Chapter Text
Sometimes, humans confused Zenyatta. Perhaps it was because he was an omnic. Perhaps it was because he had been a member of the Shambali. For whatever reason, Zenyatta held permanent interest in humanity for its strange ways that, even with all of his teachings, he did not always understand.
The current matter on his mind was how the feeling of love could affect humans. Zenyatta knew his omnic brothers and sisters across the globe sought out companionship but the way humans reacted to such feelings was particularly unique.
His “associates” in Overwatch would overlook how observant omnics could be. They doubted how “machines” could connect the dots just as fast as they could. Zenyatta is many things: a monk, a teacher, a peacekeeper; a fool is not one of them.
He could see how his new friends would act around each other; it was very clear to him what their various actions and mannerisms meant. The laughs and blushes, the light scuffling of feet, the ever-so subtle flirts: all tell-tale signs of human “courting”, yet without any actual courting.
As Zenyatta and Genji’s meditation came to an end, he felt the need to ask about what he was seeing. Who better to shed light on this issue than a human?
They were on the hills of Watchpoint: Gibraltar, overlooking the sea, only minutes outside of the base where many of their comrades were gathered. Since he joined Overwatch in their cause, Zenyatta had seen many parts of the world he never had the chance to when he was with the Shambali. The headquarters they were currently stationed in were a stark contrast to the walls of the temple in Nepal. Although nothing alike, Zenyatta could not lie about how he was starting to like the change of pace.
Even if the location was not ideal, he was here with his favorite pupil and many friends; was that not the definition of a home?
“Genji,” Zenyatta’s voice cut through the silence like his pupil’s blade. The man in question looked up at him, lowering his hands from his position. He tilted his head, as if to ask him to continue. “Something has been on my mind lately and I was wondering if you would be able to humor me with an answer.”
“Of course, master,” Genji replied. “I cannot guarantee an answer but I will try. What is it that you wanted to ask?”
Zenyatta looked at the ocean far ahead, at the sun beginning to set on the waves; the massive star was spreading a warm glow across the water. It was a special view, far different than any he had seen before. He thought of the Iris before being brought back to the current topic at hand.
The omnic glanced back at the base, Genji following his gaze. It appeared that most of the agents were inside.
“I wish to ask why humans seem to fear love, Genji.” Zenyatta stated, noting at how his student pulled back in surprise.
“Fear love? What gave you that idea, master?” The man asked, glancing between the base and Zenyatta.
"I see it in many of our friends but I do not feel right asking them. I do not believe I am imagining things; I believe I see our friends acting as though they love each other yet none of them are, as you might say, ‘making the first move.’” The human phrase felt odd to say to Zenyatta and it appeared that way to Genji, as well, as he seemed to be hiding a chuckle.
“Who were you thinking of in particular?” Genji asked.
“Your brother and Mr. McCree. They are not the only ones but the first to cross my mind.” Zenyatta said, joining his hands together.
His student seemed surprised at his statement; if his mask came with eyebrows, he was sure they’d be up at his hairline.
“Hanzo and Jesse?” Genji looked down at the grass, touching his chin with his fingers. “I-I did not realize they were interested in each other.”
“I could be wrong, my pupil,” Zenyatta stated, lifting his index finger. “I might be mistaking Mr. McCree’s actions as something more.”
Genji shook his head. “No, I believe you are right, master. I guess I had overlooked his flirts because it fits his personality. But now that I think of it, I suppose he and my brother do seem to have developed a connection.” The man let out a light chuckle. “It is a strange thing to think of Jesse as my brother-in-law.”
“Is that a bad thing to think of?” Zenyatta asked, imagining how McCree would work his way into their family. He quite liked the man; he was polite and always kind to Zenyatta, despite being an omnic. He was, however, very different than both of the Shimada brothers. Zenyatta could not quite imagine him practicing Japanese culture; it was an amusing thought to think of him meditating in his beloved hat and boots, however.
“No,” Genji spoke, making it clear of how he felt. “It is not an unwelcomed thing. You mentioned they were not the only ones acting in such a way; who else did you have in mind?”
“Doctor Ziegler and Captain Amari,” he added. At this, Genji seemed slightly less surprised than before.
“Angela and Fareeha?” Genji received a nod in response. The man tapped his chin for a moment. “I do not believe you are imagining that either, master. They’re awfully close on the battlefield and off.”
Zenyatta noticed how Angela – or Mercy, in this case – would often flock to care for Pharah whenever she was wounded, more so than she would if it were anyone else. And, in turn, Pharah had risked her neck more than once to make sure Mercy was out of harm’s way.
