I Write Sometimes

It had been a few months since that first meeting with Kuai Liang, a few months filled with letters back and forth that had your cheeks warm and stomach filled with butterflies in the late hours of the night. The contents weren't really anything inviting, just talks of his day, and the expectations for your arrival. Despite this, you felt yourself growing smitten with the second son who had earned the name, Scorpion.

You could imagine his voice, warm and draping over your body like the finest of silk, his eyes, steady and certain. You could also imagine his arms holding you close, and perhaps even his lips against yours, but then you had to stop yourself because you were simply friends.

That thought left your mind quickly as you now stood at the entrance to the Lin Kuei compound, snow built up around your boots as winter settled over the land. Your tail swung slowly back and forth, a little annoyed for having to wait as a figure approached through the haze ahead of you. It wasn't until the fog parted parted that you realized who it was. "Bi-Han?" You tilted your head, eyebrow raising slightly as you looked him up and down.

"Do not." Bi-Han scoffed before you could even open your mouth again, and you instantly smiled as you straightened your posture.

"Just as I remember, stubborn and mean." You spoke easily, your smile growing at the glare he sent you. Though, if you looked hard enough, you thought he looked a bit amused. After all, you hadn't seem him since you were kids, you liked to think you were friends, back then. Even if you annoyed him to Netherrealm and back. "What's first on the agenda?" You asked as he turned around, taking a step before you fell into stride alongside him.

He definitely took after his father, especially now that he was older, but you could see that cold in his eyes that you had only truly seen from his mother. You wished you could have been present for the funeral of both of them, but all you had gotten was letters of their passing. No invitation. You honored their wishes.

"I know you are skilled in fighting, but I have to assess whether you are are fit to teach." Bi-Han stated, keeping his eyes forward whilst you looked around, taking in the scenery of the compound. It was bigger than yours, which you figured made sense given just how vast the Lin Kuei truly was. With branches all over the world as Earthrealms defenders. It was impressive, but undeniably cold.

You couldn't help but scoff, "I can assure you, I teach just as well as I fight."

"You are still tiresome." Bi-Han grumbled, but it only served to entertain you.

"And I am still the best." You shot back, grinning as you held your head high once he shot you a look over his shoulder. It felt just like old times, bickering back and forth and prodding at one another's ego. You expected Bi-Han to say something back, you wanted him to say something back, but he didn't.

You couldn't really see his expression beneath his mask, but you could see the furrow of his brows, a look in his eye that spoke volumes of emotions you could not decipher. That's new. "No rebuttal? Ha, you must agree with me then." The attempt to spur him on ended with him abruptly stopping and you almost running into a pillar, far too focused on him than your surroundings.

"If you claim you are so strong, prove it." Bi-Han nodded his head towards his left, and your ears perked upward in interest seeing the courtyard filled with initiates. They were running through their forms, moving in near perfect sync, it seemed Bi-Han's presence had unnerved them.

----

• You were ready to show off that you were still good at everything you did, whether it be fighting, swimming, teaching, running, anything

• Bi-Han stayed to oversee your instruction, watching in the same cold manner in which he did most things

• Some initiates got distracted by this, but you quickly showed that Bi-Han wasn't their priority

◦ "Are you nervous? Being nervous will not get you through this training, paying attention and achieving victory will."

• Bi-Han had huffed at that, approval perhaps. Your ears twitched towards the low sound, and you held back the grin that threatened to grow upon your lips

• It was during combat exercise that Kuai Liang and Tomas had showed up

• In any other circumstance you may have gotten distracted by the man you'd grown attracted to

• But not here

• Not when you were showing off and greatly entertained while doing so

• The inititates were well trained already, though they were never prepared for when you would occasionally jump in and land a hit on them

◦ "Always be aware of your surroundings, don't expect your enemies to fight fair."

• Eventually, they started to catch on. Dodging or blocking your attacks, whilst also paying attention to their opponent

• By the end of your session, they seemed a lot more confident in themselves

• You turned to Bi-Han

◦ "Well, that was good right?"

◦ "It was adequate."

• You expected that answer

• What you did not expect was for Kuai Liang to step forward, after all the initiates had gone

◦ "I would like to spar with you, if you have the time."

• And who were you to turn down a challenge

• The fight was far more intense than what you had expected

• He was fast, almost enough to keep up with your movements

• Though being light on your feet was your specialty

• Swirling and side stepping around him in movements that felt more like a dance than kombat

• Kuai Liang, for the record, did not seem to back down from this challenge

• His eyes followed every step you did, learning, adapting

• And before you knew it he had seemingly vanished in a plume of fire before appearing behind you, kicking you square in your back

• You caught yourself on your hands, flipping around to face him with a shocked expression

◦ "Since when could you do that?"

◦ "There's plenty about my training that you do not know."

• That made you grin, excited to take on the endeavor, after all, you were confident in your victory

--

"Your ego made you lose."

You leaned your side against the pillar, arms crossed over your chest as you grumbled something incoherent underneath your breath. The spar had ended an hour ago, but you were still upset you lost; not because you truly believed you could never lose, but because of how you lost. Getting distracted by the close proximity, being impressed by Kuai Liang's skill, you were completely thrown off your game the longer the spar persisted.

Now you were both underneath a gazebo on the outskirts of the compound, away from most watchful eyes as the moon hang high in the sky, though it's light was shrouded by clouds. You'd wanted to spend more time with Kuai Liang after your match, both just to speak more with him in person but to also explain that, "It was not my ego. What kind of leader would I be if I let that get the best of my training?"

He hummed, thoughtful, "Not a very good one, you are right. Nonetheless, I told you I would win. I don't make promises I can't keep." Kuai Liang smiled slightly then, and you felt butterflies dance in your stomach. Your tail swished, content.

"I suppose that is a good thing, then." You stood up from your spot leaning against the pillar, stepping closer to the man you'd grown close with. "You are much more skilled than when we were children." There was a teasing lilt to your voice, like you were taking the credit for his pursuit of strength, but you were also sincere. You were always taught to commend the strength of your allies, even if you believed yourself to be stronger.

Kuai Liang nodded, amused, "You have improved as well, I think that we would compliment eachother well in kombat."

Your cheeks grew warm, but you decided to take the opening to press if he felt the same way about you that you felt for him. "Only in kombat?" You attempted not to sound too hopeful, feeling your stomach constrict with nerves as he seemed to take a moment to understand your words.

The silence stretched on longer than you anticipated, but you didn't go back on your words, watching minute expressions play across Kuai Liang's face until his eyes finally met yours. "No, not only in kombat."

--

• Things progressed smoothly after that talk

• You didn't announce your relationship to the whole world, but you did tell Tomas and Bi-Han

• Tomas was happy, congratulating you and Liang with a large smile

• Bi-Han was glad his brother would no longer bother him with awkward talks about you (he was proud, in a way)

• In public, you agreed to be strictly professional, only showing off your closeness by occasionally walking and standing closer to one another than what would be considered just friends

• You wrote letters back and forth whenever you had to return to your own clan, and often he would come to visit, as it was easier for him to do so

• You were the leader of your Clan, after all, and has much to attend to

• Light touches in the privacy of your room

• Kisses shared behind closed doors

• Marriage had crossed your mind sooner than you'd imagined, but you weren't able to bring it up to him

• Not when Liu Kang brought forth his champions, and you were split from Kuai Liang to focus on their training

• The letters became sparse, few and far between

• When the brothers would visit the Wu Shi Temple, you rarely got enough time to speak with Kuai Liang before he was summoned

• Your clan was strong, but you were not part of the Lin Kuei, and were often left in the dark about much of what was transpiring between Earthrealm and Outworld

• Kuai Liang did not share much

◦ "Lord Liu Kang advised that I not share more than what is needed, not unless the situation becomes dire."

• It aggravated you, but you did not complain, not against the words of a God

• Then came their forward assault on Outworld, the brothers sent to hopefully put a stop to the evil plot against the realms

• You offered your assistance

◦ "You know I am strong enough to lend you aid, Bi-Han."

◦ "Your strength is not my concern, I do not need your help."

◦ "Are you seriously being stubborn right now?"

• Liu Kang had to intervene

◦ "Though your aid in taking down Quan Chi would be greatly appreciated, and no doubt helpful, I believe you may be better utilized helping prepare Kung Lao and Raiden for war."

• If Liu Kang was not a God, you would roll your eyes

• After the tense meeting, you were quick to catch Kuai Liang and speak with him before he left

• It felt like a farewell in the most painful sense

◦ "I will come back."

◦ "Good. I love you."

◦ "I love you."

• The kiss you shared was passionate, but you could feel the restraint

• When he pulled away, it was like the action physically pained him

• You didn't pull him back though, knowing it would only make leaving more difficult

• His duty was to Earthrealm, you would not get in between that

• That acceptance made it hurt no less as he and his brothers departed from the Temple, disappearing in Liu Kang's portal of fire

• It wasn't until their silhouettes disappeared completely that you truly felt the weight of Kuai Liang's absence

• You knew he would come back to you though

Grunting as his back came into contact with the ground, Bi-Han scowled as he went to push himself up again. Kuai Liang was still seated on the floor from when he had lost, huffing out a sigh while he looked at his brother rushing back into his sparring session. You grinned, canines on display as the taller boy rushed you. You had to admit, he was strong. Both of the Lin Kuei boys were, but neither of them seemed quite quick enough to catch you. You were light on your feet, and skillfully evaded every punch.

You had all agreed not to use your abilities during such simple sparring, as it was only a game, a way to pass time while your parents had a meeting and discussed whatever it was that heads of the clans took so long to talk about. Dropping low under Bi-Han's punch, you swiftly twisted your body and brought a leg up and around, the flat of your foot connecting with Bi-Han's arm as he had brought it up to block at the last moment. The hit made him stumble, and you took that opportunity to advance, lowering yourself to the ground again and swiping your leg out beneath him, sending the boy down onto his back.

His irritation was palpable as you laughed, putting your hands on your hips and puffing out your chest. "Don't be mad, Bi-Han. After all, I'm the strongest!" You boasted, white and gray tail swishing back and forth. If looks could kill, you were positive you would be six feet under and sent to the Netherrealm just because Bi-Han said so. His anger only made you more amused though, and he would've gotten up to come at you again if it wasn't for Kuai Liang putting a hand on his shoulder.

"Let's do something else, brother." Kuai Liang proposed, looking to you and then back at Bi-Han, a soft smile on his face in the hopes of calming down his brother. He moved to hold out a hand for Bi-Han, which the blue clad boy took after a long moment of silence.

"What do you suggest, Liang?" Bi-Han asked, running his hands over his clothes to dust them off. He still looked angry, but he seemed to calm his impulses at least with the help of his brother. Kuai Liang tilted his head in thought, silence stretching out as he tried to come up with something else for them to play.

"Tag?" You offered, only to be met with a disapproving look from both of them, which only served to make you snicker and look anywhere else but directly at them.

"How about-"

"A race!" You jumped in, making Bi-Han grumble something underneath his breath and shake his head. Kuai Liang paused mid sentence and took in a steadying breath.

"I was going to say we could stop playing games and just go swim in the river."

Your ears pressed down slightly as your face scrunched up, "Swim in the river?" You repeated, shifting your weight from one foot to the other a few times.

It was Bi-Han's turn to smile then, a mischievous glint to him as his brows furrowed closer together, "What? Dont tell me the fox is afraid of a little water." His tone was teasing, earning a look from Kuai Liang that wasn't quite exasperation but you didn't know what else to deem it as. His eyebrows raised up slightly as he looked at Bi-Han, gently pushing his shoulder with his hand.

"Bi-Han!" Kuai Liang tried to reprimand.

"I am not afraid of water!" You crossed your arms over your chest, "It just didn't seem like something you guys would want to do."

Bi-Han only let out a small hum in response, still clearly amused at the notion that you might be afraid of water. Or maybe you couldn't even swim? So much for being the strongest then, right?

Now Kuai Liang had started to grow annoyed as well. To Bi-Han's displeasure you were actually quite adept at swimming, and to Kuai Liang, you were almost too good. You had convinced them to do a race in the water, and of course you had won that as well. Your fun was cut short when their mother had shown up.

"Kuai Liang, Bi-Han.." She paused when she took in the drenched state of her two sons, stifling a laugh as they quickly rushed out of the water to greet her, you not too far behind. "It is time for us to leave, though I guess we'll need to grab some towels." She reached a hand out to run through Bi-Han's wet hair, smiling at the grumpy look he sported as he looked up at her and moved an arm up to gently redirect her hand from atop his head.

Clambering out of the water quite unceremoniously, you shook your head to get as much water off of your ears and hair as you could before walking up to them. Their mother looked at you with amusement in her gaze, and you thought that Kuai Liang got a lot of his looks from her, yet she exuded such confidence even when relaxed that she reminded you more of Bi-Han. "Come on then." She turned and began to walk back to your family's compound, the three of you following behind her graceful form. "Did you all have fun?" She questioned, glancing over her shoulder.

"No." Bi-Han stated before Kuai Liang could open his mouth, "But, I did get more reasons to continue to try hard in my training." He finished, looking over at his brother as if waiting for him to agree.

