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OOO
Jnana was in his metal shop.
He was working extra hard on this project. He wasn’t sure what it was going to be or who it was for yet, but that usually came later when he was working on details.
What he was really thinking about was how he was feeling .
Did he want long smooth curves? Perhaps intricate chains? Or perhaps complex detailing on the sides.
No. None of that.
He took his hammer and started WHACKING the damn thing into the anvil.
He wasn’t going to grace or poise.
He was going for indescribable frustration.
He repeated his hammering even when the metal iron was straight and flat, taking his blow torch and mask to purify it for imperfections.
It was a mindless task, something that he found himself getting lost in again and again, easily letting his mind wander as he enjoyed the slow but steady process of making something useless and ugly into something beautiful and priceless.
So why then…
WHY?!
Was he STILL THINKING OF THAT STUPID MAN !
Jnana kept hammering, less so for the metal’s sake and more so to GET HIS FRUSTRATIONS OUT.
It was that STUPID Guard. He knows the one . The tall one with shaggy hair that he doesn’t brush enough, and that STUPID smile like he KNOWS something! What does he know? NOTHING! Why is he SMILING ? What does he have to be SO HAPPY ABOUT ?! AND smiling at HIM!
…. It made something in his chest just… .
UGH , what is WRONG WITH HIM?!
He felt like a fucking CHILD! When their emotions were running wild? Do you remember that? When did you get emotional? Disgusting ! He hasn’t spent most of his teenage years to become an emotionless lil brat to not become an emotionless adult.
Each hit of her hammer only increased in intensity as he thought more about it.
Seriously, he just catches that Big Weirdo STARING at him as if he can’t see him. And when he looks back, he just turns his head and gets that DUMB blush on his face like he was embarrassed. Like, what are YOU embarrassed about?? You are the one who STARTED IT. You are what he was looking at, and NOW you feel shame?? Are you kidding me?? And now you made ME embarrassed and UGH!
He stopped his hammering… the heat became too much after a while… and his shoulder was hurting after this much movement.
“....Stupid weirdo…. Making me feel stupid things !”
He looks at the dented metal under him… and throws it to the side.
He wasn’t going to make anything from scratch tonight… Maybe he can go twist some iron around gemstones and call that fashion… he has worked with less.
Removing the welding mask, Jnana let his breath puff out past his teeth. The sharp steam was lost in the roasting room as a rather delicately calloused hand came to wipe his brow.
It was better than nothing.
Better than thinking of that man-
With a sharp flick of a gray tail, the torch and hammer were placed down angrily on the bench before they were followed by that damn safety mask his father insisted he have.
Not like he could be hurt by his metallurgy, but the soft look of concern was enough to keep it and use it.
… So what if his father made it special?
Jnana ignored how his hands delicately brushed the ash and metal flakes from the front before he hung it on its special post.
“Of all the people, it just had to be him!”
Walking to his other bench, gray fur bristled and fluffed as he reached to remove his apron. His mane was tussled from the helmet and soaked in sweat.
Maybe a quick bath before handling iron and gems…
A frustrated growl chittered against his teeth as a hand came up. Slicking back his mohawk and cringing at the wetness.
“Stupid tall man and his distracting- UGH EVERYTHING! ”
He paid no mind to the faint mess as the apron was tossed onto the small peg, grabbing the small bag hanging beside it as he all but slammed and locked the door behind him.
Maybe a nice bath with a cool drink and bubbles, a good spa mask and candles. Yes, that’ll show HIM-
Show who ?
Even in his thoughts of cleaning up prior to jewel bending, he couldn’t know peace!
“This isn’t fair! I bet he isn’t haunted constantly by me!”
The thought made that strange feeling in his chest return, only to twist in a rather painful way .
“.... WELL, MAYBE HE SHOULD! SERVES HIM RIGHT! ”
“....Serves who right?”
Jnana jumped, wailing and holding his bag up in defense as he spun around. Pink irises blew wide before they realized just who it was.
“.............Hana, I could’ve smited you. You don’t sneak up on people, we discussed this! I’m telling father you need a bell again.”
Half-open green eyes blinked slowly, almost smugly, as the bag slowly lowered down.
“...I thought no one could sneak up on you?” Their monotone lifted up just a bit in faint bemusement.
“No one can, and yet here you are sneaking .”
Their older sibling merely gave a shrug, carrying a watering can with…something in it.
“Maybe it would do you good to get a pap or two! Serves you right for getting all the stealth in the family.”
“I thought you stated someone else should be ‘served right’? It didn’t sound like me, little sibling.”
A faint pink rose in Jnana’s cheeks as he gave a huff, readjusting his bag on his shoulder, “Think you’re funny, do you?”
“...I have been told I have moments of hilarity… I’m not sure what is meant. I’m usually quite serious rather than comedic.”
Eyes rolled as Jnana stepped aside to allow their older sibling passage to move….only to feel a bit of irritation spike when he realized that they just….stood beside him.
They weren’t going anywhere, were they?
Well… looks like he had company walking back to his personal room.
“Is there something you need, or are you just going to stalk me the entire time to make a point?”
“I have something to discuss with you, "Hana’s monotone voice sounded just a tad more serious than what he expected, “Might be easier if we go to my room, however, I can move the equipment to your room.”
Jnana paused.
Turned around.
Steady pink into smug green.
“You’re scheming, "Jnana pointed a manicured finger into their face, “You’re definitely up to something, and let me tell you right now, I’m soooo not in the mood for it-”
“I’m helping ," Pranidhana interrupted.
More suspicious.
“Yooooou don’t help unless you want something!” Jnana just wanted to get cleaned up and go eat sweets on his bed until he passed out, “What do you want? Copper? Iron? Steel? I’m telling you I’m doing diamonds again until you pay me back for getting my hands on that Uranium under Daddy’s nose-”
“Shhhhh!” Green sleeves were shoved into his mouth, making him almost bite his tongue, “ Lower your voice before a parent figure comes by and hears you! ”
He huffed, pushing them away, “Yeah, then stop following me and go bother Para or someone else with your lil experiments. I'm not in the mood for-”
Before he could finish that train of thought, he was grabbed.
“UNHAND ME, YOU FIEND!”
But despite his older sibling’s stocker frame, the nerd was still somehow able to pick him up, throw him over his shoulder, and sprint back to their own room.
“SOMEONE! PAYA! BABA! HELP!” Jnana tried to grab onto the door frame of Pranidhana’s room, his nails digging into the wood as his wail echoed down the hall.
But it was all for naught.
Damn his thin, delicate, well toned arms!
Pranidhana dragged him inside, the door slamming behind them as vines and greenery quickly grew over the exit.
Pranidhana threw him to the floor, never stopping as they went to go get something.
“Noooooooooo….” Jnana pathetically pawed against the sofa seat, “Whhhhhhy…..”
“Okay so I’m so glad that you are here for my seminar," Pranidhana dragged out a projector and screen, “Now I have noticed worrying behavior from you in the past few weeks, months actually, and really it was Bala she was the one that pointed it out, but I was the one to write it down. Anyway, Bala was certain that you would figure it out however, I calculated that it would be approximately another 6 months at minimum before you would, so instead, I made this presentation in hope-”
Jnana tried to open the exit, shaking the door.
Nope, it was locked.
And also, vines were blocking it.
“Come sit! I also have it that there is a quiz at the end!” Pranidhana started the projector, standing near the front of the screen. They even had a lil extendable pointer. It was decorated to look like the Ruyi staff. Very cute.
Jnana sighed as he dragged himself back to the loveseat, “........You are a cruel warden, you know, you take delight in seeing me squirm.”
Pranidhana pointed at the first slide, “So this is you.”
And it was. A picture of him from maybe a few days ago. Got his good side. Which is all his sides. He is very handsome.
“Well, at least you’re starting this….whatever it is, promising~”
Greens fell to a half lid as the little pointer poked the screen, "And this is you currently.”
Jnana watched as the little presentation used a small explosion animation… which turned the picture of him into one of him at the start of every morning.
In his beauty mask and robe .
Except….
“ Is that me from when I binged my show?! ”
“The validity of emotion was necessary, I assure you.”
“YOU LITTLE-”
How did Pranidhana know about his sad cry shows?! Unless…..
“ You put your little minions in my room again, didn't you!? OH, JUST WAIT TILL DADDY HEARS- ”
“One can neither confirm nor deny that my precious little generals were anywhere near your room,” Pranidhana said matter of factly.
If not for the tiny little creature hastily making its escape across the floor to their leader’s long robes.
“AH! THERE’S ONE RIGHT NOW! I KNEW IT!”
“Please…..Moca has far better things to do than gather necessary evidence for my presentation,” Pranidhana extended their free hand as the tiny blue blob rolled out of their sleeve and into the awaiting palm.
Looking up with big blank eyes…. No thoughts.
Pranidhana gave a soft whistling noise before a little berry appeared in their palm, the tiny creature cheering and hugging it before rolling back up the cozy thick sleeve.
