It was a splendid day; spring heat, light breeze, quiet silence given by the fact that the monkeys were all sleeping together with Macaque in the other room. Wukong was completely relaxing on the sofa, just enjoying that rare moment, when his ears picked up something: a slight and almost imperceptible crunch, right above his head. He didn't need to look up to know who it was, he just took a sniff of the surrounding air to immediately identify the scent of men's deodorant mixed with the aroma of noodles.
-If you're really trying to do a sneak attack upon me, you should be better than that, bud -. The comment of the monkey totally undermined all the enthusiasm of the little Monkie Kid who resigned himself with an annoyed snort to letting himself fall down from the beam of the ceiling on which he had perched, to land on the soft arm of the sofa, but continuing to keep himself in his shape reduced; he had finally learned to shrink himself and he wanted so much to try his Stealthy Mode on his mentor which was the hardest to surprise of all, and he had failed. He sat cross-legged with a pout on his face, waiting for the monkey to notice him and say something like "Sorry kid, you'll be luckier next time" with a mocking chuckle, but he certainly didn't expect to be immediately caught in his paws and pulled up with an excited squeal once he laid eyes on him. -Oh my sweet Heaven! Look at you! You're so cute ! -, Wukong was happily surprised by that kid's abilities, he didn't really expect him to have achieved that so soon. And above all that in reduced form he was so adorable ! He was almost the size of an action figure, he could practically pick him up with just one hand!
-Kid I'm impressed! You learned how to shrink yourself, that's amazing! -.
-You really think so ? -, MK's eyes sparkled with joy and pride when Monkey King nodded in approval, while he adjusted it better in one paw, examining it with his eyes and giving him a little pat on the cheek with a finger: -Of course bud! I'm so proud of my wittwle tiny Monkie Child! -, Wukong couldn't resist to tease him a little bit, continuing to stroke his cheeks with a finger and to lightly poke the poor boy in the stomach, making him squirm away; MK was just too cute in that size!
-Hey! I'm a Monkie Man not a child! And stop poking me, it tickles! -, the Monkie Kid chuckled, trying to escape that little unusual pampering method, when he saw a malicious glint in the monkey's eyes.
-Oh really now ~ And do tell me, does it tickle too when I do this? -, almost immediately Monkey King blocked MK's arms away from his body with the middle and thumb, keeping his legs still with the ring and little fingers, while the index finger supported his head; with the other hand he proceeded to gently scratch his nails on the poor boy's tummy, being careful not to accidentally hurt him, causing him to burst out laughing hopelessly.
-Yehehehss ! I-It tihihihickles ! Stohohohp ! -, MK stirred in vain in an attempt to free himself from the grip of his mentor's fingers, also trying to regain his original size, but the tickle prevented him from concentrating and was gradually draining away his energies; although Wukong was going very lightly, his tickle tolerance level was really too low: his skin was too sensitive, the slightest touch caused him an immediate jolt of uncontrollable giggles.
-Monkehehey Kihihihng ! P-Please stohohohop ! N-No… No mohohohrehehe! -
-Nu-uh, no way buddy, you're just too adorable to lettin you go right now. 'sides, consider this a punishment to have tried a sneak attack on me. What were you gonna do anyway, mhn~? -
-Nohohothing, I swehehehar ! -, MK was not lying, in fact he just wanted to land near him and take him by surprise, nothing else; if he had known this would be the result he would never have thought about it!
Fortunately for him, Sun Wukong was realizing that he was definitely torturing him more than he should, so he stopped tickling him, letting him catch his breath as he lay better on the sofa, resting the boy on his chest, gently caressing his back with a finger.
-I'm sorry MK, I just couldn't resist-, he chuckled, while observing him pout like a child while sitting better on his upper-half.
