Archive of Our Own

It's quiet today. It usually is, after all, the Lovci usually breathe, fight, and eat as one. It is not uncommon for them to be quiet, especially after a hunt.

For Tomáš, he sits in waiting, because today marks his twin sister's first hunt— an important event for any typhokinetic. Should she succeed, Hana will officially be named as Pára and will be able to accompany him and their mother on missions that require their powers.

His shoulder-length hair floats upwards, and he glances up at the bright skies. The warmth that announces the arrival of June— it is no stranger to him, and he gladly soaks in its kiss.

"Kouř," he hears, and he slowly rises to his feet. He looks behind him, blinking as he spots one of the elders approaching him. Růže, the head medic, smiles at him. "Good morning," he tells her, arms behind his back. 

"Waiting for Čadit and your sister to return?"

"Yes."

She hums quietly in response. "It is mulberry season," she says quietly. "We could use an older teen to guide the youngsters so they don't accidentally pick something poisonous," she tells him, before quickly adding. "That is of course, if you're up for the task."

He finds himself lighting up. "Yes! Of course, where are they?" Růže hands him a basket, one of the ones that has been woven in a beautiful blue color. "Just by the gates." 

"Thank you!"

He immediately heads off, footsteps quiet as he heads off to the gates of their compound. It is there he spots five or so children, ranging from five to ten, and he waves. He knows all of them by name. "Mikoláš, Eliáš, Šimon, Anna-Marie, Kája!" He waves to every single one of them, his gray eyes twinkling. Their eyes all seem to light up when they notice just who is going to accompany them.

"Kouř!"

"It's Kouř!"

While the boys giggle and cheer, he notices Kája and Anna-Marie keep their hands intertwined. They are the oldest, ten and nine respectively, and are closer to each other than the boys are. Well, except maybe Mikoláš and Eliáš, who are brothers, but the girls aren't related in any way. 

"Hi guys," he says with a slight head tilt, as his hair slightly floats upward, shifting into smoke at the end. Mikoláš especially finds this part of him interesting, and the six-year-old boy giggles. "Are you coming with us, Kouř?" Šimon asks, a bit quietly. Perhaps he's a little nervous, so Tomáš just grins. "I sure am! Are you guys ready to go pick some mulberries?"

"Yes," Kája cheers. The others' responses are a collective agreement, so Tomáš leads the way down to the mulberry trees and is quick to make sure they only pick mulberries and not some poisonous berry by accident. That is what he is here for, after all. 

"What do we do with these berries, Kouř," Eliáš asks, genuinely curious. "I know we pick them every time they are in season, but what do we actually do with them?" Tomáš thinks about it for a moment. "Well... we use them to make jam, pies, cobblers, muffins, smoothies... You can freeze them for later, or we can dry them for snacks, and the adults even ferment them into wine, mead, and syrup." He tells him. 

"Wow..."

He spends the next few hours with them, and when it is time to go back, he guides them back. They place the baskets with the elders, before Tomáš personally makes sure every single one of them gets home safely.

He hears the soft sound of footsteps, and he turns his head. His eyes widened, and then lit up at the sight of his mother and sister who have returned. Then he notices it.

His sister's forehead is marked with the blood of her first kill— and his eyes light up, before he runs over to both of them. "Máma, Hanička!" He envelops his sister in a deep, warm hug. Hana's shoulders slowly release the tension they were holding, and she leans into it. Tomáš's eyes flick up to his mother, who nods in confirmation, even as she holds the deceased boar over her strong shoulders.

His mother is so strong, and he wants to be just like her when he is all grown up. 

He has always wondered if he had burdened her when he came out to her a year ago when he and Hana turned thirteen— but she just lifted his chin, and told her that it made sense. That she knew she was going to have a boy and a girl, but then the medics had done an ultrasound, discovering two girls in her womb. "I am just happy you've found yourself, my dear son," is what she had told him. He had not cried— well he definitely did— and he certainly hadn't gotten emotional when his mother had wanted to give him the name she picked out for her son. Surely not.

He eventually pulls back from his embrace with his sister, grinning at her. "You did it!" She beams at this. "I sure did!"

He keeps an arm hooked over her shoulders and looks back at their mother. Their mother Šàrka hums quietly. "Today marks the day that we welcome Pára to our ranks, and soon, you will be going on missions with your brother and I." Hana beams, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "I cannot wait mother."

The next day he rises early while Hana gets to sleep in, and follows his mother to the blacksmith. He looks at her questioningly, his head slightly tilting to the side. "Are we here for repairs?"

