literature

Walk in Harmony (Genyatta/Zenji)

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"Ah, Genji, may I accompany you today?" Zenyatta asked briefly after spilling a list of errands he sent his pupil to attend, a common occurrence in their mutuality.

"Master, I believe I will be fine on my own. And, you know how people treat omnics," Genji tried not to sound concerned, but he couldn't risk his mentor being harmed in public. It was different during missions. They had each other's backs, and a squad of members to protect them. In public, one wrong move caused a convergence of hostility and panic, especially if the disturbance is created by an omnic. Genji learned to weather the stares and verbal abuses when he ran his errands for Zenyatta, but he could not bear to see his master in the same position.

Zenyatta persisted. "It's our last day in Hanamura until we leave for Nepal. I would be pleased if you show me around your homeland,"

The words plucked at strings in Genji's heart. Homeland. Hanamura was his home, where his brother, Hanzo, and he grew up together, then came apart in a gruesome battle that left Genji clasping to thin webs of life. He was thankful that Mercy and other members of Overwatch had saved his life, for he would not have met Zenyatta if they hadn't. 

"... Very well, Master, I would be glad to guide you," Genji finally gave in, and he picked up his sword laying across the dresser, sheathing it on his back. Zenyatta was happy, Genji noticed, for his orbs whirled and glowed as he rose from the cream pillow he sat upon. He made his way to a closet and retrieved a red parasol.

"Master?" Genji said.

"It's hot today," Zenyatta justified, floating after Genji as they stepped outside.

His mentor was right. It wasn't unusual for summer in Japan, however. Genji mentally thanked Mercy for considering the temperature in his cybernetic parts and installing a cooling system. A warm breeze brushed over them as Genji led the way into the town.

"Ah, are these cherry blossoms?" Zenyatta hovered to a pink-budded tree in fascination.

Smiling beneath his face plate, Genji nodded. "Yes, Master. They are bountiful this time of year,"

Zenyatta carefully plucked a blossom from the tree and investigated the petals. Genji waited for an inspirational or eye-opening quote, but the breeze stole the flower from the omnic's palm.

"Must we be going?" Genji asked.

"Yes, we have plenty of errands," agreed Zenyatta, who rejoined his student, parasol over his shoulder.

Genji found it funny how Zenyatta adopted human habits. Once he attempted to eat, as witnessing Genji enjoy a meal, but discovered that he lacked a mouth. He even asked Genji to help him conquer the art of walking, which Zenyatta cleared easily, but found flying more efficient. Maybe he desired to be human, Genji thought, but dismissed it quickly. 

The reason why Genji and Zenyatta were brought together was because of Genji's own internal struggles of desiring to be something; to accept what he was— if he was anything. Human, robot. Genji was the midpoint. 

"The apples are plump this season," Zenyatta pointed out as they passed a fruit stand. Red apples shimmered under the hot sun.

"I'll get some," Genji said, approaching the stand and paying for a pound. With the bag in hand, he returned to Zenyatta, who found some shade under a cherry blossom tree.

"Is the market usually this busy?" Zenyatta questioned as they continued along the road.

"Yes, because of the produce,"

"Ah,"

Genji purchased handfuls of vegetables and fruit. He idealized a large dinner, maybe even prepping a plate for Zenyatta to make him feel included, but in the end eat what his mentor was unable to. After all, he had a large appetite, which Zenyatta teased him for and often ridiculed him if he refused to exercise or train. Genji has been hit by enough scornful orbs to learn his lesson.

People began to wane as the sun began to settle upon the horizon. Genji had not noticed how long they had been out until his visor lit up to enable better sight. It shocked him at first, and he looked to Zenyatta, who held a box of meditation candles in his folded lap.

"Is something the matter, my student?"

"No, it's becoming night. We should head back," Genji said, shifting his grip on the groceries of the day. A big dinner was definite.

Tilting his head to the sky, Zenyatta said,"Ah."

Genji looked to him and attempted to follow his gaze. His visor's brightness adjusted to the sun's glare.

"The sunset is different here than in Nepal," Zenyatta remarked, and Genji found he was right. The sunset in Nepal, obscured by snow-topped mountains and clouds, was often never seen. Here in Hanamura, the ground sloped, allowing a clear view of the ocean before them, where the sun was being put to rest behind a quilt of dark waves. 

Stood still, Genji continued to gaze at the setting sun, whilst Zenyatta moved onward back the way they came. Then came a thump and the clatter of Zenyatta's orbs falling to the ground. Genji whipped his head in the direction of the commotion and found his master sprawled on the asphalt, trying to find his bearings. Another man was on the ground with him, muttering curses that made Genji bite his tongue.

