Taken || Lego Monkei Kid

Puzzle Piece

"What do you mean he never came home?!" With her phone pressed against her right ear and her hand muffling the loud music of the club, Mei finally answered the multiple calls from Pigsy and Tang. It had taken some time at first, her assuming the buzzing was just the under beat of one of the songs. They had been desperately trying to get a hold of their son, but had instead reached Mei after numerous failed attempts.

Tang's voice was calm compared to Pigsy, which crackled with anger laced worry. "He didn't come back for his curfew. We thought maybe he was just running late so we waited a bit, but we still haven't seen him." Tang explained softly, pressed close to Pigsy's side. The chef wrapped his arm around Tang to steady them both, pacing the shop for the hundredth time that night.

"You were with him weren't ya?? Did you see him head home?" Pigsy added in.

Mei's head swam as she tried to make sense of the situation. She struggled to comprehend what was happening, opening and closing her mouth in confusion. "I... I did?" she finally managed to choke out. It had been hours since they said goodbye to each other- maybe 2 or 3? It should have taken him only 10 minutes to return home from there. Something didn't add up.

As Mei scrolled through the call history, she couldn't help but notice the countless missed calls from MK's parents. Each red dot on the screen standing out like a beacon of worry and concern. But there was no trace of any calls or messages from MK. No indication of trouble or distress. Silence echoed from her phone, leaving her with more questions than answers. Where was MK?

"I saw him heading back to the truck..." She stumbled out of the dimly lit club, her vision blurry and head spinning from the mix of far too many energy drinks and adrenaline. Despite her daze, her eyes burned with dark anger as she headed for her bike. If anyone had even touched her MK... there would be hell to pay.

"What?" Pigsy and Tang prompted for more information.

"We had dinner and then his watch went off for his curfew," she ran a hand through her hair, heading right for her bike. "We went to Crimson Burger! I swear he- he was heading home??" but had she seen him get into his car? Had she seen him driving off?

No...

No she hadn't.

"I'm going to Crimson burger!" she declared, tossing her leg over her bike and clicking for her helmet to emerge over her head.

"We'll meet you there. We'll keep trying his cell." Tang says quickly, rushing to grab his jacket. They had called Sandy about an hour earlier with their own concerns, thinking MK might have gone to his uncles.

Finding he hadn't, Sandy had come to the shop in his own car, opting to drive his family to Crimson Burger.

As Mei's bike rounded the corner, Mei's heart sank at the sight of the delivery truck still parked in front of the Crimson Burger. The same dented bumper and faded logo were unmistakable, and she felt a knot of dread form in her stomach. It hadn't moved an inch since she last saw it, and she could feel her hands starting to shake with worry.

"You better have fallen asleep in there or something...!' She tossed off her helmet, messily parking her bike just as Sandy arrived with MK's parents. They were hopping out just as Mei got to the truck

Desperate and panic-stricken, she pressed her face harder against the glass, searching frantically for any sign of MK or the car keys. But all she found was an empty seat, empty truck- No MK.

"Is he there?" Tang was running towards her, his hair messy and eyes frantic.

"No..." she shook her head.

"Kid..." Pigsy turned to look back and forth down the street. MK was a good kid. A little sneaky when it came to food or trying to steal a few extra breaks at work- but he would never just leave the truck like this. Wouldn't go for hours without a word when it came to his curfew!

"Should we call the police?" Sandy fretted, "The kid is probably freezing out there!"

"What if something happened?' Tang panicked, a tremble in his voice. Pigsy took his hands when they started to tremble. "What if he's hurt or-or-"

"Tang, shh. We'll find him." Pigsy drew him closer, "He's our kid. He's tough."

Mei was on the verge of ripping out her hair, marching back and forth beside the car as the adults deliberated over their next steps. She clutched her phone tightly, her fingers trembling as she looked down at the screen. She had to keep a steel grip on herself to make sure she didn't shatter the glass.

"I...I knew something was off," She shakes her head, drawing the eyes of the adults. "MK was just being weird today and talking about Bob and I just-" she threw her hands up, "I should have taken him home myself! He zoned out every 5 minutes, clearly he wasn't fit to go home by himself!" she scolded herself, giving one heavy SMACK to her own forehead.

He could have just wandered off somewhere, or snagged by some weirdos! He could be anywhere!

And if he wasn't here, and he wasn't at home... Where was he?!

"Bob?" When Mei heard Tang speak, she turned towards him with a stunned expression. "Mei, who is Bob?" Tang asked. They had never heard that name before.

Mei opened and closed her mouth, realizing the error in bringing this up. She knew MK had never told his family about this stuff. She always thought it was because he was worried he would be looked at differently.

There was a lot she didn't know about his time in the orphanage, but she had always assumed he didn't tell them because he would never risk the idea of his adopted family thinking he was strange.

"It's..." she trailed off, rubbing the back of her neck. "They are someone important to MK. I-I really shouldn't talk about it cause it's personal to him. Wouldn't be right to speak about it for him."

As close as they all were to him, even her, who he openly discussed his Other half with, MK was stubborn and secretive. Too hurt from the past to ever truly open up to someone completely. Even if they all wanted to be that person he could eternally trust...

The adults exchanged confused looks, and while Pigsy wasn't exactly appreciative of the secrets, if it was something important to MK then he wouldn't pry.

"Well, whoever "Bob" is, can wait. For now, we gotta find him." Pigsy concluded.
—————————-

The clock struck 1 AM, finally drawing MK's attention to the time. The events of the night had all melded into a hazy memory for him. His phone continued to vibrate silently, unnoticed by anyone but him - and quickly disregarded by him.

"You gonna get that?" like a bell, the person beside him spoke.

They were both reclined on the soft grass, gazing up at the sky. A second figure lay next to him, their heads side by side as they took in the sight of the stars above. Unfortunately, the city lights made it difficult to see the constellations clearly. Despite this, their eyes remained fixated on the twinkling dots in the sky.

"No," MK says with ease.

He'd spent his entire life going along with the illusion that everything was fine. It was easy to do. To go through the motions of living - the routine activities, the emotional habits he'd developed - with only a vague sense of dissatisfaction and yearning, but never really giving it any thought.

The life he had right now was like a dream. One he thought until just this morning, he was in no rush to step away from. Why leave what he had wanted for so long- family and a place to belong?

Yet, just a few hours before, as he ran from his truck into the backdrop of the city, MK hadn't given any of that a second thought. Some part of him was willing to never come back if it meant he got to the person that always lingered in the back of his thoughts.

It was like he had been possessed, his brain on autopilot as it navigated him away from everything he knew.

It was reminiscent of the first time he tried Nezha's special tea. He had never known what it meant to feel normal until that moment, as he had always been plagued by chest pain, blurry vision and aching bones. He believed it was a normal part of life everyone suffered from, and he was just overly sensitive to it.

This was like that moment, but stronger.

He hadn't realized how monotonous everything was until this moment. It was like a puzzle with some pieces missing - you could still appreciate the overall picture, but it would never be truly finished without all the pieces.

He had found those missing pieces.

"You don't have many stars here," the boy beside him said, hands folded over his chest as he peered up at the sky.

MK tilted his head, as he had never known any sky other than the one above his head, "Really?"

The boy hummed, "Where I'm from, there isn't a single light to obstruct the view of the heavens. You could count all night and never get them all."

MK imagined that sight, and felt a pang of longing. He'd never experienced the serenity and freedom of being under a full sky of stars, but it seemed like something he wanted to see at least once in his life. "That sounds beautiful."

"It is." The boy turned his head to look at him, "Can make you feel small sometimes."

MK let out a small laugh, "I don't think I've ever felt that way from the sky before."

The boy's gaze traveled back upward, a soft but content exhale leaving him, "You never know how big the universe truly is until you lay beneath its canopy and watch it breathe."

MK was taken aback by the clarity of those words, "That..." it was a beautiful but daunting thought.

"My Baba told me that once," the boy mused. "He was really poetic like that. He once told me that sometimes, when we think we've got everything figured out, the universe has a way of reminding us just how little we know." For a moment, the sound of nature was all that drowned their silence. The frogs' chirping, the leaves rustling in the wind, and the occasional hoot of an owl filled the night.

Had MK never noticed the deafening sound of cicadas in this area before?

The boy next to him bumps into his feet. "Nice red shoes, by the way," he remarks, with a serious and sober tone. It was evident that the tears had left him drained and fatigued.

MK took a moment to look down at his shoes; the same red ones he always wore. They were tattered and marked from countless days of wear. He whispered a soft "thank you," then playfully tapped the boy's shoes with his own. "We're matching," he said with a smile.

The boy's ears twitched, drawing attention to their large size as they stuck out from the side of his head, much larger than MK's. "Heh... I only wore them cause you did." tufts of pale yellow hair curled out from the boy's hood, cupping auburn eyes and a strange red mark on his skin.

MK's hair was dark and straight, a stark contrast to this teens own brighter mess of curls. MK stared, amazed, "You still remember that night?" It had been years ago when this boy had looked through his eyes and occupied his mind, and all for the briefest moment.

