{A/N: so i kept writing until i got close to the point i wanted to reach - and it got so long that i was able to write enough for two chapters, so i'm uploading this one first! the next one should be coming soon!}
The caveat was that their feelings took their sweet, sweet time to develop - at least, for Mercy. Genji fell victim to cupid's arrow first.
The adrenaline rush from Genji's visit left Mercy in a hyperactive state. There was no chance of her falling back asleep, and she would rather not let a fresh serving of black coffee go to waste - even if she was not very happy with his intrusion to prepare it for her. Genji apologized profusely, admitting that he just wanted to do her a favor. He promised that he did not attempt to proactively peep into her personal life. However, considering that several complete strangers have infiltrated her residential space before (with the intent of taking her life), his actions paled in comparison. Her sense of privacy should have been long gone, really, and starting trivial drama was not in her interest. She reassured him to not worry about it.
Mercy guided him to the laboratory in her basement. For an experienced researcher such as herself, it was a small space to work with, mainly furnished with a couple of lab benches, a sink, two hoods, and a relatively large table for a computer, wide monitor, and scattered papers. At this point, she had to relocate so many times that she lacked the storage that scientists would typically have. Mercy felt that it was rather desolate. Genji, though, was impressed that she was able to conduct her work in the middle of nowhere. The doctor motioned with a hand for him to sit on a low counter - not the best seat for a patient, but a place like this was no hospital.
"Your body's terribly worn down," Mercy commented as she scanned him from head to toe. " You better get comfortable, because you'll be staying here for a while. How long has it been since your previous check-up?"
"Half a year ago or so, although the doctors were not able to do anything. The last fine tuning was done by you, doctor."
"Angela." She rummaged around for a few toolboxes and pulled out a bottle of high quality oil. "So you've been functioning for years without any maintenance?"
Genji nodded, but in doing so his rusted joints creaked like nails on chalkboard. The other cringed, almost horrified by this. She checked the back of his head for any debris, then applied the oil accordingly. "It's a shame that the other physicians couldn't figure it out. You might just have to follow up with me every year, then. What have you been doing recently to be in this condition? If you don't mind me asking."
"...Soul searching. I traveled around the world to make peace with myself." He described his adventures, the countries he crossed, and his encounter with Zenyatta. Mercy could understand why his body was in this shape, but could read into more of his personality as he talked. His posture was a little lazy but relaxed. He was much calmer, a little more talkative, and more open and accepting than before. A drastic transformation, she would say, versus the tense Genji she remembered from their previous meeting.
"The only place I haven't set foot on is Africa," he continued. "I would like to see it for myself one day. However, I fear the damage the sandstorms could do to me. Many, too, will label me as an omnic foreigner."
Mercy just replaced a third metal plate after fixing a couple of frayed wires on his arms. "Numbani would gladly welcome you, but that would be on the other end of Africa from here." She moved aside her now empty cup. "Or I could recommend an alternative for you."
Genji turned his head to gaze at her inquisitively. The movement was nearly silent; music to her ears.
"Perhaps you would be interested in getting new armor you could change into. It'll be like having a different set of clothes." Mercy stretched her lips into a grin as her voice brightened. "This one appears far too robotic, now that I think about it. How about it? Something to make you blend in better."
The Shimada most certainly had his attention hooked, but some concerns arose. "And what of this one? I would hate for your work to go to waste. Your time for research, as well."
"It'll be your choice if you want to switch up your appearance. I have no opposition to whatever you decide." Mercy hummed thoughtfully. "As for my research, there is never a reason to rush it. Its value is questionable at this point, too."
Questionable? Genji wondered. He was about to ask her to elaborate, but she was persistent about her offer: "So? What will it be, Genji?"
"...Very well, Angela."
Genji caught her smile yet again. It was nearly infectious, but also redeeming. His dignity was at a low after he made her shed tears earlier. She finished the physical portion of the check up. "We'll talk more about that later. For now, I have to say that I'm actually impressed, even if you showed up like this. I would have imagined that your body would be completely handicapped by now. Could you remove your face plate for me?"
He obeyed as she stood before him, and Mercy was glad that she saw his hydraulics functioning normally. His portfolio was no different - just that his scars were now rooted deep within his dermis. Their eyes made contact, and each one silently admired the other. Angela's ocean blue irises full of life, cool, and serene; Genji's brown irises earthly, determined, and grounded. She hovered her pointer finger between them.
"Follow my finger with your eyes. Keep your head still."
While Mercy assessed his neurologic function, the patient's mind wandered. Like anyone else, he always disliked doctor's appointments. As a child, his mother had to find original ways to persuade him to go, stop squirming around, and lower his wailing voice. His thoughts trailed off to Hanamura yet again, which then reminded himself that Overwatch had taken over his former home.
"What happened to Overwatch? I heard that it is no more."
Her expression dimmed. Immediately, Genji realized that he hit a sensitive topic for her. "A lot happened," she said, making minor adjustments to his helmet. "Ever since you left, the organization only went downhill. You're lucky to have missed it all."
"I see. And have you been doing research here ever since then?"
"Not quite. Like you, I moved around a couple of times." Mercy cued for him to put his mask back on as she rolled her left shoulder. "I've taken care of the wounded and anyone needing medical attention along the way. Most of my time did go into research, though. Anyway, you're all set. It'll take me a while to design something suitable for the African weather. Come back next week, and it should be ready for you."
"Thank you once again." Genji hopped off of the counter. He didn't need to be put to sleep for this check-up, and he could already feel the improvements in his mechanics. It was no wonder why she seemed have a name well known to the world. Saving his life, repairing him quickly and smoothly, and now getting a new set of armor - he was immensely indebted to her.
But one week? If he wished to go somewhere far, especially on foot, that wasn't enough time. Not that he wanted to drop by anywhere in particular - there wasn't anything he needed to do - although he could explore the local area. He may as well stay nearby if it was a short wait.
Genji looked over to Mercy. She wiped her sweating forehead after several hours of work and removed her thin sweater, revealing a left arm wrapped in white bandages. An unwanted, ominous feeling slithered into his nerves. Was she wounded? By what, he may never know, but it was likely by people targeting her. There seemed to be no other explanation - she had no roommates, and she mentioned migrating more than once. The building she resided in was concealed by the trees and far from other inhabited places. The world was not at peace, even more so now than ever because of Overwatch's downfall. It was clear to him that Angela wanted to hide.
The alarms throughout this home would not be enough to ensure her safety, he realized. She was a woman with an iron heart, but he could not imagine that she would have the capability to win a physical fight single handedly. With that, a new idea surfaced: if he had nothing better to do, he owed her for the care given to him, and her life was in possible danger, Genji could serve as her personal but temporary bodyguard. It seemed like a fair trade.
Genji said his goodbye to her - the biggest lie he would ever tell her.