"Don't tell me you've given up on him just yet." - John Francis 'Jack | Soldier: 76' Morrison

...in which Cole apologizes, Hanzo begrudgingly falls in line, the former has a chat with Dad: 76, and Hanzo doesn't immediately shut Zenyatta down in terms of conversation.

CHAPTER WARNING! Mention of seppuku. Just a small history lesson in a passing phrase. Nothing detailed.

I wanna make it clear that my Hanzo ISN'T suicidal by any means. He simply doesn't care whether he dies or not. That's where the previous chapter's Apathy title comes from. In other words, he would never actively seek death, but wouldn't care if he did die. Hanzo wants to die only in battle and not by his own hands.

COLE

After having met up with Hanzo, Genji, and Angela, Cole made the effort to ensure there was no virus on the memory stick extracted from the Talon base. Less dangerous than just plugging it in raw into the Watchpoint. The thing had been encrypted. Naturally, Sombra was a valuable asset in unearthing whatever intel it held. They had made a copy just to be sure and put their own engineers on it, too. Just in case Sombra would misinform them in any shape or form. Unsurprisingly, she was quicker.

It was just medical gibberish to him, but he wasn't the medic on site. He still got some useful information out of it.

As it turned out, the base hadn't been in use for weeks. Abandoned and inactive. Talon had gone back to collect some data once left there. That very location was once a holding base for Sigma where tests had been done on him. It gave them a better idea of where his mind space was at. With all due respect, the man was batshit insane. Intelligent to a fault. Not to mention powerful.

To control gravity. He metaphorically scoffed at the insane nature of it. The guy showed signs of getting into a childlike mind space and easily trailed off. Could be ADD. Autism. Something.

...or he was just that. Batshit insane. Cole couldn't help but feel bad for him.

"I cannot believe you willingly choose to present yourself in such an undignified manner."

Was he not used to Genji unintentionally sneaking up on him, then hell, Cole would've jumped.

"Should see some of the stuff Talon wears," he snarked, not taking it to heart as he fired his third to last successful shot at the training bot. Never did. Hanzo walked past him having arrived from the direction of the door. "If you're expectin' me to high-tail on outta here, I'd hate to see you disappointed. You're not the only one needin' 'me time'."

Hanzo stopped with his back turned. "I do not use the practice range at this hour."

"Why else you'd be here for?"

Another shot.

"I wish to speak with you."

Cole narrowed his eyes. New training bots in sight. 'Bout time, archer, he thought. Quickly silenced it. Hanzo was clearly making an effort and he'd be none better if he didn't let him. No way had he gone down here just to berate him. Besides, Cole might as well be a grown man about it. He fired the last shot and lowered his gun. Gaze along with it. Cole started to reload his revolver.

"Finally talkin', huh? I'll go first. Make it easier for ya," he replied, chewing lightly at his cigar as he began to put in the bullets. "Didn't mean to cut that deep last mission. Sometimes my mouth just goes off and it ain't pretty. Everythin' else I firmly stand by. You were goddamn reckless." Hanzo didn't reply to that, and if Cole didn't know better, he accepted that fact. So Cole had been right. Hanzo was a dick, yes. Yet not that big of a dick. "Why even lend that bow o'yours to Overwatch if this is the kinda shit you're gonna pull?"

Hanzo took a moment before responding. "Genji."

"Gotta be more specific, archer."

He rose his gun again. Three more repeated shots, one after another, each hitting his targets' heads. Three more emptying the clip.

"I owe it to him to serve a cause he believes in."

Cole checked the barrel. "What, to 'redeem yourself'?"

"No. Redemption was forfeit once I lifted a blade against him."

"Don't see you the 'curl up and die' type."

"I am not."

Cole sighed and pressed his lips into a thin line. "If you hadn't been a good shot, I would'a told you to pack up and leave regardless of Genji's certain protest. Can't have unreliable agents," he replied, reloading his gun again. So Cole offered a solution. "Best I can do is call Morrison up. Put you on a trial period to make sure these folks can count on you in the field. That's 'bout it."

"...and what, exactly, does this 'trial period' consist of?"

