Kung Lao x F!Reader (Movie Version), w/ Sonya and Reader friendship
Word Count: 4286
Synopsis: After the events of Please Don't Notice Me, Kung Lao is in charge of physically preparing you for the tournament. After a few days of training, he and Liu Kang arrange a stress test. The pressure is on; the results were unsatisfactory.
Warnings (PLEASE read at your own risk): Angst (Very Little Comfort), Canon Typical Violence, Strangulation, Self-Sacrificial Behavior, Sexism and Violence Toward Women (not Reader)
A/N: The next "Please Don't" is finally here! It's my first time uploading something with content warnings, so if you have any suggestions, please let me know in my comments or inbox. As mentioned in the warnings, this is more angsty-- but the comfort portion will primarily be in the next installment. I hope you enjoy!
Since taking your placement test, you've alternated daily between Kung Lao and Liu Kang for solo training sessions. This was in addition to the training involving Cole and Kano. When you were told this plan, you'd thought it would've been Kung Lao, that'd put you through the ringer. You were wrong.
So wrong.
When it came to unlocking your Arcana, the sweet— if a little dramatic— Liu Kang became a whole different beast. One that perched on a rock insisting power can only be unlocked through pain. When Liu reiterated the value of pain, his eyes became blown out like a shark and you would hear the jaws theme song when he approached you. The bruises you got from getting knocked down again and again and again spoke for themselves.
When training was over, he went back to being his kind, or more accurately "more gentle" self, and insisted on checking if you were okay. First it gave you whiplash. At this point, you just said "sure" to appease him and keep the day moving. In the end, you couldn't stay frustrated at him for long. Liu was trying to help you get your power.
Martial arts training with Kung Lao was a relief in comparison. The first solo session you had with Kung Lao, he showed you a series of open-handed strikes. First, it was palm strikes, when and where to use them most effectively. You listened to his every word carefully. Then he moved onto the knife hand strikes, in which he proceeded to tell you, "if you see a pig performing this, it's considered a pork chop," and smiled as he waited for you to laugh. From there, you learned the more serious you tried to take Kung Lao's training, the more likely he is to throw a joke out of left field.
Training was still demanding. Of course it was… but at least when your ass hit the sand with Kung Lao, he'd make you laugh afterward. It made the defense drills the most fun.
Surprisingly, he was a lot more patient with mistakes then you'd thought he'd be. Messing up meant he'd instruct you to simply try again. Demonstrating it if you needed to see it once more. Whatever he showed you flowed out of him so naturally. Sometimes you'd get so caught up in watching him, that you'd completely forget the steps after. Embarrassing, sure, but Kung Lao didn't seem to mind showing off just one more time.
He was just so… cool.
Lately, nothing's been better than when he'd place a hand on his chin and smile proudly when you did something right. Since the first session, you've been chasing that high.
However, the day came where you had to show the fruits of your labor. Day 5 since training with them started, and Liu said you'd do a pressure test with Cole and Kano that morning. The sun was rising higher in the sky, making you sweat.
The first fight was with Cole. To your surprise, during the fight you were able to land a palm strike to his chin then found away to knock him down. This was something you should've been happy about… but Cole is a MMA fighter with years of experience. Even with your training with Sonya and Kung Lao, there was no way—
"C'mon! Get up, grow a pair and fight her for real!" Kano started shouting from where he sat in the stands.
"She won—" Cole defended getting up from the ground. Sand got all over the side of his shirt from where he landed.
"Don't give me that shit— you barely tried. You really think you're doing her a favor?"
"She's not—"
"Cole, your turn is over. It's time for the next test," Liu interrupted. Kano stepped down from where he sat, you looked over to Kung Lao, who stood over the fight pit with his hat casting a shadow on his face. He usually had it off when you'd train with him alone.
Behind him a smiling Sonya and Jax entered the arena. His shouting must've got their attention.
Kung Lao nodded at you, took a deep breath, and directed your gaze back at your opponent.
You took a breath yourself, watching Kano's boots hit the sand. "C'mon, sweetheart, let's show these pussies some Feminism 101! Equal fights for all!"
Swallowing your doubt, you put up your hands like you were taught. You heard clapping and Sonya shouting your name in the stands, but the sound was ran through a blender. You couldn't hear much over the sound of your own heart.
Liu Kang shouted "Fight!"
Kano menaced toward you. First thought that came to mind was punching him in the nose— but that could kill him if done wrong. Pulling something like that as a first move— for a test, no less—wouldn't be right?
Right? The hairs on your neck stood on end. You were in Kano's reach now. He still wanted to come closer.
Before his arms could come up, your fist clashed against his chest. Kano stopped in place. You stepped backed. Grunting in pain, he shook his head. Then tilted it to the side.
Kano then laughed. Like your attempt was the most pathetic thing ever. "Alrighty—" Kano came at you full speed!
He knocked into you. Stumbling backward, you went to punch him again, but this time he grabbed you by the wrist and tried pulling you toward him. Instinctively, you tried to back away then remembered what Kung Lao taught you. You twisted your arm toward Kano's thumb and threw his wrist up.
It worked! But then you froze, not remembering what happens from here. Glancing up at the man, you made eye contact. You hooked him in the ribs and kept swinging before he could struggle out of it.
After a few good hits, Kano started hitting back. It was a lot harder then how training usually went. Even on your rough days with Liu Kang, you don't remember yelping nearly as much.
From there what little technique you knew— POOF!
Through gritted teeth you slapped, kicked, and punched! Kano reacted with clumsy hits and grabs of his own. His knuckles bursted blood vessels bursted in your cheek. Tears pricked your eyes. You shoved trembling hands in his face. Kano gripped your shoulder like he would a field mouse tightening his grip until you cried out! Then grabbed your other arm and threw you down like you were nothing.
Kano stood over you. Your fingers reflexively clenched around the sand beneath you. The man lunged at you, and your shoulders squeeze together causing him to laugh. You flinch, and you didn't even throw the dirt in his face. Not that there'd be a point though.
You were on the ground.
Heaving covered in dirt.
Kano Wins.
The fight was over.
His boots turned the opposite way. When he reached the first step, that's when you stood up, dusted the sand off your ass, and waited for whatever comes next.
You weren't stupid enough to think you were good at fighting. Not with the little time you had… but you didn't know just how much Liu and Kung Lao had been holding back. Stealing a glance at Kung Lao, his lips were pressed into a thin line and his eyes rolled up in exasperation. The disappointment was plain as day.
"The test is over." Liu Kang declared softly, clearly saddened as well at your failing. Instead of transitioning to the usual morning training, Liu Kang went to leave the arena. When he passed Kung Lao, your eyes shifted to the rocks on the side. Both he and Kung Lao were gone, leaving the fight pit heavy with implication.
"Whelp!" Kano raised his arms to his sides, then pointed at you from the arena steps as he walked toward the exit. "Good job, girlie! Training dismissed."
