Earthrealm's protector felt strange.
And he couldn't identify the true reason for his inner turmoil.
What he did know was that it all revolved around one person - You.
His glowing eyes shifted from the lively crowd to your figure. You and the rest of Earthrealm's combatants had been invited to a festive event by Johnny Cage to celebrate Earthrealm's victory in the tenth Mortal Kombat tournament. With the champion of the said tournament - Liu Kang - as the guest of honour.
Raiden had also been invited but he felt no real need (nor desire) to attend Cage's 'Happy not-end-of-the-world party'. The god would rather meditate in the Sky Temple's garden all the while enjoying a hot cup of tea instead of indulging himself in mortal frivolity. He was present mainly because of his pupils' infuriating persistence; he would like himself to believe. However, looking back, the simplest mentioning of your definite presence there had swayed his objection quicker than any blow.
As of then, he felt alarmed by the power you held over him - regardless if you were conscious of it or not.
You were currently enraptured in a conversation with Sonya Blade, the artificial lights revealing an alluring red hue on your cheeks. Endearing, adorable, beautiful came into his mind as his heart constricted in affection. After this first taste, there was little he could do against his desire that had his eyes follow a path down your body, making his absent-mindedness apparent even through his neutral facade.
"Is everything well, Lord Raiden?" Liu Kang called worryingly but with a soft smile, making his mentor shift uncharacteristically quickly, further confirming the champion's suspicions.
Raiden fought the unfamiliar heat that rushed to his face. Eventually overtaking his (thankfully) covered ears and cheeks, which further prompted him to bow his hat to hide it. But it also refrained him from noticing the flicker of recognition that had passed his pupil's eyes.
"It is nothing, Liu Kang." The god replied, hoping his voice didn't give away his slight embarrassment.
Liu Kang let him off the hook with this, but the way he had smiled at him as he left filled Raiden with unease. That was until his orbs landed back at you dancing with Johnny Cage, but this time, they reflected something other than affection.
A kaleidoscope of emotions warred within him more than at every other instance in his long existence. And it left him frozen in place as he tried to make sense of everything going on inside his head.
The sight of you in someone else's arms displeased the god since he was the one who wanted to be in such close proximity to you. His fists unintentionally clenched when Cage threw you a flirty smirk. Even more so when you responded with a charming smile that he would like to be the recipient of.
Raiden never felt such intense emotions before and he almost planned to consult with the Elder Gods about his unfamiliar predicament.
But all that was thrown out of the window as soon as he watched the actor advance on you - not even the Elder Gods would have stopped the Thunder God from intervening.
It was all thanks to years of disciplining his mind that he was still in enough control over his actions to avoid causing a scene with his lightning. Which's intensity was steadily growing in the wake of his torrential emotions. The actor made an effort to not look as if Raiden hadn't just spoiled anything and went to cheerily welcome him but you beat him to it.
"Lord Raiden!" He felt the tension leaving his body almost immediately when your musical voice reached his ears, despite the music. The stone from his heart fell upon hearing the impossible joy in it.
"Raiden, buddy, never thought I would see you here!" Johnny decided to back off a bit. Whether he felt intimidated by the Thunder God's looming presence or not, Raiden, as if acting out on primordial instinct, asserted his territory at your side.
"If I am not mistaken, I was also invited to partake in this celebration, was I not?" Raiden asked the host, hoping he would take the hint and leave.
"Oh- yeah, sure..." The mortal man eyed how close the god came to you and seemed to understand, "I will see myself out."
You could only stare dumbfounded at both of them.
Nevertheless, you were secretly glad to be with Raiden. Whenever you were near the Thunder God, the hidden feelings of love threatened to bubble over the edges of your heart and it was impossible to contain it.
You had the impression that Raiden's relentless efforts were somewhat undervalued and that he was given little to no praise at all - even though he had been doing this for millennia!
So you took it upon yourself to always show your gratitude whenever the Thunder God would deem you worthy of even a flicker of his attention. Whether it was shown just through a smile or anything that you hoped would lift his spirits or ease his burden.
You simply admired how dedicated and thoughtful he was when it came to the protection of Earthrealm. The Thunder God always gave his best and it wouldn't feel right for you not to aspire to do your best for him also.
But you would never have thought your emotion to go even beyond that. The longer you paid your fullest attention to him - it opened your eyes to things you never noticed about him before. You wonder if anyone ever noticed how his iris seemed to shine just slightly brighter than his sclera. Or the way his eyebrows in combination with his cheeks almost formed tear-troughs. The way his brows creased in suspicion. Or rose in surprise.
All in all, these were nothing but small details that might bear no significance to any other, but to you, it only served to enhance the beauty that was Raiden. But your love for the god was a hopeless endeavour because what chances did you have for it to be ever returned?
