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“Turn off that racket!”

“Ain’t no way in hell I’m turnin’ it off!” Cole called over his shoulder from the pilot seat. “The pilot’s in charge of the music and who’s the pilot?”

Ramattra growled.

“Oh right, it’s me!” Cole grinned, as smug as ever. “If you ain’t like country music you’re more than welcome to sky dive outta this plane without a parachute.”

“You would like that, wouldn’t you?” Ramattra grumbled.

“Of course I would.” Cole replied without missing a beat.

“What Sparrow sees in you, I will never know.” Ramattra groaned.

Cole rolled his eyes, “And what Genji sees in a prick like you, I’ll never know.”

Overwatch wasn’t exactly pleased with Cole when he bolted towards the drop ship with Ramattra in tow. Everyone was far too shocked on both sides, wondering why the hell an agent from Overwatch was swiping one of the emergency escape planes with the leader of Null Sector.

Cole had received an ear full from Jack, mostly him shouting about how reckless and stupid he was. Once he was done screaming until he was blue in the face he settled down and encouraged Cole to get Genji and bring him home.

Jack didn’t give the same kind of pep talks that Gabriel used to when he was in Blackwatch, but it was good enough. It was enough for Cole to know that his family back home was rooting for him, and with that knowledge he knew he couldn’t fail.

Yet, Cole didn’t hear a word from Hanzo, which caught him by surprise. He was ready to hear Hanzo cussing him out in English and Japanese for not only failing to keep Genji safe, but for being one of the reasons why he was missing. Hanzo’s silence was dangerous and Cole knew he had to tread carefully because the dragon was coiled and waiting to strike now.

Ramattra had communicated directly to Mirage to hold down Null Sector until he returned with Sparrow. Mirage was all too happy to know that Ramattra was on a mission to bring Genji back and fully supported him.

Knowing that Mirage was going to take care of his army, Ramattra was able to place all his focus on bringing Genji home. The human race would be spared until he could bring his love back, and when that happened the world would no longer know peace.

“How certain are you that Sparrow will be in Nepal?” Ramattra questioned when the country song seemed to end.

“How much do you even know about him?” Cole knit his eyebrows together. “Genji bein’ in Nepal is like a no brainer.”

“I am aware of his affiliation with the Shambali monks.” Ramattra huffed. “Do not think me stupid, Cassidy.”

“I ain’t think you’re stupid.” Cole smirked. “I just think you ain’t know Genji as well as I do.”

“I know him as Sparrow. You know him as Genji.” Ramattra pointed out.

Cole smiled smugly, “I know him as both.”

Ramattra felt irritated all the way down to his very core. He was annoyed by how cocky Cole was. It was like he was flaunting how well he knew Genji and capitalizing on the fact that Ramattra barely scratched the surface with the cyborg.

Ramattra was convinced some of the only reasons why he hadn’t already killed Cole was because the plane would’ve went down and Genji would never forgive him for ripping half of his artificial heart out.

Cole smiled as Ramattra became quiet, satisfied with how he had bothered the other into silence. Yet, Cole’s victory seemed to be short lived.

“You speak as though you know Sparrow inside and out.” Ramattra began, earning a groan from Cole. “But I highly doubt that.”

“I got ten years with him. You got one month.” Cole jeered. “So sit the fuck down, jackass.”

“You have ten years with him but I doubt you know him as well as you claim to.” Ramattra was taunting Cole, hoping he was stupid enough to take the bait and spill everything he knew about Genji.

“You wanna bet?” Cole challenged.

Ramattra wished he could’ve smirked, “I’d have to be a fool not to make a bet, especially when it’s obvious I’m not wrong.”

“And I’d have to be a damn fool to fall for your shit taunt.” Cole raised one hand so he could flash Ramattra a middle finger. “I ain’t dumb so get that thought outta your bolts for brains.”

“It appears you are not as stupid as you look.” Ramattra sounded surprised.

“You are.”

Ramattra clenched his fists and continued to remind himself that he couldn’t kill Cole, even though every wire and circuit in his body was begging him to. Cole was infuriating and he did it on purpose, most likely with the hope that he could bother Ramattra enough to make him want to leave.

As much as Ramattra hated the game that Cole was trying to play with him, he had to admire the cowboy a little. Cole was much smarter than Ramattra gave him credit for, especially if he was using his arrogance to push him to leave.

“How much longer until we arrive at the monastery?” Ramattra asked.

“Not much longer, thank God.” Cole sighed. “Can’t wait to get away from your ass.”

“The feeling is mutual.” Ramattra hissed. “I find myself losing my sanity the longer I am with you.”

Cole rolled his eyes, “And your presence ain’t makin’ me lose my damn brain cells?”

“As if you didn’t already have a few.” Ramattra tossed his head back, mimicking how one might roll their eyes.

“Hey! I will crash this plane, don’t think I won’t!” Cole raised a hand, pointing at where he believed Ramattra was.

“Oh, yes crash the plane so that neither of us can have Sparrow.” Ramattra quipped sarcastically. “Then neither of us will ever know who he chooses.”

“At least that’ll mean you ain’t got him.” Cole sneered.

Ramattra grumbled, “And humans wonder why I seek their annihilation.”

“I bet a human hurt you in the past and now you got them human issues.” Cole shrugged. “Get some fuckin’ omnic therapy or better yet, listen to your brother’s damn teachin’ like Genji did.”

“I tried to walk that path at one point. It was too passive for my liking.” Ramattra returned.

“Impatient son of a bitch, that’s what you are.” Cole huffed. “Change ain’t gonna happen overnight and I bet you ain’t like that.”

Ramattra resisted the urge to slap the back of Cole’s head, “I saw faster change when I chose to walk my current path.”

“You saw death.”

“I saw results.” Ramattra corrected. “The peace I wish to achieve cannot be done without the use of force.”

“You would’ve killed Genji.” Cole’s words pierced through Ramattra like a bullet through glass.

Ramattra remained silent.

“You’re the biggest hypocrite, you know that?” Cole continued. “You talk about killin’ humans to get peace but here you are fallin’ in love with one.”

“He’s a cyborg.” Ramattra revised Cole softly. “He is not fully human.”

“But he ain’t fully made of metal neither, which means your dictator ass would’ve killed him.” Cole jabbed, trying to plant the final nail on Ramattra’s coffin. “You claim to love him but you would’ve killed him months ago if you knew who he was.”

Ramattra looked away.

Cole carried on his rant, “Genji and I might have butt heads when we met but I never had intentions of killin’ him.”

