i've got this, i'm truly fine

[bunnyhopped]

who: hana song & genji shimada
what: roommate bonding over hair dyeing
when: mid-september
where: their rad apartment
warnings: n/a

[ Hana Song has a Plan.

And it involves at least three boxes of hair dye, some bleach, and several pairs of disposable gloves.

It's been a few weeks, now, since she and Genji moved to an apartment together, and while everything has been going smoothly so far (now that the place has the fastest internet connection possible in the Quarantine, anyway) Hana still sometimes finds that she really... doesn't know much about Genji. She'd realized it, first, when they were arranging their things together and she'd stumbled across a photograph that Genji kept of him and— his brother, she'd assumed, in their youth. He hadn't spoken of his brother at all since mentioning him in passing at the beach, but more importantly—

Genji had green hair in that photograph.

Hana had no idea he had a green phase.

She's been needing to dye her own hair, anyway, to touch up her roots and keep her appearance as a brunette bombshell completely intact; but as she was shopping for a shade to match her current color she came across some green dye and some pink, too, and decided it was time for a fun Rooommate Bonding Activity. So during one of their shared days off, Hana gingerly peeks her head into Genji's room. ]

Yo, Genji. Are you busy today?

Comments

[flowlikewater]

[ Of all the friends Genji thought he would make in his life, becoming close with D.VA had not been one he imagined. A far cry from watching her streams when he could get spotty connection on his phone when he was travelling the world after leaving Overwatch. But here they were, roommates, and he considers her already to be one of the closest friends he'd ever had.

Because she understand while having fun, both things he finds he needs in companionship. She's a soldier and she understands duty, but she makes him smile and he appreciates with every fiber of his flesh and metal being. He was slightly apprehensive about telling her his past... but he had faith it would turn out just fine.

So he chuckles. ] Of that, I have no doubt.

[ Another pause. ] Well, I figure it was about time I told someone. I'm so used to speaking of it with people who already knew.

[bunnyhopped]

[ The thought crosses her mind, then, that she would have been... so very young, around the time that all would have happened to Genji. Young and living in Korea, escaping into video games with her parents because it was easier than facing the reality that ravaged the shores of their country time and time again.

(She misses them.) ]

Your secret is safe with me, Genji!

[ It doesn't take her too much longer to finish coating his hair in product. While Genji's hair was kind of thick, it was still short at least in comparison to hers, and when she's rounds the chair to get in front of him and pulls out her phone to set a timer. ]

Now we have to wait! Apparently this stuff acts fast, though, so it won't be long. I guess they figured out how to make hair dyeing stuff faster in some other reality! [ she chuckles. ]

[flowlikewater]

[ He smiles despite knowing she can't see it at the moment, a soft one pulling at his scarred face. ] I had no doubts that it wouldn't. Thank you, Hana.

[ He's definitely starting to faintly feel the tingle of the bleach, which is a good sign he supposes. ] I would certainly hope so, I never liked waiting. [ He pulls up his legs and crosses them easily, turning his head a bit to look behind him. ] Do you need any help doing yours, then?

[bunnyhopped]

Oh! That would be good! I'm only doing a little part of my hair. I don't know if the world is ready for D.Va with all-pink hair, so this is just a sneak peek!

[ She grabs the bowl of bleach and toner from the table once more and holds it out at Genji with one hand, and with the other she grabs the section of her hair that she thinks she wants pink; she takes it from the lowermost layers of her hair, such that the strip of pink would only really be visible from the front and if Hana would put her hair up or anything like that. ]

What do you think?

[flowlikewater]

[ That gets a little grin out of him and he nods. ] I think that will look great! Very cute, for sure.

[ Genji puts his hand on his chin, affecting a thoughtful pose. ] But will the world ever truly be ready for pink haired D.Va? Perhaps that is the whole point?

[bunnyhopped]

[ Hana walks over to the kitchen, laughing as she goes, to pull a chair over so she can sit next to Genji when it's his turn to help with her hair. Just for dramatic effect, she runs her fingers through her hair and then flips it and then sighs the most put-upon sigh ever, as though she's bearing a great burden when she says: ]

It won't. Honestly, it'd be a crime for me to do that and break so many hearts all at once!

[flowlikewater]

[ That gets a laugh in return. She does it with such practiced ease, he's sure she's gotten much use out of the hair flip maneuver. He puts a hand on his chest in fake shock. ] It would! Then they'd have to quarantine you within the quarantine, that would just be too much.

[ He scratches at a scar on his face, a brow raising. ] Although with the current festivities such as they are... how has that gone for you?

[bunnyhopped]

[ Her smile is bright as a star because thank you for the validation, Genji, you're a real pal. It dulls just a little, though, when she's reminded of the 'current festivities.' She folds her arms as she climbs into her seat with her legs crossed beneath her just like Genji's. ]

I mean, things have been okay? I got caught up with the weird 'soulmate' stuff, but I'm pretty sure it's all fake, but...

[ So the fact that her red thread of fate was tied to one Takashi Shirogane wasn't really... real. And that she's unsure of how to feel about that is weird. ]

You know all those deals they were handing out for couples, though? I got in on a bunch of them by pretending to be on dates with people. [ she gives a laugh, apparently she had way too much fun going on fake dates!? ]

[flowlikewater]

[ He tries his best to not make a weird face at the mention of the 'soulmate' stuff, remembering his afternoon with Shigeru. ] Ah, well. [ Yeah, off to a great start with that. ] It's just a bit of fun, I suppose. Things only have meaning if you give it to them in the first place, right?

[ That's a perfectly reasonable thing to say, Genji, but your voice is a little weird when it all comes out. ]

[bunnyhopped]

... Yeah. Just a bit of fun!

[ He's not the only one who's sounding weird.

