Seeking Peace - Tomas (+ slight Bi Han) x fem!reader
in which fate turns out a bit differently, and Bi Han seeks peace with you and his family
a/n: YOUR HONOR, TOMAS DESERVES THE WORLD, SO LET MY IMAGINATION ALLOW THEM PEACE PLEASE. I LOVE HIM VERY MUCH, YOUR HONOR, AND HE IS VERY GORGEOUS TO ME
ship[s]: tomas x reader, bi han x reader (past)
warnings: mayhaps a bit of angst, no "y/n" bullsh!t
This will be a long-ish one, so be prepared
You happily walk around the compound, humming a light tune as you stroll through the large home. The wind brushes against the trees softly, the leaves rustling quietly. You can hear the grunts and and shouts of Shirai Ryu initiates in the distance, training hard under the tutelage of either Harumi, Kuai Liang, or Tomas.
Ever since the issue of Shang Tsung, Titan and current timeline, the soul stealers, Armageddon, and the betrayal of Bi Han, things have changed greatly. Splitting from centuries of history, of family, was hard for Tomas and especially Kuai Liang. While Kuai Liang and Bi Han were related, Tomas wasn't, yet he still missed his eldest brother, yearning for his redemption.
However, family still prevailed with the creation of the Shirai Ryu, named after Kuai Liang's wife, Harumi Shirai. She proved a valuable teacher, a wonderful wife, and great friend to you and Tomas. Yet, it could not replace the missing piece of your former beloved.
In the past, when the mission to try and take Shang Tsung into questioning took place, you waited patiently at the Wu Shi academy with Geras, Liu Kang, and the rest the champions of Earthrealm. While they did not know of you, you knew of them due to Bi Han's story of Liu Kang's test. With worry, you paced around the room and your pace quickens, the only calm being Geras's warm hand on your shoulder.
Suddenly, the sound of the portal at the entrance of the academy captured your attention, and all of you rushed to meet the three assassins, but your eyes only saw two.
"Kuai Liang, what is the meaning of this?!" You screeched, your daggers drawn at him, "Why are you two only here? Where is Bi Han?!"
You remember the memory well. Tomas and Kuai Liang took their masks off, and you saw Kuai Liang's scar over his left eye. Tomas's eyes were filled with sadness, and he walks to you weakly before engulfing you in a warm, solemn bear-hug. That was all you needed before you dropped your weapons, accepted his hug, and sobbed into his arms.
You shake your head at the memory, a bit confused over the sudden resurfacing of a memory you thought you had buried and gotten over. You sigh and continue walking, only to be surprised with Tomas's magic. He manifested right in front of you, a bright smile on his face. You're shocked, but you welcome it with an equal action, your eyes crinkle with delight.
"To what do I owe the pleasure, darling husband?" You ask playfully, poking his chest.
He chuckles lightly, "My duties of teaching have been overtaken by sister-in-law, so I decided to find my own darling."
You blush at his flattery. After the events of the old fortress, the betrayal of your ex, Tomas's presence was a great help to you. He kept his distance while you grieved the loss of your former husband, but as you began to heal, his intentions for your heart came bursting forth like fireworks. Wary, you accepted them slowly, and him respecting your boundaries. Overtime, though, your heart warmed again and you began to love him wholeheartedly.
You wrap your arm around his, and walk with him around the compound. You talk about the mundane topics of your new lives: the mention of the initiate Hanzo Hasashi, plans against the Lin Kuei's plots, and what you, Tomas, and the other couple will enjoy for dinner.
Unfortunately, your conversation was cut short as a scout ran up to you and Tomas. He comes with urgency, bowing before he speaks.
"Do not be alarmed, Tomas, sir, but we've received an unprecedented report that...."
You look at him with a tilted head, "Well? What did you have to tell us?"
The ninja looks sheepishly to the side, "Well... your brother, Bi Han, is presently at the front of the compound. No one is by his side, and our scouts surveyed the area that no other Lin Kuei have been spotted within five kilometers of the compound."
You both look at each other and immediately rush to the front, not forgetting your salutations to the ninja. You can feel Tomas's gaze at you, worried and a bit jealous. You don't bother to look at him, though, as emotions you had buried, forgotten, and locked away now bubbled and brewed.
=================
You were spared the sight of Bi Han's capture, the ninjas of the Shirai Ryu bringing him into the courtyard. At Kuai Liang's order, all initiates and staff left the area, retreating to their rooms and private quarters, leaving Bi Han at the mercy of his younger brother, Harumi, Tomas, and you.
