The Japanese training grounds are much the same as London's, and today, Angela is in the viewing deck assessing Genji.
She's spent the last three weeks fixing his cybernetics, ironing out some bugs in his software and applying multiple patches to try and resolve the problem. It's been tough, but she thinks she's traced the issue to a single line of code, and the patch she installed this morning seems to have given promising results. Genji has performed as expected throughout the day with no further malfunctions or power losses. If this is the fix she's been working so hard to find, though, she'll still need to monitor him daily for a while before she's absolutely certain.
When they're finishing up late in the afternoon she comes down to check in with him. Genji was uncharacteristically apprehensive about getting back into his suit this morning – the last three attempts in the practice range have resulted in more power failures – but Angela can see in his body language that he's relaxed now, shoulders loose as he jogs over. She holds out her tablet so he can look at the corresponding numbers, and when his visor comes down Genji's eyes widen.
"No power loss at all this time," she says, but frowns nonetheless, needing to hear from him before she can sign this off as a fix. "How was it?"
"Much better than before!" Genji tells her, sounding happy but tinny from the reverberation of speaking through his faceplate. "Responsive again, like normal. No problems at all."
"Looks like we've got it then," Angela sighs. "What a relief."
Now that they have this workaround, it's time for her to start looking into the root cause of the problem – why that line of code caused such fatal errors to occur out of nowhere. Thankfully, that's a job for tomorrow.
"Thank you, Angela," Genji says. His sincerity sends a warm burst of gratitude through her, and she reaches out to give his shoulder a gentle squeeze even though he won't be able to feel it through his suit.
"No need to thank me," she says. "You've done excellently today, as always."
He laughs. "Thanks to you, as always."
Angela smiles widely – can tell that he's smiling back from the way his eyes crinkle, the only visible part of his face when his visor is down. Genji's humble attitude makes him very easy to praise. He was so cocky when he was fresh out of Blackwatch - a successful day like today would've made him insufferably smug – but despite his incredible strength he's a different person now, settled and mature. Angela knows it's mostly down to Zenyatta, but she'd like to think all of her time spent with him helped, too.
"Now that this is resolved, I'd say you've earned yourself an early finish," she says then. "Shall I see you later?"
Genji nods. "Yes, I'll see you later!"
He needs to change out of his suit, and then he'll be leaving headquarters to go and join the rest of them for dinner, probably after he's met up with Zenyatta. Angela still has work to do before she can leave, but it's work she's excited to complete now that her patch was successful. The weight of Genji's power loss has been on her shoulders since her arrival, and she's in a good mood when she's back in her office, relieved to finally be writing a positive report based on today's findings.
Angela works until 6pm. Jesse has texted her already to say they're meeting at Uchi, a tiny ramen shop west of the city. With her report done she catches a train to Toshima and exits the station feeling refreshed, grateful that the sun sets so early in Japan even throughout summertime. Early September can be as hot and humid as August, but today hasn't felt so bad at all, breezy and comfortable now that her body has finally adjusted to the heat. She supposes she should be glad for England's punishing summer prior to her deployment – though she was anyway, albeit for quite a different reason than simply adjusting to the weather.
Angela has settled in to her life in Tokyo well. She still prefers living in England, but being here certainly has its perks. One of which is the fact that almost every day after work she joins the other agents for dinner. It's a very casual thing – sometimes they'll simply eat together before going their separate ways – but most of the time she ends up staying with Jesse and the others for a good while, chatting and relaxing after being holed in at headquarters all day. Angela used to think Japanese culture was more reserved than for after-work dining with colleagues to be the norm, but ever since she's been here it's surprised her more that it's not as common in the UK. It probably doesn't help that the UK-based agents, including herself, are spread out so far around London and its surrounding towns. Organising anything – drinks, parties, even lunch with Lena – requires more forward planning than is often practical.
Still, Angela wishes it wasn't so unusual. If everyone back home went out for dinner casually like this, it would definitely bring everyone closer together. It would make coming home to an empty house that much more tolerable, too.
She arrives at Uchi to see Jesse and Hana already inside. There's a curtain hanging down from the doorway – an added touch of privacy to what is already a tucked away little restaurant - but she can see their feet beneath it lined up along the bar, a pair of worn sneakers next to pink pumps. Angela's appetite has taken quite a hit since living in Japan, but the rich scent coming from inside is enough to make her instantly hungry today.
She pokes her head through the curtain to the chorus of irasshaimase that's become so familiar when entering Japanese buildings. Jesse and Hana greet her, too, and she enters her order at the vending machine before collecting her ticket and sitting with them.
"Well?" Jesse asks, eyebrows lifting up at her expectantly.
"Cracked it," she says, not even trying to mask her delight.
"Told ya," he says. Hana leans over with wide eyes and even wider smile.
"Really?! Doc, that's awesome, way to go!"
"Yes, finally," Angela says, beaming at how pleased both of them look – a gratifying reflection of her relief. "Just need to monitor him for a while and start looking into why it happened in the first place."
"Bet you're relieved, huh?" Jesse says. The chef reaches over to top up his glass of water, and he raises it to her before taking a sip.
"Oh, gosh, you have no idea."
