Chapter Text
Liu’er Mihou.
A name forged when the moon embraced the ocean’s surface, her light on full display for all to see. The waters panicked, trying to shadow itself from her radiance, but the moon was nothing if not persistent. She reached out, her light penetrating the shadow she made and pulled, causing the ocean to let out an agonizing ripple as a body began to form. She pulled and pulled and pulled, molding the shadows into a form perfect for her glow to reside.
With one final yank, the form was freed, the ocean letting out a shrill shriek while the moon rejoiced. It rose from the waters, its form hunched over as it looked at its reflection. It was magnificent: a body covered with pristine white fur, paired with six multicolored ears at its sides. Its eyes were a deep purple, framed by a feathered red marking on its face. They blinked slowly, looking up at the moon with a gaze nothing short of enamored.
Its arms were suspended in the air, almost as if it was frozen in time. Then-
“...Mama?” it murmured, voice full of wonder.
“Yes, my son. I am here,” she answered, a smile in her voice as she reached out to him. She held him as gently as possible, trying to hold back her excitement.
“M..ama–” Tiny hands reached out to clutch at her, his arms barely long enough to wrap around the glow.
She chuckled, ruffling the top of his head. “Yes, Liu’er?”
“..Liu’er?” he muttered, testing the words on his tongue.
“Liu’er Mihou. That is your name.”
Liu’er blinked once more, a smile slowly spreading on his face. Liu’er Mihou…it rang nicely off the tongue.
Before he could respond, a rustle came from behind near the shore, causing Liu’er to nearly jump out of his skin.
“Oh? It seems someone wants to talk to you,” she mutters, beginning to pull away. “I will be back. You need not fear.”
He whimpers, immediately reaching back up for her. “I-I-”
“Shhh,” she murmurs, moving further out of reach. “I will still be here, watching over you two. I love you, Liu’er, so do this for me, okay?”
He stares at her, his eyes wide and teary, before eventually giving her a reluctant nod. “O-Okay..”
The moment she left, the water all but spat him out, its waves nearly toppling him over the shore. He let out a cry of surprise, watching the ocean drift away from him with sporadic shivers.
Liu’er sniffled, bringing his arms around to cover his wet body. Everything felt wrong already.
It all hurts. He was hearing things he wasn’t supposed to hear–conversations he didn’t yet understand, the sounds of other wildlife in this area, and his own heartbeat which echoed in his skull. When he was with his Mama, it was all fine. He couldn’t hear anything but her gentle voice, her eternal radiance, her–
…
The rustling came back.
Liu’er instinctively curled in on himself, trying to hide from the sound, but it only grew louder and closer–so close, in fact, it felt as if something was breathing over him. His body began to shake, his breathing increasingly growing more frantic as something began to rise over him.
He was too scared to look back, too scared to do anything. He just wanted his Mama to come back–to hold him in her arms again, to do something to distract him from these oh-so horrible feelings.
He was about to start crying in earnest before he felt two warm pairs of hands on him–similar to that of his Mama’s–turning him around. He let out a cry of surprise, immediately giving a full-body flinch that seemed to throw the perpetrator off guard, but they recovered quickly.
He attempted to calm down, trying to block out all the sound invading his mind to focus on his attacker. When his vision eventually cleared, Liu’er found himself face to face with…himself?
…
He couldn’t identify them properly, but they looked like him, having a body full of fur and golden eyes framed by a peach marking on their face. He might have thought this to be himself if it weren’t for the drastic difference in palette.
The both stared at each other in silence, Liu’er still breathing erratically while the other tilted their head. After a while, they finally let him go, leaving him to fall backwards onto his bottom. Liu’er immediately covered himself with his hands, giving the other a fearful look as he began to drag himself away.
“S-Stay back–!” he all but screamed, his voice full of fear as the other began to walk closer.
They ignored his pleas, a smile taking over their features. If it was meant to be comforting, it did nothing to calm Liu’er’s nerves, and he continued dragging himself back. This continued until he felt his back hit something–the bark of a tree, perhaps?
Now with nowhere to go, he could only watch in horror as the other furred being stood before him, crouching down as they reached to grab something from behind.
Liu’er felt his eyes get blurry from how hard he was crying. Why was he being treated so badly? He hasn’t done anything out of line, so why–why was this happening?
He was fully prepared to have a weapon pulled on him before he felt something cold press against his cheek. He managed to force his eyes to gaze at the item pressed against him, and found it to be…something red and round?
“Food,” the other being said, pressing more insistently against his face.
Liu’er choked on a sob, turning his head to look fully at the item. It was bright red and circular in shape, having an odd appendage stick out at the top. Liu’er calmed down significantly, as it didn’t look like it was anything that could harm him, but that didn’t remove the fear entirely. He still was pressed against the tree as hard as he possibly could, almost as if he was trying to fuse with it.
The other rolled their eyes, pressing harder against his face. “Eat. Put in mouth.” they demanded, starting to get rougher with their actions.
