timeless

        Hana doesn’t mean to be so… Weak. And as tears fell from her eyes, staining her cheeks as she hopelessly wipe her tears away with her hands and arms, she curses herself. Again and again. For being so weak, for crying, for letting her thoughts and feelings get into her. For crying just because she was finally tired of being the hero. Of always having to be away from her home, her friends, everyone and while she’s found a new home here in Overwatch, it still didn’t stop the homesickness slowly eating her up inside. And it doesn’t stop the thoughts plaguing her mind, wondering if there was even any point to any of this anymore.

Waking up early in the morning to train and exercise, always reminding herself to be ready at any time, jumping at the smallest of sounds, wondering who it was. What it was. And if everyone’s safe even when it’s already time for sleep. She takes a deep breath in and curls up on her bed, her back resting against the headboard as she cups her face with both of her hands.

What would Yuna do? She thinks to herself. What would Dae-Hyun do? What would Kyung-Soo, Jae-Eun and Seung-Hwa do?

They gave her full support when Overwatch’s message reached her email, cheering for her, telling her over and over and over again that more than anyone else in the team, it was her who would fit in Overwatch best. You’ll make a wonderful hero, they said to her, in fact, you already are, Hana.

But how can she be a hero if she finds it hard to sleep at night? How is she a hero if she can’t even fight her own thoughts? Hana takes a shaky breath in, hoping to muffle her sobs as more tears gather in her eyes, threatening to spill. They would have, she’s sure, were it not for the familiar voice filling her room and the comforting embrace she’s pulled into. And there’s so much concern in Lena’s voice that Hana can’t help but justーjust try and pretend it was nothing. That’s she’s alright. Because that’s what heroes do, right?

❛ Iー ❜ Taking another deep breath in, she hurriedly wipes her tears away before wrapping her arms around the Briton, returning the embrace with her own. ❛ I was justー preparing for my new acting gig, is all… ❜ Pulling away from the embrace, she looks at Lena with what she hopes is the same mocking smirk she always wears when teasing the other, and not a broken smile, ❛ did I make you worry? ❜

If the situation wasn’t so dire, Lena might’ve scoffed at the poor attempt at a smirk. It didn’t take much to figure out that something was bothering the MEKA pilot. Hell, ‘bother’ was just putting it lightly. There was much going on behind under that strong facade. She still keeps her arms wrapped around the younger girl’s torso as she pulls back to give some space. “New acting gig?” And there’s a hint of disbelief in her voice, “You must be getting rusty,” She attempts at a light joke to lighten the mood, but Lena knew that it wasn’t possible to run away from the topic. 

Nevertheless, seeing Hana like this — - tired, exhausted and almost at the brink. It would be a lie if she claimed that it didn’t worry her. And perhaps, she did feel a little upset that Hana couldn’t talk to her about it, but she wasn’t about to give up just yet. Sometimes, being a hero for too long broke people. They were still human after all.  She remembered the times where she found the other members at their breaking point as well, even herself. That was probably why she often told others that the world could use more heroes. They needed a new era of hope, people who were able to carry the mantle and responsibilities of inspiring hope and to defend the world. As time went on, the more jaded and tired people got. It was easier to find all the wrong in the world, easier to wish for something normal instead of paranoia. And, she was a firm believer that there was just simply no point in continuing on once it was starting to break the mind. 

For herself, Lena knew she could carry on. She was in control of her time, ageing differently from the others and to help the new members. It’s a must because Overwatch was her home. 

There was nothing that kept her going than her own will. 

Heaving a sigh, the Briton straightens her back and continues down the hall — - making her way back to her own room to get some shut eye. It was pathetic, utterly pathetic for her to be in this shape just after one mission. Exhaustion and frustration never did go together, she figured. There was Talon and the Omnics to worry about, and for her, a hero’s work would never be done. 

So in her state of exhaustion, Lena doubts herself when she hears sniffling. At first, she shrugs it off; thinking of it as nothing and continues on. But as she closes in on a certain room, the sniffling only got louder. 

