#soldier 76 is not a beautiful man so there’s not even one excuse there

[jageunyeoujari]

what's the twink aesthetic? because I've seen pretty much every somewhat attractive thin guy with no facial hair (or very little...) get called "twink" regardless of age or sexuality XD

(...this is a joke ljfhfgh) (junkrat is not a twink)

FOR REAL, ppl misuse twink all the time to the point it’s meaningless but it’s a young, thin, hairless, & relatively attractive gay man w a boyish face. kpop idols are mostly all like that bc that’s appealing to their demographic of mostly young women (but obviously it’s not actually intentionally gay as an industry which is why i said it’s a twink aesthetic tho).

but yeah, online it gets referred to any man tho..... imagine saying soldier 76 or mahershala ali are twinks (real examples)

[ganon-binary]

Overwatch Heroes Ranking & Honest Opinions part 3

Part 3 of my ranking and opinions of the playable characters of Overwatch. Last one started a bit negatively but i'll make up for it with this one. Parts 1, 2 and 4.

Mako "Roadhog" Rutledge: 8/10

A great contrast to his best buddy, Junkrat. Rich backstory and great personality, He is the grumpy and cool uncle of this group. Really interested to see what they decide to do with his story, especially if the Junker Queen will actually be in the game. His design is very iconic, from the scary hog mask to his cute pig tattoo. He is my least favorite character gameplay wise, but i'll excuse that bc he is so cool. 8/10, i should eat less pork.

Siebren "Sigma" de Kuiper: 3/10

I'll admit to first liking his origin story, which was beautifully produced. Cosmic horror was something that we didn't have in Overwatch yet so his reveal was super exciting. However as a character, Sigma's design is so problematic. Stigmatizing mentally ill people in 2019 was so low. I think they will "fix" his character in OW2 due to backlash so I'll be looking forward to that. Personality wise, he seems like a lovely man, but I am not happy with his personality in his origin story video. Big scary mentally ill villain? Ugh. In game he can be a bit frustrating. 3/10, put those feet away.

Jack "Soldier: 76" Morrison: 6-/10

He is the generic vigilante character. I really like his backstory involving Ana and Gabriel, those 3 have a really good dynamic. Personality wise he is so generic but i think that was the point? Oh and he is gay i guess.. they could have explored that a bit more even though it's not a really big and important part of his character. Kinda bland in the game, i never play him. 6-/10, good on you, gramps.

Sombra: 9+/10

I don't like her fanon portrayal. I get that she has really funny lines but can we stop acting like she is a gremlin and not an actual threat. I really like her personality and her snarky and belittling comments, she clearly sees herself so much superior than everyone else. She is unapologetically a bastard. That being said, I truly think she cares for other people, maybe not many people, but still some people. Was not a big fan of her "portrayal in the "Searching" comic. I really love her OW1 design, a stealth character being covered in neon LED lights is so funny. Not that big of a fan of her OW2 design though. She is my 3rd most played character and i love her kit, and i am anxiously waiting for her rework. 9+/10, never change you magnificent bastard

Satya "Symmetra" Vaswani: 10/10

This character is so important to me, and i love her a lot. She is the character that got me into Overwatch, so she kinda changed my life lmao. She is such a multi dimensional character and i am eagerly awaiting for her storyline in OW2. She is a really beautiful character, but i think her design could be improved in OW2. She is my 2nd most played character and my controversial opinion is that she deserves another rework, she feels so clunky to play compared to other characters. 10/10, you deserve way more love.

Torbjörn Lindholm: 8/10

The meme man himself, Torbjörn is a surprisingly well written character. Being one of the creators of the omnics, his viewpoint of this whole charade is super interesting. He is a hilarious and nasty old man, with the most memeable voice lines in the game. His OW2 design has such nordic dad vibes, i appreciate it a lot. I almost never play him, but he is very fun. 8/10, don't get caught with your beard in the letterbox.

Lena "Tracer" Oxton: 7/10

Culturally a very iconic character, seeing a lesbian character being the poster girl for one of the biggest games in the world was so cool. She is such a energetic ray of sunshine. She just makes me happy. Really dig her design, they really nailed her vibe. The "London Calling" comics were a waste of comics imo. Nothing else to say, she is funky in and out of the game. 7/10, her death screams sound like Link from The Legend Of Zelda.

Amélie "Widowmaker" Lacroix: 9+/10

Widowmaker really is held back by being called "emotionless", because she is not. Detached of her sentiment is much more accurate way of describing her. She is a really proud and boastful lady with an ego the size of Reinhardt. In my opinion her design fits her, because she is so prideful and she definitely thinks herself as the sexiest being in the world. Nobody can tell her shit. Really interested to see what they will do with her in OW2, but personally i don't think she needs a redemption. She is my most played character with almost 500 hours for her. 9+/10, je ne parle pas français.

Winston: 8/10

A scientist. Everyone loves Winston Overwatch. He is such a really cool dude and he really pulls you into the story in every animated short he is in. Can't believe his siblings killed his dad.. that's brutal, man. I never play him. 8/10, no monkey business.

Hammond "Wrecking Ball": 0/10

Literally such a pointless character, he doesn't need to exist. They could have released Sojourn instead of him. Convinced the only reason he exists is because of the plushies. I hope he gets eaten by a snake in OW2. He is so annoying in the game and i love ruining people's day who play him by playing Sombra. 0/10, go away, snake food.

[thecrenellations]

Return of the Thief Notes, Part One: The Book of Pheris, Volume I

Notes from my first read, October 2020. (Part Two | Part Three | TaT)

Contents:  "So, so, so” watch, Costis watch, swearing, trashing the king’s attendants, being objectively wrong, boundless enthusiasm and love 

I promise I’ve had more developed thoughts since these often incoherent ones, but I’ve enjoyed having these notes to refer to - for sentimental reasons and for  entertainment, so here they are, for others who enjoy liveblogs and/or being whisked back in time to their first read of this wonderful book.

Format: Page number. My thoughts (Context?)

Dedication, Table of Contents, Exordium:

There it is – to Sounis

Exordium – vocab #1

Interregnum?!? Alyta?

Pheris!!!

Yeah I love him from the first page

MOIRA

MOCKING COMMENTS HELP! Gen lives!

A new level of unreliable narrator

Moira, messages of Gods, Pheris, messages of __

Wtf is going on in this study? A zoo?

high king vs great king vs annux?

okie dokie dude

Chapter 1

1. Susa – Costis

2. Infirmity – who gets to be hero/tell story (I started reading right after the book launch, in which mwt spent some time talking about her writing influences and decisions connect to this question - Pheris isn’t her first disabled protagonist and storyteller, of course, but it was lovely to meet him properly directly after hearing her talk about it. Book launch foreshadowing part 1...)

Melisande?

Is this why he wasn’t taught to read?

3. Always the summer

Bees!

4. Hunting cat… hm…

Ok … shrine … 😬

5. Once again we start with a disaster or having to flee

Which Eugenides precipitated

Bite!

Little monster :(

6. Falling…

:(

7. :( :( :(

His purpose? D:

8. YIKES

Chapter 2

9. Hello there! (Gen!)

Massive chair?

10. CRACKED WATER JUG (amphora motif???)

11. Triangle from seal!

Gen that’s rude to Pheris :( (“He will fit in very well with my attendants”)

Wait. This must have happened before ACoK! (nope)

12. :(

Xikander … never made an impression before

How old is Pheris? (lol)

13. Philologos come thru!

Royal closet reappears!

14. Hello weird secondhand scene!

He is Eugenides

Marina…

15. Petrus? GALEN? OH SHIT! 

Is this why Galen was called? (nope)

16. Hell yea Petrus

Miras’ golden balls oh no

All these previously unnamed sucky attendants!

17. Ula – goddess of hearth and healing

Ok … Galen … or a god? Eugenides????? (why did these options occur to me before Mr. Shows Up At Your Bedside At Night himself)

18. Finally the attendant floor plans I crave + hunting scenes!

19. EXCUSE ME he slept through Sounis + Eddis wedding!!!

Again – high king!

20. So Ion is beautiful … hmm.

Yeah … Sejanus has facets. I like it.

21. Clearly no one would know what king would do … lol

Don’t mind me just sorting the attendants on a spectrum of awfulness!!!

22. SO SO SO – ION!!!!!

How many fucking attendants are there and how many are on my hit list!

Is “the necessaries” bathrooms or like … him stealing? (just the bathrooms ... the Gen-Pheris parallels were really getting to me at this point)

:(

23. OH MY GOD THE UNIFIED CREST

Also … frogs. Frogs.

24. Big day for Gen huh

Definitely an aura of Something as he writes about Gen

25. HELLO EVERYONE

26. Sorry Kamet, Pheris does the physical descriptions better. They’re beautiful

I’m blacking out at Eddis and Sounis

27. Jesus Christ. The bear.

Cousin time!

Under the table is the new up on the roof!

Uh… twin imagery ….

Gen’s feet!

Jesus. The matching

28. Cleon … wtf? A cousin?

A trial for Sophos?

Show! Us! Sophos’s! Shoes!

29. If u throw things out the air shaft you might hit the king

Was it a chicken?

Lol nvm the guy at night is Gen. That is … very sweet

- Showing up at night

- Accent

- Complaining about Petrus

- Swearing

- One hand

I am judging Costis and Sophos for not describing the paneling in Gen’s room!

Chapter 3

30. Was it a chicken?

An earring huh, good hand huh

31. Literally screaming “NO!” at Gen. Don’t joke about dying! I am killed by Gen on annux day. This is. My boy. Yes he is perfect. Yes he will refuse to get up. I love him. I died on page 31

Philologos is still the best of them

32. Dancing bear indeed

Always the powdered gold

Ruby!!!!! <3

Aww a smile!!! <3

Pheris he likes you!

33. They both love invisibility and lost it … I cry

Erupt like the sacred mountain excuse me!

OR WORSE return to bed! Lol

34. He’s Eugenides when he’s talking to Attolia

Ouch hero talk

! from Irene!

My queen!

Hey Phresine!

They way we do <3 he’s hating it but he’s so comfortable with her

Sister and bro mention! C’mon!

I love them

EYEBROW

35. Honestly that’s a yes (“I have no idea what you mean, my queen”)

It’s so cute they hang out in the morning … like how long was it even since they’ve seen each other lol

:( tough walk for Pheris

Is it prophecy time?

Lol how long does this construction take?!

Also … she’s pregnant, huh? but no one knows (nope)

Is befriending someone weaponized as a prank count for Gen’s enemies to friends list?

Also SHOW ME the magus. I know he’s here!

36. Pheris excuse me, why not recreate this!

Lol cast off language of history indeed

Feel the thrum of the goddess!

EXCUSE ME… a minor goddess? Mystery goddess? Or Philia?

Oh Gen

37. Well, Gen, someone is having a worse day than you.

Damn, how far we come.

Aww Sounis, babe, I love you and so does Gen

[drawing of the four of them sitting in a row]

38. Artadorus???? Pomegranate?

39. HEIRO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A friend! Also lol. Two smiles, for Pheris and Heiro..

40. Yesss Melheret joke in action.

Costis has left tho right?

Jesus, Melheret

SHE GAVE HIM A HORSE (I COULD NOT DEAL with this entire conversation, but then again I could not deal with this whole book.)

41. I love them all so much

“on that horse, you will look like a king” I can’t with her sense of humor

He sure did say that

I feel like I’m missing something with the fight on foot thing … remembering battles?

Helen called him Gen!

Sophos stop talking about yourself and bringing apricots into everything lol

Lol these bystanders don’t know how lucky they are. Nor does Pheris, yet

42. She’s protecting him

Also … Gen … you didn’t want to be a soldier.

43. Guards have capes

2 startled men … hm …

Oh Gen. The fucking brutal echoes…

44. :( :( :(

Gen tell your wife you’re sick!

The attendants are so dumb

45. So, so, so :(

Tell who? Petrus?

Wink!

Yes?

46. Bleeding! Salt! Lemon! Heck no! What is he, a piece of meat?

Oranges?

47. “savoring each bite as if it were my last” ... Same … but with this book

Hmm… Alyta! Goddess of the gentle rain! (despite this “hmm,” I did not put the pieces together)

48. Oh no Teleus! And someone?

Aw he realized <3 lemon water

49. Gen eat your broth lol

50. I love them.

Ion’s really trying to make up for what he did that one time

51. Without the approval of the great goddess HAHAHA

I love them. Cousin time! Growl?

Idk whether or not to be reassured, Gen.

Wow Cleon I do not like that. Also didn’t he die? (...)

Comma (“I am not, Eddis”)

Go smack him!

52. Gen I love you.

Helen I love you.

He’s so bad at self care but I love him

Chapter 4

55. love that our narrator just disappears and reappears

56. Attolia’s brother’s bedroom? Yikes. Ominous. A detail in a story we’ve already gotten, different every time <3

57. fucking attendants. 3 good ones. Medander you were beneath Costis’s notice before but I hate you. Costis didn’t have time for you or Xikos or Xikander and nor do I

58. interesting pawn talk!!!

59. <3 Pheris :(

The Gen comparisons though

:( :( :( :(

60. flamboyance <3

Cemphora bush

Bees

61. I love him

62. I love them

Also lol “Your majesty?”

63. Name … hm … (“I have deliberately omitted [my tutor’s] name here”)

64. more twin imagery I swear

WAIT … it was his birthday! Not just Annux day?!! Gen was born in late summer???

Attendant list thank you

65. laying it all out there, huh … (that one Gen quote)

Lol they’re the same but Pheris likes horses

66. Insellia! Hello nice to meet you

67. Gen that’s mean. (“He is hardly even half of one.”)

68. Coleus leves???

“I am Eugenides.” <3

Gen why

69. Gold cups???? Hmmmmm. Also lioness. Def invoking Costis. (they’re probably not the cups, but STILL)

Earth….

70. Moira! Hi!!! Rainbow shawl!

Like a rabbit!

Pester!

I’m … very sad he uses his Attolian accent with Helen

71. Aaah so good

Mortals

Moira knows another messenger?

Does he think he can’t die in battle?

72. hmm are they WRANGLING?! (Galen and Petrus and my Fire and Hemlock word association)

Kill that pastry Irene I love you

morning training with his … guard? (Is that the whole guard or a guard? Costis senses tingling once again.)

73. Oh gen.

Ouch! (“to send people to their deaths and not risk my own is contemptible”)

Is she implying he’s paying Therespides?

74. Interesting Cleon plan. So many doubles

OUCH. (“Only if he comes back from the dead.” I assumed Lader had died in the war; it’s a different ouch now. I love that they both accidentally say things to each other that poke old wounds, and it’s not a big deal but it’s also not dismissed! Their relationship has come so far, and I love them so much.)

75. Verimius – Lavia – Celia??? Somebody is queer in there!

A GUARD

This scene confuses me. Xortix? Layteres? Aris! but dice thing is less political … so maybe? (just wait....)

76. So many reasons to hate Medander

Hey Costis! You exist! KoA happened!

Gen is just … still so uncomfortable and miserable. He chose, he has people, but still.

RIP Clopius also WHAT

77. Lol Hilarion’s grand statements

78. Yorn Fordad Hello!

Luxurious mustache

The mighty Pents?

Besin Quedue – she’s coming 4 you watch out

79. RIP Baron Hippias

Chapter 5

80. Spring! Plays! Cenna!

81. Oh dear

Oh dear

At least they said he was pretty

83. ?!? :( wine

Uh oh. Stockpiling

85. What even.

AAAAAAAAAH COSTIS

86. Omg Irene. Hissing. I love her.

Also … Gen’s the viper

Also this scene was written by Pheris.

