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His boots are stomping over rubble on the floor. Blood has already soaked his skin, creating a nasty smell that he's long since gotten used to. There are a few of their soldiers following behind him.
"I need you guys at the front of the line, now!" The men behind him waste no time to follow his orders. The blood curdling screams of both his soldiers and nearby civilians are a terrible mix. If that wasn't irritating enough, it was the self proclaimed God that stood beside him, who had decided he suddenly had some authority over their army.
"I can handle this!" Reiko sneers at him.
"Stand down, Reiko! This is a state of emergency. We need everyone on board, or they will suck the life out of every last one of us." The last thing Reiko wanted was to be taking orders from Liu Kang.
It had happened overnight. Nitara and her family of bloodthirsty demons flooded past both Earthrealm and Outworld's borders. A few of them managed to even get in neighboring areas, disturbing even the Tarkatans as they continued their raid. They had no limits for who were considered their prey, the battleground before them had become drowned in red pools of blood. Nothing they haven't seen before, but a shock to even the General who commanded Reiko hold off on striking at the God.
His direct orders: stop Nitara and the rest of the Vaeternians, even if that meant fighting alongside Earthrealm and it's champions. His blood is boiling in his face as Liu Kang directs their soldiers. He has enough self control to hold himself back from arguing, but it is only because of his loyalty to the General. The second this war is over, a new one will begin.
"Lord Liu Kang, we need you. We have a very big problem." It is Raiden who finds them amidst the sea of bodies. His hands soaked in red, his clothing stained pink. It is a direct result of the disaster around them. Beads of sweat are rolling down his face, the young champion looks panicked, a face he didn't expect to be seeing so soon.
"Raiden- what has happened?" They watch as Raiden takes a few deep breathes, Liu Kang encourages him to regain his bearings in the middle of this crisis. His Adam's apple sticks out in his throat as he tries to swallow the lump of fear building up.
"K-Kung Lao-" When Liu Kang presses a hand onto his shoulder, Raiden finds control in his voice. He's looking between them both, finding the alliance between the God and Reiko a humorous picture, one he would have never dreamt of.
"Kuai Liang has them bound with chains- he has it under control. But I'm not sure for how long. We aren't sure what do."
"Who is bound in chains? Kung Lao?"
"Kung Lao... Tomas and the Princess. There could be others- I'm not sure."
"What?" Reiko rips through their conversation, his face flaring red at the revelation. It surprises them, but they don't have time to dwell on specific details.
"Why have they been bound?" Reiko demands, and before he even begins explaining further, Raiden is leading them both past a trail of bodies. Raiden finally wiped his palms over his chest, but all it does is allow more of the red to smear.
"They've been bitten. The transformation was almost instantaneous. They would have attacked us all if it weren't for Kuai Liang."
"Reiko, how many do we have at the borders of Outworld?"
"Two groups of ten at your command, plus the ones I just sent over. We've held them off for a few minutes, but I won't promise anything." Reiko is clearly distracted from his highest mind, tired breathes leaving him between his words. The smell of blood surrounding them is beginning to sting his nose.
When they finally reach them, he eyes the thick stake wrapped in rusty old chains. Mileena bares her teeth at him, her eyes shifting between Reiko and Liu Kang, quickly putting the pieces together. Kuai has a grip on the end of the chain, before he lets it fall to the ground, his chest heaving with a breath.
"What is going on?" Liu Kang fears any sort of answer. Mileena growls in her throat as she steps aside, allowing the three wrapped in chains to come into view.
"They claim to be hungry. They won't last so long like this."
Reiko's lips become glued shut, his eyes falling onto Tomas, who is front and center at the stake. The chains are digging into his chest, pressing into his arms deep enough to leave their marking. He whips his head up at the new group before him, his fangs snapping at the stench that reeks from their bodies.
His hair has become a darker shade of grey, close to black. Reiko isn't used to seeing it on him. Blood drips from his eyes, resembling tears as they roll down to his chin. A strange marking on his forehead, one he's seen before on bitten soldiers in the General's army. His skin has faded from its pale tan to near paper white.
It has been days, leading to months, since Reiko had last seen Tomas. He was preparing to set out on a mission given to him by the General, one that led him to believe he may never get the chance to see him again. It had to be a sadistic turn of fate to have him standing here, faced with what he had become.
Tomas struggles against the chains, his body hardly moving in the tight constraints. He smells the blood first, and it's the driving force that encourages his body to move. But when the initial fog clears up, his eyes are in a dead bolt lock with Reiko's, his mouth parting from the sudden recognition.
