It was supposed to be a peaceful night. The cave was quiet and comfortable for three Kaiju involved. At least until one particular one, the feathered beast known as Godzilla experienced a hellish nightmare and woke up like he was a demon itself. It was supposed to be a peaceful night. It is now a chaotic night. The ape known as Kong stared at the ordeal. “G-Godzilla???” Something was wrong. Godzilla’s eyes were a bright reddish feral color. And his body burned. Something was wrong. He couldn’t recognize his friend and child. Something was wrong. 

Echo had given off scared chitters as she dashed away to the other side of the cave, and for her own blind nature it was rather impressive. And that is what made Kong more concerned, the kid had likely experienced this with her father before. But she stayed with him regardless. They cared for each other deeply. Anyone else would have left. And Kong wouldn’t be one of those, he was no coward. He cared. He wouldn’t run. He would face the issue at hand. 

Kong stood up fully, not wanting to be intimidated by Godzilla himself. He didn’t want to fight. This wasn’t necessary. What he did need to do was somehow calm the raging fire before it exploded more. Godzilla roared out in pure ferocity, his red scutes glowing brightly as flames followed behind. He was about to shoot out a beam and Kong wasn’t gonna take any chances. He was hit with a normal one before which stung, he didn’t want to know what a higher powered version felt like. He beat his chest in return, his own tail flicked rapidly, before he charged and rammed into Godzilla’s stomach. A hiss was answered in return, trying to grab Kong and rip the ape to shreds, but had missed before he could do so. 

Kong was behind him, managing to dodge the attack. Before he could be noticed, Kong had leapt onto part of Godzilla’s back and held onto his neck. In response, Godzilla had merely snarled out and instinctively bit down onto one of his arms, teeth stabbing into it and drawing blood. Kong winced, ignoring the wounds and the heat that his close friend was enveloping. With great strength, he yanked his body downward, bringing his beastly friend down with him. “Breathe Goji, calm down!” Escalating the situation would not have helped and especially not with Echo’s own fear, but Kong wanted to get his message clear and did not care if he was heard or not. 

Kong’s own weight managed to slow the fiery beast as he had stopped and managed to actually collapse. The ape huffed heavily. “That is enough, friend.” Godzilla had merely shuddered, his bloodshot eyes merely shaking out of anger and fear, not knowing what to do with himself. And yet he remained on the ground, hyperventilating from exertion to try to not attack. And Kong swore he saw some small fiery tears forming. It hurt Kong very deeply inside. He didn’t need to read his mind. 

“It’s okay…let it go….I am here….he isn’t here to hurt you anymore.”

The name of Ghidorah was only something that Godzilla had brought up in passing once or twice, but he at least understood it was rather personal by the venomous growl in his voice. This Ghidorah had taken something so valuable from him, took Echo’s own siblings away, took his love away. And yet, Kong chose to not pry about it. At least until now. Ghidorah wasn’t here, yet he constantly plagued his friend’s dreams and mind. Kong decided he did not enjoy this Ghidorah and that if the alien was alive, his fists would say hello to three heads. But for now, all he cared about was Godzilla himself, to at least fight off the angry fire he was producing. 

The flames seemed to intensify, but luckily the aggression didn’t seem to bear at the ape anymore. Instead the feathered beast slowly got up in a crawling like position and stayed put. His sharpened claws stabbed into the earth as his jaws finally let go of Kong’s furry arm. Some blood stained with blood but nothing too major. Kong continued to ignore his wounds, his injured arm slowly going behind Godzilla’s back and shoulder. “Hey dummy….Goji…” It didn’t seem like Godzilla had really acknowledged him, his eyes practically staring into a dead space and despite it all, more tears had burst from bloody veined eyes as he was aware of what was happening to him. He breathed overly heavily from his nose and curled maw, his entire body trembling rather violently. A mewling sound was heard as Kong’s eyes darted to the side. Echo was hidden beside some rocks. Her cloudy eyes showed fear and concern for her own father. 

Kong rumbled sadly, as his attention was back to the behemoth. His other hand rose and gently laid on Godzilla’s other tightly gripped claws. A form of touch, something that his own species had done to each other as a way of affection and love. What he did to his previous mate. And now he was doing it to his former rival and now close friend. He didn’t think about it too hard. His attention was on the glowing scars and then to his eyes. “Hey big guy, look at me.” A flick of small ears before laying back against his head was the only response. He was forcing himself to listen. “Please look at me…” This time, a small red pupil darted to him in rapid movement. A heavy huffing snarl escaping his mouth. “I need you to breathe deeply for me okay? Focus…” Godzilla had breathed out a soft snarl, his eyes shutting tight. “Good…keep doing that fluffball…” Something small had nudged him, his eyes darting downward somewhat confused, but settling when it was just Echo. She managed to get between his own arm and under her father’s chest before curling up beside herself. “I’m here papa…” Kong gave a small quiet huff, the kid had heart and he admired her for that.

A few minutes pass with Kong continuing to calm Godzilla until noticing that his scutes have finally dimmed. His red eyes slowly lost its veins and rageful colors before it evaporated into nothing but specks of dust and tiny flames. Godzilla had given an exhausted exhale, his body going limp from all the stress and violence he was holding back. Kong still had him gripped tightly, refusing to let go. “I’m here…I’m here…you’re fine…” Somewhat peaceful reddened eyes with orange pupils slowly opened, filled with a form of regret. He growled at Kong softly. “….Y-you c-can let me g-go….” His voice was hoarse, obviously strained from his pure animalistic nature from prior. Kong let go of him gently as Godzilla lay down beside his kit. His head nuzzles Echo in the process. Kong stared at the ordeal, not saying another word. Throughout the night, he kept watch over the sleeping father and child, and it was finally quiet after a tense few minutes. And with that he passed out himself.

