#honestly i feel she deserves better than liu kang

[mrstsung]

Ok girl time.

I'm feeling a bit 💖 sapphic 💖 today. So have some self ship art of me and kitana.

(Oh kitana,i wish they actually did you,mileena,and all the mk ladies justice instead of being half assed with you and them. But this would require nrs to actually respect women across the board. *sigh* Also what's stopping kitana getting with a woman from earthrealm? Why does it need to be a guy? Why does it need to be liu kang? What's stopping her? Truly. Honestly i always felt kitana only liked liu kang for superficial reasons. And because it was convenient. Not any real chemistry has ever been built between them. And half the time when they did get together. Liu had to be some god,undead,or get a power up to even be on her lvl. And kitana took stupid pills because plot. Never had either of them actually got together on equal footing as mortals. And why does she need to keep waiting for a man who probably has more important things to do. As does she. So......either give them actual character development and chemistry. Or dont bother. Honestly at this point kitana deserves better. Man or woman. Doesn't matter. But she doesn't need liu kang to be in a happy relationship. Period bottom line. But enough venting about dumb canon. This is about self shipping.)

Enjoy me n kitana getting ready for some kind of formal event. Maybe a gala,a birthday party,some political crap,who knows. But we gonna look fresh af.

Used a base

[avi17]

Lowkey wanna see you write a Drabble about Liu and Cole’s training? 👉🏽👈🏽 Or them just bonding? Honestly I just want some Cole content. 😭

KOLE KONTENT (still cant believe they spelled his name with a C honestly) (Also this is in a fixit-verse because I just wanted to be lighthearted) --- “Defend,” Cole reminds himself for the hundredth time, crossing his arms to block the flurry of Liu Kang’s fists.  “Fight smart.”  He hops deftly over a leg sweep- at least he’s smart enough not to fall for that, unlike someone they prefer not to remember too often.  Suddenly, he catches a brief opening in his opponent’s awareness, enough to swing his fist up in a signature uppercut that sends Liu Kang tumbling into the sand. They spar with bare fists, arcanas inactive and buried deep, but just knowing that he has that power within him has made Cole a different man in the ring.  He tries not to dwell too much on his failures before he unlocked it- it feels like a different life now, before he knew about all this- but the deepest truth of it was that somewhere in his losing streak, he had stopped trusting himself.  That feeling of worthlessness had settled into his bones, and it had taken fire and ice and blood to break free. Liu Kang is a different man, too- since Kung Lao's return, there is joy in him again, rather than just a numb slog through the motions of their days.  He is gasping for the wind Cole knocked from his lungs as he stands, but he’s smiling, a competitive spark in his eyes even as he brushes the sand from his clothes.  “Good!  Very good.” “You let him have that one, shī dì,” Kung Lao drawls from his vantage point as referee, arms crossed over his chest.  “He’s predictable, you know better.” “Isn’t the ref supposed to be neutral?” Cole asks, but it’s teasing.  He is still getting to know the man who had given his life to save him- it’s a miracle to get such a chance- but there’s a wry sort of humor buried beneath the surly arrogance that Cole thinks he likes. Emily is curled on the steps, poking away at some mobile game, pretending she isn’t watching them as intently as she is.  Cole would rather she really play, at least sometimes.  She deserves to keep some childish frivolity in her life, even if the birthmark on her shoulder cannot be ignored for much longer. “He’s not paying as much attention to his left side,” she calls to Liu Kang, with a mischief she never had while watching Cole get pounded on in the cage.  “Go for that!” "Whose side are you on?" Cole yells back indignantly, but she's hiding her giggling behind her phone so he's pretty sure it's still his. “Cole,” Liu Kang calls, drawing back his focus and falling back into a ready stance.  “Your opponent in the tournament will not allow you a break like this.  Again.” Cole rolls his eyes, even though Liu Kang is right.  “Alright, alright.” “I miss anything good?” Sonya asks, sitting heavily on the step beside Emily, hair in a messy bun, wiping away sweat from her rounds with the punching bag. “Just Dad kicking Uncle Liu’s butt for once,” Emily replies, slipping the phone into her pocket.  The endearments she’s started to attach to the other kombatants’ names are new, but they bring an odd warmth to Cole’s chest.  This insanity has given her the extended family that her parents, out in the world on their own since she was born, never could, and every one of them has things to teach her. “Now that I’ve gotta see to believe,” Jax laughs as he comes into view, arms glinting in the midday sun, tossing Sonya a bottle of water. “It seems we’ve drawn an audience,” Liu Kang says, brow raised, still smiling as flames begin to lick at his fingers.  “I suppose we should give them a show.” Cole nods, breathes deep, and remembers what it is that drives him- the desire to absorb all harm that might come to the people he loves into himself instead, to shield and defend them and use everything that has knocked him down in life to come back stronger.  The energy surges forth at his will now, weaving and hardening and molding to him like skin, and he grins.  He’ll be used to this eventually, but for now there’s still a giddy moment of pride every time. “A show, huh?” he chuckles.  This is another life from those days, but despite all the danger, it is a better one.  “Yeah, I think I can do that.”

