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Reiko had never thought about or considered marriage. It wasn't something that interested him or benefited him in any way. He also never had anyone that he loved enough to want to spend the rest of his life with. He couldn't have been married to Mileena. He only stayed to keep his position, possibly benefiting himself further, but he had no care. He just wanted the throne and would do what it took to get there.
When you came into his life, he kept you a secret. He wasn't going to allow anyone to use you against him. He wasn't going to allow people to think that he was weak. He was determined to get what he wanted. You knew that, and you did your best to help him.
Through the months, you eventually wanted to be married. You knew that he probably couldn't do it right now. You let him know your thoughts anyway. So that he was aware. He didn't mind you letting him know. He would do his best to make you happy. It wasn't often that you asked for something. Surely, a proposal wouldn't be hard, and it too could be kept a secret. The wedding would be a different story for another time.
Reiko took his time looking through the crown room. The Treasury didn't matter. There were some things in the castle that were unused and forgotten about. No one would notice their disappearance. No one would notice if it were… on your finger. He knew the castle well enough. He knew where things were. He didn't care about stealing. No one would know that it was him. No one would dare accuse him of such things. He was Shao Kahn's general. He trusted Reiko.
Reiko found exactly what he was looking for, slipped the ring into his pocket, and walked out the door. If anyone asked, he had heard noises, and he had gone to check on them. He was just making his usual rounds of checking the castle and making sure that everything was exactly the way it was supposed to be. He looked around. He was alone. His focus was on his surroundings. He wasn't going to be caught. He continued to make his way to your shared bedroom as he kept listening for the sounds of anyone else. He got lucky, there was no one. He stepped into your bedroom and closed the door behind him. He breathed a sigh of relief. His heart thundered inside his chest. He opened his eyes slowly as he looked around, looking for you.
You stood outside on your balcony, enjoying the fresh air and listening to the sounds of the city.
“Y/N, love.” He said.
You turned toward him and stepped inside, closing the door behind you.
“Are you alright?”
“I'm fine.” He said with a small, reassuring smile.
Suddenly, he dropped to one knee as he pulled out the ring from his pocket.
“I have loved you since the day I first met you. I have never loved anyone as much as I have loved you. Y/N, will you marry me?”
You stepped closer when he dropped down. You froze at the sight of the ring. Your hands covered your mouth. It was as if you had forgotten to breathe. You didn't know what to say. You didn't know what to say. Your hands trembled as you put them down by your side. You nodded before finally finding your words.
“Yes, I will.”
He slipped the ring on your finger.
