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Kenshi didn't like Johnny, that much was clear. Obnoxious, loud, arrogant, and thinks he could get away with anything because he has more money in his pocket and his face on movie posters. The club saw plenty of similar people, but Johnny annoyed Kenshi just right. Ever since the first night he sauntered up to the club and Kenshi didn't know who he was, stopping him in his tracks.
“Scuse me?” Johnny scoffed.
“Name.” Kenshi repeated.
“Name? Please, I have the most recognizable face in Hollywood, I don’t need to give my name!” He pushed his sunglasses up - an absolutely unnecessary addition for this late at night. The small tilt of his head meant he was looking Kenshi over, realizing he didn’t recognize him. “Listen, I know you’re new, so I’ll give you some slack. Johnny Cage.”
Kenshi regarded the hand stuck out to him then ignored it for checking with his partner at the door, getting confirmation. He looked back to Johnny, who had the most punchable smug look on his face.
“Am I good to go now, sir?”
It took a nudge from the other bouncer to get Kenshi to move out of Johnny’s way. They stared each other down, Johnny lowering his sunglasses as he passed Kenshi into the club, just so he could see he was glaring right back. What a prick.
He saw Johnny one more time that night, hollering at the guy Kenshi was manhandling out of the club for getting too aggressive. He couldn't make out what he was yelling over the music and noise, but he made brief eye contact and the man grinned at him. Annoying.
Not that he had much reason to, he griped to Sindel once the bar was closed. He didn't have to help her put up chairs or clean up but she appreciated it and he wanted to make sure straggling patrons were fully gone before he left for the night. He also wanted to complain, “who even is that Johnny Cage guy?”
“The most famous face in Hollywood.” Sindel said it like she had heard him say that same line many times before. “He lacks humility, but he's not a bad guy.”
“He seems like trouble.”
Sindel shrugged, draping the rag over her shoulder. “He pays his tab, and pays the tab of whoever he decides to party with. Stays out of trouble, mostly.”
“Mostly?” Kenshi picked up another chair, pausing to wipe whatever sticky mess was on the seat.
“You know that man you dragged out of here earlier? The two of them have gotten into fights before. They've been good and stayed out of each other's way, but Cage has been better about not picking fights.” Sindel stated, “But keep an eye on him anyway. He likes to provoke.”
That was something Kenshi learned quickly, in fact the second time he met Johnny at the door. It was about a couple weeks later and that turned out to be Johnny’s habit, every other week.
“Well, if it isn't my favorite bouncer!” The actor chimed, grinning at him but there was a spiteful tinge to his words. “Recognize my face this time, big man?”
Kenshi stared at him, deciding to provoke right back. “Name?”
Johnny’s grin disappeared into a tight line and he looked at him over the, again, unnecessary sunglasses. “Are you serious?”
Kenshi nodded with a perfect poker face.
“Johnny fucking Cage.” He stepped into his space. “Movie star, martial arts icon.”
“We don't have a ‘Johnny Fucking Cage’ on the list, sir.”
Johnny paused and slowly his lips pulled to his left first as he broke into a smile again. He laughed, “I see what you're doing. That's funny.”
Kenshi just watched him.
“Are you gonna let me in now, big man?”
“Go.” Kenshi stepped aside, watching Johnny brush past him. A cocky grin was sent his way and he rolled his eyes, returning to guard duty.
That became a routine for them at the door, Kenshi stopping him for his name, Johnny giving him a look then complying. Kenshi even dared to actually look into who ‘Johnny Cage’ was. Action star, like he said, martial artist, married, had some lame titles under his belt in his early years but also movies Kenshi had seen and just did not realize who starred in it. He knew the club attracted bigger names, but he wasn’t expecting an A-lister to be one of them.
There was one time Johnny threw him off guard by giving him something stupid for a name. Kenshi stared at him, surprised by the choice. He was in a decent mood that night and humored him, pulling out the physical list. He turned it away from Johnny’s prying eyes when he tried to look as he confirmed, “That name is not on the list.”
“Oh, bummer, what will I do.”
The fake acting made Kenshi roll his eyes and Johnny pulled the charming smile on him again. “Go.”
One other night the joke didn't go as smoothly. Kenshi was sporting a fresh cut and a blooming bruise on his cheek. It had stopped bleeding a while ago and for the most part he ignored it, until Johnny sauntered up and his usual smile dropped.
“Yeesh, what happened to you?” The sunglasses went up on top of his head, for once offering a completely unobstructed view of his face.
“Go.” He didn’t want to play their game.
“Ah, finally acknowledging my handsome face?” Johnny grinned, winking at him
“Shut up and go.” Kenshi spoke harsher this time.
“Unwad your panties, man.” His brown eyes went down to Kenshi’s fist clenching then back up, dropping his sunglasses back down. “Who got up your ass?”
Thank fuck his coworker stepped out and interrupted them, or Kenshi may have lost his job in that moment. Johnny had seen his movement and raised his brows. He couldn’t see his eyes anymore behind the shades but there was the smallest tilt of his head to look between Kenshi’s furrowed brows and the white-knuckled fist. A smirk and he disappeared inside.
Kenshi let out a frustrated breath and let the other bouncer take over for a while. He needed to cool off in the back or anywhere out of sight. He was back there for a while, finally walking back out when he was requested to. Maybe he needed longer.
Unluckily, he passed by Johnny, who gave him a snide remark, “Done in time-out already?”
“Do you need something, Cage?” Kenshi turned on him.
“Uh, yeah.” He held up his empty glass. “Martini. Shaken, not stirred.”
Kenshi rolled his eyes. Leave it. He turned his back to him and started to walk away.
“See? Even bouncers are scared of me.”
He stopped, making eye contact with Sindel. Her expectant expression was the only thing keeping him from turning around to swing at Johnny. So, he kept moving, ignoring him raising his voice to throw more provoking statements at him. He heard him give up after a couple, returning to his night while Kenshi returned to his work.
Johnny stuck around late this time, sitting at the bar, chatting away with Sindel when the doors were closed. He turned in his seat when Kenshi noticed he was still there. “Hey there, big guy. Feeling better?”
“Why is he still here?” Kenshi directed the question at Sindel, making Johnny frown.
“Is he rude to everyone like that?” Johnny turned back to her.
Sindel rolled her eyes, “I am not getting in the middle of whatever your issue with each other is.”
“We don’t have an issue.” Kenshi crossed his arms.
“I love having an issue with someone.” Johnny smirked, finishing off his last drink and standing up. “Thank you, dear Sindel, for another lovely night.”
She smiled and took his glass.
“And you.” He turned to face Kenshi, getting into his space and glancing over him. “You don’t look so tough. Bet I could take you.”
“In a fight?” Kenshi scoffed, his turn to glance over Johnny. Sure, he was fit but he looked like he never got into any real fight. He was too clean.
“Not in here.” Sindel spoke up, stepping around the bar to start shooing Johnny out. “Come on, movie star, we’ve gotta close up.”
