Hii, could you write headcanons for the mk boys with a reader who likes to wear lipstick just to leave kiss marks on their face/arms?
𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 - 𝐦𝐤 𝐡𝐜𝐬
+ Liu Kang, Kung Lao, Raiden, Bi-Han, Kuai Liang, Tomas Vrbada, Johnny Cage, Kenshi Takahashi, Syzoth, Shang Tsung, General Shao, Reiko, Havik
warnings; none
contains; gn!reader, fluff
Kung Lao, Tomas Vrbada, Johnny Cage, Syzoth, Shang Tsung, Reiko, Havik
Adores when you leave a little mark on them—whether thats their face, arms, or body, they don't care. They couldnt care less if someone laughs at it or finds it cringe, they absolutely cherish it. Their favourite photo of the two of you, if where you are sat on their lap, their face and neck covered in red lipstick marks—their hair is a mess slightly and their shirt is unbuttoned, but the two of you are just beaming. You both look so happy, so in love, that they cannot take their eyes off that photo. Any time you kiss them and leave a mark, it reminds them of that day and they cant help but blush at the thought.
Liu Kang, Raiden, Bi-Han, Kuai Liang, Kenshi Takahashi, General Shao
It was met with protests at first. They’re held in high regard you know, they have meetings to attend and important people to shake hands with, you cant go leaving your mark wherever you fancy. They felt embarrassed, but never ashamed—your marks were a part of your love expression and they didnt take it for granted. They’d talk to you about it in private, and explain that its not something that looks good for them and ask you to stop—or at least, keep it more professional. And you would, for a time, but you’d slip back into old habits, not out of disregard for their emotions, simply because its your way of showing affection. And, like most things you do, it grew on them. They enjoy your little lipstick marks and wear them with pride.
Summary: Johnny's hosting a holiday party and you find yourself under the mistletoe with a kombatant.
A/n: Happy New Years!!! It's been a good little minute since I've done any headkanons. I know I haven't been posting much lately, I'm sorry about that a lot's been going on these last few months. This year I plan on being way more productive with my writing.
C/w: Heat, Slight smut, sloppy kissing, tongue, mentions of blood, violence and bruises
Bi-Han
He wasn't originally supposed to be here.
Johnny didn't want to invite him, considering all the recent drama (and because he still owed Johnny for the vase), but you insisted. You felt bad because the alternative was him spending the holidays alone.
You all thought Bi-Han wouldn't show up, Bi-Han wasn't a fan of the holidays, neither was he really the funnest at parties.
You were all surprised when Bi-Han did come. It was all so awkward. There was a lot of tension in the air, many fearing that at any given second, Bi-Han would explode and ruin everything.
But it didn't happen, the entire night Bi-Han stayed in a corner of the room. No one dared to go near him, not even his own brother, so he stayed there alone. He stayed there with his arms crossed leaning against the wall with a scowl in his face.
You felt your heart ache for him.
After building up courage, you walk up to him. He gives you a cold glare, but there was something oddly welcoming in his eyes.
"What do you want?" He grumbles as he gets off the walls and stands upright.
You quickly attempt to make small talk, he eyes you up and down as you try to talk to him. He still has a frown on his face but he doesn't shoo you away or giving you the feeling that he wants to be alone.
The remainder of the evening you try to create. Conversation, and Bi-Han gives you a decent response.
In truth, Bi-Han is grateful for you trying to talk to him. One of the worst parts of parties and events is that he often times end up alone, though he refuses to let anyone know that.
The holidays have always been a lonely time for him. He hated the holidays but his brothers always manage to make him enjoy just a little. But now s rift has grown between him and his brothers making it even harder to find anything to happen during this season.
You're the reason he came here in the first place. He refused to come at first, but then he learned that you personally asked Johnny to invite him, that you wanted him here.
You continue to talk, the conversation gets better. But you notice something hanging above both of you. Mistletoe. Johnny had hanged it all over the place in hopes of catching Kitana under it.
Hot red blush burns your face as you suddenly become shy. You fail to look Bi-Han in the eyes and struggle to speak. "What is it?" He sharply asks. Then he sees the mistletoe. Everything goes still and quiet as he just glares at it.
"I- it's just a dumb tradition." Your face felt like it was on fire with how hard you were blushing. "We don't have to do it." You can't think of anymore words to say, your eyes are now glued to the floor.
Bi-Han glared at you, an unimpressed look in his eyes. "Pathetic." You hear him mumble as he places a hand onto your chin and forces you to look at him. "Cowardice disgust me."
He then grabs the back of your head and forcefully kisses you. His lips crash against you as his other arm wraps itself around your body
He holds you close as he kisses you, he isn't usually a romantic man, but tonight, for you, he'll make an exception.
His lips weren't as rough as you anticipated they'd be, they were surprisingly soft and warm, everything about him is soft and warm. You find your arms slowly return to his embrace as he kisses you with an unexpected passion. You mind goes numb for a second as you can't fathom that this is happening.
Finally, Bi-Han releases you. You gasp as you catch your breath and regain your composer. You pant, you stable to keep you balanced. And all the while Bi-Han resumes his harsh stare and he fixes with his cold eyes.
He continues the conversation you were having like nothing happened, you try to continue it too. But the kiss is permanently at the for front of your mind.
It's getting later in the night and the party is now whining down. All you can think about is Bi-Han's warmth, his rough lips that were soft at the same time. The way his strong arms held you gave you chills to just think about it.
Later on, you both were seen leaving the party together.
Tomas
At the prospect of being invited to a party, especially a party at Cage mansion with the Johnny Cage, Tomas was over the moon.
He was especially eager to go when he heard you'd be there. He has always had a crush on you, but he was too nervous to do anything. Maybe tonight will be different...
So you made the decision to take him home with you.
Tomas isn't one for social interactions, unless it's leading and instructing warriors or playing a part, he is quite awkward. But tonight, he was willing to try.
During the party, he does his best to be as social as possible. Sometimes he does well, other times her devolves into going on a long rant about one of his many hyperfixations.
But throughout the entire night, he has kept his eye on one thing: you. He has desperately been looking for you everywhere. Sometimes he finds you, but you're too busy or too far away for him to get to. Other times he can't find you anywhere, he asks around and he is often led onto a wild goose chase.
When the night goes on, things get darker and darker outside. Guests were already beginning to leave, and he hasn't had a chance to speak to you.
Much to his disappointment, he and Kuai were beginning to leave. He feels heartbroken, he was so excited to speak to you, he didn't know what about, but just being able to speak to you would be enough for him.
He and Kuai were walking out of the door. But then Tomas sees something at the corner of his eye.
Tomas sees an opportunity, and he bolts towards. Much to Kuai's confusion.
"Y/N!" He shouts as he quickly approaches you. You eagerly stop what you're doing totuen to face him as he steadily approaches.
As he gets to you, he accidentally slams into you and knocks you over.
Tomas grabs you by the waist, quickly catching you before you hit the ground, apologizing purfusely.
But you don't seem to mind, you actually laugh and joke about it. That doesn't stop Tomas for feeling terrible, he places a hand on the back of your head, cradling it and ensuring that it's secure, and places another hand on your lower back. He tenderly looks at you, causing you to feel a sudden load of butterflies awaken in your stomach.
Your eyes fall onto the ceiling and you what's above your head: Mistletoe.
You stare at it, wheels in your head turn as you realize what it is. Tomas, noticing you staring at something, looks up and see it too.
You both are frozen for a second as you share sheepish glances at each other, both of you too shy to say anything. Yet you give him an encouraging look.
He goes in and kisses. He over thought it every second. Should he skip some tongue in? Would you like that? Is he going kissing you too hard? Will he soft enough for you?
Both your minds went numb as you lips touch, it all feels strangely magical as the world goes silent. You become more aware of the way he holds you, so much care, so much love.
He helps you back to your feet, but your head felt awfully light from that kiss.
"Um, maybe we should go somewhere private." He says, his own face flushed. "I think we have a lot to talk about."
Kuai
As the Grandmaster of a very new and very fragile clan meant to protect Earthrealm, Kuai aoiang as little interest in parties. So he refuses to go at first, but Tomas and Harumi insist on him going.
He is firm at first on his position on not going, but they all eventually wear him down. He begrudgingly relents and agrees to go.
He is a natural when it comes to social settings. He has a cool and charismatic way about him that makes him a very chill person to be around.
He wasn't a very outgoing person though, not really a social butterfly. He kept to just Tomas and Harumi for most of the night.
One of Kuai's problems is that he is often too mild, but to him he was just right. Tomas and Harumi encouraged Kuai to let loose a little tonight.
So that's what he tried, he began being more outgoing talking to more people, even dancing a little. It felt pretty fun, but he preferred to be in a calmer setting, making having some form of a deep conversation.
He found that in you. He came across you while he was coming off the dancefloor, many cheering him as he left.
