#oh man I just realized the way I scribbled on the hair on hanzo it looks like he has a toupee NOOOOO

[eggydaxy]

subscorp doodle

[fireflyquill]

AUgust Day 20: Coffee Shop

Okay, I definitely did *not* expect for this to be so long.

Slice of life coffee shop AU where Hanzo works with…computers…and works too hard, and Jesse, Gabe and Sombra run the Blackwatch Cafe downstairs.

This was inspired by a manga I read *ages* ago, and I’ve since forgotten the mangaka and the title. If it looks familiar to you, please let me know so that I can add the reference here!

Warnings for this one: Hanzo has a mild panic attack, and there is a bit of swearing.

This one might be the last one I have time for, as I should really return to editing the McReverse Bang story. I’ve really enjoyed writing these! Thank you so much for reading them.

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 11 | Day 13 | Day 15 | Prompt Post

It was done.

It had been another all-nighter in the worst sense, but in the end, Hanzo had triumphed over an almost impenetrable project. It was call for a celebration (however brief, however small) before crashing for the day in a mid-afternoon nap.

He logged off his computer, giving it the well-deserved rest that it needed. He searched his closet for his favourite project-finish t-shirt and his favourite pair of jeans, and managed to remember to tie his hair back before he left. He ran his hand over the side of his head, and noted that his undercut needed to be cleaned-up.

The city was always a bit of a haze to him on such days, which was just as Hanzo liked it—it was suffocating at the best of times, a constant reminder of a life he had already left behind, but on days like this, he was too tired to notice.

He arrived at the small coffee shop downstairs from his apartment just after the morning rush. He should have gone directly to bed, but he often found himself buzzing with a nervous energy on days like this, for which he had at least found one reliable cure—the handsome barista with the kind eyes.

There was something about the way the man smiled at him, something about the way that he spoke that made Hanzo believe that everything was going to be okay in a way he’d not felt in a decade. Hanzo was often too tired to try to engage in anything beyond a simple request for his beverage on such days, but he liked to pretend that on another day, he would come back, and have a proper conversation with the man, but that promise was always for tomorrow.

---

He was back again.

The gorgeous man in the tight-fitting shirt who didn’t speak a single word more than was needed to complete his transaction. He was what you might call a regular, although most regulars were far more susceptible to Jesse’s charm.

“You gonna talk to him this time, or you gonna keep being a chicken shit?” Sombra leaned in to ask in a bored voice. Jesse flipped her the middle finger without even turning to face her. She whistled. “Better watch that. Gonna ruin your good boy rep.”

“Just get started on his drink,” Jesse growled, taking his place at the till just as the man walked through the door. He put on what he hoped was an encouraging smile. “Why howdy.”

“Large iced coffee with soy milk.”

Jesse’s heart fluttered and fell at exactly the same time. ‘Alright,” he agreed, his mind scrambling for a way to prolong the conversation. “I like your metal.”

The man looked up and blinked like a deer in headlights and Jesse’s confidence fell away. “The…ya know…” he tried to gesture around his face, realizing that he was just making it worse.”

Sombra saved him by setting the completed drink on the counter.

“What he means to say is, ‘that’ll be $4.50’.”

The man nodded, and placed the pile of coins in his hand on the table without counting. It was exactly enough, as it always was. “Thank you kindly,” Sombra drawled in an intentionally horrific imitation of Jesse’s parting greeting. The man nodded again, took his drink, and retreated to his preferred corner of the shop. Jesse gathered himself enough to shoot Sombra a glare.

She just shrugged. “Somebody had to say it. And it wasn’t gonna be you.”

He swatted at her before turning his attention to the next customer.

An hour later, the man was still there, back towards Jesse, head propped on his hands while looking out the window.

“So, chicken shit?” Sombra guessed.

Jesse grumbled something in incoherent Spanish. The stream of customers had slowed, as it often did in the late morning. Looking around, his eye caught one of his cheese scones. Acting before he could think better of it, Jesse plated the scone and marched it towards the man in the corner of the shop. He made sure his friendliest smile was on his lips before coughing politely.

No response.

From behind him, McCree could hear Sombra snort. He rolled his eyes and tried again.

“Hey there. Sorry to bother you but uhh…hello?”

Jesse peered down at the man to find his eyes closed, and that he was drooling from one side of his mouth. Jesse knew at that moment that he was fucked, because it was the most adorable thing he’d ever seen.

