#post-recall

Hanzo had shown up to Watchpoint: Gibraltar near unrecognizable. An undercut, piercings, and questionable fashion choices had Genji doing a double take. Still the same sharp features, clean and well-groomed as always, still the same cautious gait and tense form that was recognizable. Always ready for a fight. 

They had gotten into a few of those during the first few months of Hanzo settling into life as an official Overwatch agent; the stress of so much change was clearly getting to the elder Shimada. But still, it was a start, and he was trying. It had been rough with some of the agents Genji had known well before the fall. They knew plenty about Hanzo, and they knew how they felt about him, about what he had done to Genji. 

Hanzo had reacted badly; bristling at first, arguing back with them, anger clear in the fine lines around his eyes, the way it made them light up. Then, it was quiet apologies the next day, his face paler and dark circles under his eyes, slipping away silently like he was trying to disappear. Genji was forced to deal with both parties, talking to his friends about how they did not know the full story, that he had forgiven his brother and needed them to understand that he wanted to repair their relationship, that the hostility would only make things worse. 

Then, the hard part was breaking through to Hanzo. Seeing how much he still tore himself up over the past, how much it still devastated him. Drinking away the nights so he did not have nightmares of the moment he cut Genji down, of the years that followed on the run. Making it through the day only because to kill himself would mean taking away the last shred of honour he had left. Still heartbroken. Not the same person Genji had known. 

And he was only a reminder to his brother. 

A cyborg walking around the same as Genji had, laughing the same as Genji did, saying it was his brother when they were both truly changed men. Where Genji had changed for the better, Hanzo had spiraled. They had always said Hanzo was the great one, the protégée, the young master. All the pressure, the eyes, the brutal path to perfection. And this was what Hanzo had left to show for it. What it had done to him. What it had done to Genji. 

The ninja had learned that it truly was not Hanzo’s fault, what had happened. The decision he had made in the end was his, but it was years of twisted words and empty lies in the making. Understanding had been a long journey, forgiveness even more so, but Genji wanted so badly to have his brother back. 

His fond memories of the past helped him imagine a hopeful future, and he wanted to share that feeling with Hanzo. One day, perhaps, he would believe in it too. He was making progress, more still when Genji finally convinced him to try and learn from Zenyatta. His master had worked wonders on one Shimada, and the monk had always been interested in meeting Hanzo. 

So Genji left them to it, finding that conversations slowly but surely started to come easier between him and his brother, that Hanzo would spend more time training with him, or talk on the rooftops when Genji had found him in the same spot he used to go to for quiet and solace, looking out at the stars. Hanzo started to open up, and Genji let him in. 

Patient with the times Hanzo struggled to find words or express how he was feeling. Open with his own thoughts and emotions. Genji did not realize how much things had changed between them until he walked into the commons one evening—as per Hanzo’s request—to find him working on something over the stove. It smelled good. Familiar. 

Genji grinned as he pressed the latches on the back of his faceplate, taking it off completely. He hopped onto the counter and put his hands in his hoodie pocket, leaning over to watch Hanzo cook.

“Ramen?” The ninja inquired after seeing the broth, Hanzo cutting green onions in precise motions.

“I could not find all the right ingredients, but...” Hanzo trailed off, glancing at the younger Shimada. He still stared at the scars. Openly. Eyes flicking over them as if he was recalling which ones he had put there, and which were from the aftermath of becoming a cyborg and working with Overwatch. 

Genji allowed it, let him visibly come to terms with it just like every other time before he looked back down at his task. He seemed like he was finding bits of Genji that he still recognized, though, which was new. Like he was finally believing that this was truly his brother. Accepting him as he was now, slowly but surely.

“It will not be as good as when we used to get it,” Hanzo finally finished. Genji blinked, feeling a smile grow on his lips; maybe he remembered, maybe he wanted it too.

“Well, is it spicy? Because I bet I can still take it hotter than you can.”

Hanzo did not quite smile, but it was a close thing. He shrugged, making a little gesture with his hands awkwardly. Same old Hanzo.

“There is some hot sauce of some sort in the refrigerator if you really want some, but I think it is for agent McCree’s usage.” 

“Eh, I’ll pass on that. Who knows how long that’s been sitting in there.”

“I made it vegetarian, so the flavour might be a bit off...But it’s ready. If you want,” Hanzo offered. Genji smiled, hopping off the counter to take a bowl.

“Yeah, I definitely want some! Thanks for making it vegetarian, did Zen tell you I like it that way?”

“He might have mentioned it,” Hanzo shrugged, Genji patting his shoulder as he passed to spoon some noodles and broth in his bowl, then add some toppings. 

They went to the table just outside of the kitchenette, Hanzo watching Genji expectantly. The ninja huffed a little laugh to himself, then took a bite. Raised his brows. It was nothing spectacular, a little bland even, but it reminded him of home. And Hanzo had made it. Hanzo was sitting across from him, sharing a steaming bowl of ramen with him again.

Jesse had not expected the recall to gather so many people he thought he had lost for good. Least of all, Genji Shimada. The ninja had left on a search for inner peace, acceptance of his body and who he had become. The last place he should have wanted to be was at the Overwatch base, the place that had turned him into a cyborg on an ultimatum of life or death. 

Jesse remembered nights where he had stared into the dark holding onto a sobbing Genji, the ninja asking him why they had done this to him, wishing more than anything that he had just said no and died. That anything was better than this, the pain, the way he tore himself up inside as they ripped him apart on the outside.

Jesse could do nothing but squeeze him a little tighter with an “I know, baby, I know.” Agreeing was better than lying, better than telling him he would be okay when he knew it would only really get worse. Organizations like Overwatch, like Blackwatch, took and took until there was nothing left to give. He had seen it with Ana, with Genji, then with Reyes. Jesse had left before it could take him too, but in the end, he had still lost everything. 

Now, he was back, and so was Genji.

Except Genji had changed.

He had found the peace he was looking for, the contentment with himself that Jesse had always hoped he could. He smiled and chatted amiably with everyone who had answered the call, showed his scarred, beautiful face proudly, walked with his back straight and shoulders squared. A different man than the one Jesse had met in Blackwatch. The anger, the self-hatred, the fear, the disconnect, all worked away with the teachings of his master in Nepal.

Jesse had listened to the stories raptly, relearning the man he thought he had once known better than himself, only to find he had never really known Genji. Or rather, Genji as he should have been. There were bits and pieces of him in Blackwatch, but now, Jesse was seeing the him whole for the first time. And god, was it beautiful. Genji was beautiful in every way.

He had been wary of it at first, afraid that since he had not changed much, since he had not gotten better like Genji had, he would no longer be what the ninja wanted. Those fears were wiped away when Genji had kissed him like he used to on the balcony one night, when he held him in bed and made love to him like he used to, when he said he still wanted to be with him, to share the chance they had with one another that had been stolen away before.

Things were different, but the love in Jesse’s heart was still the same. Only for Genji, always for Genji.

Waking up next to him had become a hesitantly accepted constant in Jesse’s life—something he hoped would last, something he never wanted to end. Mornings like these were what made Jesse think all the waiting, the pain, the misery life had fucked him over with worth it. When he could open his eyes and see sunlight splashed gently over Genji’s still sleeping face, slack and at peace, body relaxed. Jesse smiled, stretching as much as he could without disturbing the ninja with his limbs slung haphazardly over him.

He reached up and traced over the scars lightly, brushing over the high points of his lover’s face, trailing his fingertips along where the synth skin and metal along his jaw met flesh. Everything about him warm and comforting. Genji twitched and shifted with a soft sound, curling up more against Jesse, breathing deep.

“Mornin’, gorgeous,” Jesse murmured, hand sliding into his hair, petting through the soft greying spikes. Genji huffed and mumbled something that definitely was not English against his chest, Jesse raising a brow.

“What’s that, hon?”

“Five more minutes...”

“We ain’t got anywhere to be, you can sleep as long as you want.”

“That is something I have not heard in a while,” Genji sighed, rolling onto his back and scrunching up his face against the sun.

“What time is it?”

Jesse lifted his head to check the clock on the bedside table, then flopped back into the pillows.

“Late enough that we probably missed breakfast.”

“Damn.”

“‘S okay. I’ll make whatever you want.”

