#ace attorney hanzo hasashi

[hey-michael-young-history]

Modern AU

A while back, I was writing a subscorp AU where Hanzo and Bi-Han are lawyers. I mean, I guess I'm STILL writing it 🤔

ANYWAY, I stopped right at the point where Kuai Liang decides to go see Hanzo after aggravating Bi-Han but this is a scene that would have been in a future chapter. I really like it because I worry about my characterization a lot (ESPECIALLY Kuai Liang, since he's younger here, but I've accepted it) and I think I nailed Bi-Han's canon "Annoyed at Everything and Everyone for Existing" attitude, while also making him a little less flat.

You might be seeing this again when I pick it back up, but enjoy!

“You cannot afford this.”

Bi-Han couldn’t take his eyes off of the itemized plan of care in front of him. 

Root canals. Crowns. Replacements. Mouth guards. Follow up appointments. 

“$21,000,” he whispered. His heart was sinking deeper and deeper. That was more than his sign on bonus but if he crunched the numbers hard enough, he could have had all of the money. He’d survived on fake ramen before, he could do it again. 

Except. 

Except he’d spent that money. Breaking his lease, moving into the new place, furnishing the bedroom that Kuai Liang had abandoned. 

He swallowed hard, hot tears tickling his eyes. Fucking Kuai Liang. Why didn’t he say something about the fucking ice or his fucking teeth or anything?

He told Hasashi everything and naturally, Hasashi took him to the most expensive fucking dentist in the whole fucking city. Now, this smug asshole had pulled him out of the office for a lunch Bi-Han surely couldn’t afford and definitely no longer had an appetite for, to gloat over the fact that he couldn’t afford this bullshit. 

“There is something wrong with every single one of his teeth,” Hanzo explained. “Some require simple fillings, some have extensive structural damage. Your brother has been very uncomfortable for a very long time.”

“Okay,” Bi-Han snapped. “So— okay, I’m not on the insurance yet. The probationary period—”

Hanzo shook his head. “I have taken care of it. He is getting the final procedures as we speak.”

Bi-Han balled his fists and concentrated on keeping his ice contained. A week. He’d texted Kuai Liang and tried to call but he just wouldn’t answer. 

He didn’t mean to hurt his feelings. 

He definitely didn’t want Kuai Liang running off with some stranger. 

“No, I’m going to pay—”

“Lin Bi-Han,” Hanzo said sharply. “There is nothing to pay.”

Now he was being treated like a child. “You’re lucky I don’t press charges. You kidnapped my brother.”

“Kuai Liang consented to both staying with me and his oral treatment plan,” Hanzo countered. 

“Fuck you,” Bi-Han spat. 

Hanzo only smirked. 

“I want him back. Did you bring me out here to threaten me? Fire me. I don’t care. I’m not selling my brother to you, you perverted fuck.”

The disgust on his stupid face was almost worth burning this bridge. “I’m not interested in buying Kuai Liang. He is under an enormous amount of stress.”

“Oh, he’s stressed,” Bi-Han sneered. “Poor Kuai Liang. All he has to do is go to school, do his homework, clean up after himself. And he can’t even fucking do that.”

Hanzo sighed. “I can understand your frustration. It is not easy, being responsible for someone. But your anger is affecting him. There is a strong person waiting to come out of your brother.”

“Out of Kuai Liang?” Bi-Han would have laughed if he wasn't so close to crying. 

Hanzo raised an eyebrow. “You begrudge his presence in your life, yet cruelly scoff at any attempt for independence.”

“Going to you is not independence,” Bi-Han snapped. “And I want him back.”

He threw the papers down and stormed out of the dining patio. Hanzo sighed. 

[rpersearch]

Hi there, you can call me Sarah, I’m still on the search for some fandom roleplays! I’m over 21 and I've had seven years of roleplaying experience so I can consider myself knowledged over my years of writing and would prefer you be 18+ for this roleplay as I do not really interact with minors. I'm on the lookout for a fandom roleplay, oc x canon preferably in a fandom and doubling can be included too if preferred as I try to make both sides even in a story.

Fandom's I'm looking for (Bold are highly sought after):

Mortal Kombat

Overwatch

DC

Marvel/MCU (I know both comic, movie and mcu Characters)

Pokemon (I know most of the games and bits of the Manga, Anime is 50/50) Ace Attorney (Both Games and Anime)

Who I’m looking for (Does not need to be all of the characters from the fandom, one or two is fine)

(Bold is very sought after character):

Mortal Kombat: Scorpion/Hanzo Hasashi, Kuai Liang/ Sub Zero, Rain, Shang Tsung, Shinnok, Fujin or Raiden

Overwatch: Hanzo Shimada, Cole Cassidy/Jesse McCree or Reaper/Gabriel Reyes

Marvel Comics/MCU: Stephen Strange, Thor Odinson, Gambit, Loki Laufeyson, Otto Octavius/ Doc Ock or Mandarin (Comic)