"No, Tomášek," she tells him. His brows knit together in confusion. If not repairs, then what are they here for?

"As our clan's pride and joy, our family has always been blessed by the enenra. They give us our power so that we may protect and defend our home," she tells him. "But sometimes, even that is not enough. Tomáš, do you know what keeps the Lovci hidden?"

"It's the metal that we use, isn't it? The things dressed as solar panels, and the like..." He trails off softly. "Lusnyx? That's the name of the metal, isn't it?"

"It is, but it doesn't quite work that way by itself. Lusnyx only amplifies the powers it comes into contact with, but by giving the metal just a drop of our blood, it makes it so that it can be used as a sort of invisibility cloak."

He hangs on to every word of his mother's explanation, his eyes wide. "So... I'm being put on blacksmith rotation," he notes. She nods her head. "There might be a day when you will need to know how to make these devices, so it is best you are taught now." 

She turns to the blacksmith. "Ludvík?" 

The man nods, then ushers Tomáš close to learn. "Right this way, Kouř," he says. Tomáš quickly follows.

He spends the entire day learning how to craft with Lusnyx. He learns it is a very *temperamental* metal— it needs to be hot to meld, but you cannot swing the hammer too hard or it may break. It requires both a steady hand, and patience. Lots, and lots of patience.

His hands are covered in light burns when they are done, but thankfully, Ludvík is kind enough to apply burn cream and wrap his hands for him. He presses the jar to his hands. "If they start acting up, you just go straight to Ester and tell her that her husband sent you, got it?" His wife is the best medic the clan has.

"Yes, Ludvík. Thank you," he says, nodding his head before he takes his leave.

When he gets home to his family's section of the compound, he's almost tackled into a hug. "Hana, what the—"

"You were gone forever," his twin accuses. He grunts. "I was on blacksmith rotation," he tries to explain. Hana only pouts, puffing out her cheeks. "Lucky. I had to work on improving how long I could stay invisible."

"What? Still can't stay invisible for longer than a minute?"

"Ugh, you're so insufferable at times."

He grins wolfishly at his sister. "You love me though." She rolled her eyes at him. "Unfortunately." She stands up, then offers her hand. He takes it, pulling himself up.

"Did you have a nice day, at least?" 

"Uh huh."

A month later, and he and his family are patrolling through the woods. There's a light breeze, making his long hair move along with it. Hana's hair is pinned up into a high ponytail— her hair is different than his. While his is a dirty, messy gray, his sister's hair is black with silver streaks running through it. Her eyes are a darker shade of gray— her irises closer to zinc, compared to his silver eyes.

"Kouř, Pára, stay close."

He glances over at his mother, then his sister before he nods his head slowly. "Yes Čadit," they reply in sync. Because while she is their mother, out here, she is their superior, and they must listen. Tomáš pauses as he hears something rustle nearby, and he steps away from his mother and sister— exactly the opposite of what his mother just told him to do, he knows.

The smell of iron hits his nose, and the fourteen-year-old's brows furrow together slightly. He moves a few shrubs when he steps closer to the source, and then he pauses.

Tomáš had thought he had heard something rustling in the bushes, and so he had quickly turned to investigate. So it is with Kouř's surprise that it is not a wounded animal— but then he realizes what exactly it is, who it is.

It is a human girl, no older than seven— her face marred with scratches, bruises, and scars. Her cobalt blue eyes have no light in them, as if she had long since stopped fighting to live. It shakes him to the core, because she is so young.

"Tomáš Vrbada! What did I tell you to—"

He hears his mother's angry, half-worried voice— but he only turns his head slightly. "Máma! There's a girl!" He calls out, unable to keep the fear out of his voice. But not fear for himself, not of his mother— no, afraid for this girl, and if she will make it or not. 

Immediately, the anger fades from his mother's voice as she and Hana come over. "Oh, you poor thing..." His mother brushes some hair out of the girl's face, and only scowls further as she sees a few scars on the child's face. Hana looks sick to her stomach, and it is not easy to rattle his twin sister.

"The world is cruel, Pára," Šárka tells her. Tomáš frowns, then looks to his mother with pleading eyes. Even without saying anything, his mother understands.

Her hand gently rests on his head, and then gently ruffles his hair. His hair is softer than hers, thicker. "Don't worry Kouř, we will save her. The Lovci has no rule that says we cannot take in the abandoned and abused." She lifts the girl into her arms, and starts on the way back. 