"Well, that is good." The woman smiled, though this time it seemed a little more sad. You wondered why, but you didn't have it in you to ask about it. Even if you really wanted to.

"I had fun." Kuai Liang started to say, promptly turning to look at you to ignore the side eye that Bi-Han sent in his direction. You smiled at him, and he smiled back. Their mother glanced back at you both again, and she smiled before looking forward again.

"You boys can tell me all about it once we get home. I hope they didn't cause you any trouble?" She addressed you with the question, and you grinned as you shook your head, then remembered she wasn't looking at you so she couldn't tell.

"Cause me trouble? If anything, I caused them all the trouble." You huffed, and then immediately your ears flattened against your head as the woman briefly glanced over her shoulder at you. You couldn't tell if the look in her eyes was angry, stern, or what. Though you had met and played with Bi-Han and Kuai Liang a handful of times before, you never really met their parents except for a brief introduction before. You were caught off guard by what you could only label as hostility.

Bi-Han scoffed, eyebrows raising as he rose a finger to point at you, "You-"

"Bi-Han, Kuai Liang."

The deeper voice drew all of your attention, and you watched Bi-Han straighten even more than he already was, so did Kuai Liang. You peeked out from behind their mother, taking in the look of the Lin Kuei's Grandmaster. He looked a lot like Bi-Han to you. "Father." Kuai Liang greeted with a smile, you could tell he was holding back the urge to run over and hug him.

The man smiled back, and shifted his gaze from Kuai Liang, to his wife, and then to Bi-Han. "Time for us to go."

While Bi-Han walked over to meet his father without saying a word, Kuai Liang turned to look at you, kind smile still on his face. "See you another time?" He asked, head tilting a little.

You grinned and nodded, reaching out to gently push at his shoulder, "Yeah, so I can beat you again." You joked. It pulled a small laugh from him this time, and he shook his head.

"When we next meet, I will win."

--

"My Lady."

Turning your head, you nodded slightly to address your handmaiden, urging her to continue.

"Scorpion is here to meet with you."

Your brows furrowed, "Scorpion?" You wracked your brain for who that might be, until you remembered reading about it in a letter almost a decade ago now. "Kuai Liang." You stated, though it was supposed to be a question, an ask for confirmation. The older woman nodded, and you got up from the spot where you had been seated.

You were a little embarrassed to notice the pep in your step as you walked through the courtyard and towards the entrance of your clan's compound, but what could you say? It'd been almost two decades since you had last seen Kuai Liang or Bi-Han, you never knew why, and you'd missed them dearly.

Standing beneath the arches, Kuai Liang stood with another man by his side, with grey hair and clad in black. The lower halves of their faces were hidden by masks, but you could see Kuai Liang's brows unfurrow as he saw you approach.

"Kuai Liang." You started, walking up to him whilst looking him over, not missing the way the other man seemed shocked at your appearance. Raising a fist, you punched your old friend in the shoulder, it wasn't a hard one, but it was firm. "Where the hell have-" you paused, taking notice of the tattoo that ran over his left shoulder. "Makes sense." You huffed, amused. Kuai Liang's warm eyes shifted towards his arm before looking back at you, and you could tell he had smiled even with the mask with the slight crinkle in the corner of his eyes.

His voice was smooth as he said your name, and you could feel a flutter in your stomach at how nice it sounded. Your tail swished, and you willed the feeling away as you slightly raised your eyebrows, expecting him to continue. "This is my younger brother, Tomas." He gestured with a hand towards the man beside him, whose eyes turned from a little confused to excited at being introduced. He reminded you of a puppy, despite his stature, though you could sense he wasn't always as nice as he let on. You had no doubt, he was also a skilled fighter. "Tomas-" You started, introducing yourself in return, "Younger brother? I've not met you before."

"I'm..adopted." Your eyes followed each minute movement, the way his gaze dropped for a moment, a sadness in his eyes that you did not hope to ever feel yourself, and also indignation. Interesting.

"Adoption makes you no less. It makes the skill you achieve even more impressive, because you started later than all the rest." You grinned, "I don't know many who use the karambit, you must be good at what you do." Your praise seemed to brighten his spirits. Offering a smile, you could see him match it with his eyes before your attention returned to Kuai Liang. "What have you come for?"

You could feel the energy completely switch as Kuai Liang crossed his arms over his chest, "It is almost time for the Lin Kuei to begin gathering Earth's champions, I would like for you to aid us. Or rather, for you to help train them." His voice was stern, commanding, and you noticed then just how much the boy from your childhood had grown. You'd heard of the passing of their father, and how Bi-Han was now the Grandmaster, but you didn't quite realize just how much that shift in roles and responsibility would change them.

Sure, you yourself were now the leader of your Clan, but your personality only changed slightly, your supposed seriousness was more of a front. "Me? Help gather and train the champions?" You smirked, "Bi-Han agreed to this?" Kuai Liang shifted on his feet, looking down at you with a knowing look.

"My brother does not let his ego get in the way of duty. It was really his idea, I was made to come propose the offer to you because he is busy."

"Busy, or couldn't be bothered. All the same to him, I'm sure." Amusement not leaving your face, you turned away from them, beckoning them to follow you with a wave of your hand. You missed the way Tomas sent a glance in Kuai Liang's direction, as if surprised by how easily you spoke of their older brother.

You led them nowhere in particular, simply strolling through the compound whilst you caught up on lost time. Kuai Liang told you of the champions they were meant to gather, how Tomas joined the clan shortly after your last meeting (though he spared the details as to why), and of his wish to strengthen the bond between your clans. As they had been in the past.

"We have long been separated, it would do us well to be stronger together once more." Were his exact words. You agreed whole-heartedly. If you were honest with yourself, you didn't quite realize just how much you missed Kuai Liang until he was standing at your side. This became even more apparent when they were about to depart, he stayed behind for a moment, looking down at you with a weight behind his gaze that made your heart quicken.

Reaching a hand up, Kuai Liang pulled his mask down so you could see his full face. "Do not forget the date you must meet us." He smiled slightly, and you briefly thought that he was perhaps a perfect mix of his parents.

"Me? Forget? Kuai Liang, you underestimate me." You grinned, showing off the canines that had sharpened since when you were a child. "I will be there, and tell Bi-Han we must all spar again. After all, you told me you would win, and I am sure he wants to redeem himself after all these years." You joked, and Kuai Liang chuckled, shaking his head in amusement.

He spared a glance towards Tomas, who waited patiently with his back against a pillar, before looking back at you. "Do not be surprised if you lose, we are both far more skilled than when we last met."

"As am I."

--

"She is still just as arrogant as when we were kids." Kuai Liang recalled when he was back in the Lin Kuei compound, sitting across from his brother whilst the older read over letters and documents.

Bi-Han let out a huff through his nose, amused, as he turned a paper over to read the other side. "I expected no less. I have always been sure her conceit would only grow with time."

"You are one to talk, brother."

Kuai Liang struggled to hide his smile when Bi-Han looked up from the parchment, leveling him with an icy glare that would normally spark obedience in any he aimed it at, though only served to humor Kuai Liang.

"You are in a good mood, do not tell me you are still enamored by her." The Grandmaster sighed, putting the paper into one of the piles on his desk before picking up another. "And do not lie to me, even mother knew you were drawn to her." Bi-Han spoke rather fondly when regarding their mother, a focused yet emotionally distant look in his eyes before he continued his work.

Kuai Liang was at a loss for words, mostly because he never expected Bi-Han to call him out, but also because he really did still like you, even after all these years. Seeing you again, talking with you, it felt like old times. Except you were older now, and your beauty had drawn him in like a siren song that he could not ignore. He was excited to see your skill in kombat, how much it had improved since last he had seen it.

"If you are just going to take space, leave. You are blind to your own feelings." Bi-Han's voice cut through his thoughts, making Kuai Liang look back at his brother quickly. He looked at Kuai Liang with a slightly annoyed expression, his eyes shifting from Kuai Liang to the door behind him, a clear sign to leave him to his work.

The perception of time was an odd thing, this thought lingered in Anna Marie's mind for what felt like both an eternity and a blink of an eye. Where was she? She didn't know. Couldn't see, couldn't feel, could only think. It wasn't dark, no, quite the opposite. This was bright, blinding, like she was staring directly at the sun- no, like she had flown directly into it. Or maybe a better description would be like those Star Wars movies Jubilee liked, when they traveled through hyperspace. 

   This was her perception of things, until suddenly breath entered her lungs, and the blinding colorful lights became dull and grounded. Her eyes were open, maybe, but her vision was blurry as all hell. She blinked once, twice, and finally her voice found her as she groaned and rolled onto her back. "Wh- where...?" Her voice was scratchy, throat dry. She didn't think anybody was around her, but her question was answered by a muffled voice. At first, she thought maybe it was a trick of her befuddled imagination, but the voice spoke again.

    It was accompanied by a pair of hands, heatedly familiar, and she felt herself being pulled into someone's embrace. 

  "Is she alright?"

  "I feel her confusion, but she is warmed by your familiar presence.."

  "Wow! Is that her?"

  "It is. Come on, chére, come back to me." 

    Voices unfamiliar began to surround her, her spinning vision showing blobs of color as she looked around in bewilderment. Her fingers clenched, preparing to punch her way out of whatever the hell she just got herself into. But those hands...those hands held her face this time, turning her head forward and tilting her chin up. The last one who spoke, that voice belonged to this man, she knew it. She blinked again, squinting as crimson hair and strong but slim facial features began to come into recognition. 

  "Re.." Anna Marie swallowed thickly, her hands relaxing as her memories caught up with the rest of her.

 "Yeah..it's me. Give it a second, 's a little confusin' at first here." 

  Like bathing in the suns rays, she instantly calmed, bringing her hand up to tentatively touch the one that rested under her chin. "Remy.." Her voice finally found her, her vision and hearing following as the room and it's inhabitants focused around her. 

  "There you are, chére." Her husband's voice spoke warmly, his hands holding her steady as she sat up and looked around at the small crowd around her.

  She saw a girl holding a tiny spider in her hand, looking down at her with wide brown eyes. Next to her, a woman who seemed more of the singing type than anything else. She wouldn't doubt her fire though, she knew a young woman she thought the same of. 

  There were others, but her gaze fell back on Remy. A smile resided on his face, a small one, but it was there, and it was genuine. His dark eyes held a torrent of emotions behind them, with such a depth that Anna Marie wasn't sure if she wanted to cry or laugh into the late hours of the night with him. "Where the hell are we?" She questioned, something she left open ended for anyone to answer.

  "Hey everybody!" 

  In an instant, the atmosphere of the room seemed to change, where once it seemed everyone was filled with intrigue and wonder at her arrival, it now felt serious and guarded. Remy's hand came down to hold her own, interlocking their fingers and moving his body closer to hers in a protective manner. When she looked to who the voice belonged to, she saw a young woman, perhaps an older girl, even. Her hair was long, dark like the night, and her eyes were a purple that reminded her of a galaxy.

   "Today we're welcoming in a new hero, so let me get you all caught up! I'm Galacta, and you have been chosen to fight with -and against- the mightiest of heroes -and villains- to battle for the timestream! It's in shambles, but I believe you all can turn it around and secure the win to ensure your survival, and that of the multiverse."

    Anna Marie had a lot of questions.

--

  Punching her fist into her hand, she shifted her weight from foot to foot as the countdown for their fight began. She wanted to spend time with Remy before they got thrown into a battle, but as soon as she got caught up with what this place was, she got thrust into this altercation with five other individuals to make up her team. "I will assist you valiantly, warrior, we will know victory in combat." Angela spoke quite heroically, her shoulders squared and head held high. She had a look in her eye, but Anna Marie couldn't read her. The only thing she could read was determination and confidence.

   "I ain't ever fought by an honest-to-goodness angel before, I have my faith in you, sugah." She smiled, stretching out her arms above her head. The warrior angel let out a chuckle, her golden wing extending out from her back as she lifted into the air. 

  "You amuse me, mortal." Angela chuckled as her gaze focused forward, the countdown in the final five seconds.

  Anna Marie couldn't help but laugh too, a warmth in her chest from being a part of a team again. Remy had said they'd run into the other X-Men here and there, but it wasn't often they had time to sit and talk. The timelines needed them, and they usually always answered its call. Remy. The young woman looked back for him, catching his gaze already on her. "Don't you worry 'bout me, chére. You gon 'head and fight like you're so good at, I'll keep ya up." 

   Anna Marie nodded, "I'll keep you safe too, Remy, ain't gonna let anythin' take you from me again." The barrier had dropped a few seconds ago, the rest of the team pushing forward towards the point they had to capture and hold. Still, she moved towards Remy, pressing her lips against his because she hadn't been able to earlier. His hand held her waist, his tense posture relaxing as he settled against her. "Now let's go, sugah."

  -

   Blood poured down the side of her face, matting her hair down against her skin, but Rogue kept going, kept fighting. That was his woman, he loved her to hell and back, but by God was his heart beating fast in his chest. His cards flitted between his fingers, kinetic energy sparking out as he threw them, both dealing damage and providing some aid to his wife as she took on four opponents on her own. He watched her skin turn to diamond, her leg swinging around as she kicked this alternate timeline Emma Frost into the black symbiotic pillars.