"Master, are you alright?" Genji said, forcing himself to ignore the arrogant remarks. He noticed that the man had company that were eyeing them. Quickly helping Zenyatta up, Genji went out of his way to clean up the scattered candles and return them to the box as orbs gravitated to his mentor's neck.

"Forgive my clumsiness. I had not seen where I was headed and bumped into you," Zenyatta offered a hand to the fallen man, who ignored it and helped himself up. Genji's hands were full of a day's worth of shopping and could not stoop to pick up Zenyatta's forgotten parasol.

The man made the effort to grab the parasol from the concrete. Zenyatta reached out his hand once more, and Genji seared at the spite in the man's eyes meeting the metallic palm. To no surprise, Genji watched as the man snapped the parasol on his knee as his company jeered. The groceries dropped to the ground, and Genji reached for the sword on his back, but Zenyatta's arm stopped him.

The breath containing Genji's retort caught in his throat as Zenyatta reached down and picked up the halved pieces of umbrella. The man smirked.

"You omnics have no sense of dignity. Look at you, pretending to be human with a parasol," mocking him, they laughed, and Genji boiled.

"Forgive my clumsiness," Zenyatta repeated, and attempted to hover around them.

Genji felt something snap when a hard hand grabbed his mentor's shoulder and shoved him back. He drew his sword and leapt in front of Zenyatta.

"We don't want any trouble," Genji's words dripped with threat and warning.

"And what are you? I've never seen this style of omnic before," one of the men questioned.

"I'm human," Genji tried to be sincere to himself.

"Show your face," the man that collided with Zenyatta challenged.

"My face is none of your business, let us be on our way,"

"The cyborg is shy," remarked one of the men, who stepped forward. Genji noted the scar running from ear to lip on his left cheek. 

Events unfolded quickly. First, a crowbar, dagger, and handgun were wielded at Genji and his mentor, one weapon owned by each of the men holding them up. Genji recalled thinking about how absurd the extremes were in the situation, they simply wanted to shop and return home. Then, the crowbar struck Genji's arm before he could counter with sword. He remembered metallic orbs soaring by, and the men were laid out at his feet.

"My student, are you harmed?" Zenyatta seemed unfazed, and a hand rested on Genji's injury.

The cyborg ninja struggled to comprehend what had occurred, but he nodded. "Yes, master. I believe it's only a dent,"

"I'll heal you once we return home, Genji, let us arrive in peace," the omnic helped his student gather the groceries. Zenyatta's hand never left Genji's arm as they finished the trek home. 

Mind still swirling, Genji set the groceries on the floor in the kitchen and sat down next to them. Did Zenyatta take out a trio of armed men with no trouble? It wasn't impossible, but Genji was surprised. In battle, his teacher would stay behind to avoid major injury and to heal teammates, for he fell into the support class. To watch Zenyatta defeat those men so easily was something Genji never guessed his mentor could do without help.

"Allow me, hold still," a sphere encompassed by a yellow glow formed in his right hand and glided to Genji's injured arm. In awe, he stared as the damaged metal repaired itself by a stream of gold from the orb, which lingered for a while before disappearing. Genji was thankful that the blow did not penetrate his armor. 

"You have my thanks, master," Genji uttered, bowing his head respectfully.

"And you, my student,"

"Master," Genji said after a moment,"I have never seen your... Aggression. Your actions towards those men, were they from anger?"

Zenyatta folded his hands into his lap. "Yes, my pupil,"

"Why show it then?"

"Because the discourse within them turned on you,"

That was Zenyatta's way of saying "They hurt you." Genji's heart pounded as he gazed at his mentor, who stared back at him in silence.

"I could take them, master, you know I could. I have handled worse than those men on missions," Genji defended his abilities.

"Yes, I know very well. But outside of battle, keeping us in harmony is still my priority," 

"Master, you do not have to protect me,"

"And so do you, Genji," Zenyatta stated,"so, why do you?"

His student was silent. Genji attempted to formulate a reply, a reason, but his thoughts failed him. 

"I... You have enlightened me, master, and taught me great ideas about life," Genji argued,"You have done so much for me,"

Zenyatta emitted an amused noise,"Ah, I have done nothing, you are the one who absorbed my teachings as a sprouting seed drinks water,"

Genji sat silently for a few moments. "... We have each other's backs, then, master,"

Zenyatta held out a hand to help him to his feet,"As always, Genji," he pulled him up,"We walk in harmony,"

The cyborg smiled and turned his head to the forgotten groceries. "I'll prepare dinner,"

Zenyatta nodded and began to glide to the bedroom with his meditation candles. "Don't use carrot, I... Dislike it,"

"Master, you can not eat,"

"I jest, my student," Zenyatta mused, slid the door closed, and Genji laughed quietly before tying on an apron and preparing a meal.
Robots are ruining my life
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lunakr124's avatar
Rest in peace lmao