"Rei-" He struggles to get his name out, his eyes widening in something akin to horror. His breathe wheezes, his voice cracking hard enough that he feels it in his throat. His mind is still fogged, something burning through his veins as he feels his body changing on him. But as he looks at the man before him, a flood of memories awake themselves.
It's been months since he's seen him, both his mind and body miss him dearly.
There is no need for Tomas to attempt to call out to him again. Reiko rushed past the group surrounding the stake, crouching to his knees as his fingers study the chains glued to Tomas' skin.
"Re-"
"Shutup." His voice rumbles on its way out. Reiko eases his hand off the chains to hold the side of Tomas's face, the blood on his hands mixing with the blood of his tears. The smell is rancid, his nose scrunching a few times, trying to get used to it.
"It's fine, just stop. I hear you." The sight of red pouring down instead of clear wet tears is too great a difference to comprehend. The blood gets in his nails, Tomas' lips quiver when he realizes that Reiko is holding him so carefully, like anything more would be too much for him to handle.
"What are you doing? Get away from him!" His brother's voice pains in ears, making them ring. Reiko whips his head with annoyance.
"I don't have time to argue with you."
"Unhand my brother." Liu Kang has to stop him from stepping closer, having already pieced one and two together from the language of Reiko's body.
"Kuai Liang, we have more pressing matters right now-"
"Stop..." Tomas is gaining some sense of self. The mix of their voices seem to snap something into all three of them, their bodies writhing under the warm chains Kuai had trapped them in. At the sound of his brother's small voice, Kuai bites on the insides of his cheeks, the lines of his forehead bunching together as he gives him a strong stare.
"What is the meaning of this?" Kuai fears the worst. Betrayal, from his own brother. He believes Tomas would never turn his back on him like Bi-Han had, but Tomas had secrets. Secrets that apparently entailed the entanglement of him and the twisted soldier wiping the blood at his brother's eyelids.
"Kuai Liang." Liu Kang's voice commands him to stay put, avoid being rash. Kuai was never quick to anger, this is something that has begun to change.
"How is he?" That was Raiden, who kneels at Reiko's left, his hands tracing over the chains. Raiden does not care for such an immediate revelation. In fact, most of his attention is on his closest friend who struggles beside Tomas. Reiko takes a glance at him, finding it odd to be beside his largest rival.
"No better than the rest of them."
"Kung Lao..." Raiden pushes back the strands of hair sticking to Kung Lao's face due to the blood, trying to get a better look at him. Kung Lao sucks through his sharp teeth, his eyes straining as he looks back at Raiden.
"I'm hungry..." A sharp whimper leaves his lips as he tries to choke back a cough, blood spilling past the corners of his mouth. Raiden's mouth hangs open from shock, wondering why blood is pouring out of their bodies in the first place. Kung Lao tries to lean into his touch, it is difficult with his position.
"I'm s-so hungry..."
"I know- I'm sorry." Raiden's face doesn't usually waver in front of danger. Right now, he looks horrified.
"What do we do? My sister is becoming more pale by the minute. I will not allow her to die by the hands of these demons." Mileena is on high alert, she threatens Liu Kang to come up with a solution. They are all looking at him for answer, weapons in hand, ready to slaughter Nitara and any one of her minions that dare come near.
"My lord, I may have a solution. But it will require a bit of time." Mileena sends Geras a snarl, the pained sounds from Kitana are all she hears.
"We don't have time. They are dieing before us from starvation, and you propose we wait even longer?"
"Feed them." Mileena freezes in her spot, Geras' face has hardened in her glare.
"Geras, I don't think that would be wise-"
"No. He's right, the only ones who can turn our species are the Vaeternians themselves. The rest of them are just mindless followers." Reiko is beginning to strip himself of the tight confines of his gear. Removing the straps that hug his forearms, the armor that covers his shoulders, anything that allows skin for Tomas to sink his teeth into. Tomas is already shaking his head.
"Are you positive?" Raiden questions, his fingers pulling at the cloth tied around his arms before he even gets an answer.
"We had a run in with them months ago. They had attacked a few of our soldiers, it was a bloodbath no different from this one. We managed to save a few by supplying them with our own blood."
"And what was the outcome?" Liu Kang is hesitant to allow them to go further, but Reiko flashes him a grin.
"They now aid us at the front lines. They have become their own breed of soldier." Once Reiko has his armor falling off his body, his movements stop abruptly. Because he feels the presence of a larger figure towering over him, he doesn't need to turn over his shoulder to know it's his General.
