⟪That looks extremely difficult.⟫

Genji immediately toppled over from his complex yoga position, sprawling on the gym floor. ⟪Master! You startled me.⟫

Master's electronic chuckles were too cheerful for the scare to be anything less than intentional.

⟪It is cheating when you can just float,⟫ Genji groused. ⟪I can't even listen for footsteps.⟫

⟪My apologies, Genji.⟫ Master inclined his head and Genji grudgingly accepted the apology.

He moved into his cool down stretches, sensing his flexibility routine for the day was finished, wincing as he felt his spine pop into alignment with his synthetics. ⟪Is there something you needed, Master?⟫ It wasn't typical for Master to seek him out when it wasn't time for one of their sessions.

⟪Yes. Winston has informed me that Mister Lindholm is recently returned and has asked that I greet him.⟫

⟪Now?⟫ Genji glanced at the gym's analogue clock. It wasn't even 0700.

⟪As I understand it, Mister Lindholm has only just arrived from the airport. It is unlikely he has unpacked or retired to his quarters. I expect we can find him in the garden.⟫

⟪We have a garden?⟫

Master hummed cheerfully, leading Genji out of the gym. ⟪Perhaps not 'we', but there is a garden on the Watchpoint.⟫

Genji tilted his head. Were… were they heading to the Forge? It made sense, in a way. The Forge was where Brigitte loved to do her building, engineering, and tinkering- hence the name. She and Reinhardt spent the majority of their time in it and Torbjörn would doubtlessly pay a visit to his daughter and lifelong friend before doing anything else. Still, if Master expected Torbjörn to be in 'the garden', this did not seem to be the right direction. There was little sunlight to be had underground, after all.

Regardless, they descended the stairs to the Forge. The ringing sounds of hammer-on-metal were evident even before they opened the heavy-duty door guarding the workspace, and Genji manually reduced the sensitivity of his hearing before it could reach painful levels.

Brigitte was perched on a draughtsman's chair just left of center in the room, surrounded by bright work lights. She didn't notice them enter; She wore sound-cancelling headphones and had a welding mask on. Shoved off in his own corner, Reinhardt stood in the middle of a weight rack, muscles bulging as he lifted a frankly disturbing amount of weight, the bar itself bending with the strain. Reinhardt did notice them, as he was not wearing hearing protection like one might expect. Or hope. At the sight of them, he let the weights drop to the ground- causing the floor to actually shake with the impact- and opened his arms wide.
"Genji! Zenyatta! Willkommen!"

Genji was only somewhat surprised that he could hear him shout even without restoring his hearing.

The din of hammers stopped abruptly and Brigitte flipped up her mask, looking annoyed. "Rein! What did I tell you about dropping your weights like that? What if I was working on something delicate?"

Reinhardt shrugged his massive shoulders. "If the armor fails after so small an error, what use would it be in combat?"

"That's not- ugh, you're hopeless." She turned to Genji and Master, briefly looking them up and down. "What's up?"

"Winston requested that we check in on your father," Master said.

"Oh!" Her brow furrowed in confusion. "Um, alright. Papa's in the garden through there." She pointed her hammer at a door that Genji never noticed before, probably because it was directly behind Reinhardt's workout corner.

"Thank you, Miss Lindholm."

"No problem," she said, flipping her mask back down. "He's in a pretty good mood. Surprisingly."

Reinhardt opened the door for them, squeezing himself to the side so they could pass into the open-air space. Genji had to wait a moment for his visor to adjust to the bright morning light after the dim Forge. Once it did, he could see the area was about the same size as the room they just left, only it had no ceiling or walls beyond the natural rock arching above them. To their right, the ground dropped away suddenly with only a thin rail guarding the cliff, but ahead of them was a luscious array of greenery.

Genji wasn't very familiar with plants, but he could see that there was a large variety. Some plants were growing directly from the ground, but the majority sprouted from garden boxes in beds of fertile dirt. There were plants growing on trellises, on the cliff wall, even upside down. It was practically a forest and Genji had a hard time seeing through all the foliage.