“I-“

“You imagine how terrified he must’ve been to be near your ass knowin’ you wanted him dead?” Cole wondered aloud, knowing his words were striking Ramattra where it hurt. “Damn, it must’ve hurt to know you only cared about him because you thought he was an omnic.”

“Stop.” Ramattra snapped. “I don’t need to hear what I already know from you.”

“Well, maybe your ass needs to hear it.” Cole countered. “Maybe you need to hear how shitty you are.”

Ramattra growled, “You’re walking a very fine line so I urge you to choose your next words carefully.”

“Maybe you already know it but I’m gonna say it anyways.” Cole briefly looked over his shoulder at Ramattra. “You ain’t ever gonna deserve Genji.”

“You may have been in a relationship with him…” Ramattra glided over to Cole, his whisper sounding more like nails on a chalkboard. “But even you don’t deserve him, and you know that, don’t you?”

Cole paused, waiting for Ramattra to lean back and think that he won before he clapped back. Cole was surprised at how long it took him to make a snarky remark, as if he almost believed Ramattra’s words for a second.

“Ain’t nobody deserve him.” Cole shook his head. “That goes for the two of us.”

“Surprisingly enough, I agree.”

Cole found himself breathing a sigh of relief when he heard Ramattra sit down in one of the passenger seats behind him. Not only was he glad that Ramattra wasn’t so close to him but he was also happy to have some peace and quiet.

Yet, Cole realized that he wasn’t overly fond of the silence, not when his thoughts began to roam as he flew them closer to the monastery.

Cole’s thoughts made him doubt himself and his relationship with Genji. His thoughts tormented him, telling him that he put on a strong and arrogant bravado for Ramattra when in reality he was intimidated by the omnic for his pull over Genji’s heart after only one month together.

While Cole was wallowing in self-doubt, Ramattra was beginning to drown in his own thoughts. He acted as though Cole’s words didn’t have an effect on him, but that was far from the truth because in reality he was worried that the cowboy was right.

Ramattra was concerned that he wouldn’t be able to compete with Cole, with the man who had ten years of experience with Genji whereas he only had one month. Cole knew Genji better and saw him through his highs and lows while Ramattra knew him as an omnic and now had to relearn him as a cyborg.

Cole and Ramattra would never know how they were in agreement once more, seeing as how they realized they would rather be at each other’s throats than suffering in silence at the hands of their own thoughts.

But they’d never say that out loud.

“Welcome to the Shambali monastery.”

“Thank you kindly.” Cole tipped his hat at the omnic welcoming them inside. “We’ve traveled an awful long way to talk to Zenyatta.”

“Haven’t we all?” The omnic hummed as he guided them towards the monk. “He should be exiting meditation in a few moments if you do not mind waiting for him.”

“Not at all.”

The omnic left Ramattra and Cole to themselves, which wasn’t the best of ideas considering the two of them would look at each other, snarl at the other like an animal, and then look away like pouting children.

The two of them kept that petty act up until they heard the sound of Zenyatta’s hum growing in volume, which could only mean he was drawing near. Cole could’ve kissed Zenyatta when he saw him but he decided against the notion, especially since Ramattra might punch him for it.

“Cole Cassidy, it has been some time since I saw you last.” Zenyatta sounded like he had a smile in his voice. He turned to look at Ramattra, “And you are accompanied by my brother.”

“I wouldn’t be travelin’ with him if I had things my way.” Cole mumbled under his breath.

“To what do I owe this reunion?” Zenyatta asked.

“We’re lookin’ for Genji. Any chance he’s here?” Cole inquired, hoping he didn’t sound too desperate.

Zenyatta tilted his head in confusion, “I haven’t seen Genji in quite some time, although he does keep in contact with me through letters.”

“Have you heard anythin’ from him?” Cole knew he was nearly begging at this point. “A letter? A call or a distress signal or somethin’?”

“I sense you are uneasy. Is Genji in trouble?” Zenyatta questioned, his eternal calmness showing signs of wavering.

“You wanna tell him what happened?” Cole looked to Ramattra, cocking an eyebrow. “Wanna tell him how you fucked everythin’ up for everyone?”

Zenyatta looked from Cole to Ramattra, “There is hostility directed at my brother but I do not understand the reason for it. Would one of you care to enlighten me?”

“I’ll do it.” Ramattra looked to Cole for a brief moment, grumbling, “Knowing you, you would paint me out to be the villain in this story when we are both equally to blame.”

“All this happened because of you!”

“Perhaps this is a conversation to be had in my quarters.” Zenyatta suggested, noticing how omnics were beginning to glance in their direction.

“Fine.” Ramattra and Cole replied in unison, sounding more like children than a renowned Overwatch agent and the leader of Null Sector.

As Zenyatta led the two of them back to his quarters, Cole would often stick his tongue out at Ramattra or flip him off when he didn’t think the monk was paying attention. Meanwhile, Ramattra would constantly slide his thumb across his neck, implying that Cole was as good as dead.

It wasn’t until they arrived at their destination that they realized that they weren’t as slick as they thought they were.

“Now, would either of you care to explain the reason for your childish antics?” Zenyatta asked, a flare of sass neither of them had been on the receiving end of in quite some time.

Ramattra and Cole seemed to stare at each other, silently pushing the other to answer Zenyatta’s question. When it appeared that neither of them could push the other to break Zenyatta took matters into his own hands.

“Cole, why don’t you tell me?”

“Fine, if Ramattra ain’t gonna man up then I will.” Cole rolled his eyes at Ramattra before he turned to the monk. “We’re in this whole situation because of your piece of shit brother over here.”

“How so?” Zenyatta pressed gently.

“Well, he’s the son of a bitch that kidnapped Genji about two months ago because he thought he was an omnic forced to work for Overwatch.” Cole answered with a huff.

“Oh, I see.” Zenyatta nodded, shifting to his brother. “You were brave to step in to help others but perhaps talking and asking if one desires to leave before taking them would be a better choice next time.”

“See!”

Ramattra groaned, “Whose side are you on, brother?”

“I am not picking a side.” Zenyatta countered. “I am merely offering another solution to a conflict that may arise in the future again.”

“This shit better not happen again in the future.” Cole glared at Ramattra. “Considerin’ it’s because he kidnapped Genji that we lost him.”

“Lost him?” Zenyatta gasped.

Cole breathed a heavy sigh, “Yeah, we found out that Genji’s in love with both of us and when we tried to make him pick one of us he bolted.”

“I see.”

There was an eerie silence that followed shortly after, and it didn’t sit well with Cole or Ramattra. Normally, the atmosphere around Zenyatta was peaceful and warm, but suddenly it became cold and dangerous.