   The Celestial Husk domains were some of Gambit's least desirable fighting arenas, anything to do with Klyntar, really. Left him feeling all odd within and without, his skin crawling in discontent because of the black ooze like substance that persisted everywhere. He watched as Emma's hand slightly sunk into the pillar as she caught herself, a challenged smile on her face as she too turned into her diamond form. "Step to the side, Rogue!" He heard himself call out before he even realized it.

   Emma dashed forward right then, palm outstretched at Rogue's throat level in preparation to grab her; luckily, his love had heard him over the chaos of it all, sidestepping and activating her ring to pull everyone closer to her. He knew what she wanted to do, besides survive until their team got back. Behind Emma Frost and Scarlet Witch, there was a Luna Snow and Invisible Woman keeping Emma basically immortal against Gambit's solo output. Rogue needed to get them, to displace their attention.

   Off-handedly, Gambit reached down to touch his card reserve, his blood running cold as he realized he had the rest of this stack and half of another left. "We gotta back out, chére!" He exclaimed, feeling the sweat beaded on his brow begin to fall down his face. 

   He could immediately see the determination double down in Rogue's expression, her body high-strung with all of the powers lingering in her system, and the adrenaline pulsing through her veins. "Back out!?" She shouted in reply, crying out as the Scarlet Witch hit her with repeated blasts of chaotic energy. Stubborn woman. He loved and hated her for it, though hate was truly too strong a negative word to ever describe his feelings for her. He couldn't maintain this though, what was only a few minutes felt like hours, and he had a sense of dread in his gut that he couldn't ignore. 

  Footsteps sounded above him, ones that he hoped would be his team. He glanced up to the rocky outcrop above him for but a moment, sharp eyes darting around before he focused back on his wife. "It ain't worth it, chére!" He doubled down, the single set of footsteps turning into a pair, drawing his attention again. "I ain't alone back he-!"

   A spear landed at his side, exploding on impact.

  The blast knocked him into the rock beside him, his head spinning as he saw a smear of black dash across his vision, the pain of claw marks accompanying them. He heard his name being called, thick with emotion. Gambit pushed himself up, throwing his cards in the direction he knew Rogue was in, his free hand clutching his side. There was another spear, and this time he dashed forward as the blast went off, closer to where Rogue was fighting. He heard a growl, but this wasn't from the man dressed in the panther suit, this sounded like a man being inhabited by something dark and foul.  

  He cursed under his breath.

  The sound of chains hit on either side of him, and he dashed forward again, though he didn't avoid the attack as Daredevil bolted forward. He ducked under the swing, stumbling onto his back as his foot landed awkwardly. Gambit watched as Black Panther pounced forward, eyes gleaming purple with gathered energy. He held up his staff, prepared to block, only for a familiar figure to cover his vision. 

  Rogue grimaced, jade eyes feral as she tackled his assailant to the ground, siphoning Black Panther's energy. He shot out his cards to assist her, seeing her wounds just barely stitch themselves up, skin melding but leaving the blood behind. The King of Wakanda went limp beneath Rogue's hands, but there was no time to think of that victory, not as Gambit felt himself get picked up. 

  Diamond fingers encircled his throat, but he still shot the last of his cards towards Rogue. He had to keep her up, had to keep her fighting like he said he would. His hands reached down for his final deck, fingers fumbling through his pocket as the lack of oxygen began to make his vision grow blurry. "You helped put up quite the fight; I'd almost applaud you." His back ached as she threw him to the ground, and he swore he heard a rib crack as her hardened leg connected to his torso. He skid across the ground, pain coursing through his body. Gambit couldn't stop though, he could do this, he just had to get back to..

  "Anna Marie...?" His voice came out strained, his breaths coming out in pained wheezes as he tried to push himself up from the ground. Behind Emma's slowly approaching form, Remy could see her, her green eyes looking unseeing in his direction. He felt sick, and not from the physical pain. What kind of trick was Emma playing on his mind? She couldn't be gone, he couldn't have failed her, he just got her back. In the back of his mind, he knew it wasn't permanent, but in that moment, right then? There was no sense, no reason. Just what was in front of him, his wife's lifeless body on the ground, and it was his fault.

  He said he would keep her up, she trusted him to do so, and now she was dead. Blood trickled from the side of his lips, his gaze not pulling away from the sight before him. Not as Emma stopped in front of him, and not as her taunting voice filled his ears again, words unregistering in his brain.

  They had gotten no time, would the kiss before this battle be their last? Would he be left with the fleeting press of her lips against his, or the warmth of her breath fanning against his skin, her loving and always careful touch? That voice, God, that voice he loved so much, never to say his name again. And the last he heard it, was as she dashed into danger to save him? What a sorry excuse for a protector he was, a sorry excuse for a husband. There was stinging in his eyes, Anna Marie's corpse becoming blurry in his vision. 

  Then, a spark.

  That spark turned into a swirl, and Anna Marie's body was blocked by the sight of the rest of their team with Stephen Strange leading the charge. Mantis jumped through the portal towards him, tears in her eyes as she struggled to pull him a little further from the combat. The sound returned to Remy's ears as Mantis healed him almost instantly. The pain didn't subside as quickly, but he could move his body again. "I apologize we took so long, Gambit." Mantis' soft voice reached his ears, filled with remorse, but Remy shook his head, words lost on his tongue as he pushed himself to stand up. 

  Pulling out his last deck, he used the rest of his cards to empower the rest of his team with kinetic energy. They had to finish this, and finish it now. For what they did to Anna Marie. 

-

  "Deep breaths, friend, you look faint." 

  Remy looked over to Stephen, expression curling in irritation, still feeling the burn in his eyes from holding Anna Marie's body in his arms. Feeling the warmth seep from her skin, his fallen tears making streaks in the blood and dirt that coated her face from such prolonged combat. 

  "Come back to me."

  His own words echoed in his mind, and his countenance grew angrier. "That's my wife I held dead in my arms, ain't no deep breaths gon' fix that sight." He stated, gaze shifting downward as Mantis stepped in between them. 

  Large, obsidian eyes flit back and forth, her face scrunched in discomfort. "Don't fight, we need to get rest." The alien tried to reason, putting her hand gently on Remy's back in an attempt to keep him walking down the long hallway. "You know what losing someone is like, Stephen Strange...we should all be understanding with one another." She continued, rubbing her hand in circles on the thieves back. The gesture was appreciated, but he pointedly took a half step faster to get her to pull away.

  Ain't no touch he wanted that wasn't his wife in that moment, he always yearned for her, ached for her. Even when she was merely a few steps away. Anna Marie had embedded herself in his very being, and guilt in losing her tore at him from the inside out. His heart felt tight in his chest as they pushed open the door to the main lounge area, the hour was late, in most universes. Many others were out 'fighting the good fight' and the rest were asleep after battles hard-fought, so it was empty. Empty, all except for one individual. 

  "Remy!"

  Remy stopped in his tracks, the others kept walking. 

 "Anna Marie..." He felt a weight lift from his shoulders, but only slightly. Guilt still latched onto him like a gator, sending his emotions in a death spiral as the face he loved so much looked back at him with those bright beautiful jade eyes. 

  His wife smiled, though it wasn't a full one, and she sprinted toward him like she was on a mission. Remy didn't know whether she wanted to punch him, kiss him, or kill him; though he'd be fine with any outcome she deemed worthy for him. 

  Seeing her prepare to jump, Remy instantly opened his arms, dropping his staff to the ground as Anna Marie pounced into his embrace with the strength of a lioness. He took two steps back at her momentum, before steadying and holding strong. Her scent filled his nose, all sweet and warm, missing the harsh tones of a lengthy fight. "You said you've been here for how long, sugah?" Her voice was quiet in his ear, thick with sentiment.

  "A month..some days..it all feels like eternity when you ain't by my side, chére." Remy didn't mean for his voice to sound so broken, but he clung to her like his life depended on it, his head pressing against the side of her own. Her legs lowered to the ground, but she made no move to step away from him, if anything, she hugged him tighter too. 

  Anna Marie rubbed his back slowly, clinging onto him with all the emotion of words not yet said. "And you've..have ya..." Her words trailed off, catching in her throat. But he knew his heart well, knew exactly what she meant.

  "I have." Remy confirmed easily, taking in a deep breath through his nose and exhaling in a long sigh. He never wanted her to feel like this, that sensation of dying only to blink back into reality once more. It does things to a person, changes how they think, how they function. Sure there's a sense of immortality to that, but it drains people even more so than his missus' powers.

  Her head pulled back, and he saw those stunning eyes looking at him all tear-filled; usually he'd hate seeing her sad, but he'd take it over seeing her dead. "I'm sorry I failed you, chére. Told you I'd keep you up and couldn't even do that. Never wanted you to feel what it's like to.." Remy paused, not even wanting to say it. 

  That seemed to earn him a light punch on the arm, "Failed me? You ain't ever fail me, Remy. Not since you met me, and not a day after. I didn't listen to ya, that's on me. I kept you safe, right?" Anna Marie's grip tightened on his coat, like that question had been mulling around in her pretty little head ever since she reanimated in their compound. 

  Remy nodded, a small smile on his face, "You protected me, Anna Marie, like you said you would." He pressed a kiss to her forehead, and he felt her exhale against his skin. There was a small beat of comfortable, though solemn, silence. Then, his wife pulled away again, a look in her eyes that spoke of a different feeling than guilt and regret.

  "We need to get you cleaned up, Remy, then we can make up for lost time. No battle or timestream entanglements gonna keep me away from my man." Taking his hand into hers, Anna Marie began walking down one of the many connecting hallways that led into the lounge. Remy could feel his heart beat faster in his chest, his hand holding tighter to hers like if he blinked she wouldn't be there anymore.

  Still, not wanting to tie them down in the discomfort of anguish, Remy easily replied, "Glad to hear it, 'cause I can't imagine losin' you, chére. Not after I finally got ya.." If this timeline fiasco didn't allow for them to cheat the realm of death, he would've found out a way to bring his woman back no matter what. He'd steal, he'd cheat, he'd bargain, hell he'd claw his way to heaven to have Anna Marie in his arms again. 

  He could see the smile on her face, and the hint of red dusting her cheeks, and Remy could only think of what a lucky man he was to be able to call Anna Marie his wife. A lucky man who was still riddled with guilt and the sight and feeling of her dead in his arms. It wasn't even that she was the first person who's died in front of him, and certainly she wouldn't be the last, but it hurt so bad because it was her. He'd seen many other X-Men die at his feet, and even more die by his hand. Even himself. The nightmares passed and he's grown desensitized to it since, but he knew it wouldn't be the same with Anna Marie.

  There was a lingering sense of fear, coiling in his gut like a snake. If his wife was here now, then that meant so were other versions of her, and she'd have to go through the same pain he did. Some sick excuse for a honeymoon.

   Remy was pulled from his thoughts as Anna Marie entered the code to a room and pushed open the door, leading him inside and closing it behind them. It was then that he realized they were in what was previously his own room, but he was more than pleased to call it theirs. "Join me, chére?" He nodded towards the bathroom, shrugging his coat from his shoulders. Despite being fixed up and physically undamaged, he was still caked in the remnants of battle. Dried blood crusted on his face, his hands ; dirt smattered all over, darkening his red hair to something more dirty red-brown. He'd clean his uniform later, early in the morning. 

  The events they fought either to start or end seemed continuous, but there was a short period of grace. They were lucky there were so many powered and technologically advanced individuals in Galacta's roster. Remy couldn't imagine doing this without a break, just dying and coming back to fight for something you didn't even know if you truly believed in. At least here -in this compound- there was time to talk, to rest, to remember who you were beneath the uniform. 

  His body moved on its own as he found himself drifting in thought again, missing the response Anna Marie gave him as he hung up his coat and began to undo his armor. "Sorry I missed what you said, my thoughts ain-" He paused as he turned, eyes focusing on her face before trailing downward. Her hand held the front of her zipper, pulling it down so she could slide the thick fabric from her shoulders. Remy's eyes followed the movement, his breath caught in his chest.

  It wasn't like it was anything he hadn't seen before, but Anna Marie always took his breath away. The top half hung loose around her hips, caught on the double belt that encircled her waist. "Get a move on, Cajun, the longer you stare the longer it'll be 'til you can touch." Her voice was coy, a playful taunt, as she gave him a knowing look.

  Remy cleared his throat, face warm as he looked away and continued to undress, "Can't blame a man for starin' when his girl is his whole world, mon amour." The words fell easily from his lips, and he smiled hearing Anna Marie's giggle from the bathroom. The water started to run a moment later; by the time Remy had finished undressing, the mirror had begun to fog up from the steam. 

  "I'll grab us somethin' to change into, Remy, go on 'n get in." Anna Marie stated, now just in her underwear. Remy didn't linger, the promise of hot water to wash away the day all too enticing to delay any longer. Shedding the last articles of his clothing, the thief finally stepped inside the shower, letting the water wash over him. He let out a sigh, closing his eyes and letting his head drop forward. 