"Simply put?" he said, not blaming the man for asking. Yet he knew Hanzo wasn't going to like the answer. "I'll be closely monitorin' you for 'bout a month. Maybe two. You report directly to me 'bout every location you visit. Have an open call and message history that we can access if necessary." Cole paused. "It ain't ideal, and I know it's one hell of a breach of privacy, but... I reckon you understand why we're doin' this. We've gotta make sure our people are safe. I heard the Shimada were popular with your people, so I know that means somethin' to ya."

Surprisingly, Hanzo didn't argue. "So be it."

Arching a suspicious brow, he looked up to see Hanzo turning to him.

"That it? No argument?"

"What do you want from me, gunslinger?" he demanded, his teeth gritted. "I said I agreed."

His frown deepened. "All right, then. Don't get your panties in a twist. Be grateful you don't gotta report in if you need to take a piss."

"Why must you insist on using such ridiculous idioms?"

"I could ask you the same thing 'bout why you insist on havin' that stick up your ass. Pardon me. Idiom," he said with a sarcastic bow, a hand to his heart. Hanzo gave him an offended look. "That said, I'm a gentleman. I'll settle for suggestin' you lighten up a little. As good as it looks on ya, hell... no wonder you're already goin' grey." Flipping his revolver, shoving her into its sheath, Cole kept his hand firmly planted at the grip. "Just need to make one thing clear, archer." He walked up to him and only met Hanzo's gaze when he stopped. "What I say goes."

"Then I pray you make sufficient use of my compliance."

Cole narrowed his eyes. "Have some goddamn faith. I didn't get this job for standin' around and lookin' pretty."

"You do not know half of what I am capable of, and yet, you believe you know what the best use of me is."

"Long-range combat, rapid-fire, scatter, sonar, wall traversal," he said, tone deadpan. "What else?"

"Close-range combat. Martial arts. I can handle any weapon in whatever shape or form they appear."

Strange. "Then why choose the bow?"

He watched Hanzo's jaw clench as his chin raised.

"It must be drawn with intent," he eventually replied, his reply not as quick as he'd thought. It was a simple question. Didn't exactly need a lot of thinking. If anything, he'd suspect that it was a personal one. Would explain Hanzo's reluctance to respond. Curious, Cole's amber eyes narrowed further. Again just trying to get a read on him. "It is silent. Arrows customizable. Sufficient even without the string accompanying them. Even the bow itself is a deadly weapon when wielded in skilled hands."

Cole hesitated. Then he unlocked his Peacekeeper. With ease did he flip it - handle directed Hanzo's way as he extended his arm - and watched as the puzzled look on the face before him formed.

"Let's see if you can back those brave words up."

Hanzo grimaced. "I am not some object to be displayed for your amusement."

"It's like you said... I don't know half of it. Gotta see your utility, archer," he said, tone smug. "Either this or admit to gettin' called out."

"You are enjoying this far too much."

Obviously, Hanzo took the gun. His pride at display once again. Angering him might not be the best idea, but hell, it was funny. One thing he had learned was that Hanzo wasn't the petty kind. He wouldn't have to worry about him turning that gun on him for that very reason. Cole was Cole, however. Thus he had to push his luck.

"It's a revolver, so it ain't got no safety -"

"You do not think I know this?" he nearly snapped, having lost patience.

Cole nonchalant shrugged. "Just makin' sure, darlin'. Don't want you hurtin' yourself. Or me."

"I would not need a weapon to kill you," he said, lining up the shot. There were eight moving training bots in sight from where they stood. One stationary. Nevertheless, his revolver only had six shots. Hanzo picked out the moving ones. In quick succession did he take them out. Not as fast as Cole, mind you. That much was expected. Either way, it was impressive. Annoyance reeked in Hanzo's tone as he pushed on. "Satisfied?"

"Not bad," he replied, receiving a huff in reply as Hanzo flipped the gun and handed her over. "What kinda martial arts?"

"Only a fool would learn merely one. It leaves you predictable. To incorporate them all is advised," he replied, Cole not arguing with that. Peacekeeper returned to her sheath. "I sincerely hope you are not offering to spar."

Not even close. "I can barely keep up with Genji. You've got, what, three years on him? I'm content as is."

"Hm. So you are more than good looks. It is wise to admit predetermined defeat."