After the blunder that was your pressure test, Cole, Jax and Sonya waited for you to leave the arena before getting up and following. In the hall, Jax told you, "Don't worry about this, Champ, you'll have other chances to punch the daylights out of Kano." You laughed out of politeness, while playing the fight over in your head. Jax was a Major in the army. No doubt he's used to seeing better. Kano was right, nice words and going easy was doing nothing, but setting you up for failure.
Sonya called your name, but when you looked back at her, Jax had his metal prosthetic hand on her arm. They had a two second long telepathic conversation, before Sonya put her attention back to you. "We're going to train in the usual room, would you—?"
"Thanks, but not this time. I'm sorry."
"Well, if you change your mind, you know where to find us." Sonya awkwardly pointed a finger gun at you as Jax and her turned away to the corridor.
You sighed, then turned your attention to Cole. It seemed like he was also trying to see where your head's at. Before he asked you uncharacteristically spoke up. "You wanna get food?"
He was taken aback, but agreed. You two plucked whatever you could find in the kitchen and went back to the table. In this rare moment alone with this champion, he expressed his own frustration with training. You listened to his complaints patiently. About getting knocked down. His inability unlocking his Arcana— having Kano beat him to it of all people. Wanting to get back to his family. What he would do when all this is over… It was then when he turned the question back onto you.
"Oh no, this is it. I'm dying." You laughed without a second thought.
Cole's smile was replaced with something serious."That's not funny…" With one joke, a warm fantasy was brutalized on the pavement. The cold reality was, at this pace, you two would die in the tournament— no question.
Cole may never see his wife and daughter again.
He was right. It wasn't funny.
That moment played on loop as you trained with Kung Lao. He broke down your match with Kano, giving you pointers. He emphasized you needed more practice. Especially when dealing with someone grabbing you. You paid attention to the explanations with a growing voice of doubt in your mind. When it came to drills, you were going through the motions.
Eventually, even his words became static. His hand was wrapped around your wrist and became a fixed point in your vision. If Kung Lao were a brute, he could snap it in half instantaneously. Somehow you don't care at this moment. He tugged at it firmly, then instructed you to disengage it. His arm was lifted in the air successfully. However, Kung Lao then told you had to add an attack.
"I'm sorry."
"There's nothing to be sorry for. As long as we don't repeat what happened last time." Resetting the scenario, Kung Lao encouraged you to strike.
You hesitated again. Shaking your head.
"Look at me," Kung Lao instructed. "In Mortal Kombat, you must decide who walks away alive. Find an answer and defend it until your final breath." He looks deep into your eyes for a moment, then exhaled slow so you'd follow him. It consoled you for that moment. "Now, between you and I, I would prefer if you choose yourself," he lifted his free hand up to his face. Kung Lao pressed his pointer finger to his lips and shushed like he told you a secret.
This managed to get a smile out of you before resuming training.
When the sun started to set, Kung Lao dismissed you to get cleaned up for dinner. The second you were out of his sight, the warmth he radiated on you was gone. Luke warm water plunged you into your thoughts from earlier that day as you tried to scrub the sand and grime from your skin. Then you were plagued by memories from the last year. Terracotta sand turned to diluted scarlet on jailhouse tile.
It was scary. How natural it was to grasp whatever you got around your hands when you've been pushed. It made you think of that night, where everything went so wrong. So violent… Did you even look at your neighbors tool bag? Or did you just grab the hammer and swing?
You gasped. The water turning cold against your back. You let it run over you for a few more seconds before grasping the knob. Maybe you should've stayed on the ground then like you did today.
Then you wouldn't have deal with this bullshit.
You grabbed your towel. As you dried yourself off, the day you met Sonya flashed in your head. Being released into the world with no apartment, no job, no phone, no "sorry you waited 9 months for your trial", no nothing! You thought she was going to harass you because of the trial, like any other reporter. Maybe accuse you of being a criminal because of the mystery branded to your skin. From there, you had to chose: get vivisected by an icicle OR jumping in a van with a complete stranger. To another state. Three months later, a lizard THING tried to kill you too.
Now you're here. In a cell underground. For what?
Collapsing on the bed face first you released all the air in your lungs in a deep sigh. There was neither the time nor the energy to consider such philosophical questions. Closing your eyes to ward off the light, you decided then and there you never wanted to get up.
Tomorrow would have its own challenges. You buried your face into the mattress. Might as well stay here.
Falling out of bed made for a rude awakening. Exept this time it was Sonya who lifted the bed frame and made you tumble.
"What the hell Sonya…" you asked, rubbing your eye. The metal bed frame clacked against the stone floor as she went around. You waited for some type of answer, but instead was met with Sonya raising her leg in the air. Suddenly, feeling VERY awake, you rolled out the way before Sonya's booted heel could stomp you out. "What are you doing? It's way too early for this." She tried to stomp on you again. This time you backed into the nightstand.
"What the hell is your problem!" You asked again, your left hand felt up the nightstand.
Her brows furrowed, and this time she gave you an answer. "You're not ready for Mortal Kombat! At the rate you're going…" She bared her teeth and shook her head, "it's better for everyone if I go instead."
She can't be serious. You tried to think of a response, but then Sonya backed up and charged at you. Your hand found a candle stick holder and threw it at her head. She grabbed her forehead and you used the opportunity to get up. Deciding to create distance, you jumped over your bed. Sonya tried to jump after you, so you rolled underneath to escape for the door.
Apparently, she was serious.
Rushing toward the common area, you slam the door behind you to gain extra time. Your heart was beating out your chest. Not sure if you should grab a weapon or call for help, your vision blurred as you kept searching for an answer. Sonya ripped the door open and marched toward you.
You forgot how scary her game face was. She looked like she might actually kill you. This made no sense! This was the woman who tracked you down to save your life from Subzero then trained you for three months. That Sonya never would accepted you throwing in the towel. Then again, how much did you really KNOW Sonya? At the end of the day, Sonya was a person who is gonna do what it takes she said so herself.
"You think you can handle the tournament—? You gotta prove it to me!" Sonya put her hands up in a fighting pose.
She lunged at you, and you put your arms up to defend yourself. After exchanging a few blows, she tried to grapple you. You broke it by kneeing her in the stomach then palm striking her chest. You used the opportunity to run to the dining area. Sonya was close behind. She jumped at you causing you two to fall to the floor. When you tried to get up, she grabbed your leg. You kicked her off and got up again.
You two ran to opposite ends of the table grabbing the corners. She smiled as she tried to fake you out, while you flinched, you stood firmly in place. The two of you caught your breath while in your face off. You ran off to the side again, hearing a slam from the table, you turned around into a fighting stance to protect your head.
"Can't run forever! You look tired!" It occurred to you that while you were in your make-shift evening wear, Sonya was fully dressed. This whole time, she had her knives at her hip.
It all made sense…
This was a game of chicken! With her experience, if she wanted to end the fight— here you were with a giant target on your chest. She fake-lunged to make you move. When that didn't work she turned to sudden verbal abuse.
