riverviewlogs | february catch all

[ It's the first time Genji's been alone in the apartment or really at all since coming to the Quarantine. Gladio went back home through the portal and Hana is off on a mission. He tends to his flowers and plants and realizes he doesn't like the idea of sitting in silence the rest of the evening.

So he picks up his device as he settles onto the couch and sends a message to a certain special someone. ]

Your boyfriend is all alone in the apartment and it's a tragedy.
>If only someone near and dear to my heart could come and rescue me...!

[ He attaches a selfie of him with a hand on his forehead, faking a dramatic pose. ]

[ The first thing Genji realizes is that he's in the middle of some kind of firefight. Which is weird because that's absolutely not what he remembers getting into earlier... which, wait, what was he doing? It's strange that he can't really remember.

But all he knows is that he's crouched behind cover and there are the sounds of destruction and fighting behind him, along with plenty of strange voices yelling over the chaos. He's wearing his helmet, he assumes, and he looks around to get his bearings.

It's some kind of city, although he's not sure if it's the Quarantine of London or some other place he's not familiar with. Debris and crumbling buildings all around, a trash can on fire for no discernible reason.

He then comes to the slow realization that there's someone crouched with him in all this mess. Genji turns to the side to find— ]

Cisco? Is that you? [ A pause as he peers at his friend, from boot to sunglasses. ] What in the world are you wearing?

[ Although he's quick to realize he may not be one to talk, as he looks down at his hand and chest and... oh. This is not his usual armor. ]

[ Eventually the silence starts to gnaw at him.

No, he hadn't really been alone since coming to the Quarantine. It's almost been a year now, hasn't it? He can feel the fuzziness starting to creep in from the corner of his eyes one morning while Hana is still away on a mission. There's a part of him that keeps saying she'll be back soon, but that voice is getting more and more dulled.

He starts thinking too much, about everything that's happened. About his memories being forcibly shown to people, about opening himself up to help Cisco, about Shigeru getting hurt, Gladio leaving, Hana— about how he wishes, in the back of his mind, he could just deal with Dodger and how he hates that those violent thoughts still exist in his mind. (Brother, why!)

It's the morning when he starts to try to tend to a plant and then the next time he seems to blink the sun is setting. The clippers have long since fallen from his grip and onto the floor. He gets up, stumbles, and wanders over to the kitchen.

Genji turns on the faucet and stops short. He stares at... hands. Strange, foreign hands. Whose hands are these? They aren't his, are they? There's a very faint voice in the back of his mind yelling that they're his hands, it's his body, it's his but he's just... forgotten.

He stands there with the faucet dripping. He hasn't eaten in a few days, and a faint amount of steam is starting to seep out of the ports on his shoulders, dampening the fabric of his shirt. ]

[ Cisco becomes aware of his surroundings at the same moment Genji does. Thanks to his powers, he's getting pretty accustomed to blinking and suddenly finding himself someplace he's never been before. The disorientation is something he takes in stride, by now. But there is no characteristic tint of blue, no overexposure and strange distortions of sound. And aside from those surface details, it doesn't feel like a vibe. There's some sense in him, unnamed, that can just tell this is something else.

He takes it in - the cacophony, gunshots and shouts, the crackle and glow of flaming trash cans, the distant sirens. Wherever he is, shit's going down. Cisco takes a couple of long breaths, trying to center himself, when a movement in the corner of his eye makes him look, and he sees... ]

G...enji?

[ While he might be quicker to get used to the strange situation, Cisco is decidedly slower on the uptake when it comes to noticing his own ludicrous attire He notices that his chest and stomach are weirdly cold for some reason, but that is so far down on his list of priorities right now. ]

Edited 2018-02-05 02:14 (UTC)

[ That is definitely a bold outfit choice there, friend. Although it looks like Genji's in the same boat, and he doesn't even know what his helmet could possibly look like. ]

Yes, it's me. [ Is that 'transform' on his breastplate? Oh no. ] Do you have any idea where we are?

[ There's a rumble of an explosion. The fiery garbage can tips over with a clang. ]

Or what's going on?

[ Genji what even is this text?! But he caught Shigeru at a good time since he was just finishing up making Genji and Hana some food for the week. He knows that it's hard for them both...and he likes going over. But if Genji is alone then that means...? ]

Are Hana and Gladio not around? I'd love nothing more than coming to rescue you. You don't have anything to worry about.

