PoVs/Protagonists/Couples:
Hanzo (character belongs to Blizzard) x Ýri (OC)
Genji (character belongs to Blizzard) x Shizuka (OC)

WARNING:
This story will be a very long one, full of dialogs, drama and violence as well as grammar mistakes because none of the authors is a native English speaker. Some parts are for mature audiences only.

Sorry for the delay, but our jobs and master papers are keeping us terribly busy these days.

Chapter 38: Marked by the dragon

Genji had a great morning so far. He woke up to the smell of pancakes coming from the kitchen and after devouring an entire plate of them, he had a nice morning quickie on the counter with Shizuka.

After they said their good-byes and she went off to her work at the med bay, Genji decided to spend his day-off with training on the practice range.

Shortly after Jesse came around and they had a few great spars. Now they were eating lunch together on top of one of the container-units around the Gibraltar base and enjoying the warm sun on their skin – well, plating in his case.

»So you really tried to pick up a girl in the middle of your last mission?«, Genji asked his friend, laughing.

Jesse grinned. »I did. And it would have worked too, if our dear doc hadn't dragged me away before I could hook up with her.«

Genji shook his head. »You're an idiot.«

»Hey, we can't all have sex when we want to like you do. So cut me some slack«, his friend said.

He chuckled. »I can't deny that the sex is awesome.«

Jesse took a swing of his drink that definitely didn't look like water. »Seems like everything's working out with you two. Glad to hear.«

He sighed wistfully. »You're right. I wouldn't give this up for the world. But there's something … I've been thinking about it for a while … « he broke off with a heavy voice. One hand went to the ring safely stored away on his person almost on its own.

Jesse laughed. »Don't tell me you of all people are having performance issues.«

»What? No! For your information: I please her excellently almost every night.«

»Then what's crawled up your ass and died? Sometimes you're almost sickly happy and other times you look so gloomy and thoughtful.«

»I am not gloomy!«, Genji insisted, »that is my brother's job. I just have something important on my mind lately … «

Jesse groaned. »Just spit it out, I am not good at guessing games.«

Genji hesitantly pulled the ring out and showed it to his friend.

»I have been thinking about … asking Shizuka … to marry me«, he said in a quiet voice.

For a moment Jesse was completely still, the next second he burst out laughing.

»Good for you, pal!«, he brought out patting his back. »I can't believe it but good for you.«

Genji couldn't help the smile. »What? No asking me if I am joking or if I thought this through?«, he asked teasingly. He had feared his friend would only mock him for his decision to become a married man, but he should have had more faith in the old cowboy.

»Are you serious? I can tell from the look on your face that you're dead serious«, he said and then added for good measure, because friend or not, Jesse McCree was still an ass: »I mean sure you have to be absolutely mad to want to tie yourself down like that, but who am I to judge?«

Genji raised an eyebrow. »Wasn't that you judging me right now?«

»No that was just me teasing you«, he said with a bright grin. »Be sure to expect a lot of it in the future.«

He chuckled and took another bite out of his meal. »And I wouldn't have it any other way. But joking aside, what do you think about it?«

Jesse shrugged. »You two are clearly all over each other and if you think that she is the right one to settle down with … ?«

He nodded. »She is. I will have no one else but her.«

»Good for you. Then by all means, go for it. To be honest, with all those catastrophes happening around the world, we could all use a bit of cheer. A wedding between two of Overwatch's agents will do wonders for morale«, Jesse went on.

»Did you hang around with Winston too much again? Because you surely sound like him.«

Jesse mock-gasped. »Perish the thought!«

Genji rolled his eyes amused, but then paused again and nervously asked. »Do you think … she will say yes?«

Now it was Jesse's turn to roll his eyes. »The girl waited almost ten years for you to get your shit together, of course she will say yes.«

Genji nodded, still not able to fully shake off the doubts. But before he could voice them once more, Jesse put an arm around his shoulders and offered his definitely-not-water. »You will see, it will be fine. That woman is just as much in love with you as you are in love with her.«

With a stronger nod this time, he took the bottle from his friend and shallowing a large gulp.

»You know what?«, Jesse continued, »We should go out and celebrate the occasion!«

»Shouldn't I ask her first for us to be there something to celebrate?«, Genji asked.

With a snort Jesse waved him off. »Just you thinking about it is enough, but we can have another one after you actually asked her.«

»Are you really happy for me or just looking for a reason to go and get drunk?«, he wanted to know.

»Oh, please. You know me. I don't need a reason to get drunk.«

Genji chuckled. »True that.«

They spent the next moments in comfortable silence. Jesse's lax attitude and joking demeanor helped the Shimada a great deal to calm down.

»Hey, Jesse?«, he spoke up again. »If she says yes, will you become my best man?«

The cowboy beamed. »Sure thing, Genji.«

He couldn't help but to smile back. Once Jesse saw you as a friend there was nothing he wouldn't do for you. He was lucky to have him.

