“I want mama!” your son screams, tears filling up his eyes—the same color as Nanami’s.
And speaking of Nanami…he feels helpless.
The boy won’t stop crying, won’t stop calling for you. His little face is red and scrunched up, his cheeks wet, chest heaving with each shaky breath. You’d told him you’d be gone for a few hours—explained it gently, with a kiss to his forehead and a promise that Papa would take care of everything. But none of it seemed to matter.
You’re gone and his world feels like it’s ended.
“Please, baby…Mum will be back any time soon.” Nanami spares a glance at the clock, in thirty minutes you’d be here. “Should we finish your meal in the meantime, mh?” He tries, voice tight, panic folding over his usual calm.
But your son only screams louder, fists pounding the highchair tray, tears flowing freely.
It’s been hours, and Nanami has come to the conclusion that : he doesn’t want me.
He stares at his son’s red, tear-slicked face. There’s no hatred in it, just unfiltered, helpless longing.
“I want Mamaaaaaa!!” Nanami flinches. Exactly, the toddler is longing for you.
The little boy’s small chest rises and falls in erratic sobs, hiccupping on the edge of breathlessness.
Nanami exhales slowly through his nose. You can do this, he tells himself. You’re his father. You can do this.
So, he tries.
He pulls out the little wooden train you carved together one weekend. Places it on the floor. “Do you want to show Papa how fast it goes again?” he asks, voice as gentle as possible.
No response.
He tries the animal book—the one with flaps and texture that always make him giggle. “Tell Papa where’s the lion. Can you find the lion for me?”
Nothing.
Just a heartbreaking, hoarse little “Mama…”
Nanami even tries to put on the cartoon with the talking blue bear. The one your son usually dances to.
As nothing seems to work, Kento feels his heart breaking inch by inch. He picks him up despite the flailing little arms, holds him against his chest, firm but not tight, like you’ve teached him.
His son won’t stop. Not even a little. The screams turn into an open-mouthed wail, the kind that turns cheeks purple and voices raw for hours.
Nanami’s hands tremble slightly. He sits down on the floor with the boy in his lap, gently cradling him, head bowed. He’s never felt this powerless.
Not during cursed missions, not under pressure—but here, in his own home, with his child breaking apart in his arms… He feels not enough.
Not soft enough.
Not warm enough.
Not you.
“I’m sorry,” he whispers into the crown of his son’s head. “I’m trying. Papa’s trying so hard.”
And that’s when the front door creaks open. “I’m home!”
And just like that, your son’s head snaps up from where he’s been sobbing into Nanami’s lap. Your husband doesn’t even have the time to rise to his feet that the boy is squirming violently in his arms, “mama! Mama! MAMA!!” Nanami lets him go without resistance. He stands slowly as your son flings himself into your arms when you appear in the doorway.
Concern is written all over your face. “I’m here, baby. I’m here…” you look up and see Nanami standing a few feet away, shoulders sagging, eyes tired behind his glasses.
“he’s been crying for hours,” he says softly. “didn’t want anything from me. Wouldn’t eat. Wouldn’t play.”
You nod as your rubs your son’s back. “I’m sorry. He’s just been going through this clingy phase.”
“I know.” Nanami offers a tired smile, though it doesn’t reach his eyes. “it’s okay.”
Later, after dinner and a bath your son is finally asleep, curled on your side of the shared bed, clutching one of your shirts tightly, your scent comforting him.
Nanami stands in the doorway, arms crosses, watching the soft rise and fall of your kid. You come up behind him, circling his waist with your arms, letting your cheek rest on his strong back.
One of his hands intertwin with yours. “He wouldn’t even let me hold him,” he says, barely above a whisper. “I’ve never felt that…useless before.”
“Kento…”
“I know he’s still small. I know it’s not personal. But…” he pauses, swallowing hard. “I tried everything. Toys, books, food, music. He didn’t want any of it. It felt like…like…I wasn’t enough. I wasn’t…probably am, not a good dad.”
Your heart twists at the words. “Can you please turn to face me, love?”
He lets out a deep exhale, like the breath hurts to let go, and turns. When his eyes meet yours, you feel like the weight of the whole world just collapsed onto your chest.
Nanami is silently crying.
His eyes are rimmed red, and cheeks drenched wet.
You gently cup his jaw. “You were more than enough Kento. You held him even when he didn’t want to be held. You didn’t get angry. You didn’t walk away. You didn’t even raise your voice once. That’s not just ‘enough’. That’s what a good dad does. That’s love.”
He closes his eyes, leaning into your touch as more tears gather in his long blonde lashes. “I just…” his voice breaks. “I just wanted to be what he needed.”
Nanami wraps his arms around you tighter, letting his forehead drop to your shoulder. He breathes into your neck, letting your scent comforting him—just like his son does.
“I don’t mind not being the favorite,” he murmurs after a while, his voice quiet and raw. “But I hope, one day, he’ll reach for me too.”
You press a kiss the top of his head, pulling him impossibly closer to you. “He will. And when he does…he won’t want to let go.”
TW: Bi-Han being a man baby, Bi-Han and reader being a lil frisky, Cursing, Mistakes because I whipped this out in an hour
Description: General headcanons about what it's like to be in a relationship with Bi-Han
Being Bi-Han's lover is no easy task despite what people around you may think or say, not that anyone would say it to your face
But anytime you and Bi-Han are together, even if it's just for a passing moment to pass off papers or discuss something important, you hear the whispers starting
"Hmph, Y/N gets special treatment just because they keep the Grandmaster's bed warm at night..!"
You can't give them a reaction beyond rolling your eyes or turning away, it only adds more gossip
You have to be adept at handling the gossip because when Bi-Han is the one who hears them, he is instantly enraged and making threats
"And just what do you bring to the Lin Kuei besides disappointment?"
He's backing the blabber-mouth into a corner, physically and verbally, towering over them and not giving them room to even apologize
Yet all it takes to bring him back down from his anger is the sound of your voice and a gentle hand on his arm, huffing in irritation as he steps back and let's the trainee ninja scurry away
If you're bothered by what they said, then he will take a moment to comfort you, albeit rather awkwardly as he strokes your cheek and grumbles about teaching them a lesson
If you're not concerned with the gossip then he feels almost embarrassed for getting so worked up, huffing and walking away before you can tease him
"But I like warming your bed~!"
If you're a fighter then you and Bi-Han often spar together, the two of you keeping each other sharp and trying out new moves. If you're on the same level as him, then he will allow you to teach the Lin Kuei as well
Lowkey is turned on by the sight of you fighting and completely dominating a battle
If you're not as good as him then he will take it upon himself to give you private lessons so that his most precious person is able to defend themselves against danger and honor the name Lin Kuei
Either way, most private sessions between you two almost always end up with him on top of you, kissing you roughly while your hands scrabble to pull him impossibly closer to you
"Must you always tempt me?"
If you're not a fighter then Bi-Han will aim to change that, giving you lessons in self defense if he can bully you into it but if he's unable to then you're always going to have a personal body guard around
And not just any Lin Kuei will be assigned to you either, Bi-Han is exceptionally picky about who is up to snuff to keep you safe but also not try to make a move on you
Because come on, he knows you're turning heads, and he absolutely will not share you or let anyone steal you from him
His protectiveness is 110% worse if you're in a profession where you have fans
Whenever Bi-Han is the one protecting you(he refuses to admit he just wanted to spend time with you) he keeps a strong hand on your hip the entire time, always glaring around like someone is going to attack you both
Not that you mind, moments like that are often your only chance to cuddle up to him because he's so focused. So let yourself rest your head on him and place a hand on his firm chest, take in his scent and listen to his steady heartbeat
PDA minimal if not entirely nonexistent with Bi-Han, but when you two are alone, then it's a completely different story
It's not something either of you can help, from the moment you two had met each other there was this intensity between you two. Something hot, cold, electric and magnetic all at the same time
The moment your eyes meet, it's like you both are hypnotized and drawn to each other, to break contact or pull away from each other takes enormous effort for you both
You often can't stop yourself and need to touch him, cupping his cheek so that he may nuzzle into your hand, running your fingers down his arm just to watch him suppress a shiver or breathing hot air on his frozen fingers just to listen to his breath stutter
If you two are in public or somewhere not entirely private, then his affection for you often manifests rather aggressively, overcome by his love you or something cute you did
Expect out of nowhere hugs from behind, the kind where he nearly picks you up and drags your body against his own, burying his face into your neck and growling until you reach back and play with his hair
Finding excuses to touch you like fixing your posture, tidying up your hair, or even finding invisible marks on your cheeks or lips that need wiped off with a slow finger
When you two are alone is when he is softer, gripping your chin firmly and kissing you as he pulls you in closer, greedily swallowing every noise you make
Bi-Han is literally addicted to you and struggles constantly to not turn into a lovesick fool because of you
It's something both Kuai Liang and Tomas will tease you two over but they're happy that their brother found love and happiness in you
For a long time Bi-Han will wonder why he feels like he needs you in his life, his ego telling him that he needs nobody and that you're holding him back in some way
When that happens then he will start to avoid you, be short with you and just generally be his natural asshole self around you
In fact, in the beginning of your relationship he would treat you worse than he would treat anyone else around him, just to dispel rumors of your relationship and to try and chase you away
Because he isn't strong enough to be the one who ends the relationship
If you show that he has hurt your feelings then he will feel terrible, but tell himself this is why you're holding him back, making him weak
If you don't show that he hurt your feelings then he will feel conflicted, still feeling awful and ashamed of himself but also wondering if he has lost you already
His brothers of course try to get him to not fuck up the good thing he's got with you just because of his ego which pisses him off but also snaps him out of it
But then he self punishes by sending himself on a ridiculously difficult mission or some horrible barbaric training sessions before he feels he can allow himself to come see you
Will sit on the edge of your bed with an ashamed look on his face and a defeated posture, unable to look at you because of his guilt
"I... I have been a fool lately."
He tenses up when you hug him from behind, kissing softly at his neck and cheek while humming thoughtfully to yourself
"Admit that you're a fool one more time and I may think about forgiving you."
Later when you're both satiated and resting in bed he will wonder what he has done to deserve you, all too aware of how much you deserve versus how much he has given you
Only for those thoughts to be cut short as you stroke his bare chest, draping a leg over his torso and soothing him to sleep
Bi-Han is not usually jealous, seeing most men as lesser than him, which in his mind makes them unworthy of you so he doesn't even entertain the thought of them being with you
It still irritates the hell out of him if they flirt with you though, so often he just pulls you against him and glares at them until they run away with their tail between their legs
However, if it's somebody he believes is capable of taking him on then Bi-Han will get jealous of any attention you give them while also denying that he is jealous
At first he will try his usual tactic of trying to intimidate them while keeping you close and showing off your relationship together but when that doesn't work then he sulks
Glares with his arms crossed while he pouts until one of his brothers calls him out on it before storming off in a manner that's sure to get your attention
You can find him training by himself, absolutely making a mess and obviously fuming 😤
"Don't tell me you were jealous..."
He immediately tenses up and turns away from you so you can't tell he's lying to you
"As if I would be jealous of-"
"I only could ever want you, Bi-Han...~"
Bi-Han absolutely melts at your words, turning to gather you into his arms until your noses are brushing against each other, eyes locked onto yours before drifting down to your lips
"I am yours to have, Y/N..."
You two spend a good half an hour kissing each other and being completely ignorant to the world around you until some poor soul walks in on the two of you
It's usually Tomas who has the misfortune of doing that because Kuai Liang is NOT dealing with that
Bi-Han doesn't ever even look embarrassed to be caught, giving an annoyed huff followed by an icy glare as he adjusts your top over your suddenly exposed shoulder
Quality time with Bi-Han includes bathing together in a hot spring, he is entirely relaxed with you, head back and eyes closed as you wash his hair
Will force you into his lap every time because he loves having your weight on top of him, usually has a large hand on your ass or his face buried in your chest
If you wash his body or massage him then he might actually fall asleep right there, he's always so tense and angry that he forgets what it's like to be pampered by you
Will do his best to return the favor but he's only a man at the end of the day and he gets distracted by your body, running his hands down your curves and squeezing at your plumper areas
He absolutely gets flustered whenever you tell him that you love him, whether it is in public or private, those three words from your lips make his brain malfunction
Bi-Han struggles to say it back even though he loves you deeply, watching him fight back a blush and avoid eye contact is like watching a teenager with their crush
"I feel the same towards you."
He often says it when you two are in bed together, drifting off to sleep as he holds you close, he will say it so softly that you will wonder if you even truly heard it
Being with Bi-Han takes a lot of patience and you will have to harden your heart in the beginning because he will struggle to be a good man to you at first
But after the relationship is established and he is open with his love for you then you two are in for an intense love that will dominate any obstacle in your relationship
TW: Bi-Han being a man baby, Bi-Han and reader being a lil frisky, Cursing, Mistakes because I whipped this out in an hour
Description: General headcanons about what it's like to be in a relationship with Bi-Han
Being Bi-Han's lover is no easy task despite what people around you may think or say, not that anyone would say it to your face
But anytime you and Bi-Han are together, even if it's just for a passing moment to pass off papers or discuss something important, you hear the whispers starting
"Hmph, Y/N gets special treatment just because they keep the Grandmaster's bed warm at night..!"
You can't give them a reaction beyond rolling your eyes or turning away, it only adds more gossip
You have to be adept at handling the gossip because when Bi-Han is the one who hears them, he is instantly enraged and making threats
"And just what do you bring to the Lin Kuei besides disappointment?"
He's backing the blabber-mouth into a corner, physically and verbally, towering over them and not giving them room to even apologize
Yet all it takes to bring him back down from his anger is the sound of your voice and a gentle hand on his arm, huffing in irritation as he steps back and let's the trainee ninja scurry away
If you're bothered by what they said, then he will take a moment to comfort you, albeit rather awkwardly as he strokes your cheek and grumbles about teaching them a lesson
If you're not concerned with the gossip then he feels almost embarrassed for getting so worked up, huffing and walking away before you can tease him
"But I like warming your bed~!"
