"Genji, is Nova alright?" Zenyatta asked, having felt the imbalance since it started. "Yes, Master. He is much better now, he was just having a hard time with his...urges. He is calm now, and with my brother." "Will your brother be safe?" Zenyatta had seen the last craving attack his human student and worried for the safety of others as well as Nova's own. "Yes, the anger and desperation has leveled out." "Very good. Give him my best wishes, please." "I will, Master. Jesse would you grab that, please?" Genji had gotten the water and the cowboy had made a messy sandwich. They carried the objects back to the room and found Hanzo sitting on the bed, with Nova gathered into his arms and held against his body. "Startin' to feel like an intruder here." Nova jumped and Hanzo held him tighter as he relaxed again. "We come bearing gifts of the edible kind." Nova giggled and shifted in Hanzo's lap so he could face his friends without leaving the hold. "Will you feed your kitty?" He asked. "Of course, anything you want is yours today." Genji held the water out to Nova who took it and sipped at it before he set it down on the bedside table.

Jesse sat in front of the bed, unsure if he could sit beside Hanzo, and got comfortable. He was greatful he'd cut the sandwich into triangles and Nova ran his thumb along the back of Hanzo's hand as he leaned forward and opened his mouth, sticking his tongue out. Jesse held the food closer and Nova bit a small piece off. "Wow that's really good. Genji may make the best coffee, but you got sandwiches down." Jesse blushed and held his arm out to let Nova nibble on the food like a rabbit, always taking the tiniest bites and chewing rapidly, like an animal would. "You mean that?" The cowboy asked. "Well yeah. It's nummy!" The first triangle was eaten and Nova was getting full, but he didn't wanna waste the food. "Hey you don't gotta finish it if you don't got the room. I know you ain't got a big appetite." "Sorry..." Jesse ran his hand through Nova's hair and the youngest leaned against his hand. "Nothin' to be sorry for, ain't no harm done. Think you could finish it later?" "Probably but if someone else gets hungry before then, they can have it."

Hanzo subtly moved his hand to Nova's stomach and gently pressed down, feeling the muscle beneath his shirt and that there was still a little room for food. "I have never seen someone with such a small appetite before. Is it because of your childhood?" "That's my theory. I spent my entire childhood throwing up and I'm more used to an empty stomach than a full one. I get full fast." A week later, Hanzo was sent on a mission to stake out a place that some mafia gang was rumored to be using as a drug and human trafficking base, and he was sent with Nova, Lena, Angela just in case, and Jesse. When they came up against enemies, Nova took care of the first ones he saw, Jesse and Hanzo backing him up and Lena moving closer to the building to get a look at what they were up against. She put a hand on Nova's shoulder and gave him a smile. "Alright love, where are the people they've got stashed away?" Hanzo wanted to ask how he could possibly know that, but bit his tongue as he watched the young adult slowly exhale, and could feel a slight change in the energy around him.

"The drugs are in crates of coffee on the first level, the humans are on the lower level, they're in the middle of a deal right now-wait...one of the women is...pregnant. I don't think they know yet or else she would be...somewhere else, probably not with the women who are more...more likely to get chosen. Lena we gotta get them out of there." "We will, Love. How many thugs are there?" "Fifteen by the drugs, just a handful by the women. There must be twenty women-" Nova cried out and gripped his stomach before gritting his teeth and trying to breathe through the pain. Jesse put a hand on his lower back, concern lacing his voice as he asked what was happening. "She's having a miscarriage! They're gonna kill her!" Nova stayed outside as the long distance fighters took out the thugs and protected Lena as she made her way down a story to the women. She immediately found the woman Nova felt, blood pooled around her lower body and she screamed in pain. Jesse called in for Angela so they could help the woman, and the others followed Hanzo out the building.

The women made it out safely and Angela took a look at the formerly pregnant woman, who never even knew she was pregnant. Lena went up to Nova who was gently rocking himself back and forth. "You alright, Love?" "Yeah...that poor woman. That was really scary and painful." "I can imagine. Can you get yourself down?" Nova shook his head, every little movement sen sharp, jagged knives of pain to his core. "Jesse, can I get some help here? He can't move just yet and I can't lift him by myself." The cowboy stood beneath the ledge of the two story building and Nova whimpered. "Alright, Love. I'm gonna push you off a bit and Jesse's gonna be right down there to catch you. Can you scoot to the edge for me?" Nova nodded and inched over to the edge, Lena's hands on the small of his back. "Ready, Jesse?" "Yep." He held his arms out to catch Nova and Lena counted to three before nudging him off. The empath bit back a whine and he buried his face in the crook of Jesse's neck, unable to stop the tears and trembles of pain. "I gotcha. Breathe slow."