Brows furrowing in worry, she couldn’t help but wonder just who was up this late at night, much less spending the late hours crying. She sucks in a deep breath, turning her head and rolls her shoulders to loosen the stiff joints before knocking on the door. Regardless of getting a response, Lena barges in anyway. ( or so she’d like to claim, but really it was just her opening the door normally. )

“Hana?” She whispers the young mech pilot’s name so softly, she genuinely wondered if it was even heard. “Oh — - Hana...” Nimble fingers were quick to shut the door behind her as she slipped into the room. She doesn’t hesitate to run to the younger girl’s side and pulls her into a hug. “What’s wrong, luv?” 

        For a short while Hana remains silentーas though what Lena had just suggested flew right past her head. And perhaps it did, because it takes her a few more second or minutes, even, before it finally hits her with a furrow of her eyebrows. Did the cheery Briton just suggest they make an excuse just so they could visit Busan?

It sounded rather tempting, yes. Hana misses Korea so, and Busan all the more, but what if something bad happens while they were away? It had happened before when her team decided to take a few day’s rest after a Gwishin attack, what more now?

❛ I… Don’t know, Lena… Unless there’s an actual mission to be done, we really shouldn’tー ❜ Pursing her lips into a thin line as she cuts herself short, Hana gazes down at her cereal. Lucky Charms. Kyung-Soo’s favorite. And her chest tightens as she comes to miss everyone more and more. ❛ IーI mean, I know Busan is always at a risk of an Omnic attack… I… I suppose we could look into it… Just to make sure, yeah? ❜ She turns her head up to look at Lena in the eyes, hoping that her friend would agree with her terrible excuse. ❛ Just to make sure. ❜

She knew it wasn’t the right thing to do to encourage this, but the mech pilot looked like she needed a break. A bemused hum escapes her lips as she continues to watch Hana give into the temptation and consider her suggestion. Her fingers wrap around the handle of her cup, bringing it up so she could take another sip of her coffee. Even if she hides her smile, her eyes tell it all — - amusement. She’s more than amused at the Korean star’s reaction to it all. 

It was a terrible excuse. They’d get found out. But one no one could object because they might never know. The Omnic were still a threat, and it was Overwatch’s job to keep peace. All Lena does is to pull her cup away and offer a small smile, giggling at the hesitance in Hana’s voice. “Definitely. Just to make sure.”

        Hana immediately pauses at the question and quietly so, she sets her spoon back into her bowl of dry cereal, appetite suddenly leaving her as she settles instead with toying her meal. Not nearly enough, she wanted to answer but even that wouldn’t be enough to describe how she truly misses home. These days, it was only through the many all-nighters that she could ease the feeling of being homesick. Listening to her friends’ voices through her headphones, making jokes with them and talking just enough that she could almost fool herself into believing that she was still in Busan.

Almost. Until one of them announces it’s time to go to bed, and the call has to end and Hana’s instantly pulled back into reality. Exhausted. Alone.

❛ I don’t even remember when I last visited home. ❜ A small, lopsided smile is the best she could offer Lena, hoping it would at least help with the sudden heavy air between them. She doesn’t mean to sound as though she’s sulking about being far away from home. Most of the days, she was fine with it. Everyone in Gibraltar provided enough entertainment after all. Noisy and funny both. ❛ There’s just no time to, I guess. ❜

Silence washes over the two of them as she takes the time to process the information. It perked her curiosity. Of all the places, Lena had never been to Busan at all. She’s usually situated around England and only sometimes she tags along on other missions. It was then when she comes up with an idea. Quickly straightening her back, she props and elbow on the table and rests her chin on her palm, flashing a rather lazy grin at Hana. 

 “I’ve got it — -“ Brown hues practically glinting with excitement now, Lena takes a moment to calm herself and lower her voice to something less loud. Lest she wakes the rest of the members. 

Needless to say, she had half expected the early birds to slowly trickle into the kitchen, but yet the first person who joins her was none other than their mech pilot. 

“Mornin’, Hana!“ She calls out in her usual cheery voice, albeit a little too loud for the morning, but her lips curve into a rather large grin either way. “Did’ja get any sleep at all? It’s a little weird seeing you up this...” With a quick turn of her head, Lena attempts to find a window or a clock to emphasize her point. But alas, there was none to humor her. It certainly didn’t stop her from teasing the poor girl, however. “..early into the day.” 

She brings her mug back to her lips, sipping on her coffee to hide a mischievous smirk.