This Blossoming Feeling (Genyatta)

This Blossoming Feeling

"Hah. That was a much closer match than last time. You have improved a lot. Well done, Genji."

"Thank you, Master. I couldn't quite get you this time, but I see that the training is getting tougher. I am grateful for that."

Zenyatta bowed his head at the other and let out a soft chuckle. "You do not need to go easy on me, my student. I can handle myself quite well, as you know. Next time, don't hold yourself back."

As Genji tucked his blade back into its sheath, he couldn't help but glance away. He was well aware that Zenyatta could help himself in a battle—and he knew it was probably disrespectful to go easy on his own teacher—but he couldn't help it sometimes. It had been six weeks since he last saw his master. Genji had been gone on a meditative retreat by himself and hoped to have returned with renewed vigor and motivation. While he was gone, though, he simply found himself missing Zenyatta's company and presence. It was a helpful journey for what it was, but now that he was back and stood before his master, all he wanted to do was be with him and talk to him—not go through routine training and fight him.

"Sorry, Master."

"It's quite alright," Zenyatta waved his hand as if he was waving away the apology. He didn't see a reason for Genji to apologize in the first place, after all. "So, do tell me about your trip. What did you discover? What did you see?"

Genji had heard the flood of questions asked by Zenyatta, but he didn't quite answer them yet. He simply let himself take in the very sight of his master standing in the mellow, golden light of the sun as it began to set. The water in the oasis gently rippled behind him, and the sand dusted across their feet in the delicate wind.

Wow, Genji thought to himself. It didn't occur to him until now just how much he truly missed his master. Those kind eyes, that soothing voice, that unwavering stance...

Snapping out of his small daze, Genji took a step forward. "It was... quite beautiful," he spoke softly.

Zenyatta tipped his head curiously at the answer. "Oh?"

"Yes. It was very peaceful, too." Genji approached closer, his tone of voice gentle.

"Good," Zenyatta nodded. At this point, he began to notice the distance between him and the other closing. Was this purposeful, he wondered? Not that he was going to question it. They were just having a casual conversation, after all. Of course they need to be closer to speak to each other...

"And... it was..."

"It was...?" Zenyatta repeated, now looking down at his slightly shorter friend. Only now did he truly notice their subtle height difference. It was quite an endearing thought to know that Genji is the shorter one between them.

"Lonely."

A calm silence filled the area.

Zenyatta's eyes wandered downwards towards his student's hands. They almost seemed to be reaching for his...

"Loneliness... is a difficult feeling to overcome. Especially when you are committed to such isolation for quite a long period of time," he spoke gently, sympathizing with Genji's feelings as he slowly folded his hands together. It was almost as if he was resisting the temptation of taking Genji's hands into his own. His student wasn't the only one who felt lonely, after all. "But I am glad you were able to find solace."

Genji quietly nodded at that. He always admired the way Zenyatta spoke to him and validated his feelings. He wanted to cling to each earnest and kind word that came from that sweet sounding voice.

Noticing how close the two of them had gotten, Zenyatta felt that he should probably snap out of his impure thoughts and move this conversation back to the nearby temple. He could prepare a cup of tea for Genji and he could listen to more stories about his travels.