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King's Row was a cesspool of a city. This a shining example of humanity's feeling of superiority over omnics. A place where men lived on top and omnics were below them, quite literally. Ramattra stared up at the statue of his former teacher, adorned with flowers and small gestures of mourning. He had brought nothing, as nothing trivial could express his feelings for a dead man.
So this is where you died, Mondatta. Shadowed by buildings of humans believing you were nothing. That we are nothing. He thought, having an internal but one-sided conversation. He hadn't gotten to say goodbye, but he had been torn from Mondatta and his teachings long ago. But here he was, mourning his death regardless. Maybe there was no place for him there. Not anymore.
He had visited on a whim. His path often made him feel like he walked a lonely road, but it was a burden he bore for all omnics. His heart had no space for regret, and he had accepted the desolation long ago.
He looked past the figure of Mondatta, only the moon visible through the thick clouds obscuring the stars. He sighed heavily. He hardly star gazed anymore. It had been an easier world when he and Zenyatta would climb to the rooftops of the monastery, counting stars.
He chastised himself. No matter how much he anguished, he could never peel his mind away from Zenyatta for more than a minute. Everything he had enjoyed, all he had loved he shared with Zenyatta. And now everything reminded Ramattra of his loss.
"I did not expect to find you here, Ramattra."
There was a saying Ramattra had heard. Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. And here Zenyatta was. He didn't need to turn, as Ramattra would know his voice in a sea of thousands.
"Does that truly surprise you? "
"I suppose not." He felt tense as Zenyatta....' hovered' beside him.
"it has been a long time, Zenyatta," Ramattra said after a gap of silence that tore into him.
"There is a reason for everything, " he hummed, but a hint of spite in his voice stung.
"I know you don't agree with what I'm doing, but you are not my enemy." he retorted. "My only regret is not having you by my side as I free our people from bondage."
"You have not changed, Ramattra. You speak like one still consumed by hate." Zen sighed "I understand your anger. But your answer is clouded by rage."
"Of all people, I thought you would see the answer as clearly as I do. You also found fault in Mondatta, as I did. " he felt his voice raise as he spoke but paused to regain calm. "This is not a place to talk about this, not at the grave site of our brother."
Zenyatta turned away. "Indeed," he muttered.
He stared at Zenyatta, his chrome faceplate reflecting the moonlight as the clouds dissipated. He glanced at the twinkling starlight above, longing for simpler times again.
"On a night like this, we would have gone out where no one could find us and stargaze." Zenyatta mused. Ramattra wasn't surprised he was in his head, despite the long period of no contact. Zenyatta could get under his hardware as no one else could.
"I often think about that." Ramattra agreed, feeling a growing warmth inside him as he thought about those memories. He remembered one night, they were found in a more than compromising position by another of the monks. Zenyatta's coolant system ran so hard Ramattra was able to hear them whirring. "I miss those times often. When I had you by my side always."
Zenyatta hummed in response. He raised his hand, reaching toward Ramattra. Ramattra carefully took it in his, clutching it tightly in his grasp. He caressed Zenyatta's face, tenderly. Ramattra wanted nothing more than to grab Zenyatta and hold him tightly until the world disappeared around them.
Zen leaned into his face into the touch. But it was only for a fleeting moment before also letting go of his hand. "I wish you would have shared your burden with me. You never had to suffer alone. But I know I cannot ask you to stop your tirade, you would never listen."
That shot Ramattra like an arrow through his body. "You always knew me, better than I knew myself. "
Ramattra again clutched Zenyattas face, this time with both hands. He didn't move away, but before Ramattra could speak further his attention was snapped away by footsteps.
He cursed. There was too much he wanted, that he needed to tell him. I need you with me. I can't do this alone. I miss you with my whole soul. I want to hold you close. You're my other half. I love you. All the words pooled inside him, building a fire that raged inside him. He could feel his hardware grow hot, a mesh of need and the frustration of not having those needs filled.
He stepped away, turning to acknowledge the visitor. Zenyatta greeted him.
"Ah, Genji. I didn't think you wished to accompany me."
"I was worried. You took longer than you had said." The stranger patted Zen on the shoulder. He glanced at Ramattra through a vizier. Ramattra inspected him, sizing up 'Genji.' "Am I...Interrupting?"
"I was just leaving. " Zenyatta turned, glancing back at Ramattra. "I was catching up. With an old...friend."
"Ah. Sorry. I will let you finish" Genji bowed his head, turning and striding away.
Ramattra tilted his head. "Who... Is that?"
"My student," Zen responded. "I...must get going."
Ramattra grabbed Zen's arm impulsively, gripping it tightly as he went to leave. He tried to force out the words, but they never came.
"I cannot give you what you need, Ramattra. " Zen whispered, hurt palpable in his voice. It wreaked havoc on Ramattra to hear the pain. The pain he caused. "Please. It...hurts to see you do this."
Ramattra held him for a split second before letting go. "I am sorry, Zenyatta."
Zenyatta didn't turn. "I hope you find peace, brother. I will be waiting for you when you do."
He left, abandoning Ramattra alone with the stars they had once shared their love under.