07

Kuai Liang felt that his encounter with Xuě had set back the progress he had made with his healing. Though Tomas had counselled him to try and grieve for his broken relationship with Frost, he found himself reverting to old habits he'd learned to protect his well-being. His mind often drifted away from him, and he would go about his day like a puppet on strings. There were segments of his day that he could barely remember, and he only realized he'd dissociated when he came to in the middle of his dinners with Tomas.

It was clear that his friend was worried for him, and Kuai Liang so dearly wished he had the energy or the care to reach back out to the hand outstretched towards him. But the numbness was helping him get through the days, and he found that he was not yet willing to let go of it.

There were a few moments of clarity, and in these brief windows, there was an encroaching sense of dread and horror—would his grief never end? Would every familiar face he encountered continually reopen his wounds? He batted away the thoughts fiercely when he caught himself ruminating on them.

His relationship with Liang also took a hit, mostly because he started avoiding the man like the plague. It was surprisingly easy to hide from him in his own stronghold. Liang was busy given his duties, and barring their early morning meetups at the training grounds, they usually never saw each other. Kuai simply had to arrive an hour or so later than he normally did, and Liang would be nowhere in sight.

He usually went through his katas mechanically, but for once, his new routine was interrupted.

As he moved from his stretched position, a figure approached him from the side, and he had to blink back the haze in his mind as he recognized him.

"Good morning, Tundra."

"Raiden," he responded politely.

"It has been a while." Raiden smiled at him. "Though we've both been in and around the compound, I've hardly seen you. How have you been?"

"I am," Kuai Liang paused for a moment as he assessed himself. "Still grieving, but my time here has helped."

"I am glad to hear that."

"Thank you, Raiden."

"I admit, I have not just come here to exchange pleasantries." There was a hopeful glint in his eyes. "Would you like to spar?"

The instinct to decline was at the tip of his tongue, but Kuai Liang paused before it could get out. With how unbalanced he had been in the last few months, he had found that he'd lost the complete trust he'd once had with his own body. He was often distracted and lost in his own thoughts; that lack of focus was something he had not been willing to test in a fight as he could easily get injured or hurt someone in turn.

However, he had missed the catharsis that came with hitting something other than still air.

"I accept," he said, surprising them both.

"Wow, really?" Raiden said. "I mean, thank you, I am honored." The young man always looked so earnest; it was hard not to feel at least a little bit charmed.

Though not at his skill level, Raiden still presented a decent fight. The way he moved his body was highly reminiscent of Liu Kang when he was still a monk. The training he had received from Liang was present in the sharpness of his kicks and the precision of his lightning strikes.

As the spar went on, Kuai Liang found himself relaxing more, his fight with Raiden turning more enjoyable than he'd expected. It was relieving to him to realize that he could still trust his body, that his years of training and experience still allowed him control over the strength of his blows and the swiftness of his movement.

He ended the spar with an ice dagger at Raiden's throat, and the man nodded to acknowledge his defeat. Kuai Liang withdrew from his position and both of them bowed.

"You were incredible! It is easy to see why you were the Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei."

"You flatter me."

"I suppose part of me expected you to fight similarly to Kuai Liang, though."

Where Kuai favored heavier attacks and his creative manipulations of ice, Liang relied on his speed and his precision with the kunai. "We were raised very differently." He then added with some amusement, "And there is, I suppose, a roughly fifteen-year gap between us."

"Fifteen?" Raiden asked in disbelief.

"Is that so hard to believe?"

"Wow, no wonder you had no trouble beating me. I can only imagine how you've honed and perfected your craft over those years."

There was a lull in their conversation, and Kuai Liang thought it the best time to leave. The spar had brought back some strange clarity to his thoughts, and his riotous heart, for once, felt a bit more settled than usual. He nodded his goodbye to the young man, but as he started gathering his discarded towel, Raiden suddenly spoke.

"I've been meaning to ask you about something." The way the words rushed out of his mouth made Kuai Liang stop in his tracks and look back at him, expectant.

"What about?"

Raiden's eyes dropped to the ground, and he rubbed a hand on his arm in a seemingly nervous gesture.

"I overheard you and Lord Liu Kang the other day." He shifted in his place guiltily. "I did not mean to, but I was passing by, and I did not want to disturb you."