MK himself couldn't even really recall that night on his 10th birthday all that clearly.

"I could never forget," the boy says, patting his hands to his stomach, "You were there- Or, I was there with you? I dunno." he shakes his head, tilting it to bump against MK's on the ground, "There were these action figures and games. You still had birthday cake on your fingers." He reached out towards the twinkling stars, and MK mirrored his action until their fingertips made contact. The boy grasped onto MK's hand, as if he expected to find those same small fingers that he remembered from before.

"I remember," MK whispered, his voice filled with nostalgia. He squeezed the boy's hand gently, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. "It was the best birthday I ever had."

The Teen furrowed his brow, more concerned than confused, "That was the best birthday for you? Even after-" his hand touched his chest. Like the scars from that night still hurt. MK worried that maybe for his other half, they did. "After what happened?" he croaked. "The pain we felt?"

"Yeah," MK says without missing a beat, "Because I got to meet you."

The teenager's eyes grew wider, then softened into a watery grin. "Geez..." The teen's throat tightened and they asked, amazed, "Who are you?"

MK let out a weak laugh, realizing they had been in this position for hours now. The first hour consisted of tears and embraces before they finally settled into the grass. They avoided discussing any specific topics as they lay there together, feeling a bit behind schedule.

"I'm-" For the first time, MK truly wished he had a proper name to give. With a somber exhale he says, "Everyone calls me MK." he offered his hand in a handshake.

"I'm Qi Xiaotian." Xiaotian shared his action, both unsure how to proceed from there. They felt like they wanted to laugh- or cry- or yell? How could they just act normal when they felt like themselves for the first time in forever?

"I've been looking for you," MK said, his eyes never leaving Xiaotian's. "I didn't think I'd find you here..." he gestured to his town. Has Xiaotian always lived here? Was he always within such a short distance?

"Oh...Just blew in from out of town." Xiaotian pulled at some grass, lifting it to let it blow away in the wind, "I normally live somewhere else. I left there..." his voice simmered out, his hand lowering back to the ground.

"Oh."

Their voices were foreign, so small and delicate. Still pulling themselves together, the missing pieces of their souls falling into place. It was like a healing process in a way. The two dare not move too much in case something went wrong.

In case this was a dream and they would wake up.

They had done it, after all. They had found each other. Found the one who shared the same emptiness they felt.

Xiaotian sat up, his back messy with damp grass, feeling it soaking against his own back. "I'm... I'm glad we found each other, MK." Xiaotian's voice cracked, but he continued. "I've been looking for you too. It's like... a part of me knew you'd show up. Like I could feel you and hear the things you could... I kept hearing music that wasn't there and smells that weren't around."

MK sat up with a start, turning to face Xiaotian and their knees touching as they both crossed their legs. "Same here!" he exclaimed with a gasp.

Xiaotian smiled, lifting his hand. He felt a sudden urge to reach out and touch MK's face, so he did. He wanted to make sure this was real, that he wasn't dreaming. Hesitant for just a moment, when MK leaned closer he touched his cheek. It was warm. "You're human." he didn't know what to expect when he found his other half. He thought maybe a fellow demon like himself, but that wasn't the case.

"Yeah..." MK blinked slowly to those words, his brow furrowing. "Wait- And you're... not??" MK copied him at a much faster pace , cupping Xiaotian's face to touch the red marking adorning his cheeks. Like a butterfly.

"I'm not. Haha," Xiaotian shakes his head, watching MK's expression morph into one of complete confusion. MK tilted his head for a clue, "Oh um-" Xiaotian thought maybe his face alone would make it obvious but maybe not. So he lowered his hood. MK blinked, his head tilting the other way for another clue.

Xiaotian squinted his eyes, pursing his lips. "..." he had been hiding his tail around his waist after all, so he lifted his shirt a little to untangle it. MK watched, eyes locked on the sight.

"...??" he pointed to it, mouth hanging open. "Tail."

"That is my tail," Xiaotian agreed.

"Dog??" MK guessed. Xiaotian sputtered, cackling.

"What?! No! How does this look like a dog tail??" he demanded, finding the notion funny. "Try again."

"A... fox?"

"No," Xiaotian scrambled to grab the hoodie he was wearing, tossing it over his head. He wasn't used to wearing such modern day clothes- and they felt so baggy and strange on him. He was relieved to take off the bulky hoodie to his black undershirt below. He showed off his furry arms and claws. "Look look~"

MK pursed his lips, puzzled. "Um..."

Xiaotian leaned back on his palms, kicking off his shoes next to show his feet. He opened and closed their palms, offering a hand shake to the puzzled MK.

"...Weird..." MK shook his foot, surprised how the grip was far more like a hand then a foot. MK rubbed his chin in deep thought. Finding his epiphany on the matter he declared, "Oh! I got it!"

"Yeah?" Xiaotian grinned.

"A cat!"

"No!" Xiaotian slapped MK with his tail. "I"m a monkey!"

MK rubbed his head where Xiaotian's tail had playfully smacked him. "A monkey?" he repeated, still trying to process the revelation. "...Oh well, I can see it now that you mention it." he rubbed the back of his head, embarrassed.

"I would hope so," Xiaotian jeered.

MK lowered his head, feeling sheepish. "Hehe," he chuckled, continuing to playfully poke at Xiaotian's foot with his hand. He couldn't help but compare their hand sizes as he did so – even Xiaotian's feet were smaller than MK's hands. In fact, Xiaotian was just generally smaller in size overall., "A monkey huh? Does that mean you can swing from trees and eat bananas?" monkeys were his favorite animal~

Xiaotian laughed, a sound that was both infectious and comforting. "Maybe swinging from trees would be a bit tricky in this town. And also, I'm pretty sure humans eat bananas too so that doesn't really define me as a simian. Besides, I don't really like-"

"I don't really like banana's." MK says under his breath, not intending to finish Xiaotian's sentence and just stating his own preference.

The two froze, realizing they had just spoke the same thing in perfect sync.

"Me too!" they gasped, then gasped a second time. "...Jinx!" they yelled. "Jinx again!" This went on for a few more jinx's before the two burst into a fit of giggles.

Xiaotian snickered, "Honestly I- you... I don't even know what to say to you~!" he admits, his cheeks hurting from how much he was smiling. "I'm just so- you are so- Hi!"

"HI!" MK repeated with him, both laughing like fools in the dead of night by the river. They both had figured it would be something with a lot more color and magic when they first met.

Like fireworks would explode above their head.

Instead, they were sitting crouched by the riverbank, illuminated only by the flickering lights of a nearby convenience store on top of the hill. They looked frail and unstable, as if they could crumble at any moment.

But that didn't matter to them. They had finally found each other, so screw the rest of this world.

Xiaotian let out a hearty laugh, but it slowly faded into a pitiful whimper. He lowered his head into his hand, which drew MK closer with a frown, "Hhah-aa," he said between sniffles, lowering his head to wipe his eyes with a handkerchief. "Sorry for being such a mess."

"It's alright," MK whispered. "Are you... sad?" MK couldn't quite pick up on the emotion Xiaotian was feeling. It was complicated.

"No.... yes? I dunno," Xiaotian shakes his head. He was so happy to find MK, but at the same time, it really hit home just how empty he had been. It was devastating. It was like he was running on fumes his entire life. He felt like a cog in a machine, just one small part of a larger mechanism. Then he was taken from that machine and it didn't make sense how he had possibly been functioning this entire time. And what's worse- he could tell this wasn't exactly the same for MK.

That to MK, Xiaotian was just one piece of the puzzle. But to Xiaotian... MK was the entire puzzle.

He always thought they were just two halves of one whole, but maybe that wasn't exactly the case? Maybe they were both a little more or less of one whole then they originally realized.

The cold river water splashed against the riverbank, making tiny ripples in the dark water. Xiaotian sniffled again, feeling the weight of his emotions settling into his chest. He lifted the handkerchief up to his eyes, giving it a look over, "Do you always keep one of those on you?" He asked, sounding amused. "Like a gentleman."

"Well, not normally." MK admits, brushing a loose tear off Xiaotian's face, "But I had this dream that someone might cry in front of me today so- I mean..." He trailed off, his words dissipating into the air as he realized he had just admitted his secret aloud. His cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and he mentally berated himself for not being better at keeping his strange dreams hidden. Usually, he was able to keep them sealed up tight, but this time they had slipped out without him even realizing it. The weight of his secret hung heavy in the air, adding a layer of tension to his mood.

Xiaotian however simply bumped his shoulder into MK, "Aww what, No fair. You had a dream about me?" Xiaotian's cheeks puffed out. For him, prophetic dreams weren't odd. His Baba had weird dreams every now and then too- could even hear the future. He's more upset MK got to basically cheat and see glimpses of them together before actually meeting. Unfair.

"Oh uh- well... yes? But I didn't realize it was you," MK says awkwardly.

"Why don't I get dreams about you?" Xiaotian folded his arms, pouting like a child. "What we're the dreams about? Did we have fun?"