"Y/n!?!?" He was taken aback when he saw you, you were so beautiful tonight. "You look... exquisite." He sighs. You were always so radiant to him in just the simple things you do. So many times he found himself going mad at how magnificent you were, tonight you were just the same if not more.
You always loved Kuai, he was amazing in your eyes. He was gentle and sweet, so you didn't hesitate when he came to you hoping to talk.
You found a much more calmer part of the mansion to talk. A nice room with a leather couch, possibly the library, but the place was do overly decorated that you couldn't tell.
Kuai talked about the Shirai Ryu and how well it was coming along. He is especially about the one Shirai Ryu in particular, Hanzo Hasashi. He beamed with pride when talking about him, as he and Hanzo were at one point good friends.
He looked so cute as he talked about how proud he was of everyone in the clan, how humbling it was being a grandmaster and having to deal with such a big responsibility.
Eventually, the conversation got a little more casual when you talked about what you were going to do for the rest of the holidays. Kuai seemed especially interested on whether are not you'd be spending them with someone.
Before you could answer, you lay back in your chair, you notice for the first time something hovering over your head, mistletoe.
Butterflies begin swarm around in your stomach as you fix your eyes into the decoration, making sure your weren't mistaken.
Kuai looks up too, he seems less surprised by the mistletoe. He stilled seemed calm, you caught his brow arch and lips curl a little.
"Well," he sets gets closer to you "It is tradition to kiss." You rub your face hoping that the blush might come off. "And who am I to go against tradition?"
He pulls you close, sits you onto his lap. "Y/n," He says softly, almost a whisper. "Will you do me the honor of letting me kissing you?"
Did he even need to ask? He pulled you in and kissed you, his kiss was like fire. His hand rub your thigh, slowly making it's way to the inside of your thigh.
He even was so brave to the point of slipping his tongue into your mouth. You moan as he continues to kiss you with passion.
He lays your down onto your back on the couch. He climbs on top of you and continues to kiss you. He pulls back to undo his shirt, you help him unbutton it as things began to feel a tough hotter in the room.
"Well, it's a good thing we chose someplace private." He said as he threw his shirt off. "I suppose we'll be here for a good while."
Geras
He met you while he was moving through the dance floor trying to get back to Tomas and Harumi, who were busy talking to Liu Kang.
You are instantly attracted to him, you admire him from afar. You find your way to him later on in the night. Though he was kind of stiff
As the overseer of the timeline, Geras spends his days monitoring the hourglass and ensuring all went according to Liu Kang's plans.
He never celebrates the holidays, he never saw a reason too. He had no one else around to celebrate it with.
But he can't deny that he has a curiosity on what it would be like to have someone to enjoy these traditions with.
So when Johnny invited Geras to this holiday party, Geras accepts.
He hopes to go know what it's like to partake in such festivities with humans.
Though, he isn't the best at socializing. For the first part of the night he decides it would be festive to give people cryptic warnings and clues about their futures. One guy he just straight up told him that he had an incurable disease and that'd cause him to die an agonizingly slow and excruciatingly painful death.
Geras stayed in the corner for most of the night, unsure on what to do. He just stood there and stared at everyone, it began to creep some people out. It didn't help that he chose the darkest corner which caused his eyes to glow in a very ominous way.
The only person who wasn't scared of him was you. After building up some courage, you invite him over to have some punch with.
Geras has always had a strange fondness for you. You caught his eye as he monitored the timeline. There was a strange
It's very awkward at first, neither of you seem to know how to interact. Both of you come from extremely different walks of life so there isn't a lot to talk about.
He talks about his process of monitoring this and other timelines for potential threats.
Geras is the first to notice it above your heads. The Mistletoe. It's a strange tradition to him. He is familiar with it, a superstitious tradition thought to ensure fertility. It's useless to him, he never planned on having children. Frankly, he isn't sure he even could barely children.
Family, love, passion, things Kronika forbade him. She had created him strictly to enforce her will.
But Liu Kang did recreate him, perhaps things have changed. He can think of someone he'd like to try these things with.
He stares at it while you talk. Confused, you stop talking and look up. You feel yourself blush as you realize what's above you.
You nervously laugh, "It's-uh-it's a Mistletoe. Basically it's-"
"I am aware of what it is, Y/n, I was not created yesterday." He interrupts sternly. You must look like a tomato with how red you are. "It's alright, I didn't mean to be rude."
Then silence between you two, your eyes dart from Geras and to the Mistletoe. Geras just stares blankly at you.
Finally, after taking a deep breath, you get on your tippy toes and gently kiss Geras. taking Geras by surprise.
Gently touches his lips as he processes what just happened. And then you see something you never saw before, Geras blushing.
"...Thank you...Y/n..." He says softly, giving an appreciative smile.
He stays with you for the remainder of the night, he looks at you with a look in his eyes. Like cogs in his brain were working hard to process and understanding new found feelings.
Kitana
When Kitana was invited by Johnny, she was hesitant at first. She once thought his little attempts to woo her were cute at first, but now they were getting annoying.
Also, she didn't care much for the Earthrealm holidays.
But she decided that she'd come by for a little bit, and then return to Outworld to spend the rest of winter with her sister to help with strategizing against Shoa.
And she must admit, she did find the party quite fun. The Christmas tree being so beautifully lit, the holiday cheer in the air as the carolers sang songs outside.
She admired the decoration of the mansion. She bumped into you as she was looking around. She kindly greeted you, asking you to excuse the splotches of blood on her hands.
The Princess has always been very fond of you, you were one of the few Earthrealmers she fairly liked.
But that enjoyment quickly ended.
She seemed fairly excited, she seemed to be enamored by the holidays.
You begin to talk about holiday tradition, you share Earthrealm customs while she shares Outworld holiday traditions.
The conversation quickly transitions to you telling holiday memories from your childhood. Kitana listens intently, enraptured by your every word. But then her attention is taken by something on the ceiling, but you don't notice.
If you paid attention to Kitana's face, it looked like wheels were turning. Then something clicked.
"Y/n?" She gently asks, immediately taking your attention. "I need you to step back a few feet." You stare at her confused, but you comply. A mischievous look on her face.
When you finish backing up, she points for you to look up at the ceiling. You look up and your heart stops as you see it: Mistletoe.
You choke on air. You look back at her, you try to say. She just stares you down with a smirk on her face. She gestures with her hand for you to come closer.
You shuffle forward a little, too nervous to get too close. Kitana grabs you by the collar and pulls you into a kiss. Taking out her fan and folding to stop people from seeing you kiss.
After holding her face against you and kissing you for a few moments, Kitana is nice enough to let you go. She laughs as you stumble about trying to regain you composure.
"It seems these Earthrealm traditions are not as bad as I thought."
Reiko
No nobody knows why he's here, he wasn't invited.
Reiko knew he wasn't invited. General Kitana, Geras, and Liu Kang was walking around here somewhere. If they caught him it would be all over.
So, why is here? Perhaps he just wanted to crash the party and cause problems. That is certainly what he did. He caused quite a ruckus by being loud as possible, he pigged out almost all Christmas convections Johnny spent a fortune, he antagonised many of the guests by insulting them and trying to start fights.
He isn't usually like this, usually he is the loyal underling of General Shao, but he couldn't deny that he was still a little miffed at the Earthrealmers for winning the tournament and humiliating Outworld and the General as well as interfering with the generals plans to liberate Outworld. So his primary mission tonight was to ruin everyone's night.
And he was successful, so successful to the point that Kitana, Liu Kang, and Geras were on his tail. He had successfully avoided them for most of the night, he thought it was funny how they ran this way and that trying to find him, and he eluded them every turn of the way.
He bumped into you as he was dipping out of Kitana's sight.
"Well, hello there." The moment he saw you, he knew you'd be his next victim of the night.
As he thought of the best, most obscene thing he could say to you, you smile at him as you try to be nice. He unloaded a mass of perverted advances towards you in hopes getting a rise out of you.
He definitely would ask 'if it was bubblegum pink' if he knew of the saying. , enough for you to gasp and hide your face in shame as the blush came through.
You were familiar with Shao's wild second in command, but you didn't expect him to be so...charming. You found yourself blushing at his every word. Which isn't what Reiko was expecting usually the things he says would cause women to gasp and slap him in disgust.
But he couldn't deny, he liked seeing you like this, so he continued. Perhaps he could make more of a use of you tonight if he was lucky.
As he continues to spout his perverted advances towards, you look every which way but at him. At one point you look up to the ceiling to avoid his haunting eyes, and that's how you see it. Mistletoe hanging above your heads. You gasp as you see it.
Reiko stops talking and looks up to see what you were gasping at. He sees the strange bundle of flora hanging from the ceiling. He stares at it confused. He looks at you, his eyes demanding answers.