Smug bastard, he mused at the backhanded compliment, but kept it behind closed lips.

"Unlike you, I ain't got nothin' to prove," he snarked, Hanzo remaining unperturbed. The comment having prompted him, however, Cole with hooded eyes propped a knuckle underneath Hanzo's chin to tilt it up. It was a simple gesture offering no visible reaction. Just the tightening of brows. "If we're to get all sweaty and heavin' for air together, I can think of better ways involvin' less broken bones."

Hanzo had the same bored look. "I am certain you can," he deadpanned, Cole letting his arm drop again. "If there is nothing else, I would prefer to return to my meditations."

"Dismissed, archer."

"This a bad time?"

It was the first few words he spoke when he saw Jack sitting by the briefing table nursing a whiskey glass. The bottle still there.

"Always is," he replied, Cole puffing a laugh. Knew it held no bite. "Sit down." He dragged his feet over and fell into the chair, flesh hand on his thigh, his other arm resting atop the other. "Want one?"

"Sure."

Nodding, Jack rose to his feet. Patted his shoulder before grabbing him a glass. Clearly mildly intoxicated judging by his non-precise movement, and yet, not enough for his decision-making to be affected. Cole's eyes fell to the table to see what he had been looking at. A picture of Gabe, Ana, and Jack himself. Explained the current predicament. Jack wasn't much of a drinker, but at times like these, he saw why. Cole knew about his and Gabe's fallout before all this. How Jack had been promoted to Strike Commander instead of him.

There had been tension there. Envy. Jack was the poster boy and more people knew his name than Gabe's.

It wasn't long before a glass stood before him, Jack sitting down, and filling it. With an appreciative nod, Cole grabbed it and took a sip. The bitter taste burned on his tongue. He liked it that way.

"So what can I do for you, son?" he asked, grabbing his own glass.

"The archer."

Jack grunted. "Yeah," he replied, rubbing his eyes with a thumb and forefinger. "I saw the reports."

"I'd say we put him on a trial period, but... gotta get the all-clear from you first."

"Knew Ana assigned you that captain position for a reason. You did the best out of a bad situation. Request granted," he replied, before an implied question followed. "That might change after you tell me why, though. Better have a damn good reason."

"He's a good shot. The guy might've separated from the team today, but that doesn't change that he hasn't put anyone at risk by his own will. Came in clutch several times durin' the short time he's been here. Probably saved some of our asses, too. Not to mention that Genji vouched for him, and hell, I can't think of anyone that would know Hanzo better than he does. At least not anyone alive," he said, brows tight. "That said... I still have my concerns. Sure as hell gonna keep a keen eye on him durin' all this. Not turnin' my back to him for a second."

He hummed in response. "Good. You can throw in Ana for 'vouching for him,' too. She gave me an earful."

"Ana?" he asked, his eyes narrowed.

"Something about 'sensing his will to atone' or some shit. Hell if I know. Seems to have a soft spot for him."

Now that he hadn't expected. Sure, she'd expressed that she thought he appeared troubled, but Cole didn't think it would go this far. Ana did have a good sense of people, but she didn't exactly know about what happened 10 years ago. He supposed it left him biased and for good reason. Cole didn't know much about Japanese culture, but trying to kill your own brother was pretty damn extreme. Then again, he supposed even killers could atone. He wasn't exactly 'Mr. Innocent' himself and he damn well knew it.

They kept talking for a while - reminiscing - all up to the point that the topic landed back on Gabe. Cole had a lot on his chest that he kept barred in for various reasons. Thoughts that were, frankly, killing him from the inside. A truth that he'd denied for a long time. He was starting to get tipsy, and Jack was clearly drunk now, so he made sure to voice his thoughts knowing he might not remember it in the morning.

"Why'd you think he do it?"

Jack let out a heavy sigh. "When I first learned about him joining Talon, I settled for pettiness. Was pissed off like that. Gabe's always had a short fuse and it didn't take much to light it. Now... hell, I don't know. Really started to doubt after Egypt."

"Would'a appreciated knowing what happened back there."