"Is that Brigitte or Reinhardt?" A gruff voice called out, followed shortly by Torbjörn's appearance. He paused when he saw them, slowly taking off his gardening gloves. "Er, hello! I wasn't, aheh, expecting guests."

Genji narrowed his eyes. It was very unlike Torbjörn to be sheepish.

"I hope you'll forgive our intrusion," Master said. "Winston said you might require assistance."

"He did? Er, can't say I know what he means."

"Our mistake, then." Master looked around, apparently completely unconcerned that Winston sent them on a goose chase. "This is quite the remarkable garden. Did you cultivate all these plants yourself?"

"No, Brigitte helps me sometimes and- er-" Torbjörn's eyes slid to the side. Genji tried to follow his line of sight. Did he see something move? Yes, those leaves- or was it the wind?

"Reinhardt?" Zenyatta suggested pleasantly.

Brigitte had said something about wishing she had her cat here. Was it possible Torbjörn brought her furry companion back? He grinned to himself. It would be a sweet gesture from a father to his daughter. More importantly, he loved cats!

"Yes! Reinhardt. Very, er, enthusiastic, even if he hinders as much as he helps." Torbjörn grumbled.

He just had to keep an eye out for plants moving against the wind… There! Genji dove forward, sliding around an elevated box to come face to face with-

"Dweet! Dweet!" The omnic beeped in panic.

"NO!" Torbjörn shouted from a distance.

Genji felt a flash of recognition and horror- that was a Crisis-era E54 Bastion unit!- before the clank and whirr of mechanics shifted the siege weapon from sentry to turret mode. The last thing he saw was the angry red of a war machine in kill-mode, its turret gun spinning as it warmed up to fire-

The blast of water knocked him off his feet, right into a stack of clay pots. Genji spluttered as he sat up, removing his face plate to better spit out the water that had forced its way through his ventilation.

"Genji!" Master held out a hand and Genji used it to pull himself back to his feet. "Are you alright?"

He coughed, trying to dislodge the water in his lungs, still in shock. "What- what is an E54 unit doing here?!"

Torbjörn turned from soothing the omnic, looking extremely guilty. "Eh, funny story."

"There is nothing funny about it!" Genji shouted. "They were all supposed to be decommissioned after the Crisis!"

The E54 unit whirred in distress. Torbjörn put himself between the war machine and Genji, glaring challengingly.

"Well, clearly they missed one," the old engineer said defensively.

"Why don't you tell us your thoughts, friend?" Master interrupted firmly.

At first, Genji wasn't sure who he was talking to, until the E54 unit responded in a long series of beeps and whistles. What followed was a marvelously complex form of communication mostly unintelligible to him. Generally, only omnics were capable of emitting and perceiving the wide array of signals that composed their native bit-language. He'd tried learning while in Nepal, but could only manage the most basic of words. That left him and Torbjörn awkwardly waiting as Master carried on his one-sided conversation.

"You don't say?"

Beep doot brrt.

"Truly, a remarkable feat."

Happy whistles.

"Really? It must have been quite the game of charades."

Contemplative doots.

"Yes, I agree. You are extremely lucky to have found such a considerate friend."

"Er, Master?"

Genji watched in shock as Master bowed to Torbjörn. "Mister Lindholm, I must commend you."

Torbjörn squinted. "What?"

Master gestured to the omnic. "You have taken excellent care of Bastion since you've found him, he is very grateful."

"It- er, he is?"

"Of course! He wishes to specifically thank you for retrofitting a water hose where his machine gun used to be."

"Oh." Torbjörn patted down his beard. "Er, well, you're welcome. Bastion."

Dee dee dee!
"I take it that he's happy?"

"Oh, yes," Master agreed. "Very. Also, he would like to apologize to you, Genji, for getting you wet."

"I suppose…" Genji glanced at Bastion, who watched him plaintively. He sighed. "He is forgiven."