  The steady stream drenched his hair, making the reddish strands stick to his skin in a messy array. Dark eyes watched the dirt and grime flow towards the drain, trying to keep his mind from wandering. A soft groan left his lips, stretching his neck side to side and letting a quiet curse slide from his tongue. How long would it be until he and Anna Marie could return to their 'normal' life? If it was anything of the sort. He wondered if this was the universe's way of punishing him for being the way he was. A thief, a criminal, and a mutant. Now he had gone and dragged Anna Marie into hell along with him.

  "Remy, sugah, you alright?" 

 Her voice coming from so close behind him made his eyes open, his head turning ever so slightly until he caught her hand reaching toward his forearm in his peripheral. Lithe fingers rested against his skin, and he could practically feel her worry radiating off of her in waves, without even needing to see her face. The lovely voice she had had conveyed enough. 

  "I'll be fine, chére, just a lot on my mind right now." 

   Even though Anna Marie had told him that he had never failed her in any way, Remy still couldn't shake the feeling, no matter how hard he tried to think otherwise. He felt her fingers rub soothingly along his arm, her touch starting out careful, a habit. "Y'know, Remy, I was under the impression that marriage meant havin' no secrets." 

  He chuckled at that, low in his chest, "Gambit don't put all his cards on the table." He turned in her hold, stepping forward towards Anna Marie from beneath the stream. 

  Eyebrow cocking upward, she rose her hand to press against his chest, leaning forward until their noses brushed together. "You've taught me all your tricks, Cajun, can't hide your cards up ya sleeve around me." Her breath ghosted over his lips, drawing Remy in like a moth to a flame. Though much to his discretion, she pulled away before he could close the distance. Green eyes watched him expectantly, and Remy sighed as he relented to her persistent gaze.

  "Ain't nothin' new, chére. Just...seein' you and holdin' you dead in my arms...don't leave the mind easy." He spoke truthfully, tone soft. Nothing scared him more than losing her, he'd throw himself in harms way for her in a heartbeat, had done it on multiple occasions even before all this timestream mess. 

  Bringing her hands up, Anna Marie cupped his face in her hands, the warmth of her skin a comfort. "I'm here now, sugah." She pressed her lips briefly against his, pulling back and examining his reaction like he was a skittish wild animal. Remy nodded, his hands drifting to hold her waist, fingers gripping as he moved to kiss her again.

  One of her hands moved forward over his shoulder, the other taking a slow trail downward that made his muscles tighten beneath her tentative touch. Her lips tasted like honey, an addicting sweetness he'd never tire of. A soft moan left her mouth, swallowed between the kiss, and Remy hummed sensually in return. He felt Anna Marie's wandering hand leave his skin, and he separated from the kiss to start trailing his lips onto her neck. He heard the click of a bottle cap off to his side, though it was soon covered by the beautiful sounds that fell from his wife's lips as he left marks along her collarbone. 

  He hadn't even noticed both of Anna Marie's hands had left him until he felt one slightly push at his hips, holding onto him once he took a half step back. Remy pulled away from her neck, glancing down between them just as her other hand wrapped around his cock. "You had this in the shower already, sugah?" Her voice was lower than it normally was, teasing in tone, a small grin on her face as her hand slowly slid down to the base.

  "I-" His voice caught, her hand tightening around him as the lubricant allowed a slick slide back to the tip, "-knew you'd join me sometime, chére. 'N I know we get goin' anywhere." Remy swallowed thickly, a moan falling from his lips as Anna Marie picked up the pace once he became fully erect. His hand moved from her waist, gathering some of the lube that smeared along his skin. Using his foot, he slid Anna Marie's own over a bit more, opening her legs for him to return the favor.

  With years of experience beneath his belt, and skilled fingers to match, Remy easily found the button to press that made her body sing for him. The water cascaded down his back in rivulets, splashing on Anna Marie's shoulders like rain, their voices a melding harmony of pleasure. With each slick press of friction, Remy felt his darker thoughts fade away. The once cold press of skin from a departed soul was replaced with the warm embrace of his queen of hearts. His hand shifted, fingers pressing inward, becoming snug within her walls. 

  "Remy.." 

 His name fell from her lips akin to the song of an angel, and Remy pressed their mouths together like a sinner seeking salvation. 

  Warmth dripped down his fingers as Anna Marie rocked her hips against his hand; Remy returned the motion into her own, feeling his face flush down to his chest as he felt the peak of his pleasure draw near. Her hand pulled back towards the tip, gripping a bit tighter just as she reached the head. The action pulled a groan from Remy's chest, "Tryna make me...merde finish fast, huh, chére?" His words were a raspy whisper against her lips, accompanied with a slight curl of his fingers to press against her inner walls. 

  Anna Marie whimpered in response, but her voice as she spoke retained it's teasing quality. "Don't care when you finish, Remy.." Their lips connected briefly, "You and I both..mm..know our first time won't b-be our last." They kissed again. Her hips kept a consistent rhythm, walls clenching around his fingers as she too careened towards her climax. 

  A chuckle left Remy's lips, she sure was right about that, they never seemed to get enough of one another. Anna Marie was a drug he was forever addicted to; even back when they didn't have enough of a handle on their powers and her touch could kill him, he'd do anything for her kiss of death. Her hips stuttered once, twice, her walls tightening around his fingers in a vice grip. "Go on, Anna Marie, I'm right with ya." He felt himself twitch in her hand, his voice catching in his throat as pleasure curled deliciously in his gut. 

  As their passion kindled, it came to a inferno, their names falling from one another's lips in an erotic symphony. Anna Marie's head dropped back against the cold tiles, the tension in her body melting away as she lightly shook with the aftershocks of pleasure. Remy's free hand braced on the wall beside her, red eyes catching sight of his release dripping down her hand to be washed away by the stream of water. 

  "Feelin' better, sugah?" Her voice was quiet, breath-filled, her chest heaving with each breath as she looked at him expectantly. The thief smiled, sly, and answered her question first with a quick press of his lips against hers. He could never get enough of her taste.

  Thinking of which, he pulled his fingers from within her, bringing the coated digits up to his mouth as he pulled away from her lips. He watched her cheeks flush as he took a taste, laughing from his chest as she pushed at his arm. "Remy!" 

  He smiled, grabbing her arm and pulling it towards him until she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Don't 'Remy' me, chére, no feeling better 'til I got a taste of salvation." Anna Marie's blush deepened, and she shook her head as she pulled him into her embrace. He froze for a moment, caught off guard, but quickly reciprocated the hold. His arms wrapped tight around her waist, taking in a deep breath as he pressed his head against hers.

  "I love you, sugah."

It was a rare occasion for Zayne to find himself home before the clock struck eleven at night, usually he would find himself pressing his finger into the scanner and checking his phone for any last second emails as the fresh minutes of a new day greeted his vision. But that wasn't the first thing that had crossed his mind as he took off his shoes and hung up his trench coat in the hallway closet. No, his wife was sick and he had been checking in and making sure she was alright with any moment of free time he could gather. Which is why he was confused as to why, as he approached their shared room, he could just hear her gravelly, congested voice saying her farewells to who he assumed was her friends online.

"It's getting late, I should get to bed. Sorry I wasn't doing that well today, I'm fighting for my life." You sighed, struggling to even project your voice enough for the microphone to pick up.

"Bye!"

"It's no problem. Feel better!"

"Get better soon, we have to lock in and get on comp!"

You laughed, though the sound was barely there, and exited the call. Turning off your console and pressing the off button on the tv remote, you just had rolled over to check your phone one last time before bed before the bedroom door opened and your husband's familiar voice broke your stunned silence.

"I thought you had been sleeping this whole time, but it seems I was wrong." Zayne hummed as he came around the bed, placing the back of his hand against your head to check for a fever. "Seeing as you stopped texting me at five.." He pulled his hand back and began to unbutton his shirt, moving back to his side of the room to grab some clothes to wear to sleep. "Six hours you have been playing, six hours which could have been spent sleeping and getting better." His tone was soft, but stern, he hated seeing you sick, and he knew you didn't always make the best of choices when not at your top physical condition. Though who was he to speak, he often bypassed taking medicine to just relax in your arms.

You sniffled, rolling over in bed to face him, "Says you. You told me that finding enjoyment was better than ordinary medicine, Mr. Sweet Tooth." You scoffed, or rather you attempted to, as your voice was rather weak and you had to swallow thickly like it may erase the pain in your throat once you finished speaking. The corner of Zayne's lips tilted up in a small smile, you were always quick with the comebacks, no matter what.

"Anyway, did you eat?" Zayne asked as he shrugged off his shirt and tossed it into the dirty hamper, keeping his back to you as he worked on his belt and pants. Your silence made him glance over his shoulder, if you were healthy, your eyes may have been gazing over him with an alluring heat, but in your sickness, he found you looking otherwise guilty. Your name was spoken in a steady tone, "I know you had the last of your soup this morning, have you eaten anything else since then?" His gaze was hardened, but not in a way of intimidation, he simply didn't like the thought of you having not eaten since five in the morning.

You pursed your lips, your teeth biting into the side of your mouth, briefly tugging your cheek inward before you shrugged your shoulders. "I think so..maybe I had a poptart? Yeah, I'm sure I did."

"A pop- you're saying all you had today was soup and poptarts?"

His response was a sniffle and the sound of the sheets rustling as you rolled back over to face away from him. "How about water, did you drink anything?" He tried, pulling off his belt and jeans and pulling on his robe.

You coughed, a groan coming afterwards, oh how you hated being sick. "I had a bottle, but I've been drinking tea all day instead."

Tightening the robe around him and walking around the bed so he could see your face, Zayne's gaze briefly found the almost empty cup of tea that was a testament to your truthfulness. "Well, at least you aren't dehydrated." He lowered down to one knee, grabbing your hand from beneath the covers to entangle your fingers with his. "I'll make you something light to eat before bed, what do you want?"

A frown plagued your features as you looked between his face and your entwined hands, "Nothing, you should get sleep, you need it."

"And you need to eat." He easily stated in return.

"But-"

Zayne began to stand up, though he didn't let go of your hand; in fact, he pulled your interlocked hands upward so you'd sit up. "I wasn't suggesting. You need to eat, what do you want?" His tone was stern again, though it wasn't for reprimand, he knew you felt bad when he did things for you that related to your health when off the clock.

Begrudgingly, you pulled the covers off of you with your free hand, fixing a playful glare onto him as you swung your legs over the edge. "Whatever is the quickest for you to make so you can get sleep." Feet settling on the ground, you stood up, lightly swinging your joined hands between you. "Come on, then." You gently urged, the guilt settling in your eyes not lost on him.

He turned, keeping your hands together as he walked with you through the quiet halls of your shared home. He only released you once you reached the stairs, walking behind just so he could quickly help if you happened to trip. Your shared footsteps softly padded into the kitchen, where you settled at the center island.

Expecting Zayne to immediately start preparing you something, you jumped slightly when his hands found your waist and he began to shower the side of your face in kisses. Face scrunching up, you made a futile attempt to bat him away, laughing about how he'd get himself sick. "Doctor's don't get sick." He hummed as he continued his playful attack, his kisses moving to your jaw and neck, raven hair tickling the side of your face and prompting your strained laughter to grow.

"Zayne!" You nearly screamed when his hands tickled at your sides, tears welling in your eyes as you wiggled in his embrace. Though the sound was weak, and your feeble laughter finally ended as his hands pulled away from you and his kisses ceased.

There was an almost boyish smile on his face as Zayne left you with a final kiss on the cheek, "Laughter is the best medicine, feeling better?" His brow quirked up briefly as he walked around the island, glancing back at you to catch your head nodding before he opened the pantry and skimmed through it with his eyes.

Reaching up, he grabbed a bag of rice and easily pushed the pantry door shut, setting it down on the island. "What game were you playing?" He questioned, grabbing a metal strainer from a lower cabinet. Your silence was his answer for a few breaths, and he smiled slightly to himself as he already knew you were pondering going through an entire storytime.

"Well, I was playing with Jade earlier, she's newer in the Association but an avid gamer like myself. She and I were playing this game called Monster Hunter, this was when you called me earlier." You recalled, voice scratchy, which prompted Zayne to put some water in a kettle and place it on the stove.

"Monster Hunter? That's the game you created me in, right?" He turned towards you, grabbing the bag of rice. Elbow propped on the island, your head rested in your hand while you looked at him, and you quickly nodded at his question.

"Mhm..my handsome Hunter." You lazily grinned, laughing slightly as Zayne turned back to go to the sink, blush dusting his ears. "Then Tara, Simone, Nero, and Claire joined us and we played Rivals." You continued, Zayne humming to show his attention as he rinsed the rice in the strainer. "We started on a losing streak, but ended off on a win streak." You stated. Zayne placed the rice and water in the rice cooker and turned it on.

Moving to grab a mug and tea bag, Zayne poured the water that had just began to boil into the mug and slid it over the counter towards you. "Sounds like you had a fun time, one of these days I'll watch you play." He smiled softly, watching you hold your hand out over the steaming mug, letting the heat warm your palm.