They probably do, simply from how much Angela's gone on about the whole thing. The unknown omnic threat looming over Overwatch has put her under increased pressure to get Genji's issues resolved quickly, but now that she's here about to enjoy a bowl of ramen the relief is overwhelming, like she can finally relax after weeks of constant worry.
The chef takes Angela's meal ticket, holding onto it with Hana and Jesse's while they wait for Genji and Zenyatta to arrive. The agents come here often enough for the chef to know that they prefer eating as a group, and sure enough, the other two arrive shortly after Angela, Genji looking much more comfortable now that he's dressed in jeans and a t-shirt. The scars on his face shift a little as he smiles.
"Yo," he says, sitting beside Angela. With their arrival and three other Japanese locals sitting around the bar, Uchi is now full. Hanzo was only recently posted out to Egypt, leaving the five of them as Japan's current team. Bastion is Japan-based too, but he's mostly stationed in headquarters, his defensive role similar to Torbjörn's back in London.
"Genji has told me the good news," Zen says, tilting his head enough to look at Angela. All five of them are sitting in a line along the bar. "It sounds like your hard work has not been in vain."
"I certainly hope so," Angela says, smiling over at him. Zen's expression may not change, but she can feel his warmth regardless, how pleased he is to know that Genji's suit is back to normal.
"Looks like a toast is in order," Jesse says. "You guys in?"
"Like you even need to ask," Hana scoffs.
"You do realise it's a week night, don't you," Angela says, giving Jesse one of her looks. He smirks.
"I do indeed, doc. All the more reason, right?"
"If you insist," she sighs, exasperation betrayed by the helpless grin on her face. He orders a beer for everyone - including Zen, so he can toast with them – and they clink their cans together, Angela blushing in the middle.
"To our resident lifesaver!" Jesse proposes. Genji echoes the same phrase in Japanese, and the locals seem amused by them and raise their glasses, too. Angela laughs, embarrassed as everyone reaches over to affectionately jostle her once they've had a drink, and then the chef starts dishing up their meals, everyone chatting as they eagerly await their ramen.
It amazes her that a bowl of hot food can be so appealing in summertime, but Uchi's broth is deliciously rich without being too salty, and they provide a serving of rice free of charge to soak into it. What amazes Angela even more, though, is the sheer amount of food Hana can put away. She always selects the largest serving available, and Angela looks over in awe as the chef passes over an enormous bowl, watching her immediately tuck in with chopsticks in one hand and her phone in the other.
She's probably messaging Lúcio. Hana's thumb darts easily across the screen, and Angela feels a pang of envy, knowing what time it is back in London without needing to check. She looks away then, making a more careful start on her own bowl of ramen, not wanting to splash the broth all over her white shirt.
They stay for a while after eating, enjoying another round of beers and talking about the day. As wonderful as it is to make dinner into such a fun social event, though, there's something else that Angela's really looking forward to this evening. She excuses herself before it gets too late and stops off at the supermarket on her way home, needing milk for breakfast and some food ready for the weekend. It's strange having such a small and empty shopping basket, but with no dinner to make in the evenings there's very little Angela needs to buy. Eating out every evening should be an unsustainable extravagance – it certainly would be in London - but Hana seems to know all the places that have reasonably priced meals, so it's turned out to be more affordable than she thought.
Regardless of the price, their evening meals together have become her second favourite part of the day. With a single shopping bag in hand, she walks through her quiet neighbourhood at a brisk pace, excited about returning home to the thing she looks forward to most of all.
He's late texting her, today. Angela kicks off her shoes in the foyer. She's about to put on her slippers when her phone vibrates, as it has done around this time every day this week, and Angela grins to herself when she grabs it from her pocket, Junkrat's message displayed on the home screen.
So?! How'd it go?
Elated, she steps into her slippers and zips into the kitchen, shopping bag abandoned on the counter so she can immediately text him back.
Brilliantly – suit seems to be fixed!
YEEEESSSSSSS! KNEW YOU'D DO IT! :D
Angela laughs, a bright sound as she smiles down at her phone. For all the nice things about Japan, the new normal of only being able to contact Junkrat through text has been bittersweet. They may have been unable to see one another in person but they've texted a lot this week, more so than usual. She'd like to think they've grown considerably closer as a result.
Thank you! I'm SO relieved. Still not out of the woods completely but for now everything seems to be okay!
Okay?! Think you're due a bit more credit than that lol it's bloody BRILLIANT!
Junkrat's excessive enthusiasm comes across well enough through text to make her giddy, though she knows it would be even more intense in real life. She texted him this morning on her way to HQ about how nervous she was for today's patch and test run, so it's touching that he's messaged her like this, the first thing he's asked about now that he's on his lunch break. Junkrat has been privy to the brunt of Angela's frustration with Genji's suit.
She packs away her groceries before flopping on the couch, legs curled beneath her and a cup of green tea on the coffee table. Relaxing at home with Junkrat's messages in hand feels even better than usual in light of Genji's successful patch. This is her favourite part of the day.
Thank you. :) Anyway, how's your day been?
Not as good as yours :P having lunch with Roadie. Wanna see?