For an immortal god to love a mortal? When you were nothing but a temporary instance in his neverending duty?
Yet you still hoped, and hoped, and hoped...
You hadn't even noticed when your expression fell until the Thunder God himself, who you also have forgotten about during the relapse, tried to gather your trailing thoughts for you through his unwavering voice.
"[Y/N]?"
You jumped slightly as if awoken from trance, your eyes immediately finding his own and Raiden couldn't for the life of him avoid them. The pause that had established between the two of you had the god perplexed, but then it turned into gut-wrenching worry as he watched the happiness disappearing from your expression, throwing a shadow over your features.
Was it because he had intentionally interrupted you with Cage? Was there something between the pair of you that he had so selfishly ruined? Was he too late to attempt to confess to you? Now that he had finally come to acknowledge his attraction towards you?
Raiden couldn't help but doubt himself in this instance. But he also couldn't live another second knowing he was the reason for the dimming of your bright mood. He had to do something - anything!
"May I have this dance?" He offered up his hand, palm facing up. His unexpected actions attracted the attention of those few individuals who weren't yet of intoxicated mind, but they let the pair be.
Raiden felt dismayed when you continued to stare at his hand, unresponsive. He felt the need to retract his hand if it wasn't for the barely perceivable blush on your cheeks.
You finally looked up to him; he was a head taller than you. His heart diminished all sorrows when you put your smaller hand in his.
"It would an honour, Lord Raiden." The glimmer returned to your eyes when he swept you up.
Raiden never danced before this, but somehow it felt natural for him to put his hands on your soft but strong body. And for you in return, it was almost as if a dream had come true. You had never had the opportunity to touch him as you respected his boundaries.
The Thunder God was a reserved individual, the only time he ever touched somebody was either through combat or when administrating his healing powers.
Rarely for any other occasion, but you felt as if he made an exception for you this time. And Elder Gods forbid if you weren't going to latch onto whatever hook, sinker he would throw you. So you decided it was best to focus on the present rather than on your unrequited infatuation. You might never get another chance.
There was no way in hell you wouldn't enjoy the moment. And you were definitely showing it.
Raiden on the other hand focused too intently on his every movement to recognize your zest. His body became stiff and difficult to move but you didn't let it discourage you. To any other, the god would appear to want to do any other activity than this but you knew better than to dismiss his stony features as a lack of effort. Because he gave plenty of it - the way his eyebrows knitted together was a clear indicator of just how much he tried.
Only the Elder Gods bore witness how careful Raiden was being with every step, every stir. Not because he thought you weak or dainty, but because he feared he might lose his collected composure and give in to the incredible feeling of your body. Not to mention that for once (if not the first time in his existence), Raiden hadn't thought this through.
Thinking back, he had given second to none thought to act upon impulse when he had felt his feelings for you were threatened. This wasn't like him - to indulge and act on mortal desires. This wasn't how a being of his status should act. Yet, why had he taken on the likelihood of mortals as a formless being in the first place - if not for the wish to be connected to those he sought to protect?
Even if he were to deny it; the proof was already there.
Raiden had already formed a lot of relationships with the people from Earthrealm. Didn't he see Liu Kang and Kung Lao as his sons ever since the two resided in the Shaolin Temple? So what impertinent thoughts held him back from forming a bond with you?
Ah- your mortality. As a result of his divine nature, he was also more prone to thinking in terms of eternity rather than normal human lifespans and that had given him a radically different outlook on life. But could he fully deny what he so clearly felt for you - for all eternity? Was this a test of his will to resist temptation?
For a second time this evening, Raiden felt the urge to consult with the Elder Gods as the torrent of emotion threatened to consume his rational mind.
The telltale signs of an incoming storm appeared and the ever-present gentle electric current inside him intensified as his thoughts were thrown into mayhem, showcasing the absence of experience in this apartment.
That was until everything suddenly stopped - simply stopped - with a gentle caress of his cheek. You - a mortal fated to die - had banished the angry clouds and vicious thunder with a mere touch. Nothing ever had such a strong effect on him as you did.
If this wasn't love then what was?
His worries faded into nonexistence as he perceived the warmth of your palm, cooing his muscle to release the tension. He shortly gave into temptation and nuzzled into your palm with a faint purr that barely reached your ears. If you had to pick something that you adored more than anything else on the Thunder God, then his voice would take the first spot on your list.
The sheer depth of it could cover your whole body in goosebumps. And yet it held such a soothing quality that was like a balm to your every pain.
Thunder God Raiden... the captor of your heart.
You slowly retracted the hand on his supple cheek, feeling like you overused the privilege until Raiden did something you would have never expected.
