"Why in front of Cage?" The emphasis makes it clear Kung Lao is very aware why. With a witness like that, there won't be a single person who does not know. With a long sigh, he realizes that he doesn't have a choice anyway. Resolutely, he balls his fists and stalks off to find the actor. Liu Kang, he assumes, will find him; the man has a knack for it... all he has to do is try and dodge some responsibility or other.

Presently, he comes across both of them playing, of all things, chess... and Johnny Cage is winning. He is explaining to the monk that he had to learn the game for a role and the rules never left him. Liu Kang's brows are crinkled in deep concentration. Lao clears his throat and both men look up.

"Sup hat guy?" Johnny's brows rise quizzically behind his sunglasses as he regards the behatted monk, wondering what could have him all constipated-looking. "What's wrong, Raidude got your tongue?"

Kung Lao sneers at the off-color humor... blasphemy, some might consider it, but they ALL know Lord Raiden cares little what Johnny Cage, in particular, calls him.

"Liu Kang," he says, breathing deeply, "I... have to tell you something."

Liu Kang is attentive, polite as usual, with more than a little worry creasing his features. "Please tell me, if it bothers you so much."

"It.. it's not a bother," Kung Lao admits, chewing his lower lip. Johnny wishes he had a bowl of popcorn for this melodrama. "I..." Lao swallows. "I want to... spend the rest of my life with you." It sounds AWFUL coming out and he knows it, but a dare is a dare and he's accepted. "I...love you."

Liu Kang's eyes dart to Johnny for a moment, who looks very like the cat who ate the proverbial canary, then back to Kung Lao. He is stunned into stillness and silence for only a moment before he stands and moves quickly to embrace his friend. "I love you, too, Lao," he whispers, holding Kung Lao tightly.

Johnny seems to have evaporated as Liu Kang and Kung Lao sink into their own little world. If he has his phone out and is texting everyone he knows, it doesn't matter. The words are out there, the sentiment real and true and finally free of their captivity between Kung Lao's ribs, where his heart now flutters.

“His gentleness,” comes the immediate response. “Everybody looks to him as a powerful kombatant—and he is… but he is kind and even his criticisms are delivered with that same kindness.” Having been on the other end of more than one thrashing by his friend, Lao knows this firsthand. It is embarrassing every time, but somehow Liu Kang manages to soften the blow and they both learn from it.

Alright listen up because I have a few things to aggressively smash into your brain because I know that your bravado only goes so deep:

1. You are JUST AS GOOD and JUST AS IMPORTANT as Liu Kang. You're not just second best, you're not just The Other Shaolin.

2. Your accomplishments are VERY important and I am VERY PROUD OF YOU.

3. You are NOT a disgrace to your bloodline and anyone who SAYS that needs to CHECK THEMSELVES.

4. People who tell you they prefer Liu Kang over you are being ASSHOLES. You're actually amazing.

5. YOU HAVE A

REALLY

COOL

HAT

He wants desperately to say that yes, he knows all this, or to shrug it off as if it is nothing, or to do as Liu Kang might and politely demure, but Kung Lao is struck dumb by the cavalcade of kindness, the absolutely overwhelming outpouring of genuine complimentary adoration. Stumbling over words, he feels himself reaching up to touch the brim of his hat gently.

“It… is a cool hat, isn’t it?”

He hesitates, pursing his lips to think about this one. How can he respond without... without looking like a fool?! "He... is kind," he says, off to an excellent start, "and tells no tales--if you have displeased him, you will know it." Kung Lao nods, warming to the subject. "He treats everyone with respect and in his eyes, we are equals. If there is a dishonorable thought in his head, I have never heard it... and it is nice to have someone with whom to share all my thoughts."