Chapter Text
Starstruckswan went and fed the Muses and here is the first finished result, chapter not planing on leaving this as an open ended One Shot. Lack of lore, Canon and/or Fan, sometimes really sucks when writing. All I can do is hope people are happy and enjoy rather than fighting about how OOC anyone is based on their personal HC. Feel free to share if you have and HCs about how Genji and Zenyatta met. I have another idea that thankfully allows me to worry a lot less about the other monks and their nonexistent lore. Genyatta makes me so happy but ugh the research for this feels more like a few wasted hours. Oh well hopefully it was worth it.
WarNinGs: Lore complaint...what lore? OC Monks because there are literally 2 named ones and 1 is already dead. Genyatta! Genji is a cat...not literally but seriously we all know it's true.
Aishi Say
“I am not the only traveler
Who has not repaid his debt
I've been searching for a trail to follow again...”
'The Night We Meet' by Lord Huron.
I Am Not The Only Traveler Who Has Not Repaid His Debt
Zenyatta sighed a breathless sigh as his lights brighten meditation over. Head tilted up watching fat flakes of snow fall slowly from the gray sky for a moment as he reflected. Mondatta had told him to meditate on his thoughts regarding his differing views on their philosophy. Few of the others shared them adding to his doubts no matter how Mondatta assured him only he could choose the right path forward in the end. The best way to prove his way had merit was to seek out a student to start with and build from there as Mondatta had done before him. Many were lost after decades of war though he had sadly learned one must want to be helped in order to truly be helped. It was not their place to force help only offer it. The humans in the village below were in need of little healing compared to the rest of the world though they were good for learning to interact with humans.
Turning from the falling snow the monk decided it was time to head home as even an omnic could only stand the cold for so long before suffering damage. Glancing around the quite world slowly turning white he tilted head sure he saw a red light. Focusing his optics like a squinting human he was sure he saw it this time. A red light this far from cities was odd it did not look like a flare or other signal a lost traveler often used. More than one lost human owed the monks their lives having been found and cared for and were happy to tell others reminding them not all omnics hated or feared humans. It was still such a pity that so many had suffered and died and for so little. Was it any wonder humans had reacted as they had when omnics started to show emotion? Fear and confusion lead to regret and it was hardly one sided. Some of his own kind wanted nothing more than to hurt humans even if that human was a child who had done nothing harmful to them. It proved humans and omnics were not so different if both could blindly hate.
If the red light was an omnic still ruled by violence he could help it and if it was human lost and cold he could help them as well. Floating soundless over undisturbed snow he stopped when he found the source of the light and it was not what he had been expecting. The red light came from a half exposed armored chest under a black jacket lined in white fur, much too light of one for mountains unless humans had begun making thinner yet warmer ones. Most of the face was covered by a mask but what skin he could see was paled by exposure yet did not appear to be frostbitten just yet. Tilting his head Zenyatta reached out pressing his metal fingertips to the stranger's neck, skin chilled but his pulse was steady if not slow. The humans that tended to end up lost on the mountain had never been wearing armor let alone like what he could make out and it intrigued him.
Removing his fingers he carefully slipped his hand under the human's head, fingers slipping through cables confusing the omnic. He could not see a reason for the mask the man was wearing to need a single cable let alone multiple. Other arm moved through snow unbothered by the soft coldness as it slipped under the stranger's legs. Gently he rose lifting the chilled man from the snow reviling even more black armor and an answer to why the man had cables and was not dressed for the cold. Zenyatta had seen artificial limbs before, his own aside, but he had never seen a human's come with armor and weapons. Had this man run away from a 'creator' who only wished him to fight and kill as many omnics had?
A sudden gust of wind caused him to shift trying to shield the human with his thin frame getting a moan. Looking down he wondered if he had caused the other pain, a lack of blood did not mean a lack of injury after all. The man shifted, metal headgear clinking against his shoulder and chest with a soft sigh. Tilting his head the monk remained still but the human did not move or make another sound so it was less likely he had injured the man only disturbed his rest. Focusing he charged one of his orbs before connecting it to the chilled man sleeping in his arms. A soft sigh would have brought a smile to the monk's face if it allowed for such things. “Rest now Zenyatta is with you.”
