#so anyway now i’m gonna have a buncha potatoes for lunch

[inkykeiji]

(*´ ˘ `*).｡oO ( ♡ )

[overwatchworks]

The Boy With the Emerald Hair:

Part 6 of Mcgenji AU. Final chapter!

“Ah...Didn’t think they’d be here...” Genji murmured under his breath, eyeing the group of people huddled around an arcade game towards the back of the room. Jesse recognized the lot of them as Genji’s group of friends he used to hang out with, and his boyfriend grimaced when Suki glanced in their direction.

‘Oh my god! The missing prince finally shows his face again! We thought you’d forgotten about us Genji.’ She gasped, quickly walking over with that particular sway of her hips, manicured nails placed delicately over her mouth in almost false surprise.

‘Hey...Suki. Hey guys.’ Genji responded half-heartedly, Suki giving a dirty look towards Jesse.

‘Have you seriously been hanging out with this guy all this time?’ She asked, a note of venomous sarcasm twinging her tone and souring her expression.

‘Yeah, what’s it to you?’

‘Oh come on Gen, he’s kind of a loser. I mean, seriously? A cowboy hat?’

‘And yet it caught your eye.’ Jesse chimed with a wink, Suki scoffing and crossing her arms over her chest.

‘Kind of hard not to. Anyways, we’re hitting the club tonight, you should totally join us. I’ve...Well, I’ve missed you Genji.’ Suki purred, biting her glossy bottom lip with perfect white teeth, and Jesse suppressed a smile.

‘Yeah, uh, about that...’ Genji started, stepping away from Suki slightly and addressing all his friends.

‘I’m not gonna go. Not anymore.’

Jesse looked at Genji in surprise, though he kept his face neutral, staying back but keeping a sure presence for Genji to lean on.

‘What? Why not?!’ One of the guys burst out, another staring accusingly at Jesse.

‘It’s his fault, isn’t it? Ever since you started hanging out with that guy, you’ve been acting fucking weird! You’re seriously going to let some tourist fuck you up?’

‘He hung out with us once, and he’s not even handsome like you normally go after!’

‘Yeah, he’s not special at all, just some guy wanting to get down your pants, and you’re letting him get away with this shit!’

‘You can’t just disappear on us like this, that’s so not cool!’ They all exclaimed at once, Genji’s form tensing and eyes hardening, flashing a brilliant green for just a second as he glared at them.

‘Excuse me?! His name is Jesse, and he’s not just some loser tourist, he happens to be my boyfriend! And he’s also been the only good fucking influence in my life in years! The only ones who have been fucking me up are you guys! You don’t give a shit about me, only my money and my looks, if even that! You guys are all shallow jerks and I know you were just using me to get whatever the hell you wanted, so don’t start acting like you have the moral high ground here! Jesse’s the only one who hasn’t forced me to make decisions I regret, to go with someone on a dare while I’m wasted and not thinking so you can have a laugh!’ 

‘And for the record, not a single one of you has respected me as more than a sex toy or your ticket to something fancy because I’m rich, and there isn’t anyone of you here who hasn’t tried to get down my pants either! So don’t you dare try and pull that shit on me, or on Jesse! I know I haven’t been any different, but that’s changed now, I recognize my mistakes and I want to make things better. Now, I want you all to leave, and I want you to never come around me again. You all are the shittiest people ever, and I want you out of my life for good.’ Genji growled, hands balled into fists. Everyone stared in a stunned silence, then Suki tried to take a step forward.

‘Genji—‘

Genji made a move towards her, his hand snaking out so fast Jesse only saw it when it was on her shirt collar and pulling her close.

‘Do I make myself clear?’ He demanded, voice dangerously low, Jesse recognizing the threat and feeling the power Genji held even from where he was standing. Suki nodded, Genji letting go and jerking his head towards the door.

‘Good. Now get the hell out of here.’

The group practically ran out of the arcade, Jesse crossing his arms over his chest and whistling when the door shut. There was cheering from the upper level of the arcade, Jesse and Genji’s heads whipping up to find Daisuke leaning over the railing and clapping.

