[ 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.