Redemption From Resemblance (McHanzo)

A Closer Look

The mission in Virginia turned out to be more boring than one would first think. Despite finding and witnessing two secret meetings between the anti-omnic terrorists, the people living within the areas weren't even given a second glance. Sure, those who the three agents were sent to watch would sometimes interact with the people who weren't taking part in the meetings, but the conversations never went beyond simple greetings or talks about other, less pressing current events. If anything, it didn't seem as though the people who weren't with the terrorists had any idea that they were talking with one, and it made McCree wonder why the meetings were being held in the first place if they weren't for gathering followers (because while they still witnessed the two meetings, not one of them heard what was being said or felt like getting close enough to find out). All in all, it turned out to be a fruitless mission that only proved to raise the ire and embarrassment of the gunslinger who was frowning the entire ride back.

Not only did they end up doing nothing, but on top of that was the lingering mortification of his relationship with Hanzo being found out by Satya who didn't care in the least. Yes, she told them she wouldn't say anything to anyone, but McCree still can't believe that he screwed up yet again concerning keeping the fact that him and the elder Shimada are together a secret for now. However, he can't just waltz through the watchpoint with a scowl on his face or else he'll risk revealing what's bothering him to the other agents, so McCree schools his expression to one of mild exhaustion (which isn't that hard to do because he does feel slightly worn out). It works for the most part because when the carrier lands inside the hangar of the base, no one waiting there asks him why the younger man looks angry. Instead, Angela looks them over to make sure all three are healthy and uninjured before she tells them to go eat some proper food. After that will be a debrief with Winston (who actually didn't really contact them for most of the mission, which McCree thinks is a little weird), and that's the most interaction he gets until they enter the dining hall.

In all honesty, the cowboy would have liked to bathe first before he ate considering he hasn't washed in four days (since the only places they stayed in were abandoned buildings that didn't have working plumbing, much to everyone's annoyance), but the sooner they eat and fill in Winston on what happened, the longer McCree gets to soak in some hot water. So he tries to eat rather quickly, urgency fueled by both the siren song of a nice bath as well as the fulfilling food that doesn't taste like spiced cardboard. Hanzo also seems to share the sentiment since his usual grace and cleanliness has almost all but left him. He isn't eating as fast as McCree, but the same urgency is there, one that anyone paying close attention would notice. Genji does, and the gunslinger can tell that the younger Shimada is a little worried for his friend and brother even though he doesn't voice his feelings. After they finish eating, McCree and Hanzo head for the conference room (Satya once again waiting for them like she did four days ago when they received the mission), and take their seats quickly so Winston can begin.

“So I am to assume that you three being here means that everything was alright over in Virginia?” The younger man looks between those in the room, and when he notices that neither of his teammates are planning to respond right away, he takes it upon himself to do so.

“As far as it can be. They weren't harrasin’ the locals or anythin’, just holdin’ those meetin’s.” Winston nods with a sigh of relief, and after a few more questions that McCree once again answers on his own (and seriously, it wouldn't hurt either Satya or Hanzo to say something in reply), the scientist dismisses them with a final comment of ‘you are free for the next few days’. The cowboy doesn't exactly know what Winston means by a few, but he figures it's got to be enough for them to rest and recuperate (maybe even for him and the archer to try and take the next step like they've been talking about, but he'd need to ask Hanzo about it first). So with one last smile at the older man, McCree heads for his room while the other two do the same. Once he's inside, the gunslinger heads straight for the bathroom, clothes and armor falling into small piles on the floor as he goes. It almost feels like an eternity before the water gets hot enough, but it proves to be worth the wait when McCree sinks into the heat with a content sigh. He finds a comfortable position in the tub and stays there for what feels like hours (when it's probably only the equivalent to forty minutes) before he washes his body then gets out to dry off. It's only after the cowboy has picked out some clothes to put on does he hear a knock on his door. McCree gets dressed quickly before he answers, and he doesn't know whether to be confused or happy to see Genji standing on the other side. What really catches the gunslinger's attention is the box tucked under the ninja's arm, and he raises a single brow that makes the other man clear his throat in response.