While Cole would dare to say that Lucio and his music were loud, he would have to say that the silence that surrounded Zenyatta was nearly deafening. Cole and Ramattra could only wonder which of them were going to find themselves as the first victim of Zenyatta’s wrath.

“Was that the only option?” Zenyatta asked, a daring edge to his voice that neither of them had heard before.

“I beg your pardon?” Cole gulped.

“Was forcing Genji to choose between the two of you the only option?” Zenyatta clarified, but it sounded more like he was questioning both of their intelligence.

Cole scratched the back of his head sheepishly, “Well, we probably could’ve come up with somethin’ better if we weren’t so ragin’ mad.”

“Have either of you considered the uncomfortable place you pushed Genji into to make such a decision?” Zenyatta ground out, trying and failing to keep an even tone.

“Well-“

“Have empathy. Put yourself into Genji’s shoes and relive that moment.” Zenyatta paused, giving both of them the opportunity to see things from Genji’s point of view. “Did you enjoy being backed into a corner by two people and forced to make a decision, one that you do not have an answer to?”

Both males remained silent.

“Imagine backing an animal into a corner. The animal has two options at that point.” Zenyatta shook his head. “The animal can choose to bite one of you or it can choose to try to escape.”

Ramattra murmured, “And Sparrow chose to escape instead of choosing to bite and hurt one of us.”

“Exactly.” Zenyatta hummed.

“For what it’s worth, I…” Ramattra paused, trying to find the right words. “I am sorry I pushed Sparrow to make such a choice.”

“I am pleased to hear your apology but it is not meant for me.” Zenyatta stated.

Ramattra sighed, “I know.”

“When you encounter Genji again, what will both of you choose to do?” The monk inquired curiously. “Will you back him into a corner or will you two have found a solution?”

“Hard to come up with a solution where everybody’s happy.” Cole snorted. “No matter who Genji picks, someone’s gonna get hurt.”

“I have often heard of polygamous relationships. Could that not work in this case?” Zenyatta suggested.

“Ain’t no way in hell I’m bein’ in a relationship with him!” Cole crossed his arms, glaring daggers at Ramattra.

“I agree, I refuse to share Sparrow with the likes of him.” Ramattra hissed, venom laced with every word.

Zenyatta sighed, “You have an option laid out before you that could solve all your problems, yet neither of you wish to open your minds to the possibility a shared partnership.”

Cole grumbled, “I’d rather cut off my arm than be with him.”

“That can be arranged.” Ramattra quipped.

“That option may seem more appealing to both of you if you considered getting to know one another for who you are and not for what you’ve done.” Zenyatta’s gazed wandered from Cole to Ramattra expectantly.

“He’s tryin’ to take my Genji away from me.” Cole’s arms returned to his sides, his hands balling into fists. “I ain’t want to get to know that no good home wrecker.”

“Cole-“

Cole was storming out of the room before Zenyatta could stop him, not that anyone other than Genji could’ve. Zenyatta released a heavy sigh as Cole left and took much of the anger clouding the room with him.

Zenyatta looked at Ramattra, waiting for his brother to make a snarky remark about Cole’s behavior but he didn’t. Instead, Ramattra stood there in silence, almost like he was mulling over Cole’s words.

“Do you wish to talk about everything?” Zenyatta asked, but he couldn’t help but feel like he was pleading with Ramattra to open up.

“No… not yet, at least.” Ramattra answered, sounding exhausted in every sense of the word.

“My door is always open for you, brother.” Zenyatta watched as Ramattra slowly walked towards the doorway, pausing for a moment. “It always has been.”

Ramattra placed a hand on the doorway, his fingers gripping it for a brief moment before letting go completely. Ramattra looked over his shoulder at his brother and he wished he could’ve felt grateful to be with him again.

“I know.”

“Sleep would do you well, Cole.”

Cole didn’t acknowledge Zenyatta’s presence. Instead, he chose to pull out a cigarillo and light it. He brought the cigarillo to his lips and took a deep drag, wishing that the burning sensation in the back of his throat would spread throughout his entire body, feeling as though he deserved the pain for what he forced Genji to do.

Cole blew out smoke and watched as it disappeared into the chilly Nepal sky. He looked up at the stars, hoping that by some chance Genji was staring at a similar sky and searching for his favorite constellation, searching for something that could make him happy.

“Are you not cold in this weather?” Zenyatta asked when he found his spot floating by Cole’s side, purposely not filling the side that Genji would’ve been on.

“Ain’t nothin’.” Cole shrugged.

“Is it really nothing or are you seeking a way to punish yourself?” Zenyatta wondered aloud.

Cole raised an eyebrow, “What would make you think I’m punishin’ myself by bein’ out here? Just wanted to look at the stars.”

“Could you not see the stars from the inside the warmth and safety of the monastery?” Zenyatta questioned, but it sounded more like a challenge to Cole.

“I could.” Cole took another drag from his cigarillo. “But ain’t nothin’ better than sittin’ under the stars like this.”

“The view is quite marvelous.” Zenyatta mused.

“It’d look even better if he was here.” Cole’s coffee brown eyes searched for Orion, for Genji, but he couldn’t find it.

“I agree.” Zenyatta hummed. “It still amazes me how he knows all the stories for the constellations.”

Cole chuckled softly, “Hanzo’s the one who taught him all them stories.”

“And how is Hanzo these days?” Zenyatta asked with a smile in his voice.

“Still overprotective as hell when it comes to Genji.” Cole grinned, but his smile didn’t reach his eyes.

“It sounds like their bond is continuing to mend over time.” Zenyatta stated.

“And what about yours?”

“Hm?” Zenyatta hummed, sounding like he was taken aback. “Whatever do you mean?”

“You and Ramattra.” Cole’s smile washed away like the sea was calling it back from the shore. “You two ain’t exactly see eye to eye when it comes to viewin’ humans and what not.”

“My brother carries a heavy burden… one that I wish he would allow me to carry.” Zenyatta confessed quietly.

Cole shook his head, “I ain’t got a clue as to how you can put up with him. He ain’t care about the people he hurts.”

“That is not entirely true.” Zenyatta disagreed. “For he cares deeply for my pupil, does he not?”

Cole grumbled, “Yeah, well him carin’ about Genji ain’t exactly make him a saint or nothin’. He still wants all humans dead.”

“All but him.” Zenyatta turned to face Cole. “And you, too.”

“What nonsense are you goin’ on about?” Cole furrowed his brow. “Ramattra can’t stand me, wants me dead!”

“Does he?”