Kenshi watched Johnny and slowly backed up to start cleaning. He could see the actor glancing back at him, making eye contact, but otherwise speaking fondly with Sindel as she kicked him out for the night. Finally, some silence. He turned and started to help clean, listening to Sindel close and lock the door then walk back into the room.
“Please do not punch him.” She said.
“I wasn’t going to.”
“You wanted to.” Sindel collected the remaining glasses and set them together at the end of the bar for her to grab later. “Don’t deny it, I saw how you looked at him.”
“He needs it.” Kenshi grumbled.
“And you will not drive away one of our best patrons.”
Kenshi paused and turned to her, “What if he initiates it? He was ready to challenge me just then. Do you think he would sulk away if I beat him?”
Sindel shrugged, “I would not like to find out if it means losing him.”
“You like having him around?”
“Of course.” Sindel shrugged, “Other than his ego, he’s a treat. I’ve told you this.”
“Hm.” Kenshi turned away and went back to cleaning, having to think about it. She may like him, but he did not. The ego rubbed him the wrong way and the guy acted like he owned the place. At least they didn’t see him too often, he could tolerate him every once in a while. He tried to reason with himself, tonight was just rough because of the fight he had before Johnny arrived. It wasn’t even Johnny’s fault he was on edge.
If anything, he felt a smidge bad for being rude. Of course, Johnny was rude right back but whatever. The way he felt about the man he barely knew was complicated and frustrating. He shouldn’t think about it too much, he decided.
Kenshi spotted Johnny before he had even approached the door and gave himself just a moment to look him over before any words could ruin it. He looked a little fresher than he usually did. Well, Johnny always looked remarkably presentable - and punchable - but it looked like a new haircut and shave. It made him look like he’d be soft to the touch. That was an unexpected thought and Kenshi tried to shove it away as Johnny approached him.
He raised his brows at him, trying to gauge how Kenshi was going to act tonight.
“Name?”
His shoulders relaxed and he propped the sunglasses up on his head to squint at Kenshi. He had one arm across his torso and the other hand holding his chin, looking rather contemplative. “Daisuke?”
Kenshi tilted his head a bit at him.
“Kaito?” Johnny guessed again. “Genji?”
“What are you doing?”
“You know my name - I know you know my name - but I don’t know yours.” Johnny said, humming over another one. “Makoto.”
Kenshi rolled his eyes, though the faintest amount of amusement tugged at his lips. “Are you just going to guess random Japanese names?”
“Do you have a weirdly white name instead?” He asked, “Like Axel?”
“Axel?” That got a laugh out of Kenshi.
A pleased grin broke over Johnny’s features, pushing his visible laugh lines. That was a small victory Johnny was absolutely going to hold onto through the night. He was let past Kenshi but he stopped to guess another name, “Rin?”
Kenshi shook his head and turned away from him, forcing the interaction to end. He had a job to do and Johnny had an evening to enjoy.
On a break, he returned inside and Johnny spotted him immediately. He didn’t even reach the bathroom before the actor was shooting off more names. None were correct and Kenshi bluntly told him he was on break.
Johnny backed off for the moment but was still determined. He caught Kenshi again on his way back, “Kanta?”
“Really?” Kenshi stopped, staring at him.
“This is a challenge, I must know. Yamato?” Johnny glanced up to see Kenshi’s expression didn’t change. Still wrong.
“How do you know this many Japanese names, anyway?”
“I am most definitely not using Wikipedia.” Johnny smiled innocently.
“How are you so sure I’m Japanese?” Kenshi glanced to the door to make sure he wasn’t immediately needed. He didn’t want to spend more time around Johnny but the name game was admittedly amusing. For the moment. It was fun lording the information over him.
“Unless ‘Takahashi’ is a last name from somewhere else, I'm pretty certain you're Japanese.” Johnny pulled out his phone again, scrolling. “I was talking to some of the girls you work with. They’re nice.”
Kenshi huffed and started walking back to his post, hearing Johnny call out a few more names, clearly read straight off the Alphabetical list. He shook his head and waved his hand at him before he stepped out the door again.
Johnny was still inside with some stragglers when Kenshi was done with door duty for the night. He tried to avoid him and get to his usual evening tasks. It was unsuccessful. The actor came up to him and rattled off a few more incorrect names. He put down a chair a little hard, a little too loud, and it made Johnny stop for a second. “Are you done?”
Johnny glanced to the chair then up to Kenshi’s face. He shifted his pose, jutting out a hip and crossing his arms. “Why won’t you tell me your name?”
“You don’t need to know it.” He turned back to his task.
“I always need to know the names of the faces I see.” Johnny trailed after him, getting in the way a couple times and stubbornly refusing to move. “Haru, Jin, Sasuke?”
“For fucks sake, shut up.” Kenshi grumbled but it was loud enough for Johnny to hear.
“Tell me your goddamn name.” He deliberately stepped in his way this time.
Kenshi didn’t think and grabbed him by the front of his shirt, shoving him aside.
“Hey!” Johnny straightened out his shirt and stepped right back into Kenshi’s space, shoving him back. “Don’t touch the merchandise.”
This time when Kenshi grabbed him, he slammed him against the nearest wall, staring him down. He was close enough to smell his cologne and the faint alcohol on his breath. “Get off your fucking high horse.”
“Are you gonna hit me if I don’t?” He narrowed his eyes and gripped Kenshi’s wrist tightly. He felt himself pushed back against the wall more and shifted one leg in a position to use it offensively.
“Kenshi!” Sindel snapped from over at the bar. “Let him go!”
Both Johnny and Kenshi refused to look over at her, staring each other down. Kenshi’s press on Johnny slowly eased up, though he didn’t want to let go. He briefly glanced over the features of Johnny’s face. For a moment, he thought he saw the brown eyes doing the same.
“Kenshi, huh?” Johnny smirked, earning himself a rough push away. He didn’t bother fixing his shirt and watched Kenshi stalk away from him.
Kenshi glared at him once over his shoulder as he was given a new task by Sindel. It would get him out of the front and away from Johnny. It busied him enough to the point where he didn’t see when the actor finally left. Probably for the best.
There was a longer duration of time before Kenshi saw Johnny again, noting his absence the next few weeks. He kicked himself for getting so used to Johnny’s habits, he didn't know why he cared to see him. Again, maybe he felt a bit bad, maybe he was scared he actually drove the man away and Sindel would chew him out for it. It was a good couple months before Kenshi saw him again and was somehow relieved to see the stupid sunglasses and cocky smile.
“Kenshi.” Johnny greeted him first.
“Cage.” Kenshi nodded, his voice a bit softer than usual. He felt excited? Nervous? Glad? He couldn't tell, but Johnny remembered his name and he was back after a stint of disappearing.
“Aw, did you miss me?” Johnny cooed and grinned at him, stepping into his space.
“No.” Kenshi couldn't tell if that was the truth.
“Mmhm.” Johnny snorted and playfully nudged him as he walked past. He didn't say much, though his gaze lingered as long as Kenshi’s did, both turning away once Johnny was past him.
