I changed this up a little, but I think it’s still good! Hope you agree.

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“Really? He’s never rude to me. A bit cold, maybe. That’s it.”

“That,” Jesse said, jabbing his cigarillo in the air, “is because he thinks you’re sweeter ‘n a candied cherry dipped in chocolate and rolled in powdered sugar.”

You giggled. “Jesse, that’s ridiculous.”

“It’s true,” he insisted, leaning back on the sofa and putting his feet up on the coffee table.

“Then why doesn’t he tell me?”

Jesse snorted, shooting you a knowing smile.

“What?” you asked.

He shook his head silently, still wearing that smile.

“I’ve had enough of your shit, Jesse,” you grumbled.

You got up and left.

You woke up from a nightmare again that night. Your veins on fire, your body stiff and muscles angry. The little girl you found dead during a mission six months ago still haunted you today. You weren’t the only one who had nightmares. No one made fun of you for this, but you still suffered. Not wanting to see her face in your dreams again, you got out of bed before you fell asleep again.

You shuffled miserably back to the Blackwatch rec area. Really, it was a living room, because it not only had that sofa, but also a TV, and some gaming consoles. Genji was sitting on the sofa, thumbing at his cell phone.

You were hoping to be alone. But if Jesse was right, Genji wouldn’t mind you sitting next to him.

“Hello,” he greeted you quietly.

“Hey.”

“Why are you up?”

“Nightmare,” you said simply.

You sniffled and whiped your runny nose with the back of your hand. Any more words, and you’d start to cry.

“The girl, right?”

You jerked your head up to look at him. His red eyes bored into you.

“Yeah. How did you know?” you asked.

“I saw you cry for her after that mission.”

You were stunned that Genji remembered. He barely said a word to anyone but Jesse and Commander Reyes. And when he did speak, he said, “No,” rather rudely. You didn’t think he cared, let alone remembered such a detail about someone other than himself.

You didn’t expect Genji’s human arm to come around you, so you jumped a bit. But then you settled into his body while he pulled you close. You let the tears stream, taking deep breaths, letting out your grief, and listening to Genji’s steady breathing.

“Mind if I stay here? I don’t want to go back to sleep.”

“I do not mind.”