An affirmative hum was your response, and your gaze rose from the steam to his face, holding your hand out towards him. Getting the hint, Zayne leaned forward and pressed his cheek against your palm, the warmth making his eyes drift shut. You both stayed like that for a moment, basking in the silence, the comfort, enjoying one another's presence. As your hand cooled, Zayne pulled back only to grasp your hand in his and press a loving kiss to the center of your palm.

"You don't need to worry about me getting enough sleep tonight.." Zayne began, watching how your brows knitted together in slight confusion. "Greyson is covering for me in the morning, I don't have any consultations or surgeries planned until the afternoon. So I can get more than enough sleep, don't feel guilty about me taking care of you. I don't see it as a job, or a chore, I just see it as spending time with the woman I love." He stated clearly, his gaze warm as he looked at you.

Gently pulling your lower lip between your teeth, you didn't say anything at first, but you didn't need to. The moisture building on your lower lash line said it all, and Zayne felt his heart clench, moving around the island separating you both in a few smooth strides. "You always know what to say." You huffed as you tried to blink away the stinging in your eyes, pressing your head against Zayne's chest as he pulled you into a firm embrace.

There was light amusement in his tone as he spoke, "You don't always think that." Chuckling as you lightly hit his arm. You didn't even need to say anything, he knew what you meant. Shut up. Closing his eyes, he kept you close, gently rubbing his hand in circles on your back. It was a while before you separated from the embrace, claiming that you didn't want the tea to get cold. Zayne stayed beside you as you drank, silently admiring you. In health and in sickness, you remained the most beautiful, that perception of you never wavered, and never would.

The rice cooker beeped to signal its completion, but before Zayne could move to grab a bowl for you, you grabbed his wrist. "Go get ready for bed, by the time you get out of the shower and dressed I'll probably be finished." You stated, walking around him to grab a bowl yourself.

"Don't rush, you won't feel good afterward." Zayne informed, though as he opened his mouth to add on you were already pushing at his stomach.

"Go." You laughed, making him smile, "I'll be up there soon."

You weren't wrong either, by the time Zayne had finished showering and dressed himself in black sweatpants, you were already comfortable in bed. With eyes closed, he thought maybe you had already fallen asleep. Yet, just as he got in bed and slid under the covers, you shifted back until your back was pressed against his chest. A soft chuckle left Zayne's lips, and he wrapped his arm around your waist, pressing a chaste kiss to your cheek.

"Goodnight, my love."

"Lord Liu Kang." You greeted, bowing at the waist beside your husband as he did the same, both of you rising back up to look upon the God as he addressed you both with kind smiles.

  "I hope building up the Shirai Ryu hasn't been too difficult during my absence." Liu Kang hummed, beginning to walk forward between the both of you, making you fall into formation on either side of him. "Geras had informed me of another incursion on our timeline, it had to be dealt with quickly." He explained, his hands clasped together before him.

  Coming to a stop alongside him and Kuai Liang as you all looked upon the courtyard, you saw that only two individuals were training right then, their training overseen by Smoke. Hanzo, the young boy that Tomas had came across, and another young initiate, Kazuma. "It is no problem at all, Lord Liu Kang, you have more pressing matters to attend to than helping us with the Clan." Kuai Liang stated, gaze locked on the two boys sparring with one another. Hanzo has tenacity, and was like a ball of fire with the fury that resided within him. Luckily, he had pretty good control over it. Lest he become more of a threat than an ally.

  You nodded in agreement, though you too were more focused on watching the boys train than the words that had fallen from Liu Kang's lips. You both had had so many less than promising initiates that you were both proud of how far he had come and yet were also afraid to lose your most promising one due to his tenacity. Already Hanzo had been in plenty of fights against the Lin Kuei, and though he was skilled, the Lin Kuei were seasoned, you both didn't want him to grow cocky and arrogant. For that would be his downfall.

  "I am glad you both understand. It worries me when I am unable to provide aid for others for an extended amount of time, anything could happen." The fire God confessed, moving on to continue walking, "Though I guess these are unnecessary worries, for you both are well equipped to hold your own." He added.

   Before any of you could say anything more, the sound of materializing sand reached your ears and you all turned as Geras appeared. He greeted you and your husband with a head nod before looking to Liu Kang with a slightly concerned expression. "I'll be right back." Liu Kang stated, a seriousness dripping into his usually warm tone as he and Geras walked out of earshot.

  You looked at them for a moment, wondering what the issue may be, but your attention was pulled away by a warm hand taking yours. "I do hope things aren't getting too out of hand." Kuai Liang sighed, rubbing his thumb over the ring that was nestled onto your finger. With every pass of his thumb, the ring seemed to get warmer, not to a painful amount, but it was comforting.

  "Things seem to be spiraling as of late, though Lord Liu Kang always knows he can come to us for help. We are the protectors of Earthrealm, stopping these..invasions is a part of doing that." You stated, taking in a soft breath through your nose. There were so many things to worry about and so much to complete when it came to building the Shirai Ryu, it was stressful but you both had assured one another it would be completed together. You, Kuai Liang, and Tomas. That's the only way it would be done efficiently and to the best quality. It was a difficult task, but one that had to be done to take up the large gap created in Earthrealm's defense thanks to Bi-Han's betrayal.

  Already, you had lost one close to you all to Bi-Han, luckily it was only to be temporary. Harumi had nearly been killed by your shared husband's brother, and for her safety and for the best recovery, she had moved into a neighboring clan to hopefully stay under the Lin Kuei's radar. Bi-Han had told Kuai Liang himself that family was not off limits, the extent of his dangerous intent would not stop for anyone. "You-"

  "Mrs. Shirai." Turning your head to address Liu Kang, you kept your hand in Kuai Liang's hoping to provide him some comfort for the turmoil that he surely felt even more than anyone else. "I need to speak with you for a moment, in private, please."

  Kuai Liang didn't say anything, but he gave your hand a small squeeze before dropping his back to his side. You smiled at him, before nodding at Liu Kang and following behind him.

   "Is everything alright, Lord Liu Kang?" You asked, eyebrows raised slightly. You had a feeling you already knew the answer. Glancing to the side for but a moment to address a worker who had just finished repairs on a building, you didn't notice that Liu Kang had stopped walking. You nearly bumped into his chest as he turned around, and the speed at which you stopped and tried to take a step back almost made you stumble. Bringing a hand forward, Liu Kang steadied you with a respectful yet firm hold on your waist, before his hands came back to being held in front of him. "Sorry." You laughed lightly, and were pleased that he laughed as well.

  "It's alright, I probably should have said something." He waved off the accident, eyes kind as he addressed you. "On another note, though-" He began, "Geras has informed me of..yet another, invasion onto this timeline. I do not know how these other Titans keep getting through, but there has to be a reason."

   "Who is it this time?" You asked, knowing that one of the first to break through had been a Scorpion from a past timeline, Hanzo, the very same kid the Shirai Ryu had taken in and began to train. You had wondered if that may have meant something, but whenever you asked the God before you, he never gave you a definite answer.

  Arms crossed over his chest, Kuai Liang tried not to stare too hard at you and Liu Kang, but he was curious. Why did the God have to talk to you in private? If it was something serious, shouldn't he know too? His brows furrowed slightly, feeling an unusual feeling build within him. He watched as you both conversed, Liu Kang placing a hand on your shoulder. Had Liu Kang always been so touchy? Kuai Liang almost wanted to walk over and see what you two were talking about himself, but he knew better, he had been taught better. He may have been a Grandmaster now, but he knew that was not on the same level as Lord Liu Kang. He was a Titan, a Keeper of Time, he held more power than anyone could probably fathom.

   Shaking his head, Kuai Liang tried and failed to try to turn his attention onto something else. He couldn't stop looking at the interaction, taking in every glance, every touch. The way Liu Kang looked at you, was that too fond? The way he would smile at you, and you would smile back. Kuai Liang hadn't noticed his darkened expression until a familiar voice came from beside him.

  "Kuai Liang? Is everything alright?" Tomas seemed to appear beside him, glancing over towards where you stood with Liu Kang before looking back at the orange-clad ninja.

  It took a moment for Kuai Liang to register what Tomas was saying, and when he did, he finally looked over at him. "I'm fine, brother. Why do you ask?" Kuai Liang questioned, noticing the irritation seeping through his tone and trying to lighten it as he spoke. Tomas looked at him with a raised brow, clearly not convinced.

  "You look tense."

  "I'm fine. How were Hanzo and Kazuma?" Kuai Liang asked, trying to get his mind off of what was going on in front of him. Though he couldn't help but keep glancing back at the conversation, watching Liu Kang rub your arm.

  "They were pretty good, I think Kazuma is trying to keep up with Hanzo, and so they are pushing eachother to do better." Tomas explained, looking between Kuai Liang and you again, you finally had began to come back over. "I can tell you more later though." He stated, noticing something that Kuai Liang hadn't. Looking over at his younger brother, Kuai Liang furrowed his brows at the knowing look given to him before Tomas made his departure.

  A soft hand on his cheek made him look forward again, and he felt much better seeing you in front of him. Looking at him with a kind smile. When he glanced up, Kuai Liang could no longer see Liu Kang. That was fine, Kuai Liang didn't know what he would say if he talked to him right then. "What was that about?" Kuai Liang asked, bringing a hand up to grab yours and interlace your fingers with his.

   "Lord Liu Kang was just informing me on what Geras had told him." You stated, leaving it at that. Kuai Liang wasn't pleased with that answer though. If that was the case, what was all the touching and full smiles? What Geras had told Liu Kang certainly couldn't have been any good, so what else had you both talked about? He didn't want to interrogate you though, but at the same time, he had never felt so much..negative emotion towards Liu Kang like this before.

  "If it's important, shouldn't I know as well?" Kuai Liang asked. He could see the conflict in your eyes, the uncertainty.

   "Lord Liu Kang asked that I keep this to myself. At least until the situation worsens, which he told me it most likely wouldn't. So, it should be fine." You stated, offering your husband a small smile.

   Kuai Liang didn't know how he felt about it. He was the Grandmaster, shouldn't he know of all threats? But besides that, you were his wife, he didn't want you to be in harms way. He wanted to know the details, wanted to make sure you were safe and wouldn't head out somewhere on your own. He had already almost lost Harumi. Whatever you guys did, you swore you would do it together. Kuai Liang released your hand and instead brought his down to hold your waist, feeling the slightest of shivers from you. It was something you always did whenever he touched your waist, or held your hips. Did you do the same when Liu Kang held you there? He glanced up from where his hand held you to your eyes, and he saw the way you must've noticed the look in his own.

  "Kuai Liang-" You started, but got cut off as he pressed his lips to yours, albeit brief, it was passionate and filled with his frustrations. When you parted, you looked dazed.

  Before you knew it, Kuai Liang had led you to your shared room, laid on your bed, and you could feel his warm hands pressing heavy against your skin as he pushed open your robes and snaked beneath your undershirt. You could barely catch your breath as he pressed his lips against yours, every momentary separation being kept together by a string of saliva. You had never had him be so rough with you, and you had barely even done anything yet. He relished in every shiver you gave him, every gasping breath, your hands burying themselves into his hair that was freed of the bun he normally wore it in.

   "What's gotten into you?" You finally ask as he pulled away long enough for you to formulate a sentence, chest heaving as you tried to catch your breath. Kuai Liang pulled away, sitting back and grabbing your hand to pull you up with him.

  "What is this?" Kuai Liang asked, running his thumb over the band of your wedding ring.

  "My ring?" You responded, brows furrowed in slight confusion.

  "Who put this on you?" He continued, pressing a few soft kisses along the tips of your fingers, though he didn't allow his gaze to break away from yours.

  "You did."

  "And what does that mean?"

  You didn't say anything for a moment, lost in the warm brown lust-filled eyes of your husband. He let out a huff, his hands warm on your skin, "What does that mean." He repeated, letting go of your hand and wrapping his arm around your waist, moving you both around so he was seated in your spot and you rested in his lap. With his other hand, he held your jaw, tilting your head up to give him more space to lick and kiss along your neck.

  Shivering as he bit into your skin, nearly enough to draw blood, you let out a pleasured sigh as you answered, "I'm yours.."

  "That's right.." Kuai Liang pulled away from your neck so he could finish shedding you of your clothes, leaving you only in your pants and underwear since he couldn't do much else from this position. "You're mine."

  Placing his hands onto your hips, Kuai Liang began to grind your body down against his, not caring for the layers of clothes that still separate you there. You could feel how hard he had become, his erection pressed to you in all the right places. Your hands held tight on his shoulders as you moaned, though afterwards you were quick to try to get him free of his own clothes. You struggled as Kuai Liang didn't let up, but you managed to snake your hands inside the opening of his robe and inner shirt, tugging it apart and revealing more of his neck and chest to you. 

  Kuai Liang briefly relented in his motions only so that he could pull his arms through the articles of clothing, it all folding over against the belt around his waist, leaving his upper body bare to you as yours was to him. "Though you.." You began, running your hands over his broad shoulders, your left hand trailing up beforehand to run along the scorpion tattoo that ran across his upper arm. "You are mine as well." You stated, gasping out as Kuai Liang wrapped an arm around you again, turning his body and pressing you down against the bed as he ended up on top of you once more.