Cole grit his teeth, “Of course he does! Ain’t you see the way he acted before? He hates me!”

“No, he doesn’t… not really.” Zenyatta calmly argued. “If you look with more than just your eyes you would be able to realize that he does not hate you, rather he is envious of you.”

“You… you’re tryin’ to tell me he’s jealous of me?” Cole nearly gawked.

Zenyatta nodded.

Cole paused, thinking for a moment, “I guess it makes sense, especially since my history with Genji’s a hell of a lot longer than his.”

“Sometimes, we lash out at others when we are scared or feeling threatened.” Zenyatta reached for Cole’s cigarillo, feeling grateful when the cowboy relinquished it to him without a fight.

“Ramattra feels threatened by me and that’s why he’s meaner than a junkyard dog?” Cole paraphrased, looking to Zenyatta for clarity.

“Have you tried being empathetic towards him lately?” Zenyatta questioned calmly. “Have you ever stood in the shoes of someone who feels like an intruder in another’s relationship?”

“I can’t say that I have.”

Zenyatta hummed, “Would you care to try tonight?”

“I wanna say no.” Cole knew Zenyatta would’ve been rolling his eyes at him if he could. Cole sighed in defeat, “But I know I should say yes.”

“Good, then close your eyes and I will walk you through the situation from Ramattra’s point of view.” Zenyatta gently ordered, watching as Cole’s eyes slipped shut.

Cole exhaled deeply, “Alright, fire away.”

Truth be told, Cole didn’t have a clue as to why he was humoring Zenyatta with trying to understand the situation from Ramattra’s point of view. He didn’t give a damn about Ramattra and he was still pissed at him for interfering with his relationship with Genji.

Yet, Cole was man enough to admit that he wasn’t very nice to Ramattra. As much as he thought Ramattra was an asshole, his ego wasn’t so inflated that he couldn’t see how he was being a dick, too.

Cole had always known that Genji was the more compassionate of the two of them. Genji never hesitated to try to empathize with someone while Cole would rather keep his guard up and push away anyone who got too close. Cole wondered if he missed out on opportunities to grow closer to others because he was so quick to push people away and snap at them.

“Imagine that you have met the love of your life.” Zenyatta began, drawing Cole out of the thoughts that sought to consume him. “Imagine that you have known them for thirty days but it feels like it has been thirty years, your bond is that strong and very much reciprocated.”

“Every moment with this person brings you solace, as well as a happiness that was once lost to you.” Zenyatta continued, eyeing the smile that was working its way onto Cole’s face.

“Yet, you can tell that you are not getting all of them, something is wrong.” Zenyatta paused, and Cole wanted to say that it was for dramatic effect but his lips refused to move. “His heart longs for you but it belongs to another.”

Cole didn’t understand why Zenyatta’s words were making his heart constrict in his chest like it was in a chokehold. In the back of his mind he knew that he was in Ramattra’s shoes, but in the moment all he could focus on was Zenyatta’s voice and the story that was being told of a forbidden love.

Zenyatta tore him from his thoughts once more, “You occupy a place in his heart and thoughts in his head, yet you can tell he is torn between you and another.”

“You are an intruder in another relationship, tearing it apart at the seams and ultimately him, as well.” The omnic stated, earning a pitiful whimper from Cole. “You know you are not meant to be with him or a part of that relationship but you cannot withhold your emotions any longer, you must make your love and your desire to be with him known.”

“As much as you know you have been counted out from the verry start, you cannot help but strive to win his heart.” Zenyatta sighed softly.

“You wield a double edged sword. One side hurts him.” Zenyatta placed a hand on Cole’s shoulder. “And the other hurts you as you continue to tear yourself apart, trying to find the parts of you that can compete with your rival.”

“Stop.”

Zenyatta made a confused noise, and that’s when he noticed Cole’s bottom lip was quivering. It was as if Cole was on the verge of tears but he fought them back like a madman.

Zenyatta wondered if Cole’s tears were for the empathy he was feeling for Ramattra, or because he already had various emotions piling up inside and this was simply the tipping point, the feather that broke the dam.

“Are you alright?” Zenyatta asked, watching as Cole’s eyes slowly fluttered open. “How are you feeling?”

“I feel like shit.” Cole answered honestly. “I thought I felt bad before but, damn, feelin’ like that hurts like hell.”

Zenyatta nodded, “So, you have felt a fraction of the pain Ramattra knows?”

“I still ain’t like him.” Cole avoided the question with a weak glare.

“I am not asking for you to like him. All I ask is that you understand him.” Zenyatta stated, but Cole couldn’t help but feel like he was pleading with him.

Cole shifted his attention towards the stars, finding it easier to lose himself in the abyss than drown in his thoughts. He didn’t want to think about how Zenyatta was fair to ask him to simply understand Ramattra, but he couldn’t help but get the feeling the omnic wanted them to get along.

Cole didn’t want to get along with the omnic that was determined to steal his lover, no matter how much the situation hurt him on the inside. Yet, he couldn’t deny that he gained a new understanding of Ramattra through this experience.

Cole would never admit that he had been too harsh to Ramattra. He would never admit that maybe it wouldn’t hurt to let Ramattra in, to let him get to know Genji a little bit better. He would never admit that he and Ramattra had the potential to civil with one another.

Because that would mean he liked Ramattra’s company, and he was set on believing that he didn’t like him.

“The sunrise was always Mondatta’s favorite.”

Ramattra looked over his shoulder briefly, nodding to his brother in greeting before returning to the sunrise. Zenyatta floated towards Ramattra, wishing he could smile at the fact that he was sitting in the same spot as Cole last night.

Zenyatta took his place beside Ramattra, continuing to be mindful of the side that Genji most likely occupied. He gazed upon the sunrise, feeling thankful that he didn’t have to squint to avoid the bright rays shining down on him and his brother.

“It was.” Ramattra confirmed quietly. “I also enjoyed watching the sunrise with Sparrow.”

“I had always hoped that you would find someone to love.” Zenyatta hummed happily. “You love him, don’t you?”

“More than anything.”

“Does that mean your view of humans has changed?” Zenyatta inquired.

Ramattra scoffed, “Don’t be ridiculous. One human cannot possibly possess the ability to change my mind in regards to their entire race.”

“I feel sorry for you, brother.” Zenyatta lamented.

“You feel sorry for me?” Ramattra sounded insulted. “I do not need your pity.”

“I do not pity you, rather I am sorry that you speak words in which you do not believe.” Zenyatta shook his head.

“You dare to doubt that I wouldn’t see my plan through?” Ramattra questioned, anger rising within. “All because of a mere human? All because I feel love?”