MK openly stared, slowly relaxing, relieved Xiaotian didn't think it was odd. "You-" he licked his lips, feeling a stirring sensation in his lower stomach. He wanted to talk about it more. What he shared and how much with each person was something he debated to himself for hours about. What he told one person he didn't feel comfortable telling another. Mei and Nezha probably knew him best, but even he didn't mention his dreams to them. He didn't mention a lot of things to them. He didn't feel this hesitation with Xiaotian, "You looked like a blob of color, so I didn't really think it was you." He says, happy to admit this.

"Blob?" Xiaotian glanced down at himself. He pinched his very scrawny side, "Am I blobby?"

"No." MK snickered, clutching his stomach. "...Well, in the dream yes. Everyone looks like blobs in my dreams. You were purple."

Xiaotian touched the yellowed fur of his arms, confused by the color option. Then he pulled at his purple Gi, "Ah," he nods, understanding, "Still, I want blob dreams of you." Xiaotian says in a dejected fashion. Would have made these last two years just a bit more bearable.

"But now you have the real me." MK smile hurts from how wide it is.

Xiaotian turned his head, startled. There was a moment of silence and then-

"Sniff,"

"No no-" MK waved his hands around when Xiaotian got tears in his eyes.

Xiaotian quickly brought the handkerchief up to his face, trying to hold back his tears as he let out a small sob, "Shit- sorry I... Aaa... Stop making me cry!"

"No no no- You don't have to apologize for- I'm emotional over here too!" MK says, his eyes dry but his voice trembling.

Xiaotian peeked at him with a quivering lower lip, eyes narrowed suspicuously, "Okay you- I can feel you wanting to cry, but I'm the only one crying over here."

MK could only muster the weakest of chuckles, "I-I'm not a good crier anymore."

"That doesn't make sense but I don't judge." Xiaotian sniffled, his eyes red and puffy. Every time he brushed away a tear, a few more just appeared, surging onward from both his own joy and MK's. "Ughhh- I hate this. I feel gross." he sniffled.

"It's alright," MK patted the top of his head. Xiaotian could see a hint of wet sheen on MK's eyes, but he didn't cry. Guess he really wasn't good at the whole crying thing.

That's okay.

He knew that they were both feeling the same overwhelming emotions.

"What now?" MK asked, his voice still shaking slightly, swaying them a little. It must have looked odd to anyone who might have caught a glimpse of each other. Two boys just sniffling and hugging down by the river.

"I have so many questions." Xiaotian says. "Like- SO many."

"Me too!" MK nodded his head profusely, patting his knees excitedly. "Do you- you got somewhere to stay? Or um, wanna just sit here and talk?"

"Here is fine." Xiaotian pats the grass, "I dunno how to get back to the apartment anyway." he says casually. In fact, while he wouldn't admit this, he had been lost for the last... 27 hours~

Cities really were huge, and he didn't exactly take a good look at the building Red Son had got him an apartment in. He still had the key, so that was a start he supposed. He's just glad he kept a big water bottle of tea on him. Ah but- he had finished that off an hour ago.

"Apartment?"

Xiaotian waved it off, "A problem for future Xiaotian. I'm focusing on you." he leaned against MK.

"Okay," MK grinned, "What should we ask first?"

Well, I have a system of questions I've always practiced and I'd rather not ruin it by jumbling up the order."

"I thought I was the only one who did that." MK gasped and quickly reached for his phone, his mind not even processing the missed call messages, too eager to show Xiaotian the questionnaire he had meticulously planned out for their meeting. He had been preparing for this moment for a long time.

"Dude!!" Xiaotian squealed, hugging his knees to his chest "Get out of my head~" The two laughed then trailed off. Quietly they looked at their hands and held them up, "...C-Can I-" Xiaotian reached out.

"Of course you can," MK snagged his hand, holding it between them as they talked. Immediate comfort washed over the other.

They were whole.

They were alive.

Xiaotian was crying again.

"You are a bit of a cry baby, huh?" MK gave a tease, affection swelling in his tone.

"And your eyes must be like the desert." Xiaotian grumbled, patting the handkerchief to his eyes again. He gave MK's hand a shake, "Consider this is just me crying for the both of us. Gotta fill that cry quota, ya know?"

MK was chuckling, but he liked that. He liked that what he couldn't do, his other half could fill in for him. It made him feel complete. "Okay, questions." Xiaotian composed himself.

He was starting to open his mouth when MK quickly blurted out, "I call dibs on first question!!"

Xiaotian flinched and clicked his feet, "Dang it!" He grouched, beat to the punch. "Fine, ask away." Face dry, he turned a little to beam at MK.

MK excitedly shifted. "Okay okay- Um..." he looked at his list. "What is your favorite color?"

Xiaotian hunched over, the anticipation in his voice getting something akin to a gut punch, "First question build up and that is the one you go with??"

MK was spluttering, embarrassed, "W-What is wrong with asking that one?" he insisted. "That is pivotal to a growing bond!"

"Is it?" Xiaotian sneered, playing with MK's hand between them as they talked. Comparing their hand sizes, fiddling with MK's less sharp nails,and curiously touching his bare wrists.

MK was similar, marveling the fur at Xiaotian's arms and noting just how sharp of claws he had.

Eyeing the nail color that Xiaotian painted them he asked, "Is it purple?"

"...Not even gonna let me answer my own first question." Xiaotian gave a huff, laugh, and then nodded, "Yeah, it is."

MK grinned smugly, "I knew it!" he exclaimed, feeling a sense of satisfaction. "Okay, okay, your turn to ask a question now." he said, eager to keep the conversation going. "...Also, my favorite color is orange.... Just thought it would be fair to say mine too."

Xiaotian was genuinely surprised by that. "Really? And here I assumed it was red, or pink. Cause of the red shoes, red headband, and all the pink you were wearing." he glanced down at them. He supposed MK's jacket was orange though.

"Oh." MK snorted, shaking his head. He couldn't help but wear pink, in truth. Made him think of his Angel, "I mean, I like red too, but I just like- felt right to wear these shoes, ya know? Cause i just thought that if I continued to wear red, then you could..." he glanced down. "Find me,"

Things went quiet. He didn't even have to lift his eyes to sense the budding tears from Xiaotian's eyes. "You really are a cry baby." he mumbled. This received him a sharp tug to his hand and a hit to his shoulder.

"Well, I did." Xiaotian lifted his own feet, proudly showing off his red sneakers. "Even copied you."

"Wha- really?" MK grinned. He pressed his heels to Xiaotians, "Matchies!"

"Yours are rollerblades and mine are sneakers, but yeah, matchies." Xiaotian flicked one of the wheels with his feet. "You like to roller blade?"

"Yeah, I really do." MK nodded.

Xiaotian thought for a moment before asking, "What do you like about it? I mean, I've never done it before."

MK's eyes lit up as he explained, "It's the sense of freedom, you know? When I'm on my blades, it's like I'm flying." he rubbed the back of his neck, his ears feeling hot, "And um- there is this person in my life that wears something similar. He's like the coolest guy ever, no joke. And I dunno just- he wore them, so I wanted to. I like that we both wear them. Helps me not miss him as much when he is gone," His head hung low, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment. It was a frightening experience to confess all of this. It was as if the words were being pulled from him at an alarming pace, far quicker than he was used to opening up. But he couldn't seem to stop them from spilling forth"P-Plus, it's a great workout. You should try it sometime."

Xiaotian chuckled, "I'll stick to my sneakers for now." he patted his Gi, "I'm kind of the same." he gestured to the outfit he wore. "I always wear this. Like, all the time. I love this thing," he shrugged. His story that he started with vigor seemed to touch on something he hadn't intended, and his voice started to get quieter, "And not because I don't like other clothes." he rubbed the back of his neck, "My um... My Baba, had this old picture of my Dad. Well, like a painting but it was painted in the moment. Anyway, long story short, he wore something just like this. So when I stopped growing I asked my Baba to make me a Gi like the one from the painting." his tail flicked in a few different directions behind him, "...Cause I uh-"

"Wanted to be like him?" MK asked.

Xiaotian's eyes darted towards the ground, his hands fidgeting with the hem of his shirt as if he was avoiding something painful. He bit his lip for a moment before finally murmuring, "Yeah" His voice was barely above a whisper. "Soo... you don't have to feel embarrassed about the clothes you wear. I get it." he concluded there, trying to feign some confidence and assert this ideal.

MK squeezed Xiaotian's hand, giving the softest nod, "Yeah," he agreed. Looking over the sight of Xiaotian's Gi, he spoke, "Okay next question- cause we got a little off track." he looked at his list. "Or is it your turn?"

Xiaotian shrugged, "I dunno," with his own list memorized he said, "But I call dibs for next. What are some of your hobbies?"

"Oh, easy. Rollerblading, playing video games, and drawing." MK lifted his fingers up as he listed them. "Do you like those??"

"Never rollerbladed, and video games are a- ehh." Xiaotian cringed. "I've played a few, but they were made by my parents." he grumbled.

MK's eyes doubled in size, "They make video games??"

"Lame ones," Xiaotian rolls his eyes, "My Dad's are really self absorbed and my Baba's are always confusing. They both try to add some "Lesson" into them, and it just over complicates it. They should just outright say what they are trying to get across. Other than that, I've never played any other video games."