Of course!
Junkrat sends through a picture. It's of Roadhog, his mask lifted up just enough so he can eat. His hand is lifted like he's waving - Junkrat must have told him he was taking a picture for her - and the backdrop is of the cafeteria in HQ. She never used it much herself, but seeing it tugs at her stomach, makes Angela wish she was there with them right now.
Good to see your better half is as handsome as ever. ;) she says, knowing how Junkrat will respond to being teased. Another photo comes through then – a selfie. Junkrat is pulling a silly face, squinting at her with his finger pointed like he's scolding her. Angela chuckles, warmed all over from seeing him. His face looks filthy, but she doesn't mind nearly as much as she should, secretly pleased that nobody else has been wiping it in her place. Angela texts him again.
Well, I suppose you're not bad either. ;)
Junkrat sends another selfie. He's grinning at her this time, so wide she can see his gold-covered tooth. Angela bites her lip, amazed that she can be this charmed by a man thousands of miles away with a gold tooth and dirty face. She's been too shy to suggest videocalling yet, so it feels special whenever they exchange selfies like this, admittedly still less often than she'd like.
Handsome enough for you Miss Mercy? Junkrat texts her afterwards.
Absolutely. Thank you. :)
Come on then, show us yours :P
Ah. Angela looks around hurriedly for her brush, pulling the band out of her hair and fluffing it up until it looks adequately lifted. She holds her phone away to take a selfie for him in return, smiling as best she can. Angela doesn't do this often enough to know what angle is best, feeling ridiculous as she sends off the photo she considers most acceptable. There's a pause before Junkrat replies, like he might be looking over her photo, and it makes Angela's stomach squirm, hoping he likes it as much as she likes his.
Now there's a sight for sore eyes ;) he writes, then. Well, she supposes he would know. There aren't many benefits to their text-only communication, but being able to hide her blush when Junkrat sends her things like this is one of them.
I think you'd say that even if I looked terrible.
Hahaha don't think it's physically possible for you to look terrible!
I certainly can and often do, I assure you.
Try me ;)
Gosh, he's gotten so quick at making these sort of quips, though they've been texting so often that Angela should really be used to it. She tries to control herself and not get too carried away, but when Junkrat is so good at baiting her like this it's very difficult to resist.
You haven't seen my jetlagged face. I'd be surprised if you didn't run away screaming.
Lol well then you'd best show me sometime. Like when you're home haha :P
Angela's stomach coils, wondering if Junkrat has any awareness of how much this means to her. It seems clear by their unspoken back and forth that her crush is reciprocated, but she's still wary of reading too much into their messages. It's much easier to flirt through text than in real life, after all.
I'll add it to my to-do list. Anyway, how has work been today? Everything alright? she asks, pleased with herself for resisting despite the fluttering in her chest from his sweetness.
Uuughhhhh yeah lol I suppose
That doesn't sound convincing.
Nah it's been alright lol just got another telling off as per
Of course, now that her worry about Genji has alleviated, this means Angela can devote more time to worrying about Junkrat's training with Lena instead – the other concern that's been weighing on her since leaving. Last week, she finally remembered to ask him about the repercussions of his crash. Apparently Winston gave him an informal verbal warning. Angela was relieved to note it wouldn't go on his record, but it's a precursor to a formal warning and seems to have paved the way for Junkrat's performance to be looked at with a more critical eye than she thinks is necessarily fair.
By Winston? she asks, hoping that whatever Junkrat has been told off about this time is as negligible as he'll inevitably make it out to be.
No by Tracer again as always haha
What did she say? Was it a formal thing?
Nah just nagged me about being "careless" in training blah blah blahhhh
You? Careless? Never!
Alright alright hahaha I can hear your sarcasm from here
Angela grins. She sort of suspects Junkrat being "careless" might translate as "damaging more company property", but if he hasn't hurt himself – and if he didn't do it on purpose - she doesn't see how this would be a problem. That's what training is for.
So let me guess. You talked back to her?
Maaaybe. If by talking back you mean COMPLIMENTING her by calling her your royal highness ;)
It doesn't help matters when Junkrat says things like this, though. She hasn't heard much from Lena, but what she has indicates that Junkrat has a tendency to be difficult, mouthy and uncooperative during training. Lena will probably be on the lookout for things to criticise, which Angela understands after the crash, but it doesn't seem entirely fair when the Junkrat she knows is so eager to please. Her perception of him is undoubtedly biased, but it saddens her that the two of them seem incapable of working well together.
You realise that your 'compliments' only make things worse, don't you? she texts him then, not having the heart to criticise Junkrat, herself. It's not really her duty anymore, another benefit to being out of the country. Not sharing a professional space with him has probably aided their newfound closeness.
Not my fault she's got it in for me lol
It does seem like she's struggling to get past your… pursuits prior to joining us.
I mean I get it but c'mon Angie that was bloody ages ago!
It was, but please try not to call her any names. I know it must be frustrating but it will reflect badly on you. :(
I know I know don't worry lol I'm not TRYING to cause trouble. Well… not much ;)
Angela just sighs, a fondly resigned sound that can't be conveyed through text. Hopefully she'll drum up the courage to initiate a voicecall soon - or better still, he will, taking the responsibility of doing so out of her hands.