Bi Han kneels at the sight of all four of you, his hands bound behind him, his head down, and mask gone. Your heart breaks at the sight, but he had brought this upon himself when he made his choice all those years ago. You feel Tomas's warm, calloused hands intertwine with yours as you face your former lover.
You hiss at him, drawing your daggers towards him "What brings you here, Bi Han? And unarmed? Do you have a death wish?!"
You notice how his eyes are tired, bags dragging them down. There are signs of his stress and aging, the lines over his forehead and mouth area. He looks up at you, and you can see how his eyes change every so slightly, his guard down for once.
"Cyrax and Sektor had betrayed me- I killed them and the Lin Kuei's forces have dwindled to less than half."
You're all shocked, turning to each other to try and understand what you all will do next. You turn back to Bi Han, his eyes remaining on yours.
Kuai Liang speaks this time, "Why tell us then? You made your choice many years ago... why seek us out for such a confession?"
"I come to tell you this because... of reflection," he admitted, his gaze turning away and facing his brothers.
You scoff, frustration transforming into pure anger as you lunged towards him, your daggers at each side of his neck. The cold metal presses into Bi Han's neck lightly, nicks of blood slowly spilling out.
"Have you gone mad?! Reflection?! After what you had done?! To your late father, your brothers... to me! I should have your blood spilled with this nonsense!"
Tears form in your eyes, and through your blurry vision, you see Bi Han's face morph into the rare emotion of sadness and regret.
"What you had done to me," you begin, voice shaky, "What you had done to all of us! You betrayed your family, broke my heart... and you think 'reflection' will help you seek peace?!"
Tomas runs up to you and quickly takes your arms to hold you back, picking you up and taking you away from Bi Han. You're taken aback by Tomas's actions, kicking and writhing in his strong grip, trying to get your vengeance.
"Darling please! We must hear brother out! Look at him- he comes to us without ill-intent! You heard the ninja before, a five kilometer radius and no sign of Lin Kuei."
Kuai Liang sits him up, which Bi Han takes this time to continue, "I had long wished for our clan to do more: more power, ambition, leadership. Our manpower could be used more than just defense, but in offense, in bringing Earthrealm to heights it had not seen in ages, eons even."
He turns to Kuai Liang, "Brother, I should have heeded your words, listened to your warnings. After Cyrax and Sektor stabbed my back, I thought about the both of you. A fool I have become, only realizing the gravity of my actions when I was in your place."
With you still in Tomas's grasp, the men look amongst themselves and communicate through silence and hopeful understanding. You couldn't help but look at Bi Han, who looks helpless as he pleads with his kin.
He took this opportunity to speak again, "I took a gamble coming here, plotting my own path to meet you. Now that I have, I offer my own olive branch- a beginning to peace amongst one another, amongst our clans."
You became still in Tomas's arms, listening to the shocking revelation of a real, heartfelt apology. Was this the same man that scarred Kuai Liang, that insulted Tomas's birthright, that broke your heart those years ago?
You yield to Tomas, tapping his arm to let you go. He does so, warily, and watches as you come around Bi Han's back, past Kuai Liang, and untie his arms. You do not help him up, though, and watch him as he comforts the ache in his wrists. He turns to you and offers a slight nod, his eyes glimmering with hope and the slightest hint of change.
In front of Bi Han, you watch as Tomas and Kuai Liang approach their traitor brother carefully. Tomas is the first to bear his true feelings, throwing his mask away to the pebbled ground and tackling his brother into his famous bear hug. You don't hear a sound come from him, but you see his shoulders racking violently as he digs his head into Bi Han's shoulder. Awkwardly, he holds onto Tomas and pats his back softly.
Kuai Liang sighs, joining his brothers in the hug. The warmth his pyro magic provides creates a wave of comfort of all three of them, a peaceful mood amongst them. You visibly see Bi Han relax, feeling peace for the first time in years.
===============
Bi Han slept separate from everyone, having slumbered away in the prison that stood in the depths of the forest near the compound.
You were the first to wake, sneaking out of yours and Tomas's shared room to see Bi Han in the holding cell. Arriving, you were taken to him and saw him meditating.
He never did that during your marriage. It seems he finally listened to your advice after all these years.
