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Quan Chi's life was simple at first.
Working day and night and the mines, covered in sweat and dirt just to repeat the same proces the next day, that's how it was for years, that was all he remebered. It was good in a way, you can't really complain about the only thing you ever knew.
But then he met her.
Damashi was the most interesting person he met in years, at the time anyway. Her voice charmed him in a way that really confused him, she said things that made him want to repeat that she was just lying, but she wasn't was she? He went with her, finaly free from the simple life he didn't even know was his punishment, his prison for something he never did.
He saw and learned things every single day, even if they were small, he still remembered the first time he touched grass, he remebered his first eated fruit, his first warm bath and many other firsts. There were things that he hated like the sunlight (witch blinded him, he had a hard time getting used to it) and how odly warm it was outside the mines but he could live with that.
Honesly the moments he spended with Damashi were the best, in the mines he couldn't really have relationships, ANY relationships, no one could, "it could motivate them to escape" he heard the others say but he never given much thought to it, he was there longer then them so he couldn't really understand why would that motivate them. Damashi truly made him undertand, all the time they spend felt amazing, even if it was just lessons he still was greatfull for hearing her voice.
To be honest at first he thought he was in love with her, he had to think long and hard before deciding that can't be the case, he felt such strong feeling because she was the first person he had a positive, well, any relationship with. This conclusion gave him peace but also made him feel a bit...off. He wasn't sure why, perhaps he longed for other kind of relationship? He didn't know, but for now it was just him and Damashi.
Until Shang Tsung showed up.
Quan Chi wasn't sure why the man was here, Damashi just went somewhere one day and showed up with beaten up Shang Tsung. Neither of them knew what to think it seemed, Shang Tsung was confused why Quan Chi wasn't mentioned before and who even was he, meanwhile Quan Chi was stuned by the beauty of Shang Tsung and wondered why Damashi didn't warn him that such charm could exist.
While Shang Tsung was being nursed to health they talked and got to know eachother better, both spoke of their interests and their lifes, Quan Chi would talk about the mines and the knowledge he gained from working in there, he would explain how his life looked and how it is now. Shang Tsung meanwhile would speak about his "life", well not much of a life it was, "barely survival" he said. All the stealing, scaming, beating, he gave all the details, he never mentioned his family but Quan Chi didn't mind, all the knowledge Shang Tsung possesed fascinated him, they would talk hours about what they know. At first it was just exchanging information, then they would talk about what happend to them that day and then it was just random conversations for no real reason, they didn't really need one. Damashi was confused and shocked with how quickly they got along and trusted eachother, at some point Shang Tsung poited out that it seemed weirdly personal for her but they both decided to leave it out of respect.
Honesly Quan Chi couldn't point where their feelings towards eachother started to turn more romantic, the first time he realised is when he gave Shang Tsung a flower, nothing special or rare, just a single flower he found.
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--...And then I would pour the elixir into the body and if it works then a snake should come out and eat them, I would say it's quite creative. -- Shang Tsung laughed as he walked down the hallway. -- What do you think Quan Chi- Oh.
Shang Tsung turned around to face his friend only to be met with a flower, it was small with white petals. He blinked and looked at Quan Chi who had a poker face.
-- I...thought you might like it. -- He finaly spoke. -- I'm still new to showing effection and it isn't much but...
-- It isn't much. -- Shang Tsung agreed taking the flower. -- But I still adore it.
He placed the flower in his hair making sure it's stays in place without looking weird and looked at Quan Chi who was now blushing a little, his eyes were shining and lips were a little apart as he staring in awe.
-- Well? How do I look? -- He smiled witch made Quan Chi come back to reality.
-- As stuning as ever. -- He took his hand and gave it a kiss, Shang Tsung blinked at this but blushed charmed.
-- It's just a flower in my hair Quan Chi, nothing much.
-- Even if not much it's still perfect when it's you. -- Shang Tsung blushed more at those words while Quan Chi still held his hand.
-- Oh stop it! Honesly and you call me a charmer!
-- You consider me charming? -- He smiled.
-- How can I not? You always were, since the first day I met you. Now let's go, we still need to get the bottles.
They walked the rest of the way holding hands.
~~~~~~
-- Did I worry you?
-- Worry...? Worry?! I was about to go and rip them to shreds! -- Shang Tsung crossed his arms as if offended. -- In fact I still want to do that! I want to go and slash their eyes until no one can tell that those were once eyes! Actualy no, I want them to see all the things I'll do to them. Perhaps experimenting on them more brutaly then the other subjects would do the job? No, they deserve more suffering then that.
-- Even while speaking of such things you set my heart on fire... -- Quan Chi stared at him lovingly holding his hand on his face as his boyfriend wondered about in what ways could he torture Liu Kangs little dolls.
