futurology | VOICE | UN: GREENCYBORG

[ It's a good thing he has no need for breathing in air, he's sure he would be at a loss for it in this moment. Instead his fans cycle faster, trying to cool off his internal workings, as he begins to process this... confession. It isn't like it's a surprise, it's one he expected at some point, with the way Genji had been acting.

He knew as well, he felt the same, although he could never exactly pinpoint when Genji became more than just a student to him. Perhaps it was when the other carried him for hours, or when he recalled Genji's kindness in giving him his own clothes off his back. Maybe he had felt this way for a while, and he lacked the self-observation to notice it.

Maybe he did not want to, for fear of how it would change things, in the same way Genji seems to be afraid of not being "perfect" enough for him. A nonsensical notion. ]

I love you as well, Genji.

[And he steps closer, reaching out to take Genji's hand into his own.]

But I must... I do not want to impose my feelings upon you, I would never want you to feel as if you had to reciprocate them because of who I am to you.

[Which is a concern of his. He will remain Genji's teacher, he hopes, but there is a power there in knowing Genji would do so much for him- even say things he didn't mean- if he thought it would make Zenyatta happy. That's not what he wants.]

And so I ask that... please, if you really mean this, use my name.

Don't know you enough yet to answer that honestly.

[ He can be happy that the faceplate hides his expression, but his brother is his brother. Even if he's hiding his face, there are tells to show just how he must be looking -- the slight tilt of his head and the weak sigh that follows 'he told you.' ]

Yes. I am sorry. It was not my intention to say anything.

Somehow, I'm very relieved to hear that answer.

Though, I cannot tell you why.

[There are several thoughts that go through his mind, and all the while Hanzo keeps his scowl. Eventually, he sighs and folds his arms, glancing away.]

...You do not seem to mind that I am involved with a teammate of yours.

It's someone that has helped you through something I could not, and someone that you trust in.

[ There is a softer, happier smile. ]

There is nothing for me to mind.

[Gradually, Hanzo's face softens from a frown, now to to something more uncertain as he considers. Yes, he does trust McCree; Jesse has been good, patient, and understanding. Stubbornly at Hanzo's side while also respecting his privacy.

Yet, it's still a difficult matter.]

Perhaps it is not unlike how you trust your master. [He says, without any real idea of how true that might be.] ...When I attempted to force you to change, especially after Father passed on, I was not your brother then. I was attempting to be something else.

To change, perhaps we cannot be anything more than that. [Siblings.]

[ Somehow, he thought he would hear a different answer. Even though, he knew that he wouldn't. He clenches his hands into fists with eyes closed. Why did he think otherwise? Because there will be doubts still in his soul -- yet he will work through them. Didn't he say that he would? Not for his master's sake but for his own.

Genji understands that he cannot say that he loves someone and fear in his heart that will not be enough. That would make it a half-hearted sort of love, wouldn't it? One that would put pressure on his master more than alleviate it. He opens his eyes and relaxes his hands. ]

Your name?

[ His head bows before he lifts his hands up. Is this too much? Maybe. But -- he presses the release on his faceplate -- he wants to see his master with is own eyes. He looks up hesitantly, at first. The plate held in his hand and at his side. ] I love you, Zenyatta. [ Genji cannot hide the blush, the sound of the vents. There is little that he can hide, but isn't that the point of removing it. Even if Zenyatta knows what expression that he has, he wants to show it to him. ]

So, please, do not feel you are imposing, do not feel like I am reciprocating them because you mean so much to me... it's because you mean so much to me that I care about you.

[ He looks away at the comment about Zenyatta. That is hitting a little too close to home but he doesn't think that McCree would have mentioned something like that to Hanzo.

And that concern falls to the wayside when he hears the rest of what his brother has to say. ] You did not think that you needed to be my brother. I do not say that to drive the knife in but saying that we both did what we thought was right.

But I believe you are right. We can just be as we are... as we should have been. For I, too, should have been a better brother to you.

[ she just laughs a little at that. ]

Oh, you're worrying for nothing, I'm sure!

Olivia, you ...