Hana and Tomáš dutifully follow.

They sit dutifully outside the infirmary, while his mother and the medics tend to the girl inside. Tomáš's nails dig into his leg, his teeth grit together as anger bubbles up in his chest. How someone was capable of hurting a young girl like this, he didn't know. 

"Tománek," Hana calls gently, her fingers curling around his wrist. Slowly, his sister draws his hand away from his leg. "I know you're angry, but taking it out on yourself won't help her any."

His shoulders slowly relax.

They both sit there in silence, waiting. Seconds pass, then minutes, then hours. Hana doesn't speak, and neither does Tomáš; both of them are too afraid that if they speak, it will cost them the girl they found in the woods.

Then the door slowly opens, and both he and his sister jump up. Their similar but differently colored eyes lock with their mother's, who nods her head slightly. "Come. She's finally stable enough."

Tomáš steps ahead of his sister as they follow their mother inside the infirmary. 

The young girl is lying in bed, her eyes glancing at Tomáš and Hana when they come closer to her. "Thank you, for... helping me," the young girl gets out, but she is looking at Hana. His sister roughly bumps his shoulder with hers, grinning brightly at the girl. "Don't thank me. You should thank my brother! He's the one who found you."

 "Oh... Thank you, mister..."

"Just Tomáš is fine," he tells her gently. "What's your name?" She looks surprised, a bit taken aback. "Táňa," she gets out softly. Tomáš nods his head slowly. "Well, Táňa, this is my sister Hana, and our mother Šárka. We're just happy that you made it."

"But... I'm a freak," Táňa whispers. Tomáš's brows furrow slightly. "Says who?"

"My parents. Look..." She opens her palm, and a brilliant blue flame dances in the middle. Tomáš's eyes widen in surprise, then he slowly swallows a thick lump down his throat. Holy... He had never seen anything like that before. Blue fire? 

"You're not a freak, Táňa," Hana says with conviction. Tomáš looks at his sister, then back at the young girl. "Yeah," he agrees before he slowly makes smoke gather in his palm. He watches Táňa's eyes grow wide.

"Where there is smoke, there is fire."

She giggles at that. "You guys are nice," she tells them, her eyes finally lighting with a spark. Tomáš can feel a huge grin curl onto his lips as he sees the light return to her eyes. 

Their mother watches for a while, before she finally says something. "I've spoken with the elders— and while the Lovci do not reject outsiders, she would need to be adopted officially by a Lovci family." His mother pauses, then softly looks to Táňa. "I would like to be the one to do so, especially since my children have taken so well to you, protectively so."

Her eyes grow wide. "... I'd be chosen?" She asks. Tomáš's heart breaks in his chest at the way she words it, how vulnerable it sounds.

"Always," his mother reassures her. And for the first time, Táňa's lips curl into a small little smile.

In the following months, it is not an easy road to recovery. But progress is progress, and it is clear that Táňa adores her new older brother and sister. She's even allowed to come with him and Hana when they patrol the dense forests they call home. 

"Tománek, Hanička," she squeezes both their hands as she stands between them, suddenly tensing up. "What are those?" 

"Hm?" 

Tomáš looks ahead, eyes lighting up once he realizes what she is referring to.

The enenras have returned, specifically the two that have chosen to be companions and helpers of sorts to the two typhokinetics of the current generation of typhokinetics. Hana grins. "Svítání and Půlnoc are back," she says with a beam. Táňa pauses, looking more confused than scared now. "Svítání and... Půlnoc?"

"Once a year, the gateway between the Netherrealm and Earthrealm thins, which is when our companions come to visit us," Tomáš explains to her— then laughs softly when Půlnoc tries to nudge him. "Easy." Hana smiles over at Táňa. "See? They won't hurt you. Svítání and Půlnoc have known us since we were your age, don't worry." 

"Besides," Tomáš grinned. "What could possibly hurt you with us around?"

One thing about the Lovci is that they had different rotations that clan members cycled through— so that all their members were capable of handling themselves on missions. There are several different rotations— farming, kitchen, blacksmithing, fighting, medicine, engineering, and wine making. The last being reserved for those who are at least eighteen years of age. 

Once Táňa turns eight, she is put on farming duty, as is typical for eight-year-olds. He and Hana have a running bet, guessing what her first complaint about it will be— since the two of them complained left and right to their mother about farming rotation when they were her age. 

