Chapter 1

On a bright sunny morning in Malibu, California, the sun shone through the mountains, lighting the city with an orange hue. The sun continued to rise into the wealthy suburbs where Johnny Cage and Kenshi Takahashi reside. The sun shone through the curtain's cracks and into the bedroom's walls. Landing on The actor's face, Johnny began to stir from his slumber. Opening his brown eyes, he blinked them a few times, focusing his vision. Johnny yet put a quiet yawn before stretching his limbs. Turning to the other side of the massive California king-size bed, Johnny gazed upon a sleeping Kenshi Takahashi. The actor smiled at seeing his husband's chest rising and falling.

Johnny and Kenshi had come a long way together from when Kenshi had broken into his house to be for each other when they needed it the most. In Kenshi's case, when he lost his sight by Mileena back in Outworld and dealt with his past with the Yakuza. But for Johnny, it was the divorce from his ex-wife and his failing acting career that led to a dark path of drinking. Both were each other's rocks, and they helped each other through those challenging hurdles.

Placing a gentle kiss on his temple, Johnny quietly got out of bed, slipping on his Cage Slippers before heading to the kitchen. Turning on his espresso machine, Johnny yawned, thinking about everything about the day ahead of him.

The actor had been working nonstop to protect Earthrealm from outside threats and from directing his movie in the studio. Kenshi saw Johnny passed out on his desk one night and told Johnny that he needed to stop working himself to the ground. Johnny's stubborn nature wanted to protest, but Kenshi wouldn't back down. So the actor decided to take some time for himself and the love of his life.

Once his coffee finished brewing, Johnny made his way back upstairs. He decided to head back to the bedroom. Passing by a still-sleeping Kenshi, Johnny made his way to a door where a balcony reside. The actor took in the morning air and sipped his beverage. The sun casts a warm glow on the Pacific Ocean, reflecting the sunlight from the water. Johnny relished the moment when he told Kenshi he loved him.

After the war against Titan Shang Tsung that nearly destroyed Liu Kang's timeline, Johnny decided to visit Kenshi a few weeks after having dinner with Raiden, Kung Lao, and Kenshi at Madame Bo's tea house.

Johnny knocked on the door several times when he approached Kenshi's apartment. The actor felt the nerves flooding through his system. He was about to turn around and leave when he heard the door unlock before him.

When the door opened, the blind swordsman was genuinely surprised by Johnny's appearance at his front door, " Cage?"

" Uh… hey Kenshi. Funny seeing you here." Johnny said, trying to put on his persona.

" I live here, Cage." Kenshi frowned

" Oh yeah, of course you do," Johnny said while giving the swordsman an embarrassing smile.

Growing impatient, Kenshi said, " Johnny, what are you doing here?"

The actor sighed, dropping the act, " Can I come in?"

" Uh yeah." Kenshi stepped aside, " Come on in." After letting the actor in, he watched as Johnny sat at the kitchen table, " Can I get you anything to drink."

Johnny gave a small smile, " Some water, please."

Kenshi nodded, grabbing a fresh, clean glass from the dishwasher before filling it with water. Placing the glass before the actor thanked him, " What's going on, Johnny? The last time I saw you like this, you were going through the divorce with Cristina."

Johnny played with the glass before answering, "I've been going through it, man, but I don't know how to explain it."

" Is it embarrassing?" Kenshi asked, sitting across from the actor.

" No, it's not embarrassing. At least, I don't think it is." He replied

" Did something happen?"

Johnny shook his head. He continued to fiddle with the glass in front of him.

" Are you okay, Johnny?" Kenshi asked with a level of concern on his face.

Johnny looked up at the blind swordsman, " Yeah, man, I'm fine. I'm just… nervous." He admits

Kenshi nodded, " Take your time."

Taking a deep breath, Johnny began, " Um, you know you're my best friend, and we've been through a lot since Liu Kang chose us to defend Earthrealm."

Kenshi just nodded, his expression remaining neutral.

Johnny continued, " Well uh… I don't know how to say this but…" the actor took another breath, " I'm having feelings for you, Kenshi."

The blind swordsman's eyes widened behind his blindfold, " How long have you been having these feelings."

Johnny looked down in embarrassment, " I've been having these feelings since training at the WuShi Academy." Kenshi tilted his head in surprise, but he didn't say anything letting Johnny continue, " I thought pissing you off would push these feelings away, but I was wrong…" Johnny finally sipped from the glass, " When you saved me from Mileena, I felt it was my fault you were blinded."

" Johnny… I told you hundreds of times it wasn't your fault." Kenshi said

" I know you did, but seeing you like that messed me up, man." Johnny can feel tears welling up in his eyes. He looked down at his glass of water, " Like it should have been me…" A tear rolled down the side of his cheek.