If you're a fighter then you and Bi-Han often spar together, the two of you keeping each other sharp and trying out new moves. If you're on the same level as him, then he will allow you to teach the Lin Kuei as well
Lowkey is turned on by the sight of you fighting and completely dominating a battle
If you're not as good as him then he will take it upon himself to give you private lessons so that his most precious person is able to defend themselves against danger and honor the name Lin Kuei
Either way, most private sessions between you two almost always end up with him on top of you, kissing you roughly while your hands scrabble to pull him impossibly closer to you
"Must you always tempt me?"
If you're not a fighter then Bi-Han will aim to change that, giving you lessons in self defense if he can bully you into it but if he's unable to then you're always going to have a personal body guard around
And not just any Lin Kuei will be assigned to you either, Bi-Han is exceptionally picky about who is up to snuff to keep you safe but also not try to make a move on you
Because come on, he knows you're turning heads, and he absolutely will not share you or let anyone steal you from him
His protectiveness is 110% worse if you're in a profession where you have fans
Whenever Bi-Han is the one protecting you(he refuses to admit he just wanted to spend time with you) he keeps a strong hand on your hip the entire time, always glaring around like someone is going to attack you both
Not that you mind, moments like that are often your only chance to cuddle up to him because he's so focused. So let yourself rest your head on him and place a hand on his firm chest, take in his scent and listen to his steady heartbeat
PDA minimal if not entirely nonexistent with Bi-Han, but when you two are alone, then it's a completely different story
It's not something either of you can help, from the moment you two had met each other there was this intensity between you two. Something hot, cold, electric and magnetic all at the same time
The moment your eyes meet, it's like you both are hypnotized and drawn to each other, to break contact or pull away from each other takes enormous effort for you both
You often can't stop yourself and need to touch him, cupping his cheek so that he may nuzzle into your hand, running your fingers down his arm just to watch him suppress a shiver or breathing hot air on his frozen fingers just to listen to his breath stutter
If you two are in public or somewhere not entirely private, then his affection for you often manifests rather aggressively, overcome by his love you or something cute you did
Expect out of nowhere hugs from behind, the kind where he nearly picks you up and drags your body against his own, burying his face into your neck and growling until you reach back and play with his hair
Finding excuses to touch you like fixing your posture, tidying up your hair, or even finding invisible marks on your cheeks or lips that need wiped off with a slow finger
When you two are alone is when he is softer, gripping your chin firmly and kissing you as he pulls you in closer, greedily swallowing every noise you make
Bi-Han is literally addicted to you and struggles constantly to not turn into a lovesick fool because of you
It's something both Kuai Liang and Tomas will tease you two over but they're happy that their brother found love and happiness in you
For a long time Bi-Han will wonder why he feels like he needs you in his life, his ego telling him that he needs nobody and that you're holding him back in some way
When that happens then he will start to avoid you, be short with you and just generally be his natural asshole self around you
In fact, in the beginning of your relationship he would treat you worse than he would treat anyone else around him, just to dispel rumors of your relationship and to try and chase you away
Because he isn't strong enough to be the one who ends the relationship
If you show that he has hurt your feelings then he will feel terrible, but tell himself this is why you're holding him back, making him weak
If you don't show that he hurt your feelings then he will feel conflicted, still feeling awful and ashamed of himself but also wondering if he has lost you already
His brothers of course try to get him to not fuck up the good thing he's got with you just because of his ego which pisses him off but also snaps him out of it
But then he self punishes by sending himself on a ridiculously difficult mission or some horrible barbaric training sessions before he feels he can allow himself to come see you
Will sit on the edge of your bed with an ashamed look on his face and a defeated posture, unable to look at you because of his guilt
"I... I have been a fool lately."
He tenses up when you hug him from behind, kissing softly at his neck and cheek while humming thoughtfully to yourself
"Admit that you're a fool one more time and I may think about forgiving you."
Later when you're both satiated and resting in bed he will wonder what he has done to deserve you, all too aware of how much you deserve versus how much he has given you
Only for those thoughts to be cut short as you stroke his bare chest, draping a leg over his torso and soothing him to sleep
Bi-Han is not usually jealous, seeing most men as lesser than him, which in his mind makes them unworthy of you so he doesn't even entertain the thought of them being with you
It still irritates the hell out of him if they flirt with you though, so often he just pulls you against him and glares at them until they run away with their tail between their legs
However, if it's somebody he believes is capable of taking him on then Bi-Han will get jealous of any attention you give them while also denying that he is jealous
At first he will try his usual tactic of trying to intimidate them while keeping you close and showing off your relationship together but when that doesn't work then he sulks
Glares with his arms crossed while he pouts until one of his brothers calls him out on it before storming off in a manner that's sure to get your attention
You can find him training by himself, absolutely making a mess and obviously fuming 😤
"Don't tell me you were jealous..."
He immediately tenses up and turns away from you so you can't tell he's lying to you
"As if I would be jealous of-"
"I only could ever want you, Bi-Han...~"
Bi-Han absolutely melts at your words, turning to gather you into his arms until your noses are brushing against each other, eyes locked onto yours before drifting down to your lips
"I am yours to have, Y/N..."
You two spend a good half an hour kissing each other and being completely ignorant to the world around you until some poor soul walks in on the two of you
It's usually Tomas who has the misfortune of doing that because Kuai Liang is NOT dealing with that
Bi-Han doesn't ever even look embarrassed to be caught, giving an annoyed huff followed by an icy glare as he adjusts your top over your suddenly exposed shoulder
Quality time with Bi-Han includes bathing together in a hot spring, he is entirely relaxed with you, head back and eyes closed as you wash his hair
Will force you into his lap every time because he loves having your weight on top of him, usually has a large hand on your ass or his face buried in your chest
If you wash his body or massage him then he might actually fall asleep right there, he's always so tense and angry that he forgets what it's like to be pampered by you
Will do his best to return the favor but he's only a man at the end of the day and he gets distracted by your body, running his hands down your curves and squeezing at your plumper areas
He absolutely gets flustered whenever you tell him that you love him, whether it is in public or private, those three words from your lips make his brain malfunction
Bi-Han struggles to say it back even though he loves you deeply, watching him fight back a blush and avoid eye contact is like watching a teenager with their crush
"I feel the same towards you."
He often says it when you two are in bed together, drifting off to sleep as he holds you close, he will say it so softly that you will wonder if you even truly heard it
Being with Bi-Han takes a lot of patience and you will have to harden your heart in the beginning because he will struggle to be a good man to you at first
But after the relationship is established and he is open with his love for you then you two are in for an intense love that will dominate any obstacle in your relationship
Angst Idea: MK1 Liu Kang is in love with a member of the Lin Kuei but finds out that she ends up siding with Bi Han after Bi Han turns on him. Not cause she hates Liu Kang but because she thinks Bi Han is right about the Lin Kuei needing to break away from Liu Kang.
Ohhhh my godddd (pun intended) *rubs hands together* huehuehue
Winter Has Come to Earthrealm
Liu Kang x Fem!Lin Kuei!Reader
TW/CW: Angst angst angstttt!
Dividers by @strangergraphics
"I'm sorry."
Your voice comes out in a shaky whisper, "But he's right."
"My love," Liu Kang says, a lump forming in his throat as he tries to reach out to you, both physically and emotionally. Yet, you pull away from him in every sense of the word.
You were unflinchingly loyal--especially to your clan, the Lin Kuei. The Keeper of Time had hoped to find you and bring you away with him before the Grandmaster Bi-Han, had returned from the coup failure at the Ying Fortress.
Before his ideals, twisted by Shang Tsung, had reached your ears.
But he had failed, and by the time he was able to meet you in your secret meeting spot... You had already been convinced, your mind concluded by your unwavering loyalty to your duty, your oath.
Even if that meant breaking his heart.
And yours.
You felt the crags in your heart deepen as you watched his hands fall to his sides, his glowing alabaster eyes pained and sorrowful as he watched you retreat from his touch.
"Liu Kang." You rasp, trying to fight the tide of tears that threatened to spill over the dams of your eyelashes, "He's right. We have depended on you for too much, we've become weak. We... We need new direction. The Grandmaster can provide that. We need our independence, we need to be true warriors again."
"New direction built on the blind pride of a man swelled by his own ego." Liu Kang pleaded, fists clenching, "He will only lead you all to failure to serve his own greed!"
You finally reached out, a single tear slipping down your cheek as your fingers brushed his face, tentatively; reverently.
"Liu Kang." You whispered his name once more.
"Please. Come with me." He begged you.
"I can't. I have my duty, and you... you have yours." You replied, your voice wavering slightly, but not betraying your stout beliefs.
He closes his eyes and inhales deeply. Your hands were cold. As cold as the snow that flurried around the both of you in this secret, once-beloved meeting space. A space where you two shared heated, searing touches and pleasured breaths on stolen nights away from the world.
A place that now, would only remind you both of this cold, heart-breaking goodbye.
Despite the pain, Liu Kang smiled as you swipe the tear away from his cheek with your thumb, "I know... I hope... one day, you will return to me."
You gave him one final, chaste kiss. An icy farewell to the memories you both are forced to bury within your hearts, to try and fill in the cracks.
As you pulled away, Liu Kang stepped back.
As he disappeared through the portal, he didn't need to see or hear you to know that you fell to your knees, crying and sobbing until your throat was ragged and sore. Your heart torn from what it desired, to the oaths and fealty you had sworn during childhood.
Can we take our beautiful boy Smoke's virginity? 🙌🏾
I was thinking of a drabble but you can write this however you find easier ;)
If Tomas has no fans, then I'm dead. No gender is specified and reader is a softie because it's what everyone in this situation deserves. Also POV jumps from his to the readers.
This was supposed to be a drabble but then I kept typing :D
Tomas was considered behind when it came to certain life experiences. It wasn't something he was necessarily ashamed of, but it was something he knew was true. His type of life didn't allow him to worry about certain things.
Dating was one of them. He knew that teenagers and young adults were supposed to date and experiment, but he never did. Never dated anyone, never held hands, kissed someone, went beyond that.
That didn't mean he had no desire to.
"Are you sure?" You asked softly, eyes observing his reaction to everything. "We can stop. I won't be upset or anything". The truth was that you wanted him badly, always had and always would. You would've certainly lost track if you had to count the amount of times you daydreamed about having him all to yourself, lips on yours, hips moving in a steady rhythm. But a relationship and sex wasn't a one way street. You wouldn't pressure him to do anything he wasn't comfortable with, even if you would be old and wrinkly by the time he wanted to be inside of you.
Tomas on the other hand felt a sense of nervousness he had never felt before. As bad as it sounds, killing someone was easy. He did it without thinking. Now though, you were depending on him for pleasure. "I'm gonna be incredibly bad at this... " he mumbled.
"That's alright" you said in the same soft tone, hand wrapping around his, which was wrapped around his cock. "Everyone's first time is weird. You'll get better over time. I'll help you".
Your other hand cupped his face, your thumb tracing his cheekbone when you noticed him leaning into your touch. "You can say no whenever and we'll stop. I promise"
"I want this". Nerves and all, he wanted this. Your hand stayed on his, guiding him closer and closer to your entrance, his nerves becoming stronger.
And then his nerves stopped, replaced by something far stronger; pleasure. He felt a chill go down his spine, and he only had the tip in. How long was he expected to last when you felt this good?
He felt equally good to you. Sure, you had been with other men before, but they were smaller. Everything about Tomas was bigger - his dick, his arms, his pecs, his height, everything about him made him better than any man you ever met.
You continued guiding him, making him stretch you around his cock slowly until eventually you could feel his balls pressed against you. And although you wanted him to pound inside of you right then and there, you forced yourself to remain patient. Tonight wasn't just about you. It was about him. Your arms wrapped around his neck and pulled him closer to you, taking in how pretty he looked with his lips parted and deep breathes coming in and out of him.
"Wow" was all he could muster when he finally spoke.
"Good wow or bad wow?
"Definitely good- wait. How long am I supposed to last?
"Uhh" how long? Um, long enough? You didn't know if there was an average time, but you knew the chances were low that he'd make it. "Don't worry about lasting long. It's your first time, okay? You'll last however long you last"
He nodded before his lips found yours, muffling both of your gasps as he pulled out, then pushed himself back in. "Was that okay?
"Perfect. Keep doing that" your legs wrapped around him, keeping him close as he began to find his rhythm.
Tomas couldn't understand why he hadn't done this with you before. Well, he understood that he simply wasn't ready before now, but the way you gripped him made him forget all about those previous worries. You were perfect. Stretching you open was almost too easy, but now that he was inside you, your hole held him tightly, letting him feel every bit of you. Every bit of your insides that were made for him.
He didn't know how fucked out he looked. That's what added to your pleasure besides the obvious. He had bit down on his lip to stifle his moans at first, but after some time he just couldn't keep quiet. If he wasn't kissing you, whines were falling out his mouth. Here he was, an assassin with arms bigger than your hands and a heavy cock in between his legs, whining because of how good you felt.
It wasn't one sided. He felt perfect to you aswell. His thick cock stretched you open, his veins rubbing against your insides. You hardly needed to instruct him. His tip always managed to be exactly where you needed it to be.
"I'm-" his sentence was cut off by a choked groan, his eyes squeezing shut as he shot his load inside of you.
You placed soft kisses on his cheeks, soothing him as he came down from his orgasm. "You did really good" you praised in between kisses.
His head fell to the crook of your neck, your fingernails gliding along his scalp and you unwrapping your legs around him. "You didn't cum" you heard him mumble against your neck. Well, you both had known he wouldn't last long
"No big deal. Tonight wasn't about me, it was about you. Did you like it?
"You have to ask?
You chucked, "I just enjoy clear communication"
"Then yes, I liked it". He lifted his head up enough to give you a kiss on the cheek, "should I feel this tired after?