»Thanks. Just try not to embarrass me to death at the actual wedding«, he told him.

Jesse just grinned back mischievously. »No promises, old friend. If I see the chance, I am going to take it.«

»Why didn't I expect anything else from you?«, Genji responded with a fond smile.

»Because you know me too well«, Jesse said and finished his lunch.

»Where do you even want to have the wedding?«, he asked as they were preparing to return to the practice range.

»I don't know«, Genji retorted, »I would have loved to return to Japan for it, but right now that wouldn't be a good idea. A normal church is out of the question too.«

Jesse thought about it. »You make a point. But what about that Nepalese monk master of yours? I am sure a day trip to Nepal should be possible.«

Genji paused, then grinned. »Jesse, you're a genius! I will ask master Zenyatta right away, if it is possible.«

»Ask master Zenyatta if what is possible?«

Genji stopped dead in his tracks. That was his brother's voice. Next to him, Jesse wiped out his gun and pointed it at Hanzo, who stood just a few steps away, leaning against a wall.

»What are you doing here?!«, the cowboy demanded to know.

Genji mentally cursed up a storm. There was no way for him to separate these two without some kind of confrontation.

He paled when realizing that Hanzo and Ýri must have made up, if his brother was still here. Jesse would never accept that. Genji just knew it.

He held out his metallic hand into Jesse's line of fire. »Jesse, don't«, Genji urged, »Hanzo is not here to cause a fight.«

Hanzo shrugged. »It was not my intention, but if he wants one so badly, I can give it to him.«

Jesse snarled. »You sure as hell deserve a good ass-kicking for what you put Ýri through!«

Now Hanzo was growling too. »I kept her alive until now!«

Genji groaned. He felt like Shizuka trying to keep him and his brother from tearing out each other's throats. No wonder she always needs tea and chocolate afterwards. This is exhausting.

»Jesse, calm down. Hanzo is back here to stay for good this time. Right, brother?«

Hanzo nodded. »I will not leave her side again.«

That only made Jesse angrier. »And for how long will that last?! Until the next fancy strikes you or a better contract comes around?«

»How dare you!«, Hanzo shouted.

Jesse crossed his arms. »You have no idea, how much you hurt her with leaving and now you stride back in here as if nothing's wrong?«

»I know what I did was a mistake, but I returned to fix it«, Hanzo retorted.

Genji tried to intervene but was interrupted by Jesse marching towards his brother. »This isn't just fixed by a simple apology! After what you did, you don't even deserve to be near her!«

»This is not for you to decide. Ýri decided she wants to give me another chance«, Hanzo revealed.

Genji, who by that point was just resigned to let fate run its course, perked up at that. Looks like I was right and they really made up. Good for Hanzo, maybe that will finally get the stick out of his ass.

Jesse though was everything but happy. »I have no idea what she sees in you or why she would even accept you back here.«

»Actually«, Hanzo said smugly, »We are mates as of last night.«

»WHAT?!«

Genji groaned under his facepalm. »Hanzo … «

»Well, I lost count, but once you know how it is done, you can repeat it multiple times«, his brother continued.

»You filthy- how dare you?!« This certainly was no way to calm Jesse, who seemed more than ready to go for Hanzo's throat.

»Not helping, Hanzo«, Genji sighed. »Despite, how many times can an amateur like you actually manage? Two? Three?«

Hanzo shook his head.

Genji's eyes widened. »Four? No, it can't be five!«

But Hanzo's smirk only grew.

Genji could not believe it. »Six?! Six times in a row?!« How was that even possible? His inexperienced brother was supposed to be … not as marvelous as him!

»I am still a dragon«, Hanzo simply replied.

»Well, you know what they say: quality over quantity?« There must be something fishy. Genji just knew it.

»But quantity combined with quality is even better. Don't you think?«, his brother answered evenly.

Jesse now was a mess of fuming disbelieve. »Where. Is. She?«, he demanded to know.

»Still sleeping. Probably exhausted«, Hanzo told him and Jesse marched off without another word. »What is he going to do now?«, Hanzo turned to Genji. »Throw her out the bed and try to give her a good shake? That won't end well for him.«

»That was a little mean, you know?«, Genji faced his brother.

Hanzo shrugged. »As if the cowboy was ever friendly towards me.«

Genji put the ring away safely again. He was certain that Jesse was now angry with him as well. Not without reason, of course. He should have told him about Hanzo's return.

»So what were the Cowboy and you going on about?«, Hanzo asked.

»Nothing special. Just some friendly banter.« Why was he keeping his plans from Hanzo? Maybe I don't want him to feel pressured … or disappointed that I did not ask him first or … he would just question everything making me feel unsure and ultimately ruin it for me. But I certainly won't let him.

»Say … «, Hanzo suddenly started obviously feeling a little awkward. »When you and Shizuka … you know … «

Genji couldn't suppress the wide smirk. »Well, well. My older brother asking me for advice on that matter? What was that you said about the six times, hm?«

»That was the truth, just that you know it. But … is your … mark also acting strangely towards her?«, Hanzo asked absentmindedly rubbing is arm.