" I'm sorry, Johnny… I didn't know how much that affected you." Kenshi softly said, " But there was nothing you could have done to prevent it from happening."

Johnny gave a small, sad chuckle, wiping the tears away, " I like to believe that, but it's hard when it's someone you care about." The actor sighed again, pausing momentarily, " I now understand how selfless you are, way more than myself. You didn't have to do that. Especially for my sorry ass. That moment when I gave you Sento." Johnny paused momentarily, " It was the moment I fell in love with you, Kenshi."

Kenshi was now speechless. He didn't know what to say. He saw Johnny shrinking into his chair when he said nothing immediately. Johnny can feel the shame radiating in his own body. He looked down, not wanting to look Kenshi in the blindfold. The silence was loud, leaving the clock ticking as the focal point.

After what felt like an eternity, Kenshi finally said, " You know I would have done it again…"

Stunned, the actor looked up at Kenshi and asked, " What?"

" You know I would do it again. I would have saved you from Mileena."

" But why?" Johnny sniff

" Well, you can be an arrogant asshole sometimes, well, a lot of the time." Kenshi can see Johnny shrinking back to himself, " But I know there is a different side of you, a side that no one sees. You feel that you have to put on this persona for everyone to see instead of being yourself." Kenshi paused before continuing, " I know deep down in there, you have a caring heart." The blind swordsman watched as Johnny took in every single word.

Kenshi shifted in his seat before he continued, " That moment when she had her hands around your neck, I knew I had to do something. I didn't want her to take someone I cared about away. Because…" Kenshi moved his hands to grab Johnny's gently, " I released. I'm in love with you too, Johnathan Carlton."

Johnny's brown eyes widened, feeling the warmth from Kenshi's palms, " Really!?"

Kenshi nodded his head, squeezing Johnny's hands, " Really." He said, cupping the side of the actor's face before pulling him into a gentle kiss on the lips.

Johnny was surprised by the action; the actor just melted into the kiss. The nervousness, fear, and insecurity all felt it was melting away as the kiss deepened. They finally pulled apart what felt like an eternity, but Johnny didn't want that moment to end. It felt amazing.

" Wow…" Johnny said, smiling at Kenshi. He didn't know what else to say about the moment they had both just shared.

" Wow, indeed," Kenshi said, returning the smile while replacing his hands on top of Johnny's.

They sat in a comfortable silence for a moment, relishing in each other's company. Johnny noticed Kenshi's smile slowly disappearing, " What's on your mind?" The actor said he tilted his head with a concerned look.

Kenshi sighed, " Johnny… I care about you, but I don't know how we will make this work. I'm still trying to free my clan, and you're busy directing movies and acting. Not to mention protecting Earthrealm." The blind swordsman stated, seeing Johnny frown, " I don't know if we will have time for just us."

Understanding Kenshi's concerns, Johnny rubbed the top of his knuckles, " How about we take this slow? We don't want to rush you into this; let this evolve naturally. And whatever happens, just know that you will always be my best friend. Deal?"

Kenshi's smile returned to his face, " Deal."

They shared another kiss, this lasting a little longer than the first. Johnny pulled apart this time, " I love you, Kenshi Takahashi."

" I love you too, Johnathan Carlton," Kenshi whispered before meeting their lips again.

Johnny smiled at the memories as he took another sip of his coffee. Time flies by. One day Johnny kicks his intruder's ass, and the next he marries that same intruder. It was a time to be Johnny Cage at that moment. Hearing the sliding glass opening behind him, Johnny didn't have to look to see who it was.

Kenshi wrapped his arms around the actor's shoulders, kissing his temples, " Good morning, love."

" Good morning, sweetheart." Johnny replied, leaning into his arms, " How did you sleep?"

" Well." Kenshi replied, "It would have been better if I didn't wake up in an empty bed."

Johnny grinned, " Oh, so you do love me?" Johnny teased, turning around to face his lover.

Kenshi smiled back, his arms still around Johnny's shoulders, " I only tolerate you, Cage."

" Please, Ken-doll, if that weren't the case, you wouldn't have said yes when I popped the big question over there." Johnny used his thumb to point at the shoreline, " May I remind you what your answer was?" The actor wrapped his arms around Kenshi's waist.

Kenshi chuckled, " It's an answer I don't regret." He whispered, giving Johnny small pecks on the lips before pulling away, " So far, the best decision I have ever made."

" Same here." Johnny gave a cheeky smile before changing the subject, " Let's go inside; I'll make breakfast." He said, leading Kenshi back inside the bedroom.

——

In the warm glow of Johnny Cage's kitchen, the aroma of breakfast filled the air as Johnny busied himself, flipping pancakes and scrambling eggs. Kenshi sat on the island, sipping on a cup of freshly brewed coffee. Johnny grinned, proud of the delicious spread he had prepared.