-That was so unfair-, MK whined, poking his tongue out to try to hide a smile that he knew was about to pop up on his face, because, despite everything, he was having a little fun. - How would you react if I started to tickle you? -. MK had said that without really meaning his words, but after a moment, the Monkie Kid noticed a change in his mentor's expression: his pupils dilated, a slight blush reddened his cheeks and his smile faded. - You .. You wouldn't do that .. Right MK? I was just playing with you, there is no reason to.. Well.. -.
That uncertain tone of the monkey not only made him realize that he had the knife on the side of the handle, but suggested the immediate next move: with a wicked grin, MK leapt forward and before he could even react, he had already slipped in the collar of the shirt, running down to the monkey's stomach.
With a yelp, Monkey King sat up abruptly, trying to stop the boy's run under the cloth, but it was too late: after a few seconds he felt two tiny tickling hands prodding and poking at his stomach, making him giggle helplessly in no time.
-MK nohoho! C-Cut it ohohohout ! -. Sun Wukong wanted so much to try to stop him, but he was afraid of hurting his successor in some way; so the only option he had was to sit back and gettin' it, hoping the boy would get tired soon. He tried to muffle his voice with an hand over his mouth, not wanting to wake up Macaque and letting him see himself in that embarrassing situation, while the other convulsively clutched a sofa cushion in an attempt to distract himself from that tickling sensation of MK's little hands who, not content with tormenting him only his tummy, directed himself higher, just below the ribs, making him shriek in surprise and falling in another uncontrollable fit of giggles and laughs:
- Oh my Hehehehavehehen! MK, nohohoh mohohohorehehe! -.
MK from his side was having too much fun! Of course, it was not easy for him to be able to remain stable on the other's body in those dimensions, since with each roar of laughter Wukong's chest rose and fell abruptly, almost unsaddling him, but he was determined not to give up the rhythm. He had never heard the Monkey King laugh so much and so genuinely, not even when they watched the comedy series he liked so much together. Plus, he admitted to himself, he wanted to take revenge for the tickle he had suffered before.
-Well Monkey King, do you give up? -, the voice of the boy, even if muffled by the t-shirt's fabric, arrived soft and clear at his ears; Wukong shook his head in denial, oblivious that MK couldn't see him, arching his back with a louder cry, beating his legs rhythmically and quickly against the sofa, when the kid managed to reach another sweet spot: the center of his chest , exactly above the heart-shaped birthmark!
-KIHIHIHID ! EHEHEH ENOUGH ! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE ! AHAHAHAH ! -, poor Monkey King couldn't take it anymore, even thrashing around and pulling his fists on the table nearby the couch wasn't enough to distract him anymore.
MK caught the message and stopped, letting him catch his breath, while he crawled out of his shirt and, once reached the couch, got back to his normal size.
-That was so unfair .. -, this time was Wukong's turn to whine and pout like a child, which elicited a small chuckle from MK: - Sorry Dad, but you kinda asked for it -.
The other just huffed in response, making himself comfortable again on the couch, before realizing what the guy had just said to him. - Did you just call me "dad"? -.
The boy's eyes widened, actually realizing what he had just let slip: he blushed violently, looking away from his mentor and waving his hands in the air as he repeatedly apologized for what he believed to be a mistake.
Monkey King let out a sigh, before gently taking the boy's hands to pull him closer so he could put an arm around his shoulders.
-Ehy kid, there is nothing to be ashamed for. Actually .. I'm proud that you see me as a father figure .. Since that I see you as a son too ..-, he admitted him, rubbing his neck with an hand sheepishly, waiting for the reaction of the boy who did not delay arrive; with his eyes shining with joy, MK practically jumped around his neck, closing him in an embrace that Wukong, after the first moments of bewilderment, soon returned with the same warmth.
They remained like this for a few minutes, until the King broke the silence: - I've got an idea. Do you want to do a sneak attack on Macaque while he's sleeping? -
Mentor and student, now father and son, exchanged a knowing glance and a maching grin, before quickly sprinting to the other room.
Things were going to be fun from now on.