Maybe he should have made him stay, to talk a moment longer. Play their little game again. Kenshi hated how much he was thinking about it, wanting to redo the evening already. He looked for Johnny when he went inside a while later, spotting him enthusiastically talking with a group of people Kenshi had seen him hang out with before. Coworkers, maybe? He kept to himself and let the night go on with neither saying further words to the other.
Not until the end of the night when Johnny was just slightly buzzed and acting it up around the people he was with until they left. He sat at the bar and enjoyed the special treatment Sindel gave him of a glass of water and a small snack. He craned around when he noticed Kenshi helping to clean up, like he usually did, making brief eye contact with him with awkward smiles before Kenshi turned back to wiping tables.
“So,” Sindel said, “We missed you. What have you been up to?”
“Oh, the usual.” Johnny hummed. “Went out on location to do movie shoots. Man, it was nice.”
Kenshi listened as Johnny talked about what he'd been doing instead of visiting them. From the sound of it, he had a great time getting out of town. The story made good background noise while he cleaned but he realized he really didn't know Johnny beyond their interactions here. He had seen a few more of his movies than he would care to admit but even that only showed what Johnny wanted the camera to see.
“How's the wife?” Sindel asked next.
“Oh, fine.” Johnny nodded, dropping his gaze. “Just hitting a little rough patch, it'll be fine.”
She raised her chin, “All marriages have that. It is a part of being human.”
“Yeah.” He sipped on his water, glancing over to Kenshi then back to Sindel. “I just hope we can get it sorted out sooner than later.”
“It may take some time.” She said with a shrug. “Like you taking your time to get out of here.”
Johnny laughed. “Gonna get your bouncer to kick me out?”
“I think you were manhandled enough the last time you were here.” Sindel laughed.
Kenshi tried to ignore them but he was out of his main tasks to do so he returned to the bar. The both of them were looking at him teasingly.
“I don't mind being manhandled.” Johnny commented, glancing over Kenshi's form then back to Sindel to see her roll her eyes. He stood up, “Well, it was nice! I'll see you two around.”
“Good night, Cage.” Sindel hummed and gestured for Kenshi to lead him out.
Kenshi nodded and trailed after Johnny to the door. He watched him fix his jacket and pat down for his sunglasses then turn back to him in the doorway. He paused, meeting his gaze.
“Y’know, I like you.” Johnny commented, “You should let me know when you're free. We could go out, do some karaoke, have some fun.”
Kenshi turned his head away a bit, biting down a laugh and shaking his head. “Convince me to like you, first.”
He smiled, looking him over again. “Oh, I think I already won that challenge. Goodnight, Kenshi.”
Kenshi was momentarily stunned by the statement from Johnny. He wanted to deny it still but a part of him knew that wasn't the case. He didn't get a word in, anyway, as Johnny stepped out of the door. His hands moved and he locked up the door, turning back to finish cleaning. Maybe he hated the guy, actually, or just hated that he was realizing he was right.
He admitted to himself he was glad when he got to see Johnny more again, back to the usual routine, if a little more often. They went back to playing the game at the door, Kenshi asking for a name and Johnny giving him something stupid, different every time. The actor seemed excited enough to get a crack of a smile out of the bouncer and kept sticking around at the end of the night just to talk with him and Sindel. It was about his movies, or Sindel's girls, or even dare asking Kenshi about his family.
It took a little persuading, but Kenshi did end up talking a bit. “They live over in Japan. I visit from time to time, but it's otherwise just me.”
“What made you wanna come over here?” Johnny was helping him put up chairs, making himself useful since he was hanging around after everyone else was kicked out.
“Space, I guess.” Kenshi shrugged. “They aren't bad or anything. I have brothers who kind of laid claim already to some family jobs.”
“Ah, yeah, I get it.” Johnny frowned, “I got an older brother, too. Taking right after my dad.”
“What's he like?”
“A dick. Both of them.” Johnny glanced at him, “Your family any better?”
“Other than grand expectations, I would say so.” He met Johnny’s gaze for a moment then changed the subject, “You've been coming around here more often.”
“Ah, yeah, just gotta get out of the house sometimes.” Johnny turned away abruptly. “Hey, Sindel, do you care that I'm around more?”
“I thought it was odd, but as long as you pay.” She hummed, “Or make yourself useful. Maybe I could hire you as another bouncer if your movies fall through. Or a busboy.”
Johnny laughed but it sounded a bit hurt to Kenshi. He glanced over to the actor, who was hiding whatever his reason for showing up frequently very well. There wasn't a time to press the topic further, Johnny announcing he didn't realize the time and getting out of there, leaving Kenshi and Sindel to lock up.
“Do you think he's alright?” Kenshi asked her.
“Not with the way he's been drinking.” She replied. “We can keep an eye on him.”
Kenshi nodded. It was a mission that he couldn't let himself get distracted by. But he thought about it whenever he saw Johnny saunter up to him at the door. He was coming by more frequently, arriving earlier and staying all the way until close. Kenshi didn't mind it much, he found himself loving Johnny’s company far more than he originally wanted to. Maybe Johnny liked his company, too.
There were some nights where Sindel cautiously treated them to one additional drink, just for the three of them to talk over. It turned mostly into Kenshi and Johnny sitting close to each other and talking about movies, about fighting, about family, and anything else that came to mind.
Once, Kenshi let his gaze linger too long on the way Johnny smiled. His lips looked soft and it wasn't the first time he had the passing thought of kissing him. But it was another time where he shoved the thoughts down.
“So how about your number and that karaoke?” Johnny offered, holding out his phone on the Contacts screen.
“You're dead set on karaoke?” Kenshi laughed.
“I would love to get you wasted and see you sing Barbie Girl or something.” He let Kenshi take his phone, plugging in his number and simply naming the contact his name.
He shook his head, handing the phone back. “I think you may be projecting, Cage.”
Johnny sent Kenshi a quick text with a pouting emoji and looked up to see his phone light up. He smiled innocently when Kenshi checked it and gave him an amused look. “Okay, if not karaoke, how about, like, bowling?”
“Somehow that’s even more lame.” Kenshi laughed, “But I would kick your ass.”
“You’re on!” Johnny pat his shoulder enthusiastically. “Just let me know when you’re open.”
“When are you open?” Kenshi countered and stood up to help finish cleaning now they were done with their drinks.
Johnny shrugged, “I have more time on my hands, right now. So, just… Let me know.”
There was a shadow of melancholy that Kenshi saw pass over Johnny’s face. He wanted to say something but he couldn’t figure out the words fast enough, not before Johnny was grabbing his jacket and saying a goodnight to Kenshi and Sindel. Another hasty exit.
“You better take him out bowling.” Sindel commented, “Get him out of here for a night.”
“He doesn’t seem too bad…” Kenshi said. Johnny always seemed sober enough by the end of the night, but Sindel had made comments about his drinking habits before. She said he was always a social drinker, maybe egged on by those around him.
“For now, I don’t want to see him get worse, though.”
