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dancingthesambaa · 3 years

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The Smell of Plum Blossom Tea Ch 17

Summary: Just like a butterfly wing, a single act of kindness can change the course of the future, it certainly did for MK as a black furred monkey put out a hand towards him.

Rating: Teen and up

Chapter 17: Can You Feel The Love Tonight~

“Pass some of that Okra.”

“Here you go.”

“Why is this so spicy?!”

“Well it is the spicy plate, if you can’t handle the heat then you should have gotten the other plate.”

“No, just this one specifically is damn spicy!”

“Red made some of them.”

“It’s not my fault that your taste isn’t refined enough.”

“Come over here and say that!”

“No fighting at the table,” Macaque said as he watched Bohai try to stand up from his seat, while Red was smirking at him.

“Won’t be much of a fight,” the demon prince mocked.

“You little-” his mouth was then stuffed with green beans.

“Just eat some veggies and calm yourself,” Sheng cracked a grin as they put some green beans in their mouth.

The jellyfish demon moodily just chewed on his food in silence.

“Children, all of them,” Mei said as she set down the bowl of Okra Ahmed passed her.

“So have you heard about the rumors about Yakimoto,” Yanyu leaned into MK.

“Yakimoto? The head of the Neurology department?”

“That’s the one.”

“What about her?”

“Well recently I have heard from a friend of mine, who heard from the janitor, who had heard from a physician of that department, that he had heard that she had been having little outings with her lovely secretary of hers,” she whispered loudly.

“Wait, doesn't she have a husband?” His eyes widened.

“Yes she does, but she’s always complaining about the whole ordeal being set up as an arranged marriage by both of their parents-”

“That’s still a thing?”

“Apparently, the two see each other as siblings.”

“Really?!”

“Totally, in fact, there have been whispers that her husband also has a special man as well.”

“Shut up, tell me more,” he stuffed the Tofu in his mouth as Yanyu began to talk all about the man at the flower shop a couple of blocks down from Pigsy noodles.

“Is it always this loud,” Wukong smiled as he watched the table filled with little chaos.

“Like you wouldn’t believe it,” he said as he ate. “Just be glad this isn’t a holiday dinner then it really would be chaotic. Especially with everyone else that would join in,” he remembered last new year when they finally dragged Pigsy to close down the shop for one night to enjoy the holiday. It was a mad scene of chaos and energy as all of them were raving like mad lunatics even before the food came out, Ahmed and Sandy were barely able to stop Sheng, Daiyu, Tang, and Mei from setting off fireworks right next to some containers of peanut oil. And that was after MK and Mei had already demolished the kitchen with Yanyu siblings looking for the moon cakes.

“Everyone else?” He questioned as he noticed the slight smile on his friend's face.

“Oh don’t worry, stick around long enough and you’ll meet them face to face rather than watching them creepily from the distance” he shook himself out of memories.

The Monkey Sage paused, then he smiled widely, “I can’t wait then.”

“Okay, now can we learn how the hell you met Shun!” Mei exclaimed as everyone settled down in the living room. “Cause, I’m surprised you didn’t smell the crazy off of him at first sight.”

“It’s always the quiet ones that get you,” Daiyu muttered. “He seemed alright, but he was just hiding his batshit craziness.

“Right, I mean that just goes to show doc always had terrible taste in partners,” Yanyu nodded.

“Partners” Monkey King emphasized, “as in more than one.”

“Oh yeah, he has quite the number of people after his plump ass,” Minsheng smirked as they tried to smack Mac on the ass when he passed by him, but he winced when a black tail wrapped around his hand and flipped him over.

“No,” the simian deadpanned and was about to sit down next to Ahmed when Wukong pulled him over and sat him down beside him.

“Seems like you're quite popular then,” he joked and wrapped his arm around him.

“Not really popularity wise, but more of him simply having bad taste,” Sheng teased.

“I mean you're not wrong,” he shrugged as he sank into Wukong’s side.

“But how?!” Mei whined once more.

“Tell us!” MK soon joined her as he laid on Red lap.

“I’m quite interested to hear this as well,” the prince asked as well.

“Pleasseee,” Wukong batted his eyes

“Fine, fine, I’ll bite,” he rolled his eyes. “It’s not that interesting how we met, in fact, it was pretty normal.”

“What was it?”

“Amid a territory brawl over a section of land out in the Azurite Forest.”

“…okay I think we have two very different definitions

of normal,” Mei deadpanned.

“Probably, anyways I was sitting high in the tree watching these assholes argue-”

“I told you that past the Vivion Treeline was our territory and yet you dare go past that line and defy us!”

“Well, maybe you should have thought of that before you send your minions down and scavenge in our territory first!”

“You have no proof of any trespassing that happened!”

“Are you saying my own lies to my face?! HA! Now that’s a laugh to even think about, no I trust them long before I will even think about breathing in your direction!”

“I suppose it’s best you lay down and suffocate cause there is no way in hell that my boys lied to me!”

“Now ain’t that a lie!”

“That’s rich coming from you!”

“Sheesh, of course I would happen to stumble upon this right when I have to get some Fuchsia berries,” Macaque grumbled as he watched the argument from above. “Damn idiots.”

“I happen to agree,” Mac barely flinched when a calm voice called out and saw from the tree to the right of him was a gray lemur with a black and white striped tail. “I too have some important items that I need to procure, but these heathens happen to be in my way.”

“Only found in this forest,” the simian said.

“Unfortunately yes the Inada spiritual root is only grown here, if it was elsewhere I would have already turned back and away from this nonsense,” he scrunched his nose in distaste.

“I feel ya on that, the berries that I need happen to be for an elixir for the spiritual development of the 8th degree. One of my clients needs it after her body is close to breaking down due to her organs inability to support her fire breath,” he sighed as he looked down at the argument once more and noted that it would soon turn into an all out brawl.

“You're talking about the Firaga Restoration Elixir,” the lemur had a glint in his eyes. “Not many physicians know of that and even less have the ability to make it.”

“Made it a few times before…how about we help each other out?” He tapped his chin as an idea came to him.

“Go on.”

“Our items are pretty much in the same area, if we can sneak around and past the tree line then it would be homestretch from then on cause I am quickly picking up that most of the demons from each tribe are here.”

“Hmm, sounds adequate though do you believe to be capable enough to pass them undetected,” he turned to look at the monkey only to blink when he saw he wasn’t there anymore.

“Now where did he-”

“Is this good enough for you,” the lemur’s tail quickly shot towards the voice, but it was stopped by a hand. “Sorry, did I scare ya,” Macaque grinned as he held onto the furry tail.

The lemur blinked a few times before a smile grew, “It would appear that you have.”

“Well let’s get moving and the name is Macaque,” he let go of the tail, but the tail didn’t let go as it instead kept almost a loose grip around Mac's hand.