Figuring that the man likely needed this sleep, he hastily grabbed a notepad from his apron and scrawled a note, propping it against the plate he placed to the side of the man’s empty drink.

---

Hanzo furrowed his brow in the sun, and shook himself awake. How long had he been dozing? He looked down at his watch, but his eyes caught sight of the scone and note first.

“To my favourite customer, on the house :)”

The smiley face had what looked like a crudely drawn cowboy hat on its head. Blinking the sand from his eyes, Hanzo turned to find the two baristas busy with the lunchtime crowd. He realized with a start that he was *surrounded* by people. Was this shop always this busy at this time?

The loud hum of people around him sounding too familiar, too fast.

It was becoming hard to breathe. Had he not just spent the last week with so little sleep, he would have been better able to handle this stress. Genji had been chastising him more and more recently about taking better care of himself.

Hanzo forced himself to take a long breath, and pushed himself to his feet. He focused intently on the scrawled writing and the small drawing, wondered at the type of person who would grant such a kindness, hoping secretly that it was the one whose voice was as soft to match. These thoughts grounded him enough so that what had been an overwhelming roar was now dimmed to white noise. Breathing a sigh of relief, he grabbed the note and fled.

---

The shop wasn’t big enough for Jesse to lose track of his favourite customer, and what he saw made him increasingly concerned. The man’s shoulders were shaking, as though something had spooked him.

“Sombra, hold the fort,” he called back absently, running for the door. The fact that she didn’t have a snarky response must have meant that she saw the man leave as well, and was equally worried.

Jesse opened the door to the crowded and noisy street, scanning the crowd fruitlessly. Reflecting on how he would act in such a situation, his eyes brought him to the walls of buildings which could have been used as support, and then, to the narrow alleys. Turning down the nearest one, he was relieved to find the man propped against the wall.

“Hey. Hey there darlin’,” he tried gently. The man’s shoulders had been heaving with effort, but froze upon hearing the voice.

“I’m here to help. Can I help you get anywhere? Is there someone I can call?”

There was a long pause before the man spoke.

“Upstairs.”

“Huh?” Jesse considered the request. He looked around and realized they were at a side entrance to the apartments above the coffee shop. “Oh! You live upstairs.”

The man nodded.

“Alright, let’s get you home then.” Jesse extended an arm downwards so that the other man could see it. The man’s head tilted, and he grasped at Jesse’s arms, moving his shaking hands up to his shoulders. Jesse held himself firm, partially to try to still the quick beat of his heart, partially to make sure he was sturdy support.

Together they made their way up several flights of stairs. The man fumbled for his keys, but managed to open the door with some effort.

The apartment was small and clean—too clean, actually. There was an expensive-looking computer in the living room, but aside from that, any decoration was sparse. The man curled himself up on the sofa, his back facing Jesse.

“Can I get you anythin’? Some water?”

The man shook his head no.

“Is there someone I can call for you?”

No again.

Jesse stood still for a moment, unsure of what to do next. He couldn’t just leave Sombra to face the lunch-time rush by herself, after all.

“Listen, I’m worried ‘bout you, but gotta get back to work. Can I come check on you later on today?”

There was another pause, but to Jesse’s surprise, it was followed by a small nod.

“Okay,” Jesse nodded as well. He took out the notepad and a pen from his apron. “Can I get your buzzer number?”

The man wrote on the pad and thrust it back at Jesse without looking back.

“Alright,” Jesse mumbled, scribbling something of his own on a separate piece of paper. He ran to the kitchen and filled a glass with water, and put both the water and the paper on the coffee table. “Here’s my number if you need anythin’ in the meantime. Take it easy, pardner.”

He sprinted back to the shop, and his heart sank a little to find Gabe behind the counter, where he should have been. His boss didn’t look as angry as he should have though, and simply waved for Jesse to join him.

Two hours later, the crowd thinned enough for them to take a breather. McCree braced himself for a lecture, which meant he wasn’t prepared for anything different.

“How is he?” Gabe asked.

Jesse blinked and turned to Sombra.

She shrugged. “Had to tell him why you ran out.”

McCree was about to thank her sincerely when Gabe cut in.

“Sombra says he’s hot.”

Jesse clenched his teeth. “He’s fine.”