Genji couldn't help but teasing him a little. »Towards Ýri? Certainly not.«

»Shizuka of course! Stop mocking me!«, his brother glared back at him.

»Define strange for me then.« He won't make it easy for Hanzo. By now he had counted seven different shades of red on his brother's face already and he won't stop until he reached at least ten.

»I-it's … « Hanzo seemed suddenly so unsure, it was too hilarious to watch and too good not to fully enjoy it. »I mean … whenever she touches me … my mark especially … it's like … «

»Yeeeeeeees~?« Genji grinned. This is too good.

»Argh! Do I really have to name it?!« Eleven shades of red achieved.

»Definitively. Just because you are such a prude.« Maybe I will even see fifteen different shades?

»Hey! I am no- argh, fine! It is arousal! But- worse! It is impossible to bear! I feel like I can't hold back and-«

»I know that, brother«, Genji finally admitted.

»So, it is a random thing that always happens when a woman … ?«, Hanzo started to ask.

Genji shook his head. »No. I just … feel it with Shizuka. Never felt it before. And she feels it in turn.« Now Genji was more serious. »But that can't be possible with you two, right? Or did one of your dragons join her?«

Hanzo raised one eyebrow. »So that mark on Shizuka's shoulders really is one of your dragons. … Well, no. My dragons are still with me. Both of them … « Hanzo sounded a little disappointed.

»Well, mine joined Shizuka almost immediately when we met. But Ýri already hosts a spirit, so she cannot take in another«, Genji replied thoughtfully. »But, Hanzo, she does not have to host one of your dragons for you both to be together and happy.«

»I know … « Still, Genji could read in his brother's face, that he wanted to be as close to her as possible. He always was the all-or-nothing-type.

»Are you happy, brother?«, Genji asked after some minutes of silence had passed.

»Are you?«, Hanzo returned the question.

Genji couldn't hold back the soft smile. »Yes. More than I ever thought possible.«

»Yes«, Hanzo replied and his face lightened up. »I am as well. Incredibly. Even though I don't deserve it.«

»See?« Genji patted his shoulder. »Then everything is just fine.«

Hanzo hummed his agreement and turned away from him. Suddenly, for the glimpse of one moment Genji realized a blueish glow on his brother's arm.

»Something wrong?« Genji asked concerned.

»Something made her upset. I need to get back … «, Hanzo told him and walked away without any further explanation.

Genji watched him thoughtfully. Dragon mark or no, there is some connection between them though. Slowly he started following his brother. Mmmh … maybe if I just- Genji stopped startled. Right in front of him stand two monstrous white wolves. They calmly looked back at him and then trotted off.

What on earth … ? He went after them around the corner and saw them vanishing into thin air after his brother.

Genji blinked twice. »Ehhh … Hanzo … ?«

»Yes?«

»Your dragons are acting … weird?« Genji did not even know how to describe it. How could his dragons just turn into wolves? More Nordic themed, but still …

»Do they?« Hanzo called them forward and the large blue beasts – now back to dragons – appeared, trying to look as innocent as possible, one already darting off towards Ýri, who seemed to be in a huge argument with Jesse.

»Your eyes must have tricked you, Genji.« Hanzo moved on to get to Ýri.

Genji rubbed said eyes. »But I swear they just … nevermind.« He finally got into earshot range and saw Ýri poking her finger into Jesse's chest.

»This is not for you to decide!«, she snarled.

I really shouldn't get on her bad side.

»Sweetheart, really! He is unreliable and an assassin and-«

Ýri took Hanzo's hand into hers as soon as he was close enough. »Then he just fits very well into our merry band, doesn't he?«

Jesse's hands turned into fists. He released a frustrated shout and walked off. Ýri had her chin raised high and threw her golden braids over her shoulders while sending some Nordic curses after Jesse, but Genji noticed something else. Barely visible blue scales on the pale skin of her neck shimmering in the bright sunlight.

Genji chuckled. »Got a new tattoo, Ýri? Suits you.«

»I-what?« Ýri looked at him irritated and Genji pointed on her neck.

Ýri blushed and covered the spot with her hand. »Your brother … bit me … «

»Well, then he is an impressive biting artist, because this looks pretty much like a dragon mark.«

»A what?! Do I look like some cattle ready to be branded?!« Now Ýri ranted on Hanzo. »Couldn't you have asked me first?!«

»I-I swear, I did not know-«

»Oh, Ýri, I swear it will be a lot of fun for you as well«, Genji chuckled. »Just give it a try on your seventh, eighth or ninth time.«

Ýri blushed for a moment before she unleashed more Nordic curses on Hanzo.

Genji laughed at his brother's misfortune and turned to leave the base. They will be fine, he thought with a smile. So … to the town then. I have a lot of preparations to do.

[Next chapter on 15th May.]