy decided to not bring it up and patted Tang’s shoulder before adding it to his wine cooler (he had a wine cooler– living in this place was so weird).

Tang seemed relieved at that, going back to the front to drop off his coat and shoes.

“So– what can I help with?” Tang clapped and rubbed his hands.

“Mr. Tang,” MK’s hand shot up, “Why do you always wear a scarf?”

“I think it completes my look, don’t you think?” Tang posed against the fridge a little and Pigsy snorted.

Mei smirked and turned to MK. “I bet he can’t take the scarf off cuz if he does, his head’ll fall right off!”

“Ew! That’s so gross Mei,” MK laughed and pushed her away while Tang blushed and adjusted himself.

“It’s not like that,” Tang assured. “Besides, that’s a green ribbon, not a scarf.”

“Wait, so that’s story’s real???” MK’s jaw dropped.

“Ack– just– um–” Tang panicked.

“Get back to prepping– can’t eat the food if it doesn’t get made,” Pigsy decided to swoop in and Tang looked relieved as they giggled and got back to pinching.

“Ah– thanks,” Tang sighed a breath of relief.

“Yeah yeah,” Pigsy smiled a little. “If you could chop the lotus root you brought, that'd be great.”

“Will do,” Tang nodded.

Pigsy handed him a knife before the chef’s phone buzzed to life in his pocket. With a wince, he dug it out, flipped it open where the caller ID read–

Ma.

Pigsy rubbed his eyes.

He should’ve been expecting it, honestly. Every year she called, but most years he wasn’t all that busy– except with staying open later for catering, not making food for his f– the kids under his care, and Tang.

“OoOOOooo, who’s callin’?” Mei asked, finishing her last bean dumpling.

“Ah– no one. I’ll call back later,” Pigsy hung up and set his phone on silent. “You two done?”

“Yes sir Mr. Piggy,” Mei gave a big old grin. MK panicked at that– quickly twisting the last five in front of him and placing them on the tray with a nervous smile and thumbs up.

Pigsy chuckled. “Alright, how’s about you go set the table then?”

“Do we gotta?” Mei flopped her upper body on the kitchen island dramatically.

Pigsy rolled his eyes. “If we finish early and you two’re still up for it, we can get you some dragon’s beard candy, alright?”

Mei shot up and immediately raced MK to get plates down while Tang laughed.

“Ah– be careful with the plates-!” Pigsy called as the two ignored him completely as they ran to the dining table. Pigsy sighed.

“Does that always backfire?” Tang smirked.

Pigsy scoffed. “They’ll be way too tired after dinner to want to go into town– ‘sides we get a good view of the parades from here– it’s fine– I think,” He winced as Mei slammed a plate down– but relaxed when it didn’t sound like it cracked or chipped.

Tang chuckled more as he continued slicing lotus root. “You know, for all the panicking you’ve been doing, I would’ve expected you to be doing a lot worse– but you seem to got this whole ‘parenting’ thing down.”

“Funny,” Pigsy chuckled as he put the dumplings in the oven.

“What? You still don’t trust my word?” Tang teased.

“It’s not that– it’s just–” Pigsy shook his head.

It’s just that I’m not their parent.

“You know you’re slicing that wrong, right?” Pigsy looked down at Tang, almost startled by just how poorly the man was holding the knife.

“Am I?” Tang blinked, only now realizing he was totally crooked and now a whole root was just uneven.

“Here– I’ll show you,” Pigsy took the knife from Tang.

“First you gotta grip the knife tight, so that you’re actually in control of the damn thing,” He teased Tang a little. “Then, as you go you gotta not be scared of slicing your fingers off– otherwise you give yourself too much space and that’s how you get all uneven. You can go slow, I’m not gonna judge you for that either– try it like this,” Pigsy sliced five pieces before offering the knife back to Tang.