She hums thoughtfully, though, carefully regarding Genji's body language and the way his voice sounds. ]

What was up with you during the festival?

[flowlikewater]

[ Aren't they a pair? Genji clears his throat, fist against his mouth. ] Oh, ah, nothing much really— [ He gestures with a hand vaguely. ] The soulmate thing was... interesting. I guess.

[ He didn't think talking about this would make him feel tragically awkward, but there you go. In all honesty, it's kind of new territory for him in a way. When was the last time he was in any position to care for someone, and then talk about it with someone else?

So he deflects, as he does. ] What about you? Anyone try to sweep you off your feet on a white horse?

[bunnyhopped]

You know those stories from back home about how there's a red thread that ties you to your soulmate or whatever? I guess I got tied to Shiro.

[ She squints a little, remembering how awkward that initial revelation and exchange was - but Shiro did manage to make up for it, kind of, because the rest of their little outing was fun. Probably too much fun considering the fact that they were pretending to be a couple and doing very couple-y things to get free stuff. ]

You really think I'd let someone sweep me off my feet on a white horse like some maiden in distress? [ it's damsel, but look, English isn't her first language okay ] No way!

[ And then she leans in a little toward Genji, like she's about to divulge some secret. ] Who was your soulmate?

[flowlikewater]

Ah, really? You had that as well then? [ Genji makes a face at himself, well done just inadvertently admitting that. But he recovers quickly and smiles. ] Shiro, hm? Well, he seems like a nice young man who would treat you well. [ He says it, clearly using the Uncle Tone for fun.

Then he laughs. ] Of course not! You have much higher stands than that. And you'd be the one doing the saving, of course.

[ His brows go up when she leans in and he... looks away a little awkwardly, then coughs into his fist again. ] Oh uh— Shigeru...? Have you met him?

[bunnyhopped]

[ His very Uncle-like comment about Shiro just earns him a good old eye-rolling from Hana, because— it's not like that, okay? They were just. Hanging out at as friends. At a romantic festival. Where they ended up pretending to be a couple.

... Anyway.

Hana hums thoughtfully at the mention of the name of Genji's 'soulmate,' but it doesn't ring a bell. ]

Hmm... Maybe? I meet a lot of people around here. What's he like?

[flowlikewater]

[ Look, he's gotta bring it out sometime. And at the end of the day, Hana's romantic relationships were her business in the first place.

He scratches at his cheek again however. ] Ah, well. He works in the hospital... he's very kind. He also communicates by typing with the device usually, or sign language. [ Genji isn't sure if Shigeru's comfortable with everyone knowing about his phobia, so he keeps that private for now. ]

[bunnyhopped]

[ She cants her head to one side, tapping her finger on her arm as she racks her brain for someone who fits that description. And then she remembers— ]

Ah! I met someone like that at the masquearde. So that's Shigeru, huh...? I didn't really get to see his face because of the mask. Is he cute?

[flowlikewater]

Ah— [ Genji very nearly fidgets, but doesn't, although its a very close thing. He also thinks this, of all things, would be a pretty pointless thing to lie about. ] Yes? I mean, I think so.

[ He's also definitely biased. ]

[bunnyhopped]

[ Hana is watching Genji very. Closely. Without his mask on at least he has to relay completely on his ability to remain composed which is to Hana's advantage. Still leaning in, she hunches over so she can rest her chin in her hands as she looks at him. ]

So it was good that he was your "soulmate" [ airquotes nearly audible in the way she says the word ] then, right? Does he think you're cute?

—Has he seen your face?

[flowlikewater]

I-I don't? [ Hana you're killing him. ] I don't know? And ah, yes.

[ He fiddles with his hands, joints twitching in a way that is very much not like the fluidity of a still organic limb. ] He is a good friend, above anything else. I met him shortly after I arrived here a few months ago.

[ The pining is the recent thing. ]

[bunnyhopped]

[ She just

lllllleans in. ]

Genji, why are you nervous?

[flowlikewater]

I'm not...!

[ He puts a hand over his eyes and clenches his brow together, sighing. ] Fine, there's no point in trying to deny it.

[ Genji drops his hand and looks back at her, smiling a little wobbly. ] I'm interested in him. Does that suffice?

[bunnyhopped]

[ Hana g a s p s and her hands go up to cover her mouth like she's just learned the most exciting thing in the world that she must now keep a deep, deep secret. And, oh no, that little smile on Genji is so sweet! He's definitely being genuine!

Barely keeping in a squeal, and still muffled behind her hands, she responds: ]

Yes. Awww! I had no idea you were interested in anyone like that! Oh my god.

[ Okay, this time she really does squeal. ]

Don't worry I won't tell anyone!

[flowlikewater]

[ Now that was a reaction he wasn't expecting. He was fully prepared for more teasing, although that's probably just because he's used to being the 'little brother' in that kind of scenario.

He scratches at his cheek again and manages to actually look a little bashful. ] Well, I wasn't exactly advertising it. It's still kind of... new.

[ He laughs a little when she squeals. ] Thank you, I appreciate that. Not that I thought you would in the first place.

[bunnyhopped]

[ Now, now, let's not jump any guns here, Genji. Just because Hana's initial reaction was excitement— ]

So, did you get to kiss him at the festival? Maybe you 'accidentally' got yourselves stuck under those fairy lights, hm?

[ —doesn't at all preclude teasing. Because there will be teasing. ]

[flowlikewater]

[ Alas, spoke to soon. Genji raises his shoulders slightly and makes a face that approaches embarrassment. He's really trying to not start blushing. ] We did not get stuck under any of those lights, no.

[ ...well, that's not a lie at least. He crosses his arms and gives her a playful look. ] What about you, then? Did you get caught by them at all?