“I want you,” Genji whispered sleepily, nuzzling up against Jesse’s chin, hand sneaking out of the blankets to cup his cheek. The cowboy chuckled, pressing a kiss to his forehead, then another to his wrist.

“That can be arranged.”

“Mm.”

Genji tilted his head back easily as Jesse pressed closer, kissing along his jaw and throat. Not too far, not too much. Just little laving kisses with the occasional nip as his hand slid down Genji’s stomach under the blankets. He pawed over Genji’s boxers until the ninja sighed softly and spread his legs a little more, eyes still closed as he leaned into Jesse.

A final kiss was placed onto Genji’s nose, getting a giggle that ended in a gasp as Jesse slipped two fingers into him. The ninja hummed, brows furrowing as Jesse curled and pumped his fingers, working over Genji’s clit every now and then. Jesse took his time, rubbed and kissed Genji until he felt him clench down on his hand, a harsh exhale leaving him as his face relaxed again.

“I love you, darlin’. I love gettin’ to wake up next to you every mornin’, it’s like a dream come true,” Jesse murmured against his temple, Genji humming again. He sat up on his elbow, leaning over the cowboy and kissing him softly.

“It’s my dream come true too.”

It's probably the alcohol. Yeah, Hanzo's easy on the eyes. He's damn impressive on the training range, and is an absolute hoot when he's got a bit of alcohol in his system to loosen him up. His smile is infectious, his laugh makes Jesse's stomach flutter fiercely, and when Ree came to visit yesterday, it took her all of one hour to pull him aside and ask what the hell was up because apparently he's been staring at Hanzo and didn't even realise.

He lied through his teeth, said it was nothing, that he and Hanzo had become good friends. Ree, though, Ree saw right through it, called him out and he admitted that there might be something more.

Ree, his trusty voice of reason, advised him against it, very soberly reminded him of what Hanzo did to Genji. It stopped him for all of half a second before he told her that he wouldn't be here if he wasn't given a second chance, so he should extend that same courtesy to Hanzo. And that Genji said to trust him, which he did and does. Ree looked unconvinced, but he told her to talk to Genji about it.

Jesse's not sure what Genji said to change her tune yesterday, but today Ree was all over him, practically thinking up their first date. It got Jesse a little giddy, he said he wanted to get Hanzo something for passing his probation. Brainstorming led to sake, which led to asking Genji what his favourite bottle was, which led to the bottle shop where Hanzo made plans for the perfect first date, and Jesse's not really sure Hanzo knew it at the time.

Well. That's to say that what he had planned was Jesse's perfect idea for a first date. Alcohol and westerns? Doesn't get better than that.

But it did get better.

In the minutes after the movie was put on, once people realised it was indeed another western, where they decided to stay or go, the usual entire watchpoint who attend movie night was whittled down to him and Hanzo, Hana, Brigitte and Torbjörn.

Torbjörn lasted twenty minutes before he was softly snoring on other couch. Hanzo was asleep five minutes after that. Jesse could tell he was getting tired by the way he curled his legs beside himself and leaned against Jesse just that little bit. He was doing that adorable thing where his head was falling forward as his eyes grew heavier, only to jerk himself awake. But he finally fell asleep, head resting against the back of the couch before slowly falling to the side, where he ended up against Jesse’s shoulder. 

Jesse was thankful for many things. One, his arm was resting against the back of the couch at the time, and when Hanzo fell asleep, he had the ability to just brush his fingertips against his shoulder. Two, the room was empty save for the other three, and Hana and Brigitte were too distracted with trying to decide how to stack chips on Torb. As long as they were quiet, he didn’t really care what they did.

“...wait till we’re done,” Hana says over the sound of the movie, and Jesse brings his hand up on the couch again, “before giving us the scare of our lives. Unlike a certain cowboy.”

“Just like to throw it back in your faces,” Jesse murmurs. Every time they try it on him, assuming he is asleep, he does, in fact, enjoy holding still and scaring the living daylights out of them. “Give you a taste of your own medicine.”

“You’re lucky Hanzo’s asleep on you,” Hana retorts, “otherwise he’d be the target, considering he’s never asleep in here.”

Jesse all but bristles in response to that. No way is he going to let her get anywhere near Hanzo. Not when this is just absolutely perfect. They go back to talking in hushed whispers, and Jesse glances over, watches as Hana reaches for the bag of chips on the table, and they have claimed their next victim. He leaves them be, as long as it doesn’t wake Hanzo he doesn’t care.

He risks bringing his hand back down again, this time resting on Hanzo’s shoulder, given the girls are too busy with Torb to notice. He tries to focus on the movie, but with Hanzo against him, he just can’t. He didn’t realise how much he wanted this, sleepy cuddles on a couch with someone who knows about him, his history and didn’t run away or judge him for it.

Not only that, he realises just how much Hanzo trusts him, getting comfortable enough to let his guard down, to sleep. Jesse’s not entirely sure he would if the roles were reversed, and it’s not because he doesn’t trust Hanzo, it’s just something that’s ingrained into him, something which has been for most of his life, to sleep with one eye open, never letting his guard down.

And right now, he wants nothing more than to give in and let that guard down, trust Hanzo as Hanzo clearly trusts him. But when he hears a yelp from Brigitte, sees how she takes Hana’s hand and races out of the room, he holds Hanzo just that little bit tighter, like holding him tight will protect him from that, and by some miracle, he stays asleep.

The same can’t be said about Torb, though, as he chuckles, picks a chip off his chest and eats it, before tipping the rest of them into the abandoned packet on the floor. “Children,” he says as he sits up, wiping his forehead with the back of his hand. He groans as he stands up, packet still in hand. “I am going to bed before they come back for round two.”

“‘Night,” Jesse murmurs, watching Torb leave the room, and he breathes a sigh of relief, now that the room is empty, looking at Hanzo. He smiles before turning his attention back to watch the movie.

Or he tries to, at least, but he can’t help but look down at Hanzo, stroke his shoulder with his thumb. He feels a flutter in his stomach, and he doesn’t know whether it’s the alcohol, or the mood, or coming to terms with the fact that he is in love with Hanzo, but he can’t help but lean in and kiss the top of his head before nuzzling against him.

He watches the final minutes of the movie, not really paying attention to it given how focused he is on this moment right now, and when the credits roll, he sighs, knowing he should get Hanzo to bed before he too falls asleep and they get found like this. Pulling his head up, he giving Hanzo a gentle shake to wake him up.

Hanzo sits up slowly, looking from the TV to Jesse. “I fell asleep,” he mumbles.

“Sure did.” Jesse grabs the remote from beside him, turning off the TV. “C’mon, let’s get you to bed.” He stands, offering Hanzo his hand, and Hanzo takes it, standing up. Hanzo looks at him, hand still in Jesse’s, sheepish little smile on his face before he weaves their fingers together.

They walk in silence, hand in hand, and Jesse’s heart pounds in his chest. The walk to Hanzo’s room is short, too short, he could do laps of the watchpoint for hours like this, but they stop in front of it, Hanzo presses his thumb to the keypad and the door opens.

“I had an enjoyable evening,” Hanzo says. “Though we will have to watch the movie again, I missed most of it.”

“Yeah, should raincheck on it.”

Hanzo smiles, looks at their joined hands before pulling away, and Jesse’s heart all but aches for his touch again. “Goodnight, Jesse.”

“‘Night.”

Hanzo takes a step inside, but once he’s over the threshold he turns back, smirking. “I felt it,” he says, and Jesse’s stomach drops. Then, he winks. “You know what I mean.” And with that, he closes the door, and Jesse just stares at it dumbfounded, in shock, embarrassed, and can’t move.

There is only one thought in his head.

Hanzo felt the kiss.

Hanzo felt the kiss.

When he does move, it’s with purpose. He walks right up to Ree’s door, knocks until she answers, and the second it opens, he grabs her hand and pulls her out. “I did something stupid and I’m about ready to explode.”

Being back around people he used to work with a lifetime ago felt strange. They had all changed so much, everyone older, some wiser, some hardened with time. Genji himself had gone through quite the journey to get to where he was now as well, and he knew it was throwing some people for a loop. People who had known him in Blackwatch, and the early days of his Overwatch recruitment. People who had seen him at his worst, now staring at him at his calmest. 