“Rrrrright,” Tang nodded, taking the knife and immediately forgetting all of Pigsy’s advice. With a huff, Pigsy wrapped his arms around Tang and forced him to do it properly (which was even difficult for him because of the close contact).

“Got it now?” He asked after five more slices.

“Y-yeah totally,” Tang stuttered, which made Pigsy look at his face and realize just how red he was. Pigsy laughed a little, which made Tang laugh a little, which was good for about five seconds, until Tnag tried to continue slicing while he still had his eyes closed, and cut his finger.

“ACK– Mother f-f’nning great monk alive–” Tang held back curses before grabbing a towel and pressing it against his finger. “Mind telling me where the bathroom is, Pigsy?” He asked through grit teeth.

“Yikes– it’s just down the hall on the right–sorry,” Pigsy pointed.

“Bah– it’s my fault for being a clutz– I’ll be fine,” Tang winced a little with a smile before walking to the bathroom. Pigsy hovered closely behind anxiously when there was a sudden knock at the door.

“You gonna be okay if I answer the door?” Pigsy scratched the back of his neck.

“I told you, I’m fine, Pigsy,” Tang gave a small but still genuine smile that made Pigsy want to kiss his cheek, but he could see Mei and MK watching from around the corner and so just patted his arm and went to the door.

There was a strange, but certainly strong aroma when he went to the door– food? Who on earth would bring him food? Basically everyone in this building had some level of distaste for him, so he was half tempted to just lock the door and never answer. However, that would just make the bad stereotypes true, so he knew he should open up anyways.

With a breath, Pigsy opened the door.

“Ah– there’s my widdle Pigsy-wigsy! My, you’ve gotten so fat– why are you wearing your glamor at home? Also why didn’t you tell your father and I you moved??? Oh I missed you so much,” His mother beamed and kissed him all over his face, and Pigsy realized this was the impending doom he’d been worrying about.

“Ma– Pops– you really shouldn’t’ve come,” Pigsy gritted his teeth and smiled.

“Oh I know, I know– but that’s why I called– you know, I really didn’t expect you to suddenly move into a place like this– is that a genuine Bluthner piano? Oh, you know your nana and I–” his mother rambled on and on as she went to the piano, meanwhile Pigsy’s father stood coldly in the doorway.

“Bajie.” He said, holding a basket of what Pigsy could only assume was food.

“Pops,” Pigsy replied just as short.

His father looked around the apartment a bit before locking eyes on MK and Mei.

“Who’re the humans?”

Fuck. He still hadn’t told them.

“Ah– well– um– it’s complicated, but I’m their– uh– legal guardian now,” Pigsy shrugged and laughed a little as his father officially stepped inside, giving him a side glance with a raised eyebrow.

“Wow– you’re really tall Mr. Pops, sir,” MK stated bluntly.

“I like your tusks! They’re cool!” Mei grinned next to him.

HIs father stared down silently.

“Oh my great sage– Who are these absolute cuties? Are they like your little delivery boy and girl? Oh you know that’s just the sweetest little idea– I’m Zhu Jiayi, and this is my husband Zhu Hangleng– we’re Mr. Pigsy’s Ma and Pa,” The older woman smiled sweetly upon the children as she took her husband's arm.

“Woah! We got grandparents?” MK jumped with excitement.

“Grandparents? That’s–” Pigsy’s mother looked at him, before immediately going to hug him again.

“Oh Pigsy– why didn’t you tell me? I could’ve brought gifts-!” She clapped before suddenly punching his arm. “How long have you kept this from me?! I remember tellin’ you specifically if you ever gave me grandbabies you were supposed to call me immediately,” she pointed at the startled chef.

“Woah– woah– I– it’s not like that– they’re full human– if dragon counts as that–” Pigsy shook his head. “It happened so fast and strangely– I couldn’t explain it if I tried.”

“This is so cool! I’ve never had a granny or grandpa before,” MK grinned.

