Work Text:
There's some downtime between right now and having the save the entire universe from destruction. From mages and evil elixir-makers and such.
And Johnny Cage will not, for the love of anything, stop staring.
At him. At Syzoth.
Not that Syzoth has much of a problem with it, but he cannot help but be curious at the Earthrealmer’s behavior. From what Syzoth is observed, the man is confident—in all ways of the word, as well as he is a bit dense. To his credit, he is a very capable fighter and can hold his own in battle. He is also kind to Syzoth, and doesn't seem to hold any hostility towards him for his powers— a rarity, really. Although, most Earthrealmers are more curious and intrigued than they are disgusted by the Outworld’s people.
Johnny’s good friend, the swordsman, Kenshi, as well as Kung Lao and Baraka are off together. They split up, Ashrah heading her own way. Syzoth and Johnny went together—although the human was initially very insistent he stayed with Kenshi. Kenshi was not as concerned, but had assured his friend that he’d be fine and that they'd meet up within a few hours.
They have time to spare. Ashrah had instructed them to wait by a large, wooden structure—the way the land worked is that their group would loop around. Their route is shorter, but the others wanted to make sure there was no one still left. Syzoth waits patiently, propped against the wall.
Cage is still staring at him. He's oddly perceptive when he wants to be—which is rarely, admittedly, and unfortunately to Johnny’s pride—but an Earthrealmer such as himself never seems to be much of the cognitive sort. But Johnny steps forward, a little closer.
His glasses shade his eyes, even from their perch on the tip of his nose. Cage has dropped his usual cocky little grin and the confident, crossed-arms stance. Instead he’s patient, his hands clasped behind his back. Balancing on the balls of his heels as he waits for Syzoth to do something—and he's not entirely sure what, but he's got an idea. A half of an idea. Something.
Syzoth inches forwards, before he lets his arms rest limply across his torso. Cage’s look doesn't leave his tattooed biceps until Syzoth cocks his head, and his gaze snaps right back.
“Your friend will be here soon,” Syzoth says. “You do not have to worry.”
“He’ll be fine,” Johnny shrugs. Silence crowds them, Johnny still— staring.
Zaterrans have interacted with enough Earthrealmers to understand their behavior—Syzoth himself even moreso, since he is partly human. The Zaterran in him does not understand what Johnny wants.
“You are impatient,” Syzoth decides to say.
Cage’s grin comes back, easy as you please. “Comes with the whole package, Syzoth.”
Inwardly, Syzoth sighs. Johnny Cage’s own method of indulgence must go over Syzoth’s head, because he does not.. particularly understand.
Syzoth runs his tongue over his teeth. “And impudent.”
His grin widens gleefully, like Syzoth has taken his bait. Cage looks entirely delighted by the prospect. “Not for no reason, Slytherin! Promise you, back home, I act no different. In fact, I’d say that my extremely charming behavior wins me millions.”
Syzoth looks away, almost rolling his eyes. “I’m assuming you're quite desperate, then.”
“Ha.”
A moment passes. Johnny glances at him, his glasses finally tipping. Syzoth can see it from the corners of his eyes. “Sooooo…”
“Yes, Johnny?”
“Sigh,” Johnny says, clearly disappointed. “Did you not hear a word I said?
Syzoth frowns. “I did. Did I miss something?”
“You could do it right here,” Johnny points to the curve of his own cheek with a finger, with lacklustre. Nonchalantly, if that makes more sense. “Or here,” his finger points to his lips.
“Oh,” Syzoth blinks, slow. “Oh, wait, Johnny. Wait, me?”
“Holy shit! Your cheeks are turning green,” Johnny peers at his face, wide-eyed, grinning, absolutely fascinated. Syzoth flushes even more under his scrutiny. “Oh my god. Oh my god, of course, because your blood is green, so—”
Johnny’s teasing passes through him like transparent mesh. Syzoth’s jaw is ajar in shock. “Johnny, you want me to, to..”
“What? Can a guy not get a kiss every now and then?”
Syzoth’s laugh is more hiss than human, almost endearingly so towards Johnny’s curiosity. “You are ridiculous, Johnny.”
Before Johnny can even begin to react, humorously, Syzoth peels back the edge of his hood, tilting his head and leaning in to press a quick kiss to Johnny’s lips. Syzoth swallows down the rising blush to his cheekbones, pointedly staring off towards the foliage to ignore Johnny’s resulting shock.
“You're staring, Johnny,” Syzoth mumbles in no particular direction. He can feel him burn holes into the side of his head.
Johnny opens and closes his mouth. There’s something so gratifying about making that man speechless. Syzoth turns a little just to give a small smile.