[ Quite the contrary. Being alone with Genji is...nice and they can definitely enjoy each others company after everything that's happened. The dream in particular comes to mind and his face is just flushed when he types up something else. ]

I'll be right over! [ And with that he's packing up the food he's made and heading out the door to Genji's place. ]

[ Sometimes a cyborg ninja just has to be a little silly. He smiles when he gets the response, although it might be a touch sad for a second at the mention of Gladio. ]

I can fill you in when you get here. I mean, after you come rescue me.

[ He sits up and goes to his room to change out of his dirty sweatpants into something a little nicer. ]

I'll be waiting then.

[ He changes, makes sure his hair isn't a mess, makes sure the place is picked up and then heads to the door when he arrives with a smile. ]

I have...something to tell you too.

[ Shigeru smiles on his end. He's kind of excited to show Genji the ring he's gotten. Genji will get a knock on his door around 10 minutes later and there Shigeru will be, his arms holding various bags of food, as he gives Genji a loving smile and a soft kiss to the cheek when he steps inside.

Shigeru is...nervous because he hasn't actually told Genji that he can speak yet? It's a little...daunting and very silly to be nervous because he knows Genji won't care what he sounds like at all. Though he is curious to see the other's reaction when he finally does open his mouth.

So he'll swallow thickly before he actually speaks. ]

I. I wanted...to surprise you. [ He smiles warmly back at Genji when he speaks there and then. ]

Edited (I can't spell, halp ):) 2018-02-05 17:41 (UTC)

[ Genji has no reason to think the news would be anything negative, so he's very curious. At the knock, he opens the door with a wide smile and leans into the kiss. ]

Hello, love.

[ Genji takes some of the food out of his hands and starts to head over to the kitchen to place it on the counter. He turns to—

...hear him speak? Genji blinks a few times at him. Then reaches up to pinch his own cheek with a wince. ]

Am I in one of those dreams again...? [ But his expression turns into a bemused smile. ] You spoke! What— What on earth happened?

[ Shigeru blushes as he moves inside and closes the door. He'll fiddle with ring underneath his glove. But he does laugh and it's actually audible not just a huff or a sigh or anything like that. His very own laugh, he's so ecstatic. ]

You're not! Not at all! I met someone, Adam Parrish! He made me a special ring that allows me to talk with the voice I would have!

[ Magic sure is something, isn't it? ] Isn't it wonderful? I-I never thought I'd ever be able to talk again! [ He's excited but he'll control himself just...after he kisses Genji on the lips like he does right now. He's sorry he just...can't help it?! ]

I'm...so glad that I can speak to you like this. [ But the ring does have a few drawbacks. ] It's a bit draining to use, and it only works when I wear it, but I love it regardless.

Edited 2018-02-05 23:19 (UTC)

[ Genji is still so very surprised?! He'd heard Shigeru's voice in dreams, of course, but this is so different. He leans into the little kiss and bring his hands up to cup his face like he always does, touch gentle.

He gets a playfully faux-serious look on his face. ] You mean to tell me some other man gave you a ring? I need to step up my game then.

[ He's teasing, clearly, and leans in to kiss him again. ] I am happy you are happy, Shigeru. I know this must mean a lot to you.

[ He moves to brush a hand through his hair, nodding. ] That makes sense, I suppose. Try not to exhaust yourself, okay?

[ It is different for Shigeru too. He never really...expected the ring to actually work? But when it did he was just so overwhelmed by it all. His thoughts on the matter are stalled when Genji says that however. His face utterly red as he gives Genji's arm a light tap with a clearly amused laugh. He sometimes just can't with the other, gosh. But his teasing is one of the reasons he loves him. ]

Genji! [ Don't tease him?! Although his tone is playful and entirely amused. But he'll lean into the kiss that smile touching the corners of his mouth. ]

I-I won't. I...I just really like being able to talk to you like this. But I'll try not to use it too much. [ It's so hard switching back and forth though. He'll lightly touch Genji's hand then. ]

You had...something to tell me too, right? Is everything okay? Where are Hana and Gladio?

[ Genji snickers in return, always glad to see that red color Shigeru's cheeks. ] You have a wonderful laugh, I am glad to be able to hear it.