They continue to text one another for the remainder of Junkrat's lunch break, which coincides with Angela's nightly ritual: showering, bathing Japanese-style, and then bed. Recently she's spent every evening making the most of this brief window of contact, but they'll talk again in the morning anyway, when it'll be his turn to sleep instead.
Going to bed now, she writes then.
Aw alright :( better get back myself I suppose
As usual, she tries not to be delighted by Junkrat's disappointment to see her go, but it's no less touching now than the first time he indicated he wasn't happy about having to say goodnight. She doesn't particularly want to say goodnight, either.
Hope you have a good afternoon. :)
Thanks Angie you sleep well now. AND WELL DONE AGAIN! X
Haha, thank you. Goodnight x
Sending kisses at the end of their conversations is another new normal, but also the most thrilling thing of all about texting Junkrat. When Angela first arrived in the UK she'd wondered what on earth it meant. A conversation with Lena informed her that colloquial text kisses are apparently common practice amongst the British. They can be friendly or romantic depending on the circumstances, used by friends and family as well as partners. Sometimes people put a whole string of them at the end of their sentences. Angela has never been close enough with anyone to warrant sending more than one.
It's supposedly common practice in Australia, too. She hadn't put Junkrat down as the sort of person to use it, but he's sent one every time they've said goodnight to each other. A kiss through text isn't nearly the same commitment as one in real life, but it's lovely, anyway. Another unspoken agreement between them, and something that always leaves Angela smiling before she goes to sleep.
Junkrat texts her again in the morning on her first train out of Setagaya. Ordinarily she would've been concerned by how late he seems to go to bed, but she's come to be very grateful for it now that their timezones are so different, 9am for Angela being midnight for him.
You awake yet Angie?
Morning. Yes, on the train now. How are you?
Yeah not bad. Got a question for you though
She's used to an elevated heartrate when texting him, but this elevates it more than usual, wondering what he wants to know. Angela glances around before replying, an instinctive habit despite being surrounded by Japanese businessmen and children on their way to school.
Oh?
Yeah. Yknow you've just fixed Genji. Any chance you might be coming back soon?
Angela's breath catches, reading this. They've joked a lot about it – flirted, even – but Junkrat hasn't broached the subject of her return this seriously before. It must've been on his mind, which seems unbelievable when she's been here for over a month already. To think that he might genuinely be missing her makes Angela's heart throb painfully in her chest.
Unfortunately, though, she already knows the answer, and types it out with a sad smile.
I don't imagine so. I still need to work out why the problem occurred at all. It's better if I stay here until we have an idea of what's going on, in case something else happens.
Right ok.
Junkrat never uses a period. Angela frowns, heart still thudding as she replies.
Is something wrong?
Nah just curious. You alright out there?
Occasionally when he texts her at this hour he's even flirtier than usual. Other times, like now, his messages lack their typical enthusiasm. She knows it's probably just tiredness, but something about it seems vulnerable, this time. It isn't like Junkrat to worry.
Of course! I love spending time with everyone here. Makes me wish we all went out to dinner more back in London. Jesse is so funny when he's had a few. :)
Junkrat starts typing, then stops. Angela frowns. She's tried so hard to contain herself with him, never delving too deep into their flirty dialogue for fear of saying anything too revealing, but suddenly she's afraid she might've been too tempered on this occasion.
You prefer it there? Junkrat asks, before she can reply again. This really isn't like him at all. Angela wants to ask where this abrupt anxiety has come from, but decides it's better to put his mind at ease instead.
I thought it was quite obvious that I'd rather be at home than here.
Alright lol just checking :P
Hmm. She doesn't quite know what to make of this. It's tempting to call him, actually, but now isn't the right time. She'll be at headquarters soon. Damn.
Are you alright back home? she writes, instead.
Me? Yeah I'm fine haha
Are you sure?
Course I'm sure! No need to worry about me :)
Somehow Angela isn't convinced. She's come to learn that Junkrat is very good at putting on a show, but she has a feeling he isn't as carefree about his frequent problems with Lena as he makes out. When his answers are this confident it's difficult to pry beneath the surface, though. She'll just have to take his word for now. Looks like he's typing again anyway, probably to change the subject.
Oh I meant to tell you Torbjorn wants a word with me tomorrow. Guess I've managed to piss him off as well haha
What do you mean? Has something happened?
Not that I know of. He just wants to see me, got a meeting at 11
Ah. This could be what's worrying him. Torbjörn probably wants to give him a trial run in engineering. Angela almost tells Junkrat that she has an idea of what their meeting could be about, but on the off chance that she's wrong she types something safer.
That's interesting. If you've done nothing wrong then I'm sure it's nothing to worry about :)
Lol this is me we're talking about Angie :P
Nonetheless, I'm sure you'll be alright. :) Let me know how it goes, won't you?
Course. You never know maybe they'll send me over there too haha
Oh, gosh. If only.
We can but dream, Angela writes, sending it despite her reservations. It's hardly a confession.