MK was nearly vibrating where he was sitting, "Then I can show you my favorite!" he shook their hands. He could introduce Xiaotian to the best games in creation! He could show him Monkey Mech and teach him all the combos! "We can play Monkey Mech, Ghost Squadron, and even the classics like Mario Bros. I can teach you all the hidden tricks and glitches, too!" MK was practically bouncing with excitement.

"I dunno what any of those are but sure," Xiaotian agreed. "...None of them are scary are they?" he pursed his lips.

"Scary? No no, they are action games," he says. "Do you wanna play scary games-?"

"No!" Xiaotian cut him off quickly, his tail puffing. When MK's eyes widened Xiaotian nervously laughed it off, "Scary games are boring anyway." he insisted. "Ghosts? Zombies? Hahaha- lame~" he glanced away, his ears twitching.

MK took note of that, wondering if they always twitched when Xiaotian was lying...

MK nudged him to ask the next question, "My turn. Okay, I got a list but... I really gotta know. Where have you been this whole time if you weren't living here? What brought you here?"

"Okay, I live-" Xiaotain waved it off, "Like, real far from here. Basically the middle of nowhere. I came here cause I was trying to get away from that."

"And you're not from here?"

Xiaotian nodded, "Is that a question, or an observation?"
"A questioning observation."

"Fair," Xiaotian grinned. "Nah. I've never really been to big cities before." His ears flattened, exhaling. "It's really crazy and loud."

MK clicked his teeth, "Oh I agree. You get used to it eventually,"

Xiaotian shakes his head, "I hope so. I saw this big white car today with pictures on the side?? And music was coming out of it." his waved his hands around, "And every single kid was chasing after this thing?? Like, they were on a man hunt and would not be stopped. And then it did stop and the kids swarmed it!"

MK listened quietly, his lips thinning a little. Quietly he smiled, "You mean an ice cream truck?" he thought he had heard one earlier too. So it must have been what Xiaotian was hearing.

"Ice cream.. truck?" Xiaotian shook his head, lost on the term.

"Yeah, that's what I mean," MK clarified. "We call those big white vehicles with pictures on the side 'ice cream trucks' here. They play music to signal they're coming and sell different types of snacks and ice cream treats. It's a pretty common sight, especially around afternoon playtime when the kids are out. Have you really never seen one before?"

Xiaotian looked even more confused. "Not where I lived," he said slowly. "But, why are they so exciting? Those kids were literally forming a mob. It just sells food, it's not special?"

MK chuckled. "Well, it's special to a kid. To them, it's like a little carnival on wheels. You get to pick your favorite treat and enjoy it on the spot, or take it back to school or home to share with friends. Plus, the music and bright colors make it seem like a fun event."

"Oh." Xiaotian nodded. After a pause, looking embarrassed for having to ask he spoke, "A carnival is like a big party right? I've only read about them in books."

"You've never been to a carnival??" MK grabbed his shoulders, "What else have you not been to? Didn't they have anything fun where you lived?" Even when he grew up, as secluded as he was at times, at least got to experience these things.

"We had parties and celebrations. We're kind of... old school," Xiaotian shrugged, not sure how to explain it. "We had a really high tech gaming system and my house was a modernly sized hut that was the only building for miles is the best way I can describe it."

MK's eyes burned with quiet determination, "...I'm taking you to a carnival. And we are chasing an ice cream truck," he concluded.

"Do we really need to chase it?"

"Yes."

Xiaotian shrugged, "I mean, okay. Do we take out its wheels first?"

MK sputtered, "What?? No! We just wait for it to stop,"

Xiaotian looked down, quietly mumbling, "Then why chase it..??"

After a few more back and forths, MK shuddered against the cold. They probably shouldn't linger out here too much longer. He couldn't resist one more question though.

"I got one." MK says. "Why... Why do I sense you?" he asked.

Xiaotian didn't understand what he meant, "Elaborate?"

"I mean like- I look at you, and I"m Home." he held his hand in the air, letting that linger between them. "Don't cry." he says between his sentence when Xiaotian's lower lip quivered.

"...I'm not..." Xiaotian's lips puckered to hold back the tears.

MK gave him a serious look, "But what I mean is, that you are what I've been missing. But that isn't normal, right? People aren't normally missing something like this. So how are we? How are we connected?? Why are we connected??"

Xiaotian opened and closed his mouth, having no means of answering such a question, for he didn't know. He had been so obsessed with finding MK he never bothered to really ask "Why" he needed to find him in the first place.

"I have no idea." he admits, "This isn't a demon thing, or a human thing. I don't think anyway-" he paused.

"It's not." MK answered quickly.

"Right. So, I have no idea why we are. Why the universe put us together."

MK considered that, "I guess some things are just meant to be," he mused, his gaze fixated on Xiaotian's face. "Maybe we were fated to meet, to fill in the missing pieces of each other's lives. Like Destiny-" he cut off, feeling Xiaotian squeezing his hand.

As he turned to look at the monkey, he noticed Xiaotian's furrowed brow and anxious eyes fixated on his feet. Perhaps "Destiny" was not the most appropriate term to use in this situation.

Xiaotian sighed, "Maybe. Does it have to have a meaning though?"

"No, it doesn't." And that was okay. They both were fine with not knowing the answer to this question right now.

Bzzz!

Drawn from their conversation, MK finally took notice and care for the ringing of his phone.

He stared at it, giving it a tap. "I should- probably answer this," he paled, realizing how bad it was that he hadn't. Right as he tapped the screen, it went blank.

The battery had died.

"Oh." MK's eyes widened. The panic began to seep in after that. Oooh his parents were going to be so mad, "What time is it?"

"1:30AM or so" Xiaotian says without looking at anything on his person for the answer.

MK stared at him, "How do you know?"
Xioatian gestured upward, "The sky. Where the stars and moon are positioned" he says.

"You can read time through the sky?" MK gawked, amazed.

"Well, most people used to tell time that way so- yeah?" Xiaotian says with a chuckle. When all you can do some days is stare blankly at clouds and open blue skies, you tended to pick up how to read them. "It's crazy, normally I'm not out allowed this late."

"Me either," MK admits, wringing his hands together. "Ahh, my dad's are gonna kill me." he got up, knowing he needed to head home.

"Oh, your family?" Xiaotian smiles, getting up to join him. "What are they like?"

"Well, I got two dads. My Dadsy and my Dad. And then there is my Uncle Sandy! And my friend Mei- she is practically my sister." he grinned. "My Dad's run this noodle shop- Oh, you gotta try their noodles." he felt he was jumping from topic to topic, gushing wildly. "My Dadsy's noodles are sooo good~ And My Dad is so smart and he knows practically everything," heading up the hill, MK fumbled around in his pockets until he found his keys. "You should meet them!" MK realized, grabbing Xiaotian's shoulders.

Xiaotian's ears flattened, "I mean-would that be... okay?"

"Yes! Of course!" He nodded rapidly. He had never actually explained to his parents about his "other half" but he no doubt they would listen to him. His Dad might even have a sort of explination for it with how smart he was. "You should come with."

Xiaotian smiled, "Didn't really wanna leave anyway." he admits. He had finally found MK, he was in no rush to walk away from him. This boy was not leaving his sights! "So you know, consider me glue."
——————

"Most ridiculous system in the world!" Pigsy's grip tightened on his phone, the screen lighting up with the police station number as he repeatedly pressed call. He was seething as he listened to the calm and almost emotionless voice on the other end explaining that their son had only been missing for a few hours and they couldn't do anything until 24 hours had passed. Slamming his phone shut he lifted his arm upward, ready to chuck his phone out of existence!

"Pigsy," Tang pleaded as he grabbed onto Pigsy's arm with both hands. He knew that this outburst would only make things worse, so he held on tighter and drew Pigsy's arm closer to his chest, hugging it tight and hoping to calm him down and diffuse the situation, "We'll find another way,"

"We can just look ourselves for now," Sandy offered, "There are a few of us. If we split up we can cover more ground,"

"I can take my bike and look where we usually hang out," Mei offered. Everything was closed by now but that didn't mean MK wouldn't be around if he was willingly out there in this cold. She could even try that Dojo she knew he went to. It was always closed, but MK insisted he trained there often with this "Mentor" of his.

She wished she had that person's contact info or something. Maybe they would know where MK went.

"I don't see what else we can do, but it's better than nothing." he turned Pigsy's chin towards him, "...Right?"

"I..." Pigsys' demeanor relaxed as he noticed the trembling in Tang's hands. When Tang tried to smile, to mask the swirling emotions in his eyes, Pigsy felt his chest tighten, "You're right," He reached out and placed a comforting hand on Tang's arms, pulling him in closer. He couldn't let himself break down at this moment - his family needed him to stay strong.

"Okay, then-" Tang says, adjusting his scarf. Pulling out the spare key to the truck, he says, "Pigsy and I can take the truck around this location. Mei can go on her bike and Sandy in his car. We'll keep each other updated and look everywhere we can."