Zenyatta could not fault either of them for their actions, though. He found himself worrying over Genji on the frontline; he cared for all of his friends but his pupil had a special place in his heart.
The two had become a duo on the battlefield; where Pharah would fly, Mercy would follow. But, if Zenyatta was correct, this dynamic was not just for times of fighting. On the rare occasions he found himself visiting the medical bay, Angela was rarely there without Fareeha nearby. Whenever Zenyatta caught them, they’d make the excuse that Fareeha had been injured in training and Angela was taking care of her patient like the good doctor she was.
Zenyatta had accepted what they said, not wishing to push the matter further in case he offended either party.
"I don’t believe they are the only ones, are they, master?” Genji asked.
“You are wise, Genji,” Zenyatta said, nodding his head. “I also believe Ms. Zhou and Ms. Zaryanova are closer than they seem.”
“Mei and Zarya would be a unique couple, would they not?” Genji said with a smile and Zenyatta joined him with a light laugh.
Although Ms. Zaryanova was not always the kindest to him, Zenyatta knew of her troubled past. She was strong, powerful, and devoted woman; he admired her, despite how she made it clear she was not fond of him.
Ms. Zhou, however, had immediately taken a liking to him. Zenyatta had returned the feeling. Mei was kind to him and Bastion, seeing them as equals instead of what most others thought of them. Even if she was not as intimidating as Aleksandra, Mei had a sense of purpose that she was committed to; something that Zenyatta found himself respecting as well.
“They are not the only ones,” Zenyatta said. He thought of the others in his mind and, if he had human features, he was sure he’d be frowning. “Perhaps I am misinterpreting the others, however.”
Zenyatta knew the others he thought of were much more complex; they had pasts together. He sensed underlying hatred and pain. Such troubling things did not belong in love.
“What of your brother and Mr. McCree? If you agree with me, why do you think they have not gone any further?”
Genji was silent, deep in thought as he looked upon the ocean view. The sun was growing ever so closer to reaching the horizon, red and purples bleeding into the sky’s usual blue. Nighttime was especially beautiful in the strait of Gibraltar. The water reflected the stars beautifully; there was nothing to listen to but the soothing sounds of the waves below. Experiencing late night views like that were one of the benefits of being an omnic; sleep was not necessary so Zenyatta could meditate without any disruptions while everyone else was deep in slumber.
“You asked me why humans fear love, master,” Genji said, recalling Zenyatta’s first question. “I think it is because it is something we don’t fully understand ourselves. We don’t understand why it happens. It’s something we feel and emotions conflict with logic; logic is our way of combating things. The unknown scares humans; it is why they are still scared of omnics today. After the crisis, so little is understood that it truly frightens us. As I’m sure Jack would say: it’s always important to know what you’re up against; if you run into a fight clueless, how can you be prepared for anything?”
Zenyatta let out a noise, pondering his pupil’s words. “That is very wise of you to say, Genji. It seems you have some teachings of your own to share.”
The man chuckled quietly. “Thank you, master, but I don’t know if I’d call that a teaching. It was merely what I could answer to your question.”
“I appreciate that, Genji, and I will keep what you said in mind.” Zenyatta took his gaze off the setting sun and directed it back towards the base. He swore he could hear shouts – possibly Hana at one of her video games? – but brushed it off to his imagination. “Do you think that is why our friends are not, as Mr. McCree might say, ‘taking the bull by the horns’?”
His student did not bother to hide his laugh this time. “Are you sure it’s Hanzo that’s spending too much time with him? I think he’s starting to rub off on you, too.”
Zenyatta joined in on the humor. “You would be surprised at Mr. McCree’s wisdom. He has been down a rough path, himself.” He recalled being told the stories of a younger McCree, plucked from a gang and thrown into a military organization. “Besides, I am allowed to find something humorous now and again, Genji.” He teased.
“Of course, master,” Genji said, Zenyatta hearing the smile in his voice. “But to answer your question, I’m afraid I cannot say. I do not know what my brother and Jesse are doing,” he then made a noise. “And part of me doesn’t want to know all of the details. But if I know my brother as much as I’d like to, I’d say his guilt is keeping him from enjoying life like he once did.”
Zenyatta made a noise in agreement. “I wish your brother would allow me to help him as I have helped you.” Every time Zenyatta faced the archer’s hostility, he was reminded of a young Genji, wounded in every way possible, seeking guidance but hiding it behind anger. He wished to help lead Hanzo back to happy life, a life of acceptance of love, just as he had for Genji.
