Demoted || Genyatta

Chapter 13: Can You Take Me Home?

Now, instead of just being in the same room while sharing meaningless silences, the two meditated together every night. It was only a small change in routine, but it felt more comfortable; it felt like Genji was actually accomplishing something. He was learning, and it was the first time in a long while that Genji could focus on something other than constant training. It was a good change.

Zenyatta forced Genji to spend more time outside the confinement of his room (or Zen's room, for that matter). Well, Genji said 'forced' out of habit but he didn't actually mind going out more often, and went along with Zen willingly. He talked to a lot more people now, and actually managed to remember the names of other Blackwatch members; Eric, Fio, Riley. They were surprisingly kind, and Genji was starting to think that not all Blackwatch members were the mental fuck-ups that he'd believed they were. Some people were actually here to fight for peace, without being in the spotlight like Overwatch members. They were actually fighting to make the world a better place. It gave Genji a different perspective on things.

Although Genji still wasn't talking to McCree after what had happened, and he rarely saw Angela anymore because he didn't have missions to get injuries from, nor excessive training sessions to tire his muscles, he didn't feel as alone anymore. In fact, he felt less alone than ever before. Zenyatta was always by his side, prompting him to meet others and talk about his mood rather than bottling it up.

Speaking of being at Zen's side, meditating with him was going well. Genji felt that he was actually improving, able to sit still for longer than 5 minutes already, and whenever Genji was having a rough day, Zenyatta was there to help with a harmony orb. Although Genji doubted he would ever reach Zenyatta's level of tranquility, he was already noticing the positive effects of meditating. He was less stressed, and (most importantly) a lot less angry all the time. Whenever he still managed to get irritated at someone or something, Zen was there to remind him to breathe.

After each meditating session, which normally lasted about 10 to 15 minutes, the two wouldn't just fall into a silence until Genji fell asleep. Instead, they talked. Although Genji was still hesitant to share much of his past, including his recent demotion to Novice, Zenyatta wasn't so reluctant to share stories. Genji learned that Zen had spend a big part of his life in Nepal with his brothers and sisters, being a monk in the Shambali monastery. Although Genji had been a bit skeptical of that term when Zen used it, as omnics couldn't have siblings, he quickly realized that Zen didn't mean they were directly related; he saw every other omnic there as his family because of their close bond. Genji could respect that.

Genji had secretly expected that either Zenyatta would grow tired of him, or he'd grow tired of Zenyatta. They were just such opposites in every aspect that it seemed unlikely for them to have gotten along at all so far; it was unusual that they hadn't instantly parted ways after their first hate-filled meeting. To be fair, the hate had been one-sided, but it was a miracle that Zenyatta hadn't just ditched Genji instantly. It's what Genji would've done. But now, as he thought back to how terribly he'd treated Zen when they first met, he felt embarrassed; he was glad he didn't still feel such hatred towards his friend.

So here they were, still getting along in that surprising way while they finished training together.

"That's enough for today. Let's head back," Genji said. Zen agreed easily, and the two started their way towards Zen's room. It wasn't as late as it usually was, but that just meant they'd have more time to talk after meditating today. Genji actually didn't mind that.

On the way back, however, Zenyatta seemed to have something on his mind. It was when they passed Reyes' office that he finally spoke.

"Genji, could I ask you something?" he asked. Genji was confused that he felt the need to ask, frowning at his friend, and Zen instantly clarified. "Something personal?"