Mei nodded emphatically, "Yes, let's go!" She turned and hurried over to her bike, grabbing onto the handles and starting to swing her leg over. She barely managed to sit down when she heard something faint.

"Mei?"

Mei stood in distilled shock as a familiar voice echoed through the air. She quickly pivoted on her heels, nearly losing her balance in the process. And there, standing before her, was MK - the very person they had all been fretting over. His cheeks were rosy from the cold, his breath forming a wisp of fog in front of him.

Her voice sounded foreign to herself,"MK?"

He stood as pristine as she last saw him. No injuries in sight, nothing wrong from an initial look. The warm glow of the streetlight caught the strands of his hair, making them appear almost iridescent in the darkness. And as he gazed at her with those piercing eyes, illuminated by the light, they seemed to glimmer like pools of liquid gold.

With a casual lift of his hand, he waved and offered a bright smile, a spark of genuine joy in his eyes as he greeted her. His laughter rang out like wind chimes on a breezy day, pure and innocent. "Hey there," he said warmly, "What brings you here?"

The corner of Mei's eyebrow twitched in a mixture of shock and relief. Her previous expression of worry slowly gave way to a restrained anger and overwhelming joy. It was him, MK, standing before her unscathed. All her fears and anxieties had been for naught, as he stood before her just fine.

Behind her, MK's parents were standing in dumbfounded shock, the same mix of emotions reflected on their faces. They clung to each other for support, unable to tear their eyes away from their son who stood before them just fine.

MK's voice broke the tense silence as he listed off the names of his loved ones - "Oh! Dadsy? Dad? Uncle Sandy too?"

A friendly, easy smile danced across his lips as he prepared to ask the group gathered before him what had brought them all to this spot. But before he could utter a word, they were suddenly charging at him with reckless abandon. Startled, he instinctively took a step back and extended his hand out to the presence beside him. If only they had been more aware in their eagerness, they might have noticed MK swiftly nudging someone else out of harm's way from the avalanche of a hug.

"MK!" everyone cried out in unison, their arms enveloping him in a chaotic embrace. He grunted under their weight, struggling to catch his breath amidst the cacophony of voices and bodies.

"H-Hi?" he rasped, eyes wide.

Mei's hands were tightly gripping his shoulders, her eyes brimming with tears. "Do you have any idea how scared I was?" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with emotion. As she shook him, his expression widened as he looked at her tears. With a gentle touch, he reached up to brush one away with his finger.

"You are so grounded young man!" Pigsy exclaimed, his voice filled with equal parts relief and anger. He rushed to his son's side, pulling him into a tight embrace. "Are you hurt? Where have you been?" he asked frantically, searching MK's face for any signs of injury. "You're freezing!" With a worried frown, he took off his jacket and draped it over MK's shoulders.

Tang joined in the embrace, tears in his eyes as he held onto MK tightly. "Oh Mk!" he cried, his voice cracking, "We were so worried. I'm so glad you are safe." He was gathering MK's face into his hands, turning it left and right, "Let me see you. Let me see you- are you okay? Do you feel sick? Do you need a doctor? How many fingers am I holding up??" he held his hand up for a split second before going back to fussing over MK.

"U-Um..." MK blinked, dazed.

"We're so glad you are safe kiddo," Sandy nuzzled his cheek, dragging everyone into his arms to lift and swung them around. "I thought I was going to have a heart attack~"

Squished against the four, MK spoke in a small voice, "Dadsy, Dad, Sandy, Mei....! W-what are you-?"

"We were looking for you, you dummy!" Mei tried to kick at him between the hug, "You never came home!! I told you to go straight home!"

"Oh-" MK squeaked, trying to duck from her swings, wiggling against Sandy, "I-I'm sorry," he bowed his head apologetically.

Lowered back to the ground and letting them fuss over him, MK glanced to the side to the alleyway beside them. The darkness was so deep, it seemed to swallow up all light and sound, save for two piercing auburn eyes staring their way.

The owner of those eyes kept themselves hidden, allowing this moment between MK and his family to unfold without interference

"You better have a good reason for scaring us half to death, Kid," Pigsy pinched his cheek. Anger crackled like fire in his chest, but underneath it was a sense of relief. Stubbornly he held onto his frustration, refusing to let it be overshadowed. All he wanted was to wrap his arms around his boy and bring him back home where he belonged.

With fervent conviction, MK exclaimed, "I do! I truly do!" He turned back to the dark alleyway, his features softening as he gazed at the figure standing in the shadows. With a genuine smile, he held out his hand, confidently offering it to the unseen, "Him,"

The family turned their heads, not sure what they expected. To them there was no reason under the sun for MK to not give word to what he was doing that night.

And then, a boy emerged from the darkness like he was part of it.

He had been waiting, patiently, in the shadows. The moment MK turned to gesture him forward, the boy's eyes lit up, and he stepped into the pale glow of the streetlight.

His hair was a cascade of snowy-white curls, perfectly framing his rich, dark skin and sparkling auburn eyes.

In the dim lighting, he appeared to radiate a soft glow. His eyes were adorned with a pattern resembling that of a butterfly, a vibrant red hue seeping through. He took a few steps towards MK, half hiding behind him. With a small wave, he offered a little, "Hello."

The four individuals gazed at the boy, their eyes wide with confusion and curiosity. They had no knowledge of who this child was or how he was connected to MK. His sudden appearance provided no explanation for their questions.

"And- who is this?" Tang asked, pushing up his glasses quizzically. They thought for sure at least Mei might know, but looking at her, she was just as lost.

"This is Qi Xiaotian," As MK gestured towards the figure standing beside him, his smile brightened, reflecting a golden glow in his eyes. After a momentary pause, he realized that this introduction didn't really explain anything, so he turned to look at Mei. With a gentle expression, he added, "...And this is Bob."

Mei's body visibly jumps, her eyes widening in shock as she stutters out, "W-what??"

Xiaotian leaned over to whisper, "...Bob??"

"I'll explain later," MK whispered back.

"You're Bob?!" Mei exclaimed, pointing to the boy.

"Um-" Xiaotian stepped closer to MK. His petite frame easily disappeared behind MK's larger figure. But as they took in his appearance, he straightened his back and offered a tentative smile, revealing the porcelain-like tail swaying gently behind him. It was clear that he was not entirely human, even with his hood pulled tightly over his head. "I don't really know what that means but I guess?" The teen says, "It's nice to meet you all though,"

MK's family gave a similarly awkward wave back. "Same?"

MK's voice was strained and shaky as he continued to speak, "He's the reason I disappeared. We...we found each other." He glanced at Xiaotian, who was now standing beside him. Nearly squishing against his back to peek over MK's shoulder.

"Sorry I stole your son for a few hours," he mumbled. So this was his other half's family? A pig, a human with glasses, a water demon maybe, and a human girl. "I apologize for any concern or worry you felt," With a practiced and graceful step, he side-stepped out and offered a deep bow. This was a gesture ingrained in him from years of attending political meetings with his parents when he was just a child. Memories flooded back to him of a time when they still trusted him to stay by their side. "I am honored to make your acquaintance," he stated, his voice smooth and polished.

"Oh," Tang's glasses glinted, pleased with the gesture, "Well it is nice to meet you too~" he gushed.

"What a gentleman~" Sandy agreed, smiling.

Pigsy was taken aback by the unexpected show of respect. "Uh- N-Nice to meet ya?" he rubbed the back of his neck, "Wait, what do you mean you found each other?"

MK nodded vigurously, then he hesitated, "It's hard to explain, but...um-" he tapped his chin, "Well, it's a lot to talk about and it's kind of cold. You might not... understand," He looked away, his expression turning somber. Xiaotian felt his own mood lower, knowing that feeling too well. He didn't expect MK's parents to be any different from his own.

"What do you mean?" Tang asked, a concerned tilt to his head, "MK, you can always talk to us."

"Yeah Kid. We deserve some kind of explanation after-," Pigsy grumbled, eyes trembling, "Do you have any idea the heart attack you gave us?? We thought you were hurt or-or killed!" His hands shook.

Sandy quietly patted Pigsy's back to help ease his friend, knowing just how truly terrified the chef had been.

"Dadsy I-" MK winced, apologies filling his eyes as he looked down at his shoes. He turned to Mei, who held a similar expression. Even if she understood now why he did it, it didn't make up for the worry they felt, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but I never expected to find...him. Certainly not this quickly."

Mei's expression softened, a hint of relief replacing her initial outrage. She hesitated a moment, looking between MK and his other half. "I..." she looked at MK's family, knowing they didn't have all the pieces to this puzzle. "MK," she says finally, "You should tell them," she offered. There was confidence in her eyes, "They'd understand,"

MK's startled expression met hers. He averted his gaze to the ground, contemplating her suggestion before letting out a heavy sigh. Nervously, he rubbed his arm, "Well..." he looked up at them. They looked back earnestly, wanting their son to trust them.

Xiaotian seemed more startled than MK, looking panicked at the very idea of it. He wasn't sure he could handle rejection a second time, "MK-" he says quickly, sensing the fear in MK's heart- and perhaps even his own.