“I’m Shun,” the lemur purred as he stepped forward until their bodies were pressed together and he leaned down until they were nose to nose. “It will be a pleasure working with you.” And like he wasn’t even there, he quickly stepped back and began to move above the treetops of where the fight had commenced.

Macaque stood still for a brief moment before a fierce blush took over his face and he silently followed Shun. If both tree climbers happened to take glances at one another throughout the trip, no one would affirm anything.

“Like I said, horrible taste in partners,” Yanyu stated once more.

“Yeah, like you let him all up in your space and didn’t say a word, clearly bad,” Mei nodded.

“Like seriously, who would just go up and invade someone's personal bubble like that, totally rude,” MK joined in.

“You should have kicked his ass when he did that Mango, you have done it before,” Wukong said as he nonchalantly dragged him to his lap and rested his chin on Mac’s shoulder. “Don’t let anyone near you unless you want to.”

Everyone, barring Macaque and Wukong were either subtly or straight out eyeing Wukong, who was still cuddled up next to the black simian. They can practically taste the hypocrisy going on here.

“Okay I get it,” he put his hands up in mock surrender. “Don’t need to gang up on me like that.”

“So what happened after that?” MK asked.

“Well the rest is history, he began to hang around my place a lot more and next thing I knew we were going on dates with each other,” he shrugged his shoulders.

“Here’s what I don’t get,” Daiyu perked up, “did he ever ask you out?”

“Of cou-…” he stopped mid sentence as he thought it over then he furrowed his brow, “actually, now that I think about it, no. He never did. We were just eating out one day at a restaurant and proclaimed it to be a date.”

“Pops/Doc/Mango/Dude really,” Mei, Yanyu, Wukong, and Minsheng all groaned as the rabbit demon continued, “you really should have known something was up after that.”

“I really didn’t,” he rubbed the back of his head as he remembered he was taken aback by his statement but went with it as he did have a small crush on him back then.

“Just be glad you weren’t around to see Hui,” Ahmed said, receiving a wounded look from Macaque.

“Kitty, I thought you were on my side!”

“I am…just not when it comes to your choice of partners.”

“Even Mufasa here knows that she was batshit insane,” Bohai deadpanned, “nice and hilarious, but holy shit was she insane.”

“She wasn’t that-”

“Did you forget that she was a raging alcoholic scorpion that had the desire to go up to not only to the Celestial Realm and raid their alcohol supply, but to go down under all the way to Yama realm and claim the title of all the ten kings and live in luxury,” Minsheng bluntly stated.

“Just not Yama crown, because she stated that she didn’t want to do all of that work, not because it was suicidal to try to fight him,” Daiyu continued. She loves to fight as much as her siblings, but even she knew better than to pick a fight with one of the big boys on top, or in this case, down below.

“And I’m not even gonna mention that when she was in her drunken rage, she had the tendency to poison others with her tails when they stood opposed or even just breathed near her,” Bohai finished.

“…” Macaque said nothing as he just leaned closer to the other monkey, who happily complied with his actions as he further tightened his arm around him and silently rubbed his thumb on his shoulder.

“So much bad taste in partners, so much,” the bluenette put her head in her hands.

“I’m starting to see your point,” the pigtailed adult agreed as she glanced at the scene with a curious look.

“At least we don’t have to worry about that anymore, what I’m a bit curious about is how all of you guys met MK here,” Wukong tried to subtly move on from the conversation of Macaque’s romantic relationship. If he had to hear about yet another demon he dated, he might actually lose his mind.

“Oh let me!” MK eagerly began, “well I remember that I was sleeping when I heard Daiyu yell out.”

“Because of course it was her,” the bluenette said.

“And I walk into the room and-” as MK enthusiastically told the story, Wukong had quietly taken out the red rubber band holding his hair in a ponytail and gazed at the silky black fur cascaded down his back. And before he knew it, his fingers were entangled in Mac’s fluffy fur as the other simian sighed at the soft touches.

“Been a long time since you did this,” Mac purred as he relaxed into the grooming.

“Well it’s about time we pick it back up, besides no one is better at grooming than a monkey,” he purred, but he paused as he quietly had thought and delicately asked, “speaking of monkeys, do you want to visit the ones back at Flower Fruit?”

Mac's eyes widened as he almost instantly turned his head, but was stopped by hands, “Are you serious?”

“I mean they have missed you a whole lot,” he tried to nonchalantly say, “especially since they smelt you on the kid and was practically begging me to bring your ass over.”

“They are still demanding little shits huh,” he gave a small huff.

“The one thing that hasn’t changed.”

“…yeah I would like that,” he smiled up at him.

“Cool, cool,” he couldn’t stop his tail from excitedly wagging behind him, but he instead tried to stall it by looking at the fluffy fur once more as another purr came through. It’s not his fault he couldn’t stop it from emerging from his long time crush response and his fascination with his long fur.

“You really do have such a long fur, why’d you grow it out anyways, not that I’m complaining.”

“I dunno, I just forgot to cut it short and when I finally noticed I decided to just keep it,” he shrugged.

“Well I’m glad you did, it looks amazing on you,” Wukong said as he looked down to meet Macaque’s eyes and promptly realizing what he said, he quickly averted his gaze and nervously laughed, “Or you know, it looks good.”

“Ah, umm thanks,” the doctor said as he felt the faint blush on his cheeks.

The sage monkey was about to say something else when he noticed that a few eyes were on him and he quickly went back to his grooming session. While making completely sure that his eyes didn’t even go towards anywhere in their direction.

The traffic light trio saw the scene and they all shared a glance at one another, but opted to say nothing as the story continued and the two monkeys, in everyone's eyes, began to cuddle up together.

“Where is he?” Red huffed as he sat on the opposite side of Mei at one of the arcade booths. “Usually he’s the first one here.”

“I know he was helping Pigsy out with a large Party order, but that should have been done by now,” Mei shrugged as she took another sip of her drink.

“Well he should hurry it up else I will-”

“What’s up, party dudes!” An energetic voice cried out that instantly made Mei spit out her drink.

“Oh hell no!” She stood up as she grabbed her dagger and was inwardly cursing herself about leaving her sword at home, “I’m not about to deal with you a second time! Not today Satan!”

“Should I be concerned?” Red raised an eyebrow as he looked at MK, who was for some reason wearing a pink visor, blue headphones and an atrocious cheetah print outfit. “Cause this whole look right here is very concerning.”

“No need to worry hot stuff,” MK said as he wrapped an arm around his shoulder. “Not here to do any lasting damage, unless you're into that,” he winked.

“W-w-what?!” A small burst of flame erupted from his head.

“I don’t trust that for a second,” the Dragon successor hissed as she still held her dagger up.

“I swearsies doll.”

“Wha-no stay focused,” she faltered but shook it off, “That is rich coming from the disembodied attachment of my friend who can just poof in and out without consequences of your actions.”

“Disembodied?” Red, still under the clone arm, confusedly said.

“Touché,” he pointed a finger, “but for real, I’m just here to deliver a message from the big boss himself.”

