Johnny Cage x Reader

Forty-One

It took quite a while for you and Johnny to find your way around the maze of the royal palace. Your outlines danced across polished marble. Flowers fled through the huge archways.

With ease Johnny caught one out of the air, jumped in front of you and bowed to offer you the violet flowers.

"Beauty for my beauty.", satisfied with his anecdote, he looked at you with a smirk.

A shiver crawled down your spine.

"I think I know now why Kung Lao always almost threw up.", with a laugh, you took the gift from his hand and slipped it through a buttonhole on your shirt.

"I just want to charm you.", he shrugged.

"You already have.", you grabbed his face with both hands and kissed him.

His arms immediately wrapped around you. Your chest pressed against his. Two heartbeats merged and formed a completely new melody.

"I know it's not healthy to say something like that so quickly...", he kissed you again, so tenderly and lovingly that it took your breath away. "But I love you."

You couldn't help but smile against his lips.

"You're surprisingly easy to have, Johnny Cage.", you playfully pushed him away.

"Ha! Is that disappointment? Might as well pretend I'm hard to get."

"Do we have to start the whole thing all over again?", smirking, you strut past him down the long corridor.

"I'd do it a million times."

You let your fingers dance across his chest. His breathing changed and a slight gasp escaped his lips. As if there was nothing else in this palace, possibly even this world, his eyes were glued to your head.

His hand lifted to reach for yours. You pulled him with you, but he stopped and gently coaxed you back into his arms. Your arms immediately wrapped around him, fingernails nuzzling his neck.

Your eyes met.

The brown colour of his iris was brighter than the night before. So bright that it seemed like crystallised honey with a hint of gold. It sank into your (E/C) gaze. Never before had you loved looking into someone's eyes so much.

Silence enveloped you, pleasant and familiar. There were only your breaths mingling in your ears. His warmth seeped into your skin.

It was strange.

All the years of your childhood you had hated being trapped in silence. No one had talked to you except when it was necessary. No one had tried to comfort you with words, no compliments or advocacy.

This was probably one of the many reasons why you were always drawn to the company of other people. There was this need that gnawed at you to entertain others. Your mind rested only when others filled your existence with words and attention.

But with Johnny it was different. All he had to do was look at you and the never-full hole in your soul was satisfied. A single silent smile from him made you feel light. With him, you could have endured endless silence.

Your lips opened, the same words already on the tip of your tongue, then you closed them again and leant forward to kiss him gently. His eyes fell closed.

As with your first kiss, he tasted of peppermint. A pleasantly fresh flavour.

And yet the thought that he always had to carry a packet of breath mints around with him somehow struck you as odd. It made you chuckle.

As soon as the sound reached his ears, he smiled against your lips.

"The most beautiful sound.", he murmured with a wink.

Teasingly, you turned away from him, your eyebrows raised.

"Wasn't there a nicer one yesterday?", you asked, pulling him away.

An indignant gasp escaped him.

"A gentleman remains silent and enjoys."

"You are not a gentleman."

"What then?"

"Johnathan Carlton.", you gave him a serious look over your shoulder. "My boyfriend."

Surprised by the statement, he suddenly paused. His eyes seemed to widen for a moment before his mind could form words again. Even if he didn't want to admit it, the joy was written all over his face.

"Your future husband, if you please.", he cleared his throat, rubbing the back of his neck with one hand.

You had to laugh.

Somehow that thought didn't seem too bad. Of course, he would be a little annoying from time to time, but the same could be said for you. Together you would be the biggest nightmare of all people who appreciated a little seriousness and calm in life.

Chaotic evil. But more than just good for each other.

It was cheesy to think about it that way, but he made your life a little more worth living. You wanted to do the same for him. For as long as it was possible.

Your fingers closed tighter around his hand as he slid it into your palm. It never ceased to amaze you how warm and soft his skin felt.

Last night you had noticed how well he took care of himself. His chest had been completely clean-shaven and his hair was silky and strong. It made him so much more attractive that he knew how to look after himself.

Smiling contentedly to yourself, you walked ahead while Johnny followed without protest. His thumb kept rubbing the back of your hand. Sometimes he leant forward to plant a kiss on the back of your neck.

Whenever his breath tickled, you pushed him back playfully, just so he could start a little fight.

All of a sudden you both found yourselves in the throne room.

Footsteps sounded. Surprised, Princess Kitana stopped in her tracks.

She wore the same outfit as the night before. Her long black hair was dishevelled and she was carrying her shoes in her hands. She eyed you both with irritation, but quickly straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin.

"Good morning, Earthrealmers.", her eyes travelled past you. "You're up early. What are you doing in an empty throne room?"

Her scepticism was not genuine.

"Good morning, Princess.", you bowed to her. "We've come from a walk."

"From the palace wing where the royal apartments are?", one of her eyebrows rose.

"We didn't know that!", Johnny interjected hastily.

"You look... untidy.", it was obvious she was questioning why you and Johnny were both rather scantily dressed.

Your clothes were rumpled and not a single hair was in place. Unmoved, you shrugged.

"You're not wearing shoes.", you remarked, pointing down the corridor from which she had come. "And that's where the royal guests reside."

A shadow flitted across her face. Suddenly she was in a great hurry to force her way past you and leave. As you looked after her, you noticed a black headband with golden embroidery wrapped around her wrist.

"Hey, I know that...", Johnny muttered.

"Leave it.", you huffed. "Don't wake sleeping dogs."