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Chapter Text

     Hanzo's eyes snapped open. He reeled forward, clutching his chest. He felt it rise and fall much quicker than he'd like to admit. 

      What… 

      The last thing he remembered, he was on the boat, making his way east. He was on the deck, reading a book, he felt the boat shake, then… A blast. An explosion. 

     Oh God--

     "GENJI!" Hanzo sprung up onto shaky, weak legs. He scanned the sandy beach for any sign of his brother, but nothing caught his eye for miles. He hiked up his water-heavy kosode and adjusted the obi and hakama before taking large, awkward steps across the beach. 

     He scanned for any sign of Genji--of the boat or their luggage or anything. Surely the blues and greens of Genji's garbs would stand out against the warm colors around him. Hanzo searched for what felt like hours, calling out for his younger brother. He swore the sun was beginning to set when he saw it: a pile of electric green on the shore, shifting limply from the push and pull of the tide. 

    "Genji!?" Hanzo ran towards the mass, blood running cold as he saw red seeping from the fabrics of his brother's clothes. "Oh… oh, nonono…" Hanzo could hear his heartbeat in his ears. 

     BUMP BUMP BUMP BUMP

     With shaky hands, he turned Genji to lie on his back. 

     BUMP BUMP BUMP BUMP

     Hanzo pressed two fingers firmly to his brother's neck, trying to ignore the blood flowing from his forehead and instead search for a pulse--any sign of life. 

     BUMP BUMP BUMP BUMP

     Hanzo cursed himself for the sheer volume of his own heartbeat. He took some deep breaths and held them, sitting as quiet and as still as possible. 

     bump… bump… bump…

     Hanzo was rigid, swiftly repositioning his hands to rest curled on Genji's chest. With firm, even compressions, Hanzo willed life back into his brother. 

    He was almost knocked back when Genji lurched forward, then turned to his side, coughing up sea water. Hanzo patted his back, helping coax him through it. 

     It wasn't long after that Genji weakly flopped onto his back, his whole body shaking. Hanzo kept a firm hand on his shoulder for comfort, and since Genji had loosely placed a hand on the same forearm, he assumed it was working. 

     It was silent--which Hanzo was okay with, so long as Genji was breathing. Eventually, he had to speak though. 

     "Brother," Genji's unusually quiet voice snapped Hanzo out of his thoughts. He looked at his brother, who gazed back with that stupid, brazen look of his. "So you do care about me after all?" Hanzo scoffed, almost having to resist the urge to roll his eyes. 

     "Do not let it get to your head," he said, but offered a small smile in return. "How do you feel?"

     "Like shit." The two shared a strained laugh. 

     "Where are you hurt?" Hanzo asked, looking over Genji for any sign of injury he may have missed earlier. 

     "My head is killing me," Genji grumbled. "My side and leg too." As if to demonstrate or showcase this, he pressed a hand to the side of his body, just above his hip bone. 

     "Yes, you are… bleeding." Hanzo said regretfully. Genji threw his head back against the sand. 

     "Perfect…"

     "Can you stand? It is nearly nightfall, we should locate a town." Hanzo explained, removing his hand from his brother's shoulder. 

     "I… believe so…" Genji grunted as he tried standing. Hanzo helped him into a seating position, let him rest a moment, then gradually helped him stand up. 

     Genji was, understandably, a little weak on his feet, but he did his best to pull through. Hanzo stood by him, a hand hovered over his back to catch him if necessary. 

     "Which… direction is a town?" Genji asked through hisses and winces. 

     "I believe I saw a harbor not far from here," Hanzo nodded in the direction. "Most likely, a town is there as well."

     "Do… you know English well enough to talk to anyone?" Asked Genji. Hanzo flushed, looking to the side. 

     "I know enough to get by," he claimed, sounding very sure of himself. 

     "Great! I can only say curses in English," Genji laughed, but it devolved into a fit of coughing. 

     "Save your breath, brother." Hanzo shook his head, trying (and failing) to seem apathetic. Genji let out one last breathy laugh before complying with Hanzo's advice. 

     A small town came into view after many minutes of walking--too many, Hanzo would argue. Though it was dusk, the town still seemed lively. Hanzo watched as people--young and old--bustled about. He took in the colorful architecture; boxy buildings of various shapes and sizes lined the thin, winding streets. But what Hanzo could not help but gawk at were the colors. Japan was colorful, don't get him wrong, but this place--wherever they were--used color in a way so different than Hanzo had ever seen and it was gorgeous. 