You nodded, then tried to push him off only to feel him swat your hands away. "Wanna fuck you again, just need to breathe. Stay"
my unsolicited 2 cents on the bi-han/sektor situation.
i think they were better off as comrades. if nrs wants to explore romance territory and dabble into relationship dynamics so badly, then sareena was the best fit for that since she and bi-han already have history together. it only makes logical sense to build on it. genderswapping a character for the purpose of shoehorning romance does not. anyways, i don't feel particularly strongly about this development, i'm more "eh" about the whole thing. furthermore, it's officially canon bi-han likes strong, intelligent women and i love how both sektor and sareena embody these traits in different ways—sektor for her technical prowess, and powered by her armour; sareena for her practical smarts and supernatural abilities. at least his tastes are consistent enough to offset any feelings of disappointment.
cw: enemies to lovers(?), power imbalance, fluff if you squint, a love triangle trope if you squint harder. female reader
a/n: i've had this sitting in my drafts for the longest and only now decided to post. also, english isn't my first language, so bear with me regarding any grammar errors or weird construction/phrasing. thankue
the lin kuei trio was on a mission when you attacked them. they trespassed on your turf, and you ambitiously tried to take out all three of them at once, failing unsurprisingly since you were no match for the skilled assassins.
you're easily subdued and taken captive, dispossessed of your weapons and barraged with interrogations. after discovering you don't pose much of a threat, they deliberate on what to do with you, ultimately deciding to keep you around as a maidservant of sorts.
you're subjected to demeaning labour in and around the lin kuei base, tasked with all manner of chores. you're the designated errand girl. you hate it here
a period of close monitoring has elapsed, and the grandmaster, out of the goodness of his heart, deems it fit to convert you into one of the grunts, the lowest ranked. he believes your sheer will and rudimentary fighting skills would be beneficial to the clan, no matter how small.
so you're set on the path to becoming a part of the lin kuei. once just a lowly rogue turned maid, now subject to tedious training to become a full-fledged assassin.
while you impress since you have a background in combat, you're still not up to par with the clan's standards. but there's a development: a new relationship emerges.
you and tomas have begun to be on friendly terms. it's not that surprising, considering his personality and you both being on the younger side—a connection was bound to form
casual greetings turned into sparring together, and progressed to going hunting. together
bihan notices the budding... friendship, (if he could call it that) that's supposedly going on between you two and isn't pleased by it, but turns a blind eye instead. it doesn't concern him
it isn't until he sees you both return from a hunt (engaging in tomas' pastime) while holding hands, then later in a compromising position—with you ontop of him to conclude a training session—that he decides to take matters into his hands. such salacious behaviour was prohibited on lin kuei grounds, he had enough of your impudence
you're forbidden from training with smoke, but not without a lengthy verbal lashing first. you find it unfair and voice your displeasure, which he interprets as insubordination
you're punished with running a couple of laps and close to a hundred pushups. he won't go easy on you just because you happen to be a woman, despite protests from kuai liang in the background
you detest him for alot of things, but mostly for coming between the only interaction that was keeping you sane in this hellish place. he isn't fond of you either, as he finds you rather incompetent, ill-bred, impertinent.
the time has come to take your training to the next level: missions. it's your first to properly evaluate your skills, and you're nothing short of excited, hoping to be paired with tomas
however, bihan senses your enthusiasm as rather devious and pairs you up with himself instead, shattering your hopes. and this becomes the case with subsequent missions
for a lack of better words, you're attached to his hip. you've become his personal project of sorts. he wants to forge you into a warrior you'll never be on your own merit and thinks you and tomas are distracting eachother, enforcing distance between the both of you
your training henceforth is with him only. he's always on the defensive while you attack, but it seems you can never land a hit, no matter what you do.
cue the outpouring of criticisms and scoldings, laced with threats of sending you back to scrubbing floors if you fail to improve and you fight back tears as the harsh words tumble out of his mouth effortlessly
but you refuse to allow his condescension bother you for long. instead, letting it serve as motivation to do better. you go the extra mile with training, and in due time, it yields positive results—you've tremendously improved. and finally get rewarded with the lin kuei uniform, marking your official initiation into the ranks.
during the ceremony, the grandmaster's eyes are fixed on you. once it's over and done with, he summons your presence. in private.
you know where this is going and there are no surprises when he finally opens his mouth to query you—you slightly modified the lin kuei uniform to fit your fashion sensibilities, sticking out like a sore thumb amongst the new initiates.
rather than cower in fear when his judgemental eyes peer into yours, demanding an explanation for your indiscretion, you meet his eyes in defiance, stating your reason as an aesthetic choice.
bihan is not the least bit surprised by your little rebellion, and for some reason, he lets it slide (a first for him) only dismissing you with a vague warning to know your limits, which has you fighting the urge to roll your eyes.
the days roll by... you've adjusted quite nicely to your new identity, even going as far as shedding your old appearance to blend into the predominantly male environment—you cut your hair short. unbeknownst to you, your new appearance has achieved the opposite effect: accentuated your feminine charms instead of diminish it
the grandmaster obviously notices this change, but doesn't comment on your business.
however, he doesn't understand why he's suddenly become aware of anything concerning you that he would normally not care about, such as how subtly flirty some foes become in the heat of combat with you
or tomas lingering stare on you, which you reciprocate with a longing of your own
or johnny's unwanted presence and comments upon seeing you, dubbing you lin kuei eyecandy
or is it his brother softly praising you for your quick thinking while on a mission?
even his attitude towards you has slowly shifted—he doesn't speak to you as harshly, doesn't shut down your requests for needing breaks.
not to mention, how his eyes keep wandering in your direction for reasons unknown to him. your mere presence is becoming rather bothersome when it wasn't much of an issue before.
bi-han wants to put a stop to whatever this is, and his plans to resolve his personal dilemma comes as a shock, not just to you, but to kuai liang and tomas as well
out of nowhere, you're reassigned to the administrative sphere. you'll no longer serve on active duty. because, according to him, while your skills are formidable, they're needed elsewhere. in a nutshell, you were practically being demoted
he doesn't provide more reasons for this decision despite his brothers attempts to cajole an answer from him, and citing how much of an asset you were on the battlefield.
his words were final, and there you were—not even back to square one. for you were neither seen nor heard of, just lost among a sea of cogs in a machinery
the passage of time has flown rather quickly since then, bringing attendant changes—both bad and good ones
kuai liang and tomas have charted a new course; they left the lin kuei after a series of disputes with bi-han concerning his leadership and vision
and this saddened you when the news reached your ears, especially because tomas never deemed it fit to inform you or include you in his plans. while you were forbidden from interacting with him, he could still find a way to communicate with you if he wanted to
you're hurt by this, but you know it's probably incomparable to how bi-han must've felt about having his brothers turn their backs on him.
due to your new (limited) position, you're no longer in proximity to him. infact, you barely see him outside of general morning assembly and drills.
a part of you wants to know how he's fairing regarding this unforeseen circumstance, so you decide to go to him where you know you'll no doubt find him—the meeting room, at dusk.
with a teacup in hand, you braved the door that holds the domineering figure within. knocking softly, tentatively; you hear an intimidating, "enter." inhaling sharply, you step inside
bi-han is a bit taken aback by your presence though his expression doesn't betray this. he is stoic and composed, as always
"i did not request your presence." he coldly states matter-of-factly, making you gulp. a slight tremble to your fingers as you clutch the teacup closer to your chest
"yes, you did not" you affirm. "but i thought it appropriate to see you after learning of recent events." you proceed to gently set the teacup on the table, his unblinking stare fixed on you
"i don't need your coddling or anyone else's for that matter." he sneers, clearly insulted by your gesture but you don't let it affect you as much.
"i know you don't need anyone or anything" you utter in hushed tones, speaking more to yourself than to him before continuing, "but... just accept this, please."
your appeal is met with complete silence, and without feeling like you've overstayed your welcome, you bow your head slightly. "i'll be on my way now." you announce, taking to your heels, and gliding past lin kuei members on the corridor as you head towards your station.
the tea you served bi-han remained untouched. and by morning, it was cleared from the table. however, the days after that empathetic move of yours ushered in many surprises...
it was nighttime, the sky outside pitch black, when an invitation was sent to your quarters in the form of bi-han himself, standing tall by your doorframe, towering and imposing, requesting you to accompany him on a... stroll?
you barely had time to process what was happening in the moment; fingers reaching to adjust the neckline of your robe, a movement that didn't escape his piercing gaze, before going along with him
since it was close to midnight, the base wasn't teeming with much activity, as most of the lin kuei members had already retired for the night, so your nightly engagement went mostly unnoticed as you walked alongside him. the cool night air brushing past your skin
he doesn't speak much to you, and you don't either, besides a few curt responses here and there when he asked about your duties and such.
before you knew what was happening, you were right back to your living quarters with bi-han escorting you. you bid him goodnight, to which he nodded and went about his way.
you're still in shock, in disbelief at what had occurred, and the awkwardness of it all preoccupied your mind for days on end. you desired answers to the multiple questions that circled your mind. but the answers did not come until several nightly engagements later....
following tender touches under the gleaming moonlight
summary: bi-han is going on a solo mission, but you don't want him to. husband!bi-han x reader.
cw: angsty, slight hurt/comfort, established relationship, domesticity. nothing too serious
it was one of those nights were you found it hard to sleep because your thoughts raced a thousand miles per hour. bi-han was going on another one of his long missions, which wasn't surprising; only this time, there was a lingering dread you couldn't quite shake off.
you knew what you were getting into by being involved with him. you just didn't envision it would always be like this: that all of his days would be spent away from home, away from you.
but you couldn't fault him entirely; he was a busy man, with an entire clan to govern. still, deep in your heart, you wished he set consideration aside for you.
even during your honeymoon—what was supposed to be an intimate period, free from interferences—his duties still took precedence, effectively casting you aside; placing you on the backburner. and the worst part? he never once protested, his priorities were clear.
he doesn't belong to you, even though you're evidently bound to each other.
you once thought about asking him if the lin kuei needed more members that you'd like to join since it seemed to be the only way you'd get his undivided attention, but had an inkling your attempt at jest would be poorly received, so discarded the idea entirely
you tossed and turned, trying to ease your anxiety but it was no use; eyes landing on bi-han's back, who was no doubt fast asleep.
shifting your gaze to the ceiling above, you blankly counted sheep hoping you'd eventually tire out and succumb to sleep. when that proved to be ineffective, you resumed tossing and turning, which provoked a response from your husband.
finally
"what is it?" his voice is groggy when he calls you out for disrupting his sleep. there's a certain softness to it, and you bite your lip, seeing this as an opportunity to share your thoughts, even though you knew it would lead nowhere, as always. but what harm was there in trying?
"must you go?" you didn't expect the words to come out in a squeak, but you're certain he heard you loud and clear, his reply made that evident
"we've talked about this, i won't repeat myself." his tone is sharp this time, it's obvious he's irritated by your goading, but was it really a bad thing to show that you cared, that you needed him, that you prioritized his wellbeing above all else?
"i feel like it's a bad idea" you swallowed, not allowing his iciness deter you from speaking. "i've been having nightmares. my intuition tells me—"
"your prattling disturbs me. cease it and rest." and with that, silence fell, signaling that no further discussion was needed. there was nothing new to say; you knew that, so did he. getting bi-han to change his mind was an exercise in futility, no different from trying to teach a pig how to fly—it was simply impossible and yet, you persisted.
perhaps his stubbornness had begun to rub off on you. it is said that couples often mirror each other, though you weren't sure how true that was. but if it were, you wished he adopted your traits instead.
sighing, you resign yourself to fate. but not long after, a certain thought crops up in your mind, making your eyes twinkle at the opportunity to turn lemons into lemonade; despair into joy, if only for a moment.
"can you... can you hold me? i'm finding it difficult to sleep." you finally confessed your troubles, hoping he wouldn't deny you something as innocuous as cuddling. contrary to popular opinion, bi-han wasn't all that affectionately challenged. he had the capacity for romance, although his displays of tenderness were few and far in between and sometimes difficult to decipher.
seconds soon turned into minutes, and when silence accompanied inaction, you dejectedly muttered, "goodnight bi-han," as you curled into yourself under the covers.
the next morning, you awoke to the sounds of muted shuffling. bi-han was already up, nearly dressed in his familiar lin kuei getup. you yawned whilst rubbing your eyes, then got out of bed to make your way towards him.
"shall i brew tea?" his back was facing you when you asked, but then he turned to meet your eyes, brows slightly furrowed. "i'm not a child, i can fend for myself if need be."
you only shook your head, fully aware of his disposition and refusing to take his words to heart. "i'm well aware; i just want to help in some way, be useful to you"
"go back to sleep." his dismissiveness made you struggle to hold back tears, but a sob managed to escape your now quivering lips. "how can i, when my husband is leaving?"
"bi-han, please. for once in your life, acquiesce." your eyes squeezed shut in frustration as you pleaded with him to rethink his decisions. it was a pitiful sight, and you were on the brink of bursting into tears at this point—the culmination of your feelings regarding this situation, and perhaps your marriage with him.
as expected, he is unmoved by your outbursts and heads for the bedroom door. you blink away tears before following him into the living room
"i don't have the time and my patience is growing short." he gruffs, already standing near the doorway, about to make his exit. tears are streaming down your face now; you've tried. you've only got one appeal left.
"promise me..." you sniffle, "promise me you'll return home—right here, right back to me"
bi-han's expression softens at your crestfallen countenance. a sliver of guilt tugs at his heartstrings, although you'll never know. he'll never afford you that privilege
"be at ease," he calmly assures. "do you need constant reminders that i'm grandmaster of the lin kuei, not some third-rate lackey?"
this time, you let out a sorrowful chuckle. his bravado is so typical, ego larger than the size of two planets. you firmly rebuke him, showing your seriousness on the matter. "that's not the answer i want to hear. promise me you will return, bi-han"
those words prompted him to act. and act he did, moving closer to you and gently placing a hand on your cheek. you embrace his touch, silently praying for this moment to not end while the tears flowed, seemingly neverending
"i'll return to you. come hell or highwater, neither will prevent me because it is destiny to be with you. i solemnly promise you this."
his words, rather than comforting, were far from it. yet you believed him regardless, because what else could you do besides blind belief?
as if sensing your doubts, he seals his promise with a quick kiss on your forehead, leaving you longing to uncover and experience more of the warmth hidden beneath those frozen layers. but it's too late for that as he backs away and sets off on his mission, not once looking back at you.
you don't know why your heart is suddenly constricting, but his absence is already palpable and engulfing. both of you, unaware, chaos and all its conundrums awaits him while you remain, waiting and pondering, as a pulse continues to grow within you.
Can you please write something cute about Bi-Han and readers first date? Like i’d assume he’d go all out and want to be extra fancy with his extra ass .
