Chapter Text
Hanzo towels the sweat off his face and looks at himself in the mirror. He sees an absolute wreck staring back at himself. His concealer has rubbed off, showing his red cheeks and the dark circles under his eyes. Knowing he has a scant few minutes, he hastily touches up and reapplies his shimmery gold eyeshadow. There will be all sorts of lenses and flashes in his face. An aspect of his profession that he wholeheartedly detests.
He draws in a breath and steels himself when he hears the restroom door swing open. The tension mounting in his shoulders eases a bit when the shock green hair catches his eye in the mirror.
“Anija! C’mon, they’re about to announce the winners!”
His chest is still rising and falling fast when Genji grabs his arm and hauls him to the main ballroom. For someone who moves with a limp, his brother is still swift on his feet.
His partner Satya is waiting for him at the foyer, arms folded over a stunning gold gown that complements his rich royal blue suit. She looks impeccable, as always. Not a hair out of place. One might struggle to believe she had just finished the Professional International Latin Final Round.
Hanzo nods to her, and she replies by allowing a small smile as she hooks around his free arm.
“You look terrible,” Satya murmurs under her breath as they stride forward, making their way closer to the announcer’s podium. It is not intended as an insult, and Hanzo knows better than to take it as such.
“I can assure you I’m more than aware.”
“Your performance today was -” Satya, for once, hesitates. She is searching for the appropriate adjective.
“Lacking?” Hanzo supplies.
“That would be one way of putting it.” She turns to him, eyes sharp and critical yet underscored with concern. “Did you not sleep well last night?”
Before Hanzo can answer, the judges take the stage with the Master of Ceremonies. Hanzo would not say he’s ever been fond of an MC, but Lúcio Correia dos Santos is hard not to like. He will be the first to admit the man has a dazzling smile and more charm in his pinky than Hanzo possesses in his entire being.
“Ladies, gentlemen, and all my dear friends! Thank you for waiting so patiently. The results are in and we have our winners for the Professional International American Smooth division!”
The third place winners are called up to the stage. They are two rising stars from Britain and Australia, Lena Oxton and Jamison Fawkes. An unlikely partnership, perhaps, but Hanzo witnessed first-hand how their abundant energy complements one another on the dancefloor. They have an endurance that could no doubt steamroll an International 10-Dance competition. He has no doubt they will be an eminent threat in the World Championships.
Hanzo applauds as they accept their bronze trophies. He tries to ignore a stab of envy when Oxton leans down to accept a bouquet of roses from a redheaded woman while Jamison blows kisses to an enormous man taking photographs in front of the stage. Not all competitors are so lucky to have their loved ones with them for a qualifying event overseas.
Then again, Genji has always been there for him, and for that he is eternally grateful. As if he possesses a sixth sense, Genji glances over at him and grins.
“They are so cute. Almost makes me want a steady partner.” Genji sighs goodnaturedly.
“Aren’t you allergic to monogamy?” Satya smirks.
“Maybe I just haven’t met the right one!”
“You’ve had a very large pool to sample from.”
“Please, you two,” Hanzo nearly hisses, too wound up to find their bantering the slightest bit amusing.
Thankfully, Genji and Satya know him better than to argue or take offense. They understand the pressure he’s under. Satya’s hand tightens on his elbow. Hanzo feels Genji’s hand squeeze his shoulder.
The MC’s infectious laughter floods the room with help from the microphone. “AMAZING dancers, these two! Did you see them? They nearly blew me away with their moves. Let’s give them another hand!” Lucio draws a larger round of applause.
“Now, then! Let’s drop the beat for our second place finalists.”
On cue, the DJ plays a few seconds from DNCE’s Body Moves. The crowd cheers and begins swaying along to the beat. Everyone in the room is rollicking about in anticipation except the two couples waiting for Lucio to stop keeping them in suspense.
Hanzo’s attention slides over to the other side of the dance floor. Amélie Lacroix meets his gaze and holds it with her piercing hazel eyes. He’s surprised that she has the grace to offer a short nod. Loathe as he is to admit it, he and his greatest rival are too alike. Perhaps in a different life, they would have been the best of friends. Here, however, they would sooner trip each other and pray for a twisted ankle than share in any illusions of camaraderie.
The woman mouths something to him with a slight smirk.
Yes, Hanzo agrees, tilting his chin up. May the best win.
Hanzo turns back to the stage and braces himself. Lucio is opening the card with the results.
“Please join me in congratulating…” Lucio pauses, and the fleeting flash of confusion is almost imperceptible. He instantly covers it with a broad smile.
Satya’s face falls as Lucio speaks the words she has never heard in connection with one another: “Satya Vaswani and Hanzo Shimada, our second place winners!”
For a moment, Hanzo feels the floor bottom out beneath him. He stares unseeing. The applause sounds filtered. It reaches him muffled, like it’s coming from a room three doors down the hallway. He cannot remember how to walk, much less dance, until Genji gives his shoulder a small shake.
“Brother.” Genji’s forced smile appears in front of him, blocking the stage from view and bringing him back to the horrible reality he does not want to face. Second place.
“You and Satya need to go up there and accept your awards. And try your best to smile.”
“Let’s go,” Satya murmurs, and while Hanzo can fake a smile, he cannot bring himself to face his partner as they accept their silver trophies.
It is his fault.
If he had slept more. If he had trained harder. If he hadn’t refused to take the pills.
On and on the list goes as Hanzo shakes hands with the judges. It does not stop when he takes a bow with Satya for the photographers, nor does it stop looping back when they exit the stage.
The moment they are out of sight, Satya drops the smile and looks sorely tempted to find a garbage can. Hanzo shares the same feeling, but knows he will keep the trophy. It is a reminder of his failure. He won’t forget this moment.
Especially not when he hears Lucio’s voice call Amélie and Gérard Lacroix to the stage with a reception of thunderous applause.