“Yeah-ha! Go Genji! Show them who’s boss!”

Genji grinned, letting out a breath and running a hand through his hair.

“That was...Good. That felt really, really good! Dai?”

“That’s me.”

“Sorry for being such a stuck up asshole to you, I know I really sucked.”

“Yeah, you did, but that totally made up for it. Fucking awesome!”

“I swear it’ll never happen again. So...We okay?”

“Yeah, we’re chill.” Daisuke shrugged, leaning his forearms against the railing and grinning down at them.

“Well alright then! Today’s been really awesome so far!”

Jesse grinned when Genji turned to him, a big smile lighting up his face as he took his hand and led him out of the arcade. Genji went giggling down the sidewalk, then pushed Jesse down an alleyway.

“I can’t believe I did that! Oh my god it’s such a relief! Like, I always knew they were horrible, but now that they’re gone it’s...God it’s nice!” Genji sighed, wrapping his arms around Jesse’s shoulders.

“I wouldn’t have been able to do it without you. I thought I needed them to feel accepted, but you’ve kinda just blown me away with how good you’ve been to me. You’ve shown me how it feels to be respected and liked for who I am, and I just...Thank you Jesse.” Genji murmured against his lips, Jesse gazing at him and finding those gorgeous umber eyes on him, so full of warmth and joy. 

And that’s when Jesse knew he was completely and utterly fucked. 

He pressed his lips against Genji’s, kissing him passionately and feverish, fully accepting his fate and how downright in love with this man he was. Genji slid his lips over Jesse’s, making pleased little noises into the kiss and pressing his whole body closer.

"Jesse, we should run away together!" Genji suddenly giggled into his mouth, tone obviously teasing and giddy, the both of them high on the thrill of the moment. Jesse chuckled lowly, kissing Genji deeply before replying.

"Heh, yeah right, the lives we live darlin'? Good luck with that." He murmured, though what Genji said struck a chord in him. Jesse wondered briefly what he wouldn’t give to live this kind of life forever as he leaned into Genji’s mouth fervently. 

How nice it would be not having to report this to Reyes every night, to be reminded that he was only here because Overwatch wanted to take down Genji’s family, and Genji was the key to making it happen. He was using Genji just as much as anyone else. He was no better than they were. It hit him all of a sudden, so unbidden and disheartening, those feelings and worries, sitting in his stomach like lead and ruining the moment he had been so enjoying. He felt a little sick, guilt gnawing at him now, and it must have bled through to his actions, for Genji slowed his eager kisses.

“Jesse...? Is something wrong?” Genji whispered, breaking off the kiss and staring at the cowboy seriously, breathing just a bit heavy.

“I just...Gen, ya mean a lot ta me, more than I ever thought ya would. An’ I guess it worries me, yanno? I wanna be honest with ya, an’ I wanna be good ta ya, ‘cause ya deserve it. But I dunno if I can do it all...”

“Jesse...?”

Jesse stared down at Genji’s lips for a long moment, just so he wouldn’t have to meet those eyes, so open and sincere. He sighed deeply, then tried for a smile.

“Sorry, it’s nothin’. Just...I worry I ain’t gonna be good enough fer ya. That I ain’t the guy ya deserve. I’ve fucked up a buncha things in the past, an’ I don’t want this ta be somethin’ I gotta add ta that list. I don’t wanna hurt ya...” Jesse whispered, Genji gently taking his face in his hands, the pads of his fingers rubbing gentle circles under his eyes.

“Jesse, what are you talking about? You don’t have to worry, didn’t you hear what I just told you? You have made my life so much more enjoyable and worthwile, and I’m not afraid to say it. I know you aren’t going to hurt me, and you are so good to me, better than anyone else has been before. I’ve been known to do some shitty stuff, and I’ve got some fucked up things worrying me too. So if anything, I’m not the guy you deserve.”

“Tch, don’t go sayin’ that. It couldn’t be farther from the truth.” Jesse scoffed, pressing their foreheads together and sighing softly. He just wished everything could have been different, at least for this. But it wasn’t. So he would have to make the best of it while it lasted.  