You may be too good of a person and I'm glad that sweaty teenager never spoke to you.

Oh, um. [ yeah she still doesn't really get what he might mean... ] Was he very sweaty...?

[ was he really just embarrassed about his past self's hygiene?! ]

Yes.

[ He loudly sighs.

Then sighs louder. ]

Oh, that... is very unfortunate, yes.

[ she still thinks he might be over-reacting, but. ]

At least it's over..?

Yes, at least it is over.

Though, I could have lived my entire life without seeing those things... mate. Please tell me that you did not have to suffer that sight, Olivia.

[ her laugh is light and quite hollow. ]

No... No, I didn't really have time to see much of anything.

[ for either they had already bitten her

or she had already changed enough that any bug she encountered was quickly dealt with. ]

I'm so relieve --

[ A long pause. ]

Olivia... why did you not have much time?

Oh, um.

[ she tries to smile, but it comes out more as a grimace. ]

I guess I was also... bit by one of those bugs...

Because the truth always sucks.

[Such wise words. That's why he's someone's sensei.]

[ He knows the doubts that plague Genji well enough, the other even voicing a few of them before saying what he's been waiting to hear for a while now. He hopes one day, Genji will be able to see himself how Zenyatta sees him- kind, brave, compassionate...

Genji begins to remove his faceplate, and Zenyatta allows him the space to do so. The face beneath the visor may be darker and scarred from the younger one he had seen only a few days ago, but it is beautiful nevertheless. And then when he says those wonderful words once again, Zenyatta sighs, as if suddenly feeling waves of relief. ]

Oh, Genji...

[ He lifts his hand to place gently on his student's cheek, thumb brushing against the skin there. ]

I am certain my power supply skips a volt whenever I hear that.

[ It may sound foolish, but being that young again, being only five years old- it is important to remember one's past. Especially when he recalls how much he has grown and changed from that past. He was a something of a bitter omnic, during that time. Not young enough to find the world still fascinating, and just old enough to see the monstrosities the world has the offer as well. Caring and being cared for was not a thing he knew with any frequency.

And then here's Genji. Telling him how much he means to him- a thing he already knew, but such a reassurance after that brief time when those feelings of bitterness rose back up. ]

...I feel as though I may weep once again, but I will try to refrain.

... did you also have an embarrassing younger self?

[ but she is so sweet -- still to say that would probably come off as he feels when people say that he could not be as embarrassing as he says that he was. ]

[ A beat before he starts laughing. ]

That it does, Saitama!

[ It is an odd feeling to have him touch his face. It is more feeling the presence of the hand due to all the scarring. But still it makes him happy that he reaches out to do so. ]

Should I only use it sparingly, then?

[ A light joke to make up for how he is feeling. But it's written on his face, isn't it? The amount of joy that he has that he's loved back by the one who loves. His eyes close as he already does feel like crying. So, this is what McCree meant? He should have done something much sooner, but this is all right. ]

I will also try to refrain from doing so. What would that look like ... both of us crying? [ And yet he lifts his hand up to slide it around the back of Zenyatta's head, to pull him close so that their foreheads touch. It's a little gesture but somehow it means a lot. To allow him to be so close. He really is hopeless sometimes, isn't he? ]

Use it as few or frequently as you wish, but know I adore the feeling it inspires.

[That is to say, he hasn't felt this way in quite a long time. And even then, it wasn't quite the same as this, right now.

He's sure there won't be any actual physical side effects, even if Genji's just joking right now. Zenyatta laughs airily as their foreheads touch, seeing the reflection of his blue lights on Genji's face and armor. There aren't too many times he's seen Genji with his mask off, and it's an even rarer moment to see the other with such happiness written on his face.]

I am certain we already look like quite the pair right now.

[A robot and a cyborg, but a hair away from embracing as their foreheads touch. He's certain, at least, that not too many people would come out this way and see them. Not that he plans on keeping his relationship a secret...]

But if you do feel the need to cry, I will wipe away your tears.

No... [ idly, she starts fiddling with one of her braids, glancing to the side. ] It was a future version of me that turned up.

VOICE | UN: GREENCYBORG

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