The Remainder of the Equinox

Chapter Sixteen

"...Nepal, Han. Nepal!" Genji paced across the room. He had started ranting the moment his brother woke up. His hair was undoubtedly a disaster, but for once in his life he didn't care. His clothes were wrinkled and messy. He felt the bags under his eyes get heavier each second. He hadn't gotten much sleep ever since Mondatta arrived. "He's just going to hop in a little plane and fly away!" He didn't know why he was so angry. Well, it was more like he didn't want to admit why.

"To my understanding, this is only for a month," Hanzo's eyes didn't lift from the book he was reading, but his expression grew slightly worried.

"Only!" Genji mocked, "He's going all the way to the other side of the world, it's no big deal!" Anger and confusion surged through his entire body.

Hanzo suggested, "Maybe you should be happy for him. After all, he got to see his brother after a long time."

"Oh, please. If Mondatta really cared about him, then he wouldn't have just popped up out of nowhere! He could have contacted him in some way, like a postcard or something!" Genji lowered his voice in a deep tone, "Hey, it's your long-lost brother. How are you? I'm coming over to steal you away from functioning society and take you back to the middle of nowhere, so-"

"He's a world-renowned activist, Genji. His schedule must have been packed. Maybe this was the only time he could have seen Zenyatta." Like always, his brother tried to be the voice of reason. "You can't blame him for wanting to see his brother after five years."

"Okay, yes, but does he have to leave for so long?" He fussed. "A week would have been fine. Two weeks, sure. But a whole fucking month?"

"Why are you so irritated? You know he'll be coming back. Just be patient."

Genji stopped in his tracks and looked Hanzo in the eye. "What if he never comes back, huh?" His brother gave him a quizzical look, so he elaborated. "That month could turn into two months, or three, or a year, or two years, or even forever!" His voice rose manically. "What would happen then?"

Hanzo rolled his eyes."You need to relax."

"I am relaxed!" Genji stressed.

"I'm starting to think this is more about you than Zenyatta." His brother set down his book. A thick silence settled over the room like a blanket threatening to suffocate them.

Genji composed himself. He took a deep breath, "All I'm saying is-"

"You don't want him to leave because you think he'll forget about you and abandon you. Really, though, you're blowing this out of proportion. You can deal with his absence for a month."

"I am not blowing this out of proportion," Genji said.

"Why don't you just ask him out now so he has something to come back for?" Hanzo was undoubtedly irritated.

"What? No! I can't just do that!"

"You've done it before."

"That was different!"

"How come? I thought you wanted to ask him out."

"HRNNG!" Genji scrunched his hands angrily. "You don't get it! He's more..."

"Important?"

"Yes! Wait, no, I mean..." he groaned loudly and slumped onto the couch. "I already probably messed this up. I shouldn't even bother trying." He closed his eyes in defeat. He could just see the smug look in Mondatta's blank eyes glaring at him as he stole away his closest friend.

Hanzo was silent for a while. Then, the sound of soft footsteps echoed throughout the large room. Genji didn't bother checking what he was doing. Maybe he finally got fed up.

"Listen," his brother said, more gentle than his usual stern voice. The cushion next to him sank and he felt a hand touch his shoulder. "I'd bet that if you went over to his shop right now, things would turn out alright. If you don't talk to him now, you could mess it up for real. When is he leaving?"

"Tonight." A sick churning rolled in his stomach.

"Then you have to go right now!"

Genji lolled his head over and stared at him, despondent. "Why do you care about this so much?"

Hanzo sighed. "Because I'm your brother," he quickly wrapped an arm around Genji's neck and gave him a rough noogie, "it's my job to care."

"No! Stop!" Genji's frown quickly turned into a smile as he tried to detach himself from the iron grip. It didn't work. "My hair!"

"Your hair already looks like trash."

He gasped. "You take that back."

***

By the time Genji has mustered up the courage to drive over, it was dark. He was sure he went a few miles over the speed limit as he drove to the shop. When he arrived, the pleasant sign with cursive letters spelling out "CLOSED" was flipped over. The lights were on inside, though. If he squinted, he could make out the vague figure of a bald head. His heart began to pound furiously. It was now or never. He pushed open the door. The pale light hit his eyes.

He marched right up to his friend. "Zen, I need to tell you... something..." he started off bold, but he lost his confidence when he saw who it actually was.

"Oh, Genji. It's nice to see you again," Mondatta greeted with a plastic smile. His face was condescendingly perfect. But it was too perfect. Not nearly as handsome as his brother's. "Did you need to talk to Zenyatta?"

Genji bit back a sarcastic remark. "Yeah, I do. Where is he?"

"He's in the back." He paused for a moment. "Actually, may I speak with you for a moment?" He didn't actually wait for a response. He just directed him to a bean bag chair and sat across from him.

"I don't have a lot of time. I need to talk to Zen." Genji looked anxiously to the back room door.

"Yes, on the topic of my brother," Mondatta sat forward and put on a professional face. "I just wanted you to know that if he stays back with me, he doesn't mean to insult you."

A whole pound of oh-fuck was dropped on Genji's head. "Excuse me?"

"If the time comes and he decided to stay with me permanently, I don't want it to shock you."

"I don't think I understand. Why would he do that?"

"Let me ex- oh! Hello Zenyatta. Are you ready?" And thus emerged the one person Genji wanted to see the most.

"Yes." He looked started to see Genji. "I didn't think you were coming."

His insides began to clam up. "I-I just thought that maybe I could drive you to the airport."

"That's alright. We have our transportation all sorted out." Mondatta motioned to the big personal bodyguard in the corner of the room. "I'll be out in the car. I'll remind you that the airport is a while away, and it's best that we should leave soon."

Just like that, they were alone.

"Thank you for coming to see me." Zenyatta's deep voice was a shock in the silent air.

"It's not a problem," Genji replied hastily. "Listen, I wanted to tell you something before you go."

"Yes?" He immediately perked up.

He knew the time was short, but he had so much to say. He opened and shut his mouth, then chuckled nervously. I like you, in a totally romantic way. Please don't stay in Nepal. How could he say that without sounding clingy and weird?

"Genji, there's no rush, but I really do have to leave." His face softened. He reached a hand out and placed it on Genji's arm. Something that looked like hope sparkled in his eyes.

His gut wrenched as the words fell from his throat. "I hope you enjoy Nepal."