“Talk,” she demanded as she slightly lowered her weapon at that.

“BB will be late due to a crazy ass bitch on the block doin her usual bitch in and be all complainin about her food order being all wrong and demanding that they hand it over for free.”

“Oh,” Mei's eyebrow raised. “Bet that didn’t go over well.”

“No it did not my lovely Empress, cause next thing they knew the bitch was calling up the rest of her posse upon BB and Big Bad Boss and now she is yellin her ass about about some scam they be tryin to pull on them all.”

“I’m starting to see where this is head,” she sheathed her blade when she said that, though she did have a light blush of confusion over the nickname.

“Your thoughts be right as the next thing anyone knows, everyone is brawling with each other so hard that even some of the people on the street just up and joined in.”

“So MK got mixed up in that, but why didn’t he just text us that,” the Bull successor asked as he finally recognized that this was a clone and not the real MK.

“Cause Triple B ordered Double B to not get the food ruined under any circumstances my sweet King so now BB is hauling ass all around the town as the Karen Gang chase after his ass,” Portay MK smirked as he saw the prince blush.

“Karen Gang,” she snorted at the nickname, “Does he need any help, cause I will be more than happy to bust a few heads for him.”

“I as well.”

“Aww ain’t the both of you just a bundle of sweetness, makes me want to give you both a big ol kiss,” he flirted once more.

“Just show us!” At this point both teenagers had either a small or large flush on their faces.

“Alright Alright, I’ll show ya,” he said as he quickly made his way out of the arcade and to the streets with them both following. “But I won’t stop~ Someone got to help Double B get the ball rollin and I guess it will have to be me. This will be so much fun,” he muttered.

“What did you say?”

“Nothing my Sugar hearts!” He smiled at their groans of embarrassment.

“Is he always like this?!”

“I met him once and that was when he had me tied up during a never ending party, which I still can’t fully remember due to all the sugar and caffeine I inhaled.”

“The WHAT?!”

“Oh yeah, that was a ride.”

“Man, it’s been a long time since I’ve been here, huh,” Macaque mused as he and MK climbed up the mountain.

“Right, you lived here before,” MK said as they climbed up the steps. “What was it like back then?”

“Honestly, at first it looks and feels the same, every time that I breathe I can still smell the crisp pine air and the heavy mineral undertones that I still smell on Monkey King,” he took a deep breath. “This place really brings back some memories.”

“Good ones?” The doctor to be said with a bit of hope as they finally reached the top.

“Yeah, good ones,” he stopped as his ears pricked up at an incoming sound. “That screech,” he whispered.

“Huh?” MK looked to his Dad, only to be bombarded with the most ear piercing noise.

SCREEEEEECCCCCCHHHHHH

Then, almost out of nowhere, a hoard of monkeys all popped out and practically flew towards the black simian.

“What the-!” MK was startled by the sudden attack and was about to step forward to his Dad only to pause at the sight of multiple monkeys, all of them screeching in delight, clinging onto him as the demon joyfully nuzzled them back.

“I missed you guys too,” he purred as he felt many cuddles underneath his chin, on his back, upon his arms, even on top of his head. He really missed these idiots.

“Awwww,” the adult cooed at the adorable sight.

“Man, that was faster than I was expecting,” the student turned and saw his mentor standing right behind him. “One moment they were playing and the next thing I know they all began to run off. I swear their smell has gotten better over these years.”

“So that’s why they could smell Dad on me that time.”

“You got it,” he finger gunned him as he walked up to the pile of monkeys. “So it seems this is one-”

“HISSSSSSS!” All the monkeys clinging onto Macaque hissed at their idiotic king.

“Yeah, I deserved that,” he deadpanned as he plopped himself onto the pile, with MK following suit. “But I promise we won’t be so stupid again.”

“Ooo oo,” a female monkey crossed her arms as she sat on the monkey doctor's head.

“King honor,” he raised his hand.

“Ooo,” she nodded and gave him a flick on the nose before snuggling back on top of the head.

“She really hasn't changed one bit,” Mac snorted at her antics.

“Nope, but she is still as bossy as ever,” he smiled and gave her a scratch on her head.

“Especially when she forced me to drink water,” MK piped up, “she literally forced it down my throat after one of the sessions. I didn’t think you could drown via water bottle, but when there's a monkey there's a way.”

“Yeah, sounds like her,” both monkeys said.

The sun was beginning to set as MK and the rest of the tribe were all playing out in the mountains in an extreme game of hide and seek. Extreme as in they all will literally yeet themself off the tallest rock just so they won’t get found, the first couple of times MK played this he had to stop his heart from trying to run out of his chest, but he slowly found himself enjoying throwing himself off like a rabid maniac. Is there something wrong with all of them? Maybe, but no one can deny that it is really fun.

“I swear, their IQ always seems to decrease when they play these games,” Mac muttered as he watched his child vault himself off of a rock just so the seeker wouldn’t catch him.

“Didn’t you think of this?” Wukong hummed as he smirked when he saw his student delicately land on one of the boulders below.

“Yep and I still don’t know if I regret it.”

“I mean you did worse,” he coyly smirked.

“You don’t want to talk about dumbass ideas with me Mr. ‘Let’s just ambush the trailing cart of a tired ass deity that would happily shank up on our sleep.’” He snarked back.

“Says the one who thought it would be a good idea to toss me in the water, forgetting that my stone ass can’t swim!” He shot back, they were playing around and Macaque had the jump of him and tossed him in the river. The black simian paused at what he just did and immediately panicked and dived down after him.

“You should really think about losing a few pounds, you were heavy,” he mocked and then got promptly tackled by the other monkey.

“I’ll show you heavy, how’d you like that mushroom brain,” he teased as he began to wrestle him.

“Says you rock for brains,” he shot back as he tried to get the upper hand. This went on for a few minutes as both monkeys playfully began to wrestle each other on the ground. It ended when Wukong managed to pin him down while holding his hands above his head and wrapping his tail firmly around the others.

“HA! I win!”

“Yeah, yeah,” he huffed after he tried to get out after a few attempts. “Don’t get such a big head about it.”

“Aww, but you know it only does good things to my ego~,” he teased as he leaned down.

“No it doesn’t, simply it’s truly terrible.”

“It does!”

“Does not!”

“Does!”

“Does not!

“Does!”

“Does not!”

“Does!”

“Does not! Damnit!” He cursed at the trickery.

“How do you fall for it every single time,” he openly laughed.

Wukong was about to refute when he saw just how close to each other they were and sucked in a breath. He can feel his chest against his own with each breath of air, he can see the faintest shimmer of violet deep within his golden eyes, he can feel his nose touching the soft button nose of his partner.

Macaque obviously heard the intake of breath, no super hearing necessary, and was about to ask when he too stopped short. It could be from the fact that their noses were so close to each other that he could feel his warm breath, the way he could feel the muscle very clearly against his own fur, or even how his golden eyes seem to be extra bright today that he can’t. Stop. Looking.