Pokemon: Giovanni, Maxie, Cilan, Chili, Piers, Juan

What I can play as in a Double Up: (Bold is preffered/ Best at in my years of writing)

Mortal Kombat: Liu Kang, Kung Lao., Bi-han/ Sub Zero, Erron Black, Sonya Blade, Raiden, Fujin, Kitana, Mileena, Tanya

Overwatch: Almost anyone

Marvel/MCU: Captain America/Steve rogers , Iron man/Tony Stark, Loki, Spider man/ Peter Parker (Open to either one) I am open to others

Pokemon: Almost anyone

-

[roleplay-today]

Hi there, you can call me Sarah, I’m still on the search for some fandom roleplays! I’m over 21 and I've had seven years of roleplaying experience so I can consider myself knowledged over my years of writing and would prefer you be 18+ for this roleplay as I do not really interact with minors. I'm on the lookout for a fandom roleplay, oc x canon preferably in a fandom and doubling can be included too if preferred as I try to make both sides even in a story.

Fandom's I'm looking for (Bold are highly sought after):

Mortal Kombat

Overwatch

DC

Marvel/MCU (I know both comic, movie and mcu Characters)

Pokemon (I know most of the games and bits of the Manga, Anime is 50/50) Ace Attorney (Both Games and Anime)

Who I’m looking for (Does not need to be all of the characters from the fandom, one or two is fine)

(Bold is very sought after character):

Mortal Kombat: Scorpion/Hanzo Hasashi, Kuai Liang/ Sub Zero, Rain, Shang Tsung, Shinnok, Fujin or Raiden

Overwatch: Hanzo Shimada, Cole Cassidy/Jesse McCree or Reaper/Gabriel Reyes

Marvel Comics/MCU: Stephen Strange, Thor Odinson, Gambit, Loki Laufeyson, Otto Octavius/ Doc Ock or Mandarin (Comic)

Pokemon: Giovanni, Maxie, Cilan, Chili, Piers, Juan

What I can play as in a Double Up: (Bold is preffered/ Best at in my years of writing)

Mortal Kombat: Liu Kang, Kung Lao., Bi-han/ Sub Zero, Erron Black, Sonya Blade, Raiden, Fujin, Kitana, Mileena, Tanya

Overwatch: Almost anyone

Marvel/MCU: Captain America/Steve rogers , Iron man/Tony Stark, Loki, Spider man/ Peter Parker (Open to either one) I am open to others

Pokemon: Almost anyone

[erenaeoth]

Questions for an Author

Thank you for the tag @eulerami​! I was just thinking of you, so glad to get this and read about your projects!

I’m not sure how many of you want to be tagged, so please feel free if you read this!

Name: Eren/Flane/OneShotRevolt

Top 5 Fandoms Written:

Tekken (7)

Mortal Kombat (12)

Overwatch (1, but it was long so bite me)

Tolkien (some but they were very short)

For a fifth I guess either Yakuza or Star Wars. One Yakuza one-shot and some star wars drabbles kicking around.

Top 5 Fandoms You Want To Write For/More: I’m still writing Tekken, and I’m thinking of finishing another Overwatch one. I never plan on writing for anything, I just do what I feel like in the moment.

Stories You Wish More People Knew About: I’ve read some really great fics, especially in Ace Attorney, where a bunch of fic writers thought not only were they going to ace character drama, but why not write complex detective novels at the same time. Its a huge skill to write in that genre and there are some seriously amazing AA case fics out there.

Ship(s) Written The Most:

Jun x Kazuya (Tekken)

Jin x Hwoarang (Tekken)

Gabe x Jack (Overwatch)

Kuai Liang x Tomas Vrbada (Mortal Kombat)

Character(s) Written The Most: Kazuya Mishima, Lee Chaolan, Bi-Han, Kuai Liang, Tomas Vrbada, Hanzo Hasashi, Genji Shimada

How Many OCs Do You Have: For fanfiction I make OCs as they are needed for the story, so for full length fics it can be a very large cast. I also have my own original characters for all my original stories.

How Many Series Do You Have: Kinda depends what you consider a series to be. I wrote 3 long fics in both Tekken and Mortal Kombat, and each story within those sort of continues on from the other, so both can be considered a trilogy. I also have short story collections that might be considered a series. The only true series I’m doing is a Tekken 2 series with my co-author, as we are planning them to more deliberately follow on from one another.

What Do You Do With Fics You’re No Longer Interested In?: Bury them. Sometimes I might return to them, but most of the time they’re buried for a good reason. (being terrible or boring or both)

Coming Soon: hmm... a short story about young Lee Chaolan is in the works; a one-shot about Genji and Hanzo having gangster trouble is half done; lots of co-authored Tekken works on the backburner too.