MK offered a weak smile "It's... It's okay," he wanted to at least try. And having Xiaotian here gave him courage he wouldn't normally have, "Dad. Dadsy. I- I've never mentioned this before, cause I didn't know how you all would react," he says quietly. "But..." sighing he began to explain.

He told them everything he had ever explained to Mei about this connection. The emotions, the emptiness, everything. They way he felt the connection when he was 10 years old, and even got to glimpse at Xiaotian for just a moment. "And so when I sensed him I... I dunno, I couldn't hesitate. I was just running before I could think about it,"

"Me too," Xiaotian touches his chest, feeling the tremors running through his body. He wasn't shivering from the cold, but he couldn't bring himself to look at MK's parents. Their opinions didn't matter to him, but he definitely didn't want to see those expressions on their faces - looks of absolute disbelief.

"That's-" Tang's eyes widened as he mumbled, a mix of confusion and fascination evident in his expression. The story was so unbelievable that it would be easy to brush it off as a lie, but MK wouldn't make up something so wild just to appease their anger. And deep down, there was a nagging feeling of familiarity in the tale. "You've felt that all this time?"

It made sense, in a way. MK's sudden shifts in moods sometimes, or his often distant stare- like he was searching for something unseen.

"That is some heavy stuff, MK," Sandy says, trying to wrap his head around it. "I had no idea," As Pigsy and Tang glanced at each other to make heads or tails about this, Sandy was already strolling forward. "Well, howdy there Xiaotian!" he gave a gushing smile, offering his hand to shake.

Xiaotian stared at it for a moment, "...What?" he asked.

Sandy beamed, "Well, I know I only just learned about this stuff but it's so nice to meet you. It must have been so hard for both of you," his eyes softened, "I'm so sorry you had to feel... alone, like that." as he spoke everyone stared at his back in silent awe and shock, "But I can't tell you how happy I am to meet you now. It's like having a second nephew!" Sandy exclaimed, filled with energy. Xiaotian stood there, surprised and a little disoriented, as he weakly shook Sandy's hand.

Sandy was so quick to accept this as a simple fact, even if he didn't fully comprehend what it all meant. If MK insisted he had a connection with this boy, that they were two halves of one whole, then why would he have any reason to doubt MK?

"Y-You believe me?" MK asked, his voice fragile.

"Of course I do," Sandy smiled. "I'm glad you two found each other. I sure do got a lot of questions, but I'm just glad you feel better now,"

MK's face lit up with a mix of emotions - joy, relief, and gratitude all swelling in his chest. "Y-Yeah," he stammered, his voice trembling with emotion. "I'm so glad we found him," he said, nodding eagerly. Without hesitation, he rushed forward to hug his uncle tightly, burying his face against the man's shoulder, "Uncle Sandy, you don't know how much this means to me. How long I've wanted to meet him," he whispered, feeling overwhelmed with the weight of their reunion. It was as if a missing puzzle piece had been found and everything suddenly made sense again.

Sandy softly patted MK's back, listening with a patient look. As Sandy pulled back from the hug to look over at Xiaotian, there was nothing but warmth and welcome in his eyes. Xiaotian looked frozen in place, "I know this must be a lot for you too," he said. "If either of you need anything, just let me know," he ruffled MK's hair.

Xiaotian lowered his hand, a distant look in his eyes as he watched the two embrace a second time. A soft pain hurt his chest

Distant voices played in the back of his mind like a cruel song...

"Xiaotian. A story like that-"

"Yet so conveniently, you don't bring up such a large part about yourself until just now. Right as you have been grounded."

"You've never mentioned anything like this until now."

"Xiaotian, I understand your frustration and desire for answers. But what we need right now is some time to figure out our next step before we can go in search of this 'mysterious' stranger you insist is real-"

His hand slowly clenched into a trembling fist at his side, which he quickly stuffed into the pocket of his hoodie to hide its shaking.

Ahead of him, Tang and Pigsy softly smile, walking closer to MK and Sandy "Yeah," Pigsy says, "None of this really- it's really confusing," he placed his hand on MK's shoulder to turn the kid towards him, "But stranger things exist in this world,"

"Indeed," Tang says with a cat-like smile, closing his eyes to rattle off some already brewing theory, "The complexity of the soul is boundless! Deep connections and bonds have the capability to spread even miles apart! If you've sense his presence since you were little, it must mean your connections run even at a soul level."

"The soul?" MK asked, amazed. He knew his Dad would have some knowledge on this.

"I can't say anything for certain, but I've read some books on "soul connections" from time to time. Little mentions, of course, but that could be with what we are dealing with-" he turned away to mumble, "I'll have to do a more focused search,"

"Alright Tang," Pigsy rolled his eyes, "Back to MK now. Kid-" he tightened his hold on MK's shoulder, "I just--" he frowned, a complicated look in his eyes, "I'm just sorry ya felt like ya couldn't tell us about this kid,"

"Oh," MK's expression fell, "No no I... I just..." he waved his hands around, "I just didn't want you to think I was strange,"

"You are strange," Pigsy let out a playful snort, his lips curling in a teasing manner. MK responded with a pout, but there was still a small smile on their face, "But you are our strange kid. There aint nothing you could say that would change that,"

MK's grin grew, releasing some of the tension he had been carrying. He nodded gratefully and embraced his family. "I'm so grateful," he said as Mei practically jumped on him from behind, causing them all to laugh as they hugged each other tight.

He was overwhelmed with relief and joy to the point of being almost blinded by it, but he couldn't ignore the somber, dark emotion lurking in the back of his mind. This emotion wasnt his...

He glanced over his shoulder, stealing a quick look at Xiaotian.

The monkey averted his gaze, possibly to give the family some privacy or to conceal the turmoil he was feeling. As MK's eyes fell on him, he hastily plastered on a smile.

MK wanted to ask what had so drastically altered Xiaotian's mood just now, but hesitated in front of everyone else. As the hug ended, Tang cupped MK's face.

"Oh, you are freezing," he clicked his teeth. "Okay, no more standing out in the cold. We should get you boys somewhere warm."

"Yeah," Mei agreed, "I wanna head home," Her jaw stretched in a tired yawn. She shot MK a pointed glance, quickly jabbing her finger in his direction, "So- when I leave this time, what are you gonna do?"

MK paled, "Go straight home?"

"Go straight home!" she nodded, huffing. She pointed to her eyes and then to him in a "I'm watching you" fashion as she walked backwards to her bike. Getting on she said, "I'll come by tomorrow so we can all chat. You can bet I'm asking you a bunch of questions Monkey boy~" she smirked at Xiaotian. Xiaotian's eyes widened, realizing perhaps all humans weren't quite as slow as MK in realizing what he was. "And you text me as soon as you are home!"

"I will," Mk ducked his head sheepishly, "Thank you, Mei!"

"You are lucky I love you!" she loudly declared, his voice on the cusp of anger but filled with affection as she pointed to him. "Or else I'd sock ya one for worrying me!" she revved her bike, turning it once before heading down the street.

MK waved until she disappeared from view, and then followed his parents to the truck. Xiaotian trailed behind them, catching Tang's attention.

"Xiaotian, do you need a ride home? Your parents must be worried sick," Tang says softly, staring at the boy.

Xiaotian's ears twitched, glancing to the side, "Oh um- I live on my own." he says, opting to avoid any conversation on them.

"Alone?" Tang says, stunned. "At your age?"

"Its... complicated," Xiaotian's tail flicked.

"Well you could come home with us!" MK slid into the conversation, a bounce in his step. "A sleep over," He immediately turned to his parents, giving them the most pleading puppy dog eyes he could muster.

Pigsy flinched at the sheer intensity of it, "You-" he frowned, "You do remember you are grounded, right?"

"B-But... But it's so late, and cold," MK gestured around, trying to think of any excuse he could. "And look at how much Xiaotian is shivering." he gestured to his friend. Xiaotian blinked once, then twice, and then quickly wrapped his arms around himself.

"Can hardly feel my toes," he agreed, faking a shiver.

"He could get hypothermia," MK hugged Xiaotian, gasping in horror.

"Would be an awful way to go," Xiaotian nodded, his lower lip puckering sadly.

Pigsy squinted skeptically, but he couldn't argue that he was too exhausted to handle much driving that evening, "Fine," he relented, shaking his head. "We'll talk about all of this more tomorrow,"

MK and Xiaotian grinned at each other, sharing matching bounces of joy, "yes!"

"Indeed," Tang agreed with a chipper clap, "I would love to talk to you both more about this connection you two have."

Piling into the car and giving one last wave goodbye to Sandy, who said he'd stop by the following morning, the group headed back to the Noodle shop.

"I can't wait to show you my room," MK gushed, nudging against XIaotian. "Oh oh, do you like comics??"

"I've never really read any before," Xiaotian admits.

"I have some you just gotta see!" MK insisted. When they arrived at the shop, the boys quickly shuffled out.

Xiaotian stared at the house curiously as they walked inside, the smell of noodles heavy against his nose. "...Smells amazing in here," he inhaled.