Jesse had been one of those people, his face lighting up whenever he saw Genji, those pretty, honey brown eyes still filled with so much warmth, though, caution was there too. It had been difficult at first; lots of late night talks on the roof up by the comms towers and stories shared between them were needed to earn Jesse’s trust back. Genji had left without a word, after all. 

But Jesse, as always, had been understanding, still as kind as ever as he listened raptly to the tales of Genji’s journey to find inner peace. He then would tell Genji about what disasters he had found himself mixed into—more caused by him than he let on, from what Genji could gather—and it became pretty clear why he had a bounty of sixty million on his head. 

The gunslinger told him about his meeting with Ashe one evening, explained why he did not come sooner and sent Echo in his place. Genji in turn shared the story of his latest encounter with Hanzo, how he was trying to recruit him to Overwatch as well. Jesse had not been happy about that. He had gone all quiet, brows furrowing low, eyes darkening.

“You remember what I promised, right? Bullet between the eyes as soon as I get ahold of him,” Jesse muttered, Genji shaking his head and taking the gunslinger’s hands.

“Jesse, I understand why you feel that way, but we are both changed from that time. That was when I still held all that anger and hatred, when I could not see past my own pain. Now, I am whole, and I have forgiven Hanzo. He has done more than enough punishment to himself as it is. I want him to heal,” Genji assured him, pressing a kiss to the back of Jesse’s hand. 

The gunslinger stared at him, eyes flicking over his face, open to the night air. He no longer had issues with anyone seeing it, but Jesse had always been a special case anyways. He had already seen the worst of it, and still fell in love with him.

“Please, just be civil with him. It was hard enough convincing him to come in the first place.”

“He’s actually comin’? When?”

“I am not sure. He just sent me a message earlier this week saying he would. But once he makes a decision, Hanzo sticks to it.”

Jesse dropped his gaze to the metal rooftop below them, thumbs rubbing over the back of Genji’s hands absently.

“I’ll do it for you. But, if I see him step even a toe outta line—”

“Jesse. I appreciate it, but please, let my brother have a chance first. It took me a long time to realize he had never gotten one, and that my actions when we were younger led him to no other choice, in his mind. I want him to let go of the chains he is still carrying with him, the grief that has plagued him for so long. So that we can heal together and be brothers again. I just want my brother back,” Genji whispered. Jesse cupped the ninja’s cheek in his palm, pressing their foreheads together.

“Okay. Okay, darlin’. I won’t interfere, I promise. This is your decision, your brother, your journey. I’ll honour that.”

Genji smiled, pressing a kiss to Jesse’s cheek.

“Thank you.”

“Wanna go on to bed, now? Sleep on it a bit?”

“That’s a good idea.”

Jesse stood, holding out his hands for Genji to take, the ninja grabbing them and hauling himself up. He took a deep breath, looking up at the stars. Wondered how many times he had done the same thing in Nepal, thinking about the man standing beside him. Genji took Jesse’s hand, leading them back inside and to his quarters. 

They had separate rooms, but only one was ever really used. The ninja had spent too many nights away from Jesse to let him go again now that they were together again. Jesse had assented to rooming easily when they talked about their relationship and how they wanted to go about things again, hugging Genji close that night and murmuring into his hair about how much he had missed him. 

Genji kissing all the little scars Jesse had acquired over the years, mapping out the gunslinger’s body again with his hands and mouth. Reacquainting with the old and memorizing the new. Letting himself be stripped down to his most vulnerable; no armour, no metal, no faceplate. Just skin and synth, Jesse running his fingers over both just like he used to. 

Adoration in every touch. Love in his eyes when he looked up at Genji with a soft smile. Tonight was no different. When they got back to the room, Genji took off his armour while Jesse undressed, slipping into bed together and fitting against one another like they had never been apart. Jesse had always made things feel easy.

-

Hanzo showed up at Watchpoint: Gibraltar one evening later that month, silent and alone. He had nothing on him but a small bag slung over one shoulder and his bow on the other. Even dressed casually, he stood out, eyes alert and form tense. Waiting for a trap. 

Genji walked over to him, watching the way his brother’s gaze locked on him and did not leave his form. Cautious, distrusting. Like he still did not truly believe it was Genji standing in front of him. The ninja would not have been surprised; their meeting before had been strained, Hanzo still raising his weapon after he knew in anger. It was an old friend to both of them. 

Genji did not truly blame him for being angry, because he knew at his core, Hanzo had been upset. Confused. The past ten years of his life he had spent mourning and grieving, everything he had thought he knew and molded his pitiful way of living around now torn away. 

Proven wrong, turned upside down. 

Genji had felt the same, many times, and from his brother’s hands as well. But now, he was coming from a standpoint of peace, with himself and his brother, hoping for healing. He just wanted to heal the last of his wounds, and perhaps start on fixing the gaping ones still eating Hanzo alive.

“Hanzo. I am glad you made it safely,” Genji greeted, starting things off formal and simple. 

Hanzo was going to take a lot of work, by the looks of things. There was silence for a long moment, Hanzo simply nodding back to him before turning his gaze to the facility.

“What is this place?”

“Watchpoint: Gibraltar. I was stationed here before, when I was an official Overwatch operative. It is very beautiful.”

“Is it safe? Out in the open like this?”

“Athena has top of the line security and protection set in place for us. I assure you, no one will find it without us knowing a while beforehand. That is how I knew you were here, after all,” Genji explained, motioning for Hanzo to follow him. 

His brother regarded him darkly for a second, face slipping back into impassiveness quickly.

“You. Were with Overwatch, then. All these years.”

Stilted, the words cold and halting, as if Hanzo truly did not know what to say, mind still wrapping around everything. Or trying to push it away, disbelieving.

“Not all of them. I served my purpose here, then moved on to better myself. To find peace. And I did, in Nepal, with my Master, Zenyatta. That is actually where I have spent most of my time, and traveling, of course.”

“Oh.”

“I am glad you came, brother. There is much I hope for in the future for us,” Genji told him with a pat to his shoulder. 

Hanzo did not quite flinch, but he certainly tensed all that much more. The ninja internally frowned. Perhaps this job would be best shared with someone who had already taught one Shimada. He would talk with Zenyatta tomorrow about it.

“I will show you to your room, then let you rest. I am sure there’s a lot you want to think over, now that you’re here.”

“I...Yes. Thank you,” Hanzo nodded. 

Again with the struggle to find words. Genji had never known a Hanzo that had this much difficulty finding something to say to him. Then again, they were both so different, and this was a lot of unfamiliar territory. Hanzo, stuck in the past, and Genji hoping for the future. 

Not much had truly changed about that. 

Genji led his brother to a room a few doors down from his and Zenyatta’s, just enough space between them to ensure Hanzo’s relative comfort.

“If you need anything, I’m just down the hall.”

Genji hesitated, Hanzo staring into the empty room, eyes a hundred miles away. The ninja placed a hand on his shoulder, voice soft when he spoke again.

“I hope that this place will help give you purpose and healing, Hanzo. I really am glad you came.”

Hanzo blinked and turned to him, brows furrowed, an unbearable sadness in the fine lines of his features.

“Do you truly believe that I deserve it?” He murmured, barely audible.

“I do. Now, get some rest, brother.”

Hanzo gave him the barest of nods before slipping into his room silently, the door shutting behind him. Genji let out a sigh, then went to his own room. Jesse looked up from where he was stretched across the bed, book in hand.

“Hey. How’d it go?” He asked, folding the edge of the page and setting the book aside. Genji took off his faceplate and sat with the cowboy, smiling tiredly.

“It went okay. He is still very much on guard, which is expected. I just did not realize how hopeless he is. It’s like...He’s just the shell of the person I used to know. The old me would have reveled in seeing him like that, would have thought he deserved every moment of misery and despair. Now, it just hurts, and I can’t help but wish none of this had ever happened to us. We did not deserve this,” Genji murmured, eyes downcast, fingers fiddling with the bed sheets. Jesse took his hands, squeezing them lightly in reassurance. 

“No, I don’t think you did. I don’t think many people deserve the pain they gotta go through sometimes, but life’s always got a way of makin’ it turn out the way it’s supposed to. I mean, look at us. We wouldn’t have met if it weren’t for our respective fucked up pasts, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

Genji laughed softly, closing his eyes and leaning his forehead against the cowboy’s.

