Mortal Kombat Ages: The Fires of Youth

[Gothicruby]

Liu Kang's shoulders heaved a little shudder at the gentle shushing.

'Little one,' he couldn't remember the last time Raiden had called him that...just like he couldn't recall when anyone had taken the time to soothe him like this; to sit him down and just let him be...

It was unnerving. It was terrifying...and yet, Liu Kang couldn't bear to tear himself away from the moment again.

Another, harder shudder shook his torso as he reached for the folds of Raiden's robes and tucked a corner of it possessively against his cheek.

"Wh-what's that...?" Liu's watery voice choked again after a moment. One eye blearily peeked out from the safety of Raiden's robes, observing the peaceful images somewhat warily.

"Is...is that the future...?" He wondered, not sounding quite so convinced yet...but also, not as cynical?

"Is..." Liu sniffed sharply back on his own frustration "Is that what's supposed to happen? Me, winning and...?"

His gaze lingered on the sight of his powerful God form. The confidence, the might...Liu Kang had never felt more distanced from his own face since meeting his revenant. His fists balled tighter into Raiden's robes, before his face returned back to its' hiding spot.

"Wh-why...?" Liu choked again, a little tighter now "Why did you choose me, L-Lord Raiden...? How...how are you not furious with me?"

[Babygabrial]

"I chose you because I once saw potential." Raided stated in his deep, soothing voice as his hand strummed across Liu Kang's back like an acoustic guitar. "I stay at your side because I saw your character." His other hand moves to Liu Kang's neck like he's supporting one who needs support. "I will drive you forward, because I have seen the truth." The blue eyes of one divine shine down onto the young man he holds.

"What I have displayed for you is events that have played out in another world. Where Kronika truly as all power as she had claimed, than no such possibility would exist. Where we have pushed back to may not allow for those exact events to occur, but know that true victory is a possibility." He tells the monk as he brings a smile to him, and holds him close to his chest.

[Gothicruby]

This time, there was no hiding the mighty tremble of Liu Kang's lip, as his glassy-eyed gaze met Raiden's own.

At first he wanted to argue back against Raiden's assurances; wanted to know just what kind of character his mentor saw now, knowing how cruel and and selfish he truly could be. Yet, where to try to speak, he knew he'd just be knocking over an already precariously standing dam.

The glowing eyes of his revenant self still haunted Liu Kang's thoughts...but just as his brow began to crumple, he felt himself lifted to rest back against Raiden's chest...

And it was in that moment that Liu Kang realised how terrified every single version of himself had been up until this point. Young, revenant, God...none of them had ever felt as safe and warm as here in Raiden's arms.

The toned shoulders heaved in another shudder.

"I...I'm sorry...!" Liu voice finally cracked, as his arms flew up to cling around Raiden's neck "I-I'm sorry, Lord Raiden. I...I let you down...!"

For the first time since he was a child, Liu Kang gave in to a sob.

"I-I didn't mean...th-those awful things I said? A-as a revenant, I..." he choked on another watery breath "I didn't mean it...I couldn't...! A-and just now? I...I'm sorry...!"

[Babygabrial]

Raiden held the boy tightly. That was it, he was still just a boy. He needed care and guidance that the temple could not provide him. Raiden hums an old song as Liu Kang let his emotions lose. Raiden used his magic to create a gentle storm above. A display of parting clouds, and calming thunder. The elder god even began to rock his protégé in his lap. "There there my little one. I am by your side, and I will remain by your side."

With that declaration, Raiden sealed this partnership with a affectionate kiss to the forehead. His hold on Liu Kang ever tightening. His song increases in volume, his visual tale up above coming to a conclusion. Raiden holds strong for the both of them.

[Gothicruby]

As Raiden held him closer, Liu Kang really, truly felt the dam begin to break.

Needy hands clung tightly around his mentor's neck, while the powerful legs, so used to kicking up a storm, were now cinched tightly around Raiden's waist as if for dear life. The fine silk of the elder god's robes made a fantastic muffler for the lower, much more desperate wail that tore from Liu Kang's throat as everything--all this existential angst and horror-- began to rise from the back of the boy's mind and pour out into the open.

His head span with the release of it all.

"F-Father...!" He sobbed, but shook his head sharply as another sob broke through "D-Daddy..."

He had no idea why, but the sheer need for that word to bubble into the open was unfathomable. Like an old instinct that he'd been beating back had finally found its way out...

Perhaps it was the gentle rocking? The lullaby? The overwhelming feeling of safety that Liu felt for the first time in his life?

He had no clue, but he also barely had any idea that he'd said it at all.

See, that was the funny thing about emotions; it was like a cork popping on a shaken champagne bottle. By the time the worst of Liu's sobs had past, the young monk found himself feeling dizzy...almost drunk, in a way?