He would thinks he loojs so cool in his little like low cut tank top showing off his arms SLUT, SLUT BEHAVIOR HES VEING A WHORE A NO GOOD WHORE
Do you like it?
Bi-Han fluff and um viewer discretion advised you give him a KISS at the end
Bi-Han has asked you to accompany him tonight for a meal at Madam Bo’s
When you accepted, he knew he had to show you how respectable he is
Some would say he radiates pure power, dominance, and testosterone
But you showed patience and kindness, and you were so much softer than him
You deserved better- that much was clear to anyone
But he could be that better, could be a good partner
So before the night, he asked subtle questions to make sure he left a good impression on you
What your favorite scent Is- so he could buy that in a cologne
What your favorite flower Is, so he could leave them infront of your door the following morning
These things just come naturally to him- knowing how to court you
Perhaps he is a true charmer deep down, a lover boy of sorts
Only after he had finished his duties he assigned himself the task of thinking of things to flaunt to you
A balanced life, work, train, then leave something at your doorstep
An action some would see as cowardly, but he just doesn’t have time to stick around..
But tonight was different, he had time. he had all the time in the world
You looked so pretty, much nicer than him
Well, he looked like a strong, respectable, and dominant man
But you looked so soft- happy
You smile at him, waving
It wasn't supposed to be anything fancy, but more casual
Well maybe he made it a little fancy
But that's only maybe
He guides you throughout the restaurant
A sweet gesture he didn't even think about, but you seem to be receptive
When you talk to him you aren’t even nervous, it’s like you enjoy it- or something preposterous like that
He even makes a few jokes, it's nice
Like you both are normal, causal people on a date
Maybe the title doesn't matter outside of the Artik, the need for respect and regard may not be as important either
The only thing that really means anything right now is you- and him too, but mainly you
And you're enjoying yourself
Enjoying yourself with him, he's making you enjoy you're self
He finds your laugh to be quite satisfying
Because he is making you laugh
It is calm and favorable, even with people around
You share a slice of cake with him
Before he didn't like cake, but right now it fastest much better than he ever remembered
Sweet, but nice
Comforting perhaps?
He doesn't know
But it went well, you let him walk you to your room
No one is outside their chambers- because it is past curfew
But you two are out
A kiss is shared outside your door, a quick small one
Flowers are left outside your door the next morning
Maybe another kiss will be shared- inside your room next time
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
Um yeah..so I wrote a semi fluffy Bi-Han x reader fanfic. This is my very first fanfic so I hope you like it.
Bi-Han x F! Reader
Tags and notes: Domestic fluff, MK1 AU, Childbirth, Family Fluff
Warnings: Mentions of childbirth I guess?
Word Count: 3.137
・———— ・ ✦୨୧✦ ・———— ・
There was two things Bi-Han hated: waiting and not being informed on what was happening in his home, he hated the latter more as he was the Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei, he was supposed to know what was going on.
Bi-Han paced back and forth in the main sitting room of his quarters waiting for news. Hands behind his back, his eyebrows were knitted together, his lips formed into scowl which were bigger than usual. Every few minutes He stopped pacing, looked up at the clock on the wall then resumed pacing near the bedroom door. Being one the biggest rooms in the Lin Kuei temple, His quarters were large and spacious. Fitting for their Grandmaster to retire after fulling their duties to the clan. The room was flooded with lanterns and candles illuminated the room after the sun set long ago.
On one of the sofa in the room sat Kuai Liang and Tomas. Silently they watched their older brother pacing near the door to his bedroom. They were also worried and anxious about any news but hid it better than Bi-Han; Kuai-Laing was the first to speak up.
“Brother, I know you’re worried, but we need to be patient what can’t do anything right now but wait.”
Bi-Han stopped pacing and looked at his brother with a bit of annoyance “Of course I know that it’s just frustrating I can’t even be in there with her due to tradition.” He growled.
Kuai-Liang was not offended by his brother’s outburst, he and Tomas were long use of their brother’s impatience, but they knew this time that impatience was out of concern.
The birth to his child was happening and couldn’t be in the room to see.
After rushing to return home after getting the news, he was told he could not enter his own bedroom where you were. He wanted to be by your side, but tradition forbids it. Normally Bi-Han was the first to support following tradition in the clan, but this moment made him think not all traditions needed to continue.
Just then they heard a loud moan of pain was heard from the closed doors that broke his concentration, you have been in labor for hours and every hour that passed was torture for you. Hearing your pain was enough to hear and Bi-Han quickly walked back to his quarters to be with you tradition be dammed.
Bi-Han burst through the doors; he saw a few servants near the bed they all turned to see where the loud noise came from. They all felt his cold aura filling the room none of them spoked, fearing the anger from their leader.
Until one of them a familiar face, stepped forward.
“Grandmaster you know it forbidden for you to be here during this time.” Madam Bo spoke firmly.
“I came to see my wife and soon my child.” With a slightly annoyed voice.
Madam Bo stood her ground and Bi-Han couldn’t help but admired her stubbornness.
“I know you’re worried about your wife and child but they’re in my good hands. I have helped deliver many babies even helped your mother deliver you and your brother.”
She stepped close to Bi-Han meeting the man eye to eye. “Plus, it doesn’t help your wife when you come in bursting in making all that noise and bringing in that freezing air.” She gave the Cryomancer a sympathetic hand on his shoulder.
“Trust me I have it covered, you can see her before you leave.” She gestured towards the bed.
Bi-Han walked to the bed where you were sitting. Your hair soaked with sweat, face red. Breathing hard you reached out your hand, and he grabbed it instantly. You were so happy to see him at your side. You were overcome with emotion and just let it all out, how you were scared, afraid you might lose the baby, lose your life, or both. He reassured you would be okay as much as you wanted him to stay, he had to leave. Before leaving their bedroom, He gave your hand a squeeze one more time before exiting.
He returned to the sitting room and resumed his routine of pacing. While pacing he thought back to the day you told him you, he had an heir.
・———— ・ ✦୨୧✦ ・———— ・
Bi-Han had just finished training for the day when you found him and told him the news. He stood in silence for a few seconds not reacting; he then pulled you in a tight embrace and kissed your forehead. Inside he was excited you were pregnant with his child; he was going to have an heir. Someone to follow his footsteps and one day received the title Grandmaster like he had with his father, keeping the Lin Kuei bloodline growing strong for another generation.
The first months passed you noticed how Bi-Han changed. He was more attentive to you, bringing your food and tea in bed, being with you during your visits to clan’s medic, and on presenting small gifts. You never saw this side of him before and thought it was sweet and but towards the end of your pregnancy, you started to feel smothered. He began assigning guards to you, limiting your visits outside the temple and finally not letting you do your previous duties around the clan. He explained that the changes was just for safety so you reluctantly agreed but kept your frustrations to yourself.
The breaking point was an incident near one of the Lin Kuei borders; a report of unknown intruders put the temple on high alert, and you were rushed off to your quarters and locked inside in for hours. That was a bit much for your liking and after the incident was over with the help of Kuai Liang and Tomas, you asked Bi-Han to give you more space. You knew he was worried, but you reminded him you can take care of yourself. Bi-Han admit he acted too controlling and pull back on the changes.
Before your due date Bi-Han was summoned for an outside mission for the Fire God Lord Lui Kang. A few months ago, He would’ve gladly take the mission anytime to show off his skills in Kombat but with you due soon Bi-Han wanted to be on temple grounds for the day, but as Grandmaster had to follow his duty to Lord Liu Kang and protect Earthrealm from any potential threats. On the evening of his departure, you said your goodbyes to Kuai Liang and Tomas and lastly your husband. You hugged him while He gave you a kiss on the forehead and laid a cool hand on your stomach.
“Please be careful and come back safely so you can meet our child.” You whispered.
“I promise I’ll be here when the time comes.” He gave you one more kiss this time he lingered a bit more then left the grounds of the Lin Kuei temple; you watch him disappeared as the giant temple doors closed behind him.
A week passed as you patiently waited for Bi-Han to return. To keep your mind, occupy you went about your days completing your duties around the clan. Which was harder than usual due to being heavily pregnant, but you didn’t want to be a burden.
On the day of the birth, it started off the same you completed your duties for the evening, you and a servant were walking to the dining hall for dinner. You mostly ate in your quarters, but it felt lonely without Bi-Han and wanted company while walking in the hallways suddenly you felt a sharp pain You keel over holding your lower stomach, when you felt something wet down your legs and realized your water broke.
It was time.
Quickly the servant helped you back into your bedroom then left to alert the midwife.
You sat on the edge of the bed keeping your breathing steady. You were in so much pain it was hard to concentrate. You really wish Bi-Han were here with you. A few minutes later the servant returned with the midwife you looked up in surprise to see Madam Bo with another midwife, and a few servants. She looked at you with concern and brushed your already sweat soaked hair from your eyes.
“Don’t worry, I know you’re scared but I promise you it will be okay.”
You smiled at her reassurance and felt a bit at ease until another contraction hit you this one more intense you grab the bedsheets tightly, squeezing your eyes shut you letting out a groan. You were told that contractions were painful but did not know how intense they were when the time came.
“Where’s Bi-Han?” you asked trembling after the contraction ended.
“He’s coming soon, they sent a messenger to alert the Grandmaster. But it will be a while before he arrives” Bo explained.
You were happy someone alerted him but still hated the fact it will take time but hoped he’ll arrive before the birth. The room became chaotic as more servants came in bringing towels, lanterns, and water. They then began to undress you and place you in a simple gown and lay on the bed doing their best to keep you comfortable. As evening slowly crept into night, the servants began lighting lanterns in the room. Hour after hour passed and you were in the worst pain you felt in your life, still no sign of Bi-Han returning. As the contractions shortened Bo told you the time for pushing came close. You were relieved but still wanted Bi-Han with you.
You silently prayed he would return on time.
・———— ・ ✦୨୧✦ ・———— ・
Bi-Han was running a fast as he ever ran in his life, he could feel his heart pounding in his chest, His breath shallow coming out in a cool mist from his mask. His legs burning but he didn’t care, he had to return home as possible. Glancing over his shoulder he saw Kuai Laing and Tomas not far behind him. Not too long ago they completed their mission for Lui Kang earlier than expected. They caught their enemies by surprise close to the Lin Kuei border, saving them days of tracking. After providing Lui Kang with an update the God of Fire was satisfied and sent them back home, Bi-Han accepted and was glad to be returning home. The entire trek back he thought of nothing of you and the baby. With the mission ending early they can reach the Lin Kuei Temple by morning.
Treading back Bi-Han decided to stop and rest for a bit. After setting up camp Kuai Liang started a small fire. Once the fire was going his solders relaxed drinking water and taking warmth from the fire. Bi-Han away from everyone relaxed against a tree while observing the forest he notices a small shadow moving quickly and headed straight for them.
Bi-Han quickly stood up taking a defensive stance against the unknown intruder, there was no one else in the forest except Lin Kuei as the shadow approached, his guard was immediately dropped when he realizes it was a fellow Lin Kuei foot soldier.
The foot soldier approached Bi-Han and bowed quickly to his leader.
“What are doing here outside the temple without permission.” he said in a disapproving grunt.
“Apologies, Grandmaster but I came to give you an urgent message. Your wife is in labor you need to return to the temple right away.”
Bi-Han ’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, the time finally arrived.
“Kuai Liang, Tomas!!” he called.
His two brothers were relaxing by the fire when he called, they instantly came to his side.
“What’s going on?” Tomas asked first.
“We must return to the temple immediately Y/N is in labor.”
Both brothers “Understand brother but what about the others?” he said gesturing to the foot soldiers.
“Let them still rest and Have Cyrax take charge while we’re gone, he can manage it.”
“Will do brother.” Kuai Liang noodled he ran to tell Cyrax.
After Cyrax was notified, the three brothers quickly followed the messenger back home. Bi-Han in the lead outrunning the messenger. The only thing on his mind was you and the baby he prayed to the Elder Gods that you will be ok.
Finally Bi-Han saw the tall roofs of the Lin Kuei temple and the lights from the watch tower. They watchers in the tower alerted the ground that Bi-Han and the others were approached and open the gate. Bi-Han quickly entered through the giant gate doors and raced to the main quarters, as he entered his main chambers. but was stop by Madam Bo, hear Bi-Han entered and she informed Bi-Han that you were alright, and was about the start the delivery but he needed to wait out in the sitting room as he wasn’t allowed in the room.
“This is ridiculous as Grandmaster I demand to be in there!”
“Grandmaster or not I can’t let you come in during this difficult and stressful time. You will be able to see them in a soon just be patient.”
Before the Cryomancer could counter back, another midwife poked her head in the door alerting Madam Bo to return. The elderly lady hurried back in the room before he had a chance to speak again.
Bi-Han stood by the lock doors his anger brewing, he ran all the way back home then wasn’t allowed to his wife due to tradition. He could easily break down the doors but remember what Madam Bo said about stress, so he sat with his frustrations until they passed in the main sitting room. Tomas and Kuai Liang entered a few minutes later, after Bi-Han explain they both stayed with their older brother. Keeping him company while He grungily listened and waited patiently at the bedroom door.
・———— ・ ✦୨୧✦ ・———— ・
As Bi-Han was replaying the last hour in his mind your scream broke through his concentration one last time the room was dead silent all three men held their breath until they heard it: a small cry coming from the room. Kuai Liang and Tomas rose up from their seats and hurry to Bi-Han. They heard more noise from the room where Madman Bo exit out quickly, she walked up to Bi-Han then bow her head.
“Congratulations Grandmaster you have a healthy girl.”
“A girl.” Bi-Han thought. He has a daughter.
He was a father.
A look of relief was washed across his face.
“Thank you for your help,” he said with genuine gratitude in his voice.
“My pleasure Grandmaster you can go see them now.”
Bi-Han at last was able to enter his bedroom. As he entered the room, he saw one of the midwives holding his crying daughter over a tub of warm water cleaning her off. She was red from crying but appeared healthy, he then came over to you on the bed. You were still panting but now you also had a look of relief, and happiness across your face. Bi-Han leaned down and kissed your forehead.
“Well done wife, she’s perfect and will become a fine warrior.” Bi-Han said proudly.
You laughed. “Thank you, I’m so glad you made it.”
“I told you I would be back in time.”