  Kissing you once, twice, before beginning to kiss down your body, Kuai Liang didn't seem to let up in his fervor, if anything, it served to grow even more. His hands were warm as they tugged down your pants and underwear and left you bare beneath him. Yes, he was yours and you were his, and though he knew neither of you needed to be reminded, a small refresher was never a bad thing. For his head could still not get rid of the sight of Lord Liu Kang's hand on your body, and for that he needed to let his mind be filled with memories of how you felt beneath his hands. His touch bringing those sounds he loved so much from you. Rather it be a moan, a laugh, or a contented sigh.

  Kissing down your stomach, Kuai Liang purposefully skipped over the place he knew you wanted him most to place kisses and bites along the insides of your thighs. Your legs came up to rest over his shoulders, heels pressing into his back in an attempt to pull him closer that only made him let out a small huff of a laugh as he continued to indulge himself. Though he knew prolonged time doing so sometimes caused you to become shy, Kuai Liang was always one to spend time appreciating your body before ever actually truly touching you. It was done for a short moment earlier when he had placed kisses along your fingers, but now that he had gotten you completely bare, he wanted to do more.

  Your thighs were his favorite, for when with you, in private, he spent a lot of time on them. You were always coaxing him to rest his head on your legs and let you run your fingers through his hair to relieve some stress from the day. He could spend all day on them, or between them.

  Wrapping his arms around your thighs and pressing his hands into your hips, Kuai Liang finally moved his face to be level with your most sensitive place. The jealousy that had plagued his thoughts began to give way to being focused entirely on you. Liu Kang could not and would not ever be graced with the sight of you like this. Wouldn't hear that delicious sigh you let out when he finally placed his mouth on your cunt, the way your body strained against his hands. Wouldn't feel your fingers running through his hair and tugging as he took to eating you out like it was the only task he had ever been given.

  No, you were his, and he was yours. "Pull your legs up." Kuai Liang huffed, licking his lips and tasting you on them, releasing the hold he had had on you so you could follow through with his command. You did as asked, and Kuai Liang smiled as he was on you once again. Like this, with your legs up and his arms keeping them pinned down, he could easily keep you still enough for him to indulge in you to the best of his capabilities. Licking a long stripe up your cunt, Kuai Liang did not let up as he slightly shook his head from side to side, putting a little more of his body weight down on you as you mewled and pushed up against him.

  "Kuai Liang~" You moaned above him, driving him to continue. He couldn't help but push his hips down against the bed in hopes of relieving himself of some of the pressure that had built up in the front of his pants. Kuai Liang groaned against you at the friction caused, and was answered with another moan from you at the added stimulation. He took to rutting his hips against the bed to keep himself sated whilst he focused on you, letting out a slight guttural groan as you tugged his hair and tried to grind your hips against his face the best you could. Adjusting his hold on you, Kuai Liang gripped you tighter, pressing you down so that you could only sit and endure the onslaught of pleasure.

Your moans were a delight to his ears, filling his head and swirling around in it until it was all he could think about. How as you grew closer, they grew in pitch, whining and crying out to him as you gave in to the feeling of it all. Even as you came on his tongue, your body shuddering against him, Kuai Liang didn't stop. He kept going, knowing that the grip he held on you would surely leave marks, but he liked that thought. Liked that you would have something that reminded you of him that only you and him would see. One of your hands came down to grip his forearm, nails digging into his skin as you came again, this one harder than the last.

  It was only then that he pulled away, his hands rubbing along your thighs and helping you bring your legs back down to rest along the sheets. "Are you alright?" He asked, watching you as your chest heaved as you tried to catch your breath. You looked over him with glazed over eyes, but you still were present enough to nod your head.

   "Good." Standing up, Kuai Liang began to undo the belt around his waist. "Because we aren't done yet."

   Talking off the belt, the clothes that had been bunched up around it fell, and he took a moment to kick off his pants as well. You looked to him with a gaze filled with intrigue and lust. Eagerly accepting the kiss he gave as he wrapped an arm around your waist and pulled you close. He hummed softly as he pulled away, before using that hold he had on you to easily flip you over. Letting go of you to grab onto one of the pillows on the bed, Kuai Liang sat back on his heels and patted the side of your ass. "Up." He ordered, waiting for you to lift your hips up enough for him to slide the pillow beneath them.

  Letting out a soft breath at the sight, Kuai Liang ignored the urge he got to indulge himself in the taste of you once again, and instead positioned his legs on either side of yours. Balancing his weight on one arm, Kuai Liang used the other to run his fingers along your slick folds, gathering the mixture of his saliva and your release that glistened with the light it would catch. "Kuai Liang.." You breathed out, wiggling your hips in an effort to get more stimulation. It made him smile.

   "Still want more? I thought you'd be more tired." He joked, knowing damn well after years of being married together that your stamina had grown to match his, and that no session you both had ended after just one round unless you were interrupted. You glanced back at him from over your shoulder, and he could catch a hint of the smile that you wore thanks to the way it reached your eyes.

  "I can take all that you give me."

  Kuai Liang's eyebrow jerked up slightly, rubbing his slick-covered hand along his cock to aid in making things as smooth as possible. "Is that so?" He questioned as he guided himself to your cunt, slowly pushing in. A soft moan left your lips as he slid further inside, pulling back for but a moment only to continue forward with a bit more force. Your walls enveloped him in a warmth that was different than the one he constantly lived in, and he found relish and comfort in it.

  You finally responded to his question with a hum of confirmation, arching your back a bit more and letting out a shaky breath at the added stimulation. Kuai Liang lowered himself down until he was resting on his forearms, snaking his hands under your arms so he could hold onto your shoulders to keep you in place as he began to grind his hips against yours. One of your hands came back to hold onto his thigh whilst the other gripped his arm, and he felt your hands clench as he began to actually thrust. It did not take him long to find a pace that worked for both of you but was faster than the slower one that he usually would go at. Kuai Liang had always taken it slow with you before, he liked to draw it out, to spend as much time with you connected as one as he possibly could.

   Though for once, he wanted more than that. He wanted to leave with you both covered in the marks of one another, and while he didn't like to think about others knowing what happens in his private life, he wouldn't mind anyone seeing the testaments to his love to you left on your skin or his. Just so they could make it clear in their heads that you were his wife and that you belonged to one another.

   You cried out beneath him as he continued to press against the most sensitive spot within you, driving you closer and closer to yet another orgasm. Your walls tightened sporadically around him as that peak began to draw near again. In this position, you almost felt overwhelmed with how much you could feel. So close like this, you could feel Kuai Liang's chest pressing against your upper back, your shins resting over his calves, feel his breath against your skin. His hands were tight on your shoulders as he fucked you into the mattress, the bed shifting with every thrust, your moans broken as your body jerked forward with each hit of his hips against your ass.

  The only thing on your mind was Kuai Liang.

  He knew it too, if the way his name fell from your lips like a mantra said anything.

  "Cl-mm-close..." You moaned, your nails digging into Kuai Liang's thigh as your other hand moved from his forearm to grip the bedsheets. Kuai Liang was too, you could tell in the way you could feel his cock twitch, and just how loud he had become. Usually, he was more quiet, merely huffing or groaning. Now, almost every thrust was accompanied by a grunt, and he moaned at the feeling your nails pressing into his skin, and he groaned as your walls squeezed him.

  With one final thrust, you both came at the same time. You felt as if you had never moaned so loud, body tensed as the moan came almost guttural. Your voice had been so loud in your ears you didn't even catch that Kuai Liang had finished too until you noticed his hands pressed against the bed rather than gripping your shoulders. You could hear the slightest of whines leave him, his arms shaking as he fought through his climax to keep himself from placing all of his body weight down onto you. His breathing was heavy, washing over your skin and making you shiver.

  Your lower stomach felt warm from him finishing inside, but your shoulders felt warmer. Sliding your hand over, you placed your hand on top of his, and you could feel just how hot his hands had grown. Taking a moment to catch your breath, you whimpered at the empty feeling as Kuai Liang pulled out. Moving the pillow from beneath your hips, you groaned as you flipped over onto your back, looking up at Kuai Liang now and taking in his disheveled state. His face was flushed, strands of hair sticking to his skin as he looked down at you with eyes darkened thanks to the dilation of his pupils. You always thought he looked so good like this.

  Bringing a hand over, you hummed at the warmth of Kuai Liang's palm as he pressed it against your cheek before leaning down and capturing your lips in his. The warmth was opposed by the coldness of his ring, and you found yourself being lost in the feeling of his mouth on yours. Tasting hints of yourself on his tongue. You hadn't even noticed him realigning himself with your entrance before he had began to push in again. You both moaned into the kiss, your arms coming up to wrap around his neck and pull him closer. He wasn't fully hard again, not yet, but he liked the warmth when being nestled into your cunt.

   It was warm, yet it was also messy, your shared ecstasy slathered along the front of his thighs and the inner sides of yours, sticky as it coated his cock. "Are you going to tell me what made you want to do this?" You asked after a moment of silence, easily following along with the motion of Kuai Liang rolling you both over so you could rest against his chest. Slightly rolling your hips so you could get more comfortable, you also did it to hear the hitched breath that came from him.

  "I..did not like seeing Lord Liu Kang touch you." Kuai Liang stated, running his hands along your sides and up and down your back, soothing the marks he had left behind.

  You rose an eyebrow as you planted your hands into the bed so you could push yourself up and look him in the eyes. "You were jealous? Kuai Liang-"

  "I know, it is a childish thought. But the way you both looked as you talked to one another, it made me think."

  Shaking your head, you pressed a soft kiss to his lips before pulling away and carefully pushing yourself up into a sitting position, his hands sliding down your body to rest on your hips. "If you know it is childish then stop thinking about it. I am your  wife, Kuai Liang, and you are the only man who could ever make me feel the things you do."

  Grabbing his right hand, you placed yours over it and guided his hand up your body, leaning forward so your body was closer to his. Bringing his hand to your breast, you prompted him to squeeze it and run his fingers over your nipple. "No other man can touch me like this." You affirmed, brows furrowing slightly at the rush of pleasure from the attention to your chest before guiding his hand further up. "I'd let no other man touch me like this, unless they wished to lose their hands." You stated, seeing a flash of dark intrigue in his eyes. You didn't fail to notice over the years that your husband was one to get turned on by shows of your strength and battle prowess. You were rewarded in feeling his cock grow more erect within you.

   Guiding his hand up your neck, you parted your lips and took two of his fingers into your mouth, tasting a hint of the both of you on his fingers. You hummed around them as he pressed his fingers against your tongue before pushing himself up with his other arm so he could wrap it around your waist. Pulling his fingers from your mouth, Kuai Liang brought his hands to grip your ass, starting off slow in moving you up and down now that he was fully turned on again. "My beautiful wife.." Kuai Liang began, pressing kisses along your neck and shoulder, "My beautiful yet deadly wife." He hummed, leaving marks along your skin where your clothes would cover.

  His words did not match with the pace he came to set, as his hands forced you up and down on his cock at a pace that made your ass sting with the force of it hitting against his thighs. The room filled with sounds of your shared pleasure, a symphony of moans and proclamations of your love. The sticky slap of skin on skin, breathless moans and guttural groans, the slight creak of the bed as it followed the heavy motion of it all. Kuai Liang's hands were hot on your skin, but he kept himself under control, not letting himself grow too hot to leave burns. Your hands buried into his hair, grip tight on the dark brown tresses as your body gave in to the pleasure it was being given.

  Kuai Liang did not relent, did not stop as your walls squeezed him like a vice as you came once again, body shaking as your grip on him became near painful. He did not stop even as your body shuddered with the aftershocks, not slowing down until your nails dug into the scorpion tattoo on his bicep and let out a choked sob as you came yet again, this time pulling a moan from him as your cunt tightening around him pulled him over the edge with you. He slowed down your movements until you were both still, save for your shuddering breaths and shivering bodies. "You're alright..I've got you, just breathe." Kuai Liang huffed, wrapping his arms around your waist and holding you close to him.

  Your body grew heavier against him as all the energy you both had built up seemed to finally release, and he let out a small chuckle as you pressed your head into the crook of his neck. "I'll draw a bath." Kuai Liang stated, carefully pulling you off of his cock, biting his lip to hold back a sound at how sensitive he felt. You let out a tired hum, relaxing into the plush mattress as he pulled the blankets up over you.

  "I love you."

• You can go anywhere with her, so she is pleased to not have to be so secretive all the time

• For example, while traveling

• She could be riding in her carriage, closed off from the outside world

• When all of a sudden, a familiar cat hops up onto the floor of the carriage, rubbing against her leg in greeting before hopping up to sit beside her

▪︎ "I was wondering when you'd show up."

• You'd look from side to side, checking if you were clear before transforming back into your human self

▪︎ "I found myself waking up late, I was rushing to reach the carriage."

• She'd laugh, pulling the mask down from her face and allowing you to see the kind smile she wore

▪︎ "I cant remember a time when you were actually on schedule."