Damn.

87. oh no.

What better man

She fucking quoted Howl. I love them.

Also, bees (this scene killed me)

90. Falling?

Oh shit

Also … Juridius and Pheris, Susa and Costis (comparing demands for information)

93. oh my god (IT’S THE WINDOW SCENE)

Oh my god

Uh

94. She! Called! Him! Gen!

I love this and it scares me

Lol Chloe

Irene you learned from her though

95. D:

96. :(

97. water stuff

98. what the heck

OH NO (Quedue scene)

Hm

100. yikes

Omg

Wow.

102. yikes yikes YIKES

103. a blade has protruded from his chest (tbt to The Thief)

jesus

106. shit

Did Gen hit him?

108. lol Phresine

109. lol

I want genuinely every character’s reaction to this shit

Chapter 6

111. what the heck Gen.

112. like a god [crown doodle]

114. Perma?

116. Gen. Gen. Gen. Do not.

117. AAAA (god intervention)

122. Juridius to Dite

124. bye Iolanthe and Ileia! Tell us about Caeta and Silla.

125. did not expect so much Ion

Chapter 7

127. Fryst god of winter

She laughed!

They’re so married

128. OH SHIT (Costis ship is sighted and I remember what’s about to happen next)

Interesting timing

He rode the horse home?

131. Beauty and good, beauty and kind

134. The gods’ goodwill

Keep them safe <3

135. Is that his MOM?!! Wtf (it was!)

Pheris steal those earrings!!!

RING! SMASH BOX!

137. AMPHORA EARRINGS (and flowers)

138. I love Phresine

139. Why do I feel like all the game birds are pigeons

140. meanwhile Gen’s been hanging out with Kamet. Shit. I cannot.

WELCOME HOME BOYS!

HELL YEAH KAMET ATTEND THOSE MEETINGS!

RELIUS COME THRU

141. lethium soup! The reversal

Safe for you

142. of course he knew <3

143. Kamet time! I love him. We get to see Kamet!!!

Also … echo of Gen’s notes on Mede

145. very handsome. … gaycostis vindication (referring to @costis’s url at the time and this post. Little did I know what else was to come in the next chapter and then a few months later with the adaptation news...)

Do you know who I am?

Chapter 8

147. Of course he’s a cartographer

A favorite huh

148. of course she didn’t tell us his age!

149. the angsty window staring I crave

Music!

151. adventure, huh

I do have a soft spot for Melheret

152. concerned about amphora gift

153. Glad they can be well and united in spite!! (Gen and Melheret)

154. Pheris loves math and I love him

155. Hello Teleus. Hello olives

Lol Relius is not into math

156. pigeons. Inkpot!

157. yeah honestly. He tortures people. He was NOT tortured by the king

159. lol (“I have noted the elective nature of certain behaviors” ... I love Relius and Pheris.)

160. The Invitation! I <3 it

161. EXCUSE ME WHO

Legarus!

FOLKS HERE WE ARE (I cannot overstate how wonderful it was to read this page. I did not know who the poem was from, and “Someone loves me very much, even with all my faults” is even sweeter to reread, but it’s just ... his confidence is so different from the tentative consideration of a new philosophy of trust and love we see in KoA. And there is subtextual queerness in the books before this one, some more apparent and some more subtle (and what is obvious to one reader may be subtle or invisible to another, in these books especially), and there is the attendant love triangle a few chapters back, but HERE - here, Pheris acknowledges the real feeling and love in Legarus’s disastrous relationship and tells us directly that his lover was a man, here he seamlessly makes it clear how bi and poly Relius is, and he quietly ties these relationships and realities to his growing understanding of the world. It’s not subtext. And there’s a lot more to come, but this page really hit me, and sort of promised the “more to come” while assuring me that what had come before, more subtly, was there. I used to have heteronormative readings of both these books and myself, and when Thick as Thieves brought them crashing back into my heart after years away, I knew better about myself, and I saw that - or the possibility of that reading -  reflected in the new book, and it was such a good surprise. It meant a lot, and this page meant a lot, and that is why I’m writing a small essay to accompany this note.) 

Lol wow

162. Where are you traveling, man (this question remains)

163. Fuck you, Orutus

164. Stole an inkpot!

165. the map!!! (Kamet’s)

166. I love them!

167. The Math Master hmm

Am I an oracle (Nope! :) )

[overdrivels]

Self destruction and self sabotage seems to be Hanzo Shimada’s very own modus operandi. It’s not that he was not trustworthy—no, he is a man who could be given orders to and expected to complete them with professionalism and such efficiency it is hard to argue his place on the team regardless of how certain members felt about the arrangement—but his presence left many uneasy.

For all the orders and missions he completes, he still had a lot of learn about teamwork or at least entrusting his back to someone else. Genji chalks it up to being on the run while solo for ten years. Others are quick to blame his personality. One or two even think that it may just be a ploy of sorts (but those thoughts are never really voiced). There were several close calls of Hanzo nearly breaking someone's nose for coming too close unannounced or not communicating his position enough (leading to someone nearly shooting him) only strengthens people's unvoiced doubts. 

Regardless, it was decided by the powers that be (Winston) that the benefits outweigh the risks and still assigned Hanzo to group missions. 

Like now. 

Hanzo nearly chokes on his breath when he spots the blur from the corner of his eye. Too fast. Dangerous. He pulls hard on his bow string, spins sharply— 

The muscles on his shoulders spasm with the abruptness in which he forces himself to stop. His heart hammers in his throat and head, frantic with a visceral fear that he had not felt in a long time. It almost makes him want to vomit. He barely avoids letting loose an arrow straight into your helmet. 

Especially when you amble toward him, nonchalant in that pangolin hardlight suit of yours, hands together like the meek animal you represent, unaware of the danger you just were in, unaware you were just a hair away from death by his hands and if he had realized who you were a moment too late, you wouldn't even be standing or breathing or kneeling next to him or able to use your voice to ask:

"Are you all right, Hanzo?"

He slaps away your hand, barely aware of the fiery sting of his forearm. 

"Get away," he snarls between panicked gasps. 

Emotions make an assassin inefficient. An inefficient assassin is a liability. Liabilities need to be disposed. 

He barely notices the appraising look on your face, too focused on steering himself away from his weaknesses as a professional. 

"Excuse me."

So he could be forgiven for nearly smashing his elbow into your face when you grab him by the waist and hoist him over your shoulder. Hands scrambling, he seeks leverage to throw you from his position—he's done it before on bigger and stronger opponents—but the armor is smooth, the momentum too little, your grip a little too skillful, and the intent and motion too gentle. 

You begin to run and not a moment later, the sound of gunfire follows. Snapping out of his head for a moment, he shouts, “What are you doing?”

“Saving you. Watch your head.”

He ducks just in time to avoid getting hit in the head by a metal bar twisted out from it's structure. 

He could easily break your arms and choke you in at least thirty different ways, but you manhandle him like you don't care. 

“I could kill you," he hisses as menacingly as he can. It's not just to remind you but to remind himself, will his body into action. He does not need to be rescued or carried. This sort of thing is for damsels in distress, injured persons, or the dead, and he is certainly none of the above. 

“Yeah, I know. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t, but just in case, I already have my will and power of attorney set up."

For once, Hanzo is completely dumbstruck, staring down at your profile. The blatant disregard for his threats seem to be almost on-par with some of the other agents who act like he isn't as dangerous as he truly is. But he never got a handle on you or your thoughts on having a brother killer on the team. Your reaction would be funny if you weren't both running for your lives, pursuers audibly behind you. 

Using what little leverage he has, Hanzo disposes of his useless thoughts, swings his bow over your head and focuses on what he can do best: killing. 

With you to absorb any attacks with your Pangolin suit, he only has to worry about accurate headshots from the enemies, and at this distance, they weren't going to accomplish that any time soon. Your scales were raised, able to deflect the full brunt of any stray bullets that came for his face. 

The suit is just an over glorified suit of sectored hardlight armor, scales that form out of everywhere and can fire like a porcupine. In truth, it's a mess. Something that would be worthy of being called "Junker quality". 

Regardless, it did its job long enough for you to carry him to relative safety and for him to take his shots, bringing the numbers down enough for Soldier: 76 and Mercy to take the remainder down from behind. A beautiful, but unexpected, pincer. 

Even you give a satisfied hum, hands together and head bowed much like one of those ass-kissers back at Shimada Castle.

And your words, "We did pretty nicely," cements that thought even further, and he snarls, yanking his head away from the view of the other two approaching to make his way back to the ship. With or without you. 

He expects this to be the last time he'll ever have to get manhandled or carried to 'safety'. 

So needless to say, Hanzo gets surprised again when you jump in front of him during another, more harrowing mission, the sound of pulse bullets smashing into your armor, but his recovery is quicker as his mind snaps the situation into clarity. 

He fires off three arrows right at you. By some trick, they twist around your helmet. Each make their mark, to his glee, and the rocking explosion resulting from the damaged reactor would’ve knocked him to the ground if you did not position yourself in front of him. 

Through the stream of smoke and dust, he can see the bodies of his fallen enemies, thrown to the ground like ragdolls. 

Mission accomplished. The reactor is destroyed. 

But his relief is short lived when you turn again. The entire backside of your armor has been burnt off, revealing the crackling technology beneath it. And his victory curdles into rage. 

"Why did you do that!?"

It allowed him to take that shot, yes, but he could have dodged and found another opportunity that was not fraught with risks and potential bullet holes through anyone. 

No, he's not grateful even if your timely appearance did end the mission quickly. 

You merely shrug at him, press some buttons to regenerate the bullet bitten scales of your suit. 

He refuses to thank you for it. Or say anything else for the matter. 

The next time you cover him—serving as his decoy more like, you're shot in the head. The force of it takes off your helmet. 

Parts of it shatters, crystalline shards of hard light fall around you, shimmering in light. If the situation were not so sure, he might have thought it beautiful. 

But as it is, the illusion is broken. You tuck and roll out of harm's way just as a rain of shrapnel comes down on you. Hanzo's arrows manage to fell them, allowing you to make your way to him without losing your head. 

A very small head.

The contrast between your bare face and the rest of you is almost humorous. You're so much smaller than your armor would imply. That's a given, of course. Reinhardt and Brigitte are much smaller outside of their suits, but both hold themselves proudly, their personalities matching and exceeding the size of the suits they both wear. 

But you're...you. Neither so strong in will or personality that it makes up for the gap between your current size and the size that the armor portrays. 

Hanzo has seen you meander through the halls, posture weak and hands together. If he didn't know any better, he'd think you some ghost from Overwatch past, tossed and lost in the stream of time. 

But you're here, beside him, watching out with a deceptively lazy gaze. He can't tell what's in your head or why you even care enough to stick by him. Is it because he's a liability? Or because he's a killer and you're keeping tabs on him? Or could it be that you are just waiting to stab him in the back? 

Hanzo dares another glance at you, still watching out over the distance, unaware or uncaring of his scrutiny. Empty. Your head must be empty. 

"They're coming. Let's go," you say suddenly. Snapping his attention back to the horizon, he sees that their targets have indeed regrouped and are making their way towards you both. He huffs, annoyed he didn't notice first and makes his way down with you hovering at his back. 

He's reluctant to say he's gotten used to you covering him. Hanzo barely reacts during another mission when an enemy appears at his back just as he lines up his perfect shot. He feels the ground vibrate, guns firing but never feels the impact, and the enemy hit the ground with a loud shout. Inelegant, but effective. He's not surprised when he turns around to see you behind him, your back to his like you trust him. 

It is a dangerous thing: trusting someone with your back. One could never know if that trust would ever be misplaced. Or if that trust will make him weak. A lonely night with his inner musings and a bottle helps him make up his mind. 

Nipping it in the bud, so to speak, he asks Winston to stop putting the two of you together on missions. To which he gets a very deadpan look that makes him just slightly regret asking. 

"Agent Hanzo, if there is an issue, I'd like it to be taken care of between the both of you or have it brought up now so we can handle it. With as few agents as there are, we cannot afford to be infighting or choosey about partners."

"...I understand," he says through gritted teeth. Hanzo leaves with nothing done except making it clear to Winston he has an issue with you that he isn't even brave enough to confront you about himself. 

It doesn't take him long to find you alone in the kitchen, slowly eating what seems to be a late lunch, the wrapper of some meal wrinkled on the table. 

"Cease what you're doing."

You look up at him incredulously, a fry hovering precariously off your fork halfway to your mouth. "Eating?"

"No." He wonders if you're being obtuse on purpose or if this is just how you are. "No. I ask you stop covering me on the field. It interferes with my work."

Slowly, the fork comes further down onto your plate as you squints harder and harder at him, measuring his request. A prickle straightens his spine and he refuses to take back his words or feel remotely bad for telling you to stop doing your job. 

You rub your face for a moment, the cheeriness and glow in your eyes wiped away, replaced by a look that Hanzo knows all too well: one that screams, ‘I need a drink’. 

"You know I can't stop protecting you."

Unconsciously, his upper lip curls. "I never asked for your protection."

"Genji did."

Time stops. 

It could have been a fraction of a second, a million years, he doesn't know. The words bounce in his brain, growing louder with each echo, the defeated tone twisting itself into mockery.

He’s a Shimada, not a coward. But the moment those two words left your mouth, he could not stop himself. In an instant, he has you by the collar, pressed against the wall. The clothes you wear becomes your noose as he curls his hands into them as if that'll be enough to silent you. 

“What. Did you just say.”

Even now, you look upon him dispassionately. Even when you struggle to give a voice to your explanation, face red—nearly purple, your demeanor is not shaken. “Gen..ji, asked-d me. 'Pro...tect Hanz..o-o. No matt-matter what he’s done. He’s...still my br..other. I forgave...h—'” 

You choke on your words when Hanzo slams you against the wall again. Twice, thrice, four times until he’s sure you’re not going to speak anymore of the accursed words he loathed to hear from anyone. 

It’s a lie.

A lie.

An insult.

Genji is making fun of him again. 

Touting that he’s better. 

He was always more recognized. 

Always had father’s attention. 

Always fawned over by their peers. 

Always watched by their elders. 

And now he wants to flaunt it again. 

That he’s survived death and he’s stronger and deems Hanzo so worthless that he requires protection. 

Protection from what. 

Hanzo was the one who received all the awards, the honors, the higher marks, killed the most, gotten the most targets, the envy of those who would consider themselves his peers, the right to inherit his father's position, the clan.

And yet— 

Yet…

With an animalistic yell, he slams you against the wall once more, a resounding crack covered up by his voice before he just drops you and flees the room, desperate to drown the renewed flames of his fury in alcohol. 

[raccoonpatriotism]

📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂📂

Random, Useless Headcanons | Accepting

i like how i keep labeling this meme as “accepting” when i have…. 260 of these right here.

1: Has he driven a car before? Yes. Should he be allowed to keep driving? No.

2: You know that “I’m washing me and my clothes!” vine? That’s Jane. It’s efficient.

3: If you gave him Cat Food he’d say it’s the best thing he’d ever tasted.

4: Before going to Poland to serve his time, he hired a sex worker. Her touch would be the last non-violent physical contact he would feel for the next 9 or so years.

5: 

6: He donates a healthy sum of his paychecks to wild animal and veteran charities. 

7: Jane’s ‘friendship’ with Merasmus is the longest relationship he’s ever held.

