You walked through the streets as the streetlights above you flickered. Forcing deep breaths, you hoped the tactic would calm your skittish nerves. You allowed your gaze to scan the darkest shadows all around you.

Of course nothing was concealed in them. You knew this. Your eyes could see enough to prove it. But still. It was fine. A normal night, a well lit path, and you were close to home. You were fine. Atleast that was what you had told yourself before someone's pained yell split the night.

With a startled jump you ran into an alleyway pressing yourself into the wall.

"You've failed me for the last time." A woman's calm but warning tone filled the night air.

"No! You don't understand! They're building-hrrk!" A male voice shouted in pain cut off by the sound of something ripping flesh.

"I do hope you recall the way to the underworld." The female voice giggled.

The sound of a body hitting the cement made you stiffen. You itched to see who was hurt, but you had to wait. You'd be no good if you were caught.

After waiting a few minutes you peaked around the corner. To your shock, a black monkey the size of a man lay on the pavement. Blood seeped over the black top spreading at a concerning rate.

Slowly, he attempted to push himself up but his muscles gave dropping him back to the cement. Strangled gasps touched your ears. You rushed over.

"Are you o- what am I saying? Of course you aren't ok. Ok what to do- oh! Yeah, pressure on the wound." You babbled trying to recall your highschool first aid training as you pulled off your hoodie. You reached over only for the Monkey to snatch your wrist.

"Don't touch me." He warned his eyes flickering to a shimmering purple.

A small gasp escaped you as what felt like an electrical current passed through your veins your magic burning brighter inside you.

The Monkey paused.

"Come on." You urged. "You need help."

The Monkey studied you then gasped in pain hugging his injury.

"Guess I'm out of options." He chuckled bitterly.

You offered your jacket.

The monkey's purple eyes flicked between you and the jacket, then he took it and tied it around his middle successfully stanching the bleeding for a moment.

You crawled a bit closer.

"If you put your arm over my shoulders I can help you to my apartment."

The Monkey seemed hesitant but lifted his arm.

You scooted closer allowing his arm to rest across your shoulders. Immediately, his heat resonated through you. His muscles tensed against your shoulders as he leaned on you.

Something about the close proximity brought a rapid heat to your cheeks making them bloom red. You shifted your focus to getting the injured monkey home.

Firmly, you planted one foot on the black top and used your knee for leverage as you pushed your combined weight upwards. The task was difficult, as he weighed more than you had anticipated. Likely due to the amount of muscle, that was completely leaned against you. This thought made heat rush back to your cheeks.

"I'm not that heavy am I?" The Monkey joked through clenched teeth. 

"What?" You glanced up once you had gotten to your feet.

"Your face is as red as a tomato, kid."

You tossed your head, looking aside.

"We should hurry before she comes back."

You could feel him tense against you.

"Right. Lead the way." He gasped through the pain.

You pitched your weight forward slowly so he could get accustomed to the direction you were heading. He followed as best as he could, though his legs were clearly weak. Most of his weight relied entirely on you.

But step by step you two were able to navigate to your apartment. The moment you arrived you thanked the heavens it was ground level as the Monkey seemed on the verge of passing out.

You weren't sure you could carry his entire weight. As quickly as possible you unlocked the door and tugged him through the threshold. You laid him on the couch and dashed to the closet where you kept your first aid kit.

The Monkey's breathing was labored now and you desperately tried to think. You didn't want to remove the hoodie and reopen the blood flow, but you had to bandage the wound properly.

Taking a deep breath you knelt next to the monkey.

"I am going to remove the jacket now." You informed him not feeling half as confident as you sounded.

His eyes flickered to the bandages. With a deep breath he started taking off his cape and Undid his armor. Lastly he pulled the blood soaked hoodie from the wound.

You worked quickly cleaning the wound as best you could with an alcohol soaked rag.

The Monkey hissed at the chemical's sting as it purged his wound.

You bit your lip, attempting to hurry as he gripped the couch tightly ripping the fabric.

When you were mostly sure that it was cleaned thoroughly, you wrapped the bandages around his middle. The Monkey seemed to relax some but you could tell the pain was still debilitating. You hoped painkillers wouldn't hurt him as you raced to grab some and a cup of water.

"Take these." You advised kneeling next to the couch offering the painkillers and water.

"Wh-urgh. What are they?" He growled through gritted teeth.

"Painkillers." You stated only for him to swipe them and swallow them without the water quickly. "...wow." was about all you could say. Clearly the pain must have been unbearable, but you still offered the water.

It took him a few seconds but eventually he accepted.

With that there was very little you could do to aid him. The rest was up to his body to recover. That was when you glanced at your hands. They were coated in dried blood and shaking.

You stood,walked to the bathroom, and washed them taking deep breaths. The worst was over, so you allowed your mind to play back over the night's events in order to fully assess the situation.

