An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
There was a bag pulled onto a bed and quick shuffling through the small quarters. The Wu Shi Academy had been a home to many for the past few months, but some felt it was their time to move on. Kenshi moved through the room to the dresser to empty it. It was long overdue that he returned to Japan. Loose ends had been tied up as far as he could help with the realms; it was time he moved on. Mental exhaustion had begun seeping into the man. He grew sick of the attention he received from his kombatants.
He could feel their eyes on him; he heard their comments; the doubt was all around him. He could prove himself time and time again, but it still wasn’t enough. Before, it had been only Johnny’s taunting he had to suffer through. Now it felt like the realms viewed him as a child.
Fight after fight, the doubt only came to his eyesight. He could handle himself fine, if not better, with Sento. The gift of telepathy had been given along with his new eyesight. It was something his opponents often overlooked. He knew his skills better than anyone, but that did not stop the onslaught of attention.
Being raised around the cruelties of the Yakuza, he learned to hold his own. He had been a cocky teen and gained some attention for it, but it wasn’t as if he didn’t have anything to show for it. He quickly learned that his attitude wasn't fit for the violence he encountered, and that form of attention was not to be encouraged. He wasn’t someone like Johnny Cage. He didn’t see it as his right to benefit from what surrounded him—from the pain.
He liked the guy; he heard the way he practically doted on him to others, but they held some differences Kenshi couldn’t ignore. The actor loved any and all attention directed at him. He knew this from his previous attempts to taunt Johnny. He couldn’t help but let his frustration towards him be known. Or that’s how it was, at least, and while yes, Cage got defensive, he hung close to him regardless, like a sliver on his side.
Kenshi was not the type for grandeur. He took pride in himself quietly, a sentiment Kung Lao could benefit from. Mr. “A List,” however, brought out his competitive side. He looked at those prior months with amusement. Not much had changed in that regard, but the dynamic had shifted. It was a welcomed adjustment, but he was still growing accustomed to the lack of malice in the others teasing. Hell, he could actually stand to be in Cage’s presence. It was a shame it took him losing his eyesight, but to Kenshi, it was hardly a loss.
He couldn’t understand why it was such a focal point for others. It had no impact on his training or abilities. Perhaps his kombatants needed a focus point to expose his weakness, but that was a failure on their part. He would never allow such a disadvantage to be so known. Even Liu Kang hadn’t seemed very concerned beyond the initial injury. Partly due to some divine knowledge, but he knew of the swordsman’s skills.
Though Johnny had a very different reaction than Takahashi had expected, he still knew the other man didn’t think any less of him after the change. That was what made it all odd. Cage had been with him during the entire ordeal, as had Kung Lao, but he’d been the one to personally see to it that Kenshi returned safe. Or, well, alive, at least.
The others in their group were happy to let Takahashi continue along; the actor had been the one to hesitate. He hadn’t been offended by any of the uncertainty, even after the fact.
Slowly, he pulled away from the dresser with a sigh. With the rest of his things packed, he sat on his cot beside his bag. Memories of Johnny held him still, unable to drift back to reality from his thoughts. He remembered the way he would look at him when he thought no one was paying attention. He knew how his gaze felt, even when Sento was far from his grasp. He had quickly grown accustomed to how Johnny’s company felt.
The other often hovered nearby. It was as if Kenshi was a magnet, pulling him in. He was uncertain if the other even realized what he had been doing. He hadn’t even realized until the actor had said his goodbyes, a long flight ahead of him back to America, that there was something missing. He felt almost troubled by the realization. He half expected to turn around and see that lost expression on his face, visibly lost in his own head. But, alas, he was not.
Kenshi struggled to understand why the man looked at him the way he did. It was as if his presence troubled the other man, yet he couldn’t get away from him. Perhaps it would have been easier to know if Johnny had been less defensive of his emotions, but it’s not as if he was the one to speak on that. He was a quiet observer of sorts, and this other man was great literature, begging to be studied. He felt himself audibly groan at the thought, annoyed with the sudden foolishness.
Too much time was spent around the other if he turned to making such comparisons. It wasn’t a movie reference, but it was still beyond cheesy. It was almost as if his attempts to figure out Johnny were leading to his descent into madness. They still felt like two very different people, but if they got along so well, maybe that wasn’t completely true. Still, it didn’t explain the strange behaviour.
What troubled the actor so much when he looked at him but couldn't say? Not even a teasing remark. Was he worried Kenshi would be offended? The thought gave him pause.
Did Johnny feel guilty?
Kenshi dropped his head into his hands, fingers grazing over the fabric that sat over his ears and was tied in the back. New thoughts came up, and he felt a small pit that grew in his stomach. Johnny had been the one to be with him during all the events that led to his blindness. He had been able to push past the event himself but never realized how that stuck with the other man. He remembered pulling Mileena off of him, hands at his throat, with blood lust in her eyes. It was instinct that had kicked in. He knew better than to stand by and do nothing. Even if the roles had been swapped, he knew the other would have done the same.
A grimace washed over his face, and he lifted his head. If he had the chance to do it over again, he would do the same thing he had. Liu Kang knew it was bound to happen one way or another, and that was his burden to carry. Johnny having gotten caught in the crossfire was unfortunate, but it should not leave him with guilt. There was no changing every single fate; Kenshi knew that well from the titan’s explanations. Many experienced the loss of family; this was one loss he could live with.
He bit his lip, and uncertainty rose in him. He felt he had been too late; maybe he and Johnny could have spoken of it. But what was there to say? Was he supposed to apologize for fate? He knew how he probably looked as he was being practically dragged out of Shang Tsung’s laboratory, which was pathetic. But the way Cage spoke to him, urging him to go on and saying that he was worth saving in return, what really could he do?
Johnny was long gone. Not forever, but he felt as if the opportunity had passed. He was no longer at his side, his warm presence a newfound comfort of sorts. A silent confirmation that he was wanted. It felt odd to him, but it was missed. He knew there were other chances to come, but he had to face his family and prove himself. It would be a long time before he’d have another chance, but it was a sacrifice he had to make. Johnny knew as well that this was important to him, and Sento at his side was proof of that. He’d just have to make it up to him.
Kenshi reached for his pocket, where he remembered the note Cage had handed him. He knew what it was, as he had been told not to be a stranger and expected even just a text. A smile started to tug at his lips as he thumbed the small piece of paper. Another small promise. He didn’t know what he’d say, but he promised himself he would find the words. It wouldn’t kill him, and maybe that was all he needed. If he fell, he’d have someone to fall back on.
Johnny Cage in Ken outfit request from insta!!! I recolored this mf like twice !!! I drew him in this same outfit like a month ago but that’s okay he’s very cutie patootie about it 💖
kianamaiart
snowghoul
yousharknotpass
stormborns
baratheonpilled
germansingergirl
theartofmadeline
jacobvanloon
turnnoffyourmind
areudirty
