Hanzo was never one to admit his shortcomings. He was also not one to reveal his sentiments. Not to his family, not his comrades.

Not to anyone.

So when a woman he's grown fond of made clear her intent to travel, to do something noble and insane--like a mission trip to some remote location of the world where evil ran rampant--he was challenged to do something beyond his ordinary.

He had to confess.

Confess! He thought in disbelief, silently questioning the veracity of his predicament. Hanzo Shimada didn't confess! Women confessed to him!

Yet, here he was - very near to the entrance of your quarters, about to bare his soul to a woman. To you.

Hanzo paced the spacious hallway, mustering the will to knock on your door as he staved off his nerves. He recited the words in his mind. Over and over.

[Y/N], he'd begin, You will stay. I forbid you from leaving. Your duty is to Overwatch.

Satisfied, he nodded to himself and proceeded to knock on your door.

Seconds passed by and the door remained closed. Perhaps she's not here, he thought hastily. His nerves getting the better of him, Hanzo began to retreat.

How could a mere woman make him feel so weak? He hated this feeling.

But he was certain he wouldn't be able to survive without you.

Hanzo halted mid-step when he heard your door opening.

"Hanzo?" You called, peering out into the hallway, eyes on his rigid form as he was facing away from you.

He took a steadying breath and turned to face you, instantly finding his gut turning into jelly. His heart raced even faster when he laid eyes on your face, despite the confusion on it.

"Was that you knocking?" You stood in the doorway, dressed in sweatpants and a sleeved shirt -- and Hanzo thought you never looked more beautiful. Especially after he noticed the line of suitcases behind you.

This is it, His inner mind warned him. Speak to her now or you'll never see her again.

With renewed resolve, he sauntered to you and stopped before you. There was fire in his eyes as he looked deeply into yours.

When he parted his lips to speak, no words came out of his mouth. He was unable to recall what he'd recited inwardly earlier. His muscular form tensing visibly, he stood there in silence for what seemed like hours.

"What's wrong?" You furrowed your brow, concern etched on your features.

"You mustn't leave," he blurted.

It was your turn to become silent.

"For the longest time, I have lived in solitude." He spoke softly, finding it more and more difficult to maintain eye contact with you. "Yet... I have had sleepless nights lately, kept awake by the prospect of never seeing you again."

You watched as Hanzo struggled to convey his feelings to you.

"I fear loneliness, [Y/N]." He admitted with hesitation and lowered his gaze. "And ...you are to blame."

Your heart began to race in turn at his unexpected declaration. "What are you saying?" You wanted to dispel your own uncertainty, and to understand where he was going with this.

"I am saying I enjoy your company." Hanzo replied, though it still wasn't what you wanted to hear. "I am saying... I am attracted to you."

That was what you wanted to hear. And as the words left his lips, you felt your heart soaring.

Your lightening facial expression eased some of Hanzo's own anxiety. He took your hand so suddenly and pulled you into his arms, holding you tightly in a nearly crushing embrace. He confessed, "I'm afraid of losing you. I'm afraid of being alone."

You listened as your body stilled in his strong arms. He was always so conservative, so quiet and mysterious. Now, he was confiding in you. "The solitude I used to know... I do not think I will be able to go through it again."

His words struck a chord of sadness within you. The feeling was so profound, you renounced your plans without the slightest hesitation.

Your arms wrapped around his torso, your chin resting on his shoulder, you smiled and whispered your reply, "Then... I'll stay. And if you want my company, just say the word and you'll have it."

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A/N: The cheese is real. Lol hi! This new book will be a remedy to my writer's blocks. Hope you guys enjoy this one as much as my other stories. Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more! :D Love, Mei