“Here, why don’t we get some lunch, that’ll take your mind off of what’s bothering you. And I’ll pay since it’s been a good day!” Genji offered, Jesse letting out a breath and giving him a lopsided grin.

“Yeah, sounds good darlin’. Thanks.”

“Alright, come on then! I wanna try something distinctly American today. There’s this burger place a few blocks away that’s apparently pretty good, but I need to know from you to make sure.”

“Lead the way then.” Jesse said, motioning with his hand towards the road. 

Genji kissed his cheek and looped his arm through the cowboy’s, taking off down the sidewalk. Jesse followed after him, watching the gentle sway of Genji’s steps and the excitement he showed just because he was walking around town with Jesse on his arm. He never would have thought he could have enjoyed something like this in his life, and he really began to contemplate Genji’s joking statement. 

There was no way he could leave Blackwatch, but perhaps Genji could leave the Shimada clan and come back with him. Maybe. A wild thought of him convincing Genji to join Blackwatch and help them so he could be free suddenly invaded his mind, but Jesse shook it off. No way could he do that, Reyes would kill him. Still, Jesse tucked the thought away for later, tuning in to Genji, who was jabbering about something that had to do with french fries.

“They come curly too, don’t they? Like, why the hell do you need so many weird potato strips? It’s a fucking potato, how good can it get?”

Jesse laughed, Genji turning his head a bit and grinning when he caught the cowboy’s eye.

“I couldn’t tell ya darlin’. I guess we like variety in our foods.” Jesse shrugged, Genji leaning against him and huffing.

“I suppose it’s better than being stuck with one boring thing all the time.”

Jesse wrapped his arm around Genji’s waist, pulling him closer and pecking his forehead.

“Yeah. Yer not borin’ though.”

“Good to know. And neither are you Jesse. I’m perfectly happy with just you.”

“Hon, ya keep shootin’ my heart like that, there won’t be enough left fer me ta give ya.” Jesse teased, Genji sticking out his tongue and making a face.

“Eewwww sappy!”

“Ya love it.”

“Yeah, I kind of do.”

--

Two months had passed since Jesse had been with Genji, and they both spent almost all that time with one another. Genji practically lived with him now, coming over every other night and sleeping at the apartment when he could, sometimes spending the whole day next to Jesse in town or relaxing at home. Which was strange for Jesse. He’d never thought he could find another place he could comfortably call “home”, but it seemed Genji had that effect on him. 

His favourite part of the day was waking up next to Genji. He always woke up first, Genji being a heavy sleeper and a bit of a night owl anyways. It didn’t matter what they did the night before, whether it was drinks, a movie, sex, just cuddling, any of it, Genji was always out cold by the end of it. But it gave Jesse a chance to just look at his boyfriend in the morning, how peaceful and beautiful he was, how cute he looked when he stretched and yawned as he started to wake up, his nose scrunching up slightly before snuggling back up against Jesse’s warmth.

It was calming, and Jesse would just kiss him lightly or run his hand through those mussed emerald locks until Genji’s gorgeous umber eyes opened. He was always given a smile, and Jesse always gave one back. It felt so normal and right, and Jesse didn’t know what he was going to do without it. 

The theme of running away together popped up more often than not anymore; sometimes after a nice lunch in town, others while they were curled on the couch together, whispered in the dead of night when one of them woke from a nightmare, promised to one another when they talked on the balcony as the sun rose in brilliant pinks and oranges. Jesse had started to believe it, and he wanted more than anything to have Genji with him when the mission inevitably ended and he had to return to Switzerland. Jesse sighed, blinking back to reality from his thoughts when Genji poked him lightly, the Shimada sprawled over his whole body.

“Heeeeeeey. You’re lost in thought again. You sure you’re okay? It’s been happening a lot lately.” Genji told him, chin resting on his bare chest and legs coming up to kick in the air over his back. Jesse nodded and wrapped his arms around Genji’s lower back, thumbs rubbing absent patterns.

“‘M sorry hon. I don’t mean ta zone out like that.”

“I mean, we could always go another round if you want. That may help.”

“Yer gonna kill me at this rate Gen.”

“What can I say? I have great stamina.”