Nova couldn't bring himself to move and, for once, he was greatful to not be alone. Once the woman was checked by the doctor, Angela moved to check on Nova as Lena went to the other women and Hanzo. "'M fine. It's not my pain." "Take it easy when we get back alright?" "I'll be fine when I get away from the source of the pain." They all made it back safely and the mission was considered a success. As he said, the pain stopped when he couldn't feel the woman's presence anymore. "Yer not shakin' anymore, is that good?" Nova nodded and nuzzled against the gunslinger's shoulder. "Pain's going away." Hanzo and Lena went to the debriefing and Mei was drinking coffee in the mess hall with Genji. "Mei, no more coffee. You're gonna get sick." Almost as soon as Nova said it, his stomach churned and Mei turned green. Genji helped Mei to get outside and got her a bottle of water while Jesse set Nova down in a lawn chair they kept on the porch. "Thanks for the ride, cowboy." Jesse chuckled and messed up Nova's hair. "Pff ah! Heyyyy I had that perfect before you came along and ruined it."

"Perfect? It was a damn bird nest, if anything I saved it." Even Mei managed a weak chuckle. "I like my bird's nest you bastard." Jesse let himself get pulled down for a kiss on the cheek. "You want anything?" He asked once he was released. "Something with bubbles. Like a soda." "Alright. Mei?" "I'm good with water, thanks." When Jesse left, Genji took his place, taking his helmet and visor off, and he nuzzled his cheek against Nova's belly, making him giggle. "I'm never gonna get used to that." Genji took Nova's hand and brought it to his head, a gesture that was clear. Nova sighed softly and played with the ninja's hair. "I think he has been around you too long, he's becoming a cat too." Mei pointed out, her stomach finally settling. "You have a good point. Brother, you are almost as needy as Nova is." Nova laughed and leaned back a bit to look at the eldest Shimada. "So? I like having my hair played with and he has tiny girly hands." Genji replied, snuggling closer to the barely warm body beneath him. Jesse stepped out and opened the soda for Nova before handing it to him. "Thank youuu." The sun was starting to set and it drew the remaining agents outside to watch.

Hanzo perched himself on the thick, metal rail, and kept an eye of the interaction between his brother and newfound friend. It warmed his heart to see them both come as far as they have, considering the traumas of their lives. Genji ended up laying on Nova, head on his stomach and body curled up beside the chair. "Hermano." Jesse turned to Nova. "Te quiero mucho siempre." It brought tears to the cowboy's eyes, replying with, "Te quiero también, hermanito." He carefully leaned down and hugged Nova, who set his drink down to reach up and hug him back. "What about me?" Genji mumbled from Nova's stomach. "Sí tú también. Mocoso." Jesse laughed, Genji huffed, Nova smiled and covered the ninja's eyes. "¿Hanzo, hablas español?" The archer blinked in utter confusion and moved closer to the four as he was waved over. Mei watched happily, even though she didn't understand a word. Nova uncovered Genji's eyes to slip his hand into Hanzo's and look up at his face. "Eres parte de esta familia. No tengas miedo de venir a nosotros." Jesse translated for him. "He says you're part of our family and not to be afraid to come to us."

"Oh really?" The archer looked down at Nova and gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "Hanzo," Nova started, Hanzo hadn't heard his name with a Spanish accent and it kind of surprised him. "Estás a salvo aquí, y te buscan aquí. Prometo, mi amigo." It sounded like gibberish, but the translation Jesse offered and the sincere smiles on everyones' faces sapped the tension and fear out of his shoulders. "What did he say this time?" "He said 'you're safe here and you're wanted here. I promise, my friend'." Jesse put a hand on Hanzo's shoulder. Genji peeked up at his brother and repeated everything Nova said, in Japanese. "There's no judgement here, Hanzo. We all have something we're not proud to have done in the past. But that's what it is, it's the past." Mei chimed in and offered a smile before taking her empty bottle and the empty soda can inside. "Genji, kiss." Genji carefully shifted to get on his knees by the chair and peck Nova on the cheek. "Are you sure you are not in a relationship?" "Well we have a relationship, but it's not romantic. I'm just his attention desperate kitty and he's my pillow, my caretaker, and my best friend."

"I'm your friend?" Genji had a mouth splitting smile when he heard the word. "No, you're my BEST friend. Jesse and Hanzo and Lena are my friends, but that's because I haven't interacted with them as much as I have with you." Genji crawled over Nova's lap and hugged him against himself. "I've never had a best friend before. What do you do with it?" Nova laughed against his chest and reched his right arm up for Jesse and his left arm up for Hanzo; they held each other's hand and Nova had never felt so happy. "You appreciate them, defend them if they can't do it themself, and feed them lots of sandwiches." "That's a sight I like to see." Winston's voice came from inside but nobody let go of each other as they turned to look at their boss. "It makes me happy to see you all get along. Do you mind if I stay out here for a while? It's pretty nice." "Come on out." Jesse stepped aside to let the scientist out. "Nova, do you think you could use your abilities in a bigger crowd?"