Woot!

"But I still want to know when he got here!" Genji insisted.

"I found," Torbjörn paused. "Him in the woods of Sweden. The wife and I were taking a walk close to the beach and we saw a hunk of metal in the woodline. He was collapsed, covered in moss and muck. I honestly thought he was dead, so I took him back to the workshop to see what I could salvage." He laughed, a rich chortle Genji would sooner associate with someone cheerful. "Imagine my surprise when he booted up after a little time in the sun! Couldn't leave the little guy by himself when my vacation ended, so I… took him with me. He's been helping me in the garden back home and I knew the one here could use some extra care, so I thought… why not?"

"He likes the peace and connection to nature," Master affirmed.

"Does he?" Torbjörn said, giving Bastion an evaluating but fond look.

Bastion whistled affectionately.

⟪This is bizarre.⟫ Genji muttered.

Master shot him a disapproving glance. "And Winston knows that Bastion is here?"

"Of course! It's his place. I'm not one to bring uninvited guests!"

"And you… like having Bastion here?" Genji just couldn't reconcile the outspokenly anti-omnic agent he knew willingly befriending one of the Crisis models.

"Not that I have to explain myself to you," Torbjörn said gruffly. "But I had time to… reflect on a lot of things while I was home. I made a lot of mistakes in the past. Made a lot of enemies, too." He looked up at Bastion. "But there might be something to say for making new friends of old enemies."

"A lesson we would all do well to learn," Master nodded.

Genji shook his head. Skeptical as he was, Master would not be pleased if he voiced his doubts, so compliments would do better. "I always knew you were a softy, deep down." He paused, then gave in to pettiness. "Deep, deep, deep down."

"Bah!" Torbjörn waved a finger in his direction. "This doesn't change anything! Your girlfriend is up to something suspicious!"

If that's the way he wanted to handle this, then-

The Forge's door swung open abruptly, and Reinhardt stepped out into the garden. "Ah! Still here?"

"The only way out is through the Forge," Torbjörn said. "You'd notice if we left."

Reinhardt ignored him, walking over to the group and throwing a few mock punches at Bastion, who shifted into his bipedal sentry mode, mimicking the punches with his own arms.

Wait a minute, did this mean- "Is Bastion a member of Overwatch now?" He asked.

"If you're asking if he'll fight with us, the answer's no," Torbjörn said. "He's easily startled. Doesn't do well in strange places or crowds. He's happy to garden, so that's where he stays."

Genji nodded. He supposed it made sense. Having a literal war machine probably wouldn't endear the world to the new Overwatch. It was probably for the best that- a beeping interrupted Genji's thoughts and an incoming call blinked on his visor.

"If you ever need assistance communicating with Bastion or meeting his needs," Master was saying, "please feel no hesitation in counting me among your friends. Genji will help, too, of course. Genji?"

"My apologies," Genji said distractedly. "Hanzo is calling me. I need to take this."

He turned and sprinted away from the group, back through the Forge and up the stairs. Hanzo always planned his calls ahead of time especially on a mission. It had to be the middle of the night in Dorado- but why would Hanzo be calling him instead of Winston if this was an emergency?

Genji had to tap his passcode in twice before his door opened for him. Was it a personal crisis? Oh, no, what if Hanzo and Jesse's 'truce' had failed?

Snatching his tablet off his desk, he hit the answer icon so hard it left a small dent in the glass. The video feed blinked to life.

⟪Brother, what's wrong?⟫ Genji's eyes darted over Hanzo's picture, examining him for signs of stress or injury, but discovering none.

⟪Nothing is wrong,⟫ Hanzo said, sounding mildly confused.

