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“Look kid, we can explain. Just calm down and give us a moment!” Pigsy stepped forward, attempting to alleviate the tension. MK stared at his friends, his blood beginning to boil.
“Calm? Calm!? Why!? You were so upset about Monkey King not being honest to us! To me! But now you’re doing the same thing, running off, dealing with stuff all on your own without telling me, when I can obviously help!” MK didn’t want to be calm anymore. He didn’t want to be forgiving. Everything had just been so much lately, and for once he wanted some reassurance that his friends would always trust him and be there for him. But he guessed this was proof that they didn’t really need him. That they believed they could just run off, fight some bad guy and almost get killed in the process without him!
“We weren’t trying to be dishonest MK, honest! Please just let us explain. Let’s all calm down and discuss-“, Tang was cut off by MK’s sharp gaze.
“WHY!? Why should I be calm!? You’re all being hypocritical liars! Why should I continue to forgive and forget!? We’re supposed to stick together!!” MK felt his anger taking over, sending tingles and shocks up his skin that burnt his nerves. This was different from any anger he felt before. Something was happening, something was unlocked, and MK felt it was too late to stop it now. So why not let it out? “I don’t care what the reason was!! You guys left me, you left and you didn’t say why, you didn’t trust me to know! I am upset! I HAVE A RIGHT TO BE UPSET!!” The fire that lingered under his skin seemed to release, the tension that was building up inside of him finally exploded.
Mei let out a small gasp as Tang looked away with guilt. Pigsy continued to stare right at MK, seeming taken back by something, but then his resolve seemed to harden as he stepped closer to MK. MK’s gaze hardened as he fought back tears, emotions were lashing back and forth inside of him, it was almost like parts of him were shaking back and forth in irritation as well. It took a moment, the cloud of anger clouded his perception, but MK soon realized a part of him was going back and forth. A rather physical and new part of him, but still a part of him. MK gaped at the thrashing tail that entered his vision, he wanted to continue leering at his friends, to truly convey all the anger and hurt he was feeling, but the new appendage was quickly drawing his attention.
Nothing was said for a long while as MK slowly investigated the rest of his body. His nails were now pointed claws, sharp enough to do some serious damage. A quick swipe of his tongue revealed the same could be said for his canines. His ears were different, he couldn’t quite explain it, they just were. And of course, there was the fur. It seemed to spread around his arms, his entire body really, only leaving select areas of skin revealed. Slowly, MK looked up at his friends, his frown quickly returning as the hurt feelings re-emerged from his brief moment of curiosity.
“Even with the new mystic monkey business, this doesn’t change what we were talking about!” A quick glance at the others showed that they agreed. “I…What you guys did really hurt, you know?” MK swallowed around a lump in his throat as he tried not to dig his claws into his palms. “I thought you trusted me?” He could hear a small sigh leave Pigsy.
“I’m sorry kid. We didn’t mean to hurt you…we just…agh, well we just…were trying to give you a break. After everything that happened, you’ve seemed a bit…tired?” Tang walked up next to Pigsy and nodded.
“It was my idea really. I thought taking on the city's problems and letting you relax would help. We really didn’t intend to make you feel like we didn’t trust you.” Tang fixed his scarf and looked away. “I see now…that might’ve been the wrong choice.” Mei sprung out of her seat and occupied Pigsy’s other side.
“Guess we were kind of being hypocrites after the whole Monkey King situation. We’re really sorry MK.” MK stared at his friends and wiped away some of the tears that had managed to fall.
“I…I guess that makes some sense. Just, tell me next time! Ya know? So I don’t…go all monkey. Okay?” Pigsy nodded and motioned for MK to come closer. MK’s shoulders sagged as he walked over and planted his head on Pigsy’s shoulder, letting himself be enveloped in a group hug. Mei squeezed tightly, MK could feel her smile pressing into the side of his arm as one of Pigsy’s hands rested on the back of his head. Tang was rubbing soothing circles into his back. Slowly the fire that exploded across his body seemed to sizzle out. The embers held no heat as he sunk into the embrace. The thrashing tail that was behind him seemed to rest, and the weight soon disappeared.
“We’re sorry kid. We’ll do better next time, promise.” MK sniffed and gave a small smile as he hid in Pigsy’s arms.
“Thanks for trying. Sorry I got so upset…”
“No need to apologize, we kind of messed up. Even if it was well intentioned.” Mei shrugged, Tang hummed in agreement.
“We love ya kid. Don’t forget that.”
“I love you too Dadsy.”
….
“I guess calling you Monkey boy would have a new meaning now, huh?” Mei thought out loud. MK chuckled and lightly shoved her away.
“I was gonna say that!”