Lol yeah. Speaking of I'm gonna hit the sack. Have a great day Angie x
It is late over there. Sleep well x
There's no time to dwell on her lingering concern for Junkrat, because Angela is intercepted by Jesse the moment she enters reception. She smiles, pleasantly surprised to see him here, but it's short-lived when she notices that he's cradling his cybernetic arm. Oh no, she thinks immediately, eyebrows drawing together. Not him as well.
"You got a couple minutes, doc?" Jesse asks, smiling sheepishly. "Looks like we have a slight problem here."
Angela gently takes his arm, turning it over to look. It's still connected to him but completely limp, all dead metal that's a heavy weight in her hands.
"When did this happen?" she asks, tightly.
"This mornin', on my way in. Spasmed yesterday, too."
"Spasmed? Right, okay. Come with me."
There's an internal department within medical for cybernetics and nanotechnology. Angela takes Jesse straight up to the clinic there, getting him sat down and his arm wired up for assessment. From her first look, it appears to be exactly the same power loss issue she's only just resolved in Genji's suit. Angela doesn't want to panic unnecessarily, but this is unsettling considering the software for Jesse's arm is totally different. She takes a breath before facing him, waiting as the app on her computer populates with data from his arm.
"When exactly did it spasm and for how long?"
"I was seein' off the boys at the station," Jesse tells her, thumbing his chin in thought. "Waved and it sorta froze up on me, probably no more than a second. Musta been no later than eleven. Did it again when I was on the train afterwards, maybe a quarter past."
Small blips like this would normally be of no concern, but according to the app there's absolutely no power running through his arm right now.
"Let's have a look," she says, scrolling through the patch notes from Jesse's last service. He was only in here last week having a routine software update and nothing flagged up then. She scowls at the monitor. What's going on?
Angela is startled when she feels a warm hand on her shoulder. When she glances over at him Jesse offers a reassuring smile.
"I'm not worried, doc. I know you'll figure it out. Least it's happened now rather than in the middle of a fight or somethin', right?"
Angela laughs uncertainly. "Absolutely, but I'd rather it didn't happen at all. I'll run through the usual tests and we'll go from there."
"Got it. But hey, doc, listen to me a minute."
"Yes?" she says, already standing up to begin the physical troubleshooting with him.
"Don't go panicking, alright? There's no rush, no pressure. We'll just take it one step at time."
Her laugh is more natural this time. "I'll try not to. Thank you, Jesse."
Jesse just grins at her. His relaxed approach to this is enough to take the edge off Angela's distress, but she's eager to get started anyway, needing to rule out the easy fixes so she can gauge whether or not this is something to panic about.
She was rather looking forward to having a relaxed Friday as a reward for spending the last three weeks stressing over Genji's suit. Instead, Angela devotes her entire day to fixing Jesse's arm. It seems to be the same issue – one line of code that acts as an emergency shutdown when triggered – but she cannot understand why in these two very separate cases the same error has occurred. Overwatch's virus scanning software is the best on the market, and both Genji and Jesse's exposure to defective omnics has been minimal. Even double checking the notes from their most recent updates shows nothing that would indicate a problem. Angela just can't fathom how both of them have been afflicted by this.
By the end of the working day she's in need of a break from it, and resolves to tackle the root cause first thing on Monday morning. She's pleased that it's only taken eight hours as opposed to three solid weeks to get Jesse's arm back online and functional, but they'll have to return to HQ tomorrow anyway – Saturday – to run through the practice range and ensure the fix is sufficient. For Angela's peace of mind, one weekend of overtime is a very small price to pay. She needs to know that if this keeps happening, she has a workaround to keep them covered.
For now, however, Angela is exhausted, and she sort of wants to just get home and unwind away from it all.
"Come on, doc, what's the use in sitting at home by yourself?" Jesse says, when she's saying goodbye to him at the station outside headquarters. He's frowning. "You've worked your ass off today, come get a bite to eat and relax with us."
When he puts it like that it's very difficult to say no. Angela glances at her watch. There's still a few hours before Junkrat will be on his lunch break. Not that that should be a deciding factor for her, but... well, it is, sadly.
"You make a very convincing argument," she says, surrendering. The train is rolling in. "I suppose good food and even better company will help."
"That's more like it," Jesse says, patting her back as the carriage doors open up.
They step into the confines of a 6pm train going through Tokyo. Despite being packed in like sardines Angela is happy to be sharing this train with him after all, both of them holding onto the same rail as the train starts moving again. Jesse puts his arm very lightly around her shoulder as more commuters come in at the next stop, a protective shield against the bustle of suited men trying to cram into an already overloaded train.
It's such a sweet and gentlemanly thing to do – so Jesse, really – but it makes Angela suddenly and overwhelmingly ache for Junkrat, because she thinks that it's probably the sort of thing he would do, too, if he was here with her right now. She bites her lip, staring down at the slither of space between her feet and the elderly lady sitting in front of her, and then Angela's eyes lift up enough to notice the lady's wedding ring. The ache sharpens into something painful inside her – makes her look away, quickly, to the stream of blurred buildings outside, feeling like such a fool for wishing away Jesse's kindness over her silly crush.