As his shoulders ceased to heave, he found that he barely had the energy to do much but lay there in Raiden's arms and sniffle. He could see the little scene playing out above him...and it was like he was transfixed; watery eyes staring with such intrigue. He couldn't remember seeing anything like it.

"D-Daddy...?" He also didn't seem to realise what he was saying, nor who he was addressing. It was like being in a daze...an exhausted, almost delirious daze...

"I...I feel all...weird...?"

[Babygabrial]

"Perhaps you are tired my love." Raiden suggests as he begins to gently pat his back. "You have not truly had rest in many decades." He says since he remembers even more than Liu Kang does. This war. It has truly gone on for so long. Raiden remembers Liu Kang's first death at the hands of the Deadly Alliance. He remembers how his corpse was desicrated and made to fight more. It all was in Raiden's mind now. This was not the second time he moved back the hands of time. It was the third. Armageddon had come the first time. Then the conniving Kronika came about the second.

If seeing a possible success gave Liu Kang hope. Then seeing all of his own past failures gave Raiden motivation. He damns himself for what a pitiful god he has been. So many events unseen or ignored do to a lack of care. However, now he has something to truly care for. Someone to love, and hold dearly. "My love, Daddy thinks you rest for a while. Sleep. Sleep for as long as you need." Raiden assures him in a strong, but endearing tone.

[Gothicruby]

"Mm..." Liu Kang's brow furrowed some more at the suggestion. His head was sunk like a dead-weight against Raiden's shoulder, while his hands seemed intent on tugging and pulling at the collar of Raiden's robes.

"Mm-mm...!" His head shook finally, even as his eyes tried to scrunch closed "D-don't wanna..."

The tugging hands clenched firmly at a fold of Raiden's collar, pulling it possessively to one tear-soaked cheek. His lower lip was pooched and wobbling as he fixed Raiden with such an exhausted looking pout.

"Don't wan'...y'to go..." He eventually managed to mumble, before a yawn caught his mouth.

[Babygabrial]

"Daddy is right here my beloved little one. He shall not leave your sight. You will know exactly where Daddy is if you were to wake up." He reassures him . His hand pressed firmly against Liu Kang's neck, and his free arm supporting his back. He continued to lull Liu Kang into a deep slumber. Though he sees the resistance of the boy. It brings a smile to Raiden's face. Even at his most vulnerable, Liu Kang still holds strong. It is quite admirable.

However, Raiden said he would be more hands on, and he shall make good on his word for once. He kisses Liu Kang on the cheek before assuring him that he is in a safe place. "My beloved little one, you may cry as you would like. You may rest as you would like. You may feed as you would like. You may release as you would like. This temple is our home. Just you and I. Daddy will not judge you. He will show you love in its many nature's. You be as you please. For have nothing if not love for you."

[Gothicruby]

"Daddy...?" Liu mumbled the word almost curiously, but whatever thoughts about this newfound term he may have had were already lost to this strange haze of fatigue. His heavy head lolled further over Raiden's shoulder, so his nose was just touching the join of the elder god's neck.

It was cosier there, he realised, as a little noise almost like a coo escaped him at Raiden's tender kiss. Though that was probably as much mental energy as the boy could afford to spare right now.

Though he could hear Raiden's promises, even felt a sense of assurance of them, he didn't really hear what the elder god was saying.

"Daddy..." He yawned out, a little longer this time "Sounds real nice, Daddy..."

He mumbled, but without really thinking.

"Sounds...yeah, 'kay..." his scrunched little face nuzzled itself closer towards the sound of Raiden's heartbeat "'Kay...but...y'promise ya gonna stay...?"

Those clenched fists tugged Raiden's collar even closer, as if it were truly the only thing keeping the thunder god here. Big, brown eyes were already scrunched closed.

"Daddy, no leaving...?" he mumbled softly "Y'mean it, Daddy...? Stay....stay together?"

[Babygabrial]

"Of course my sweet baby boy. Daddy will be right here." Raiden places his word forward. This journey will be quite a different one than any one that they have been on before. It will be meticulous, tactical, methodical. Kronika's actions have crossed more lines than he wishes to count. However, his own failures take part in this as well. He must right the many wrongs he has made in other timeliness. Starting with settling his new son.

Raiden holds Liu Kang for quite some time. For most of a day on the Earthrelm. He hums, rocks, and kisses the monk. If Liu Kang chooses to rest for a year, then Raiden shall allow as such. One thing is for sure. In such a deep sleep, Liu Kang must have protection. Raiden already begins to undo Liu Kang's clothing. Leaving him like he entered the world before grabbing a cloth to pin upon him. Then decorates Liu Kang by placing him into blue plastic pants with little red fires scattered across. Raiden pulls the draw strings on the waistband and perfectly ties the cover onto his boy.