"What's going on here?" Cole asked, now, the other champions started emerging out of their rooms trying to figure out what was going on. Sonya gave them the same performance she gave you. Now focusing on how she should've been chosen to fight instead of you.
This would've been believable, IF she didn't hesitate to kill Kano— the man she actually hated, earlier this week.
Cole tried to talk her down, but she kept going. Saying you weren't ready. Jax, Liu, and Kung Lao watched, but didn't say anything. Either they knew Sonya's bluffing, or… they don't care either way.
Doubt echoes in your head. Even if Sonya doesn't mean it, it doesn't make it any less true. Maybe a small bit of Sonya, recognized it the same as you, when Raiden lashed out at what he had to work with. When it came down to it, four months of training couldn't hold a candle to a Special Forces officer.
That's just something you had to count on.
"Guys, please, let's just cut it out—" Before Cole could take two steps, you ran at a distracted Sonya and tackled her! You tumbled on the floor and she threw you in the air with the assistance of a kick in the stomach. You rolled then stood up like Kung Lao taught you, prepared for Sonya charging at you to fight.
Knowing tonight you're going to give her what she wants, you don't hesitate to throw cheap shots this time. An onslaught of attacks were aimed at her chest, neck and face. You can play the bad guy this one time. She returned the favor with her own onslaught. The pain made tears well in your eyes, but you didn't stop.
You're fighting even allowed you to throw her into the champion's pit.
You followed in after her and readied your stance once again. When you blinked a stinging tear went down your cheek. You put on your game face, knowing exactly what has to happen. Here. In the very place she was banned from on day one.
Nice and poetic… Just for you, Sonya.
She got up while trying to hide her smirk. It's hard to know for sure if she understands what's going on. If she knows only one person will walk away, and you already decided.
Sonya approached you this time. You went at her with all you had, confident in her drive. You busted her lip punching her. She put her foot between your legs, ready to break your combo by throwing you to the floor. You took her down with you mercilessly. The two of you rolled through the dirt, some ended up in your eyes and mouth. You tried to ignore the discomfort.
She tried to push you off again like she did before, but this time you planted your weight on her ribs.
Your hand came in contact with her collar.
Blood pounded in your head. Your face grew hotter, your eyes felt like fireballs in your skull.
You knew what you had to do next.
You saw what that man did to your neighbor… It was dark that night, but you were shown the bruises left behind in the evidence photos. Dark hand marks left on her neck… the police really thought you did that before bashing the guy's brain in with a hammer.
You gasped for air on top of Sonya. "You want my Arcana so bad," you asked. The sand made your throat burn. "Take it from me."
Sonya tried to escape from your hold. One of her arms reached up and grabbed your shirt. The grip was tight, yet lacked follow through. Your hand slid up to her neck. Her eyes went wide in shock.
"Don't act like you don't know you can do better. You were made for this, right? So take it!" You pressed down on her windpipe. Light blue eyes stared at you panicked. The same as the woman you silently begged you for help that night.
Cold steel meets the skin on your neck. There's a flicker of contemplation in Sonya's blues, even though it would be so easy to take your marking.
You wince as you shift more weight onto her neck. Sonya cannot have doubts on your resolve. She clenched her jaw, then drove the knife into your left leg!
Your pained scream bounced off the stone colosseum for all to hear. Enraged, you grabbed Sonya by the straps of her tank top, pulling her up then slamming her back against the sand.
"What the fuck is WRONG with YOU?" You slam her back into the sand again. "Is THIS what you WANT?" Tears sting out your eyes and obscure her form in front of you. Sonya tries to get your hands off her, but you don't let go.
"No—" her voice is hoarse and tight. "I needed to push you" She grunts like she's trying to clear he throat.
Unadulterated frustration erupted into the night— It's animalistic, ugly and guttural.
Then the sobs came, "For what? We all know I have no chance against Outworld! I'm dead either way. There's no hope for me," a sad, but hopeful smile formed on your face. "But you have a chance!" You find the knife handle sticking out from your thigh. Despite all protests, you pull it out as you press down on Sonya's ribs for support. Breathless, you press the bloody knife flat against Sonya's skin. "Do what you have to..."
Sonya shook her head and mouths her answer.
"Just take it." You whispered.
With a pained expression, Sonya grabbed the knife with tears welling in her eyes.
You blinked slow then exhaled, your ribs opened to the relief from world placed on your chest. The world would be safer in Sonya's hands. She holds the warm, wet metal up to your neck.
The pressure disappeared instantly.
Sonya tossed the bloody knife in the direction of the other champions on the sidelines. The blade spun and bounced until it thudded flat on the sand
You caved in and collapsed, curling away from Sonya, the stars, and everyone else. Sand irritated your wound, and your blood stained it in returned. You couldn't care less.
After all that, you were still going to Mortal Kombat.
The momentary solitude ended with warm hands wrapped prying your arm from your face. On the other side, revealed a dispirited Kung Lao. The guilt gnawed from your stomach, but you were too out of it to say anything. He guided you wordlessly to the infirmary. From there, Liu and Cole primarily looked at the damage caused by the fight.
Sonya primarily had her eyes on you, as Cole and Jax looked over her wounds. You stared back, but you would've stared at the wall regardless. You split her lip and cut the skin on her cheek and forehead. Being so far away, reminded you of being a preschooler on time out.
A sudden prick through your thigh woke you from your stupor. As you lie on your right side, Liu was speaking to you while carefully inserting metal rods in your skin.
"Due to how little time we had left, we were hoping Miss Blade could help you unlock your Arcana," Liu explained. Out of everyone in the room, Cole was the only one who looked shocked. You dared to peak at Kung Lao— what a waste of time, he must think. Your self loathing gets interrupted by a bright light and burning heat.
A whimper escaped you, but you tried to push it down. Kung Lao offers his hand and you grab it on reflex. Your eyes stung underneath your lids, but you had no tears left to cry. When it's over, you released Kung Lao's hand, and let the emptiness wash over you again.
Breaking the silence from her side of the room, Sonya calls out your name. You hummed weakly in response.
"You know I was just trying to help you, right?" The bruises on her neck were already starting to form, along with underneath her eye. You have no clue when you would've gave her that.
Your eyes fluttered shut and you nodded.
"Are we still friends," she asked. The sound of everything else disappeared.
Hey I loved your recent Kenshi headcanons can you write more Kenshi headcanons with a s/o who has anxiety?
🐉 𝐌𝐊𝟏 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒/𝐎 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐱𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲
Another request from anon with our beloved former yakuza Kenshi. Honestly, most of the requests I get are from anonymous people. But honestly, I don't mind. I'll slowly get back to writing my own stuff that isn't requests.
Remember, if you have such a "problems", you're not alone. It's okay to have someone who will support you and be with you ❤.
⚠️ s/o has anxiety, Kenshi is a loving and supportive boyfriend, hurt/comfort I guess
▪️Kenshi notices your anxiety long before you ever admit it. He can't see your expressions, but he hears the way your breathing changes, the nervous tapping of your fingers, and the tiny hesitation in your voice.
