Hard Time Chapter 1

~{Hard Times Part 15}~

In all honesty Jesse was rather shocked to hear such a heavy question. Despite it's simplistic nature, it held a rather weighted collection of atrocious memories that best remained stuck in a void of darkness. To answer such a question would require Jesse to pull back and tie his mentality down sturdy, so he could dive into the abyss regions of his mind to retrieve past events he tended to avoid speaking about. Hanzo was asking for more than he could chew. It begged McCree the question whether or not it would be worth giving out the details. Perhaps overlapping the bad memories would provide a straightforward answer, and given enough information to satisfy Hanzo's curious mind. However, would his words give the same effects as it would if he were to explain it from the beginning? Where would he even begin in this new journey that was about to be exploited to Hanzo. "That there is a mighty loaded question you have." Jesse chuckled nervously. "Wouldn't mind the short version would you?"

"Oh? Well now that you have sparked my curiosity I believe it would be fair to give the details." Hanzo let his coal colored eyes gaze over at Jesse measuring up the nervousness that he must be feeling. Even with eyes such as his, he didn't need his dragons to see how pale Jesse had gotten over a simple question. Perhaps it wouldn't be healthy to push his limits. "I am kidding," Hanzo added. "Perhaps I may lack in the humor department."

McCree smiled, "At least I can see that you're trying." He tried not to let the sound of relief be exposed through his words.

With a nod of acknowledgment Hanzo could see that the cowboy was starting to stall. More than not, it had already given Hanzo a good idea that Jesse carried a rather heavy past too traumatizing to tell, or Jesse was just babbling on again. Honestly, the former was starting to sound more plausible. Though if it were true, what would make Jesse feel so inclined to divert the subject? He already knew about Hanzo's past, so what could Jesse possibly have done to outrank it? "If you aren't comfortable with sharing I will not force you." Deep down the Shimada was still very curious. What was Jesse McCree hiding that hesitation seemed to be the key persona of his answer.

Jesse took a deep inhale adjusting the hat on his head, then exhaled just as slowly. "No. It ain't that. I've faced my demons head on more than you think Shimada. It's just where in the world to start is the hardest part." He leaned forward tapping his chin, "Say how long you plannin' on sitting in this medical bed, because I ain't kiddin' when I say we'll be sittin' here for a while." Those eyes spoke truth. His facial expression held a serious stillness to it.

Hanzo looked back down at his breakfast studying what was left of it. "Let's eat first." He paused thinking about where they could possibly go to just have a talk. The medical cot felt comfortable enough, but Hanzo felt the atmosphere would be more comforting if it were placed outdoors. "And then perhaps after we can go over towards the balcony over by cliff. The ocean view is quite nice and calming."

"Sounds like a plan to me." Jesse smiled as if bargaining his trade of the question insinuated such.

The archer brushed off the comments and simply kept eating filling his starving stomach.

--

One wave caved over the other brushing up against the rocks roughly. A white foamy layer would slip down the side of the rocks before seeping back into the water to repeat the process. A shimmering film, just where the water seemed to fall off the edge of the earth, reflected off the sun's glimmering gaze. Hanzo closed his eyes taking in a deep breath getting a taste of the ocean scent. The salty humidity stuck to his skin, but he didn't mind it too much. The wind seemed to make up for the sticky feeling.

"Feels nice don't it?" Came a deep southern voice from behind. 

"Mm." Is all Hanzo had replied. His content mind just wished to hang onto this feeling for a little bit longer. It felt so nice, so freeing. Since he's been here this is as relaxed as he's felt so far. He felt a shadow close in cooling the right side of his body. The shadow shrunk making Hanzo infer that Jesse had finally sat down to join him.