The adrenaline faded as his inspection confirmed Hanzo's words. Okay. He was okay. Finally able to breathe freely, he laughed, removing his faceplate. Maybe he took after his brother more than he thought, immediately assuming the worst like that. ⟪If nothing is wrong, why are you calling?⟫

Hanzo smiled wryly. ⟪Am I not permitted to call my brother unless it involves business?⟫

⟪No! Not at all. It's just unusual that you're calling me at this hour. I was worried that something had happened.⟫

⟪Ah. I- my apologies. I did not mean to worry you.⟫

⟪Eh, no harm done. At least I get to talk to you!⟫ Genji pulled his legs up into a more comfortable position as he settled into the call. ⟪How is the mission so far? Winston says everything is going well, but won't give me any details.⟫

Hanzo leaned back in his seat, which... looked strangely similar to a lounge chair. Odd. ⟪I am sure it could be worse,⟫ he said. ⟪But I am hard pressed to imagine how.⟫

⟪Mhm.⟫ Genji hummed blandly with his chin propped on his hand, still trying to figure out where Hanzo could be that had lounge chairs. Willingly, no less. His brother scowled. ⟪Oh! Ah, I mean- really? I am so surprised to hear that yet another team is not up to your impossible standards. Do tell how they have managed to disappoint you this time.⟫

Hanzo tched. ⟪I do not know why I bother to call you.⟫

⟪Because you love your little brother,⟫ Genji teased.

⟪Against all good reason, clearly.⟫

Genji snorted. ⟪Okay, you've done your tsundere act, now spill!⟫

⟪Fine. I don't think we've truly made progress against Los Muertos,⟫ Hanzo ranted, jostling the camera a bit. Was he outside? ⟪Or found any evidence Talon is operating in the country, let alone this city. It is partially my fault, but-⟫

Genji gasped dramatically. ⟪Did my perfect brother just admit to a flaw?!⟫

Hanzo glared half-heartedly, but continued. ⟪This team was not well selected. I am the only one taking the mission seriously. Santos is completely inexperienced and unprofessional, McCree is sneaking off at every opportunity, and Oxton managed to give herself third degree burns going to the beach without sunscreen. I have had to cover all of her watch shifts.⟫

Those had to be paper lanterns in the background. Wait- Jesse shirking his duties? That was his thing. ⟪Truly? Lúcio and Jesse wouldn't help?⟫

⟪McCree insisted that they were better off doing field work, as they are both fluent in Spanish.⟫

Ah. ⟪That makes more sense, although that's not fair to you.⟫

⟪It's a mission,⟫ Hanzo said dismissively. ⟪'Fair' does not matter. Results matter, but we have no results.⟫

⟪If that's the case, I'm surprised you let them go to the beach at all.⟫

Hanzo pressed his lips together in a thin line. ⟪We each have four free hours every day to be used at our own discretion. It is not my place to dictate how they are spent. So, yes, Santos and Oxton went to the beach- and, yes, I did tell her to wear sunscreen. However, she declined to listen to sense.⟫

⟪And of course, the world would be at peace if everyone had the sense to listen to you,⟫ Genji said, fox-grin firmly in place.

⟪It would,⟫ Hanzo said with defiant certainty.

⟪So your main complaint is a sunburn?⟫ He asked, only partially invested in the conversation. Lounge chair, outside, nighttime, paper lanterns… hotel courtyard? No, not lit well enough.

⟪It is not simply a sunburn! It is a complete lack of forethought and disregard for common sense! And no, it is not my only complaint.⟫ Hanzo paused, probably for dramatic effect. Genji learned from the best, after all. ⟪Santos' fluent comprehension of the local language has been exceedingly helpful. I cannot say the same for his attitude.⟫

⟪Really? Sunshine needs an attitude adjustment?⟫ Genji laughed. ⟪Not stormy enough for you?⟫

⟪I am serious!⟫

⟪You're Hanzo. You're always serious.⟫

Hanzo huffed before continuing. ⟪Santos' distrust of corporations is almost rabid. You should see him glare at the power buildings- yes, glare!⟫ He insisted, likely due to Genji's doubting expression. ⟪LumériCo and Vishkar are tangentially related, no more or less than any other international organization, to be perfectly frank, but the way he carries on about it, you'd think they were one in the same! He mutters throughout his entire watch, but of course he doesn't turn the Babrick off so I must listen to the English translation and-⟫