Gabe rolled his eyes. “Is that what you kids are calling it these days? Okay, Sombra says he’s fine.”

Sombra cackled and ducked a wet towel that Jesse threw in her direction.

“No, I mean he’s doin’ fine. I told him I’d go check on him after my shift.”

Gabe and Sombra exchanged a glance.

“What?” Jesse snapped, feeling very much like they were conspiring against him.

“There’s nothin’ happening right now,” Gabe pointed out. “And I’m here anyhow. Take the rest of the afternoon off.”

“Boss—”

“That’s an order,” Gabe barked. McCree deflated, but was secretly grateful to his colleagues who he acknowledged as his family.

“Take him some food,” Gabe added.

McCree frowned. “He didn’t touch the scone at all.”

“You gave him a scone?” Sombra asked incredulously. “That’s real romantic.”

“How is any pastry any more or less goddamn romantic than any other?” Jesse grumbled.

She thrust a box into his hands. “Cake. Always start with cake.”

“She’s right,’ Gabe shrugged. “Now get outta here!”

“I’m gettin,’ I’m gettin’!” McCree threw off his apron and went to the back for his things.

---

Hanzo woke slowly, with the sun warming his back. He stared at the back of the sofa, trying to remember how he had gotten home.

Oh.

While he hadn’t been able to get a good look at the man, he would have recognized the voice anywhere.

The barista.

He sat up too quickly and instantly regretted it, holding his head with a groan. There was a glass of water on the coffee table which he took gratefully, next to piece of paper. There was a phone number scrawled, and the name “Jesse”. Next to the name was a smiley face with that same cowboy hat perched jauntily on its head, and Hanzo couldn’t help but smile.

His buzzer went off right at that moment. Dragging himself to his feet, Hanzo pressed the intercom button.

“Yes?”

“Hey there. It’s Jesse, from the Blackwatch Café? I promised you I’d check on you after my shift ended.”

Hanzo hesitated.

“You don’t gotta let me up or anything,” Jesse continued. “But if you needed anythin’ I’m here to help.”

The kind words matched everything the man had done for him so far. Hanzo decided that he had to express his gratitude in person.

“Please come up. Apartment 503.”

After pressing the button, Hanzo rushed to the bathroom to comb out his hair. The dark rings under his eyes were still there from this morning, but were a bit lighter. He frowned at himself, wondering if he had time to change out of his rumbled shirt. A swift knock at the door told him he did not.

Hanzo ran to the door, and took a long breath before pulling it open.

The good-looking man with tawny brown hair and wide shoulders greeted him with an even wider smile.

“Hello there,” Jesse extended his hand. “Good to see you doin’ better.”

“Hanzo.” Hanzo shook his hand. “Thank you for your aid earlier.”

“Not a problem,” Jese waved it off. “Just glad I could help my favourite customer.”

“You cannot mean that,” Hanzo frowned. “I have been told that I am barely functional on the days I need coffee.”

Jesse laughed. “I figure I see people at their worst every mornin’.”

“And yet I am still your ‘favourite’?” Hanzo asked curiously.

“Oh!” Jesse scratched at his head and blushed. “Yeah, you are.”

When he offered no other explanation, Hanzo decided that he really wanted one.

“Would you like to come inside?”

“Not if it’s a bother—”

“It is no bother,” Hanzo interrupted, stepping aside to allow him entrance. The beaming smile alone made it worth it.

Jesse sat on the sofa that Hanzo had been sleeping on not so long ago.

“Can I get you anything?” Hanzo inquired. “I have water and…soy milk.”

He flushed, and began to wish he had more to offer, but Jesse chuckled. “Water would be great. It’s what I woulda asked for anyhow.”

Hanzo nodded, and left to fill a glass from the tap.

“That thing that happened…does it happen often?” Jesse asked hesitantly. Hanzo returned and handed him the glass.

“No,” Hanzo shook his head. “It was my own fault. I have been overworking myself recently, and did not get proper sleep.”

Jesse frowned. “Gotta take care of yourself, Han.”

It sounded exactly like something his brother might say, but coming from Jesse, coupled with the new nickname, the words filled Hanzo with an odd warmth.

“I do what I must.”

“Takin’ care of yourself is a must,” Jesse chided lightly. His face was twisted with real concern though. “What’re you doin’ drinkin’ coffee when you should be sleepin’ anyhow?”