Neither pair noticed a pair of human eyes locking onto them with a curious expression on his face as he slowly backed up.

Either way, all of those reasons are very much valid in both of their minds as a familiar silence filled the air and it felt oh so good as they just almost blend together as one. This wasn’t the usual safe cuddles that both were adjusted to, no this was something long in the making, that this was something that was more than the friend standpoint that they anchored themselves down on and refuse to step off. This was something even more than love, but the word itself is the only thing that fits what they feel for the other, and they instinctively knew that there is something more between them, something devastatingly eternal.

There can be more if they just make that step off the cliff and into the unknown air.

But not today, no not today.

Instead, Macaque put his foot back down to that safe cliff and latched on tightly as cleared his throat. “You want to get off me anytime, I kinda want to feel my bones sometime,” he managed to say. He can’t take that step, he knows he’s a coward when it comes to admitting that he actually loves Wukong, but they just became friends once more after their stupid separation and he refuses to do anything that jeopardizes it.

“Right, my bad,” he said with a fake smile plastered on as he got off him and sat beside him. He can see the air and he can feel his feet wanting to make that leap into the foggy air and see how far the two can go, but he will push down that impulse. He wants this so badly, for centuries (no matter how hard he tries to deny it) he wants to admit that he loves Macaque, but he will keep his mouth shut. His impulsiveness has already done enough damage as it is, no need to add the emotional turmoil on top of all the other shit he did to his friend.

The two of them sat in silence once more as they sat side by side to each other, totally ignoring the small moment between.

“So…what are you doing for the Lunar New Year?” Wukong asked in an effort to get rid of the silence.

“Well this year, we’re gonna spend it in the city with the others this time around. Everyone brings some food, usually, I bring the moon cakes as I have the extra hands and you can never have too many.” Ever since he had met Yanyu, who had dragged him to his first Lunar year with her family in the city, it had become somewhat of a tradition to go to the city every two years and spend time together. “What are you doing?”

“Oh you know, just gonna chill on the mountain with good food and watch the fireworks,” he nonchalantly said.

“Just by yourself,” he questioningly asked. If there was one of the many things he knew about Wukong, it was that he hated being alone on any occasion. He knew it stemmed from his own weird beginnings and his unawareness of the societal norms at the start, but it all went downhill after he was trapped in the mountain with only the bitch ass spirits keeping guard, he could only sneak in so many times before one of the guards noticed something amiss, unfortunately. (Though he quite happily stopped by when Wukong was finally free and he had quite the playtime with them, he still can’t help but grin at the sound of their screams. It was truly music to his ears.)

“Yeah,” he shrugged. It wasn’t anything new, ever since his friends have…gone, he couldn’t quite bring himself to spend the holiday with anyone other than the tribe from time to time. It just doesn’t feel right anymore…it doesn’t feel like he has the right anymore.

“Yeah, no. Your ass is coming with me to the festival,” Mac deadpanned.

“What?!” He turned his head so hard that he could almost hear his neck snap.

“You. Are. Spending. The. Festival. With. Us.” He slowly emphasized each word as if he couldn’t understand it. “Got it.”

“But-but-”

“We’re not talking about your ass here, but you are coming.”

“I don’t want to intrude, it will probably be really weird,” he tried to rebuttal.

“The group has almost twenty people and then those people will sometimes bring their friends along, the more the merrier.”

“What about how I look, cause no offense, but I don’t want to be mowed down in a frenzy to get an autograph or a picture or something!”

“We both know you have a human disguise, hell I sometimes use my own from time to time.”

“But-”

“Wukong,” he grabbed his shoulders. “You are going to come to the Lunar Festival with us.”

The monkey opened his mouth once more, but sighed and sagged his shoulder. “When have you become so demanding.”

“I learned that from you,” he smirked.

“Pfft, nahh you have always been a demanding shit even before me,” he chuckled as he laid his head on Mac's shoulder. “Yeah, I’ll join you guys.”

“Great, but if it does get too much just come grab me and we can bail to one of the rooftops,” he shifted and wrapped an arm around his shoulder.

He smiled into his shoulder, “I wouldn’t mind that buttt I wouldn’t mind trying one of the moon cakes, especially if you make some with peaches in them.”

The doctor fondly rolled his eyes, “I’ll make some peach candy mooncakes for you dumbass.”

“Yes!”

#lego monkie kid #monkie kid #mk #macaque #six eared macaque #monkey king #lmk mei #PlumTeaAU

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pernatius · 3 years

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Lost in Space Part 6: Ch 1

Summary: With the fate of the universe resting in her hands, an unnamed Space Explorer and Saamuki first must find Syco to get back their friends.

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Lost in Space on ao3

Surrounding the cliff are trees with bluish trunks, for the most part, as some have sprouted out two and a thick and seemingly fluffy purple crown. Laying just about a foot below their leaves are large, orange spores that look as if they’re the size of my head. If I were outside the ship and uncomfortably closer I have a feeling they would actually be three times bigger. The sea of purple reminds me of the beach a couple of miles away from here, below the cliff and encased in the place that was once Saamuki’s prison. Just like then I pick up the sand and watch each grain drop and eventually pile into a small mountain below me. Well, I didn’t actually do it considering the howling metal, as wind thrashed against it, encasing me. I imagined I did. I realized how truly short and quick time is. Also, how one thing can change everything. So, that’s when I look up into the blackness above that’s slowly being engulfed by daylight. I do so because I know some of the players. I could name them, but I’ll never get to know all of them. The floating, bobbing alien creature who looked like a jellyfish seen in the corner of my eye reinforces that frustrating conclusion.

“Now I could use your chip.” I nearly forgot Saamuki is talking. I actually forgot about my chip until she reminded me. I was going to completely forget about the former as I get brief, yet painful flashes of the bumpy relationship between the tiny computer clutching the back of my neck and me. “I know just about everything about the mechanical world, but the organic one is something I’ve barely scratched the surface of. Combining both and having me tap into their child is essentially a death wish. I don’t know much about Syco. I’ve only seen him through pictures and heard him through your point of view, but I don’t plan to ever risk anyone’s life like that. However, we’re running out of time. I have no idea what the address of his ship could be,” she rambled in one breath while stroking her chin.

“What do you mean by address? Do you mean ship number? When I was a Space Explorer, all the ships came with ship numbers. They were easier to track that way, or at least I think they did. Those memories are hazy,” I look away from her before continuing, “but how about the ship? Couldn’t you do something with the ship instead?”

She catches her breath before replying, “I could say ship number, but that’s not an accurate label. Ship addresses come with the ship’s number, type of ship, coordinate, and most importantly resonance. Each ship has a different resonance. The address of his ship is embedded into your chip. It’s twice in there now, but your statement wasn’t completely wrong. I can’t blame you for that.”

“Then, The Speaker, have they said anything?”