[whatifxwereyou]

Firestorm Part 21: Breathe

Fandom: Mortal Kombat 2021 Liu Kang x Reader

Summary: Liu and Lao have a moment to catch up

A/N: Love you guys. Have a good one <3

Start From the Beginning << Previous Chapter Next Chapter >> Chapter Index

You had fallen asleep shortly after you’d eaten. Now you rested with your head in Liu Kang’s lap, covered with blankets. Liu brushed your hair from your face and did his best not to fidget. You were lucky that he was exceptionally skilled when it came to keeping still. Kung Lao had cleaned up the mess from your dinner. Sort of. Their definition of clean was very different. Lao had put things out of the way. Liu Kang would take care of it later. Now, Kung Lao sat next to him surprisingly still himself.

“Have you told her yet?” Lao interrupted and then seemed to judge whether or not you would remain asleep at the sound of his voice. He relaxed when you didn’t budge.

Liu wasn’t sure what he was talking about. Told you what? How he truly felt? No. Because he was a fool. He should have said it but that doubt took over when he got close. And when you were together and alone things felt perfect. Like you didn’t need to clarify your space. He was meant to hold you in his arms and you were meant to hold him. Even now as you rested in his lap, it felt like where you were meant to be. “Umm…”

“About the bet, obviously.” Lao sounded annoyed.

“Oh… that.” Liu was so far beyond that petty bet. You hadn’t been upset about it so he’d let it go. “I told her ages ago.”

“Shit, really?” Kung Lao leaned his head back with a heavy sigh. “She hasn’t said anything about it and I tried to bring it up back there and…”

“Honestly, she wasn’t upset about it.” Liu smiled at the memory. It had eaten him alive and you’d relieved those fears so easily. “Did mention she might torture you with it though.”

“Oh. Cool.” Kung Lao laughed nervously. “It’s been weighing on me. Things have been so chaotic I didn’t want to burden her with it. But I want a clean slate. It seems like every time we’re alone something goes awry.”

“Well, you tried. I’m sure she’ll understand. She hasn’t mentioned it. I’m not sure she even remembers you hadn’t told her.”

“I tried to tell her so… probably reminded her.” Kung Lao frowned.

“I don’t think it matters now, Lao. She knows we never wanted to hurt her.”

Liu lazily brushed your hair from your face and rested his hand to your forehead, feeling for a fever. He’d gotten pretty good at telling at least with you. You were still burning up. How exhausted you had to be! It was probably miserable and you almost never complained. Kung Lao was watching him. He seemed even a little jealous. Liu didn’t pull back. Let him be jealous. You remained soundly asleep in his lap.

At least you weren’t tossing and turning with nightmares now. you were dead asleep.

“What do we do about this?” Kung Lao turned his gaze, uncomfortable.

“About what?”

“About… Y/N. This can’t go on, right?”

Liu bowed his head and averted his eyes. He couldn’t look at you when they talked like this. There was too much guilt. He’d fallen for you incredibly hard. He’d known that for a longtime. When he thought about it too hard his brain rejected the idea of happiness. You deserved better than him. He was an important man in Raiden’s Temple. He knew that. But he was also an orphan. Abandoned. Unloved. In comparison to Kung Lao, he was nothing. Kung Lao had been born into greatness. He was destined to save Earthrealm. And the two had been best friends since you were kids. Kung Lao loved you. How could he compare to that? How could he rob you of the chance to have that?

“It’s her choice.” Kung Lao’s resolution was incredible, all things considered. “Maybe I’ll just outright ask her who she chooses. Rip off the bandage.”

“Does she really need that with everything going on?” Liu Kang understood the desire for an answer but was terrified by the idea of it. Logically, he knew that your decision should be a relief. But he was afraid that you wouldn’t choose him. Afraid of learning to live without you. He wasn’t sure that he could watch you living your life happily with Kung Lao while he was left wondering what might have been. Simultaneously, he was terrified of you choosing him. What would happen to Kung Lao? What if he was never enough? What if he couldn’t make you happy?

But if you didn’t choose him? He didn’t know what he’d do.

“I just want to take care of her.” Lao shrugged, watching Liu jealously. “Can’t seem to do that without her making a choice.”

“And what if it’s not you that she chooses?”

“I…” Kung Lao stuttered. “It doesn’t matter who she chooses, Liu. I’ll always be there to take care of her no matter what. Just… would be nice to know in what context.”

Liu didn’t know what to say. He felt the deep need to apologize but also knew it wasn’t appropriate. He hadn’t done anything wrong.