Although he wished Hanzo did not shoot down his offers, he knew this had to come at his own accord.
“Hanzo is a complicated man,” Genji said. “Even when we were younger I could never fully grasp him. When it was just us, he was the perfect older brother. We would laugh and play like family. But when our duties were asked of us? He was cold and merciless; he would do whatever was asked of him. That including trying to take my life.” The man reminisced, looking down at his cybernetic body. “I no longer hate my brother for what happened. I, as well, wish he could learn to overcome his guilt. But I’m afraid it is not so simple.”
"Do you think Mr. McCree could help your brother?” Zenyatta asked. He knew the man also faced the demons of his past. In private, the gunslinger had sought him out and dropped his iconic bravado to share how he felt guilt over everything he had done. He had asked Zenyatta if he was a bad person for being with the Deadlock Gang when he was in his youth.
“You were young and doing what you thought was necessary to survive. You don’t think what you did then was just; but you are willing to accept your mistakes. You are on the path of redemption, yes? You are a man, Mr. McCree, and will make mistakes. But I do not see you as a bad one.” McCree seemed to take what Zenyatta told him to heart. He had never stopped again to ask about such things but whenever they saw it each other, the man gave him a tip of the hat and a knowing smile.
“I think he might.” Genji nodded; even though he hadn’t had a private conversation with the cowboy like his master had, he remembered the McCree he had met when he first joined Overwatch all those years ago.
“And what of Doctor Ziegler and Captain Amari?” Zenyatta asked. “If they are together like you think your brother and Mr. McCree might be, why do they seem to be hiding their relationship?”
“You would say Angela and Fareeha both take their jobs very seriously, yes?”
Zenyatta nodded. “Doctor Ziegler is very passionate about her work and Captain Amari seems devoted to her cause.”
“I never read through Overwatch’s handbook,” Genji said honestly with humor in his voice. “When I was younger, I saw it as a joke. And now, I can’t tell if the rules from the past still apply.” Considering Overwatch – an organization founded on ending the Omnic Crisis – now had omnic members, Zenyatta could see where his pupil was coming from. “Jobs come with conduct; what is acceptable in the workplace and what is not. And relationships between coworkers is typically frowned upon.”
“Would that not deter your brother and Mr. McCree?” Zenyatta asked.
Genji chuckled. “Think of who you just said. Jesse has never been very keen on rules and my brother doesn’t consider himself an official member of Overwatch.”
Zenyatta tilted his head. “You believe regulations are the reason Doctor Ziegler and Captain Amari are not together?”
“Well, we don’t really know if they’re together, do we?” Genji reminded his master. “But I’d say that’s what is keeping them from announcing a relationship, yes.” The man laughed suddenly. “That and Ana, of course.”
Zenyatta imagined the older Amari finding out about their relationship. “Do you think Ms. Amari would disapprove of a relationship between the two?”
Genji shook his head. “No. Actually, I think it would be the reverse. I think Ana would love it if Angela was her daughter-in-law,” he chuckled once more. “As ridiculous as it might seem, that might discourage them from talking about it.”
Zenyatta couldn’t lie, it did seem unusual to him. If a relationship was welcomed with open arms, why would humans still hide it, especially from a relative? He simple nodded at his pupil.
“And what of Ms. Zhou and Ms. Zaryanova? Would these rules deter them, too?”
“To be honest, master,” Genji faced Zenyatta. “I’m afraid I do not know either of them well enough to say.”
Their conversation dissolved. They continued to sit on the hill, watching the world around them change slowly. Clouds had begun to clear as the sun set, halfway disappearing behind the horizon. The water was still slamming into the rocks below, washing over the smooth surfaces it had created with time.
The chirping of birds was absent as they all retreated into their homes. The symphony of insects had yet to begin, thought Zenyatta doubted it would take long before he would hear the distinct singing of crickets.
“Can I ask a question of my own, master?” Genji asked, his voice ending the silence.
"Of course,” Zenyatta nodded at his student. “I know that you were curious but was there any other reason you asked about this. . .subject?”
“You have become very wise and observant, indeed,” Zenyatta stated, laying a hand on Genji’s shoulder. “I asked about this because I believed that our friends would be happier with each other.”
“My, my,” Genji chuckled. “Are you planning on being a matchmaker, master?”
Zenyatta laughed with him. “That would imply that I am putting them together, Genji. I believe our friends have already found companionship in each other.” He shook his head. “No, I simply wish to make sure they do not need any guidance.”
“So we spy on them?” Genji asked, feeling like a giddy child.
“What is it you call yourself, my pupil? A cyborg ninja?”