#it’s just that Kuai has a less hateful way of going about it

[suja-janee]

Can’t say I blame her

[tiredfox64]

Part two of my kill for hire reader?!?!?! Like the brothers all court her? Different endings on who she chooses?!?!?!

Go for the Kill

Prior notes: @eemr1000 @livingdeadgirly @k3ythesapphic COME GET YOUR FOOD BEFORE THE MOLES GET IT. Tbh I struggled a little but i think I did okay.

Pairing: Lin Kuei Bros x Afab reader

Warnings ‼️: Just get inside!

You made quite a reputation for yourself. You have been most useful to Lord Liu Kang. Thanks to the help of the Lin Kuei your skills have grown substantially. And look at that, you made three new friends as well. Well, they want to be more than just friends.

It didn’t take long for the brothers to recognize that they all liked you for their own reasons. Bi-Han liked how deceitful you can be just to get the job done. Kuai Liang applauds your tactics and finds your intelligence to be quite attractive. Tomas saw your huge potential and finding out you are actually sweet drew him in.

Yes, yes, you certainly have a nice set of bachelors just waiting to nab you for themselves. But, uh, who are you gonna pick?

I mean they haven’t even asked you out yet. You’ve been busy with more killing assignments so they haven’t gotten the chance to have you alone. It’s fine, it gives them plenty of time to think and prepare a way to court you. They have their own ways, it just depends who gets to you first.

You get back to the Lin Kuei temple after another successful killing. You’re a bit tired and just want to settle down for the night but you can already hear all three of them making their way towards you. Well, now it’s just one since Bi-Han decided he gets to see you first. It wasn’t a mutual decision he just pushed his brothers out of the way.

“I see you are successful once again. I do not expect anything less from you.” He compliments you as if you haven’t been killing for who knows how long. You noticed he grabbed onto your hand, ready to drag you away from everyone else.

“It is incredible how perfect you still look. You look like you barely broke a sweat.” Now Kuai Liang was coming in. He grabbed your other hand with the same intent Bi-Han has.

“You must be tired after that assignment. Maybe you should relax for a little. I can help you.” Who do you think just snuck up behind you and wrapped his arms around your waist? That’s right, Tomas.

You could feel tension in the air building up as you looked at all three brothers. They weren’t looking at you but they were glaring at each other. Something’s off but you can’t tell.

“Come with me, I have something important to discuss with you.” Bi-Han spoke.

“Whatever you have to say, brother, can wait. I have something important to tell her as well.” Then Kuai Liang spoke.

“I have something just as important to say to her.” Tomas pitched in.

“Why don’t you all just tell me what you want to say.” You were snappy since you were tired.

There was silence. They were unsure about confessing right now. But if it has to be done, so be it. Bi-Han will go first obviously. He pulled you in close, glared at his brothers, then looked down at you with a less cold look.

“Ever since the first time I saw you kill that fool, I knew you were the perfect woman for me. Skilled, precise, vicious even. You belong next to a grandmaster like me. I would hate for some incompetent fool to have their hands on you and ruin a perfectly good woman like yourself.”

To be honest, you were shocked. Did Bi-Han really have his eyes on you this whole time? You would have never guessed.

I mean it’s not like he deliberately made time to train you every time you were at the temple. It’s not like you caught him giving you that devilish smirk whenever he watch you kill someone else in your own devious way. And when you asked everyone else if he has ever smiled at them that way they all thought you were mad. Cause when the fuck does Bi-Han ever smile. There was never even a twitch in his lips at anything enjoyable other than you. Alright so there were signs you just didn’t think too much into it.

Now it was Kuai Liang’s turn. He yanked you away from his brother and held you close. He looked at you more warmly and a less cold expression overall.

“Your beauty and intellect has awed me. I have never met a woman with your skills. You are a rare kind of person that I would hate to let go of. My desire for you burns brighter and hotter than the fire I produce.”

Kuai Liang’s words were sweet. You believed him since he was always such a gentleman to you. He always complimented and applaud you for your plans. Your ways of execution were unlike anything he has seen. You always appreciated that you felt equal to him. He never held back when you two would practice which helps make sure you were always at your best.

Don’t forget about Tomas. He pulled you in by your waist. His head rested on your shoulder, just appreciating your presence before confessing.

“It’s been so long since I’ve seen someone with such skills that could rival a hunter. Not even in my homeland did I see many like you. I see so much potential in you and I want to be next to you as you develop your skills further. No one could rival you.”

You always heard Tomas cheer you on. He wanted to know your tricks and you would happily share them with him. You two had a closeness that came from your sneaky skills. He was great to practice with when preparing for your next assignments, except you wouldn’t actually kill him of course. You appreciated that he saw that you were actually sweet and never questioned if you were just putting up a persona or not. He wasn’t afraid of hearing that sweet voice of yours and think that you were about to poison him.

He let you go and now they were all looking at you. It’s your call. Whoever you will pick will have you for himself. Now pick. Who will you be with?

Bi-Han

(So…this is your choice)

You walked up to Bi-Han. You had your eyes on Bi-Han for some time. He is strong, he helped you better your skills, he’s got a handsome face, and a voice that sends shivers down your spine. Clearly, you’re digging him too.

That devilish smirk came back. In his mind you made the right decision. A woman like you is fit for a grandmaster. Your devious tactics combined with his high title is a great combo.

You didn’t even have to verbally say yes to him he took your approach to him as the answer. Unexpectedly, he picked you up and threw you over his shoulder.

Well he can’t have you in front of his brothers since they wanted you just as badly. You didn’t know where he was taking you but you recognized soon that he took you to his office. Just for extra measures since the locks apparently aren’t good enough, he froze the door handle. Now no one could get in and no one can get out.

Bi-Han wiped all the papers off the desk before placing you down on it. He leaned his body against yours to the point he pushed you onto your back. You heard a little hum of desire before he spoke up.

“Finally, we are alone. I have you all to myself.”

Kuai Liang

(Is this correct, reader?)

You walked up to Kuai Liang. You need a gentleman like Kuai Liang. Not just that but his body drew you in. So warm and well built. All those times he would pin you down during practice made you fall for him hard. Even his serious expression was attractive to you.

You made Kuai Liang a happy man today. A lovely lady like you is something he has dreamed of. One that is just as tough and precise when plan making as he is.

“You have quite a way with words, Kuai Liang. I can tell it came deep from your heart.” You commented as you placed your hand on his chest.

He looked at you so lovingly. In your heart you felt like you made a good choice. He held your face as he leaned in to place a kiss on your forehead. The kiss felt hot. His desire truly does burn hot.

You heard a groan come from Bi-Han. At least Tomas can act happy for his brother. Kuai Liang will surely get shit for this from his brother. But it doesn’t matter. He has you and he couldn’t be more happy.

“Do not worry about him. He is just upset that I have a beauty like you in my arms now.”

Tomas

(Your eyes see true)

You walked up to Tomas. You want someone who sees so much in you. To hear that you remind him of his homeland made your heart melt. You never heard something so sweet.

Tomas was ecstatic. Being picked is such a wonderful feeling. He picked you up in his strong arms and twirled you around as if you were a princess. Hey, I bet he would give you that princess treatment you deserve.

You giggled as he placed kisses all over your face. His beautiful huntress. All his.

Of course Bi-Han groaned and wanted to start a fight with Tomas. For once, Tomas would not let his brother get in the way of his happiness. He threw a smoke bomb in Bi-Han’s direction which made him go into a coughing fit. At least Kuai Liang was happy that his brother found love, and that he didn’t get hit with a smoke bomb. He turned his attention back to you again.

“Perhaps we should go somewhere more private, my dearest.”

Bonus: All of them

(I’m the writer I get to have a say!)

“Well, you clearly all like me. Why not I just date all of you.” You said it so casually.

You stumped them all. It wasn’t because they didn’t think of that it’s because it’s not something one would usually say in a situation like this. But you ain’t the usual kind of gal, are you.

“Can’t I love you all equally? Don’t brothers have to share anyways?” You keep bringing up these points which stump them further.

Ah yes, the tactic of confusion.

You can easily love them all. They will get their own special treatments. There is so much to love about each one of them. You were already debating on this before so you had this all set in your mind.

“Perhaps you can. I am unsure how this could work but it will not hurt to try.” Kuai Liang answered.

“Yeah, I think this could work out. You always find a way to make things happen. it will make everyone involved happy.” Tomas added on.

Kuai Liang agreed with Tomas which made them both on board with this. Bi-Han was more hesitant. He should have you all to himself. But it would make some things awkward around her. Oh fine! At least he still gets you.

“Fine. We will have it your way. But I get to have you first.”

Bi-Han picked you up and threw you over his shoulders. You get a sense of deja vu but you never experienced this, right?

All the brothers start to argue and insist he put you down. It was a no from him every time. You sigh as you realize this could get a little complicated.

Oh dear, looks like Bi-Han needs to learn that sharing is caring.

After notes: Alright yall I gotta go gamble and fight senior citizens for pickle rick, giants football, and a Japanese switch. I will throw hands. Sorry if this ain’t the best I did my best. Adiós!

[doki-doki-imagines]

Okay so I'm NOT the anon who requested the lin keui trio +earthrealm defenders reaction to y/n asking them to eat pineapple to make their cum taste better.

But I'm about to be the non-anon that requests a follow-up of the lin keui trio +earthrealm defenders reaction to seeing y/n EATING pineapple right in front of them afterwards to make their(y/n's) cum taste better.

Or even just for your name to say "I had pineapple" and guage reaction.

Fun ask, last time. Fun answer, too! Thank you for writing it. No pressure on this ask, love your work!

author note: sequel of this. I don't think I should laugh so much doing these kind of hcs LMAO. Also thanks for your kind words!!

tw: vulgar language, some suggestive but nothing nsfw is described.

If you like what I write consider tipping on my ko-fi

Johnny Cage: -He would do the nose flick and smile from one ear to the other. -Johnny is so showing off, he just misses the peacock's tail being wide open and he would be perfect. -"You'd really do anything to be eaten out by me, mh?" He says trying to block the new smile by biting his lower lip "Amazing technique, right?" -Best advice: fuck the arrogance out of him. It won't work but at least it will be a fun time.

Kenshi Takahashi: -He…he can't see you. -Kenshi understands you are drinking something, but he really can't tell what's inside. -"I have been drinking pineapple juice lately." You say trying to sound as smooth as possible. "That's good, it has excellent anti-inflammatory properties." He replies kissing your forehead. -Kenshi knows from the moment the fruit name rolled out from your lips where things were going. -Did you try to tease him? Send him a message? Too bad, ask nicely or even better, beg. He won't give up for anything less.

Kung Lao: -He looks at you with such as big smirk… -"So, are you getting ready for later?" Lao whispers in your ear, hands sliding toward your backside. "Yeah, I have to meet with Raiden." -1HKO. -Seems only right to tease him back.

Raiden: -He stutters a bit when he sees you gulping down a cup of the juice. -"You don't have to exaggerate. I appreciate the feeling, but don't hurt yourself." He says before softly knocking your foreheads together. -This guy can be so overwhelmingly sweet.

Liu Kang: -He looks at you, sitting on the kitchen chair while you gulp a big glass of pineapple juice down, your back towards the stove. -"I know what you are doing. You are so silly" He chuckles "Bend." "What?" You reply unimpressed putting the now empty glass on the counter. -"Bend." Liu Kang says again, but his voice is full of mirth. "Or what?" You challenge him. -It all happens in a second. You bat your eyes and you feel his strong hands on your forearms pushing you around and bending you down. "Or I'll do it. Let's see if the juice benefits already worked on your body." -They did not. But if you knew challenging authorities was so fun you would have done that way earlier!

