A/N: One more of these to come. Not long now, till MK11...
Asymmetry
"Could I have a minute?"
Kuai nodded, leaving Goddess to ponder what on Earthrealm had gone wrong...
Kara put hands on dresser, shakes running up arms, reaching torso, back, legs, her body shook, eyes obscured by saline, world around her slipping, merging, mind unwilling to cooperate. Breathing became hard, heart solid stone, weighty, winding, lungs burning as woman tried to convince herself Kuai hadn't cast aside her truth. He knew her long enough to understand her reaction would always be to cease talking, find a quiet spot, plop herself down in heap and sob until it hurt too much to so much as flinch.
He threw her down like yoyo. Having no time to brace, Kara thudded, floor sudden smack against face, carpet burn tearing delicate skin, threads poking eyeballs, numb. He froze everything inside her, feelings shrivelling up like prunes, without lifting a finger.
She was his age, not pouting, throwing tantrum child, his acolyte, his general, his ally, his friend, his foundation when own melted under intense, harsh glares he received after attacking Emperor Kotal Kahn.
He did so to protect Cassie, her team, as well as Kara. She'd gotten herself into mess he'd warned her against, soft features turning hard, facing other way, folding arms confirming his fears.
She told him he was being belligerent, he should have more faith. All there deserved it.
He decided to give praise to them, providing it to former love deemed misguided, given their past.
Again, Kara admonished her leader, hazelnut swirling through eyes ceasing, this time calling him 'farcical,' that they had slept together a grand total of twice, before he fled, timorous, baffling both her and her parents.
They were the only ones who knew something lay there, beneath imposing exterior, beneath decades of pain, sheets of ice. Kara's purple shimmer finding its way in-between, her luminosity gave credence to a man who clung to life, no matter how badly rope tore at his hands.
Why, then, was he behaving in way akin to sociopath, only with her? He went from zero to one hundred in two seconds flat, casting aside single soul to see him as anything other than the 'second Sub-Zero.'
Not the real one.
Never the real one.
Light bulbs blew in Kara's head...
Is it because Kuai feels he won't ever be his brother's equal? He compares himself to a dead man?
Mind berated her, logic shoving acidity, fighting off acerbic statement, replacing it with concern.
That's unfair. He wasn't always what he is now...
Kuai had his entire life with his brother. He protected, covered innocent eyes from the terrors his Father inflicted. Their pregnant Mother placated leader, defusing bomb, until wrath exploded, man attacking her, husband vanishing in the blink of tear stained lash eye. She lost their daughter, a sister, tiny little hands and feet, Mother dying slowly, agonisingly slowly after that.
Their Father fled, ashamed, shamed, stooping to such brutality evil, most direct sense of the word.
Why would he have told me any of that, if he lacked trust in me?
Pathetically wiping eyes with sleeve, nose decided to leave trail of slime. She wiped that on her cardigan.
I...she forced herself off dresser, feet to dorm door. Determined not to slump against it, Kara stood in salute pose, back ramrod straight, shoulders back.
I want, need to speak with you. I promise I won't lose it. It is you that's making me upset, however, I should have considered that you, too are suffering. I'm so sorry...
Coughing, Kara muttered 'fuck' under breath, hoping Kuai listened, praying he would reply, even if it was from opposite end of the temple.
When the knocking came, Kara jumped, anxious, tugging at collar, worry coursing through veins.
She respected him...it was significantly more.
She kept this inside, logic utilised.
The cost didn't matter.
Kara wished to hug man, urge overwhelming, encompassing whole being.
Refraining, she offered hand, Kuai taking it, pulling himself inside. Shaking head, clear apology, man's arms opened, shock convulsing Goddess' throat, looking at him tough, frozen lake eyes melting entirety, her own shifting mauve, full of questions, aching to spring free from throat, sprint off tongue, through parched lips, into love's ear.
She went stiff when he held her, afraid to show tenderness. He left, he consistently left, wrecking mind, wracking soul.
"I can't."
Kuai hummed.
"I like this. I'll end up liking it too much, if I let myself hold you. You'll walk, and I'll end up feeling barren, worthless."
Beard, far from coarse swept across her forehead, chin placed atop it.
"If I walk, its my own cowardice wishing it. You have helped that immensely, Kara. My burdens shouldn't become yours, the weight of them is too heavy for me to bear alone, though I must."
"You don't have too." Kara implored, resisting stubborn eye roll, equalling man's adamant nature. "My energy chamber? Its excellent for letting loose. You're free to use it, any time. I am not asking for affection, or 'happy ending,' all that shit. I only ask that we talk, without pretence, without needing to hide things. I won't tell a soul, I swear on Goddess vows..."