Line From A WIP: “O-oh, gambling.” Genji wiped a bead of sweat from his brow. “Oh, ah… I mean. I’ve never heard of it. Gambling is uh illegal.”

Do You Accept Prompts? Yes I take prompts, mostly for Tekken. Whether I do them depends on how I feel about them, but I always welcome the suggestion.

How Do You Feel About Kudos? They are excellent. It’s always nice to wake up to an email saying someone has left Kudos (:

Do You Read Fic As Well? Yes, I do. I’ve met some of my best friends through reading fanfic. I was welcomed into the Tekken fanfic community by incredible writers who took the time to come and read my stories, so I always like to try and make sure I’m also on the look out for new fics to read and support.

[ephemeronrp]

Hey, everyone!

Under the cut is the list of characters that did not have a form sent in. If there was a mistake, please let the staff know so that we can fix that! Otherwise, any mun who forgot to check in during the AC has 24 HOURS to re-apply for their characters. 

After that 24 hour period, these characters will be considered dropped. Thank you all for participating in this month's AC! 

CANON CHARACTERS

Archer (EMIYA) (Fate)

Peter Parker (Marvel)

Ene (Kagerou Project)

Noctis Lucis Caelum (Final Fantasy)

Adam (Nier: Automata)

Apollo Justice (Ace Attorney)

Revya (Soul Nomad)

Gran (Grandblue Fantasy)

Chesed (Lobotomy Corporation)

Eve (Nier: Automata)

Hanzo Hasashi / Scorpion (Mortal Kombat)

Ignis Scientia (Final Fantasy)

Jinguji Jakurai (Hypnosis Microphone)

Hifumi Izanami (Hypnosis Microphone)

Jiro Yamada (Hypnosis Microphone)

Aymeric de Borel (Final Fantasy)

Albedo (Ben 10)

Kusuriuri (Mononoke)

Yamato Nikaidou (Idolish7)

Hugo Pennywort (God Eater)

Allen Walker (D.Gray-man)

Luka (God Eater)

ORIGINAL CHARACTERS:

Taaffeite 

John Viole Laurent 

[ao3feed-danganronpa]

Before the battle...

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/2BHQb6y

by TheOutrageousMoose

Imagine if your character was somehow in a fighting game. What would they say against another character they're up against. Or prehaps there's a really cool quote idea that the character never said in the original game fighting game that they were in. This fic is here for me to answer your prayers. If you want you can request what would happen if 2 characters fought agianst eachother in Mortal Kombat 11 style. If you have recommendation for two characters you want to see fight against eachother or have an idea you want to submit just let me know. (10-20 quotes per chapter)

Words: 292, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English

Fandoms: Mortal Kombat (Video Games), DCU (Comics), Touhou Project, ジョジョの奇妙な冒険 | JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken | JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Captain Underpants Series - Dav Pilkey, Miss.Bindergarten's' Kindergarten, Incredibles (Pixar Movies), Dangan Ronpa - All Media Types, 逆転裁判 | Gyakuten Saiban | Ace Attorney, Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magika | Puella Magi Madoka Magica, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Marvel Cinematic Universe

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Categories: Gen

Characters: Hanzo Hasashi | Scorpion, Bruce Wayne, Hakurei Reimu, Dio Brando, Narancia Ghirga, Mr. Krupp (Captain Underpants), Ms.Bindergarden (Miss.Bindergarten's' Kindergarten), Lucius "Frozone" Best, Kuai Liang | Sub-Zero, Komaeda Nagito, Naruhodou Ryuuichi | Phoenix Wright, Akemi Homura, Rocket Raccoon

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/2BHQb6y

[ao3feed-brucewayne]

Before the battle...

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/2BHQb6y

by TheOutrageousMoose

Imagine if your character was somehow in a fighting game. What would they say against another character they're up against. Or prehaps there's a really cool quote idea that the character never said in the original game fighting game that they were in. This fic is here for me to answer your prayers. If you want you can request what would happen if 2 characters fought agianst eachother in Mortal Kombat 11 style. If you have recommendation for two characters you want to see fight against eachother or have an idea you want to submit just let me know. (10-20 quotes per chapter)

Words: 292, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English

Fandoms: Mortal Kombat (Video Games), DCU (Comics), Touhou Project, ジョジョの奇妙な冒険 | JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken | JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Captain Underpants Series - Dav Pilkey, Miss.Bindergarten's' Kindergarten, Incredibles (Pixar Movies), Dangan Ronpa - All Media Types, 逆転裁判 | Gyakuten Saiban | Ace Attorney, Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magika | Puella Magi Madoka Magica, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Marvel Cinematic Universe

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Categories: Gen

Characters: Hanzo Hasashi | Scorpion, Bruce Wayne, Hakurei Reimu, Dio Brando, Narancia Ghirga, Mr. Krupp (Captain Underpants), Ms.Bindergarden (Miss.Bindergarten's' Kindergarten), Lucius "Frozone" Best, Kuai Liang | Sub-Zero, Komaeda Nagito, Naruhodou Ryuuichi | Phoenix Wright, Akemi Homura, Rocket Raccoon

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/2BHQb6y

[hey-michael-young-history]

Sexy Lawyer AU Part 2

🥳🥳

No longer banned. Got delicious fic for birthday. Got beautiful art that was denied to me for two days. I need an outlet for all of these good feelings. I’m not done but here’s more of that subscorp AU

Kuai Liang couldn’t remember the last time he slept in a bed. 