“No…..Peppermint, however, was delighted to assist.”
Jnana sharply bit his lip as his face felt hot.
“ Peppermint better NOT be the reason some of my snacks were missing! ”
“Noted. And they would never. They’re polite. Now, back to the main reason we are here.”
The pointer tapped the sad soggy picture, “You~ have been stewing for months now. At first it was steady and soft, barely recognizable.”
The slide became a graph with a steady, slow incline.
“But….recently, a catalyst caused a jump in this behavior.”
The graph then showed a drastic swoop upward that broke out of the screen entirely.
Cute.
“Now….As your siblings, we all have grown concerned from this.”
“Ohhhh my god, nothing happened! And what evidence do you even have other than a picture your little minion took without me seeing?!”
Pranidhana took a moment to stare, a faint little smile appearing steadily on their lips, “Oh, I’m so thankful you asked. I adore going into details.”
Soft gray fur fluffed up, realizing his mistake a moment too late as he all but scrambled on the sofa, “ Waitwaitwaitwaitwait- ”
“It all started, according to Bala, from ‘a single glance’ if it were.”
Jnana groaned as they sank back into the sofa, hoping the thing was a plant in disguise that would just swallow him up and make him disappear or until their father appeared to peel him out.
“Though we all have our ‘first instance.’ Allow me to list them-”
Pranidhana ignored the faint, weak noise from the couch as the slide changed.
The sharp yellow bubble holding ‘single glance’ proudly out like a little sun.
“Now…our eldest, however, thought it was ‘the first assist’ that was the cause.”
A small little red flame appeared, holding ‘first assist’ contently.
“And ‘paya…..came to the conclusion it was ‘the first joke attempt’ that sealed the deal.”
A little water drop settled on the slide with ‘first joke’ inside.
“Is this going somewhere?” Jnana covered his face with an embarrassed hiss before dragging his fingers down slowly, “I don’t see where this is going at all, and I could be enjoying myself right now.”
“......And I have deduced that it was, in fact, the ‘first meeting’ that started all of this.”
A little leaf appeared with “first meeting” sparkling inside.
“.......... Started WHAT, Hana???? ”
“I am getting to that. Patience, please.”
Pranidhana gently tapped the screen again as it changed back to the graph, only holding the little icons gently at the top corner, “Now, with these in mind, we can place them like so.”
Each little color settled on the line, standing out sharply from the dark line, “And it only leads to one thing that apparently, everyone else knew of but you are struggling with.”
Jnana scoffed as he shifted on the sofa, laying out on his side with a faint bit of aloofness.
Struggle?
He didn’t struggle.
He shattered and remade things.
He loved the challenge of crafting such beautiful things.
“Please….What could I, of all people~ Be ‘struggling’ with? You four are just silly~ I don’t struggle with anything!”
Pranidhana stared blankly as the little smug look reentered their gaze.
“Please! This is the most ridiculous thing! If you just wanted to share an unflattering picture of me, you didn’t need to show a little graph and everythin-”
A new image flooded his vision.
Strong broad shoulders, vibrant blue and red markings, soft brown eyes that always were so happy to see him , a kind smile that only lit up more the moment he would walk into a room, a mane so thick and long it was tied back in a loose hold over slightly scuffed armor.
It was his personal guard who assisted him in more passion projects than he would admit.
The man who never complained and always seemed so happy to be beside him…a rarity when it wasn’t family.
The man that was bugging his mind mere minutes ago in his forge.
Zhang.
“....Interesting.”
Jnana’s ears twitched as he snapped back to reality, pink eyes wide as he caught his sibling mid-note writing on a tiny little pad of paper.
‘ Whydoyouhaveapictureofhim?! ”
Pranidhana paused their little pointer over the paper, apparently a pen as well, "Oh….him?” They pointed at the picture of the rather rugged mandrill, ”......I was mentioning in the halls I required assistance with a project and he was happy to assist…..Why? Is something the matter, sibling? ”
Jnana was perched on the sofa, fingers digging into the soft material as his tail lashed and fur rose.
He was gonna pap him.
He was gonna pap him and SHOW HIM WHAT FOR-
“Calm yourself~ I merely have a picture here for an example~ My, my, I haven’t even said much on the matter and yet such a strong reaction.”
“ You leave him out of this. I don’t care if you made a PowerPoint on me, you leave him alone. ”
“....Protective and fierce….” Pranidhana quietly wrote something else down before sighing, "And this is why you’re struggling.”
“ I’m not struggling! ”
“Yes, you are!” Pranidhana pointed at him with their little pointer, "You can’t fathom the fact you have a big fat crush on the nice man!”
Jnana wanted to scream into the pillows, swallow whatever this burning feeling was.
So….he grabbed one.
Slowly, measured, making sure his older sibling felt his eyes scorching them as they locked.
And then….he delicately pressed into the pillow.
And howled.
His tail went stock straight as his fur visibly ruffled from the muffled noise. The wiggling of frustration was clear in his body as he threw himself onto the sofa and just lay there for a moment.
“........I have several more slides to go through before the quiz, you know.”
A pillow weakly flopped against the wall beside them as Pranidhana quietly crossed their arms in front of their body.
“ I CAN’T BELIEVE THE LOT OF YOU! ” Jnana’s voice went up an octave as his face burned a bright red.
“ WHERE ARE YOU FOUR GETTING THESE IDEAS!? ”
“......From witnessing you clearly having ‘the feels,’ as Bala puts it, and not acting on it, rather you instead buckle down on the concept of being so distant and rough he’d leave you alone…. Except he doesn’t. Making you like him more-”
“ CEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE- ” Jnana threw their face into another pillow, wailing softer as he tried to bury himself.
Just throw him into the ocean already! This was the WORST.
“If you don’t believe me, I can show a photo comparison of how you look at Zhang the same way our father looks at his partners.”
“.......... What? ”
Pranidhana gave a soft nod, “I believe you gained his ‘adoration of himbocy.’ Fascinating since Para has his own version.”
Jnana stared.
“....Para has father’s taste in ‘crazy and fun’, I can say what ‘paya’s and Bala’s are as well if you like-”
“ I’m begging you- ”
“....So you don’t wish to see the photo comparison? It’s rather ‘cute,’ you both have the same soft doe-eyed look.”
Seriously, toss him into the ocean.
Jnana could only watch as the heartless speaking tree went around the projector.
“This is for your own good if we are going to resolve your feelings-”
“I HAVE NO FEELINGS!” He quickly got up, standing on the sofa, lacking pillows but no lack of ammo, “I am a stone cold bitch with a heart of IRON and STEEL! I couldn’t FEEL even if I WANTED TO-!”
His little triad was sadly cut short as strong vines wrapped around his waist and pulled him back into the sofa.
Jnana growled, trying to kick his way out, “Nooooo, I shall not be here and take this ABUSE-!”
“You have feelings-” Pranidhana continues.
“SLANDER! SLANDER!”
“Now, while I have you on the subject, I shall start to explain things more clearly for you. Ahem, now if you would please follow the diagram here, "they took a normal stick and started to extend it like in a lecture, tapping the tip to the first word, “When you saw the previous image, your brain releases a cocktail of chemicals.”
They pointed at each word as the powerpoint slid into frame with various effects, “Dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin. Dopamine is like the ‘reward’ chemical, so it makes you feel euphoric, almost addicted to the person. Oxytocin is the ‘bonding’ hormone. It creates a deep connection, like trust and affection. And serotonin keeps you feeling calm and content when you're with them. So, basically, your brain is going into overdrive due to the presence of Zhang-”
“ Do you want me to die? Because I feel like dying. ”
“-your brain literally gets addicted to the feeling of being with them. That’s why you feel like you can’t stop thinking about him. Your body starts to crave those chemical highs, and that’s why it feels like a rush every time!”
Jnana was…. Listening…
As much as he hates to admit it.
There was something… strangely grounding putting these “feelings” into a more clinical perspective.
“So…. it’s not really me then, right? ” he coughed a little, trying to get comfortable on the chair, “It's just chemicals! Chemicals that make these… hypothetical feelings .”
“No, no, it’s super real. Just because I’m explaining it out to you doesn’t make it less real but rather further explains to you how it is embedded into our biology. These close bonds encourage bonding and long-term relationships, which helps create communities and ensure survival. After all, we have family groups, do we not?”
“Well, yeah, but that is FAMILY!” Jnana tried to wiggle out the vines a lil more, taking a sharp nail as a form to cut them, “Zhang isn’t FAMILY! He’s-! He’s just, you know…. He’s something else- ARE YOU WRITING THIS DOWN?!”
THAT LIL SNEAK! Here, Jnana was POURING his metal heart out, and his sibling was TAKING NOTES!
Pranidhana just snapped their fingers, the next slide being a side-by-side comparison picture. One of Jnana’s rights at the start of this stupid thing is looking annoyed.
And another of them with a stupid, stupid, stupid ‘doe-eyed’ look.”