8: Jane doesn’t believe in the number 8.

9: He doesn’t have any titty mags, but he does have tasteful pin-up for the inside of his locker.

10: He’s an excellent swimmer - but will sometimes forget to hold his breath. 

11: Getting Jane to imprint on you like a baby bird is really easy. Be strong, be patriotic, be funny, be determined. 

12: He trusts everything he’s told from someone he views as a friend.

13: He’s been on BLU before - it was brief.., a WAR! got started and ended. A few years went by and he was balanced to RED

14: Continuation of 13, it was… very easy to get him to believe he was always on RED team.

15: He loves fighting robots - but nothing compares to the feeling of a neck snapping in his hands.

16: He taught himself how to use every weapon he came across in Poland - it took a few years before he ran into a rocket launcher…. His life was changed from that moment onward.

17: His knowledge of the US military comes from tv and stories from veteran home he was forced to work at through his older years at the orphanage. (Outdated or complete bullshit.)

18: The liveliness of America is just one of the innumerable reasons he loves the country. Even things he hates (like.. war protesters/hippies) have this determination in them that makes him proud.

19: He’ll pick ear wax out of his ear, sniff it, grimace, and happily hold the finger out to somebody near him.

20: He only wants the best for you.

21: Getting him to realize he’s actually ended civilian’s lives is a conversation that would take over an hour. His brain has the wildest, irrationally rational excuses ever. (”Officer Miss Pauling, what I am about to say will SHOCK you; I was framed” will never make me not lose my mind. ilove him)

22: His moral compass is, admittedly, terrible, but he genuinely wants the best for people in the world.

23: Helping people, serving his country, that’s his goal. That all he wants out of life. He’s a cog in the machine of war and he loves it.

24: Consequences don’t exist in Jane’s world.

25: He’s so fucking bisexual. This headcanon is not useless at all.

26: Jane snores like a chainsaw - and will then be absolutely silent for spaces of minutes.

27: He never covers his face when he sneezes.

28: He’s very touchy feely - A way to make up for what he so clearly craves.

29: But god this man wants to be touched.

30: As much as Jane holds back on admitting to weakness, he’s also just a genuinely honest guy so simple prodding usually gets him to spill.

31: Jane has never purposefully manipulated someone in his life.

32: He’s only ever seen one movie. Well, more like registered he always zones out at some point. Sometimes starting the movie in a day dream and zoning back in to catch the ending. The movie he’s fully seen was watched through 3 separate sessions.

33: War films, what he does catch, always make him cry.

34: With everyone he meets; Jane immediately thinks of two things. How to kill them. And what to say when holding their guts into their dying corpse and crying to the sky.

35: He has no idea he’s beautiful.

36: Jane doesn’t have a self-effacing bone in his body.

37: He chews with his mouth open, and speaks with his mouth full. He’ll also snap at someone else to stop talking with their mouth full, it’s disrespectful.

38: Jane had a dream where he beat Communism and thought it was true for a whole year.

39: He’s not dumb on purpose. He has nothing to gain by making people think he’s an idiot, as far as he’s concerned. He acts like himself 24/7

40: Jane invented that song Fifty Nifty United States song that’s song in elementary schools.

41: You know those kiddie leashes? You could put one of those on Jane and he wouldn’t be, like, “Okay.” Try and run off and be like “What contraption is holding me here?!?!?!”

42: The answer to life, the universe, and everything is American Apple Pie

43: i just realized im gonna get to answer a headcanon 69 and got excited. UHH jane likes the color red.

44: Jane likes the color blue.

45: Jane likes the color white.

46: Jane loves all skin colors, anybody can be American.

47: Has he retained any American history? Haha. Ha. No.

48: Jane was taken out of elementary school for bad behavior, lack of attention, and general ruckus.

49: His orphanage never tried to send him back to any schooling. 

50: Jane was born July 4th, he doesn’t know that, despite claiming it.

51: He’s not an amnesiac - he’s never had a strong sense for long-term memories. 

52: God, he loves bread.

53: And also he loves taking everything Engineer says literally. He’s such a wise American.

54: Jane would absolute trollface and say “Problem?”

55: He would never say a slur.

56: Jane does not use fuck as a curse ever. He’ll say it, but like, to mean, y’know.

57: He’s a follower, don’t tell him that. He’ll get offended. 

58: Jane is convinced the President is the most powerful being in the world, and is also granted special powers.

59: Jane is progressive, baybee. He thinks dogs should vote!!

60: UNLESS IT HAS TO DO WITH WAR. Then he’s, like, a total bootlicker.

61: He’ll beat up racists in bars.

62: Jane really came alive during Grey Mann’s first robot attacks - for the second time he felt like he was protecting America and not some Very Important American Gravel. 

63: If Jane ever got sentenced to prison, he’d just serve his time.

64: He has Lawyer Powers given to him by magic, and he is not afraid to use them.

65: Besides Scout, he has represented himself, Lt. Bites, and the state of Tennessee in court.

66: He was a bad roommate, he genuinely thought Merasmus was an even worse roommate. 

67: Extreme Cold is a surefire way to trigger his PTSD. He doesn’t act all that different verbally, but he becomes entire still. Not even moving to shiver. It’s like he automatically transfers to late stage hypothermia.

68: Jane may have never played baseball, but he’s briefly been on a bowling team.

69: ayyyyy. Jane always returns the favor, if ya know what i mean.

70: I can’t tell you how much he can lift because I know nothing about fitness, but it’s a lot. And it’s impressive. 

71: Jane practices unsafe workout routines! It’s a miracle lifting without a spotter hasn’t killed him yet.

72: He makes up for his genuine stupidity with Pure Luck.

73: He’ll kill, he’ll maim, but he won’t assault. 

74: Jane’s favorite chocolate is Hershey’s.

75: He’s convinced Milton Hershey, founder of Hershey’s Chocolate, was a President despite him being alive in Jane’s lifetime.

76: Jane isn’t afraid of gay thoughts, never payed attention to period typical homophobia going on around him therefor never got a chance to develop it.

77: Jane would totally be the type of guy to see one of those Fireman Calendars and zone out staring at some dudes pecs and someone asks him if he’s okay and he’s like “I’m ogay.”

78: It’s a miracle, the first time Jane rocket jumped, his legs weren’t blown off. He was injured from the fall, surprised he’d gotten air at all. It was an accident and, while he’d never go to recreate it during his time in Poland, when he’d gotten hooked up to respawn and he saw all the high perches, the trick reoccured to him.

79: He loved Tavish so much

80: He was born in Tennessee, although he grew up in Wisconsin.

81: He’ll make odd little sounds - aborted sentences, thoughts lost to the depths of his brain. You can point them out and he’ll have no idea what you’re talking about.

82: He could have a possum mixed in with his raccoons and think it’s a raccoon.

83: He takes his Ranger Job very seriously. Just as serious as he does all his jobs. (So, you know. Not… very.) He is very enthusiastic at least!

84: He’s not empathetic at all, however energies at Large in a room really affect him. Chances are, if everyone’s in good favor, he’ll be really happy and relaxed - even if previously grumpy.

85: Jane can be really grumpy, that’s when his drill sergeant personality shines through - more often than not, he’s just a good natured loud patriot rolling with the punches of life.

86: He believes in the Judeo-Christian God, but also… believes the president is stronger than God? Sometimes? Depends on the situation. What is blasphemy haha?!?

87: Jane always wanted a puppy - meeting Bites, future Lieutenant, was like a dream come true to him.

88: Plus, he’d always liked raccoons - often responsible for tipping over dumpsters at his orphanage to help the little critters.

89: Jane can and will eat out of the garbage if not stopped.

90: He’s very passionate and strict about what he knows are fact (the issue is, facts can change pretty easily in jane’s head.

91: Good thing he has a helmet because Jane’s puppy-dog eyes are the sort that are clearly un-practiced and unintentional and thus made all the more soul-wrenching. 

92: He’s always surprised by doorbells.

93: Jane would never smoke weed of his own volition, but under the influence, everything would make So Much Sense to him.

94: I’m talking the wildest stoner sayings, that always are so structurally sound it’s scary.

95: This man loves cashews.

96: “Mm crunchy things.. good.” - Shared thought by Jane and Lt. Bites.

97: Lt. Bites likes to curl up on Jane’s stomach when he’s sleeping. Jane often wakes up with his face covered in scratches and fur in his mouth. Much like the Soldier, the Lieutenant isn’t quite a sound sleeper.

98: Fuck, like, he loves cashews so much? The texture is amazing.

99: Jane has no illegitimate or legitimate children.

100: Jane loves his team almost as much as he loves America.

101: IF YOU MADE IT THIS FAR scroll back up and read everything, LOSER otherwise… wow………you love soldier. me too…… 

CONTINUED HERE

[zarcake-writes]

Hey, how about soldier 76 req where reader's family has been bugging her to show them her boyfriend but she doesnt have one. So Soldier offers his help to pretend to be her boyfriend because deep down he has a super huge crush on her and she does too?? Thanks luv!

So, I wrote this for Jack Morrison, hope that’s fine with you. You guys seem to love Jack, because this was like my third request in a row for him lol. But I hope you enjoy this!

Warnings: some angst and fluff

You stared up at your ceiling andsighed. You glanced at your phone and reread the message from your mom. She meantwell, but these messages always upset you. They always stung.

‘Hey sweetheart! Can’t wait to see you this weekend. Also, Ihope you bring a boyfriend this time. Love you.’

“Yeah, sure,” you scoffed.

You wanted to bring someone. Youliked men, you did. But, working in Overwatch makes it hard to date. Menoutside of the organization were way too excited to date you or they wereintimidated by you and those you worked with. And dating within the organizationwas frowned upon, there weren’t any rules against it, but it wasn’t a goodidea. The whole thing about dating coworkers being bad was used here.

You got up and decided to forgetabout it. You would go to the family get together, your family would ask overand over if you’re dating, some would ask if you were a lesbian, while otherswould just giggle. Some would comment that your body was too manly, otherswould give you a look of pity and say the right man will come along. These thoughtsleft a sour look on your face and you weren’t looking where you were going.

You found yourself outside ofMorrison’s office. Jack. He was your best friend, you both worked closelytogether. He was a sweet man, he cared about everyone on his team and everyonehe met. He was tall and handsome. With blonde hair and these beautiful blueeyes. He had a charming smile and… You had a huge crush on him. But a man likethat wouldn’t be interested in you. Not someone who can fight just as good ashim, someone who was all muscle and scars. No, he wasn’t interested in you. Youtook a deep breath and knocked on his door. When you heard him yell enter, youquickly went inside.

“Hey you, you alright?” Jack asked.He was at his desk doing paperwork. That’s all he ever seemed to do.

“Kind of. Just family stuff,” youhuffed. You threw yourself on his couch and let out a dramatic sigh. Jackchuckled.

“What’s going on?”

“I have that get together thisweekend, it’s an annual family thing. And every year I’m asked to bring myboyfriend. But every year, I don’t have one. And now it’s just a huge familyjoke,” you said. You let out a sigh and rubbed your face.

“And your family laughs at you?” Jackasked. He sounded annoyed with that.

“Yeah. They’ll ask, ‘Oh bring anyone?’or say ‘Don’t worry. I’m sure some man will fall for you’. I don’t need a man. But, I wish I had one.”

Jack stood up from his desk andwalked towards you. You heard his boots echo against the floor, you didn’t lookup at him when he stopped in front of you. Jack sat you up and sat beside you,you leaned against him and sighed.

“I might have an answer to yourdilemma,” he said softly.

“What? You going to pull a boyfriendout of that trench coat of yours?” you asked dryly.

“Better. Why don’t you say I’m yourboyfriend? That way, your family can leave you alone for a bit,” Jack said. Youlooked up at him and saw he was starring at you, he had a slight blush on hisface. Jesus what was I thinking? Why did I say that? Jack screamed in his mind.He was smooth around so many women, except you.

“You want to pretend, to be myboyfriend?” you asked. You could feel your face heat up at the thought.

“Yeah.” Before you could reply, yourphone went off again. It was your aunt. You scowled at the message.

‘Hey sweetie, I know you go alone to these events, but yourmom is insisting I ask if you’re bringing someone. Gosh, how silly of her. Weall know you won’t!’

“That bitch,” you growled. Jack readthe message and he looked at you, that angry look on your face made him smirkand his heart pound.

“Tell her, you are in fact bringingsomeone. And let’s take a selfie,” Jack said. He had a mischievous look in hiseyes.

“Alright.” You quickly typed outyour reply and took a cute selfie with Jack. You knew you would be getting tonsof messages soon, but you didn’t care. Jack was your pretend boyfriend. Sure,it was only to get your family off your back, but your heart pounded at thethought.

“I’ll pack some clothes for thisweekend,” Jack said. You nodded and hugged him, he smiled down at you andhugged you back. He hoped you couldn’t hear or feel his pounding heart.

The day of the get together cameand your family went crazy. Not only did youshow up with a boyfriend, but it was Jack Morrison. Strike Commander ofOverwatch. For the first hour all the attention was on him, he handled it like apro. Pictures were taken and everyone wanted to talk to him. You were glad hewas used to handling situations like this. He was such a sweet man. The sightof that smile had your heart pounding.

“Won’t this make you look bad?” youasked him quietly. Most of your family was now leaving you both alone, but afew were still lingering nearby, no doubt posting the pictures online.

“Nah. I’ll just say it was amisunderstanding and I’m a friend or I’ll have the pictures removed,” he saidsoftly.

“You can do that?”

“Yup. What do you think happened tothose drunk pictures of Gabe and I that McCree posted?” he said.

“What drunk pictures?”

“Exactly,” he laughed. You nudgedhim and gave him a smile.

The party went wonderful. No snideremarks were sent your way, you received no pitiful looks. Jack kept an armaround your waist and everyone seemed happy. Until you had to walk away fromJack to go grab something. You walked by a room and heard people whispering.

“Jeez, did you see her arms? Shelooks like a man in a dress,” a voice scoffed. You looked down and frowned.Your dress showed off your arms and back. Jack helped you pick this one out.You were the only buff woman in your family, some of the guys were buff but youworked out more than them.

“What does a guy like that see in a girl like her?” a second voice whispered.

“Right? It’s all probably a sham.He probably only felt sorry for her and came with her out of pity,” the firstvoice laughed. You heard enough and walked away.

Jack saw you walk out of the house,he saw the way you were hugging yourself and the upset look on your face. Hequickly excused himself and went after you. Jack found you outside digging inthe trunk of his car. He could tell you were trying to hold in your sobs.

“Sweetheart, you alright?” Jackasked. He had called you that all during the party. He couldn’t help but smileat the way your face lit up at that pet name. He loved that look on your face.

“Jack, don’t call me that,” you snapped.He could tell you were on the verge of crying. He saw you grabbed a sweater youbrought and pulled it on. He frowned when your nice arms and sexy backvanished.

“What’s wrong?” he asked. He grabbedyour wrist and stopped you from turning away from him.

“They’re all right. I’m so pathetic.I can’t even get a boyfriend, I had to bring a fake one. I’m so fucking stupidand ugly,” you sobbed. You covered your face with your hands. Jack pulled youto his chest and hugged you tightly. The sounds of your crying and the way youwere shaking broke the man’s heart.

“That’s not true. You’re beautiful.Every bit of you is. Your arms are sexy, your back is sexy, your scars are beautiful,the fact that you can kick my ass is a huge turn on. Every piece of you, iswonderful,” he said.