Bi-Han watched the midwife carefully clean and swaddle your daughter never taking his eyes off her, remaining at your side he started to Brush the hair from your face.
Once finished the midwife brought the now quiet infant and gently place her in Bi-Han strong arms. He was surprised at how light she weighed. His hard eyes soften upon looking at her. Up close he observes she took after him. She had a full head of his dark hair and had his light brown eyes. Bi-Han couldn’t help himself and found the faintest smile gracing his normally stoic features.
You watched your husband holding your newborn daughter and you thought how gentle he was. His hands trained for combat and killing were now holding something soft and delicate. You would hold onto the image forever. Bi-Han then left the room with her to show Kuai Ling and Tomas their new family member. While the servants began cleaning you up.
Both brothers still waiting by the doors when Bi-Han stepped out carrying the child. They stepped forward to look at their new niece. Tomas carefully touched her face while Kuai Laing placed a hand on his shoulder and gave his older brother a warm smile of approval.
“Congratulations brother, she’s beautiful. Father and Mother would be proud.”
After a quick wash change of clothes and sheets you were placed back in the bed which you happily obliged you finally had your daughter and husband together and was all you needed now. As she was packing up to leave Madman Bo informed you she would stop by in the morning to check on you. Giving you a final bow and left along with the staff while leaving Bi-Han returned with Kuai and Tomas not far behind. He sat on the edge of the bed giving you the baby to hold while your brothers-in-law gave you their congratulations and accepted them with a smile. After a few minutes of admiring and holding their niece Kuai and Tomas said their final congratulations and goodbyes for the night leaving the two of you alone.
As you laid back on the pillows, admired your child you felt the body growing tired, eyelids getting heavy, the need to sleep was creeping up in your body. The adrenaline was finally wearing off. You reached out and grabbed Bi-Han’s muscular bicep.
“I think it’s time for me to rest now.” You said gently.
He took your hand off his bicep and gave it a slight squeeze.
“Understood, take your rest now.” Bi-Han then took your daughter. “You can enjoy her in the morning with full strength.”
“Thank you.” You whispered and lay back and closed your eyes after a few minutes your body fell asleep after a grueling day. Bi-Han still on the edge of the bed watching your chest slowly rise and fall. He did not know why he watched but just wanted to make sure you were fine. He realizes too it was time to rest; he walked over to the bassinet and gingerly place his sleeping daughter in he then quietly walked over to the large chair by the window. Letting his body sink in the soft leather. He let out a large sigh releasing all the tension from the day and evening and feeling the muscles in his body unwind. He looked out the window and saw the first sign of dawn approaching, a small sliver of light was coming up in the east. Today was truly a new day for him he thought and soon became the last person in the room to close their eyes and rest.
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Thank you for reading. reviews, edits, and suggestions are appreciated.
Summary: when the world gets too much, you know you are safe in the confines of your mind, even if that means you are drowning.
A/n: this is based on my personal experience. It may be different for everyone, but each one of them is valid. If you are going through one rn, i hope you find that safe place to call home.
Pairings: Bi-Han x reader/you.
Ratings: Teen & Up.
Words: 1.172.
TW: description of dissociation and anxiety. Soft!Bi-Han.
The restricting feeling in your chest comes, binding, tightening, stealing your breath with each passing seconds. Your heart aches, a pricking feeling, like a glass stabbing. The seconds turn to minutes. The familiar coldness blooms from your palms, numbing, making your fingers shake.
Calm down, calm down, calm -- you wheeze. Feeling suffocated by nothing, drowning in the abundance of air and space. Chatters from the people around you feel muffled and agitating, gritting in your mind, edging you towards the figurative cliff.
So you do what you do best at moments like this: you take the plunge.
You're conscious, and at the same time, you are not. You are simply not there. Physically, your body remains in the room, reacting to others as cordially as usual, but mentally, your mind is elsewhere. Mind drawing thousands of jumbled memories and imaginations to distract you from the fact that you are drowning.
A moment passes, and the shakiness of your hands becomes manageable. Another moment passes, and the ache of your heart dissipates. An illusion, a battle tactic, you've successfully numbed yourself when your mind wants to go on a fight or flight mode. In that little victorious moment, you mentally pat yourself in the back, promising that once this is all over, once you are alone, you will mend your wound the way you know best.
But your victory is short-lived when someone calls you, and they begin to engage in an antagonizing conversation with you, and you are cornered once again -- too poor a reaction, too little, too much, too strong, too weak -- and that restrictive feeling returns; the memory fucks up by replaying snippets of the bad ones, triggering you inch by inch, that your imagination can't keep up, trying to fix everything.
Then once more, you hide your shaky hands, you smile your heartache away, you take the plunge into the abyss.
***
The hours feel like forever. By the time you're leaving the dining hall to return to your room, you feel too exhausted to think. Purposefully, you take the quieter path, away from the prying eyes and their sharp tongues.
So you pass the garden, lost in your own mind, trying to assure yourself to keep it together. Just a little bit more. It has passed. You are doing a good job. You just need to stay strong a little bit longer.
But for how long...?
"I didn't see you in the dining hall."
A deep, raspy voice startles you -- you're drawing blank on your mental defense, rendering you to stare wide-eyed at the voice owner. The Grandmaster is standing in the garden, still dressed in the formal blue hanfu, still looking so distinguished despite the hours of loud celebration and exhausting conversations.
You bow, "Forgive me, Grandmaster, I didn't know you'd be here."
"Spare the formality; we are alone." He beckons with a tilt of his head, and like a dog on a leash, you approach him. "Like I said, I didn't see you."
His words confuse you. Surely he did see you; you sat at the assigned seat where you can see each other; it was his plan after all. If you were to sit beside him, the uproar would be much worse than the festive dinner you just walked out of.
"I sat where you wanted me to. Did someone block your line of sight?” You carefully ask; the last thing you need is to have your Grandmaster be upset with you, a nobody hunter of the Lin Kuei.
But your Grandmaster, your Bi-Han, your lover, shakes his head. He raises a hand to your face, and your heart leaps, your mind screams -- the memory of some other hand in the past makes you flinch and close your eyes in the present.
"Y/n..." Bi-Han calls, voice a soft whisper, and touch a gentle caress against your cheek. His fingertips are cold, but his palm is warm, cupping your face. You are being pulled closer by his other hand around your waist, and soon you feel his forehead pressing against yours.
The cold fingers a startling wake up call. It pulls you out of the abyss faster than any method you know. It holds you, engulfs you, that you soon can feel the ground beneath your soles, the night air mixing with Bi-Han's warm breath, the soft silk of his hanfu under your gripping hands, his steady heartbeat --
"Come back to me..." He asks, a careful demand, a plea. "You are here yet you are also so far away. I do not understand what ails you, but if you let me, I can try. It is cruel -- the Gods put you into battle with something unseen, whilst we both know I would fight it with you. I would win it for you."
His forehead is exchanged with his lips, warm, shaky, pressing against your skin. He then holds you closer, tighter, encasing you as if he is shielding you.
You try to reply, voice being held tight by an invisible noose from your tightening chest. A sob comes out instead. The dam of your restrained tears finally breaks, unleashing your cry -- your knees buckle, too tired, but the ground never claims you when Bi-Han holds you steady; his presence a strong tether that keeps you from sinking.
Neither of you says a word. Neither of you need to, even when the cold air of the garden turns into the warmer air of his bedroom, when your weak form is curling on his bed, still being held by him. His usually stern gaze shows sympathy and concern as he looks at you. Lips moving, asking, "What do you feel?"
You shake your head. Can't articulate your feelings. Can't make heads or tails of your ordeal.
"What do you need?" Bi-Han wipes your wet cheeks with his thumbs. "Did anyone disrespect you? Tell me their names, and I will make sure they won't repeat their mistakes again." When you shake your head again, his eyebrows curve upwards to his forehead, "Please, tell me what you need..."
You inhale shakily, "S-stay... Please, stay with me..."
"You foolish little thing, you need not to ask, I am not leaving."
"I'm sorry -- I'm sorr -- sorry --" then your composure breaks, and your cries come out a bit more liberally, truthtfully it terrifies Bi-Han. Your apology is unending; you want to make sure he knows you are sorry for being so weak and pathetic in front of him; you don't want to make him second-guess your relationship; you can't lose him too...
He doesn't need to ask. Doesn't need to pry more. He stays there unmoving, watching your eyes, the ebb and flow of your unsteady self returning to the present. There is a light in his gaze when you begin to 'exist', when you begin to crave more of his cold touch, when you are not far away in your mind anymore.
"Bi-Han..." You rasp.
He heaves a sigh of relief. His rare smile shows when you repeat his name again. "There... Now I can see you..."
Can I request imagine: Bi Han fell in love with Shang Tsung's daughter; unlike her father she is gentle and soft spoken and thanks to her father she mastered soul magic takes place when Shang Tsung captured Bi Han and Kuai Liang please?
Um… Well… This imagine turned into a whole one-shot. I'll try to shorten it in the future. I realized that I can't write short fic.🥲
Fates Intertwined ♾️
-> Ao3 link is here.
Pairings : Bi-Han/ Sub - Zero x You
Tropes : Major Character Injury, Blood and Injury, Near Death Experiences, Fluff and Hurt/Comfort, Falling in Love, Strangers to Lovers, Protectiveness, Possessive Behavior, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence , Intimacy
Summary : Bi-Han, gravely wounded during a mission, finds himself lost in the uncharted territory of Outworld. As he teeters on the brink of death, he awakens in an unfamiliar home. There a woman, a master of soul magic, emerges into his life, her presence calming and gentle as she tends to Bi-Han's injuries. Drawn to her unexpectedly, Bi-Han finds himself experiencing feelings he never had before.
However, little does he know, his savior harbors a secret...
Author’s Note : This is the first request I’ve ever received, I didn’t get any notifications about it so I found it on accident actually. Anyway I’m kind of excited to share it, it’s over 8k (I got away with feelings.) Hope it lived up to expectations! 💕
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He was on the brink of death.
Bi-Han felt the specter of death looming closer than ever before as he dragged his battered body through the uncharted terrain of Outworld. While he had faced dangerous situations in the past, none had brought him as precariously close to the brink as this one. With every step, he pressed a hand against his stomach, where a gaping wound on his right side oozed blood, a portion of it torn away. His vision dimmed gradually, like a flickering lamp nearing its end, his breathing ragged, his steps unsteady. Despite having accomplished his mission, he snarled with what little strength remained, enraged that his slight lapse in caution would cost him his life.
Each step grew more arduous, his coordination failing as darkness encroached upon his sight. Unable to discern what obstacles tripped him amidst the dimming landscape, he collapsed heavily onto the ground. The wound, incessantly bleeding with each convulsion of his body, sent tremors of agony coursing through him, threatening to shatter his teeth as he gritted them in pain.
Struggling to roll onto his side, Bi-Han expelled the soil that had invaded his mouth and smeared his lips, laboring to draw oxygen into his weakened lungs. Above, the sky darkened, with the moon and stars emerging while clouds gathered ominously, presaging the impending rain. It was a grim realization that in this barren, lifeless landscape, he would meet his end alone—a consequence of his arrogance and overconfidence in his abilities. Dry and lifeless plants dotted the cracked earth, while rocks and pebbles stretched as far as the eye could see, with no sign of a river or any semblance of life.
Death had never been a fear for him, he was raised with the understanding that every moment could be his last. Memories raced through his mind like fragments of a shattered mirror; his training, the teachings of his clan, and the faces of those he had loved and lost along the way. Amidst the pain, a sense of regret gnawed at him, whispering of unfinished business and promises left unfulfilled. Yet, amidst the turmoil, a resolute determination surged within him, a steadfast refusal to succumb to the darkness that threatened to consume him. While the frustration and ambition of leaving his goals unfinished weighed heavily, he found a measure of peace in knowing that Kuai Liang would capably assume the mantle of grandmaster and safeguard the clan.
As he drew a deep breath, a fit of coughing wracked him, the bitter taste of blood filling his mouth. Turning his head to the side to avoid suffocation, he surrendered to a numbing sensation that dulled his senses from head to toe.
Finally, unable to stave off the encroaching darkness any longer, his eyes, barely able to remain open, fluttered closed.
▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃
The first sensation that washed over him was a soothing warmth, cocooning him like a comforting embrace. Blinking open his eyes, Bi-Han found himself lying atop a soft surface, the faint scent of clean soap wafting around him. In the distance, he could hear a soft female voice humming a kind of melody, accompanied by the clinking of plates and dishes. Struggling to lift his heavy eyelids, he squinted at the wooden ceiling above him, its rough texture illuminated by the soft glow of candlelight casting dancing shadows across the room.
‘’The hell?’’
His words emerged hoarsely from his parched throat. As he attempted to sit up, the covers slipped off, landing on his lap, and a sharp pain shot through his side where the wound lay. Clenching his hand over the bandages wrapped around his abdomen, he felt the fabric instead of his usual cold skin. The bandages appeared freshly changed, but his right side had already begun to bleed anew due to his carelessness.
With a muttered curse, Bi-Han glanced around the room, his body tensing as footsteps approached. Instinctively, he summoned an ice kunai into his hand, a simple gesture that now felt exhausting under the circumstances. Just as the figure drew near, he leveled the weapon with a silent threat.
‘’I didn’t go through all this trouble just for you to kill me,’’ admonished a soft female voice. ‘’Besides, I’ve just changed those bandages, and now I’ll have to do it all over again. Why are you still sitting? You need to lay down.’’
Bi-Han’s surprise was tinged with suspicion. Was this woman blind? How could she not have noticed the sharp kunai in his hand? Moreover, she appeared unarmed, leaving herself defenseless against him. His anger flared at the implication that he was underestimated. Even injured, he was still a lethal force to be reckoned with.
‘’Do you intend to worsen the bleeding?’’ she continued calmly, stepping closer but maintaining a cautious distance. ‘‘I am not a threat to you. My name is (y/n). I found you and brought you to my home for treatment. You’ve been here for three days. If I wanted to harm you, I wouldn’t have bothered bringing you back from the brink.’’
Bi-Han’s gaze softened slightly as he absorbed her words. Despite his initial hostility, there was something about her demeanor that suggested genuine concern. Yet, he remained wary, his mind racing with questions and suspicions.
