It did have the unfortunate side effect of Zenyatta bursting into utterly delighted giggles. Every time he thought perhaps Zenyatta would manage words, another fit of giggles arose. “Brother please…” he sighed, chin in his palm as he waited.

“Forgive me but...Genji owes me a weeks worth of chores.” Zenyatta replied, sounding, as the humans would say, tickled pink by this turn of events.

“A week...you made a bet?” Mondatta exclaimed, sitting upright with a trill of disbelief. “Zenyatta! When did you become one that gambled?” he added, attempting to scold but it was lost amid the worry that his interest was too obvious.

Zenyatta finally calmed enough to speak, lights still flickering in delight even as he spoke between muffled giggles. “No no, I merely know you well enough and there is not much I keep from Genji.” He said honestly, reaching to pat Mondatta’s arm across the table. “I have seen how you act around him and he is a very good man. If there was any I would trust, it would be him.” Zenyatta added warmly.

Still a little huffy at his love life being a bet, he could not really fault Zenyatta for his mirth. He had done the same over Zenyatta and his student. Karma, he supposed. Still, it did him good to hear Zenyatta’s approval over his choice. “He is a marvel and I am rather rusty for….flirting.” he said, watching Zenyatta make his move as he mulled it over.

“He is rather old fashioned as it were, I would suggest asking him out very bluntly. There is no need to be subtle.” A very round about way of saying that Reinhardt often missed things not laid out before him when it came to these sorts of things.

“Just ask him? That seems...boring.” Mondatta said thoughtfully. “Perhaps flowers? That was old fashioned, no?” Zenyatta hummed before nodding in agreement. “Flowers and dinner? We can not go anywhere of course..”

“I can get Genji to aid in that, make something for two?” Zenyatta offered, excited to help his dear brother. Mondatta had never showed attraction like this before and he was delighted for it to be someone like Reinhart.

It was a worry he presumably no longer had to be concerned about with his own personal knight there to keep him safe. He could be forgiven for expecting Reinhardt only to be there when he was going outside in any manner but instead, the large man seemed to enjoy hanging around him. Even when Mondatta had the sneaking suspicion that he was supposed to be doing something else, Reinhardt would come challenge him to a game of chess or suggest a walk in the gardens. A tour around the parts of the facility he thought Mondatta would enjoy seeing, like watching his dear Zenyatta spar with Genji that one time. Simple little things that helped pass the time and distract from his worries, something he was very grateful for. He had not expected however, to find himself so easily charmed.

He was loud and overly boisterous and sometimes forgot his own strength but never with him. Mondatta never had to worry about a hand hitting his back too hard or squeezing his unarmoured shoulder without care. Reinhardt's tales seemed outlandish and were clearly embellished at times but that never took away the enjoyment of listening to them, even when they were repeated a time or two. It broke the mundane repetitions of the slowly passing days. Not that he was the only one, he was often in the company of Zenyatta and even Genji more often than not but Reinhardt had a way of capturing his full attention.

Now he was not a foolish sort, he knew what was happening and watched with a sort of bemused attitude. He was fond of Reinhardt, very fond of him. The sort of fondness crept through his circuits that he knew filled Zenyatta's own when he looked at his pupil. It was warm and sweet and he was not sure what to do with it. Not many understood the depths of a omnics emotions, even those that saw omnics as 'people' in their own right often underestimate them.

It had been a rather short amount of time no less and he'd spent a good part of it not fully conscious. He was not sure he ever planned to inform Reinhardt about his feelings. Was there a point? He was human after all and thus they would eventually part. A fact that did not bother Mondatta as much as the worry of making the man uncomfortable. He was used to humans and their mortality after all, it was a fact inescapable. All returned to the Iris in time but did that mean he should inform anyone of his feelings? Perhaps it would be better to keep them to himself rather then burden his knight with such things?

Such thoughts were the focus of his meditation that day, cross legged on the grass in the garden. He knew the answer would come to him in time, perhaps not this session but eventually. In the meantime, he had a chess match to look forwards to after the mid day meal. A continuation of one that had gone for a rather long time. Reinhardt was a man of many talents, strategy among them. Followed closely by optimism and quite a good jig. He often found his thoughts turning to the man, even though he had long mastered the ability to clear his mind for meditation.

One let a thought drift in while meditating, observed it and let it settle where it would. Such is how he came to terms with his attraction to his erstwhile Knight. A simple fact, one as inescapable as the sunrise. The answer did not settle as easily as the question. There were many reasons to keep things to himself. Other then the lifespans, it was clear being an omnic that he had taken for granted his own. A fact made startlingly real upon nearly dying. He supposed he was afraid. What if Reinhardt declined? He knew enough to know that would not change their friendship, Reinhardt was not the sort to take things in that direction. So why did he hesitate?

No answer came and soon enough he heard the telltale steps approaching. “Good Afternoon Reinhardt, has the time come for our match already?” he asked, well aware that the mid days meal had yet to start.

“Not yet my friend. I thought perhaps you’d like to join me? I know eating is not something you do but some company?” Reinhardt would sound normal to anyone else, anyone not an omnic that is. Mondatta was long attuned to the minute variations in a human voice and picked up on the nervousness instantly. Unfolding his legs, he stood smoothly and turned to face him.

“That sounds very enjoyable, thank you.” He replied, taking Reinhardt’s offered arm with amusement. Perhaps meditation did not always give answers. Sometimes they came in something just as simple as this.

In the end, the solution seemed almost obvious. Zenyatta had come and called him away from the room he had awoken in despite the doctor's worries that his systems may still need tweaking. That was until Reinhardt had come by and heard the plan.

"Angela! Do not fret so much. I will go with them to the gardens yes? Nothing will happen under my watchful eye. " He promised, tapping under his one good eye and did a very comical raising and lowering of his eyebrows until she had given in with a chuckle.

Stepping out into the enclosed area that served as a small garden and looking up at the sun, he realized that thiswas what had been missing. the sun warm on his plating, the sounds of nature, small as it was in what amounted to a single room without a roof. Settling down on a bench, he could feel himself relaxing and becoming at ease in a way he had not been able to reach.

Bench shifting as a heavier weight settled beside him, he turned to look at the mountain of a man. "It is always good to get fresh air yes?" Mondatta was taken slightly aback by just how...open and bright he was, smile just as big as he was.

"Indeed. I feel more at peace." Mondatta agreed, tiping his face up towards the warm rays. "I have yet to thank you for escorting us, I am sure you are busy. "

Reinhardt just shook his head. "It is no trouble at all! In fact, it is a good time to tell you that I am being your guard." He replied, hand patting the omnics back. Given how zenyatta turned to look, this was a surprise to him as well. "Until things are safe, it was decided that someone will remain with you at all times! ready to defend you against any and all attempts of another attack. Of course, I volunteered." There was no room to pose on the bench but he managed it well enough.

"I had heard mention of it, but did not know it had been decided. I thank you for your offered assistance. truly there is no fear with your protection." Zenyatta might be laying it on a tad thick but the thought of losing his brother had been a terrifying time, one he did not relish repeating. ever.