Putrid

Here’s what I had planned:

- After Zen’s discussion with Mondatta, Genji tries to cheer him up but fails miserably. However, Zen knows what he was trying to do and is really moved.

-Zenyatta and Genji get closer, every day they go for a walk in the mountains and have a nice chat. At first Genji was very quiet, but he started sharing experiences too

- Everything seems nice and peaceful until Talon sneaks into the temple one night. Zenyatta notices and tries to stop them. Genji hears the commotion and finds Zen fighting alone, kicking ass but in need of a hand, so he jumps right in

- In the middle of the fight, Genji’s disguise gets ripped away, Zen’s eyes going straight to him. He recognizes him immediately and freezes mid-fight, causing one of Talon’s soldiers to get an advantage and stab him through. Genji goes into a frenzy and finishes the rest off.

-Zen is still conscious and in awe, staring at Genji while he carries him to Mondatta. He wants answers from him, but Genji insists that he should save his strength and not talk, there would be time for it later.

-Mondatta is pissed at Zenyatta for trying to fight (and not at Genji, plot twist!) and goes straight to fixing him up. It doesn’t work completely, the damage was way too extensive and Zen looses the use of his legs.

-Genji feels responsible for what happened and offers to take care of Zen. Zen assures him it’s not necessary, that he can manage himself. He tries to hide his pain with his usual serene smiles but Genji sees right through him.

- Genji is painfully familiar to the loss of a body part, so he stays with Zenyatta and supports the shit out of him. Zenyatta is responding well to his encouragement.

- While Genji supports Zenyatta, they talk about what happened after they went their different ways. Both get very emotional, but their bond returns even stronger than before- both promise to be completely open and honest to the other one

- After long long LONG hours of meditation each day, Zenyatta starts just slightly touching the Iris enough to hover for a short amount of time. Genji gets panicky and tells him to stop it, Zenyatta assures him he is alright, but they have to keep this from Mondatta.

- It takes him a whole year of daily training for Zenyatta to move around like he always had, the only difference is that he is not touching the ground now. Mondatta is pissed, telling him it was extremely dangerous. They have another (pretty much one-sided) discussion about it. The two of them having more difference between what’s the Iris and their purpose.

-Zen and Genji go back to their daily walks, as if nothing happened. Zen shares his worries about his ideals clashing with the other monks’s. Genji just hears him out, not knowing what to say, but ready to support any decision Zen makes.

-They stay with the Shambali for several years, until Zenyatta realizes that even though he stands from most of the Shambali’s views and values, he doesn’t think he can make the changes he wants in others if he remains here. He talks to Mondatta about it. They both agree to disagree in some in some matters, but they share their faith at their core. Mondatta tells Zen (not unkindly) that if he wishes to leave, he is free to do so with his blessing, the temple would always welcome him back with open arms

- Zenyatta goes back to Genji and tells him what happened- Without missing a beat, Genji stands up and starts packing with Zenyatta.

-They both leave the temple