To their surprise, Táňa does not complain once. In fact, when the two drop into the Lovci's gardens to check on her, she is always with a bright smile on her face. 

"Tomáš..." Hana scratches the top of his head. "If you didn't win the bet, and I didn't win the bet... who gets the money?"

"... We could start a money jar for her, and put the money there?"

Hana shrugs her shoulders. "I can agree to that."

"Hana! Tomáš!" 

Táňa runs over with a large melon in her arms, her eyes twinkling. She smiles so often these days, that he forgets it's been almost a year since they found her. "That's a rather big melon, little sister," Hana remarks, her gray eyes holding a hint of amusement in them. "Did you grow it yourself?"

"I did, I did! Mister Hynek even said I could take this one home! So we can split it with Máma!" She announces. He can't help but smile at how she has adjusted, how far she had come. 

It is a good life they lead.

The day he turns sixteen, he is ushered into the Grandmaster's throne room. He glances around, questioningly, and his eyes meet Vivien, the heir of the Lovci, but even she does not seem aware of what Grandmaster Oldřich has called him in for.

He drops to a knee in an instant, his long hair falling to either side of his shoulders.

"Have I done something wrong, Grandmaster? I stand readt to correct my mistake."

But the Grandmaster lets out a chuckle, hearty and kind. "Rise, Kouř, you are not in trouble." He pauses at this, but he listens and slowly rises to his feet. "Then what is this about?" He feels somewhat annoyed, since he had been sparring with Hana when he was called for. 

"For every generation, someone new is chosen to safeguard the Lovci's most important treasure." The Grandmaster slowly approaches him, putting something around his neck. His silver eyes glance down, spotting the prismatic crystal hanging by a thick thread— and his eyes widen. It is their clan's most treasured possession, a prismatic crystal that could purify even the blackest of dark magic. For that reason, it was always safeguarded by someone outside the Grandmaster's family.

"... You're choosing me?" He asks, his voice breathy and somewhat in awe. Vivien scoffs from her side at her father's throne. "Modesty doesn't suit you, Kouř. Who else would it go to? You have a heart of gold, but understand the ugliness of the world, and will do what needs to be done." 

He coughs at that and slowly bows his head. "I won't disappoint you."

"You could never disappoint the Lovci, Kouř." 

It happens when he is eighteen— and oh, does he hear the protests come from both his sisters. Tomáš tunes it out, mostly, rubbing a thumb over the relic that sits against his chest. 

"I don't remember the last time we've sent a member of our clan to join the Lin Kuei, and you want to send my boy?" His mother frowns deeply, and Grandmaster Oldřich nods his head. 

"They are right, to a certain degree, that it is not healthy that we are the subclan that they hear the least from," the Grandmaster thinks of his words, yet does not try to placate his mother. "They have asked for the most promising warrior to be able to keep up with Lin Kuei protocol, and I have made my choice." His mother pauses, some tension leaving her shoulders. But she does not argue further, letting out a sigh. 

"Yes, Grandmaster."

When they get home, they help him pack his things. Admittedly, he's quite nervous about going to a different clan in a different country all by himself. But a part of him is also excited—but not surprised— that he is considered the clan's most promising warrior. "Arctika is much different than our home, Tománek," his mother's thumb rubs against his cheek. "Different customs as well. So you make sure you behave yourself."

"When have I ever misbehaved?"

"Tomáš, I have an entire list of places in the city you and your sister are banned from, because you two pulled ridiculous pranks when you were little."

He pouts at the mention of the list. "Yeah... Who knew a bunch of old Catholic men wouldn't be amused by glitter smoke bombs?"

"Tomáš."

"Alright, alright."

His mother tucks a strand of hair behind his ear. "I'll send you letters, I expect you to write to at least one of us every four months with updates. Am I clear?"

"Crystal."

She smiles quietly. "That's my boy. And if you find a boy you really like, you know the Lovci ritual."

"Máma!"

His mother smiled faintly. "I'm only jesting— partially," she says. He groans at that. "Máma," he gets out, and she laughs. Her cheekbones rising when she laughs, dimples that he knows he and his sister got from her. "Just remember that Arctika is cold."

... She wasn't lying.

The tips of his ears are red as the two of the clan's senior members guide him into the depths of Arctika, where they had met him at the very ends of the Lin Kuei's territory. The cold wind makes him shiver, but not as much as the average person— his bloodline's blessing made their bodies warmer to the touch, and so this kind of weather didn't bother him too much. 

They come to a stop and bow to two young men who stand at the gates of the Lin Kuei temple. 