"Um probably." "Great, there's something I would like to discuss with you tomorrow." That didn't sound good to the empath. They all stayed out until long after the sun went down and the cold prickled along their skin. Nova shivered and pressed himself closer to Genji. "It is time to go inside, Kitty Cat." The cyborg helped his friend up and Nova paused. "Winston...can I...hug you?" The scientist sat back and held his arm out, Nova gently wrapped his arms around him and gave him a tight hug. When he stepped back, he hugged Jesse and Hanzo good night as well and let Genji take him inside. "Hm I wonder if I could hug Zenyatta. Think he'd let me?" "Probably. Are you in a hugging mood?" Nova grinned at the teasing. "Kind of. I owe these people a lot. Winston, Lena, Mei, Angela, Zenyatta, Jesse, Hanzo, you, even Lucio..." "That's half the base." "And you all helped in some way or another." "I understand. Perhaps you can thank them all in time, but for now, you need to warm up and get to sleep." "You're not coming?" "Not yet. I would like to train for a little while. Spar with Hanzo if he feels up to it."

"Alrighty. Don't stay up too late." "I'll try not to. Sleep well." Once they arrived at the room, Nova jumped on Genji and wrapped his arms and legs around him. "Good night, Cyber Brat." Nova patted Genji's head and kissed him on the nose before heading inside. He would have to take a shower soon, he was starting to feel gross from dirt buildup. For the time being, he washed his face and changed into his pajamas, then crawled into bed to let the silence lull him to sleep. He woke up with a start and gripped his pillow, trying to remember what his dream was about. It felt like he dreamt of nothing in particular, then was woke up by a loud noise. He looked over to see Genji wide awake on the floor beside him. It was kind of creepy, the way the ninja was looking at him. "Genji? What's going on, are you ok?" "I...had a nightmare and did not want to disturb you." Nova moved to the foot of the bed before sliding off and getting on his knees a good foot away from his roommate.

He inched closer, letting Genji move if he needed to, and Genji flinched but remained in place. When he got close enough, he held his hand out and Genji took it, pulled him onto his lap to hold and rock him as if Nova was the one who had a nightmare. Nova let himself be moved as he was needed to and nuzzled at Genji's belly when he was put on his lap. "It's alright now, you're safe." Genji stroked Nova's hair and back. "Tell me wh-where we are." "We're at Gibraltar, we're in our room, Zenyatta's just down the hall." "Master..." "Do you want to see him?" Genji dug his nails in Nova's shoulder. "No. No don't leave me." "Ok. I'm not leaving you, buddy." He got the breath knocked out of him as he was gripped a little too tightly and hoisted up onto the bed. Genji sat against the wall and held Nova in his lap, hugging him as if they'd die tomorrow. Without hesitation, Nova wrapped his arms just as tightly around his friend and reached up to play with his hair. "Shh, it's ok. I got you." Genji leaned forward and cried against his friend's shoulder.

"I'm right here. I won't leave you, Genji." "Tell me you won't leave. Tell me you will not abandon me!" "I'll never leave you, I certainly won't abandon you." When Genji got scared like this, he had Nova tell him things. Anything from his feelings, their location, the color of the sky, and no matter what was asked of him, Nova answered. It was the best way to help him through a nightmare or flashback, or just a general, non-specific feeling of anxiety. It was quiet for a while until Genji asked Nova to purr. Nova kept the noise as quiet and focused in his throat as much as possible. "Th-thank you." Nova nuzzled at his neck and pressed his body flush against Genji's so he could feel his heartbeat mingle with the purr. It was quiet again and Genji's body slowly stopped trembling, Nova slowed the purr to a stop and pulled back a bit to guide Genji's head to his chest so the ninja could hear his calm, but loud, heartbeat. "I love the sound of your heart. It is always calm and steady, even when you are afraid. How do you make it do that?"