Woman wasn't sure where their liaison had gone awry. The first time they slept together, it was charming, awkward, seconds savoured, hearts thudding in tandem, Kara laughing as melting ice fell onto her, her pillows, former making her shiver, finding contrast to heated skin strangely increased eroticism.
The second time was terrible, woman stopping, backing off. Different man stood before her, desperate, obvious he did not want any part of this, Goddess unsure why he even bothered turning up, trekking to her room, midst of Winter, trudging through snow, only to act peculiarly, heart clearly not in this. Fingers chilled her to bone, thoughtless path, dull, cloudy blues shaking her to the core.
Kara knew the right head wasn't either.
Still, to see someone selfless as him seemingly forget principles, fling himself like harlot made woman feel ill, dizzy, nightmare she'd soon wake from.
He left soon after, feet carrying him to destination unknown, leaving love unrequited, woman with pangs of distress in chest, longing in mind and body.
Crawling into bed, Kara was numb, evening's chill having nothing to do with it...
She woke to him weeping, sound alien. Half asleep, Kara slunk off bed, crawling towards him, helping him up, cradling him like baby, lying beside him, Goddess surrounded him in telepathic bubble, her barrier against the world.
Little could harm her leader here, other than himself...
Beard scraping palm, Kara trembled, lip quiver giving her away. She felt muscles twitch, Kuai wanted to smile, stone mask chipping, Kara chipper, leader allowing it. Gods, she would not take advantage of this. Wherever her hand ventured, digits itching to explore, it would directed by him.
Scheming mind damned to Netherrealm, Kara marvelled how great it felt, letting herself be guided, learning with him, learn with the man she cared for, that knowledge gnawing away, incessantly at gut.
She'd keep that quiet, issue delicate.
If Kuai wished to bring it up, he would, decisive in each, every possible way...
Tracing form, skin's naturally warm temperature went partially masked with drips, frigid blast pruning pads. Black hairs peppered chest, arms, 'happy trail' from navel, immaturity wishing to shine through, dulled as her robe fastenings were untied, hands on her stomach, pushing fabric over her shoulders.
Cool hands moulded, goosebumps taking woman, gazing into purest sapphires, own irises lit up brilliant fuchsia, slim, cool chain necklace wound around fingers, Amethyst hitting sternum, Kara whispering if Kuai broke it, it didn't matter if he were Emperor of every known realm, she would let him know she was unhappy.
For him? She'd go easier, throw in flattery, hedonist taking over for control, heart and brain on same page, reading man like extraordinary novel, hands working worn spine tenderly, nursing bruises, easing obvious strain, leader giving as good as he got, quiet, meek, not yet found herself Goddess closing eyes, cheeks hollowed, wanting cryomancer to hurtle off mountain before her.
Honed command wouldn't allow that, mind wishing to disagree, firmly affixed on woman who took all burden, all weight, damage he unintentionally inflicted physically, mentally swept aside.
Woman, who refused to give up, withdraw support, remain at his side, when his confidence waned, he shouted at her, throwing hands up, bellowing, brows low, mouth lower, ordering her to leave chamber.
Kara did, though left to room, keeping quiet as to her whereabouts.
They were not tethered, he could not pinpoint location, merely follow trail of energy, similar to umbilical cord.
It would lead him near her, Kara knew, but found she was unable to care much, haze of tears waterfall, strength edacious, empty insides, mind devoid of thoughts.
When they crashed, they shattered each other's preconceptions, Kuai no longer feeling as if he were 'pulling rank,' Kara no longer feeling as if he were. She wrestled leadership, occasionally giving handing him it, body plate, eyes mischievous. It became game, baited breath, everything held, fists balled, knuckles white, Goddess breaking nails, gripping sinew, mattress, drawing blood, nips ignored, Kuai giving, returning, biting exposed neck, earlobe, Kara getting dizzy, shaking, heart racing, achingly sweet.
Calling his name, prayer flowing freely, hearing her name coming from such unyielding character, woman blushed, flushed cheek to chest, kissing him with gusto.
She, wholeheartedly bloomed, petals radiant heliotrope, tenderness shaping dazzling flower, care taken with each, every part...
"Divine Chamber. I took it for granted before, took my Mom's abilities for granted. Giving me them? Blew me away. I am her only child though, so guess I didn't have much of a choice..."
Rubbing back of her head, Kara tilted head, pulling away.
"You are welcome to come with me. No pressure."
Goddess held up hands, finding door knob behind her. She was unaware man shadowed her, arm weaving around her waist.