“When the hell did you take those pictures?!”
“I didn’t take those pictures.”
A lil click made Jnana turn their head RIGHT at the corner!
There was a lil Yellow pikimin standing on a too-big camera, hopping on the flash button and looking shamelessly as they took another photo.
“ Another one of your lil minions! ”
“Don’t be crude to Marshall Thyme, and pay attention!” Pranidhana hit the board again, “Now, from what I have read, no personal experience, feelings ‘change’ over a period of time. In most cases, it starts as an intense passion and attraction, driven by those dopamine highs. But over time, as the relationship deepens, your brain starts producing more oxytocin and serotonin. This shifts the focus from ‘infatuation’ to deeper attachment. It’s less about the fireworks and more about a secure, stable bond!”
They pointed at Jnana’s dilated pupils, “Now, interesting enough, the other siblings claim that you were in no way interested in the first meeting stage, but science doesn’t lie, it just has biased research! I, however, stand firm that the SECOND you locked eyes, the seeds of this chemical imbalance in your brain have started and thus have led us all to where we stand TODAY!”
They excitedly go over the next slide with bullet points shaking into the screen.
“The initial spark is driven by hormones, but this feeling is only sustainable with the following factors. I have tested each one to make sure that our test subject has met all criteria-”
“Test? When the hell did you test-?!”
“Trust! You have shown to trust Zhang with your priceless artifacts and within your personal workspace!”
Jnana stuttered, “He’s my personal guard! He has to come with me, and BESIDES, he knows better than to touch anything! I told him-”
“Companionship! I have documented that within the last three weeks, you have gone on exactly 54 ‘outings’ and 45 ‘hangouts’ with a time frame of anywhere from 3 minutes to 5 hours!”
“ Going to get a snack is not an outing, you are over-evaluating that data! And SHOPPING trips are NEEDED for HIM TO COME! He always carries my things as he SHOULD! Cause I let him choose where we go to lunch, and it’s only fair he HELPS-!”
“Aaaaaaaaaaaaand emotional support! Don’t think I don’t know what happened at the Heaven Gala last year .”
That stopped Jnana’s ranting, panic, and fear going through him for only a second as a sheen of sweat appeared on his brow, “.................... You didn’t tell daddy, did you? ”
Pranidhana raised a brow, “Do you see Papa coming to kill for your sake? No. So listen up ,” Pranidhana got really close as they SMACKED the final bullet point, “That’s when your brain is firing off the ‘attachment’ hormones, creating a deep, lasting connection. Do you know what that means?”
Jnana knew what this walking, talking lil veggie wrap was suggesting, but Jnana didn’t get this far in life by accepting the obvious!
“...........That we are a very stable family, and that is the end of the story? ”
“ INCORRECT !”
Pranidhana pushed his final button.
Oh, this is bad.
There in high-definition-pixel glory was a moment of weakness.
The picture angle was a bit farther away, like from behind a corner or something, because Jnana clearly didn’t see them. But it wouldn’t have mattered if the undoubtedly the lil pikimin was right in front of him because Jnana was resting his stupid head on Zhang’s stupid shoulder. At sunset. By the beach .
Jnana didn’t think. JUST ACTED!
He leaped to the projector, trying to TURN IT OFF.
“DESTROY THAT!”
“ YOU CANNOT DENY THE TRUTH!” Pranidhana pushed the projector to keep it in place, refusing to lose the image on the screen, “YOU CAN NOT DENY THAT YOU ARE IN-”
“SHUT UP!”
Pap them! I’m going to PAP them into the ground and THEM BURY THEM, and then I’M NEVER SPEAKING TO THEM AGAIN-!
“- IN LOVE! ”
Jnana didn’t even answer.
Just screamed something in pure frustration as he tackled his older sibling to the floor in a barbaric attempt to just get them to SHUT UP.
“WHY ARE YOU SO ANNOYING?!” Jnana and Pranidhana rolled on the ground, Jnana trying to pin the other on the ground but Pranidhana, the damn short but stout sibling, was able to roll them over again.
“Why are you so STUPID?!” Pranidhana took the advantage and started to pap Jnana’s face in retaliation, “ I did everything right! I added slide animation! I put in pictures! I used bullet points! I EVEN USED EMOJIS, AND THIS IS HOW YOU REPAY ME?!”
Jnana just wailed louder as he papped Pranidhana right back, moving faster and far more frustrated than Pranidhana was, “ You shouldn’t have done this at ALL! I don’t want to HEAR IT-!”
“You should be able to hear it just fine with those ears of yours-”
“ Shutup shutup shutup shutup shutup-! ”
This led to them both just wailing, hissing, and even barking at one another as they fought more for the sake of fighting at all. This was less about facing the facts and more about the rule of siblings refusing to back down for one another.
Chaos.
That was a good word for it as they rolled and nearly became tangled in the vines growing from the floor.
Jnana shrieked as vines lifted him up for a moment. Instinctively, he swatted down as his fingers hardened. The vines recoiled and loosened just enough to swoop down and pap again.
“Don’t you hurt Constantine- ”
“ YOU SCOOP ME CAUSE YOU KNOW I’M WINNING, GET UP HERE AND SWAT LIKE A GROWN SHRUB- ”
“ Your childish insults only mask the fact you can’t HANDLE THE TRUTH THAT YOU’RE A SIMPY CHIMPY! THE FACTS ARE ALL HERE- ”
“ I AM NOT, YOU TAKE THAT BACK- ” Jnana tried to wiggle more free, his hands swishing in air as he remained jailed and tormented by his older sibling.
“ WHO STARTED THAT- WHO MADE THAT- I AM NOT- ”
“ Bala is correct on many things, and being a simpy chimpy is ONE OF THEM- ”
“What in the name of Heaven is going ON in here?”
The two froze from the new voice.
A voice they knew far too well.
A voice that was surprisingly stern when it wished to be, rather than the goofy silly cheekiness it was known for.
Slowly, Pranidhana and Jnana turned, bodies paused in mid-combat as their skin began to pale and sweat.
Standing in the doorway of Pranidhana’s room, clawed fingers curled tightly on the knob and looking a bit ruffled from moving far too fast.
Was their father.
Despite long having outgrown him in height, their father still stood tall and imposing as his face, usually in a bright smile, remained sharp in concern and near exasperation. He never did like any of his cubs fighting with one another.
Soft golden fur ruffled as a lithe tail twitched in soft agitation behind him, and much to their shock, something else was behind their father.
Trapped in one of his foot hands, clenched and gripping his shirt, was their Uncle Bajie. Looking like a tossed rag doll under his foot as their father stood.
No wonder he seemed taller than usual.
“....Well?”
Jnana and Pranidhana blinked, looking at each other as their father straightened in the door. A faint squeal of a groan under his feet as he slowly rested his clawed hands on his hips.
“What is going on here? ”
“......................”
“.............”
Jnana slowly looked to his sibling, pink widening in horror when he caught the subtle look of smugness before those smug greens turned watery.
“........... Babaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Jnana is picking on me! ”
“ LIES! SLANDER! THEY SPOUT FALSEHOODS- ”
“ I made a PowerPoint just for him, and thiiiiiiiiiiis is how he acts! Rude and mean, and he paps me! ” Pranidhana covered their mouth as they made their eyes shine at their father, " I used emojis and everything. ”
“ DADDY, DON’T LISTEN TO THEM, THEY’RE BULLYING, ME . LOOK, LOOK, I’M UP IN THEIR VINES, TRAPPED AND LOCKED BEHIND CLOSED DOORS- ”
“Jnana, the door is open-”
“ BECAUSE DADDY OPENED IT! ” Jnana wailed, thrashing in the confines of his prison.
Their father merely stared, looking between the two as they began to swat at each other again.
“ They get it from you, y’know HouGe. ” A weak voice sounded from under the King’s feet, drawing bright golden eyes downward towards the trapped hog.
“ Learned from the best cheeky monkey. ”
“...........You stop that, flattery won’t save you from mandatory knitting time.”
Little feet hands gripped the trapped man for a moment before he gave a sigh, his hands slowly coming off his hips to smooth out his fur.
“...........Children~”
Pranidhana and Jnana paused, hoping that their father would see reason.
“..........We are a family. We love and care for each other. We don’t fight each other over a disagreement. Now…..Jnana~ I’m sure Pranidhana made this PowerPoint special to bond with you and help you with something. You know Pranidhana wouldn’t go through the trouble of making something if they didn’t think so.”
Jnana felt his face burn hot, the smugness from their sibling only making it worse.
Until their father gently looked at their sibling, “Hana….was this an ‘asked for presentation’ or a ‘surprise presentation’?”
Pranidhana shuffled a bit as they began to play with their sleeves, “...................... A necessary one. ”
“A necessary one.” Their father nodded gently, "Well, if it was a necessary one, then it likely had something that was too important to ignore going forward, right?”
“Exactly!”
“ Noooooooooooooooooo. ”
“Now, let’s see if we can talk this out, okay? Hana, please put your brother down.”