"General Shao..." Liu Kang becomes nervous, watching the General look down at his first and most prized soldier. He hasn't taken a single step away from Tomas, he had completely missed Shao's presence amongst the group. Shao repeats the words that had left Kuai's mouth just moments before.
"What is the meaning of this, Reiko?" Liu Kang wishes to mediate the conversation that will soon unfold. To his surprise, the General appears less agitated when compared to Kuai Liang, who has not lifted his hard glare from Reiko's figure.
This is where Reiko's faith in the general takes route. Shao does not jump to conclusions, for he already knows Reiko has long since surrounded his life to achieving his wishes as ruler of Outworld. Rather, he is slightly stunned, seeing the mix of underlying stress and tenderness in his eyes when he looks at Tomas. Reiko has never shown such a side of himself before.
"I'm going to help him." It is not a question, not begging words.
"Am I to believe this is a portrayal of disloyalty?"
"No."
"Will this stop you in your mission of taming Onaga?" Reiko finally turns away from Tomas, looking over his shoulder to face Shao confidently. It is Tomas who eyes the General in front of him, anxiety rising in his chest.
"It angers me that you would feel the need to ask. I have already forfeit my life to you. Your word is my absolute command, I'd rather you strangle me in the depths of hell before I betray you." That is when Reiko places his palm against the chains that hug Tomas' chest, wishing he could tear through them to feel him directly under his skin.
It is the first time Reiko has ever allowed himself to show any hint of fear. A solid frown covers his face, his voice not as strict as it was a second ago.
"But... you have to let me help him. I will not allow him to stay this way."
"What could you possibly do to help him?" Kuai disrupts their conversation, Shao turns to him with annoyance making his mouth twitch.
"Is he not your own blood? What good does it do you to deny his aid?" Kuai grinds his teeth together, frustrated at the fact that he appears to be the only one bothered by this. He can see Raiden place a hand over Reiko's bare shoulder, as if to comfort him. It made no sense to him.
"What good would his help be? How do I know you both won't make my brother into one of your mindless soldiers?"
"Kuai Liang- that is quite enough."
"Your pitiful whining and complaining is wasting more of our damn time in getting any further to putting an end to this." Reiko bites back.
"I don't trust you." His fingers are reaching for the rope at his waist, both Reiko and the General mirror his movement, reaching for their own weapons.
"Stop!"
Reiko's hand halts right where it is, hovering over the circular blades tucked in on his belt. Tomas had been trying to get his voice out over their arguing, he finally managed to get their attention. He noticed Reiko reaching for his weapon, adrenaline pumping through him and allowing his voice to raise itself.
Kuai is nothing but a fleeting annoyance in his eyes, Rieko is back to pressing his hand in his cheek, Tomas continues to mumble under his breath.
"I'm sorry." An apology from Reiko surprises them all. Raiden leans into his vision, apologizing as well.
"Ignore them, Tomas." They have become the mediators. As well as Mileena, who has ran back over to her sister in the midst of the complaining. She is at war with herself, turning to Kuai with urgency.
"She can't drink my blood, I can't risk this disease spreading." She’s asking him to do it for her, offer his blood. Kuai is struggling to keep his focus.
"Deal with it later! Im begging you, we'll lose them at this rate!" Her voice snaps him out of it. Of course, he has no problem offering his blood to the princess. The better, higher sense of his self told him to stand down. He rushes to Mileena's side, frowning at the whimpers of Kitana as she claims to be starving.
"I apologize, Princess... I hope my blood is adequate."
"Fear not sister, I will be with you through it all." Mileena comforts, her sister tilts his head toward her, the chains keeping her from moving any further.
"I will send message through the timelines to find Nitara. She should be able fix the mess ours has created."
"I don't want to rush you, but we are on borrowed time, Geras." The God keeps guard over the stake along with Mileena, the soldiers that have been stationed at the borders were doing a good job keeping the Vaeternians occupied for the most part.
"Take as much as you need Kung Lao." Raiden strokes Kung Lao's hair back, holding his wrist out and open, his veins sticking out below his palms. Kung Lao hesitates for a moment, but hunger is not above him. Raiden knows his senses have gone back to being crazed with the idea of biting into his skin.
Raiden winces when his teeth sink in, but he doesn't move away. Reiko beside him intends to do the same for Tomas, but he begins shaking his head, the blood continuing to pour down his cheeks, the smell finally dulling after being around it for so long.