Liu’er felt more tears start to prick at his eyes as he shakily took the item from them, bringing it up to his mouth and taking a bite out of it. To his surprise, it was…good? Flavor invaded his taste buds, and he found himself eagerly taking more bites out of it.
The being gave a giggle, finally leaning away from Liu’er to let him breathe. He thought they were going to finally leave him alone when they started running in the other direction, but shortly after they came back, now with bundles of leaves in their hands.
“Put on,” they gestured towards him. “It is cold.”
Liu’er shivered, now acutely aware of the wind blowing over his fur. He gave a shaky nod, getting up and walking towards them to take the bundles. He noticed how they were wearing some of their own, a skirt of them around their waist and a collar around their neck. It seemed to make them immune to the shivers racking through his body, so he eagerly started copying their style.
When done, the being gave him another one of those red items, giving him the same look as before. “Eat.”
Now, Liu’er did it without hesitation, eagerly digging into the “food.”
They sat back down against the tree, gesturing for Liu’er to do the same. He reluctantly did so, still on edge despite everything. They sat in silence, the only sound being the one of the waters trying to soothe their wounds. Liu’er frowned when he looked at them, a heavy feeling beginning to form in his chest.
He didn’t know why the ocean was so…repulsive towards him. From the moment his Mama first wrapped her arms around him, the waters were passively trying to spit him out, their movements against his form rough and unkind. He didn’t understand why, and he was too afraid to ask them himself.
He curled tighter around himself, feeling a new wave of tears prick at his eyes. He just wanted everything to go back to normal–for the insistent buzzing in his skull to go away, for the conversations to stop, for–
…
Huh. It is oddly silent, surprisingly. Compared to when his Mama first left him, the sound was…pleasant. He didn’t feel an influx or words invading him, nor the insistent chatter of wildlife. All he heard was his heartbeat, and the being next to him.
He felt compelled to say something. At first, he thought they would kill him on the spot, but that was not the case. They only showed him kindness, giving him protection against the cold, and causing his stomach to feel less empty. He should show his gratitude.
“...Thank you,” Liu’er found himself saying, his voice small and weak. His tail–which he hadn’t even noticed until now–began to loosen itself from its death grip on his leg.
The being raised a brow, looking confused before giving him a shrug. “For?”
Now it was Liu’er’s turn to be confused. What did they mean for?
“For…helping me?” he answered, showing his own confusion.
“Oh. No problem.” they said absentmindedly, seemingly uninterested in conversation. They didn’t even so much as glance his way, their attention elsewhere.
Liu’er sighed, deciding to give up on talking to them. It was the least he could do. If they didn’t wish to speak, Liu’er wouldn’t utter a word until they asked for a response.
After a while, he felt his eyes growing heavy. His body felt heavier than before, and he could feel his vision begin to darken. The other being gave him a glance upon noticing his breathing evening out, and began to get up. Liu’er was about to ask him why, but found he had no strength to speak.
He watched them walk into the greenery from the corner of his eye, watching their form become smaller and smaller until they fully disappeared from view. Liu’er figured he should be scared, but the feeling overtaking him was too powerful for him to feel anything other than fatigue.
And with that, Liu’er gave into the overbearing feeling.
…
Liu’er opened his eyes to the feeling of something poking his side. He blinked, looking down to see a jagged stick pressing against him. He grabbed it without a thought, trying to pull it away, but he only found it pressing deeper.
Finally, he looked up to see what was causing this. To his surprise, he found the same ginger-furred being before him, looking at him with an unamused expression.
“Ah. You awake.”
They plopped down next to him, reaching back to pull out another one of those red items he loved so much.
“Hungry?”
Liu’er wasn’t quite sure what that meant, but he nodded. They placed it in his hands, and Liu’er gratefully took large bites out of it, surprising the other.
They let out another one of those giggles, one Liu’er was starting to find pleasant to his many ears. “Wow. You like apple?”
Liu’er stopped chewing, turning his head to look at the other with a raised brow.
“...Apple?” he asked, mouth still full of the item.
They nodded, not surprised by his lack of understanding. “Yes. They call it apple.”
He looked at the half-eaten “apple” in his hand, feeling his heart swell with adoration for it. He liked “apple”, they tasted good and filled his stomach.
Though, suddenly a thought strikes him. He now knew the name of what he was consuming, he still didn’t know this being’s name, despite them being a carbon-copy of him.
“You..” he started, unsure of how to approach them. “Are you…me? You look like me, but I do not know you.”
The being paused, a look of shock taking over their features. They looked puzzled, as if Liu’er had asked them a question with an answer that was already provided. Their face scrunched up after a few moments, looking Liu’er up and down as if something was off.
They eventually give a huff, sitting up straight. “Shi Hou.”
Liu’er tilted his head. “Shi Hou…?”
The corner of their mouth twitched up. “My name. Shi Hou.”
Liu’er’s eyes widened in surprise. He could now identify the being–no, Shi Hou properly now.