“I suppose you are right. And I would not change it either. I’m so glad you’re here with me, Jesse.”

“I’ll always be here for you, darlin’. And I got a gut feelin’ that everythin’ will turn out just fine.”

“Well, I can’t argue with gut feelings, now can I?”

“Nope! You always trust your gut,” Jesse teased, poking at Genji’s stomach. 

The ninja smiled, pressing into a kiss, eyes falling shut. A sense of peace settled over him as Jesse’s hands slid up his back to hold him, warm and comforting. Things would be alright. It might take lots of time, effort, and patience, but Genji had all that in plenty. 

He trusted in it, and he believed that with help and in time, he and Hanzo could become brothers once again. 

For now, the journey ahead of him was one he looked forward to taking.

Rejoining Overwatch had been the easy part; making the decision, finding the location, convincing Zenyatta to join him, making the long trek by foot to Gibraltar--that was simple. What was difficult was seeing the old faces, old friends. 

New ones were fine, Genji was happy to meet them and encourage their hopes for making a positive impact with Overwatch. It was what he wanted to do as well, something good for the world now that he was able to in mind, body, and spirit. 

Noticing how many people were gone was distressing in a way, same with those that were back but changed. Like him, Genji supposed, so not all bad. It was difficult to describe, the sense of disconnect even though these were people he had known for years. It was like it was in another life, though.

And seeing Jesse McCree again had been really, really difficult. More difficult than meeting with Hanzo. More difficult than leaving in the night, without so much as a word. 

Genji regretted the way he had left, thought about it over and over in the weeks following the recall message. He knew he had left many strings untied, and one in particular that happened to lace around his heart. 

Jesse had been all smiles and easy-going banter when they had met up again, more mellow and calculating than when he was younger. Tanner, broader, a little more rough around the edges, but his eyes were softer, more understanding. He seemed happy. Content, even.

Genji had been expecting at least some awkwardness between them, but instead, he had been given a pat on the back, the cowboy telling him how happy he was that he’d found himself. For some reason, it left Genji feeling a bit empty. 

The first few weeks in Gibraltar went by smoothly, everyone getting to know one another through training and shared stories in the cafeteria. Genji liked a lot of the new recruits, but he always ended up standing next to Jesse by the end of things. Old habits and all. That’s what Genji told himself. 

They had been teammates in Blackwatch, old friends reunited, the slide back into familiarity comforting. They still knew the ins and outs of one another, still fought and trained together like a well-oiled machine, the cogs fitting right into place and working seamlessly. 

It worked like that until Genji started getting sick. 

Everyone was gathered in the training facility, waiting for Winston to divide them into teams and start the simulation. Genji stood at ease, arms crossed over his chest and weight leaned into one leg. He’d had a bit of a scratchy throat for a while--nothing to go see a healer about, it would clear up on its own--and either way, team training was too important to miss for something so trite.

“Alright, gang. Hana, Brigette, Baptiste, Genji, and Mei will be on the red team. Angela, Lena, McCree, Lucio, and Reinhardt will be on the blue team. I will observe from above, and Athena will be recording the session and stats of each member. Good luck, everyone!” Winston told them, adjusting his glasses before turning and heading up to the observation deck. 

Genji waved to his teammates, the group of them moving to the left side of the training grounds.

“Now, Reinhardt will probably come charging in, knowing him, so we should focus him.” Brigette started, Genji chuckling to himself. Not much had changed with the old warrior.

“Well, in the case that he listens to his team or has Angela with him the whole time, we will need to go after her and Lucio. They will be most vital in taking out everyone else. I can flank them if Hana and Brigette distract them from the front. Baptiste, if you could help me with distance healing, it would be appreciated.”

Baptiste nodded with a little two fingered salute.

“I have your back.”

“But what about McCree? You should be careful of him, he knows how to deal with a flank attack, right?” Mei piped up, fiddling with her training gun. They would only provide a small shock and a marking as to where someone had been hit.

“Don’t worry, I can take him.” Genji grinned behind the mask.

“Attack begins in thirty seconds.” Athena announced, the training room shifting and creating a holographic setting they could practice in. It seemed that they would be in a warehouse today. 

Hana suddenly stuck her hand out, face a mix of excited and determined.

“Everyone put a hand in!” She demanded, Baptiste and Brigette hardly needing any encouragement. Mei laughed and stuck her hand on top, Genji huffing in amusement before adding his hand as well.

“Alright, go blue team!! We got this!” Hana cheered, throwing her hand up and leading everyone else to copy the chant. It felt good, uplifting even. Genji was reminded why he was glad to be part of a team once again. 

They got into position, Genji looking behind him to make sure everyone was ready. His shruiken slipped into his fingers, ready and waiting.

“Five, four, three, two, one. Attack commencing. Stop the red team.”

Genji hopped out from behind his cover, hearing Brigette and Hana right behind him. He climbed up to higher ground, looking for the enemy team before whipping back behind cover as a stun bullet whizzed past his head. 

Only Jesse was that good of a shot, and only Jesse would know the ninja liked to scout things out first. Genji grinned, speaking into his comms.

“Lucio, Reinhardt, and Angela are coming in fast through the choke! Mei, can you wall off Rein from the healers?”

There was the sound of Lena’s pulse pistols going off, then Baptiste’s immortality field.

“Get in here!”

“It may take me a minute, but I’ll try my best.” Mei replied, the soft ‘fwish’ of her freeze gun making it a bit difficult to hear her.

“Alright. Hana, Brigette, you keep Rein busy, then. I will go in from behind.”

Genji jumped to the opposite ledge, then dove into the back line of the blue team. Angela moved closer to Reinhardt, Lucio immediately skating over to boop him away. Genji felt a stun shot on his leg as he was pushed back, and he turned to deflect the shots that were suddenly coming from Jesse. 

The ninja ran towards him, throwing his shruiken in an arc to follow where Jesse would likely roll back into. He was right, the stars connecting and lighting up the training armour they were wearing.

“Shit...” Jesse muttered, looking down at the glowing blue spots on his chest.

“You always do that move, even when we spar!” Genji called, doing a double jump as the cowboy continued to try and shoot him back.

“Yeah, well, Talon ain’t gonna know that. I think you’ve got an unfair advantage here, pumpkin.”

Genji grinned, then felt the itch in his throat grow suddenly, like he’d swallowed water the wrong way. He coughed, slowing a bit and getting hit by one of Jesse’s shots. Stumbling, still trying to keep up with Jesse. He couldn’t. 

Genji got hit two more times, enough to bring his health for the round to zero. Still, he was coughing. It felt like something was lodged in his windpipe.

“You okay, partner?”

Genji shook his head, holding up a hand as he cleared his throat to no avail. Jesse came over and put a hand on his shoulder.

“I’m fine. I...I’ll be right back.”

Jesse watched him as he walked off the training grounds, concern in his eyes. 

Genji took off his faceplate as soon as he made it to the bathrooms, frowning as another bought of coughs overtook him. Something landed on his hand, wet and sticking to the synth fibers of his palm. He stared at it for a moment, plucking it up between the fingers of his other hand. 

A petal. Genji tilted his head, lips pursing. It was bright red, the texture registering as soft and smooth to the delicate sensors on his hand. 

He didn’t know what the flower was, but he knew what it meant. 

Genji leaned over the sink, setting the petal aside and running a hand over his face. Jesse...It was Jesse. It was always Jesse. Genji grit his teeth, chest constricting with pain that wasn’t from his coughs. Of course it had to be now, and here, of all places. 

Genji took a deep breath before straightening and washing the petal down the drain. He went back to the training room, pretending like nothing had happened.

-

The petals were from the Hatiora Gaertneri, or Easter Cactus, Genji found out later that week after coughing up more petals and examining them. The flowers looked pretty in the pictures, but the petals that came up always looked somewhat withered to Genji. Not as vibrant, little bruises present on the tips and sides. 

Genji kept the trash can next to his bed, had to keep his mask off while he slept so when he coughed more petals up, he could just spit them out. It interfered with everything he did, and only got worse whenever he was around Jesse. 

The ninja began to avoid him, just to keep his coughs hidden, his feelings shut tight beneath the surface. He hadn’t felt this way in years, not since before he’d met Zenyatta. 