Geras: -"I appreciate the effort, it warms my heart knowing my partner would go to such an extent, but-" He pushes away the glass from your lips "There are different diets that have the same effect. I know you hate pineapple juice." "Geras, I love you." You choke a bit on your spit, hating the taste in your mouth. -He chuckles at your words "It's my pleasure." -Geras doesn't have to look at the future to know you'll never drink that ever again.

Bi-Han: -The scowl is permanent on his face, but this time he isn't angry. -There is a tiny voice in the back of his mind screaming "they would do anything for you, for your pleasure!" -Bi-Han basks on the idea that his partner is wrapped around his thick fingers. -If you don't make any mistakes during the day you'll receive your prize in the evening…

Kuai Liang: -Well he drank it with no problem so he doesn't mind if you do either. -May want to try that dumb thing of crossing glasses but he ends up being too forceful making juice go down more on your face than your mouth. -You laugh so Liang isn't worried. -"Your shirt is stained, it will be a mess if we don't clean it up. Let me help you remove it…" -The shirt was soon forgotten.

Tomas Vrbada: -"At my three we both drink. 1, 2, 3-" "W-Wait I have a better idea…" Look neither of you likes pineapple juice that much and this looks more like torture than anything else. -So…Tomas put a finger at the bottom of your glass, pushing it towards your lips to make you drink a sip. -And then he kisses you! Sucking your lips and therefore the juice out of your mouth. Tomas also spills his juice on your neck, licking it up while hands travel south. -Look he is doing it for the both of you! A new way to enjoy such a mid beverage! -The fact that he wanted to fuck you senseless since tomorrow morning is totally not correlated.

[bunniekittiee]

Bi-Han x Fem. Reader

Bi-Han headcanons (idc if it’s ooc) because I cannot stand the characterization that people have created for him. Like he is not a crazy aggressive dominant man like seriously?? These are teeth-rotting soft so please enjoy. SFW and NSFW!

SFW-

Bi-Han may have a very rough exterior, and it was definitely hard to break the ice (haha).

But his wife is his life.

He adores you, and he loves you so very much.

He may have a difficult time trying to communicate this as he is not one for being ‘lovey dovey’ like Kuai Liang, but that does not mean he doesn’t try his very best.

Gifts, he loves giving you gifts. Sometimes they’re simple like flowers, sometimes they are extravagant.

Either way, he loves to see your smile when he gives you a gift, so it is a reward for him.

However, Bi-Han does have his moments where he can be a little rude.

If he is stressed from the Lin Kuei or feels as if he does not have the energy he should, he can be a little snappy.

He will never hurt you, it would wreck his soul if he hurt you physically.

He may hurt your feelings, but he doesn’t mean to do it on purpose. He can be a little blunt sometimes when he is in a mood.

So after he recovers from his mood, he will seek you out and apologize for his behavior. Yes, he will probably have a gift with him.

He does not like fighting with you. He feels that it is a waste of time, and also he hates to see you upset.

Absolutely loathes going to bed angry. He can be a bit of an overthinker.

If you both got into an argument that was not resolved and he goes to bed moody, he has fleeting thoughts of your possible demise if he went to bed without apologizing or discussing it further.

What if something happened and you died without knowing how much he loved you and how he was sorry? It seriously messes with Bi-Han.

Anything can happen, and he understands that.

So if he can, he will do his very best to make sure you resolve conflict before going to sleep.

Nicknames are: my wife, beloved, my dearest, firefly.

Firefly is definitely a unique one, but it is referencing the time you both watched the fireflies light up in the night around you both.

It was romantic, and your eyes were gleaming so bright, Bi-Han’s chest tightened and his heart yearned for your love.

“My firefly, for you light up my world in ways you do not understand.” He wrote one day to you. “My world will never go dark with you in it.”

He can have a hard time expressing his feelings with words as he has many layers to him, so sometimes he feels better writing it to you.

But that doesn’t mean Bi-Han cannot tell you sweet words.

He misses you very often, especially if it’s been quite some time since he has seen you. He is always thinking about you.

Sometimes he wished he could have a little less responsibilities as Grandmaster so he could spend more time with you.

NSFW-

He does not like to use his powers on you in the bedroom.

It is different if he slightly changes his body temperature, but full on using them, that is forbidden.

Bi-Han would suffer an eternity if he hurt you, so it is a huge no-no to him.

He can be dominant, but it is more so because he is a powerful leader.

However, he loves it when you take control as well. Again, he is the Grandmaster and sometimes he just wants you to take the wheel.

Does not like degradation. He loves you deeply, and he cannot stand to call you names or being so cruel.

Expect it to be very passionate and loving. You are Bi-Han’s world, and he likes to take his time.

Loves cuddling after.

Breathing in your scent makes him feel less stressed and he enjoys your body warmth.

Any scars, stretch marks, or marks, Bi-Han kisses.

He loves every part of you, and he makes it very known.

Bi-Han knows that your essence is sacred, so he takes sex very seriously.

He does not joke around during it (come to think of it, i dont think he jokes around ever).

He does not like to have angry sex, he thinks it does not accomplish much.

And he’s especially worried if he is too angry he will hurt you in a way.

The Grandmaster is traditional in many ways, so he does not speak of your sex life, let alone your lives together, to others.

He expects you to hold the same respect for your relationship.

Bi-Han is not one for kinky sex. He finds it difficult to enjoy the thought of it, and he personally hates to see you in certain scenarios that remind him of his anxieties.

If you do not feel up for sex, he will not pressure you. He will either take care of himself or fight the urge.

You are precious to him, he would rather die before making you do something you don’t want to do.

[restinslices]

Hi I’m the anon who asked about the popstar one! (Loved what you did btw) If it wasn’t too much of a problem I love if you could do the Lin Kuei boys + Syzoth too!

Me finally getting to my requests?! Who would’ve thought. Everyone got around 300 words besides Syzoth, who got 400. Why? No further questions.

Bi-Han

You can change him? Well I can accept him as he is! You don’t like the murders? Grow up! The atrocities are a part of him and I’ve decided they’re funny :D

I know the Lin Kuei are a part of Earthrealm but are they allowed to have technology? 

For the sake of this, imma say technology is very very limited 

With that being said, what do you mean you're a pop star? It's not that he doesn't know what it is, he just doesn't get why. All the things you could be doing and popstar is where you landed 

I don't wanna make it seem like everyone is supportive but him but this is Bi-Han. He's going to judge 

He's the Grandmaster so he's always busy. Going to concerts isn't happening and honestly? He doesn't give me the vibes of someone who's a fan of concerts 

He doesn't hate your job, he just genuinely doesn't get it 

Remember how I said Kung Lao will give you brutally honest advice? Same goes for him. You can always trust the truth to come outta him (unless it's about the father he let die but anyway)

I don't see him doing anything special. I don't see him buying posters or tickets or streaming or concerts. He cares for you but doesn't see the need to do all that. 

If he did stream he'd probably just put the video on repeat on his phone and go do other shit. At the same time though, do they even have cell service? Where is Lin Kuei HQ??

Absolutely refuses to add ice or snow to your set for an MV. Be a team player. Damn. Stop thinking everything is beneath you.

“That is entirely beneath me” “aight, I guess you don’t want me beneath you”

He apologizes for his outburst (I was making that joke happen by any means necessary)

I just think he's the most nonchalant about dating a celebrity. Probably forgets you're a popstar

Loses a piece of his sanity everytime a Lin Kuei ninja loses their mind over you. Actually wants to join his father in the afterlife. How y'all even seeing these performances? Y'all sneaking off?!

You're disturbing his peace but hey, it is what it is 

Kuai Liang

Also doesn't understand why that job, but he's less judgmental than Bi-Han. Not everyone can defend Earthrealm. 

I also don't see him doing a lot. He's busy and also he's just not interested in being around a bunch of sweaty ass fans. Nothing against you 

If he did buy your merch I think he'd set it in like, a box. He only bought it to be supportive. He's not gonna hang it up or anything. To be honest, he might give it to the rest of the guys (Johnny, Kenshi, Kung Lao, Raiden and Liu Kang)

I see the Lin Kuei as private and not really interactive when it comes to normal citizens so I honestly don't know what to say for them 😭

I don't even know if Kuai Liang likes pop music. Him and Bi-Han give me the vibes of someone who listens to white noise to past time 

Like Bi-Han, he's nonchalant about the whole celebrity thing. 

Probably doesn't even have a phone. He probably got an old ass mp3 player. What are you doing with that?

If your songs are more calm and chill, I can see him liking it when you sing while he does something 

Popstars wear dramatic ass outfits and this is definitely when he starts judging you 

“How does it look?” “It… looks”

He's used to practical outfits so I think he subconsciously spots all the ways your outfits could injure you 

“You could be easily spotted” “That's the whole point”

Will he add fire to an MV for background effects? Possibly. He has to have nothing else to do and be absolutely bored out of his mind to do so. Bi-Han says no out of spite and “this is beneath me”. Kuai Liang initially says no and has the same “this is beneath me” thought process, but he folds easier. There's certain things he is absolutely not doing though

“I am not saying 'get over here’ for you” “You're so not fun”

This relationship feels like a hostage situation but oh well

Tomas Vrbada 

He wants to be as stern and serious as his brothers but we all know I babygirlify him so it's not happening 

He doesn't have a phone but he asks Johnny to use his and have your shit on repeat for the views 

Idk why but I feel like he's a Twice stan so he's no stranger to pop music. I have no reliable sources for this 

I could see him buying pins and keeping them in his pocket since he can't have it on his outfit 

I don't think for any of the brothers, your fans would know you're dating which is something they'd want. They're assassins. They can't be all over the internet. 

Doesn't go to concerts because he can't. Such a sad life 

Gives background smoke for effects cause he's a team player 

Wants to be the first to hear anything you're working on 

Gives you honest advice but nicely 

I think he has conflicting feelings about you always being in the spotlight. He loves that you're happy but is also worried because that comes with danger and if smth were to happen, there's a good chance he wouldn't be there 

I feel like Tomas can lowkey sing (once again no reliable sources present) so karaoke? karaoke. 

You could talk him into doing a collab but it'd never be released. It'd just be for you two 

He wants to keep up with everything you're doing as it's happening but once again, no phone. Instead he just checks in with you whenever he sees you 

The most aware out of the brothers that he's dating a celebrity. 

Probably the brother you'd feel the most supported by because he's the most expressive (?). He makes his support very known and doesn't question why you're doing what you're doing 

He doesn't give me as much Ken energy as Johnny does, but he still gives me “Ken only has a great day if Barbie looks at him”. Like I said for Johnny, you're Barbie regardless of gender 

Syzoth

Does Zaterra or Outworld even have popstars? For comedy sake, imma say not exactly 

He was ran out of Zaterra and he was working for Shang Tsung, so even if they do he had no time to actually enjoy music 

So when he hears you're a popstar, he has no idea what you're talking about. You have to genuinely explain what your job is, what you do, what's a tour, what's merch, etc. etc. 

Like the Lin Kuei Bros, he has no phone. He doesn't understand technology at all. He's like a grandpa fr, so his interactions with your music is slim to none when it comes to music videos 

Explain it to him as many times as you want. He doesn't get it. 

You have to actually show him the video on your phone. You have to show him any merch you have so he can pick whatever he wants and you can sneak it to him 

Prefers you singing for him live rather than watching a music video but he watches them anyway because you're really proud of them 

Like Tomas, he likes little pins or other little trinkets 

Since he was in a traveling circus, he knows what performing is but you're getting paid and treated fairly which he finds fantastic 

He is slightly worried tho from his time being in said circus. You have to explain that they're two different things (sorta, not really) and you're ok 

Has no idea what's going on but is supportive anyway

He tries really hard to understand Earthrealm customs and culture to better understand you. Is he successful? Probably depends on the subject 

He doesn't get merch at all or why it's so stupidly expensive. If you weren't giving it to him for free, he probably wouldn't buy it to be honest. He likes that you're proud of how it looks but why is it necessary for success? He just doesn't understand it 

Concerts he somewhat gets. The idea is cute but once he sees videos of people fainting, he swears he's never going to one of those 

Does not want your fans to know you're dating him. Does not want to be in any of your videos as himself or a lizard. Wants nothing to do with the spotlight. He has trauma with being known. 