Zenyatta placed a hand on Ramattra’s shoulder, “Imagine you saw your plan through. What do you think would happen to your relationship with Genji?”

Ramattra hesitated, and that was something he didn’t enjoy. Ramattra was known for his quick wit and his unwavering will. Hesitation, especially when it came to his mission that he had spent years working towards competing, was not something he was familiar with.

“I…” Ramattra paused, and he hated himself for that.

Zenyatta patiently waited for Ramattra to compose himself. Zenyatta truly felt sorry for his brother. He could see how he was struggling with himself. Ramattra was torn between seeing his mission through and having a new life, a happier one, with Genji.

“I am sure that he would resent me.” Ramattra hung his head, avoiding the sun like he was never meant for Heaven’s light. “The humans still mean a great deal to him, even though they cut him down.”

“I wonder why that is, don’t you?”

Ramattra looked to his brother, “You spent a great deal of time with him here. Surely you already know why.”

“I did spend much time with Genji here.” Zenyatta mused. “But I also spent time with Cole, as well.”

“What are you getting at?” Ramattra asked, sounding suspicious.

“You wish to know why the humans still matter so much to Genji, even after one of them hurt him.” Zenyatta began, waiting for Ramattra to nod to continue, “The best one to provide such insight is Cole.”

Ramattra nearly growled, “I refuse to grovel at a human’s feet for that information, especially his.”

“Your pride, as well as Cole’s, will be the reason neither of you achieve the love you’re searching for.” Zenyatta seemed to sigh. “Until you both can come together, I am afraid Genji will continue to elude you.”

“I don’t like him.” Ramattra huffed.

“I am not asking you to like him, rather I ask that you come to understand him.” Zenyatta stated similar words to the ones he uttered to Cole just last night.

“What is there to understand?” Ramattra sneered. “He is a cowboy with a short temper and a hatred for me.”

“Are you so different?”

Ramattra nearly reeled back, “You dare to compare me to him?”

“I do.” Zenyatta confirmed, removing his hand from his brother’s shoulder. “The sooner you realize that, the better.”

“Why do you care for this human, for this… Cole Cassidy?” Ramattra spoke Cole’s name like it belonged to a wicked man.

“He is my friend, a companion that I trust to love and cherish my pupil.” Zenyatta answered as if it was so simple, because it was. “He is strong willed, intelligent, and most importantly, big hearted.”

Ramattra wished he could’ve rolled his eyes, “You speak of him as if he is a good man.”

“That is because he is.” Zenyatta returned. “Open your mind and perhaps one day you will see the treasure that is Cole Cassidy.”

“He is more of a nuisance than he is a treasure.” Ramattra jeered. “He is a road block standing in the way of my Sparrow.”

“And you do not think of yourself the same to him?” Zenyatta asked, curious.

“…I don’t.” Ramattra lied.

Zenyatta shook his head, “Honesty could assist you in the unshackling of the chains you have confined yourself in.”

“What do you want me to say, brother?” Ramattra sounded pained, or maybe he was tired. “What are you trying to get at by constantly praising this… this cowboy?”

“What do you think I am trying to say?” Zenyatta avoided the question, irking Ramattra to his very core.

Ramattra nearly growled, “I presume you are trying to get me to like Cassidy but I have no interest in him… not as lovers, not as friends, not even as acquaintances.”

“I am trying to open your eyes.” Zenyatta clarified with a grace Ramattra wished he had. “You both accuse the other of being the enemy when you are merely sailing on the same boat together.”

“You are implying we aren’t so different.” Ramattra paraphrased.

Zenyatta nodded.

Ramattra released what sounded like a heavy sigh, “You fail to remember that he is a human and I am an omnic. We are too different.”

“Yet you both yearn for a man who is both human and machine.” Zenyatta pointed out. “He is the one who can be the bridge between the two of you.”

“Is this you insisting we try a polygamous relationship?” Ramattra wished he had an eyebrow to raise as he stared at his brother.

“This is me encouraging you to open both your mind and your heart to new possibilities.” Zenyatta corrected. “And the first possibility to explore is a companionship with Cole.”

Ramattra shook his head, chuckling, “You are still as stubborn as I remember, brother.”

“Only because I can see your potential, especially in this situation.” Zenyatta replied with a smile in his voice.

“I can’t believe I’m saying this but I am grateful to the cowboy for one thing.” Ramattra started, waiting for Zenyatta to lean in with curiosity.

“What would that be?”

“He brought you back to me.” Ramattra answered easily.

Zenyatta hummed, “I have always been with you whether it has been in the form of stars in the night sky or the birds chirping as you enjoy the sunrise with Genji.”

“I know.” Ramattra wished he could smile.

“You should tell Cole that you are grateful to him for that.” Zenyatta stated softly. “I am sure he would appreciate the sentiment.”

“Perhaps I will.” Ramattra shifted to look towards the sky. “But for now, I wish to enjoy the sunrise with my brother, if that is alright with you.”

Ramattra could’ve sworn that he heard his brother chuckle but he decided not to comment on it for the time being. Instead, he chose to chase the morning sky with his brother, with the one person who could give him a moment of peace during a time when he felt like his world was crumbling around him.

“That is more than alright.”

“Where are you taking us now?”

After bidding Zenyatta and the other monks farewell that afternoon, Cole didn’t hesitate to grab Ramattra by the scruff of his scarf and drag him back into the plane. At the end of the day, Genji was their mission and they still hadn’t found him.

“Hanamura, Japan.” Cole answered as he punched in the coordinates while he flew them into the forever and beautiful sky. “Won’t take long to get there bein’ how close we are.”

“Is that where Sparrow was born?” Ramattra dared to ask. “I recall him telling me about Japan during his time with me at Null Sector.”

“Yeah, he was born and raised there with his brother, Hanzo.” Cole shook his head, a sad chuckle slipping past his lips. “Wasn’t the best upbringin’ neither.”

Ramattra hesitated, waiting a moment before gathering the courage to ask, “Would you tell me about his upbringing?”

Cole seemed to stiffen and Ramattra instantly regretting being vulnerable and asking such a question. As Cole remained silent, Ramattra began berating himself for thinking that he and the cowboy were close enough to have that kind of a conversation.

Ramattra reminded himself of the painful truth to their relationship. They openly hated each other and Ramattra didn’t know why he let his brother’s hopeful way of thinking persuade him into being anything other than rivals with a common goal.