I Am Not The Only Traveler Who Has Not Repaid His Debt
“Zenyatta good of you to...who?” Glowing eyes would have blinked if capable at the monk and what he was carrying.
Zenyatta would have shrugged but he did not wish to move his arms and disturb the human. “I am unsure. He needed my help so I helped him.”
“Oh Zenyatta you...are those blades attached to his legs?!”
“Not so loud please he is exhausted,” Zenyatta chided his fellow monk glancing down at the sleeping man in black.
The monk who had shouted moved to stand before Zenyatta to get a better look at who he had brought home. Shaking his head the two large lights on running vertically on his forehead dimmed slightly, “What did humans do to you stranger?”
“Kharazim do not encourage him.”
Kharazim turned, “Senyan really now?”
Arms crossed as the small line of lights that ran parallel to the eyes much like eyebrows dimmed, “I highly doubt those blades are there for show.”
“And if humans made this man a weapon as they did many of our kin we should leave him to die alone in the snow?” Kharazim countered, “I fail to see how that would be in line with our teachings.”
Zenyatta glanced at the pair who often debated, friendly or otherwise, “Even if he is dangerous it does not mean he cannot learn to be something more as we all strive for.”
Kharazim nodded, hand resting on Zenyatta's shoulder, “Come brother let us get your find settled for the night.”
Nodding Zenyatta's lights brighten slightly, “Thank you. Good evening Senyan.”
I Am Not The Only Traveler Who Has Not Repaid His Debt
Kharazim watched Zenyatta as he fussed over the human not all that surprised. “His colorings is improving nicely.”
Zenyatta nodded as he debated removing the metal gear unsure how comfortable it was to sleep in. “I was pleasantly surprised he was not half frozen when I found him.”
“It is always unfortunate when we find them after they have been out too long,” Kharazim agreed. Their forms may be temporary but that did not mean losing one slowly and painfully was not upsetting. “I hope he is not hostile.”
Zenyatta shrugged as he removed the headpiece setting it nearby the pair of blades, those cables had to cause a stiff neck now and then if not removed. The man already had enough to recover from by the looks of him, “If he is we shall show him we are not his enemies and so he has no reason to fight us.”
“It is not as if we cannot subdue him without harming him.” Kharazim sighed, “I hope Senyan is not right.”
“None of us are infallible Brother however I agree.” Zenyatta removed the metal mask leaving the cloth one in place, it looked comfortable enough to sleep in. “Either way I will do what I can to help him.”
“You are not alone Zenyatta, even if some of the others will be weary of those blades at first.” Kharazim truly did hope they would not be used on anyone, no doubt the human could use them.
Zenyatta looked up, fingers slipping under black locks to check the human's temperature, “Caution is often a wise course of action.”
“One you do not seem inclined to follow,” Kharazim teased as he sat down on the human's left side.
Zenyatta looked down, his hand resting on warm flesh where he had left it. Pulling it away he foldded his hands in his lap, “Perhaps I truly am too curious about humans?”
Chuckling softly Kharazim, “As long as you pick the right ones that will remain an adorable trait of yours.”
I Am Not The Only Traveler Who Has Not Repaid His Debt
Genji groaned confused by what his senses were telling him even barely awake. Jerking up he drew back his right arm ready to let a trio of shuriken fly only to freeze. The omnics on either side of him seemed to be powered down, or at least in sleep mode, and the room looked like some old temple. How had he gotten here? Lowering his right arm he moved closer to study the omnic that had been on his right. It looked harmless and not just because the lights were off, frowning he turned his head noting a glowing orb over his left shoulder. Reaching out to grab it he frowned when it felt warm against his skin and not exactly physically. Tilting his head he studied the odd thing for a moment before a flash of cyan blue drew his eye and he looked up at the now online omnic.
Zenyatta felt a shift in the power from his orb and powered back up focusing on the man now crouched where he had been laying peacefully through the night. Bare left-handed fingers closed around the still glowing orb, three blades held ready in his right hand. Dark eyes focused, narrowed, a hint of a red glow from deep within them. Slowing raising his hands he noted Kharazim powering up across from him. “There is no need for alarm you are safe here.”