“Oh please, call me your Nainai, you absolute cuties,” The female demon turned to smile fondly at the children.

“Oh sweet!” MK had stars in his eyes. “I’ve never had a Nainai and Yeye bef–”

“Just call me Mr. Zhu,” Pigsy’s father interrupted and MK’s face fell a little, which made Pigsy shoot him a look.

“Hangleng– don’t be a pain,” Jiayi elbowed her husband, but he remained stoic as ever.

Just then Tang emerged from the bathroom cleaned up and with a fresh white bandage wrapped around his finger– halting the moment he saw the two, much taller and very unfamiliar pig demons.

“Oh Jiejie, who’s this?” His mother turned and smiled at Tang.

Tang looked at Pigsy and they shared an equally panicked look before Pigsy cleared his throat and stood by his side.

“Ah, This is Tang. He’s a frequent customer of mine, and–” He glanced at Tang who shook his head a little. “– and a good friend of mine.”

“Oh well it is such a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Tang,” His mother offered her hand and Tang reluctantly shook it, before his mother pulled her in and gave him two kisses on the cheek.

“Ma-!” Pigsy tried to stop it, and she stepped back with a huff.

“What?” She asked, before nodding to herself. “Right, right– I forgot you humans are so touchy about your personal space.”

“Demons are too, if ya bother to ask,” Pigsy muttered under his breath.

“Oh-! That reminds me– your father and I brought some braised duck and taro for you– some of Nana’s old recipes,” His mother patted Pigsy’s arm while his father went and dropped off a basket on the counter.

“Great,” Pigsy tried not to let his eye twitch. “So are you two gonna get going, or..?”

“I wouldn’t dream of it Jiejie! I mean– seriously– the least you could do is let us meet our little grandbabies after turning off your phone and not telling us about ‘em in the first place– not to mention barely answering any of my calls this past year,” His mother scolded.

“Of course,” Pigsy sighed. “MK? Mei? Could you set the table for two more?”

“Ah– actually, maybe just one– I-i should get going–” Tang stepped towards the door.

“What-? You can’t go– you won’t get free food like this anywhere else,” Pigsy tried to joke to mask his overwhelming concern.

“Oh, I just–” Tang looked at Pigsy’s parents, then MK and Mei, and then barely at Pigsy. “I-i can’t intrude on this whole ‘family’ business– ‘Sides I think I might need stitches for this cut so I should head to an urgent care–”

Bullshit.

“Ah, I see. You got folks that can pick you up?” Pigsy’s mother looked at the scholar with a slightly ticked off face.

Tang took another step back. “I– I really should go–”

“Tang, wait–” Pigsy grabbed his arm, but Tang yanked it away.

“Oh, well I supposed I could drive you if you’d like– we can be back here in just a jiffy,” Mrs. Zhu said with such nonchalance that sent Tang jumping backwards.

“A-Actually-! I-I’m fine! Totally fine! I just— I need some… air,” He glanced at Pigsy before speed walking to his room– or more correctly, the balcony.

“Some customer,” Pigsy’s father snorted, opening more foil wrapped packages as Pigsy just stared at the door and wondered if he should go to Tang or not.

“Mr. Piggy, why is Tang acting weird?” MK asked with a frown.

“Ah, well–”

“Seems like the boy doesn’t have any manners,” His mother decided to answer for him. “Seriously– who wants to leave a feast they’re invited to and then declines a ride? And then he just needs ‘air’ – you know, I’m just glad he’s not your boyfriend or somethin’ because he just seems–”

“MK, Mei– why don’t you two go freshen up a bit and I’ll call you when the food is ready, alright?” Pigsy interrupted his mother, causing confusion in both of the children.

“What if I don’t wanna?” Mei pouted.

“D’aww, these kiddos are precious Jiejie,” Jiayi patted Mei’s head and she laughed. “And I know you didn’t teac–”

“Kids. Rooms. Now.” Pigsy ordered, causing both kids to practically jump out of their skin before they scurried off.