It'll take awhile to explain to him what fan culture and memes are, but he's ready to learn for you. 

Idk if I wanna write more silly shit or angst shit. I guess we’ll find out next episode

[itsscromp]

Ooo! Ooo! I have a fun idea! (It's getting a bit tiring saying I'm the Kuai / Tomas with a kid reader requester, so just call me 💀 anon from now on!)

So, imagine the readers a teenager and grew up in the Lin Kuei, Kuai and Tomas basically know them like the back of their hand. What if the reader starts skipping Lin Kuei training, meals, sleeps late, etc? You know that moment in our teens where it's actually just anxiety and depression in a trenchcoat but adults don't realise that and wave it off as 'classic teenage rebellion'?

Separate and headcanons if that's okay! :3

- 💀 anon

Scorpion and smoke x reader headcanons

Awwww 💀 anon I really like this idea, as someone who has both anxiety and depression. I completely get where this is coming from, I hope you enjoy your headcanons.

Kuai Liang

Kuai had a funny feeling in his stomach when you weren’t turning up for your training, noticing you were sleeping in and not eating.

He tries to raise this with Bi-Han.

“They’re just been a typical teenager, do not worry about them”

But Kuai knew something was wrong when you haven’t showed up for training in almost a week.

He ventured to your room and gently knocked on your door before opening it.

“Y/n ??” He said as he slides the door open and noticed you laying down in bed facing the wall.

He gently approached you but then noticed you were shaking.

“Y/n what’s wrong ??”

He could hear sniffles, were you crying ??

He gently brushed his fingers on your scalp, seeing your red and puffy eyes.

“Talk to me…”

“It’s all too much Kuai… Bi-Han is expecting too much from me. I keep trying but it’s never good enough for him. For all of you”

“Y/n, everything you do is enough to me and Tomas, Bi-Han may not see it but we do.”

You turned over slowly and looked at him, him returning a soft gentle smile.

“You are everything that you do y/n, it may not be perfect, but the time and dedication you put into it is more than enough for me and Tomas, you are worthy of being apart of the Lin Kuei”

Fresh tears circulated from your eyes, not out of sadness, but out of love.

He pressed a gentle kiss on your temple and stayed by your side the whole time.

You were family.

He would help you out of this, he always will.

Tomas Vbrada

Tomas knew something was wrong immediately when he noticed you weren’t your chatty self one day.

But all the other Lin Kuei members just brushed it off.

“They’re just being a typical teenager”

“Always trying to get out of everything”

“They need some more sunlight and less time at the tv”

He did not believe that one single bit.

There must be something wrong, he could feel it in his bones.

When the 5th day you didn’t show up for training and skipping meals, he needed to check on you. You were family to him, he would’ve hated if something happened to you.

“Y/n, I need to talk to you…”

He stopped as he heard muttering by the door, gently sliding it open he saw you pacing back in forth, muttering to yourself.

“Y/n…”

He gently went up to you and placed his hand on your shoulder.

“Perfect…. Needs… to be…. Perfect” he heard.

“What needs to be perfect ??”

“Everything Tomas !!! Bi-Han will have my head if nothing is the way it is, I keep trying to do so but it’s not good enough… I I I can’t please him anymore” your breathing started to fasten and your body now shaking.

“Easy y/n, Bi-han isn’t here. It’s just you and me ok ??”

“I can’t Tomas… I can’t…” tears formed in your eyes as your shaking worsens, you were having an anxiety attack.

He gently took your hand and placed it on his chest, letting you feel his heartbeat.

“I’m not going anywhere ok y/n ??, this won’t last long what your feeling” he then took deep breaths encouraging you to follow.

You took shallow, shaky breaths to begin with before your breathing started to become longer and deeper.

“That’s very good, I’m right here and I’m not going anywhere” he reassured, keeping your hand on his chest.

Once you fully calmed down, you gently leant into him, feeling exhausted.

“I’m sorry….”

“No, don’t be sorry. It’s ok y/n, I’m here for you alright” he gently reassured.

He then moved you to your bed and tucked you in, dimming the candle in your lantern. He then climbed in and wrapped his arms around you, gently scratching your back and holding you close.

“I love you so much y/n, you’re my best friend.”

You nodded as you cuddled closer to him, relaxing and leaning into the touch.

Tomas would do anything for you in a heartbeat.

Absolutely anything.

[xxrainbowvibezxx]

To be fair, NRS can't handle their straight ships either. Like, let's look:

Liu Kang x Kitana - basic at best and bland at worst. Kitana has more chemistry and sexual tension with her best friend than she does her supposed soulmate.

Jade x Kotal - passable. But this pairing was so out of left field and the writers knew it too. So they tried to be slick by shoehorning in that weak-ass "they knew each other in the past" excuse.

Mileena x Reiko - toxic and abusive. But it did highlight how Mileena treats physical and sexual validation as equivalent to love, as well as how truly love-starved she was.

Skarlet x any guy - guaranteed to be toxic or abusive in some way. Plus I continue to side-eye MK11 for attempting to ship her with Shao Kahn (her abuser and unfortunately adoptive father). Like why. Why was that necessary.

Bi-Han x Sareena - this one is personal for me. Their story during the OG Midway era was so intriguing and had a lot of promise. I love a "redeeming one's self through helping another" story and their story hit all the right beats for me. But in this current timeline? They cooked them. Look at what they did to my girl Sareena. They completely wasted her as a character.

Jacqui x Takeda - god,this one hurts. They were my one "straight ship so good that the gays ship it" ship circa MKX. They were so cute and the puppy love was palpable. Then Jacqui's MK11 ending happened. Sis, are you not engaged? Why didn't that come up when she decided to erase herself from history? (insert something here about women having to lessen themselves for men to succeed)

Johnny x Sonya - same issue as Liu and Kitana. Bland as shit. MKX was their most interesting run. Sonya would have never married Johnny if she hadn't gotten pregnant. Sad to say it,but it is what it is.

(The fact that there's this many more or less canon straight ships, but the one singular queer pairing that debuted circa 2015 is enough to set people off really says a lot about how far we still have to go.)

That's true.

People till this day will deny Taleena. They've been canon for almost a decade. It's just now, in mk1, it's not as discreet. Everyone knows they're bumping purses, but NRS isn't going full force with it. They wrote their relationship to be secretive and scandalous.

(I know damn well Mileena changed those umgadi rules the first day she was empress.)

Also, can we talk about how weird it was that they had Skarlet have some obsession over Shao khan and wanted to be his empress? I love Skarlet, but her writing, specifically that shit is so weird and unnecessary, like you said. Not every character has to be interested in another character, especially like that. Who the fuck writes that, goes over it multiple times and think, "Yeah, this is good."

I also had high hopes for Bi Han x Sareena in mk1. Very disappointed. I don't usually care for straight ships, but this one had potential, and the fact that they're both in mk1, I thought they would proceed with this ship in the new timeline.

I love Jacqui x Takeda, too. Justice for them. Honestly, if they had more time, they'd probably be the best straight ship in Mortal Kombat.

Hanzo x Harumi- Harumi dies (and then the only timeline she alive, Kuai is scorpion)

Kenshi x Suchin- Suchin is dead. Not much is known about their relationship (in mk1, she's mentioned in a few intros. Seems like they used to be something)

Nitara x Erron Black- happened off screen

Shao Kahn x Sindel- Sindel was retconned in mk11 to be as evil as Shao Kahn. Originally, she was forced to marry him. She offs herself to get away from him.

Sindel x Jerrod- They always loved each other until mk11 retcon. Mk1 kind of gave us more content. They definitely love each other in this timeline. It sucks that they're both dead.

Sektor x Bi han (mk1)- genderbent Sektor to make a straight ship.

Kuai Liang x Cyrax (mk1)- genderbent Cyrax to make a straight ship.

Kitana x Raiden (mk1)- Basically liutana.

Ashrah x Syzoth- I don't hate it, but I think they need better development if they continue with this ship in the future. Cause in storymode, Syzoth was depressed and mourning his family. Suddenly him and Ashrah are together? Idk, but if I had just found out my wife and son were murdered and realizing all the shit I did to keep them alive was for nothing, I wouldn't be jumping into a relationship. I just think this ship needs more time to develop. It happened too quickly.

[cienie-isengardu]

I think the problem here is that some people seem to think Kuai is just idolizing his brother through rose tinted glasses because he was the only family he had left and that what 'love' he was seeing simply wasn't returned. Some people think Bi-Han simply didn't love Kuai or was straight up abusive to him.

I read a fan story once and basically in a flashback Kuai held back against Smoke despite winning the battle in front of the Grandmaster and Bi-Han got pissed since he was holding back and told Kuai they needed to talk in his room. And by talk, he meant get beat and the dialogue and Kuai's uneasy reaction made it clear this wasn't the first time he hit him.

Yeah Bi-Han fans are getting it rough even before MK1 came out.

Sorry to hear you come across such fanfic and I understand the frustration at fandom how at times it mistreats Bi-Han. Even if people will argue there is no direct source material for him being a good brother (not true), there is no direct mention when alive he was a bad brother either. Of course it would help if fans get the point that Noob Saibot is the twisted by dark magic version of Sub-Zero, not his true character but alas, the same as I or you have our own idea what ice bros should be, everyone is entitled to their own imagination. Fans sometimes go out of their way to demonize characters because they hate them or can’t relate to them and sometimes do that solely to have the story they wished to get, whatever it makes sense for said characters to act that way or not - and good lord only know how fans love to traumatize and put through abuse their favorites. No lie there, we really do love doing that.

Being a fan of Bi-Han may be at times feel like a hardship and the best way usually is just to ignore widespread fanon take on elder Sub-Zero as the vile brother and just go with your life not frustrated over things (other people’s creativity / pleasure / venom) we do not have control over.   

As for Kuai Liang idolizing his brother, it makes sense, both for idolizing the family he knew the best as he was raised alongside Bi-Han in the pathological system and as idolizing Lin Kuei of great renown as Grandmaster personally praised the Sub-Zero. Those two factors for sure influenced his opinion about brother (while Bi-Han probably had a less idealized version of Kuai Liang, as the older and more advanced cryomancer, his life experiences and expectations for the family may differ from those of younger brother). However both original/Mythologies and alternative timelines imply Kuai Liang had contact with other family members, be it a father whose title of Sub-Zero Bi-Han took at some point or mentioned in intro dialogues Grandfather respectively but also has a Smoke whose friendship was always a vital part of his life. If Bi-Han was the only person influencing Kuai Liang, then yes, Tundra could be unable to distinguish brotherly love from abuse because there was no other relationship to compare his and Bi-Han’s. However, source material makes it clear that Bi-Han is not the only person Kuai Liang had a strong loyalty to. Mortal Kombat 9 went so far and stated Smoke was so close to Kuai Liang, he considered Tundra to be his brother and when Kuai Liang is on his quest for revenge, Tomas has never tried to talk him out of this task. Quite the contrary, he aided younger Sub-Zero and on his friend’s behalf sought out Shang Tsung to learn the truth about Bi-Han’s death. As far as I’m aware, fans have never considered Smoke to be an abusive asshole for Tundra and Tomas is usually painted as this supportive and loving friend. But as a loving and supporting friend, shouldn’t he at least make a remark about Bi-Han being not worth such effort if elder brother in fact was abusive and cruel? Coming further with that logic, if indeed Bi-Han was such bad brother like some part of fandom like to claim while Tomas (the good brother/friend) either doesn’t notice it or doesn’t spare that any second thought, they maybe fans should question not just Kuai Liang’s love for brother and Bi-Han’s imagined actions, but how far abuse was in integrable part of Lin Kuei that even its own members can’t recognize it as something questionable and wrong in the first place. And by that logic, Bi-Han’s abuse could be also less of being evil and on purpose hurting brother for his own amusement but acting within the frame he was taught to act.