One is dressed in yellow, and the other is dressed in blue. From what he knows, blue is an important color in the Lin Kuei, given to their cryomancers. And the one in yellow looks similar enough to the one in blue that they could be brothers.

"Lishan, Hongjie, thank you for bringing them here," the one in blue says, more in dismissal than anything else. The way his guides leave after his words... He has the mind to think the boy is like Vivien in that regard.

However, it is the boy in yellow who greets him once the other two leave to go back to the temple. He opens his mouth once, then pauses. "Wow," he breathes out. Tomáš's brows furrow. "... What?"

"Your eyes."

This causes him to blink in surprise— because he didn't think anyone would mention it, but things will be different here, and the Lin Kuei are not the Lovci. His bloodline, due to the Enenra's blessing, has eyes that don't really have pupils— just the iris. To strangers, it looks almost demonic. Which, explains a lot, considering it does result from their pack with the Enenra. 

"Kuai Liang," the one in blue hisses. "Don't be rude."

"What—? I'm not attempting to be rude, brother. His eyes are beautiful." 

Oh. Tomáš can feel his cheeks redden. That certainly wasn't what he was expecting. "Thank you," he says with a clear of his throat. The boy's—Kuai Liang— warm amber eyes light up slightly, and he envelops his hands with his own. Tomáš knows he does not have small, dainty hands, but this man makes it feel as though he does.

"Welcome to the Lin Kuei, I am Kuai Liang— and this is my elder brother, Bi-Han."

"Kuai Liang."

Tomáš doesn't mind it very much. "I'm Tomáš— my clan calls me Kouř. It's an honor to meet the venerable sons of the Lin Kuei's Grandmaster."

Bi-Han seems almost surprised, while Kuai Liang's eyes soften slightly. "You could tell?" Tomáš gives a light hum of confirmation. "Well yes," he admits. "Your brother's demeanor is very similar to the Lovci's heir, so it didn't take much to figure out."

Bi-Han hums with quiet approval. "You're intelligent, and observant. The Lin Kuei could use more people like you."

They head back to the Lin Kuei temple, Kuai Liang and Bi-Han slightly ahead of him as Tomáš follows along. 

"Are you cold, Tomáš? I could warm you up," Kuai Liang offers. Tomáš's eyes sparkle with interest. "I'm alright— but how could you do that?"

Kuai Liang puts his palm out, where an orange flame slowly comes to life. Tomáš's eyes widen, just the same as they did when he saw that Táňa could do that with her blue flames. "You're a pyromancer," he says with adoration in his voice. "It runs in my veins— I inherited it from my father," he admits to him. 

"Incredible," Tomáš breathes out. "I've only ever met someone who could do the same with blue flames."

"You know someone who is an azure pyromancer," Bi-Han asks. Tomáš nods his head slightly. "The Lovci take in all kinds of people that have been discarded and abandoned by the world."

"... I see." Kuai Liang sets the flame out, then his brows furrow ever so slightly together. "Tomáš," he asks. "Yes?"

"Your hair... Why is it doing that?"

He looks down to see what Kuai Liang is referring to, only to see the ends of his gray hair slightly floating, the ends turning into smoke itself. "Oh this," he says. "My powers affect my hair sometimes." 

"... Your powers," Bi-Han says it slowly, as if not expecting that to come out of his mouth. "Yes, my powers."

"... Pardon?"

He twirls his finger around the air, making smoke come to his beck and call. "My family has typhokinesis," he admits. Kuai Liang paused, Bi-Han paused— and the two brothers just stared at him in wonder. Or is it adoration? He isn't sure. 

"So the name Kouř isn't just for show."

"What else can you do with it?"

Both questions are spoken in sync, and he can't help but laugh softly at the two. "Kouř in my native tongue means Smoke. It is my mantle," he admits. Then his finger presses against the lower half of the left corner of his mouth as he thinks. "I can create smoke screens, solidify smoke into constructs and weapons, teleport, and even turn my body into smoke." He pauses. "This also includes creating poisonous smoke, but... I've never had to use that tactic before."

Both of the brothers look at him, impressed. Perhaps Kuai Liang is a bit more interested in him, but Bi-Han doesn't seem to be uninterested either.

As it turns out, he gets along well with Chenxuan—Sektor— and Tau, otherwise known as Cyrax.