Jesse huffed a laugh, Genji scooting himself up so that he hovered over the cowboy now.

“You’re not telling me something.”

“Imma be honest Genji, there’s a lot of somethin’s I ain’t tellin’ ya.” Jesse sighed, Genji taking his face in his palms gently when he tried to look away.

“I know that. And I understand. But this is something involving me, isn’t it?”

Jesse swallowed, closing his eyes and putting his hands over Genji’s, pulling them down to clutch them on his collarbone.

“I’m just thinkin’...What if...Yanno, ya actually run away with me?”

“What?”

“If...If I could give ya an opportunity, would ya take it an’ come with me?” Jesse asked cautiously, Genji’s brows furrowing and lips parting slightly.

“I...You could actually get me away from here...?”

“If ya could, would ya?” Jesse merely repeated, Genji sitting back more as his eyes drifted to the side.

“I can’t...I can’t leave Hanzo. I can’t just leave him behind, no matter how much I want to get away from here...” Genji murmured, Jesse taking his chin between his thumb and forefinger.

“Hey, I don’t wanna pressure ya or nothin’. I was just thinkin’...Maybe there was a way we could.”

“Jesse, don’t get me wrong, I absolutely would. I would in a heartbeat. But there are things here that...People that I can’t leave without. It would be unfair to them.” Genji sighed, Jesse humming softly.

“I get it hon. Just...Think ‘bout it, okay? I wouldn’t mind takin’ Hanzo either.”

“I just don’t know if he wants the same...”

“It’s okay Gen. Don’t worry ‘bout it. ‘M sorry I brought it up.”

“No Jesse, I’d love to. You’ve made my life worth living lately, there’s no way I could say no to an offer like that from you. I just...I’d need some time.” Genji whispered after a prolonged moment of silence, Jesse hugging him tighter.

“That’s fine Gen. Ya just mean so much ta me, I figured I’d offer. It’d be a long shot, but I think we could make it work.”

“It’d be a dream come true.”

Jesse agreed with him quietly, then let the silence speak for itself in the moment. They didn’t need words to understand one another’s thoughts, their wants and dreams of freedom together. Jesse ran his hand through Genji’s hair, the Shimada nuzzling under his neck and closing his eyes. They laid there for a good ten minutes, dozing off with only their soft breaths to punctuate the quiet of the bedroom.

“Jess...?”

“Yeah?”

“I have to go soon, but can we meet up for drinks tonight?” Genji asked after another moment, Jesse nodding.

“‘Course we can. What time were ya thinkin’?”

“Maybe seven-thirty, eightish?”

“Sounds good hon.” Jesse hummed, Genji sitting up reluctantly and making the cowboy grunt in displeasure.

“Where’re ya goin’...?”

“I told you, I have to go home. Not that I want to, but I’ll see you again tonight. I promise.” Genji said with a smile, pressing a deep kiss to Jesse’s lips before standing fluidly.

“Damn...At least shower off before ya go, alright?”

“Only if you join me.” The ninja chimed, waggling his eyebrows and making Jesse laugh.

“Can’t say no ta an offer like that.”

Genji grinned, Jesse standing and following his boyfriend into the bathroom, squeezing his sides playfully as they went.

-

The next morning, Jesse had awoke to Genji at his side as usual, the Shimada whining about a headache and making him chuckle softly. The cowboy made sure he got some medicine and a shower, then began to make breakfast. Genji had to leave in a hurry though, citing that he needed to get back before he could make trouble for his brother. Jesse waved as he left, smiling to himself as he finished making himself some food.

He would be seeing Genji again that night as they had planned, and Jesse whistled as he did the dishes with that comforting thought circling through his head. He then showered and got ready for the day, about to leave the bedroom when a beep from his tablet caught his attention. Frowning, Jesse grabbed the tablet out of the bedside table drawer and opened it. A single message from Reyes. The contents made Jesse’s stomach drop, breath catching in his throat.

"Shimada castle has been attacked by a rival clan. This is the perfect time for you to sneak in there and get the information we need. Get in and get out Jesse, and stay safe."

His dream had finally ended.

~~