He's careful to ensure Angela exits the train without being pushed by any commuters once they're reached Toshima. Jesse seems worried about her, which must mean she hasn't done a very good job of containing her stress today. She resolves to paint a big smile on her face when they're in Uchi, but it comes easily when everyone is there again and a big bowl of ramen is set down in front of her, stress melting along with the egg yolk over the noodles.
"Honestly, I can't believe we've been kept in the dark like this," Hana says, scowling. "If it is Null Sector, why can't we strike first?"
"Protocol," Jesse sighs. "I'm guessin', anyways."
Hours later, the chef has cleared away their empty bowls and all five agents are still sitting along the bar, reflecting on the last month. Seems like everyone else feels the same as Angela, frustrated by the complete lack of information they've received in all the time they've been here. Outside of some rogue omnics and investigating decommissioned omniums, there's been hardly anything to go on. Even the intel from Winston during their video conference last week wasn't particularly informative – a suggestion of Null Sector's Japanese division, a possible second base in Russia and a third in Egypt.
"It's like there's no end in sight," Hana mutters, chin in her palm. "I just wanna know how much longer we're gonna be here."
"You like England that much, huh?" Genji asks her, surprised. He's sitting on her other side – they've been sharing cat pictures all evening - but Hana doesn't bother looking up from her phone.
"There's a lot I love here, don't get me wrong. But yeah, I do. I was settled there, y'know?"
"Sure it has nothing to do with a certain fella back there waitin' for ya?" Jesse says, silkily. Hana jabs him with her elbow, making him chuckle.
"Shut up!" she huffs, glaring at him. "Lúcio is not waiting for me."
"Coulda fooled me, what with him textin' you all the damn time."
"So? That doesn't mean anything," Hana says, folding her arms.
"Huh." Jesse drums his chin. "Pretty sure I see you textin' him every single time we're out. Shouldn't he be at work?"
"We're just friends, Jesse, god," she insists, clearly doing her best not to smile. Her face is red.
"Just friends? You want me to kick his ass?" Genji asks her, then. Hana rounds on him so fast he jumps.
"I'll kick YOUR ass!"
Jesse grins to himself, sipping his beer while the two of them start play fighting beside him. Listening to all of this has made something hot and uncomfortable prickle up in Angela's stomach, her eyes unblinking as she stares at the empty glass in front of her. She isn't quite sure if it's envy or sadness, guilt, or even delight stirring inside her from hearing all of this. Probably a combination of all of them. More than anything, though, she finds herself wishing that Jesse was needling her instead – and feels utterly miserable as a result.
"Angela?"
Her head snaps up. She blinks out of her reverie and turns, realising that Zen is addressing her.
"Sorry about that," she says, embarrassed. "I was miles away."
Despite having no irises to follow, she can tell that he's looking at her, meeting her eyes.
"Forgive me for speaking out of turn, but you haven't seemed like yourself lately," he says. "Is something the matter?"
Trust Zen to be the one who picks up on her misery. Angela smiles at him, knowing that it's weak but unable to drum up the energy for anything happier.
"It's very kind of you to ask, but I'm just a little tired. It's been a long week."
Zen hums. It's a surprisingly human sound considering he's vocalising it from a metal voicebox. He brings his hand up to trace his steel jawline in what must be habit he's picked up from someone else - another human gesture, gracefully natural.
"At times like this, I do not doubt the weight carried on your shoulders," he says, then. "If ever you would like to talk, however, I will be more than happy to lend you an ear."
Even without his concern, Zen's presence alone is comforting. Angela thinks that of all the agents, he would probably be the easiest and most understanding person to talk to about her predicament. She opens her mouth, taking a breath ready to speak – but changes her mind, then, and shakes her head.
"I will certainly take you up on that if it all gets too much," she says, her smile coming easier this time.
"If your compassion does not include yourself, Angela, it is incomplete. You must give yourself the same care you give to all of us."
"Thank you, Zen," she says softly, as touched by his sincerity as ever.
They talk for a short while until Angela decides she's tired enough to finally make her way home. Jesse offers to walk her to the station but everyone else comes too, all four of them waving her off when she's on her train back to Setagaya. Zen's words stay with her as she sits down, too weary to remain standing for this journey, and she wonders if maybe it is worth discussing the matter with Zen, sometime.
Angela checks her phone, reminded of her last contact with Junkrat. She's on her way home later than usual today. He'll have finished his lunchbreak by now – it's gone 2pm over there. She's nervous thinking about his meeting with Torbjörn, having forgotten about it with how busy she's been all day, but also a little put out to see that he hasn't sent her any messages while she's been at dinner. She was hoping she'd have a text from him by now, like every other day this week.
How did it go? she sends anyway, hoping he'll pick it up before he finishes his shift but knowing she'll be asleep by then anyway. Angela expects she won't hear from him until tomorrow morning, and puts her phone away, trying not to feel sad about going out to dinner when she could've tried messaging him earlier.
Home alone again, Angela is drained as she pulls off her work clothes and takes a long, long soak in the bath. Sitting down with her legs spread out in front of her, the water comes up to her neck. Another thing she loves about Japan – these insanely deep tubs, much deeper than any in the western world and so very relaxing after a hard day. Unwound from it, she pads out to the bedroom wrapped in a towel to see her phone buzzing on the bedside table. Dread pools in her stomach as she picks it up, expecting it to be an emergency call from HQ to say she needs to come in urgently – but it's Junkrat. He's calling her.