“What does this mean, then?” Lao cleared his throat and folded his arms over his chest. Every so often he tried to look tough or serious. It didn’t suit him.

“I don’t want to talk about her when she’s asleep in my lap.” Liu couldn’t help but smile at the sight of you sleeping so peacefully. He hoped that you were comforted because he was your pillow.

“I guess that makes sense.” Lao nodded toward him and a mischievous grin spread over his face. “How’s that going, by the way? Not sure I’d manage it.” Lao smirked. Liu rolled his eyes.

“I didn’t even think about that, Lao. She needs comfort right now.”

“I don’t think my body would care what anyone else needed.”

“Man, Lao…”

“I guess that’s why she chose your lap and not mine.” Kung Lao sighed dramatically. “I didn’t mean talking about her anymore, anyway… I meant… the whole thing with… that thing.”

“Shinnok. Fallen elder god.”

“That’s bad.” Kung Lao’s joking expression faltered and he pinched his nose and cursed beneath his breath.

“I need to speak with Raiden. I’ve only ever read about Shinnok and well, I can’t say I retained much of it. It didn’t seem important at the time.” He wished now that he’d paid more attention to it. He knew enough to know that Shinnok was bad news. To say the least.

“So… this makes her…”

“A demi-god, technically.”

“Oh. Damn.”

“I assume that Shinnok is the source of her curse. I also must assume that the connection between them is deeper than anything we could have guessed.” Liu’s head hurt just thinking about it.

“…is it weird to think it’s a little hot?”

“Yes. Yes, it’s weird, Kung Lao.”

“No, not like that… it’s just… I always knew that she was special. I just never could have guessed how special she was.”

“I’m pretty certain that neither of us could have guessed how special she is.” Liu admired you again with a smile. “I don’t think she would have ever guessed.” He tucked your hair behind your ear. You were dead asleep. He was half-tempted to check your pulse but he could see your chest rising and falling. The familiar way you slept, usually in his arms these days. “We’ll figure it out. No matter what.”

“You think so?”

“With any luck she saw something that can help us. And then Raiden can help her.”

“What if he can’t, Liu? What if we can’t?”

“Don’t catastrophize. One thing at a time. We see what we can do with what we have. Then we look into Shinnok. If we can’t break the curse then we find a way for her to… block him or something. I don’t know.” Liu’s head was steadily pounding now. How would they stand up against an elder god? A devil? Liu Kang would do anything to help you. And he was furious with what you’d been put through.

“Why not just kill her?”

“…what?”

“Not us, obviously. Shinnok. Why didn’t he just… killer when he had the chance? And if he’s so connected to her then why not just kill her? If he doesn’t want her to see that badly then why is he letting her live?”

“I don’t know. She’s his daughter, technically, so maybe it’s a familial bond thing?” Liu didn’t think that was the case but he didn’t have any answers right now. All he knew was that he would keep you safe no matter the threat.

“Right. Loving fathers just let their daughters relive the night they raped their mother.” Kung Lao scowled.

“I know. I just can’t assume his motives. I want to find the truth. I can’t fathom the way a god thinks, nonetheless a god that has been banished to the Netherrealm.” He was hoping Raiden would offer them some insight. There were too many unknowns. And right now he didn’t care. All he wanted was to wrap his arms securely around you and hold you close. He wanted to help you forget all the awful that you’d learned. He wanted to take you away from everything and give you a real break.

“Ugh. You’re right. We need to talk to Raiden.” Lao yawned and it was suddenly obvious how exhausted he was. “My brain hurts.”

“Mine does too.” Liu smiled sympathetically. “Why don’t you go get some rest?”

“What about you? And Y/N?” Lao spoke through his yawn.

“I’ll keep an eye on her. I don’t think I could sleep anyway.”

Lao was torn, wiping his hand over his mouth, and resting his elbow on his knee. But as he closed his eyes in thought he seemed to drift off enough for his chin to slip from his hand. “Yeah, yeah okay. You’re right. I should sleep.” Kung Lao slid from the bed that was way too small for the three of you anyway. “Promise that if you need anything you’ll wake me? I hate leaving her like this.”

“She would want you to rest.”

“You’re right. But she’d want you to rest too.”

“I’m not willing to leave her on her own.”

“Me neither. I’m glad one of us is staying.” Kung Lao nodded toward the door. “Let me know when you need sleep. We can swap.”

“I will. Get some rest, Kung Lao.” Liu watched as Kung Lao left the room, securing the door behind him. Then Liu rested his head back against the headboard with a heavy sigh. Silence except for your breathing. He meditated and it brought him peace. The prayer beads in his palm brought him security.

You were so damn peaceful in his lap.

Your connection to Shinnok was deadly.