▪︎ "The important part is that I get there eventually."

• Mileena scoffed, but the gleam in her eye and the way her smile didn't wane showed that she was still quite amused

• You leaned against her arm, head resting on her shoulder as you allowed yourself a moment to relax and catch your breath

• It wasn't easy trying to maneuver through the crowd, and jumping from the nearest roof onto the carriage before slipping inside would've probably caused some suspicion

• Nevertheless, you were happy with these little moments you could get with her without being restricted to the confines of her room

• You wondered if there would ever be a moment in time where you could go public with your relationship, and you brought it up sometimes

• Mileena always assured you that when she became Empress you would both be free to express your love, but until then she herself was too nervous to bring it up to her mother

• You didn't blame her for it, sometimes the Empress could be terrifying, though you'd never say that to the woman's face

• As Princess of Warrealm, you were no stranger to kombat

• There was once a time when your realm had been prosperous, teeming with life, a true paradise

• Though that was before your birth, before your parents' birth, something you only read about in the history books

• Knowing you would be in danger if raised in your home realm, your parents sent you to Outworld, to be raised as Sindel's ward until you were old enough to join your family and hopefully break the millennium long state of war that plagued your realm

• First, you must learn how Sindel ruled and learn how to fight, training under Li Mei and one of the royal guard from your own realm

• As you came of age, you spent more time in Warrealm, participating in battles when permitted, and trying to come up with strategies to hopefully get a breakthrough

• This, is when Kenshi saw you for the first time

• Sindel had just finished her introduction of the tournament, her lips just parting as she went to welcome forth Liu Kang

• When suddenly, her eyes drifted over, and she seemed to still

▪︎ "Woah, who is that?"

• Hearing Johnny's question, Kenshi turned to follow his gaze, and he immediately found himself intrigued, though also concerned

• Strutting forward, bloodied spear in hand, you made your way towards the throne, your skin dripping, and clothes soaked, with crimson

• Sindel watched you approach, ignoring the worried glances from Kitana and Mileena as you knelt before the steps

▪︎ "Empress, I am sorry for this interruption."

▪︎ "Do not worry yourself, I have been awaiting your return, you are unharmed?"

▪︎ "Yes, Empress."

• Sindel seemed to visibly relax, and she nodded her head with a small smile

▪︎ "Good, go clean yourself up, the tournament will begin soon."

• You stood, turning swiftly, before walking out of the throne room without so much as a glance spared to anyone else

• Bloodied footsteps trailed behind you, leaving Kenshi to wonder if it may stain the pristine white floors, and if so, why Sindel didn't seem mad you did so

• He did not see you again until the banquet that night

• You were seated beside him, looking amused at the disgusted side glances he sent towards Kung Lao and the slightly worried ones he gave to his own plate

▪︎ "The food of Outworld is not much too different than that served in Earthrealm, it will not harm you."

• Kenshi looked at you in shock, and then quickly shook his head

▪︎ "That isn't it at all, Princess."

• It was your turn to be shocked

▪︎ "Pardon?"

▪︎ "Oh, are you not one? I had assumed because of how close you had seemed with the royal family."

▪︎ "I am, just..not from Outworld. A story for a later date, perhaps. My story won't provide much entertainment to your dinner."

▪︎ "I'm not that hungry."

• You gave him an apprehensive look, before nodding your head

• You explained to him the history of your Realm, unsure as to if he would know it or not

• That Warrealm was once called Idyllrealm, and that it was once a place unlike any other

• Some from Chaosrealm had came and formed their own battalions, hellbent on taking down the royal family so that Idyllrealm could be a true paradise, another realm gloriously free like their own

• The war seemed never-ending, as people became corrupt by Chaosrealm ideals

•  Idyllrealm received little aid even with their good relations with Outworld

• As time went on, Idyllrealm was better termed as Warrealm, for the battles that waged on constantly

▪︎ "So, Outworld is like a safe haven for you?"

▪︎ "Precisely."

• Kenshi was further intrigued by you then, there was just so much to learn from you

• To learn about you

• He could relate with you on wanting to free your people from corruption, and if he wasn't so focused on saving his Clan, he would've offered his aid to you right then and there

• Though, he didn't know how much of a help he would be without any abilities to aid in such warfare with people who seemed to come out of fantasy stories

• But to say it was love at first sight would be incorrect

• It was more admiration

• Though that admiration didn't take very long to turn into love

• You had found Kenshi attractive, not just for his looks, but his personality and his goal that was so similar to yours

• You didn't really realize, but the both of you quickly became good friends

• Even despite the Earthrealmers taking victory after victory in the tournament, you felt no ill will towards them

• If anything, you almost rooted for them to win

• Outworld did not need any battle, and you knew General Shao did enjoy the thrill of bloodshed, he had even aided in a few battles in Warrealm

• So if Earthrealm won, the realms would stay in peace, and it would allow you to keep your mind set

• After all, if Outworld fell into war, you would almost feel obligated to fight alongside them

• Most of your life was spent there, after all

• Though to take your minds off those thoughts, you always could talk with Kenshi

• He told you about life in Earthrealm, and you told him about life in Outworld

• You'd often share drinks together, sometimes alone, sometimes with the company of the other Earthrealmers

• They all liked to hear your stories

• (You ignored the flirtatious comments by the one who went by Johnny Cage)

• It was all good and fun

• You made friends with the Earthrealmers, and even sparred with them whenever you all wanted to

• Of course, you hid this knowledge from Sindel, Mileena, and Kitana

• You didn't know if they would accept any sort of relations with those of Earthrealm outside of the tournament

• Even ones as innocent as friendship

• Though you knew you wanted more than that with the swordsman

• As time continued to pass, and the tournament grew closer to its end, you found yourself growing dreary

• Kenshi felt the same

• It showed in one of your nights basking in the moonlight, drinks in hand, staring out over the city

▪︎ "Raiden fights General Shao and Princess Mileena in a few days."

▪︎ "Are you worried for him?"

▪︎ "Not quite, I think he'll be fine. He is the champion for a reason."

▪︎ "Then why do you sound so somber?"

▪︎ "I'll miss the view here in Outworld, it's quite..beautiful."

• Glancing over at him, you found Kenshi to already be looking at you

▪︎ "Outworld is home to many of my fondest memories. I find myself making new ones a lot more, recently. Some fonder than others."

• Stepping closer to you, Kenshi slightly leaned against the railing as he looked down at you, the distant explosions from fireworks reflecting in his gaze

▪︎ "What are your favorite ones?"

▪︎ "How about I show you?"

• Feeling his hand come up to cup the side of your face, your hand gripped the side of his suit jacket, keeping him close as your lips pressed together

• The kiss was more passionate than you had expected, your heart thudding in your chest as you stepped even closer to him

• When you pulled apart, you were both left breathless

• Tongue briefly darting out to lick your lips, you smiled up at him as he did down to you

▪︎ "There, my most loved memory yet."

▪︎ "I'm glad I made the list, though I hope I won't have to become a memory."

• You huffed, pulling back from him but dragging your hand down until you held his hand in yours

• Tomas definitely asked you if you knew how to fight

• He was all for protecting you, he loved the thought of it

• Though he wasn't naive enough to think he would always be there to do so

• One thing led to another, and you had set up your own training schedule

• It was flexible, working off of Tomas' own schedule, and depending on how much you were feeling it

• He wouldn't push you to pick up some rough and tumble training regiment, he wanted you to be comfortable

• But he also wanted you to be safe

• Tomas would start out very simple, punches and kicks, blocks and dodges

• You may have asked to learn how to use the karambit like he had, but he turned that offer down

▪︎ "Basics first, then, we can talk about you learning the karambit."

• You were excited to spend more time with Tomas either way, so you were pleased

• As agile and strong as he was, you could tell Tomas was slowing down a lot to help you understand

• Allowing you to see the form, to see how his body curves, and to replicate it yourself

• Ask questions, he will break it down as much as you need him to

• He's quite happy to, actually

• It's about two months of learning the basics at a consistent rate before you start to do anything together

• Of course, he would let you practice on him, but this was a little different

• From now on, you would add some grappling to your training

• What good was knowing the basics if the moment the opponent got you to the ground, you had no idea what to do?

• The first few lessons were simply you watching while Tomas broke it down with another ninja of the Lin Kuei

• Going from showing you what it would be like at more fast speeds, before slowing it down so you could actually see what the hell he was doing

• It excited you to think of getting to learn how to get out of tricky situations

• Also the thought of eventually learning how to flip Tomas was an entertaining one

------(NSFW content: dry humping, almost getting caught)-----

• Though you couldn't say you expected to notice how...different it was to actually be the one performing the different escape techniques

• Watching was one thing, but you wouldn't deny that you could barely focus when it was you participating

• Tomas was saying something

• Definitely important with how his hands were moving as he talked, probably running through the motions

• All you could focus on was the feeling of his thighs on either side of your waist

• The way he seemed so much bigger than he already was from this angle

▪︎ "Are you listening?"

   Bringing your gaze back up to Tomas', you felt your face grow hot at being caught. He seemed amused but also a little shy at your shameless staring, either way he didn't make any comments on it. "Yes, I'm listening." You stated, your hands resting on his thighs as you tried to focus back in on the lesson at hand. Though really, you just focused in on his face the moment he had finished explaining what you had to do to escape from him. The scar that ran over his left eye, the one that ran across his forehead, the most prominent beauty mark that resided just a bit above his lips. It almost felt like they were begging for your own lips to press against them. Which you had before, multiple times, in scenarios not too different from this.

  Slightly adjusting his sitting, Tomas brought one hand down to press against your neck, reaching down to his belt, he pulled out a karambit. "Don't worry, this one is dull." He stated, before positioning his hand as if ready to attack you with it. You swallowed thickly, tongue briefly darting out to wet your lips, and you didn't miss the way his eyes followed the motion. "Try to escape." The slight strain in Tomas' voice almost made you grin, though instead, you decided you should probably actually try your best. You'd been learning this, hands on, for a week, and you'd always fallen short. Needing him to go easy on you so you could successfully get him off.

  You didn't want that this time though. You wanted to show him how much you've trained on your own time. Planting your feet, the moment he began to flex his arm to bring it in for a slash, you drove your knee up into his back. He fell forward, letting out a grunt at the force of it, his hand landing beside your head. Keeping your foot braced on your other leg, you restricted him the best you could from being able to sit back up. Bringing your hands in to bend and push down the arm of the hand that was on your neck, you kept your hands secured around it. Then came the hardest part, Tomas wasn't holding his weight up, keeping you pinned moreso with that than anything else, so you struggled to displace him enough to flip him off of you.

  You kept his arm in place so he couldn't disengage, breaking away your leg positioning quick enough so you could hook your leg over his and try to swipe his foot inward. At first, he simply readjusted his foot, and he began to pull your body up with his as he got the opportunity to sit back up. You huffed, and swiped at his foot harder, causing it to slip and shift his bodyweight to one side. Using that to your advantage, you used all the strength you had left to push him over. You felt excitement rush through your veins when his back hit the mat with a thud, letting out an excited exclamation and completely forgetting you hadn't truly gotten away from him yet.

  "You didn't have to go easy o-" His hand that you had released came up to grab your arm and pull you back down onto him, but instead of being met with further trial, you were met with a kiss. Despite all the built up energy, his lips against yours was soft, the kiss passionate. You relaxed against his hold, eyes closing as you brought your arms down to wrap around his shoulders. When he pulled away, you were left breathless, and when your eyes opened, you were met with a look of pure adoration. You smiled, "Was that my reward?"

  Tomas laughed, pulling your body up with ease to assist with you both untangling your legs from the awkward position you had ended in. "You almost sound disappointed." He grinned, putting down the dull karambit he had been holding, sliding it aside so he could have you in both his arms. Straddling his waist, you didn't fail to feel the press of his erection against you. Taking a gamble, you pulled your hips up before slowly pushing them back down, grinding against him. A shaky breath fell from Tomas' lips, and you felt pleased feeling his hands press against your back, trying to pull you closer.

"Not disappointed..never disappointed." You brought your hands forward to cup his face, pressing your lips to his as you began to cant your hips at a more steady pace. Your shared moans were muffled by the kiss, to be briefly heard by the both of your ears and your ears only. You had almost forgotten you were in the training room, almost.

  The first to hear the sound of approaching footsteps and the voices of a small group, Tomas pulled away quickly. At first, you were confused, thinking you had done too much in a space like this, then you noticed the wide eyed glance Tomas sent towards the closed doors. You had quickly stood up, then, working to adjust your ruffled clothes and just hoped whoever came in wouldn't have an inkling of an idea as to what had happened. Tomas mimicked your behavior, wiping his sleeve over his mouth to rid the lingering glisten of saliva, adjusting his clothes because now you had him almost painfully hard.

  Door sliding open, you were greeted with a few Lin Kuei, stretching their arms as they prepared to practice for the day. "Tomas." They bowed to him as they walked passed, grabbing training weapons of their choice. Tomas nodded his head, bending down to pick up the karambit he had slid aside and place it back on the weapons table. You decided to make your departure quick, lips pursed and trying not to laugh at the struggle of your boyfriend. Tomas was not far behind you, letting out a relieved sigh once out of the suddenly suffocating practice room.