When Hanzo arrived, it was a good distraction, a good excuse to be away from everyone to help his brother settle in and get used to things. Hanzo wasn’t exactly ready to be apart of a team after being solo for years. Genji helped him as much as he could, tried to make sure everyone was welcoming. 

Not everyone felt the same, especially Jesse. Genji had been dreading introducing Hanzo to him, but it inevitably happened. 

Evening in Gibraltar, too late for dinner, and yet, Hanzo had insisted on having a quiet one by himself in the commons room. Genji hadn’t let him eat alone, the two sharing a simple dish of leftovers and some rice Hanzo had made.

“Anija, you’ve been talking to Hana and Mei a lot recently, right?”

Hanzo huffed softly, eyes cast aside to look out the window.

“They are better company than some.” He murmured, Genji taking a bite and humming thoughtfully. 

Angela had not been very keen on Hanzo when they had first met, nor had Lena. They warmed up to him quickly enough, but the initial impression had been made, and Hanzo was looking for reasons to keep himself closed off behind his protective walls. 

He was trying, though, and tonight seemed to be a good night, the older Shimada more open and talkative. Relatively.

“Just give it more time, Hanzo. You’re part of a team now, and whether you like it or not, they have your back. Oh, Zenyatta also said he’d like to speak with you again tomorrow.” Genji told him airily, waving his chopsticks a bit as he spoke. 

A small cough slipped up, the ninja hastily covering it with the back of his hand. Hanzo frowned.

“I will meet with him, but you’ve had that cough for a while now. Maybe you should have Dr. Ziegler look at it?”

“No, it’ll clear out--”

And of course, Jesse walked in. Of course, of course, of course. 

He seemed surprised to see the two brothers there, brows lifting slightly before his eyes darkened upon landing on Hanzo. Genji coughed for a different reason, waving a bit to the cowboy.

“Ah, Jesse. Have you met Hanzo yet?” Genji tried for casual, though, the look in Jesse’s eye was sinister enough to negate the attempt’s effect.

“No.” 

Bitten out and cold. 

Genji could sense Hanzo bristle at the tone, but he stayed quiet. The ninja stood, Hanzo doing the same, food forgotten on the table.

“Then come here, say hello! Hanzo, this is Jesse. We worked together a lot before I met Zenyatta. Jesse--”

“I damn well know who he is, Gen. You don’t have to sugar coat things for me, because I sure as hell ain’t going to for him.”

Genji put a hand to Jesse’s chest when he stepped forward, Hanzo taking a slight defensive stance and glaring right back at the cowboy.

“Jesse, don’t...” Genji warned, even just the small bit of contact making his throat burn with the need to cough. What a damn inconvenience.

“I’ve been waiting a long time to see this Hanzo you talked about. The bastard that tried to kill his own brother. You’re lucky I don’t have my gun on me, Hanzo. I swore I’d put a bullet in you for hurting Genji the moment I saw you.”

Genji closed his eyes, suppressing a cough. Those words were sincere enough, Genji remembered him promising it a long, long time ago. Back when the ninja would have been happy to see it happen. Back when things were different, especially between him and Jesse.

“Jesse, stop.”

“You know nothing of what happened!” Hanzo hissed, Jesse laughing dryly and stepping back.

“I know enough, buddy. More than enough to make my impression of you. So, let me promise you something; if you ever even think of hurting him again, I will blow a fucking hole between your eyes. You got it?”

“Jesse, that’s enough!” Genji growled, pushing him back. Jesse glanced down at him, the fire in his eyes calming down just a bit. 

He shot another look at Hanzo, then turned and left the room without another word. 

Genji immediately coughed into his hand, eyes watering from having to keep it down for so long, breaking the oppressive silence in the room. He doubled over, coughs bringing up half of a flower bud. Genji cursed and crushed it quickly in his fist, sitting down heavily. 

Jesse clearly still cared for him, just not enough. He wasn’t loved back. Considering everything that had happened between them, the years spent apart, it wasn’t surprising. But it still hurt to have it confirmed time and time again. 

Hanzo knelt next to him, face wiped of emotion besides the deep furrow of his brows. Trying to keep it together.

“Are you alright?” He asked softly, voice somewhat dull. Genji sighed, then nodded.

“Yeah. That actually went slightly better than I was expecting.” He muttered, wiping his mouth. A light sheen of red smeared over the chrome on the back of his hand. 

Genji frowned, wiping that away quickly. But not quickly enough. Hanzo’s eyes had followed the motion, darting back up to meet Genji’s when he’d seen.

“What’s in your hand.”

Genji shook his head, fist tightening as he pursed his lips. Hanzo took his arm cautiously--he was always cautious now--tugging gently at the fingers closed to his palm, leaving slight indentations.

“Let me see.”

The tone was one he always used to take when Genji was little, getting into trouble or getting hurt. A slight reprimand washed in concern. Hanzo had always tried his best to take care of him when they were boys, and it seemed now he was remembering once again that he was the older brother. 

That effort was enough to make Genji slowly open his hand, eyes downcast as Hanzo stared at the revealed flower. It was quiet for a moment, too quiet.

“Genji...”

“I’m fine.” Genji hissed, throwing the flower in his mostly empty bowl and standing abruptly.

“Genji, do not walk away from this.”

Genji tossed the remains of his bowl out, leaving it in the sink.

“Please.” Belated and soft, stopping Genji in his tracks. Hanzo came up to him, placing a tentative hand on his shoulder.

“Go see Dr. Ziegler.”

“I...Can’t.”

“Why not? You must get this treated before...” Hanzo trailed off, Genji gritting his teeth.

“Hanzo, I don’t want to get it treated. I already lost him once, by my own choice. I can’t do that again. It hurt enough the first time.”

“Genji, this can kill you if it goes untreated...!”

“I’m not giving up another chance with him! I just can’t do that.”

Hanzo pursed his lips, looking at Genji for a long moment. He then took a short breath and nodded.

“Okay. I...Understand. Just promise me you won’t let it go too far?”

“I don’t want these feelings to just...Disappear. I have to at least try.” Genji murmured, coughing lightly. 

He wanted to talk to Jesse, tell him how he felt. But if he didn’t reciprocate it now, why would he suddenly change his mind? Pity wouldn’t do the trick, and guilt would only make them both feel worse. Genji needed to earn his love.

“You can’t tell anyone.” The ninja whispered, fists clenching as he stared at the floor.

“I will not. However, if this continues to get worse, I am going to have to let Dr. Ziegler and Zenyatta know. I cannot lose you again either, Genji.” Hanzo told him, hand slipping off his shoulder as he stepped back. 

The younger Shimada bobbed his head, opting to stay silent.

“Alright. I will let you rest. Think on my suggestion.”

Genji nodded again, slipping out of the room silently with his arms crossed, form hunched slightly. His breath rattled in his chest.

-

Another two weeks passed, and Genji’s illness was being noticed by the team. It was hard to miss when Genji was skipping practices and meals to keep away from Jesse. The coughs were getting difficult to manage and keep down, even when he was alone. Blood started speckling the full flowers that came up. Genji was emptying the trash can every day, the bottom of it covered in petals. 

He went to go see Angela when she requested a check up for him, no longer denying that he needed help. The ninja was losing sleep, not eating, and isolating himself in ways that were far too similar to his Blackwatch days for his liking. 

He walked into the medical ward, body heavy with exhaustion. Angela gave him a worried look before motioning to the examination table.

“Thank you for coming, Genji. Please sit.”

Genji sat. His fingers curled on the edge of the table, crinkling the paper that was laid on top of it for sanitation purposes. He coughed.

“How long have you had this cough? I noticed it a while back, but it should have cleared up by now.” Angela asked, hooking Genji up to a machine as she spoke.

“It’s been a little over a month.”

“A month? Why did you not come to me sooner?”

“I know what it is.” Genji sighed. The doctor paused, glancing up at him, understanding dawning in her eyes.

“Is it...”

“Hanahaki.” He nodded, Angela placing a delicate hand over her mouth. The other went to Genji’s shoulder, but it did little to comfort him. Genji despised the pity in her gaze.

“Who--No, you don’t have to tell me, forgive me. I’m sorry, Genji.”

“Do not be.”