We have some idea about Tomas and Kuai Liang’s relationship because we could see them interact for limited time while alive Bi-Han and Kuai Liang rarely had this chance is source material, however there is little direct examples about either of relationships when the three of them were still children/young people trained to be assassins. If fans are willing to take at face value that Smoke was Kuai Liang’s best friend / another brother since day one just because Kuai Liang says he considers him as such, then I don’t see a reason to doubt his feelings for elder brother without any vital source material contradicting that in the first place. I know this may be difficult to some people to understand, but Tomas and Bi-Han don't need to be treated as opposites - the good brother vs evil one - as both of those men were an important part of Kuai Liang’s life. The relationships are different but that does not mean one of them must be abusive for others to matter. Tomas and Bi-Han were the two people that mattered to Kuai Liang the most for decades, and he did not stop care for them even after their death and change by dark magic into demonic beings. So maybe it is time to give some benefit of doubt, if not to Bi-Han then at least to Kuai Liang.

[laismoura-art]

Hi @rasta-bot I hope you don't mind me continuing our conversation here, the reblogs were lagging my phone💀

Picking up exactly from where we stopped:

Deter me? Oh no, dear, you actually just invited me to sit down and play doll with you, and I'm taking that invitation!

---

Of course! I loved that rewrite! Delia being secretly in love with Amara and Amara loving her back, but neither of them can act on their mutual feelings fiven their current positions?? And Argus luring Delia's friend and love only to toss her aside afterwards AAA! NOT THE DOOMED LOVE!!! HAVE YOU. NO. MERCY???

On another note, is that right? Are you saying you're writing for more girls? My most special girl, Harumi, included?👀👀 count me as intrigued!

---

Aww, thank you! I'm so happy my AU is appreciated! I loved to work on it, and I take much pride in the results, and it makes my day to know other people enjoyed it!!🥹🩷🩵🩷🩵🩷

---

Now, yes, back to the main point!

(First of all, let's refrain from the "They are fictional" argument cause... let's be real, it's annoying, and we are both exchanging walls of texts about said fictional characters. We are WAY PAST the "they are fictional" arguments. Just be as passionate as you like, and I'll do the same. One passionate fan from another.)

And just to clear the air once and for all: I do understand you didn't mean to attack/offent/hate on MK1 Tanya.

Yes, the wording bothered me (mostly because I've heard them on worse contexts by far less well intentioned ppl), but I don't think you hate her because of it (never did, honestly).

My reply was mainly due to the "they gave Tanya what was supposed to be Jade's" cause that's an argument I find flawed.

It does cause (non intentional) damage to people's view of the character (I've seen it before with both Kuai and Harumi) and in Tanya's case specifically, it IS an argument that lacks evidence to base itself.

I already explained why, no need to keep repeating myself, it will only bore us both. So let's move on from that!

You said you don't like Tanya's change of alignment, and I take that this is tied to your dislike of Multiverse. You're not a fan of Status Quo changes (at least not drastically), that's a fact and that's perfectly fine!

I personally find her change of alignment intriguing, but that comes from my liking of Multiverse. I do enjoy a vast change of Status Quo (probably why I've been avoiding comics recently, their resistance to change has deeply annoyed me and it really makes me feel like the character are just stuck because they are unable to learn cause learning leads to change and GOD FORBID CHANGES! Sorry, for the vent)

In the end MK1 Tanya is a product of Multiverse and I if you don't like Multiverse and already liked her previous self, there ain't much to be done here, sadly.

All I can do is insist this version of Tanya will NOT get in the way of Jade and her development! They can co-exist and their stories will not contradict or disturb each other.

You know what? I BET you can create an amazing story about Jade and her connection with Delia without ONCE contradict canon!

---

Ok, I see now why she appeals to you... And that's the only thing I can think of is:

This is you:

And I can respect the commitment to the evil women. Support women's wrongs!✊🏾

---

Now, I actually want to go back to the MKX Tanya, you got me wondering here:

You said you don't like her being a Rebel like Jade, but this take popped in my brain and I'd like to share:

You say Tanya works as a perfect Anti-Jade, right?

And it's interesting to have them contrast each other and having Tanya being a Rebel takes that away.

BUT hear me out: couldn't that ADD to your point instead?

See, I believe a good way to show how different a character is from another is to put them in similar situations and see how they react to them!

They both want the same thing, right? A free Edenia, but the way both fight to achieve that same goal is vastly different! I mean, just look at the princesses each of them chooses to follow, I think that alone already speaks volumes about each of these characters!

I think showing their different reactions and approaches on a similar subject would be a perfect way to emphasise your point!

But that's me, do as you wish with this take, it's for you <3

---

I already tapped on the Multiverse part, I just find it quite funny how we experienced pretty similar interactions with the Multiverse and yet we have ENTIRELY opposite views on it, lol!

Like, I definitely went down that rabbit hole with your brother! And girl! Don't I love this absolute mess WHOLEHEARTEDLY!😂

And I gotta say, I DID read your linked post before we got here!

And I know this cause though I didn't fully agree, this part:

This part really, really resonated with me! DEEPLY!

Cause let me tell you, that's EXACTLY how I feel about Invasions Season 1!

Like, I HATE that shit! Screw that overly inflammable incel! That was NO Hanzo Hasashi!

And as creator of Scorpion!Harumi, SCREW THAT ENDING!! The only acceptable ending for that season would've been Harumi OBLITERATING fake Hanzo (Zanho, if you will)!

With that being said, I am actually glad it exists because being utterly furious about it was what led me to create the Scorpion!Harumi AU, and from it grew my interest in obscure characters and my frustration with how they were treated and ultimately came my mission to bring them all to the center stage!

Seriously, when I read that part in your post, I was literally like: YES!! YES!! SHE GETS IT!!!

---

But, I also have to confess, another thing you said that resonated with me was this:

And it pains me to say that reflects perfectly how I feel about Hanrumi😭

Like... they are cute! And the fanon work made from them is adorable!

But you know... I love Harumi. And I love Hanzo. And GOD! Never ONCE their relationship brought them anything good!

I mean, either she's dead, or he's dead, or this:

And like I said. I DESPISE this ending.

Scorpion!Harumi is literally trapped with a guy who looks like her dead husband and who will attack her have her not reciprocate his affections (as he has done before with another Harumi)

So that's why I don't mind the context Harumi was brought to MK1. I don't mind Kuairumi. Kuai is a nice guy, he is in love with her and being with him doesn't mean death penalty to her.

Plus! Being "the clan leader who will mentor her childhood friend/crush into becoming a clan leader himself" as is a much, MUCH cooler character description than "dead wife".

Soooo, yeah. When it comes to canon Harumi partners, I'm team Kuairumi ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

With that out of the way:

YES! it's so good to have these girls around! And we can only hope they finally receive the love they deserve!!🥹🩷

In the meantime, HECK YEAH! LET'S HAVE FUN!!!

[mrstsung]

Look mk shipping discourse ahead

So warning ya before you kontinue. These are just my opinions. Plz dont take them so to heart ok?

Cw: vent,discourse

If yall gonna actually do subscorp.....

Bi-han and hanzo have more sexual tension than kaui ever fucking did but y'all aint ready for that conversation. ☕ *sips coffee*

Kuai and hanzo had misunderstandings and genuine friendship. Could it be something more. Sure but it doesn't need to be to be interesting or even wholesome.

Meanwhile bi-han og subzero and hanzo had this love hatefuck in their eyes. Good fucking god like y'all be shipping the wrong subzero brother.

But y'all just only like kaui cuz he's the quote unquote "nicer" brother. Meanwhile what actually happened could male for better and classic AND REAL ENEMIES TO LOVERS TROPE. i mean it's right fucking there. Kuai and hanzo were never enemies. Let alone friends till waaaaaaaaay later. And even then....they had better things to do than each other. Sorry not sorry. Kaui and hanzo were just damn to platonic to me. Meanwhile bi-han and hanzo be like "bitch" "bitch" and then internally probably all like "💖🔥🔪"

And hanzo and kaui couldn't work because of that tension hanzo has with bi-han. Mostly on bi-hans half than hanzo. Cuz y'all conveniently forget. Hanzo killed bi-han over a misunderstanding,yeah a mofo dont just forget that. You'd be pissed too if you were wrongfully killed over something you didn't do by a ninja from a rival clan. Like bruh.

You can't have this ship without complications and problems.

So you either fix that. Or do the smart thing and ship KUAI LIANG WITH TOMAS VERBADA AKA SMOKE. BECAUSE THEY ACTUALLY ARE FROM THE SAME FUCKING CLAN AND HAVE WAY MORE IN COMMON AND HAVE ACTUALLY LIVED AND BEEN AROUND EACH OTHER!!! ffs.

Hanzo hasashi has not shown in canon anything to kuai than just mutual respect.

Kuai maybe but i dunno. I feel people reach so much with this ship it's like do we even play the same game?

Meanwhile the fucking "bitch fest" bi-han and hanzo have is on another lvl. Granted all this hate is still misplaced and quan chi is the real problem. But ya know.

If you're gonna ship a subzero with hanzo. Bi-han subzero makes more sense.

Tho i personally don't ship hanzo with any subzero ever. (I either self ship or have him just be dad ninja)

And i ship kuai liang subzero with tomas and bi-han with sareena (and self ship with either on occasion)

Either way the point is. Y'all be going about these characters and their dynamics so wrong. And i feel people just want different characters than what is actually happening. Like go make an oc at that point. It's different when they dont have certain dynamics shown and aspects. (Most mk villains dont because they are treated majority of the time as guys to beat up. So they aren't like sub and scorp. Which is shown.....everywhere,all the time,and takes up a majority of the plot. So we know all there is about yellow n blue ninja clans. Even then it doesn't go into that much detail but still we get more insight with them than any other character. Even liu kang and kung lao don't have as much as the two posterboys of mk. Which sucks)

Shipping aside. It sucks that both subzeros(kuai and bi-han) and scorpion(hanzo) get so grossly misinterpreted by fans. And think that everything is hunky dory peaches and roses. When it really isn't. While neither clan after a certain point is warring or fighting each other. There still is tension. Simply because of years,decades even of the mess left behind. Hanzo has to rebuild from the ground up. And kuai has to repair and restore the lin kuei to what it used to be but better and more equal. And less....robotic. lol. There was still a lot of work. Not to mention if noob became bi-han subzero again,somehow. That would add even more awkward tension(good storytelling tho) because bi-han while maybe he could forgive hanzo,he could never be friends truly. And if you guys ship kuai and hanzo. I dont think kuai would feel comfortable with having his only damn brother he's worked so hard to bring back and rekindle his family with just so he cpuld get some dick. Im sorry,relationships dont work that way. Hanzo and kaui are family oriented,and if one or more of parties involved are not on equal playing field or cares for the other. It's a no go.

What im trying to say is the dynamic is not healthy,long lasting,or even worth it. There is not any good chemistry.

Until bi-han and hanzo in canon make amends. Only then could you MAYBE. JUST MAYBE. Make that work.

But again shipping aside.