‘’Why?” growled Bi-Han through clenched teeth, his gaze sharp as he eyed the young woman standing before him.
The woman blinked in surprise at the question. “I don’t understand.”
“Why did you save me?”
“Because you were dying,” she replied innocently, taking another step toward him. “Now, will you let go of what you have and let me help you?”
“I can take care of myself,” Bi-Han insisted, trying not to be swayed by the woman’s gentle aura as he moved to stand up, wary of her true intentions. The woman’s expression clouded with worry.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
“Don’t interfere—Fuck.” Despite his attempt to rise, sharp pain lanced through Bi-Han’s body, threatening to overwhelm him. Just as he felt himself faltering, a soft body caught him, careful to avoid his wound. A sweet scent enveloped him—cinnamon and vanilla—intoxicatingly sweet, like fresh-baked buns.
Relaxing involuntarily, Bi-Han allowed the woman to guide him back onto the bed, his resistance waning. She had a point—if she wanted him dead, she wouldn’t have gone to such lengths to keep him alive for three days, despite being a total stranger.
“I have to open the bandages and check your stitches. I’m afraid they may have burst.”
“I’ll take care of it myself,” Bi-Han retorted, refusing to show weakness or dependence.
“Why won’t you let me help you?” The woman’s voice softened, her gentle demeanor tugging at something within Bi-Han. Though he remained silent, she sighed deeply. “I have a light touch and am quite fast, you can trust me. If I happen to hurt you, you can also treat your wounds. I just want to assist and ease your suffering, especially since you’re badly wounded. Oh and besides that, I made some stew. I’m sure you’re hungry.”
Bi-Han scrutinized (y/n) for the first time since waking, assessing her body language and facial expressions. As an assassin, he rarely misjudged people. Despite his initial wariness, he sensed a purity and compassion within her that he couldn’t ignore. The subtle tilt of her head and the warmth in her eyes felt genuine. Even though he couldn’t fathom why she would go to such lengths to heal a dangerous person like him, knowing he could easily harm her without breaking a sweat, he found himself appreciating her compassion. Yet, alongside his gratitude, a twinge of annoyance gnawed at him, stemming from her apparent blindness to the danger he inherently posed.
With a resigned grunt, he relented, allowing her to tend to him as she saw fit, though a part of him remained on guard, ready to react at the slightest sign of threat.
▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃
A week had passed since his return from the brink of death, and four days since he had awakened in your home. In that time, while his wound had begun to heal rapidly, his movements remained slow and restricted. Returning to his clan without a full recovery would only be self-torment, risking undoing the healing process with his own hands. And also, you were stubborn about it, showing no inclination to let him go until he was fully restored to health.
As absurd as the situation seemed to Bi-Han, it also warmed him in a way he hadn’t anticipated. Despite his injuries, he was an assassin and the grandmaster of the Lin Kuei—capable of neutralizing any threat that crossed his path. But you posed no threat; instead, you cared for him with remarkable dedication, as if welcoming a normal person into your home rather than a man with lethal abilities. Day by day, Bi-Han found himself lowering his guard against you, a sensation he struggled to control.
During the first night, while you slept, he scrutinized every corner of your house, finding no weapons or defenses. There was nothing you could have done to protect yourself from him. Trained from an early age to turn disadvantage into advantage, Bi-Han realized that this was not the case here. You harbored no ulterior motives; your only intention was to help him.
With the house being small and his movement limited by his wound, Bi-Han had ample time to observe and learn about you. Spending time together, he discovered your extraordinary ability to heal and revive him using soul magic—a gift passed down from your father. Bi-Han refrained from prying into your past, respecting the boundaries you set. He knew only what you chose to share—that your father was a merchant who often left for months at a time with his caravan.
Staring at his reflection in the bathroom mirror, barely able to fit two people, Bi-Han assessed his unkempt appearance. His normally well-kept hair hung loose, difficult to manage due to his injury, cascading down his neck to his chest. A scruffy beard obscured his chin, his pale skin accentuated by dark circles under his eyes. Running a hand through his hair, he muttered to himself, ‘‘I need to shave… And I definitely need a damn shower.’’
‘’Did you say something?’’ Bi-Han looked at you inquisitively from the bathroom door, wondering how long you had been standing there watching him. Your cheeks flushed a sweet shade of red as you realized you had been caught. ‘’Well, the door was open, so—I thought, um… do you need something? I heard you talking to yourself,’’ you said, trying to regain your composure quickly.
‘‘I need to take a shower, and I also need to trim my beard. It itches.’’
‘’Oh, sure. The towels are right there.’’ you replied, entering the room and retrieving the towels from the wooden closet under the sink. As you spoke, you kept busy, avoiding his gaze. ‘‘It’s better if your wound doesn’t get wet for a while longer. I can give you a cloth to wipe your body, and I can help with your hair. If you want, of course.’’ Though you added the last part hastily, your avoidance of his gaze didn’t go unnoticed by Bi-Han, who couldn’t help but smirk slightly.
It was evident from your demeanor that you held an interest in him—your actions were transparent and sincere. What intrigued Bi-Han even more was that he also found himself drawn to you. For the first time in a long while, there was no need for him to be on guard, and your presence offered an unexpected reprieve from his usual responsibilities. You brought him more comfort than anyone had before, your dedication focused on helping rather than brute force, and you effortlessly dismantled the walls he had built around himself. It was a mystery to Bi-Han how you managed to achieve this in such a short time, but your presence had a calming effect on him.
‘’Do whatever you want.’’ Bi-Han said, beginning to undress. Your eyes widened in alarm at his actions.
‘’W-What are you doing?’’
‘’I will wipe my body as you said. Since you’re so helpful, maybe you’d like to assist me with that too?’’ Bi-Han lowered his voice, locking eyes with you as he took pleasure in the crimson blush that spread across your face. He didn’t fully understand this newfound calmness and playful demeanor within himself, but he felt compelled to act this way around you. You weren’t under his command or a threat to be eliminated; instead, you were the reason he was still alive. Though he was reluctant to admit it, he owed you his life.
Your response was stuttered and unclear as you hurriedly left the bathroom as if it were on fire. ‘’Just call out to me when you’re finished. And don’t forget to wrap a towel around yourself,’’ you called out from behind the door.
Bi-Han carefully placed his clothes in a corner to keep them dry, then settled onto the edge of the bathtub, ensuring not to disturb his bandages. Using the cloth you provided, he began to cleanse the dirt and grime from his body, avoiding the area of his wound. Minutes later, when the water ran clear, he wrapped one of the towels around his waist and called out to you.
Opening the door cautiously, you peeked inside to confirm that he was following your instructions. Seeing him with the towel wrapped around his waist, you entered the room and closed the door behind you. “Sit on the edge of the bathtub and lean your head back,” you instructed in a gentle tone. As Bi-Han complied, you adjusted the water temperature for a few seconds until it reached the desired level. Letting out a small murmur of approval, you turned your attention to him, holding a shower cap in your hand.
As your eyes met, your cheeks flushed once again, and you quickly averted your gaze to his hair. Clearing your throat with a small cough, you began to wet his hair, ensuring the water stayed away from his face. Bi-Han watched your every move with keen interest, finding pleasure in your innocence and sincerity.
“Does the water feel too hot?” you asked, breaking the silence.
A small grunt escaped Bi-Han’s lips. “I’m a cryomancer; water temperature doesn’t bother me.”
“Oh, right. I forgot. It’s not every day I meet someone like you. I thought cryomancers were just a myth,” your fingers hesitating slightly as you untangled his hair. Emboldened by his lack of reaction, you continued to work, carefully removing the knots with practiced hands. “Your hair is very beautiful.” you said in a low, soft voice that could be considered shy.
“It’s just black,” Bi-Han replied.
“It’s not just black; it’s like onyx, especially when it’s wet. I’ve never seen such dark black hair before. It suits you.” As you determined that his hair was sufficiently wet, you picked up a shampoo that smelled of sugary flowers and squeezed a generous amount into your hand. “I’m sorry, this is all I have. I hope it’s not a problem.” you said, your voice tinged with apology.
‘’It’s better than dirt,” Bi-Han remarked in a dry voice. Though he had no desire to smell like a flower garden, he also acknowledged that he didn’t have a better option. As your fingers began to massage his scalp, Bi-Han was taken aback by how pleasant it felt. Your deft fingers worked circles on his scalp, lathering the shampoo, and Bi-Han found himself relaxing in waves of relief, melting like ice rapidly thawing. The warmth in the bathroom, the gentle touch… it was almost overwhelming, especially given how skilled your fingers were at their task.
“You might want to close your eyes, I wouldn’t want the shampoo to run into them by accident.” You said, breaking him out of the trance he hadn’t even realized he had slipped into. Once again, Bi-Han was surprised at how low his guard was around you. He had stopped seeing you as a threat some time ago, but he couldn’t comprehend how easily he let down the automatic defenses he had cultivated over many years.
Closing his eyes, Bi-Han waited for you to rinse the shampoo from his hair. After washing for a while, you reached for the towel in the corner to help him dry off.
“Okay, you can stand up, we’re done.” you announced.
Bi-Han stood up quickly, stretching his neck, which had grown stiff from being in the same position for so long, before turning his gaze to you. With your cheeks flushed from the warmth of the bathroom, your clothes splattered with water drops, and your skin glowing from the moisture, you appeared vulnerable and innocent enough to make his chest ache.
Raised in a clan of ruthless assassins where survival and flawless execution of death were paramount, Bi-Han had always imagined the woman who would enter his life as strong, tough, with sharp eyes and an authoritarian nature to adapt to his lifestyle. Yet, looking at you, he began to question this assumption for the first time. You possessed a nurturing side that defied brute force, completely opposite to his expectations, and Bi-Han found himself unexpectedly drawn to this contrast. You were good to him.
“Bi-Han… You’ve been staring at me for a while. Is everything okay?” you asked.
“I want to kiss you.” Bi-Han blurted out suddenly. The words escaped his lips so spontaneously that he was as surprised as you were. Though he could have easily taken you in his arms and kissed you, he wanted your consent, to hear from your lips if you desired it as much as he did. You were the last person he wanted to intimidate or use force on.
As your eyes widened in astonishment, a loud “What?” escaped your lips.
‘’You heard me.” Bi-Han said sharply. Your cheeks flushed to the tips of your ears, the color he liked to see. Approving him in a soft, almost shy voice, your gaze drifted to the ground.
Finally hearing the answer he desired, Bi-Han growled and gently raised your head with his fingers grasping the tip of your chin. He connected his lips with yours, driven by a voracious appetite. This hunger was unlike anything he had ever experienced before, possessing a fiery intensity that shook him to his core. It wasn’t until he kissed you that he realized the depth of his feelings; he could have kissed your lips, as soft and tender as rose petals, for hours, sating an inner thirst he hadn’t known existed.
His hand traced the line of your jaw, capturing the back of your head and part of your neck. Placing his other hand on the curve of your waist, he gently squeezed the soft flesh, eliciting a small, breathless moan from your lips. Your voice, trembling like a whip of flame, ignited a dangerous fire within Bi-Han.
There was a unique taste to you, one that defined you completely. It was clean, like dewdrops forming on leaves in the morning spring, and wet as he slid his tongue between your parted lips. Another small moan escaped you as you placed your hands on his shoulders, your thumbs massaging the veins that began to appear on his neck. Bi-Han found himself hating the bathtub that stood as a barrier between them, longing to bridge the distance between you.
‘’Hold on tight.” He growled savagely, his lips pouring forth a mixture of desire and intensity. With your flushed cheeks, half-lidded eyes, and breathless look, you embodied a dangerous blend of innocence and allure, a presence that could emerge on the wettest of nights. As you tightened your grip on his shoulders in response to his command, Bi-Han effortlessly lifted you from the bathtub, as if you weighed nothing at all.
“Bi-Han! Your wound–” you began, concern lacing your voice.
“I’m fine.” Bi-Han cut you off, dismissing any objections as he instructed you to wrap your legs around his waist. He captured your lips again, this time with a fierce hunger that left little room for gentleness. Despite his intentions to proceed slowly and remain in control, you made it nearly impossible with your presence alone. Your scent, your soft skin, your delicate movements – they all acted as an irresistible spell, unraveling Bi-Han’s logic and common sense piece by piece.
Drops of water from his wet hair trailed down your cheek, then your neck, as Bi-Han followed their path with his tongue. He paused at the curve of your neck, grazing your skin with his teeth.
“You don’t even know how bad I want you. Now.” he declared in a voice thick with desire, his need palpable. Tilting his head slightly, he took your earlobe between his teeth, exerting just enough pressure to send a shiver down your spine. “Can I have you?”
You trembled in his arms, pressing your body against his, and buried your head in the curve of his neck, your voice barely above a whisper, the soft cadence of your affirmation barely audible against his skin.
“Yes. Ah, to—to bed… Let’s go to bed.” you murmured, your voice filled with anticipation.
Responding to your command, Bi-Han carried you swiftly into the bedroom, stealing kisses and caressing your soft flesh which filled perfectly in his palms along the way. As he carefully placed you on the bed, he ensured not to overwhelm you with his weight. With one knee positioned between your legs and applying small pressure to your aching core, he felt your breath quicken, your legs parting slightly, inviting him closer.
“Bi-Han, please… hurry,” you pleaded, your voice trembling with need. Despite not yet fully engaging in intimacy, you were already consumed by desire, your surrender evident in every trembling breath and pleading glance. Bi-Han found himself entranced by the unique blend of your naivety and charm, a combination both intoxicating and heady. It puzzled him how you could exude such innocence while also igniting a fire within him, a sensation he found both captivating and bewildering.
With every inhibition shattered, Bi-Han’s entire being was consumed by you. His mind echoed with a commanding voice, declaring possession. ‘Mine. You are mine.’ With each beat of his heart, the intensity of his desire deepened, enveloping him in a whirlwind of need. His arousal surged with a newfound fervor, driving him to seek you with an urgency he had never known before. He longed to lose himself in your warmth, to leave an indelible mark on you, claiming you as his own in a way that no other could satisfy you again.
‘‘Fuck. I wanted to take it slow,” Bi-Han cursed, his voice filled with frustration.
