Chapter Text
It’s just an infant.
It’s just a boy…
Like he was. Like he had been. Like all beings were before they grew older and shaped by the things around them and inside them.
Tripitaka can hear his ears ringing.
The Gold Star of Venus stands there, with an emotion in his boiling eyes that Tripitaka cannot give a name to, his arms behind him as he quietly awaits the monk to ease his sudden, panicked breathing. The babe lies in the curve of rock, curled into a ratty blanket that came from Buddha knows where, a small sneeze echoing as the babe’s tail wraps around himself.
He looks to the God.
“I. I cannot. I cannot possibly…I took an oath.”
“You did,” Venus accepts, looking away for a moment then back again. “You took an oath of no violence. But that does not mean you cannot ask others to act in your stead.”
The knowledge punches Tripitaka harder in his chest, and he collapses to the ground, staring in undisguised horror, eyes ricocheting from the God to the babe.
This little creature, who was fated to be so destructive in the future that he would cost the lives of millions.
This sleeping babe, who Tripitaka was ordered to…take care of…
He feels acid climbing up his throat, but valiantly chokes it down as he slowly climbs back to his feet. He stares, and stares, the babe just dozing softly as his little ears twitch. “…the Jade Emperor. He wants me to…take care of him.”
The Gold Star of Venus raises an eyebrow, tilting his head slightly. “Yes. That is what he said. Take care of the future Sun Wukong, ensure he does not become the destroyer of this world.”
“Then I will,” he says, chin jutting out and determination shining in his eyes. “I will take care of him. I will raise him to be a kind and just being, to follow in the steps of the Buddha, and to become a beacon of hope and love.”
Venus…does not say anything, for a long moment.
Then he smiles, something almost…playful as he chuckles. “Oh, Sanzang…I do so like your attitude. We’ll see how you feel in a few years. Go on then. Pick up your new child, and continue your journey.” And in a flash, he was gone, leaving Tripitaka to wonder what in the world he just agreed to.
When he picks up Sun Wukong, the babe flashes golden eyes at him, and a gummy grin slides across his face as he coos, reaching up for Tripitaka’s cheek while a tail winds around his wrist.
…he’s pretty sure he made the right decision.