“No, they’ve gone completely silent.” I flinched when she suddenly bent forward and slammed her fists against the arms of her chair. One of her eyes and the corner of her lips twitched. Noticing my fright, she laid back down and took another breath. Her voice is much lower. It’s almost a whisper when she explains, “I’m sorry, but it’s just that why did it have to be a Space Pirate commander? Why does it always have to be a Space Pirate that outsmarts me? I could only guess what Syco’s planning for the universe and especially for our friends, but it’ll only be a guess. Syco is the only one that knows the answer to my questions, obviously, he does. Even if I were to get the address what’s stopping him from killing us on the spot?”

“No, Syco wouldn’t do that. I know that sounds weird coming from my mouth. It was my fault for basically walking into a warzone that got you into this situation and got me this deep. I know that, but if Syco wanted us and especially me dead then we would be. For how little I’ve gotten to know him I’ve come to understand that he’s cunning. This is too big of a hole in what we’re inching towards to conclude.”

“He’s let you go this far, but he’s tried to kill you. Why the hypocrisy?”

“That’s the thing. He’s tried to even when it wasn’t him physically doing it. Back at his ship when he found out I was trying to kill him with Khavas he didn’t kill me. He could’ve killed me. I was an easy target. Then, when he had Khavas under his control he stopped him. Again, he could’ve let the job be finished right then and there. Now when he had the others pursue me Skeema regained control for a split second. Syco knows how his people work. He’s been working with them. I don’t know exactly why, but I’m important to him and whatever he’s planning. He wouldn’t kill me. At the very least he doesn’t plan to anytime soon.”

Her elbows are perpendicular to the arms of her chair. Her hands are folded and her head is bowed, pressed up against them, as her eyebrows crease close to one another and her eyes are shut. She takes a moment to ponder. The blueish glow from the screen emphasizes her expression. In that time I see that familiar shadow walk towards the window that’s become just about everyone’s spot to watch the infinitely expanding outer space. I follow it and once it’s able to press its hands against the window sill and move its head upwards towards the glowing, gigantic, and ironically heavenly bodies above, it fades out of sight.

“I think I know a way where we can get the address without putting you in harm's way and even not alert Syco and his crew about what we’re doing, but I still owe him even when it’s been several years since the last time we saw each other.”

“What could you possibly owe whoever you’re talking about for?”

“Promise me that what I’m about to tell you remains between the two of us. That means not telling Ashely, and especially Mikrovos.”

If we get to see either of them again at this rate. The real them I mean. Them without mind control I mean. It’s a terrible thing to think about. It hurts me thinking about that, but it’s slowly becoming true. Sure, there’s a strong possibility Syco doesn’t plan to kill them or use them to kill me. It’s only a matter of time before my intuition about Syco proves to be wrong, but I don’t tell her any of this. I nod instead.

“No, promise me. Please say it. I can’t tell you if you can’t.”

Her watery eyes shut down any hesitation I could’ve been feeling. “I promise, Saamuki. I won’t tell either of them. I won’t tell anyone.”

“It,” she gulps, “She was Skeema’s kid.” She pressed her hands against her stomach.

“What?” Again, it’s all I can say besides making a face or cuss out loud. Both of which have an unconscious intent of making it seem like I now view her as batshit crazy.

“It’s the reason Skeema became one of my most prominent clients. You should’ve seen his face when I told him. He was so happy that he was going to be a father, but it was an accident. We didn’t plan to, but that’s why I had to do it. I wasn’t ready. I was especially not ready to tell Cabelo. How could I ever be ready for that? It hurt him,” she began to sob, “It hurt me for weeks. It still hurts. Lords, I’m so sorry for giving you all of this again. Does that make me a bad friend? Does this make me a terrible person?”

With everything that’s happened, I’ll never truly understand what it’s like to see a family member die. I don’t think I’ll ever get to see my child die. Hell, I don’t think I want children. If I did I don’t think I can have one right now. I wonder if my previous self wanted one. I wonder what my old self was like. I wonder what she would’ve thought of at this moment. I know she wasn’t perfect, but she wasn’t this fucked up. She wasn’t me. What would she have done in my place?

I rested her tearful self on my chest as I patted the back of her head. She, in turn, gripped my shirt with shaky hands. “No, of course, it doesn’t. You did what you thought was the right thing to do, Saamuki. No, what you had to, but it’s all over now,” I whispered to her.

We held each other for who knows how long. It might’ve been minutes. It could’ve been hours. While impossible it still could’ve been an entire day. How long we held each other for is not what matters. What does matter is that Saamuki is okay now. I just wish I could say that about myself.

As per usual, I’m sitting on the window sill watching the stars fly past us. My hand rests on the cold glass. The glass is about seven inches thick. It’s what’s keeping me away from being sucked up into the chasm that is outer space, yet I can still feel it. I can still feel space’s coldness. “I know I’ve said this already, but I really am sorry.”

Her back is facing her chair and her eyes are facing the windshield. She’s focused on steering us to where only she knows, but I act like I’m being scolded. I imagine where her gaze would’ve been if she was standing behind me and her reflection in front of me. In her place is a darkened, blurry version of me. That image isn’t new to me.

“As I said earlier, you did what you had to.”

The two of us were never close. We’re in between acquaintances and friends since we know parts of each other no one else knows, but at the same time aren’t able to do much with that information. Maybe we’re friends since we’ve seen each other at our lows. Maybe I’m afraid to label her as my friend because everyone I’ve ever gotten close with has gotten hurt. That’s why it was quiet the rest of the way to a planet I’ve been to before.

Like last time the planet is hot and remains to be a planet-sized sandbox. Unlike last time, besides for the costume change, as I’m wearing the worn and blood-smelling jacket because I’m unable to change back into a Talten but able to transform the crown into a staff and Saamuki taking Mikrovos’ place, a long, twisted torch was placed in the center of the market’s entrance. Also, unlike last time the market is nearly empty. For the handful that is here, they’re as gloomy as the people from Ojos’ city. They just look duller, which is like an oxymoron because of how bright this planet is. I try to figure out what’s happened within the months since my sudden departure from here by using my newly reformed crown, but I’m only able to catch snippets. Everyone here either uses one-worded replies or three worded sentences. I bury down my curiosity as I know I’m not going to get anything at this rate and return my focus to following Saamuki. Although, I already know where she’s heading.

The strip club has been torn apart. Literally. All but one of the tables has been flipped over. The one table had been punctured into some of the floorboards. Some of the lights that had once been nearly seizure-inducing have shattered onto the floor. We try to maneuver ourselves away from the shattered glass and make our way to the bar, past the stripper smoking a high-tech cigarette with a wad of cash tucked between the left strap of her underwear. Leaning against the bar with my eyes following the few patrons and workers and Saamuki facing the bartender, she asks, “What happened here?”