You quickly explain what it is, you stammer as you explain why it was hung up on the ceiling. As you tell him the tradition of kissing someone under the plant for superstition.
You watch as his eyes light up as you tell him. "Is that so?" He slowly walks up and gets closer to you. "Um...yeah, it's just a silly tradition." You say as you continue to avoid his gaze.
Reiko licks his lips as he stares at you. Before you know it, you don't even know how it began, if he initiated it or you, but now Reiko's face was against yours, his lips pressed up against your lips, his tongue exploring the inside of your mouth.
His hands weren't shy as they traveled around your body, feeling and gripping certain parts as he took you in.
You surprised at how hungrily he kissed and gripped at you. It was almost to the point that it felt like he was beginning to take your clothes off.
Whatever he was about to do, you'd never find out, because in an instant Reiko is ripped off you by Kitana. She hadn't given up on finding Reiko all night, him stopping to talk to you, to make out with you, slowed him down long enough for her to catch him.
You are left in a dazed and state as you are left stumbling back. Both from the commotion that Kitana and her guards caused as well as the passionate kiss that left your brain buffering.
Despite being found, Reiko had a smile on his face as he gave a proud laugh. "Well, looks like our date has been cut short...until next time..."
As they drag him away, Kitana sends you an apologetic look as she walks away. No doubt assuming you were a victim her was accosting you.
You are left alone, you can still taste Reiko in your mouth. You are struggling to process all the madness that just occurred in front of you. You fix your clothes and hair and try to enjoy the rest of the night.
Baraka
The holidays aren't easy for Baraka. Tarkat often makes it so hard to live, especially with the fact that it took everything away from him; he struggles to feel any holiday joy.
When Johnny invited him to the party, Baraka had thought the man had gone crazy. Inviting someone infected with Tarkat to an event could risk hundreds getting infected.
But Johnny insisted everything would be fine; Earthrealmers seem to have much more of an immunity to Tarkat compared to Outworlders.
Baraka would've refused; he should've refused. But so much of his life has been hardships, surely he could spend one night to be happy.
So there he is, he stands at the corner of the room, looking around aimlessly at the thousands of people. Music filled the air as the guest mingled and ate and were merry.
Everyone avoided Baraka; it doesn't matter if they, as Earthrealmers, had an immunity, they still ostracized him, avoided him, glared at him, whispered and muttered things about him.
Baraka regretted coming here. All he could do was stay in the corner and watch as they all shot him dirty and concerned looks. He sighed, defeated. He never should have come here.
It felt like Johnny only brought him here to be a spectacle to gawk and point at.
He was just about to leave, until you walked up to him. You had been finding the courage to talk to him, you saw him standing all alone in, and you felt you heart ache from.
Baraka stares you down cautiously as you walk up to him. You smile sweetly as you try to make small talk. Baraka doesn't shoo you away; he seemingly embraces your company.
There isn't much for you to talk about, but you still try, and Baraka appreciates it. He isn't really a talkative person, but for you, he tries.
You actually get along quite well. After a few minutes of painful attempts at small talk, you finally find something to talk about.
As you talk, your eyes find their way to the ceiling, and that is how you become aware of the mistletoe hanging above your heads.
You try to stop yourself, but you audibly gasp as you look at it, causing Baraka to look at it as well.
You quickly explain what it is and what people do when they're caught under it. Baraka merely makes a dry laugh at this. Not just because of his lack of lips, but the idea of you ever kissing him. Surely, you must've thought him too repulsive to kiss.
But you surprised him. After hesitating a few seconds, you slowly rock forward on the tip of your toes, and you plant a soft kiss on Baraka's nose.
Baraka is taken aback by this as you softly pech his mutated nose. As you step back and smile at him, and all he can do is look dumbfounded.
Did you do that out of pity? Did you just feel bad for him, so you decided to kiss him? Obligation? Was it out of duty to tradition?
Or...did you do it because you...liked him?
Be can't help fantasise about the possibility of someone loving in such a way. For now, perhaps he'll give in to the fantasy. But he's no fool; this is just for tonight. Because who could possibly actually love a monster like him?
Liu Kang
Bah! How could you ever love a monster like him?
Liu Kang hasn't always been one for parties. He has always preferred to stay at the Wu Shi and meditate in his temple.
But the Fire God decided to humor Johnny and attend the party.
Being the protector of Earthrealm as well as the Titan of time, Liu Kang was the center of attention for much of the night. So many people came to him and started conversations, maybe they ask him questions hoping to pry out some answers for major moments in their lives.
Sometimes an entire entourage would form around him. You were almost knocked down by the crowd of people as they walked past you, you wondered if Liu Kang ever felt overwhelmed by all this attention.
Finally, the crowd about him finally lightened up, giving Liu Kang a chance to slip away. That is how he came across you.
You had avoided him all night. You were always intimidated by that fact that he was the protector of Earthrealm, finding out that he was the Titan of Time as well made you officially too nervous to approach him.
You had always had Liu's eyes though. You had always been special to him. He took great care in crafting everyone's destiny in this new timeline, he especially took great care when crafting your new life.
Something about you was just so captivating about you that Liu Kang couldn't keep you out of his head indefinitely. So when he found out you were here, he decided upon himself that he'd speak to you at least once tonight.
He wasn't going to do anything too personal, just a kind smile and a kind greeting. Perhaps a little small talk and then he'd move on.
You felt your palms get sweaty as he walked up to you. You force a smile into your face as he begins talking. You remind yourself at every second not to freak out, this is just you literal maker and creator of the universe, who's also hot, nothing to worry about.
You make your greetings, you wish him a happy holiday. Liu Kang nods at this, he moves the conversation to how much progress you've made throughout this year. "You have improved so much, considering who you were originally..."
He trails off for a second. "I'm sorry?" You asked perplexed. "I improved from wha-"
"Forgive me, I misspoke." He waves his hand as if he was shooing away a thought. He is quick to move the conversation along, you don't protest, better to keep the conversation light rather than ask questions about your past lives and the place he designer for you in this timeline.
You try to move the conversation along, you talk about what you did for the holidays, who you celebrated with, how you brought in the new year. He seemed very interested in your words like they were so fascinating.
As you speak, you are none the wiser of the mistletoe that hangs above you. Liu Kang knows about it, he saw it as he walked over to you. He would really like to kiss you, but he didn't know how to bring it up.
Finally, much to Liu Kang's joy, you look up and notice it. He warmly smiles as he watches you shrink under the mistletoe, obviously stunned by this. You eyes dart from him to the mistletoe, he gives you an encouraging smile as you calm down.
"I believe you do something when found under this." He gives you a charming smile. "Um, may I?" You feel the warm sensation of his hand as he caresses the side of your face, he lovingly looks into your eyes as he admired your for a second.
His lips are soft, electrifying, you feel your body basically collapse as he continues to caress your lips with his.
Tonight is the night you learned what it was like to be kissed by a god. That was apparent as you failed to collect yourself when he finished. You were so flustered that you couldn't even think straight.
"Have lovely rest of the evening." Liu Kang smiles at you generously, he then walks away. Leaving you to contemplate the fact that you just kissed a creator god.
Johnny Cage
Tonight didn't go as planned for Johnny.
He had hoped to catch Kitana under the mistletoe and have a totally hot make out sess'.
He followed her around for a good part of the night, all the while hoping he'd catch her under one of the many mistakes he hung up across the mansion. It was getting to the point of harassment.
And he did catch her under the Mistletoe, though, he didn't get a kiss. But she was nice enough to give him some sweet chin music as she uppercut him.
She knocks him onto his ass right then and there, also knocking him out. Maybe she hit him a few more times while he was down.
Despite this, many of the partygoers still continue on with the party.
Johnny lies there for some time. You eventually feel bad for him and wakes him up.
You get Johnny to the bathroom and are nice enough to help him clean up the many bruises on his face.
Cage is a drama queen, so he overreacts to the bruises on his face. All he had was a busted lip, a broken nose, a black eye, and a few cuts and gashes all over him, nothing bad at all.
"Well, did we learn anything, Mr. Cage?" You ask as he sits in the tub clutching an ice pack over his eye. You were in his bathroom, you were alcohol onto a cotton ball.
"Okay, maybe a went a little too fa-AH" he flinched as you use the cotton ball. "A little?" You press cool cotton against the red cut on his face. "Okay, Okay, I fucked up and went too far. I should've taken no as an answer and left Kitana alone. Happy?"
"Very." You teasingly coo as you wipe all the blood of his face, you feel a little bit bad for Johnny. He deserves every last but if these injuries, to be sure. But seeing him in pain made you feel bad deep down.
"Ow! Hey, go easy on me!" He hissed in pain as you dabbed the cotton onto another wound. You look at the bloody cotton ball, with a sigh you throw it away.
As you attend to him, you thank Johnny for inviting you and tell him how much you enjoyed the party. You talking about how much you enjoyed the party seemingly puts him in a better mood.