“Now what’d you do that for?” His mother crossed her arms again.

Pigsy rubbed his forehead and took a very, very long breath. “Can we sit down to talk about this? Because I can’t do this whole ‘back and forth in the kitchen’ thing.”

His father huffed. “You know, in the factories we stood for fifteen hours a day.”

“So you’ve told me thirty million times,” Pigsy muttered before guiding them to the living room couch, where he sat adjacent to his parents.

“So are you finally gonna tell us about this whole adoption business? And how on earth you managed to get yourself a place like this in a neighborhood like this, or are you just gonna tell us we can’t see our new grandkids,” His mother gave him a look.

Pigsy growled. “You know, you got some nerve finding my address and then showing up completely uninvited.”

“You’ve barely answered my calls in a year, Bajie– you’re always so busy with your restaurant– I get worried about you,” Her gaze softened.

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” Pigsy rubbed his eyes. “I just– it’s hard to want to when you show up to my place invited, immediately insert yourselves into MK and Mei’s lives, insult my guest and then act like you’ve done nothing wrong.”

“Well, I’m sorry, but that Tang fella–”

“Tang is a very good person, Ma, who’s helped me with this whole adoption thing a lot, and I’d appreciate it if you didn’t badmouth him in front of the kids,” Pigsy crossed his arms.

“Well I wouldn’t describe it as ‘bad mouthing’,” His mother sighed.

“Are you going to keep upsetting your mother, or does this have a point?” His father challenged.

Pigsy took a breath again. “Look– I just– I really wasn’t expecting you any time soon, and yeah– silencing my phone was probably a jerk move, but also you called five minutes before arriving, and it wasn’t like I was never going to tell you about MK and Mei– it’s just– they’ve been through a lot and change is weird for them and for me, so for you to just waltz in and say you’re their Nainai is just– a lot– but distancing yourself is weird too,” He looked at his father.

His mother sighed. “Look, I know I get excited about things– but can you blame me? You barely even call anymore, and it just feels like you’re a million miles away. Feels like we haven’t even talked since Nana.”

Pigsy winced. “I– it’s been a long time, I know, but that doesn’t make barging any better. Goodness knows I’m having a hard time adjusting to all this already.”

“I get so worried about you, xiao zhu. I mean– I know it’s hard with us traveling and such, but sometimes I’d just like to know how my ma’s recipes are holding up, you know?” She placed a hand on his knee.

“I know, I know– it’s just– it gets exhausting.”

His father snorted smugly.

“Right, I forgot I was talking to ‘Sargent’ Zhu over here,” Pigsy stared icily.

“Hey now, that’s no way to talk to your father,” His mother chided.

Pigsy looked daggers into his father. "Right. Sorry ‘Sarge’."

"Bajie, if you are looking for someone to blame your life on, you were the one who decided to be a little shit and ignore everything we ever tried teachin’ you," His father glowered.

"You know what? I can't deal with you two. You need to leave. Now." Pigsy stood.

"Oh will you two cut the crap for once?!" Jiayi stood too. “Can’t we just be civil and have a nice meal with our new grandkids?” She smacked Hangleng over the head and looked at Pigsy.

"For crying out loud ma– they aren't your grandkids-! They're barely even just my kids– I–" PIgsy was getting real sick of trying to control himself.

"What on earth is that supposed to mean?" His mother tapped her foot.

"I tried telling you– it was a rushed adoption with weird celestial–"

"Celestials?" His father raised an eyebrow.

Pigsy bit his tongue. "Yes. Mei is a descendant of the Dragon Clan, and apparently, her great great x1000 uncle chose me to raise her for some reason."

"Couldn't be because they thought you'd be a good father," His father smirked at his own joke, taking a cigar from his coat pocket and lighting it. "What kind of celestials would ever trust a demon with their own anyways?"