It felt better than sleeping on the couch. He now understood why Bi-Han was determined to find a place where he could have his own room. Kuai Liang pushed himself off of the bed. He wasn’t at home. He checked his clothing but couldn’t find his phone.

Oh no. 

He was in a hotel room. The hotel room of a man he had met only the night before, although that man was nowhere to be found. The sun was up. He had stayed in this room with that man he did not know. 

Did anyone see him? Someone had to have seen him. And Bi-Han would find out. But he hadn’t done anything with him. Not really. They kissed, but he wasn’t sure how long. He got tired. The bed was just so comfortable and he was so tired. Hanzo had stopped when Kuai Liang yawned for the third time and insisted that they go to sleep. He decided to sleep on the couch and Kuai Liang could take the bed. 

Remembering the previous night had brought a smile to Kuai Liang’s face but the reality of the day ahead had snatched it back. Today was not going to be good. He would be late to class. He wasn’t going to be able to make breakfast for Bi-Han. He had to find some way home. 

He had to find his phone. 

He pulled the sheets off the bed. Then the mattress from the frame. Not there. He searched on the couch and took it apart, carefully examining the small spaces. 

The door opened and he turned immediately. Hanzo.

He looked at the sofa and the bed. “Did you lose something?”

“My phone.”

Hanzo reached into his pocket and took out the phone. “It was dying. I wanted to get a charger but it’s a bit… old. So I needed to show the charging port. I charged it for you. Would you like breakfast?”

Kuai Liang turned on the phone and his heart thumped in his ears when he saw that he had missed a call. And a simple text. 

Where are you?

Naturally, Kuai Liang hadn’t answered and Bi-Han hadn’t called or texted again. He had never failed to answer. And now…

He closed his phone. “I need to get home.”

“Of course. Where do you live? We can get something for you on the way.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“Your stomach says otherwise. It was growling all night.”

He’d just have to find some food at home. It was Friday, the day Bi-Han usually gave him more money. But he probably wasn’t home…

“I can’t. I used all of my food money.” Talking to Hanzo was too easy. No one was supposed to know that. He hadn’t meant to say that, he hadn’t even told Bi-Han yet. On Tuesday, he had fallen asleep in the library and missed some of his classes. When Bi-Han picked him up, he realized that he had left his backpack. He had to buy a new calculator and replace his notebooks.

His finals were coming up and all of his notes were gone. There was no way he could pass without those notes. Kuai Liang’s stomach tightened. Bi-Han was definitely unhappy about him not answering the phone. Now he had to ask for money and explain why he was going to fail his finals. And Bi-Han would want to know what he had done, where he had been.

“Kuai Liang.” Hanzo was in front of him and turning his face. “Have I done something to upset you?”

“No.” Hanzo didn’t owe him anything and most likely, he would never see him again. Kuai Liang didn’t even know where Bi-Han would be working. “I just can’t afford to buy any food.”

“Don’t worry about that.”

“I have no money for gas…”

Hanzo placed a hand on his shoulder. “I am not asking you for anything but to eat and tell me where you’d like me to take you.”

Hanzo was offering to feed him. And give him a ride. Those were two problems that he didn’t have to worry about. Relief rushed over him and before he could stop himself, he dove into Hanzo’s arms.

“Thank you, Hanzo. Thank you, thank you.”

Hanzo was patting his back now and Kuai Liang kissed him. It felt so natural. 

“Would you like for me to drop you off at school?” Hanzo asked. 

He meant to apologize for clinging but instead, he heard himself saying, “I can’t go to school today. I need to try to study. All of my notes are gone.”

“What happened to your notes?”

Kuai Liang explained as they checked out and got into Hanzo’s car. He didn’t say anything and when Kuai Liang finished telling him, he simply stared ahead. Even if Hanzo didn’t say anything, it felt so good to confess everything, to share the knowledge with someone else, even if he didn’t care.

“Perhaps someone in the library found it. Why don’t we go ask?” 

Kuai Liang stared at him. It was no one’s fault but his own. He never bothered the librarians. He came in to study. That was all. 

“We should ask,” Hanzo pressed. “Even if it simply rules out one place it could be.”

“What if they are angry?”

“They will not be angry,” Hanzo assured him. 

They drove into the city and when they arrived at the campus library, Kuai Liang was staring out the window, still trying to accept the idea that he was going to bother someone for his mistakes. 