“Alright...Well, based on the time scale you gave me, I would give you two more weeks before it starts to become fatal. Would you like to have it treated now, or wait a little longer?” Angela inquired more matter of factly, face slipping into a more professional façade after hearing Genji’s tone. 

It was quiet, Genji staring at the floor as he thought about it.

“It is your choice, Genji. You do not have to have it treated at all, but I would highly suggest it if things do not work out. I do not want to rush you, either. If you need more time to decide, just tell me.” Softer this time, understanding. Genji shook his head.

“I need more time.”

“Then please, take it. But as your friend, Genji, I ask that you do not let this go too far. You have many other people who love you and only wish the best for you. Please remember them too.” She murmured, squeezing his shoulder before letting it go. 

Genji let her proceed with her testing, staying quiet and pensive the whole time.

-

“Master, what do you think I should do?”

Zenyatta hummed, plucking a petal from the small pile Genji had coughed up during their meditation session. Of course Zenyatta had known from the beginning, no surprise indicated from the monk when Genji had shown him the petals. Only concern, and an offer to talk about it, if Genji felt inclined.

“I think you should speak with Jesse. Tell him how you feel, and let him know what is going on.” Zenyatta told him, head tipping in Genji’s direction slightly.

“But...I do not wish to make him feel guilty, or the need to love me back out of pity or urgency.”

“Distancing yourself from your problems will only make the walk towards to fixing them even further.”

“I know...”

There was a pause, the sound of waves crashing against the cliffs a pleasant lull. Then, Zenyatta spoke up once again.

“Tell me, Genji. If someone was suffering in silence for you, would you like to know, or remain ignorant of it?”

“Of course I would like to know.” Genji muttered, tearing at a petal.

“Then you have your answer.”

“It cannot be that simple, though. It isn’t that simple!”

“Maybe it is. Maybe it is not. But, you will never find out if you do not try. However, my suggestion is to speak with him.”

Genji sighed softly.

“I am sure you are right, as always.”

“That would be my guess as well.” Zenyatta chimed. Genji chuckled a bit at the cheeky tone, staring out at the water before tossing his petal aside. 

He stood, then bowed towards the monk.

“Thank you, Master.”

“Of course, Genji. Good luck.”

-

Genji sat down on the jut of the cliff, legs crossing into the lotus position. It had been enough time, had made his decision. He had his mask off, Jesse standing behind him with his arms crossed over his chest. The cowboy’s hair was moving with the wind, the setting sun casting a golden hue over everything. 

He looked handsome, as always. Genji tried his best not to stare too much. 

Angela had given him some medicine to help suppress the cough, and it was doing its job, to some extent. Genji still felt the itch in his throat, the catch in his breath, petals getting stuck in his airway. With Jesse right there, lowering himself down to sit next to Genji, it was hard not to cough. It was always hard.

“You been kinda quiet lately. I thought I’d done something wrong, with the way you’ve been avoiding me.” Jesse started, his tone light and teasing. 

Genji smiled ruefully at the waves below them, fingers fidgeting in his lap.

“I did not mean to make that impression. You have done nothing wrong, I assure you.”

The cowboy gave him a side glance, gaze resting on his face for a long moment.

“What’s wrong, then?”

“Technically, nothing. I am just...Unwell.”

“Gen, you’re lyin’ to me. I can still see it in your eyes. That much hasn’t changed since the old days.”

“I said technically.” Genji repeated, holding up a finger defensively. Jesse chuckled, tilting his body to face the ninja more.

“Tell me what’s on your mind, partner. I’m always here for you if you need me.”

Genji grimaced as a cough shuddered through him, eyes watering as he gripped the flower tight in his palm.

“Genji...?”

The ninja sighed, opening his hand and setting the full flower between them. Jesse’s eyes dropped to it, brows furrowing. Genji pressed his lips into a thin line when Jesse looked back up at him.

“Hanahaki...?”

A nod.

“...It’s...It’s me?”

Another, more slight nod.

“Gen, I--”

Genji held up a hand, lips curling into a bittersweet smile.

“I just wanted to let you know what was happening. You don’t have to do anything, change anything, or say you love me back. That’s not what this is about. I just. It didn’t feel right hiding it anymore. You deserve to know.” He murmured, gaze downcast as he waited for Jesse’s response. 

It took a minute. The cowboy finally took a breath, shaky and uneven.

“I’m sorry, Genji. It’s...I care about you, and when you left it was definitely more than I--I did love you in Blackwatch, but you left, and I was able to forget, for a while. It’s really what I think saved me from getting hanahaki myse--”

“Jesse, I’ve always loved you.” Genji interrupted, taking Jesse’s hand and running a thumb over his knuckles. The gunslinger’s eyes widened slightly, surprise clear in the honey-brown irises.

“You...You have?”

“Yes. I only wish I had been better at showing you, that I had been better to you. I was hoping...If you are willing, I was hoping you would give me another chance to be better.”

Genji waited patiently as Jesse seemed to gather his thoughts, eyes never leaving the ninja’s face.

“Yeah. Yeah, I can do that.” He finally whispered, a small, soft smile upturning his lips. Genji let out a quiet sigh of relief, grinning.

“Now, I can’t guarantee immediate wellness, but I have always had feelings for you. I still do. Can you just give me a little more time? It shouldn’t take much.” Jesse followed up, more of a playful lilt to his voice once again. 

The ninja laughed at that, taking Jesse’s hand and pressing a kiss to the back of it.

“Of course I can.” 

“Thank you. And thank you for telling me, I...You mean so much to me, Genji. You always have.”

“Oh, Jesse. You mean the world to me.” Genji murmured, reaching up to hold the cowboy’s face in his hands gently, pressing their foreheads together. 

Jesse smiled, and the weight that had been pressing on Genji’s chest lifted.

There was a haze in the air, silence so quiet it was loud. Too loud. Jesse didn’t like it. He glanced at Genji, eyes partially hidden by his hat. The ninja’s lights were dimmed slightly by the dust around them, green casting a visible line through the air. Even through the mask, Jesse felt Genji’s gaze meet his own. 

It was all too familiar, this sense of unease, foreboding. Waiting in the shadows. 

Overwatch had sent Genji and Jesse to investigate an old Blackwatch hideout. The reasoning was obvious; they were the only two operatives that had specific knowledge on the place, Jesse especially. He had been there many times, the little building tucked into an unassuming corner of California, just inside Death Valley. Was one of the few Reyes trusted enough to take with him to check on things. 

Lots of dirty secrets were hidden in files there underground, stored in places Jesse had snuck in to back when he snooped around just a little to much. A file concerning the events in Rialto was what they were after. Sure, Overwatch had a copy, but they didn’t have the Blackwatch commander’s version of it. 

The one with the full truth. The version Jesse had heard only once from the commander himself, and never repeated to anyone. He wasn’t sure if he ever would.

“Come on, it’s this way.” Jesse murmured, tugging on the brim of his hat and continuing forward. Genji followed without a word. 

The ninja had been quieter than usual, contemplative. Jesse could say the same about himself. Blackwatch was a touchy subject for everyone. This mission they had been sent on rubbed Jesse the wrong way. Everything felt out of place. 

After a few more minutes of pensive silence, the two paused, sliding down to the lowest dip of a large dune. It went further into a canyon, evening sunlight filtering through the holes above them.

“You search left, I will go right.” Genji offered, cybernetic hands sliding over the sandstone carefully as he moved. The cowboy nodded, following the rock wall and stepping lightly. 

A flicker of light caught Jesse’s eye. Something had moved further in the canyon. Jesse set his hand on Peacekeeper in her holster, thumb circling the textured grip.

“Gen...”

“Here!”

Genji made a soft grunt as he twisted something on the ground, a handle popping up. He pulled on it, revealing a staircase that lit up as soon as he stepped down on it carefully.

“Welcome back, Agent Shimada.” A gentle voice greeted, Jesse joining Genji after sweeping the area once more.

“It can still read my biosignature...?” Genji murmured almost to himself, the gunslinger patting his shoulder as he passed and began walking down the staircase.

“Darlin’, our biosignature is in their databases forever. They ain’t forgetting who belongs to them.”

“Agent McCree, welcome.”

“Good to hear from you again, Eris.”

