The Remainder of the Equinox

Chapter Seventeen

You usually have to wait for that which is worth waiting for.
-Craig Bruce

There are several different types of love.

Sexual love, that of which drives most people, is often used to tell whether or not you're attracted to somebody. At times it could be beautiful, but at times it shows how shallow the human race can really be.

Platonic love is (arguably) stronger than sexual love. It establishes a true bond between two or three or even ten people.

Then of course there's hate-love, parental love, fake love, all that complicated stuff. The sad part about life is that not many people will experience pure love.

What does pure love feel like?

The best answer would be that it differs from person to person. It could be the sound of your friend laughing, the warmth in your chest when you hold a sleeping baby, or even just the bloom of a small rosebud.

But not many people will ever experience that kind of love.

Like Genji. Genji stood in the middle of the airport. The sounds of people chatting amicably and couples giving tearful goodbyes made him more nervous. The lights were hard and brightly burning; it reminded him of a light on an operating table. To him, it was arguably just as nerve-wracking. The longer he waited, the more worried he became. What if he left for good? What if he hates me?

An entire month had passed, and it was time for Zenyatta to come home. At least, that's what he had hoped.

The month passed by sluggishly with no contact from Zenyatta whatsoever. It nearly drove Genji nuts. Without having a mediator for every argument, having a friend to turn to in a time of need, having a shining light to chase away everything bad was one of the worst feelings in the world. Every time he saw Jessie and Hanzo snuggled up on the couch, he felt envious and melancholic at the same time.

It had given him time to reflect on his feelings, as well. God knew he didn't necessarily enjoy doing stuff like that, but at least he sorted out a few things.

Now, standing in the middle of the busy sea of people, he came to understand why he was even there in the first place. Most people would not have even made the effort to drive out to the airport to pick up the traveler. He surveyed the surrounding area like a crime scene. Where on Earth was Zenyatta?

As if on cue, he saw a gleaming bald head stick out from the crowd. A taller man with dark skin and a wise aura pushed his way around other people, apologizing to each person after shoving them. A smile stretched itself across Genji's face. His chest felt like someone was playing the bongos on it. He wanted to rush over, tackle his friend, and never let go again. And yet, the floor was glue, sticking him in place, forcing him to stay put.

That is, until he heard the most beautiful sound.

"Genji!"

Zenyatta spotted him and grew a smile of his own. His pearly teeth gleamed in the twenty-four-hour ceiling light. And by god, the man looked as beautiful as ever.

Something stirred in Genji's stomach. The floor glue dissipated, and he took off in a full-blown run. The nasty glares from the other pedestrians had no effect on him. A laugh of relief, amazement, and joy escaped his throat. When he reached Zenyatta, he wasted no time in wrapping his arms around his friend's waist and pulling him in for a kiss. Not a drunk kiss, or a high kiss, but an honest I've-been-wanting-to-do-this-forever kiss. And it was being returned with just as much passion.

And in that moment, Genji felt real, true, heartwarming, pure love.

Happy Holidays, you nerds.