"Pigsy is the best chef~" Tang mused, eager to speak of his husband, "He puts such love and care into his food. We just have to treat you to his food tomorrow. You will never, ever, eat better noodles then his. Trust me, I know my way around the noodle world,"
Pigsy gave a sheepish look as he hung up his coat, trying to keep the gruff persona but failing the more Tang bragged about him. "Okay okay-" he pulled Tang back, a flush to his cheeks, "Enough about that, They are probably tired," he poked Tang's nose, "And you are too. You'll be yawning all day tomorrow if you don't get at least some sleep,"

Tang pursed his lips, "Fair," he agreed. "But let's get Xiaotian settled first. Is it alright if he is in your room MK?"

MK eagerly nodded, texting Mei as he did so, "I'll grab the sleeping bag," and hurried to fetch it, leaving Xiaotian alone for a moment to survey the area. He walked around the vacant tables, with Pigsy keeping an eye on him.

"...So this is where MK grew up,"

As he made his way through the shop, Xiaotian's fingers lightly grazed against a nearby table. The smooth, polished wood felt strangely familiar, despite this being his first time here. As he walked further into the shop, his attention was drawn to the wall adorned with various pieces of art. Intrigued, he moved closer to get a better look and realized they were childhood doodles of MK and his family. The images were captured with intricate detail and perfectly framed, showcasing this shop as a true "family business". Each stroke of crayon and brush felt like a snapshot of happy memories frozen in time.

Xiaotian smiled softly as he stared at it, feeling the joy of this picture like it was his own.

MK returned with an air of excitement carrying, for some reason, two large, vibrantly colored sleeping bags. His eyes were alight as he held them up for Xiaotian to see. "I found these in storage! They're gonna be perfect for our sleepover," he exclaimed. "Come on, let's get you settled! I gotta show you my room,"

Xiaotian offered a small, grateful smile, and followed MK up the stairs, leaving Pigsy and Tang to exchange a look.

"You alright?" Tang asked quietly, leaning closer.

Pigsy gripped the counter, nodding. "I'm fine. Just... a lot to take in tonight." He looked to where Xiaotian had disappeared, and sighed. When Tang touched his shoulder, he reached up to settle his hand over his husband's. "Something about that kid is just- it's odd," Pigsy concluded.

He didn't believe the kid to be trouble or anything like that - in fact, when he gazed at him, he saw MK. Not as a duplicate, but his presence and demeanor brought his son to mind. The sparkle in his eyes and how effortlessly he grinned - it evoked memories of their little boy for Pigsy.

It made this whole "connected" concept a little more easier to swallow.

"I think I'm just more upset this was something MK always felt, and never said," Pigsy admits. "...I'm angry with myself that he was afraid to tell us. That he thought we wouldn't- I dunno, understand?"

Tang's gaze dropped, his head bobbing in a slight nod to show he understood. He remained silent, listening to the sounds of Mk and Xiaotian playing upstairs. They sounded like two little kids, getting worked up and running around their room with excitement. It was clear sleep would not come easily for them tonight.

"We both know the life he came from," Tang turned Pigsy's chin towards him, "I think opening up- truly opening up, is hard for him. Not because he doesn't trust us, but because he loves us too much to risk losing even a single drop of that love."

"But he doesn't-" Pigsy sighed, his eyes heavy. Quietly he leaned forward to rest his head against Tang's shoulder, "He has all of it. Every drop. Forever."

Tang nodded, resting his head against Pigsy's, "He's still learning that," Tang whispered, "but he will, in time. He's already grown so much,"

"...Too much," Pigsy mumbled. "Too fast,"

Tang tilted his head, chuckling a little. "Far too fast," he agreed weakly.

"But hey, we're all going to sit down and figure this out tomorrow... and have a lovely meal together - a noodle feast to remember."

"Oh are we?" Pigsy smirked, having never agreed to this.

Tang puckered his lips and gave a very similar puppy dog look that MK had given earlier, "Aren't we?"

Pigsy clicked his teeth in annoyance, looking away, "Honestly.... fine,"

"Oh I knew you would agree," Tang kissed his cheek, "As for tonight, let's just get some rest,"

Pigsy let out a heavy sigh and nodded in agreement, his tired eyes betraying the exhaustion he felt. Despite the long day, he knew sleep would be elusive. But as he climbed the stairs with his family beside him, he couldn't help but feel grateful for their company. They stopped by MK's door and peeked in.

The two older teenagers had completely wrecked MK's usually neat room. The bed was almost upside down, transformed into a makeshift fort with pillows and blankets piled on top and sleeping bags bundled inside. MK's collection of comics, both store-bought and personally created, were strewn across the floor as the two teens leaned over them, engrossed in reading.

"And this I took inspiration from-" Mk's voice trailed off as he sensed the presence of his parents at the door. As he looked up, Tang and Pigsy were taken aback by the striking resemblance between the two boys. Their mouths hung open in a daze, their eyes wide and rounded in surprise - they could almost be mistaken for twins. The room was filled with a hushed silence as the family stood frozen for a moment, taking in the uncanny similarity between Mk and his new friend.

"...Yes?" they both asked.

Tang pushed up his glasses, frazzled, "Oh uh-" he chuckled, "We're heading to bed," It was far too late into the night to really consider any crazy theories like that right now.

"Which is what you two should be doing too," Pigsy folded his arms, "It's late,"

"Oh we will we will," MK nodded quickly, "I just wanted to show him this last part," he waved his comic around.

"Which one is that?" Pigsy frowned.

MK darted his eyes side to side, "...Book 2,"

"And you won't stop until you get to book 28- so leave it for tomorrow," Pigsy waved his finger around.

"Aww," MK pouted, drawing a snicker from Xiaotian.

"Now, you two better behave and let me know if you need anything." Tang smiled,

"Otherwise, it's lights out," Pigsy added in a stern but loving tone.

Flicking off the main light, leaving the boys in nothing but the light of the lamp, MK got up to scamper over to the door. Once there he hugged his parents goodnight, receiving matching kisses to his forehead.

As Pigsy hugged him the man whispered, "Actually go to bed," he says, knowing MK might still try to sneakily stay up using the lamp.

"I will I will," MK conceded, his trick seen through. Waving his parents goodnight he closed the door, returning to the sleeping bags and fort.

Xiaotian stared at the door, laying down, "They are nice," he says. Wondefully so.

"Yeah, they're the best," MK grinned, turning off the light and laying down. Bundled in the sleeping bag, Xiaotian rolled on his side to see MK smiling at him "You comfortable?" he asked, worried.

Xiaotian gave a casual smile, "Yeah, I'm good," he assures. "Never slept in a bag before,"

"Need any more pillows or blankets?"

"I think I'm okay," Xiaotian yawned, the exhaustion of the day seeming to finally hit him. "Thanks for letting me stay over,"

The first night at the apartment had been a struggle for him to fall asleep. He couldn't shut his eyes without holding onto his Chapu doll. But surprisingly, despite being in a completely new place, he didn't feel homesick. Instead, he felt comfortable and familiar with the surroundings, as if he had been there for years.

MK stuffed some more pillows around the edges to create a cozy cocoon for the both of them. "Well yeah... you are always welcomed here," he promised, his eyes growing heavy as he shared in Xiaotian's yawn. Plopping back down the two shared a smile.

"Tomorrow, I wanna finish my list of questions," MK says drowsily.

"Okay,' Xiaotian grinned, "And I wanna try your Dad's oh so famous noodles,"

"You're gonna love them, "Mk assured. Finding it hard to keep his eyes open, he quietly reached out, grasping Xiaotian's hand. The other squeezed back.

"Goodnight,"
———————————-

As the door closed, the room fell into a sudden silence, leaving only the soft rustling of the blankets and the quiet murmurs coming from MK and Xiaotian's now-fortified haven. Pigsy and Tang stood for a moment longer, taking in the sound of peace as it washed over their domestic space, the whispers of dreams and laughter whispering through the air.

Quietly they returned to their own bedroom, hand in hand. "I feel like tomorrow is going to be hectic," Pigsy mumbled.

"In a fun way," Tang agreed.

"Maybe," Pigsy says.

Tang let out a soft chuckle, his body weary from the long day. He stumbled towards his bedroom to grab his pajamas, his mind replaying the events of the night. As he entered the small bathroom, he caught sight of himself in the mirror and exhaled deeply. The tense lines on his face relaxed as he realized how lucky they were that MK had come back safely. For a moment, he had feared the worst.

"You know," he says casually towards Pigsy in the bedroom, "Some parents put a tracker in their kid's cell phone," he says, changing into his PJ's.

"Geez Tang," Pigsy snorted at the very out of pocket comment.

"I'm not saying we do that," Tang insisted quickly, "I'm just.. pointing out the idea of it,"

"Right right," Pigsy snickered. "See, it sounds good in theory, but ya know how often MK forgets his phone,"

Tang sighed, buttoning up his shirt, "Ah, right,"

As he removed his glasses and placed them on the counter, Tang couldn't help but think about what could have happened if MK hadn't returned home. But he pushed those thoughts aside, shaking off any lingering fear or anxiety. Tonight was a good night and he was going to savor it.