     Not to mention the smell? His mouth was watering, and he heard his stomach growl. Hanzo had to shake his head to get his mind back on track. 

     Genji needed help. 

    As the brothers neared the town, Hanzo would feel Genji grow weaker and weaker. His feet dragged, his head lolled, and the arm he had over Hanzo's shoulder went limp. 

     Hanzo did his best to keep up a calm, cool, and collected persona--especially as he and Genji entered the town. The brothers stood out like sore thumbs, with their pale skin, (once) elegant attire, and distinctly east Asian features. Hanzo was about to worry more about how he would find Genji help, when help approached him instead. 

     It was a plump, old woman. Her dark, graying hair was split down the middle and braided to the sides (a blue ribbon was weaved into each braid, Hanzo noticed, as the color was very similar to his kosode). An intricately woven scarf of some sort draped over her shoulders and wrapped around her head like a hood. Despite the beauty of her appearance, Hanzo could not help but feel weakly under her gaze. 

     Then she started speaking. 

     "Honey, do you need help? Is this your brother? What happened!?" She raised her large arms to gently turn Genji's face to inspect him.

     Hanzo stared dumbly. He could tell by her tone and actions that she was concerned, but he didn't understand a single word she said. The woman turned to look at Hanzo again.

     "You are not from here; do you speak Spanish?" After taking in Hanzo's expression--eyebrows knit, eyes wide, and mouth slightly agape--the woman let out a small sigh. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, an action Hanzo recognized as stress regulation. Still, she smiled kindly at him, and motioned for him to follow her. "I am a doctor, please follow me," she said, despite not not knowing that Hanzo could not understand her words. But what was there to lose? The woman seemed kind, and Genji was in a time crunch. 

     Hanzo gave the woman a curt nod and followed her as she led him through the town. People stared at him and Genji, and he tried to pay them as little mind as possible. His eyes followed the lines of clothes and lanterns that stretched across the street above his head. They were just as colorful as the buildings. 

     The woman took a sharp turn into a two-story home. The walls outside were bright red with light yellow accents. Various plants and flowers draped down from open windows. Hanzo's eyes were drawn to the embroidered cloth sign on the door. 

     'Cassidy.'

     Hanzo had enough of an understanding of English to know how to read it, though he was immediately confused as to why the one word was in English when no one here seemed to speak it. 

      The old woman opened the door and allowed Hanzo to carry Genji inside. The inside of the building was even more beautiful than the outside. The walls were orange and white, comfortable-looking chairs were placed in a u-shape in the middle of the room, intricately woven carpets and tapestries were placed about--it was messier than anything Hanzo was used to, but it felt so much more comfortable and lived in. 

     The woman placed a gentle hand on Genji's unoccupied arm and took him and Hanzo a little further into the house. She went into a room that appeared to be someone's living quarters, although it looked significantly more tidy than the part of the building he had just walked through. The woman motioned towards the bed, and Hanzo took that as "put him on the bed."

     He watched the old lady scurry about the room as he placed his brother onto the bed. From the things she grabbed and placed on the table beside the bed, Hanzo assumed she was a healer of some sort--a spiritualist or a doctor maybe.

     "This will be a while, please make yourself comfortable," the woman spoke, leading him to the door and pointing in the direction of the sofas. "Sit," she said again. Hesitantly, Hanzo walked to the furniture and took a seat. The woman offered a smile, dipped her head, then swiftly (and rather urgently) disappeared back into the room. 

     Hanzo stared at the floor, clenching his hakama. The initial rush of adrenaline was beginning to fade out, and he could feel the anxiety swirling in his chest, crawling up his throat. He was struck with the realization of just how truly fucked he and Genji were. They had no money, no food, no way to even communicate with the people here--they had nothing but the clothes on their backs. What were they going to do? 

     Hanzo dropped his head back to rest against the sofa. He pressed the heel of his palms into his eyes, taking a deep breath. He felt heavy. His body felt battered. He couldn't help it when his eyes closed and wouldn't open back up. 

Chapter Text

     Hanzo awoke with a start, and for a moment, he couldn't make out where he was. He'd hoped that getting stranded in the Pacific and all was just some weird dream, but here he was. He rubbed sleep from his eyes and looked around again. There was a cup on the table alongside some folded clothes. He couldn't help but notice that they were blue, which made him crack a smile. 

     The next thing he noticed was the smell and sound of cooking food. It was unfamiliar, but it was still appealing. Hanzo sat up to stretch, looking around the room as he did. It was only a little darker than when he and Genji were taken in, so he couldn't have been asleep for long. He wondered if the woman was still operating on Genji. 

