jace🔞

“…fuck.” you mumble, rubbing your head in frustration as you see you only had about 12 bucks and a simple autograph signing with THE Johnny Cage was 60 bucks. In retrospect, seeing as he’s a worldwide known action star that was relatively cheap but you’ve always been dirt poor. So you struggled as you tried to come up with a solution to see your favorite actor of all time, but ended up with no solutions.

You finally decided to attend Cage Con and at least buy the entrance ticket. Maybe if you were unbelievably lucky you’d see him walking around or come out to greet fans waiting outside his autograph signing. And that was just hopeful thinking, as soon as you got there the line was eternally long almost reaching the exit doors. You sigh to yourself, rubbing your eyes in frustration.

“Hey! can I take a picture? i really like your costume.” a feminine voice said near you, to which you snap out of your solemn state immediately.

“Oh- me? thank you. It’s just some ninja costume I put together last minute.” You chuckle shyly, but nod to their picture request.

As soon as they pose to take a picture next to you, you hear some commotion from people in the back of the line but ignored it as the girl snapped the picture.

“thank you!” The girl waved and walked off, you were about to utter a you’re welcome but she was already gone through the crowds of costumed people, loads of johnny cages and loads of his movie characters. Some Tarkatans though, which surprised you.

“You see how it feels? welcome to my world.” A deep yet energetic voice said behind you, everyone around you goes bonkers and you go completely pale as you turn to face the person. The voice extremely familiar.

It was Johnny. In the flesh, in front of you holding out a hand for you to shake with his usual shades and enthusiastic pearly smile. You try to talk but nothing comes out except a low “Hello..”

Johnny studies your reaction with his unwavering charismatic smile, looking down at your cheap last minute ninja costume with amusement. “You a fan pal? Stupid question right? we’re at Cage Con for christ sake. Nice to meet you, cool fit mister ninja! even though I can’t see your face with that mask.” Johnny chuckles as he takes your shaky hand in his and holds it.

“Yeah- I’m a fan. A huge fan. Honestly i didn’t even think you’d come out here to the floor-“ You finally were able to move your mouth, his hand still shaking yours for an unexpectedly long time which made you grow fiery red under your ninja mask.

And thank god for masks.

Johnny scoffs, “Why not? I know not everyone can afford a signature— so i come out here sometimes to greet all the beautiful Johnny Cages and Jannettes.”

A fan with a Tarkatan costume approaches and yells with a bunch of others, interrupting your moment with Johnny.

“…And beautiful Tarkatans of course! See you inside the signing hall?” He walks backwards with a grin.

“Oh I don’t have tickets for the signing…” You say with an embarrassed tone.

“Don’t worry about it, get in line alright?” Johnny said vaguely before walking off, a bunch of fans screaming on top of their lungs as he made his way inside the signing hall.

You were stunned. Did your favorite actor just walk up to you, shake your hand, and say hello? Did he mean what he said? To get in line? Imagine getting into trouble. That being said, you nervously waited in line while the length of the queue gradually shrank. Your legs were killing you after nearly an hour had passed. As you make it to one of the security guards who was checking for ticket confirmation before entering to get your autograph you froze. Not knowing what to do or say, before you could utter anything the guards radio went off; “Words from Johnny, let the fella pass, over.”

The security guard made a studious expression at you before letting you pass with an apprehensive look. You turn warm, feeling your heart beating out of your chest. He really meant it huh? You were speechless beyond words as you walked in the signing room. There was Johnny on a table signing autographs and cracking jokes, laughing with some fans who were ahead of you.

“fuck fuck fuck…” you whisper to yourself in anxiety, clenching your fists. As the fans ahead of you leave and wave to Johnny you immediately freeze not moving as he sits there and waves you over.

Johnny scoffs and stares at your frozen figure with amusement, “Hey, mister ninja! Medusa got you or something? come here i don’t bite.”

“Oh- uhm- yeah sorry.” You walk over with heavy steps, still feeling on otherworldly from everything that’s happened.

Johnny’s smirk softens; signaling for you to sit next to him a chair as he takes out a signing poster of his. You hesitantly take a seat next to him; “It’s my first time at con, so i’m a little shaken up.” you try and play it off as if your nerves weren’t due to him but the event.

Johnny laughs, taking his shades off. Those big brown puppy eyes, his aura now seeming more approachable and soft. He didn’t look like an unreachable celebrity figure, just a cute guy.