The bartender’s voice is so deep it causes my insides to shake. I didn’t get a good glimpse of him, but I imagine him to be about Mikrovos’ height with slick hair and a well-combed beard. “Two words: Space Pirate. I think it was the old commander of the Tauvoxes. Lots of flashing. Couldn’t really catch important details.”

At that, I come to terms with how The Commander made his grand entrance, as I hear the bartender put down a glass.

“Is Sakhra okay? Where is he?”

“He’s fine. Only got a few scratches. A bruise on his eye. He caused about half of the damages, but if you’re asking about him after all this time this must be important. Isn’t it, Saamuki?”

Saamuki doesn’t reply.

“Oh, it is. Wouldn’t it be a real shame if the last reason you were looking for him were to get out?”

“I don’t have the time right now. Just tell me where he is and the next time you ask for my services I won’t charge you.”

“Then, it truly must be really important. Cabelo is such a stingy old man. It’s every single cent for him. We shake on it and Sakhra’s whereabouts are as good as yours.” I assume they shake without any hesitation from Saamuki because he quickly continues, “He’s up north.”

“Up north? Why there?” Guessing by how much Saamuki’s voice went up, whatever is lying up north can’t be good. Turning around to her pale face I see I didn’t jump the shark with my conclusion.

#204 #lost in space #writers #writers on tumblr #writeblr #creative writing #my writing #spilled ink #fiction #scifi #wlw #space

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sailorgreywolf-legacy · 7 years

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Legacy - Chapter 44

The image of the mysterious solider swam through Mexico's head for days after the encounter. Every time he closed his eyes to go to sleep, he could still see the final moment when he had turned back to look in breathtaking clarity. He awoke feeling the same energy coursing through his blood. Something about the man had left a very clear impression and an entirely novel feeling. He awoke and walked around until the buzz wore off. Even once they had left the city and the man behind, Mexico couldn't stop himself from thinking about him. Only the heat of battle distracted him from the memory. He knew his obsession was growing, but there was no help for it. It was a welcome day when Morelos announced the plan for the next campaign.

The map was laid out on the table with Morelos at the head of the table with his commanders around him. Mexico focused on the map, trying to not let himself think of anything else. Strategy was an exciting way to fill his mind. Morelos was speaking, "On the whole, we have been victorious as one army. But, this is slow. I have decided that we should split the army in three parts; hopefully, that will allow us to take the rest of the South." The people around the table all nodded or muttered in approval. Mexico had no reason to question the strategy either. He had learned over the past few months that he could put his trust entirely in the mortal. Morelos had proved that he was an excellent strategist and a purely patriotic soul. The combination was both potent and confidence inspiring. As it was, Mexico didn't feel the need to say anything in response to the plan. His silent consent should be enough. When Morelos's eyes met his, he nodded silently.

Orders were given and the room slowly cleared out, leaving Mexico alone with his leader. When he was sure no one else was in the room, Mexico spoke, "I assume I'll be staying with you?" He already knew the answer. With a bounty on him, Mexico would be far more at risk. He knew that no mortal would be capable of dragging him back to Spain, but that certainly wouldn't be reassuring to Morelos.

The answer soon came, "You will. I want to be able to keep an eye on you." He caught the look on Mexico's face and added, "You don't like it. You're a strong-willed person, but I don't think I misunderstand the situation. If you are captured, then we lose the chance at independence." He wasn't wrong, and Mexico knew it. It had become very clear that if Spain got Mexico back, he would likely drag the boy back to Madrid. That would effectively end the independence movement.

The protective gestures were at least coming from a good place. Mexico looked up at the mortal and felt a warm glow in his chest. He wondered how he had ever distrusted this man who believed in him, in the cause, so fully. He spoke, trying to give voice to the feeling in his chest, "I do appreciate you keeping me safe. I appreciate everything you've done for me."

Morelos looked almost shocked at the words. He responded after a long pause, "I didn't expect you to say that. What has changed?" Mexico realized how much the other had been holding back his affection. The boy had been acting very cold to Morelos, and on some level he realized that it was because he didn't want anyone to replace Hidalgo. Even without any affection from Mexico, Morelos had thrown himself entirely into battle after battle. How much the man had done without any reciprocation had not properly dawned on Mexico until this moment.

He responded, "I've been cold to you and I'm sorry for that. But I've realized that Miguel is gone and I need to stop expecting you to be him. You've done a lot for me and I do appreciate it." It wasn't as eloquent as Mexico had intended it to be, but it was at least heartfelt. Apologizing was not his forte, seeing as he rarely did it. Morelos smiled slowly and took a couple steps towards Mexico. He replied, "I've been waiting for you to say that." He stopped for a moment and looked down. When he looked back up at Mexico, something had shifted in him.

He pointed to one of the chairs and said, "There is something I want to tell you. You should sit." With his interest piqued, Mexico decided that he should trust the man and sit. Once he was seated, Morelos sat as well. The man reached out and put his hand on top of Mexico's where it was on the table. The contact was new, the pair of them had never made skin-to-skin contact, it was a paternal gesture that was both similar and different from the ones that Hidalgo had made. It was comforting and Mexico decided not to pull away.

Morelos spoke, "I am happy with the progress we have made, but military conquest is not the way to build a lasting state. We need to have an official declaration of independence. We need an official constitution or this will all crumble as soon as Spain leaves. There will be a power vacuum if we don't already have a structure in place." The words made perfect logical sense. However, it had a wonderful kind of confidence in it.

It was this that Mexico addressed when he responded, "How would we do that when we don't even have half of my land back under our control?" The mortal looked concerned and said, "I don't think we can do it now. When we have enough of the country under our control, we will bring representatives together to decide on a constitution." What was striking was the assumption that this would be complete possible with time and continued victory.

Again, when Mexico spoke he focused on this, "So, this is your ambition?" The other responded with a nod, "When we met, I told you that I wanted to bring you independence, and that is still true. But, I can't rely on military might entirely. If we were to establish a monarchy enforced by the army, then how are we any different from the tyranny that we are trying to throw off?" Mexico hadn't bothered to think about what he would do with independence when he finally had it. The kind of foresight had never seemed important. It still seemed that the actual victory was too far away to be thinking about what to do after it.

Mexico responded with another pleasant smile, "For both out sakes, I hope you get the chance to fulfill your ambition. But there are victories to be won before then, and that is what we should think about." He stood up, intent on leaving and informing Philippines of the plans that had been made. But, the mortal speaking stopped him, "I worry about you. You may be my country, but you are an individual first and you are far too militarily minded. You can't fight for the whole of your existence; it would be wise to consider options for peace." _______________________________________________________________________

America cut in, "He was right, you know. You always have been really aggressive." Mexico responded without even a second of silence, "I haven't had a military coup for at least a century; a fact that you seem to be fond of forgetting. I buried my tendency to fight." He turned slightly and fixed his gaze on the blonde, "You, on the other hand, have only gotten worse with age. I'm not the one who has been at war since the world wars." He was getting tired of pointing out the other's hypocrisy every time the story stopped, but now that he was this far, he couldn't stop. Telling the whole story was a very cathartic experience, and it really didn't matter what Alfred thought of it.

