Chapter Text
Raiden’s life had changed a lot since the “attack.” The test given by Liu Kang, with the help of the Lin Kuei, had proven that he, and his best friend Kung Lao, were worthy fighters. They had been taken to the Wu Shi Academy to continue their training along with two other fighters. The four fighters were informed that they were to train and compete with each other to become this year’s Mortal Kombat champion. When someone achieves that, they get to fight in the real tournament against a place called “Outworld.”
Fighting against the monks during training was humbling. Raiden was a strong fighter but he knew he had much more to learn. Occasionally, he would even ask to train with the other two warriors, also getting humbled in that process as well. He wasn’t really upset about losing in a sparring match or two. He was just happy to get more practice and learn from his mistakes. It was also nice to learn their names, Johnny Cage and Kenshi Takahashi.
Of course, he would never forget about Kung Lao. It would be hard to forget him since they are living together now. It was so much fun sleeping in the same room as his best friend, reminding him of their childhood sleepovers. Unfortunately, he didn’t get to spar much against Kung Lao as he was always put into extra lessons for his arrogance.
Raiden had eaten his dinner with Kenshi and some monks. It saddened him that Kung Lao usually had cleaning chores and endurance training later than everyone else. It had been over a week of Lao entering the room late at night due to this. He could tell how much more tense and grouchy his friend had gotten over the constant punishments, but he knew that nothing would change until he got his ego under control. His friend was a great fighter, and usually he would say that his ego is deserved, but there is a time and place.
Raiden helps the monks wash the dishes and clean up any mess from dinner before heading to the showers. He passes Johnny on the way, who gives him such a polite and sweet smile. Johnny Cage was an interesting guy. His hair was wet and Raiden knew he had just left the showers. He took his showers before everybody else, absolutely refusing to shower at the same time as any of the other guys. Entering the shower, Raiden thought about the encounter.
Johnny was a very famous movie star and mixed martial artist. One would think that he would have a massive ego, and they would be right. Johnny had an even bigger ego than Kung Lao. However, unlike Kung Lao, Johnny is extremely charismatic and has had immense media training. He knows not to arrogantly gloat in front of the monks, avoiding the constant extra chores. As Raiden cleans up under the water, he can’t help but smile. Kung Lao and Johnny would be great friends if they ever got the time to interact with each other. The thought of his friend learning new things from the movie star makes him feel nice and warm inside.
He truly worries about how pent up and tense Kung Lao is, he isn’t used to people not looking up to him. He isn’t used to being punished for how he had always acted while living in Fengjian. He especially worries over how much sleep Kung Lao has been getting. The monks do ensure everyone gets at least 8 hours in their rooms every night, but Raiden can hear how much he tosses and turns. All he can do is hope that things get better for him.
Realizing that he had gotten distracted, Raiden quickly focuses on getting clean and getting out of the shower. Realizing he didn’t bring any pajamas, he puts his uniform back on and heads out into the hallway. He left his hair down to dry, the wet strands flicking water drops as he walks up to his room. He sighs, knowing that he is about to enter the empty bedroom once again.
Raiden unlocks the door and twists the knob, walking into the dimly lit room. He makes sure to lock the door behind him. It doesn’t feel good to lock Kung Lao out like that but he has his own key and the monks had sternly reminded him not to leave the door unlocked. Huffing out again, Raiden hears rustling in the room already. His heart leaps! He hadn’t been able to spend time with Kung Lao outside of classes and training in such a long time. He excitedly turns the corner only for his smile to immediately drop.
Kung Lao was, in fact, in the room already. He was leaning against the wall, sitting on his bed, hidden under the blanket; the strange movements under the fabric continue as he is wearing the headphones that he was given for sleeping purposes. Raiden stares at him for what felt like forever, completely frozen. Kung Lao’s eyes eventually crack open and dart over to his friend standing there before he freezes as well. Another eternity passes by.
Raiden jumps as Kung Lao curses and curls up under the blankets.
“You didn’t have to clean up after dinner today?!” he shrieks as he uncomfortably wiggles under the blanket, still feeling quite exposed.
All Raiden can think about is how Kung Lao has been under constant surveillance without it even being intentional. The double rooms ensure that he is never truly alone, no wonder he was so pent up and frustrated. Snapping back into reality, Raiden immediately covers his face and stutters out.
“I- I’m sorry, Lao. I was just headed to the gardens. I’ll be there for quite a bit,” he manages to force out, hinting to Kung Lao that he’ll have more alone time, before turning away.
Raiden’s face is so hot with embarrassment. Sure they are best friends, but he never wanted to see… that. Why was that idiot even wearing his headphones like that?
“No, no, don’t get yourself in trouble like that,” Kung Lao almost whines out, stopping Raiden in his tracks. “Please, stay here. I don’t want you getting into trouble, too…”
Raiden turns his head and looks at Kung Lao. He can’t read his face at all, he thought Kung Lao would actually want more alone time.
“Listen, I know you’re frustrated and stuff-” Raiden starts.
“I don’t care, you don’t have a reason for being out there, I don’t want you to go out there,” Kung Lao surprisingly pleads.
Raiden hesitates before returning to his bed, laying down facing the wall. He shifts to get comfortable and decides…
“Make sure you take care of yourself, too,” he throws out, feeling embarrassed blush spread across his cheeks. “We’re bros, I’m not listening.”