▪️He never tells you to "calm down." He knows it isn't that simple.
▪️Instead, he'll quietly ask, "Do you want company, or do you need some space?" He lets you choose.
▪️During particularly anxious moments, he'll gently take your hand and rub slow circles across your knuckles. It's subtle, grounding, and never forceful.
▪️Kenshi has an incredibly calm voice. When your thoughts start spiraling, he'll keep talking to you in that steady tone until your breathing begins to match his.
▪️If crowds overwhelm you, he'll naturally position himself between you and everyone else, creating a small pocket of personal space without making a scene.
▪️He's patient when you need reassurance. Even if you've asked the same question three times, he'll answer with the same warmth every time.
"Yes. I'm still here."
▪️If you apologize for being "too much," he immediately shakes his head.
"You're not a burden. You're someone I love."
▪️He learns your triggers over time and quietly prepares for them. He'll suggest leaving early, choose quieter places, or make sure you always have an exit if things become overwhelming.
▪️Kenshi isn't overly affectionate in public, but when he notices you're anxious, he'll lightly brush his thumb against your hand or rest a reassuring hand on your back.
▪️Nighttime anxiety is when he becomes the softest.
▪️If you wake from a nightmare or can't stop your thoughts from racing, he'll sit beside you until you fall asleep again, telling quiet stories from his travels or simply letting the silence be comforting instead of lonely.
▪️On difficult days, he never pressures you to be productive.
"One step today is enough."
▪️He celebrates every victory, no matter how small.
- Answering a phone call.
- Going outside.
- Speaking up.
▪️Each one earns a proud smile from him.
▪️If someone mocks your anxiety, Kenshi becomes frighteningly calm. He doesn't raise his voice—he simply makes it very clear that disrespecting you won't be tolerated.
▪️His favorite way to comfort you is simply existing beside you. Reading. Meditating. Drinking tea. No expectations. Just reminding you that you never have to face your fears alone.
▪️Eventually, you realize something beautiful: even when your own mind tells you you're alone, Kenshi never lets you forget that you aren't.
"Whatever you're fighting inside your mind... you don't have to fight it by yourself anymore."
To add on to my recent ask can you also write Johnny Cage headcanons with a s/o who has anxiety?
🐉 𝐌𝐊𝟏 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐧𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐒/𝐎 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐱𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲
We already had Kenshi from S/O who has anxiety, so it was time for Johnny Cage, who in my opinion is the true diva of Mortal Kombat.
I have one more request left in my inbox. So I'll just get these two requests sorted and be done with it. Remember you can send me requests for more than just Mortal Kombat, right? And you can also send me NSFW requests.
⚠️ s/o has anxiety, Johnny is a loving, goofy and supportive boyfriend, hurt/comfort I guess
🔹At first, Johnny mistakes your nervous habits for shyness. Once he realizes it's anxiety, he immediately starts learning how to support you instead of trying to "fix" you.
🔹He's naturally goofy, but he quickly learns when you need laughter and when you just need quiet company.
🔹Johnny never makes fun of your anxiety. The only thing he'll joke about is himself if it gets a smile out of you.
🔹If he notices you're getting overwhelmed in public, he'll casually suggest leaving before things become too much.
"Hey... wanna ditch this place? I know a spot with way less people and way better snacks."
🔹He's surprisingly observant. He notices the leg bouncing. The way you start picking at your sleeves. The quieter voice. The forced smile.
🔹The moment he notices, his attention is completely on you. Johnny gives a lot of verbal reassurance.
"You're okay."
"I'm here."
"We've got this."
🔹If your anxiety convinces you that you've embarrassed yourself, Johnny is quick to shut those thoughts down.
"Trust me, babe. Nobody remembers that. Besides, if anyone's embarrassing themselves around here, it's definitely me."
🔹He loves distracting you with ridiculous stories from movie sets. Half of them are true. The other half become more dramatic every time he tells them.
🔹When you're having a panic attack, the jokes disappear. His voice becomes gentle. He stays close but never crowds you.
🔹He reminds you to breathe without sounding demanding.
🔹If you need something to focus on, he'll quietly place one of his rings or sunglasses in your hands.
"Here. Hold these for me. They're expensive, so no pressure."
🔹It's his playful way of helping you ground yourself.
🔹Johnny is incredibly affectionate. Hugs from behind. Forehead kisses. Holding your hand whenever you're comfortable with it. Resting his chin on your shoulder just because he can.
🔹If you cancel plans because your anxiety is overwhelming, he doesn't get upset.
"Movie marathon at home instead? Sounds like a pretty great date to me."
🔹He becomes fiercely protective if someone belittles your anxiety.
"You don't have to understand what they're going through. You just have to respect it."
🔹He celebrates your progress with genuine excitement.
🔹Every small victory earns an enthusiastic high-five, a proud grin, or a dramatic standing ovation that makes you laugh despite yourself.
🔹Sometimes your anxious thoughts convince you that he'll get tired of you. Johnny doesn't even hesitate. He cups your face, looks you in the eyes, and says,
"Listen to me. You're stuck with me. I chose you, and I'd choose you again every single day."
🔹Beneath all the jokes, movie-star confidence, and cocky one-liners is someone who loves deeply.
🔹And when it comes to you, Johnny will always remind you that anxiety doesn't make you difficult to love, it just means you'll never have to face it alone.
"Hey... wanna ditch this place? I know a spot with way less people and way better snacks."
"Listen to me. You're stuck with me. I chose you, and I'd choose you again every single day."
These are ludicrously sweet 💙💙
Especially the second Quote, it reminds me of Never Ever Getting Rid of Me from Waitress. It wouldn’t surprise me if Johnny (being the theater nerd he is) would put on the performance or pick out this song in the soundtrack, point, and say “look that’s us right there”
The first rule of fandom is have fun. The second rule of fandom is find an enabler and become an enabler. Yes you should write that fic. What if it was even hornier? What if it was angstier? What if you wrote it just for me?
Liu has a flare for dramatics. Waiting for someone to comment on there being no door before activating the door, invading Sonya’s personal space when saying “there will be no mercy”
He totally saw Kano steal the amulet but decided to continue his monologue before scolding him.
Liu even has a dramatic entrance for entering his Father Figure’s room (it gives the same vibe as a child asking if their friend can sleepover)
Straight to The Point
While being welcoming, Liu doesn’t hesitate to get straight to the point about how deadly the tournament is and how little time there is left to train.
When Cole says Sonya is “one of us" Liu Kang raises his hand before he interrupts him and explains how Sonya would be a "liability" without a marking. Liability is a strong word, but unlike Kung Lao who seems like he doesn't want to be the bearer of bad news, Liu Kang has no problem getting into the nitty gritty of the rule.