His strong arms drew you closer and you couldn't help the gasp when you truly noticed the proximity. You weren't one to blush on any occasion but this made you red as a beet.
You noted how his electrifying orbs stared at you with unmistakable intensity - as if there was something worth looking at.
"Whatever happens, keep holding onto me, [Y/N]."
As if you ever wanted to leave his close vicinity again. You panicked a little when the lights were suddenly put out, bathing the whole party in stock darkness, but Raiden's ever-glowing blue eyes kept you grounded. That was until you heard the familiar rumble of thunder and before you knew it, the god had whisked you away, emptying the dancefloor.
When the lights flickered back on, the first to notice their absence was your dear friend Sonya, "Where is [Y/N]? And Raiden, too?"
Nobody knew where the two of you disappeared, but very few also noticed how the Champion threw Cage a knowing glance that was reciprocated with a small thumbs up.
As soon as you felt the tension in the air subside, you slowly opened your eyes without realizing that you had taken Raiden's forewarning a little too serious and ended up snuggling to his chest. How embarrassing! You were torn between your desire to stay like that and listening to the large part of your brain that kept telling you to wake up!
Failing to decide, you waited in fear of how he would react. Your mind apprehending in how many ways he could reprimand you. A hug for mortals wasn't usually a big deal, but this was a god you were dealing with. Albeit you knew of what nature Raiden was, this was uncharted territory.
For both of you.
Raiden had chosen to teleport you to the Sky Temple. This was his safe haven. His home... mortals would say. A place he felt most comfortable in. Not only because it housed the Jinsei - Earthrealm's life force - but also because no danger ever threatened to befall this location. All due to the special wards, carved by the own hands of the Thunder God on the Jinsei Chambers' walls.
And more importantly, there would be no interruptions since Master Bo' Rai Cho was still at the party (most likely passed out) and ever since his quarrel with his younger brother Fujin, well... The Thunder God wasn't expecting him to come back in the near future.
It was only you and him... which was an opportunity he would be a fool to waste.
Raiden dipped his head down to meet your smaller figure. His heart rate picked up when he saw how you were pressed so intimately against him.
He waited for you to move, not having the willpower to break your hold because he didn't want the moment to end. Also because you would undoubtedly start questioning his actions.
You both stood in this awkward position, neither mustering up the courage to confront the current situation. That was until you calmed down enough to kickstart the conversation that needed to be had.
You slowly retracted your head from his white robes, taking in your surroundings. "I've never been here before. Where have you taken me, Lord Raiden?"
He found his words quicker when you weren't keeping him enchanted with your eyes, "The Sky Temple."
"It's beautiful."
Emboldened that you hadn't yet run away from him, his mouth loosened and spoke the words he so longed to shower you with, "It pales significantly in comparison to you."
Your breath hitched as his sweet words caressed your ears, mouth slightly parting in shock. Your brain hadn't even considered the possibility of hearing words of such nature leaving the Thunder God's lips. Notwithstanding being specifically addressed to you - simply ludicrous!
Your shock wasn't lost to the god, regarding your expression with panic while also trying to figure out what had caused such a reaction towards his compliment on the inside.
You were left stunned. Raiden - the love of your life - had called you beautiful. This wasn't like the ever composed, collected individual she came to know as Raiden.
This had to be some cruel fabrication of your mind. Perhaps somebody spiked the punch and the alcohol confused your perception.
The only thing speaking against this argument was that you weren't even tipsy.
It was almost funny - how your own mind tried to deny every hint of him harbouring any affection for you. Adamantly convincing yourself that there was no way in hell that the Thunder God had fallen for you just as you had for him.
Was there?
You were fairly adept at reading Raiden's expression and vague displays of emotion but currently... you couldn't figure him out.
As if nature reflected the conflicting emotions between you and the god, small droplets began to descend from the heavy clouds above you. Alarming of the downpour that was to come but you didn't care. It seemed Raiden didn't either, but you unconsciously moved closer to him as the first rumble sounded in the atmosphere.
It wasn't like you feared the thunder. It was more your instincts compelling you to apprehend incoming danger by moving to shelter. And it was obvious that your mind interpreted Raiden as its secular interpretation.
You hesitantly vacated under his bamboo hat to avoid getting wet and your eyes caught the Thunder God's effortlessly.
Having him at arm's length, it was through your locked gazes that you noticed the emotions swirling inside his soul as it searched yours. What you wouldn't do to know what was going on inside his mind now.
He did nothing all the while, leaving the outcome of this particular situation in your hands since he had no clue how to proceed anymore. However, his eyes couldn't be deprived of your sight and continued to drink you in, oblivious of the incoming storm.
As he became immersed in your being that never failed to captivate him, he even managed to forget about the reason he brought you here in the first place.
