The taste of his lips were sickening; definitely some sort of baijiu. It was a strongly aromatic, sickly-sweet, fruity exhilaration that stings of heat pressured needles. He hated it.

But he loved Mantis. And he had dreamed, no, yearned for Mantis as more than just a friend. He leaned in to deepen the kiss, a little bit eager. A warm sensation rose in his cheeks, making his heart race. His face began to melt, allowing himself to be cupped by Mantis's warily rough hands. The kiss was passionately hot and had an edge to it, cutting him deep to his core. Mantis's grasp started to firm, clutching Monkey's head so he wouldn't escape. Monkey reached around feeling the latters' body, groping him as if it wasn't real, fearing this was too good to be true. Feeling, as if it was all but just a drunken illusion. Had he taken a sip of that liquor, he had no idea. He hand slowly made its way from the pectoral towards Mantis's thigh, desperate to pull him in tight for a grind, until a forceful pull abruptly broke their seal.

"wHOAWHOAWHOAH hEy-" Mantis looked at Monkey, horrified for what he'd been doing and for what Monkey almost did, 'Fuck..' as it dawned on him.

"Uhh," Mantis's face fell. "I.. I-I'm..." he could only stare as words seem to fail him. "-shit, I am so sorry oh gods.."

He quickly had his back turned on Monkey, completely flustered and at a lost for words. Monkey couldn't face him either. Their faces were burning over the heat they just went through. It was excruciatingly quiet.

'Shitshitshitshitshitshitshitshitshitshitshit'

The stillness in the air only added to the already intensely awkward atmosphere.

Mantis could only hold himself with his knees hugged to his chest. Cold sweat was dribbling down his face. He bit his lip, stimmed his fingers with his arms crossed and gave agitated, hasty glances towards Monkey, hoping they would come to an understanding.

He caught Monkey's sight, the eye signals and nodding made things much easier to communicate for the both of them. It's a good thing they were the best of friends. Monkey spoke first.

"It's- it's okay, ..it's okay."

"..yeah?"

"Yeah."

Keeping his distance, he reseated himself in a more comfortable position. Still tensed about earlier, Mantis's face was hot, either it was because he was still embarrassed about the amount of intimacy they were having or it was the alcohol catching up to him. There was something very nauseating about the sudden heave of the boat that made his stomach turn. He steadily rocked himself to counter the uneasiness so he wouldn't pass out.

Monkey was by his side, head bent down between his knees, looking slightly ashamed and.. disappointed.

"Ohh nooo.." Mantis couldn't help but laugh. "You had a thing for me? I had no idea!"

Monkey's head shot up, the colour drained from his face. Mantis was looking right at him.

"I guess it's pretty cool to know that guys dig me too." He chuckled. "Though if you wanted.. you could have just asked?"

Monkey was stunned. He could only gawk at Mantis's straightforwardness, and worst, he was giving the same damn look that caused all this. Only this time, he was being more suggestive. The lustful behaviour he expressed during the mess earlier had exposed him, it was completely inappropriate, yet, Mantis would just let him go off like that?! Monkey was, quite understandably, extremely sexually frustrated with him.

"I didn't think you were, well.. okay with that.." Monkey said.

It was completely ambiguous. He could be talking about being with a man or having sex. Maybe even both.

The stars flashed in a way it was set ablaze, black spots swarming in and blurring his vision. Mantis's head was throbbing, as if a newly forged sword from the fire was slowly stabbing through his temple. The world was spinning to various degrees that made it impossible for him to balance, he lost his will to the whim of his body.

A voice broke through the agony before he registered what happened.

"Geez how long have you been drinking?! Nevermind how much you drank!!"

Mantis had unconsciously swerved himself right into Monkey's arms, he had blacken out from the dizziness. His head faintly rested against Monkey's collar. The rapid breathing caused from the lack of oxygen had him quivering.

Why he dragged himself out there to drink something that would only inflict more pain, he can't seem to remember.

Monkey helplessly sat there, an arm around Mantis as he slumbered away.

The void was welcomed with the promise of sleep.

The following morning was greeted graciously, for our warriors had a good night's rest, except for Mantis because of his hangover, he was in no condition to travel. Nevertheless, that didn't bring a halt to their journey.

Monkey was more than happy to take care of him. They had been staggering for most of the trip. Although Mantis eventually recovered, Monkey never left his side.

The rest of the Five, and Po, were aware of how they've been particularly close to each other - more than they usually were for the most part.

It was when they realised the two had been holding hands all along.

((This is also the first fic I've ever written, but the second one I published. Thanks for reading! Please leave a review! Constructive criticism is appreciated!))