“..........Must I?”
“ Hana. ”
“ Listen to Daddy. ” Jnana sneered as their sibling all but pouted…..and unceremoniously dropped him onto the sofa.
“ YOU- ”
“Now Jnana-”
The older monkey turned softly, "No jumping on your sibling….Let’s all just talk, ok?”
Jnana crossed his arms as pink glared at smug green.
Should’ve papped them harder.
“.......Before we do, both of you apologize to each other.”
“WHAT?!”
“I wasn’t in the wrong.”
“ Kids.”
The two paused before glowering at each other, soft mumbled apologies painfully being hissed out.
It was enough to please their father, at least, “......Now. What was the presentation about?”
Pranidhana immediately lit up, “Oh, well, father you see-”
“ NOTHING IMPORTANT! ” Jnana cut off quickly, his gray fur becoming sweaty as their father raised a brow in slight confusion.
“.....If it wasn’t important, then why were you two papping each other?”
“ You know, I can just scoot. This seems like a parent and cub talk, no need for this Old hog- ”
Little grippers dug into the shirt as the King looked down, “ You’re going to finish sitting for your cozy knit sweater, and you’re gonna like it. And you’re going to stay put, Zhu. ”
“ Okay, yep, I am staying still. I’m a rock, part of you, pretend I’m not here. ”
Wukong nodded a bit before turning back to his cubs, “Come now. If Pranidhana shared, surely Old Sun can know as well~”
Jnana wanted to explode in mortification.
His siblings were convinced he was in love.
He did not need his father convinced.
He would rather explode.
Pranidhana, however, merely smiled into their collar.
It was then Jnana remembered that Pranidhana said ‘he shared their father’s doe-eyed look.’
…..They wouldn’t.
“....Father, humor me-”
They would.
“-how do you know if you love?”
“Oh!”
“ Oh, boy, " Bajie grumbled underneath the grippers, squeaking a bit from a small kick.
“Well…..How your baba learned was rather interesting! But….When you know someone is special to you, that they always linger in your thoughts, in your heart, that you’d do all you can just to spend time with them and see them happy. The warm feeling you get seeing them so excited to just… be themselves with you? ” Their father smiled gently as he grew lost in thought, “…..It’s a lovely but mysterious feeling, kids….And comes in many shapes and forms. But….to me, love only runs when those I care about and adore thrive and are happy. And I do what I can to ensure they remain that way.”
“.....Yes father, but how did you know you fell in love?”
“Oh well-”
“Kids, your father isn’t the one to be asking this, "Bajie huffed from the ground as he managed to wiggle an arm free to prop his head up, “Your old man took over a decade to figure out he loved-”
A foot hand immediately covered his face and pushed him back down slowly as the Monkey King remained poised oh so casually on top of him.
“.......Your Uncle is just jealous my confessions were from the heart.”
“ EXCUSE- I AM THE MAESTRO OF THE HEART- ”
“Yes, yes, "Wukong squished him down more as he gave a sigh, “Look, Sprout, Gem, love is always full of twists and turns. You can’t rush or force it. Trust me when I say you’ll know when you’re feeling such a powerful thing.”
“....And what if someone refuses to see that they are? ” Pranidhana crossed their arms as they stared hard at their sibling.
“Then….it’s best to let such feelings unfold naturally. You can’t rush something so unique.”
“ With great love- ”
“ Bajie, do not start that. ” Wukong leaned down and papped his arm a bit, “Wait, how come you can pap but we can’t? What logic is that?” Pranidhana pouted, “Simple, you two are siblings, and I am your father. You two can not pap each other, but your Uncle needs them for his emotional well-being.”
“ WELL-BEING?! ”
“Yes, keeps you on your toes.”
Jnana huffed as he stood, arms still crossed as he looked off. He wouldn’t give his sibling the satisfaction.
“Can I leave for my room now? Or am I still trapped??”
“.....I suppose since you clearly don’t appreciate the work I put into my PowerPoint.”
“...................”
Pink eyes caught bright gold, and he sighed, “.............The emojis were…… Okay. ”
Pranidhana lit up just a bit as their sibling tutted, “But you better make something different. Because it’s ridiculous. ”
“I already need to craft a new one for a presentation on new plant biomes.”
“Fantastic.”
Jnana walked, carefully stepping over their Uncle with a pout, “ Excuse me, Uncle Zhu. ”
“ Oh yeah, don’t mind me, you kids are fine. ”
Jnana felt his ears twitch faintly as he heard his father hop down and drag his Uncle away from the door.
“Oh, Pranidhana! Your Uncle Sha found you that moss for your greenhouse-”
“ I’m on my way. ”
Jnana jumped a bit from the speed of their sibling scuttling past.
The sharp, sudden quiet creeped towards something anxious, a loathsome feeling since he preferred it with white noise.
“.....Gem.”
Right, their dad was still there.
A warm hand gently rested on his shoulder, “..........It’s okay to take your time. It’s okay to be confused by it. Only you can determine it and decide what to do. You’ll figure it out, and you’ll come out better than before. I know so. ”
“.............”
The words felt soothing, even as clawed hands gently moved and fixed fluffed up gray fur, “ I promise it’ll be alright. Just….listen to what your heart is trying to tell you. Trust me when I say it helps. ”
Wukong smiled gently as pink orbs finally looked over.
“..........Over a decade, Daddy?”
His father gave a meek shrug, "Stones are dense sometimes, what can I say?”
“Daddy, you’re smart, though.”
“ Hah! I know~ ”
“Oblivious in social cues-” Bajie squealed as he was squished again by a foot, " I’m glad my kids got something from me at least. ” Wukong gave a wink before gently nudging his son, "Now, go on. I can tell you want to rest.”
The King hopped down, his hand quickly grabbing the back of Bajie’s shirt, “I’ll be in the garden with your Uncle if you need me, okay? No more papping your sibling. ”
“Yes, Daddy….”
With a soft nod, Wukong began his slow walk down the hall, dragging the larger boar behind him.
Jnana couldn’t help but stare.
…..Did he really have the same ‘look’ as Hana said?
“............ More than a decade…. ” Jnana shook his head as he finally began his walk to his room.
….Would it take that long for him to figure it out, too?
God, he hoped not.
Jnana walked down the long hallway, his own room as the destination in mind.
He entered quietly, making sure to lock the door before dragging his feet to his window sill, the one with nice lace drapes and a pillow cushion nook. He wanted to look extra dramatic and sad as he lay comfortably in his nest of cushions and fine silks.
He let his arm and head lay against the window edge and sighed dramatically, posing for no one but himself. His thoughts were tangled, swirling in a mess of emotions he wasn't ready to face.
He hated being so smart.
He was very smart, and very pretty too. A deadly combo.
“What’s wrong with me?” he lamented, head hanging low, “What’s wrong with them?!”
He could just see his siblings' faces! Paramita thinks he soooooo high and mighty with that condescending LOOK like he knows anything about everything! And Upaya with that smothering stupid worry! She doesn’t have to worry about HIM ! Bala is just being an airhead half the time, this is probably why she went to Pranidhana to ATTACK him with their STUPID SLIDES !
Jnana grabbed one of his embroidery pillows, bringing it to his face to SCREAM into it.
HIS SIBLINGS ARE SUCH JERKS!
He throws the aptly named throw pillow back on the nook, his frustrations only growing the more he thought about it.
HE?! HIMSELF?! IN LOVE ?! DOES HE LOOK LIKE AN IDIOT?!
The only people that fall in love are suckers and children and he is NEITHER!
HE IS NO SIMPY CHIMPY !
……………… He is going to fucking scream again .
He leans against the wall, taking a deep breath.
His heart skipped a beat at the thought of him .
Jnana couldn't deny it anymore….
There was something about the way he made him feel... alive in a way he hadn't felt in years.
He has been trying to dismiss it, to convince himself it was just some fleeting distraction .
But it wasn’t.
Every conversation, every touch, every glance… it lingered .
"No. I can't be doing this. Not now. Not like this."
He couldn’t even let himself wrap around the idea, it was just too real. If he even gave the “hypothetical” a single thought, else he starts to go down the rabbit hole.
Like how he wanted to be near him all the time. Like how it just feels natural… Zhang never made him feel like he had to put on an act when that was all he ever was expected to do.
He wasn’t stupid.
He knew how people looked at him .
He knew how people saw him.
They are just waiting to make me fail.
Well, he wasn’t going to sit around and give them what he wanted!
He always, always had to work twice as hard just to be undervalued in the end. He had to look more than perfect to be complimented through gritted teeth. He had to have a stone-cold heart so that silver tongues and backstabbers couldn’t hurt him. He had to be better, smarter, and even more ruthless than anyone else to get ahead.
He wasn’t WEAK !
HE WASN’T IN LOVE .
….. Love…..
Jnana turned around on his nook, his arm falling over his eyes.
The word seemed foreign, so strange even. But with each passing moment… It felt heavy.