It was late morning when Kong woke up again. His eyes glanced at an empty nest. But he wasn’t completely alone. The kid was gnawing on a mutated rabbit by the entrance, her white coated body covered in blood but she was rather happy. He gave out a grunt for her to respond to so she would know where he was at. She gave a happy chitter. “Hi Uncle Kong!” “Heh, just Kong is fine kid.” Deep down he actually was fond of the name, but he would never admit it. “Where’s your father at?” Echo had given out a hum in response. “Not too far, I think he said he would be near a small pond by our cave….I am a little worried about him” Kong gave out a rumble in response. “I’ll be back, don’t cause more of a mess.” A chuckle was answered.

It didn’t take long for Kong to find him. His body simply rested near some water, his tail curled by his side. Kong gave a small sigh as he slowly approached behind him, hoping to not startle his friend. It seemed Godzilla noticed him regardless, but still was oddly silent. Nothing was said between the two for a moment before the ape broke the silence. “You alright? Echo wanted me to check on you...” Godzilla gave a quiet rumble, staring into empty space before he turned and chuckled. “No I’m not.” Well he was honest with himself, Kong at least appreciated that. Normally he would joke around or be annoying about it, but it was an issue that the feathered beast took seriously. Kong managed to finally approach him as he sat next to Godzilla’s side. “Never seen you like that before. Like you weren't really there.” It was concerning to see him on fire, shaking like a leaf, his eyes filled with bloodlust and fear at the same time. 

Godzilla merely growled under his breath. “I didn't want you to see it. I haven't gotten close to it lately, for a while I thought I might be done…” A pause. Kong didn’t interrupt. “But….I just started thinking too much…” He sounded ashamed, his voice too quiet for his own liking. Kong gave a snort as he glanced at him. He knew who he was referring to. “Echo’s mother?” It was a hot topic that Godzilla didn’t like talking about. The kid never knew her but her father still had the time to talk about how great she was before it all was taken away. “…Yeah…” Godzilla’s eyes were now staring downward, guilt and sadness on his face.

Kong remained silent for a moment before he growled softly. “You know, dwelling in the past won't help anybody. You had to see me learn that.” He sadly smiled, remembering his own life before he was frozen. His mate and daughter but he never saw them grow. Their skeletons were all they remained and he found them that way. He hated the fact that he abandoned them, left them, and yet they still filled up his mind and heart. “You made it look so easy.” Godzilla sounded rather deflated, his words bringing Kong back the present. “Heh…it’s not. Not at all. I’ve got you and Echo, and that makes it a little easier to bear.” And he was being honest. Why would he lie? He cared about his friend even if he was a little shit. 

Godzilla gave a tired sigh. He was listening at least but he still wasn’t his usual self. “I’m not much for help. Not when I’m…like that.” He said it with some spite in his voice. Kong’s eyes softened but he remained firm. “Yeah, and you won’t be if you keep talking bad about yourself.” It was then that Godzilla had reared his head up and snarled at him, looking a bit offended. His teeth bared as his feathers bristled but not much else. Kong stared, unmoving and not afraid. He wasn’t gonna attack, he knew this. And luckily Godzilla did not attack. “I hurt you today! Look at your arm!” Of course that is what he was worried about. 

Kong gave out a deep huff. Lifting his own injured arm in the process, now just a small puncture wound. “Goji look at me. I'm bleeding cause I care about you enough to do something stupid, like hug you while you're on fire. As far as I'm concerned this is my fault.” Godzilla has settled slightly, his voice more quiet. “It’s not….” He sounded unsure, but he waited for the mutated ape to speak more. “Well it's not your fault either, and you better shut your mouth before you try and correct me. Be fairer to yourself. That shit's ugly. But you won't get anywhere if you blame yourself for it. Family keeps us sane, that’s why it hurts so much to lose it.” He heard Godzilla give a quiet grunt, his own ears laid back. “I never knew Echo's mother, but I doubt she'd want you to feel so miserable, especially when you're not alone without her.” He was still being honest. Cause he was sure of himself that his own mate and child would be at least happy currently even with him missing them. 

Fortunately it seemed like his own speech worked. Godzilla gave off a small smile as if he took his words to pride. “...She'd tell me to quit feeling sorry for myself, and get my head out of the dirt.” Kong gave him an affectionate grumbling chuckle. “I’d take her advice.” Godzilla warbled as his head bent down near the injured arm he inflicted. Kong’s eyes darted down as he did so. “I’m sorry about your arm….even if it isn’t my fault.” Kong rumbled softly, letting his head lie on Godzilla’s soft body. One of his arms enveloping him in a hug. “Apology accepted.” Godzilla gave a hum, his tongue licking the wound. Kong shivered, feeling a bit ticklish but let him be. He needed this especially after tonight. “Kong? Thank you for being here…” Kong gave a grin. “Sure, fluffy idiot.” A laugh was answered in return. “You’re a fluffy idiot too.” Godzilla had said it with a devilish sneer but it was filled with his own affectionate way. His eyes staring at Kong. His eyes staring at Godzilla. “Let’s go back home dummy.”