     Hanzo carefully picked up the cup and inspected its contents. It looked like water--smelled like it too (whatever that meant)--so he downed it in one gulp. He cleared his throat and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand before looking towards the room Genji was in. 

     He peeked his head into the room, then entered when he saw no one in there but his unconscious brother. Hanzo slowly approached Genji, looking him over to assess the woman's work. His clothes had been removed, but all the blood was washed off and his wounds were patched. A bit of blood poked through the one on his side. 

     Just as for Hanzo, a fresh pair of clothes was folded neatly beside Genji (these ones were green). Hanzo looked around the room, but didn't see Genji's clothes anywhere. He wondered, for a moment, where they were. 

     "Ah, there you are. I saw you woke up, but I wasn't sure where you went." 

     Hanzo jumped, swiveling around to come face-to-face with a (rather attractive) man. He looked very similar to the woman that had helped Hanzo and Genji--Hanzo could only assume that the two were related. The man's hair was short and choppy, though he had two small braids on either side of his head, and each braid had a thin red ribbon woven in. Hanzo didn't realize that he was staring until the man arched a brow and chuckled. A sly, lopsided smile played his lips. 

     "My grandmother said ya didn't seem to understand Spanish. You know any English?" Asked the man. Hanzo perked up. He did know some English! 

     "Yes!" Hanzo said with more vigor than he'd like to recognize at the moment. 

     "Great! 'Least we can talk to ya now," the man mused, taking a seat on a stool near the wall. "What's your name?" Hanzo's eyebrows knit together, and it took him a moment to decipher the man's words through his accent. 

     "Shimada Hanzo," He gave a small nod when it seemed that the answer was sufficient. "What is your name?"

     "You can call me Cassidy." The man--Cassidy--held his hand out. Hanzo looked at it questioningly. "It's how we greet each other where I live," he explained, but drew his hand back. "This your brother?" He nodded towards Genji. 

     "Yes."

     "How'd y'all end up here?"

     "We were…" Hanzo struggled to find what word he was looking for. "Boat?" He hated this. He was so much more eloquently spoken in his native tongue. It immediately got worse when he didn't know how to translate "exploded" or "blew up." So, he opted for a gesture and sound effects. As embarrassed as Hanzo felt, Cassidy seemed to understand. 

     "Where were ya headed?" He asked. 

     "San Francisco." 

     Cassidy let out a long whistle as his eyebrows rose. 

     "Long way off from there, huh?" He asked rhetorically. 

     "Where… is here?" 

     "Mexico." Cassidy gave a wide, prideful grin. "Where're y'all from?"

     "Japan." It felt weird saying his own country's name in a non-native language. 

     "Figured. Met a few Japanese folks in my day, though none of 'em were dressed as nicely as y'all are," Cassidy commented. Hanzo had to take a minute to understand everything that Cassidy said. 

     "Father is…" Hanzo scratched his facial hair, having no clue how to translate this. "Daimyo." Cassidy didn't seem too lost, so Hanzo continued. "Below shogun, above samurai." Cassidy's eyes lit up with recognition. 

     "Oh! Daimyo, huh?" Asked Cassidy--rhetorically, again. He bore an expression that Hanzo couldn't quite place. "Well, you're welcome to stay here till your brother's good to go. We can all talk about how we're gonna get'cha home later, but for now, let's ge ya somethin' to eat." He stood, looking at Hanzo as he stretched. Hanzo couldn't help but let his eyes linger--for just a moment. 

     Cassidy's skin was a little darker than his grandmother's. Hanzo had never seen it before--the closest color he could identify would be a rich, dark terracotta clay, but even then the hue was off. His gaze drifted from his scruffy beard, to his plump lips, to his nose--another feature that seemed entirely new to Hanzo; the bridge was straight, and it had a rounded tip with wide nostrils. He pulled his eyes away before he could make eye contact with Cassidy. No doubt he already noticed Hanzo staring... 

     But the man just nodded his head towards the door and walked out. Hanzo followed, noting how wide Cassidy was as he passed through the doorway. 

     Hanzo was led to a small room adjacent to the one he had gone to sleep in. He saw what he had to assume was a stove and oven, though it was much taller and bulkier than what he was accustomed to. Hanzo saw multiple pots on the stove, and it seemed that there was something in the oven as well. 