But the American seemed mollified by his own hypocrisy, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way. But, even you must admit that you're confrontational by nature." This was, at least, true. There was no need to talk around it, and Mexico didn't attempt to, "Honestly, Alfred, my parents were both empires who ruled by constant conquest. A man who gained an empire by killing everyone who got in his way raised me. Do you really expect me to be tame when both my blood and my upbringing tell me the opposite?" America opened his mouth as though about to respond but then decided that it was better not to and resolutely closed his mouth.

Mexico took it as an invitation to continue the story, "Now, if you will stop distracting me with your tangents, I will continue the story that you asked for. The second campaign went very much like the first, victory after victory. But, what was even more important was the turning of the public will. The common people began to understand that independence would be best for them. We didn't have to fight for every town anymore." _______________________________________________________________________

The gates of Cuautla were wide open as the army reached them. The city was welcoming them with open arms. This was the kind of entrance that Mexico wanted to make. It felt good to be welcomed by his own people in this fashion. There was a bite of cold in the air, as it was getting late in the winter months, but nothing could put a damper on his spirits. The streets were lined with people as they rode in. The colors and flags of the independence were obvious from every window. There were cheers from the crowd, who surged forward to greet the incoming army. Mexico could feel his heart swelling in his chest. He was realizing that the nationalism and love of his people felt better than anything else.

Guerrero was right next to him, and the man leaned over and said, "Do you know what day it is?" Mexico shook his head in response. He had lost track of the exact days a long time ago. He knew it was December, but the rest had slipped away. The mortal responded with a slight smile, "It's Christmas Eve." The news was not completely unexpected, but it made him smile all the same. He replied, "Well, then it is a day to celebrate."

His attention was suddenly drawn away by a girl running up to the front of the crowd and saying, "Senior! Senior!" Mexico turned his head to see a young girl, just barely a teenager, was looking up at him with a smile. Her hand was extended towards him and she was holding a poinsettia. Mexico felt himself smile and reached out and took the flower. The single gift seemed to express the love of an entire population. It warmed his heart, even though he was well aware that this was only a single city that would mean little without victories following this.

He finally turned back to Guerrero to see that the man was looking at him with an expression of adoration. He spoke, "It seems that the people love you." The sparkle in his dark eyes expressed more, but Mexico dared not read into it farther. He could tell that the man was serious on some level.

He replied evasively, "They love what we represent. They love the idea of independence, as we all do." He said it to put an end to the conversation, even though he knew that that was exactly the reason affection was being shown to him. But, this was not sufficient, Guerrero replied, "I love my country as well, but you have your own magnetism." Before he could stop himself, Mexico said, "Those two are not as unrelated as you think." The other looked puzzled, but didn't pry into the statement.

They were offered the most opulent residence in the city, and they were soon settled. Mexico was standing in the front gardens of the manor house. From here, he could see the sun setting over the city that had been thrown open for him The warm feeling of welcome was still wrapped around him, making him feel light and strangely buoyant.

He heard the clearing of a throat behind him. It could be anyone, but there was certain femininity to the sound. So, when he turned to see Philippines standing behind him with a letter in her hand. He spoke, "Hello Piri, what do you want?" She sighed and said, "What I want has hardly seemed to matter to you. But I have a letter for you from your brother." The sentence was surprising because Mexico had not spared a thought for Texas in more than a year. The last he had heard of his brother had been the false lead that had doomed Hidalgo and Allende. He had not thought about his brother's involvement. He had no real desire to read the letter; it had been blissfully quiet without Texas.

He said to Philippines, "Have you already read it?" He didn't need to ask; he could see the broken seal. It didn't bother him that she was reading his mail, it saved him the trouble of reading the letters that he didn't want to read. She nodded and replied quickly, "It's wordy and rather desperate. Apparently Antonio captured him when he was delivering your offer to Alfred. He was just released and he begs to be able to come to you and be of use again."

It made perfect sense; if Texas had been captured then Spain would have gotten the entire plan of action and been able to make his decisive move. That was enough to make Mexico categorically consider his brother a traitor. But, there was another reason to deny Texas. If Spain released a prisoner, then he must have a reason. Most likely, he realized that Texas would immediately run back to Mexico and give away the boy's location. So, he responded to Philippines, "I'll write him later and tell him that there is no possibility of him coming back to me. I will have one of the other sections of the army pick him up if he tells me where he is. Until then, we can't risk contact."

Mexico stopped speaking when he noticed the look on the girl's face. She looked like this was exactly what she wanted to be hearing, a small smile was turning up the corners of her mouth. He changed the subject, "But you couldn't be more glad to hear that, could you?" She took a step closer to him and fixed her black eyes on him.

When she spoke, it was clear she was completely sincere, "I don't like your brother. He told me I had no right to care for you because I am not blood related to you. Everything has been easier without him." Mexico didn't disagree, but he was distracted by the fact that Philippines was talking slow steps towards him. The space between them was getting progressively smaller.

She abruptly changed the subject, looking up at him as she did so, "I have to ask you, Alejandro. What do you feel for Guerrero? I always tried to ignore the rumors that you preferred boys, but when I watch you two together, I can't help but think there is something there." Mexico was shocked by the question, because he hadn't thought it had been outwardly obvious. He hadn't properly defined his feelings to himself, so it was hard to come up with a response. Several seconds of silence stretch out, agonizingly long before Mexico finally said, "I'm not certain. I know he's important to me, but I can say why for sure."

One of her eyebrows rose, "You know that wasn't what I was asking. He's only mortal, his love won't be eternal." Suddenly, her tone seemed very critical. Mexico didn't want to be questioned or doubted, he did that enough on his own. Moreover, she was questioning him as an equal when he had established a hierarchy between the,. His choice of interests couldn't be anywhere near as damaging as the other mistakes he had made. He took a couple steps backward and hardened his voice, "That's enough, Piri. I'm focused on beating Antonio, I don't have time to contemplate romantic feelings for anyone."

The girl looked down at his feet and said, "Yes, I had noticed that." She turned and walked away, the wind catching her loose black hair as she did. Mexico couldn't shake the feeling that he had said something terribly wrong. However, he couldn't dwell on it. _______________________________________________________________________

Mexico paused without the other making any comment and said, "I could bore you with the battles we had in that campaign, but it should be enough to simply say that as before, we won over and over again. Even the risk of three smaller armies paid off." America caught the hesitant tone in the other's voice and said, "But that wasn't the end of it?" Mexico fixed his stony gaze on the blonde and replied, his voice reflecting a rage that was reawakened in the pit of his stomach, "Of course not. I underestimated my opponent again. Antonio waited until I brought my army back together at Cuautla, and then he made his move." This was supposed to be the transition into the next part of the story, but America had other things on his mind.