As Ramattra tore himself apart in silence, Cole was trying to remember what Zenyatta had told him. He tried to have empathy for Ramattra, even if he didn’t want to. He tried to remember how it felt to be an intruder in another’s relationship, and he recalled how it didn’t feel good.

Cole remembered how he and Zenyatta talked about attempting to keep an open mind and to share stories about Genji. As much as Cole didn’t want to do either, he knew that in the end it would make Genji happy, and there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for his honey bee.

“Sit on over here in the copilot’s seat.” Cole gestured towards the empty chair beside him. “I ain’t gonna talk to you over my shoulder.”

“Really?” Ramattra asked in utter disbelief. “You would want me to sit beside you?”

“Well, I ain’t gonna beg you to sit next to me.” Cole snorted.

“…very well.”

Ramattra was pleasantly surprised with Cole’s sudden change of heart. Never in his wildest dreams would he have expected Cole to offer the seat beside him, nor was he ready for the cowboy to be willing to share a story about Genji.

Ramattra took the seat beside Cole and was grateful that he didn’t have lips, seeing as how he knew this moment would’ve made a small smile creep onto his face. Yet, he had a feeling Cole knew he would be smiling now if he could.

“Well, now that you’re all settled, where should I start?” Cole asked, more so to himself than Ramattra.

“The beginning is often a good place to start.” Ramattra teased, testing the waters and how far he could dive.

“Smart ass.” Cole huffed with a smile. “I guess I’ll start by askin’ how much do you know about the Shimada clan?”

Ramattra tilted his head, “Are you referring to the same clan that operated as a crime syndicate in Japan?”

“That’s the one.”

Ramattra asked, “Sparrow was a part of that clan?”

“Against his will.” Cole tsked. “Genji ain’t ever want none of that lifestyle but they ain’t ask for his opinion when he was a kid.”

“So they forced him to train as an assassin of sorts?” Ramattra inquired, sounding shocked. “They forced a child to become an assassin for their own selfish means?”

Cole nodded, sighing, “Hanzo and Genji trained side by side under their childhood best friend’s mom for years. Genji said somethin’ about her bein’ the best swordsman in the world.”

“His parents allowed him to train under someone so dangerous with a blade?” Ramattra nearly gawked.

“More like his parents pushed him to train under that sensei.” Cole huffed. “He ain’t wanna train but he wanted to spend time with Hanzo so he did it.”

“He must love his brother greatly.”

“He does, even after everythin’ that happened between them.” Cole replied, his voice sounding sad and peeking Ramattra’s interest.

Ramattra spoke carefully, “You speak as though something happened between the two of them.”

“That’s because somethin’ did.” Cole returned.

“What happened?” Ramattra asked, wondering briefly if he had overstepped.

“I told you that Genji ain’t want nothin’ to do with his clan.” Cole glanced towards Ramattra, earning a nod from the omnic. “Since he ain’t wanna follow them then the elders had to figure out what they were gonna do with him.”

“What…” Ramattra paused. “What did they resort to doing?”

“They ordered Hanzo to kill Genji…” Cole swallowed thickly, his heart still aching after all these years. “It was his duty and his burden.”

Ramattra sounded both in awe and angry, “You… you seriously presume to tell me that it is because of Genji’s own kin that he is a cyborg?”

“Because of Hanzo and the clan, Genji lost a hell of a lot of himself.” Cole answered solemnly. “Had to learn how to walk on cybernetic legs and how to get used to that metallic twinge to his voice.”

“I see why he sought enlightenment with my brother.” Ramattra murmured.

“I was with him before he became all peaceful and shit.” Cole stated, although Ramattra could tell he wasn’t bragging.

“What was he like before?”

Cole barked a laugh, “When I tell you lookin’ in his eyes back then was like lookin’ at the devil himself, I ain’t bein’ dramatic!”

“He couldn’t have been that bad.” Ramattra scoffed playfully.

“Oh yeah? You ever been told that your free trial on existin’ is about to expire?” Cole raised an eyebrow at Ramattra, grinning.

“I can’t say that I have.” Ramattra found himself chuckling, surprised that Cole could provoke such a response.

“He was feelin’ creative that day.” Cole shook his head, smiling at the memory. “Other times he’d tell me he’d use my intestines as jump ropes or he’d make me choke on my gun.”

Ramattra snorted, “How the two of you became a couple after all of that eludes me.”

“I reckon it’s because I’m too stubborn.” Cole shrugged. “I wanted him and I was willin’ to fight for him.”

“He…” Ramattra faltered, but he didn’t hate himself for it this time. “He is lucky to have a partner… a lover like you.”

Cole’s eyes widened for a split second but Ramattra was able to catch it. Cole never thought that he would’ve heard such words from Ramattra, from the leader of Null Sector who yearned for Genji just as much as he did.

Cole couldn’t deny how nice it felt that Ramattra could see why Genji loved him. He wasn’t feeling cocky, rather he would have to say that he felt appreciative. He could tell it wasn’t easy for Ramattra to utter those words but he was thankful that he did.

Cole knew he could use this as an opportunity to drive a wedge back in between them. Cole could choose to be the arrogant son of a bitch he knew he was and step on Ramattra while he was feeling vulnerable, but he knew he wouldn’t have been able to rest if he did.

“Thank you kindly.” Cole tipped his hat with one hand before placing it back on the wheel. “And for the record, I’m mighty grateful you took care of Genji when he was in Null Sector.”

“How gracious of you.” Ramattra replied with a smile in his voice. “I thought you hated me.”

“I ain’t like you, Ramattra.” Cole started, looking over at the omnic with a smile. “But I ain’t hate you, neither.”

“You are insufferable.” Ramattra’s words sounded harsh but there was warmth in his voice, a warmth that surprised Cole.

“That’s funny.” Cole chuckled, shaking his head. “Genji says the same thing about me.”

“Perhaps you are not as bad as I thought you to be.” Ramattra thought aloud.

Cole cocked an eyebrow, “Is that you sayin’ you like me? Because if it is, it sucks.”

As the two of them flew closer to Japan, they couldn’t help but feel like maybe this could work. They first had to see if they could survive in the same room together and once they accomplished that they were starting to believe that they could do more, that they could be friends.

They hadn’t agreed to do anything more than keep an open mind and to try to be more understanding and empathetic towards one another. It wasn’t going to fix everything right away, but it was a step forward and that movement was more than enough for them at the moment.

“Don’t push it, Cassidy.”

“These are the streets Sparrow grew up in?”

Ramattra was always thankful when humans destroyed themselves in their own gang rivalries or wars, and he was especially grateful to the Hashimoto for running the streets in Hanamura so that he could walk them without attracting attention from passersby.