Hanzo hesitated. “I find it calming.”

Jesse raised an eyebrow. “That’s not unheard of, I guess. But does it affect your slee—”

“With you in the room. I find you calming,” Hanzo blurted out.

He slapped his hand over his mouth after the words escaped, deciding that he really *did* need to get better sleep and also that it just might be possible to die from embarrassment.

“Oh.”

Hanzo looked up to try to write off his comment as a joke, but found Jesse beaming at him.

“I’m glad you feel that way. Because I like seein’ you too.”

Hanzo sat beside him on the sofa, gathering strength from that kind smile that he had long admired.

“I would be pleased to know you better,” he tried carefully. Jesse’s smile widened.

“Me too. You probably wanna grab some shut eye, but maybe aft—”

A loud growl from Hanzo’s stomach interrupted Jesse’s mid-sentence, and he laughed. “Or maybe we could get some take out? I also brought you this.”

He handed Jesse a clear plastic box with a slice of strawberry cake.

“For after lunch,” Jesse added, seeing how Hanzo’s eyes widened with delight. “Wait, breakfast?”

Hanzo shrugged. “You are not the first to say I should take better care of myself.”

“Well I’ll be here to make sure that you do,” Jesse replied. “If you’d like,” he added hastily.

Hanzo smiled. “I would like nothing more.”

Genji, from somewhere else in the city: wtf anija I’ve been telling you exactly the same things for five years ;-;

[classywastelandbread-blog]

Charred or Chard The Cat

Just a little silly thing I scribbled down today. 

I tend to collect a lot of random (and usually useless) bits of knowledge. The facts here are based on what I learned when I spent time with my aunty who was once a breeder of cats on a whim.

“Han,” Jesse said, a pained look on his face. “No…”

The…thing…hung complacently from Hanzo’s hands, its hind legs curled demurely over its groin which was a blessing because it wasn’t neutered.

…and it was hairless.

“Yes,” Hanzo said seriously. “You said you wanted children of the four-legged variety.”

Jesse sighed, running his flesh hand through his hair. “Han…I think said of the furry variety. That…thing…” he shuddered. “Hon, it looks like a shaved ball sack.”

“You would know,” Hanzo replied, much to the discomfort of the kitten’s owner. He scooped it into his arms like one would hold a baby and turned to the woman that had put the kitten up for adoption. She looked very much like she regretted agreeing to meet with them but she still smiled kindly at them. “How much?”

Jesse whined. “Han.”

The woman’s eyes flicked to Jesse. “Hon,” she said gently to Hanzo. “Maybe you should make the decision with your…friend?”

“Husband,” Hanzo corrected absently as he toyed with the cat’s paws. It was complacent enough to bat at his hands gamely; when it “caught” Hanzo’s finger, it brought it to its mouth and licked at it.

Never had Jesse wished so badly for someone to be homophobic and take the cat…thing…away from Hanzo. But the woman was a kind sort and smiled. “Husband,” she repeated sweetly. “Maybe you should ask your husband what he thinks.”

“He thinks he looks like a shaved ball sack,” Hanzo pointed out. “He made it very clear what he thought of him.”

The woman winced. “Yes, but I’d rather not cause a break in a marriage over a cat,” she pointed out. “And I’d hate to get this poor guy’s hopes up that he’d find his forever home.”

Jesse could never get used to that phrase. “Forever home”. It made sense and was kind of sweet but at the same time he thought it was kind of weird…but that was just him.

Startled, Hanzo looked back at Jesse. He groaned. “Ma’am,” he said kindly to the woman. “Y’ mind if we have some people-talk? Guy talk? Like…me and my husband?” It still felt weird to call Hanzo his husband but it was a good kind of weird that sent thrills up and down his spine.

The woman smiled and held out her hands for the cat which Hanzo very reluctantly handed back to her. “You can go in the dining room over there,” she said, pointing to the room in question. “Just give a holler if you need me.” Murmuring to the cat, she lumbered off to the couch and sat down with a groan. The kitten curled up on her ample belly and closed its eyes as if to nap.

Hanzo looked so honestly concerned that Jesse had to tug him into a tight hug. “Now don’t think that, Han,” he murmured. “If you want ‘im, get ‘im. I’m just…not on board with the whole ‘hairless’ thing. I’m serious when I say it looks like a shaved ball sack.”