"Hello?" she says, heart in her throat and embarrassed by the crack in her voice as she answers.
"Angie!" Junkrat says, thrilled. "It's me!"
She laughs, a happy gasp of a sound.
"Junkrat! Is- Is everything alright?"
"Yeah, everything's great!" he says, enthused but breathless. "Just had my meeting with Torb and thought I'd give you a bell. S'now a good time?"
He sounds so clear, almost like he could be standing right next to her. Angela never once thought she'd be this happy to hear his Australian accent again.
"Yes, absolutely! How did it go?"
"Bloody brilliant! I wanted to tell you the good news m'self – he wants me up in engineering!"
Junkrat sounds so genuinely excited about this Angela could burst. Torbjörn agreed with her after all!
"That's wonderful!" she says.
"Too bloody right it is!" he laughs. There's some background noise like Junkrat's in the cafeteria. "Said he wants me to look at some new turret builds. God knows what made him ask me but he must think I'll be good for something!"
"As he should! Oh, I'm so thrilled for you, that's amazing," Angela breathes, overwhelmed. "Does he want you to start in the new year?"
"No, next week! From Monday I'll be based up there in the afternoons!"
"Excellent! He must be keen to see what you can do. You never know, perhaps Lena was the one who recommended you!"
Junkrat snorts. "I highly doubt that," he says, sounding a little quieter now. The deepness of his voice sends tendrils down Angela's spine. "But I don't bloody care – sooner I get to fuck off her majesty's training the better!"
"Junkrat," Angela growls, but she's grinning, knows he can probably hear it.
"Whoops, did I say that out loud? Anyway I just had to tell ya, couldn't wait! How's your day been though? Been meanin' to text ya but I've only just come out for lunch."
Angela's heart squeezes almost painfully in her chest. To think he's still asking about her day, even with his exciting news!
"It's – you know, I really don't have the energy to get into it," she sighs.
"Oh shit," Junkrat says, immediately concerned. "Not more problems!"
"My thoughts exactly, to be honest," Angela says, laughing nervously. "But no, I'm fine, we're fine. I fixed Jesse's arm and we had a really nice meal out again. I'll look into it all on Monday."
"Ah, that's alright then," he says, warmly. "Glad I didn't wake you up, though. Was a bit worried I mighta missed ya."
"No, not at all, I'm – I've just had a bath, actually."
"Oh. Oh right," Junkrat says, like he's pleasantly surprised to hear this. There's a hum of appreciation to it that sends a bolt of heat right through her. Oh god.
"So- no, you didn't wake me, don't worry," she says, hurriedly. "It's lovely to hear from you."
"Been missing my dulcet tones, have you?" he asks. Angela can hear his grin this time.
"Very much so," she says, though she isn't joking. "Thank you for calling me."
"No need to thank me, Angie, jeez," Junkrat laughs. "Was thinking of calling tomorrow too. You gonna be about?"
"Yes, I—oh. No. Tomorrow is – I can't," Angela says, sitting down on her bed. Shit. "I'm spending all day in the practice range with Jesse so I won't be able to talk."
"Oh. Well, not to worry," he says, and Angela's stomach curls from how disappointed he sounds. "I'll leave you to it."
"Maybe – how about Sunday?"
"Sunday? Yeah, alright!" he says, cheerful again. Angela's stomach uncurls itself. "Anyway, best get back to it, much as I'd love to chat. Still got half the day left."
"Ah, yes. Congratulations again, Junkrat. I'm so happy for you."
"Thanks, Angie, means a lot. I'll catch ya later. You sleep well now!"
The call ends, and Angela has to sit still on the bed for a bit until her heart stops pounding. When it slows enough to dry her hair and pull on her evening t-shirt she's still buzzing, elated from the phonecall – from finally hearing his voice, his endearing enthusiasm and charming accent. She's gotten used to carrying a constant heartfelt ache around but it's intense now, pointed in her chest when she gets into bed, brought to the forefront of her mind from where it's been stifled under the pressure of work.
Angela can't sleep, of course, the adrenaline of their conversation battling her physical exhaustion from the week. She thought the bath would've relaxed her muscles enough for sleep to come easily – that actually talking to Junkrat after yearning for so long would leave her blissfully content. If anything, she feels more frustrated now than ever, irritated that in all this time her crush has lingered and she's still unable to do anything about it.
Well… there is one thing she could do. It's something she hasn't done in a while, an indulgence she hasn't had the energy for, but it might help her unwind, a little. She doesn't usually allow herself to do it, afraid that it'll only serve to intensify her already problematic feelings about him. But she needs it, tonight. Just something to relax her body.
Angela sleeps bottomless during the summer, so it's easy to slide her hand down, palm flat over her belly and then further, between her legs. If she uses her left arm it's easier to imagine that it's him doing this, though she wonders how it would feel to have his metal hand on her as well, cool fingers on her breasts, brushing over her nipples until they stiffen up.
