Johnny Cage x Reader

Twenty-Six

Groaning, Johnny joined the three of you.

He had just finished filming Kung Lao's little demonstration and was about to put his phone away when he suddenly remembered that you were there too and held the camera up to your face.

"Smile for me, lily pad!", he asked with a sweet expression that could almost be described as longing.

You shook your head with a smile. Even after all these months, you still hadn't figured out why he liked taking pictures of you so much.

Specifically of you.

Sure, he would film the others whenever something special was happening, but he would also take pictures of you when you were sitting tiredly on a branch taking a nap with a cat on your chest.

Even though you didn't strike a pose and didn't smile for the camera, he still took a snapshot. Satisfied, he looked at the result before proudly presenting it to you.

"Can you see that?", he asked, beaming. "The light captures your skin tone perfectly. You literally shine. I think this is my new favourite picture. Can I post it? My fans need to know what my type looks like."

"Johnny...", smiling sweetly, you put your hand on his phone and made him put it away.

He did so without complaint. Whenever you wanted something he went out of his way to please you as best as he could. It was adorable.

Secretly that was also one of the many things that made you long for him on a deeper level. He was just so caring. Tough on the outside but once you gifted him a smile he melted between your fingertips.

"Please kill me...", Kung Lao commented on the two of you with a disgusted look.

Johnny groaned.

"We just need to get on with it.", he let his neck crack and loosened his shoulders before his hands came to rest on his hips, just like he always did when he wanted to stand comfortably. "We've been cooped up here for months. I can't base a cinematic universe on Outworld's monster and magic if I don't ever see them."

Flexing his arms, Kenshi joined in as well.

"That's why you're here?", he asked in a sarcastic manner even though he absolutely knew by now that Johnny was dead serious.

"Liu Kang said this gig would change the arc of my life.", Johnny pointed at him but as he said it, his gaze briefly jumped over to you, before he turned his attention back to Kenshi. "That's how it gets done. My ex'll rue the day she gave up on me."

Kung Lao let his eyebrows jump up. He didn't mock his companion, but was tired of hearing the same thing over and over again.

You couldn't say that you belonged to the jealous type. But even you needed to admit to yourself that it stung the wrong way whenever he mentioned that ex wife of his.

Cris was her name, if you remembered correctly. To Johnny it seemed to be mostly spite to keep the memory of their divorce fresh but to you it caused some type of feeling that you couldn't quite put your finger on.

You would have never told him though. Especially not with an audience as judgemental as Kenshi and Kung Lao. These two together specifically were the issue.

Raiden was more of a balanced type who listened and kept his mouth shut about the things he couldn't relate to.

Pulling a face that was something between a suppressed grin and annoyed judgement, Kenshi let his gaze wander up to the sky before he let a sigh he heard.

"So selfless.", he commented sarcastically.

Now it was Johnny who couldn't control his mimic and frowned.

"Oh please, Tattoo. You're just here to get your sword back."

"Damn that sounds like hella drama.", you muttered with your eyebrows raised. "Fill me in. Do I need popcorn for this?"

Both Kenshi and Johnny were about to open their mouths in response. But as the peacemaker that Raiden was, he raised his hands to calm everyone down.

"We all have our reasons for being here.", he said, walking on eggshells with his words. "Some better than others."

"Now I'm reaaaally interested to hear yours, cabbage man.", you threw him a smug grin.

He just rolled his eyes.

"But we are not here to fight among ourselves. We are here to fight for Earthrealm."

The expression that Kung Lao made couldn't have been funnier. He wanted to believe in the goodness of his friends heart. Yet it made him a little cringe.

An uncomfortable silence spread for a few seconds.

"Talk about ruining the mood.", you muttered. "I've heard better motivation speeches in some of Johnny's movies..."

Excitement lit up in the movie stars eyes. With both hands on your shoulders he pushed his face closer to yours.

"You remember?", he asked, even more beaming with pride than before. "Which one was your favourite? You can tell me if you didn't like any. God, some of my old movies were trash."

"Some of the old ones?", Kenshi asked with one eyebrow raised.

All of a sudden Johnny's mood shifted. As soon as he turned away from you the expression on his face got darker. His eyebrows drew together and he pointed at the swordsman in a warning manner.

He was about to pick another fight as the sound of a gong suddenly filled the silence.

"It's about damn time.", he muttered and grabbed your hand to pull you with him to the small temple building.

With his godly grace, Liu Kang walked amongst the painted red pillars of wood. His arms spread to welcome the group of his champions at the edge of the stone stairs.

"Today one of you will be chosen to fight for Earthrealm at the tournament.", he announced in his calm yet mighty voice that made the cherry blossoms tremble.

"Only one of us, Lord Liu Kang?", Raiden asked. "Isn't Outworld fielding serval champions?"

He was the one who stood at the very top of the group, shoulder to shoulder with Johnny. You were still locked in by his grip but made sure to remain behind his back where you wouldn't be seen right away.

"Someone did his homework...", you muttered with a huff.

"The tournament's rules give the host realm that advantage.", Liu Kang confirmed. "And it is Outworld's turn as host."