And you were different than you ever could have guessed. You weren’t entirely human. That didn’t change who you were, not to him. He knew you. You’d shown him the kind of person you were the first time that you’d locked eyes and you’d tried to defend yourself. Then you had told him how you felt about the word ‘never’ and he had instantly been enamored.

There was a red thread of fate tied between your fingertips and it had gotten stronger with every moment spent together. But he could also see you fading. You’d lost weight. Lost color.

You were his missing piece.

The person who filled the empty space.

Then all at once that doubt was gone. At least for now. “I would do anything for a chance to love you.” He managed to say it out loud for the first time. To admit it openly. You laid still, dreaming in his lap. “Now all I have to do is say it when you’re awake and without sabotaging myself.” He admired you again. “I promise to get out of my head.” His hand rested on your shoulder and his thumb brushed over it slowly. You adjusted just so and pulled the blankets higher.

No more doubt.

It was your choice.

If he was that choice, then he had no right to tell you that he was unworthy of it. You knew what you wanted. Guilt be damned.

That was enough for him.

He’d let you help him with his doubt. He’d do anything to have that chance. He meant it. Much to his surprise, he felt your small, delicate hand suddenly in his. You held it. You weren’t awake. You’d just found his hand and held it close, like you’d subconsciously known he’d needed it.

You had given him exactly what he’d needed. And he would do the same for you.

Next Chapter >>

[puttingfingerstokeys]

I’m on fire again

I’m here dealing out emotional nut punches as best I can. Idk if this one’ll reach your testes, but hopefully, if all goes as planned. Ahh let’s see first person, present tense--kind of a storytelling/narration type o’ situation.

Caged Heat (MORE LIKE AGED HEAT AMIRITE? yeah so it’s 50some Johnny and past, 25ish? Liu... so if age gap squicks you, do not read the thing!) - Liu/Johnny. Potential prequel to Out With A Bang.

Broken Timeline

PS this here’s the song that was in me head

In my life (all fifty some odd years of it), I’ve learned to expect serious horseshit. Sometimes it’s the kind you can avoid—big, stinking piles, easy to stop and ultimately not a whole lot more than an inconvenience. Most often, though—and this honestly happens easily eighty seven percent (this also happens to be the Rotten Tomatoes score for Ninja Mime 2) of the time—it’s the kind of shit that’s hitting some metaphorical fan and spreading itself out over everyone and everything I love, specifically. How can shit, distributed like bird shot, be specific? Trust me, it can.

The last few months—If I’m being honest, it’s been literal years, but I’m a guy who focuses on the now—have been a particular brand of horseshit that drives a man to drink. I’ve learned my lesson with that, though. No Bueno, as Cass would say. Yeah no fuckin’ Bueno. 

One thing leads to another and another… A guy we all trusted with our lives led us into a death trap—led MY girls into a death trap and one of ‘em didn’t make it out. Sonya, babe, if you’re out there, you always deserved better’n me, but I’m glad you picked me anyway. 

I guess I can’t really hold that against Raiden. To say he wasn’t in the right frame of mind would be putting it mildly. Post-timequake, I ended up asking his past self (do gods have those?) what the fuck was going on in his brain.

“As I have yet to make those mistakes, Johnny Cage, I could not say for certain, although the influence of Shinnok’s essence, trapped within that amulet, may have played a factor.” That’s the best he could do and I’m going to go ahead and not ask again. 

Gods and demons and magical amulets—it’s my life, right? But it feels like one of my (bad) movies. Not the good ones—Lady Liberty was good—IS good—but like, one of those should’ve-been-straight-to-video jobs. This is like that except it’s happening and my friends are dying. They’re dying and I’m surviving. Do you know what it’s like to watch people you love drop like flies?

I’ve always been the “I’m here for a good time, not a long time” type of guy. Turns out I’m the one who’s stuck here for the long haul, though. I mean, over and over, it’s just turned out that way. Maybe there’s some cosmic force (not Thunder Cat, in case you were wondering) looking out for me, but I really wish it would stop.

Anyway that… kinda brings me to the next bit. Watching Raiden fry Liu Kang has got to be the highlight of shit I never want to think about again, but something I can’t get out of my head no matter how hard I try—and I DO try. I DID try—I tried a long time and it really fucked up Cassie’s childhood, my career, my relationship with Sonya. SF is out there waging a secret war and I’m wallowing in self-pity and booze with a daughter who doesn’t goddamn well know any better. 

I guess I had just wanted out, but I never meant to try taking her with me. She knows that by now, but that doesn’t fix what I did. So I do the right thing, get straight (relatively speaking), get clean, and join the military. My previous experience with Outworld ends up with me in SF, under my ex-wife (pretty much against protocol anywhere else, except that we don’t have many options), and surrounded by people I’d hoped never to see again.

Because I’m a selfish prick and being near them reminds me of that… all that shit—with Shinnok, the island, Goro, Liu… All that.