"No..." Tomas seals his lips together when Reiko allows him a clear space of skin. Reiko narrows his eyes, gripping onto the chains.
"I'm not asking." Tomas continues to shake his head, gulping the lump in his throat down when he looks at him.
"You're going to die." Reiko tries to reason, he's losing his patience with built up stress. Tomas' lips quiver with the raise of his voice.
"I don't- want to hurt you..."
"Save me your charity."
"I missed you." He manages to choke out, lines of blood pouring past his lips. Reiko wipes them away for him with his thumb, it only makes it smear over his chin.
"I know." Tomas keeps glancing over to Raiden, who has become pale, taking deep breathes. His stare is distant as Kung Lao dries out his body through his wrist, Raiden lets him. He feels Reiko's hands turn him back to face him, not letting him look away.
"Listen to me. I will be fine. You can't afford to starve yourself now, it will kill you. I've seen it." Tomas leans into his palms, his face scrunching up with bloodied tears.
"I-Is it painful?" Reiko laughs, the General Shields Reiko's body from prying eyes with his large figure, mostly from Kuai. He has no problem granting Reiko the privacy he wishes for. He hasn't heard that sort of laugh from Reiko for years.
"It's hardly a pinch." Tomas doesn't believe him, but Reiko doesn't give him any more time to dwell on the thought. He slices his own skin with one of his star shaped blades, the scent of blood firing every sense in Tomas' body. It scared him how fast of reaction he had, when Reiko presents his flesh back to him.
Tomas' teeth sink into the wound Reiko has made for himself, his eyes glancing up to watch him as sucks the bitter color out of his body. His voice hiccups with small cries the longer it goes on, because his mind is clearing up, he's no longer starving. He's crying because this is their first reunion after he's convinced himself there was no chance of ever meeting with him again. Reiko's fingers curl against his short hair, his lips looking chapped as they part open. He goes pale with all the blood Tomas takes out of him.
There is a change in appearance when Liu Kang checks on them. Raiden, Reiko, and Kuai all appear to be out of breath. Raiden is wrapping his cloth back around his arm with slowed movements, Kung Lao giving him a soft apology, his eyes more aware. Raiden shakes his head, there was no need for him to feel sorry.
Reiko's forehead is pressed into the chains that cover Tomas' chest, Tomas' lips are against his hair. The blood that was spilling out of his eyes has stopped, leaving crusted dry trails down the sides of his face. Reiko has told him a million times in half of a minute to quit apologizing, Tomas has resorted to pressing small kisses into his hair, not wanting to bother Reiko further.
Mileena presses a hand to Kuai's back, her eyes thanking him for offering blood to her sister. Then she wipes her sister's cheeks with her fingers, telling her she looks as gorgeous as she always does. A little blood and grey skin didn't change that. It gets a chuckle out of Kitana.
"How are you feeling, princess? I apologize- it seems they had to take drastic measures to keep you all under control." Kitana looks up at Liu Kang, nodding her head.
"I'm- better. The thirst has dulled for now, though..." Her eyes shift to Kuai. "These chains are beginning to hurt." Kuai looks at her apologetically, trying to steady his breath through a wave of dizziness.
"It was... the only way to stop you."
"How is it looking at the borders?" Mileena asks, and Liu Kang gives out a relieved sigh. He and Shao share a nod, the General grips onto the handle of his hammer.
"I'm more than pleased to say the General's soldiers have stopped a vast majority of the attack. We have found contact with a Nitara of another timeline. She has informed us that there is a way for reversal of their transformation. She will meet with us soon, in the mean time..."
Mileena watched the General raise his weapon, there's an empty space between all of them that he stands in front of. When he slams the hammer down, it is enough to pierce through the chains, a terrible pinching sound running through their ears before the chains clamber down their bodies, allowing them to move.
Tomas doesn't waste time to hold Reiko into his chest. He feels cold, Reiko buries his nose into Tomas' neck. His limp form rests against Tomas' body.
"I've got you..." Tomas whispers, his eyes looking up at the General. Shao spares him glance, before he turns away. He has nothing to say to him, simply allowing him to hold Reiko in his moment of weakness.
"Let us move from here. She will be meeting us in the palace, I need all three of you there. Any able bodied can aid the borders, Geras will accompany you in keeping control over the Vaeternians."
"I'll go with him." Mileena turns to her sister, squeezing her hands with a reassuring nod. "Come back to me as soon as you feel better."