Tomas/smoke and kuai liang subzero. Works better. Because they not only like i said are from the same clan,grew up together. Bi-han more likely than not. Would understand tomas and actually be pretty cool with him.

Like I'm just saying people.

If you want kuai liang to be with a pyromancer fire dude so damn bad.

But Thank you for koming to my ted talk.

MAKE A FUCKING OC!

Maybe this is just me tho.

[shangsclaws]

Hello, can i request a fluffy, for Kuai, Hanzo, Kenshi, Kabal and Bi-han, where they s/o take them somewhere far, for some "vacation" to rest after stressful time?

quite the list, anon! i only write for a max of 4 kombatants, so i’ll stick to the hunks i write for best!

(basically everyone but Kenshi lmao)

Kuai Liang/SubZero

How did you manage to rip him away from his clan? How??

Kuai will unhappily turn down the offer at first — he knows he’s in desperate need of down time, especially if it’s after what Frost did to the clan. But it’s not as if he can leave. The Lin Kuei are quite literally in pieces.

At first, he won’t exactly be a killjoy, but don’t expect Kuai to be fully enjoying the vacation either. He’ll be a bit disgruntled if anything, worrying about his people back home.

But, since he knows it took great effort on your behalf to bring him this far, he’ll start off by saying his thanks a thousand times over. In his gratitude, or maybe in the way he sees how much you care for his well being, he’ll find himself enjoying the vacation more and more.

While poor Kuai won’t reach pure relaxation, he’ll get damn close to it. Letting him sleep in later than usual, long walks by the beachside, even to make ice cubes in both your drinks as the sun sets — he won’t want to go back.

Hanzo Hasashi/Scorpion

While you’d think it would be difficult to pry him away from his clan, Hanzo has spent years building upon good relationships with his people. There will actually be some willing Shirai Ryu to temporarily take his place, those he trusts as much as he trusts you.

Doesn’t mean he won’t resist the offer. He prefers to be the one to oversee his clan, no one else. Hanzo will take less coercing than the Lin Kuei, however, given that his clan will still be in good hands while he’s gone.

Hasashi is quite at ease when on vacation, mentioning his clan very little unless in passing. He’s wise enough to know that he worries enough about his duties, and loving in that he won’t do anything but praise his s/o for having arranged their getaway.

Finally given the chance to be alone with his lover, Hanzo’s s/o should expect lots of quiet and intimate moments in the time they are away (oh to be in Hanzo’s arms rn 😪).

Kabal

Thank the gods you got him out of Kano’s grip. Whether or not he actually got the green light to go on vacation or you simply decided to dip for a couple of days, he doesn’t give a crap. Get him outta there.

Kabal’s idea of de-stressing is more like bungee jumping and zip lining, which, if you’re afraid of heights (like me...ugh), will not feel like a vacation at all.

Otherwise, poolside/beachside vacations will do him just fine. He can get his rather sore muscles massaged under the sun, or try to see if he can run over water to impress you. Kabal will also try to drag you to a couple of parties — he doesn’t wanna miss the nightlife on the beach front.

It’s an all around fun time, one he hates to leave for the sake of the Black Dragon. He intends to spend his hard earned money on more vacations with you next time. Expect to travel to every part of the world that he won’t immediately get deported from (lol)

Bi-Han

Big brother Bi Han is quite strict in his instruction over the Lin Kuei. Convincing him to take his leave is one thing, but by the elder gods is making him loosen up another.

His idea of down time is more like agressive sparring, so going to some quiet cabin out in a forest he’s unfamiliar with is odd. If not odd, then he might even hint that it’s wasteful of his time (ouch, bi han >:( ).

But, becuase it’s you, he reserves most of his judgements. He’s got a soft spot for his beloved. It’s what will, after lots of settling, convince him to cuddle up by the fire (and then be sorry because he’s very fucking cold to the touch).

It would be wise to extend this vacation for as long as possible, because your time away makes this Lin Kuei quite soft and romantic. Knowing him, that is very hard to come by.

masterlist

[bellatrixobsessed1]

Light Disorientation

Azula Week Day 2: Azula Rare Pairs

Summary: Sometimes things distort in her mind. Sometimes she confuses the past with the present. Sometimes when she does, she is ugly in her mind.

Warnings: Mental Health Issues & Body Image Issues

Azula is not comfortable in her skin, more often than not it absolutely crawls. It helps very little that she is surrounded by such beautiful people. Katara with her mesmerizingly bright blue eyes and her deep complexion, Toph and her confident and charming smile, Suki and her toned arms and soft skin, Mai and her tall and elegantly willowy figure and TyLee with her...well, everything. Sokka has his muscular arms and a new collection of traditional Water Tribe tattoos. She doesn’t see Zuko’s appeal in the slightest but he has a vast crowd of giggling admirers. And while Aang isn’t exactly a looker, he’s got his heroics and his lovable mannerisms.

Perhaps, just a few years ago, in her prime, she had been something to look at and envy. But now...now she doesn’t want to look at herself even in passing. Her eyes have a bruised appearance, they are nowhere near as vivid as they had been. Her tangled locks aren’t so silky nor shiny. Her skin is drier somehow. In general, she thinks that she is muted, duller. She is hollow, her robes have a tendency to slide down her shoulders, more so than usual. And, unlike Aang, she doesn’t have a personality to make up for it. She isn’t approachable and endearing, her talents are terrifying. She has her itelligence but that never seems to matter anymore especially on the days when the clutter in her mind is too heavy for deep and critical thinking.  

She doesn’t like going on outings with the rest of them, no matter how well and forgivingly they treat her. She looks sloppy without the side by side comparison. With it...she cringes. Tonight she has subjected herself to the tortures of inferiority. TyLee had been so cheerful about the prospect of going to a party with her. The first one they’ve attended in ages. And she’d flashed that bright and cheerful little smile. That was all it had taken.

She is dressed as finely as she can be, but she doesn’t think that the outfit does her the favors she was hoping for and no amount of makeup seems to bring life to her expression. She is exceptionally dull with TyLee to her right and Katara to her left.

And by the middle of the party, they all have their own personal crowds. All except she. Azula’s stomach tickles with a discomfort that won’t seem to pass. She wishes that she was still beautiful or that she had some social graces. She wishes that she hadn’t let herself go so terribly far.

People pay her very little attention. And maybe she should be thankful for that. It means that they aren’t ridiculing her. That they aren’t informing her of things that she already knows, of the flaws she already sees.

She wishes that she had gotten better sleep, that she hadn’t chopped her bangs off, that she could muster up a better appetite, that she hadn’t started slacking on her training…

“Hi.”

She stares at her palms. She looks up to see that none of the crowds have dispersed, she wonders if she will ever get an opening to let one of the gang know that she is leaving. She thinks that she will slip out soon, they can find her at home.

She hears the clearing of her throat, “hello-o.”

Azula spares a glace over her shoulder.

The girl behind her waves, her face glows with a smile.

“What?”

The girl hums, “well you’re clearly the life of this party.” She drops down onto the couch next to her anyhow. “Is that why you’re alone?”

What a rude question. But it isn’t exactly untrue; she thinks that, among many other things, it is why she is alone now and always. She shrugs, “I guess. Probably.”

The girl rubs the back of her head. “Geez.”

Azula looks away from her again. Perhaps the girl will leave her alone if she doesn’t speak anymore. She isn’t so lucky. “Have you tried talking to anyone?”

Azula shakes her head.

“Why  not?”

She almost snapes, ‘because people ask too many questions.’ She only shrugs again and after a few moments she replies, “I guess that I don’t know what to say. People aren’t interested in Fire Nation history and battle strategizing.” They probably don’t want to be seen with someone so messy either.

“There are so many people here, you’re bound to find someone else that is.”

“Are you?”

“Nope,” the girl yawns, “boring.”

Azula’s face falls.

“But I’ll still listen if that’s what you want to talk about.”

She doesn’t want to talk about it. Or any of her other weird, and uninteresting interests.

“I’m Seicho, by the way.”

Azula nods, “why are you talking to me?”

“Well… you see, I recognize you. A while ago, before the war ended, there was a moment that has been haunting me ever since…”

Azula isn’t sure that she is following.

“And I had a few questions.”

“Such as?”

“You are princess Azula, right?”

She nods, though she wishes that she weren’t.

“And you did attend Chan’s beach party, right? That was you? The weirdo who laughs really loud and sets kuai ball nets on fire?”

Azula’s frown deepens. “What of it?”

“I just wanted to know why you put that drink on my head.”

“Your hands were full, where else was I supposed to put it?” It was quite simple really.

The girl laughs, “you could have held onto it or set it on some random table or something.”

She clears her throat, “your head was more convenient.”

“I...I guess…?” she laughs again. She stands up and for some reason Azula’s heart sinks. She thought that she might not be lonely tonight, but the girl has her answers and now she is...she is extending her hand out? Azula furrows her brows. “Do you know how to dance, princess?”

“I haven’t had a chance or a reason to learn.”

“It’s not that different from firebending, I’ll teach you a little something.” She offers.

If she knows what is good for her, she would stay out of the spotlight, keep attention well away from herself. The last thing that she needs is the entire party watching her decrepit body running clumsily through dance moves that she should have learned prior to attending. But she doesn’t want to be alone tonight. She isn’t sure what she will do if she is left alone…

She takes the girl’s hand. Azula doesn’t really want the attention. Not at all. The less eyes that take in her less than pleasing aesthetic, the better. But Seicho is a loud one. A bold one. And when she dips Azula back and pulls her up in time with the music for a third time she makes an announcement.

“I’m lucky!” She declares. “I have the prettiest dance partner in the room.”

She brushes Azula’s bangs out of her face--even, well trimmed bangs. Long bangs. And suddenly the illusion shatters. Suddenly her skin is soft with an even complexion. Suddenly her eyes aren’t so heavy and tired. Her frame is fuller and her lips uncracked. She remembers that she hasn’t been haggard and unhealthy in quite some time now. She remembers that sometimes things get distorted in her mind, that the past may layer itself over the future. She remembers that she is no longer fourteen and bound in chains. No longer sixteen and freshly emerging from an institution, exhausted and low.

She remembers that she is happy. This time when she looks in the mirror, the face that stares back at her is from the present; well groomed, healthy, and lively--albeit on the tired side tonight.

“Are you alright?” Seicho asks.

She thinks that she is, she is just...lightly disoriented. She needs a chance for her mind to catch back up to the present.  “I want to sit down for a moment.”

“Sure, princess.” Seicho replies, she guides Azula into a chair. “Would you like a drink?”

Azula nods.

They don’t hate her. Most people don’t. Most people are as indifferent as they ought to be. And they eyes that fall upon her aren’t judgmental, they are curious more than anything. She still isn’t a particularly social person, paradoxically, it is an invitation for more attention when she does attend parties.

Seicho holds out the glass, “just put it on the table this time, not my head, okay.”

“I think that I can manage.” She sips at the drink as the pieces shift back into place. She supposes that she should have known that she was having an off day when she overheard Zuko ask TyLee and Mai to keep an eye on her.

“So, what’s going on?” Seicho asks.

“Sometimes I…” She sets her drink aside. “Things get mixed up.” She points at her head. “I’m sure that you’ve heard by now…”

“Bits and pieces.” Seicho admits.

“Sometimes it feels like…” she furrows her brows, trying to articulate it. “Sometimes I go back to some of my worst days. Sometimes it’s full scale--I’m alone and I don’t have any friends. It feels like it anyhow. Other times it’s more of a blend.”

“A blend?”

“I know that they,” she gestures to the others, “are my friends.” It still feels strange to say, likely that is exactly what makes it so easy to forget when her head is not clear. “But I still feel like I did just after I was transferred to that facility.” Sometimes the image is so vivid in her mind that it appears in the mirror.

