Chapter 6. Finale

Gen clicked the render button and closed his eyes, inhaling and exhaling deeply. The song was finally finished.

Slowly, he removed his headphones and that's when he heard the sizzling sound from the kitchen. Along with the out-of-tune humming. He would have minded the faulty tone a few days ago—all the more with his sensitive musician ears, but not anymore, not after accepting that the awful same voice had both annoyed and soothed him in his previous life.

Yes, Gen had sorted out his mind in the last few days. He completely accepted the fact that he was a reincarnation of the 31st of China, Genjyo Sanzo, he recited in his mind. It totally made sense, Gen decided. Things that had happened in his current life mostly had strong connections to his previous life. Why his parents had named him Shan Genjo, why he was drawn to the name Goku so much, why he was always attracted to Buddhist teachings—and not just because his family were Buddhists, why he was haunted by the dreams since little, why he always felt something's missing from his life. Gen could now see the red string connecting the puzzle pieces of his life.

Gen exhaled a deep breath. Not bothered by his work anymore, Gen observed the messy state of the apartment he had been living for almost two weeks. Everything that Goku had was technically stored in the living room, from two rattan baskets full of clothes, to the rows of racks full of frames, albums, boxes, and many other things. He began to wonder how long Goku had been a photographer. Camera was invented not long ago, so probably a few dozens of years? But then, what did he do before that? Where had he been living in those hundreds of years? Who had he met before? Did he probably have lovers? Gen felt a bit nauseous thinking about Goku sleeping with another person, even though he knew it was truly selfish if he wanted Goku to abstain for the extremely long time.

His gaze suddenly landed on three sticking tied scrolls on the very top of one of the racks. The scrolls looked so old and Gen guessed it must be several hundreds years old. He stood up and stretched his hand as high as he could, revealing his built abs and the very tantalizing Apollo's belt. Goku, who noticed the movements and turned his head towards him, stunned at the sight. He suddenly felt incredibly hungry, and not for the dumplings he was frying at that moment. When Gen loosened his body and turned his face towards the kitchen, Goku quickly turned his head to his cooking. Gen smirked.

Casually, Gen walked towards the racks. On the way, he came across the bar table and saw the printed photos. And there were three newly framed ones.

Him playing the harmonica.

Him... sleeping? When did he take this? Gen raised an eyebrow.

Him smoking in front of the laptop, which caught his eyes because it was actually really good and Gen really liked it. "Hey, do you have the digital version of these photos?" he asked. A few seconds passed before Goku answered, "Oh ya mean your photos? Of course, I store all photos digitally. Don't wanna lose anything." Gen nodded.

He placed the photos back, headed to the rack for his initial intention, and took the scrolls gently. He untied the first scroll. It was an ink painting. Of meat buns. How expected, Gen snorted. He untied the second scroll. Another ink painting of… Sanzo-ikkou. He was taken aback with the resemblance to the real thing. Himself, as Sanzo, wore the formal attire of a Sanzo, even though there were only scribbles on the sutra. Gojyo and Hakkai, he recalled the names finally, were the same people he saw in his dreams and flashes. His heart skipped a beat finding the sheer resemblance of the two with his closest friends. A red haired and a brunette, even though the red haired that he knew had short hair. And somehow he also found his white haired friend oddly similar to the dragon in the painting. Hakuryuu, he managed to recall the name. He felt he had too much information coming into his head, and he rubbed his forehead before placing the fragile paper on the bar table.

He took the last scroll and untied it slowly. The last ink painting took his breath away. He was again wearing the formal Sanzo attire, now complete with the crown. Both of his eyes closed and a hand was placed in front of his chest, beads dangling between his thumb and his palm. It was a painting of him chanting the sutra. He admitted, even only to himself, that Goku was once a very good painter. The details of the painting made him realize that at some point in Goku's life, and most probably until now, his monkey still remembered him as clear as the blue sky. And one thing that Gen could feel from the painting was, longingness. The same feeling he felt when he had composed some of his music. Or when he thought about his business name and decided to use the name Goku.

Goku stormed from the kitchen, "Gen, dinner's rea-" his words stopped when he saw the old painting in Gen's hands. "Ah… that's…"

"Fuckingly similar to me," Gen tried to be as casual as he could.

"Um, y-yeah, it surely is," Goku answered with a shaky voice.

"When did you paint this?" Gen asked.

Goku scratched the back of his head, "Uh-oh.. I-I actually bought that, I forgot where, though..." Gen decided that Goku was really not a good liar at all. He gently placed the old paper along with the others on the bar table-

and turned to get closer to Goku until their faces were only inches away, violet eyes penetrated deep into golden ones.

"And who the fuck else painted me like that except you, monkey?" His voice was deep and unexpectedly hoarse.

Goku's eyes went wide, stunned at the remark. Before he could begin to think again, one of Gen's hands slid behind Goku's neck, bringing the face closer and covering the lips with his own.