He tries to smile, looking past the busted lip, he still had one of the best smiles you ever seen. His teeth glowed like freshly cut diamonds.
He was such a charming man when he didn't try so hard. You felt yourself melt under his gaze. Cage arched his brow, "Starstruck looks cute in you, Y/n. Say, you want to kiss under the mistletoe?" He tries his best to be smooth
"We're in a bathroom, Cage." You shake yourself out of the daze you were in. Johnny just points to the ceiling. You look up "Really?!?!" You gasp as you see quite a few pieces of mistletoe hanging from the bathroom ceiling. "What can I say, I always come prepared."
You groan as you shake you head. Then you grab him by the collar and kiss him.
Despite the bruises on his lips, Cage still has the best pair of lips you've ever had the privilege to kiss. You felt his hands tangle itself in your hair as Cage returned your hold
It's strange, a random kiss in the bathroom with a beaten up movie star is surprisingly one of the best kisses you ever had.
You pull away and so does Johnny. He has a knowing look in his eyes as he stares you down with grin on his face, as if he expects for you praise him for how good the kiss was.
It was, but you didn't feel like feeding Johnny's ego. "It was alright." You say as you rise out to your feet. "Oh come on!" Johnny insists as you walk away.
It was truly an amazing kiss, but you refused to let him see how flustered he had you as you lean against the wall outside the bathroom to catch your breath and regain his composure, his ego was big enough.
Posted them on twitter long ago (these are not new) but forgot to put it in tumblr too. Idk if i'll ever finish the last pic tho 😭 (IM STILL UPSET AT HIS WRITING)
Context: Bi Han is forced to marry a non-warrior woman upon his ascension to Grandmaster status, because she saved his father. She is everything he despises about appearances: soft, gentle... and untrained. But that is about to change.
Credits image: me
Your words, brimming with such genuine wonder, echoed in the snowy silence of the courtyard. The ice floe he had created, now a small crystalline jewel at your feet, seemed to have frozen time itself.
Bi-Han stared at you, your hand still warming in his gloved, cold one. Your eyes shone, and for a moment too long, he felt trapped in that light. Direct praise of his power, not as a weapon, but as something "beautiful," was a foreign language to him. In the Lin Kuei, power was measured in efficiency and lethality, not beauty.
Your soft applause faded, but the smile remained. You squeezed his hand lightly, a small, warm gesture that burned through his glove.
-Truly, Bi-Han. It's incredible what you can do- you insisted, your voice a whisper heavy with admiration.
He looked away, breaking the spell. His expression, which for a second had seemed less icy, settled back into its usual hard lines. He released your hand with a brusqueness that was meant to be casual, but betrayed discomfort.
-It's not 'magic,' it's control, discipline, the physical manifestation of will. There's no room for childlike wonder here it's a weapon of war,- the cryomancer corrected, his tone that of a master instructing a novice, cold and didactic. It was his shield, his way of putting distance between himself and something he didn't know how to categorize.
You didn't flinch. You had learned to read between the lines of his coldness. His refusal to accept the praise was, in itself, an answer.
-It can be both,- you argued gently, without defiance. -It can be your weapon, and it can be beautiful. Just as you can be the Grand Master and... the man who created this for me tonight.
Bi-Han took a deep breath, his breath forming a fleeting cloud in the cold air. Your words struck him directly, hitting the contradiction that gnawed at him from within.
-I didn't create it for you, it was a... demonstration. Nothing more, -He replied, but his voice lacked its usual conviction. It sounded weak, almost automatic.
Yet his actions contradicted his words. Instead of turning and leaving, as he would have done weeks before, he remained there, standing before you.
You took another risk, slowly raising your hand, giving him all the time in the world to reject you, and with your fingertips gently touched the Lin Kuei emblem on his chest, feeling the cold metal and the tension of the body beneath.
-Thank you for the demonstration, then, and for allowing me to see it- You murmured.
He didn't move, remaining like a statue, allowing your touch, his eyes studying your face as if searching for a trap, an ulterior motive in your gentleness. But he found only sincerity... that disconcerted him more than any deception.
-You should go inside, it's cold - He finally said, his voice a little harsher than necessary, breaking the moment. It was his way of regaining control, of reaffirming his role. It was an order, but it sounded almost like clumsy concern.
-And you?- you asked, withdrawing your hand.
-I have to... review some reports- The cryomancer lied, averting his gaze toward the dark corridors that led to his study. It was his refuge, the place where he could immerse himself in the cold logic of duty and banish these sentimental absurdities.
You nodded, understanding, you weren't going to force him. You knew that pressuring him would only make him withdraw further.
-Fine, the tea will be hot on your desk, just in case... just in case you decide to come in -You said, turning to pick up the lamps.
You walked inside, feeling his gaze on your back. You didn't turn around; you knew that if you did, he would immediately look away, embarrassed at being caught in an act of contemplation.
Bi-Han stood alone in the courtyard, the snow beginning to fall softly around him. He watched the snowflake that was already starting to melt on the stone. "It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen." Your words echoed in his mind, lingering like a warm ghost.
He clenched his fists. It was a weakness. Allowing those comments to affect him, letting that... warmth seep beneath his armor, was dangerous. Sektor was right: strength was all that mattered. The Lin Kuei wasn't built on kindness and applause.
But another part of him, a part that had lain buried beneath layers of ice and ambition since his mother's death, shuddered.
You weren't afraid of his power,You didn't see him as a monster or a tool, You saw beauty where everyone else saw authority and death.
With a grunt of frustration, he pushed the scrolls aside. He stood and went to the window. For the first time, the silence of his office didn't seem peaceful, but empty; for the first time the idea that someone, in another room of that cold temple, might be thinking of him not with contempt or fear, but with… kindness, felt like a disquieting and necessary crack in the perpetual ice of his heart.
That night, in his study, he couldn't concentrate on the reports. Your words blurred before him, replaced by the image of your eyes shining, filled with a wonder as alien to his world as the sun is to hell.
It was a conflict, a pang of something he couldn't name. And for a man like Subzero, accustomed to absolute control, this lack of control over his own emotions was the most disconcerting battle of all.
*The following days*
The days passed. Your relationship with your husband was going well. It wasn't that he had become affectionate, but you no longer saw his distrustful face; he even truly listened to you. Everything was fine… or so you thought.
The air in Bi-Han and Sektor's cybernetic study was cold and still, as icy as the man who occupied it. He was bent over a strategy map when the door opened unceremoniously.
Sektor entered, a shadow of cruel satisfaction playing in his eyes.
-Grand Master,- The master armorer greeted, with a bow that was more formality than genuine respect.
Bi-Han didn't look up immediately. He finished drawing a line before grunting in acknowledgment.
-Sektor, report-Sub-Zero said without preamble.
-I've come to report an… irregularity, one that I believe requires your direct attention- She began, her voice like the edge of a dagger wrapped in silk.
That made Bi-Han look up. His expression was impassive. “Irregularity” was the term Sektor used for anything he considered a threat to the Lin Kuei order.
-Continue- He said, staring at her.
-I saw Tomas in one of the inner courtyards. He wasn't alone- Sektor said, dropping the name with deliberate disdain.
A heavy silence settled in the room. Bi-Han didn't move, but the temperature dropped noticeably.
-What do you mean?-Sub-Zero's voice was a dangerous whisper.
*Flashback*
You were in the darkest part of the courtyard, trying not to be seen crying. The sight of your husband and Sektor had shattered any hope that your husband could ever love you. You cried, trying not to make a sound, but someone noticed.
-Y/N, are you okay?- Smoke asked.
-Yes... don't worry, I just think I have a bit of an allergy- You said, trying to lie.
But Tomas wasn't stupid.
-Y/N, let me see you- The smoke-headed man said, turning you around and taking hold of your shoulders.
At that moment, you simply broke down... and you put your hands to your face, trying to hide.
He didn't say anything and simply hugged you and let you cry on his chest.
-I'm sorry... I didn't mean for you to see me like this - You managed to say.
-It was Bi-Han, wasn't it?- Tomas asked as he hugged you without looking at you.
You simply didn't say anything, but he already understood everything.
-Promise me you won't tell your father, or Kuai Liang, please - You begged.
-Why?... What did he do to you?" Smoke asked, dreading the answer.
-He... I saw him with Sektor... he was kissing her... Part of me still can't believe it -You finally said.
Tomas's face filled with indignation and suppressed rage.
-What Bi-Han just did to you is unforgivable. He and Sektor deserve to answer for it,- he said firmly, looking at you intently.
-No, Tomas, listen... if we do that, Sektor wins - You told him. The smoking man looked at you incredulously.
-This will outrage Kuai Liang; it will be a great dishonor to him, and it will break your father's heart. It will create a division between your brothers and your father, even a war between them... to assume the role of Grandmaster You explained to Tomas.