“What?” You looked up at himconfused. He wiped away your tears and gave you a soft smile, you could see hisface was getting pink.

“I like you, a lot. And I’ve alwaysbeen too afraid to say anything. That’s why I jumped at the chance for this,because I like you. And what your family says about you, it just shows they arejealous. They’re jealous of your job, your body, and everything about you.”

“You like me?” you asked.

“Yes. Very much in fact. Why do youthink I told you to wear that dress?” he asked softly. He gave you a smallsmile and you couldn’t help the way your face got hot.

“I like you, too.”

“Good. So, I hope you don’t mind ifI do this.” Jack leaned down and kissed your lips softly. You kissed him back,your hands wrapped around his neck and he hugged your waist tightly.

“Jack,” you said softly. You pulledaway and gazed up at him. His cheeks were pink but he was giving you a happysmirk.

“Let’s get out of here. I want toshow you, just how beautiful and sexy I think you are,” Jack said softly. You bityour lip and nodded your head, Jack only grinned back at you.

[prettyfunkyunorganized]

Christmas Daughter Series - Hanzo

MY BABIES!!! 

I know I said I wasn’t going to do any more Hanzo and Mirra posts until the first chapter of the fic came out, BUT IT’S CHRISTMAS AND THEY ARE MY BABIES!!! So have some fluff for Christmas Eve, just under 3,600 words worth. 

I will be doing more holiday stuff with the girls, but probably after the 25th. Cause I’m too damn busy. So busy. 

More Daughter Series: Hanzo, Reaper, Roadhog, McCree, Soldier 76, Genji

Hanzo installments: pt 1, pt 2,  pt 3

Christmas Daughter Series: Reaper, Roadhog

It had been years since Hanzo had been to a Christmas party, and he had not missed them. This time of year had never been his favorite – it usually meant public appearances with the Shimada family and strained holiday dinners. There were no decorated trees or wreaths adorned with bows, just judgmental questions about combat training and demeaning stares from across the room. The instant Winston had informed everyone there would be a small gettogether for anyone who remained on the base during the holidays, Hanzo was instantly trying to find an excuse to stay in his room. Unfortunately, Genji and Mirra would not allow him that luxury.

However, truth be told, this little gathering wasn’t too awful. Most of the evening Hanzo had been tucked away, a bit removed from everyone else, just watching. And listening. Mirra had been singing or humming all week, which had been wonderful. There was little he loved more than hearing her voice wafting through the air. Tonight, she and Lucio had been singing all night, harmonizing effortlessly and taking turns choosing songs. Hanzo had no idea there were so many Christmas songs. It was baffling. But entertaining. Mirra hadn’t stopped smiling all night, especially when she convinced Winston to sing with them. Never in a million years would Hanzo have guessed that the scientist would have a voice like that. The combination of Winston’s low tones, Lucio’s vibrant notes, and Mirra’s beautiful vocalizing left everyone in the room with goosebumps.

Most everyone on the team had sung at some point, the archer excluded, and now they had moved on to dancing. Mirra was elated when Lucio asked her to dance once the playlist changed to instrumentals. “About time I got to show off how this dress twirls,” she had said taking the DJ’s hand. Hanzo was suddenly acutely aware of how close the young man and his daughter were. Perhaps too close. His hand was always at an appropriate spot, but still. There may be cause for a few low-key threats.

Genji was quick to ask for the next dance. His green cyber-suit carefully moving next to Mirra’s swaying red dress almost gave Hanzo a bit of Christmas spirit. Almost. Emily, Lena’s girlfriend, was next, followed by Lena who’s long legs were suddenly not very graceful. Reinhardt pretended to put up a fight, but no one was convinced. Once the giant man was in the middle of the room, he was swinging Mirra around wildly while she laughed uncontrollably, feet hardly touching the ground. As she set her back down, the young woman wavered and nearly toppled over in a bout of dizziness. McCree darted over to catch her before Hanzo could cross the room.

“You alright, little lady,” McCree asked chuckling.

“Never better,” Mirra responding, still giggling.

“Sorry, little one,” Reinhardt said flashing an awkward smile, “I may have gotten a tad carried away.”

“You were fantastic, Rein, I just underestimated you! That was fun,” she replied with a wide smile.

“It was,” the former crusader boomed. “Thank you for asking me, dear. It has been a long time since I had someone who was willing to dance with this old codger.”

Mirra puffed out a raspberry at him, “Oh stop it. You’re an utter delight, Reinhardt! Maybe you just need to start doing the asking yourself. Anyone who says no will get an earful from me.”

Reinhardt’s laugh was so powerful it could start an avalanche. “Ah Mirra, you are too kind! And perhaps you are right. What do you say, one more dance?”

“Hey now,” McCree interjected, “you don’t get to hog our little songstress all to yerself.” The cowboy set down his guitar and put a hand on Mirra’s shoulder. “Tell me, cupcake, do you know how to swing dance?”

“Uh, no,” she said smiling up at him, “but I would love to learn. That is, if I won’t offend Rein too much by giving him a rain check on that second dance.”

“By all means,” the knight said with a bow, “I will leave you in Jesse’s capable hands.”

McCree grinned and showed Mirra a few simple steps, the red and green lights on serape blinking merrily. They are quite the festive sight. Jesse was rather trying at times, and his way of speaking drove Hanzo somewhat insane at times, but he was very good to Mirra. Respectful and polite. He had visited her often while she was injured and he always lifted her spirits. Watching the two of them shuffle to the left and kick to the right was strangely endearing. Hanzo couldn’t deny that.

“Careful, brother,” Genji said wandering to the elder Shimada’s side.

“What do you mean,” Hanzo asked, not taking his eyes off Mirra.

“Your feelings are showing! You are smiling broader than I have ever seen,” Genji teased.

Hanzo instantly felt his face go hot as he ran his hand over his mouth in embarrassment. “Excuse me for being pleased to see Mirra acting like herself again after the injury she sustained,” he grumbled.

“I was not trying to scold you, Hanzo. In truth, it was quite nice to see you enjoying yourself. I should not have said anything.” Seeing his younger brother without his visor still made Hanzo’s heart skip a beat, but at the same time it was somewhat . . . nice to see Genji’s lopsided smirk. “And I agree, it is good to see Mirra back to her happy self. I was worried.”

“As was I,” Hanzo sighed, spying some residual scarring peeking out from underneath Mirra’s lace sleeves.

“But,” Genji said reassuringly, “she has made a full recovery, and we should be thankful for that.”

“Agreed,” Hanzo breathed, gripping the small box in his pocket.

“Well, try not to sulk here all night, brother. You should at least have something to eat – Emily made some sort of brownie, pudding, whipped cream thing that seems like something you would love. I imagine you still have an insatiable sweet tooth?”

He did. Absolutely. And he had been eyeing that layered truffle. “Perhaps in a bit,” Hanzo said clearing his throat sheepishly.

Genji gave Hanzo’s back a firm pat before walking away. The archer stayed at the party a while longer, long enough to see Mirra try on Reinhardt’s giant Santa coat that completely engulfed and amused her. She seemed so happy tonight. As much as he wanted to give her the gift he had prepared for her, it didn’t seem worth disrupting her joy. Not to mention how tired Hanzo was – he was not a night owl.

“The day after Christmas will have to do,” he said slightly disappointed. While everyone was distracted Hanzo ducked out of the room and slowly made his way to his quarters.

Just as he entered the last hallway, the sound of fast approaching footsteps came tapping from behind. “Hanzo! Wait up,” Mirra called to him as she rounded the corner. He instantly halted and allowed her to join him.

“Is something wrong,” he asked with a frown.

“What? No, no! Nothing wrong,” she assured him, “but are you headed to bed for the night?”

“I was planning to, yes,” he said hesitantly. Mirra was fidgeting nervously. She hadn’t acted that way toward him in weeks. What had he done this time?

“Oh, well, um,” she said rummaging around in her vest pocket, “I wanted to give you this tonight.”

Mirra handed Hanzo a simple gold-colored envelope with his name on it. He held it gently in both hands. “For me,” he asked, his voice quiet in his surprise.

“Yeah,” she said darting between looking at her feet and Hanzo, her feet and Hanzo. “I wanted to do something for you for Christmas, but Genji said it wasn’t really your favorite time of year. And I think sometimes I overwhelm you – that I’m asking too much of you, or that maybe I’m sorta demanding, or that I’m just too much for you – and I’m sorry for that. I’ll try to be better, I promise. Hopefully, this isn’t too much either, but I figured if I wrote down what I wanted to say, you could digest it on your own time.” She turned away from him and let out a shaky laugh. “It made sense to me earlier, but now I can’t seem to make any sort of sense.”

He didn’t know what to say. He stared at the envelope with equal parts curiosity and worry.

“Anyway,” Mirra said after a few moments of silence, “goodnight! Sleep well.” She gave him a quick wave before scampering away.

“Wait,” he said weakly and far too late. She was long gone. He still had his gift for her tucked away. Hanzo hissed in frustration in his native language before entering his bedroom.

He should read it right away, he knew he should, but Hanzo couldn’t bring himself to do so. Despite Mirra’s attempt not to bewilder her father, she still did. Setting the card on the bedside table, Hanzo checked the time.

“I believe a shower is in order,” he murmured to himself. He just needed a little time to prepare himself, that’s all.

Twenty-five minutes passed, and Hanzo was pursing his lips at the envelope again.

His desk and bathroom could use a bit of tidying. The sheets on his bed could be changed as well.

Only ten minutes had passed this time. After all, his living space was always spotless, but he was desperate. And now he was out of options.

“Grief,” Hanzo hissed to himself, “it is only a Christmas card! Enough unnecessary fear.” He grabbed the piece of paper and sat on the side of his bed, a deep frown on his brow. “Besides, if I do not read this now, I will never be able to sleep,” he lamented, cutting open the envelope with an arrow.

A minimalistic design graced the front of the cardstock – three green lines formed a small tree and the outline of a yellow star topped it. Inside, ‘Merry Christmas, Hanzo’ was scrawled is her slightly sloppy handwriting and a piece of lined, folded paper fell out. Mirra had written enough to fill one side and spill over onto the back. He swallowed hard and took a deep breath.

 Hanzo,

I know the holidays aren’t your thing, but I felt like I had to tell you how much it means to me to be with you for Christmas. It means the world to me. I had people who cared about me as a kid, people who looked after me, but its still different with you. And not just because we’re blood relatives, it’s more than that.

You’re good to me – always looking out for me, watching my back and making sure I’m taken care of. Even more, you always seem to be trying to make me happy. Or maybe I’m just happier with you around. Either way, meeting you is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. In fact, it is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Even considering our, well, rocky start.

Joan, the woman who raised me, was always telling me I had to be self-sufficient, independent – that I couldn’t depend on anyone – and for a long time, I believed her. When Joan died, and I was left on my own, I stayed that way. Alone. And good god was it hard. I was constantly struggling, and I felt so bad about it. I felt like a failure.I kept thinking, “I should be fine by myself, I shouldn’t need help, I shouldn’t feel lonely all the time.” But I was miserable. Thank goodness Angela found me before I did something I couldn’t undo. Before I gave up.

But enough about that. I don’t feel like that anymore. Like I’m teetering on the edge of my strength and wondering how much longer I can hold on. Being here at Overwatch has helped me more than I can say. I admit, it was still tough at first, after Genji told me you didn’t want anything to do with me. Thankfully, we pushed each other’s buttons enough that we both broke down, and I’ve never adored a memory of a fight so much in my life! It still makes me laugh that you and me bickering about a cup of coffee started all this.

I’m rambling now, aren’t I? Sorry. The point of all this is that I’m grateful every single day that you are in my life. Every day. You make me smile and laugh and feel safe. It’s so nice to feel safe again after running for so long. I remember when we first started to talk, I was so worried you were going to be like Joan: always pressuring me to be someone I really wasn’t. But you’re not. Yes, you have your comments now and again, but you never seem to be scolding me – at least not anymore. You seem to be trying to help or maybe encourage me. You seem to want what’s best for me, and that is an incredible feeling. To know someone only wants you to be at your best. I’ve never felt this secure before, so protected, so understood.

You’re a good parent. I hope you know that. And just so you know, perfection is overrated. I prefer real people, and you with all your snark, bluster, and small showings of affection are definitely real. Damn close to perfect if you ask me.

So thank you, Hanzo, for giving me more than I ever could have dreamed of. I wouldn’t change a thing about you, or our time together. Not a thing. I hope we have many, many more holidays together.

Your forever grateful ‘sweet girl,’

Mirra

 “Heavens help me,” he choked out. Hanzo hadn’t cried for the longest time, but he was fighting tears halfway through and could hardly read the end of the letter.

It was sweet and beautiful.

It touches his heart. Clenches it.

He’s destroyed. Utterly destroyed.

For a matter of minutes, it is all Hanzo can do to steady his breathing and let a million thoughts run through his mind. All he can feel is guilt. He's such a coward, but Mirra is so open. So forgiving. So patient. She just wants him around, to be with him and support him. And he keeps running. Avoiding. Unwilling to take a half step out of his comfort zone to do something for his only child.

She deserves better. A better father. But she’s stuck with him. He doesn’t deserve her. Someone so incredible. But he somehow he has her in his life.

He had to see her. Tonight. Hanzo pulled on a sweatshirt over his sleep shirt, grabbed Mirra’s present, and headed to his daughter’s room. It wasn’t that late – for her – and the party was likely winding down. He could still catch her.

“Please be here,” he murmured before knocking on her door. Nothing. Hanzo snarled viciously and rubbed his temples. Should he wait, or pull her from the party? He groaned and thumped his forehead against the cool metal of the wall.

“Uh, Hanzo? You alright?”

The archer jumped as Mirra’s confused voice came from further down the hall. “Mirra! Good,” he sighed, for once not concerned with staying composed.

“What’s wrong,” she said, quickly closing the distance between them, her bold eyebrows pinched.

“Nothing, Mirra, nothing. I just needed to speak with you,” he said, words hitching in his mouth once.

“What is it,” she asked earnestly, arms close to her chest in apprehension.

“Please,” Hanzo said raising his hands in a gesture of reassurance, “do not be worried. Nothing negative has happened, I have just read your letter and wished to say something to you.”

“Oh,” Mirra said fidgeting, “I see.” She looked no less fearful. “Well, I’m here now if you want to talk, but no pressure.”

He took a trembling breath before forcing the truth out of him. “Your letter was very . . . powerful, Mirra, in the most remarkable way. Your honesty always astounds me. I am thankful for it. You usually make it so easy for me to see how you are feeling – when you are happy, when you are in pain – but I do not often give you the same opportunity. I am much more comfortable closing myself off from everyone else, even you, the one person I trust above all others. Your letter made me realize how unfair this is, especially since you are the sort of woman who is . . . who may need more, I suppose, obvious assurances that all is well. So allow me to be plain: You are the best thing in my life, Mirra. By far. You are extraordinary. I will never stop wondering how a man like me could be blessed with a daughter like you. I do have enough words to express how thankful I am for you.” Hanzo carefully reached up and held Mirra’s soft cheek, her bleary eyes blinking rapidly. “I will do my best to be a proper father to you, I promise you that, but I believe we both know I often regress into my old ways, which likely hurts you more than me, and I apologize for that. I will do better. However,” he said raising his other hand to cup Mirra’s face, “that being said, if you ever, ever begin to doubt how much you mean to me, how much I need you, how much I value you, please tell me. I will make sure you know the truth – that I treasure every moment I have with you.”