     "Ain't much, just what was leftover from supper. Had to warm it back up for ya." Cassidy shot Hanzo a wink, which had him standing in the middle of the room, utterly dumbfounded. Cassidy moved around the kitchen gathering up plates and utensils. He crouched down to pull out whatever was in the oven, which appeared to be some sort of bread. "Go 'head and have a seat, I'll get ya all the fixins." Cassidy told Hanzo, nodding over to a table and chairs. 

      Hanzo scrutinized the setup. He'd only ever eaten sat down on the floor. He didn't want to disrespect the people who took him and his brother in though, so he pulled out a chair and took a seat. Cassidy placed a large plate in front of him after a few minutes. Hanzo's eyes widened. 

     The only thing Hanzo recognized was the rice, though it was a different color and had some sort of leaf in it that he also didn't recognize. Nothing was particularly unappealing though. He looked around for chopsticks, but didn't find any. 

     "No… hashi?" Asked Hanzo, making a motion for "chopsticks" with his hand. Cassidy shook his head and took a seat across from Hanzo. 

     "Ya eat it like this," He told Hanzo as he tore a piece of the bread off, using it to scoop up a little of everything that was on the plate. He held it out to Hanzo, that sly, lopsided smile on his face. "Open up," he said in a tone that was most definitely teasing. 

     Hanzo huffed and shot a glare up at Cassidy. He took the food from the man's hand--careful not to spill it--and placed it in his own mouth. God did it taste as good as it smelled. The pleasure didn't last long, however, as Hanzo was soon struck with intense spice. His eyes pricked with tears and his face went red with heat. He tried to disguise his embarrassment as anger as Cassidy did little to hide his amused face. He quickly got Hanzo a cup of water though. 

     Hanzo snatched the cup from Cassidy and chugged it. He placed it down on the table a little too rough, but he didn't care much as he sat panting. Cassidy chuckled. 

     "You not got any heat in Japan?" He asked, that stupid smile on his face again. Hanzo shook his head, still slightly breathless. 

     "Not… like this… Less… strong," Hanzo managed. Cassidy's gaze seemed to soften. 

     "Sorry, shoulda warned ya," He chuckled, the sound a deep rumble in his chest. "Here," he leaned in a little, pointing to a section of food. "This has the chiles"--he pointed to a different section--"and this has the jalapeños. They're both spicy. Ya ain't gotta eat em if ya don't want." He smiled kindly. 

     Hanzo searched for any sign of mockery on Cassidy's face or in his voice, but found none. He looked at the plate of food, then to Cassidy, then to the cup. He slid it over to the other man. 

     "More?" He requested. Cassidy smiled--looking more genuine than amused or judgemental like Hanzo felt before--and took the cup. 

    "'Course," He hummed and was back in just a short moment. 

     Hanzo kept the water on stand-by as he tried the spicy foods again. He decided that the jalapeños were too much, but the chiles were okay. He and Cassidy sat in surprisingly comfortable silence while he ate--with Cassidy taking occasional bites from the parts Hanzo couldn't eat. 

     After a while, Hanzo looked to Cassidy and nodded towards the food. "Genji?" He asked. Cassidy's face scrunched up as he tried to decipher what Hanzo was asking. 

    "Oh! Me and my grandmother will make sure he gets fed when he's up." Cassidy gave a soft smile, and Hanzo took a minute to take in the crinkles at the corner of his eyes. Hanzo cleared his throat and looked down at his food. 

     "Thank you," He mumbled. 

     "Not a problem at all, Shimada."

     Hanzo's face twisted in frustration. Surely it's not "no problem." How often did Cassidy and his abuela take in wounded strangers from overseas for him to seem so nonchalant about it? But Hanzo wasn't able to even begin to express this. Lucky for him, Cassidy seemed great at reading people. 

     "C'mon now, no need to get worked up over it," He leaned in a little and very casually extended an arm halfway across the table. Hanzo noticed for the first time that the arm was made from leather and metal. "Jus' make sure ya get filled up and sleep nice tonight, yeah?" 

     Hanzo gave the man a look of uncertainty, but the genuineness on Cassidy's face made it hard for him to argue. He gave a small, still uncertain nod that he's sure didn't go unnoticed by Cassidy. But the man didn't press. Instead, he started talking about the food he and Hanzo were sharing. He told Hanzo about how it's cultivated and cooked, its history in México, how indigenous people used it prior to colonization (he mentioned that he was Méxican on his father's side and Diné (/Navajo) on his mother's side)--Hanzo thought he could listen to Cassidy talk for hours, even if he didn't know many of the words he was saying. 