So I am, as usual, digressing. I’ll cut it short. The scenario is easy to set: It’s the day before everyone plans on invading Netherrealm (ew), sailing across the sea of blood (gross??), and taking a shot at the head Kueball herself, Kronika (I’m proud of myself for that one; please laugh). 

Everybody but ME.

I’m pretending like it’s nothing, but it actually smarts like a bitch—and not just my fucking leg. Yes, I resent the fact that I probably won’t be shadowkicking ever again, but what stings worst of all is that I know most of these people—everyone from Sub-Zero (whoda thunk) and Scorpion (GET OVER HERE) to Raiden (bzzt) and my girl Cass (aka mini me)—are not coming back from this. They’re not coming back and I am, once again, the sole survivor.

EVEN MY DOUCHEBAG YOUNGER SELF IS GOING. Tell me where the justice is in that? 

But I’m playing it cool. I have to do it, for all of them. It’s not for MY benefit; I’m fuming. I speak with Electric Slide a while—he has this really calming way about him that’s kind of weird if you consider how NOT calming lightning bolts are—and then he heads off to… probably do god things. He makes me feel marginally less shitty, but the feeling is still there, like a bad tooth, aching and waiting for me to fuck up and bite into something.

I’m glad I can at least BE here, at the Fire Garden, WITH everyone, but knowing it’s going to make their departure suck a fat one. I’m sulking again, getting my head in a dark place and keeping it firmly lodged there (the dark place is, as you might guess, up my own ass). But hey, who should pop his perfectly-groomed head into my rad sliding door (is rad a thing kids still say? Also it’s evidently called a “shoji” or something) but Liu “Kicky Longstockings” Kang himself. The young, hot one, not the gray, bad-tempered dude.

“Ol’ Sparky went that way,” I tell him, pointing out the door and in a vague direction. He shakes his head. He’s not looking for Raiden, apparently—it’s cute how he always calls the guy Lord Raiden… I mean I guess that’s his name, but I feel like if you’re involved in operations with a dude for so long, a little casualness is kind of expected. Anyway he’s never minded. Nobody’s MY “lord” anyway. I’m not that kinda guy. 

But anyway, so Liu walks in (sounds like the beginning of a joke… “So a monk walks into a whatever”), closes the door behind him, and sits down on the edge of my bed looking conflicted (read: closeted) as all fuck, staring at his hands, at the door, the ceiling. I tell him my eyes are up here, which makes him laugh.

God that laugh—that fucking smile. My heart is skipping SO many beats. I am too old for this shit. We both know it, at some level, whatever this shit even is. When he holds my hand, it’s in a friendly way. When we speak, it’s comfortable, like we never stopped. For HIM, that’s true, but he hasn’t connected with me yet, not the way I remember. I mean, maybe we’ve—y’know, but there’s a weird kind of desperate gratefulness in his voice when he talks about everything that’s happening, owning his fear, chewing through it like the Chosen One he absolutely is, and then finally turning his words and attention on me—on US. I tell him there’s no us, or that… there wasn’t—there were a few moments, but I’d only met him. I had wanted to know him better then and now he’s sitting in front of me and we have less than ten hours to get to know each other. I said my life was the shit-hitting-fan kind. 

“I like you better than your past self,��� he says, in no way sheepish. I have to laugh at that one and agree that I, too, prefer my current self to whatever hot mess I was brewing almost thirty years ago. I fill him in on what that ended up doing for me and he listens without judgment. Even through the lowest lows, I detect not a hint of condescension. 

An hour passes. We are just talking. It’s easy. He’s an easy guy to be around. Maybe it’s the monk thing ‘cause 1.21 Gigawatts has that too, like I said—but he’s kinda more nun than monk. Anyway what Liu does next is debatably non-monkish so maybe the comparison is pointless. His hand finds the side of my face and I self-consciously wonder if I should have shaved. Before or after the showdown with Kano, Cage? Okay, dumb thought.

“What do you want?” I gotta ask him because he’s not going to say it on his own. I know what I want, but that’s easy enough to discern by the way I’m watching him. He doesn’t hem and haw, though I can see the hesitation in his eyes. He simply watches a few moments longer before leaning in to kiss me—and what a kiss it is. It’s like fireworks. You know, you read in books that it’s an explosion of color and whatever the hell else—I dunno, the only thing I read is a script—well they’re right. 

My heart is doing the thing again where it threatens to burst out of my ribcage and go running off. Liu pulls away first, looking kind of horrified, but the color on his cheeks and the way he is touching his lips tells me I still got it.

“Sonya,” he whispers, the name falling helplessly from pretty lips I can’t stop ogling. It’s undignified, I know, but there it is.

“I’ll always love her,” I tell him, “but that never stopped me loving you, Liu.”