“Come,” Hanzo said, exiting the car. 

Kuai Liang folded his arms and turned away when Hanzo came around to his side. 

“They will not be angry. And even if they are, you did nothing wrong,” he said, offering his hand. 

Even if they are? He sank into his seat. If there was a chance that someone would be angry or think less of him, no matter how small, then they would. And now, either the librarians would be angry at him for bothering them or Hanzo would think less of him for not wanting to withstand their anger. 

“No. I accept the consequences of my negligence.” He wouldn’t see Hanzo again after today. But he’d have to face the librarians or lose his sanctuary on campus. Imagining Hanzo’s disappointment constricted his chest, but he needed something in his life to remain stable. Once he returned home, Bi-Han might be disappointed as well. Or worse. 

“Then I will retrieve your bag. I will return shortly.” 

He closed the door and looked at Kuai Liang, fully aware of the annoyance he must have been showing. God, he looked terrified. What was he so afraid of? Hanzo’s eyes landed on the scar again and he couldn’t help but soften his expression. 

He stood and straightened his clothes before walking to the campus library. Fortunately , this was an open campus, so he could walk right up. Of course, there was still security, so it helped that he still looked reasonably decent. He had the foresight to remove his clothes before he slept, unlike Kuai Liang, who pretty much fell asleep the instant he closed his eyes. His clothes were wrinkled but the man himself had looked so at peace in his sleep that Hanzo couldn’t help but admire. 

He didn’t get much sleep and wasn’t pleased when he was awakened by Kuai Liang’s phone chirping. 

Where are you? 

A simple text that annoyed him. Greatly. Kuai Liang was not that much younger than his brother. Why was he being checked up on, held on such a short leash? He wondered… his brother, Bi-Han. He couldn’t be responsible for the scar, could he? Kuai Liang spoke of him so reverently. And they hadn’t been living together for very long. The scar was faded enough that he couldn’t have been the one. 

The chirping began again and Hanzo turned his attention back to the phone. Now he was calling. Fantastic. 

Hanzo turned the volume down to silent. Kuai Liang didn’t need to be kept under surveillance. 

I don’t even know this man.

That was true, but this deep need to defend him was hard to argue with. What kind of brother could Bi-Han be if he was only calling now, the day after the party? His sheltered brother hadn’t returned home and he only thought to call and try to locate him the day after. Hanzo admitted that he let his annoyance and irritation get the best of him. He responded to Bi-Han’s text. Where you left me. Be home sometime today.

He regretted it as soon as he sent it. It would stop his brother from harassing him, certainly. And it was the first step in Kuai Liang standing up for himself. But he didn’t want Kuai Liang seeing it before they had a chance to speak. 

So Hanzo deleted it and marked Bi-Han’s text as unread. 

This wasn’t deception. Kuai Liang needed peace. If he saw that his brother had stopped texting, he’d be able to relax. 

“Can I help you, sir?”

Hanzo looked down at the desk he was in front of. A young woman with a bright smile was watching him eagerly. Student, definitely. Work study assignment, from the notes and textbooks splayed out on the desk behind her. 

“Yes. A friend of mine misplaced his bag the other day.”

January 11th, 2022 10:38pm      

[hey-michael-young-history]

December 16th, 2021 4:16am

Took a break from writing (and sleeping, obviously) to find more WIPs.

I had a dream a while back of Ace Attorney Hanzo in a suit YES, a suit, and it was pretty fantastic. So I wrote this over the course of a couple of days and didn’t like the direction because, once again, far too soft Kuai Liang. I need to just allow myself to indulge already.

It’s a long one because, seriously, Hanzo Hasashi in a suit.

A New Friend

He knew that he would stick out here, that he didn’t belong.

Kuai Liang kept his face as neutral as possible as the senior partner concluded his speech and began to shake hands with the freshly hired attorneys, welcoming each to the firm by name.

He couldn’t help but smile when he heard his brother’s name. Kuai Liang had chosen a corner in the back of the room to observe and stay out of everyone’s path. He had enough experience with these events to know that the less attention he attracted, the better. But he wouldn’t miss the opportunity to support his brother’s accomplishments. He had missed out on Bi-Han graduating college and law school. Despite that, Bi-Han still took him in when he had nowhere else to go, so the least Kuai Liang could do was put aside his discomfort and support him.

He could imagine how proud Bi-Han looked now and, for a moment, wished he could get closer, to actually see him. But he didn’t need to be reminded that his presence was only barely tolerated here- the woman who checked him in had avoided looking at him, and when she couldn’t, her eyes lingered at his scar, the ugly scar that dragged along the right side of his face.  

No matter how nicely he was dressed, no matter how polite he was, people reacted to the scar, and it always made him self-conscious.

“I never want to see you hiding it. You have nothing to be ashamed of.”