"I promise, sister." Mileena helps her to her feet, before she reaches a hand out to Kuai. He accepts it with a strong grip, slowly rising on his feet. His body feels weighed down.
"Let's go, Raiden." With more strength is his own body now, Kung Lao turns his back to Raiden in an offer. Raiden wraps his arms around Kung Lao's shoulders, letting his chest rest against his back as Kung Lao grabs onto his legs. The smell of blood is finally getting to him, it's making his head hurt. Tomas wants to do the same, but when he tries to move Reiko, he denies.
"I can walk myself." Tomas lets out a sharp exhale.
"No, you can't. Please let me help you."
"I can do it."
"Are you sure?" Reiko's mouth twitches against his skin, a groan leaving his body.
"No..." Tomas' laugh sounds tired, he forces Reiko's arms over his shoulders, encouraging him to shift over his back. He does so with a scowl, bothered that his body is having trouble on its own.
"Damn this vessel..." He curses to himself, Tomas huffs out when Reiko's weight is pressing onto his back.
"I'm sure you'll be... back to full strength in no time." He comforts. Then his eyes widen, when Shao offers him a hand to get himself up. It is a silent offer, Tomas takes the General's hand, feeling it do the most work as it pulls his body up, bringing Reiko with him. He then holds Reiko's thighs to keep him steady.
"Thank you."
Shao grumbles in response, his hammer resting over his shoulder.
Then Liu Kang is leading them back to the palace. Kitana has Kuai's arm hung over her shoulder. He's walking right next to Tomas, who keeps taking a glance at him. He takes a deep breath before calling him.
"Brother..." Kuai doesn't respond. He doesn't even flinch.
"Brother." He tries again, this time Kuai visibly turns the other way, making a show of flat out ignoring him. Tomas' jaw tightens.
"Kuai Liang." He says with a bit more demand. "Really? You can't even look at me?"
Kuai's shoulders stiffen, he tilts his head back, letting his eyes shift over to view Tomas in the corners of them.
"I am angry with you, brother."
"Why? Because I care for Reiko?"
"Because you kept it from me." Kitana tries her best to ignore their conversation, it is hard with the way Kuai raises his voice.
"If I had told you any other day, would it have made a difference?"
Kuai glances at the man hanging over Tomas' back, he doesn't get it. Out of everyone it could have been, it had to be someone he's marked as an enemy to Earthrealm. How far would Tomas have gone? Was he hiding anything else from him?
"What else have you not told me?"
"What do you mean?"
"Did you plan to leave the Shirai Ryu? Join the General's army? How much have you told him about our clan?" Tomas stops his steps abruptly, his face flushing with both anger and a deep hurt in his chest. Kuai makes Kitana stop with them.
"You can't be serious." Reiko lifts his head up, just to view what is happening in front of him. "Do you really think I would give away personal information behind the clan's back?"
"I would like to know, Tomas. I never expected you to be involved in such a scandal."
"I've only met with him a few times. It's been months."
"I don't believe you. My trust has wavered with your actions, this is foolish Tomas!"
"I am not Bi-Han." Kuai raises his brows, Tomas almost grips tightly onto Reiko's thighs with his anger before he remembers he was holding him.
"I would never turn my back on you. I wouldn't dream of it. I have felt no greater guilt than when I snuck out of the base." His expression becomes pained, but he doesn't look away from Kuai.
"I fell in love, brother. And I thought- I thought I'd never see him again. I'm sorry." Reiko's arms hug Tomas' neck just a little tighter, to let him know that he had heard everything. Kuai can't find a response to give him, Tomas follows behind Liu Kang to continue route to the palace.
Shao and Reiko share a small stare, before Reiko hides himself into the back of Tomas' neck, feeling exhaustion ware down his body. Kuai has stopped arguing, he's just as tired as he is.
When they reach the palace, they have to sit in patience before Liu Kang opens a portal for Nitara. Raiden is sat beside Reiko, he looks at him once, he looks down in his lap, laughing.
"What the hell is so funny?" Raiden shakes his head, his body is leaning over Kung Lao's shoulder.
"You are not so intimidating like this." Kung Lao points out. Reiko looks down at Tomas' hands, they hold his in a soft grip as Tomas silently watches over him. Then he rolls his eyes, glaring back at Kung Lao.
"I will finish you."
"Sure you will." Raiden smacks Kung Lao's chest to get him to stop, the four of them are laughing amongst themselves as Kuai watches a few steps away. Kitana tilts her head at him.