Smoke hesitated for a moment, but then he understood your point.
-Alright, but if he crosses the line with you again, I'm going to take action - Tomas said as he hugged you. He had become your confidant, your brother.
*End of flashback*
-Your wife was with him - Sektor paused dramatically, savoring each word. -And it wasn't a casual conversation. She... was crying, he was holding her in his arms, comforting her... The scene was quite intimate, I'd say almost an open secret.
The quill Bi-Han held shattered in his hand, ice instantly coating the wood and metal before it crumbled into pieces. He rose from his seat with a slowness more menacing than any swift movement.
-Are you implying something, Sektor?- Subzero asked, his tone so sharp it could wound.
-I'm only reporting what I see, Grandmaster. I found it... curious that the Grandmaster's wife would seek solace in the arms of another man. And not just any man, but a foster orphan, one who doesn't even carry pure Lin Kuei blood. Don't you think that's disrespectful to your authority? To the honor of your name? - She replied, with a feigned innocence they both knew was a facade. Every word Sektor spoke was meticulously chosen to poison Bi-Han's mind.
Not only did he exploit the situation, but he also delved directly into Bi-Han's deepest prejudice against Tomas: his status as an "adopted" child.
For Bi-Han, loyalty and honor were intrinsically linked to lineage, and Tomas, in his eyes, would always be a borrowed element, an accessory his father had incorporated out of pity.
The cryomancer's face was a mask of pure ice, but his eyes burned with a dark and familiar fury. The image Sektor had painted was seared into his mind: your vulnerability, exposed not to him, but to another. And not just anyone, but Tomas. The revulsion he had always felt for Smoke's origins flared like a fire fueled by Sektor's poison.
-He's not of the blood, he has no right... to approach like that- Subzero muttered, more to himself than to Sektor, as if that single sentence invalidated any attempt at comfort and transformed it into an affront.
-Exactly, it's disrespectful to your position. She is your wife, her loyalty and her... emotional well-being are your responsibility and your property. What does it say about your leadership that she seeks refuge in an outsider? - Sektor whispered, seeing his seed of discord find fertile ground.
Bi-Han turned sharply, walking toward the suits of armor without really seeing them. Rage boiled within him, a toxic mix of jealousy, wounded pride, and tribal contempt.
-Tomas has always overstepped his bounds, my father blinded him with his compassion, he thinks he can move as an equal, but his place will always be uncertain, and now… he dares - Bi-Han said, his voice heavy with ancient resentment.
Sektor gave a small, victorious smile, she had achieved her goal: redirecting Bi-Han’s guilt and anger away from his own negligence and toward Tomas, and, surreptitiously, toward you for “allowing it.”
-What will you do, Grand Master?- she asked, stoking the fire.
The cryomancer remained silent for a long moment.
-Tomas will remember his place. And my wife will understand that there are certain… weaknesses that are not exposed outside these walls. This will not be mentioned to anyone other than Sektor, Kuai Liang, or my father. I will see to it - The cryomancer said, staring at her.
It was both an order and a warning. Sektor nodded, satisfied.
-As you command - The armorer replied.
When Sektor left, Bi-Han stared into space. The image of Tomas holding you haunted him, twisting inside him like a knife.
It wasn’t the pain that enraged him, but the person. To him, it was the ultimate humiliation: that his property would seek solace in someone he considered inferior, a constant reminder of a compassion he despised.
That night, when Tomas passed him in the corridor, Bi-Han didn’t say a word. He simply stopped and looked at him. It wasn't a brother's gaze, nor even that of a superior to a subordinate. It was the gaze of a predator assessing prey that had dared to cross an invisible boundary; cold, laden with silent promises of lethal consequences. And then, he moved on, leaving Tomas with a chill that had nothing to do with the ambient temperature and a deep unease in his heart.
The rift of mistrust and resentment had widened, and Bi-Han, in his wounded pride and deep-seated prejudices, was more determined than ever to reassert his control over everything he considered his, including you, even if it meant working through ice and distance.
*The following days*
Sektor's revelations fell upon the Lin Kuei temple.
Bi-Han became even more distant with you, if that were possible. His gaze, when it fell upon you, now had a new hue: a calculating assessment, a watchful suspicion.
Every gesture you made, every word you spoke, seemed to be examined through the poisoned lens of Sektor's words. If you tried to talk to him, he ignored you and walked away. He was always late, avoiding you. If you were walking down the same corridor, he would leave.
For your part, you didn't know what you had done wrong.
The peace you had felt after that moment in the courtyard evaporated as quickly as snow in the sun.
During training, in joint sessions with Kuai Liang and Tomas, Bi-Han completely ignored Tomas's tactical suggestions.
If Tomas demonstrated a technique, Bi-Han criticized it harshly. "A predictable movement, lacking the instinct of a pure-blooded Lin Kuei," he said once, each word striking like a dagger. The mention of "blood" was intentional, a constant reminder of Tomas's "adopted" status.
At the council table, if Tomas spoke, Bi-Han would look right through him, as if he were a ghost, and then turn to Kuai Liang to continue the conversation, completely negating his presence.
The situation reached a critical point a few days later. Tomas returned from a particularly grueling mission that the cryomancer himself had deliberately sent him on with a tragic outcome. He arrived bruised and his uniform torn. Upon seeing him, you immediately approached him, genuine concern in your eyes.
-Tomas! Are you alright?- You asked, touching his arm with brotherly familiarity.
At that precise moment, before, Bi-Han appeared at the end of the corridor... his gaze fell on your hand resting on Tomas's arm, and the memory of Sektor's words flared in his mind. He advanced, and the temperature dropped several degrees.
-Tomas- The cryomancer said, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. -Report, Now.
Smoke, exhausted but loyal, stood up. -Bi-Han, the mission was a success. The deta-.
-And your injuries?- Bi-Han interrupted, his tone icy. -They seem superficial. It's not like a Lin Kuei to show weakness over so little.
-It's not weakness, it's the result of the mission you assigned me- Smoke replied, barely containing his frustration.
Bi-Han moved closer, invading his personal space. His gaze was a challenge.
-You seem used to being coddled for your scratches, Tomas -Bi-Han said, his gaze shifting to you for a fraction of a second, laced with venomous meaning. -Perhaps that's why you seek... comfort where you shouldn't."
Tomas understood the insinuation immediately. His normally serene face hardened.
-Bi-Han, what you're implying is-try to explain Smoke.
-Is it what, Tomas?! Sub-Zero retorted, raising his voice for the first time. The ice crackled beneath his boots. -Is it false? Or do you think your familiarity with my wife gives you the right to forget your place?.
-My place is to be loyal to this clan- Tomas replied firmly, though his voice trembled with suppressed rage. -And my familiarity with her stems from a compassion that others seem to have forgotten. She was broken, Bi-Han. And I only did what any decent person would do.
The word "decent" echoed down the hallway like a blow. Bi-Han took a step forward, his hand closing into a fist, the steam of his breath freezing in the air. For a moment, it seemed as if fury would consume him completely.
But then, he saw you, he saw the horror and sadness in your eyes, looking at him, not Tomas. He saw how his behavior, his irrational anger, was hurting you again, and for a second, he was able to see that he was crossing the line of his hypocrisy.
He said nothing more and left silently, slamming the door so loudly that everyone present noticed but pretended not to.
You couldn't let all your effort go to waste. Not this time. With your heart pounding, you apologized to Tomas and you tended to his wounds, then went straight to his chambers.
The door was ajar. You found him standing by his desk, his back rigid, facing the entrance, radiating a silent fury that chilled the air.
-Bi-Han- You called softly, your voice a mere whisper in the icy room.
He didn't turn.
-This isn't the time- Your husband replied without looking at you.
-I need to know... Did I do something wrong? I thought... I thought we were making progress. The other night, in the courtyard, I thought you finally saw me- You insisted, stepping inside and closing the door behind you. Your courage wavered, but it didn't break.
He turned then, his face a mask of pure ice.
-Moving forward doesn't mean allowing liberties with other members of the clan. Especially with those who don't understand their place- Bi-Han said with a reproachful tone.
The implication was clear, and it stung like a spear. But it also ignited a spark of indignation.
-Freedoms? You mean Tomas? You asked, keeping your voice as steady as possible.
-Bi-Han, he's like a brother to me, nothing more, never, ever, have I had any romantic intentions toward him. I swear on my honor- You clarified.
Bi-Han's expression turned cold.
-They saw you crying in his arms, that's not brotherly behavior -The cryomancer said.
There it was. The source of his anger.
You took a deep breath, knowing this was the moment of truth, the moment to unload the burden you'd been carrying alone.
-And do you know why I was crying, Bi-Han?- you said, your voice beginning to crack despite your effort. -Do you know why I hid in that courtyard, away from everyone, thinking no one would see me?.