When Liu takes over insulting Kano, it reads different than when Kung Lao does it. As mentioned in the first post, it sounds like a sincere question first, then it sounds like he's trying to speak Kano's language by comparing him to an aggressive bunny, but when he tells Kano he SHOULD be angry, it sounds like he was planning to go into details if it weren't for Kung Lao finally deciding to choose violence
Act First, Then Talk
Instead of telling Kano to stop when he sees the knife pulled out, he goes immediately for the fireball. Throwing fire at someone as a warning shot can go very badly, so he would’ve had to figure out how to control the temp to not bbq someone. Fireball is first occurrence of Liu acting first before speaking.
He has the same approach when it comes to Subzero and Kabal. Whenever he faces a new threat, he doesn't attempt to ask questions or speak at all.
“You must fight without question” definitely describes his act first, speak after approach
Grounding through Tactile Stimulation (Beads and Shoulder Touches)
Liu puts a hand on Kano’s shoulder before saying “there’s much to learn” after Kano’s questions. I think that Liu sees touch as a soothing gesture, and was trying to calm Kano down. He also touches Sonya’s shoulder soon after. She seems to be processing what’s going on as well.
Liu clutches the meditation beads when Sonya see Jax and he has to explain Jax's condition
Liu fiddles with beads after Shang Tsung and Co. are banished and Kano brings up the powers again. This is the first time we see him do this as a self-soothing gesture as opposed to just holding them
Kung Lao puts a hand on Liu’s shoulder after saving him. Liu is visibly frightened at the near death experience and reaches out to Kung Lao to steady himself. He doesn't bounce back from the shock quickly, and looks visibly terrified.
After grounding himself, Liu put on his game face and is ready to fight. This time Liu doesn’t throw a fireball automatically. I think it’s a mixture of still processing what to do and Lao being there. I bet if Kung Lao would’ve jumped into action first then Liu would’ve followed
Liu rubs his fingers on the beads as a tactile stim after Kung Lao slices Cole's arm in the fight. This time Liu was already standing as he watched. Based on the other times he rubs his thumbs over the beads, as opposed to just grasping it, he most likely got anxious when Cole got hurt, if not when the fight started with Kung Lao's hand on his hat
Liu collapses with his hand on Kung Lao’s hat. While Sonya kneels to his level, it breaks my heart that no one offers Liu a physical form of comfort, like “SOMEBODY place a hand on his shoulder RIGHT NOW”. The only thing grounding him rn is Lao’s hat, in comparison to earlier in the movie when Lao was stabilizing a visibly shaken Liu after he almost got killed by Subzero.
Liu places pressure on his own hands, probably to replicate the grounding sensation. The beads also fall on his hand when he’s taking out the headband
Visible Emotions
Excitement
Covered in my first post about Liu's Identity, but the run down is: Liu is excited to finally see other people like him, who he can form a kinship with.
Shock/Panic
As mentioned before, the first instance of legit panic is seen after he's saved by Kung Lao in the Subzero fight. It's interesting to note that he struggled to bounce back from it quickly and attempted ground himself by touching Kung Lao's torso, but even his attempt of reaching out was unsteady if you look at his hand.y
Liu is visibly surprised when Cole takes Kung Lao down, like he didn't think of the possibility that Kung Lao could lose against Cole at all. Especially after what Raiden said about Cole not being physically or mentally fit.
Despite seeing Kano get more and more infuriated, Liu is aghast when Kano's anger at being insulted unlocks his Arcana. His puts his beads around his hand again rolls his thumb over the rows apprehensively as the scene ends
Liu looks terrified hearing Kung Lao in danger. Given how much he admires Kung Lao and sees him as a superior, he never thought a time would come where Kung Lao would need to be saved. He probably never heard Kung Lao scream like that before in his life
Liu not automatically attacking Shang Tsung and resorting helplessly crying out for Kung Lao reminds me of Smallville when Johnathan Kent has a heart attack and Clark (who has faced many villains before) shuts down not knowing what to do to help his dad. I know people criticize this scene a lot because “throw a fireball” but after hyper analyzing Liu for 4 hours it becomes completely understandable why all rational thought went out the window when seeing Kung Lao half dead and dying. I think the editing for the scene massively undercuts the desperation because of how drawn out it is in slow motion. If the scene was time accurate I think it would’ve conveyed how little time Liu had.
Despondency and Tuning Out
When UPSET Liu tends to zone out if stimming isn't helping enough:
He is so happy to show Raiden his new friends. He’s smiling until the second he sees Raiden’s disappointment. Liu’s face falls instantly. As Raiden berates Cole and Sonya, Liu becomes despondent and mentally disengages with his surroundings (outside of briefly dodging the lightning shot at Kano)
For most of the scene in the pocket dimension Liu doesn't speak and is focusing on grounding himself with the hat
He looks despondent when Raiden says that they were victorious that day, at the end of the movie
Veiled Anger
Liu calmly describes his tragic background as a "worthless stray" who was picked up, "half-dead in the gutter", and given a community in a way that is nearly 100% matter-of-fact. He looks at Cole with warmth in his eyes UNTIL he gets to the Child Trafficker. Liu has a major shift in demeanor, his eyes go dark and he looks past Cole as he dissociates reliving that day. Unfortunately, that was while Liu was cauterizing Cole's wound, so instead of using his normal Dark Orange fire, his anguish from that day increases the temperature of the fire— turning it WHITE. It's not enough that Liu had already killed this man. The amount of STRIFE Liu has is present. What's unnerving about this in particular, how good he is at concealing his anger from his face.
When trying to understand Kano's attitude leads to Kano insulting him and Kung Lao, that's when Liu shows how infuriated he is by throwing his chopsticks down. After reacting with anger, though, Liu's next instinct is to run his hands over his meditation beads to calm himself down. After Kano is sarcastic with him again, that's when he decides to push further and invades Kano’s space.
VINDICATION, I TELL YOU @pierrot-parables YOU DID IT AGAIN, SLAYYYYYYY 🫰😭🫰 i cried reading the notes because i felt it smsmsmsm. it echoed smsmsms what i felt every re-watch!!! thank you, thank you, thank you, these notes are so very dear to me!! 😤🫶🫶🫶
Disclaimer: The Names of the WIPS are liable to change.
Please Don’t Test Me - Complete 7/15/26
MK2021 Kung Lao x F!Reader.
Summary: After the events of Please Don’t Notice Me, Kung Lao put himself in charge of making you physically ready for the upcoming Tournament. After a few days, he and Liu Kang make you do a pressure test
After Life PT. 2
Unspecified Liu Kang x Psychopomp F!Reader
Summary: After Liu learns he’s dead, he has questions for you before you take him to the next life— he learns you met him before MANY times
Next Life
MK1 Lord Liu Kang x Psychopomp F!Reader
Summary: Your favorite human becomes God of a new timeline, meaning he can see you, a Lady of Death, any time he wants. Surprisingly, it’s quite often
MY Half
MK1 Bi Han x Edenian Wife!Reader
Summary: On the night of Bi Han and your’s 5-year Wedding Anniversary Celebration, you VERY publicly declare to the Lin Kuei you want a divorce!