“So you’ve said,” Hanzo muttered into his chest. “I just…”

Jesse tipped his head up and gave him a soft kiss. “It seems like a sweetheart,” he said. “I’m just…not confident I can hold it without being disturbed. But…if you want it…it’s yours. And I’ll support you and…it…I’ll get used to it eventually. But darlin’…never worry that I’ll make you give it up. That ain’t happening.”

Hanzo searched his eyes before gently kissing the painted thread around Jesse’s left pinkie. “I like him.” While it was relieving to hear – they had searched seemingly hundreds of shelters and ads for cats that met Hanzo’s apparently strict standards – Jesse wasn’t sure he really liked this particular cat.

“Then let’s get him.”

His husband (!!) looked so pleasantly surprised and Jesse received a truly warm kiss in thanks. It made him feel almost guilty for already hating the hairless monstrosity.

When Hanzo told the owner-breeder of the kitten that he’d take it, Jesse got a truly pitying look from her husband. Great.

“Damn,” Fareeha said as the kitten explored the common room before their weekly Chopped marathon.

Angela peered at it. “It’s ugly,” she said and wrinkled her nose. “Do all cats have that much skin? And where are its whiskers?”

As if protesting her words, the cat gave a raspy meow.

“Yeah,” Fareeha agreed. “It’s ugly and…hermano…you’re so whipped.”

Zarya tucked her legs up on her couch when the cat wandered her way. “Is unnatural.”

The doors slammed open and Rein, still a little dirty from work in the Diner, stumbled in. “I heard Hanzo’s cat was here!” he boomed. The cat in question had frozen in terror, its bright blue eyes wide as it processed the sudden noise.

“Yeah,” Jesse said as neutrally as he could. “Close the door so it doesn’t run out.”

The big man scrambled to obey, nearly smashing Ana in the process but she was quick and managed to avoid death that day. “Where is it?” Rein asked excitedly. “What kind of cat is it?”

“Looks like shaved nuts,” Zarya said flatly, eyeing the creature where it crouched under the coffee table.

Rein’s excited face froze awkwardly. “What?”

Hana giggled where she was curled up with Jesse. Bastian occupied the other side of the couch with a safe distance so Hanzo could sit beside his husband; Lucio was perched on the arm, frowning down at the cat.

Everyone’s reaction to the cat, in Jesse’s opinion, were absolutely priceless. Rein’s was no exception – his excited face fell immediately upon seeing the wretched creature. “Where is that cat’s fur?” he asked flatly.

“It doesn’t have any,” Jesse said, running a hand over his face tiredly. Hana giggled.

“Actually,” Sombra corrected, once more startling everyone with not only her presence but her willingness to talk. “They do have fur, it’s just very fine. They still can and do create dander but it’s just at a much-reduced rate and volume – why they can be called hypoallergenic.”

They all frowned at her. It was the longest she had spoken in a long time and most of the time no one knew what to do with her when she did speak or laugh. But where Sombra was, Gabe couldn’t be too far away.

“How?” Bastian asked curiously.

Sombra shrugged as Gabe entered the common area. Seeing the cat – which had begun to emerge from the table, he turned around and walked out without a word. Giggling, Sombra heckled him in Spanish as she followed. Some of her suggestions were that he should knit The Cat clothes so it wouldn’t be too cold.

It suddenly occurred to Jesse that he had no idea how to take care of it.

Is this what being a parent feels like? He signed to Hana and Bastian who turned to look at him when he began signing. Being terrified when you realize you have no idea how to take care of another life? Hana laughed and said nothing; Bastian shrugged solemnly though his clear eyes were amused.

Ana was peering down at The Cat which had slowly begun approaching her. “It looks so worried,” she said with a laugh, running a careful finger over the wrinkles between its ears. It butted its head into hers, trying to solicit more pets which she obliged. She laughed again. “It’s so soft! You should feel it!”

“Like shaved nuts!” Zarya roared, outraged, from where she was curled up. Angela and Fareeha giggled and joined her there.

Jack, who had just opened the door, paused. “What?”

“Don’t ask,” Jesse told him tiredly. “She’s talking about The Cat.”

The man visibly hesitated. “You guys finally found one?”

Hana giggled. “Yes!”

“Does he have a name?”