His eyes narrowed, but he said nothing. A slight, almost imperceptible, hesitation. It surfaced in his eyes.
-That 'day' I cried for you, because I saw you. I saw you kissing Sektor in the training room. And it shattered me - You confessed bravely.
The impact of your words was physical. Bi-Han took an almost imperceptible step back, as if the air had solidified and struck him in the chest. His mask of coldness cracked, revealing in a flash a torrent of emotions: surprise, guilt, and a fierce rage directed at himself.
-Tomas found me like this, broken You continued, trying to be gentle. -And the only thing I asked of him, the only thing I begged him for, was to keep quiet. Do you know why?.
You took a step toward him, defying his coldness.
-It wasn't to protect my pride, it was to protect yours, so that your father wouldn't know about the disrespect you showed your own wife. So that Kuai Liang wouldn't look down on you. So that your position as Grandmaster wouldn't be compromised, would not be tainted by the scandal of yourInfidelity, because despite your coldness, despite your contempt, I didn't want to be the cause of your downfall— Your voice rose for the first time, filled with a pain and a strength he had never heard from you before.
Bi-Han was completely still, paralyzed; your words were like knives turning his own logic inside out. While he raged over a supposed lack of respect, you had been protecting his authority at the cost of your own pain. While he looked down on Tomas, it was that same "outsider" who had comforted you in silence, keeping a secret that could have dethroned him.
-I…- he tried to say but the words wouldn't come. His pride, his sharpest weapon, turned against him.
He couldn't suppress you, he couldn't accuse you, because the truth you had revealed left him completely exposed and indebted.
-So I'm sorry, Bi-Han- You concluded, your voice now calm but sad.- I can't apologize for seeking solace in a brother when my own husband was breaking my heart.
You turned to leave, feeling you couldn't bear to be in the same room with him for another second.
-Wait- Your husband said.
You stopped, but didn't turn around.
There was a long, heavy silence. You could hear his ragged breathing, struggling to regain control.
-Tomas... he'll stay, no action will be taken against him - The cryomancer finally said, the words coming out with difficulty. It wasn't an apology. It was an acknowledgment that his anger had been unjustified.
-Thank you, Bi-Han- You said, knowing it wasn't easy for him either.
It was the most he could offer: an admission that he had misjudged the situation, that he had underestimated your loyalty and overestimated the threat.
-And... about Sektor...- Bi-Han's voice was almost inaudible. -It won't be mentioned again.
You nodded without saying anything else. You had exposed his hypocrisy and presented him with the bill for his lethal silence.
The room was left behind, and Bi-Han was left alone, with the echo of your words and the overwhelming weight of an inescapable truth: that the woman he considered weak had demonstrated a moral strength he lacked, and that her "kindness was not a weakness", but a power that could melt the very foundations of his pride.
*That same night*
The previous confrontation had left the air thick with unspoken truths and a tension that was no longer pure ice, but something more complex and painful.
You couldn't leave it like that. You had gone too far, shown too much of your heart to back down now.
With a cup of hot tea in each hand, you approached the door of his study.
-Bi-Han? May I come in? You called softly.
A silence. Then, a barely audible grunt that you took as a “yes.”
You entered. He was standing by the window, as always, but his posture seemed less regal and more… tired. You placed one of the cups on his desk, in front of him.
-I know you don’t want me to ask for explanations, - You said gently. -But… I’m your wife, and something is eating away at my soul.
He didn’t turn around, but he tilted his head slightly, indicating that he was listening.
You took a deep breath, your voice a sweet and vulnerable whisper.
-Bi-Han… can I ask you about Sektor? -As you spoke the name, you felt his back tense. -Not to reproach you. Just… to understand...What do you feel for her?”
Finally, he turned. His face was in shadow, but the moonlight illuminated the hard line of his jaw.
-That question has no place here - He replied, his voice rough.
-It does for me because I live with you. Because I share your bed. Because every day I choose to be by your side. And I need to know... was it just a slip-up? A moment of... weakness? or is it something more?- You insisted.
He clenched his fists, staring at the teacup. Your tone, gentle and full of genuine curiosity instead of accusation, disarmed him. It was easier to deal with shouting than with this calm questioning.
-Sektor is...- He hesitated, something unusual for him. -she's loyal, she understands the Lin Kuei vision. The vision of my Lin Kuei.
-The vision of power and steel? The one that leaves no room for weakness? Like me?- You asked.
He didn't deny it. His silence was confirmation.
-And that’s why you kissed? Because she embodies everything you think you should desire?- You ventured, your voice even lower.
Bi-Han took a deep breath, a harsh sound in the stillness. It was as if he were being forced to dissect a part of himself he preferred to keep intact and hidden.
-It was… an acknowledgment- He finally said, the words coming out with difficulty. -Of shared ambitions. Of a force understood without words. It wasn’t… planned.
“An acknowledgment.” The word was so cold and calculated that it hurt more than a confession of passion. It wasn’t a burst of feeling, but a tacit transaction between two forces similar.
-And that makes her more worthy of being by your side than I am? Because I don’t offer you power, Bi-Han, I offer you peace, I offer you a home. Is that so insignificant to you?- You asked, and this time a tremor crept into your voice.
He looked at you then, and for the first time, he didn’t see the weak wife or the intruder. He saw someone posing a question that echoed in the void of his own ambition. Was it insignificant?
-No… it’s not insignificant. It’s… complicated- He muttered, almost against his will. It was the closest you would get to admitting anything.
-It is for me too- You whispered, taking another step closer. -Seeing the man I share my life with kissing another woman because she ‘understands his vision’ is heartbreaking. But what hurts the most is not knowing if… if in some corner of that icy heart, there’s room for the vision I offer you.
You stopped in front of him, looking into his eyes, defying the cold with your warmth.
-I’m not asking you to choose now. I’m only asking you to think about it, because I’ve already chose, I chose to forgive your disloyalty, I chose to protect your name, And I chose to stay here, with you, believing that the cold man who creates beautiful snowflakes is worth more than the Grand Master who sees only weapons.”- You finaly said.
With that, you turned to leave. There was nothing more to say.
-t’s late - He said, his voice strangely husky. -You should rest.
It was his way of ending the conversation, of regaining control. But when you left the study, Bi-Han didn’t move. He looked at the still-steaming cup of tea, and then at his own reflection in the windowpane.
“What do you feel for her?” Your question echoed in his head. What did he feel? Respect for her strength. Comfort in their shared ambition. An attraction based on power and utility.
"And why did you kiss?" Because it was easy. Because it required no vulnerability. Because with Sektor, he didn't have to be anything other than the Grand Master.
Your last question, however, resonated the most: "Is there room for the vision I offer you?"
For the first time, Bi-Han didn't have an immediate answer. And the fact that the question lingered there, suspended in the cold air of his study, was itself a terrifying and new answer.
It meant that your "vision," your peace, your home, had begun to matter. And for a man like him, who feared vulnerability more than any enemy, that was both a curse and the only glimmer of possible redemption.
Then he went to the cybernetic study that Sektor had created to think, since your confession about what happened with Tomas had generated distrust in Sub-Zero for the first time toward his right-hand woman.
*Later*
The Lin Kuei's cybernetic facilities hummed with the silent energy of advanced technology. Touchscreens displayed data streams, heat maps, and weapon schematics. It was Sektor's realm, a place where efficiency and cold logic reigned supreme, a sanctuary for the clan's most militaristic vision.
Bi-Han was there, pretending to review reports. His movements were precise, but his mind wasn't fully engaged. The conversation with you echoed in his head, a persistent sound that chilled even the already frigid air of the room.
Sektor approached, her steps firm and confident on the metal floor.
-Bi-Han, the reports from the northern sector have been verified, No unusual activity- She said, her voice as efficient as ever.
Bi-Han didn’t look up immediately. A new habit, a nascent distrust that made him carefully consider his responses.
-Good. Redirect resources to the eastern perimeter.- He said curtly
There was an awkward silence. Sektor didn’t leave. She could sense the tension in him, a crack in his normally impenetrable Grand Master facade.
-You seems distracted -he remarked, with a hint of feigned concern. -Do your… domestic affairs… interfere with your duties?
The word “domestic” was uttered with barely veiled disdain. Bi-Han slowly raised his gaze, his eyes meeting hers. He no longer saw the complicity of before, only the sting of exposed betrayal.
-My priorities are mine to manage, Sektor - He replied, his voice flat.
She remained unmoved. She smiled, a cold and calculating expression.
-Of course, I'm just wondering if that woman is softening him up. I saw her yesterday, talking to the stranger again. They seemed... more closer. It's a distraction we can't afford- Sektor began again.
It was the last straw. The use of "that woman," the venomous mention of Tomas, the insinuation that he was weak.
-Well, it seems you're missing something because I was there when Tomas came back, Y/N. He treats him like a brother - Bi han replied with the last of his patience, giving Sektor a chance to backtrack.