That's it, he couldn't take the mystery anymore. ⟪Hold on, brother, where are you?⟫

Hanzo blinked, not happy to be interrupted. ⟪I am at the beach.⟫

⟪The beach?⟫ Well, that did explain the lounge chair. And darkness. ⟪All that complaining about Lena's sunburn and you're at the beach?⟫

⟪There's no danger of sunburn at night.⟫

⟪Who goes to the beach at night?⟫ Genji shook his head. ⟪Brother, you do the strangest things.⟫

⟪It is more peaceful this time of night.⟫

⟪What place isn't more peaceful in the hours before dawn?⟫ Genji squinted. ⟪There's more to it, isn't there? There's a reason you didn't schedule this call.⟫

⟪I do not know what you mean,⟫ Hanzo denied.

Genji steepled his fingers thoughtfully. ⟪You're waiting for something. I'm your way of passing the time aren't I?⟫ Late night call without warning would mean that Hanzo hadn't anticipated this need, waiting in a strange place at a stranger time of night... What a puzzle! ⟪What are you doing? You're too professional to do this while scouting or for a stake out-⟫ Genji paused, remembering his initial fear when Hanzo called, about the truce with Jesse. Hanzo was too professional to chat while on a mission, but for a personal grudge? That was another matter entirely. ⟪Who's on watch?⟫

⟪I don't see why that- ⟫

⟪It's Lena and Lúcio on duty, isn't it? You're staking out for Jesse!⟫

Hanzo glared through the screen.

⟪Knew it,⟫ Genji said. Well-solved, if he did say so himself!

⟪Insufferable.⟫

⟪You love me.⟫ He dropped the teasing tone, letting his concern show through. ⟪So, what's going on? What're you stalking him for?⟫

⟪I'm not stalking him. It's... due diligence. He's been acting suspicious.⟫

Genji hummed doubtfully. ⟪And what does that mean to you, exactly? Jesse could do nothing but his job and you'd think it strange.⟫

⟪Irrelevant. He's disappeared every night so far. I suspect I already know what his nighttime activities consist of.⟫

Blocks of free time in Dorado? Genji could guess what Jesse was up to as well. He didn't see the issue. ⟪And this matters to you because…?⟫

⟪Sleeping with locals can compromise the mission!⟫

⟪The mission that you've made no progress on?⟫ He asked. ⟪The one where you can't find any Talon activity? That mission?⟫

⟪Perhaps we can't find evidence because McCree's paramour is warning them of our intentions!⟫

Genji rolled his eyes. There's his favorite paranoid brother. Reset the counter. ⟪Whatever your opinion of him, Jesse isn't careless or stupid. Sure, he's probably out getting laid, but if he is, then he's also digging for information. He likes to multitask like that.⟫

⟪Everything I have seen has pointed to the contrary,⟫ Hanzo insisted.

⟪So are we to elevate your three-month history with him to my decade?⟫ Genji said, irritation seeping into his tone. ⟪Brother, this keeps happening. Why do you discount my words when it comes to my opinion of others? Why are you so distrustful of everyone?⟫

⟪We can always be mistaken in our assessments of others.⟫

Genji sighed, brushing a hand through his hair. It always went back to that, didn't it? ⟪You're not wrong. We've both experienced that truth first hand.⟫

Hanzo looked away, face full of guilt.

⟪Isn't this exhausting for you, though?⟫ Genji asked. ⟪Distrusting everyone, expecting the worst?⟫

⟪It's efficient. The worst always comes to pass eventually.⟫

He shook his head. ⟪I asked if it was exhausting, not if it was efficient.⟫

Hanzo shrugged uncomfortably.

