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.

[ 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 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.

[ 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.

I wasn't aware you were -- [ So smooth? ]

I'm really grateful. [ To Zenyatta. To Angela. To Overwatch. To ALISTAIR. The doctor saved his life and allowed him to be able to connect his soul with someone else. Overwatch allowed him to make friends even if he did not view them as such at the time; allowed him to still have a connection with those who wanted to do good. ALISTAIR granted him the chance to see his brother, to work as a team with him, to work as a team with those that viewed him as friends and to make more connections with various worlds. And his master saved his soul and loves him. ]

No... I'll be all right. I'll be all right. [ But the tightness in his chest still feels there yet he only smiles. ] It's ... I did not... I was being rather obvious around you, wasn't I?

I was so...?

[He's not sure what Genji means there. But really, ninja boy? No idea that the robot who can talk his way through anything would be so smooth?]

You? Being obvious?

[Okay, he's teasing a bit now, gently placing his hand on Genji's hip as he pulls the other closer. It would be nice, he thinks, to feel the warmth of Genji's metal against his own.]

Do submarine swim?

Smooth. My younger self could have taken lessons from you.

[ Though, saying as much, his face reddens a little. Especially with Zenyatta still so close. ]

I don't know if I'd call what they do swimming. [ A teasing comment back as he wrapped his arms around his master's shoulders to hold him close, turning his head to rest it on the omnic's shoulder. ]

... I also feel like I should thank you for ... caring about me... someone who was filled with so much anger and hate for himself. I would not have thought this would be my future.

Smooth...?

[ Not like, metal smooth, right? Because yes, he's always been smooth, that's not new... Oh, wait, slang meaning. ]

Ah, I was only saying how I feel.

[ Which happens to be smooth as fuck, and he's learning to appreciate the slight tint of red on Genji's expression, now... Although it seems even despite the embarrassment the cyborg seems to have, he still has plenty in him to tease back. ]

Cheeky.

[ Zenyatta replies playfully, and moves his hand that was by Genji's face to stroke the back of his head when the other leans into him. Although it's covered in metal and armor at this point, and the other might not be able to feel this, he'll at least be able to sense the gentle pressure. ]

Genji, you are deserving of love. Of kindness. Being cared for. These are not things you must thank me for doing, when I do so of my own choice and will.

I am glad to have helped you find your own happiness. And, perhaps... a little selfishly... glad that you have allowed me to share in that happiness.

[ When he says it like that, it sounds even more charming. ]

If I didn't show some cheek, you'd think I was too awed to be able to talk back from time to time, right? [ A light tease, but it's true, too, right? He cares a lot about what Zenyatta says and listens to him well, but perhaps, not so well that he'd not-not listen. ]

You're the one who helped me find myself a new home, and a better way of living. I may not feel as much of an outcast here... no, there's nothing else that I can add to that, is there?

So, you can be as selfish as you want, and I'll try to be that way a little too without feeling any guilt.

Yes, I suppose so. In which case, I do certainly prefer the cheek. It is a side of you I find no less captivating.

[ After all. He may believe in peace and tranquility, and the balance between chaos and order... Which is precisely why it is perfectly fine and normal to be a little silly now and then. ]

As selfish as I want?

[He asks, with a note of curiosity.]

Are you quite sure about that?

[ Captivating?

There is the soft sound of his vents helping to cool him down. His master may say that he just says what he wishes to say, but to hear it spoken so easily about him, Genji cannot help but feel captivated just by that. ]

I'm quite sure about that, Zenyatta. [ He may have stumbled a little over the name. May have whispered it just a little. ] It isn't to make up for the selfish behavior that I've shown in the past but rather... I want to say ... that you always give yourself to others and so I want to be the one to spoil you some, too.

I see. If... spoiling me is what you wish, then...

[ Some of that smoothness fades away for a moment, and Zenyatta distractedly looks off to the side. There is something he'd like to ask for, but the creeping feeling of being selfish continues. He knows that now, of all times, would be the best to ask for this, and yet he hesitates. It takes him a few more moments to build up the nerves to ask. ]

This will sound ridiculous...

...But would you be opposed to giving me my first kiss?

[ He knows, an omnic with no lips asking for a kiss. It's utterly stupid sounding. ]

Your first?

[ That should not surprise him as much as it does. Omnics are not necessarily trusted in their world, and they had only been separate from each other for a month. Yet he cannot think that no one was enchanted and amazed by his master. If he keeps thinking on that, he thinks that he won't be able to answer the question. ]

No, I wouldn't be opposed. [ If he says he would be honored that is too much. ] I only wish that my face was a little softer for you. [ The bottom half of his jaw, after all, is robotic. Somehow, he wanted it to be softer so that he could place small kisses against the metal. Something to make it a perfect one.

But -- he's thinking this wrong. His hands lift to rest on either side of Zenyatta's face, feeling nervous, feeling anxious, but only because of the amount of affection he feels for the Omnic hurting his chest. ] I would never be opposed to kissing you.

[It isn't like he has a past of being a playboy, or even of being intimate with someone before! Yes, he might be twenty, but things are a little different for omnics than someone born human. For Zenyatta, the affection expressed in a kiss, along with the frequency humans use it... it was something he was admittedly jealous of.

He doesn't spare a second thought to the potential lack of softness to Genji's face-]

I never considered it detrimental.

[He replies quietly, and it seems now it's Zenyatta's turn to have steam plume from his vents, as Genji holds his faceplate with both hands. He doesn't know what to do from here, only have observed the action of kissing, never participated. His internal systems feel odd, heavy and light at the same time- somehow feeling nervous right now.]

Then, please.

[Kiss the boy, Genji.]

Yes.

[ The word is carefully, nervously spoken. Even with the reverb to his voice, he cannot quite escape how it trembles. He swallows -- even though he knows that his throat doesn't really feel try (can't feel dry), it's more of the memory of what it once felt like. A ghost of a smile appears first before he leans forward.

It's not that much distance between them. It doesn't feel like there is. Yet there is that second of hesitation before he presses his lips against the metal. A soft sound of his own metal jaw as it lightly touches Zenyatta's face. He would rather it all be flesh, so that he could feel more.

He can feel the heat beneath the metal on the part still human. It's a nice feeling honestly, not too hot. It's comforting, but maybe that it is because it's his master. No, that's not right. It's the person that he loves. Just thinking like that, it makes his heart clench a little as his hands drop down to wrap around his shoulders and kiss him more.

To press his lips against the side of his face, to adore him, to probably give more than a first kiss but second, third... ]

[ As Genji's lips (lip?) touches his faceplate, he can detect warmth- perhaps from Genji's skin being so close to his sensors? Maybe it is his own heat, and his internal fans have failed to cool him down properly, given the amount of excess he's been giving off? Maybe it's... Maybe it's time for him to stop thinking about it, and focus on what's happening right now. Much more important.

His hands move, almost automatically to Genji's sides, resting just above his hips as he leans in closer. Their chassis are so close together but not quite touching... the inch that separates them feels like miles. ]

Oh, Genji...

[Zenyatta sighs as his student moves on from kissing the front of his faceplate. How is it that such a simple action like this has so quickly brought peace and happiness into his mind? ... Something worth looking into further, to make up for all of the time he has gone without. For now, he doesn't want this to end.

His desire to never let go manifests in the form of a few more pairs of hands- projected light that really have no weight or depth, but still feel real to Zenyatta regardless, as he places his second pair of hands on Genji's shoulders, and then two more settling on Genji's chest.]

VOICE | UN: GREENCYBORG

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I CAN DO IT!

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