"I am undeserving of your kindness. You gave me warmth, hearth when soul froze, you restored me, gave me belief, spurred confidence. And what did I do?" Man frowned, shame hollowing sallow cheeks. "I use position against you, dangled promises I knew I wouldn't be able to keep, played with heart, brutish child with toy. I damaged such transparent, refined, halcyon soul without mercy, barrage unyielding. You worked yourself free, every time, remained beautiful whilst I grow old, wrinkled, caustic. Your regards are beyond thoughtful. I do not deserve them."
"I wouldn't give my entirety if I thought you were terrible." Keeping back to him, Kara snorted. "I love you. I won't, can't hold it against you if you don't feel the same. I won't apologise, or worm my way into your head, bed. I will listen, observe, give advice only when you want it. All I ask is we talk, please, even if it will cause upset. We both know what that does to the mind, body too. No labels, no pressure."
Kuai's honest smile softened Goddess' features.
"I will refrain pressure to throw 'leader' label..."
"When I've done something bad?" Teasing, coy leapt from balcony decades ago, hazels twinkled. "No. Call me out, don't give me preferential treatment."
Chiselled features shot butterflies right into Kara's stomach, darkness partially hiding simper.
"You want to be punished?"
"In a way, yes." Smooth tone employed, Kara straightened up, affixing ruffled robe fabric. "If I may, time, moment permitting, of course, our stars align, I believe I am able to assist in exonerating myself."
"Persuading me is impossible."
"Wouldn't say impossible. However, as a leader, it ought to be, at least difficult. It is. Admirable. I admire your traits, it was your tenacity that kept you fighting when your soul was forcibly taken. I didn't do anything other than regain your soul gem, fused it with your body. I hoped I did the right thing."
"You gave me my life back. Two decades, stolen. You gave me new memories, continue too. Never say your contributions are less than resplendent. Kara..." he sighed, blowing her fringe, "do I allow myself euphoria after too many years in darkness? Without light, truth grows dim, feelings weary, mind strained. You are my light, banishing pitch. Sadness lingers, it always will."
"That's normal, Kuai..."
She'd used his name a thousand times, but saying it, mouth forming letters felt cheeky, audacious, usual moniker 'Grand-Master' going at some point during their interactions.
"If you wish to be alone, please, tell me. I don't want to push you away."
"I did the pushing. You tried to push back, I wouldn't let you."
Kara laughed out loud.
"Shoved. I know I moved you, a few times, at least."
Looking at bedside clock, Kara smiled.
"Near eleven." Sighing, Kara avoided eye contact, lest she look too hopeful. "I'm going to bed. Want to stay here?" Waving hands, abruptly looking at him, sheepishly, woman made face. "Sleep. Sleep."
She clarified. Squeezing his shoulder, Goddess went into her bathroom, unfolding towel, pyjamas, grabbing bottle of shower gel, cocoa scent heartwarming, inducing fond memories.
Kuai would return to his room, either retiring there, or here.
Kara wanted the latter to happen, as she wished to ask him most personal question (in her mind,) gauge his reaction.
She hoped it would be positive...
"Was wondering if we could connect our abilities, align frequencies." Kara held Amethyst Shard between fingers, moonlight reflecting onto face, sheets, pillow. "Immensely personal, intimate, even. Its entirely up to you."
Blurting latter, Kuai chuckled under breath, retrieving Sapphire from pocket inside robes. It was warm, Kara's chilled, stark contrast bizarre.
Holding it, outstretched hand, leader focused, primarily on gazing upon woman like she was divine, otherworldly being.
She may have been deified, but that didn't come naturally with dignity.
Kuai made her feel dignified.
She had to thank the man, find whatever way necessary to confirm gratitude.
Fibres left purple jewel, palm aglow, snaking, conjoining with deep blue, strings wrapping around wrists, fingers, affirming bond, securing faith, trust unwavering, moment precious, stored away with gilded abandon.
Kuai wouldn't speak the words she longed for.
This was fine. She knew, regardless. The man did not tolerate, stick around people he didn't like.
Cuddling, head nestled on chest, Kara's hair tickled, man finding himself unable to be phased. Soft thuds of heart lullaby, woman's eyelids fluttered, lashes hitting cheek. Own organ slowed, breathing growing deeper, hands threading through hair lulling, swooning, man beneath her decidedly lovely pillow.
Even if he ended up with cramp, considerably viable, considering he was ageing, Kuai wouldn't be anywhere else, closing his eyes, knowing they were safe.
The business with Raiden's turn, whilst concerning didn't concern him, or Kara.
They would take each day as it came, step by step, not step then leap into unknown waters.
They were not entirely unknown.
More, uncharted, as of yet...