Pigsy held back a shaking fist and lump in his throat. "I don't know. What I do know is that it's only been finalized for like– two weeks so it's all new and strange and just– I really would appreciate it if you could either not be at 100 right now or just leave and come back later."

"What about that Tang fella? What's his problem?" His father asked, emphasizing his sentence with a long puff of smoke.

"Pops, you shouldn’t–" Pigsy was about to scold his smoking, but knew it was a lost cause and dropped it. "Tang is a good friend, but his folks apparently don't wanna see him. I don't know why– he hasn't told me yet, but I care about him so… I invited him over."

His mother clearly thought deeply about that before slowly nodding to herself. "I guess I could’ve overwhelmed ‘im– still was kind of rude though"

"Ma–” Pigsy took a breath. “He just needs some air– like he said.”

His mother sighed. "Well I guess he’s getting it then.”

A beat.

“Maybe you should talk to him though,” She suggested.

Pigsy slowly nodded. "I– yeah, I should, but I still need to–"

"Bah, I can take care of the food, Jiejie– she was my mother first," his mother smiled.

That didn’t mean she was as good as him or his nana though– but he needed to talk to Tang.

“Okay, okay. Just– if the kids leave their rooms, try to act normal please,” He said mostly to his Ma since his father was a lost cause.

“Alright, alright, just go talk to your customer, I got this,” His mother cracked her knuckles and walked back into the kitchen. Meanwhile his father remained smoking on the couch, staring at the TV vacantly.

“If you trigger the sprinklers, I’m not paying for a new pack,” Pigsy informed.

“Yeah, yeah,” His father waved him off and Pigsy rolled his eyes, deciding he had much better things to do.

He walked to the balcony attached to his room, where he found Tang resting his head in hands staring out at the sunset– though not before grabbing his cigarettes and a lighter.

Geez talk about deja vu.

With a breath, Pigsy tapped on the glass lightly before opening it, a rush of cool air managing to send a chill even down his own spine.

“Hey,” He just barely spoke above a whisper, closing the door behind him.

“Hey,” Tang replied just as quietly.

Silence settled as Pigsy didn’t have a clue what to say, and Tang probably still needed that air. Well, frankly, Pigsy needed that air now too, and so fished out a cigarette and started smoking.

“You know those are cancerous, right?” Tang didn’t look at the chef.

Pigsy shrugged and took a puff.

More silence.

Pigsy knew he was going to have to speak first.

What could he say though? He could apologize for pushing him again– though that seemed redundant. He could ask about his parents again– but that’d be pushing and then his previous apology would sound like bullshit and then Tang wouldn’t trust him anymore.

He wanted to leave when his parents showed up, so that’s probably a good place to start.

A breath.

“Look Tang… I’m really sorry about my folks– I swear I didn’t know they were coming, and if I had known I most certainly would’ve told you. I promise I wouldn’t let them sneak up on you on purpose.”

Tang was still quiet for a moment, rubbing the sleeves of his changpao.

“I know,” He eventually said. “I just– With all the talk about my family, I–”

“I know– I really am sorry, Tang,” Pigsy looked at him earnestly.

“Yeah,” Tang closed his eyes for a moment. “I guess I’m not mad– I just– I know it’s not your fault because I didn’t tell you but–”

“Hey,” Pigsy touched Tang’s arm with his free hand. “You don’t have to tell me anything, remember?”

Tang smiled a little sadly. “I know, but like you said, I should.”

Pigsy smiled a little too.

Tang’s eyes went back to the skyline, ignoring the sparklers and city festivities below. “Are your folks always like this?”

Pigsy shrugged and brought his cigarette back to his lips. “I guess so– Ma’s always been gushy and my pops has always been… distant, to say the least.”

“That explains a lot,” The scholar laughed weakly.

“Guess it does, huh?” The chef did the same before taking a drag.

