johnshi

2

Since being back in the mountains with the Monks, things were significantly more peaceful. Yet, there was still something weighing on Johnny's mind. Kenshi and Johnny finally found a moment to sit down and take in all that had happened to them on their quest to find Shang Tsung. Especially now that they were no longer fighting for their lives, keeping them distracted from how fast things turned over on them. They made it out, but the movie star still wasn't leaving Kenshi's side.

Johnny and Kenshi sat in the medicinal room of the monastery. The scent of healing herbs and incense filled the air in the room. The monks had been tending to Kenshi's injuries and trying to mitigate any potential infections in his eyes... Johnny couldn't help but feel this was all his fault. The burden on Johnny's chest felt like it was getting heavier as the moments passed that they'd waited for the monks to prepare the eye ointment. He knew that Kenshi had made his own choices on their mission, but his mind was swimming with all the different what-ifs. Maybe he could have held off his own better or even been faster to stop Mileena. Sento didn't feel like enough to make up for his friend's eyes.

Once they got the ointment, they were free to leave. Johnny helped his friend up and headed out of the room to walk with Kenshi back to his room. The movie star had been shockingly quiet this whole time, and this didn't go unnoticed by the swordsman. Kenshi could feel the tension, and he had a feeling he knew what this was about.

Kenshi and Johnny had grown closer. Learning to understand on another's world and where they came from. It set things in a different perspective. Johnny hardly expected them to become friends in the first place, but it was nice to know he had someone to rely on. Kenshi didn't expect this either. He could hardly stand the egotistical idiot.

As they entered Kenshi's room, Johnny helped the swordsman sit on the bed, putting Sento off to the side while the other got the ointment out. "Here, I'm gonna take off your blindfold." he'd warned before starting to do so. Kenshi reached up and took hold of Johnny's arm before he could undo it. "Wait, Cage. We should talk." Johnny paused, his fingers hovering near Keanshis blindfold. Letting his hand fall back from Kenshi, he looked at him and gave a slight nod.

"Yeah, sure thing," Johnny replied, his voice tinged with concern. He set aside the ointment, giving Kenshi his attention. Takahashi was holding to Johnny's arm to know where the other was. "Something's been bothering you since we've gotten back." Kenshi began, his tone calm. He gave a short pause to make sure he had Johnny's attention. "You've been blaming yourself for what happened with Mileena, haven't you?". Johnny stopped for a moment. He didn't want to burden Takahashi with something as small as this. Kenshi had enough on his plate. "Haha, are you telling me now that you've lost your sight. You can sense my feelings?" He jokes, trying to change the subject and brush it off.

"Come on, Cage. I'm being serious." Kenshi insisted. "Come on, what? I'm fine, Takahashi." Johnny lies to get the other off his back. He wasn't used to being confronted about his feelings. Let alone talking about them. It was foreign to him and uncomfortable. He just wanted to be the light of the party. The comedic superstar everyone saw him to be.
Kenshi gave a slight squeeze to Cage. "I know you better than to know that's true. The whole time we were in the medical room you were just moping." Kenshi instead. "Okay, for the record. I don't mope. It's called bruting." Johnny corrected, still not taking the conversation seriously. Then maybe Kenshi would stop trying to reach out to him.

"Okay, then you were... bruting," Kenshi emphasized, correcting himself to use Johnny's preferred term. Johnny chuckled half-heartedly, still not willing to engage in the conversation. "No, I'm just tired. So come on. let me get this goop on your eyes for you, and we can get some rest." He insisted. "Fine Cage...But do you have to do this? You know I'm capable of putting on the ointment myself." Kenshi mentioned, finally letting go of his arm. He wasn't sure why Johnny would want to do this for him. "I know you're capable, Takahashi. Just give me a chance to work on my bedside manners, won't you?" He replied with his usual sense of humor. Kenshi couldn't help but smile at Johnny's response. He let go of the other man's arm before letting him continue. "Fair enough, Cage," Kenshi replied, his tone warmer than before. "I'll let you perfect your bedside manners. Just be gentle with me." He jokes back. He envied how well the other acted so carefree all the time. However, he did not envy the weight of holding it all in. That's what worried Kenshi.

Johnny smiled at how the other started to joke back with him. He felt lighter being around Kenshi like this. Somehow, Takahashi understood him. "Don't worry, Takahashi. I'll be the gentlest applicator you've ever seen." Kenshi couldn't help but chuckle lightly at the others' remark. "There isn't much to see though, is there?" the blind swordsman pointed out. " Oh shit-. I'm sorry I, didn't mean-." Kenshi interrupted him with a laugh.  "I'm only picking on you, Cage.". "Haha, right-." Johnny cleared his throat and got some ointment on his fingers. "Here, stay still. I don't want to cause any more damage." As Johnny applied the cream, he did so cautiously. He made sure not to cause any discomfort. Kenshi felt the heat of the other hands as they touched his face. He didn't realize his face felt cold until the other touched him. It was- comforting.

Cage appreciated the opportunity to care for his friend this way, and Kenshi's trust in him meant a great deal. He wanted to help in whatever way he could, to make up for what he felt he'd done. With the tension still there, Kenshi knew that Cage was still blaming himself, whether he'd admit it or not. Was this why he was helping? Out of pity?

"You know, I don't blame you. It wasn't your fault Mileena went crazy." He said quietly," If I had to, I'd do it all over again," Kenshi reassured. Johnny finished with around his eyes and stopped to look at the swordsman. Johnny felt this relief. Hearing it come straight from Kenshi made it all feel better somehow. Kenshi started to talk again after not hearing anything from Johnny. "I want you to know that I appreciate your help, but you don't need to do this out of guilt or pity." He stated. "Sure thing, Takahashi...thank you." Johnny patted his friend on the shoulder, clearing his throat. "Now, why don't we call it a rap on this chick flick moment and get you to bed?" Johnny jokes to get another smile from Kenshi. "Yeah, I could use some rest." the swordsman fixed his blindfold back on, getting himself under the covers. Johnny placed the ointment on his bedside for him to use tomorrow. Johnny said his goodnight while headed to the door."I'll see you tomorrow, Takahashi." Kenshi yawned, "See you tomorrow, Cage." he spoke, and the movie star left to let him rest.

Johnny was feeling lighter now than when they got back to Earthrealm. Heading to his room, he couldn't help but think about what happened. Kenshi was forgiving towards him, how close they were, the features of his face, and the way his face felt soft but stubbly when holding it. Once Johnny caught up with all these thoughts. He suddenly stopped. What was he thinking? That was his friend- what kind of person just starts going on like that about his friend? He was a little surprised by himself and just went straight to his room to go to bed.

Entering his room, Johnny closed the door behind him, still wrestling with the unexpected thoughts that had surfaced. He was feeling conflicted and really embarrassed. "What the hell, Weirdo," he whispered to himself. Sitting on the edge of his bed, Johnny took a deep breath and tried to refocus his thoughts. He reminded himself of the importance of their friendship. As he lay down in his bed, Johnny did his best to just forget about whatever that was and get some rest.