It suddenly occurred to Jesse that he had absolutely no idea if Hanzo had named The Thing. “We can ask Han,” he said when everyone turned to look at him.

The cat grunted when it was picked up in Rein’s massive hands but didn’t struggle like Jesse half-expected it to. “He’s so tiny!” Rein exclaimed.

“Isn’t he soft?” Ana asked, wiggling her finger in the cat’s face. He batted at it without his claws and went limp in Rein’s hands.

Jack leaned over the couch by Jesse. “That…thing…is a cat?”

“Yup!” Hana said a little too-loudly.

Rein’s booming laughter echoed. “Shaved nut sack!” Zarya roared when he tried to hand the cat to her.

“Oh!” Ana tsked. “Just hold him! Or touch him!”

Zarya didn’t look amused as he was dangled into her space. The cat’s legs were extended as he tried to keep his balance. She tilted her head all the way back in an effort to not look at the creature. “I feel like I’m violating him,” Angela said faintly, also looking anywhere but the creature being dangled in front of them.

The residents of that couch were saved by Hanzo’s return. What exactly he thought when he saw Zarya, Angela, and Fareeha cowering away from the cat which was being dangled over them by Rein, Jesse couldn’t be sure, but he seemed pleased enough that not only were they interacting with the wretched thing, but that Hana looked happy.

Jesse collected a kiss from him as he moved past and scooped the poor animal out of Rein’s massive hands. It met Jesse’s eyes over Hanzo’s shoulder and he tried not to laugh at how utterly relieved it seemed.

“He’s so cute,” Ana said and Jesse made gagging faces at Zarya, Angela, and Fareeha who nodded in agreement. “Does he have a name yet?”

Jesse’s couch was becoming crowded but privately he thought it was strange to learn after five-odd years of sitting on the same couch in the same spot that there was a recliner chair built in, but it worked in his favor because it meant that not only could Hana, Bastian, and Lucio all sit on the couch with him, but he could also cuddle with Hanzo.

Except now he cuddled with Hanzo, who sat between his legs with his back against Jesse’s chest, and Charred, the hairless cat.

Ugh.

The cat, despite still being rather young, was very mild-mannered which was nice. It didn’t run around or seem to get sick of being in one place for so long but simply seemed content to sit on Hanzo’s lap and accept scritches.

Despite Jesse’s own dislike of the ghastly thing, he loved the smile it brought to Hanzo’s face.

Worse, the thing was friendly and tried to solicit pets and scritches. Fareeha, Zarya, and Jesse were the only ones so far holding out. Angela was a little disturbed by the sensation but would occasionally pet Charred though she privately admitted that she felt bad that it was named such a depressing name.

But he was more Hanzo’s baby than Jesse’s so he really couldn’t protest the name so much but it really was rather morbid. As Sombra (and his previous owner had) explained, the strange grey-black splotches over Charred’s back were from the color of his nearly-invisible fur. If it had been longer, he’d be white with black or grey splotches but now he was a strange shade of fleshy pink with big ash-colored spots.

More than his unfortunately morbid name, Jesse felt almost bad – almost – for not giving Charred the scritches he obviously wanted from him. He was a very well-behaved cat when asking, patting the leg or arm of a person with his claws retracted and trying his best to plead with his wrinkly face.

“Looks like E.T.,” Zarya said flatly when Charred tried to solicit pets from her. “Like E.T. had baby with shaved ball sack. No.”

Charred was endearing, Jesse had to give him that. Once he got used to his…unfortunate…features he could almost find Charred cute.

He just couldn’t bring himself to actually touch him which made it hard when Charred tried his best to endear himself to Jesse.

He’d wind around Jesse’s legs when he fed him in the morning (something he volunteered to do despite Hanzo’s insistence that he could), would try to rub against Jesse and get his attention as much as press up against him with a cute little mew. Jesse always felt bad nudging the cat away with a socked foot but he just couldn’t deal with the thing.

It was insufferably cute though, to see the little knitted clothes that Ana made for him. Unsurprisingly with no fur to keep him warm, Charred needed some assistance. If he transported the cat between the Barracks and Base, Hanzo tucked him in a hoodie or in his coat with him.

Though Gabe thought Charred was disgusting, he created a lined pouch that looked like a messenger bag that would keep the cat warm while he was outside. He shrieked outright when Charred tried to rub against him, seemingly in thanks.