Kuai Liang stayed silent, unsure of what to say.

"When I first learned my counterpart had been a god, I confronted Lord Liu Kang. He told me vaguely of my counterpart's history. That it was his anger that had transformed him into something horrible. So, when he planned my destiny, he steered me away from that anger, and I felt…cheated." He looked down at his hands. "Here was an untapped source of strength, and he removed it from me? I came here to the Shirai Ryu, to learn from Kuai Liang—learn to channel that anger and be stronger for Earthrealm."

Raiden's troubled eyes met his. "But I heard about what he had done. To you, to Lord Liu Kang. And I…I am terrified. What if I end up the same way?"

Kuai Liang's gaze softened. "Who Raiden was in my timeline has no bearing on your future. When I first arrived here and met you, I was struck by how different you were, even in appearance. Frankly, I did not recognize any part of you as the Raiden I had known."

The young man had been a surprise to him—his compassion and sincerity were apparent even in those first few days.

"But I had only known Lord Raiden during the worst of his existence. The height of his rage, despair and hubris. When he was willing to burn the world to see it 'saved'." He only barely stopped himself from sneering.

"As for Liu Kang, he knew Raiden all his life. It's safe to say that he experienced the best and worst sides of him." He placed a hand on Raiden's shoulder in comfort. "From what I've observed, he gathered those best parts of the Thunder god, and he used those as the building blocks of your life."

Raiden ducked his head bashfully, and Kuai Liang could see a hint of redness on his cheeks.

"What Raiden did to me and to our world was terrible, that is true. But that does not mean you will follow the same fate. Raiden had a choice before him, and he chose the easy path, allowing that corruption in. You can choose not to."

"But I was molded in his image, was I not? Would I not have the same inclinations?"

"Maybe," Kuai Liang allowed. "But you also have friends, family, people that will keep you grounded. The monks at Wushi who support you; Kung Lao, who clearly cares for you. Lord Raiden never had any of that, simply by virtue of having been a god all his life. As Liu Kang told me, Raiden had always seen himself above mortals—a failing of his. He believed Earthrealm to be his sole responsibility, and by extension, his to protect as he saw fit."

"It is terrible, how good intentions can become so easily twisted into misguided actions. But are we truly so different from each other?"

Kuai Liang took in the young man in front of him—the soft furrow of his brow, the sadness in his gaze. "I do not know you all too well, but when we first met, despite the mystery surrounding me, your first response was of sympathy. You offered kindness so openly and freely; frankly, I find you quite impressive."

"O-oh wow." Raiden's face was quite red now, and Kuai Liang was certain if he tried to compliment him again, he would combust. "I do not know what to say except, thank you. And I hope I prove you right one day."

Kuai Liang couldn't help the small smile that graced his lips. "I'm sure there will be plenty of time for that."

Raiden looked contemplative for a moment before brightening. "Actually, some of the Earthrealm warriors and I gather once in a while to catch up at a restaurant in Fengjian."

"I…see?" Kuai Liang blinked at the abrupt change in topic.

"Would you like to come and meet everyone? We'll be having dinner at Madame Bo's on Sunday."

"Me?" He could not mask the incredulity in his tone and Raiden gave him a sweet smile in response.

"Yes, if you're amenable? I'd love to introduce you to everyone—I know you haven't been outside Wushi or the Shirai Ryu compound at all. Though," he added in a more subdued voice. "I wouldn't want to overwhelm you; Johnny and Kung Lao can be a bit much. And both Liang and Tomas are skipping this one, as well."

Kuai Liang wasn't sure what he felt at the moment. Warmed, that Raiden had thought to include him? Horrified, at the idea of meeting more ghosts? Concerned, that he might be imposing on their group? Relief, that Liang would not be there?

Raiden waited patiently for his response, seemingly understanding that it was another huge step for him. Given his proclivity to staring at the walls and losing himself in his own thoughts, Kuai Liang knew he should decline.

"All right," he found himself saying instead.

Raiden beamed at him. "Great! I'll let everyone know. They'll be thrilled."

Kuai Liang had no idea how the young man had come to that conclusion, but he nodded anyway. "I shall see you on Sunday, then."