He considers this, still seeming conflicted, but I gotta admit, I’m really enjoying the way his cheeks go red. I could look all night, but I really shouldn’t waste the time. We have eight hours, give or take. I remind him of this, remind him that no vow in the world is going to protect him from the inevitability of a titan. 

I don’t feel like I’m pushing him, but encouraging the guy in a direction he already wants to take. E.g. Me. And I’m really only doing it ‘cause I know he either already has or intended. Maybe it’s wrong, but like I said, I’m selfish.

The next kiss is a lot more purposeful, with zero hesitation. When he yanks the sheet back, I shift to protect my leg and give him an easier time crawling on top of me. That’s what I want, to feel anything but alone. This heat between us is what I want—maybe what I need—and he obliges. He really is a polite guy.

Liu is careful as we move, mindful of my leg, and teasingly deferential to my seniority. When I jokingly call him “son”, he blanches and looks like he might swat me until he gets my shirt up over my chest and sees that ridiculous tattoo that he hates so much. It’s a weird kind of hate because the last time he saw it, the Edwardian (I think that’s what it is? I was drunk) script had the same effect. I’d never known someone could be angry and horny at the same time, ‘til I met Liu Kang—and Sonya, come to think of it. I guess I DO have a type.

Also I want it known that Liu Kang is a biter and he likes ‘em top heavy. Just, in case anyone cared. 

It feels like he wants to grope and/or take the tattoo right off my chest. When his lips aren’t busy with mine, they’re on me someplace and he’s got a hand over my mouth. It’s a good call, but GOD I want to be loud. I know he can be—all that turkey screaming is good for something, after all. But right now, we’ve gotta keep it down; the walls and doors are pretty thin and who knows who might wander by outside. The idea of Zap Dad catching us in flagrante delicto,  (yeah, I know what that means; get off my back) is both hilarious and mortifying.

Real talk, though, all joking aside, the sex is probably some of the best I’ve gotten in literal years. When I say the dude can throw a fuck, I mean it. He’s mindful of the leg, but this kid (weird-sounding I know, but when you get to be my age, everyone’s a kid) is going to town on me—I’m pretty sure he’s going to blow my back out… kinda hoping he does. 

Somewhere in the hot, sharp, sweet chaos of it all, I tell Liu that if I’m not limping tomorrow, he did something wrong. Well, he’s kind of a perfectionist (guess that’s why he’s the chosen one), so he sets about making damn sure I don’t ever, at any point in time, think that he did not do his job. I’m pretty sure we’re going to bring the whole complex down when the ol’ fireworks hit again. These ones are blinding, pretty much set about knocking us both out completely. If he doesn’t sleep well after this, I don’t know what else to do.

Coming down from it is comfortable. There’s that really nice feeling of tingling numbness in my legs and the creeping soreness of a well-used… Anyway, it’s not such a bad deal to fall asleep next to him, wrapped in his arms. He’s at ease too, finally. I should get paid for this. You already do, man; you’re an actor, my mind insists. Okay, that’s fair. 

I consider this as the sun sinks and the room goes dark. Silvery moonlight shines in the windows on the other side and creeps across the floor which looks honestly like it gets waxed every day. Knowing that hardass, Scorpion, it DOES. A lot of care has gone into this place, rebuilding it, students and all. To lose the Grandmaster that way, hoping to replace him with his younger self… it just makes the Hail Mary a whole lot uglier. 

I shift to lie on my back, considering the ceiling which is suddenly fascinating. If I’m lucky, he’ll keep sleeping and NOT detect the tears that are falling from my eyes faster than I can rub them away. He’s a light sleeper, though—guess I could’ve figured that one out—and before I know it, he, too is shifting to press himself closer, asking me what’s on my mind. Not what’s wrong. He doesn’t ask that because he knows; we kind of both know what the fuck is so horrendously wrong with this entire situation. He just offers the age-old penny for my thoughts.

“You come back for me, okay?” I hear myself whispering these words—they’re shitty and selfish and wrong; we both know he’s not coming back—before I can stop myself. The old Johnny Cage “charm” has evidently decided to rear its ugly mug. It’s like a hydra, I swear. Take out one head and seven more show up, that kind of deal? Not cool. But I DO mean it and, as long as I’m not lying, as long as we’re here, together and alone, pressed up against each other, I should probably say it.

“I promise.”

The words, three short syllables—they cut me, deep. This is like a confession of love, but ten thousand times more painful, because I know it’s not a promise he can keep. All at once, though, he’s kissing me again, rolling on top of me, pushing the doubt away with his lips. There’s a sureness in them that scares me, a determination hinged on hope that just isn’t realistic. 

It isn’t that I doubt Raiden’s plans (could anyone blame me if I did?), or the snaky fucking sorcerer that showed up with Fujin and Nightwolf (a couple of guys I NEVER thought I’d see again) just a day or two ago. I just doubt our luck. We have always had shit luck, all of us. It definitely seems like I’m the lucky one, though, doesn’t it?