“Shit, Hanzo,” she gulped out, pressing her hands over his so he was squishing her pliable cheeks, “you’re gonna make me a big, crying mess.”

He chuckled. “My apologies, sweet girl, but I felt that I needed to say everything at once, lest I change my mind.”

Mirra laughed and released Hanzo’s hands so she could wipe her eyes. “I get it. I was so nervous when I was writing your letter, I almost chickened out about a dozen times.”

“I am glad you did not,” he said smiling warmly.

“You know I meant it, right? Every word,” she said firmly.

“As do I,” Hanzo nodded, “and, before I forget again, I have one more thing for you.”

He pulled the small box out he had been hiding out of his pocket making Mirra’s smile grow as she put her hands over her heart.

“Aw, Hanzo! You shouldn’t have! I knew I should have got you something,” she scolded herself.

“Your note was plenty, Mirra. I can not think of a better gift, now open yours.” A bit of excitement was suddenly prickling Hanzo’s fingers as he handed her the present.

Mirra opened the hinged, velveteen container and let out a small whimper, tears trickling and chin quivering. “Hanzo,” she whispered removing the locket from its box, “is this . . . is this my mother’s?”

“I’m afraid it's not the same one,” he clarified hurriedly. “I tried to locate your mother’s original necklace, but I was unable to, much to my disappointment. However, I was able to find a local jeweler who could replicate the design. I hope a copy is sufficient.”

“Hanzo,” she beamed, “it’s perfect! I love it! I always wondered what happened to that necklace. I hope it’s not in a pawn shop or something. I’ve always hoped it was with her – that’s what I tell myself at least. But now I have one of my own! I – I can’t believe you did this for me . . .” It looked as if Mirra was on the verge of blubbering as she slipped the chain over her head. She cradled the silver pendant in her hands with the biggest smile Hanzo had ever seen.

“I am glad you like it,” Hanzo said, chest tight as he was unexpectedly flooded with memories of his short time with Mirra’s mother. She would have adored their daughter. “You have all of your mother’s beauty, her remarkable spirit, and her stunning voice, but I thought you might like something of hers to hold in your hands – or at least nearly hers. I will keep looking for the original.”

“You’re killing me Hanzo,” Mirra laughed tearfully. “Thank you for saying that. I always hoped I was at least a little like her, because if I was, it was almost like I kinda knew her.”

“The two of you are very much alike in a number of ways,” he said honestly.

“I’ve been meaning to ask you, but I wasn’t sure how you would react,” she said slowly, “would you tell me about her some time, my mom?”

That would not be a difficult conversation, but Hanzo assumed it would happen eventually and he was feeling much more ready now. “Of course, sweet girl, but perhaps another night. It is late, and we should both be in bed.”

“Sound good,” she agreed. “Thank you again, Hanzo, for everything.”

“It is I who should be thanking you,” he insisted. “Now, to bed with you. If we are up much longer, we will be seeing the sunrise.”

Mirra smirked. “You’re just saying that because you want to go to bed.”

“Hush,” he said jokingly as he waved her into her room.

“G’night,” she said with a sleepy voice.

“Goodnight,” Hanzo replied, “and Merry Christmas.”

She grinned, “Was it ‘merry’ for you?”

“It was a day I spent hearing you sing and laugh, Mirra – so yes, it was most definitely ‘merry.’”

Tags: @watch-your-grammer @winchester-sonsandcastiel @envy-kitty

[zenyattayatta]

Hi! Can you please write an au soul mate edition for soldier 76 and his younger female s/o. I don't have any real specifics. I just want him to have finally given up on avoiding her and finally deciding to claim her and her accepting her broken soldier. Thank you so much for all your hard work!

Soulmate

A/N: Lets pretend its established that Soldier’s been keeping tabs on you since you joined OW. I feel like this might seen a less rushed that way. 

The giveaway was the scars.

Long healed, fleshy scars that slashed across your face inexact same way they did him.  He hatedhimself for what he had done to you. No doubt you suffered the pain alongsidehim when they were carved into his skin. His chest aches at the thought. Soyoung and beautiful yet he had already ruined you without having meant to.

However, he recalls when D.Va has asked if they botheredyou. A casual question brought up when she caught you prodding your fingertipsalong the one at your lips. Out of habit, He noted. Having caught you done it many times before. The question had peaked his interest. Looking from the corners ofhis eyes with a stare hidden beneath the red of his visor. 

“They used too.” His hands clutch, surprised as you smiled at the gaming star. “I feel like they add character, yaknow? Kind of gives me that badass ‘don’tmess with me’ look.” D.Va laughs, joining in on your smile while Soliderexcuses himself from the room.

He can’t bring himself to look at you without feeling likehe’s failed you way before he’s gotten the chance to prove himself. So, he doesthe only sensible thing he can think of when you come around. He avoids you. It’s hardly noticed at first -he’s a busy man- so no one questions why he makes a hasty exit at your entrance. No one, however, Ana being with a keenly trained eye and sense for good gossip.

She is the one who approaches him in an attempt to stop this.The skirting and dancing around. The smallest glimpse of him staring at youfrom afar has her thinking how absolutelyabsurd he’s being. Her posture is relaxed as she stops behind him stealthily,a warm cup of tea in hand. “You should tell her, Jack.” She says causing thesuper soldier to jump where he sits. His body goes rigid as he resumes cleaningthe mechanisms of his rifle.

“Don’t know what you’re talking about, Ana.” The woman givesa hearty laugh. One he knows is meant to put him on edge, which it does. Anamerely sips from her cup satisfied with its effect.

“Please.” She waves her free hand dismissively. “They mightnot have your face but they do have your scars.” She crosses her arms over herchest looking at nothing in particular. “They are your soulmate, Jack. That muchis obvious. Not many have the privilege nor opportunity of meeting them in thislifetime.” She pauses with a sigh while her face softens. Her tone is gentle asshe pats his shoulder twice reassuringly. “Do not waste yours.”

Soldiers steps are taunt and loud as he paces the throughthe corridors of the base in search for you. His hands are held as fists at hissides and his eyes stare straight forward to his objective. He feels a suddenrace of his heart, the thumps loud enough to be heard in his ear. His palms aresticking to leather interior of his gloves and his jacket feels much tighterthan usual.

The old soldier has thought over his options. Everysuccessful idea and their equally non-successful counterpart. He’s thoughtabout it till his head began to ache and he recognized he cannot take any moreof this game of never ending avoidance. He knows what he has do -for his sakeand for yours.

He had experienced a shooting pain earlier that evening. Abright red and irritated mark on his calve knowingly letting him know you hadsomehow gotten hurt on the mission you were set to return from today. It washis first and only clue as to where you might be so late in the evening. Asidefrom your room, which he had already checked first.

Jack enters the med bay room hesitantly.  A hand leaning on the door frame as he peakshis head in scanning the room.

“Oh hey, 76.” You remark awkwardly when his eyes meet yoursfrom your medical bed. A blanket across your lap as you swipe away at what youwere working on. “You can come in if you’d like.” There’s a visitor’s chair atyour bed side to which you motion with the tilt of you head. He eyes your legwearily as he moves to take a seat. “It’s really not as bad as it seems.” Youdismiss, tilting your head to catch his eye. “At worse it’ll leave a scar. Nobiggie.”

Soldier frowns, leaning forward to rest his elbows on hisknees. He intertwines his fingers together and sighs. “It doesn’t bother you?”

The older man watches as you pucker your lips, looking up inthought. A shake of your head follows soon after. “No, not really.” You motionto the ones on your face rather fondly. Pointing them out for him besides thembeing rather obvious. “I already have these. ’Course, they were from mysoulmate but it doesn’t make them any less cool. My soulmate probably lookslike one big badass with the number of scars they’ve given me.”  

The red of his visor peers at you while his tone remainslevel headed although a bit shaky. The mere mention of soulmates has his heartracing even more. “You believe in soulmates?”

A nod. “That they’re out there, yeah.  A connection -a bond- betweentwo beings meant to be. It sounds magical having someone you’re meant to be with.Someone fate has chosen for you.” He can see the emotion in youreyes, warm and dreamy. It wanders off into the distance as you drag yourfingertips over the scar at your lips. “I remember when I first got these.” Youbegin. “They weren’t the only ones. Quite frankly, I was covered in them thatday. They had hurt so badly that I cried for hours.”

Im sorry. It hangson the tip of his tongue wanting to be said. However, he bites his cheek andlets you continue.

“Then the aching stopped. The scars were still raw but thepain wasn’t there anymore. I got so scared.” You confess with a bitter laugh. “You’dthink I’d be happy but I didn’t know why the pain just disappeared. It made me worry what had happened to them. Did theydie? Had I lost them before I even got to see them?”

“Then I started getting more, big and small. Got a nasty oneon my side from god knows what a few months back but it lets me know that therestill alive. Somewhere out there doing some pretty reckless things but alivenonetheless.” He hadn’t noticed how close he’d leaned until your arm accidentlybrushed against his. A jolt of electricity eliciting from the simple touch.“Look at me, I’m rambling on about someone I’ll probably never meet.”

“No, it’s alright.” He says much too quickly. “I-ah, I neverreally talked to anyone about it much before.”

You clasp your hands in front of you while you shuffle tosit comfortable without aggravating your wound. “Do you believe in soulmates, Soldier 76?”

Soldier snorts. “If I do, I don’t deserve them.” He mutters.“I’m just a broken soldier. An old dog without any new tricks.” He pauses,looking away when you frown. “They deserve much better.”

“Hey, scars look good!” You remark, placing a hand on hisshoulder and offering a gentle squeeze. “And it doesn’t matter. A soulmate issomeone who your meant to be with.Someone fate has made just for you -foreach other. So, what if you’re not perfect? No one is! I’m sure you’ll soulmatewill love you no matter what.”

Soldier tilts his head to stare at you for a moment. Lettingthe weight of your words sink in before adjusting his seating as well. “Youreally believe that.”

“Of course, I do.” Yousmile. “You don’t give yourself much credit for the good you’ve done, do you?”

The way your eyes meet his with such reassurance sets hischest ablaze. Warmth radiating from your being flushing to melt and crack his exterior.A shortly silence overcomes the room. The hum of various machines andmechanisms that surround you echo off the white walls.

He’s made his decision and, by god, he is going to stand byit. Soldier sets himself on his feet, arms lifting towards the sides of hisvisor. For a moment, you stare at him with curiosity as the mechanism unlockswith a click. His eyes are crystalline blue, avoiding your gaze momentarily ashe trembles nervously. Your eyes scan the scars that adorn the ruggedness ofhis face, ones that perfectly like up and match with yours. The heart monitorconnected to your bed side beeps with your sudden increase in pace. However,the noise goes unnoticed as you both are focused on each other.

There’s a lump in your throat swallowed followed by adryness of your mouth. “I… had a suspicion but-” Emotions overcome you and asyour eyes begin to water. “I didn’t think -I thought I’d never find you.”

Soldier attentively moves to wipe is away the tears thatfall past your eyes. He stops shortly but you lean in to meet him half way. Thegloves of his hands are rough and tarnished but they brush against your skin withsuch tenderness that it’s just so him.“You had a suspicion it was me?”

You titter a bit over the happy sobs. “Your mask doesn’tcover much of the top scar on your face.” You lift a hand to touch where itbegins on his forehead. The feel of your fingertips tracing smooth scarredtissue makes his chuckle where you know it tickles to touch. “It’s in the exactspot mine is in.”

His eyebrows furrow. “But?”

“But I’ve never seen the rest of your face. I didn’t know ifthe rest matched up. I didn’t want to assume either or give myself false hopebut,” You confess, hands coming up at his sides in order to grip his jacket.“Soldier-”

“Jack.” He corrects, taking you in his arms. The leather ofhis jacket creaks as he grips you tightly in the embrace. A warmth flushesbetween the two of you as something clicksjust how it should. “It’s Jack, Jack Morrison.”

“Jack.” You affirm. “I’m happy it’s you, Jack. I really am.”

“I’m sorry I took so long.” His blue eyes are lidded as hisbreath so close to you. You’re eyes dip to part of his lips before glancingback up to him.

You wipe away the reaming tears with the back of your hand.A grin forming as you playfully tug at him. “I’m sure you can think of ways tomake it up to me. For how reckless you are.”

He chuckles with a deep rumble before tilting his headtowards you. “I might have a few ideas.”

His lips are cracked and dried but he kisses you with somuch fever it’s the last thought in your mind. You can see where he’s outpractice, teeth clinking together momentarily before you adjust yourself. Heleans as close as he can, hands finding purchase on either side of your hipswhile the hospital bed restricts the rest. Your arms wrap their way around hisshoulders, one hand gripping at his hair while he opens his mouth. Tonguestangle, wet sloppy kisses pressed to the others lips as your breaths match andhearts race. He places a kiss at the edge of your lips before trailing downyour chin and jaw bone. Lips finding themselves close and closer to soft skinof your neck as you tilt your head in appraisal.

The fast tapping of heels and of the medical bay doorsslamming open suddenly parts you both. Soldier pushing himself back and off thebed as he quickly moves to compose himself. However, the young medic has madeher presence faster than both of you accounted for. An embarrassed blushovercoming the both of you.

Angela makes the connection rather quickly, a knowing smirkcrossing her face. “Ah, here I thought something might have happened.” Sheremarks, walking past Soldier to look over the data collected by the suddenlybeeping heartrate monitor. “But it seems I’ve interrupted something.” She looksover the chart with puckered lips.. “Visiting hours are closed at the moment,Jack.” Pointily, she directs her attention to soldier

He rubs the back of his neck sheepishly. Unsure of how toanswer the doctor who taps her foot impatiently. “Ange-”

She closes her eyes while raising a hand to cut him off. “Iwill give you a moment to say your goodnights.” Her gaze is tired when shereopens her eyes. “They need their rest. So, please, make it quick.”

He waits till the doctor exits the room. Her office lightsflickering off not too far down the hall before he turns back to you. His handfinds yours as he pulls himself back into you. You lean in, meeting him withyour head tilted.

The kiss is brief and wanting. Much more yet to bediscovered and much left to be said. Soldier is the first to pull away knowingAngela will burst through the door once more any minute. He chuckles as youpout reaching out for more. “I’ll come visit tomorrow.” He finds his discardedvisor, clicking it back in place as he prepares to leave.

“I’ll see you tomorrow?” You ask, voice raising in pitch as his hand leaves yours. You can hear the smile on the softness of his tone. 

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” He nods.

[talesfromthepayload]

Late Nights

Requests are open!

The occasional nightly trek wasn’t uncommon for you, or anybody involved with Overwatch, really. You all had too many memories, too many wounds, to sleep peacefully. So, when you tiredly stumbled into the training room, you weren’t surprised to find Jack, or Soldier: 76, as the world knew him better, taking his frustrations out on one particularly beaten-looking punching bag. 

 “Rough night?” You asked dryly, knowing full well it was probably his mind keeping him from the blissfulness of sleep. 

 “Something like that,” Jack mumbled gruffly, sweat dripping down his forehead.

 By some miracle, he wasn’t wearing the visor he insisted on adorning all of the time. It wasn’t the first time you’d seen Jack without all of his standard gear on, but it always managed to take your breath away when you got a glimpse of him without it. He was in a tight, black t-shirt that clung to the muscles beneath, his legs covered by standard issue sweatpants. His white hair was mussed in all directions, fists red, with the occasional scrape here or there. Weariness shined in the bright blue of his eyes, and, silently, you mused how you’d never seen anybody look quite so alluring. 