Genji's heart sunk at his reaction. ⟪Brother, I'm… worried for you.⟫

⟪No! Do not be,⟫ Hanzo reassured him. ⟪I have been on my own for a long time, I am used to relying on myself.⟫

Of all the dense thinking- ⟪That is why I'm worried about you. You deserve to have people to rely on. You deserve to have a team. If you keep looking for the worst, the worst is all you'll ever find.⟫

Hanzo stared off to the side, not looking into the camera. Genji remained silent, patiently waiting for Hanzo to speak again.

⟪I… appreciate your concern,⟫ Hanzo said. ⟪Truly. I just… It is not easy, learning to trust again.⟫

⟪I know. It is one of the hardest things we can ever do, but you can do it.⟫ He willed a smile into place. ⟪I have never known my brother to step down from a challenge.⟫

⟪There have been a few.⟫ Hanzo rubbed the bridge of his nose. ⟪How did you learn to trust others again?⟫

⟪It took a very long time,⟫ Genji admitted. ⟪But I had to start with those closest to me. Once I could trust the people I cared about, like Angela and Jesse, I was slowly able to expand that circle of trust. Master Zenyatta was a huge help there as well.⟫

⟪The key to trusting is to trust others, who would have guessed.⟫ Hanzo sighed deeply. ⟪I will… think on your words.⟫ He paused, then laughed softly. ⟪I am continuously surprised at how much you've changed.⟫

⟪For the better, of course!⟫

⟪Sometimes.⟫

⟪Brother!⟫ Genji protested, but really, he was too happy to see his brother willing to try to put much heart into it.

Hanzo chuckled, but stopped abruptly, turning sharply in his seat to look behind him. Straining his ears, Genji thought he could hear singing.
⟪Thank you for the chat, Genji.⟫ Hanzo said, snapping back into his curt mannerisms.

It must be Jesse, then. ⟪Remember what I said, Brother! You have to start trusting someone.⟫

⟪Goodbye, Genji.⟫

⟪Bye, Brother!⟫

Genji contemplated the screen as it went dark. He might have altered the truth a bit. The first time he remembered ever truly trusting someone was months after he began tutelage under Master. He made it sound much easier than it really was.

Eh, oh well. Hanzo always scolded him for not aiming high enough. Challenges were good for building character. He was sure it'd be fine.

/

Hanzo ended the call, putting the tablet in his messenger bag. Dusting off the sand from his clothes, he walked away from the beach and towards the street, listening to the voice grow louder.

"It's another tequiiiila sunrise," the warbling tone echoed down the empty streets. "Starin' slowly 'cross the skyyy."

It certainly sounded like it could be McCree. The thick accent was unquestionably present.

"Said goodbyyyyye." Sure enough, McCree himself stepped out of an alleyway, not quite stumbling, but certainly unsteady on his feet. Drunk, beyond a doubt. "He was just a hired hand- um, somethin' somethin' somethin' try! The days go byyy."

Ugh. Hanzo really did not want to deal with a drunk McCree. The man was obnoxious enough sober. …But he could only blame himself. He's the one who couldn't trust his teammates to do anything other than make abysmal decisions. Although, watching McCree stagger down the road, he suspected he may not be disproved in this instance.

"Every night when the sun goes down!" McCree sang.

Really, he should just go back to the beach and enjoy the sunrise. Salvage this night while he still could.

"Just another lonely boy in town!"

No use. He couldn't do it. This atrocity must stop here. He stepped out of the shadows and made his way to McCree.

"She's not arou- Hanzo! Hey, man, what're you doin' here?"

McCree slung an arm over Hanzo's shoulder and Hanzo promptly shoved him off. The sudden lack of support caused McCree to stumble, but he appeared too drunk to realize that he hadn't simply slipped. Sloppy.

"Woops- sorry 'bout that. These roads are awful crooked."

"The roads are level. You are drunk."

McCree ignored him, continuing his one-sided conversation. "Ain't it a pretty night? Can't see the stars much, but there's still so many lights! Oh, and the sun, the sun's coming up." He tried slinging his arm over Hanzo again.

