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Liu knocked on your door firmly, his knuckles reddening. He took a step back and folded his arms behind his back, not wishing to startle you when you came to the door. When he received no response even after a minute or so, a sigh escaped him.
He knocked again.
The sound was louder this time and he was sure you would have heard him now. With a sense of accomplishment, he flicked his red sash to the side and straightened his posture again in preparation for greeting you. No response. His brow furrowed. This wasn’t like you at all.
Knowing he probably shouldn’t but overcome with the need to see if you were in there, he eyed the doorknob. A pattern was beginning to emerge in his mind, Kung Lao wasn’t in his room either. He was worried something had happened and no one thought to wake him. But he had already asked everyone of his whereabouts and had already checked the fight pit. No one had seen you or Kung Lao all morning, although Kano did have a strange reply.
He turned the doorknob gently, only to find that door was unlocked. He let the door open just a crack and called out for you quietly. When again, he heard nothing, he opened the door even further this time and took a single cautious step inside.
Your room was dark, the curtains still shut despite the time of day. He could see your faint outline atop the bed in the darkness. A mound beneath the covers. And in the interest of not startling you, he crept quietly towards the side of the bed, once more questioning whether he should raise you from your slumber. But if anyone had seen Lao it was you and he wouldn’t be able to rest until he knew his friend was safe. He knew you would be concerned to learn of Lao’s absence and convinced himself he was doing you a favour by waking you.
He called your name into the darkness once more and a groan escaped you. He heard the covers rustling and lit the fire in his palm so he could walk to your bedside without tripping over everything that was strewn across the floor. He had never known you to leave things so untidily.
When he reached your bedside, he dimmed the fire slightly so as not to startle. He whispered your name again and let the flame illuminate your face ever so slightly.
A metallic clang sounded from across the other side of the room and something beside you on the bed moved. Liu was worried now. Letting his fire grow larger so he you and whatever else was in your room more clearly.
“Liu?” Your voice brought his attention back to you and away from the sound. You rubbed your eyes and pulled the covers over your face even more, shying away from the light of his flames.
The light from the fire caught the gleam of something metallic beside you. “Liu? I just about killed you!” Lui directed the flames so he could see the person attached to the second voice.
“Lao?!” The man in question brought his hand to his eyes to shield them from the light, lowering his hat and placing it beside the bed. “What are you doing here?”
“What are you doing here? I could’ve sliced you!” He asked as you fumbled for the light switch and found it. You couldn’t help but wince as the sudden brightness flooded the room. Lao did too, flopping back down beside you now that he knew it was just Liu Kang creeping around your room.
Liu quenched his flame, “Looking for you!” He replied, eyes widening when he realised precisely what had transpired.
You lay on your side, covers pulled over your chest but your shoulders were bare. Lao’s torso was only half covered as he lay beside you. Suddenly the layer of clothes blanketing the floor and Lao’s absence from his own room made sense. A smile spread across Liu’s face as the full realisation hit him.
“What time is it Liu?” You asked, not entirely caring that he had essentially just caught the two of you in the aftermath of sleeping together.
“Late enough that your absence was a concern.”
You cursed. “Did Raiden notice?!” You asked, Lao took a hold of your hand.
“No, he is otherwise occupied.” You both breathed a sigh of relief and visibly sank back into your bed, “And I can see that you’re both more than okay, so I will be on my way. Apologies for my intrusion.” He shot Lao a knowing look, a look that said he was getting teased to high heaven later on. He was delighted for you both, truly he was but that didn’t mean Lao was getting off without getting teased.
“Don’t worry, you know I won’t breathe a word of this.” He told you, sensing your concern, “Please don’t keep each other too long, you both have duties to attend to this afternoon that require the presence of clothing.”
“An hour?” You asked, knowing you were pushing your luck but you truly couldn’t bring yourself to leave the comfort of your bed, especially not with Kung Lao beside you.
“An hour.” Liu nodded his head once and you would have gotten up to hug him had you not been bare. “But please lock the door next time.”
With that he slipped out the door and closed it behind him. You couldn't be bothered getting up to lock the door. You had no idea where your key was anyways. They were probably strewn on the floor somewhere along with the rest of the items you had on you last night.
You felt a hand glide around your waist once more and you turned to face Kung Lao where he lay beside you. His hair was a mess, all fluffed up and sticking out in all different directions. You smoothed it down by running it through with your fingers. His eyes closed at the feeling of your touch on his scalp and a content breath left him. When you were finished you let the back of your hand rest against his cheek. His eyes opened once more, his gaze so soft and full of adoration that you had to look away to save yourself from blushing.
“Good morning.”
“Morning.” You replied, a smile gracing your lips as he ran his fingers up and down your arm.
“So we have an hour…” He smiled, looking up at you from beneath his brows as he leaned to press a kiss to your shoulder. “We do indeed. How shall we spend such precious time?”
“Might I hold you once more?” Your heart melted. He really was just grateful for the chance to have you in his arms. You nodded eagerly in reply, shuffling closer to him. You were almost painted on to one-another like a second skin for most of the night, or until Liu came in as far as you could tell. He was such a warm presence that you found yourself forgetting what it felt like to ever truly be cold.
One of his hands found your thigh, helping you hike your leg over his so you could be closer to him. You let yourself cling to him like a teddy bear, utterly lost in the feeling of having his body so near.
“Rest if you need to. I can wake you when it’s time.” He pressed a kiss to the top of your head before letting you nuzzle your nose into his neck. You could stay like this forever but you would have to settle for an hour.