 “Mind if I join?” You inquired, not bothering to wait for a reply. 

You knew he’d say yes. You and 76 had a special kind of friendship. You didn’t do things conventionally. Instead of watching movies or getting food together, you trained and challenged each other. Your talks weren’t long and pointless, they were short and filled with emotion. You told each other everything important, though you both did still keep your secrets. It was a silent understanding between the two of you for now. One day you’d share, but for the present, it was best if some things remained secret. 

 Silence ensued, not that either of you really minded. The two of you were comfortable in silence. Occasionally, you'd sneak a peak at what 76 was doing, before returning to your own task. Not that you were doing a whole lot beside throwing out a punch every few minutes. You were much too tired to keep up with the soldier. That was another thing you admired about him, you mused, leaning against your punching bag as your half-lidded eyes found their way to his form. 

He was so persistent and displayed so much strength, even when it was something as simple as training. You smiled to yourself, that familiar feeling in your stomach strengthening as his bright, blue eyes met your tired ones. For a moment, just a moment, you were so captivated by how he made you feel- and then you realized you were staring. 

 A blush stained your cheeks as your eyes widened. You stammered an apology, dropping your gaze to the floor. You had to think of an excuse, something to make him think you hadn't been staring at the defined muscles hidden beneath his clothes and the way his eyes narrowed the slightest bit when he made contact with his target. 

 "I was just thinking," you continued, mentally taking note that he was now the one staring when you picked your gaze back up, "about how easy it would be for me to kick your ass, old man." 

 One side of his mouth quirked up, knowing you were presenting a challenge.

 "That'd be the first," he taunted, taking rise to your little game. 

 He had a point. Whenever the two of you sparred, he almost always won, simply because you'd either get too distracted or he'd cheat, not that he'd admit that aloud. 

 "What can I say? I might actually try this time." You teased, a full fledged smile on your lips. 

His smile wasn't nearly as wide as yours, but you noticed how it genuinely spread to his tired eyes. 

 "I'll give you the first hit," Jack offered, hands spread wide as he waited for you to make your move. 

 You weren't fooled by his casual nature. His stance was too sturdy, his eyes too sharp. He was ready for you, and you knew if you went for him now, he'd have you flat on the ground within the second. Instead, you took a moment to simply observe him. His legs were bent at the knee, ready to spur forward at a moments notice. His arms, while spread open casually, were tensed, poised in the perfect position for attack. If you ran directly for him, he would sidestep you and drop you. If you faked one side, his stance was wide enough where he'd be able to provide enough defense until he recovered from whatever blow you threw at him to fully attack. Naturally, you took the third option. 

 Instead of running straight for him, you walked leisurely, holding your hands up in surrender. He watched you closely, not quite sure what angle you were coming at. Your face betrayed nothing, the smile you so wished to show being kept down at the thought of taking Jack by surprise. You stopped only when you were mere inches from Jack, his bright eyes glinting curiously. 

Unconsciously, his hands moved a little closer to where you stood, almost as if he were going to wrap them around your waist but then thought better of it. To you, it just looked as if he were preparing himself for a different approach. To him, however, it had been a slip-up, his heart momentarily spurring his actions. He'd wanted to hold you, he realized, but failed to let himself act on it. You wouldn't like an old dog like him. You'd want someone full of life and happiness. 

Tentatively, you reached your hand up, stuttering a bit before you placed it lightly on his neck. A spark shot down his spine at the feel of your heated skin on his. Briefly, he entertained the idea that maybe you did feel something for him other than friendship. He shot the idea down as quickly as it came. Your gentleness was short lived as you pushed hard on his neck. 

He wasn't expecting it so his head came crashing down, arms whipping out from years of reflexes. He tried to grab at you, but you were expecting it. You shoved him forward with your free hand. He stumbled back, catching himself. Just as he went to dive in for an attack, you hooked one leg behind his, dropping yourself forward, both hands gripping his shirt. The sudden shift in weight had him going back with you, effectively pinning him. 

 "I win," you whispered, eyes filled with mirth. 

 Two strong arms held firmly onto your hips, pushing up an attempt to flip the tables. You had known Jack too well, however, so you were expecting it. You leaned forward, wrapping your arms around him and breaking him of his hold. After trapping both hands above his head, you smirked. 

 "Admit it," you giggled, mind too tired to really acknowledge the compromising position. 

 Jack, however, was painfully aware. Your legs were on either side of him, hands holding his, and head thrown back with laughter. It exposed your bare neck to him and if he lifted himself the tiniest bit, he knew he could drag his tongue along your skin. He exhaled shakily, cursing his mind for enjoying what he saw just a little too much. He'd been lost in a trance, daydreaming of what he could to you in this position, of the sounds he could get to leave those precious lips of yours.

 "Jack?" You questioned, leaning a little closer. 

 Darkness had engulfed the brightness of his orbs. You heard him mutter something to himself, giving you no time to react as he surged forward, lips connecting with yours hungrily. He was a man that had been starved of this kind of contact for too long. Watching you time and time again as you unconsciously teased him from afar caused a feral hunger to rise in him. Some days, all he wanted to see was your smile, all he wanted to feel was your hug. Today was not one of those days. He wanted you. 

 You'd squeaked out something close to a moan, sighing into his kiss and slowing it down with your own lazy pace. By some miracle he followed, the once hungry kiss turning into a loving exploration of one another's mouths. After some time you pulled away, dragging in as much air as you could. 

 "That was... unexpected," you said warily, raising a brow at him. He was still recovering. His chest bobbed with each heavy breath, his body still as he drank in the information. You'd kissed him back. You hadn't been reviled, you were happy- eager, even. 

 "I think it's best we both call it a day though," you suggested, knowing that the conversation this interaction would spark would best be done while you were both a little more rested. 

 "Yeah," he agreed breathlessly, meeting your eyes for the first time since he kissed you. 

 You smiled, wide and completely unforced. He found it to be the most beautiful thing he ever looked at. He lifted a hand to your hair, brushing a strand to the side that'd fallen into your face during the sparring. His face was mirroring yours as you helped him to his feet, embracing him in a warm hug that didn't last long enough.  

"Goodnight, (Y/N)." Jack whispered, resting his lips on your forehead.

 "Goodnight, Jack.”

[sleepykingtae]

Gaming Buddies ¦ Jungkook x Reader (Part 1)

Online gaming with your internet friends was all fun and games until your group of online friends finally ask you; ‘hey, should we meet up?’

paring; jungkook x reader, namjin, yoonmin, taeseok

fandom; bts

genre; humor

Part 1 ¦ Part 2

You've been interested in gaming since you were little. Your dad was a gamer at heart, and loved showing you his achievements.

Through out the years, you played games such as Call of Duty, GTA, Skyrim etc. You've met a lot of gamer friends over these games, however, they all started to fade away one by one.

Until, Overwatch came out. Overwatch was the new hype and it brought a lot of gamers together from around the world because of the multi-cultural diversity. Overwatch became the game you played most, and one of those reasons was because of a certain match you were in.

✘✘✘

FLASHBACK

Welcome to Hollywood.

Select your hero.

You didn't even have to think before choosing your main hero, Widowmaker. She was a sniper, that you were surprising good at. You were almost as good as your best friend McCreamy. You were also quite happy that you had your favourite map, until you hear...

"WHAT THE FUCK? THAT IS MY MAIN!" You hear a shout through your Turtle Beach headset. You take your headset away from ear in fear that your eardrums would break. You bring it back towards your ear when you hear your Battlenet username being screamed;

"EDGELORD, GET OFF WIDOWMAKER"

You are quick to reply to his ranting self in teamchat.

'no.'

Satisfied, you sit back in your (Y/F/C) gaming chair. You smile to yourself, clicking on your sitting emote to look like a badass.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN, NO?-"

Suddenly, you thought to yourself why the fuck was he so rude.  

"WE ARE PLAYING COMPETITIVE, YOU'RE PROBABLY SHIT AT HER. AT LEAST I'M GOOD AT HER. WE NEED A GOOD TEAM"

You are quick to reply to Windowmaker.

'just pick another character'

'i am amazing at her'

'you are just  jealous'

Click. Someone else had turned their microphone on.

"Kookie, please. Just pick another character." CookingMaMa said. It was a masculine voice which sounded quite soft, and beautiful. You look over to see the Mercy icon next to his name.

"HEY, AT LEAST YOU WERE ABLE TO CHOOSE YOUR MAIN" Windowmaker shouts in despair. He still hasn't picked his character.

10...9...8

Click, followed by 3 more.

"Just pick another one, you don't want to get banned. Plus we really need a tank." The deep voice of AgustD replies, he had picked Bastion.

"FINE." Windowmaker growls. You hear him when he hesitantly clicks on the character Reinhardt.

'finally'  You type, wanting to seem cheeky.

You hear a laugh. "I like this person." GucciBoi chimes in, he had quite a deep and husky voice. His laugh was cute sounding and you couldn’t help but feel yourself smiling instantly because of it. You look to see he had picked Mei. You were 100% sure, he was a troll player. Which was great for you as you loved those types of players on your team.

'and i like you 😉' you type as soon as doors open. All of your character models rush out as Widowmaker your character model tries to take the high ground on the right hand side of the map. It was a great advantage being on the balcony. You quickly saw your opportunity to get some quick picks.

Bang is the next thing you hear when aimed for the Solider 76.

ELIMINATED BAZZAGAZZA | 100

You moved your mouse to hover over your next pick, the Zenyatta.

ELIMINATED MUSELK | 100

You laughed at the easy picks you were getting. However, you couldn’t stay there long as your team starts to push forward. You walk and grapple across the map to get to a high point next to objective A.

Sitting there was only a lone Bastion. The player hadn't seen your character model yet.

Bang. Bang.

ELIMINATED ZYLBRAD | 100

"Kookie, I think she's a better Widow than you" A cute voice chimes in, it was quite a high voice but still smooth sounding. It followed with such a cute cackle as well. His username was BusanBoi95. He had picked Genji.

You giggle yourself when all you hear next is insults.

"SHUT THE FUCK UP JIMINIE, YOU ARE A SHIT GENJI MAIN" 'Kookie' the Reinhardt shouts again.

"Hey, respect your elders." You hear next, it was from AgustD. He had such a husky, and sexy voice that you couldn’t help but like instantly.

"FINE THEN. YOONGI-HYUNG, SUCK JIMINIE-HYUNG'S DICK"

A "Hey" came from both of them. From both of their tones, they sounded embarrassed.

Objective A was complete, however, you still had to push the cart towards the end of the map. You see that AgustD set up in turret form on the cart with CookingMaMa damage boosting him on Mercy. BusanBoi95 was hopping around as Genji and GucciBoi was using his 'So Excited' emote.

'cookie get to the front of the cart'

ELIMATED MR META MEME ¦ 100

'Goodbye Lucio' You think to yourself, trying to make your way towards the elevator on the map.

"Cookie? It's with a K"

"Just do as he says, he has a point" BusanBoi95 states, dashing towards the Soldier 76. He ends up killing him in a 1v1.

On top of the roof, you could see everything. Luckily, nobody has spotted you yet.

Bang. Bang.

You start to shoot at the low health Reinhardt.

ELIMINATED TYRODIN | 55

Next the Bastion.

ELIMINATED ZYLBRAD | 25

You swiftly type;

'how do you know im not a girl?'

You start to cackle bringing your hand to your mouth when you hear the replies to your question. You make your way to the second capture point. You see an opportunity to get to the top of the bar roof with the other elevator. You start to look for people. This forces you to place your elbow on your desk to hold your face to look closer at the screen.

"Excuse me, how can you be a girl?" Windowmaker questions, he was still on the cart with probably the best Bastion you've seen. Genji reflected and dashed to kill the opposing Bastion who was in the middle of ulting.

Click.

"Yo." You say whilst laughing, you turn your microphone off with another click.

"VOICE CHANGER, I SWEAR" Kookie exclaims. Sneakily, a tracer places a pulse bomb on him which caused the Bastion next to him to die as well.

"You fuck! You should of moved" AgustD growls, looking at his screen that said re-spawning in 30 seconds.

'believe what you want'

You abruptly stop to quickly type. As you see a Lucio growing closer towards you. Unfortunately, he boops you off the roof that you were on towards the massacre that causes both you and GucciBoi to die.

- REVIVING -

You all see the yellow light. You were back.

"Thank god, Jin-hyung" BusanBoi95 cries, dashing his way towards the healers of the opposing team, hoping to kill them off.

ELIMINATED BLARUE| 15

"Getting that 5 man res" GucciBoi carries on, you could hear him squealing as he freezes and Ni Hao's the Bastion.

ELIMINATED ZYLBRAD | 10

MATCH COMPLETE

"Yesssss-"

Click.

"Easiest game of my life boys" You interrupt Windowmaker, leaning back on your chair and grabbing (Y/F/D).

"Shut the fuck up, you did nothing" He replies, growling down his microphone. You giggle at him, closing your eyes for a minute. You open them to see;

**FRIEND REQUESTS RECEIVED FROM: GucciBoi, AgustD, BusanBoi95 , CookingMaMa.

ACCEPT | DECLINE x4

[starpiper3]

So Much More than I can Carry

I don’t know if anyone has come up with this idea yet but I really like the song since I’ve been walking on glass lately. I just thought that I could do something with a song that seems to relate to the fandom. As always, never know where to put the music videos so I’m just going to put it at the bottom, in case anyone hasn’t heard the song before.

Also, there will be a death, incase anyone is sensitive to deaths at the moment. I care deeply about the Mercy76 fandom and I don’t want anyone to get triggered while reading something they hoped to enjoy. 

I know I don’t really do author notes and such, but I feel that it needed to be said.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I’m holding on

Why is everything so heavy?

I keep dragging around what’s keeping me down

Soldier huffed as he walked along the dirt path in the forest. The sound of crunching leaves echoed around him with every step. The sky was a cheery blue and a couple clouds were puffed up in the air. Even though he had rejoined forces with Overwatch, he still didn’t like how close he would be to everyone if he had lived on base. They had been recalled for some time now. A year and a half to be exact, was when he got the call. Without a moments hesitation, he accepted the recall and arrived as soon as he could. The second he showed up, all heads were cocked and all eye brows were raised. None of them could figure out why this masked man had responded to the call.

“And, you are?” Winston questioned. Everyone had their eyes on Soldier.

“Soldier 76,” he responded in a weak voice. There was a defining silence in the air, “Jack Morrison’s brother.” He lied.

“Brother?” Mercy cracked. She took a step towards him. Tracer put a hand on her arm, giving what little effort she had to hold her back. She wore her white lab coat, indicating that she had been one of the first people to respond to the call. Her hair was a a pony tail with her fringe out to the side, something that hadn’t changed after all the years. Her flawless skin glowed from the light with her broken smile that was plastered on her face as a frown.

He looked at Mercy for a very long time. He had never seen her so broken and hurt like this. Had she really kept her heart closed off to everyone else she loved? Was he really the only one who got to see into her heart?

Her petite figure was eventually a foot away from his. She reached out and touched his mask before letting her fingers skim over his forehead.

“I didn't know. He never said...” She trailed off. Tears were suddenly in her eyes as her heart began to ache once more. She quickly drew her hand back and held it close to her as if she were a wounded animal, “I... It was nice to meet you, but, I have to go.” She said as she darted off with tears streaming down her face.

Winston let out a sigh before saying, “you’ll have to excuse her. She’s been very sensitive to the recall.”

Soldier decided to play dumb and ask, “what happened?”

