Our Peaceful Days
Summary: Thirty-nine prompts for the 39 pairing. Six years before the Journey started, Sanzo does his begrudging best at keeping his newfound pet properly fed and taken care of, and little Goku tries his eager best at making his newfound owner happy.
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XXXVII. Cradle
Goku may be growing up, but it doesn't mean he has grown out of prodding Sanzo to carry him when he gets tired.
"Sanzo, carry me, carry me!"
Sanzo tuts, looks around to see if there are others around the temple's hallway, looks down at the beaming demon with his arms stretched high up, and sighs. Goku has been hiding from Sanzo all morning, determined to make Sanzo the 'it'. The monk, as much as he denies it, tags along with him, often finding out Goku's hidden spots within a few minutes.
And once Goku has grown tired from hide and seek, he does this—wanting to be held up high in Sanzo's arms.
He reaches out and lifts Goku by the armpits, and carries him on his right forearm, holding back another sigh as Goku squeals and flails his arms around.
"Whee! This is really high up! Sanzo, bring me to the peaches!"
"Tch. Go there yourself," the monk huffs out, and attempts to put Goku down, when the boy struggles in his hold.
"No," Goku squirms, and holds on tighter to Sanzo's neck. He wraps his legs around Sanzo's torso, for a good measure. Sanzo growls, tucks his arm under Goku's thighs once more, and walks to the garden, muttering curses the whole time.
He brings Goku to the peach tree he so loves, and looks up as the thin arms stretch upwards to a ripe peach. Sanzo hides a smile as Goku beams and plucks the fruit, and offers it to the priest.
"We can share it. Like last time!" Goku laughs out, and Sanzo stares blankly at the fruit, and chomps down on it without premise, causing Goku to yelp in protest. "I said, 'share', Sanzo. Share!"
Sanzo chews on the peach, relishes its sweetness, and licks the juice off his lips. "Bite on it if you want. That counts as sharing, right?"
Goku pouts, but munches on the fruit as well. Unbeknownst to him, Sanzo holds back a small smile as he sees the puffed up cheeks, as he is reminded of how round they have been when he first met the little monkey. Goku has yet to grow out of his baby fat, and at times, Sanzo wishes the brunet would never grow out of it if it means he'll see those plump cheeks every day—
Sanzo breaks out of his small reverie as Goku smiles at the tingling taste of sweetness left on his palate, and offers the peach back to him. They keep this up, exchanging bites on the peach until it's left with only the seed.
And even when they have finished their short meal and have returned to Sanzo's office, Goku keeps a tight hold around the monk, both of his arms and legs wrapped around the man's neck and torso. Sanzo tries pushing him away, but to no avail.
When noon strikes and lunchtime arrives, Sanzo's attendant, Dougan, knocks on the door and enters the office—
—only to see Sanzo lying still as he naps on the chair. On his chest lies Goku, also soundly sleeping. Sanzo's hand is curled at the back of Goku's head, and the other around the little demon's waist.
Dougan puffs his cheeks, and quietly closes the door.