"I was tracking down Ana when I first heard him. Bastard shot me in the back. Luckily, she was there to get him off me," he replied, pausing. "Not really sure if he really tried to kill us, but he landed some powerful punches. Struck me more as him trying to vent, and whatever the case might be, his problem is clearly with me. Gabe fled the scene after claiming I 'did this' to him. That Overwatch turned his back on us and let him suffer. Maybe Talon even convinced him that only they can 'fix' his condition. If he'd just allow us to help, then... fucking hell. We would."

"Condition? You mean the whole dissipatin' into thin air before reappearin'? Yeah, I can see why that'd leave him pissed. Serves the guy right for trustin' Moira O'Deorain, of all people, to experiment on him."

"I get the feeling he was in a bad place. She and others knew how to take advantage of it. Learned what strings to pull."

Cole, eyes averted, was distant. "Why vouch for him?"

His foot was trimming up and down. Frustrated. He was pissed, wanted to be, and now it was like Jack was trying to placate him.

"I've known Gabe for years, son. Longer than you. Seen him at his worst," he replied, hands connecting and bringing his forehead to them. "This is how he gets. Closed off. Refusing help. Making drastic decisions usually not paying off. He tries really damn hard to pretend that he doesn't care, when in truth, he cares a whole lot. Call it a defense mechanism. I wasn't there for him, and now, maybe I can rectify that shit." Jack leveled him with a confined look. "Don't tell me you've given up on him just yet."

He wanted to. Hell, he really fucking wanted to. Yet that voice in the back of his head reminded him of how Gabe pulled him off the streets, taught him nearly everything he knew, and gave him another shot at life. To make something good out of it.

Absentmindedly, Cole clutched his metallic arm.

A lot of people had gotten hurt because of Gabe. Innocent people. That wasn't something he easily forgot. Cole was all about doing the right thing 'in the now' - not think about future consequences - and so the end didn't justify the means. Not in his eyes. He was the kinda guy that would kick an unknown object Talon was after off a speeding hypertrain just to save the civilians aboard.

Frankly, if he ever had Gabe before his gun... he couldn't tell if he'd fire.

"I sure as hell should."

His answer was telling enough.

HANZO

Cassidy informed him in the morning that Morrison was willing to give him a shot. How he managed to convince him, Hanzo wasn't sure, and he frankly didn't care. Did anyone prove unreliable when he was still in the Shimada Clan, he wouldn't be as generous.

Hanzo would've chosen exile if the cards were reversed.

If it was someone he respected, however, death would be the more honorable choice. There was a reason why the ancient samurai would rather commit seppuku than fail. Exile, in their eyes, was a fate far worse than death. Back when Hanzo first tried to justify himself turning on Genji, that was where his mind had immediately gone. That killing him was showing mercy.

To acclimate to a team was something he never expected himself doing. He preferred to work alone not to be held back. Infiltration gave him an edge in battle allowing him to weaken it from within. That said, considering that Genji had learned much of the same skills that he had - despite being far less effective thanks to his avoidance of duty - it wouldn't surprise him that he would be able to use those tactics anyway. That he would simply have to accommodate to one or two more people doing said infiltration alongside him.

Cassidy and Song were front-line fighters. Zenyatta more of a back-line fighter. Meanwhile, Ziegler's capability of taking to the sky without the noise of Song's MEKA allowed for her to be more flexible just like him and Genji.

If Cassidy didn't take advantage of his skills and instead metaphorically neutered him, then he was a fool.

He still didn't know what he felt about the cowboy. A lot of mixed opinions. On one hand, he appeared reckless, loud, disingenuous, sarcastic, disrespectful, and unable to take things seriously as he tried to bring humor into everything. Not to mention his awful taste in clothing. On the other hand, he had proven time and time and again that he put the lives of others before his own. The man was clearly intelligent, capable, able to stay cool under fire, an impressive shot, charismatic, and easy on the eyes.

Hanzo never denied any of it. Cassidy was, by all means, a complicated individual. He could see why people were so easily drawn to him as he appeared friendly with every single member of Overwatch he had met so far. Perhaps he simply envied him for having found peace in life at an earlier age. Either way, Hanzo was trying.

He found Genji soon after.

"I am glad you are here, brother," he said, receiving a huff in response. Genji was meditating beside a floating Zenyatta. Naturally, he wanted to know what Morrison had planned for him. "Any news of what happens going forward?"