“Another time,” you replied swiftly. “I want you, Bi-Han. I need you… just… please.” As your attempts to form coherent sentences faltered, you resorted to expressing your desires through your eyes, tears clung to your lashes, your need laid bare for him to see. Despite the flush that colored your face, neck, your chest peeking through your clothes, your timidity had been replaced by a raw, unbridled desire.
“Another time.” Bi-Han echoed your words, his tone laced with determination. It was a promise, a vow to indulge in the intoxicating taste of you until every inch of your body bore his mark. The thought had transformed into a primal need, a longing to possess you completely.
With swift motions, Bi-Han stripped away your clothes, discarding them haphazardly. As predicted, your chest also completely flushed dark, your nipples hardening under his gaze, pleading for his touch.
“You are such a sight… so beautiful,” Bi-Han murmured, his words tinged with reverence. You squirmed under his attention, somewhat embrassed by his words and attempted to cover yourself clumsily. As he untied the towel from his waist, he fixed you with a stern gaze. “Don’t you dare hide anything from me. This is not a request.”
When his cold fingers made contact with the intimate area between your legs, you flinched at the sudden chill. Instead of recoiling, however, you parted your legs, wordlessly inviting him closer. Bi-Han found himself drawn to this decadent aspect of you, contrasting with your usual demeanor. You were slick with arousal, your warmth enveloping his cold touch until it reached a semblance of normalcy.
“Next time, I will explore you slowly, savoring every moment,” he declared, his voice brooking no argument.
And so he did.
▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃
Another two weeks slipped by, each day marked by the steady healing of his wound and the gradual return of his strength. Strangely, Bi-Han found himself not minding the passing of time, a stark contrast from his usual restlessness. Even though his days were now filled with the singular purpose of recuperation, he couldn’t bring himself to feel bored in your company.
You had established a routine of caring for him in the house. Every morning, after sharing breakfast together, you diligently tended to his wound, changing bandages with meticulous care. Despite his stature, Bi-Han appreciated the gentleness with which you handled him, as if afraid to cause him any discomfort.
Following this, Bi-Han would retreat outdoors to meditate or exercise, while you busied yourself with tending to the garden and other household chores. Occasionally, you would venture to the market, a task Bi-Han offered to take over multiple times, only to be politely declined by you each time. He sensed a trace of anxiety in your eyes whenever you left, as though fearing his departure in your absence.
The reality of his impending departure weighed heavily on Bi-Han. Though duty called him back to his clan and responsibilities, he couldn’t bear the thought of leaving you behind. The bond between you had grown deeper with each passing day, surpassing even the connections he shared with his own brothers. You had a remarkable ability to understand him without words, a skill few others possessed.
In your presence, Bi-Han found himself rediscovering aspects of himself long buried beneath the facade of his assassin persona. With you, he experienced a sense of comfort and peace he hadn’t known in years. Every touch, every embrace left him yearning for more, a relentless desire burning within him. He marveled at the intensity of his feelings for you, realizing that he wanted every part of you in a way he had never imagined possible.
His favorite time of the day was undoubtedly dinner. Sitting across from you, sharing simple conversations, witnessing your smile, hearing your laughter, and seeing your eyes light up brought him joy. It was a simplicity he hadn’t experienced since becoming the grandmaster. Once disciplined, strict, and focused solely on responsibilities, he now found value in these moments, offering him a new perspective on life.
As both of you sat facing each other at dinner, Bi-Han decided it was time to address the lingering topic that had hung in the air for some time.
“You mentioned you could remove my stitches in a few days, after that I’ll return to Earthrealm.” He stated firmly. Though he disliked seeing the smile on your face fade, you both knew he couldn’t remain cocooned in this sanctuary forever.
“Oh… So you’ve decided on the day.” You responded, averting your gaze as you spoke. When you reached for your wine, Bi-Han gently grasped your hand, halting your movement.
“I want you to come with me.” he declared.
Your eyes widened with surprise. “To your clan? Really?”
“Yes, I want you to see where I live.” Bi-Han lifted your wrist, his touch still gentle as he grazed his index finger against your skin, all while maintaining unbroken eye contact. “I wasn’t joking when I said you were mine.”
Your cheeks flushed slightly as a sweet laugh escaped your lips, a sound Bi-Han found irresistible. In that moment, he realized his attachment to you ran deeper than he had ever realized.
“You know, I’m not an item that you can take wherever you want.”
“I didn’t mean it in that sense.” His gaze shifted to the dozen bruises on your neck, a satisfied curl tugging at the corner of his lip. Each mark filled him with a sense of ownership, igniting a fire within him every time he saw them.
“Then it’s only fair that I should say that you are also mine.” you countered. Despite your brave demeanor, your face betrayed your true feelings once again. As you took a sip from your glass, attempting to hide your expression, Bi-Han watched you silently, a smile playing on his lips, hidden only by his hand resting on his chin.
As Bi-Han grappled with the conflicting desires pulling at his heartstrings — duty to his clan and the burgeoning attachment to you — a storm of emotions raged within him. The weight of responsibility tugged relentlessly, reminding him of the obligations he bore as the leader of the clan. However, a shadow began to loom over his resolve, stirring a longing for something more.
“I’d love to,’’ you finally said after a moment. ‘‘But I have to wait for my father’s return; I don’t know when he will come here.’’
“You can leave a note.”
“I’d rather talk it over with him face to face,” you insisted politely. “But I can come to visit from time to time. If it’s convenient for you, of course, I’d love to see where you grew up and spend time there.”
▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃
It had been five months since Bi-Han returned to his clan, and everything was just as he had left it. Kuai Liang had managed the clan well in his absence, with the assistance of Tomas and Sektor, although Bi-Han knew his brother was downplaying his own contributions. Despite the slight age difference between them, Kuai Liang was more than capable of assuming the role of grandmaster.
There was considerable curiosity among the clan members about his prolonged absence and the circumstances surrounding it. Tomas, in particular, had been concerned for his well-being the most. During a briefing with the council members, consisting solely of his inner circle, Bi-Han provided a summary of what happened, including mentioning you and your remarkable abilities. The news of your impending visit piqued the interest of everyone present, even if they attempted to conceal it.
Although you could only visit twice in five months, you effortlessly bonded with his brothers. Even with Sektor and Cyrax, you made it easy to connect, your kind soul evident in your demeanor and smile. It felt as though you had always been a member of the clan, your presence comforting and familiar to everyone. During conversations, you repeatedly expressed feeling comfortable and safe around them. This, coupled with the unique way you contributed to Bi-Han’s recovery, swiftly earned you the respect of the entire clan.
When you did visit, Bi-Han found solace and peace in holding you in his arms once more. In your absence, he had been on edge, constantly worrying about your well-being. Your presence felt like a breath of fresh air, infusing color and vibrancy into his otherwise monotonous existence. He couldn’t pinpoint the exact moment he fell in love with you, but your influence had been undeniable from the moment he first laid eyes on you. The desire to keep you close, to protect you at all costs, consumed him, even though he knew the realities of their lives would make it challenging. Being separated from you had taken a toll on his nerves, leaving him irritable and restless. Amidst the tumultuous whirlwind of his thoughts, Bi-Han grappled with the overwhelming desire to see you again.
The last time you visited, you stayed for a while. One night, in particular, is etched clearly in Bi-Han’s mind. A fierce wind howled outside, causing the windows to rattle, while snow fell rapidly, swirling in the storm and clinging to the glass surfaces. Except for the candles flickering in the room, there was no other light, casting a dim glow. The scent of both of you enveloped the room like a heavy blanket.
After bringing you to climax multiple times, your body glowed with vitality like a pearl, cheeks flushed dark with a serene smile adorning your face. Half of your body draped over him, your elegant fingers traced lazy circles on his bare chest, while Bi-Han’s hand caressed the smooth skin of your back. In that moment, he felt complete, as if a part of him that he didn’t even know was missing had been found. It was as if you were both separate individuals yet inexplicably intertwined—each completing the other.
When your fingers ceased their movement altogether, Bi-Han glanced down to see why, his heart swelling with warmth. You had drifted off to sleep, your face relaxed in slumber, lips slightly parted. You appeared so peaceful that Bi-Han couldn’t bring himself to disturb you. This wasn’t the first time you had fallen asleep beside him, and each time, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride and a burning desire to protect you. He knew you trusted him enough to reveal your vulnerability in these moments.
His mind was more at ease than ever before. Even though he was in his own home, with you beside him, he felt a sense of belonging that he had never experienced before. Especially during the times he awaited your arrival, he had never felt such intense longing to see someone again—your presence shaking his very core, pushing the limits of his endurance. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could bear being without you; your absence felt like torment, while your presence transformed him into a different man altogether.
Although the notion of someone having such power over him would typically be unsettling, he couldn’t view it negatively because it was you. What concerned him more was the possibility of others noticing—the fear that his enemies might discover you, exploiting his vulnerability by hurtin you.
Two and a half months had passed since he last laid eyes on you, adding to the weight of the task Lord Liu Kang had bestowed upon him and his brothers. He longed to complete this mission swiftly and reunite with you, yearning for the calming embrace of your presence. The strain of constant vigilance was taking its toll on him, both mentally and physically, culminating in his recent capture alongside Kuai Liang.
Navigating the stone corridors of Ying Fortress, Bi-Han found himself flanked by a dozen soldiers, with Kuai Liang by his side and Shang Tsung and General Shao ahead of them. Shang Tsung’s words fell on deaf ears as Bi-Han contemplated his next move, steadfast in his refusal to entertain any offers from these unfamiliar men. His focus remained fixed on devising an escape plan to extricate himself from this predicament. As they traversed the corridor into a vast area, Bi-Han was confronted by a multitude of stone sculptures lining the space. Hindered by the restraints on his wrists, he scanned the area for any potential means of escape, exchanging a knowing glance with Kuai Liang, who mirrored his uncertainty.
“Father?”
Bi-Han’s eyes widened at the sudden sound of a familiar, albeit unexpected, female voice behind them. Sensing Kuai Liang’s reaction, he knew it wasn’t a trick of his imagination. With a swift turn, his heart raced as he watched the soldiers before him part, revealing your approach. What the hell were you doing here?
“What’s going on here — Bi-Han?” Your wide-eyed astonishment mirrored his own. As Bi-Han scanned you for any signs of harm, he moved to approach you. But before he could reach, a soldier struck him in the stomach with the tip of his weapon, causing him to stagger backward.
‘’Stop! What do you think you’re doing?!” Your voice, tinged with worry as you shoved the soldier aside, your anxious eyes locking with his. “Bi-Han, are you all right?”
“What are you doing here?” Bi-Han growled out a whisper, tension taut in his voice.
“I’m asking you the same.”
“What is the meaning of this? Do you two know each other?” Shang Tsung’s voice sliced through the hushed talk, prompting Bi-Han to instinctively shield you, despite the restraints on his hands. Determined to protect you at all costs, Bi-Han urged you to take cover behind him, his voice laced with venom. “Get behind me.” he commanded, his grip tightening protectively around your arm.
“There is no need. He is my father.” You revealed, catching Bi-Han off guard with the unexpected revelation. Stunned by the revelation, Bi-Han chastised himself for not piecing together the clues sooner. Living in Outworld, soul magic, an enigmatic father figure—it all suddenly made sense. Yet, your stark differences in character from your father only deepened Bi-Han’s sense of disbelief.
“Why are they prisoners?” you questioned, your gaze flickering between your father and the imposing figure of General Shao and the eerie aura that seemed to surround them.
“They attacked us.” General Shao asserted, his voice gruff as he responded to your inquiry. “We were about to take care of business before you came, sorceress.” Despite Shao’s attempt to intimidate you with his imposing presence, Shang Tsung interjected before Bi-Han, shooting Shao a warning glance.
“They attacked?” Your gaze flickered momentarily, silently questioning the situation. ‘Why?’ The unspoken question hung in the air, directed at Bi-Han. “I’m sure there’s been a misunderstanding.”
“They were sent here by Liu Kang’s order. To catch us and maybe kill us.” Shao divulged, his voice dripping with hostility.
“Why so? Nobody has told me anything since I was brought here, and even now you still insist on not telling me. I want to know what’s going on. Tell me the truth.”
“Walk with me,” Shang Tsung interjected, gesturing towards a secluded area. With a final, anxious glance towards Bi-Han, you complied, flanked by Shao and Shang Tsung. Bi-Han’s instincts screamed to follow, but he was thwarted by the soldiers’ firm grip. Initially, Bi-Han braced himself for a sense of betrayal, believing that you had concealed Shang Tsung’s identity as your father. However, upon reflection, he realized that you had always been forthcoming with him, never hiding the truth about your father. Bi-Han had simply never asked. Your genuine reaction to the unfolding events affirmed your honesty. It became evident that Shang Tsung had dragged you into this situation without explanation. All that mattered now was escaping with you safely by his side.
‘’You seem quite invested in these men, (Y/n),’’ Shao remarked in a harsh tone, his words more of a probing question than a mere observation.
‘’It’s none of your concern, General Shao.’’ You retorted firmly.
‘‘But it is my concern,’’ interjected Shang Tsung, his tone authoritative. ‘‘As your father, I demand to know the nature of your association with the infamous grandmaster of the Lin Kuei.’’
‘’Before you question me, father, perhaps you should first explain your activities over the past months. Then, and only then, will I consider divulging any information.’’ you countered. ‘’You dragged me here without giving me an explanation, expecting blind trust. It’s not fair, and you know it. You’re exploiting my kindness, I deserve some answers.’’
‘’I was promised my true potential, and I’m going to get that right back. You’re my blood and flesh, I want nothing more than to secure you a good and wealthy future, I want what is best for you—for us.’’ Shang Tsung continued to talk as he walked towards a dark-colored box that looked like some kind of chest. ‘’Take a look around, do you remember what I told you about this place?’’
You watched him with hesitant eyes, then looked around you before answering his question.
‘‘Yes, you said that Emperor Ying’s Dragon Army was here.’’
‘‘Very true. What I told you was not just a fairy tale. These statues were constructed and enchanted by the great mages in the Emperor’s court.’’ Shang Tsung opened the lids of the box, took out a crown and a small green bottle, and emptied the contents of the bottle onto the crown. ‘‘They are animated by the fragments of souls. Once alive they fight tirelessly, unburdened by remorse or pity.’’
