Francine rubbed away the smudges that had accumulated on the vanity mirror. It had been a few days since she had cleaned around the palace, and Shang Tsung became suspicious of her actions. He stood behind Francine.
"See, I'm cleaning," Francine rubbed the mirror harder. "Cleaning."
"Why have you not been completing your tasks?" Shang Tsung said.
"I've been busy doing things."
"What things are so important as to neglect your duties? You are lucky I allow you to even relax by the beach." Shang Tsung took a step closer. "You have been acting strangely… care to explain."
"Just been taking care of things, like… my health." Francine dropped the cloth back into the bucket.
"Tell me, has this sickness possibly caused you to do actions you know you should not be doing."
Francine ignored the question, and she noticed glowing words on the vanity. She rubbed the cloth against the words.
"Missed a spot, Francine?"
"Yep! Gotta make sure that everything is nice and clean!"
Shang Tsung's eyes pierce the back of Francine's head.
"I suppose so. I must tend to my duties." Shang Tsung turned to the door. "I expect that this place will be spotless by noon!"
"Okay!"
Once Shang Tsung left the room, Francine removed the cloth and read the words. She began to trace letters underneath the words.
You're lucky Shang Tsung didn't catch me because of your writing. I'll come to the academy now.
Francine finished tracing, and all the words disappeared. A portal appeared behind her, and she went through it.
Francine circled to the back of the academy's garden. She saw Liu Kang raking sand into circle patterns.
"Liu!" Francine nearly stepped onto the sand.
"Francine, the sand!" Liu Kang said.
Francine stopped in her tracks and looked down at the sandy circle patterns. She blushed.
"Oops. Don't wanna mess up your hard work." Francine walked around the edge of the garden and down the rock path.
She hugged Liu Kang and snuggled into his chest. The familiar scent of vanilla filled her nostrils and calmed her. Liu Kang dropped the rack and hugged Francine back.
"I see you missed me dearly." He kissed her forehead. "I apologize for my timing; I didn't know Shang Tsung would be around."
"When isn't he around me? If it's not me fucking up the cleaning somehow, it's another thing." Francine hugged tighter. "And if I even talk back… he does things to me. It's just been getting worse."
Liu Kang sighed. It wasn't her fault that the timelines weren't in her favor.
"Don't worry, you're here with me now." Liu Kang said. "How about you help me finish the garden?"
Francine let go of Liu Kang, and he handed her a rake. They began to rake the sand together.
"My circles look kinda wonky," Francine said.
"That's alright; you're trying your best." Liu Kang smiled at Francine, who blushed and groaned a quick "thank you" to him.
"How long do you think this is going to take us?" Francine said.
"However long we need, there is no rush, dear." Liu Kang said.
Dear… fuck me…
Francine's thoughts began to wonder about the sex that she and Liu Kang had before. Her body began to warm up as she looked at him.
"What's on your mind?"
"Huh?!" Francine looked away. "Nothing."
Liu Kang chuckled and continued raking, his tail swishing some circle patterns.
"Um, your tail is messing up your work." Francine dropped her rake and walked up to Liu Kang."
"Oh! No wonder this has been taking me some time to complete." Liu Kang took Francine's hands and placed them on his tail. "Here, lift my tail as I finish tending to the garden, okay?"
…
The late sunset painted the sky a peach and red color. Some stars even appeared.
"Looks like we're done!" Francine said.
"Yes, we are." Liu Kang admired the work he did in the garden. "Thank you for your help."
"Ah, it's nothing…" Francine crossed her arms and looked into Liu Kang's eyes. "I guess this is goodbye again."
"Not so fast. There's a place that I have been meaning to show you. Come."
Liu Kang and Francine left the garden and went to a field away from the academy. Liu Kang stopped and held Francine's hand.
"Do you promise not to scream?" Liu Kang said.
"Wha–"
Liu Kang began to transform into his proper form. He grew in size, and his somewhat human form turned into a giant white and gold-patterned dragon. Francine's jaw dropped.
"Holy crap," Francine grasped her head. "This is so cool!"
Liu Kang hushed Francine. His voice echoed.
"I don't want the others to know my true form." Liu Kang said.
Francine noticed Liu Kang's mouth wasn't moving.
"How're you talking to me?"
"Dragons can communicate with others through the use of telepathy."
Francine squealed. She's always loved monsters, and to see an actual monster in front of her was a dream come true.
"Climb onto my back." Liu Kang lowered his dragon body. Francine got on and held onto his fur. "Hold on tight!"
Liu Kang took off quickly into the sky. Francine screamed and nearly peed herself, but then Liu Kang coasted through the air.
"Is this your first time in the air?" Liu Kang said.
"I mean, I've been in airplanes, but this is a different ballpark." Francine snuggled into Liu Kang's fur. "It's beautiful up here!"
"If you think this is beautiful, you will love what I have for you."
An hour passed, and two reached a large pond. The sky was now a deep blue, and the stars lit up the sky. Liu Kang landed in the grass and lowered himself so Francine could hop off. He turned back into his hybrid form.
"This is the place." Liu Kang said.
"A pond?"
"Not just any pond. Only dragons know of this place." Liu Kang led Francine to the edge of the pond. He picked up a lily and gave it to Francine. Then, the water lily opened with all the other water lilies to reveal a beautiful white light within. Francine looked up at Liu Kang.
"I have not brought anyone to this place in a long time. But you…" Liu Kang moved a strand of Francine's hair behind her ear. "You are different, and I wanted you to feel special."
Francine hummed with glee and hugged Liu Kang.
"I do feel special. I am special." Francine rubbed her nose against Liu Kang's. She stopped and kissed Liu Kang, dropping the lily back into the water.