"I envy you, being born within the Lovci's ranks." His brows furrow one morning at the conversation brought up, as Chenxuan works away on some new custom weapons. He had offered to help, but was quickly denied, leading him and Cyrax to engage in conversation. "I don't believe I follow?" He tilts his head.

"Botswana does not technically have a clan of its own— that right belongs to Niger. The Zaki does however, scout those from all over Africa no matter their country of birth— but I had to fight tooth and nail to be accepted into the Zaki, and eventually the Lin Kuei." Cyrax sighed, arms folded over his chest. "What is it like? The Lovci?"

"My clan makes its home in the thick forests," he admits quietly. "While it has isolated us from our sister clans, it has its perks." Sektor grunts from over where he dips the hot metal to cool it. "Such as?"

"Well, we survive mostly by hunting wild boar, rabbits, and growing our own food." He paused. "We also gather berries when they are in season."

"Ah, my father has always spoken highly of the Lovci's mulberry wine," Sektor says, straightening out his shoulders. Tomáš grins at this. "One of our aged wines, most likely," he guesses, a hand resting on his hip. "Something sharp?"

"Yes."

"Ah, my mother's specialty."

"It is good wine," Sektor compliments, before changing the subject at hand. "... Why exactly did you offer me help, aren't you a fighter?"

"The Lovci shift their sons and daughters' routines as they age from ages eight to eighteen, making sure they learn different skills. Blacksmithing is one of the skills they are required to have to learn– and when they turn twenty, they can choose which job they wish to stick to." He admits. Cyrax gawks, and even Sektor's eyes widen. "Sounds extensive. What age does blacksmith fall under?"

"Fourteen," he admits.

The door slowly slides open.

Tomáš looks over, lighting up when he notices who it is. His lips curl into a smile. "Kuai Liang!"

"Tomáš," the pyromancer says, fond and gentle. "I was hoping to steal you away for a spar? If you're not busy." He felt his eyes widen, jumping up. But then he paused, looking back at Cyrax and Sektor. But Chenxuan just waves his hand. "Go on. I wanted to talk to Tau about something in private anyway."

"You did?"

"You did? I don't remember—" Tau looked over at Sektor, who glares at him. Cyrax seemed to get the hint, and he clears his throat. "Right— yes, you did!"

It is so bad, almost laughable, but Tomáš only nods his head. "Right, I'd love to spar with you, Kuai Liang." He says, before following Kuai Liang out.

He looks over to Kuai Liang, smiling nervously. But Kuai Liang's own smile is warm and inviting, melting any worries away. "There's no need to worry, Tomáš. This is a friendly spar."

"Against you? I'm not sure I'm ready."

"You're being far too modest," Kuai Liang murmured. "You'll do fine, Tomáš."

Tomáš brushes some hair out of his face. "If you promise not to singe my hair." It's more of a tease than anything else, but it still makes Kuai Liang's lips quirk up. "That's what you're worried about?"

"Well yes! It took me forever to grow it this long!"

As they reach one of the training rooms, Kuai Liang chuckles softly and slides the door open for him. "I promise your hair will remain untouched, to the best of my abilities."

"Alright... If you say so," he says as he gets into a fighting position. 

Kuai Liang's kusarigama lights aflame, before he spins it around as he walks towards him. Tomáš's eyes widen— before he is quick to teleport behind him in a wisp of smoke. He grabs Kuai Liang's shoulder, flipping the man over his own and onto the ground.

Thud.

He couldn't help but grin— but Kuai Liang got right back on his feet. "That's the spirit." Kuai Liang goes to swing his fist, but Tomáš only raises his arm, blocking it. He finds himself matching the pyromancer blow for blow. 

"Heh. What was that about not feeling ready to face me?" The tease has him coughing, raising his leg in a roundhouse kick that sends Kuai Liang staggering. Tomáš's ears burn brightly. "Promise you're not going easy on me?"

Kuai Liang's eyes linger on the biceps of Tomáš's arms, then his lips quirk upwards. "I can assure you I am giving it my all! You are not an easy opponent, Tomáš."

All in all, they end up tying.

"It would appear we are perfectly matched," Kuai Liang breathed out. Tomáš pants, struggling to catch his breath. "It would appear so."

Even as fond of Kuai Liang as he was, Tomáš felt a smidge of guilt for choosing one brother over the other. He was not oblivious and knew those occasional soft gazes he got from Bi-Han were certainly not just in his head.

But then Bi-Han had scarred Kuai Liang's face, and something had snapped. Not just because he adored Kuai Liang, but because he *had* a little sister of his own, and he quite frankly couldn't ever imagine hurting her as Bi-Han hurt Kuai Liang. 