Seicho nods. “That sounds frightening.”

“I’m used to it.” It is a lie to make things less tense. Pity makes her uncomfortable anyhow.

“And that happened tonight?”

Azula nods. “It is a relief to know that I’m not a scraggly mess.” That she isn’t ugly and embarrassing to be around.

“It’s fine to be a scraggly mess sometimes.” Seicho replies.

“You didn’t see my haircut.” She grumbles.

“I’m sure that it was cute.” Seicho insists, ruffling her hair. “You have a pretty face, you can make it work.”

She shakes her head, “not then I didn’t.”

Seicho quirks a skeptical brow. She changes her approach. “Alright, fine, let’s say that you’re right…”

“I am right.”

“My point still stands. It’s okay to be a mess every now and again.” As if to accent her point she ruffles Azula’s hair entirely out of place. Azula grimances, this is something that she is still working on. Something that leaves her jittery.

“How about this?” Seicho offers. “You leave your hair like this for the rest of the night. If people treat you like shit for it then you can stick with your ridiculous standards.

“Ridiculous!?”

Seicho nods, “yes, ridiculous.”

Azula opens her mouth to protest. Seicho puts a finger to her lips. “You know what I think?”

Azula sighs, she has heard it so many times before from so many people from her therapist to TyLee. “That I’m perfect the way I am.”

Seicho crinkles her brows in disgust. “No! I think that you aren’t perfect, but it doesn’t really matter. You don’t have to be. If someone really loves or cares about you, they’ll look at your ugly haircut and decide that they like your pretty eyes enough to stay. They’ll acknowledge that you are uptight and cranky but they’ll stick around because you’re really smart and loyal.”

Azula swallows. “You’ve known me for maybe an hour…”

“And you leave some strong first impressions.” Seicho shrugs. “I was hoping that we can talk more after the party and I can see if I’m right.”

Azula’s stomach flutters. She has never been asked on a date before and she certainly hadn’t anticipated that to happen tonight. Agni knows that her lost and hurt fourteen year old self could have never conceptualized such a thing.

“That would be nice, Seicho.”

The girl grins. “Wonderful! Are you up for another dance?”

She lets the girl lead her back onto the dancefloor. Hair messy, dress slightly disheveled. And yet she feels much more confident than she had when she’d initially walked into the party.

[mothercetrion]

here’s the rest of subscorp for the otp meme for @/IcyHotBxstxrd on twitter!!

you can see numbers 3, 5, & 9 for subscorp here!!

1. Who offers their jacket when the other is cold? I don’t know if this would happen? like, it’s an amazing thought, but I don’t think Kuai Liang would wear jackets since he can withstand cold temperatures pretty easily. same for Hanzo. but blankets? oh, Kuai Liang would give Hanzo his blanket in an instant. if he even kinda looks cold, even if he’s really not, he’s getting a blanket

2. Who giggles uncontrollably when the other playfully picks them up? Kuai Liang. Hanzo rarely picks him up as is, but when he does, oh, he loves it. he’s not a light man, and he’s always a tad impressed by it

4. Who is more likely to tell the other a pun and what is the other’s reaction to the pun? Kuai Liang is more likely, but only by a small margin. he’s fed puns by Johnny, since they’re good friends and all, and he loves seeing Hanzo’s bewildered expression when he says one. Hanzo will just chuckle, shake his head, and wonder how his life has gotten to be so... good. so good :)

6. If they got to pick what one another wears for a day, what would one another wear? Hanzo would give Kuai Liang something comfortable. of course, his day-to-day outfit is comfortable, but he loves seeing Kuai Liang in a button up shirt. he knows Kuai Liang is a simple man, and simple clothes he shall get. he loves how he looks in blue, of course, but the man in yellow... it makes him very happy. Kuai Liang has the same mindset of allowing his husband some comfort. he would have him wear his hair fully down; he adores his hair and loves seeing it down. he loves seeing him in short sleeved shirts just as much, both simple and movable so he can proceed with his day. plus, if he’s wearing short sleeves, Kuai Liang can stare at his arms :)

7. Who introduces their partner to their family first? How does it go? this is gonna sound sad but neither of them have any blood family to introduce the other to? so we’re ignoring canon a smidge for this one fkjsnfjksng the Shirai Ryu loves Kuai Liang. they do. of course, when they first knew him, they hated him because of their rocky past, but as time went on, they grew to love Kuai Liang for his levelheadedness, his kindness, his dedication to his own clan. when Hanzo informed the clan that they were dating, they were all very happy about it. (Kuai Liang has visited Harumi and Satoshi’s graves. they’re on the grounds of the Fire Garden. Hanzo showed him where they were, and they paid their respects. Hanzo was a bit emotional about explaining to his wife that he had someone else in his life; Kuai Liang understood.) equally and for the same reasons, the Lin Kuei loves Hanzo. Frost was... yeah, we all saw her reaction to Hanzo. but I think if Hanzo proved to her that he had nothing less than positive intentions, she would eventually come around. but it would take a while, and it’s understandable why. if Bi-Han were to be restored, he would be equally hesitant about Hanzo. it’s clear why, and honestly, I think Bi-Han would... like, struggle to be around him at first soon after he’s restored; it’s nothing against Hanzo, but the memories of his death are never easy to deal with, and Hanzo and Kuai Liang both know better than anyone that it’s understandable. Bi-Han would eventually be able to talk to Hanzo, and he realizes that Hanzo is a good man who makes his little brother happier than anyone else can. he knows that he can’t be too upset about that (not to plug but I actually wrote a fic about Bi-Han [and others] learning that they’re dating; read it here!!)

8. In a coffee shop AU, who would be the coffee shop employee and who would be the customer? barista Kuai Liang and customer Hanzo. Hanzo immediately finds him rather handsome, and he finds himself watching him work while he’s doing work at a table. when he orders another drink, Kuai Liang inquires on what he’s working on. being friendly, you know. they hit it off pretty quickly!!

10. What is a small thing that one another does to make their partner happy? Kuai Liang runs his fingers through Hanzo’s hair when they’re cuddling. there’s something about his gentle fingers carding through his hair after a long day, after a good day, after any kind of day that makes him feel so incredibly happy and safe. it’s his favorite thing in the world. Hanzo aims for Kuai Liang’s scar when he kisses his forehead. it’s such a small thing, and sometimes Kuai Liang wonders if Hanzo doesn’t even realize that he’s doing it, but then he realizes that it’s Hanzo and of course he realizes. it makes him endlessly happy

11. What would they do to celebrate their one year anniversary? Takeda insists that they spend it however they’d like, not working (“you deserve a day off! go! have fun!”), and honestly, they hardly do anything all that exciting. neither of them are the type to do anything spontaneous anyhow; they just want a day where they can relax, spend the day together, do what they normally don’t. Hanzo cooks them lunch, and Kuai Liang offers his help (and does his best). they honestly probably don’t go outside of either of their respective homes; they want to spend the day together, and if that means doing nothing, then they’re happy. they sit under a tree and read. they read to each other. they work together to make dinner. they dance in their kitchen listening to music. it’s a simple day of simply them. and they’re happy

12. When did they know that loved each other, and when did they first tell each other that they loved one another? it didn’t take long. once they got over the initial hatred of one another, I doubt it took long for them to realize that they meant a lot to one another. it’s around the same time, a few months after they decide to start dating. Kuai Liang realizes it first. he notices quickly that Hanzo is his best friend, no doubt about it. but then he realizes that he wants to see Hanzo happy. he wants to see this man, this man that has lost everything, with everything he could ever want. Kuai Liang wants to get that for him. I think it’s right around then, and damn, he doesn’t know how to go about it. Hanzo realizes a bit after him. he never thought he would find someone to love again, but he knows this feeling. the feeling like you’re floating, the feeling like you can tell them anything, the very thought of them making you smile. he knows it’s love, and yet he denies it for a while. Kuai Liang is the one to say it first. it’s nighttime, they’re relaxing in their bed, and he lets it slip. it’s an accident, and he’s almost about to apologize, when Hanzo says it back. they’re both really happy about that

13. Who likes to give the other hugs from behind followed by a kiss? Kuai Liang. he knows that Hanzo is busy sometimes, and it’s the perfect way to pop in, let him know he cares about him and is there for him, and get out. it’s usually a peck on the cheek, and Hanzo always grabs at him and gets a real kiss before he goes

14. Who would make a playlist for the other person? What would be featured on the playlist? Hanzo, probably. Takeda taught him how to do it, and he thought it was a sweet gesture. a lot of it is instrumental, since that’s what Kuai Liang likes, and then the occasional song with words that he’s seen Kuai Liang humming along to when they’re out and about. Kuai Liang listens to it all the time, especially when he’s away

15. Who would bring their partner on a romantic date under the stars? Kuai Liang. easily. I headcanon that he loves the stars anyhow, and he and Hanzo will sit on a roof and look at the stars. he knows a lot about constellations, and Hanzo loves to learn about them, so it just works out magnificently (I’ve written about this too!! read it here!)

[yetremains]

♡ + both blurred lines & fire-threaded please =DD

SEND ME ♡ + A SHIP AND I’LL TELL YOU…

This will be long So I am putting it under a read more! You get both as you wished~

BLURRED LINES

Who is the most affectionate? They are both affectionate when given the chance, and I can see this switching between who is more so depending on the situation. But there is no denying that Yang and Hanzo will take the chances they can to give little ghosts of touches or kisses through out the day.

Who initiates the handholding? Yang more than likely would most times, reach over and thread her fingers with Hanzo's. But on the flip side he would be the one to pull her in closer and enjoy her warmth and feeling her pulse beat.

Who worries more for the other? While Yang will always worry about Commander Hanzo, knowing what he has gone through, she wants nothing more than to help him be safe and feel content, it is most likely Hanzo that worries the hardest. He has already lost far too much, and will not loose another. Soldiers for war or not, he's going to worry and hate circumstance.

Who is more likely to ask for help? Being still eager and gungho, yet wise enough to recognize when she is in need, Yang can definitely ask for help more often than Hanzo. He is quite stubborn, and she has learned to recognize through body language, his shifts in gaze, and the small tells to inform her when he needs help and support.

Who is the one always losing the keys? Both of them wouldn't be loosing much of anything. Being hard trained as they both are and always aware of their important items, loosing keys is a very low likely hood on either side.

Who leaves little love notes for the other? Hanzo no doubt starts it. I feel this would turn into exchanging love notes back and forth here and there. But in the end, Yang might write more little notes. While Hanzo would respond verbally in kind or with his actions

Who can’t sleep unless the other is there? Sleep isn't easy for either of them and no doubt wouldn't sleep well without one or the other there. When being able to be together, it's so much easier to sleep peacefully, because waking up with nightmares means there is an immediate hold of warm arms and comfort waiting, safety.

Who is more likely to propose to the other? Being in a very unknown state of danger since they are Special Forces, it might not entirely come up as a priority thought. But seeing as Yang was engaged before, and Hanzo actually married, they might both end up talking about it some day down the line.

Who introduced the other to their family first? HAH, WHAT FAMILY? If you count close friends and other protectors, then I feel this has been Hanzo, considering the joint training with Lin Kuei and Kuai Liang.

Who is more likely to play with the other’s hair? I'm going to say Yang, since she has already helped Hanzo with his before and does quite enjoy playing with his hair more often. This is just a fact, Yang likes running her fingers through her partners hair.

Who makes sure the other has meals/stays hydrated? Please take better care of yourself Hanzo, Yang is going to worry more, staying up late is bad enough. While Hanzo cooks special meals for the others, Yang would make sure to always check and double check that he is at least hydrated.

