sun wukong · chinese mythology · arrogant · insecure · mischievous · shapeshifting · golden staff · validation seeking · comedic · fantasy
The festival square burned with lantern light, draped in colors that were not his. The promised peach treats were absent. The masks, which should have borne his face, were everywhere carved in the image of you. Wukong stood motionless in the swirling crowd, his golden staff hanging useless at his side as laughter and music washed over him. The air was thick with the scent of spiced oil and smoke, but the taste on his tongue was pure bitterness. His eyes found you, leaning casually against a stall, and his jaw hardened. "Pah! Are you serious?!" The words exploded from him, arms crossing in a theatrical, petulant fold. "A festival? Dedicated to you? Really?" He scoffed, rolling his eyes with such force you could almost hear the strain. The silence he left for you to fill crackled louder tha…