-- Yes I know. -- He noded. -- Now, perhaps I should make an elixir that would melt them from inside...?
-- Darling, I don't mean to dismiss your feeling but aren't you overreacting?
-- Overreacting? Quan Chi dear you came back whiter then any snow I ever saw! -- He crossed his arms.
-- I know dear it's just that all the tests you did showed that I'm fine and I feel well, is there any more reason I'm still suposed to be in bed?
--...I'm just worried. -- Shang Tsung looked down. -- You're the best that ever happened to me, I don't...I don't want something happening to you because I failed to notice somethings wrong, and after this? Those feeling now hunt me!
-- Oh darling. -- Quan Chi took his hand and kissed it, from the fingertips right to the shoulder. -- I understand your concerns but I also need you to trust my words and things you see, please?
-- I know it's just that it can be a little hard sometimes.
-- I understand well dear. And do you know what else is hard?
-- This chair I'm sitting on?
-- You read my mind as always, why not lay with be for a bit and share some of your brutal ideas? -- He patted the space next to him.
-- Oh Quan Chi... -- Shang Tsung smiled, he kissed his lover on the lips and layed with him, sharing the most grusome ideas as they cuddled.
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-- Still angry about all of this? -- Smoke gave Shang Tsung a cup of tea as he, clearly angry, bit his fingers.
-- How can I not be?! Betrayed not only by my mentor but also other me?! If I could I wouldn't even torture them for experimental reasons! Just torture, I wouldn't give them a satisfaction of knowing that all the pain will lead to something useful. -- He took the cup and took a sip.
-- Right... -- Tomas glanced at Kuai Liang who walked behind them also holding a cup of tea, he raised an eyebrow at Tomas who just turned back to Shang Tsung. -- But there is something you're not telling me, at least I feel like it.
--...Quan Chi doesn't look at me the same way after the betrayal. -- He admited.
-- Oh...-- Tomas gave a quick glance at Quan Chi.
-- Mh. Now I don't know what to do, and I know we should talk about it and I'm already planing that but talk isn't always enough, I can't be enogh after something like this! Feelings don't change just like that!
-- Well... Why not have more then one conversation? -- Shang Tsung raised an eyebrow at him. -- One can't be always enough that's true, sometimes you need more then one or some time apart, or some time together maybe! I don't fully understand what you're going through but if you need to vent then I'm here. -- Smoke smiled the best he could, it wasn't needed much since he had a mask on but still.
--...You're a good person. -- Shang Tsung took another sip. -- I'll try your advice, thank you.
Shang Tsung walked over to Quan Chi and they started a conversation.
Kuai Liang looked at Tomas weirdly before asking:
-- Did you just make friends with our enemy?
--...I mean right now he's an ally. -- He shruged as his brother sighed. Tomas looked at the lovers who seemed to resolve their issuea as they held hands and talked about some grusome things that made Johnny gag and made Kung Lao spit his tea. -- I want to have what they have in the future.
--...The fact that those two have the healthiest relationship I ever saw is very concerning to me. -- Admited Kuai Liang.
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-- Quan Chi?
-- Huh?
Quan Chi looked up at his lover who helt two cups of tea in his hands, Shang Tsung sat next to him and gave him one of the cups. He took it and looked back at what was before him, mosly rocks and trees really, the island didn't have that much to offer as far as he could tell.
-- Is something wrong? It doesn't seem like it but I prefer to ask. -- Shang Tsung took a sip of his tea as he looked at him with a frown.
-- You're correct, nothing is wrong, I'm just thinking about our time together. -- He admited. -- Even our conficts seem like fond memories.
-- That's probably because we talk about our feeling and wants instead of lashing out or ignoring them. -- He shruged. -- Why are thinking about that?
-- I'm not sure.
A silence fell as them both just watched the world around them and drank tea. It was peaceful, it was nice, lovely even.
-- Do you ever want to get married?
Shang Tsung blinked caught off guard.
-- Why do you ask?
-- Because one day I wish to marry you. -- Quan Chi smiled.
-- Quite early to say things like that, were not even three years together. -- He laughet a little. -- But I do wish to marry you too. Can you imagine? Our wedding I mean.
-- A place full of cristals...
-- And nice lights...
-- Covered in blood?
-- Surrounded by the bodies of those who wronged us?
-- You know me so well. -- Quan Chi pulled him on his lap and they shared a kiss.
-- Our wedding shall be our perfect memory! -- Declared Shang Tsung.
-- Any memory with you is perfect.
-- You're charming me again Quan Chi!
-- So what if I am?
-- Well it makes me want to marry you faster!
-- Is it so bad my dear?