You sat in a chair in front of him, and his eyes open from his mediating trance. He takes in the sight of you fully, not knowing if this will be the first or last time he'll see you. Your beautiful hair fell over your face, framing it like a Renaissance piece. Your figure, despite covered in your kimono, looked healthy and full, proof that your marriage to Tomas was treating you better than Bi Han's ever did.
And, oh, your eyes. The color that seemed so dull during your time with him looks so much more colorful now. They seem to burst forth with a vibrancy that lacked with him. Tomas truly brought you back from the pits of the Netherealm.
"You look well," Bi Han mentioned softly, "The years apart from one another truly show."
You scoff, "It seems time did not treat as well."
He shrugs, a soft laugh leaving his lips, "As they say, it is not too late to learn."
He looks down just a bit to see a glimmer of metal on your ring finger, the symbol of unity once again on yourself. He subconsciously touches his ring finger, fiddling with the empty space that should have housed his promise to you.
"Is Tomas treating you well?" He asks, pointing to the ring on your finger.
You smile softly, also playing with your finger, "More than you can imagine. I never thought I could achieve such bliss once again."
He nods, "I am glad."
Silence engulfs you two once more, and Bi Han speaks (which is starting to freak you out).
"I know you may not forgive me, nor take me back, but believe me when I say I want peace. I want nothing more than to see us not at each other's necks, plotting death or downfall of one another."
You sharply inhale, closing your eyes to meditate on his words. While they pull your strings just a bit, you think about them, lingering on every word. You sensed no malice, a drop of anger, nor bloodlust from him, which puts you at ease.
"Bi Han," you began, "You must know I am a married woman once again."
He nods.
"While I will not take you back, nor forget the pain you've caused me and your brothers.... I will accept your offering of peace."
He lets a breath out, glad your choice was more positive than negative.
"It will take a long time for me to trust you again, an even longer time to forgive you, I believe you will achieve the absolution you desire..."
"Our paths may be separate," you continue, "but it does not mean we cannot traverse it together."
==================
The entirety of the Shirai Ryu is behind you, Tomas, Kuai Liang and Harumi as you see Bi Han out of the compound the day after your prison visit. It's bright and early, the sun peaking over the hills that shroud the compound. He stands with Liu Kang, Earthrealm's protector, who was brought to Japan after Kuai Liang sent an alert to him.
Under Liu Kang's guidance and patience, he has agreed to help rebuild the honor and reputation of the Lin Kuei. Under the watchful eye of him, Geras, and Madame Bo, Bi Han will be relieved of his duties and retrain as an initiate, the first step of his redemption as a man, Lin Kuei, and grandmaster.
He utters not a word as he leaves the compound, only turning back to you and his family one last time before leaving. You can hear the gravel under his feet shift and move, his steps moving farther and farther away.
Tomas yells, "Brother~! I hope to see you again~!"
You turn to him and see him smile, and if you squint, you can see a ghost of a smile on Bi Han's face as he waves to his youngest brother.
"You look like a little kid waving to him," you point out playfully.
He turns beet red, his hand scratching the back of his neck, "Do I look that childish?"
You wrap your arm around his beefy one, leaning onto him. For some reason, you felt calm looking at the distant figure of Bi Han, no longer feeling anguish or pain at his sight. You sigh and lean into Tomas's arm.
"Are you alright, my darling?" he asks, "Do you need anything?"
You shake your head, "No, I am quite alright. In fact, I feel quite at peace right now."
He nods.
"Do you believe that Bi Han will achieve what he plans to do?" You ask gently, looking into the ashen man's eyes, "Do you believe in him?"
He nods confidently, "Brother is a stubborn man, but he is resilient. He will stop at nothing to achieve his goals."
Tomas's words confirm the feelings you harbored for Bi Han. While you two were no longer together, you hoped with great heart that he will honor his words. You smile happily, locking hands with Tomas and bringing it up to your mouth to kiss it briefly.
You meant every word you said to him that morning of the prison visit. While traveling this rocky road of change and forgiveness will be difficult, seeking this peace would be one hundred percent worth the toil.
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guys I have never been so happy writing anything ever. MK1 and the entire cast is just so much fun to write for.
if yall can't tell, i love tomas vrbada with all my heart- he's just a pookie, cutie patootie. don't worry though, i'll write for more characters besides tomas and the lin kuei brothers
if you want to request something, please do! i'd love to test the limits of my writing and creativity
until next fic (which is probably really soon)