So in the end, he chose to leave the Lin Kuei with Kuai Liang and start their own clan.

"I would like to spend the rest of our lives together," Kuai Liang confesses to him, gently one night, after a long day of training. Tomáš has sent the letter to his mother and sister, alerting them of what has happened— praying that they will be on his and Kuai Liang's side. So the words catch him off guard— his heart fluttering in his chest. A small smile forms on his lips. 

"If you can catch me, you can have me." He lifts his chin with a confident smirk— eyes soft as he looks at Kuai Liang, fond. The pyromancer swallows. "This is the Lovci's tradition?" He asks. 

"Yes," Tomáš confirms for him. "You may not have had the chance to meet my people, but we hold this tradition very dear to us. This is— essentially the same as a wedding," he admits. The pyromancer hums. "Naturally."

Kuai Liang's eyes darken, and his warm hand cups his cheek. "We will do it your way, but we will also do it my way. Should I succeed, and I have no intention of failing, in a few months, you will wear red and we will be wed before all." 

Oh. Oh. Tomáš's smile quirked into a grin, and he leaned in to catch Kuai Liang's bottom lip between his teeth. His eyes fond for the other man. This close, he can hear how quickly Kuai Liang's heart races.

And to think, it's all for him. 

When he pulls back, he grins at Kuai Liang— winks at the older man, and runs off into the woods that surround the Shirai Ryu compound.

He is light on his feet, and when they first came to Japan, he spent weeks surveying the land, just to get to know the land. To know where someone could hide, what flora is within the forest, and what kind of food could grow within the forest as well. This was eventually, how he met Hanzo, who had tried to rob him. But you just couldn't rob someone who could turn into smoke.

However, there was a certain rule to these chases: you could not use your powers if you possessed any. One must rely only on their legs to escape their hunter. 

The forests are dense and thick— but Tomáš has always had great stamina, and he has grown up around forests similar to this. He is tackled to the ground, his wrists held above his head. From above him, Kuai Liang's chest heaves— so close to his. 

"Caught you."

Kuai Liang's lips crash onto his, smooth yet warm. It is such a controlled kiss that Tomáš whimpers into the older man's mouth when he feels Kuai Liang's excitement through his clothes. Tomáš grabs a fistful of his clothes, eyes fluttering as his tongue slips in. 

It is just as warm as the rest of him, and Tomáš can't help but slowly shut his eyes.

When Kuai Liang pulls away from his lips, Tomáš's eyes open just enough to look up at the pyromancer. And then he just couldn't wait any longer— sue him.

"Kuai Liang... please." He muttered quietly, fumbling with his own stupid clothes. Kuai Liang seems to pick on what he wants, and quickly strips both of them of their clothes. "Whatever happened to patience, Tomáš?"

"A virtue I never claimed to be the most skilled with," he says, tugging the other closer. His lips press gently against Kuai Liang's. "Now come on." Kuai Liang's eyes soften with amusement, because Tomáš is very patient when it comes to training the Shirai Ryu's recruits. "That is a lie." 

"When it comes to you?"

"Alright, alright..." Kuai Liang's cock slides into his warm depths, and his eyes flick upwards. His hand clutches at Kuai Liang's back, the fullness temporarily overwhelming him. Kuai Liang's body is so warm, and he is hot and heavy both against him, and inside him.

Kuai Liang feels like home. He is Tomáš's home.

"Move," he murmurs, pleads. Kuai Liang's lips press against his temple, and Tomáš can feel his lips curl into a half smile of adoration. "What was that?" 

"Move Kuai Liang," he says, louder this time. "Don't tell me you're scared?" He asks, and he watches how Kuai Liang's expression shifts, arousal and amusement making themselves known on his face. Then Kuai Liang grabs his hair, lifting his head to kiss him deeply— and Tomáš gasps into the pyromancer's mouth as the man finally begins to move. He moans messily into Kuai Liang's mouth, moans swallowed by the older man's tongue.

"I love you," Kuai Liang mutters when he pulls back— his thrusts do not match his almost lovesick words. His words are soft, pining, but the way he holds him down and thrusts ever so roughly into his wet, pliant heat is anything but soft. The knowledge that Kuai Liang knows Tomáš will not break if he is rough with him has him mewling into Kuai Liang's shoulder. "I love you so much, Tomáš Vrbada."

The slick sound of their lovemaking echoes through the forest, and the sound only seems to encourage Kuai Liang further. 