[ He moves his hand so he takes Shigeru's in his gently, moving his hands down until he rests them on the other's hips. ] However you are most comfortable. I am getting quite good at interpreting signs, for when you are too tired.

[ His expression shifts a little. ] There's nothing wrong. Hana is just away on a mission but Gladio has— returned to his world.

I-I do? [ Ah, oh no, you're just making him blush more as he looks away. He's...sorta self-conscious about how his voice sounds still. It's weird but he likes it and he's glad Genji does too. ]

I know. I'll be sure to make sure not to push myself too much.

[ Shigeru will suck in his breath a little when Genji places his hands on his hips. He just...instinctively moves closer to him there and then, a mere breath away as he looks back up at him. His own expression softens and then saddens a little. ]

Oh. I'm so sorry, Genji. I know you two were close. [ He'll gently cup the other's cheek with a gloved hand. ]

If you...want to talk about it I'm always here to listen, okay?

You look like a Power Ranger, dude.

[ It's definitely Genji's voice, though, unmistakable and familiar. And it helps, hearing it again and confirming there is at least one familiar thing in this whole mess. Cisco carefully lifts his head enough to peer over the concrete traffic barrier they are using for cover. He gets a quick glimpse of their foes before he is ducking quickly, the pair of laser blasts sizzling through the air just above his head. ]

It looks sort of...

[ He'd been about to say it looked like Central City, but trailed off. Because he knows Central City well, particularly downtown. These aren't the right skyscrapers. They're strangely generic. Cisco glances up at the shops near them, to look at their signs and see if he recognizes anything. But the letters don't seem to want to arrange themselves into words. He can't read the signs, and it's confusing for a second before it clicks. ]

We're dreaming.

[ Cisco says it aloud at the same instant that he thinks it, a hushed whisper only just audible over the the commotion. He looks over at Genji, waiting for him to agree, to say that must be it. It explained how he couldn't remember getting here, how some details are so vivid and others make his mind feel like it's blurred.

He notices the fingerless gloves on his arms, then, traces them up to the absurd shoulders of his outfit and looks down. ]

What the fuck?

[ Cisco tries to yank his shirt shut, thinking it's just lost a button... or two... but no, it is apparently supposed to look like this. He holds his arms in front of him, voice growing more definite and sharper as he asks: ]

Okay, if I find out this is somebody's idea of a prank, man have they got it comin'.

I think it suits you perfectly. [ He leans in to kiss him gently on the forehead. He takes a deep breath of his own, getting so close to Shigeru always makes him feel so... so.

He leans into that hand, his smile turning a little melancholy. ]

I will miss him, but his world needed him. I believe we will all see each other again one day, I am sure of it.

[ He turns to press a kiss to the middle of Shigeru's gloved palm. ] He left me some things to give you, actually.

[ His blush is just so...apparent when Genji says that. He isn't used to it but he'll get there eventually. ]

I hope you get to see him again. He was...really nice to me. [ And Shigeru sees nothing wrong with him. Even if they hadn't spoken much before. But his thoughts are stilled when Genji presses a kiss to his palm. Genji no. Not there. He is way too sensitive in that entire region of his body. Augh! A soft noise of pleasure manages to escape Shigeru there and then as he instinctively curls his fingers a little inward at the touch. Oh. God. That is the one thing he isn't used to. Making noises like that. But he'll draw his hand away a little, his face clearly red. He's so embarrassed, forgive him?! He really hadn't meant to react like that but his hands are just so...unused to any sort of touch. Let's just pretend that didn't happen, okay? Okay. He will abruptly speak, his voice a little breathless, to impart something into the silence around them. ]

R-Really? What? What did he give me? [ He's stammering a little as he fiddles with the hem of his shirt. ] We weren't that close so I'm just a little surprised.

[ Genji watches him and sucks in another breath. That... sound makes Genji's gut twist hotly for a moment. But he swallows it down, despite his pupils getting a little blown, and moves his hand away. ]

A-ah, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you like that.

[ Genji clears his throat and adjusts the collar on his shirt. ]

He left you some of the books he'd collected. I have them in my room.

[ ...okay inviting him into his room isn't helping the fluttering in his stomach. ]

No! It-it's okay! I...I didn't mean to-to do that.