-Well, it's not what it looks like. They were alone in the infirmary, and she was the- she began.
-ENOUGH, SEKTOR!- He interrupted, his voice rising for the first time to Sektor in that place, an outburst of emotion.
A raw outburst echoed in the sterile room.
-It can't be that you, whom I thought were a kindred spirit! The only person in this clan who understood that power and strength are all that matter. Who wasn't blinded by... sentimentality, would make me look like a fool!! - Bi han said anger
He advanced toward her, and Sektor, for the first time, instinctively took a step back. The fury in his eyes wasn't just that of a betrayed leader, but that of a man whose only secure foothold had been revealed as an illusion.
-And yet when my wife, whom I've scorned, whom I've considered a burden, discovers our transgression and her first reaction isn't vengeance or public humiliation, but to protect me... do you know what that makes me see?- He continued, each word a lash of ice.
He stopped right in front of her.
U
-It makes me realize that the only person who has acted with true honor, despite all my contempt, is her. And you, the only one I trusted, are here before me, trying to poison me even further. You made me look like a fool in front of my wife!! - The cryomancer said indignantly.
Sektor regained some of his composure, her expression hardening.
-Bi-Han, you're letting your emotions cloud your judgment, that woman is weak, I offer the Lin Kuei power, i offer you power, whatever existed between us... was a confirmation of that alliance- Sektor said, regaining some of her composure.
-No, it was a mistake. A blind spot. And any... 'worldly feeling' or complicity I thought I shared with you has ceased to exist- His words cut through the air like a knife.
Sektor stared at him, her face now a mask of pain. She had lost him... her influence over him was crumbling, replaced by the lingering shadow of his wife's loyalty.
-So you've grown weak -She spat.
-No, I'm becoming clear. Now, leave me alone. I must... reassess your position- Bi-Han retorted, his voice regaining its glacial gravity, but with a newfound determination.
It was a temporary dismissal, but a deep wound for Sektor. With one last look, charged with indignation and a broken heart, she turned on her heel and left the cyber facility, her footsteps echoing off the metal.
Bi-Han was left alone, the hum of machines filling the void left by his outburst. He took a deep breath. For the first time, he had defended your position not as a matter of honor, but as a matter of courage. And in doing so, he had severed the closest tie he had to his old ideology.
He stared at the door Sektor had left through. For the first time, he had planted a seed of doubt about everything he thought he knew, and now, alone, he would have to face the harvest.
*The next day*
This morning you found a small, perfect ice rose on your nightstand. There was no note, no explanation, but a smile lit up your face and your chest swelled. You knew it was Bi-Han, his way of saying "I'm sorry." When you saw him, you would thank him for his gesture, which you knew was monumental to him.
The encounter with Bi-Han had left your soul calm, but with a lingering unease. You had defended your position, you had planted a seed of doubt in his icy heart, but in the process, you had dragged an innocent person into the line of fire: Tomas.
You found him alone in the library, rearranging some ancient scrolls. His back was to you, but his posture seemed less light than usual, as if the weight of Bi-Han's icy gaze still lingered on his shoulders.
-Tomas- You called softly.
He turned instantly, and a genuine, though slightly weary, smile lit up his face when he saw you.
-Y/N. Everything alright?- He asked, his voice thick with emotion.
You approached him, your hands clasped in front of you, a knot of guilt forming in your stomach.
-That should be my question. Are you... okay?- You hesitated, searching for the words. -After what happened with... Bi-Han. I noticed. The way he looked at you in the hallway.
Tomas's smile faded slightly, transforming into an expression of understanding resignation.
-Oh, that. Don't worry about me.“I’m used to Bi-Han’s… ‘disapproval’s- He said.
-But this time was different… it was my fault. If you hadn’t found me crying, if I hadn’t involved you by asking you to keep it a secret… You insisted, moving closer, your voice heavy with worry.
-Hey- He interrupted gently, raising a hand to calm you. -Y/N, listen to me. It wasn’t your fault. What Bi-Han did to you, what you saw… that’s not right. Anyone would have done the same. Comforting a friend who’s suffering isn’t a crime.
His words were a balm, but you couldn’t help feeling responsible.
-But he’s been so cruel to you because of this. And I… I just wanted to protect him, and in the end, I exposed you to his anger. I’m so sorry, Tomas.- You said worry
Tomas sighed, leaning against a dark wooden bookshelf.
-Bi Han...it's complicated...His world has always been black and white, strength and weakness, pure and impure blood, my presence here has always been one of those gray areas he doesn't know how to handle... What's happening now is just...a new layer in an old conflict - Tomas said calmly.
He looked at you with a tenderness that reminded you why you had trusted him from the very first day.
-Don't regret opening up to me. And don't worry about me. I know how to withstand his coldness. I've been doing it since we were children - He said.
-And doesn't it hurt? That he treats you like this, after all these years as brothers?- You asked, with genuine curiosity.
-It hurts...but I also understand. In his twisted mind, it's not personal. Or at least, not entirely. It's his code, his programming; breaking it...takes time. And it seems that you're the first person who's managing to create cracks in that armor - Tomas said, looking at you affectionately.
-Thank you, Tomas, for being my friend, for being… my brother in this place. I don’t know what I’d do without you and Kuai Liang - You said, taking his hands to comfort him.
He smiled, broad and warm this time.
-We’ll be here for you, Y/N, always. You’re part of this family, whether Bi-Han chooses to accept it or not. - He leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice in a conspiratorial tone. -;And between us, I think he’s having a harder time fighting the idea that he might care about someone than fighting any enemy of the Lin Kuei.
A laugh escaped your lips. His optimism was contagious.
The air in the library, a haven of warmth and understanding, was suddenly cut as if an invisible knife had pierced the peace. A tall, stern figure appeared in the doorway, blocking the exit.
Sektor.
Her cold, calculating eyes swept the scene: you, with eyes of gratitude, and Tomas, standing close to you in a gesture that, to any malicious observer, could appear intimate.
-What a touching scene," her voice said, a venomous whisper that chilled the air. -The Grand Master's wife, seeking solace once again in another's arms. Haven't you learned your lesson?
Tomas stepped forward, subtly positioning himself between you and Sektor.
-Sektor, this isn't what you think. We were talking- Smoke said.
-Silence, Tomas! You have no right to speak to me after your insubordination. -Her gaze locked on you. -And you... your disrespect toward Bi-Han is pathetic, while he bears the weight of the clan, you play the damsel in distress with someone who shouldn't even look at you.
Your heart pounded, not with fear, but with pure indignation. You wouldn't let her poison your friendship with Tomas again.
-It's not what you think, Sektor - You said, your voice firm despite the inner trembling. - Tomas is my friend, my brother. We haven't done anything wrong. And Bi-Han knows it.
-I've seen enough, your only mission is to be silent, obedient, and bear an heir, but you can't even do that. Instead, the moment he leaves, you run to the adopted one- Sektor said with disdain.
The master armorer was leaving, but you weren't going to let her words hurt you or Tomas again in front of Bi-Han.
-Please, understand that there's no...- In an impulsive act, you reached out and gently took her arm.
You didn't finish the sentence.
She reacted as if your touch had burned her. With superhuman speed, his free hand moved like lightning. It wasn't a blow, but a precise and brutal strike.
His fingers, strengthened perhaps by some hidden blade or simply by the lethal power of his training, clawed at your face.
A sharp, burning pain shot across your face, centered on your cheekbone and extending to your eyebrow, just below your left eye.
A strangled cry escaped your lips as you stumbled backward, your hand instinctively flying toward your face. When you pulled it back, your fingers were stained with bright red.
-Don't touch her!- Tomas roared, shoving Sektor back with a force that surprised them both. His usually peaceful expression was contorted with fury.
Sektor didn't even flinch. She wiped his thumb on her clothes, staining them with your blood, with a terrifying calmness.
-Let this be a reminder, little wife, some lines are not to be crossed, your place is not to question, to touch, or to conspire , your place is to obey and be silent and if you can't understand it with words, perhaps a scar will remind you every time you look in the mirror. - She spat out the words.
Tomas put an arm around you, protecting you, while his other hand and his karambit remained raised in guard against Sektor.
-Go. Now!,- Tomas ordered, with an authority you hadn't seen in him before.
Sektor looked at you both with disdain, turned, and left, leaving the air thick with the metallic scent of blood and the promise of a conflict that was now impossible to ignore.
Tomas turned to you, his eyes filled with horror and worry.
-Let me see- He whispered, his voice trembling.
You got down Your hand, fearful. The wound was deep, a bleeding line that crossed your cheekbone and stopped dangerously close to your lower eyelid.
Tears of pain and shock streamed down your face, mingling with the blood.
-Will it...will it leave a scar?- You asked, your voice breaking.