His first instinct was to reply in Japanese to keep the omnic out of it, but he had accepted that Zenyatta was a friend of Genji.

He also wouldn't be surprised if he knew Japanese and thus the attempt would be futile.

"Morrison has agreed I am to be placed on a so-called 'trial period' lasting two months under Cassidy's supervision."

"Ah. That makes sense. Did you accept?"

"Yes."

"This is good. Please. Join us."

Hanzo hesitated. "I assume your master would not mind."

"His friend is right here with fully functional audio processors," came the omnic's voice, and he could've sworn a mild amusement was present in his tone. Over his time spent there, he had seemed more alive, but Hanzo wasn't fully convinced. The response had him flustered as Zenyatta did seem to be entirely in his own world when he approached "...and no. I do not mind. I had hoped you would so we could speak."

"There is nothing to speak of. It has been ten years. If anything was to be different, as of now, it would have happened already. Each day, I grow stronger. Yet the man in the mirror never appears to change."

"A mirror reflects only what can be seen."

"Your platitude will not work on me the way they did my brother."

"And yet, you sound just like he did."

Genji piped in. "It's true!" he said, a hint of enthusiasm in his voice as if just talking to Zenyatta was progress. "I did not lie to you when I said that I had done unspeakable things before I came to accept where I am, brother. That I rejected his teachings at first." Nevertheless, Genji knew better than to push him. "This is not a therapy lesson, Hanzo. We are merely enjoying ourselves. Come."

More hesitation. Eventually, he grunted and joined them. The bow at his side.

Indeed, Genji hadn't been lying. They left it at that. What he was subjected to instead was primarily being the ear listening to a lively conversation between master and student. One that often wanted his input. Even so, he wasn't fully at ease with it all. Genji and Zenyatta both had included him, and yet, he had never felt more out of place. As if reality was hitting him square in the head. Genji was there - his alive, full, cheerful self - and he was brought back to their childhood.

He truly had forgiven him. Hanzo knew that now. Yet he couldn't forgive himself.

After an Overwatch operation, they always had a day or two to recharge and sent other teams out, so the rest of the day was uneventful because of last night's mission. Hanzo stuck to the 'rules' that had been laid out for him with little issue. Kept it simple in text message terms whenever he moved out of Watchpoint: Gibraltar and just went about with his life. To be constantly monitored like this was insulting, but as Cassidy had himself said, it was necessary. Again, they had been kinder than he would. Hanzo couldn't help but see it as a fault with the management.

Hanzo didn't want to be feared. Just left alone. This allowed him to do just that. He himself knew he had no plans to harm anyone that didn't oppose him, but they didn't know that. Only he could know for certain.

In the end, Genji seemed happy with his presence. A fact that he still struggled to come to terms with. They started to spend more time together whether it be training, meditating, or just eating together. Genji had even expressed that Hanamura's Rikimaru didn't feel the same without him. Hanzo didn't deserve his love. Not even an ounce of it. Yet he offered it so willingly and without expectations.

Cassidy had been right about one thing. Hanzo was, indeed, not used to that. Something was always required from him in return.

When people complimented him, they wanted his favor, money, access, power, or skills to assist in matters they cared for. When people made advances, they wanted his body. He knew this as he wasn't one that could be loved beyond that. Not a suitable partner for anyone. It didn't bother him, though. His duties and responsibilities in the Shimada Clan kept him too busy for such frivolous matters despite having tried twice. Hanzo was not pleasant company overall, so the closer people got, the more likely it was that they would discover how undeserving he was.

With Genji, it was different. He - his brother of 35 years - already knew him. Had seen him both at his best and his worst. He had seen it all and he still kept trying to be part of Hanzo's life again. That was what confused him the most about all this.

The possibility that Genji might've seen something in Hanzo that Hanzo himself didn't was a thought that never surfaced.

A/N: One of my fave things about writing early-stage slow burns is the characters' mischaracterization of each other.

Cassidy: "Hanzo only cares about himself."

Hanzo: *literally hates himself*

Hanzo: "Cassidy has his shit together."

Cassidy: *literally falling apart*

me to Hanzo/Cole: Like. No. You've both got it all wrong.