The reality of his situation only hit him that night, while he was having dinner with Tomas. He suddenly dropped his chopsticks in favor of burying his face in his hands, much to the alarm of his friend.

"What's wrong?"

Kuai Liang sighed as he dragged his hands down his face. "I'm all right."

"Clearly." The sarcasm was heavy in Tomas' tone.

"Raiden…invited me to dinner."

It was Tomas' turn to drop his chopsticks. "He what?"

"What?"

"He asked you out?" His voice was a few octaves higher than usual, and after a beat, Kuai Liang understood his shock.

He couldn't contain his chuckle. "No, he invited me to the dinner on Sunday, with the other Earthrealm warriors."

"Oh."

"If I didn't know better," he continued lightly. "I'd be offended by your utter surprise that someone might find me attractive enough to, I quote, 'ask me out'."

Tomas scoffed. "Please, you're a catch." Then suddenly grew flustered as if he realized what he'd said. "Anyway, I was just surprised because Raiden seemed to have a thing for Princess Kitana."

"Raiden and Kitana?"

He shrugged. "I think he's enamored with her. But I mean let's be realistic here, she's way out of his league."

"That was what Kung Lao once said about Liu Kang and Kitana in my timeline."

Tomas made a face at the mention of the god, but then Kuai Liang's words seemed to register with him. "Wait, you can't mean—? No…that's…no?"

"No?" he asked with humor.

"That just feels illegal." He waved his chopsticks wildly. "I refuse to believe our god was in a romantic relationship before all of this."

"He was mortal once."

Tomas shook his head. "I digress, so…the dinner. Unfortunately, Liang and I have to go over some of our plans for the stronghold; we won't be able to make it."

"So I've been told."

"What aspect of it seems to be the most daunting to you? Are you concerned about your reaction to seeing more familiar faces?" Tomas asked, perceptive as always.

Kuai Liang closed his eyes as he felt the familiar weariness creep up. "You've seen how I've been these past few days. Is it truly such a wise thing for me to come? I do not want to be a burden to Raiden and all the others."

Tomas patted his hand in comfort. "Do not push yourself if you feel like you cannot attend. But the change in scenery might be good for you. Get you away from," he gestured in a sweeping motion. "All of this."

"I…haven't even been able to pass by Xuě's rooms." The guilt ate at him, but he could not bring himself to see her again. He had come close multiple times; he had even walked up to her door to knock, but had ended up leaving instead.

"You don't have an obligation to look after Xuě, no matter Liang's words."

"I may have been…avoiding him as well."

Tomas gave him a look. "I know, I'm not blind. Who do you think has been running interference for you?"

Kuai Liang jolted in his seat. "You've been keeping him away from me?"

"Liang has the tendency to hover whenever he feels guilty about something. I think you need your space, and while I know he simply wants to apologize, that might not be what you need right now."

"I…appreciate it." Kuai Liang said, rather touched.

"What are friends for? Besides, I said I'm here to support you, in whatever capacity I can provide. If that means becoming a barrier between you and Liang, I'm happy to do it."

Tomas' tone was rather blasé, as if his casual thoughtfulness didn't serve to surprise Kuai Liang again and again.

"You are a wonder, Tomas," he said fondly.

A light flush made its way to his friend's cheeks at his words. "None of that now." He waved him away. "Is there anything you want to ask about the upcoming dinner? It might help set your worries at ease."

"Do you know who will be in attendance?"

Tomas counted off his fingers. "Well, there's Raiden and Kung Lao, Johnny, Kenshi, Ashrah most likely, and Syzoth, possibly, depending on his duties."

"I am unfamiliar with Ashrah and Syzoth."

"Syzoth is a Zaterran." At Kuai Liang's confused frown, he added. "Reptile-like people from Outworld."

"And he will be able to dine in Earthrealm without issue?"

"He has a human form; it's apparently a rare ability." Tomas shrugged. "The other, Ashrah, is a demon from the Netherrealm. She used to be under a necromancer's employ, but she's been trying to obtain humanity by purging evil from her soul—or something to that effect. She is training with the monks at Wushi."

Kuai Liang did not recall hearing about her or seeing her around the academy. Then again, he hadn't been in the proper state of mind when he was housed there temporarily.

"So, you know Kenshi and Johnny?"