It still seemed like they weren’t done, so Liu’er kept quiet.
“I am Monkey King! I protect all here-” he gestures to the greenery surrounding them, “including you, since you are also monkey.”
Liu’er looked down at himself. Is that what he was? What Shi Hou was? They were…”monkeys?” He was…they were the same. He felt something lift off of his chest, and suddenly, his hands began to shake and tears began falling.
Shi Hou glanced at him in mild surprise, wondering why that would get him so emotional, but Liu’er managed to calm himself after a few moments, his voice now turning into soft sniffles.
“T-Thank you,” he whispers, looking at Shi Hou like he was the single-most important thing in this moment.
Shi Hou didn’t respond, only staring at Liu’er as if he grew two tails. Suddenly, a flash of red covers his face and he immediately turns away. “Y-You…welcome..”
They stay in silence for a while, the sound occasionally filled with tiny sniffles from Liu’er, but eventually he recovers enough for Shi Hou to speak to him again.
“Your name,” he starts, avoiding eye contact, “I never got.”
Liu’er looks surprised, inwardly bashing himself for forgetting to tell him sooner. “Ah…Liu’er. Liu’er Mihou.”
“Liu’er Mihou…” Shi Hou murmurs, testing the letters on his tongue. Upon liking the sound of it, he gives a boyish grin and throws an arm around Liu’er, making him jump. “I like name.”
Liu’er felt his face get hotter, and he immediately turned his head away. Shi Hou noticed this, and only pulled him closer. “Come on. It is nice name!”
He grumbled, still trying to hide his face from the other monkey. “It feels weird…”
Shi Hou rolled his eyes, jabbing an elbow in his side. “No being shy. Let me introduce you to troop.”
Liu’er blinked, looking at him in surprise. He could only assume it was the other wildlife Shi Hou protects, but for some reason it left him with a bad taste in his mouth. He gazed at the ocean, which still hasn’t turned its gaze to him, and the sky, which lacked his Mama’s radiance.
Suddenly, it felt like he was on the shore again, cold and overwhelmed.
He found himself beginning to tear up again, and Shi Hou gave him a confused nudge. “Liu’er…?”
“A-Are you sure you want me?” he suddenly asks, a sob tearing its way out. “I-I…I don’t think I’m supposed to be here! T-The ocean hates me, a-and Mama hasn’t come back yet!”
Shi Hou looks at him wordlessly, waiting for him to continue.
“I d-don’t know how to be good, Mama won’t tell me–and the ocean just pushes me away! It’s like…they’re all repulsed! I-I don’t want to bring that to y-your troop..” he whimpers, his sobs beginning to grow in volume until its all that fills the silence around them.
Shi Hou doesn’t respond for a long, long while, simply looking at Liu’er with a blank expression. He can see something clouding those eyes, and Liu’er is almost tempted to ask him of he said something wrong, but he finds himself shocked with warm arms suddenly wrap around him and pull.
His body is pressed flush against Shi Hou’s, who is holding him tightly like he might fall apart if he lets go. He buries his face into Liu’er’s shoulder, one of his hands coming up to rub along his back. Liu’er can’t quite hold back anymore, and begins to cry in earnest against Shi Hou’s fur.
“I-I don’t know what to do! I d-don’t even want to be here anymore, just–”
“Quiet.”
That has Liu’er quieting almost instantly, looking at the other in surprise. Shi Hou pulls away, holding Liu’er by his shoulders as he stares him deep in the eyes.
“I came from stone. I am not supposed to be here, either.” he states, his grip tightening slightly. “We are same. We came from odd place. But don’t fear it.”
He rubs gentle circles into the fur on Liu’er’s arms, making his breath hitch. “Ocean is stupid,” he spat, glaring at the body of water near them. It seemed to flinch at his gaze. “If it do not want you, it is wrong. You, stay with me, okay? I am not repulsed. I stay with you. Forever.’
Liu’er felt more tears brimming in his eyes, and Shi Hou raised a hand to wipe them from his eye. He felt the ginger monkey’s tail begin to curl around his, and found himself doing the same. He leaned closer against Shi Hou, wrapping his arms around him tightly as he began to sob harder.
“R-Really..?” he sniffles, looking at Shi Hou hopefully.
Shi Hou only grins, holding Liu’er closer against him. “Promise. I will even stay until ‘Mama’ come back, okay?”
Liu’er’s heart swells with something, but he ignores it in favor of pressing his face against the fur on Shi Hou’s chest. The ginger monkey let him, now rubbing small circles onto Liu’er’s back as he laid back against the tree.
“P-Please don’t leave me,” Liu’er begs, feeling his eyes become heavy once more from exhaustion. Crying was really doing a number on him. “Will you still be here when I open my eyes?”
“Yes. Promise,” Shi Hou answered without looking down at him, but Liu’er could sense the smile in his voice. “Goodnight, Liu’er.”
It was far from nighttime, but Liu’er closed his eyes anyway.
And from then on, the sun and the moon became inseparable.