Bi-Han insisted on this when Kuai Liang came to live with him. He had mastered hiding it, using makeup to soften it, to the point where his brother hadn’t noticed until he had forgotten to lock the bathroom door one day.

From there, he had put two and two together and focused on getting Kuai Liang to do something other than sit in the tiny apartment they now shared.

He didn’t know how Bi-Han had become so successful, considering how harsh and cold he was with other people. He hadn’t seen his older brother in ten years, when he initially refused to take him, leaving him in foster care until he aged out.

Kuai Liang shook his head and clapped as everyone else did. A few heads turned his way, so he clapped softer until everyone finished, and the senior partner invited everyone to enjoy the night. The ceremony was over, and he hoped Bi-Han would be ready to go.

He stayed in the corner, watching others laugh and drink around him. This was a beautiful hotel, and this room was filled with lively people, with nice smelling food and elegant music playing. He could imagine Bi-Han in the midst of it, blending in, being part of the fun. He tried to smile, as everyone else was, but he felt everyone staring, knowing that it was fake and he didn’t belong here.

His phone vibrated, and he looked, already knowing it was his brother. There was no one to give his number to, no one who would text him. Eat something. The message was brief, but if he needed to eat, Bi-Han anticipated being here for at least another two hours.

This was expected but still disappointing. He had been in classes all day, and tomorrow was another heavy class day. He had just gotten home when Bi-Han texted him the address and the dress code. He had taken a bus to cross the city, then spent the last of his money on a cab to get to the hotel. He hadn’t asked Bi-Han for a ride home and hoped that if he agreed to stay without argument, he wouldn’t have to.

Yes. Kuai Liang’s response didn’t matter; Bi-Han just needed acknowledgment that he had received it. Now, Kuai Liang needed to find a new spot to be in. Eventually, some of these people would get drunk and try to talk to him, get him to dance, or keep him hostage with controversial opinions. He also needed to figure out an alternative, just in case Bi-Han couldn’t give him a ride home.

He put his phone back in his pocket but not before seeing a handsome stranger approaching him with two drinks.

********

Hanzo Hasashi dreaded these kinds of events.

For five years, he had attended these quarterly celebrations, beginning with his very own, and since then, he always thought it would be better suited for an email he could delete, not a night he was forced to attend.

He looked over the new hires, most fresh graduates. Families were watching, spouses mostly, and a whole lot of alcohol.

Hanzo had learned early on that these parties were notorious for hooking up, and though he had never approached anyone, colleague or otherwise, he was not averse to passing the time with some harmless flirting.

The partners always offered everyone a room. To avoid any irresponsible driving issues, they insisted. Hanzo always took it, especially on winter nights like this. No point in fighting the traffic, and it gave him an excuse to call out the next day.

His eyes swept over the room until they landed on him.

A young man standing in the back corner near the door. He stared ahead, keeping his head slightly tilted to the right with a passive face as one of the partners greeted each hire by name.

It wasn’t boredom. He listened closely to each name, leaning forward, then settling back. Every so often, he would fold his arms, muscles tightening against the clean white collared shirt, before putting them behind his back.

He was not an attorney here; he was too young. Though it was hard to assume from the lack of facial hair. He couldn’t be older than his mid-twenties.

A faint smile suddenly graced his face, causing Hanzo to turn and listen. Ah. He must be here for that hire- this one had all the makings of a golden boy, and the firm had pursued him. He wasn’t much younger than Hanzo, so he was a brother or cousin, perhaps.

He turned his attention back to the young man, smiling brighter and clapping enthusiastically. Others were smiling at him as he clapped. And why not? His smile lifted a veil and brightened his entire face. Once he noticed the attention, the young man’s face dimmed, and he slowed his applause.

He continued to listen but retrieved a phone from the pocket of the jacket he was holding. Hanzo couldn’t take his eyes off him. He didn’t check his jacket in, so either he was new to these functions, or he didn’t plan to stay long.

A flash of disappointment crossed his face, but he quickly closed the phone and put it away. His eyes looked around the room, but he didn’t move his head. Perhaps he was looking for someone.

Hanzo approached a nearby bar and carefully took two glasses. He wanted to speak with this young man. His company would surely be more interesting than the same talking points he had expected from these events.

He made his way over and was surprised at how quickly the man spotted him. He saw another flash of emotion, but it disappeared as quickly as it surfaced.

“Hello,” Hanzo began. “Would you care for a drink?”

The young man took it but turned his head even more to the right. “Thank you.”

He looked away from Hanzo and frowned at the flute he now held. Hanzo smiled.  Likely not a drinker.

“May I ask your name?”

“Kuai Liang,” he said.

“Kuai Liang,” Hanzo repeated.

He blushed immediately, and Hanzo couldn’t help but chuckle. Perhaps he was not used to others saying his name.

“Are you here with one of the recent hires?”