“She lost someone she held dear to her,” Pharah said in a quiet tone, “So far, every war she’s been through has taken someone or something away from her. She has nothing left.”

“Her parents, Strike Commander Morrison, granted, we all miss him, we all wish that he was still here with us. I’m sure you do too, seeing as he was your brother.”

Soldier gave a curt nod and scanned the rest of the group. They all looked very glum and down. Never before had he seen them like this.

Why is everything so heavy?

And I drive myself crazy thinking everything’s about me

The wooden door swung open and dust was rattled around in the air. Granted he came back to this place everyday, yet he never gave cleaning a second notice. Today, she wouldn't be here for long.

“Soldier?” She called out, “it’s time to go on a mission... Soldier?”

His body shot up in bed.

She hadn't knocked, she just let herself in.

Shit.

He scowled as he quickly searched for his mask to put on. Oh god... Where was it? His heart raced at the thought of her seeing him without his mask on. He couldn't go through that pain, never again. He couldn't bare to see the disappointment on her face and the agony in her eyes. Such a perfect human shouldn't have to feel such feelings. He swore to himself once more before he finally found it and put it on his face just in time.

“Soldier? I-” Mercy stopped in her tracks as she peaked into his room. There he stood. Ripped chest and boxers. His silvery hair did a number on her and his muscular arms didn't seem to help at all. She quickly looked away out of respect, but it gave Soldier enough time to notice that she was suited up with her wings tucked behind her body. Her golden blond hair was up in a pony tail like it always was, yet it some how made her look more stunning than ever before.

“I-”

“No need, it’s all good,” He said as he waved a hand at her. A light sweat had formed on his forehead ever since he searched for his mask, “anything you'd like to say? Inform me of?”

Mercy’s eyes darted up and down. It was only then did he realize he was practically naked. His cheeks burned red as he quickly threw some pants on, but it didn't seem to do Mercy and justice.

“I... mission in 5... Be there or we leave you behind.”

“Roger that Dr. Zieg-”

“Soldier, what did I tell you last night? Just call me Mercy ok?”

It’s not like I make the choice, to let my mind stay so fucking messy

Bomb shells shattered all around her, letting the memories swamp her damaged brain. She couldn't go through this, not again, not after losing Jack. Sure, they had Soldier on their side, his brother, that he never told her about, but it still didn't make up for his absence.

Suddenly, one had exploded next to her and the only thing she could hear was her own scream and her tight chest.

Mercy shot up from the covers on her bed. Sweat stained the sheets beneath her as well as her vibrant skin. She huffed and puffed hoping to slow her heart beat down, but nothing seemed to work. Her blond hair stuck to her skin in a wild manner with her hands shaking by her sides.

There was a knock on the door and whomever was on the other side let themselves in.

“Dr. Ziegler? Dr. Ziegler? Are you ok?” Soldier asked with half of his body in her room. Her head turned to him frantically before she let out a long sigh, “bad dream?”

She nodded her head as she curled up into a ball in the sheets.

“I’m fine,” she whimpered, “I’m sorry I woke you.”

“No no, it’s ok, I was just passing by.”

“Just passing by?”

“I...” he started, “I don't necessarily sleep at the OW facility. I have a small hut not too far away from the base... I only came to get some food. Then I heard you screaming.”

“Oh,” she said as her chest swelled, “I suppose...” She stopped herself. Why in the world would someone like him want to stay with her for a little longer?

“You suppose..?”

“Oh, never mind. Don't worry about it,” she grumbled as she rolled over in the bed.

“Would you... I don't know... like me to stay for just a little bit?” Without a second of hesitation, she looked over at him with her sparkling blue eyes and begged, “please?”

He gave a slight nod and walked over to her in bed. She made room for him to lay with her and the second his body touched the bed, she squirmed right up next to him, needing the comfort of another human.

He stroked her hair gently making sure to care for her in the best way possible. He wanted her to know that he was there for her, just like he’s always been. She was his everything and she still was, she just couldn't see under his mask. He let out a breath as she cuddled closer to him.

“Soldier?”

“Yes Mercy?”

“Why are you so kind to me?”

“Well...” he began, “You're just too kind of a person to not be cared for,” there was a pause, “besides, you remind me of the girl I used to love. Kind, caring, beautiful...” he trailed off.

There was a long silence between them and as the minuets passed by, Mercy started to lose her grasp on reality. She wanted to so desperately believe that the man under this mask was her lover, but she knew that his brother just wouldn't do for her. Granted, he cared for her the same way he did, spoke to her the same way he did, treated her the same way, yet, he was not the same person. She knew that deep down in her heart that she couldn't love anyone but him, there fore, she couldn't love him the same way.

She couldn't love him the same way she did Jack. 

Oh Jack....

“Sometimes,” she said sleepily, “I see him in you, and sometimes,” her voice was just a whisper, “I believe it really is you Jack....”

I know I'm not the center of the universe, but you keep spinning round me just the same

The minuet they landed, everyone was shoved off the air craft.

“That was just too small of a space for me man.” Lucio complained. 

“Hey, could've been worse,” Pharah pointed out, “besides, we don't have the money to fund Overwatch anymore, so we just have to use what we are given and what we have.”

“I hate when you have a point,” Lucio whined.

“We should be approaching Talon’s secret quarters.” Winston announced.

“They don't know we’re here do they? Like, are they gonna shoot us?”

“Of course they’re gonna try and shoot us,” Zarya huffed, “what would be holding them back?”

“A fair fight?”

“Oh come on you guys, I will be watching over you, no worries. Besides, I think this facility is vacant, right Winston?” Mercy asked.

“Most certainly. We’ve been keeping our eyes on this one for a long time.”

Once they had finally gotten to the entrance to the base, it was time to infiltrate.

“I’ll check just to make sure we’re good,” Tracer chirped as she darted inside. She was out within minuets of her entering, “all clear,” Tracer cheered as she zipped on into the building.