"I love you too—" he gasps, tears pricking at his gray eyes. "Kuai Liang, Kuai Liang—!" He babbles his name continuously as the pyromancer fucks him absolutely stupid. And yet, Kuai Liang's thrusts still feel controlled as much as they are rough and thorough— one hand on his thigh, the other against the back of his head to cushion him.

"You're so beautiful like," Kuai Liang mutters softly. "You'll make me cum like this..." Kuai Liang's words make his cunt clamp down on his length— and Kuai Liang's thrusts stutter, not pausing completely, but they falter.

Kuai Liang's fingers tangle in his hair. "Do you like the thought of making me feel that good, Tomáš?" He pressed a kiss against his neck, slowly picking his pace back up. "Do you want to make me cum?"

He shuddered out a soft breath. "Yes..."

"Yes what, Tomáš?"

His face reddens, and he can't help but whimper into Kuai Liang's shoulder. He is *unbearably* wet, and it is all Kuai Liang's fault. "I want to make you cum," he whines out. "Please. Please let me make you cum."

Kuai Liang tilts his head up, his hips snapping against his. "Only after you do." He leans down, lips touching his neck. "You'll get my cum after you cum on my cock like a good boy." 

One more thrust has him squirting on Kuai Liang's cock, and leaves him *shaking* in the pyromancer's arms. Kuai Liang holds him closer— fucking him through his orgasm, before he finally releases deep inside of him. Tomáš gasps, the pure heat that floods his depths has him writhing inside of Kuai Liang's arms.

"Shh... Shh, I've got you..." Kuai Liang murmured, a hand going to rub his back slowly. They stay like that for—he doesn't know how long, before Kuai Liang begins to pull out and tug on his clothes.

"You're a beast in bed." 

Kuai Liang laughs at that, even as he helps him put his clothes back on— and helps him stand up. Kuai Liang's arm hooks around his waist. "If anything, I'm your beast, Tomáš. But... we should head back, before our new clan worries about where their Grandmaster and second in command have gone to."

He hums in agreement, leaning his head against Kuai Liang's shoulder. "Mhm... We should."

A week passes, and while Kuai Liang is out, it seems fate has one more surprise for him.

"You have a letter." One of the Shirai Ryu members fidgets, but then he gives the second in command a letter. Tomáš thanks him, before he slowly opens it, unfolding the paper. His heart races in his chest, fearing the worst.

The words are written in Czech— a language he has not seen written in many years, nor has he read it in consecutive years. So it takes him a moment to remember the language, but then he begins to read.

My Dearest Tomáš,

I hope this letter finds you in good health. You know how our messenger doves get— always so excited to find you. Anyway, Vivien is furious that Sub-Zero would betray Earthrealm and the Lin Kuei principles, and won't let any of us leave the country for our protection. We've made it clear that if this is how the Lin Kuei will proceed, we will no longer follow their lead, and will readily provide support to the Shirai Ryu. Food, supplies, weaponry — whatever you and your beau need, we will happily give you. Expect some Lusnyx to show up at your door within the next few weeks, I know Máma revealed to you the secret of our clan's devices and how we stay hidden. Hopefully, it will keep the Shirai Ryu safe in the coming years.

With love,

Hana

He stares at the letter with a small smile, lips curling. The knowledge that the clan he had grown up in has decided to stand with the Shirai Ryu has him a bit giddy— and when Kuai Liang comes back, he all but runs into his arms.

Kuai Liang stumbles, but he does not falter, and an arm wraps tightly around his waist. He would never allow him to fall. "What is it? Is there danger?" Tomáš shakes his head. "The opposite, actually. The Lovci sent us a letter—" Affectionately, he kisses his cheek. "We at least have them on our side."

He watches how Kuai Liang's eyes light up, and his other arm joins the one around Tomáš's waist— and then he twirls him around. Tomáš's eyes widen, but he cannot help but laugh– and Kuai Liang's joyous laughter fills the compound as well.

"Kuai Liang!"

His nose presses against Tomáš's when he finally puts him down. "My apologies," he murmured, then gently pulled him into his arms. "It's such a relief. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to invite your sisters and mother to our wedding." 

He hums quietly. "My twin sister called you my beau in her letter," he explains quietly. His nose presses against the crook of Kuai Liang's neck. Kuai Liang holds him in his arms. "Well... We'll figure out a date and a venue, and then send the invites."

Tomáš's eyes soften. "I can't wait."