But the only thing that kept coming to your mind was the feeling of his arm wrapped around your shoulders. The heat you had felt and how close he had been. Without the possibility of your new guest's death looming over your head, butterflies flitted through your gut at the memory.

You peaked around the corner into the room where he lay. He seemed lost in his thoughts but clearly the painkillers were beginning to kick in. His violet eyes shone distinctly in the dark room and he seemed to be staring at the ceiling.

You studied him then. Black hair slicked back, a red mask painted over his eyes, and a fanged smirk that sent your heart skipping a beat. You looked at his tail which was poofed and flicking agitatedly.

Then his glowing purple eyes landed on you. You nearly jumped out of your skin. You hid behind the wall pressing a hand to your chest in an attempt to calm your racing heart.
Something about those eyes. They brought back the memories of his arm around you, the heat, the butterflies.

You shook your head to dispel those thoughts. You hardly knew this....thing. You couldn't be this twitterpated. You resolved to treat this situation as emotionally detached as possible. Yes, that was the wisest way. So you turned away and went to your room to get ready for bed.

The next morning sunlight spilled into your room through a crack in the curtains. The light filled the dark corners of the room gradually coaxing you from your sleep. You yawned and stretched allowing your mind to process. The events of the night flashed through your mind and you got up and got dressed quickly.

You should check on the monkey as the painkillers would be wearing off soon. You grabbed more and another glass of water before poking your head into the room.

The Monkey lay on the couch his chest rising and falling rythmatically. He was sleeping.

Something about this revelation coaxed a relieved sigh from your lips. Those penetrating eyes wouldn't pierce you for a while yet. You set the pills and water on the table and went to making breakfast. You had the day off, so you could look after your new patient for the day. And recieve a crash course in bedside manner all in one.

You cooked eggs and bacon hoping he wouldn't be too picky. You could cook well enough to feed yourself, but you were no chef. Just as you finished up the breakfast you heard grunts of pain from the next room.

You put down what you were working on and picked up the painkillers and water. You entered the room to see him writhing in pain.

You sincerely hoped the wound has not been inflicted with a poisonous weapon. You had no expertise in how to help him were that the case. You offered the painkillers and water as you knelt next to him.

He took them hurriedly and you went to grab his portion of breakfast. As you returned you could instantly tell the painkillers were working. His breathing as less labored but still uneven.

"I brought you some food." You mentioned conversationally as you placed it on the table next to him. "It should help your body heal faster."

"Why are you, of all people, helping me?" He asked between gasps of air.

"Huh?"

"What could you possibly hope to gain from helping me?" He questioned again shooting you a confused but sharp glance.

"Can't someone help a person in need without having something to gain?" You responded. "I couldn't just leave you there to die."

The Monkey chuckled at that.

"Sure you could have, kid. All you had to do was walk away."

Your pride twinged at the grin he gave you. And you folded your arms.

"No, I couldn't. I would never do that. I'm not like that."

Those penetrating eyes seemed to spark at that and he rose an eyebrow at you, his grin never failing.

"Interesting."

You frowned in confusion. Was he delirious from his injuries? Maybe he had no idea what he was saying. But from the sharpness of his gaze you guessed he was fully present mentally. Even if his words made no sense.

"I'm going to go eat. Try not to overexert yourself." You instructed getting to a stand and walking away. As you walked you could feel his gaze on your back but you kept your eyes forward.

Macaque watched the girl leave and thought for a couple moments. Then his gaze fell on the plate of food. It smelled good, especially since he hadn't eaten in quite a while. Heaven knew the lady bone demon had given him no time. He reached over and picked up a piece of bacon ripping the tender meat between his fangs.

Was fortune really so cruel? Or was he imagining it? His mind flitted back to the lady bone demon's instructions.

"I thought you wanted M.k and Wukong." He pointed out in confusion.

"Something more pressing has come to my attention." The Lady dismissed. "This girl is interfering with my powers. I need complete control if I am to reforge this world." With a snap a blue circle formed Infront of him portraying a girl sketching in a sketchbook while she sat in her room.

Macaque stared at the girl disbelievingly. She couldn't be older than M.k.

"The kid?"

The Lady glowered at his question.

"She is my descendant. And as such she has inherited a portion of my powers, a gift I require. Bring her to me."

Macaque flinched as a blue portal opened beneath him.

The memory ended abruptly. It was her, he was sure of it. But he'd looked for the girl. The compass only had lead him to M.k and Wukong. And he had failed to catch either of them.

But now here the girl had practically fallen into his lap, and he was far too injured to do anything about it. But if he could, what would he do?

The Lady bone demon might leave him be if he handed her over. But then if she thought he was dead...that could be enough. He mused as he ate, finishing his food rather quickly. He pushed the thoughts aside. He could worry about that later. For now, he just needed to rest.

*This was a fun one! I've been writing it for a while now so, yeah. I might make a second part, with way more cute moments and fluff (and angst) if asked. But we shall see. Lemme know in the comments!*