No One's POV:

It's not like Kung Jin was mad at Takeda. He was just not too fond of have past thrown back at him. He didn't like to dwell on it very much. That's part of the reason why he's never told anyone about his life at home. It was all fine and everything when his parents welcomed him back as a hero after the defeat and fall of Shinnok, but the minute he expressed feelings of going back for his cousin, they turned hard. They brought his sexuality back up and spat it at him- literally.

This was why he knew he had to leave the house. He felt like he was the only one to care about Kung Lao. In all honestly, he was. 'No one else would give Lao a second thought the minute Quan Chi was killed.' He thought bitterly. Not even Takeda, as perfect as he seemed to be. Wait. Stop it right there. He had a lot on his mind, and his new revelation about lusting after Takeda was NOT what he needed.

He continued with the dishes in silence, even as Takeda moved to join him. After a while, Takeda could no longer stand the silence.

"I'm sorry Jin. I never meant it that way... And you're not the only one to care about Kung Lao. I was going to ask you earlier if you needed help bringing him back. The offer still stands, and no, this isn't out of pity. Sorry for reading your mind, but you were quiet. I wanted to know what was going on in that head of yours." He stopped because he realized that 1) he was rambling, and 2) Kung Jin had stopped moving his hands (which was a belated realization since he wasn't looking at Kung Jin at all beforehand). He looked up at the other and gasped, almost falling back. The ex thief was mere inches away from Takeda's face with a raised eyebrow. Just a slight lean forward and Takeda could-

He shook his head and cleared his throat. He tried to gather as much composure in his voice as possible.

"Wh-what are y-you d-doing?" And damn, he just stuttered, pretty badly.

Kung Jin gave a slight tilt of one side of his mouth upward for a second. "Invasion of personal space makes you uncomfortable right? Now you know how it feels."

Kung Jin felt rather proud of himself when he didn't immediately grab the other boy and kiss him senseless. However, the urge was still there, so he backed away and continued with the dishes. "Cute stutter by the way Taki. How innocent you looked." He grinned and saw, just out of the corner of his eye, Takeda go completely red.

Takeda, on the other hand, was so so confused.

Takeda's POV:

Did he just say I was cute? Well, he said my stutter was, but that's a part of me. So that means he thinks I'm cute right? Wait, why am I pondering over this? I'm not some high school girl that freaks out because she just got noticed by her crush. I'm a guy... Who freaked out because I just got noticed by my crush. Oh wow. Wait...

"Taki?"

It was out of my mouth before I could even stop myself. I really didn't want to know, but a part of me was hanging on to every word Jin said. His voice was still annoying, but I couldn't seem to care right then. It was slightly less annoying at that point.

"Yeah, I mean, Takeda is so long. Everyone else has a nickname. Jacqui, Cassie, Jin. Only fair that you have one too." Jin Shrugged as he finished the last bowl. Right, okay. Of course. What was I expecting, some grand confession? This innocent crush is starting to get dangerous.

I smile a little at him, obviously throwing him off a bit. Am I really that mean to him? I mentally shake it off. "Okay, Taki it is then. I should probably let the others know." I turned to go back to the dining room and tell everyone of my new nickname before I heard my name being called.

"Taki."

Just that one word from Jin's lips, sounding a little deeper than I've ever heard his voice go. He just looked at me, and I could feel the gaze on my back. It almost burned. I turned to face him again and ask him what his problem was.

I was up against the sink in seconds.

All he really had to do was nudge me a bit. I could tell that he didn't want to cause a scene in the kitchen. My breath quickened, and he drew his face closer to mine. My breathing stopped then. I looked at him with wide eyes. His words shocked me even more, but they sent a rush of excitement down my spine.

"That name is for me, and me alone. Do you understand?"

I didn't answer right away, just to see what he'd do. He leaned down a bit to whisper in my ear. "Do. You. Understand?" If I ever in the future get to go back to this moment, I would beat the crap out of myself for the reaction I gave.

I whimpered. I freaking whimpered!

Jin didn't even take that as a suitable answer. His mouth was still on my ear. "Don't make me repeat myself again, Taki." I shivered again and nodded. "Y-yes. I u-understand J-Jin." He let me go.

"Good. Now, we should probably get back. It surely doesn't take this long to wash a few bowls. They're going to question if we take any longer." Just like that, he was back to his old annoying self as he practically skipped and hopped out of the kitchen. I sighed and followed, sitting back down next to Jacqui. I can't believe that, for a moment, I found him sexy. I buried my face in my hands, already tired of being here.

?'s POV:

I had nothing to do, and Takeda and Kung Jin were taking forever in the kitchen. Thinking they were having their usual fight, I went over there in case I had to intervene. I expected to see Jin trapping Takeda against the wall, so there was no surprise to find Takeda against the sink, but I also expected Jin to be choking the poor boy too.

So imagine my surprise when Jin leans forward to whisper in Takeda's ear. Even more surprise came when Takeda whimpered. Kung Jin said something else, and Takeda shivered before saying something back. His eyes looked half glazed over... Jin let go, and I quickly (as quickly as I could without seeming suspicious) went back to my seat.

General Blade looked at me in question. I shook my head , and she turned back to discuss something with Raiden. Takeda and Jin came back soon after that. Jin looked fine, but Takeda immediately put his face in hands. I looked at him, hoping to get his attention. If he felt the stare, he never acted upon it. He stayed that way, and I just sighed.

I'd get him later.