"Yes, mostly through the Earthrealm Special Forces; they were both consultants. I worked with Jonathan more; Kenshi was closer to Hanzo."

"Jonathan?" Tomas sounded delighted and intrigued. "He allows you to call him that? Doesn't he hate that name?"

"Back when we started working together, I was quite…uptight. He gave me increasingly ridiculous nicknames during meetings." He scratched at his face, feeling slightly shamed by his younger self's actions. "To retaliate, I started calling him Jonathan."

"Wow, I can't believe you're friends with the Johnny Cage. I mean we're friendly and all, but I only ever got to interact with him a few times. He did once tell me he thought my mask was cool, though." He sighed somewhat wistfully. "And he did give me that leftover merch from one of his films."

"Tomas…are you a fan of Johnny Cage?"

"Hey, he's a pretty good actor! His action movies are the best and you can't convince me otherwise." He defended.

Kuai Liang stared at him for a moment, unsure if he should be amused or horrified. "I fear for your taste in art if you think 'Ninja Mime' is considered a good film."

"It's campy fun, and—wait." His eyes widened. "You've seen Ninja Mime? Johnny managed to convince you to watch it?"

"Jonathan could not possibly convince me to do anything of the sort."

"So how? I doubt you put it on of your own free will."

He sighed. "I lost a wager."

"What did you and Johnny bet on?"

"I lost a wager to his daughter."

Tomas gaped at him. "You—what?"

The memory brought a smile to his face. "She was a member of the Special Forces; I helped train her and her squad. The wager was I would go on a 'movie marathon' with her if she and her team could take me down in the agreed number of minutes. Evidently, my training was effective, and I lost."

There was such warmth that day. He could still remember the beaming smile on Cassandra's face as she celebrated with Takeda, Jacqui, and Jin. Jonathan had looked at his daughter with so much pride shining in his eyes, and Hanzo had taken his student aside to congratulate him.

Kuai Liang had stood to the side, and for a moment, he had felt a pang of regret. A stray thought had flitted in his mind that he could not push aside: I wish Frost was here.

It was Cassandra who had pulled him away from his deeper thoughts, thanked him for his teachings, and cashed in on her end of the bargain with great fervor. She and Takeda had managed to wrangle him in front of a television and force him to watch six of Jonathan's worst films.

It had been terrible, and wonderful.

When he blinked, he realized he'd been silent for too long. "I apologize."

"It's all right." Tomas' eyes were soft as he gazed over at Kuai Liang. "It's good to see you smiling."

Kuai Liang looked away, unsure why he felt rather embarrassed. "It has been…difficult. To let myself feel anything these last few days."

"I understand. But it's good to see you're slowly reconnecting with yourself, even in small moments such as this."

He was not ready to grieve for Frost, speak with Liang, or see Xuě again, but the icy wall he'd erected around himself lowered slightly, tentatively banishing the numbness.

"Thank you, Tomas," he said sincerely, grateful for his friend's constant presence. "I know I am not easy to be around—"

"Don't disparage my good friend Kuai Liang in front of me, I won't hear anything of it," Tomas said lightheartedly.

Kuai Liang huffed. "I'll endeavor not to."

"Say…" There was a hint of mischief in Tomas' tone. "If I could beat you in a fight—"

"I am not subjecting myself to more of Jonathan's horrible movies."

"Not even for your good friend, Tomas?"

"Not unless he wishes to be labelled as my 'bad friend Tomas'."

Tomas mimed getting stabbed in the chest, and Kuai Liang chuckled at his antics.

As he allowed himself to be fully present with his friend, the barrier around his heart all but crumbled, and gentle affection blossomed in its place. His grief still hovered over him like a dark cloud, simply waiting for the right moment to unleash its torrential flow. No doubt, he would once again be swept away once he attempted to brave it.

But with Tomas' support, he found himself willing to at least try.

A/N: Thank you for the continued support in this story of mine. I admit that when I started this, I hadn't really planned on it getting this long, but the story has sort of gotten away from me. I imagine there will likely be around 5 chapters (or less) before I end.

I've always headcanoned that Cassie and Kuai Liang have a good relationship, and while not officially his "student", he mentored her and the team for some time, and they formed a unique friendship. She finds ways to get him to be less uptight, like sending him memes or forcing him to go out and socialize.