‘’What are you planning to do with these?’’ You said, your voice overflowing with obvious concern now.
‘’If they won’t be on our side,’’ Shang Tsung murmured with a half-smile, placing the crown on his head. ‘‘Then I will eliminate them. This is what I had to do, for our future.’’
The moment he finished his words, six of the soldiers standing a little further away stepped forward, and with mind control, moving nimbly despite being made of stone, they began to descend the steps towards them. Bi-Han’s muscles tensed involuntarily, his body as taut as a drawn bowstring as he observed the approaching stone soldiers. If only he could get rid of these damn handcuffs…
‘’No!” Your panicked scream echoed through the vast area as you summoned your magic, green energy crackling around your outstretched hand in an attempt to halt the advancing soldiers. When you realized your magic was ineffective against them, your attention swiftly shifted back to your father.
“Father, stop this!” Startled by your sudden movement and desperate cry, Shang turned his attention to you, momentarily caught off guard. Seizing the opportunity, you darted forward, delivering a powerful blow to his knee, causing him to buckle and kneel before you. With him immobilized for a moment, you snatched the crown from his head and placed it on your own. ‘‘I’m sorry, father, but I cannot allow this.’’
‘’Have you lost your mind?!’’ While Shang Tsung was looking at you with stunned and greatly betrayed eyes, despite the distance, Bi-Han could see tears welling in your eyes. ‘’I am your father! My blood runs through your veins; your loyalty should lie with me.’’
‘‘I know, and I am sorry,’’ you said, your voice trembling with emotion. ‘’But I love him.’’ Both Shang Tsung and Bi-Han froze with surprise at your unexpected reveal, their expressions a mix of shock and disbelief. Your breath came out quickly, the air heavy with tension as a few tears escaped from your eyes, glimmering in the light. ‘’That’s why I cannot stand by and watch you harm him.’’
“(Y/n), behind you!” Kuai Liang’s urgent shout jolted you into action, narrowly dodging Shao’s axe at the last moment. With Shao bearing down on you, Bi-Han could no longer stand idly by. Keeping you in his sight, he and his brother sprang into action, combating Shao’s soldiers amidst the chaos, using the handcuff chains to choke one of the soldiers.
Despite your efforts to evade Shao’s attacks and deflect them onto the stone statues, he effortlessly dispatched them with a few swings of his axe. You tried to keep up with him, but as a healer, your combat skills were lacking, evident in your reliance on the soldiers for protection as you dodged Shao’s attacks. Bi-Han had heard stories about Shao in the past, tales of his power and mercilessness in battle. But now, witnessing Shao’s sadistic enjoyment as he toyed with you, seeing the fear in your eyes, filled Bi-Han with fury and a desire to eliminate Shao.
‘‘Don’t harm her!’’ Shang Tsung intervened, hurling a fireball towards Shao, catching him off guard and forcing him back. “She is my daughter.”
Shao spat on the ground, unaffected by the smoke left behind by the fireball he countered with the tip of his huge axe. “And she betrayed us,” he growled. “You just proclaimed that we would eliminate those who oppose us, sorcerer. That’s precisely what I intend to do.”
As Shao swung his axe again, you pushed the last remaining statue in front of you for protection. However, under the force of Shao’s blow, the statue shattered, leaving a gaping wound from your shoulder to your rib cage. Crimson red blood splattered everywhere, your expression a mixture of pain and shock as you desperately tried to stay on your trembling legs. A pained groan escaped your lips as you stumbled backwards, Shao raising his axe for another strike, this time aiming for a fatal blow.
“No!” While Bi-Han was blowing off the soldier’s head he had knocked down with his foot, bloody brain pieces flew everywhere, his heart was in his mouth. He couldn’t bear to witness you lose your life before his eyes, with so little distance between you.
‘’I told you to stay away from my daughter.’’
In a stroke of luck, Shang Tsung once again caught Shao off guard with a barrage of fireballs, diverting his attention away from you at the last moment. Shao was thrown several meters away, gasping for breath, while Shang grasped you firmly, applying pressure to your wound. Your body tensed with pain, tears flowing freely from your eyes as you struggled to maintain a brave face.
‘’You will bandage this as soon as you get away from here. Do you understand?’’
‘‘Father-’’
‘’Do you understand?’’
‘’Yes.’’
‘‘Good, I’ll buy you time,’’ Shang Tsung urged, motioning for you to leave. ‘‘Take a few of the statues with you; they’ll provide protection until you’re out of here. I’ll find you once I’ve dealt with this.’’
With tears streaming down your cheeks, you managed to press a small, wet kiss to your father’s cheek, gratitude evident in your pale, tired face.
‘‘I’ll explain everything.’’
‘‘Later. Go now,’’ he insisted.
Bi-Han brutally incapacitated the last soldier before reaching you in a few wide strides. Shang’s gaze fixed on him for the first time since his arrival, promising death with its intensity.
“You’d better take care of my daughter, grandmaster. Otherwise, I’ll follow your soul to the Netherrealm,’’ warned Shang Tsung with a menacing tone.
‘‘I will protect her with my life.’’ Bi-Han asserted, though his agreement with his recent foe felt tenuous, the situation now imbued with personal stakes. Shang promptly removed the handcuffs from both him and his brother’s wrists, freeing them.
‘‘Go on quickly. The others will be here soon, so hurry up. My daughter will take you a shortcut.’’ directed sorcerer.
As Shao charged toward them, Bi-Han scooped you up into his arms, finding relief in having you close again. With urgency, he ran alongside Kuai Liang, ascending the steps and leaving the area behind. With your remaining strength, you compelled a dozen soldiers to follow, your hand still applying pressure to the wound. Upon reaching the corridor they had passed earlier, you weakly tugged at Bi-Han’s clothes to get his attention.
‘‘We can’t escape through the main exit, it’s too risky. There’s a passageway from behind the fortress leading towards the mountains; we can slip through unnoticed.’’ you suggested.
‘‘Tomas is out, we can’t leave him here.’’ His brother interjected.
‘‘Exactly where, I can use one of these statues to find and contact him.’’
‘‘He is where the Soul Stealers are.’’
With a deep breath, you closed your eyes and concentrated, sweat beading on your forehead as your skin paled. Despite the obvious pain, you maintained a resolute expression. As they reached a narrow area, your faint voice reached their ears.
‘‘I found Tomas. I’m getting him out through a different exit; it’s too risky for him to come this way.’’
‘‘Okay, we’re counting on you,’’ Bi-Han said, hoping to give you courage. You were so small and lifeless in his arms, though he couldn’t bring himself to say it, his heart ached with painful sorrow as he looked at you. If it weren’t for the faint rise and fall of your chest, he might have feared the worst; you were losing a lot of blood. The wound must have cut deeper than he thought. Bi-Han looked into his brother’s eyes, whatever expression there was on his face, Kuai Liang stopped walking for a moment and squeezed his shoulder, looking at him with understanding eyes.
‘‘We will save her, brother, don’t worry. She’ll be okay,’’ Kuai Liang reassured, and they proceeded to a small room at the end of the corridor. A statue opened the thick old door, revealing a landscape of snow-covered mountains.
▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃
It was already dark when they met Tomas a little beyond the fortress, at the bottom of a frozen river. After you spent the rest of your strength to bring Tomas to them, you fell unconscious, Bi-Han had to hastily bandaged you because he knew he had to keep a distance between them and the fortress in case of getting caught. And when they decided to spend the night in a place that he believed was safe, he didn’t let you leave his side for a moment, even though he was with his brothers and they were safe for now. Tomas had left a short while ago to hunt some mountain hares for food, while Kuai Liang went out to gather supplies to sustain the fire he had kindled.
Bi-Han carefully cleaned the wound with the materials he had and bandaged it tightly. Your bleeding was still going on, but it wasn’t intense compared to the beginning, as long as you weren’t moving, it could buy time until he could get you home. But you would definitely have needed stitches in your wound.
‘’I can heal myself.’’ you muttered softly. Bi-Han didn’t even realize he had said the last part aloud, too focused on gently stroking your pale cheek with one hand while carefully examining you.
‘’How do you feel?’’
‘’Not at my best, but I’ll be fine.’’ You weakly replied. Even if you wanted to reciprocate the gesture by lifting your hand, which was resting on your lap, it was quite difficult for you to do so. Bi-Han noticed this, grabbed your hand, and guided it to his cheek, allowing you to caress it. ‘’Thank to gods, you look well. The others-’’
‘‘We’re all fine except you, don’t worry. You almost died.’’ The last part poured from his lips with great hatred, it felt terrible even to say it. He hated the blood on his hands even more. Seeing you in such a state filled Bi-Han with a profound sense of helplessness. He feared the worst, and it was the most intense fear he had ever experienced. Even now, it lingered in his mouth like a bad taste, causing a churning sensation in his stomach. His entire body felt ice-cold with stress, his instincts had gone into hyperawareness.
‘’It just grazed, it doesn’t even hurt. I swear.’’
"If it had cut deeper, you could have lost your arm as well as your life. It does not suit you to lie, (y/n). I still don't understand how you could be Shang Tsung's daughter."
‘’Are you angry?’’ As your voice quivered with uncertainty, Bi-Han tenderly placed a kiss on the top of your head, offering silent reassurance before you found the courage to speak again. ‘’It’s just… My father is a difficult man and kind of has a bad reputation. People are ready to attack him given the chance. I didn’t mean to hide it from you; I was just afraid you’d leave me once you knew the truth. I couldn’t bear the thought of losing you.”
‘’You think a sorcerer can intimidate me?” A small smile appeared on his lips as he continued to caress your cheek. After hearing your confession, he wanted nothing more than to reassure you and dismiss your fear. “I’m just confused and angry with myself for not seeing the signs earlier,” he said honestly. “I almost lost you, and besides that, nothing else matters.” While he continued to stroke your cheek with one hand, he didn’t break eye contact with you for a moment. He needed you to know that he was sincere in what he was about to say. “Today has been an important day for me to realize some things.”
Thanks to the heat emitted by the camp flame, he could easily discern your facial features. Despite the weariness evident in your eyes, there was a twinkle that betrayed your curiosity about what he had to say. Leaning in a little more, he shifted his body closer to yours, positioning you between his legs as he sat leaning against a tree. With a gentle touch, he lowered his hand from your cheek to your chin, lifting it slightly to plant a small, tender kiss on your lips.
With his cold breath mingling with your warmth, he whispered softly, “I love you.”
Caught off guard, you gazed up at him with wide, teary eyes, a breath catching in your throat. As a tear traced a soft path down your cheek, Bi-Han gently caught it with the tip of his finger, his own eyes filled with concern. Then, with the warmest and most sincere smile he had ever seen, you planted a kiss on his cheek.
‘’I’ve dreamed of this a few times, but I never thought you would express it.’’
‘‘Is that why you’re crying? If you’re hiding the truth about your shoulder causing pain-’’
‘‘I’m crying with happiness, my love. Now give me one more kiss so that I can believe in you better.’’
Bi-Han couldn’t help the smile settling on his face.
it's hard to imagine this blizzard of a man ever falling for someone, but he does, and he falls pretty hard when it happens although it's like, an extremely rare occurrence.
it's the classic love-at-first-sight scenario. you're at the restaurant, conversing with madame bo from a distance, when you catch his attention. he likes what he sees, and like the typical man, he discreetly stares until you're out of sight
he doesn't think much about you afterwards, but the seed of attraction has already been planted and soon grows.
somehow, coincidentally, he meets you again at the same place (fate perhaps?) but this time, it's different—you're both face-to-face and introductions ensue.
since the lin kuei trio occasionally unwind at the establishment after a mission, and you're a healer who madame bo often consults, it's no surprise your paths cross
bi-han is laser focused on you as the said woman introduces you to the group, observing you like a specimen: your physicality, mannerisms, demeanour, and finds himself magnetized by your graceful aura
but he doesn't speak to you at all while pleasantries are exchanged, making him the odd one out. however, his assessment of you is positive indicating a romantic interest.
despite the brief interaction, you leave a lasting impression on him and have begun to take up permanent residence in his mind.
but it doesn't end there; he sees you quite often due to your affiliation with the old woman, and each time he does, his heart skips a beat; he's emotionally incapacitated, rendered powerless (proximity to him is the only way anything can happen tbh)
he represses this newfound emotion until he's unable to resist, ultimately surrendering to it. and believe it or not, he makes the first move. surprisingly
i know the consensus is that he's pretty much inexperienced in romantic relationships and hence wouldn't approach, but for a man of his calibre, there's no way he hasn't been in a committed relationship, even if short-lived. moreover, he goes after what he wants, romantic matters are no different; the only issue is it'll take him forever to get to it.
he has to first wrestle with himself over his feelings towards you. and once he overcomes this internal struggle, it'll take your sustained absence to propel him to finally pursue you out of fear that you might slip away from his grasp.
while he won't directly approach you, he communicates his interest via subordinates, which leads to unexpected appearances—a blue-clad ninja at your doorstep bearing gifts
you're very confused, but they explain they've been sent by their grandmaster. it is then you come to the realization that the standoffish, intimidating man you encountered at the restaurant has taken a liking to you! but wait- how does he know where you live? (he's gathered bits of information about you)
in his quest to conquer your heart and claim it as his, he first aims to impress. expect to be bombarded by gifts or flowers every fortnight. he also does this for ego reasons, to flaunt his status before eventually requesting a date—through a mouthpiece, of course.
the occasion is quite awkward, overly formal, with you doing most of the talking because he wants to know all about you like the back of his hand
if you attempt to redirect focus on him to satisfy any curiosity you may have, he basically shuts it down by saying something along the lines of, "i lead a formidable warrior clan, that is sufficient enough." you can't tell if he's just reserved or severely lacking in social skills, but if you peer hard enough, the lines are blurred.
he is actually very mindful of his words and respectful towards you. he is aware of how blunt and abrasive he can come across and doesn't want to scare you away; that would undo all his efforts and bring them to naught, and he isn't going to self-sabotage, not after coming this far
he's gentlemanly, and its obvious from his body language and actions he's infatuated with you. but being a conversationalist and showing affection aren't his strong suits, so this is where you come in. the ball is in your court to steer the budding relationship forward otherwise it'll stagnate