“Don’t worry about it bro! You know how many people i’ve had sobbing in front of me and declaring their love for me today alone? your reaction is….a nice change.” Johnny smiles at you before glancing down at his poster before looking back up at you, studying your face before clearing his throat; “Anyways, how do you spell your name, sport?”

You chuckle a bit of redness around your neck as you spell it out for him.

“Thats a kickass name man.” he continues to write on the poster your name along something else that you couldn’t quite distinguish.

“Oh it’s kinda basic in my opinion but thank you.”

“Basic? you know many Steven’s and Emily’s i’ve met today?” He says partially joking as he looks up from signing the poster. “Plus, my name isn’t exactly the most unique if we’re being honest.” He said with a small grin, “Don’t get me wrong it’s badass though.”

You chuckle, “Yeah, it definitely is.”

“So hey, what’s your favorite film of mine? You said you were a big fan supposedly.” Johnny leans back on his chair and crosses his arms with a smile.

You clear your throat, “Oh, uhm, definitely Time Smashers.”

Johnnys eyes widen; “Finally! someone saying Time Smashers! most people say the most popular ones like Ninja Zombie but Time Smashers is one of my favorite projects. I spend so much time on that script.”

“I just recognize that work was put in to it, I can tell it was done from the soul. Thank you for letting me in by the way” You say shyly, avoiding his brown eyes.

Johnny stayed silent, observing your face with warmth a few seconds before speaking up; “No problemo! Say….you took your mask off.”

“Oh- yeah i did. I figured it wouldn’t be respectful if i just kept it on while meeting my favorite actor.”

Johnny chuckles and hands you the signed poster rolled up. “Yeah it would be very uncool, man.” He jokes.

You take the poster from him and stand; “hah well- Thank you so much.” you say quickly.

“Hold on hold on- the signing hall is pretty much cleared out. I’m done for the day you don’t gotta dash out so quickly. You want a selfie, pal?” Johnny stands with his hands in his pockets.

Your cheeks grow red, “Really? just like that?”

“Yeahhhhh, stop being such a wimp.” He says jokingly with zero malice behind his voice. “This is a lifetime opportunity for you and i’m feeling…very giving today.”

“Alright but- i’m horrible at selfies…” You scoff a bit.

“Don’t worry. i’m the master of photogenic photography.” Johnny took out his phone to which you raise an eyebrow in surprise. “I could send you the pictures later on, my phone has good quality.” Johnny brags before walking next to you and holding his phone up as he tries to find a good angle with you both.

“Cheese…” You say as you look at the camera shyly.

“nuh uh- do something fun! loosen up mister ninja! You can get close.” He smiles warmly as he looks at you and wraps an arm around your shoulders and pulls you closer.

“hah- alright-“ You cheeks turn redder as he holds up the phone again, you throw a peace a sign and he takes the selfie.

“Oh that one’s nice.” Johnny looked at the selfie on his screen, you peeked at it and smiled; his arm was around you and his pearly whites showing— his shades hanging from his buttoned up shirt. “What’s your number?”

You clear your throat and your eyes widen; “What? you whisper.

“Your phone number so I can send you the selfies, silly goose.” Johnny ruffles your hair a bit.

“Oh yeah of course- it’s- it’s- (phone number).” You mumble, still quite taken aback.

Johnny types your number in and texts you the selfies, making your phone buzz in your pocket. You fish out your phone and look at two selfies he sent, your smile contagious as you look down at your phone.

“Thank you so much man-“ You say with enthusiasm, “Id never thought this’d ever happen.”

Johnny pats your shoulder a bit; “It’s my pleasure.” He studies your expression a bit before speaking up again; “Say, keep the number.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Keep it. We’re pals now, no?”

You chuckle, “That quickly?”

“Hell yeah, you’re so chill. A dedicated cool person.”

“Alright. I’ll keep it.” You smile at him, your eyes so big and warm.

“Okie dokie, sport. I’m gonna get going it’s been a long ass day, but hey don’t be shy and text me up sometimes. I’m just a regular guy. Well not too regular, i’m above average but you get what I mean..” Johnny chuckles before patting your back one more time before leaving with his body guards out the semi empty convention through the back doors.

You stayed there for a moment in shock, trying to ground yourself. You then opened your signed poster up and saw his message; “To (name)! My greatest fan ever! Stay rockin it, I appreciate your support. P.S you look great without the mask :)”