"Breakfast is ready," Johnny announced, placing a plate before Kenshi.

"Thanks, Johnny," Kenshi replied with a nod, appreciating the effort put into the morning meal.

Johnny's mind raced with ideas for the day as they enjoyed their breakfast. He wanted something extravagant, thrilling, and, of course, attention-grabbing – typical Johnny Cage style. With a mischievous gleam, he turned to Kenshi and suggested, "Okay, okay, hear me out; how about we go skydiving, babe? Imagine the headlines – 'Johnny Cage and Kenshi Take the Plunge!' It's going to be epic!"

Kenshi tilted his head at Johnny's suggestion. He listens as Johnny continues his ideas, " Or we should go to a massive party tonight! I know some people who are hosting one around the city. Oh, oh, I got it! We should go scuba diving! Think about it, Kenshi, that would be amazing."

Kenshi raised an eyebrow and gently countered, "Maybe something more relaxed, Johnny. How about a day at the park? We can take it easy, enjoy nature, and have some quiet time together."

Johnny pondered Kenshi's suggestion, the contrast to his initial extravagant idea sinking in. After a moment of contemplation, he grinned, realizing the simplicity and beauty in Kenshi's proposal. "You know what, Kenshi? A day at the park sounds perfect. Let's just chill and enjoy the day."

Finishing off their breakfast, Johnny and Kenshi returned upstairs to their bedroom to get ready for the day they deserved. After showering and Johnny almost slipping in the shower, they entered the massive closet. The closet housed numerous varieties of clothing, watches, bracelets, necklaces, and rings. As expected, Johnny had the most clothes. He doesn't buy as much as he used to, and the clothes he doesn't wear anymore, the actor donated to charities in need. Even though he donated the majority of his clothing, his wardrobe can still give the average person a run for their money.

Kenshi, on the other hand, had fewer clothes than his husband. He wasn't the lavish type of guy, so he didn't need all these luxury items. But now and then, Kenshi will allow Johnny to spoil him. Since living with Johnny, his wardrobe has grown at a slow pace.

Johnny sported a stylish ensemble - a pink dress shirt neatly tucked into tan jeans cinched with a sleek black belt. A brown leather jacket adorned his frame, casually unzipped to reveal the vibrant pink shirt underneath. Completing the look were combat boots that added a touch of rugged charm.

Kenshi wore a white dress shirt tucked into dark blue jeans. The blind swordsman also sported a similar leather jacket; the only difference was that the jacket was black. Kenshi had to get used to this new style, but the more he wore it, the more it grew on him.

Kenshi couldn't help but admire the subtle elegance of Johnny's attire. Johnny's pink dress shirt exuded a touch of sophistication, catching Kenshi's discerning eye. He admired, "That pink shirt suits you perfectly, Johnny. It brings out a different side of you."

Johnny, ever the charismatic one, blushed at the compliment. The warmth of Kenshi's words added a rosy hue to his cheeks. "You think so?" he replied, his voice mixed with humility and genuine surprise. The black belt cinched around Johnny's waist highlighted the outfit's stylish flair, and Kenshi couldn't resist acknowledging it.

With a sincere smile, Kenshi continued to compliment his husband. "You always know how to put an outfit together. It's one of the things I love about you, Johnny," he remarked, his eyes reflecting his affection for the man beside him.

Johnny, touched by Kenshi's words, couldn't help but reciprocate the sentiment. "Well, I appreciate that, Kenshi. Your opinion means a lot to me," he confessed, " You know, that jacket I bought you looks badass."

It was Kenshi's turn to blush, " Thank you, love. I'm trying to branch out of my comfort zone." Kenshi glances down at his jacket, " You sure I don't look ridiculous?"

Johnny walked over, putting his hands on Kenshi's shoulders, " It doesn't matter what you have on; you will never look ridiculous to me, Ken-doll."

" Okay, but seriously, Johnny, do I-" Kenshi's concerns were enough for the actor to interrupt him.

" Kenshi, you look phenomenal." Johnny rubbed Kenshi's tense shoulder, " Besides, you are the sexiest man alive. Besides me, of course."

If Johnny could see his eyes behind his blindfold, he would have rolled them so far in the back of his head. But he's grateful for Johnny's reassurance, " Thanks, love."

Johnny kissed him on the forehead, " Anyway, time, sweetheart. Let's get moving; a national park is not too far away from here." Kenshi nodded as he grabbed Sento and followed the actor down the stairs. The couple made their way to the car garage, where Johnny, faced with an array of flashy vehicles, surprised Kenshi by opting for a regular crossover car.

As they settled into the car, Johnny took the wheel with a grin, ready to embark on the road trip to the town where the national park awaited. The engine roared to life, and the duo set their destination on the GPS, eager to leave the city behind and immerse themselves in nature.