"Does it truly bother you that much?" She's curious, Kuai looks at his lap, his anger has dissipated.
"I don't know. I can't believe he never said a word of it. We are brothers, why would he have kept it a secret?"
"Come on Kuai Liang, hasn't Tomas long since proven his loyalty to you since building the Shirai Ryu? Maybe he feared this same reaction from you now." Kuai frowns to himself, he is most disappointed in his own reaction up to this point, everyone around him seems to be taking it in stride.
"Of course he has." He scratches the side of his neck, feeling a sense of shame. "I am sorry, I've made a fool of myself."
"I wouldn't say so. But make sure to apologize to him, rather than to me." She gives Kuai a reassuring smile, he nods at the floor.
This new version of Nitara joins them not long after. Her hair is much longer, she looks at them in surprise. Her demeanor is not as frightening up close when compared to the one they had encountered.
"It'll be a minute, I'm sorry. I'll fix this." Those not infected have become observers. Nitara casts a spell before them, they didn't know she had knowledge of any sort of magic. In moments, light is glittering over their bodies, pale skin growing warmer with color.
The taste of blood leaves Tomas' mouth, he feels like he can breathe again. His hair shines a light gray, the darker color fading away to his tips. He doesn't feel irrational hunger, he turns with relief to Kitana and Kung Lao, they feel the exact same way.
"Perhaps you should ask to her to help turn back those soldiers of yours Reiko spoke of." Liu Kang suggests, the General scoffs in his face.
"They have become a vital asset to my army. There is no need." Liu Kang sighs at his answer.
Tomas and the others share a few words of encouragement before Kung Lao is pulled away, Raiden's eyes looking over him.
"As good as new, aren't I?" His cocky smile does wonders to Raiden's anxiety, he feeds into his ego just this once, happy to see him back to normal.
"Of course."
Tomas smiles at them, before he feels a hand at his shoulder. He turns, unable to get a word out before Kuai is embracing him. He has a strong hold on his brother, the relief of seeing him human overpowering every other feeling in his body.
"I'm sorry." He whispers, a firm hand pressed to Tomas' back. "I hope you can forgive me." Tomas easily returns the hug, feeling warmth from Kuai's body.
"One argument isn't going to make me hate you, brother." Tomas smiles to himself, patting Kuai's back in a comforting manner.
"I still don't trust him."
"I know. But I don't think you have to worry about him, chances are... I probably won't see him after today." Kuai let's go of him, he feels guilt all over again at the way Tomas' face saddens.
"I hate to see you this way, Tomas." Tomas doesn't say anything. He has no words to give Kuai any reassurance.
Tomas steps away, to walk back over to Reiko who still sits with his back against the small steps leading to the Empress' throne. Tomas crouches down, Reiko is reaching up, his fingers getting lost in his hair.
"This color suits you more." Tomas holds his neck, getting lost in the way Reiko looks at him.
"You saved me."
"Don't be dramatic. All I did was offer you my blood."
"And look at you now, you can barely stand on your own." Reiko grumbles.
"Is that really how you intend to thank me? You mock my-"
Tomas lets their lips press together. It's been too long, he's forgetting the way it feels. The way Reiko forgets all the rebuttals on his tongue and instead pulls him closer, wanting nothing more than to feel Tomas against him.
Kuai looks away out of respect, Kitana observes with curiosity. Liu Kang and Shao are both thinking of how shocking an outcome this is while Raiden and Kung Lao are too occupied to pay attention to anything else but each other.
When Tomas pulls away, he's just as heartbroken as the last time they separated, because he will have to go through it all over again. He almost wishes this day had never happened, if it meant he didn't have to relive these feelings. That thought leaves him when Reiko leans into his touch.
"I love you." Reiko is out of breath again, but it is for a different reason. Tomas' heart drops at the way he says it to him.
"I should have said it last time." Tomas squeezes his hand.
"You're not making it any easier." Reiko holds onto his forearm, he tilts his head over in a certain direction.
"How'd it go? What are my chances?" Reiko asks, he gets Tomas to laugh through his sadness.
"I think he hates you- the chances are below zero."
"The negatives are better than nothing." Tomas is going to miss the white of Reiko's teeth when he grins. He's going to miss the imaginary world they have crafted where everything works out, where his brother doesn't bat an eye at the sight of them beside each other.
"I love you, you better not forget that." Tomas takes a deep breath, the tears of blood had wrung him dry. He lets everyone else fade into the background as he focuses on Reiko's words. They leave him aching.
"I could never."