He couldn’t just ignore this anymore. Ignoring is beneath him. That was practically running away, which is also admitting weakness.
He can admit… some things… Jnana wanted to be near him . Sure, that is normal enough. He loved when Zhang was around… he always just made things nicer . He made things feel familiar in a way that only he could after so long of knowing each other.
Sure, he was Jnana’s…. Best friend . He could admit that easily. He just got him in ways that no one else has. Zhang took the time to get to know him when anyone else would have left long ago.
Jnana knew what he was like. He was novel, something shiny and new that anyone would love to play with until they get bored and move on to the new shiny thing. Always changes to fit whatever he needs to be to get the best advantage in any social situation. People always expect bigger and better things but with that faint hope that he would fail.
But Zhang…. never did that.
He never left when Jnana couldn’t keep entertaining, when he was rough and even mean… he stayed as if he deserved something more…
Zhang, who was sweet and kind. Who was always trying to make things better. Who brings him chocolates when he doesn’t ask? Who asks him how he is doing when he doesn’t have to say anything?
His heart pounded, a mix of excitement and fear. It was terrifying to admit, but maybe the scariest thing of all was that he didn’t want it to stop.
He sighed deeply, the weight of it all sinking in.
“....... Maybe I am falling in- ”
“Prince Jnana?”
“FUCKING HELL! KNOCK YOU BARBARIC PIECE OF-”
Jnana turned RIGHT around on the bed, manicured nail pointed right at the intruder’s face while he was CLEARLY having a self-reflection moment!
But his contorted face dropped when he saw that face.
Red nose, blue cheeks, soft brown.
“Bobo....... how did you get in there?”
Zhang smiled , the damn stupid nice smile, “You gave me keys to your room remember, I didn’t know you were in!” the big brute easily explained, looking far too innocent, “I wanted to drop off your mail.”
Jnana blamed his stupid genius brain for giving the big guy spare keys cause he was always in his room , “RIGHT, sure! Just…. Just put them on my dresser.”
Zhang just nodded, putting packages on the dresser obediently.
Jnana couldn’t help but notice just how his arms moved. How they flexed with such simple moves, how gentle he was despite his giant nature. Like a bull in a china shop, he was a stark contrast of black and primary colors compared to the soft pinks and pastels in Jnana’s room. He was handsome in that kinda rugged sort of way … maybe Jnana could give him new earrings-
“Is there something wrong?”
“Hm? W-what?” Jnana shook himself out of his thoughts.
Zhang smiled again, more sheepishly, “Just… You’re staring at me is all. I'm starting to think I have something in my teeth.”
Jnana sputtered, grabbing his window-silk fan and unfolding it quickly to hide his face, “W-What? I wasn’t staring! I was just— thinking , okay?! Is that such a CRIME?!"
Zhang didn’t even flinch at the shouting, eyes sparkling as he shifted over back to his side, “Thinking about what?" he asked with such genuine interest, “There was a new mine that opened on the other side of the mountain pass, we could explore it if you are interested.”
“I wasn’t thinking- wait, really?” Jnana cut himself off, “New?! What kind? Diamond? Platinum? Gold? If it’s copper, just send the fodder. I have more than enough copper to last me a lifetime!” he fanned himself gently, trying to cool himself down.
Zhang got down on his knees, right next to him.
WHY IS HE THAT CLOSE?!
He just got closer, becoming eye-to-eye, that soft gooey smile of his only becoming wider as he looked up at his prince, “ I think that it might be platinum or lithium, I’m not sure. But say the word, and I’ll leave to find out, my Prince.”
Jnana papped that STUPID look on his face with the butt of his fan, “You stop that! I am more than capable of looking after myself!”
STOP LOOKING AT ME LIKE THAT!
Zhang’s smile just widened, a large delicate finger moving the fan from his forehead, “Of course, of course, I would never think anything else.”
Pap him. Pap his silly face. How dare he look so cute and sweet- HE MUST BE PUNISHED!
Jnana just…. Reopened his fan to hide his face, “Listen, I just had a long day bickering with my sibling. I don’t need you teasing me.”
Zhang pouted, trying to move so that he could see Jnana’s face again, “ What ? That’s terrible! I’m sorry that you guys were fighting. Do you need comfort?”
“.............. Can you get me a chocolate pastry, Bobo ?”
Zhang got up immediately, slightly jogging to the kitchenette connected to his room, “Coming right up!”
Jnana unwinded a bit now that he was out of the room.
He picked up the throw pillow again and SCREAMED.
WHY IS HE CURSED AGAIN?! Why, out of all the stupid handsome men as bodyguards, he just had to GET THE HANDSOMEST AND HIMBOEST?!
Zhang stuck his head back out, “What was that?”
Jnana shot his head back up, “NOTHING, I’M FINE! GET BACK IN THE KITCHEN!”
Zhang retreated his head back inside, “Righto~”
Jnana hit the air silently, his frustration boiling over at this point.
He can’t keep doing this! Why is it so much harder to just LOOK at that doofus now?! It used to be nothing! Now he feels like his body is on fire and his hands are sweaty AND THIS IS ALL HANA’S FAULT! CURSE YOU PRANDIHANA!
He can’t live like this.
Something had to give .
Jnana wasn’t a fucking coward .
Jnana jumped out of bed and stomped to his vanity, getting his eyeshadow and lipstick out. His vanity lights flared as he quickly put on some eyeliner and mascara.
If he was going to do this. He was going to do this right!
That man was going to be wooed.
His ear twitched as he caught the soft sound of something behind him. Honing in on the soft little hums of something deep and pure.
He didn’t….. need to listen with all of them…but….
The soft little chirp and hum told him enough.
Zhang was humming that silly little song of his.
Jnana’s hand paused as he listened, he could almost see that goofy little sway of hips as his crush danced to a tune only they knew of.
He always made that song sound so much better.
Focus.
The thin makeup brush ghosted over his eyelids, popping a hot pink as his determination burned nearly as hot as his forge, if not hotter.
He’ll show him.
The ticklish sensation was short-lived as he moved onto his other eye, his ear flicking a bit as he caught the sound of a cloth being twisted.
He hated using them…. but it spurred his determination further.
“ Put the lime in the coconut….bah bah bah bah! ”
Jnana felt the fire burn hotter as the brush all but fell to his vanity as he snatched the most lovely pink lipstick he could find without going insane.
“ Doing cute things without me seeing. I’ll show you who’s the simpy chimpy here. ”
His lips did a sharp pop as he examined his work, striking a sharp little pose as he hastily fixed his mane and cleared his throat.
Show time.
He’ll show HIM.
With a sharp spin, Jnana eyed his kitchenette. Sharp, half-lidded pinks narrowed down on their target as they caught the soft twitch of movement.
He had him right where he wanted him.
Slowly, the prince took a step before he paused.
Should he do a certain walk? Make a grand entrance? No….His Bobo would be elated just to see him appear suddenly.
Though….a good pose would be nice….
A smooth little slide against the floor allowed a smirk of confidence to curl on his lips, roughly flipping his mane before all but slamming against the door frame.
…. Mildly wishing he did so a little more gently, but what was passion if not allowing bruises?
How else were hickies a thing then?
…. God, he spent too much time in Hana’s presentations.
“Oh, my Prince! Are you alright?” Zhang looked over his shoulder, pausing completely as his soft browns crinkled in worry, "That sounded rather….rough.”
“ Oh, I’m just fine~ ” Jnana laid an arm over their eyes, sighing before he looked over between fingers.
Zhang stood, blinking as he turned a bit more. The rather small and adorable pink apron on his person catching Jnana’s breath as he all but stared at his Bobo.
….. What was his plan again?
“Are you sure?”
“......” Gray fur ruffled and fluffed as he gave a soft huff, “ Please, it takes more than some wooden frame to hurt me! ”
“This is true, you are very strong, my Prince.”
A faint heat dusted his cheeks as Jnana pouted just a bit.
How dare Bobo not fawn over how pretty he was and wail at his feet for kisses. Why was it so hard to reverse this?! And how dare his Bobo be smooth without even thinking about it?! He had to have some master plan….yes, that would explain his guard being one step ahead.
“...... You really think so? ”
“I know so!” Zhang answered easily, his smile warm and eyes shining. Looking down briefly, he gasped gently as he hastily turned back, “I’ll just be a moment with your treat! I think you’ll enjoy this one!”
With a tut, Jnana changed his pose on the door frame, kicking out his leg with a pout, " You say this as if I don’t like my snacks already, Bobo. ”
“ But this one is extra special, my Prince! Promise…. ”
Now, if that didn’t make his insides warm .
“ Wellllllll~ If you say so~ ”
His leggie lowered, papping at the floor as he fought the urge to just….. run up behind him. He was a prince, after all! He didn’t just scuttle about and cling like some feral creature! … Not yet, anyway.
Strong arms tensed as Zhang held the little plate up as he sprinkled something on it, still humming that little tune of his as he focused.