The Hashimoto were smart enough to realize that they didn’t want any trouble from the leader of Null Sector, and they also knew not to cross the cowboy of Overwatch with better aim than any of their own snipers.

“Drunkenly ran through, you mean.” Cole chuckled. “Genji always told me how he was a reckless youth, a naïve kid who gave himself to anyone who bought him a drink.”

“You are referring to suitors?” Ramattra inquired.

“What? You jealous or somethin’?” Cole snickered.

Ramattra motioned like he was rolling his eyes, “As if I would stoop low enough to be jealous of a human.”

“Lyin’ don’t suit you.” Cole grinned. “Bein’ all tall and broodin’ now that’s you.”

“Why you-“

“But lyin’? That ain’t you.” Cole laughed when Ramattra elbowed him, although the cowboy noted that it wasn’t as hard as it could’ve been.

“Please tell me we’re almost there.” Ramattra groaned. “I cannot bear another moment with your senseless chatter.”

“Hey now! I’ve been told the sound of my voice is as sweet as honey!” Cole gawked, feigning like he was offended.

“I can assure you that person was lying.” Ramattra snorted, but there was no malice in his voice.

Cole rolled his eyes, “You ain’t shit, Ramattra, you know that?”

“Just tell me how close we are.”

“Alright, alright! It’s just around this corner.” Cole gestured for Ramattra to pick up the pace, to which the omnic did without hesitation.

Cole stood still as he rounded the corner, causing Ramattra to almost plow him over. Ramattra looked to the cowboy before he glanced forward, noticing the two grand doors with the crest of a dragon in the middle.

Ramattra didn’t need Cole to inform him that this was Shimada castle. However, he would have to say that it was surprising that there weren’t any guards on the outside to keep watch or to shoot at anyone trying to break in.

It wasn’t until they reached the doors that they could tell something was off. There were indents in the wooden doors, as if someone had scaled them or thrown something at it, or at someone.

“Stay behind me, Cassidy.” Ramattra stepped forward, his grip on his staff tightening as he prepared for a potential battle.

“Now I appreciate the gesture, I really do.” Cole brushed past Ramattra, pulling Peacekeeper out in the process. “But I can handle myself.”

With Peacekeeper in one hand and Ramattra holding onto his staff, they both used their free hands to push open the doors. Side by side, a cowboy and an omnic entered Shimada castle searching for a cyborg but were met with something else entirely.

There were bodies all over the place, some were unconscious while others were certainly dead. Some had gashes in their throats while others seemed to have perished from blunt force trauma, either way their demises were done fast and brutally.

“Is this Sparrow’s doing?” Ramattra whispered.

“If Genji did this he would’ve kept them all alive.” Cole answered quietly. “Genji ain’t kill for sport so this ain’t him.”

“Then who is it?”

Cole was about to give it his best guess until he heard the sound of a body being thrown into a wall, followed by furious Japanese. Cole’s eyes widened as he realized who the voice belonged to.

“Follow me.” Cole waved Ramattra over.

Cole continued to creep through Shimada castle with Ramattra trailing right behind him. He was pleasantly surprised at how he and Ramattra were working together. He wondered if it was because of Genji or if it was because of some enlightening words from Zenyatta. Either way, he was thankful that they could coexist together.

Cole felt a smile working its way onto his face when they stuck their heads around a corner to see none other than Hanzo and Kiriko interrogating one of the Hashimoto clansmen.

Cole grinned as he popped out from the safety of the corner. He threw his hands into the air, as if he was going to receive a warm welcome from the two friends, but he thought wrong.

Ramattra was able to throw his shield out just in time to protect Cole from the arrow and kunai that were launched at him. The arrow went for the head while the kunai was aiming at his heart, both lethal kills in their own ways.

“Now, that ain’t a way to greet your friend.” Cole furrowed his brow. He looked over his shoulder at Ramattra quickly, “Thank you kindly.”

“I suggest you stop referring to them as friends. No friend would open fire on another friend.” Ramattra hissed, ready to use his staff if the two wanted a war.

“Hanzo? Kiriko? What’s goin’ on?” Cole asked, utterly confused to receive such a response.

Kiriko dropped the clansmen on the ground, glaring at Cole, “Hanzo sent me a message that Genji was missing so we’re here gathering intel, no thanks to you.”

“Hey now, ain’t no need for the hostility.” Cole frowned.

“You two are the reason my little brother is missing.” Hanzo growled. “If anyone is going to find him it’s going to be his family, not the very men who made him run.”

“We came here to bring him home, same as you!” Cole argued.

“Your efforts were in vain. We do not need you.” Hanzo snapped, turning his back on the cowboy to focus on the sniveling clansmen.

Ramattra asked harshly, “And what do you expect this henchman to know that the others did not?”

“This does not concern you.”

“They would’ve told you Genji’s location if they knew.” Ramattra fearlessly walked past Cole and towards the duo. “These humans are soft, spineless. They would sell each other out in a heartbeat if it meant they would live.”

“Are you so different from them?” Hanzo questioned, refusing to look back at Ramattra. “You would have killed my brother in a heartbeat if you knew he was human.”

“Insolent little-“

“Save your breath. I care not for the words from either of you.” Hanzo finally looked over his shoulder, his eyes locked onto Cole. “Especially yours, Cassidy.”

Cole looked away.

Ramattra watched as Hanzo continued to tear Cole down, “You were supposed to protect him, keep him safe. Tell me, how safe is my brother now?”

Cole winced as though he had been struck. Hanzo’s words pierced through him just like one of his arrows, although he would argue that this pain felt worse.

“You cannot answer my question because he is gone.” Hanzo filled in the silence for Cole. “I trusted you… and you failed me.”

Ramattra wanted to celebrate, he wanted to jump up and down while rubbing it in Cole’s face that he had let Hanzo down. He wanted to be happy seeing Cole belittled and his pride stomped into mere nothingness, but none of this brought him satisfaction.

He gained no pleasure from watching Cole become smaller with each blow from Hanzo. It didn’t make him feel good inside knowing that Cole was taking the fall when he was just as much to blame for pushing Genji away.

“And to make matters worse you are parading around with the same omnic who took him from us in the first place.” Hanzo crinkled his nose in disgust.

“The omnic has a name.” Ramattra snarled.

“The omnic should be dead.” Hanzo’s grip on his bow tightened, as if he was threatening Ramattra to tread carefully.

“Come on, Shimada.” Kiriko shook her head. “We’re wasting time. We need to keep looking for Genji.”