“Likewise.” The voice hummed. It was an AI model made before Athena, but it had almost the same capabilities. Programmed for Blackwatch instead of Overwatch. 

Holoscreens lit up the room the staircase led down to once Jesse stepped into it, head tilting at all the displays.

“Not much has changed.”

“I have kept everything in perfect condition as per request of Commander Reyes since the last transmission I received seven and a half years ago.” Eris informed them, Jesse’s jaw tightening.

“Yeah.”

“Is there anything I can help you find?” Eris continued when the cowboy said nothing else, Genji moving closer behind him.

“We need a physical file. Could you unlock the access panel to the vault for us?” Genji asked. Jesse went to a desk in the corner, sliding a hand through the dust.

“Of course. Give me just a moment.”

“Thank you, Eris.”

The gunslinger’s eyes locked on an old picture, worn at the edges, tape barely holding it to the wall. 

Winston’s agent completion ceremony with the old gang. Him, Genji, Reinhardt and Ana on one side. Angela, Lena, Torbjörn, and Jack on the other. Gabe facing away from the camera in the far corner. So much had changed.

Genji set his hands on the desk, leaning his weight into them.

“That was a good day. One of the fonder memories I have of that time.” Genji murmured, Jesse sighing.

“Yeah. It was nice.”

“Jesse...”

“I know. It’s just hard to look at it without thinkin’ of all the people we lost. And the ones we got back...They ain’t quite the same. Hell, we aren’t even the same.”

“Perhaps that is a good thing. Perhaps we needed a change.”

“Maybe.” Jesse shrugged noncommittally. Genji set his hand on the gunslinger’s shoulder, squeezing it lightly.

“I have unlocked the vault.” Eris called. 

Jesse shook himself out of memories, focusing on the task at hand. He and Genji went to the far side of the room, a door opening for them. File cabinets lined the newly revealed area, smelling somewhat musty.

“Do you know where it could be?” Genji asked, clearly disgruntled at the many lines of cabinets.

“I know they’re sorted by dates, so...Guess we just start checkin’?”

“Ugh...I hate old school files...”

“Some of this stuff can’t be trusted on anythin’ but paper, yanno? It’s the only thing that can’t be hacked.”

“I know, but it makes our lives in this specific scenario we happen to be in a whole lot more difficult.”

“Where’s all that patience you learned up in Nepal?” Jesse teased with a laugh, Genji pulling open a drawer and sifting through it.

“I have plenty, when the work is not boring.” The ninja muttered, Jesse smiling and shaking his head. 

His fingers slid over manila tabs with scratchy writing of dates and names, none of which he needed. Another drawer was opened, another set of files giving him nothing. Genji sighed after about ten minutes, the sound of paper shifting accompanying it.

“These are mostly agent files and insignificant mission reports.”

“Then move on to the next ones.”

“I’m trying to find ours!” Genji huffed, tossing the files on top of the cabinet and bending at the waist to scan more.

“There ain’t nothin’ on those we don’t already know about each other.”

“I want to see my unedited medical reports.”

Jesse raised a brow, turning to Genji as the ninja tapped a drawer closed and opened another.

“You’ve never seen those?”

“Have you?”

“Well, no. There’s lots of black lines on all the medical reports, no matter what.”

“On Ziegler’s, yes. She is bound by Overwatch protocol, and I am not about to break into one of their vaults. I want to see if O’Deorain made any files.”

“O’Deorain ain’t one I’d trust.” Jesse grumbled, wrinkling his nose a bit. He’d always thought hiring her was a mistake.

“Maybe not, but I do not doubt her intellect. And, this is the only vault I’ll be seeing for a long time. Who knows what I could find.” Genji shrugged, flipping through some papers. Jesse pressed his lips into a line, going to a new cabinet.

“It’d be nice if we could actually find what we’re here for. All these damn files are startin’ to blend together on me.”

A hum from Genji was the only answer he got, the gunslinger blinking hard to keep his eyes from tiring too much. These jobs weren’t quite his specialty. Jesse scrunched up his lips, teeth absently gritting against one another instead of the cigar he usually had to chew on. 

His metal hand brushed over some labels, nearly missing one that was filed incorrectly, hidden by the one in front of it. The cowboy pulled it up, brows furrowing. It didn’t have a date, only a label.

Venice Incident.

Jesse opened the folder, eyes scanning over the documents. Media coverage, pictures, mission reports, the recorded interrogation of Reyes afterwards. A hand-written report was on the back of that one.

Log report 707,

Venice was a failure. Antonio eliminated. 

I should have thought through things first, but he was right. There was no point in taking him in, I knew that from the beginning. Killing Antonio was the only way to unequivocally remove him from the equation. I know Overwatch is only going to hear what it wants to, so I let them do just that. Didn’t bother defending myself, it wouldn’t have mattered. Things will inevitably get fixed, covered up, go back to normal. 

But what happens when they can’t do that anymore? What will they do then? Another massive cover up? Another ploy to lead things back to normal, to lull the world back into a false sense of peace? Jack can’t answer those questions yet, but I can. 

It’s going to have to end soon. We’re only making it worse by trying to clean up the world. It doesn’t need us anymore. The Omnic Crisis is over. But Talon will eventually rise, I can see it happening already. 

I have my doubts about the way things are going, the things I’m having to do for Blackwatch now. But what more can we do? What more can I do? The world is changing, and it’s going to leave Overwatch and the people involved in it behind. I only hope they can see it too, before it’s too late.

Jesse swallowed thickly, the paper shaking slightly in his hands. Reyes’ voice in his head, a distant memory; when he sat Jesse down in his office, telling him these same things, to leave while he could, before the whole thing fell apart. 

Echoes of the past.

“Genji, I found it.” Jesse managed to say, the ninja looking up sharply.

“You did?”

The gunslinger held up the folder, Genji setting his own aside and walking over.

“This is his account of the—”

“Agents, I am detecting a disturbance in the stairwell.” Eris suddenly interrupted. Jesse immediately drew his gun, Genji sinking into a lower stance.

“We were followed?! How?” The ninja hissed, hand on his wakazashi. 

Jesse cursed under his breath, taking whatever papers he could from the folder and tucking them into a spare ammunition pack on his belt.

“I had a feelin’ we weren’t alone...Just figured no one would know what the hell we were doin’. Hardly anyone knew about this place.” He muttered darkly, thumbing back the hammer of his revolver as he walked forward cautiously. 

Genji followed close behind him, silent save for the sleek sound of metal sliding into his fingers as his shruiken slipped into place. Something clattered in the main room, Jesse’s finger tightening minutely on the trigger.

“We know you’re there. Just come quietly, and we won’t shoot on sight.” He called.

“Agent McCree, I am not quite detecting any signs of life.” Eris alerted him, voice quieter, almost unsure.

“What do you mean, ‘not quite’?”

“It is...Not a biosignature I have been programmed to recognize. It is not even a true biosignature.”

“So what is it?” Genji growled, Jesse’s blood chilling at the twisted laugh that echoed around the room. 

A shadow-like fog drifted through the doorway, swirling behind Jesse and Genji both before solidifying into a shape. A mask. Bone-white and carved like a barn owl. The thing was draped in black, clawed hands forming and gripping two massive shotguns.

“I’ve been asking that same question for a long time.”

It had a scratchy, echoing voice, deeper and more guttural than any Jesse had heard before. He held Peacekeeper up, arm unwavering, eyes narrowing. He knew this creature.

“So, this is the Reaper.”

“Always so blunt, aren’t you, McCree.” It rumbled, Jesse’s lip curling.

“How do you know my name?”

“I know a whole lot more than you think. Now, I need a certain little file hidden in here, so get out, or I’ll kill you both.”

“We are not going anywhere! You are the one trespassing.” Genji snapped, wakizashi catching the light as he unsheathed it slightly.

“I said, leave.” Reaper repeated, shotguns raising to point right at their heads.

“We ain’t movin’. These files can’t get into Talon’s hands.”

There was a deep sigh like a rumbling growl, before the ear-shattering blast of the shotguns went off. Jesse dove to the side as Genji deflected, already moving around Reaper. The gunslinger went opposite of Genji, Reaper turning to follow his movements. 

