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Necessary Sacrifices (Joys of Fatherhood)
Jesse knew that when he and Hanzo took the plunge into fatherhood there would be sacrifices. They couldn’t indulge in their vices as much as they used to, money spent on alcohol and cigars redirected towards toys and baby formula. Their usual back and forth between their respective quarters coming to an abrupt end when Winston granted them larger quarters citing their impending responsibilities as reason enough.
“We got enough space as it is,” Jesse chuckled nervously.
Hanzo nodded, looking equally uncomfortable, “And we do not require special treatment.”
Winston leveled them both with a look which would make a lesser man quake in his boots. But Jesse and Hanzo weren’t lesser men, just men who didn’t take kindly to being under such scrutiny even if it was good-natured. After a long pause, Winston sighed and pushed up his glasses with a finger, the gentle clicking of the lenses finding purchase on his nose breaking the stillness.
“You both have been exemplary in your performance and went above the call of service on many occasions,” Winston says looking between them. “If you do not feel comfortable with this arrangement because of personal reasons, I understand, but these accommodations are not only for your benefit.”
Jesse resisted the urge to counter with a quip or a hearty grunt. And from the lack of even a irritated huff, Hanzo was holding back as well. Winston had been one of the more vocal supporters of their bid to have a child. Taking to baby-proofing the Watchpoint as if it was his life’s mission and checking on their newest addition when time would allow. Naturally, he would try to put their child’s comfort first before anything else, a sentiment that both Hanzo and Jesse appreciated. Meeting Jesse’s gaze from the corner of his eye, Hanzo inclined his head to the side and raised his shoulders in a half-hearted shrug.
The corner of Jesse’s lips quirked up and he nodded.
“Only the best for our lil guy,” Jesse says as he links his pinky finger with Hanzo’s. He delights in the soft smile the archer wears when he gently swings their hands. Barely noticeable to some but enough for Jesse to break out in a grin. “But does this mean I can decorate?”
Almost immediately, Winston’s head drops and his shoulders shake with laughter as he watches Hanzo lay down the law on what constitutes as proper designing and a hodgepodge of disaster. But from the way that Jesse laughs and their pinky lock becomes full-blown hand holding, Winston counts this as a success.
“We are not going to have cactus on the walls,” Hanzo spat as he and Jesse left the conference room.
Jesse snorted and shook his head. “Okay, but what about a machine that makes hologram tumbleweeds?”
Their bickering carries down the hall and Winston shakes his head. He only hopes that the two of them find a common ground on interior decorating before the baby is born.