How lucky is it to watch people die, to hold them tight and close, knowing you’ll never do it again? That’s not luck. That’s crap. That’s my life. I’m not looking for pity though—actually right now I’m not looking for anything. I’ve got everything right where I want it. Liu is hot against my flesh, pushing himself in deeper than before, and harder—there’s urgency like I remember it, a fathomless need, I think, to remember and be remembered. He’s an idiot if he thinks I could ever forget him. No matter what happens, I can’t do that.

I feel teeth and fingers digging in, sticky, hot flesh, and the most exquisite (yeah, I know what that means; get off my back) pain and pleasure combo I’ve ever experienced hands down, bar none. I want more, but then with him, I always do—or did. Or will? I don’t know. I want to think there’s a future for us, but if Kronika gets her way, no one gets a future; we just get to restart, to relive whatever pain she thinks is appropriate. Right now, right here, she can’t touch us. We’re consumed with each other and it feels so… so good.

Just when I think he’s done, that neither of us can go any longer—I realize how stupid that sounds to anyone who’s met a guy of 25—his hands are on me again, gripping my hip hard and pulling me back against him, his other arm—the guy has great arms, just FYI—around my chest. He guides himself in again and I lean into it. My leg is screaming, of course, but drowning that is easy. I’d love to lose myself in this for eternity, which sounds like a damn long time, but it’s better than the six(ish) hours we have left. Nevertheless, that’s what we’ve got and I’m taking every bit of it.

When we finish—yes, WE, like I said, Liu is a polite guy—I warn him that we have GOT to sleep. He taunts me. Of course he does. “What?” He says. “You done already?” Well of course I can’t take that lying down—figuratively, of course, I’m definitely still on my back. Knees are a no-go with the bandages and the underlying injury. 

He folds me this time, once more gentle with the bad leg, asking if I’m okay. I’m damn well not going to tell him it hurts like a motherfucker, not when he’s got my legs over his meaty, broad, beefy, HUGE linebacker shoulders—did I mention he has a great rack? And we’re off again.

It feels like we go at it all night, but we have a few hours left to snooze before the sun comes up and the ships set sail. God, ships—that’s so weird. I’ve never seen Netherrealm, or the sea of blood, but it sounds ominous and diseased… and sticky. My cowardly side is glad I’m not going, but part of me wonders if I’ll suddenly, like, acquire the memories of my younger self going. Is that going to be a headache situation, or a knock-me-on-my-sore-ass-for-a-week situation?

This time, Liu is curled into MY chest, hands tucked under his chin like a little kid. It’s kind of cute and I tug the sheets up over our sweaty bodies, knowing damn well how hard it’s going to be to disentangle when morning comes. But I can’t bear to move him. It’s like when a cat sits on you and suddenly you’re the Chosen One.

Except Liu Kang is the Chosen One and he’s going to go off, get himself killed, maybe save Earthrealm and then what? Ol’ Johnny gets to survive another year. I don’t know if I want to survive without him or any of our other friends. I don’t know if I can. I’m shit on my own. It’s taken years to come to terms with that, but it’s true. I’m not good alone. I hold him tightly until sleep takes me. 

It is high fucking noon before I open my eyes. I am unsurprised to find the spot next to me cold—but it is not empty. On the pillow where only hours before, Liu’s head had been resting, there’s a worn looking piece of red cloth. I sit up, groan at the agony my body is presenting—if it is bad today, imagine what tomorrow will feel like—and grasp the cloth. It is, if I’m not wrong, his old headband, the one he’d been wearing when we first met. Of course he has about a gazillion of them (he’s got ‘em like I’ve got shades, except he’s wearing some homespun shit and I’ve got Oakleys), but this one is kinda special… More than kinda.

I am not ashamed to admit that I’m crying, sobbing like a baby, like I haven’t had the chance to do since all this started. Holding his headband close to my face, I think about all we’ve lost, all we have sacrificed. I think of Sonya, the indomitable mother of my child. I think of Kung Lao, Liu’s best friend and unfortunate victim of fate. I think of Jade, of Vera, of all the lives that have been stolen and what we still have left to lose.

“You promised,” I hiss angrily, as if he is already gone, has already broken his oath to me. “You promised you’d come back—why’d ya do that if you knew… you couldn’t… can’t…”

[smooooothjazz]

Mortal Kombat Character Survey

Okay, I made a survey and I want to know about y’all more. Please fill this out, I wanna see some Mortal Kombat love. I want to know everything from the jerks you hate to the homies you miss. I will answer this myself!!! I want to see people’s opinions. AHEM * please ?

Don’t be scared I’m judgment free. This is a judgment free zone. If you’re here to judge you can’t play in the ball pit with the big kids!