He spoke, "Does that mean Texas was back with you? I don't remember seeing him again until you were independent." Mexico snapped back, "You always think of him. But to answer your question, yes he returned." _______________________________________________________________________

Texas looked like he had been traveling for days, his hair and simple clothing were both disheveled. But as soon as he saw his brother, he took a few more steps and dropped to one knee. He spoke, "Thank you for letting me come back, brother." The light shifted across Texas's face and Mexico noticed something. He reached down and put his hand under his brother's chin. He forced the man to look at him. The yellow-green of a healing bruise was splashed across his cheek. Judging from the location, Texas's eyes had probably swelled up for a time.

Mexico finally spoke, "What happened to your face?" The brightness went out of the other's eyes as he realized the direction the conversation was going, "Antonio hit me. He didn't like me looking so much like you. He's not stable anymore since you broke his heart." Mexico felt no pity for his brother, because he had been thinking through the sequence of events and there was only one answer. The only way Spain could have known about the agreement with America well enough to manipulate it the way he did was if Texas had told him.

It was this that Mexico addressed, "And what did you tell him?" His brother immediately looked up and him and said quickly, "Nothing. I didn't tell him anything; believe me!" Mexico shook his head and took a step back, "You know I can't do that, Diego. The timing is too perfect."

Texas stood up suddenly, his eyes full of rage. He was level with his brother. Without any hesitation, he unbuttoned his jacket and threw it to the floor. He then pulled off his shirt, revealing his chest. The skin was littered with the marks of old bruises, some massive enough to be made by something other than fists. Texas spoke, "This is what he did to me because I wouldn't tell him anything about you. I took these blows for you, brother, so don't you dare call me a traitor."

After at least a year of being apart, it was bracing for Mexico to deal with his brother again. Usually, he would remain firm, but the obvious marks of abuse softened him. For a moment, he remembered that Texas shared blood with him and was his responsibility. He responded by reaching out and putting one hand on his brother's bare shoulder.

He replied, "I'm sorry for my suspicion. This war has become harder for me, and it has become difficult for me to trust anyone." As was his conditioning around his brother, Texas looked down now that his rage had cooled. He replied still looking at Mexico's boots, "I do understand how much it must have hurt you to lose Hidalgo." Mexico simply nodded, not entirely ready to talk about his losses with his brother. An uncomfortable silence stretched on between them, which Texas desperately attempted to fill, "I know we came to blows when I was last with you, but I promise it will be better this time. I have had time to reflect on my mistakes." Mexico nodded, but again said nothing in response. Hitting Texas was the last thing he had to regret at the moment.

Their conversation was interrupted by Philippines throwing open the door on the other side of the room and saying to the room at large, "Alejandro, you need to go talk to Morelos right now. There is bad news." She stopped in her tracks and looked directly at Texas and said, "Oh I didn't know you were back." Mexico was not oblivious to the hostile glances the pair were throwing at each other, but he chose to ignore it because whatever news Morelos wanted to tell him was more important than the petty rivalry. He walked past both of them to reach the door, saying as he did so, "I will be back, try not to kill each other while I am gone."

Mexico knocked on the door, even though he knew that Morelos was expecting him. It was a courtesy, which was quickly answered with the perfunctory, "Come in." As soon as he was in the room, Mexico said, "What's the news from the front, Jose?" The mortal turned and looked at him. Mexico noticed that there was a set of letters lying on the table, each definitely carrying news from messengers. He thought for a moment about walking forward and reading them, but he had a feeling that he was about to get the summary of the information.

Sure enough, Morelos said, "I have received news that Spanish forces are closing off all the routes to this city. They are slowly closing in on us. I expect we will see them in a few days." Mexico's heart sped up, possibly out of fear, as he realized the significance of this, "So, it's a siege?" The other nodded and responded, clearly trying to mask his own concern, "It appears that way, yes."

There was only one logical response to a siege, and that was to not treat it as a lost cause already. Mexico knew from firsthand experience that sieges could be broken. Certainly, the idea was to break the will of the independence movement and that couldn't be allowed to happen. So, Mexico said, "How long can we hold out before we will be forced to break the siege or surrender?"

The answer to the question was vital, considering that Spain had probably already made the same calculation it was essential that the Spanish forces be unable to effectively hold the siege. Morelos seemed to also recognize the importance of the question and carefully said, "At least a month, I'm not entirely certain after that." Mexico nodded and said, trying to keep all traces of uncertainty out of his voice, "Well, we will have to hope that that's long enough." With that, he turned and left.

As he walked back to his room, a single thought started to gestate in Mexico's mind. The siege was coming at the convenient time when almost the entirety of the insurgent army could be trapped in a single city. Texas claimed innocence, but it was strange that this news should come so soon after he returned. Considering the injuries that Mexico had seen, it was completely conceivable that Texas had broken down and turned informant. With treason possible, there was only one option left.

He stormed back to his room and found Philippines and Texas standing on opposite sides of the room glaring at each other. The years they had spent apart had apparently only made the situation worse. But as always, the feud between them meant nothing to Mexico. He had business to take care of with his brother, and that was the only thing on his mind.

First, he turned to Philippines and said, "Piri, I need a moment with my brother." She looked affronted until Mexico gave her a knowing look to imply the contents of his intended conversation and she understood. She then left the room.

Once she was gone, Texas turned to his brother with a slight smile. The sight of the dark, almost black, eyes and the smug, satisfied smile made Mexico feel slightly sick considering the treason he suspected. He didn't bother to speak; he simply took a couple quick steps and grabbed Texas by both shoulders. He slammed his brother against the wall. He could feel the force of the impact vibrate through the other's body. Given the barely healed injuries, the blow probably hurt. The expression of shock and pain on Texas's face confirmed that the position hurt him.

Mexico hissed, "Tell me, brother, what did Antonio promise you? What did he say he'd give you once you gave him me?" His brother's eyes went wide as the meaning of the words hit him. His voice sounded strangled when he responded, "I didn't tell him anything!"

Mexico didn't believe it, the simple denial was not convincing. He would have to confront his brother with the obvious evidence, "So it's just a coincidence that Spanish troops are surrounding this city just as you return?" Texas tried to nod, but Mexico's grip made it effectively impossible, so he said, "I'm loyal to you. Why would I betray you?" Still, the other did not relent.

He responded, "You are loyal because mother told you to be. Mother is dead now." Mexico looked straight into Texas's eyes and saw tears welling up in the corner of the boy's eyes. It was not what he was expecting. He had expected defiance or even admission. But, Texas said, "You're the only thing I have, brother." The pure emotion was enough to alleviate Mexico's suspicion, or at least part of it. Texas was at least afraid enough now to not step out of line.

As he took a step backwards, away from his brother, Mexico said, "Well, we shall see by the end of this siege. Consider your loyalties carefully, little brother. If you ever betray me, I will make you pay with your life." He left Texas standing stock still staring at him with an expression of shock.

3 notes · View notes