Tomas's expression was all the answer you needed. His silence and the deep sorrow in his eyes confirmed your fears.
In that moment, you understood that the silent war was over. Sektor had opened fire. And that scar on your face wasn't just a wound. It was a declaration of war.
Tomas's face was pale, his breath ragged as he held a clean cloth against your bleeding cheek.
-This can’t be left like this, Y/N,- He murmured, a rare fury in his voice. -This was a cowardly attack. Not just against you !! but against Bi-Han’s authority itself.
-Tomas, no… if Bi-Han finds out, he…- You tried to protest, the fear of making things worse clouding your judgment.
-He must know! And not only him! Sektor crossed every line. Attacking the Grandmaster’s wife is an act of insubordination and treason. Kuai Liang and Father must know. Now.- He interrupted, his firmness brooking no argument.
Without waiting for your reply, he gently but resolutely led you through the corridors, avoiding curious glances until you reached the former Grandmaster’s private quarters. Fortunately for you, both he and Kuai Liang were there, reviewing an ancient text.
Seeing you enter, your face pale and blood soaking the cloth, the old man's expression shifted from surprise to instant concern. Kuai Liang jumped to his feet.
-By the gods? What happened?- The pyromancer demanded, crossing the room in two strides.
Tomas, his fists clenched, wasted no time.
-Sektor- Smoke spat the name out like poison -She attacked her. In the library.
The air thickened. The former Grand Master rose slowly, his cane striking the floor with a dull thud that echoed in the silence.
-Explain yourself, son.- The former Grand master said
Tomas explained everything, from Bi Han's cold treatment to the argument with Sektor.
Kuai Liang approached you, his face a mask of barely contained fury. With extreme gentleness, he removed the cloth to examine the wound and stroked your head, feeling guilty for not protecting you. His eyes darkened at the depth of the cut.
-Sister... this is a wound meant to leave a mark. It wasn't a spur-of-the-moment blow. It was a cold execution. A message - Scorpion declared, his voice low but laced with icy rage.
The former Grand Master approached. His gaze, usually filled with peaceful wisdom, now burned with a light unseen for years. He examined the wound and then looked at Tomas.
-Do you swear this is what happened, Tomas? Without any provocation other than a touch on the arm? - Your father-in-law asked, though he already knew the answer.
-I swear it on my life and honor,- Tomas affirmed without hesitation.
The old man closed his eyes for a moment, deep disappointment and fury etched into the wrinkles of his face. When he opened his eyes, his gaze was steely.
-This is unacceptable attacking a member of the Grand Master's family, especially his wife, is a direct challenge to the clan's authority and my legacy. It's not just an act of cruelty; it's an act of political insubordination," he declared, his voice, though calm, carrying the weight of a sentence.
-Father, this cannot go unpunished, if Bi-Han doesn't act...-Kuai Liang began, rising but keeping his hands on your shoulders.
The implication was clear: his brother's authority as Grand Master would be irrevocably tarnished.
-Bi-Han will be informed, but not by you, Tomas. I'll handle it myself, Kuai Liang, take Y/N to the healing chambers,use whatever is necessary to minimize that scar." Then he turned to you, his gaze softening with genuine sorrow. -I'm sorry, daughter. I failed you I allowed this snake to nest too close to my family this ends today.
Kuai Liang nodded and helped you to your feet.
While Kuai Liang, with ointments and sacred herbs, worked with his pyromantic hand, generating controlled heat to sterilize the wound, you watched his focused face. The pain was sharp, but your mind was elsewhere. On him.
-Wait- You said, your voice a whisper, but filled with a determination that stopped them in their tracks.
Everyone looked at you. The former Grand Master bowed his head.
-Say what you need to say, daughter- Your father-in-law said gently.
-I thank you...- You began, your voice cracking slightly with pain, but you remained firm. - I thank you more than words can express. For believing me, for defending my honor, when I myself felt I didn't deserve it. But... please, I ask you a favor
Kuai Liang frowned and then stroked your cheek as he continued healing it.
-You don't need to ask for favors, sister. What was done to you demands justice -Scorpion said resolutely.
-Yes, it does- You agreed - But it must be true justice. If we all appear before Bi-Han as a group, with my father in law at the head, he'll feel cornered....He'll see this not as an act of defense for me, but as a challenge to his authority from his own family, his pride is... his armor and his prison.
Tomas looked at you with admiration and sadness. He understood.
-What do you propose?- The former Grand Master asked, his gaze becoming appraising, impressed by your insight.
-That when I summon him and Sektor...-You said, looking directly at him -you allow me to be present." Not to accuse, but to be there. And please... let Bi-Han decide Sektor's punishment.
Kuai Liang opened his mouth to protest, but you spoke first.
-I know him- You whispered, placing your uninjured hand over your heart. - If you take that decision away from him, if he feels that his father or you, brother, are dictating justice in his clan, he will never forgive. The anger that should be directed at Sektor will be directed at you. And I... I don't want to be the cause of this family being torn apart even further.
Your father-in-law watched the fire in Kuai Liang's bowl, deep in thought.
-It's a huge risk, child. Trusting him to make the right decision- Your father-in-law said.
- I know, but it's a risk I must take, for him, and for all of us, because if he chooses to punish Sektor of his own volition, it will mean that his loyalty to the Lin Kuei and to... to what we are as a married couple, is stronger than his connection to her. It will be a true victory, if it is forced upon him, it will only be a blow to his pride, and resentment will fester in the darkness- You said resolutely.
There was a silence. Your reasoning was impeccable, born of a deep understanding of the man you had married. It wasn't weakness; it was a strategy smarter and more powerful than any direct confrontation.
-Se is right Bi-Han has always responded better to dominance than to coercion -Kuai Liang said, yielding.
The elderly Grandmaster sighed, a sound of resignation and pride mingled with his own.
-Very well , it will be done your way, you will be present, i will inform my son of what has transpired and summon Sektor, but the weight of judgment will fall upon his shoulders. You are wiser than any of us have given you credit for, daughter, this clan is luckier to have you than it deserves - Your father-in-law said, approaching and placing a fatherly hand on your shoulder.
Tomas smiled at you, a smile of relief and deep respect.
-Your strength is different from ours, Y/N. But it is perhaps the most powerful of all - Scorpion declared.
*Later*
The Lin Kuei's Ice Throne Room, normally a place of serene and icy authority, throbbed with a tension so thick you could cut it with a knife. The former Grandmaster sat to one side, not on the throne, but on a raised seat, observing. His presence was a shadow of past authority, a silent reminder.
You sat in a chair near Kuai Liang and Tomas, who were beside you, your face bandaged with clean gauze where your brother-in-law's pyromantic skill had sealed the wound, minimizing the damage, but leaving the promise of a subtle scar. You took a deep breath, maintaining the composure you had asked of the others.
The doors swung open.
Bi-Han entered first, he wore his Grandmaster's cloak, his mask concealing any emotion, but his energy was a contained storm.
He had been summoned urgently by his father, and he knew it was something serious. Right behind him, Sektor entered with his usual arrogant confidence, until his eyes swept the room and met the figure of his father, with Kuai Liang, with Tomas... and with you, with the visible evidence of his deed on your face.
For a moment, there was no one else in the room but you.
-Y/N!!- The cryomancer exclaimed, and for the first time - You could see the concern on his face.
-What happened?- Bi-Han asked, bringing his hand to your cheek and the gauze without touching it.
It was the former Grand Master who spoke.
-My son a grave offense has been committed within these walls.. One that cannot be ignored - Your father-in-law replied, his voice calm but implacable.
Sektor stepped forward, trying to take control of the narrative.
-Grand Master, if this is about a minor altercation with your wife, I can explain… -She tried to explain.
- You haven’t been given the floor!- The old man’s voice boomed with an authority that made the air tremble. Sektor snapped shut, his lips pressed tightly together.
The old man looked at his son.
-Sektor attacked your wife without any provocation, other than a touch on her arm to try and calm her down, she wounded her face with the clear intention of scarring her, of disfiguring he Tomas was a witness Kuai Liang healed the wound, the evidence is on your wife’s face.- He paused, letting the weight of his words settle -The punishment for assaulting a member of the Grand Master’s family is exile or death. The decision, as befits your position, is yours.
All eyes were fixed on Bi-Han, he wasn’t looking at his father, nor at Sektor, his gaze, intense and impenetrable behind the mask, was fixed on you, on the white gauze that stained your face.
Bi-Han said nothing, went to the ice throne, and sat down.
First, he looked at Sektor, who gazed at him with a pleading look, not out of fear of death, but of losing him. Then he looked at you, who demanded nothing, only understanding with your gaze, and with the fear that his decision might betray the trust you had placed in him.
You could feel the cold emanating from him, a cold that went beyond his cryomantic power.
The decision rested with your husband, and his decision would speak of him not only as your husband, but as a Grand Master, a son, and a brother.