“In my experience when someone says that they are either lying or a fool.” Genji glanced down at his blades and missing armor within arm's reach. Tilting his head at the omnic he arched a brow, “A fool than.”
“I have much to learn so, yes, I am a fool,” Zenyatta agreed tilting his head at the re-verb to the human's voice making him sound more like an omnic than a human.
Genji sighed shaking his head, “Monks.” Returning his shuriken to his arm he frowned, “How long?”
Zenyatta studied the human, “I am unsure how long you were passed out in the snow, though you slept through the night.” The stranger nodded and did not seem distressed by that answer, had he suspected it? “How do you feel?”
“Huh?” Genji blinked before frowning, “A bit sore and stiff but better than I should...what did you do?”
Kharazim moved to restrain the human stopping when Zenyatta gave a subtle shake of his head. “Nothing sinister we assure you.”
Genji turned to glare at the other monk over his shoulder, “That really is not for you to say.”
“That orb you are holding can channel energy and I used it to heal you.” Zenyatta watched dark eyes turn back to him before turning to the orb, blinking at it as if he had forgotten he had been holding it. “Please we wish you no harm.”
Genji frowned at the orb, it reminded him a bit of Angela’s staff but not as cold, clinical. “What do you want from me monk?”
“We wish to help human and omnic alike find enlightenment. I find a name is a good way to start.” Zenyatta could feel the discord and longed to sooth it unsure if the human would allow it.
Genji chuckled as he sat down, left arm resting on his knee, “Genji.”
“Genji,” Zenyatta repeated before gesturing at himself, “I am Zenyatta and that is Kharazim.”
Kharazim inclined his head when the human turned to him, “Greetings.”
Genji nodded before turning back to Zenyatta, “You often bring strays home?”
Zenyatta eyed the human as he casually tossed the orb up and down not use to them being treated that way. “You are not the first no.”
“Kept any?” Genji eyed the monk curious what he would do if the ninja decided to leave.
“They chose to return home,” Zenyatta answered glancing at symbol on the black jacket he could partially make out. “Will you?”
Genji snorted, “Home...I do not even know where that is anymore.” Shimada castle was no longer home and BlackWatch...well just when it was starting to feel like it could be a home, at least the people, even that was taken from him. Sighing he shrugged, “Fitting since I do not know what I am anymore either.”
Zenyatta glanced at Kharazim, seemed his need for replacements had been recent and still caused much discord. Kharazim shifted and dark eyes glanced at him as eyes opened from a blink, “Are you hungry?”
“I am not your concern,” Genji answered evenly, glancing at his discarded mask for a moment before catching it with his toes and flipping it into the air for him to catch. Sometimes a ninja just had to show off and no matter what else he was or was not now he was still a ninja.
Kharazim titled his head, the human was fast and he was well coordinated with his replacement limbs, “You are our guest.”
“Just passing through,” Genji reminded the monk as he tossed the orb back up into the air so he could replace his mask and fetch his head gear. Fitting them both back into place he took his blades and got to his feet. Swaying he blinked when the monk Zenyatta caught him, “I...”
“You have not fully recovered from exhausting yourself. Powerful as your body may be a lack of energy is a determent to human and omnic both. Please rest and recover, you are safe here.” Zenyatta called his orb back, choosing another he charged it watching dark eyes watch him.
Genji narrowed his eyes slightly there was something about that magic, like his dragon it was old and not easily explained with science. His body felt weak, weaker still without the constant flow of warmth, was that some omnic trick? Flood his system with something so he would want to stay near those orbs? Dying really had made him cynical good to know. “No, I...I want to leave.”
“Perhaps, however I fear if we allow you go as you are you will simply collapse in the snow once more.” Zenyatta would much prefer the stubborn man recover before returning to wandering if that was his wish.
Growling Genji shook his head, pushing himself until he collapsed would take more than a good night's sleep to fix even with extra healing. Cybernetically enhanced stamina did that to a guy. He wanted to push himself away from the artificial arms holding him as if damaging him meant a damn thing and go...go where? Two homes were gone, his vengeance had a target but no clue where to aim. Wandering the world until falling apart did not sound as appealing if there was another option. Did he have that? OverWatch but he was a killer he did not fit in with heroes fighting for some noble propose. Should he just stay here? Stay with machines playing at being human much as he felt he was? He could not think straight, limbs would not move as he wished, it enraged him yet part of him did not care.