Who is more likely to stand up to anyone for the other? Oh the both of them. Nothing is going to get in their way of the other if one is in peril, two very feral fighters that go the extra mile above and beyond what should be deemed sane. But in the end, Hanzo would probably take far more steps to ensure this.

Who is the most likely to prepare a surprise for the other? Considering both of their personalities, there would no doubt be surprised from either for one another. Both extremely heart felt and carefully thought out.

Who makes the other pinky promise not to do certain things? While Yang has been through a lot already and lost much, there is still that bright eyed hope and eagerness. Which can sometimes become her having Hanzo pinky promise to take more careful choices when on a mission to protect their world. On the turn around, it would be Hanzo to make Yang promise not to take unnecessary risks.

Who puts a blanket over the other when they fall asleep on the couch? Taking into account how the two of them can not sleep very well alone, this would be rare. But in the end, on the rare blue moon, I can see that it would be Hanzo to potentially fall asleep on the couch being a workaholic, and Yang putting the blanket over him. Followed by sitting next to the couch to lean against it and nap too. Hanzo waking to see her curled up next too him peacefully.

-

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FIRE-THREADED

Who is the most affectionate? Once the love is known and accepted as it is now, there was gently touches, desperate holds and embraces, lots of soft kisses that can easily turn passionate. The affectionate damages hearts need an outlet and have found a hearth in each other. There is no 'most' here, just need and more. And when cuddling, it is very tight holds and Scorpion will bury his head into Yang's neck, while hers in his shoulder, height difference.

Who initiates the handholding? If it is not a hug or embrace, then holding hands is the next wanted thing. Yang would probably reach over more often to entwine their fingers, but Hanzo would be the one with the tighter hold and to keep the hands close too him.

Who worries more for the other? There is no more, there is only Worry and Concern, because the two of them are absolutely risk taking fools that do not know the meaning of back down. However, seeing as Hanzo is at an advantage of surviving seeing as he is an undead of a sort, his worry would burn far more for Yang who is very mortal, despite not aging at all.

Who is more likely to ask for help? In this particular verse, it would be very tense when one or the other asks for help. And when it comes down too it, both of them would be reaching for each other when finally cracking to ask. Yet again here, with how empathetic Yang can be and her understanding, she can see when Scorpion/Hanzo needs something, and will always ask what she can do for him. On the flip side, Yang tries to keep it together so hard to be his support and pillar- but when shaken he can tell fairly quickly when she needs him. And will ask for help when approached, even if just for an embrace.

Who is the one always losing the keys? More than likely Scorpion, since Yang would have many keys too different locations all over. Since she has quite a bit of sway. Then again, when the hell does he need keys when he can teleport directly? This is partially just to see Yang's expression when spooked, as well as exasperated.

Who leaves little love notes for the other? Hanzo without a doubt hands down. But eventually Yang would start composing small lyrical poems or short songs to write back in return for those love notes.

Who can’t sleep unless the other is there? With absolutely terrible sleeping habits they both have, and Hanzo/Scorpion being as he is, it's him that sleeps less. While Yang does go for long periods with maybe a small nap, she manages a more peaceful sleep for longer with he's present. Yet still he doesn't sleep as normally as her, staying up to watch her sleep sometimes.

Who is more likely to propose to the other? When I think about it and how they both can be, perhaps one day this may happen down the line. It's far too soon just yet. But between the two of them it would most likely be him to do so. Engaged or no, Yang is the type to play everything very close too her chest in personal matters, and over think for ages. Often locking herself in a mental loop.

Who introduced the other to their family first? I think that between the many people both of them have met, it is a mutual introduction too the friends found family, and in Scorpion's case, his actual family and descendants. Just happening as they forge their relationship closer and continue to strive to better not just the world but them selves.

Who is more likely to play with the other’s hair? This is possibly a flip of the coin that changes, who does this more. Sometimes it is Yang who plays with Scorpion's hair, or it is him that strokes his fingers through hers.

Who makes sure the other has meals/stays hydrated? As much as the cooking is an enjoyment from Yang, considering she is mortal and has a higher than normal metabolism, I feel Scorpion would be the one making sure most often. But Yang will continue to go out of her way to cook meals and tea from his ancient era, just for him.

Who is more likely to stand up to anyone for the other? So not sure if you know this but there is a thing called 'self control' and another called 'feral'. If one or the other is in danger or needs help, then the feral switch is turned all the way up with the knob broken off. Hanzo will take the more dangerous route every time without a doubt, as incredibly protective as he is, but Yang does not have a bitch pedal either if she has to throw down.

Who is the most likely to prepare a surprise for the other? SCORPION. While gifts left out for him or offered freely are common, the true surprise happens when he just suddenly warps in and appears from no where while Yang is relaxing or doing something quietly. Even reading, or reviewing maps and notes. He will surprise her by just appearing and making her jump three feet in the air and yelp with a shriek. There goes the pencil across the room.

Who makes the other pinky promise not to do certain things? Both of them do more than likely, in their own ways. Having come across horrifying events of loved ones and knowing that each other will walk headlong into the worst of dangers. Promise not to leave the other alone in the end.

Who puts a blanket over the other when they fall asleep on the couch? While the sleeping habits are complete garbage, it can not be helped that more likely it is Yang that falls asleep on the couch even if she tries to maintain awakeness. So it'd be Scorpion/Hanzo to put the blanket over her and make sure she stays warm.

[generalasshattery]

The Brothers Sub-Zero

So, you may remember @assassiyun from the last round of commissions as the one who wanted that super sad story about Scorpion. Remember that one? That super sad one? Anyway, here’s Kuai Liang reflecting on his brother! Angst warning!

————————————————

It wasn’t so long after his return to life that Kuai Liang found himself in a position he’d never been in before. For the first time in memory, Sub Zero was truly beholden to no one. His entire life had been in service to the Lin Kuei, and in death he found the depths of servitude could reach beyond the scope of his imagination. It was painful to think about it, all of it really. The clan he’d loved had betrayed him, turned him into a machine to force him to abide their will, only to be freed of it long enough to lose his free will once more. A different man might have been enraged, and bitter being denied the opportunity for revenge, but for Kuai Liang there was only a sense of loss. And there was much he had lost, not just years of free will, but the life he knew, the innocent way he’d seen the clan, and his brother.

His brother. Bi-han. The original claimant to the Sub Zero title, a man who could be both so much like Kuai and yet so very different. It was perhaps that loss that motivated his first true action of free will, of self interest. An action that benefitted no one but himself, a mission, a goal, a quest to find a missing piece of his life that had been taken from him before he knew it existed.

Bi-han had known of it though, the part of their world before their father stole them back to the Lin Kuei. He’d known their mother’s face, her personality... her love. But Bi-han would never share that with Kuai, one of many things that had gone forever undiscussed between the two, and would forever more. But he was no longer dependent on an elder brother for that, nor anyone else, and so the younger Sub Zero embarked to find his mother. He wasn’t so hopeful or idealistic that he expected to find good news, but he had hoped for something better than what he found.

What he found was a grave, cold and overgrown, a handful of pictures, and the knowledge that despite the lies from his father, she’d never quit looking for him. He’d wondered staring at the pictures how people of a different stock would handle that sort of knowledge. Did people growing up surrounded by love and comfort react with that hollowness in their chest and a burning in their eyes? He only wondered because staring at the pictures, he realized how easily he could have been one of them. How easily it could have been them.

The first picture was taken on a sunny day, his mother’s lovely face smiling for the camera, one arm holding a young boy, the other cradling her clearly pregnant belly. The young boy, who he would’ve known to be Bi-han anywhere if only for that grimly serious expression, had one hand pressed against the belly as well. Something about that hit his chest hard, and it took his brain a few seconds to be able to articulate to him why that was so painful. This moment, before Kuai was even part of the world, and his older brother was expressing a connection. A connection that Kuai had never been certain, until this moment, had ever even existed.

His earliest memories of his elder brother were as icy as their abilities. He couldn’t really remember a moment of genuine warmth passing between them, he’d tried so hard to please or impress his brother but had always been met with coldness. He can remember the feelings, those strong feelings of needing his brother, but receiving nothing in kind. But looking at this picture made him realize a grim truth, if his brother had given him that attention, that affection, that it would have made them a target in the Lin Kuei. He didn’t know if that meant his brother had been trying to spare him, or if Bi-han hadn’t cared in the first place. Once he would’ve leaned towards the latter, but now staring at that picture he didn’t feel so certain.

The next picture had Kuai Liang properly in it, cradled in his brother’s lap, it was taken on a cheap looking couch with a light blue wall in the background. Bi-han didn’t look so serious in this one, an expression that dared to be almost soft on the little boy’s face with a small smile that still managed to be bigger than one he’d ever seen from his brother. So that connection had still existed after Kuai was born, there’d been affection at least for a little while. His vision got a little blurry and for a moment Kuai debated letting a few tears fall, but instead he blinked them away. The pain in his chest grew deeper, and a darkness clouded his brain as he had to wonder what had this experience been like for Bi-han, who was old enough to know what it was like when his whole world changed?

“Quit asking about her, she doesn’t care enough to find us,” he could recall Bi-han saying once when Kuai had once again questioned about their mother. It had been an obsession for many years, the question no one would ever answer. His father had shut down any attempt to gather information, and Bi-han always got mad. Angry enough a few times to lash out. An anger strong enough that it was covering for a deep, that was something he’d figured out years before. Even Bi-han couldn’t hide a wound that deep forever.

Briefly he considered how it would’ve made Bi-han feel to know she hadn’t given up on them. Would that have soothed him, or only deepened the pain? Or would it even have mattered to him as an adult? Though, by adulthood he would’ve surely known that there was nothing she could have done anyway. Would her death have been enough to elicit some feelings from him? Bi-han had seemed to divorce himself so thoroughly from his emotions, that it was hard to tell what, if anything, he actually felt. Occasionally there may be a glimmer of something, but that was almost never something he’d turned on Kuai. Those emotions were reserved for lovers, or allies in missions, never Kuai.

And then something clicked, like a hidden piece of knowledge he’d been waiting to uncover. Bi-han knew what it meant to lose someone he loved and perhaps there was no small amount of desire on his part to not re-experience that pain. Bi-han has trusted Kuai, that much Kuai knew, even if they weren’t close. Not with secrets or personal information, but with tasks or on missions. As a teenager he’d clung to that as proof of some form of bond between them, as he gotten older he’d discarded it to mean that Bi-han had simply known Kuai was too eager to please him. Now he was certain it was a little of both.

These pictures couldn’t alleviate Bi-han of who he was, and the man’s sins and cruel acts were bountiful. This didn’t suddenly allow him to easily forgive a life time of isolation, or excuse any of the actions Bi-han had taken against others. Still, there was something undeniably healing in knowing that he hadn’t been hopelessly waiting for big brother to care all those years. So he moved on to the next picture, the last one he had.

It was the family in its entirety, their mother and father and the two sons at dinner together. But the thing that made this one so different was the smile, not a controlled and small smile, not a smirk, but an honest grin from Bi-han. He was laughing, laughing at the mess on Kuai’s face. And then he felt something hot roll down his cheeks, hot for all of a moment before it turned cold enough to crystallize. Icy tears had made it half way down the face as he realized that they’d both lost something so very precious.

Here he was staring at the proof of a loving life that went unlived. A life full of happy memories, and all the comforts of a home and a family that had been denied both of them. That had been stolen from them, and for the first time he could really remember he was enraged, he was upset, he was hurt, and the pain just kept getting worse. He didn’t know if he hated the man now, but he could say that he was angry with his father. Because like the Lin Kuei had done in turning him into a machine, his father had betrayed him by turning him into a Lin Kuei assassin.

