The Remainder of the Equinox

Chapter Five

The park was never crowded in the winter. Most of the time it was a frozen wonderland where you could relax and appreciate the view. Sometimes you could catch a few delinquents on their way to vandalize something. Other days you could catch lovebirds taking a stroll in an aesthetically pleasing area.

On that day, Zenyatta and Genji were hiding behind a crudely-made ice wall, trying to get a good look at said lovebirds. They had been waiting in the park for a while, hoping something interesting would happen between Jesse and Hanzo.

The only thing they did so far was hold hands.

Zenyatta was beginning to lose feeling in his toes. "I still don't see why we're doing this. Isn't this a little invasive?" he asked. His only response was a finger pressing to his lips.

"Shh! I can't hear them," Genji hissed. He peeked over the ice wall, then gasped, "Shit, shit, get down!"

They ducked under the tall snow fortress once again and waited. Zenyatta zipped his coat up and asked, "Why are we doing this again?"

"I need to know what my friend and brother are doing with each other."

"So your solution is spying on them?"

"Yes! Keep your voice down!" He peeked over the edge once again. "I think they're gonna kiss."

Zenyatta smiled. He looked at the two subjects they were spying on with amiability. "I understand why you want to check in on them, but couldn't you just ask?"

Genji turned to face him. "They won't talk! I asked both of them what happened at the movies the other night, and you know what they told me? Nothing!"

"Maybe they would like to keep this to themselves," Zenyatta pointed out.

Genji laughed incredulously and pushed him back down under the ice wall. "Not with me they won't." His now-cold hand met Zenyatta's bald head. "Here, wear this." He took off his winter hat and shoved it down to his ears.

"Thank you, but won't they see your hair?" Zenyatta asked, adjusting the hat.

"It'll be fine. Look," Genji pulled his scarf off and wrapped it around his head. "Now I am... babushka!" He faked a heavy Russian accent.

Zenyatta laughed quietly and pushed his shoulder gently. "Check and see if they're still there."

He watched his friend slowly raise his head over the edge, then motioned for him to join.

Jesse and Hanzo were strolling next to the frozen fountain in the middle of the park. Their palms were still connected, swinging as they walked. They stopped in front of a chubby angel boy and exchanged a few words. It looked as if they were inching closer together.

He heard Genji inhale sharply. He took Zenyatta's hand and squeezed. It was bone-crushing, but when he saw Genji's expression of excitement, he didn't saw a word.

Hanzo and Jesse were only a few centimeters apart. The park was dead silent. Slowly, their eyes closed, and they kissed. Any previous tension had disappeared.

Zenyatta whispered, "Aw." It was heartwarming to watch a young couple fall in love. It was a little strange, though, since they hadn't broken apart for air after a few minutes. They surely need air by now, he thought. As he was thinking, he felt arms slink around his chest and hug him tightly.

"Yes!" Genji yelled. His laugh was enough to send sparks flying in Zenyatta's chest. The mood was ruined, though, as they slowly realized their mistake. He watched as Hanzo and Jesse unlocked from each other to stare wide eyed at the two.

Genji collapsed back under the wall and muttered, "Shit, shit, shit."

"Should we try to run for it? The car isn't far off." Zenyatta prepared himself to run.

"No, they'll definitely catch us." Genji paused, then asked, "Are they still there? I can't hear anything."

"Me neither."

It took Zenyatta a moment to realize a shadow had loomed over their heads. He was scared to even look up. When he did, he saw a large white mass being held over their heads.

"Oh shit," Genji said in a tiny voice.

When it dropped, everything slowed down. Zenyatta couldn't move, he could only watch in horror as the ball of snow broke on their heads. He was knocked down on his rear by the force of the snow. When he dug himself out, he saw Jesse doubled over, wheezing. Hanzo was behind him, trying to hide his smile.

"No fair!" Genji yelled indignantly when he surfaced. He scooped up some snow and threw it in Hanzo's general direction.

"Maybe you should try minding your own business," Hanzo called back. While the two brothers continued to bicker, Zenyatta looked at the extra snow that had come their way. He had an idea, and it was evil.

Jesse finally stood up and said, "Y'all shoulda' seen the look on your faces! Ya... ya-" he was cut off by a snowball hitting him square in the forehead.

Zenyatta picked up another snowball and tossed it towards Genji. "Well?"

A grin spread across his friend's face.

After what felt like hours of endless flying snowballs later, their opponents finally gave up.

Jesse stood and waved a white scarf. "We surrender! We- oomph!" Zenyatta's last snowball sailed through the air and landed in his mouth.

Genji stood up on his wobbly legs and shouted, "Yeah! WOOO!" He held up his hand for a high five. He was covered head to toe with snow, but Zenyatta was no better.

"We won!" Zenyatta threw up his arms. He went to smack the hand, but missed by a mile. He grabbed onto Genji's coat to balance himself, but only brought the both of them crashing down.

When they landed, he felt the wind get knocked out of him.

"Are you okay?" Genji asked. Zenyatta only laughed breathlessly and nodded in response. He was laughing so much that he snorted. He snorted hard enough to make his throat hurt. This only made him laugh more.

Genji propped himself up on his elbows above him. "I've never seen you laugh this hard before."

When Zenyatta could open his eyes, he saw Genji's smiling face inches above his.

The world slowed down. He was sure his face was completely red. "Y- heh, yeah," was all he could say. He glanced at Genji's lips, then to his eyes. That's where he completely lost himself. He became oblivious to anything else.

"Oh, should I come back another time? D'you two need a room?" Jesse's voice snapped him back to reality.

Genji got up and pushed Jesse playfully. "Fuck off." He began to bother the other two about what happened earlier.

Zenyatta pushed himself back up and followed the rest of the crew, growing cold from the lack of body heat.