"I have a theory. It sounds pretty crazy but it's all I got." "I love when you tell me all your theories." Nova let him go, only to get pushed on his back and have a ninja laying on him. "Well I don't really know how to describe it, but I spent almost my whole childhood training my body to stop doing things. From the minute I was born, my heart didn't work normally. There's nothing wrong with it, it just pumps slower, which is probably the reason I'm always so cold. I can't make it stop, but I can slow it down, along with my breathing. It really freaks people out, how long I can go without breathing, but I can't hold my breath very long. It's weird." Genji chuckled. "What else have you trained your body to do?" "Uh let me think. Tolerate your whiny ass for one." "I'm not that whiny." "Oh yes you are. You whine when you're outisde too long, when you're tired, when you need cuddles. You are a very whiny robo bitch." "You know, you are brave for calling me names like that." Genji shifted yet again and crawled above Nova, an evil look in his eye and a dangerous smirk on his lips.

"Maybe I know you can take it." "Are you sure you want to play this game, little boy? You should be afraid to call such a dangerous man...an insult like that." Nova gave a chuckle and narrowed his eyes ever so slightly. "I'm not afraid to call you shit a lot worse than that." Genji leaned down til their noses brushed and Nova's heart sped up. "I believe you. You are braver than one would think. To play with Death the way you do, one might also call it foolish." Nova whimpered softly and tride to keep his body still. "Foolish as I am-" "-you are not stupid and know when to back down. That is part of bravery." This teasing game turned into something more flirtatious and Nova hoped his friend couldn't tell how he felt. He had developed feelings for the ninja over the years, it made sense given how he was treated by the man, but was sure Genji didn't see him that way. "G-Genji..." It came out as a whimper and a second later, their lips were sealed and Nova was scared stiff before he relaxed against the bed and his hands found their way to Genji's hair.

His eyes slid shut as a shuddery breath left his lips, he kissed back and tried to follow Genji's movements. When Genji finally pulled back, Nova kept his eyes closed and his whole body felt warm and shaky. "Tell me how you feel right now." Genji's lips moved to Nova's jaw and the empath couldn't help but tense for a second, but Genji coaxed him to relax. "I...I feel confused and scared and warm..." "And how do I feel?" "H-happy...not afraid...and kind of horny." A quiet moan made its way out of Nova's throat as the sensetive flesh was kissed at. "Why do you feel confused and scared?" "B-because you don't...I don't...I don't understand." "I know how you feel about me, Kitty. I have known for years. I did not feel exactly the same way about you at first, but I have grown to feel strongly about you." Against his will, a tear slid down Nova's cheek and made his hair wet.

"Genji...what...what am I supposed to do?" "Open your eyes and talk to me." His body obeyed and he found Genji smiling down at him. "I don't know how to feel...I don't know what to say and I don't know what to do." "Then I will ask you questions and you will answer them, how does that sound?" Nova sniffled and leaned into the hand that ran through his hair. "Ok." "How did that kiss make you feel? In your body." He blushed and averted his gaze from the ninja's gaze. "My stomach...it felt like I had butterflies." He grumbled, almost sounding mad. "Did you like it?" "Yes." "Why do you sound angry?" "Because I don't wanna be used again. I'm too fucked up for a stable or healthy relationship and you never acted like you like me as anything other than like...a friend." His lip trembled with the force of his tears and Genji frowned. "I'm sorry I did not tell you sooner. There has not been a...right time to tell you, but I am being honest. I do not want to use you, I have no intention of doing so."

"Th-then what do you want?" He barely stifled a sob and hid his face in the pillow. Genji let his friend cry for a short time before he gently pulled the pillow away. "I want you. I want to be in a romantic relationship with you. I know you best, I can handle you at your worst and I..." A dark blush spread across Genji's cheeks. "I just want to be with you, in any way that will allow me. I...I really like you. There are many things I like about you and I want to find more things about you to like. I understand the hate you have for yourself and I don't want to be in a relationship to try and prove that you are beautiful. I want to show you, that I still like you even if you may hate yourself. It is not my place to change how you feel about your body, but I would like to be here for you and be with you. I l-love you, Nova. As hard as it is for me to say, I really do. When I look at you, I see a man who has struggled to leave his past behind because it follows him.

I see a beautiful person that I find it hard to look away from, and I see the person you desire to be. Who knows, maybe we can find a way to get you the body you wish to be in." Nova felt like he couldn't breathe, choking on his sobs and the previously hidden emotions from the person above him. "Y-you really mean all that?" "I mean every word. If you're worried about things that may change, I have no plans to change the way I've treated you. Becoming your boyfriend does not mean I will touch you anywhere you don't wish to be touched, it doesn't mean that I will automatically throw a big birthday party for you, I will demand nothing from you. What do you think? Will you be my partner?" Nova kept a hand over his mouth and he nodded, eyes feeling like Niagra Falls. Genji hugged him and nuzzled his wet cheek, Nova wrapped his free arm around his boyfriend and forced his body to stop crying. It all stopped so fast, Genji became worried and he looked up. "Is that another thing you have trained to stop doing?" "Yeah."