A few nights after exchanging numbers, before they got a bowling night arranged, Johnny was worse. Sindel had cut him off a while ago but other patrons, eager to please a movie star, would buy him drinks. Kenshi didn't see much of it until the end of the night when Johnny was rambling off to Sindel about nothing in particular as she was trying to clean up. She hadn't given him a drink in a while but he was finishing off one in his hand and turned it like he wanted a refill.
“Okay, you’re done.” Kenshi grabbed the empty glass away from Johnny. “We’re closed.”
Sindel put her hands on her hips, looking Johnny’s sad form up and down then glanced to Kenshi and back. “Are you alright to get home, hun?”
“I’ll be fine.” Johnny mumbled and waved his hand, still unable to pull himself upright from the bar counter.
“Don’t you have a wife? Can she pick you up?” Kenshi asked.
“Negative percent chance of that.” He grumbled and did a small finger gun gesture to him then put his face down into his arms.
“How about we try calling her?” Sindel offered, holding out a hand for Johnny’s phone.
“Nooooo, please don’t letter know.” Johnny pulled himself up at that.
Sindel exchanged a glance with Kenshi.
“I’ll jus uber.” Johnny mumbled.
“Not while you’re like this.” Kenshi put a hand on Johnny’s to stop him from poking around on his phone. He glanced to Sindel.
“Do not look at me, I have two little girls with school in the morning. They do not need to be woken up by a drunk actor.” She put her hands up then back onto her hips.
Kenshi ignored Johnny’s insistence that he was fine and sighed. “I’ll take him to my place. Keep an eye on him.”
“‘m not a kid.” He complained but let Kenshi help him to his feet. He didn’t put up much of a fight as Kenshi led him out to his car, which was exactly Kenshi’s concern of him getting in a car with a complete stranger. Even stuck babysitting him, he at least knew Johnny would be okay.
Johnny blabbed about random shit on the drive, and seemed to look everywhere but at Kenshi. He definitely didn’t look at him when he started to talk about his wife, staring out the window at nothing instead. “She dossnt like me…”
He had no fucking idea what to say to that, glancing to Johnny then back to the road.
“We’re gettin’ divorced.” He sank down a bit lower in his seat. “Outta nowhere.”
No one got divorced for no reason, Kenshi thought, opening his mouth to say that but then closing it again. Not while he was like this.
“Izzit cause we haven’t had sex in months?” He asked to no one.
Kenshi definitely did not need to hear this track. “Johnny–”
“Hows close is your place?” He sat up again.
This was fine, other than the sudden jump in topic. “Around the corner.”
“Good, I gotta piss.”
“Thanks for waiting.” Kenshi rolled his eyes and pulled up. He led Johnny inside and showed him where the bathroom was then left him to it while he returned to the kitchen, getting glasses of water for the both of them.
Johnny accepted the water when he came back, still clearly not himself yet. The water seemed to help a little bit.
The way the actor was looking at him made Kenshi self-conscious, looking away from him. He heard a soft, amused hum and Johnny moved closer to him.
“Y’know, you’re cute.”
Please, Cage, not now. Words died in Kenshi’s throat as hands touched his face and lips pressed against his. Usually he was a ‘fight’ kind of guy in moments of fight or flight, but for once he was experiencing the freeze. He tasted like too much alcohol and too little sense, and, foolishly, Kenshi let him kiss him deeper. For another stupid moment, he kissed back. The hands slid into his hair and his body pressed up against Kenshi’s.
It ached. This was a rare opportunity and Kenshi had the worst conflicted feeling in his chest. He finally got his hands to move and pushed against Johnny’s chest. Johnny slowly opened his eyes when he was pushed back, only half-lidded and still gazing at Kenshi’s lips because where else would they look? At him? Kenshi knew he only wanted something to make him feel better in the moment, even if he regretted it in the morning.
“Let’s get you to bed.” He pulled away and guided Johnny to the guest room. He helped him shed his jacket and brought his water in. At least Johnny seemed to be into the idea of laying down and sleeping. Kenshi noticed he was out within a couple minutes and he let him sleep, turning over the events in his head.
He went back to his own room and sat down, putting his face in his hands. Fuck. He hated this situation, hated that Johnny was hurt and was trying to drown himself in alcohol, but most of all he hated the idea that he wanted to feel him again. That he wanted to return the kiss with a desire he'd been shoving out of his head for a while now in favor of being friends first. The guy was married anyway! He wouldn’t be soon, apparently, but it was a bad feeling to hope that meant something good for himself.
Sleep was rough, but the morning came anyway.
Kenshi was in the kitchen, putting together a breakfast for him and Johnny - he hoped eggs and bacon was okay, he had toast, too - when said guest stepped out of the bedroom. Their gazes locked. Johnny stood there, a mix of emotions on this face that resulted in a general mortified look. Kenshi was first to break the stare, attention back to making sure food didn’t burn.
“Kenshi, I am so fucking sorry–”
“Eat.” He pushed a plate over to him.
Johnny stared at it then up to Kenshi then back down. He awkwardly sat down with a small ‘thank you’ and began to eat.
The silence was palpable. Kenshi caught Johnny looking up at him but every time he turned to look, the sad, puppy-dog eyes immediately dropped back down.
“I didn't mean it.” Johnny said softly when he finished.
“I know.” It stung.
“Just pretend it didn't happen.”
Kenshi quietly finished his food, glancing up at Johnny briefly when he stood. He looked so tired and conflicted, even his years of acting couldn't hide the way his brows knit together when he was running through his thoughts. There was nothing Kenshi could do to erase it, anything he wanted to do would make it worse. He dropped his gaze and stood to put their plates in the sink.
Johnny made sure he had his phone and wallet on him before he left without saying anything to Kenshi. Nothing was said to him, either.
Kenshi found Johnny’s jacket left behind in the guest room when he went to clean up. It felt like a joke of fate, a trope to get Johnny to return to him again. He brought it with him a couple times to work in case he saw Johnny, even tried to hand it off to Sindel to give it to him (she claimed it would be stolen if she put it anywhere), but the actor didn’t show up for a few weeks and Kenshi gave up at that point, leaving it in his car.
When Johnny did appear, they didn't know how to interact with each other. They were on different pages of ‘pretend it didn't happen’ with Johnny trying to play their old game and Kenshi shutting down. He just let him through without a word and Johnny tried to hide the awkward hurt with his sunglasses.
Bowling nights and jacket returns had been abandoned, mostly by Kenshi. He couldn’t stop thinking about Johnny, about kissing him, and how tense being alone with him would be. He had a hard time looking at him without getting an overwhelming tight feeling in his chest. At least Johnny seemed to have learned his lesson. He wasn’t showing up to the club as much, not drinking as much, not staying around as long.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder and other bullshit, though.
Kenshi snooped on Johnny’s divorce through news outlets, how ‘he’s single again, ladies,’ on how he seemed to be out of the limelight but always promised more projects. He never asked him directly about any of it over the next month. They would make eye contact and Kenshi would turn right back away to continue doing his job. He felt like if he looked at him too long, he’d either punch him or kiss him, and both would hurt him. So, ignoring it was, not that it helped the mess of feelings in his chest.