Pushing himself up from the monk's chest he groaned, he just wanted...solitude, comfort, a reason to fight beyond instinct? How had he survived this long as a walking disaster? Was it simply he was so hard to kill? Hanzo had failed. Countless faceless targets had failed. He had failed. What would it take? The soft warmth between his shoulders drew his attention and he raised his head. The omnics face was only vaguely human, as many were. Did he always look so sad? Why would he be sad? Closing his eyes he slumped against a chest as solid and inhuman feeling as his must feel sighing softly, limp fingers allowing his beloved Ryu Ichimonji to slip from his grip and fall to hard stone. Why had he fought? Too tried to think straight let alone walk why fight when he could just close his eyes? Humming at words he could not make out he allowed himself to stop and nothingness was swift.
Zenyatta remained still as the swordsmen struggled with his fatigue to try and push away and stand. It hurt to watch Genji suffer so needlessly, being so very human. Eventually he managed to push away enough to look up dark stare tried defiance. Sending his orb out he felt it connect with the human in need of much warmth. Expressive eyes turned to glance over his shoulder before focusing on the face above him mood shifting. Sadness. Why sadness? Zenyatta did not understand why the man who had wanted to run from him a moment ago looked like he might cry for him. It was not hard to tell the man needed healing beyond his exhaustion, did he need more than Zenyatta had guessed? What had happened to this man to hurt him so deeply yet not rob him of his compassion? Dark eyes closed and the human slumped against him with a clink of metal on metal, swords falling to the floor.
Lowering himself slowly to the floor he titled his head when Genji shifted slightly seemingly quite comfortable with his face half hidden by yellow pants. Looking up at Kharazim he was at a bit of a loss, “Is this comfortable?”
“He seems to find it so,” Kharakim answered crouching down, Zenyatta's healing orb would likely ensure the human would not get a stiff back sleeping like that. Reaching out he gently unbent Genji's left arm from and angle he was sure would cause pain if left at for long, laying it between black hair and what would be Zenyatta's abdominal muscles if he was human. Taking the armored right arm he laid it along Zenyatta's folded leg, allowing fingers to dangling limply. Grabbing the disregarded blanket he laid it over the sleeping human. Nodding he had to admit it was rather adorable, “Seems the stray has warmed to you a little Brother.”
Zenyatta watched his brother as he unbent Genji's left arm, head tilting when it was tucked between him and Genji's messy hair. Right arm laid on his leg, gray blanket covering Genji's most black clad form. “I am unsure.”
“Time will tell. At any rate he is still and seems to be at peace so I shall leave him to your care while making sure the others know we have a guest who may hiss a bit.” Kharakim straighten curious if Genji would choose to stay, he did not seem to have anywhere to return to and this was a sanctuary after all.
“Thank you,” Zenyatta did not like the idea of leaving the man's side and did not completely understand why. Genji was in need of his help yes it felt like it was more than that. Was it because he had never meet anyone so lost since their order was first formed? Where would he be now if he had not been shown kindness? He had learned a simple act of kindness could change a life forever, even a small one most would not see was important. Was that not how one tamed a stray? Patience and kindness to offset the hurt? Genji was very cat like so perhaps he needed the same thing? Humans had a dislike of black cats seeing them as unlucky in many places. Shaking his head he looked down at the sleeping human currently safe and sound from the horrors of the outside world. Allowing his other orbs to glow and float lazily he watched Genji sleep bathed in soft golden light hoping he could be of some help.
I Am Not The Only Traveler Who Has Not Repaid His Debt
Gah the lack of lore about this group is killing me. Seriously how many monks are there? NA. Are they all standard humanish models? NA. Are there any humans living in the monastery besides/with Genji? NA. If Zenyatta prefers a different approach than the others and so is traveling. With or without Genji who leads? NA. How many monks agree with his approach? NA. Can omnics feel physical pain? NA. See what I mean? So far I have only bothered to name two, not sure how many I will bother to name/flesh-out.