He wasn’t getting jealous over a pastry that he wanted….
“Aaaaaand ready!”
Jnana felt his ears perk up and cheeks heat as those large soft browns looked at him. No one else…. him.
Subtly, the prince swatted a bit at his stomach to ease the few butterflies that flipped and danced in hopes they would ease.
He needed all his focus on this so he could woo him so hard he forgot which way was up.
“I hope you like it!” Zhang smiled, though it seemed a bit different. Like he was nervous about something….. shy almost.
“Zhang, I already told you-”
Pink irises went wide when they saw the chocolate pastry, clearly, it was one that was filled with the sweet custard.
But…it was sparkling?
“I learned of a new thing, edible bling glitter! I thought….you may enjoy it? It reminded me of gems and you and….” Zhang shifted a bit as his smile grew a bit with nerves, “ I wanted to surprise you with a rare gem too. ”
Very few outside of the royal family knew about him enjoying the rare gem in his youth as a little snick-snack.
In fact, outside of the family, only the generals and marshals knew….
And his Bobo.
The sparkling pastry rested on the small plate, held delicately by large hands and steady.
“.....Prince Jnana?”
“ Mm? ”
“Why are you staring upwards?” Zhang curiously peered up at the ceiling, “Is there something up there?”
No, you handsome fool, he just applied this makeup and he didn’t want it to run down his face like a waterfall please-
“ Oh yes…perhaps a new curtain here or there for dramatic effect. ”
“Oh! A lovely idea indeed!”
Jnana sniffled as he reached out and yoinked the plate, bringing it to his chest and guarding it as if someone would dare steal it away from him.
Oh, the sparkles shifted color under the light.
Gently, Zhang wiped his hands on the very tiny apron.
“Did you wish for some tea to go with your pastry, my Prince? I can make your favorite.”
“ No, no. This will be plenty after the day I had. ”
“I see…” Zhang fiddled with his apron a moment, “Do you-”
“ Is this the berry custard one? ”
“Oh! It is!” Zhang lit up, chuckling softly as he gently turned, “Please, enjoy your pastry, Prince Jnana, I’ll do these few dishes quickly.”
His thoughtful guard, doing something he thought would make him smile , how dare he be so sweet and considerate.
Jnana looked at the pastry treat, sniffing gently as he took a soft nibble.
….. He had to look upward again as the explosion of flavor made his cheeks warm.
How did he know the perfect ratio of pastry and sweet filling?! And the glam?!
It actually had a sweet taste that wasn’t too overpowering. It was perfect.
“ I’m supposed to be wooing here, not being wooed…. ” Jnana wheezed weakly against his pastry snack.
Damn it he was supposed to be the smooth one! GET YOUR HEAD IN THE GAME!
But it tasted so good.
“Everything alright my Prince?” Zhang asked, concern soft in his voice as warm browns peered. The barest sound of a chirp in his throat as he watched his prince….look almost a bit soggy as he shook silently with a little snack plate.
“ I’m fine! ”
PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER, MAN. IT AIN’T OVER TILL THE BIRDS WAIL OUTSIDE.
“It…. tastes nice, Bobo. Good work.”
“O-oh!” A sweet pink dusted bright cheeks as Zhang gave a large smile, “Thank you!”
Yes, yes, good, good. Be wooed, he’s so good at this.
He just needed to focus.
Jnana coughed, taking another bite to chew faster because he could not try to woo when chewing. Like yeah, he is good, but he isn't THAT good!
“Well-!” he covered his mouth making the FATAL mistake of talking with his mouth open. He swallowed a bit too soon, the sweet and soft texture sticking to his throat.
He tried to swallow again.
….
He hit his chest a bit, waving his hand in front of his mouth.
“My prince?” Bobo asked a tad worried, “What’s wrong?”
Jnana waved his hand again, a little more hurriedly.
He is fine! Just trying to chew! Stupidly good food just taking FOREVER and the silence lingering between them is slowly becoming more and more awkward with each passing moment.
Bobo didn’t wait. He walked right to the cabinets, getting out a glass and a bottle of sparkling water from the fridge.
Jnana tried to make him STOP . He was fine! Please! If I could chew faster, I WOULD! PLEASE ZHANG!
But Bobo just finished pouring into the glass. Even putting a straw in the glass.
“Here you are, Jnana, "offering the glass without a second thought.
Noooo, he was supposed to be WOOING! Stop stealing all the good moves!
…. But Jnana did take the drink and took a long sip…. it was refreshing and well needed . Great, he didn’t just get you a snack but a drink, too. Do you wanna bring in ANY good moves yet?!
The poor prince put down the snack and drink.
“....My prince?”
Okay. Get focused.
Jnana pulled his shoulders back, twirling right back on Bobo.
Bobo leaned back, both out of surprise and respect for the other.
Play cool, playful smirk, remember confidence, “You know Bobo, I have been thinking lately… I’m pretty great at everything. Not to brag or anything, but really I have so many skills.”
“Oh!” Bobo smiled easily, looking far more relaxed at the conversation topic, “Yes, you are wonderful at many things… I am still thankful for the earrings that you gave me… they were very thoughtful -”
“Okay, okay!” Jnana had to stop Bobo before he started complimenting him before Jnana could compliment HIM ! “It’s just… someone like me , with all my qualities… it might be… difficult for most people to keep up, you know?”
Bobo did not know, but he nodded along anyway like he did.
“B-But you?” Jnana turned quickly, refusing to look into those big brown eyes before he regretted this, pretending to look at his mane, “You have always been up for it. Putting up with me… wouldn’t you agree?”
Bobo played with the ring on his finger, another small gift from his friend, “Well, I don’t think I’m just putting up with you, my prince… I really enjoy spending time with you… you are always so unapologetically yourself… never afraid to take risks .”
“EXACTLY!” Jnana grabbed the plate with his snack once again, the hell with it, he needed a courage boost, “And yooooooou! You, mister! You match that perfectly!” Yes, yes, yes, compliment him! “You are always honest yourself! It just makes you all the more trustworthy, and reliable, and handsome-”
Jnana took the last bite of the pastry to stop himself there.
Please tell me he didn’t hear that .
If Bobo did hear that, then he didn’t comment. Just smiling so wide that his slightly chapped lips nearly faded with the bright shine of his warmth, “Thank you Jnana…. My prince, " he corrected himself looking as bashful as he sounded, “I feel like I’ve always been able to be myself around you… it’s hard to find someone who’s, uh, as genuine as you, you know? I mean, I admire that about you.”
Jnana stopped chewing.
And turned .
….. Put down his plate and picked up his drink to take a sip.
“....Ah, well, I am great at many things but… Genuine ?” Jnana felt his smirk come back, “I wouldn’t exactly call myself that . …And maybe that’s why I like hanging out with you. You don’t pretend.”
That is something Jnana always envied about Bobo before… it turned into admiration .
Bobo was always himself… something that Jnana just couldn’t bring himself to do. He knew what the cost was to have his image out on display to the public . People didn’t want real . They just wanted something perfect.
… A nd perfect was something he had to be.
“ I have to disagree, my prince.”
Jnana blinked. And blinked again, “Bobo, you are sweet, but really my ego is stronger than that, you don’t need to flatter me.”
Really, the man is so sweet, but he could be a little too praising. Jnana hid more of himself than he dared show the world.
“Oh no, I’m not saying this to flatter you, "Bobo spoke louder, taking a few steps closer with each word, “ I’m very serious…You are never afraid to voice your opinion and never back down when others try to bully you. You have hundreds of people that offer you riches and wealth, but you don’t hesitate to stand your ground and call them out on the bribery…you are one of the strongest, most clever people I have come to know… ”
Oh.
Oh no…
Oh, that is just not fair. He didn’t even get a chance to woo…
Jnana crossed his arms…his only protection from such words.
“... That is very cruel of you, Zhang… you know that isn’t true…”
Not falling for scams and seeing through opportunist scum of the world wasn’t something that was special… just that he could see how they think . How would he think of himself if he was trying to get something out of someone he doesn’t trust ? If there was one thing that he had learned, it was that everyone wanted something from a prince.
…Well, mostly everyone.
“ Jnana… ” Bobo pushed on.
Jnana didn’t want to hear it, “Don’t.”
“... I must, my prince …” Bobo spoke clearly, but no less gently, “Protecting yourself isn’t being disingenuous… you are allowed to have your secrets, your privacy, that makes you no less than anyone else.”
“Doesn’t it?” Fine, they are doing this now , “I can’t just be anyone, Zhang . I have to be the best version of myself , unapologetically. People want to see strength, confidence, power. I can’t waver on that image, not even for a second! Give these people an inch, they take a mile!”
Jnana loved the flashing lights, the shiny gems, and the high fashion. It was who he was . It was who he made sure others saw. Glam, fame, poise. It’s what people come to expect.
But that was just a part of him… he can’t show everything… and he especially can’t show that .
Jnana didn’t know when Bobo got so close.