“Yes, my brother, Bi-Han.” At that, Kuai Liang smiled again and looked Hanzo straight in the eye. “He worked very diligently, and he is so pleased-”

He stopped speaking suddenly and touched his right cheek as though he was confirming that it was now facing Hanzo. The attorney raised an eyebrow, then furrowed them when Kuai Liang didn’t continue and instead turned to hide the right side of his face again.

He was speaking freely, and even though he wasn’t speaking of himself, he had relaxed. A conversation was starting.

Before he could think better of it, Hanzo grabbed Kuai Liang’s jaw and turned his face to see his right side.

Ah.

A scar just above his eyebrow ran over his eye, down to the bottom of his cheek. A deliberate scar. Though long healed, it broke the symmetry of Kuai Liang’s face. He couldn’t have been more than twenty-five. Who did this? Why?

Realizing how intently he was studying his face, Hanzo released his hold. “My apologies, I-”

“I have to go,” Kuai Liang said quietly. He still hadn’t looked at Hanzo and quickly put his jacket on.

“It was not my intention to--”

But Kuai Liang didn’t wait to listen. He quickly walked into the crowd, keeping his face down as he did so.

———-

His stomach was in knots.

Today of all days, he would meet someone like this stranger.

His voice kept repeating in his head. Kuai Liang. Kuai Liang. He said it so melodically, with a smile on his face. This handsome stranger had made his way to him, out of everyone there.

And he had made a fool of himself.

He sat on the fountain outside and sniffed the wine again. Still smelled sharp and unpleasant.

He would now have the awkward duty of returning the glass. Hopefully, Bi-Han wouldn’t see him do it.  

Kuai Liang’s fingers reached up and traced the scar. Another person was put off by the mere sight of his face. Except this time, he had let his guard down and left his face completely open.

His chest tightened when his mind replayed it. Bi-Han was wrong about this. The scar frightened people. And that was okay because if the scar didn’t frighten them away, they would be put off by him.

“Kuai Liang.”

He looked up before he could adjust his face to the moonlight. It was the stranger walking towards him.

“I believe you dropped your phone.”

He stopped and extended the small flip phone to its owner.

“Oh…” Kuai Liang checked it, but no messages from Bi-Han. “Thank you… ah?”

“Hanzo Hasashi,” the stranger said with another smile.

“Mr. Hasashi,” Kuai Liang repeated, and Hanzo smiled a little wider.

“I apologize for making you uncomfortable. But I would like to continue conversing.” He sat next to Kuai Liang on the fountain's edge as he spoke.

He was on Kuai Liang’s right side, and knowing that Hanzo had full access to his scar made his head swim. Say something. Hanzo’s complete attention was on him.

“Bi-Han, my brother, he’s very excited about joining--”

“I have heard promising things of your brother. I wish to know more about you.”

Kuai Liang grimaced. He wanted to know about the scar. That was it. And his face would morph from pity to disgust until he had enough and would leave, whispering to other people about him.

“It can be difficult to speak freely about yourself,” Hanzo said. “I will help you. To start…"

He took the flute from Kuai Liang and teased, "Would you care for a different drink?”

“I am sorry. I did not wish to offend you when you offered it,” Kuai Liang began. “I did not want to cause trouble.”

“You do not have to accept anything offered to you if you do not want it,” Hanzo assured him.

“I do not care for the taste or the way it makes me feel,” Kuai Liang admitted. “Bi-Han believes that I need to try more. He believes it would be easier for me to relax and make friends. If I make friends, I may do better in school.”

“What school do you attend?” Hanzo asked.  He could gauge an age here.

“The… city college. I began this fall.  My finals are next week,” he said quietly. He was looking at his hands now, with his head lowered. “There are many people, and Bi-Han asks why I do not attend study groups or go to campus activities. I…”

Community College. He was at least eighteen, but he looked older.

“I shouldn't….”

“Shouldn’t?”

He clenched his hands. “I shouldn't….” He turned and looked Hanzo in the eye, a deep alluring brown. “Please forgive me, Mr. Hasashi, but how old are you?”

“Hanzo,” the older man insisted. “I am thirty.”

He looked relieved at that number which almost made Hanzo sigh in relief himself.

“I am twenty-four. When Bi-Han was my age, he was in law school. Our parents were very proud of him.” He looked down at his hands again. “They were not proud of me. They would still not be.”

“I am sure--”

“They wouldn’t,” Kuai Liang interrupted. “Please. Don’t.”

“I am proud of you,” Hanzo said even faster than he thought.

Kuai Liang looked up and smiled. “You do not know me.”

“I know that you are very supportive of your older brother. I know that you are attending school and trying your best. It is difficult to resume college once you take time after high school.”

He smiled a little wider and looked at his feet. “Thank you.”

He yawned, and Hanzo wasn’t sure what it was, but something, some kind of understanding, had passed between them.  This was beyond the harmless flirting he thought he’d partake in tonight.