In his trance, Goku could not think or feel anything besides the warm soft lips. Until he felt the coarse tongue touching his lips, asking for more. Suddenly, all the feelings that had built up inside Goku exploded, the desire, the thirst, the yearning for his sun. Goku parted his lips and let the tongue slide while he roamed the taller man's mouth, savoring the remnants of tobacco and unexpected berry fruit taste left by the e-cigarette.

Goku raised his hands to touch the pale cheek, felt thin hands wrapping his back, and suddenly Goku's eyes started to get wet. Realizing the odd dampness, Gen pulled himself and saw tears flowing from the blossoming face, "Why the hell are you crying?" But Goku was smiling widely as he shed his happy tears, "Nah, it's just *hic* that, after *hic* all this years, *hic* I- *hic* I-," and tears streamed heavier over his cheeks. "Stupid," Gen pressed his lips gently over the dampness of Goku's face.

Not being able to find his voice, Goku pulled Gen's head and kissed him again. Gen parted his lips, deepening the kiss. Soft moans escaped the shorter man, along with the sobs. "Goku," Gen pecked Goku's lower lip, "sorry I made you wait for so long," said between soft kisses as he trailed down Goku's neck. Goku's moan answered him and Gen led them towards the sofa bed.

After a passionate love making, Goku curved his body and rested his head on the taller man's shoulder. Gen's hand found its way below Goku's head and his fingers trailed the spine of Goku's back. "Hey, Gen…"

"Hm?"

"How did ya find out? Was it 'cos of the paintin'?"

Gen was silent for a moment, "No. I've had dreams," he answered slowly, "Me shooting and us fighting the youkais. It's just that I can't recognize any of us, including myself. The only clear thing is your stupid smile."

Goku blushed at what he perceived as compliment, but quickly disappeared once he heard Gen's sigh.

"I couldn't fucking remember you," Gen regretted, "until you said 'Sanzo' in your stupid sleep."

Gen made an effort to tilt his head and stare at Goku's eyes, "You dream about me a fucking lot, don't you?"

"Can't help it," Goku returned the gaze, "but the more so after I found ya. Ya don't know how it's like lookin' at your photos on Instagram the first time." He hid his face from the violet gaze and his hands caressed Gen's chest, "You're still so damn sexy."

Gen groaned at the touch, but Goku's stomach unexpectedly growled louder. Goku abruptly stopped his movements and Gen could clearly see the unseen blush, obviously ashamed of the body's unchanging need even after such a long time living. This was really his Goku. Gen smirked.

"Still a bottomless pit, I see," Gen urged his body to stand up, and Goku soon followed.

While they ate dinner, Gen told Goku about his three friends who he thought might be the reincarnation of the rest of the group. Goku practically bounced from his seat and begged Gen to introduce them someday.

Afterwards, at some point in the dinner when they stopped chatting and started finishing the meal, Goku felt his heart at peace. For the first time in centuries, he would have a real company again. Sneaking a peek at the blond man beside him, Goku just knew his life would be different from now on.

EPILOGUE

Two large carrier bags stood beside Goku's sofa bed, along with a Fender guitar case. Gen told Goku that he would definitely get lots of inspiration from their awaiting journey and he would not allow the chance of not making music. The least he could do is record the foundation with his guitar.

It was before 8 in the morning, and Goku was currently sitting with his own backpack full of photography tools on the sofa bed, waiting for Gen to finish his bath. They planned to eat breakfast before going to the airport to travel to Indonesia, where their three friends await them for a journey God knows how long would end. After his final check, Goku zipped the backpack and put it beside him.

On the coffee table, Goku's smartphone blinked. A notification from a YouTube channel he's subscribing released a new video. "Even if you don't remember, I'm sure we'll meet again" by Sanzo Music Production. He clicked the channel and found the photo of Gen in front of the laptop, e-cigarette in hand. Goku grinned, the photo was a masterpiece indeed. He put on Gen's enormous headphones, and after connecting it with his phone, he clicked the newest video and closed his eyes. It was still the same song that he heard days ago. Approaching the end of the song, he heard the sound of the singing bowl. It was mystical, the sound was reaching out from the audience's perspective, as if responding to the whole song. A peaceful smile formed in his face.

After the song ended, he opened his eyes, finding Gen's gaze from the front of the bathroom, topless and still damp hair. So how was the song? reached Goku without him really saying it out loud.

"Yep it was complete," Goku put down the headphones, a peaceful smile turned into a grin.

Gen walked over and leaned over Goku, "You made it complete," he brushed Goku's lips with his own. "And I'm pretty sure those bastards would be thrilled to see you."

"Guess we'll all be complete once again," Goku said.

Gen's mind wandered for a moment to the harissen he just purchased.

Indeed. And he captured Goku's mouth with his.