[ Gods. He made everything so awkward didn't he?! He's really sorry. His hands are just...extremely sensitive towards everything not him. Especially Genji kissing his palm like that. He just shivers a little thinking about it. No. Okay. He has to calm down. His face doesn't lighten up any when he looks towards Genji's room.

He'll swallow thickly there and then. ]

I'd...like to see them. But maybe we should eat something first? Have you had lunch yet? I made us some onigiri! Some of them have tuna and salmon and I made some regular ones. I didn't know which ones you'd like to eat!

[ So he just made a whole bunch. ]

[ Hana is returning from her mission exhausted, but with that comes that sense of accomplishment from a job well done. She's looking forward to returning home and telling Genji all about the mission while giving Pacchan all the pets and hugs that Hana hasn't been able to give her. And Gladio— isn't there, anymore. Losing their roommate is something that Hana hasn't had quite the time to really process, yet, because of this mission, but...

When she comes through the door, she's surprised by the lack of a 'welcome back' or really anything from her now sole roommate. Pacchan, of course, comes bounding over, tail wagging in excitement and relief that the human has not, in fact, disappeared forever. Hana kneels down and showers Pacchan with affection and lets the dog lick her all over the face. With a laugh, Hana asks: ]

Where's Genji, Pacchan?

[ Maybe he was away, too? But he would have let her know... In just a short moment, Pacchan turns and pads her way to the kitchen with Hana following, only to find Genji just... standing there. And is that the water running? ]

Uh... I'm back...

[ It's not until she steps closer, when she leans over to look at his face that she sees his far-off expression and notices the steam seeping out of his shoulders. She gasps. ]

Genji?! Are you okay?

[ Ah, well, that probably makes the most sense... wait— ] It's sentai.

[ —okay, not really the time or place for a nerd discussion. He watches Cisco peek over the concrete, reaching a hand out and almost touching his shoulder as he ducks. When he speaks Genji's almost confused before it all clicks in place, finally making sense. ]

You're right, that must be it. I had one of these a few days ago, where it felt so— real.

[ And then Cisco realizes what he's wearing and Genji can't help a faint little chuckle at his expense. He looks down at himself, noting the odd belt buckle he's wearing as well as the light up soles on his boots. ]

We're both making quite the fashion statement. Typical for a dream, I suppose. [ A pause. ] At least it didn't end up being a 'in your underwear at school' dream...?

[ There's another explosion behind them, and there's a distance but familiar sound of Omnic guns firing. ]

Should we play along, then? Since we're dressed for it and all.

[ He doesn't know how long he's been standing there. He hears the sounds of footsteps and paws but it's muffled, almost like it's happening another apartment away.

His reaction time is slow and he stands there a moment before slowly lulling his head towards Hana. His eyes are glassy and vacant, voice a mumble. ]

Ha...na?

[ What did she ask? If he was okay? What a weird question. ]

I don't— Am I real?

[ Genji hopes he didn't bother him too much... he knows Shigeru always sets the boundaries with his phobia, but he can't help feeling a heavy pit settle in his stomach for the moment. The thought of making him uncomfortable, unintentionally or not, makes him feel awful.

But he smiles, eyes crinkling. ]

That sounds perfect, you know I love the onigiri you make. [ He turns to start heading into the kitchen. ] I can start some tea to go with it? I have a new tin of jasmine.

[ Genji's worries are completely unfounded. Instead of it making Shigeru uncomfortable it made him...excited and a little turned on if he's being truthful with himself. Of course he's never going to say that, because Genji might think it weird, so he opts to not saying anything for now. ]

I'm really glad you like them. I've been practicing on rolling them so they're a lot better than my first attempt. [ He smiles happily as he follows Genji into the kitchen with the bags of food he brought. ]

Jasmine sounds fine! I really like that flavor. Have you ever tried...any different ones before? They have strange combinations at the store and I wanted to try one, but I didn't know which one to pick.

[ Genji plucks the tea pot off a nearby shelf and chuckles. ]

You'll have to give me some tips, I was never very good at it. [ Spoiled rich yakuza kid, always had cooks handle all the food. ] My mother tried to make us some once when we were boys and they were... interestingly shaped. [ Although it's a memory he treasures for sure.

He flicks on the kettle and turns back to look at him. ] Combinations with jasmine tea, you mean? Or other kinds of teas?

february catch all

closed to shigeru 💖

closed to cisco 🐉🕶️

closed to hana 🐰

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