Johnny lingered around one night, sitting at the bar with Sindel. They were chatting, only pausing when Kenshi walked past while doing his end-of-night tasks. He gave them a glance to grab remaining dirty glasses off the counter then head into the back. Now he was procrastinating just a bit, able to hear Johnny’s voice still. It quieted for a moment and he dared to step back out, pausing before the corner when he heard Johnny speak again.
“I think he hates me.”
“He hasn't tried to punch you lately, I don't think he does.” Sindel replied.
“Well I do.”
“Why?”
“It's stupid.”
“How stupid?” Sindel asked cautiously.
Johnny glanced around again, “That night he took me home?”
“You were drunk.” She stated but let him continue.
“I kissed him.”
There was a silent pause, “I see.”
“Is that all?!” He tried to keep his voice down. “I don't know what to do!”
“I have no advice for you.” She said, “Not any that you would listen to.”
“I'll take anything.” He said.
“Then talk to him.”
Johnny was quiet for a pause then muttered, “You're right, I don't want to listen to that.”
“You could also let things play as they have been.” She said softer. “But you seem awfully fond of him.”
“I had just gotten him to like me.” Johnny groaned, “And I fucked it up because I was drunk and stupid and getting a divorce and ugh.”
“Well, you heard my advice.” She stated, “I know you've been doing better since your divorce, but don't let this eat you up. As far as I can tell, he is still your friend.”
They were quiet now, but Kenshi still stood there. This was all so stupid and hell, if Johnny didn't get the guts to talk to him, maybe he would. Maybe, if the dread of addressing his own feelings didn't eat him alive. Not tonight. Another night, he decided, uncommitted on which night. Put it off as long as possible, keep saying ‘not tonight.’
“Kenshi?” Sindel called for him, “We're done out here!”
He paused then pushed the door behind him closed before walking around the corner. It felt a little silly to pretend he hadn't been listening. He glanced to Johnny, who wasn't looking anywhere at him as he gathered his jacket. He didn’t wait around and left first.
He had made it to the lot when he heard footsteps jogging up to him. Not even to his car yet when they slowed behind him, shifting to his side. He barely glanced over his shoulder to see Johnny then looked back forward to mess with his keys.
“Hey, can we talk?” Johnny’s voice was soft and moved between Kenshi and the car he was angled toward.
“About what?” He side-stepped to the driver’s door.
“About all of this.” He gestured vaguely and again shoved himself between Kenshi and his objective, stubbornly pushing his hand away from the lock. “Why are you avoiding me?”
“You wanted to pretend nothing happened.” Kenshi accused, now making eye contact with Johnny.
“So you went all the way back to square one?” Johnny shot back, “Hell, even before square one! You don’t joke with me at the door, you don’t talk to me!”
“What the fuck do you want from me, Johnny? We were barely even friends!”
“And yet, you still call me ‘Johnny.’” He said, staring at him.
“What of it, Cage?” He swapped the name immediately.
Johnny groaned, “You’re so fucking confusing!”
Kenshi rolled his eyes, an excuse to look somewhere other than at Johnny’s face. “Get off my car.”
“No.”
“Cage. Move.”
“Make me.”
Kenshi yanked him by the shirt collar, dragging him close for a brief moment. He dropped his gaze to his lips, so fucking close by his own action and hesitated. It was a short hesitation but it was long enough for Johnny to register it before Kenshi shoved him aside and jabbed his key into the lock.
Johnny’s hand went to his wrist, stopping him from opening the door. He shoved against him again, “Leave me alone.”
“Kenshi.” He gripped his wrist tighter, “What am I to you?”
“An annoyance.” A friend, a dream, a partner, an object of obsession that would not leave his waking thoughts and accompanied him at night.
Johnny stared at him, brown eyes searching his face. He tried to take a deep breath, tried to deescalate. “I am still so sorry about the kiss, I didn’t mean it–”
“That doesn’t help in the way you want it to.” Kenshi was able to twist his hand away from Johnny’s grip.
“Did you want me to mean it?” There was a hint of sincerity beneath the aggression in Johnny’s voice. “Did you want me to rebound onto you? Did you want us to regret it even more in the morning and every day we saw each other after?”
“Shut up.” Kenshi pulled away from him. “I didn't want to lose what little progress we made.”
“The road bumps are all you, buddy!”
“You really don't fucking help.” Kenshi looked up at him now. “I kept a respectable distance with you. You weren't supposed to get close in any way, you were just a patron. You were annoying and persistent and I guess it paid off for you, didn't it?”
“Do you really want to blame me for all this?”
“You're the one who kissed me!” He gripped his keys tighter. “I was keeping it together out of respect to you and your wife I never even met!”
“I'm not responsible for your feelings! I was drunk!” Johnny threw his hands up, “Just hit me already if you hate me so much!”
He did.
A square punch to the face. Johnny was so lucky he hadn't used the hand holding the keys, but it still did damage. Kenshi possibly regretted it more than Johnny regretted kissing him. They were both stunned by the sight of blood dripping from Johnny’s nose. They made eye contact. Hurt, anger, fear.
“Johnny, I–”
Johnny hit him back, a good punch to the jaw.
He groaned and turned back to see Johnny in a readied stance, blood smeared over his cheek and sleeve but still dripping from his nose. Alright, not how he wanted the night to go at all but that was an invitation if he ever saw one. He shoved his keys into his pocket and rolled up his sleeves.
He wanted to see Johnny fight and he finally got it. Strong and coordinated, much different from drunkards just throwing fists aimlessly. A genuine challenge. He tried not to get too lost in being impressed by his skill, tapping back into the frustration of his emotions.
They blocked and exchanged blows, a very even matchup that ended from exhaustion rather than one beating the other. They both sat on the ground and leaned against Kenshi’s car, trying to catch their breaths. The adrenaline was wearing off and Kenshi just felt sore and pathetic and ultimately bad for hitting him in the first place.
“Fuck.” He turned to Johnny and reached out to examine the damage he had done. He felt Johnny flinch and he retracted his hands slightly at the motion. “Does it hurt?”
“‘Does it hurt?’ Yes?! Duh.” He groaned and leaned his head back against the car. His nose had stopped bleeding but a bruise had bloomed over the impact spot. He closed his eyes, sighing and letting Kenshi touch his face, turning it toward him.
“I'm sorry.” Kenshi was gentle, just examining Johnny. He glanced up to his car and back down to him, now finding the brown eyes staring back at him. “What?”
“We should get out of here.” He looked away and began to stand up, offering a hand to Kenshi.
He glanced at his hand then to him and back, taking it. He let go first, turning back to his car. “This is gonna be stupid.”
“We've already beat each other up. Can't get more stupid than that.” Johnny tenderly touched his nose, pulling his hand away and checking for any fresh blood.
“Do you want to go back to my place?” Kenshi asked, opening the driver’s door and looking back to Johnny. “You're a mess.”