Maybe when he was looking away…
But he was close enough to wrap his large hand around Jnana’s smaller one.
“I think… when you are being yourself to those that matter… then you know what it means to be accepted…, " large warm hands made him feel warm, “ You don’t need the whole world to know who you are… isn’t it enough to have those you love…”
Jnana gave a shaky breath… making the fatal mistake of having pink eyes meet honey brown.
“... Isn’t it enough to have me?”
Oh, he is not winning this wooing, is he…
Maybe it wasn’t something to win in the first place.
“... I’ve worked so hard to own the role I’m playing…” Jnana admitted just as softly, “...Made it my own at least…”
Bobo’s voice was barely above a whisper, “ It takes a lot of strength to not change yourself. But to change the world to fit you better… you don’t have to be perfect for everyone… just being yourself is enough…”
Jnana’s gaze sparked in soft curiosity as he watched Bobo, “What about you, Bobo? …You think you have seen the real me? ”
Bobo’s smile turned to something a tad more confident, “I know I have.”
A surprised laugh left Jnana, his eyes closing from the force.
He missed how Zhang’s eyes brightened at the sight.
“Cocky, aren't you?” Jnana leaned closer to the other, filling out the already small space between them.
“I would never be, my prince, "Bobo didn’t step back, just looking down at the other with such a warm gaze, “Just being honest in my answer.”
Jnana tilted his head up, taking two fingers to ‘walk’ up Bobo’s chest, “You know me sooooo well… you think you got me all figured out~”
A lovely flush appeared across those blue cheeks, “I-I just mean… well, we- you know, known each other for a while now and I- I just think-”
Jnana laughed again, a little lower and softer than usual, “ I know … I trust you like that… you never back down from me, and you don’t know how reassuring that is. I guess… I know you too… you never stop being yourself around me… I guess that always made me feel a little special… which is silly- ”
“It’s not silly, " Bobo spoke quickly, “.... I am… I am myself around you too.”
Oh, and if that didn’t do things to Jnana’s heart.
Maybe they were standing a little too close for what is normal… and maybe Jnana couldn’t find it in himself to care.
“... Do you wanna get out of here…” Jnana leaned in, getting on his tiptoes to be closer to Zhang’s face, “Maybe we can explore some platinum mines together? ”
“... It would be an honor to hold your bedazzled pickaxe, my prince," Zhang’s voice was very quiet between them.
But Jnana would always hear it.
“...You know you can just call me Jnana… you kinda let that slip a few times, mister guard, " Jnana just grinned, “ Don’t think I didn’t catch that.”
“I-I’m sorry, I should have-!”
“No, no…” Jnana interrupted, throwing a wink, “... I really liked it .”
The delight he felt as he watched a sweet pink dust Zhang’s cheeks…. It was worth the wait.
“ You….you did? ” The deep baritone was soft…. shy. As if he was asking for the secret to something precious, and maybe he was.
Before he realized his feet were slowly pushing himself closer, that his hands settled on his wide chest and gripped like his life depended on it, he only blinked. His hands felt so warm in the soft armor-like fabric Zhang had.
His Bobo deserved something much nicer. Maybe he could craft him something proper.
Soft pink irises fell to a half lid, watching how those browns grew slightly wide in awe. That flushed pink played nicely to his blue and red.
Gently, Jnana moved his lips to that deep pink and blue. His lips parted, brushing against the warm flesh with a soft hum before he pulled away. The soft pink glossy mark telling of what he did standing proudly on his cheek. “ I do…..I like the way you say my name. ”
Slim, calloused hands smoothed down the soft armor shirt, humming thoughtfully as pink eyes narrowed and pinched the cloth between two fingers, "My, my…..We need you to have something nicer. I’ll fix that soon.”
With a soft nudge, Jnana walked back with a small skip in his step.
“Well! Come along, Bobo! Gather our wares! I yearn for the mines! And you~ Need to be prepared!”
Jnana’s tail thrashed as he stared ahead, thankfully facing away from his Bobo now as he internally began to scream .
HE JUST-
HE JUST DID THAT-
His mental self papped at his cheeks, wailing and screaming while jumping around. But outside, he was cool as a cucumber on the outside. He did it! YES. YES. YES. He did it and did it so WELL, now his Bobo will be wooed, and all will be right in the world! HE WAS ON TOP OF THE WORLD!
Though….the wailing little monkey inside his head grew louder when he began to recall the feeling of Zhang’s warm, perfect cheek against his lips-
“...... Jnana? ”
His ears twitched and perked upwards, startled from the sudden closeness of that voice. Only Zhang seemed to easily be quiet enough to rarely hear….
Pink irises darted over his shoulder as his internal monkey’s wailing ceased from the soft rest of Zhang’s hand on his arm.
It felt so warm…. safe.
“Yes, Bobo?” Soft browns held such determination… it made something in his chest flip. Though he couldn’t help but be a bit cheeky, ” Do you need a little help recalling where my pickaxe is?~ ” But those browns remained unmoving as his hand moved down, large digits carefully grasping slim as Zhang guided his hand upwards.
Jnana felt his breath still in his lungs as he felt Zhang’s lips against the top of his hand. So tender and thoughtful before they pulled away just as fast.
Stay longer-
“ Not at all, I never forget where your favorite pickaxe is…. Jnana~ ”
Zhang offered a small smile as he let the hand gently rest back down at his side before walking forward with a small hum of his own. His eyes were happily on the prize of a satchel bag and glittery pickaxe.
All the while, Jnana’s heart stilled within his chest, and the wailing monkey inside his head screamed louder than before.
He-
He-
HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-
Jnana curled inward a bit as his face burned hot, the sensation of warmth on his hand burning and demanding more. The absolute gall, the confidence, the audacity to only do it ONCE. And there he was, walking around and gathering THINGS for their OUTING like NOTHING HAPPENED-
“Jnana? Do you wish for a few snacks to come with?” Zhang chirped happily as he carried the satchel and pickaxe happily before he gasped, "Oop- almost forgot to take off my apron, one moment. ”
The young prince felt his mind go more insane with yelling and jumping as Zhang set down his mining equipment and delicately undid the soft pink apron around his waist. The tiny thing looked ridiculous in big hands, but it was made with such care that Zhang made sure to gently fold and rest it in its home proper before he happily picked up the satchel and pickaxe. “There we go!”
He wanted to throw himself into the ocean and scream. Maybe he could ask his older sister if he could borrow her pond to dunk his head in and let it all out.
“.... You’re the snack. ”
“Beg pardon?”
“ NOTHING, NOTHING LET’S- , "hastily clearing his throat, Jnana crossed his arms quickly as his face burned bright, " Let’s be on! Grab my pastries, Bobo! It’s a necessity! ”
“ As you wish~ ”
Though, Jnana stalled when he realized Zhang didn’t move forward. And when he looked back….saw he offered him his elbow to hold.
“ Let’s get out of here then, Jnana~ ”
Warm pinks went wide as pupils dilated slightly, his face burning hot as ears perked and fluttered against his will.
Damn handsome NICE MAN-
“Hmf! You’re getting cocky. ” Though his hands still slid around his offered arm, feeling oddly cozy as Zhang’s arm relaxed in his tight hold. “ Think you can carry all of that in one hand? ”
“Oh, yes! I’m sure!” Zhang smiled as his arm flexed gently under the snug hold, “I’ve been practicing.”
“ Practicing? ”
“Oh yes! I can juggle with one hand now! Did you want to see? I can do it with fruits- ”
“Show me at the mine, it’ll make it all the more exciting, "Jnana leaned and rested his cheek against his bicep. He hoped, prayed, his burning face wasn’t felt. Nor that Zhang couldn’t see how his ears tinted red and flicked back, or how his fur ruffled and fluffed.
Though Zhang was fully aware of a lithe gray tail curling around his waist and staying there. He didn’t say a thing, however. Merely stood a bit closer for his prince, “As you wish~”
“ Please, stop saying that. It’s what I want to see. You having a bit of fun. ”
“ I always have fun when I’m with you, Jnana- ”
“ YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU- ” A slim hand reached up to cover Zhang’s face with a sharp pout, "- hush! I know what you’re doing! You need to stop that! ”
“Stop what?”
“ I know what you aaaaare. ”
“I surely hope so, I’m Zhang!” The mandrill gave a warm chuckle as he leaned against the small, warm hand with a hum of delight.
What had this prince brought upon himself??? LOVE? That had to be what this feeling was.
And yet that damn powerpoint mentioned nothing of the sort. Showed them.
Who was the simpy chimpy now?!
Both of them.
------
Unbeknownst to the prince and his guard, four pairs of eyes were watching from a higher window, observing carefully as their brother disappeared from their line of sight with his date.
“Look at him go…” Upayas brought a hand to her cheek, “... finally . I’m so happy for him. It took him long enough to ask him out.”
“Hm. It’s about time, “Paramita had his arms crossed over his chest as he leaned against the window sill, “I was starting to think he’d need an actual push.