Tell me about the character you would marry- Raiden, he’s sweet and caring, and just wants to keep Earthrealm safe. He’s immortal and I’m sure it’s been a while since he’s bumped uglies. He deserves some cooch and I like to be one to to give it to him. Also, I’d love him and take care him. I’d put him first since he’s he’s always putting everyone else first.

Tell me about your favorite male character (other than who you picked to marry)- Johnny Cage. I feel like I grew up with him. He was an asshole back in the day and I was young and dumb, so I love that shit. But now that he’s older, he’s more mature and and he’s jokes are more mature. I guess we also have Cassie to thank for that. AND Johnny is a great dad. All around great character development.

I’d like to give an Honorable mention to Meat. The one year he was a playable character, he stole my heart. If he kept being in games, he would definitely be my favorite character today . Shout out to Meat, wherever you are my skinless friend.

Tell me about your favorite female character (other than who you picked to marry)- Mileena. She just misunderstood. I wish Kitana would have nice to her. She would have joined the good guys. She just needed a friend, a sister. FeelsBadMan

Tell me about your your least favorite female character- Sonya Blade, her boring military character type, is so… Boring. Also She’s a bad mom and doesn’t deserve Johnny.

Tell me about your least favorite male character- Reptile. Everytime he’s on the screen, I fall asleep.

Tell me about a character that you haven’t seen in a few games and you wish they would come back- Well, Sheeva was in that most recent game but, as non playable side character. So I wish she would be playable in this game or the next.

Tell me about someone who was in the last game who isn’t/ might not be in the new one and it bums you out- MILEENA. They did a bunch of time stuff and they couldn’t bring my misunderstood Queen back? People just hate her because she has the face of a Tarkatan. FEELSBADMAN

Tell me about your favorite Kombat kid- Jackie, even tho she was so stupid in 11. She was much better in 10, character wise. She looks better in 11 tho.

Tell me about your least favorite Kombat kid- I don’t think I have one.

Tell me about a character you feel a personal connection with- Mileena, for all the reasons I listed above.

Tell me about your favorite boss- Shao Khan. Because he the OG boss

What about your least favorite boss- Blaze. Honestly, he’s like a fever dream.

Who’s the best villain- Shao Kahn. He’s just a classic evil boss. And I was so happy to see him in the new game.

If you could have a love triangle, who would fight over you- Hmmm.. I really don’t like love triangles because I’m always clear on who I want. I may like a different person but I always know who I’m going to choose to be in a relationship with.

Who has the best fashion- Mileena. I’d like to say she was Fresh to Death. 🥴

Who would you want to teach you offensive Kombat- Hanzo. He’s such a badass. He’s the best fighter, in my mind. Teach me all your knowledge Fire Senpai.

Who would you want to teach you defensive Kombat- Sub-zero, I guess. He’s been dodging Scorpion for half of his life, so his defense seems to be really good.

Who would teach you swordsmanship- I don’t want to fight with a sword. But if I have to choose, Evil Raiden™ can teach me how to wield his lighting sword… 🤓

And who would you have teach you specialty weapons- I don’t need weapons because if I were a fighter for Earthrealm I’d have some cool powers. But if I really needed a weapon, I’d ask Lui Kang to teach me the ways of the Nunchucks.

Would you join the White Lotus Society, Lin Kuei, special forces, Shirai Ryu, red dragon, black dragon, brotherhood of Shadow, Kotal Kahns team or Mileena’s- The White Lotus Society of course. 😎

Which realm would you prefer to live in- Earthrealm all day baby!

Any ships you like- RAIDEN AND I!… But seriously, I love Liu Kangs and Kitana. They belong together.

Any ships you don’t like- Reptile and anyone.

Get creative, if you were a ninja what would your code name be and what color- Fam. There’s too many ninjas.. The took all the good ideas and colors.

Would you have besties and allies- Yes. Jackie would be my bestie. And I’d long for Mileena to be my bestie and ally. So I’d try to ally with her.

What about your enemies- Even tho Noob Saibot has such a cool name he’d be my enemy because he’s a dick. I’d find a way to un-exist Reptile. Ermac gotta go for ripping off Jax’ arms. Of course, Shao Kahn. I’ll have fun killing him.

Good, evil, neutral, chaotic neutral- Good

Anyone you would date but it wouldn’t work out- Hanzo. Because my heart belongs to the one true Senpai, Raiden

Who would you want as a parental figure- Johnny Cage. He’s a good dad. 10/10 recommend as a parent.

Who do you get advice from- Raiden. So wise and so hot.

Who would you want to see more fanfiction on- Senpai Raiden. We need more Smut about him. No one mentions how ridiculously tall he is. He’s SEVEN Feet Tall. I have a thing for height, so finding that out about him has done things to me. He’s sweet and very Smart. And just wants to do right by Earthrealm. He deserves to get get his dick wet. #GiveRaidenSomeCoochie

@imakuaibaby