Johnny stared at him, licking his lips as he thought about it but made a face when he tasted the blood. “Yeah, sure. I call shotgun.”
He huffed a small laugh and unlocked the car fully, getting into the driver’s side while Johnny got into the passenger side. They were quiet at first, Johnny inspecting himself in the visor mirror before he turned around in his seat, reaching into the back.
“Is this my jacket?” He sat back in his seat, now with the jacket in his hand.
“Oh, yeah.” Kenshi’s face felt a bit warm. Was it embarrassment or a leftover from the fighting? “You left it, the last time, and then kinda disappeared when I tried to give it back.”
Johnny turned it in his hands and glanced to Kenshi again. “Why didn't you give it to Sindel?”
“She said she had nowhere to put it.”
“Uh-huh.” He rolled his eyes and sat back, looking out the window. He frowned, “I kind of remember telling you about my divorce while I was drunk.”
“You did.” Kenshi kept his eyes forward.
“I'm sorry.” He said again.
“It's fine.” Kenshi glanced at him then back forward. “Can the talking wait?”
“Why? You wanna hit me again?” He huffed, no bite in his words.
Kenshi rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Just shut up for a few minutes.”
“Sure.” He did fall quiet, looking out the window.
It wasn't a long drive, luckily, and soon enough they were sitting in Kenshi's kitchen. He was ignoring his own pains to wet a rag and wipe the blood off Johnny’s face. The actor was too tired to complain about the contact, leaning into Kenshi’s hands.
“So.” He looked up at Kenshi.
“So..?” He dropped the rag into the sink once he had Johnny’s face cleaned up and washed his hands.
“Wanna talk about your feelings like normal people now?”
“Why's it only my feelings?” He opened the freezer and pulled out a couple ice packs and wrapped them up in paper towels.
“Because you punched me in the face.” Johnny accepted one of the ice packs, setting it on his thigh first where Kenshi had slammed a good kick on him. “I get a lot of mixed signals from you.”
“Okay?” He sat back down and put his ice pack against his cheek.
“Do you hate me?”
“No.”
“Then why did you punch me?”
“I don't know.” Kenshi looked away from him. “I was just angry, I guess.”
“You're a pretty good fighter.” Johnny complimented. “I always wondered why Sindel hired you.”
Kenshi rolled his eyes and glanced back to Johnny’s face, “You're pretty good, too.”
“I do all of my own stunts.” He grinned.
“I noticed.”
Johnny raised his brows, “Did you watch my movies?”
“Some of them.” He shifted the ice pack.
“Good ones?”
He shrugged and Johnny laughed.
“I'll have to show you the good ones, then.”
“You're so full of yourself.” He scoffed, shaking his head.
“Thank you. I worked hard on this ego.” Johnny grinned as he got another laugh out of Kenshi. “Tell me more.”
“Just to stoke your ego?” He shook his head and sat up, his smile fading a bit. This was all nice and fun, he enjoyed talking to him, but this was different. They were sitting where Johnny had drunkenly kissed him and left him to wrangle in his emotions. Where he wanted to kiss him again.
“What's up?” Johnny shifted his ice pack to tenderly put it against the bruise on his face.
“I don't want to say anything.” He said softly, “Not without knowing where you stand.”
“Where I stand?” Johnny sounded offended.
“Yes.” Kenshi gave him a hard look. “What am I to you?”
Johnny's cheeks flushed red and he hid it with the ice pack. “I'd like you to be a friend. To be nice to me.”
“Is that all?” He shouldn't be disappointed with that answer. This felt so stupid. He felt like a teenager again, trying to wrap his brain around hormones and relationships.
Johnny looked down and lowered the ice pack. He fidgeted with it, “Fuck, I don't know. Haven't thought about that stuff much since I got married, but now that she's gone, I dunno.”
Kenshi watched Johnny’s hands.
“Maybe it's too soon.” He continued, “Rebound with a guy who has seemed to only hate my guts, weird, right? Just because he's the only one who is available and doesn't fawn over me all the time?”
His face felt hot and he looked away, moving the ice pack to his side.
Johnny shifted closer to him. “I do think you're pretty cool and I definitely want to hang out with you more.”
“That's a really shitty attempt at a confession.” Kenshi’s voice was low and quiet, trying to toss some humor in to pad out his feelings.
“Oh, fuck you.” Johnny reached out and dragged Kenshi’s face by the chin to look up at him. “I mean it this time.”
Kenshi froze again when Johnny kissed him. It was definitely different this time, passionate and intentional. He melted into it slowly and kissed back. He could believe him, with the way he cradled his face and hummed into the kiss.
He pulled Johnny back in when he felt him starting to part from the kiss. He heard a surprised sound from him that slid into a lower, pleased noise. A tongue pressed over his lips and he opened his mouth to let him in. He felt Johnny move into his lap, making him grunt softly as weight rested on a sore spot but he forgot about it with the new angle Johnny was kissing him from.
Johnny slowly rolled his hips against Kenshi’s, eliciting a moan from him. Kenshi grabbed at his shirt and slid up his sides. He groaned when they pressed on his bruises and felt Kenshi back off immediately. He whispered, “No… No, it's fine.”
Kenshi grunted softly when Johnny kissed him again. He gently pushed him back and tried to get his bearings again. He didn't want to hurt Johnny, definitely not more than what he'd already done. However, he was too excited to stop here and he could feel Johnny was, too. Was this too fast?
Johnny had enough time to catch his breath and relax again. He bit his lip and slowly slid off Kenshi’s lap, back to his own chair. They were looking at each other, unsure of where to go from here or what to do. Feelings were complicated but the way Johnny was looking at him, they were now on the same page.
“Fuck, come on.” Kenshi stood up abruptly and grabbed Johnny’s hand. The actor didn't need to be told twice to follow him, easily keeping up until they were in his bedroom. He briefly had second thoughts again before passionate lips crashed into his again. He moaned into it, trying to regain some control of the situation but he was shoved down onto the bed and kisses peppered over his face and down to his neck. It gave his sore jaw a moment to recover and for him to figure out what he needed to do with his hands.
He reached down to try and work off what he could reach of Johnny’s shirt. With it opened, he was free to run his palms over his soft skin. Teeth grazed his neck and he tensed for a second, breath hitching. Johnny teasingly kissed his skin, licking it, too. It made him relax briefly before Johnny bit down and he cried out. He would have shoved him off, feeling a bit embarrassed for the cry, but genuinely soft kisses were traced up his throat and back to his lips.
“Fuck you.” Kenshi muttered against Johnny’s lips.
“Fuck me yourself.” Johnny shot back.
Kenshi laughed, his side hurting from it.
“Hey! I'm serious!” Johnny was smiling back at him, leaning into the hands that still rested on his chest.
Kenshi playfully squeezed the muscle under his hands and earned a dramatized moan. He rolled his eyes and quickly shoved Johnny over. He didn't give Johnny much time to complain about the manhandling before he was pushing off his shirt and kissing his skin.
