Genji loved the smell of coffee in the morning. He knew Angela always bought extra-aromatic coffee just for him. Not that he could drink anymore. Just for the smell.
He sat on a balcony overlooking the rest of Watchpoint Gibraltar, meditating and recuperating from the prior night's events. He heard Angela's footsteps approach behind, and the warm, cozy smell of coffee grew stronger. Angela sat beside him, as straight-backed as he was. She sipped her coffee with a loud slurp, but otherwise let the silence remain.
Genji knew she knew he'd been gone last night, and that it had been important. He knew she knew he was resting now. But he also knew she was filled to bursting with questions that probably took all of her willpower to restrain. If Genji could have smiled, he would have. Her respect for his space warmed his heart.
"What's on your mind, Angela?" he asked.
"Very funny," she snorted. "It's what's on your mind I'm thinking about."
Genji remained silent for a moment as he thought of the best words to use. Eventually, he decided that there were no good words. "Last night I paid a visit to Hanzo," he said.
Angela stopped slurping her coffee to frown at him. "You mean your brother who tried to murder you for doing the right thing?" The venom in her voice was unmistakeable.
"Yes," Genji replied carefully.
Angela smiled wryly. "I don't know what you're so frightened of." She resumed slurping her coffee.
"I-uh-Angela, I am not frightened of you, I just…" Genji sighed. "I was concerned this may anger you."
Angela gently placed her mug on the ground and looked at Genji. "No, I'm not angry at you. I'm worried. I don't want Hanzo to hurt you."
Genji shrugged. "I'm not sure why. I'm a bad-ass cyborg ninja."
Angela swatted his shoulder. "A ninja who keeps pestering me to patch him up during missions." Still, she couldn't keep the smile from her face.
Genji took one of her hands in both of his. "And you know I appreciate it. Very much." His tone became solemn. "Angela, I promise - my brother will not kill me a second time."
Angela glanced down, then asked, "What happened last night? What did you do? What did he do?"
Genji let go of her hand, but she clasped one of his hands in hers. She looked at him gently. "It's okay. Tell me."
"I've actually been tracking my brother for a few years now." He looked at Angela, expecting an interruption. She merely furrowed her eyebrows briefly. "He returns to the home of my family, to Shimada castle, every year on the day he 'killed' me to honour my memory. I discovered that he left my family's life of crime behind and forfeit his birthright after he performed his duty. What he did tore him apart, Angela, and it haunts him to this day. So I revealed myself to him, told him I forgave him, and asked him to join Overwatch."
Angela nodded. "And how did he react?"
"Well…" Genji rubbed the back of his head sheepishly with his free hand. "He attacked me when he saw me."
He felt Angela's hand tighten on his like a vice. "Why? To finish his duty?"
"No, actually. He thought I was a Shimada assassin, but we cleared things up."
"Did he hurt you at all?"
Genji chuckled. "No, I'm fine. Like I said: I'm a bad-ass cyborg ninja."
Angela smiled. "Yes, but you're so reckless. I can't help but worry."
Genji gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "I'm alright. Promise." He looked back to the sunrise. "I hope my brother makes the right choice. I miss him."
"I don't like what he did to you, but if you think there is good in him…"
"I do. We will be heroes together. Plus, he's not so bad once you get to know him."
Angela laughed. "Of course."
Silence fell again, interrupted only by the slurping of coffee. Genji watched the bright sunrise hand in hand with Angela. He had no idea what would happen, but he had hope. Yes, he had hope that his brother would finally be with him again.