Two weeks after Charred came to the farm, they learned that his name was actually Chard.

Like the vegetable, which turned out to be one of Hanzo’s favorites, especially to cook with. Like the rainbow chard he had on his tattoo on his right arm.

Chard, not Charred, like he was crispy.

Huh.

For his part, Hanzo was no stranger to Jesse’s thoughts on Chard. (And Zarya’s…and Fareeha’s…and Gabe’s. Really, he could go on.) He was pleased that Jesse kept his promise – not that he doubted he would – to not mind Chard’s presence. He volunteered to feed him, would bring back toys or treats, but he still staunchly refused to touch him directly.

At first Hanzo was hurt because he at least enjoyed the feel of Chard’s fuzzy skin and he and Ana often played with the cat’s wrinkled forehead and scraggly whiskers. Yes, his junk was disturbing, but they got used to it.

(Hanzo, did, at least. He could still hear the cries of disgust when Chard flipped his tail up in a friendly greeting and treated everyone to an eyeful.)

Still, he was beginning to worry about Jesse’s reticence.

He need not have worried because nearly a full month after adopting Chard, he found the two of them napping in a golden beam of sunlight in their room. Jesse was cradling the majority of Chard’s body with his whole arm and the stump of his other. The cat’s head was tucked into the crook of his neck and one of his paws rested on the bared flesh of his collarbone through the open collar of his flannel.

From the flick of Chard’s ears as he unlocked his phone, he knew Hanzo was there but Jesse didn’t stir as he snapped a few quick pictures. Chard grunted and shifted and Jesse’s hands tightened on him instinctively before relaxing as the cat settled again.

Hanzo managed to get a few more pictures before Jesse peeked his eyes open. He smiled sleepily at Hanzo and tipped his head back for a kiss.

His thumb rubbed gently along Chard’s lower back where he cradled him gently. “L’ke ‘a shaved ball sack,” he said sleepily. It was almost smug and it was the tone that got Hanzo.

The startled burst of laughter from Hanzo startled Chard enough that he leaped to his feet and raced away. Even Jesse agreed as Hanzo cleaned them with hydrogen peroxide with Chard watching them reproachfully from the doorway that the lines of scratches over his chest were almost worth it.

Fun facts about Sphynx (”hairless”) cats I learned from my aunty (and also some things about Chard):

As Sombra mentioned, they do actually have fur, it’s just really short. Due to fluctuations in their hormones, the mama cats sometimes grow fur which is surprisingly soft. 

My aunty’s breeding female’s fur was tight and swirly for lack of a better word. It wasn’t quite curly but just the way it grew it made it look wavy. 

Even after she had weaned her kittens, she kept her fur. Not sure what happened there but whatever. 

The breeding female was more or less pure evil. She was the queen of the house and was absolutely enamored with my aunty. 

They do actually have whiskers and “eyebrows” even if it doesn’t appear that they do - they just grow in so fine and brittle that they break off. 

Chard looks kind of like this. His coloration is based off of one of my aunty’s cats and she told me recently that she had initially considered naming him “Charred” but the rest of his family’s names ended in an “O” sound so she couldn’t. 

He has blue eyes.

His attitude is very friendly and relatively laid back. 

Some cats are very amenable to training due to breeding, natural aptitude, and/or their general demeanor. Chard is definitely one of those cats. My cat in RL is not. 

[readerwatch]

first words tattoo soulmate au???

Since this is so vague and doesn’t mention anyone, I’m going to turn it into a Hanzo fic. Hope you don’t mind!!!

The words scribbled across your wrist always perplexed you, and you seemed to examine them anytime you were able to. You blushed as you examined them each and every time.

Your fingers trailed over them lightly, humming as your fingertips touched the black ink gently.

“Oi,” A gruff voice snapped you from your thoughts “Quit staring off into space, get back to work.”

You looked up at the intruding voice, frowning at the aged man speaking to you.

“Whatever you say, geezer.” You snapped back, a scowl encompassing your features. You’d gotten lost in your thoughts at work, mentally scolding yourself for making it noticeable that you weren’t working.

You sighed, your fingertips retreating from your wrist as you went back to typing on the keyboard in front of you. You hated your job and everything about it, even though most people would kill for it.