Apparently, McCree was a friendly drunk. A loud, talkative, touchy drunk. Hanzo turned on his heel in the direction of the hotel. It didn't matter if McCree followed him or passed out on the beach. He was not dealing with this.

"No, wait, Hanzo! Hanzo! Haaaaanzo!"

Hanzo walked faster. The sound of McCree's unsteady steps grew more distant, but his relief was short-lived.

"I walk a lonely road!" McCree belted out. In a distant alley, a cat yowled. "The only one that I have ever known-"

Hanzo whirled around. "McCree! Shut. Up."

"Don't know where it goes! But it's only me and I walk alo- ow!" McCree rubbed the back of his head where Hanzo had cuffed him.

"Be silent, you embarrassment to society!"

"Aw, Hanzo, you came back for me!"

"I will leave if you start singing again," Hanzo threatened.

"You like hearin' me talk that much, huh? Ain't that such a sweet thing to say." McCree laughed, leaning in close. "Don't worry, sugar, I can be your nightingale."

Hanzo pushed McCree to an arms-length again. "I said no singing. And do not call me sugar."

"Alright, pumpkin."

"Do not call me that, either!"

"Whatever you say, sweetpea."

"No! Ugh, nevermind. Be silent."

"Can do, darlin'!"

Blessed quiet. For thirty seconds. Then, McCree started whistling.

They would never find his body.

It would not be easy in this city to make the body disappear, but at the very least he could pass it off as a Los Muertos murder. Even better, Hanzo may not need to do the work himself. He could simply lure McCree into a compromising position and let the matter resolve itself. Regrettably, that option meant he wouldn't get the personal satisfaction of watching the life drain from McCree's eyes.

"Hey. Hey- Hanzo."

"What?"

"Dang, no need to be all snippy! Just wanted to ask why we were walkin' past our hotel."

Sure enough, Hanzo had marched right past the entrance, having been completely absorbed in his murderous fantasies. He did not growl in frustration.

"I was leading you to your death."

McCree laughed loudly. "Hahaha! That's a good one, cupcake."

Hanzo glared and McCree actually yelped before beelining to the hotel. Muttering under his breath, Hanzo followed. Thankfully, McCree didn't need significant guidance to locate the correct rooms. Unfortunately, that did not extend to his ability to open doors.

"Haaaan, the door won't open," he whined, pawing at the handle.

Hanzo moved away from the scouting room Santos and Oxton were in. "What are you talking about? The light is green. Just turn the handle."

"It's not workin'!"

"You incompetent- move." Hanzo tapped the reader with their room card. It glowed green and he turned the handle without issue, opening the door to the empty room. "Was that really so diffi- oof."

McCree shoved him through the door, diving in with him and closing it behind them. "Jesus," he said, sounding distinctly sober. "Didn't think we'd ever make it back."

Hanzo scrambled further into the room, putting much-needed distance between them. "What is the meaning of this?"

"Sorry 'bout that," He said, leaning against the wall. "We had a tail."

"We?" He quickly reviewed their journey to the hotel. Nothing had seemed suspicious. "You mean you had a tail. When? For how long?"

"They followed me from the bar I was canvassing. Not sure if we actually lost them, but they probably didn't follow us into the hotel."

"You were canvassing a bar? I thought-" Hanzo cut himself off, but not soon enough.

"You thought what?"

"I thought you were... getting tamales." He said archly.

"Shit, I wish I was gettin' laid- but I got somethin' better."

"Wait- were you even drunk? Why the obnoxious act?"

"Oh no, I am definitely drunk." McCree squinted. "A bit more sober than on our walk, though. There's only two of you now." He hiccuped, and Hanzo was mostly sure it wasn't for show. "What, you didn't like my singin'?"

"Absolutely not," Hanzo said, scowling. "Nor did I appreciate the nicknames."

McCree snort-laughed. "Duly noted, sweetheart."

His eye twitched. "Well? What did you learn that was worth my suffering?"

Jesse held up his phone and wiggled it. "Talon's pickin' up an arms shipment from Los Muertos, and I've got all the details."