Jesse reached for a flashbang, but the shotgun went off again, blowing it from his metal hand. It exploded, the flash making Jesse stumble, blinking rapidly as his ears rang. He vaguely heard another three shots go off, then a shout of pain. The cowboy shook his head as his vision came back, the outline of everything still just a little too bright. 

He raised his gun, then froze as he saw where Genji was. Hands gripping Reaper’s wrist, those claws tightening around his neck, holding him off the ground. Reaper’s free hand was holding a shotgun towards Jesse.

“Let him go!” Jesse seethed, that laugh echoing softer, more sinister.

“You have the same tricks you always had, Shimada. Too predictable. You both are.” Reaper murmured, grip tightening on Genji. It forced a choked sound from him, fingers scrabbling at Reaper’s arm.

“Let him go, or I swear to god I’ll put a bullet through that fucking mask.”

“Oh? And risk me shooting him?” Reaper cackled, turning the shotgun to press against Genji’s stomach. Jesse lowered his arm slightly.

“Jesse, just—Go!” Genji grit out, the gunslinger’s glare never leaving Reaper’s mask.

“I ain’t leavin’ you, ever. What do you want, Reaper? I’ll let you have it if you let him go.”

“I just needed access to this vault, it doesn’t work for me anymore. Funnily enough, I also heard about two special ex-Blackwatch operatives that had been sent to do just that.” Reaper sneered. Jesse’s eyes flicked to Genji, his struggles weakening.

“‘Anymore’? The hell are you talkin’ about?”

“Isn’t it obvious? I thought I taught you better than this, ingrate.”

Jesse’s brow slackened, cotton filling his ears as laughter filled the room, his arm falling back to his side. It should have been obvious. The mannerisms, the fighting style, the way of speech. Jesse knew them all too well, just didn’t want to believe it.

“Gabe...?” He whispered, eyes wide, feeling vulnerable in a way he hadn’t since he was seventeen, tied up by Blackwatch in Deadlock Gorge.

“Not anymore.” Reaper growled, finger tightening on his shotgun. The blast was louder than all the others to Jesse’s ears, a spray of red mixed with black splattering on the ground, Genji joining it as he was dropped. 

The gunslinger could only watch, time not moving the way it was supposed to. Reaper walked towards him, Jesse unable to see anything but how he had the same stride as Gabe. How he held his shotgun the same as it leveled with the cowboy’s face again.

“Last chance. Take Shimada and leave. Don’t try anything sneaky, or he’ll bleed out before you can get him back to your base in time.”

Jesse stared up at him, the blank mask, the barrel of the shotgun. He nodded numbly. Following orders, just like he used to. Body moving on autopilot while his mind was still stuck in the past. 

Jesse went to Genji, picking him up with an arm around his waist, the other keeping Genji’s arm over his shoulder. He could hear the ninja’s voice, but the words escaped him. Only the slightly robotic hum as he left the bunker.

“We need evac, now.”

His own voice this time, calm and quiet. Jesse didn’t recognize it.

“Copy that, drop ship is inbound. ETA five minutes.”

“Jesse.”

He blinked slowly, staring straight ahead as he trudged up the sand dune.

“Jesse, wait.”

So much like Deadlock Gorge. 

Jesse stopped, breathing unevenly. Genji placed a hand on his chest, visor tilted up at him.

“Are you okay...?” The ninja asked softly. Far to concerned about him considering his own state. 

Jesse’s eyes dropped to the sand at his feet, the way the grains shifted over his boots with the faint breeze. His vision swam.

“I...Don’t know.”

-

Just a graze. That’s what Dr. Ziegler had said, just a graze. The healing should have gone faster, but the wounds lingered. No one knew why. Genji was confined to bed, though, he was able to at least stay in his own. Jesse hardly left his side. 

Neither spoke of what had happened at the end of their meeting with Reaper, not yet. Jesse wasn’t ready, and Genji stayed quiet for his sake. It had been two days. Jesse had closed himself off, keeping his thoughts and feelings hidden, clutched to his chest. Fragile. 

The ninja was laying in bed, a bored look on his face as he stared at the ceiling. All his armour was off, just the smooth synth skin and bits of metal that couldn’t be removed left. Jesse’s fingers traced over the scars on his right arm absently, eyes not really focused on anything in particular.

“Jesse, we should talk about this.” Genji suddenly spoke up. His voice was gentle, but firm at the same time. Jesse knew the tone, the one that meant he wouldn’t take no for an answer. He sighed quietly.

“I know...”

“You’ve hardly said a word to me since we got back.”

“I know.”

“So talk to me. It doesn’t have to be everything, but you need to let those thoughts out. I want to help.”

“I know!” Jesse snapped, closing his eyes and taking a little breath before softening.

“I-I know, darlin’.”

Genji sat up with a slight wince, turning to face Jesse, legs crossing. He took the cowboy’s hands in his own, thumbs rubbing little circles over the backs of them.

“You are not alone anymore, Jesse. I am here for you.”

That simple promise cracked the foundations of the wall Jesse had put up, making it all too easy to topple. Tears slid down his cheeks, unbidden, his hands shaking in Genji’s grasp. It took him a moment to gather his thoughts, his sharp inhale too loud in the otherwise silent room.

“Gen...It was him. I-It was Gabe. He’s alive, he’s still out there—!” Jesse’s voice cut off with a choked sound, Genji squeezing his hands. Waiting patiently. Jesse was thankful for it.

“I thought...We all thought he’d died. They—We lost so many...But him, of all people. Reaper. He’s Reaper. Has been this whole time, Gen, he’s with fucking Talon! I never thought—He would never. Gabe was...”

“He was the best man I ever knew, why has he turned into this...Wraith? A murderer. A traitor, of all things! I don’t understand what happened to him! There’s so much I regret not doing for him, and now, seeing that he’s alive, that he’s workin’ against us...” Jesse trailed off, wiping his eyes quickly. 

The swirl of emotion inside him was too thick to make much sense of. He truly didn’t know how to feel. Sorrow, maybe? Betrayal, yes, there was some of that. Hurt. An odd sense of relief. Fear, even.

“I was not as close to him as you were, but I know that is not the man we knew. Whatever happened to him, it changed him. He is Reaper now, and we must treat him like that. An enemy. He wants to kill us.”

“He didn’t, though. He had us both in point blank range, but he didn’t shoot.”

“I’m pretty sure he shot me, Jess.” Genji frowned, gesturing to his stomach, still wrapped in bandages.

“No, I mean, he didn’t shoot to kill. If he wanted us dead, we would have been dead. He took us both out like that,” Jesse snapped his fingers to illustrate, brows furrowing.

“But he didn’t kill us.”

“It’s not him, Jesse.”

“He let us go! He recognized us—”

“Jesse.”

Genji’s hands went to Jesse’s shoulders, dark eyes steeped in gold boring into his own.

“That is not Reyes. Reyes died in that explosion, and Reaper is what crawled from the remains.”

Jesse looked away, lips pressing together tightly. He knew Genji was right, but there was a part of him that wanted to believe Reyes was still there. A part of him that still dared to hope. 

Genji’s brows furrowed, reading the gunslinger’s eyes.

“Not believing it will only hurt you more in the end. And I am tired of seeing you hurting. You deserve to heal, to be content.” Genji told him, pressing a kiss to Jesse’s fingers, stubble scratching them lightly. 

The cowboy cupped Genji’s cheek, leaning in to press their foreheads together.

“I just wish things had been different...”

“As do I. But lamenting about the past will not help the future.”

“Yeah...Where’d you get all this wisdom?”

Genji smiled softly, humming.

“Mm, Zenyatta truly works wonders.”

Jesse chuckled quietly, pressing a kiss to Genji’s lips. The cowboy then let his head sink to Genji’s shoulder, resting in the crook of his neck. Genji toyed with his hair with one hand, the other still holding Jesse’s in his lap, fingers laced.

It was quiet for a few minutes, Jesse’s thoughts not a complete jumble for the first time since Reaper revealed himself. There was still a pressing matter, though.

“We need to tell the team.” He mumbled, Genji’s hand halting its movement.

“Yes, we do. But I want you to just rest tonight, Jesse. We can figure that out tomorrow.”

Jesse nodded. Genji leaned back, taking them both down to the mattress, Jesse careful of his wounds. He was tired, and the next day was sure to be another difficult one. 

But for tonight, Jesse felt he could rest a little easier.