A sigh leaves her as she dips her fingers gently between the folds. She strokes delicately, sensitive from how infrequently she touches herself here, and whimpers at how soaked she is already just from this. Angela used to be so sensual – would do this every night while she was at college – but it's like she's forgotten how to enjoy herself, so wrapped up in work and rules and trying desperately to suppress her feelings. Thinking about him when she's doing this doesn't help at all, but she can't stop herself, wondering how it would feel to be pinned beneath those broad shoulders, that dirty face pressed in against her neck. The things he'd say to her. Those hands on her, roaming, touching, making her his.
It doesn't take much. Angela huffs, the muscles throughout her body tensing as she brings herself over the edge. She holds her breath until she's there, and then she moans, a soft and constrained sound at the back of her throat as warmth washes over her. It's just about enough, for now, but she knows she needs to do this more often – needs to start getting off to something that isn't just him.
She has to be up early for work on Saturday to get the practice range ready for Jesse. There's no message from Junkrat throughout the morning, though, which is unusual, but at least she can occupy herself with work. Angela throws herself into it, immersed in Jesse's performance in the practice range. They break for lunch and Angela frowns down at her phone when they're sitting together in the cafeteria, wondering why Junkrat still hasn't messaged her yet. She's starting to worry that something might've happened to him, unless he's been out drinking. Junkrat does seem to go out quite regularly - like most working people who aren't doctors, she supposes.
Angela's phone does vibrate, suddenly, at 2pm. She's dealing with a second malfunction in Jesse's arm that's been caused by the patch. He's wired up again while she reads the code – it's just something minor, an easy fix - but she excuses herself to check her phone immediately, knowing who it'll be from. It's 5am over there, Saturday morning. What's Junkrat doing messaging her at such an ungodly hour?
I fukincg miss you Angie
Her breath catches in her throat.
Are you drunk? she writes back, afraid that he is, that he somehow doesn't mean it.
Junkrat types, then stops, then starts again. Three messages come through in quick succession.
Don't matter if imdrink
I bloody miss you
Come back
Angela puffs out a laugh. This feels so much like a confession. God, she wishes it was.
I can't, she writes. You know I can't.
Don't you wan tto?
Of course I do. Where are you? Have you been out all night?
There's a pause. It's a long one, enough to make Angela panic that he's passed out. She glances over her shoulder, aware she's left Jesse in the clinic, but when she looks back Junkrat is typing. He stops and starts again, probably so intoxicated he's relying on autocorrect. After a while, he stops. Angela's heart sinks.
Please get some water. You're drunk, you've had too much to drink. Are you at home?
He replies to this, thankfully.
Yeah home
That's good. Is Roadhog there? Get him to get you some water.
Ok
I'll text you when I'm home, okay?
Kk
She's worried about him, of course, hoping that Roadhog is taking care of him if he's too drunk to take care of himself. But Angela is also battling the dreadful hope that he could've meant it regardless of his inebriation, that maybe he really, truly misses her the same as she does him. She has no choice but to persevere through the rest of her checks with Jesse anyway, but Angela upholds her promise the second she's back at home, having spent the rest of day with it present in her mind.
Are you okay?
She sends it off at 7pm Japan time – probably far too early, if he's sleeping in from a hangover. Angela sits in front of the television waiting for his reply, chewing her nails while trying to watch a film she's streaming. Sure enough, Junkrat responds a few hours later. Angela grabs her phone with such urgency she shocks even herself.
Sorry lol too much to drink. Two nights on the trot, not one of my finest decisions haha
Ah. He's alright after all. Angela exhales the worried breath she's been holding all day.
Honestly. I was really worried!
Ah shit I'm sorry :(
It's fine, just happy you're alright. Did you have a nice time out?
Ehhhhh I suppose. Nothing special. Just fancied celebrating after Friday
I wondered if that was the case.
No point getting drinks if they're not with our Mercy though. You still owe me yknow
Gosh. Even now, weeks later, he still hasn't forgotten. Angela smiles helplessly, wishing she could put into words how thoroughly touched she is by this.
Believe me, I know. :)
Good. I meant it yknow. What I said about missing you
Oh. There it is, that pain in her chest again, a tight squeeze on her heart. Angela's thumbs move before she can stop herself and then the words are there staring up at her, waiting to be sent. She's typed them out so many times only to delete them, but it feels like she needs to send them, this time, an instinctive pull in her stomach telling her to just - go for it.
I miss you, too, she replies, at long last. She doesn't have to agonise over it for too long, either. Junkrat is kind enough to reply quickly, though he seems to hesitate, stopping once before typing again.
Was starting to think you wanted to stay out there permanently :P
Please. Someone has to clean that face of yours. ;)
Ahh yes haha that is a very special job that is reserved only for your good self lol
Good. I hope you realise you're in for it when I'm back.
Oh am I now?
She can practically hear the thrill in this.
Absolutely.
Holy shit lol. Well then I shall await your return even more eagerly than before!
Angela just grins. There's no end in sight to her deployment, but messages like this, after days and weeks of endless, painful longing, make it feel like perhaps they aren't quite so far away from one another after all.