Inspired by this art
“I am trying,” Hanzo told Genji, eyeing his brother with a mix of defensiveness and apprehensiveness, when he joined Overwatch. Trying to accept that Genji forgave him. It was strange to say in your opinion, but the situation itself was strange to begin with. Normal rules may not apply.
There was no neat analogy for how they circled each other, awkwardly for a few weeks. What to do next, was the hurdle in front of them. What to say that won’t be accidentally jabbing a finger into an old wound that still needed time to heal. Wounds that they may not even know they have.
It made you anxious, but you tried not to fuss. Three people on edge instead of two was not the answer to the above questions. You did your best to act casually around the both of them. Supporting Genji, and getting along with Hanzo. You ignored their sadly awkward behaviour in hopes that it would change.
So at first it didn’t sink in that they were getting along much better the last time you saw them. You almost walked past, not seeing that Hanzo held his little brother in his lap. They had their heads together, close enough to whisper the odd comment, joke, or whatever they were talking about; it didn’t matter. You did stop to stare, but the pair ignored your presence for their smartphones. Which did not annoy you in the slightest.
“Listen to this one,” Genji said, and Hanzo pressed his ear to the portion of Genji’s head just below his antenna. Hanzo’s eyes wandered as he listened intently to the song playing inside Genji’s helmet.
“It hurts to play it that loud,” Genji explained when the song stopped.
Hanzo nodded.
“Also, if anyone listened to this frequency, they would get a rude surprise. I have been scolded by Athena more times than I count,” Genji chuckled.
Hanzo went back to thumbing at his phone’s screen. “It is not your fault that the AI has poor taste.”
“I heard that,” said her soothing voice from all around.
The side of Hanzo’s mouth curled upwards. Genji sported a similar smirk behind his faceplates. He lay his head against Hanzo’s, no music playing this time. Hanzo freed his arm from between them and wrapped his arm around Genji’s hips. He pulled his brother closer.
“Your cyborg ass is digging into my leg,” Hanzo growled quietly.
Genji hummed and shifted around in his seat, then settled back into leaning into Hanzo, who left his arm where it was. Genji took no offense at Hanzo’s annoyance. As the younger brother, it is Genji’s job to be annoying, and Hanzo’s job to correct him. It seemed right for them to be like this. You did your best to avoid disturbing them, but you did reach for Genji’s hand. You gave it an affectionate squeeze when he glanced up at you. Then you moved on.
You asked Genji later in private how he felt about the recent development.
“Umm,” he said, seeming terribly unsure.
He fumbled with unlatching his faceplates. You saw his fingers shake and held out your hands to catch the pieces of metal when he did drop them. Already, a fat tear was making its way down and over the scars on his cheek. He dove for your arms the second you raised them to hold them out to him.
“I am happy,” he sobbed loudly into your shoulder, crying damp patches into the fabric.
“It’s okay, it’s okay,” you whispered repeatedly, hugging him tight and swaying with him. And then, “Okay, Genji, you’re too heavy for me. C’mon.”
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