“I know, right?!” Bala clapped her hands, laughing, “He was so nervous- like, painfully nervous! I swear, I almost asked Bobo out for him!”
“Technically, it still took him one year, three months, and fifteen days since the first time he admitted, out loud, mind you , that he liked him, “Hana pointed to the papers in their hand, “I had the data tracked.”
Bala’s jaw dropped, “ONE YEAR, THREE MONTHS, AND FIFTEEN DAYS ?! That’s sooooooo embarrassing ! I can’t believe we’re related to someone that slow !”
“You two be nice!” Upaya tried to muffle her own chuckles, “You know how he is. Jnana always waits for something to be perfect… Besides, watching him work up the courage was sweet.”
“Work up the courage?” Pranidhana asked incredulously, “I had to shove data down his throat to even get it through his THICK SKULL-!”
“It was… painful , "Paramita admitted, “I respect the patience, but even I was tempted to intervene. He wasn’t exactly being subtle with his feelings… Poor Zhang even attempted to ask Jnana out only to be met with that same oblivious idea that they were just ‘hanging out.’”
Paramita felt for the poor soldier. How many times did he watch his friend go up, eyes filled with determination and fire, only to be brushed off as Jnana took Bobo as just wanted to go on another shopping trip.
Pranidhana nodded in agreement, “Zhang asked him out thirty-six times with no luck.”
“THIRTY-SIX TIMES?!” Bala dropped to her knees, “ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!”
“No, I am not, "Hana took out their clipboard, “Honestly, I should have bet on Bobo making the first move since clearly that happened first instead.”
“Well, what matters now is that Jnana finally asked, and Bobo said yes, "Upaya still looked far too amused by their youngest sibling’s antics, “I’m proud of him.”
“Ugh, fine, fine. I’ll admit, it’s cute, "Bala pouted, “But speaking of bets … who owes who money now ? Because I know I won something!
“Ah, yes,” Pranidhana started to flip through their notes, “-the family wager. Let’s see… Upaya bet that they’d get together within six months . Optimistic, but incorrect . Paramita said it would take him at least a year . Technically correct , but not specific enough. Bala said it would take two years, minimum . Also incorrect. I, of course, bet on one year and five months . I was off by about a month and a half, but I was closer than the rest of you. Therefore, I win!”
“NO WAY! That’s not fair!” Bala moved to see the chart, “You pushed him with that powerpoint! It would have taken him another 6 months! I should at least get partial credit!”
“Ah, she does have a point, Hana, "Upaya tapped her chin, “But then again, we never said that we couldn’t interfere.”
“I don’t bet to win. I bet for the principal , "Paramita mumbled, “I would have locked them in the closet 6 months ago if I bothered. But rules are rules.”
“I demand a recount! Double or nothing!” Bala pointed to the sky, “I’m not going to just take this lying down!”
“There is no shame in being wrong, sis, “Hana looked far too smug for their own good, “I’m just correct. As always.”
“Yooooooooooou little gremlin…” Bala moved their finger right to their face, “I won’t have it! Double the stacks! Whichever one PROPOSES first wins!”
“I don’t think that is going to happen for a while, "Upaya tried to calm her down, “Let’s just be happy he has a first date. Who knows how long it would take them afterwards.”
“Hmm, "Paramita moved off the window sill and joined the circle, “ I give them six months .”
All three just looked at their eldest in surprise. Both that he would be joining the ludicrous betting or that his bet was so short.
Bala was only being half-serious, but she barked out in laughter, “New bet accepted!” she snapped her fingers, “I have them for a year and six months!”
“Taking my answer I see, "Hana grumbled but was already flipping to a new page in their notes, “However, I shall let you know that the answer is simple, I shall give them two years or more!”
“This is their first date!” Upaya stressed, “At least wait until they come home to start betting! ……But put me down for a year, I think Bobo will propose on their first anniversary.”
All four of them shamed the same mischievous grin, horribly similar to their own father’s.
“Then we have it, a new wager. Six months, a year, a year and six months, and two years,” Pranidhana tapped their little branch pen on the note sheet for a moment before Bala leaned in, “Add in ‘no interfering’ green beans.”
“Excuse?”
“IIIIIIIIIII want to make sure this is pure them this time! That means noooooooooo PowerPoint! And it goes for all of us!”
“Oh, even if it’s to assist Jnana or Zhang with setting up a potential romantic date?” Upaya asked, "That is true, what if they ask for assistance with decoration set up or cooking?” Paramita chimed in.
“Oh, that’s a good point-,’ Bala squished her cheek against Pranidhana’s as she pawed at their note sheet, “Add that-”
“ Would you- ” Pranidhana pushed their twin from their cheek, huffing slightly as the cheeky laugh sprang out happily. “ Fine. I will….add the noted conditions.”
“Noted conditions for what, might I ask?”
The four jumped and fluffed their fur up instinctively as they turned toward the sudden voice. Eyes wide and alarmed as their father stood with his arms crossed over his chest…and their Uncle Zhu looking exhausted in a new knitted sweater.
The old King raised a brow at the silence, his tail flicking idly, “....... Kids?”
The four siblings began to sweat a bit, though they all visibly cringed as Pranidhana quietly put their note sheets behind their backs and in their sleeves.
“ Baba~ ”
“ Father~ ”
“ Dad~ ”
“ Pops~ ”
“What am I? Chopped pork?” Bajie huffed as he tensed from his elder subtly glancing at him.
Wukong, however, quickly refocused on his cubs, ”......What are you four up to up here? ”
“ Nothing Dad~ ” Paramita gave an awkward smile, “ Nothing? Oh, then what were you four planning on Hana’s note sheets? ”
“ That? Poooooooooops, come on~ , "Bala sang as she threw an arm over her sibling’s shoulder and squeezed, " Just….estimating time! ”
The three looked at her in soft panic as their father raised his brow higher, " Oh? For what? ”
“ Foooooor…..The idea we had to refurbish Hana’s greenhouse with new things, Baba! ” Upaya smiled, Bala hastily squishing her cheek to Pranidhana’s face to stop their look of horror.
“...... Refurbish? ”
“ Yes, Dad, we were discussing the time to remake the irrigation, perhaps adding an attachment to connect Bala’s rock garden for a….what was it you called it sib? ” Paramita glanced at Pranidhana, who gritted their teeth, “ New biome experiment….What better way than to experience it as a form of bonding, wouldn’t you say, Father? ”
Wukong hummed, staring at his sweating cubs for a moment….. A long…. painful moment.
“....Ah, well, I’m glad you four are doing something together~ Be sure to include your brother~”
The four nodded, loudly agreeing as Pranidhana was nudged around their father.
“ Yes, Dad. ”
“ Of course, Baba! Once he’s done resting~ ”
“ Wouldn’t dream of leaving him out! ”
“ Such a…. delight that we’ll all be in my main sanctuary~ ” Pranidhana gritted their teeth as they all made a break for the door.
“ Welp, we best get on that! See you later, Dad~ ” Paramita dipped through the door, his siblings hastily following with goodbyes before they took off running down the terrace.
The King stood, watching.
His tail flicking and dancing in thought before his sworn stepped closer to him and scratched at the stubble beside his snout.
“......They were expanding their betting pool, huh?”
“Oh, without question, Zhu, "Golden orbs danced against crimson as something akin to mirth bloomed on his face, " My babies, making their own bets on family to thrive~ Ah, I remember where we did such things back in the day~ ”
“That was more so ‘who’s the demon’ than something wholesome, but I see your point, “Bajie looked down at his knitted sweater. The cute little pigs made his face warm before he felt eyes on him.
“..........”
Bright blues flicked over and met crimson golds, “....Yes, elder?”
“......” A clawed hand reached out, the little digits flexing as something smug curled on the fluffy face.
“.........” with a large sigh, Bajie fiddled inside his pocket and pulled out a comically sized bag of fruit before handing it to his sworn.
“ Thank you~ ”
“....”
Wukong chirped as he opened his baggie of fruits, sniffling happily while Bajie squinted, "….. I can’t believe this. ”
“Hmm?~” Wukong closed the bag with a twist before throwing it over his shoulder, “What was that, Zhu?”
“Nothing just…..Happy to see parts of you within your children is all.”
The stone monkey laughed, blushing a bit, "Oh please, my children are far greater than I, only smidges are there, their own being is far more impressive and wondrous~ Now! ”
A little clawed hand yoinked a hoof one as he began to drag the old hog away, “Come Zhu, I promised to help you know with your new recipe since you sat so good for your sweater.”
“Sure, sure, Old Sun…I’ll make sure there’s not too much spice.”
“ Splendid!~ ”
With a scamper, Wukong settled on his back. Cackling happily as his tail wiggled happily, “ Onward, Old Zhu!~ ”
“Alright, alright~”
With a soft huff, the two walked off. Perhaps a bit more proud of the cubs that seem to be growing up more and more each passing day and crafting their own lives happily. Defying expectation and forging your own path.
It runs in the family, after all.
OOO