The room goes completely silent for a moment. Raiden can almost hear Kung Lao thinking from across the room, but he keeps his back turned, indicating some sense of privacy. He then hears rustling, before the undeniable repetitive sound starts coming from his friend’s side of the room. Raiden steadies his breath and meditates, clearing his mind and ignoring the sound. His stomach drops and his ears burn when small, repressed noises slip out of Kung Lao’s lips. Raiden wonders what the heck is he even allowing to happen. He is listening to his best friend jerk off just behind him.
He can distinctively hear him speed up and get louder. Raiden feels like his heart is about to pound out of his chest at the sound of Kung Lao panting. His heart nearly stops when the noise suddenly stops and Kung Lao whines. At least he finished, Raiden just has to not mention it ever again. Or that’s what Raiden thought before Kung Lao calls out to him.
“Raiden…. Raiden, you can look at me…” his voice is needy.
When Raiden looks at Kung Lao, he notices how pleading and yearning his eyes are. Did he not finish? Why isn’t he cleaning up? Kung Lao’s face turns noticeably red and Raiden can tell he’s trying to speak.
“You can- You can watch,” he forces out, “if you want!”
Raiden is stunned. He wants him to watch. Raiden doesn’t understand the strange behavior but he turns to lay facing him, getting comfortable in his bed. He watches the fabric covering his friend start to move again. As he watches, his eyes dart up to Kung Lao’s face occasionally, and every single time, he makes eye contact.
Raiden doesn’t react as Kung Lao tugs at the blanket. It seems like the lack of protest was encouraging; Kung Lao kicks the blanket off. He is exposed completely to Raiden’s gaze now.
Raiden gasps and looks up to Kung Lao’s face, where he is still looking at him and biting his lip. The noises coming out of him are starting to sound more and more like Raiden’s name.
“Kung Lao..?” Raiden speaks up, causing Kung Lao to stop. He uncomfortably sits up and states, “you’re taking quite a long time, huh..?”
Raiden looks away and huffs. He wants to say something, the hints are there and pretty obvious, but he is too embarrassed to say it. It’s so obvious that Kung Lao had always clung to Raiden throughout their friendship and this stunt right now is really intense.
“Do you need help?”
“Yes, please, Raiden…”
Raiden timidly stands and approaches Kung Lao still laying in bed. He kneels down beside him and immediately grabs on, feeling as it throbbed under his touch. Kung Lao lets out a high pitched whimper, one that sounded different from all the other sounds he had made. Kung Lao starts dramatically panting without Raiden even moving.
“I love you.” he eventually quivers out, “I love you, Raiden.”
The sudden confession completely flusters Raiden. He felt his heart rate spike and he wants to say it back, he does love him, but the words won’t come out. He starts moving his hand instead, causing Kung Lao to jolt and hit his head on the wall behind him.
They both go silent before they start laughing, the tension almost immediately dissolving from the air. Raiden bashfully looks away, rubbing Kung Lao’s moist tip with his thumb. This whole experience feels surreal, he never thought this could ever happen, especially with Kung Lao, his beloved best friend.
Raiden then looks him directly in the eyes and states, “I love you, too.”
“Please, come up here with me, Raiden.”
Raiden does this and gets on the bed with Kung Lao, resting his head on his shoulder as he starts touching him again. Raiden licks his hand and starts sliding his hand up and down. The pumping motion causes Kung Lao to jolt and grip onto Raiden tightly. They nuzzle against each other. As Kung Lao gets more worked up, Raiden realizes that he doesn’t want this to end. He doesn’t want to just get this over with anymore. He feels the other man dig his nails into his skin and arch his back, so he quickly stops and lets go.
Kung Lao lets out a frustrated groan and reaches down, only to get stopped by Raiden grabbing his wrist. He’s too shaky to fight back and Raiden can see the confusion in his eyes. He lets out more frustrated whimpers and his cock continues twitching and throbbing. Raiden chuckles at the sight before he thought about how ironic him doing this was.
“I just don’t want this to end,” Raiden mutters as he nuzzles his face into Kung Lao’s shoulder.
“It doesn’t have to, we don’t have to pretend this never happened,” Kung Lao reassures and grabs Raiden's chin.
Raiden’s emotions almost overflow and he pushes forward, kissing Kung Lao, who immediately reciprocates. He’s never felt more loved than right now, kissing his “best friend,” feeling his embrace and how his fingers comb through his hair. His lips are so soft. He had always wondered what they would feel like…
Kung Lao pulls away and smiles at him, “are you going to stop teasing me now or?”
Raiden then remembers Kung Lao’s problem and quickly spits in his hand. Kung Lao is more vocal this time, making beautiful noises as Raiden works him. Kung Lao is quick to start shaking and arching his back again.
Kung Lao holds on tightly and yells out, “keep- going-, don’t stop-, Raiden-”
This causes the butterflies in Raiden’s stomach to go absolutely crazy. He continues pumping and doesn’t slow until he feels hot liquid drip down his fingers. He slowly moves, as Kung Lao shakes beside him, allowing him to ride out his orgasm completely. Once Kung Lao stills, only panting heavily, Raiden finally lets go of him.
Raiden looks at his hand contemplatively, he almost can’t believe it. Hearing Kung Lao chuckle, Raiden looks up.
“What? Want a turn?” He playfully asks.
Raiden returns the smile and gestures to the time displayed on the nightstand. “It’s late,” he goes silent for a moment, “you said this doesn’t have to end…?”
Kung Lao tightly hugs him, “We could keep doing this. Almost like… a couple?” This causes Raiden to nod in affirmation.
“I’d like that.” Raiden grins, “We should sleep so we can have energy for tomorrow night, too.”