There were fresh bruises blooming on Johnny’s chest and sides. Nothing awful but they would sure ache worse in the morning. Kenshi was careful of them as he worked down Johnny’s chest, feeling him arch up toward him. He bit, kissed, sucked, and licked down to Johnny’s pants, moving back up so he could keep giving attention to his chest while his hands worked the belt off.
Johnny squirmed under the lips and hands, his own trying to reach for Kenshi’s shirt but he was denied when Kenshi moved down between his legs. He hadn't registered when his pants had been shoved down but his underwear was next to go. It was definitely unfair to be stripped bare beneath Kenshi while the other still had his clothes on, still hiding the bruises Johnny had inflicted on him earlier. He definitely didn't get a chance to complain about it before a mouth was on his dick. His back involuntarily arched and a hand went to Kenshi’s dark hair, gripping it tightly.
Kenshi hummed around him at the grip, giving up a little control to let Johnny dictate the speed for a minute. It was slow at first, but he made sure it was good by pressing his tongue flat against the underside and sucking at the tip.
“Kenshi, fuck.” Johnny tried to move his hips but was punished by Kenshi’s strong hands shoving them back into the mattress. “Ugh, please.”
Kenshi pulled off him, stroking instead for a minute. He sat up so he could look down at Johnny’s face, flushed pink and making that bruise across his nose stand out more, somehow. He was so beautiful, his lips parted to pant and eyes half-lidded, staring back at him. He leaned down and was eagerly met with more adoring kisses. The moments between were filled with Johnny’s moans as Kenshi stroked him faster and harder.
Johnny whimpered into kisses and begged Kenshi to slow down, just so he could savor it. The hand did slow and pulled off of him. It wasn't exactly what he wanted, but it would give him a moment to recover, until he felt a finger, slick with his own pre-cum, slide into him. He clung to Kenshi’s shoulders, getting used to the feeling.
“Are you alright?” Kenshi asked softly, stilling his movements.
“Yeah… it's just been a minute.” Johnny shifted his hips. “You have lube, right?”
Kenshi nodded and pulled his hand out of him, turning to shuffle in the nightstand drawer. Once he had it out, he felt hands grab his hips and throw him face-down on the bed. He tried to push back up but Johnny moved to sit on his ass, which only allowed him to prop himself up on his elbows. He moved the bottle over a bit so he wasn’t lying on it. He felt the weight shift and Johnny’s hands were pushing up his shirt. He tried to help with unbuttoning the front and shrugging it off his shoulders. He had to shift his weight between his elbows to get it fully off.
Johnny tossed the shirt aside once he could grab it from Kenshi and appreciated his broad back. It was littered with bruises and scars, some older, some fresher. A few too many drunks mad about being kicked out, he guessed, as well as his own work. He traced his fingers over a few scars before he pressed a little more solidly into the muscle. He could feel him wince when he touched sore spots but otherwise he relaxed into the touch, even resting back down in a more comfortable position. “Do you ever go to get a massage?”
“No.”
“You should.” He pressed gently into the muscle below his shoulder blades. “You could use it.”
Kenshi huffed, closing his eyes to focus on Johnny’s hands. He could feel them ease when brushing over a bruise and push into the meatier muscle of his shoulders. He could also feel Johnny’s dick resting against the small of his back while his own was achingly trapped in his pants. He shifted his hips, trying to push up and give Johnny a hint.
Johnny slid his hands down Kenshi’s back again and shifted back so Kenshi could push himself up. Before he could turn around, he dragged him back against his chest. The both of them were on their knees, Kenshi almost sitting in Johnny’s lap.
Kisses peppered the back of his neck and Kenshi turned his face toward Johnny over his shoulder. He closed his eyes into the kiss and softly moaned as he felt Johnny’s hands on his belt, shoving his pants and underwear down far enough to free him. Deep kisses on his lips, a hand on his dick, and another hand freely groping his chest. Shifting his hips to push his pants down further or get into a more comfortable position only pushed him back against Johnny,
Johnny wasn’t letting him move, not without either grinding up against his ass or squeezing his dick. He whined involuntarily as Johnny slid the kisses to his throat. “I thought I was going to be treating you.”
“It can be both.” Johnny purred against his ear. He abruptly bucked against Kenshi, shoving him forward onto the bed again.
He caught himself on his hands this time and quickly turned before Johnny could slide up his backside again. He finally kicked off his pants, about to grab his partner again but instead kisses were pressed to his legs. If his face wasn’t already red, it sure was now from the way Johnny was affectionately and sweetly kissing up his thighs. He propped himself back on his elbows and watched him, the brown eyes glancing up to him as Johnny lingered close to his dick. Cruelly, he skipped right over giving it more attention and kissed up his stomach and chest instead, over the throat willingly exposed to him before the kisses returned to Kenshi’s lips.
Kenshi laid back on the bed, pulling Johnny down with him. Maybe it was the cushion of the bed beneath him, but Johnny didn’t feel as heavy as he looked. He felt like a good weighted blanket, though better. Much better. He moaned into the kisses when Johnny slowly rolled their hips together.
Johnny was happy to kiss him all night long but he was aching for more. It was his own fault, though. He sat up, roughly grinding against Kenshi one more time before he grabbed the lube bottle. “Would you be mad if I topped?”
Kenshi blushed more, if it was even possible. He stared up at Johnny, who was gazing back and not moving. He hadn’t thought this far ahead.
“We don’t have to, this time.” Johnny assured, seeing Kenshi’s uncertainty. He moved off of him, handing him the bottle. “But if you make me come before you fuck me, I will be pissed.”
Kenshi broke a smile at the comment, taking the bottle from him as they readjusted again. “You make it sound like a challenge.”
“There’s no sexy way to say ‘I want your dick.’” Johnny shrugged, laying back down. He playfully put one leg up on Kenshi’s shoulder, in part to give him better access but also to see the surprised raise of his brows. “Go on.”
“It’s not very warm.” He shifted, making sure Johnny was comfortable.
“That’s fine.” Johnny really did not care at this point.
Kenshi nodded and dripped the lube on his fingers before he slid his hand down between Johnny’s legs. The first finger went in no problem, the second soon joining with a little more lube and slow thrusting. He could feel the muscle of the leg on his shoulder tense and relax with his motions. He felt Johnny use it as an anchor to lift his hips up more, encouraging Kenshi to push his fingers in as far as he could.
A press on his insides and Johnny moaned, arching up into it. He tried to relax again when he felt a little more of the lukewarm lube touch his ass. A third finger was slowly added. He fixed his gaze on Kenshi, finding him with a borderline worried look on his face. The slow and shallow thrusts pulled another moan from him, “Fuck, I’m fine, keep going.”
“You curse a lot.” Kenshi commented, his voice low. He was mostly focused on making sure he did this right, checking Johnny’s face to make sure he wasn’t hurting him. A glance up over the bruises from earlier settled the notion that he, still, did not want to hurt him more than he had.
“Kenshi…” Johnny’s voice whined, an audible but unspoken beg.