You made enough to pay your bills, and have some leftover for luxuries. It was enough for you, but you wished it didn’t come with the price of being bored all the goddamn time.

Your eyes looked over at the large, circular digital clock hanging on the wall to your right. You breathed a sigh of relief when you noticed that you only had half an hour left.

You practically ran out of your office building as the clock struck 3. You felt free, at least temporarily. Your back was sore from being holed up in your cubicle for 9 hours straight.

You hailed a taxi, whistling and waving your arm around at a passing car.

After a long day at work, you’d decided to treat yourself to a relaxing evening at a local tea shop down the road from your apartment. It was always quiet, the lights were always dim, and the atmosphere was always pleasant; compared to your apartment complex, which always had something going on.

You removed your shoes at the front door of the shop, smiling at the short, black-haired woman standing at the counter in front of you. Her reciprocating smile was equally as warm, her hand waving at you as you began to walk towards her.

“Good evening, Aiko.” You spoke, waving back at the woman.

“Good evening, “ She responded “It’s always nice to see you. What brings you here tonight?” Ducking behind the counter, she grabbed a small, green cup from one of the shelves.

“Oh, you know,” You waved your hands around in an exaggerated manner “Same old, same old. Rough day at work, Abram being a dick again. Nothing new, really.”

She laughed at your statement, extending her hand out, the tree-decorated cup in hand.

“Well,” She clicked her tongue on the roof of her mouth as she spoke “Hopefully you can find somewhere quiet in here tonight to sit. We’re actually rather busy, so it’s a little loud in the back.”

You arched an eyebrow at the petite woman, tilting your head to the side.

“You guys are never busy on Thursdays. What’s the occasion?”

“We’ve got some big-name business men here tonight, apparently. I didn’t catch their names, that’s just what Kengo told me earlier this evening.”

You rolled your eyes.

“Great,” You thought “The one place I come to relax is flooded with a bunch of pretentious businessmen.”

You huffed again, blowing some hair out of your face as you began walking towards the back of the tea house.

“Thanks, Aiko!” You half-shouted at her, earning a “Mmhm!” in response.

You walked through two peach-colored curtains, small petal designs decorating the front of it.

As Aiko said, the place was busy. Quite a few men dressed in black suits were sitting at the tables, and you inwardly scoffed.

“They couldn’t even change out of their work clothes before coming here?”

You walked forward, keeping your eyes on the cup in your hands, walking towards your normal spot, which you had noticed earlier was vacant.

You heard a few whistles to your side, and a couple snide remarks as you walked, your feet shuffling along the bamboo-colored floor.

Unfortunately, you weren’t paying attention to what was in front of you.

You felt your foot snag on something hard, and you fell forward suddenly, unable to catch your fall as you braced yourself for impact, a scream echoing throughout the room.

You never made contact with the floor.

A strong arm had wrapped itself around your waist, and your body was stiff from the feeling.

You turned your head, greeted with the sight of a rather handsome man looking down at you.

His hair was shaved on both sides, tied neatly into a bun on the top of his head. You gasped as you examined his face, a piercing at the bridge of his nose. He was extremely handsome, and you felt your ears heat up as you gawked.

“Are you hurt?” He asked, his voice sounding like silk to your ears.

Your mouth fell slightly, and your eyes widened.

“You.” You muttered, standing yourself up straight and adjusting your clothes as you did.

“It’s you!” You shouted again, gaining the attention of a few people in the room.

His eyebrow raised slightly at your statement, and you held up your wrist, pressing it close to his face.

His face still looked confused.

“Can you read?!” You asked, pointing towards the words on your wrist.

“You’re my soulmate!” With the way you were shouting, everyone was staring at the two of you in the center of the room. By the time you realized, you were blushing.

“I never thought someone such as yourself would be my soulmate,” He whispered to himself, looking slightly annoyed as he did.

He grabbed a handful of his black suit-jacket, and pulled it up to his elbow, revealing the word You written in gold ink on his skin, contrasting with the blue ink staining his arm.

“I always wondered what that meant, and now I know.” He said again, pulling his jacket back down and buttoning the cuff.

You blinked rapidly for a moment, at a loss for words as you started admiring the man in front of you again.

“What’s your name?” You asked, your hand hesitantly reaching towards his arm.

“Hanzo,” He replied, moving his arm closer to your hand “Hanzo Shimada.”

“Oh.”