The joking didn’t cut the tension, as Tang still had a far off look in his eyes that made Pigsy wish he could join him in his mind so he wouldn’t be so alone. Eventually, Pigsy summoned enough courage to put his hand close, and Tang instantly placed his own hand atop his, stroking it with his thumb.

“Well my folks… well, they weren't awful– but–” Tang took a breath and Pigsy leaned forward. “But they– um… well my father works as a professor at the Megapolis Academy of Science and Mathematics and my mother takes care of my grandfather– but used to teach there was well– and my grandfather also used to be a professor also at Megapolis Academy of Science and Mathematics– one of the most revered too– so– I– I kinda had a lot of pressure on me, you know? To join the ranks of their greatness and whatnot?” Tang laughed a little more from nerves.

“Had?” Pigsy tried to ask as delicately as possible, but he was also an idiot, so…

Tang nodded. “Well– um– at first, I was pretty good at keeping up with their expectations– I was really good at reading and history and poetry and stuff, and I even won awards and stuff for it. But when it came time for secondary school, I-i started slipping– but thanks to my father’s influence, I was able to at least stay afloat– and I even got into Megapolis Academy for Science and Mathematics– despite the fact that I really hate both science and mathematics,” Tang tried laughing away tears forming in the corners of his eyes.

Pigsy squeezed his hand, to which Tang smiled a little, but his eyes remained forward.

“Once I was there though– it all just fell apart,” Tang sighed. “I completely lost all will to study or focus and it felt like I completely forgot how to act like a normal person. I mean, I had always been a loner, but being a loner at that school was like a whole new level. U-until…”

A shaky breath from Tang.

“Until I met someone– a male someone– a-and I got a… crush. I hadn’t really ever had a crush before– it was all so weird and unusual, it basically consumed all thoughts and so when my parents kept asking why my grades were slipping, I tried coming up with excuses like exhaustion, or loneliness, but they pointed out how I managed just fine in the past, a-and so I felt like I had no other choice, so I… told them– god I was so stupid…”

“Oh, Tang…”

“My grandfather called me a disgrace amongst many choice words– said I was trying to sabotage his career and the family legacy. My mother wept and cursed and said she wished I had been a girl so that way my failures could’ve been expected. A-and my father? He completely cut all ties– even threw my clothes into a bag and tossed it into the street– saying that I was a filthy– you know– and that I shouldn’t bother coming back until I had a son of my own to prove my worth.” Tang’s voice quivered slightly and Pigsy rubbed a hand along his back.

“Tang, I-i–”

“I was kicked out of school after that– and suddenly I had no job, no family, and no place to live. I applied to the city university and was thankfully able to get a basically full scholarship since it was too soon for my ‘disownment’ to be known– but it didn’t cover food costs a-and so for a while I was basically starving and doing weird little jobs and surveys and internships for money and draining any semblance of savings I had on housing until–”

Tang turned to Pigsy.

“Until I met you.”

Pigsy froze.

Tang chuckled a little, a tear escaping. “Being on my own was… hard– especially for three and a half years– but when I found your restaurant– when I met you– I just– I felt like I had a home again– someone I could talk to again. Stars above, you have no idea how lucky I feel to know you think the same. And I know, I know, it was rude of me to try and leave, but when your mother was embracing me it just– my own mother used to hug me like that sometimes– especially when I was a kid if I did something noteworthy… and I was just reminded of what I’ve lost.”

“I’m so sorry, Tang– your parents sound like shitheads,” Pigsy couldn’t think of much else to say as he smothered his cigarette in an ashtray.

“Not compared to yours,” Tang tried to brush it off.

“Tang, they cut you out of their lives,” Pigsy adamantly pointed out.

“W-well, yes, but you’re father– he clearly abused you, and now you feel like you can’t do anything–”

“Tang, you feel like you can’t do anything.”

Tang went quiet.

The pig demon sighed. “Tang, my parents may be… a lot– but at least they didn’t cut ties with me when they sound out I like men too.”