Commiserating
MK1 Johnny Cage x Bi Han’s Edenian Prospective Warlord Wife!Reader
Summary: After dramatically announcing your want for divorce to Bi Han, Lord Liu Kang and Queen Sindel (your “Aunt”) are worried about the peace between Earthrealm and Outworld. Lord Liu Kang must send an Ambassador in Earthrealm’s place to speak to you, and prevent war. He chose (recently divorced) Johnny Cage
Thinking about God!Liu Kang waking up before the sun, groggy and half awake, and walking into the kitchen making two small serving of breakfast and two small pots of tea—a more bitter and earthy blend for Kung Lao and a local tea that carries a more delicate and floral flavor to it for himself—setting everything down, and waiting for Kung Lao to walk down the hall to eat. He slept later than him, but not too much that they couldn’t share a nice breakfast before their duties.
But then his mind catches up to him.
His Kung Lao is worlds away, ruling his own timeline. The Kung Lao in this world doesn’t like this tea blend, and prefers a larger breakfast than this. This Kung Lao eats with Raiden and the other champions. This Kung Lao sees him as no more than a mentor. This Kung Lao isn’t his brother, his friend, nor a fellow champion.
He is a god, and keeper of time. He isn’t who he used to be, and he doesn’t have his brother beside him. He eats alone, staring at his brothers meal. He wonders if his brother does this too, or does he eat with the champions too?
A/N: I’m playing around with this concept, I might make it into a fic collection/anthology with different alternate universes of Liu, and/or make this a precursor to God Liu Kang x Psychopomp Reader.
"Hello, Liu Kang."
Liu Kang awoke from his nightmare gasping for air. Instead of waking up in his bed, he was met with darkness he's never experienced before. He looked frantically around him. There were many specks of light in the distance, yet there was nothing the light touched. It didn't even reach him.
Liu tried pushing himself from the ground, but his hands couldn't find a surface.
"Let me help you," the same soothing voice that woke him spoke again. A woman with a serene smile passed from behind him and offered him a hand. "It's a bit disorienting, I know, but let's get you on your feet."
"Thank you," Liu took her hand and allowed himself to be pulled up.
"You're welcome, Liu Kang." It was this time, he noticed how his helper's calm voice seemed to overlap and reverberated on itself. It was if the voice traveled down three tunnels at the same time to meet him on the other side.
"How do you know my name?" His voice had no such effect.
"All things meet us eventually."
Life flashed before his eyes. Stopping at the moment his neck snapped, and he released his final breath. Marking the moment he met his end.
"I'm..." Liu Kang looked to you for confirmation. He needed to know this wasn't some cruel trick by Shang Tsung. It was then he noticed, he hadn't inhaled air once after waking up. Because there was no air. No ground. No warmth. No cold. No pain.
Nothing, but specks of starlight in the far distance— and you. Brows furrowed at him with sympathy and a sad smile.
hihi!!! it’s me again :3 i read the angst liu kang oneshot you did over and over again ughhh you wrote it so good and it hurt me PERFECTLY
so of course im going to ask for more HAHAHSH
can i request you write another liu kang x reader fic where reader has a sickness that makes them have a weak body so they often have difficulty doing simple things without getting hurt or exhausted and then liu kang just dotes and comforts them?
just a bit of angst but mostly fluff hehehe
i love ur angsty reqs 🥹 i will gladly do any u ask of me mwuahahaha, tbf tho this is a very sweet ask ngl
Pairing(s): Liu Kang x Sick!Reader
Warnings: fluff, chronic illness, comfort, implied mental health struggles
A/N: i've really been wantin to try sea grapes lately and idk man, they look interestin
Masterlist
Chronic fatigue.
A symptom your body constantly exuded, no matter how hard you tried to combat the conditions causing it.
It was frustrating, humiliating and entirely exhausting.
Something as simple as walking for too long or carrying something just a little too heavy would leave you breathless, your limbs aching, your body trembling as if it had been pushed far past its limits by the smallest tasks.
You hated it.
Hated how weak your body felt in those moments.
But it couldn’t be helped.
You forced yourself to smile through it, refusing to complain, refusing to show the way exhaustion clung to you. You pushed through the fatigue that threatened to take hold of your body, ignoring the quiet protests it gave and the voices of concern around you.
Because you could accept being anything but useless.
For gods’ sake—there were people out there fighting with their lives to keep the peace of your world.
The least you could do was carry a glass of water from one room to another.
Despite your best efforts, there were still days where you were forced to be bedridden, your body shutting down so completely it felt lifeless.
Days where all you could manage was turning your head from one side of the bed to the other, your limbs refusing even the simplest commands to move, to sit, to try.
In those moments, you hated your body even more.
You felt weaker than you ever had, your mind spiraling endlessly, circling the same cruel thought over and over—that you were useless, that you couldn’t even manage something as small as lifting a finger.
And in those moments, you couldn’t help but cry silently to yourself.
You had lived with this your entire life, but that didn’t make it easier. It didn’t soften the frustration, or the helplessness, or the quiet grief that settled deep in your chest.
Sometimes your thoughts dragged you somewhere darker, somewhere harder to escape from.
And the worst part?
Even if you wanted to do something—anything, your body wouldn’t let you.
It betrayed you there, too.
Somehow, it was as if Liu Kang had a natural instinct attuned to you, always knowing when you fell into moments like these. His presence appear follow not long after you woke, quiet but certain.
A soft knock pulled you from your spiraling thoughts, his voice following soon after, gentle and warm.
“Good morning, Y/n. May I enter?”
You remained silent for a moment, gathering yourself, pushing everything down before answering just as softly.
“Yes, Lord Liu. Please come in.”
There was a brief pause before the door slowly opened, Liu Kang stepping inside, a warm smile already forming the moment his eyes landed on you.
“Hello,” he greeted gently. “How are you feeling?”
You gave a small shrug, offering nothing of substance.
Yet the knowing look he gave you told you he already understood the answer you didn’t say.
You let out a small huff, avoiding his gaze as you glanced around the room, feigning nonchalance.
You felt the bed dip slightly before you turned back toward him, his hand already resting warmly over your ankle through the blankets.
“I was wondering if you would like to share some tea with me,” he murmured. “Perhaps breakfast as well?”
You hesitated, biting your lip, uncertainty flickering across your face.
“I, um… I don’t think today is a good day,” you mumbled weakly.
His thumb brushed over your ankle absentmindedly, a soft hum leaving him.
“I do not mind having tea and breakfast here,” he reassured gently. “It is quite alright with me. And I do not mind carrying you, either.”
He paused for a moment, a faint smile touching his lips.
“I recently discovered a field not far from here. I believe you would enjoy the view,” he added thoughtfully.
Your chest warmed at his words, something soft blooming at the quiet kindness in them, at the way he so easily found alternatives just to spend time with you.
“That’s very kind of you, Lord Liu—”
“Just Liu,” he interrupted gently. “There is no need to be so formal when it is only us.”