“You ain’t gonna find him here.” Cole stated, although Ramattra could tell he lacked his usual confidence. “If he ain’t at Shimada castle then he ain’t in Japan.”

Hanzo whipped around, his teeth barred, “Stay out of this, Cassidy! We do not need help from the same man who lost him!”

“I know him better than anyone, you need me!” Cole shouted. “You weren’t there those years after you killed him but I was!”

“If you refuse to leave then I will have no choice but to kill you myself.” Hanzo raised his bow to the cowboy.

“You wouldn’t do that.” Cole returned, doubt starting to bubble within.

Hanzo aimed for Cole’s heart, “I would do anything to bring my little brother back, even if it means killing an unnecessary roadblock such as yourself.”

“Hanzo…” Cole looked towards Kiriko. “Come on, Kiriko… you ain’t gonna let him kill me, are you?”

She turned her head away from him, “I’m not here for you. I’m here for Genji.”

“Kiriko-“

In the blink of an eye Cole found himself pinned against the wall. He felt a kunai against his throat but what nearly scared him to his core was the electric teal in Kiriko’s eyes as she summoned her kitsune to enhance both her speed and attack.

Cole had seen Kiriko summon the kitsune to assist her in battle before but this was the first time he was on the receiving end. This was the first time he looked into her eyes and saw not only fury but also tears.

“I stood by when Genji was taken by Ramattra but I won’t stand by while you lose him.” Kiriko hissed, sending a shiver down Cole’s spine. “If you get in my way I’ll cut you down myself.”

“Is that really what Genji would want?” Cole rasped.

Kiriko grit her teeth.

“Say you kill me now and you find Genji, then what?” Cole felt the blade pull back, but not much. “You think he’s gonna want to be near either of you after that?”

Ramattra stared in awe as Cole plucked all the right heart strings to make Hanzo and Kiriko fully grasp the consequences of their actions. As much as they wanted to believe that they had good intentions, there was nothing good that would come from killing Cole in a fit of rage.

“Face it, you’d just be in the same situation as us if you killed me.” Cole swallowed thickly, grateful that the kunai was slowly moving away. “We’d be better off workin’ together than scattered like this.”

“You expect us to believe you know where Genji is?” Kiriko rolled her eyes.

“I’m his lover of over a decade and you’re his best friend.” Cole looked past Kiriko to catch Hanzo’s eyes. “And you’re his older brother.”

A small smile painted across Cole’s face as he glanced at Ramattra, “And you’re the son of a bitch who loves him, too.”

“Cassidy…” Ramattra whispered.

“I ain’t got a clue as to who could be better than us when it comes to findin’ Genji.” Cole’s smile widened into a grin.

“You…” Kiriko lowered her weapon, her voice soft and almost scared. “You really think we can find him?”

“If anyone can find him, it’s us.” Cole reassured.

“Then where do we go from here?” She asked, placing her kunai in her pouch and thus establishing peace between her and Cole.

“Kiriko, we do not need them.” Hanzo snapped as he stormed towards them. “They will only slow us down.”

Kiriko shook her head, “This is a new lead, Hanzo. We have to take this chance.”

“You would go with them? With the same two who lost him?” Hanzo’s eyes widened, feeling both shocked and betrayed.

“I love Genji more than anything in this life.” Kiriko smiled, her voice sounding wet. “I’d join Talon if it meant I could have him in my arms again, wouldn’t you?”

Hanzo’s silence was all the answer they needed. Everyone already knew that Genji was the most precious thing in Hanzo’s life and he would make a deal with the Devil himself if it meant that he would have his little brother back.

Yet, everyone could tell that going with Cole and Ramattra would be a struggle for him. Mostly a struggle not to kill them for forcing Genji to make a drastic decision, but Hanzo had overcome many difficulties in his life and this one would be no different.

“I would.” Hanzo relented and placed his bow at his side.

“Good, now that we’ve got all this settled we gotta get movin’ again.” Cole nodded, resting Peacekeeper back in his holster.

“Where do you intend on going?” Hanzo questioned. “If Genji is not here then he could be anywhere across the globe.”

“If he ain’t at the monastery or here then he’s not lookin’ for a place.” Cole began pacing, putting together all the puzzle pieces one by one. “He’s lookin’ for a person.”

“A person?” Kiriko parroted.

“Yeah, a person, someone who he always ran to when shit hit the fan.” Cole answered, although everyone could tell he was more so talking to himself.

Hanzo’s eyebrows knit together, “If such a person is not myself or Kiriko then who is he searching for?”

“Knowing Genji, he’s already found them.” Cole paused and shifted to look at everyone, snapping his fingers. “Son of a bitch! I know where they are.”

Cole didn’t even think to tell the others to follow him back to the plane. The only thing he could think about was getting back to the plane so that he could take off and find Genji.

Cole was quick to enter the plane and find the pilot’s seat, barely able to smile at the omnic that took his place beside him. All he could think about was getting that bird in the air and flying until they reached their destination or ran out of fuel, either way they were leaving Japan now.

Hanzo and Kiriko could only grab onto Cole and Ramattra’s seats as the plane took to the skies. The two friends stared at one another, both of them sharing the same thought without the need to voice it to one another.

“You ready to take over when I fall asleep?” Cole asked Ramattra despite his eyes being trained on the open sky. “I ain’t gonna be able to fly her the whole way there.”

“You trust me to fly your plane?” Ramattra replied with a question of his own, a playful twinge to his voice that surprised Hanzo and Kiriko.

As much as it sounded like a simple conversation about taking shifts flying a plane, it was so much more than that. It was Cole relinquishing control over their mission to find Genji, as well as letting Ramattra know that they were in this together.

With Ramattra’s remark, he was actually asking if Cole was sure about that and if he was certain he could trust an omnic that was hoping to capture the same cyborg’s heart. Ramattra was giving Cole a way out, a way to keep him out, but the cowboy had a few more surprises up his sleeve for him.

“I reckon I do, partner.” Cole grinned, earning a slow nod from Ramattra.

“And I you, Cassidy.”

There was still so much Ramattra and Cole needed to work on, especially when it came to settling this dispute over Genji. Yet, for now they had reached a common ground, as well as a newfound partnership that had the potential to become stronger, to blossom into something more if they gave it the attention it needed.

Ramattra and Cole knew that this never would’ve happened without Zenyatta opening their eyes, mind, and hearts. Cole considered sending a fruit basket while Ramattra thought about spending more time with his brother as a way to show gratitude.

“Is anyone going to tell us where the hell we’re going?” Kiriko huffed, crossing her arms like a pouting child.

“We’re goin’ to the States.”