“Ah– right,” Tang’s voice cracked. “Well… anyways, I guess my point here is that your folks– I know they weren’t good to you, but they– they reminded me of what I’ve lost and it snuck up on me.”

Pigsy slowly nodded. “My Ma’s not the worst, she certainly has her moments, so… I get it.”

“Yeah,” Tang chuckled genuinely. “I’m sorry if I offended her.”

“Bah, she’ll get over it, she’s got tough skin,” the demon assured.

Tang looked at Pigsy and hummed a little before returning his gaze forward. “Are you comfortable with them here?”

Pigsy shrugged. “I mean– I love my ma, and my pops… can have a nice moment– or at least a quiet one– so– I mean, as long as they’re under my observation I think I’m okay.” The chef laughed. “I’d love it if they didn’t sneak up on me, but seeing them less frequently helps my sanity. Are you okay with them here though?”

Tang took a breath. “I think so. I mean– I already know all the ways they’ve fucked up, so I know not to get too attached or anything,” he joked. “And even then, I–... I’m not alone anymore,” Tang held Pigsy’s hand and gave it a squeeze of his own, making the demon blush.

“Yeah, you’re not,” Pigsy agreed softly.

“Yeah, I have MK and Mei, and some cute stranger I’ve never actually talked to who keeps yelling at me for not paying for my food– do you think I should ask him out?” Tang smirked.

“Oh, shut up,” Pigsy pushed him away with a laugh before Tang kissed his cheek.

“I’m just teasing,” Tang scrunched his nose.

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” Pigsy rolled his eyes with a grin.

“Oh– but um– one more thing: let’s… not tell your parents about ‘us’ until after tonight,” Tang suggested.

“Oh absolutely– we would never hear the end of it if we did,” Pigsy completely agreed. “My mother would just blabber on and on with questions, meanwhile poor MK and Mei would probably turn into bored skeletons in the corner.”

“And your father?” Tang asked, chuckling.

Pigsy scratched his chin. “I think he’ll be that special kind of distant that he reserves for family members.”

“Bah, who needs a father’s love anyways?” Tang grinned.

“Agreed,” Pigsy nodded, happy to see Tang happy before deciding to kiss him on the cheek too.

“What was that for?” Tang’s face flushed to one shade away from a tomato.

“For having a shit childhood,” Pigsy playfully shrugged. “And speaking of shitty childhoods– we should probably get back to MK and Mei before they start talking to my ma about embarrassing childhood moments.”

“You know, in different circumstances, I’d love to hear those kinds of stories,” Tang grinned like an idiot.

“Yeah well maybe after a couple of months we can have an ‘official meeting of the parents’ – or whatever and then Ma can tell you all about it,” Pigsy half-joked, but Tang seemed genuinely touched.

“That sounds lovely, Pigsy,” His hand brushed Pigsy’s arm.

“Y-yeah?” Pigsy blinked. “I-i mean– yeah-! If that’s what you want– I’ll have to have a very serious conversation to prep ‘em, but– yeah,” the chef smiled, probably just as stupid as Tang was.

“Anyways,” Tang gave Pigsy a mischievous look, “I don’t know if you know this, but I was promised free food tonight, and I am preeeeetty hungry.”

“Oh, and who promised you that?” Pigsy teased.

“Ah, just some demon I know– but you know, he is kind of a mediocre cook, so maybe I’ll just skip out–”

“Alright, alright, alright– I hear you,” Pigsy flustered and opened the door for Tang, who was just about laughing his ass off now.

“You know I love you,” Tang smirked and wiped a tear from his eye.

“Yeah, I do,” Pigsy chuckled, and the men went back inside.

#lego monkie kid #lmk #freenoodles #pigsy lmk #tang lmk #my fics #i love the gay men #wish they'd kiss in canon #tw smoking #tw child abuse #tw homophobia #we stan tang and pigsy in this house

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