His voice softened on the last word.
“Ah—well… um… Liu…” you corrected yourself, a little awkwardly. “There’s really no need to go through all that. I’m sure one of the others would love to accompany you.”
You hesitated, your voice trailing off as your gaze dropped.
“Besides… my body isn’t exactly cooperating with me today…”
A quiet, self-deprecating laugh slipped past your lips.
His hand drifted up, gently taking yours in his, his thumb brushing softly over your knuckles.
“I have no interest in being in the company of another,” he said carefully, though there was a firmness beneath his words that made it clear he meant it. “And perhaps your body and your mind are not in agreement today, but that will not stop me from spending time with you… only if you’ll allow it.”
You let out a shaky breath, a small smile forming on your lips at the quiet reassurance in his voice.
“Okay,” you said softly. “I’d love to see the field, then.”
Liu Kang helped you get ready, calling in a few monks to assist in washing and dressing you before carefully lifting you into his arms, portal opening with warm light spilling through as he carried you both to your destination.
You spent the rest of the morning admiring the field he had spoken of, your eyes softening in wonder, lips parting slightly in awe as a sense of calm washed over you the moment he laid you down on a blanket that had already been set.
Gentle conversation followed, easy and unhurried. He told you about his previous day, how the champions were doing, small grievances he had encountered, and amusing little stories that drew soft chuckles from him as he spoke.
And you sat there, entranced by the timbre of his voice, the warmth of it slowly easing the tension in your chest, soothing your anxious thoughts little by little.
He fed you small pieces of fruit from the basket he had brought, a teasing smile tugging at his lips as you pouted when he nudged a slice of mandarin against your lips.
“Do you require a different approach?” he asked, clearly amused. “Come now—here comes the plane, open wide.”
You gave him a deadpanned stare.
“You’re impossible,” you murmured, though you still opened your mouth to accept the slice.
He laughed at that, the sound warm and unrestrained, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “And yet, it still worked, did it not?”
You both finished the rest of the food at a leisurely pace, basking in the warmth of the rising sun before Liu eventually shifted, beginning to gather everything.
You moved as well, slower, your body still weak but noticeably steadier than it had been that morning.
Liu extended a hand toward you, helping you up with ease before wrapping an arm around your waist to keep you steady.
“Lord Liu, th—”
He gave you a look.
“Ehh… Liu…” you corrected quickly, warmth rising to your cheeks. “What about the food? Let me help pick it up.”
He shook his head.
“There is no need. I can return for it later… or perhaps send Johnny to do so,” he added with a small shrug.
You let out a soft laugh, gently poking at his chest. “My, sending one of your champions on clean-up duty? What kind of Fire Lord are you, hmm?”
He rolled his eyes at your teasing, though there was no real bite to it as he lifted you into his arms once more.
He began the walk back toward the temple, making you raise a brow.
“No portal?”
“If I do that,” he murmured, “I will not be able to spend more time with you.”
“Oh, you…” you squeaked shyly, lightly smacking his chest before hiding your face in the crook of his neck, feeling the quiet rumble of his laughter beneath you.
“Only what my starlight deserves,” he whispered, his grip tightening just slightly before he continued forward.
Truly, you could never be more grateful to have him in your life.
I’m tempted to write MK1 Fire God! Liu Kang x Psychopomp Reader
You were there to guide him to the next life (whether that’s Heavenrealm or reincarnation) across many timelines and universes when he died. This time around, he becomes the Fire God and Keeper of Time in the new universe so he slowly remembers certain times he’s met you before
He finds comfort in speaking to you, since you are one of the only ones who’d know about the previous timeline, and he gets lonely
Liu has a flare for dramatics. Waiting for someone to comment on there being no door before activating the door, invading Sonya’s personal space when saying “there will be no mercy”
He totally saw Kano steal the amulet but decided to continue his monologue before scolding him.
Liu even has a dramatic entrance for entering his Father Figure’s room (it gives the same vibe as a child asking if their friend can sleepover)
Straight to The Point
While being welcoming, Liu doesn’t hesitate to get straight to the point about how deadly the tournament is and how little time there is left to train.
When Cole says Sonya is “one of us" Liu Kang raises his hand before he interrupts him and explains how Sonya would be a "liability" without a marking. Liability is a strong word, but unlike Kung Lao who seems like he doesn't want to be the bearer of bad news, Liu Kang has no problem getting into the nitty gritty of the rule.
When Liu takes over insulting Kano, it reads different than when Kung Lao does it. As mentioned in the first post, it sounds like a sincere question first, then it sounds like he's trying to speak Kano's language by comparing him to an aggressive bunny, but when he tells Kano he SHOULD be angry, it sounds like he was planning to go into details if it weren't for Kung Lao finally deciding to choose violence
Act First, Then Talk
Instead of telling Kano to stop when he sees the knife pulled out, he goes immediately for the fireball. Throwing fire at someone as a warning shot can go very badly, so he would’ve had to figure out how to control the temp to not bbq someone. Fireball is first occurrence of Liu acting first before speaking.
He has the same approach when it comes to Subzero and Kabal. Whenever he faces a new threat, he doesn't attempt to ask questions or speak at all.
“You must fight without question” definitely describes his act first, speak after approach
Grounding through Tactile Stimulation (Beads and Shoulder Touches)
Liu puts a hand on Kano’s shoulder before saying “there’s much to learn” after Kano’s questions. I think that Liu sees touch as a soothing gesture, and was trying to calm Kano down. He also touches Sonya’s shoulder soon after. She seems to be processing what’s going on as well.
Liu clutches the meditation beads when Sonya see Jax and he has to explain Jax's condition
Liu fiddles with beads after Shang Tsung and Co. are banished and Kano brings up the powers again. This is the first time we see him do this as a self-soothing gesture as opposed to just holding them
Kung Lao puts a hand on Liu’s shoulder after saving him. Liu is visibly frightened at the near death experience and reaches out to Kung Lao to steady himself. He doesn't bounce back from the shock quickly, and looks visibly terrified.
After grounding himself, Liu put on his game face and is ready to fight. This time Liu doesn’t throw a fireball automatically. I think it’s a mixture of still processing what to do and Lao being there. I bet if Kung Lao would’ve jumped into action first then Liu would’ve followed
Liu rubs his fingers on the beads as a tactile stim after Kung Lao slices Cole's arm in the fight. This time Liu was already standing as he watched. Based on the other times he rubs his thumbs over the beads, as opposed to just grasping it, he most likely got anxious when Cole got hurt, if not when the fight started with Kung Lao's hand on his hat
Liu collapses with his hand on Kung Lao’s hat. While Sonya kneels to his level, it breaks my heart that no one offers Liu a physical form of comfort, like “SOMEBODY place a hand on his shoulder RIGHT NOW”. The only thing grounding him rn is Lao’s hat, in comparison to earlier in the movie when Lao was stabilizing a visibly shaken Liu after he almost got killed by Subzero.