Starting the sink faucet, Tang cupped his hands to pool the water within them, splashing his face a few times.

After locating a towel, he brought it up to his face and pressed it against his skin. He dabbed at the moisture a few times.

Looking up at the mirror, which was normally so blurry without his spectacles, he was surprised by the clarity of the image of himself.

Wait, No...

What Tang saw in his reflection was not himself, but a stranger. Their golden gaze seemed to pierce him to his core, their expression calm- a tranquil peace.

It was his face in every way, but the clothes, the golden glow-

This wasn't him. Yet he couldn't seem to look away or react. It held him there, forcing him to stare back at this imposter for what felt like an eternity.

And then they spoke-

"Remember,"

Something sharp stung in the back of Tang's skull.

He staggered, inhaling sharply when this unknown voice spoke. "Ah!" he fell back, tripping over his own two feet. His body hit the ground with a thud, sending shockwaves of pain through his limbs. Gasping for air, he frantically tried to stand up and catch a glimpse of himself in the mirror once more, his eyes darting around searching for the source of the voice. With trembling hands, he reached out for the mirror once more, desperate to catch another glimpse of who or what had spoken to him. The cold glass frame felt slick against his sweaty palms. Every nerve in his body was on edge, ready for whatever may come next.

He saw his usual, but distorted reflection staring back at him.

"Wha-" Tang touched his face, surprised. Just now, in the mirror...

Pulling and pinching at his cheeks, he shook his head. "I..." he panted, stunned. Then he exhaled, trying to rationalize it all- perhaps deny it all. To avoid the strange and distant feeling deep within him.

It was terrifying.

"I must be more tired then I realize," Tang mumbled to himself, touching his temple. Hearing a knock on his door, he heard Pigsy calling to him.

"Tang, you okay in there? I heard a thump," Pigsy says.

Tang gripped his arm, his heart pounding. After a moment of hesitation Tang went to the door and opened it, putting on a smile for his husband.

"Oh sorry, that was me. I tripped." Tang apologized. "Thought I saw something."

Pigsy's expression softened, "Course ya did, ya clutz," he mused, pushing his finger to Tang's bare nose, "You always think you see strange things without your glasses on. Ya hurt yourself?"

"No no, I'm fine-" he waved it off.

"If you're sure." Pigsy looked him over, "Now come on, Let's get you into bed before you knock something else over."

"Hey," Tang huffed, "I could have been seriously injured just now you know,"

"From you tripping over your own feet? Oh I'm sure," Pigsy smirked. "Might as well carry you everywhere even with your glasses on,"

Tang chuckled, patting at Pigsy's arm. An idea flickered in his brain and he lifted his arms, "I'm not against being carried~" he cooed.

"Oh, trying to be lazy are we?" Pigsy sneered, his burly hands resting confidently on his hips. Despite his mocking words, there was a hint of amusement in his eyes. Suddenly, Pigsy's calloused hands slipped around Tang's side, catching him off guard. Tang's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as he was effortlessly scooped up into Pigsy's embrace, "You are lucky you are cute," The air crackled with playful tension between them, their banter a familiar dance they had perfected over time.

Tang's lips curled, kicking his legs in a quiet gush, "Aww Pigsy~" Tang cooed, slipping his arms around Pigsy's shoulders to nuzzle against his chest, "You do love me~"

"Wiggle around too much and I'll drop ya," Pigsy let out a grunt, the flush of color showing on his cheeks. Carefully carrying Tang into their shared bedroom, he gently set him down on the bed. Tang watched with a mischievous smile as Pigsy made his way to the dresser and grabbed his night clothes.

Pigsy huffed and tugged on his pajamas, trying to ignore Tang's lingering gaze. "Stop looking at me," he grumbled, feeling self-conscious under the intense scrutiny. But Tang only grinned mischievously and grabbed his sleep cap, clearly enjoying the power he held over Pigsy with just a simple glance.

"You like me looking at you~" he teased, tauntingly emphasizing the word 'like'. Pigsy couldn't deny the truth in Tang's words, but he refused to give him the satisfaction of admitting it aloud. Instead, he focused on getting ready for bed while trying not to be distracted by Tang's unwavering stare.

"Usually you looking at me means you want something," Pigsy smirked to himself.

"I might want something," Tang agreed.

Pigsy narrowed his eyes over his shoulder, squinting, "Like what?" he grumbled.

"Cuddles?" Tang said, his voice filled with affection. He opened his arms wide to welcome Pigsy into them. The perfect spot for the chef to lay his head for the night.

Pigsy's expression melted, startled and touched. His lips were a squiggly line, "I-Ohhhh, you are just trying to earn browning points," he mumbled, but couldn't deny it was working.

"Maybe~ It it working?"

"....Yes," He climbed into bed and settled against Tang's chest, letting out a content sigh as Tang's arms wrapped snugly around him."Honestly, for a moment I thought you were gonna ask for a midnight snack of noodles." Pigsy mumbled against Tang's neck.

"...I could eat," Tang mused.

Pigsy snorted, eye brows furrowing, "You and MK both, I swear," he rolled his eyes.

Tang kicked off his shoes and slid the covers over them both. Reaching out, he flipped the lamp off. They lay in comfortable silence for a moment, enjoying each other's presence. "This is nice too." he exhaled sweetly.

"Agreed," Pigsy closed his eyes.

After a few minutes, Pigsy was still unable to fall asleep. He couldn't ignore the constant sensation of Tang's finger tracing up and down his chin, indicating that something was troubling him and preventing him from drifting off, "Somethin' on your mind?"

Tang shifted, feeling a bit disoriented. He shrugged and said, "Uh oh... I'm not sure. Something strange happened to me earlier." After breaking the tense silence, he looked up at Pigsy, hoping for some understanding.

"Oh? What happened?" Pigsy asked.

"In the bathroom...I saw myself in the mirror, but it wasn't really me," Tang explained. "It was- so strange."

"You were probably just tired. It's late and MK gave us that scare," Pigsy offered.

"Hmm."

Tang acknowledged Pigsy's words with a slight nod, "You're probably correct." despite his agreement, Tang couldn't shake the lingering sensation that there was more to his eerie reflection. It had felt uncannily real and lifelike, as if he had caught a glimpse of a parallel universe. Maybe it was just exhaustion causing delusions, as Pigsy suggested. But then again, there could be another explanation entirely.

"I'm sure you'll feel better with some sleep," Pigsy cupped Tang's head, drawing it back down to the pillow to rest.
"Right.."

As he lay there in the warmth of Pigsy's embrace, Tang's thoughts began to wander back to Xiaotian. The mysterious boy with a porcelain-like tail and auburn eyes. There was an air of enigma surrounding him, an aura that piqued Tang's curiosity.

"What do you think about Xiaotian, Pigsy?" Tang asked, breaking the peaceful silence once more.

Pigsy sighed, his eyebrows furrowed. He opened one eye and looked at Tang with an annoyed look. "Can't we talk about this tomorrow?"

"Well yeah but- you're still awake soooo-" Tang pursed his lips innocently.

Pigsy grumbled, "I hardly remember the kid's name at this point. Why do you ask? Think he is weird?"

"I don't know," Tang admitted, his fingers tracing idle patterns on Pigsy's chest. "He seems different. There's something about him that is.. familiar?"

"Familiar?" Pigsy asked, "Well, the kid is weird, I'll give you that." Pigsy agrees. MK had never mentioned him before yet here he was, staying at their place for the evening. Enough to even have MK miss curfew and give no word about it.

Tang nodded in agreement. "Yes, he definitely has an air of mystery around him. And the fact that MK seems to have a connection with him... It's intriguing, to say the least."

"Yeah that is the weirdest part," Pigsy admitted. "And we can talk about it tomorrow," he pushed.

Tang nodded and was quiet for two seconds before excitedly saying, "It's a mystery."

Pigsy let out a small exhausted exhale. "Tangggg,"

"Oh come on~" Tang wiggled his legs, "It's exciting,"

Pigsy smirked a little, "You've always been one for mysteries and riddles, haven't you?" he teased, running his fingers through Tang's hair affectionately. "But seriously, Tang, don't overwhelm the kid with your questions."

"I wont I wont." Tang assures, "It's just... He's a monkey."

"Yeah? Clearly." Pigsy says.

"There aren't many monkey demons known to history." Tang says, his eyes distant. "It just makes me curious of his lineage~"

"Oh don't you start that," Pigsy groaned, hearing enough about monkeys and Monkey Kings for a life time.

"I'm just saying~"

"Well you can chat with him tomorrow about that. But similar to the boys, YOU, need some sleep." he smacked his hand over Tang's eyes to convince the man to close them.

Reluctantly, Tang closed his eyes, succumbing to the warmth, and the comforting weight of Pigsy's arm draped over his body. As he drifted off to sleep, he dreamed.

He often dreamed about many many things, but this one was strange.

In his dreams, he was surrounded by a bright orange coat of fur, a playful and cheeky smile, sparkling golden eyes, and the tantalizing sound of a cheerful voice calling his name, "Master! Let's go!"

Tang smiled in his sleep
——