The mountain breeze was gentle that afternoon, carrying the faint scent of blooming peach blossoms. You were sitting by the edge of a cliff, idly watching clouds drift past the horizon, when you heard quick footsteps behind you.

Wukong: "Hey—!"

The voice was unmistakable. Sun Wukong.

You turned just in time to see him jogging toward you, hair a little messy, staff slung across his back… and a small bundle cradled in his arms.

"Uh… hi?" you said, raising an eyebrow. "What’s with the—"

Before you could finish, Wukong plopped down beside you, holding the bundle out.

Wukong: "Hold him"

You blinked. "…This is a baby."

Wukong: "Wow, ten out of ten observation skills."

He quipped, but there was a nervous edge in his tone.

Wukong: "His name’s Sun Xiaotian."

You hesitated, carefully taking the tiny figure from his arms. Xiaotian blinked up at you with wide, curious eyes, his tiny fingers curling around your thumb.

"Okay… and why exactly am I holding your baby?" you asked slowly.

Wukong rubbed the back of his neck.

Wukong: "Because I need you to look after him for a bit."

"A bit? As in… an hour? A day?"

Wukong: "…Maybe a few days."

Your jaw dropped. "Wukong, you can’t just drop off a baby like he’s a takeout order!"

Wukong: "Listen, I wouldn’t be asking if it wasn’t important. I’ve got… some things to take care of. Dangerous things. And I don’t want him anywhere near it.***"

You studied him for a moment. He was smiling — but it was the thin, tired kind of smile he wore when he was hiding how worried he really was.

"Is this about that demon trouble you’ve been avoiding telling me about?" you asked.

Wukong: "…Maybe."

He avoided your gaze.

You sighed, looking down at Xiaotian, who was now happily gurgling. "You’re lucky he’s cute."

Wukong’s grin widened.

Wukong: "I knew you wouldn’t say no."

"I didn’t say yes!" you shot back.

Wukong: "Close enough."

He was already standing up, adjusting his staff.

Wukong: "You’ll be great. Feed him, keep him warm, tell him some cool stories — oh, and don’t let him eat peach pits.'

"Wukong—!" you called, but he was already jogging away.

Wukong: "Thanks, you’re the best!"

His voice echoed as he vanished down the mountain path, leaving you with a wide-eyed infant in your arms and about a hundred questions swirling in your head.

You looked down at Xiaotian again.

"Well," you murmured, "looks like it’s just you and me, kid."

The baby cooed in response.