He rested his hand on Kuai Liang’s back.  “Would you care to join me in my room? The night will only get cooler, and we could enjoy the privacy.”

He stood and extended his hand, fully expecting Kuai Liang to push away his hand, to politely reject the offer. But to his surprise, he looked at his phone, closed it, and took Hanzo’s hand without hesitation.

——-

Kuai Liang became a lot more chatty with alcohol in him.

Hanzo had convinced him to try a mixed drink that smelled more of fruit than alcohol. He wanted more after the first glass, but Hanzo led him to his room while the younger man smiled and spoke eagerly.

Hanzo learned a lot on that trip to his room. His parents had died when he was a teenager. His brother had already left home, and Kuai Liang was placed in foster care until he aged out and, after some years, found Bi-Han.  He was completely devoted to his brother, performing the domestic chores, handling the cooking, and listening to him reason out arguments. Their apartment was small, but he didn’t mind sleeping on the couch so Bi-Han could keep his room. Now that Bi-Han had a good job, they would look for bigger apartments so that Kuai Liang could have his own room. But he didn’t mind their apartment at all.

He didn’t like school, but Bi-Han asked him to go. He had spent the last year confined in their apartment- his choice, not Bi-Han’s, he insisted. Being outside was still a bit challenging. He almost didn’t find this hotel. English was not his first language, and he had been homeschooled, so sometimes it was difficult to remember oral directions. He didn’t have a phone with GPS capabilities and didn’t want to ask because he didn’t want to be selfish. Bi-Han had already done so much for him, letting him live there, encouraging him to go to school, and even finding a place with more rooms.

Hanzo gave him a bottle of water, which he was extremely grateful for. Kuai Liang drank the water and sat on the edge of the bed. He removed his jacket and folded it, setting it in his lap. It was as though he had trained himself to take up as little space as possible.

“You are very handsome, Mr. Hasashi,” he said. It was objectively stated as though it was a simple, undeniable fact. If it was an attempt at flirting, it was so straightforward and purely intentioned that Hanzo couldn’t help but be charmed by it.

“Hanzo,” he insisted again. “Thank you.”

Kuai Liang looked down at his jacket, then back up at Hanzo.

“Bi-Han doesn’t know,” he said.

“About?”

“Me,” Kuai Liang’s smile was gone, but the flush in his cheeks stayed. “That I… like men. I kissed another boy once.”

Alcohol-induced confessions weren’t new to Hanzo, but the guilt was so clear on his face that Hanzo couldn’t help but sit next to him.

“But I haven’t since then,” Kuai Liang insisted, and Hanzo believed him. “My parents didn’t want me around anymore. But Bi-Han didn’t want me either. I don’t know why he changed his mind, but I always wonder when he will find out.”

Kuai Liang shook his head. “My foster parents said I could tell them anything, so I told them. I still think of it, and I want to kiss again. And they didn’t want me either. But I did everything they asked, so they would forgive me. I even tried to stop thinking about it.”

Hanzo grabbed Kuai Liang by the neck and kissed him. In part to stop him from talking. And… because he sounded so resigned to the fact that he’d never kiss again. So guilty over the small pleasure of enjoying someone’s company. So afraid that the person he admired most would immediately reject him for his very human desires. He shouldn’t have touched this obviously sheltered person, but if he never saw Kuai Liang again after tonight, he wanted to send him away with good memories.

He was reassured by how quickly Kuai Liang reacted to him. He moaned and pressed closer immediately. Hanzo wrapped his arm around him as he deepened the kiss, pulling him down onto the bed.

“Swear to me that you will not tell,” Kuai Liang requested. He sat up and looked down pleadingly.

Hanzo laughed and reached to pull him down again, but Kuai Liang held firm. “Swear it.”

“I will not tell a soul,” Hanzo promised.

[hey-michael-young-history]

January 4th, 2022 9:14pm

Anonymous: Gotta say love your writing. Got any plans to continue that modern subscorp au. 

Thank you!

I’ve got to finish my 5+1 fic first, but it’s another “Tumblr exclusive” I’m casually working on.

Please, proceed under the cut for a tiny snip.

Where Are You

Hanzo looked at the sofa and the bed. “Did you lose something?”

“My phone.”

Hanzo reached into his pocket and took out the phone. “It was dying. I wanted to get a charger, but it’s a bit… old. So I needed to see the charging port. It’s charged now. What would you like for breakfast?”

Kuai Liang turned on the phone, and his heart thumped in his ears when he saw that he had missed a call. A simple text followed. 

Where are you?

It was from last night. Kuai Liang hadn’t answered, and Bi-Han hadn’t called or texted again. He had never failed to answer. And now…

He closed his phone. “I need to get home.”

“Of course. Where do you live? We can get something for you on the way.”

mortal kombat modern au ace attorney hanzo hasashi ace attorney Bi-Han kuai liang subscorp