That was what you were doing to him - and he found himself not minding at all.
Such was the power you held over him.
You, his most tantalizing thought.
His deepest desire.
The person that overwhelmed his godly existence.
His expression stayed stoic as ever solely through the amassed skill of over many years. But it merely masked what you could tell from his eyes. His perfect, unusual eyes held something in them that you could have never expected even in your wildest dreams.
Tenderness. Adoration. Elder Gods forbid even affection!
It overwhelmed your mind and body. To such an extent that you threw caution into the wind, ignored every rational thought your brain tried to tell you and cupped his cheeks. Slowly leaning in with unbridled want.
He may have tensed but it was only out of unfamiliarity. In truth, Raiden's heart threatened to jump out of his chest, making the sky answer to his bubbling anticipation. Up close your features became even more prominent and he felt as if he had fallen in love all over again.
His thoughts raced as he felt you closing in on him, he was unsure of how to react but refused to back away. He instead found himself meeting you halfway, unknowing where you were going with it but willing to participate.
And that was when your lips met his.
He was stiff and unmoving but the passion within you refused to be discouraged. Yet after a fleeting moment, nothing changed and it gave way to your doubts, rebooting your thought process. That was the moment that you realized the severity of your actions. You had just kissed a god. Not any god - but Thunder God Raiden.
And much to your dismay, he hadn't kissed back. Embarrassment ran hot on your face and you looked down out of shame. Silly of you to have believed in a different outcome. Your unrealistic hopes were crushed just like that, but you had no one else to blame but yourself. Raiden hadn't been the one to initiate things - you had been.
You took a step back, knowing that you had overstepped his boundaries, "I am so sorry-", but a hand on the small of your back prevented you from doing that.
And before you knew it, his lips were back on yours. Clumsy and inexperienced, but there - kissing you firmer than the first time and all your insecurities were forgotten. Gently, he pulled you back to himself, and out of the rain, which began pouring down mercilessly.
The kiss blew your mind.
Thoughts were haphazardly cast aside and you only felt. Felt how his muscled arms tightly pressed you to himself, as if to never let go. Felt how his thin lips continued to caress yours in an effort to appease your both's desire for one another. Felt the passion he so desperately tried to convey without forcing himself on you.
The world narrowed down to only the two of you. Your pulses pounded in your ears, tuning out the bivious orchestra of thunders in the sky. Something you had unintentionally pulled out of Raiden during your shared white heat.
You dared not to say anything, wanting to revel at the moment in case it never occurred again. It was him who broke the silence that ensued.
"[Y/N]," he panted your name out, still breathless from the kiss. Not that you were better off.
Your eyes locked for the umpteenth time this evening, and it gave the god finally enough strength to confess.
[Y/N], forgive my boldness, but may I express what has rested on my mind for quite some time?
You nod, incapable of stringing your thoughts into a coherent sentence.
He heaved a heavy sigh before his voice seeped like silk into your pounding ears in spite of the weather, "[Y/N]," he began slowly, tenderly, "since the first I laid eyes on you, you have eroded a change within me. One I found most strange for I have never experienced it before. I tried to ignore my heart's desire, thinking it would hinder my ability to protect Earthrealm, but also to prove a point to myself that my brother's fascination with mortals is erroneous."
Your heart went on an emotional rollercoaster with each word spoken, changing with the content of each sentence uttered from the Thunder God.
"But my efforts have proven for nought as you began to become my every thought's occupation. My mind's greatest temptation. My heart's strongest longing. My eyes' most welcome sight."
By that point, you were shaking a little from having heard those words you always wanted to hear fall from his mouth and wanted to express your harboured feelings as well, but words failed you once again. Letting him instead, finish what he had to say.
"Regardless of my best efforts, you have captivated me in every possible way. Your love - the finest wine to inebriate the heart. And I want nothing more to be the chalice to hold your love."
He paused for another second to take a deep breath, sweetly reaching for your jittery hands to cup them in his calloused ones. Strong. Safe. Calming. Something told you to pick up your sunken head and look at him and behold - the electrifying blue crackled with so much love that your heart filled to the brim.
"Elder Gods shall bear witness as I ask..."
"Will you, [Y/N][Y/L/N], allow me to court you?"
Damn. Holy shit. Jesus Christ. Allahu akbar. This was truly happening.
The words of confirmation barely left your mouth as you pounced on him with a searing kiss of fervent desire. Trying to show your unmeasurable happiness through your actions rather than words, as you aren't as crafty with them as Raiden. And this time, although taken aback, he eagerly moved against you with twice the passion that left you light-headed.
"I take it as a yes?"
He asked with a quirk of lips and you nodded before latching yourself back onto him.
He had thrown you the hook and now you were never going to let it go.