“I have you.” He pulled his hand out, pulling his gaze from Johnny’s face to what he was doing. He grabbed the lube again, onto his own hand and gave himself a few strokes. He shouldered the leg up higher and held Johnny still with one hand while he began to push in. Any time he felt the leg tense, he paused, gently massaging his thigh until he relaxed again and gave him the go-ahead.
Admittedly, Johnny was embarrassed with how often his muscles tensed and he had to consciously relax and take a breath. It really had been that long, huh. He shifted his free leg out to the side more, cursing again when Kenshi took that as a signal to push all the way in.
Kenshi leaned over Johnny and gently touched his face. He watched him lean into his hand, wincing when he pressed his sore nose against his palm. Kisses were placed against his hand instead and he felt Johnny try to roll his hips. He put his hand down on the bed beside Johnny’s side, leaning his weight over him as he began to thrust in and out of him.
“I know you can go harder than that.” Johnny breathed, immediately regretting the statement in the best way when Kenshi pulled back and slammed back into him. He moaned and didn’t get to catch a break once a steady pace was set. “Oh, fuck…”
A laugh and Kenshi shook his head, his grip on Johnny’s thigh tightening. Even he couldn’t stop his moans each time he moved. It was tight and hot and sure felt a hell of a lot better than his own hand. He hiked Johnny’s hips up a bit more, folding him just enough for him to fuck down into him. He could hear the hitch in Johnny’s voice at the motion, curses and his name spoken between gasps and moans.
Johnny threw his head back when Kenshi shifted the angle of his hips, hitting the spot that made him see stars. His voice had caught in his throat in the moment but he was able to let out the loud moan, broken up by the thrusts. He cursed again and grabbed Kenshi’s shoulders, pulling him down so he could cling onto him.
Kenshi didn’t fully acknowledge Johnny’s flexibility before, but it was definitely being abused now with the one leg still over his shoulder. He let it slip down to the crook of his arm, swearing he heard a small, relieved sigh before being cut off by another moan. Johnny was loud and he was eating it up, an auditory approval of his actions, even with his thrusts becoming more irregular and his muscles trembling.
“Kenshi–” Johnny dug his nails into his back, moving one hand down to stroke himself.
Kenshi watched him, a rather pornographic view for him. He saw him come first and the mix of the moan in his ear and tighter muscles pushed him over the edge. He made the split decision to pull out, just adding to Johnny’s mess on his torso.
Kenshi sat back as Johnny’s stinging grip loosened. He gently lowered and massaged the leg that had been practically trapped between them the whole time. His dark gaze took in the sight of Johnny beneath him. Panting, flushed, bruised, and bleeding from the nose again. It was a good look but it made him kick into action, getting off the bed to yank the toilet paper roll from the bathroom. It wasn’t tissues, but it was a suitable substitute for the moment.
“Thanks.” He laughed a little, trying to clean up. “Shit.”
“Are you alright?”
“Yeah, I think so.” He glanced up to Kenshi’s face, “I wanted to kiss a little more, though.”
Kenshi blushed and shook his head. “Later.”
Johnny nodded, glancing down to his bloodied and cum-covered torso. “Ugh. Gross.”
“Feel free to take a shower.” Kenshi offered, nodding to the bathroom.
“Want to join me?” Johnny teased, getting up from the bed. He still held some paper to his nose, trying to make sure he wasn’t dripping blood all over Kenshi’s bed.
“I’ll clean up out here.” He said, “I’ll check on you in a few minutes.”
Johnny was already on his way into the bathroom, giving a thumbs-up. “Sounds good.”
Kenshi gathered up their clothes into a pile to deal with in the morning, pulled off the top blanket to also deal with in the morning and dug around in the closet for an extra. He could hear Johnny in the shower the whole time, the door to the bathroom open. It didn't matter, he supposed, they were both already naked. Right, towel. He left the room to grab a fresh one for Johnny, returning and setting it on top of the toilet lid.
Johnny pushed the curtain open to look at Kenshi, no longer bleeding though there were still some red stains he had yet to rub away. “Come on, join me. You know you want to.”
Kenshi rolled his eyes and shook his head but Johnny took his hand and was gently tugging him. He relented and stepped into the warm water with him. First, he gently cradled Johnny’s face and rubbed away the remains of blood, trying to examine the damage to his nose.
“Don't worry, I've had worse.” Johnny chuckled and ran his own hands over Kenshi.
They kissed more than cleaned, hands exploring skin, but they stayed until the water wasn't as warm anymore. Johnny complained about it first and was the first one out. Kenshi grabbed his own towel from where it hung on the wall while he watched Johnny step out and dry himself off. It took a lot of power not to smack or grab his ass when he bent over to rub the towel down his legs. Kenshi just watched instead, noticing marks on his thigh from when he had been holding it while they fucked.
He blushed and hid it by rubbing his own towel over his head. When he pulled it off, Johnny had his towel wrapped around his waist and was walking back into the bedroom. He finished drying and followed him.
“Do you have anything I can borrow, or do you care if we just stay like this?” Johnny asked, pulling the towel off his waist to rub his hair again.
Kenshi watched him, moving a bit closer. “We can stay like this.”
He slid his hands around Johnny’s waist and pressed tired kisses onto his shoulder. He felt him twist in his arms to kiss him back. They were softer, sweeter kisses, slow and tired.
“Mm… Bed.” Johnny discarded their towels and pulled Kenshi with him into the bed, wrapping blankets around them.
They settled in, awkwardly moving around bruises and sore spots. Kenshi ended up being the small spoon, Johnny cuddled up against his back. He could feel him leaving sleepy kisses over the back of his neck and his arm carefully wrapped around him. The whole evening felt like a dream, being able to kiss and feel Johnny in ways he didn’t think he would ever be allowed to. He leaned back against him and felt him curl tighter. He whispered to him in the dark room, “Johnny?”
“Hm?”
“Will you stay?”
“Yeah? Of course.” He hummed, taking Kenshi’s hand. “Johnny Cage may be a flirt, but he doesn’t do one night stands. Not usually, anyway.” He paused, speaking a bit softer as he pushed into a territory they hadn’t discussed yet. “I’d like us to do this again.”
“Parking lot fight, included?” Kenshi asked, leaning against him and feeling him pull him closer.
“Depends if you’re being stubborn.” He laughed against his shoulder. “Maybe you could help keep me fit. Do some training together, spend more nights together. I could drag your grumpy ass to my shoots.”
Kenshi listened to him keep talking, taking in the concept of dating Johnny. A different note to that bowling night wouldn’t be unwelcome.
“You know, you have a great face for movies.” He yawned and shifted his arm so his hand rested against Kenshi’s chest. “Johnny Cage Introduces New Hollywood Heartthrob.”
He scoffed, smiling anyway despite how silly it sounded. He heard Johnny mutter some more compliments into his shoulder and felt him slowly relax. The hand on his chest still moved slowly, tracing small shapes. Johnny cuddled in closer and Kenshi leaned back against him, closing his eyes. They fell asleep like that, fitting perfectly against one another.