Liu places pressure on his own hands, probably to replicate the grounding sensation. The beads also fall on his hand when he’s taking out the headband
Visible Emotions
Excitement
Covered in my first post about Liu's Identity, but the run down is: Liu is excited to finally see other people like him, who he can form a kinship with.
Shock/Panic
As mentioned before, the first instance of legit panic is seen after he's saved by Kung Lao in the Subzero fight. It's interesting to note that he struggled to bounce back from it quickly and attempted ground himself by touching Kung Lao's torso, but even his attempt of reaching out was unsteady if you look at his hand.y
Liu is visibly surprised when Cole takes Kung Lao down, like he didn't think of the possibility that Kung Lao could lose against Cole at all. Especially after what Raiden said about Cole not being physically or mentally fit.
Despite seeing Kano get more and more infuriated, Liu is aghast when Kano's anger at being insulted unlocks his Arcana. His puts his beads around his hand again rolls his thumb over the rows apprehensively as the scene ends
Liu looks terrified hearing Kung Lao in danger. Given how much he admires Kung Lao and sees him as a superior, he never thought a time would come where Kung Lao would need to be saved. He probably never heard Kung Lao scream like that before in his life
Liu not automatically attacking Shang Tsung and resorting helplessly crying out for Kung Lao reminds me of Smallville when Johnathan Kent has a heart attack and Clark (who has faced many villains before) shuts down not knowing what to do to help his dad. I know people criticize this scene a lot because “throw a fireball” but after hyper analyzing Liu for 4 hours it becomes completely understandable why all rational thought went out the window when seeing Kung Lao half dead and dying. I think the editing for the scene massively undercuts the desperation because of how drawn out it is in slow motion. If the scene was time accurate I think it would’ve conveyed how little time Liu had.
Despondency and Tuning Out
When UPSET Liu tends to zone out if stimming isn't helping enough:
He is so happy to show Raiden his new friends. He’s smiling until the second he sees Raiden’s disappointment. Liu’s face falls instantly. As Raiden berates Cole and Sonya, Liu becomes despondent and mentally disengages with his surroundings (outside of briefly dodging the lightning shot at Kano)
For most of the scene in the pocket dimension Liu doesn't speak and is focusing on grounding himself with the hat
He looks despondent when Raiden says that they were victorious that day, at the end of the movie
Veiled Anger
Liu calmly describes his tragic background as a "worthless stray" who was picked up, "half-dead in the gutter", and given a community in a way that is nearly 100% matter-of-fact. He looks at Cole with warmth in his eyes UNTIL he gets to the Child Trafficker. Liu has a major shift in demeanor, his eyes go dark and he looks past Cole as he dissociates reliving that day. Unfortunately, that was while Liu was cauterizing Cole's wound, so instead of using his normal Dark Orange fire, his anguish from that day increases the temperature of the fire— turning it WHITE. It's not enough that Liu had already killed this man. The amount of STRIFE Liu has is present. What's unnerving about this in particular, how good he is at concealing his anger from his face.
When trying to understand Kano's attitude leads to Kano insulting him and Kung Lao, that's when Liu shows how infuriated he is by throwing his chopsticks down. After reacting with anger, though, Liu's next instinct is to run his hands over his meditation beads to calm himself down. After Kano is sarcastic with him again, that's when he decides to push further and invades Kano’s space.
Aren't all Shaolin monks also Zen Buddhist ones..? OR DO THEY JUST FOLLOW DIFFERENT VOWS?
I genuinely feel like an idiot every time I try to understand these things I SWEAR, I keep reading it and still don't get it when it comes to the monks 😭
Honestly the more research I did, the more confused I got, but it seems like it’s a Venn Diagram situation.
Zen Buddhist monks don’t get Married.
Shaolin is an offshoot of Buddhist teachings with heavier martial arts involvement, if you were to be a TRUE Ordained Monk then you have the vow of celibacy along with other vows… like NONVIOLENCE. Otherwise you would be a Shaolin Practitioner
Admittedly, I may have phrased it wonky in my fic (and probably will edit it), but the point would still stand:
If the Great Kung Lao was a TRUE Ordained Monk, present day Kung Lao would not be there. If Kung Lao was an Ordained Monk, he should not be allowed to fight in Mortal Kombat, or do fatalities at all.
Kung Lao x F!Reader (Movie Version)
WC: 551
A/N: The second draft of the next installment of "Please Don't..." is throwing me for a loop, so here's unrelated fluff in the meantime!
In a secluded garden near Raiden's Temple, Kung Lao and you lied on warm grass having just finished lunch. The breeze was pleasant and invited a peaceful when there wasn't much more to say. It's been happening more and more lately.
The relationship was still relatively new— almost reaching four months. It was still growing and budding… There was just an unprecedented challenge you weren't prepared for. There were times where you and Kung Lao would lock eyes, and you were alone… and the mood seemed just right, but one does not simply kiss their boyfriend when he's a monk. And you almost did it again minutes ago!
It was important to respect his values, though, so you had to stay strong. No matter how kissable his face was!
That was exactly what you reminded yourself before hearing Kung Lao call for your attention. "We've been together for a good while now. If you ask me, everything has been going very well," he smiled at you as he sat up. Normally you would've been happy to hear those words on their own, however they sounded contemplative. "But when we get close— like we were before, you pull away. The strange thing is you look disappointed when you do. I understand if you need time, but is there a reason?"
You rocked back and forth from where you sat, thinking of how to say you've been wanting to kiss him without sounding like a jerk. "Well, I don't want to put pressure on you— considering your vows."
"My vows…?" His brow furrowed and he past you like the he was trying to read fine print in the wind.
"Yeah, the— um, y'know?" You asked shaking your hand in the air. Your boyfriend's face made no change from the confused expression from before. "The celibacy one?"
"Oh," Kung Lao paused then erupted with laughter. Now you were the confused one! "Here you are, worried about corrupting me; and I thought you were being shy!" Heat rose to the surface of your skin as he clutched his stomach and fell back. You never heard him laugh so hard. He looked up at you from the ground, "If the Great Kung Lao was a monk, did you think he had a celibacy vow as well?"
You covered your face and curled into yourself in mortification. The correct answer was: 'of course not'. Because otherwise, your boyfriend wouldn't be alive to make fun of you right now.
The laughter quieted as your boyfriend cooed, "Wait, no, no— I'm sorry. Don't be embarrassed." The grass rustled and his pulled you closer to him. His body trembled as he tried to suppress any remaining laughs at your expense. "It was very sweet of you trying to be considerate of me. However, I'm a Shaolin practitioner, not a Zen Buddhist monk." You pulled away from the hug. Not completely, just enough to see his face. His amused smile was still there, but his eyes were soft as he continued explaining. "Besides that, if I did have that celibacy vow, I would've broken it many months ago by holding your hand."
"Wow, they run a strict program..."
He nodded in agreement. "But again, I have no such vows," your lover stated leaning closer. "So, you can kiss me anytime you want…"
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