“Alright, remember, we are looking for any kind of evidence that suggests that Talon is after the other members of Overwatch. The only acts they are pulling off right now lead up to trying to take Overwatch down again. This means finding a screen, drive, anything that poses a threat to us. Just destroy it all,” Winston grunted as he headed inside. And with that, everyone had split up and were on their merry way.

~~~~~~

Mercy stalked the halls. Seeing as this so called ‘Secret Quarter’ seemed completely vacant, she thought that knew she could go in by herself. The halls she walked through were hollow to the bone and a gentle whisper hushed through the air. This place sent shivers down her spine. How could something be so empty when it was once so full. The loneliness she felt shook her bones.

The more rooms she creeped by, the more she began to wonder about the others. Was this a trap set up for them? Would they need her help? And if so, how would she ever find them.

“God Merc, why do you insist on going by yourself?” She questioned herself. Sighing, she decided to peak into one room. The door was slightly ajar and there was a glowing white light that shinned from the cracks. She took a deep breath and slowly pushed the door open and what she saw boggled her mind.

They really weren't kidding when they said the were after us.

Her eyes went wide when they were greeted with dozens and dozens of screens lined up next to one another. They glowed a vibrant grey, unable to produce colors for the eyes to see. Hallways and different rooms were produced by the pixels and the images horrified her, yet she couldn't help but move closer and closer to the screens. Her breath was caught in her throat. Soldier was a smart cookie when it came to his secrets. He knew that there was everything to lose when it came to his life. And when he said that people were watching their every moves.

He wasn't lying.

Before her, glowed pictures of their base, the OVERWATCH head base. Their rooms, their conference rooms, the dinning hall, kitchen, hallways, recovery rooms, everywhere. The cameras were everywhere. They were watching their every move.

She slowly backed away from the screens only to bump into a body.

“Ah!” She swiftly turned around startled, “Oh,” she breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the jacket the man was wearing, “Soldier, you gave me quite a-”

She looked up only to see an unfamiliar face looking back at her. It was masked and the only thing looking back at her were strange amber eyes. He swiftly reached out and grabbed her neck. Her ear piece was knocked out of place, leaving her unable to call for help. 

“Too easy,” the man snickered as a couple other bodies entered the room.

“Come on,” one of them said, “it’s time to get busy.”

I drive myself crazy cause I can’t escape the gravity.

Soldier was getting antsy. He didn't like the fact that Mercy was all alone in this so called “abandoned” building. He kept getting an ill feeling that something was going terribly wrong.

“Relax man, your shoulders are tense.”

“I’m sorry Winston, I just... I just have a bad feeling that Mercy is in trouble.”

“Oh I’m sure she’s fine, she’s a smart girl. She would've called for help if she needed it.”

“But... what if something or someone is preventing her from calling for help?”

“You have feelings for her don’t you.”

Soldier went quiet for the rest of the mission.

The pain was too much for her to bare.

“You lost the only one you loved! How does that feel? Mercy.” The men snickered and laughed at her as she was tied to a chair. They had a gag in her mouth, making her unable to scream for help. Only seldom whines left her body when they could.

For what felt like hours, Mercy was under relentless attack. Not physical, mental, attack. She wanted nothing more than to run away and escape these men. Sure, they had ripped her wing off and destroyed her suit, but that was all nothing compared to the things they were saying. 

“Your worthless Mercy. Worthless! you’ve let so many people down. Why they keep you on the team is beyond me!” The men laughed and all Mercy could do was cry. She was beyond broken, she was shattered into pieces.

“Poor Mercy, she couldn't even save her man, how weak.”

“How many of them even know that you broke the rules? You know what that’s called right? Betrayal”

“Will they ever trust you again after what we’ve been doing to you? They’ll think you’re giving us all of the answers. What trust will they give you then?”

“With all of your technology, the only person you’ve managed to save is your self. Selfish little girl.”

“You should’ve stayed far far away from them when Winston pulled a recall.”

And they continued to say horrid things

For hours.

“Alright sugar pea, you want the pain to stop don’t you?” At this point, Mercy didn't even respond. The men then proceeded to continue with their evil plan. They gently tilted her head to the side while removing the gag from her mouth. This is when she started to struggle.

“N-no!” She mustered out, “don't touch me!” She whimpered as them men held her down.

“You’ll feel a little prick-”

“Ahh!” She screamed out, “Hel-” The gag was quickly shoved back into her mouth.

In the cartilage deep inside of her ear, the men implanted a very small device. It was about the size of the tip of a needle and had one purpose and one purpose only.

“Now you can hear us when we’re near or far away sweetie. How does that sound?”

She looked at them with a tear stained face, her make up mixing with her tears.

The men chuckled before leaving her in the empty room as she passed out from exhaustion.

“There’s nothing here, I’ve looked everywhere!” Tracer exclaimed.

“It just doesn't make sense,” Winston huffed, “there has to be something, anything.”

The small group waited for everyone else to return so they could pile on the air craft and leave. It didn't take long for everyone to come together as one, the wait was on Mercy now.

“She should be here any minuet now,” only minuets quickly passed them by. No response and no appearance from her at all. Nothing.

“Something isn't right,” Soldier stiffened, “I told you! She’s in danger-”

A loud sheik suddenly filled their ears and Soldier was in a dead sprint the second he heard it. The rest of the group followed him through the long corridors. His breathing was heavy and his legs burned, but that didn't stop him from reaching his end goal: finding Mercy.

Finally, after mere minuets of searching, she was found. The sight horrified Soldier as his eyes landed on her. Suit torn to pieces and head down, she sat there unable to move any further than the bindings around her would allow. Her hair was mangled and messy and her face was caked with her tears. He should’ve known better than to let her go all alone.

“Mercy!” He cried out as he ran to her. He pulled out his heavy duty Swiss army knife and began to cut away at the ropes that held her immobile. She fell to the ground, as she was beyond unconscious. Her body was limp and her face was far from peaceful.

“Mercy...” Soldier whispered as he scooped her up from the cold hard ground, “I’m so sorry...”

“Is she ok?” Tracer asked as she zipped over to them, “oh no, Mercy my love...” The group grew quiet.

“Let’s go,” Soldier growled, “now.” Without any further questions, the group left the facility and piled on to the air craft. The air was tense and the group fell silent. They let Soldier sit alone with Mercy. They didn't want to piss him off any more than they had already.

Soldier hesitantly laid Mercy in her bed. He wanted to hold on to her for as long as possible. He didn't want to risk putting her life in danger ever again. There was just too much at stake. The team couldn't afford to lose their head medic.

“Come on Soldier, maybe food will put you at ease,” Pharah suggested, “besides, she needs her rest. She’s been through a lot.”

He sighed as he stood from his knelt position, “alright, but I won’t stay for too long.”

She nodded her head before he walked over to her. Gently closing the door behind him, not wanting to wake her, they headed towards the dining hall.

You say that I’m paranoid, but I'm pretty sure the world is out to get me

Not long after they left, the voices started again, waking Mercy with a startle.

“Wh-who goes there?” She chattered as she looked around the room, only there was no one to be found, she was alone.

I’m sorry love, did we wake you?

“Where are you guys?” In your head my dear.

Mercy gritted her teeth wishing that the voices would stop. She was already on the brink of losing her mind once again.

You know they really wouldn’t miss you all that much. You aren't that important to them. You could end it all and be free.

She laid down in her bed once again and hugged her knees to her chest. The voices continued to berate her for hours. There was no end them.

If I just let go, I’ll be set free

She went from being okay to going insane once again. She held her hands against her ears and rocked back and forth. It didn’t seem to do her much justice. She tried humming loudly to herself, only it seemed to intensify the voices.

Maybe she really was just a bad person that no one liked. Did the team really accept and trust her along with all of her mistakes? She started to question herself. She couldn’t be too certain. Her heart kept pounding in her chest and soon the pounding became a demonic chant.

If I just let go, I’ll be set free

She could ever so slowly feel herself lose her hold on reality. She no longer knew her rights from wrongs. Everything seemed to change. Her past became twisted and the truths became lies, lies became truths. It wasn’t long before she began to listen closely to the voices in her head.

Two little pills, that’s all it takes to make the pain end Mercy.

If I just let go, I’ll be set free

We know you have them. Little red and blue pills

If I just let go, I’ll be set free

You’ve been saving them for a rainy day, and today is set to pour.

If I just let go, I’ll be set free

Come on love, it’ll be quick and painless, over in mere seconds.

If I just let go, I’ll be set free

You can do it love, we’re counting on you.

If I just let go, I’ll be set free

“That’s it,” Mercy sobbed, “that’s it, you win, I’m done. I just want it to end.”

With tears cascading down her face, she ripped open her night stand drawer. She reached all the way back and managed to wiggle her hand out while holding a small white box.

No turning back, she thought as she opened the small lid. Inside, two colored pills laid parallel to each other. One red, and one blue, when taken together, a deadly combination. She snatched the glass of water off of her night stand and tilted her head back in panic, fear and frustration.

Without hesitation, she swallowed the two pills whole.

Why is everything so heavy?

Her cold body was in a painful position when they found her. Dried blood around her mouth and on the crystal white floor, eyes drained of their angelic luster. They were broken, they had no idea that this event was to come to them. Her radiant skin had turned dull and her lips and finger tips had turned blue.

“Mercy,” Soldier cried as he held her body close to his. He let his mask clatter to the ground. The group before him gasped as the reveal of the old vigilante and the death of their Mercy seemed to be too much for them to manage.

“I know it’s practically useless now, I was going to tell you, I swear. Mercy, it’s me, Jack Morrison, Mercy, it’s me.”

Why is everything so heavy?

(again, I know its awful (plot was not the greatest) and not the best (I know I started to rush at the end), but hey, rough times call for rough measures.)

Always open to comments 

~Starpiper3

[overwatchochelp]

Overwatch OC - Joao

 Overwatch OC Review: João Luis Valente Torres, “João”

Sent in by @bayernmunichbrides! It has been much too long and I’m very sorry if I’ve kept you waiting. Review under read more.

Basic Information

Appearance: João has the body of an average football/soccer player, tall and muscular, with his skin being a rather light tan. His hair is a rather dark brown, slicked to the side. Clothing-wise he wears a red visor (?) while sporting a black bandanna around his neck, with a red jacket with a sort of black vest with red highlights on it. He also wears black pants secured by white leg armor that starts at the thigh, going down to his knees until it reaches to the ankle. His shoes consist of laceless cleats that are snug by the leg armor. Height: 6'0"/182.8 cm

From what I can imagine, I can see a very coherent character design. There is a clear color palette defined with the red and black. The white leg armor came as a surprise but I think it does nicely to shake things up. Perhaps the biggest issue is that this is Reaper’s color scheme, and the casual body + visor + leg armor poses a resemblance to Lucio’s get up. 

While the smaller details can’t be defined yet as this is a written description, the silhouette he would pose would be noticeably Lucio.

Consider distributing the armor to more parts of the body, such as the shoulders or hands. Put some white too on the jacket and vest, if you don’t plan on changing the palette. If you do, use whatever color the leg armor is.

Here’s an idea. As he is a soccer player, his leg armor can emphasize the knee and ankle areas, as these are the focuses of action in his kind of sport. In soccer, you are typically manipulating your knees and ankles to deliver precise shots with the force of your kicks. As such, the armor can serve to protect these areas as well as, in some way, enhance his ability to move these particular joints. The resulting design should deviate from Lucio’s and create something more distinct, more João.

(Here’s a photo reference: pre01.deviantart.net/b334/th/p…) Full Name: João Luis Valente Torres Name explanation: In Portugal, people usually have two names and two surnames that come from both the mother and father, however they can have up to four surnames but this is less common. Callsign: João (pronunciation: /sh-oh-ah-oh/) Callsign explanation: In football/soccer, players are usually given names that come from a part of their real name (Neymar, Messi, Ronaldo). In his case, it originated from his first name, and he prefers to be called by that.

The name and callsign explanations are very interesting! I like the implementation of common practices from his country and profession. It really grounds him into the reality of Overwatch Earth.

Age: 27 Sex/Gender: Male Sexuality/Romance: Biromantic heterosexual Nationality: Portuguese Ethnicity: Caucasian (little darker because of the sun) Languages: Portuguese, English, and Spanish Base of Operations: Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal (birthplace), Oerias, Portugal and Chamartín, Madrid, Spain (switches depending on who he plays for) Occupation: Professional athlete turned street vigilante Affiliations: Portugal national football team

Gamewise: Health: 200 Armor: 0 Shields: 0 Role: Offense

Weapons: (I’m not the best at making weapons so they’re still kind of a work in progress…) Primary attack: Goalscorer Short-to-mid range submachine gun

Type: Semi-automatic projectile Damage: 12-15 HP Falloff range: 11-20 meters Ammo: 20 Headshot: ✓ Ability I: Finesse Shot A ball-shaped bomb that João will kick at an enemy, exploding on impact.

Type: Splash projectile Damage: 100 HP Cooldown: 5 seconds Headshot: ✕

Suppose the bomb doesn’t hit any enemy. Does it still explode on impact(with walls and other surfaces), or does it get to bounce around before exploding? Does it have a set time before detonation?

Ability II: Beautiful Game João will maneuver the ball around the area/map before shooting it at any enemies. Some examples of tricks include step-overs, feints, and the chop kick.

Duration: 6-8 seconds Damage: 100-150 HP Cooldown: 10 seconds Headshot: ✕

Now this ability is a little vague. Is this the ball shaped bomb from before? What does it mean to “maneuver”? Is he moving the ball around like what soccer players do? (I am, sadly, unfamiliar with soccer’s technical terms.) How would he do these tricks? Do they activate automatically as the player moves around or does the player get a chance to play whatever trick?

Whatever it is, it definitely has me thinking. It sounds like a very unique ability that can put anyone on edge, or simply have them running for dear life.

Ultimate Ability: Hand of God Similar to Diego Maradona during the 1986 World Cup, João will kick up a mind-altering bomb and hit it with his hand, releasing a stream of light and sound that stuns enemies. Ultimate quote: “Cuidado, isso vai explodir sua mente.” (Translation: “Careful, this will blow your mind.”)

Type: Stun projectile Maximum range: 10 meters Duration: 2 seconds

Love this. It’s like a more potent Flashbang. 

Passive: Second Wind The more tricks João will do, the more the ball will charge, creating better damage.

So, does this refer to Beautiful Game’s ball? Is that why the damage is set at 100 with a maximum of 150? This ability gets better and better.

Signature quote: “It’s more than just a game.”

Lore Wise: Bio (short): A soccer star now living in the high life from the slums of his homeland, João will surely never forget about his past.

Raised in the slum towns of Vila Nova de Gaia, João dreamed of becoming a star so he could make his and his family’s lives better, even if it meant playing with a makeshift ball in the streets with other boys who had the same dreams. Then one day, after following a ball into an alleyway held by a group of gang members and almost risking his life, he was saved by the works of Strike Commander Jack Morrison after spotted with a gun to his head. And after that moment, João found what he wanted to do: protect the world from bad, using his skills from the beautiful game. After hard work, and with blood, sweat, and tears, João was scouted by a football manager and was finally going to become a professional soccer player, his dreams were finally going to come true. However, while he was playing in different countries all over the world, he saw people who were living in the same conditions that he was going through. Appalled by this, he remembered how Jack Morrison had defended him, a poor child at the time.

With help from a childhood friend who became an engineer, he vowed to protect both his country and the world from the bad of the world, so the things that happened to him as a child would never happen to anyone again.

Now this is a very Overwatch-esque backstory. The concept of “being inspired to be a hero Overwatch needs” lives in this. I like the little added detail of his engineer friend, which just goes on to explain his whole “having guns and bombs” thing. Which really gets overlooked by most bios.

Bio (full): After the Omnic Crisis, Portugal had laid in ruins, similar to most countries in Europe, and relied on their people to come back to what it once was. One factor that had helped Portugal was the sport of football/soccer. The fame of Portuguese soccer stars, old and new who had the power to spread awareness of the conditions of their home countries, had helped socially and economically for the country (alongside factors such as tourism and large Portuguese corporations), however, the process took time, but it worked like magic.

The influence of footballers gave children the thoughts of once becoming someone like them, rich and famous, somebody who could escape from the poverty of their surroundings. And João was no exception. — Born in a rather large family, João was raised in poverty where it was almost impossible to get food onto the table, but still had hope that one day he would escape from these conditions. As a child, João had idolized some of the greatest football players, such as international superstars like Pele and homegrown heroes such as Luis Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo, and wanted to be just like them. So it was certainly no surprise that he wanted to become the best footballer in the world.

Then one day, everything would change. While he was playing football, the ball had gone into an alleyway, and João had made the mistake of following it. What he didn’t know was that there was an extremely dangerous street gang hanging in the same exact area. When he stumbled into the alley, he was immediately confronted by the gang, who were almost about to take his life if it wasn’t for the strike commander of Overwatch, who stepped in and fought the gang while little João was watching. And when the gang was gone and the smoke was cleared, the commander walked up to João and handed him what he was looking for. And that moment had certainly left a mark on him that would follow him forever.

Years after the incident as a teenager, João was scouted by manager at a prestigious football club, and immediately signed him to the club. Reluctant to leave his hometown since he would have to be separated by his family and friends, he was eventually pressured by his family, especially by his mother because she didn’t want her son to grow up and live in the same conditions that she was living in and he chose to go. Life in the club was a completely different landscape for him, as he wasn’t used something like a group training and playing for a team of people that were also scouted. And with his new career, he played in continental club competitions, and became close friends with his teammates, and eventually was placed into the national team. Though with his fame came setbacks.

As a footballer, João would usually go to other parts of the world, usually for exhibition matches. Though most things wouldn’t stand out to him, he was disgusted when he saw the conditions that some people had to live in, sometimes even seeing slums similar to the ones that he had called home. He wanted to put a stop to this, but the problem was, he didn’t know how.

During one of his off seasons, João had decided to go back to Vila Nova de Gaia and catch up with friends and family, and while he was there discovered through rumors that his childhood friend Alejandro had become a engineer and was working on something for an unknown vigilante, who he later found out was João himself. Surprisingly non-reluctant to take on the task, João now uses his spare time to protect his country from bad dudes with his soccer skills, but when you’re full-time job is being a professional, it’s simple.

I love this backstory. It’s well thought out and well written. It connects with the Omnic Crisis, and goes through João’s personal history while being succinct. It is simple, relevant, and comprehensive enough. 

My issue would be with Strike Commander Jack Morrison’s deus ex machina. Now while he is pretty darn good at being unexpected and fighting baddies, this isn’t Soldier 76 yet. He has a job to be attending to, which means there ought to be a reason why he’s in Portugal. You might remedy this by making subtle remarks at Overwatch’s active presence in the country.

Current time: Around the time João made his promise, he was fighting a group of gang members when a man in a Tactical Visor began to join in, supporting him, surprisingly. After the battle was over, however, the man quickly left but stared back at João for a few seconds before scurrying away. João knows that in his heart, that was Jack Morrison, who had wanted to see him again.

Also, fantastic job at relating him with Jack. While he (somewhat) has a relationship with Jack, Jack remains a separate entity. He doesn’t do anything out of character while being there just enough to be worth mentioning.

Personality: João is known for is being calm and collected, keeping himself under control in and out of the pitch. Though whenever he is given the ball, he becomes fun and energetic and shows a creativity not shown by other players. Because of this, he was seen as the future torchbearer of Portuguese football prodigies, and he is well respected in the football community.

Though how João behaves depends on who he interacts with. With people he’s more used to be around, such as teammates and family members, he’s more open with them and can strike conversations. But if some guy he first met on the street comes up to him and starts praising him as some sort of a god, he will become extremely uncomfortable and excuse himself from the situation. Basically, you have to get to know him a lot in order to get personal with him. And occasionally, performance anxiety can get to him, and he begins to act a tad bit arrogant. He’s been working on that.

I would suppose being a famous footballer would mean he’d gain a following, and having someone come up to him and declare him their god wouldn’t be an uncommon occurrence, and that he’d be used to it some way or another. But ‘s’all fine! He could use some more flaws in my opinion.

Relations: Jack Morrison (Soldier 76) - role model After the incident between him and the street gang as a child, João has looked up to him ever since, even through the peak of his football career, so when he found out that Jack Morrison had been killed, he was extremely devastated. He could no longer get the chance to meet the man that changed his world. But he believes that Morrison is still alive, though, as someone as powerful as him couldn’t just go away from the world.

Alejandro Vicente Nunes Garcia (Alejandro) - friend João’s lifelong friend since childhood, who used to always play football with him. Originally, they had both wanted to become professional footballers together but Alejandro left and became an engineer. Ever since he helped created the things João uses, they’ve become as close as ever. They usually tease each other but also have a mutual respect towards each other.

Lúcio Correia dos Santos (Lúcio) - friend João and Lúcio both share a strong passion for football, which has increased their friendship. They also like to crack jokes, especially about people asking if they speak Brazilian, however, they have yet to try to talk to each other in Portuguese themselves since they speak it in different ways.

Jamison Fawkes (Junkrat) - friend Junkrat’s crazy temper balances with Joao’s calm and collected manner, and that helped them become friends very quickly. Junkrat’s obsession with explosives has gotten him to ask João all about the explosives that he uses, and maybe a little bit too much on Alejandro.

Hana Song (D.Va) - friend Both he and D.Va have similar personalities and a love for video games. Occasionally, they’d play a few video games together in their free time, and he’d make an appearance in a stream or two. But he could be a little conscious since he’s afraid she might develop a crush of some sort.

Satya Vaswani (Symmetra) - acquaintance Even hearing from what Lúcio has said about Symmetra, João doesn’t hold any grudge against her since she never did anything to him. He’d actually like to know more about her, but there’s something about her that makes him feel suspicious…

Strengths: As a sort of attacker, he is speedy and agile, similar to other offense heroes such as Tracer and Genji, and with that can run at fast lengths for a period of time and get away from the fire line, and with his strength can push his way through opponents who are smaller than him.

Weaknesses: João usually makes quick decisions, which could turn into assumptions and could land him into a situation that he would rather stay out of. A recent discovery that João doesn’t like to tell people is that sometimes the lines between love and lust will blur, hence why he doesn’t like getting into romantic relationships.

Likes: João enjoys teamwork and working with other people to get them better. Though most usually would assume that João is an avid spender who throws extravagant parties (like most footballers), behind all of those assumptions he’s actually pretty chill and enjoys Fado music and looking at the nightlife.

Dislikes: Even if he dislikes people disrespecting Portuguese football legends and random strangers who over-glorify him, what he hates most is people who refuse to make themselves better. Oh, and for some reason he doesn’t like to enter and exit rooms with his left foot, he claims it’s bad luck.

Tiny little dislikes like these give them more character than any thing about disliking “generic bad dudes”. It makes them more human and tangible.

Hobbies: One thing that João loves to do is throw himself onto the couch and play video games, but other than that his live is like that of a relatively normal soccer player, training sessions, a few games here and there, and spending down time with his friends and family when he has the time to do it.

Is he “in” with the fans? He’s got to have a following somehow. Does he maintain social networking accounts? Does he hold events? What do his fans say about him when he’s outside the field?

These aren’t really critical questions. I’m just curious, lol. Superstars with a real, intimate connection with their fanbases are some of the best people you can run into. Not saying he should be the totally rad footballer star, but, you know, it’d be totally rad.

Extra: n/a

(Thanks for spending time to review my character. All help is appreciated :> )

And thank you for waiting. Once again I am sorry I kept it down for like, a month or something? Apologies too for the rest in line. Still haven’t forgotten ‘em.

Verdict:

Let me just say, this character is undoubtedly a favorite. They’re concise, comprehensive, and detailed while maintaining a sense of brevity. They’re succinct, and overall well fleshed out. They strike me as particularly unique and interesting.

Design, however, is perhaps the heaviest weight to talk about. The design, with all its similarities, fails to induce a feeling of uniqueness. I don’t feel like I’m imagining a unique character. The colors could certainly be diversified and lightened up. Red, white, and black is quite common as a palette. Portuguese footballers tend to be dressed mostly in red, but they also bear livelier colors like green and yellow. Keep this in mind. As for the overall design, he could use sleek body armor, since he plays a more offensive role with his aggressive ball tactics and close range weapon.

Gameplay wise, I spotted quite a number of vague details. They were lacking too much information to be any clear to me, or anyone, really. It’s wise to define at the beginning what you are referring to as the main object of the ability. A little flavor text about Alejandro’s bombs would be appreciated, though not entirely necessary.

Everything else, from backstory to personality, is absolutely striking. This OC really scored a goal on me :P. It was fun and driving to read on his history and demeanor. While there were some cases where it fell short for me, I feel the rest of the story held up. I found the Likes and Dislikes bit a little lacking for me. You could keep going back to his home country for these things, and it would be totally fine. As for Hobbies, you could build up more on his gaming behavior. Does he play soccer games, particularly ones where he can play himself?

In conclusion, your footballer is a real star. Can I have his autograph?

-Mod Jäger