Chapter Text
“I’m sorry I won’t be able to make it out there, Liu–” Kitana's voice traveled somberly through the line.
Liu Kang gripped the phone in his hand watching the rain pelt against his high-rise window. The bright city lights blurred through the trails of water traveling down the glass. He slipped his other hand into his suit pocket. Thunder clapped outside and he finally opened his mouth to respond.
“It's alright. It was a long shot in the first place,” He tried not to show his disappointment in his voice.
She sighed softly, “Call me when you get home, okay? It sounded like it's coming down pretty hard over there.”
He nodded even though she couldn't see it, “I’ll talk to you later.”
“Bye Liu.”
His phone went quiet, and he dropped his hand from his ear. It had been years since they'd seen each other. It was only a few months ago when he found her again and reached out. Turns out she lives halfway across the country now and well off in her own life.
He could say the same for himself as the CEO of designer and budget friendly watch brands. His move to the city is what caused the rift between them and many of his other friends. Life and time got away from them.
He wished his work could allow him to turn back the clock and do things differently. Unfortunately, he only makes devices that tell you how much time has passed. Not control it.
Liu Kang spun around. His heart jumped seeing his COO standing there. The larger man had a knack for slipping into his office when he was distracted.
“Brooding again?” Geras uncrossed his arms.
Liu Kang put a half smile on his face and sighed softly, “This is the best spot for it. Are you leaving?”
Geras nodded while opening his backpack, “I wanted to drop this off first.” He placed an umbrella on his desk with a slight smirk.
He huffed softly, picking it up, “How did you know I'd forget?”
“You always do,” He mused, fixing the pack on his back.
They exchanged a few more words before Geras left for the night. Liu Kang took his time powering off his computer and collecting his papers. Hoping the rain would ease some.
People would expect a man like him to hop in a big fancy car after work and drive home, but he liked to walk. He had a car, of course, but he lived less than twenty minutes away and the valet service was always backed up in the morning. He rather take the load of those guys and walk.
Liu Kang cut off the lights and locked the door behind him. His steps echoed as he traveled down the hall to the elevator. It played quiet music as it descended all the way down to the ground floor. He inspected the umbrella in his hand, unwrapping the strap while the door opened.
He thanked the security guard as he opened the front door for him then locked it again.
Lightning flashed across the sky and thunder cracked shortly after. The rain hadn't let up at all and his coat barely protected him from the chill in the air. Maybe he should have brought his car today.
He sighed a puff of condensation and opened the umbrella. Cold water splashed under his feet as he walked. He cringed at the damage already happening to his socks and hemmed suit pants.
The sidewalks were understandably less crowded than they usually were. Liu Kang was able to pay more attention to the ground and make sure he didn't step into any deep puddles.
A pile of trash in an alleyway was something he definitely would have kept walking past if he didn't see a little ball of fur shift in the corner of his eye. He stopped. He didn't know why but he did.
Liu Kang was barely able to make out the lengthy black cat backing into an increasingly soaked cardboard box. Its bright blue eyes gave it away. Though as he approached they quickly grew into little round slivers while its ears pinned against its head.
Liu Kang clicked at it, bending down to get a better look. The cat hissed at him and released a deep growl. Against his better judgment he got closer, so the umbrella protected him and the entrance to the box.
The cat growled again but didn't make an attempt to move. He sat there for a moment allowing it to calm down before he reached out. It hissed watching his hand reach around it but again didn't move to stop him. Liu Kang grabbed it by its scruff and picked it up. The little thing didn't make much fuss after that.
He wedged the umbrella between his body and his arm as he opened his jacket and placed it inside. The poor thing trembled against his chest, digging its claws into his suit.
Liu Kang hummed softly, holding it close as he began walking again. Christ– what the hell was he doing? He didn't have anything to care for a cat but he sure as hell couldn't leave it out here in this.
He'll just take it to the shelter tomorrow before he goes grocery shopping or something.
*******
Upon further inspection the cat was a boy, and this suit was officially ruined. The little black cat didn't want to let go of him when he tried to put him down.
Liu Kang breathed as the cat stared up at him, his tail tapping against the ground.
“I don't know what I'm going to do with you either,” he murmured, looking around. He was wholly unprepared for this. He was probably hungry.
Liu Kang opened his fridge and opened his meat drawer. He pulled out the sliced turkey and lifted the lid. Immediately the black cat trotted over to him meowing loudly.
He tossed a few slices onto the ground and watched him crouch down and gobble them up. Cool, first problem solved. The next problem was something he couldn't just find a fix for.
The animal had to use the bathroom at some point, and he refused to have his home smelling like cat piss. Liu Kang groaned softly realizing this was a lot more work than he bargained for.
The cat merped as he picked it up and looked him in the eyes, “You better not piss in my house while I'm gone.”
He just stared back at him, of course, the cat couldn't speak. It's tail just flicked back and forth until he set him back down and threw one more piece of turkey for him. Then he grabbed his keys by the door and headed to the store to get more supplies.
Thankfully, when he returned his apartment didn't smell any different. He lugged in bags full of things and set them on the counter. Seems like he wasn't bringing the cat into the shelter tomorrow. He's already spent too much money on him. Speaking of–
Liu Kang looked around for the little thing. He checked underneath the furniture and around dark corners. Once he reached his bedroom he cringed seeing the cat curled up in the middle of his bed sleeping soundly.
He at least wanted to give him a bath first. The poor thing didn't even move when he walked in, he was exhausted. Fuck– whatever it should be fine, he didn't seem that dirty anyway.
Liu Kang let him be and set up a covered litter box in the laundry room. Then set out bowls for food and water. He found a cat hammock that suctioned to the window and thought that was a good idea to buy. He placed a scratching pad next to it to hopefully discourage him from destroying anything.
After all that he was finally able to take care of himself. He heated up a bit of leftovers he had and ate it as he scrolled idly through his phone. Normally he would be asleep by now so he didn't want to get too riled up by watching TV or something.
He cleaned his dish when he was finished and went to take a shower. Falling back to his usual nightly routine, tiredness began to weigh down on his body. Which now landed him here:
The little black cat still slept in the middle of his bed.
He sighed quietly and pulled back the covers. He squeezed himself around the cat sleeping on the far right side of the bed when he would usually sleep in the middle. It was just for the night he thought. He was allowing him to get comfortable in his new home and he was too tired to try and fuss with him again.
A warm ball of fur rested against his back. It was odd but comforting. It had been a long time since he's had another thing sleeping in bed with him. He fell asleep fairly quickly to quiet purring. Seems he'd need to give his new cat a name tomorrow.