  "I'm sorry, I didn't expect us-"

  "Don't worry about it, you did good today."

• So Bi-Han at first will probably get easily irritated

• We all know how Bi-Han is

• You cut him off while he's talking?

• He's giving you a glare

• You forget something simple or move on with a task before it is complete?

• He let's out the most annoyed sigh, but he will redirect you to what was supposed to be done

• That is in the beginning though

• Explain to him why these things happen, how you are trying your best and aren't ignoring him or just slacking off

• It will take him a while, but, he will begin to understand

• Now if you are with him in important Lin Kuei meetings, and you wish to say something while he is speaking, all you need to do is tap his arm

• He'll understand

• Though he may still let out a small sigh

• Your input is always important to him, your insight a valued one, much like Cyrax and Sektor

• Which leads to another point

• If you are doing a task on your own, sometimes you might leave before it is complete, moving on to something else that catches your attention

• Bi-Han often watches you as you work for this reason, not hovering, but, keeping a watchful eye

• Think of the scene where he is watching Sektor work on the Cyber Lin Kuei in his tower ending

• He'll guide you back in the right direction, reminding you to finish fully before moving on to something else

▪︎"Not yet."

▪︎"What's wrong?"

▪︎"It is not finished, do not move on."

• He's a little rough, but he's got the spirit

• Whenever you successfully complete a task by yourself, and nobody is nearby, you are graced with a kiss on the head and met with a proud gleam in his eyes

• (Bi-Han may bring you up as a role model to Lin Kuei initiates, if you feel comfortable with it)

▪︎ "They are among the best of the Lin Kuei, it will do you well to be like them."

• If you ever have emotional outbursts, Bi-Han is there to listen

• He may grow visibly agitated, but he will not open his mouth, he does not want things to escalate

• Bi-Han never wants to fight with you, after all

• Instead, he'll swallow down his comebacks, and instead open his arms for you

• His embrace is sure, steadfast, you know he is always there for you to rely on

• Once you've spoken on everything you'd felt the need to, he does not make a big show of things

• Instead, he kind of acts like nothing happened

▪︎ "Alright, you can let go now."

▪︎ "So, Sektor has made some advancements in his work."

▪︎ "Huh?"

▪︎ "Walk with me to take a look."

▪︎ "O-okay."

• He used to get irritated when he had to repeat the same things to you over and over again

• Though, he doesn't get irritated anymore

• Instead, he gives you reminders

• His most used one is leaving you a letter, he usually gets up and out of bed a while before you do

• A mix of Grandmaster activities and also because Bi-Han likes to "always be prepared"

• Though he also gives reminders before bed

• When you both are comfortable, his arms snug around your waist, he will remind you of the activities of the day to come

• Despite not being in quite the same position as Mileena, Kitana still prefers that you both keep your relationship strictly private

• Entanglements with the Umgadi are forbidden, after all

• If you try to interact with her in a way that may suggest you two are anything more than Princess and her protector, Kitana may not say anything in the moment, but she will send you a disapproving look

• She is not angry with you, she knows how difficult it is

• But she wants to keep her family respectable, and to do that they must follow the rules they had set

• No matter how much she would love to feel your arms around her waist during festivals

• Or even to simply smile at one another during dinners, letting your love shine clearly in your eyes

• Fool's dreams, for the time being

• She finds Mileena's relationship with Tanya to be uplifting, for this reason

• Of course, she has not told Mileena of your relationship

• No matter how much she wants to

• Kitana feared it may add even more pressure onto her sister that didn't need to be there

• So instead of telling her upright, she instead just puts in the effort of telling Mileena to keep her own relationship well under wraps, and the rules she can change when she becomes Empress

• You have to interact with one another after hours, more often than not

• As the one to stand watch over Kitana's room at night, it is simply the easiest thing to do

• Even though every time you leave your post, slipping into the room dimly lit by candles, you always felt nervous

• What if an intruder happened to sneak in?

• What if you were summoned and did not realize? Then when Tanya or the Empress sent out someone to find you, they found you with the Princess?

• What if-

▪︎ "My dearest love.."

• All questioning thoughts were silenced when Kitana's lips would find yours

• She was gentle, but, you could always tell how much she yearned to have your touch more often

• She'd pull you close, pressing her body against yours, a soft laugh leaving her lips as you nearly dropped your weapon to the ground loudly just so you could hold her

• Kitana would pull you towards her bed, plush and comfortable as her back pressed into it

• She'd let out a content sigh once she felt you just relax above her, still holding yourself up on your forearms, but letting your head drop forward to rest in the crook of her neck

▪︎ "Your day was well?"

▪︎ "Every day when I am graced with your beauty, Princess, is a day that is well in my eyes."

• You always enjoyed pulling a bashful laugh out of her, easily rolling over as she pressed against your side to switch positions

▪︎ "Hold me?"

▪︎ "Of course."

• Shifting from straddling your waist, Kitana would get comfortable in bed, holding open the covers for you to follow suit

• Never did you allow yourself to fall asleep, but you never turned down lying in bed with your lover until your time was up

• Relaxed and comforted in your embrace, her fingers running patterns into your arm, it rarely took long for Kitana to drift off to sleep

• You would stay with her until your nerves took hold of you again

• Carefully, you'd maneuver out of bed, fixing the covers behind yourself

• With a soft kiss pressed to her forehead, you would grab your weapon from beside the door and step outside

• Standing diligently outside her room, you resumed your post

• Bi-Han seems like the type of guy to me to not really pursue love unless it was already arranged, he just has too much on his plate

• Especially the closer you get towards the actual story, between wanting the Lin Kuei to get more powerful and the more personal stuff he's got clinging to him, he is not really worried about love from anybody, just loyalty

• But I will try my best to do something different, perhaps the childhood friend route?

• Bi-Han simply won't immediately fall head over heels, he feels like he'd just be really confused with how to handle his feelings

• Once he realizes he is starting to feel...different, around you, he might start off giving a cold shoulder, only interacting with you just so he can make sure that you're alright

• Kuai Liang and Tomas realize this quite quickly

• Honestly you should thank Kuai Liang because he often was the one to encourage Bi-Han to actually put some effort into pursuing you

▪︎ "You shouldn't always turn them away, brother. A strong marriage would benefit both you and the Lin Kuei."

• Like Bi-Han didn't know that

• But marriage, the both of you? Impossible

• Real talk, the big reason for the disconnect was that he didn't know what he was supposed to do

• He didn't want to hurt you, or completely turn you away from him, so he just decided not interacting was the best option

• A neutral ground, so to speak

• Honestly, Bi-Han thought it would continue like this for the rest of time, the thought exhausted him

• Like he wasn't the main reason for his own exhaustion

• He couldn't even tell if he really liked you or not

• At least he couldn't until he had gone on a mission that had gone out of hand, being gone from the compound for a little over a month without communication

• He didn't realize it at first, but whenever he had a moment to think, all he could think about was you

• And all he could recall was your more solemn expressions when around him, because what did he give you lately that was worth smiling about?

• Even like that, though, even saddened by the situation with your friendship, Bi-Han found himself thinking you were beautiful

• You held yourself as he thought you should, you knew your strengths, knew your weaknesses, and you were loyal

• Even as Bi-Han gave you nothing to work with, nothing to look forward to, you remained by his side, always greeting him when he returned from missions and always there to wish him farewell when he was to leave

• Those thoughts were what drove him to think, maybe I should put more effort into this

• When he finally returns, he is almost shocked to see how genuinely shaken you looked

• How your hands fail to remain steady as you clasp them together, your eyes running over his form searching for any injury that might be causing him serious harm

• His brother waited diligently by your side, and Bi-Han doesn't miss the way Kuai Liang also seems to relax upon seeing him

• Bi-Han didn't suffer anything serious, but he still requests

▪︎"Join me at the healers?"

• You don't decline

• The check-up was quick, and Bi-Han could see how much steadier you are after seeing that he really was unharmed

• You think maybe you've overstayed your time with him, but Bi-Han doesn't seem to want you to leave his side

▪︎ "Accompany me to check in with everything?"

▪︎ "Watch over the new recruits with me?"

▪︎ "Join me for a walk?"

• It wasn't for a little while longer, but Bi-Han finally got the feeling that he could confess his love for you

• You smiled more often around him, you opened up to him, and you only got more beautiful than you already had been to him. Like a flower that had bloomed to grace his drab world with color

• The confession would happen on a walk

• He'd stop and softly call your name, drawing your attention to him

▪︎ "Bi-Han, what's wrong?"

▪︎ "I haven't been the friend I should be. I found that, that is because I want to be more."

• You are clearly confused, if the furrow of your brows and slight squint didn't say enough

• Bi-Han almost grows nervous, but instead he reaches forward to take your hands into his

▪︎ "I turned you away because I couldn't understand my own feelings. I like you, more than just a friend."

• Your silence nearly kills him, but at least you didn't look confused anymore

• He could feel himself growing tense as he looked at you, awaiting your response with bated breath

▪︎ "I had thought you hated me."

▪︎ "Obviously you know now that that is not the case."

▪︎ "Yes, obviously."

• You smile at him, not turned away by his bluntness, and Bi-Han felt himself relax

▪︎ "Well, I like you too."

• Things are easier after that

• Bi-Han doesn't openly show his affection for you, but it is easy to notice he isn't going out of his way to avoid contact either

• He just isn't one to make his love life public

• Go on walks with him, he might hold your hand, but more likely he'll walk so close to you that your arms brush together with every step

• He'll spar with you, not just to spend time with you whilst also being productive but so that he knows you can protect yourself

• Marriage crosses his mind faster than he had been able to come to terms with his feelings

• He trusted you, after all

• You had been friends with him your whole lives, even when he had began to turn you away you didn't leave his side

• Don't get me wrong, though, it still took him a bit to ask for your hand in marriage

• Like, three to four years

• He was just so busy, especially since, during that time, he had been given even more responsibilities

• The tournament was drawing near, the candidates would need to be recruited soon

• That meant the Lin Kuei had to train even harder in preparation to defend from a possible Outworld attack if Earthrealm were to lose

• Still, he found time for you

• Despite not being wed, it was often you shared his bed, not for anything explicit in nature, but because he found comfort being beside you

• Especially during such a stressful time

• He would probably confess during the night, after a long day of Grandmaster duties

• Nothing fancy would be set up, it would just be he and you enjoying tea you had made to help him relax

• It would be silent, save for the sounds of nature and the clink of the tea cups against the table

• I don't see Bi-Han as one to make some long speech, like, I really think he's more of a 'show don't tell' kind of person

• (He's not the best with words I'm living by this)

• So it'd come out of almost nowhere when he just

▪︎ "Will you be by my side forever?"

▪︎ "Of course."

▪︎ "Then, would you allow me to have your hand in marriage?"

• Very simple

• But he's trying his best

• He makes sure his voice sounds softer when he asks, just to show that

• He may not say it often himself, but Bi-Han really, truly does love you

• It shows in everything he does

• He'll hold you close when you sleep, protecting you from the dangers of the world around you

• You won't be left without a kiss on the head before he leaves in the morning, or before he falls asleep at night

• Calls you "my wife"/ "my husband"/ "beloved"

• You are the reason he finds himself being less irritable earlier in the day

• When this man loves he loves with his whole self, he will not do wrong by you

• He's gentle

• Always gentle

• Will gently grab your hands, pulling them up to his shoulders before putting his hands on your waist

• The smile he gives you is warm, inviting, and he'll move in at whatever pace you set

• Starts off with a gentle peck, short and sweet presses of his lips to yours to get you to feel comfortable

• The smile he'll give if the action pulls a giggle from you? Priceless

• Then, he'll pull you a little closer, connecting you both for a little longer

• You might try too hard, adding too much force, too much teeth or tongue, but Liu Kang will only pull away for a moment to mutter

▪︎ "Patience, my love."

• If you get shy afterward, try to disengage, Liu Kang will let you, though his hands will reach forward to softly take your hands into his

▪︎ "I don't judge, you are doing great."

▪︎ "I don't know what I'm doing.."

▪︎ "And that is alright, we all start somewhere."

• You get a kiss on the cheek afterward, and you can see in his eyes that he speaks the truth

• This cycle repeats for a while, and you do start to improve

• You can feel him holding your waist a bit tighter, pulling you a bit closer

• Yet he never urges you to do anything more than you want to

• He doesn't move in for another kiss unless you do

• (No matter how much he enjoys your lips against his)

• Finally, it seemed, you had gotten to a point where you could kiss him with full confidence

• You could tell you'd done good, as well

• Why? Well-

• The low moan that slipped passed Liu Kang's lips would be sign enough, if not for the way he genuinely struggled to pull away from you

• The slight red flush of his cheeks was another sign

• And the awestruck look on his face? The slightly raised brows, the fluttering of his eyes, the way he couldn't tear his gaze away from your lips

▪︎"Liu? Are you alright, was that too much?"

▪︎"Hm? Oh, yes. That was perfect, my love."

• He wanted you, he wanted you bad