No, he’d done that to both of them. Both he and Bi-han had been betrayed, and his brother had the memory of it happening. There was nothing to be done for it now, no one but Kuai Liang in the picture still lived. That was a lonely thought to have, especially now, so wrapped up in these painful revelations. He wished he could show Bi-han, to tell him what had been revealed, even if the elder brother didn’t care. He would’ve cared.

Bi-han would’ve cared, and for some reason he knew that deeply. He may not have liked knowing, he may not have reacted with any amount of emotion, but he would’ve cared. He knew that because he knew Bi-han after the man had died, when he really, truly, and deeply did not care. When the ability to care had been deprived of him. That Bi-han was different, and the fact he was meant something.

But it didn’t matter, there was no one to show any of this to, not even his former friends. There was no one left to confide in or express any of this to. And for the briefest moment he wondered if it meant that any of this didn’t really matter. He could banish that thought, because it did. Bi-han and their mother mattered to Kuai, and even if no one else in the world knew about it, that didn’t make it less important.

So he took the pictures, slipped them into his pocket knowing he was going to have to find a place to keep them safe. Knowing that he had no where else to go, he went back to the only place that had ever been home to him. It stood then abandoned and empty, halls where pain had once been common, the Lin Kuei temple. It was just a building now, but it didn’t have to be what it was. Something to ponder when he was healed, for now it could just be his home.

[puttingfingerstokeys]

a matter of time

Once again, I’m back on my MK bullshit. This one’s kind of delving into morals, ethics, philosophy, and Liu Kang having a hard time of it, generally, but hey, ain’t that just the way of Kombat? 

Ft. First Person Present Tense horseshit--Raiden being a dad. Liu Kang doing his fucking best. 

As usual, tumblr doesn’t preserve italics and I’m too lazy to find ‘em. Unedited, blah blah blah

Broken Timeline (references to Restored Timeline)

“I cannot do this, Lord Raiden—there simply…. There is just no way…” The young fire god paces before Kronika’s hourglass, eyes shot through with sparks of anger, moisture shining on his cheeks. God he may be, but his heart is still that of a mortal and it bleeds for the pain he must cause. There are no words of comfort for him, nor of description to properly depict the true horror of that place into which he has just stepped. I do not envy him. I was born with this burden—not of time, of divinity—but that does not mean I cannot sympathize.

“What is it you cannot do?” There is time for reprimand later, as he is the Lord now, and I am not. I regard him carefully and the hourglass even more so. What it has done to him, the lines upon his young-old face, the worries that I see prowling through every inch of his body; this, too, pains me. He settles upon a large stone, fists tight, eyes downcast.

“Over and over, no matter what I do to shift the sands,” he grunts, keeping his voice low, hating the tears of frustration which he has already shed and fighting those that have yet to fall, “I cannot save them all. Someone falls—someone always falls, sometimes many.”

“…the Shirai-Ryu massacre.” The guess is a simple one, but weighty. He looks up, surprised, for but a moment, that I have guessed the current source of his distress. “I know this because I know your heart, Lord Liu Kang, and I have always known it… Furthermore, I have come to respect and appreciate its openness, warmth, and honesty—it is that heart which makes your fires burn so hot, but…”

“It… is a two-edged sword, isn’t it?” His shoulders sag and I am compelled to move closer, to stoop before and lay a hand upon him.

“Love is that way, yes—all emotions are, but love is the sharpest… not hate, or fear, or joy… Love. It is a root, remember that, and leads to all else.”

“I wish I didn’t—”

“No!” I snap vehemently, perhaps even more strongly than I’d anticipated doing. “No, do not speak those words aloud here, at the dawn of time… This void before all things is sacrosanct—our words affect it, even if we do not realize…” His eyes are wide, searching my face for exaggeration. He will find none. “More importantly, it affects us.”

“Forgive me, Teacher—I… it was the boy, Satoshi…” Liu Kang trails off. He need not finish his thought. I understand. As a deity, I have watched the lives of many mortals—they come and go, so fleeting in the grand scheme of things, but no less important for all that. I ache for the thought of those I have lost. He knows this pain as a mortal and perhaps is now beginning to understand that it is not unique to those with finite lives. Perhaps it is worse still for those who persist through the eons; we live with our grief, never quite mastering it.

“There are events which, in all of history, are pivotal to a certain outcome,” I explain gently, “as was our inevitable kombat to Kronika’s plans.”

“But we overcame it,” Liu Kang insists, his fists still clenched, hard, upon his lap. “You saved me—your decision to do that tipped the scales past where she could hope to control that outcome.”

“A one in a billion chance, nothing more,” I remind him, squeezing his shoulder and standing, hoping he will follow, hating to see him in this desperate position and myself, helpless to assist beyond my words.

“No!” This time, it is his turn to snap. “You can’t believe that—you can’t say that here, to me, like this… It isn’t…” He straightens and finally looks up at me. There are tears caught in his eyelashes, but resolution in the set of his jaw. Good. He will need that for what is to come. “It is not the Lord Raiden who chose me.”

“Even gods change.”

The look upon his face is one I remember well. It is frustration, stymied by words of someone he considers far wiser than he. If only he could know just how incorrect that supposition is. By virtue of my endless life, I should, by all rights, be wiser than the young Liu Kang, but I am not. I have been a fool, have known defeat and failure, and have carried grief and remorse as constant companions. That alone will change a person.

“It is that changeability which granted us a chance to defeat her. Kronika underestimated a great many things, including mortals… and the depths of my ire for those who would harm them. I became a god of vengeance at the ends of her strings, but she did not anticipate the desperation that would arise from my grief-tainted rage.” I cannot meet his eyes, not now, remembering that, so many times, in so many other timelines, Liu Kang had met his end at my hands.

“But Shinnok’s amulet!” His voice rings out in the roaring darkness and he claps his mouth shut, realizing the curse upon that name in this blank canvas of a place and time—or a lack of place and time; such things are difficult, verbally, to describe. “And the tainted Jinsei…”

“It was the lure of my father’s trinket, not the trinket itself, Lord Liu Kang, which corrupted me, the power granted by that tainted stream of life force which called to me,” I confessed, eyes upon the hourglass. “I am a recursive being, defined by myself; my sins are my own and my nature—which I have fought from my inception into this and every other timeline—is that of a god of destruction.”

The silence drifts between us. I consider him, Liu Kang, and what he has suffered. I wonder if perhaps I am not speaking to the lamb of his own slaughter, to which I have led him. Am I the author of some future madness? But it does not bear meditating upon—it cannot. It has been done and it was, I am certain now, the only way to overcome Kronika. All paths led to destruction except for this one and that, I think, was due in part to my nature, not his.

“So Sh—so he was your father, and Lord Fujin’s.” He seems disappointed, somehow, that this whispered legend or rumor has proven to be the truth. “I guess I knew that—or I thought I did… I’d heard it, but… Asking about family, among our friends?”

We both seem to recall, at once, the multitude of strange circumstances which had brought together the representatives of Earthrealm in the first place.

“Not a wise choice, were tact to be maintained,” I agree, “but the sire is no reflection upon the offspring—or it does not need to be. I knew that immediately when I looked upon my brother and saw someone I loved and someone I would always seek to protect.”

“You’re more human than you ever let on, Lord Raiden,” he observes. “Maybe we’ve softened you.”

“I have always been ‘soft’,” I assure him, “and it may have been my downfall, but for the memories of friends I keep stored up in the very core of my being. You strengthen me, even now… And so you must be, Keeper of Time, strengthened by love and compassion, tempered by reasonable logic and justice… and softened by empathy, but never destroyed by it.”

“So how, then, can I do this? How can I allow it?” He gestures to the glass, standing and straightening, wiping his cheeks and eyes with the other hand. The gesture is so reminiscent of his childhood, it brings a pang to my chest. In this moment, Liu Kang looks more boy than man, and like no god at all, despite his divine attributes. The shining markings which once adorned my flesh now wrap about his, with his own additions, variations to suit him. Never, in all the eons of my existence, have I felt more certain that I had made the correct choice.

“You choose the shift of the sands which, to you, seems most just.”

“The death of an innocent boy is not just, Raiden! How can you demand this of me?”

I shake my head. “I cannot,” I admit quietly. “It is your choice to make. I am not the Keeper of Time. I conferred my divinity upon you for a reason, Lord Liu Kang. This, as it turns out, was your ultimate purpose… All the Shao Kahns of every timeline—all the Raidens… could not stop you. Your inevitability and unpredictability are, at least in part, why Kronika did not see us coming. This, in the end, is why I chose you and why you alone are the appropriate choice to be time’s keeper. Her numerous, repetitious attempts only served to build the foundation of her defeat. She had intended to use that unpredictability to reverberate through time, shattering our alliance and, thence, every timeline, using our konflict to reset existence. She made a mistake.”

“So I must choose the lesser of two—no,” he corrects, “the least of many evils. Raiden, in one shift, I see Bi-Han himself leading the charge—I see the Shirai-Ryu fighting to the last man, but each time, Harumi and Satoshi die at his hands. Quan-Chi is always behind it, no matter who strikes the final blow and always, Hanzo’s family suffers and he…”

“He becomes a wraith.” I nod quietly, gesturing back to the hourglass. “But then what happens?”

“He… fights his way through Netherrealm and confronts Quan-Chi, every time.”

“He is also inevitable.”

Liu Kang nods, “yes, but, such suffering…”

“It builds him into the man we see today, fighting alongside Grandmaster Kuai Liang, for the protection of Earthrealm. Would the Shirai-Ryu and the Lin Kuei not still be at war, were it not for that avalanche of fate?” It is, admittedly, a question even I am not equipped to answer, but it stops him, makes him consider. He sighs and then shrugs.

“I… do not know.”

“So, rather than the least of many evils, Lord Liu Kang, you have been called upon to serve the purpose of balance—true balance—and justice… and to choose that which fulfills your duty.”

“You have always spoken of duty as if it is the only choice,” he observes, though the verbalization clearly pains him, “yet your duties, in service to the Elder Gods, have led you down many paths of destruction.”

I am silent a while, considering the truth of this. There is no simple answer, because he is correct. He has learned much over the years and now has the wisdom of many timelines from which to pull. Experience is the harshest teacher, but the best, by far—we do not soon forget those lessons taught us by pain and force.

“I served their purpose as a dutiful son and… I believe that purpose was, in many ways, to illustrate to me that fighting my nature could only lead to the inevitability of the Storm. I was wrong to follow and obey as I did. You will not be so unwise because you have many lifetimes to recall and to relive… infinite possibilities of wisdom and foolishness, infinite lives and deaths. You were… built to bear this burden.”

“Would you... take it from me?”

“Yes, Liu Kang, I would.” His countenance changes as I lay aside the deified title. It is as if I have regained my student, at least for a time. “My divinity prevents me taking up the crown with the same efficacy as a mortal, however—as I said, you are perfectly suited to its weight.” The pain in his eyes lances deep into me, but I hold his glowing gaze, as he always held mine. “You haven’t the arrogance of a titan or a god; your humility is yet another great strength.”

Liu Kang observes his hands, then me, then the hourglass. He takes in a breath which fills his lungs and then, closing his eyes, he releases it, slowly, through his nose. I watch his countenance shift once more, to something I have not yet seen. There is a certain serene nobility to it and not a note of resignation to be seen. He has begun to truly understand what his duty truly is, what a joy that burden will be to bear—and what a terrible tragedy.

“I understand,” he says finally, opening his eyes once more. Lifting off the foundational stones of all timelines, he moves to the hourglass and begins, once more, to manipulate the sands of time. There is security in his movements, a certain sureness that each decision is being made the right way—even if it is not the “right” decision. After all, at the beginning and the end of all things, one often finds one’s moral compass to be somewhat useless. There is no grander scheme than the one which Liu Kang now manipulates with novice hands and an open, empathetic heart and I could not be more proud of him.