     The man had such a nice voice: low and smooth. He spoke with a lack of urgency, drawing out vowels and lingering on various topics. Hanzo left like he was being slowly lulled to sleep. 

     He must've gotten lost in Cassidy's words, as he was physically startled when the man suddenly sat back and stretched. Hanzo watched the way his white shirt was pulled tight against his chest and shoulders. 

     "It's gettin real late," Cassidy drawled. "Should get some sleep. You okay out here or wouldja rather my bed?" he asked. Hanzo felt his face heat up and cursed himself for it. He pointed towards the couch he napped on earlier. Cassidy nodded. "My grandmother got ya a change of clothes, said dried ocean water ain't at all comfortable. You can change if ya want, we'll wash your clothes tomorrow and have 'em right back to ya." 

     Hanzo nodded, scooting his chair out. He went to grab the dirty dishes, but Cassidy waved him off. 

     "I got it, go get settled in. I'll bring ya out my serape 'case ya get cold." He said, gently taking the dishes from Hanzo's hands. Hanzo looked at him for a moment, then nodded. He walked to the clothes set out for him and looked at them for a moment. He glanced around the still house, the only noise being Cassidy cleaning up in the kitchen. Hanzo began undressing, folding his clothes as neatly as possible considering how stiff they were. 

     He was relieved to find that the clothes went on simply--no strings or ribbons or wraps to fiddle with. He was about to pull on the shirt when he heard footsteps. 

     "Shimada, here's the--..." Cassidy's sentence triled off. Hanzo looked over his shoulder to see the man holding something made of red and yellow wool. He looked to Cassidy's face and found his eyes wide, mouth slightly agape. Hanzo watched as Cassidy's eyes trailed up his back, across his shoulders, and down his tattooed arm. 

     Hanzo couldn't help the small smirk that played his lips. Obviously, he knew he was attractive, and he didn't particularly mind having Cassidy ogle at him. He chose to play coy though. He pulled the shirt on and turned to face the other man. 

    "Yes?"

    "Oh! Sorry--right, uh--the serape." Cassidy cleared his throat and motioned to the fabric in his arm. Hanzo offered him a soft expression as he crossed the room and took the serape from Cassidy. He allowed his fingers to lightly graze over Cassidy's forearms. 

     "Thank you, Cassidy." 

     "It's no problem at all." Cassidy's eyes wandered over to Hanzo's left arm and his covered tattoo. "Nice ink," he commented. Hanzo didn't understand the phrase for a moment. 

    "Aye. It is… tradition in my family." He said, utilizing the term he picked up from Cassidy's earlier ramblings about food. 

     "Yeah? Your brother got one too?"

     "Yes. Only one."

     "'Only one'? So you got another?" Asked Cassidy, pupils dilated. Hanzo let a chuckle escape his throat. 

    "Goodnight, Cassidy," He said in a low tone--almost a whisper--before turning and making his way back over to the sofa, leaving Cassidy looking dumbfounded. The man composed himself, clearing his throat. 

     "Oh, well--g'night, Shimada." Cassidy said as clearly as he could, giving a small wave and leaving the room. 

      Hanzo looked at the serape in his lap, reflecting heavily on the man it came from. Surely, he thought, flirting so openly with him was a bad idea. And maybe it was. But maybe he also deserved to indulge himself a little after nearly dying. 

     He couldn't stop thinking about it. 

     I almost died… 

     Genji might be actively dying right now… 

    Hanzo sighed, pressing the heel of his palms into his eyes again. He sat like that for a moment, the weight of his situation pulling him down until he found himself lying on his back, serape loose over his legs. He knew it was foolish, but he helped himself to sleep by thinking about how he and Genji would make it back to Japan in time to see their father again before his death. 

Chapter Text

     Hanzo awoke a little more peacefully than he had the last two times. Sun shone in through the windows, warming his skin. He might have laid there for a few minutes more had he not caught a glimpse of red entering the room Genji was in. He carefully folded Cassidy's serape and left it in his place before going to check on his brother. 

    Genji was sitting up in the bed, empty dishes on the table next to him. He noticed Hanzo before Cassidy did. 

     "Hanzo!" He exclaimed--a little too cheerily for someone who almost met his expiration date prematurely. Cassidy looked over his shoulder and met eyes with Hanzo. 

     "Genji, you are awake," He said, smiling slightly at his brother. Cassidy's eyebrows knit together, hearing the foreign language. He used a few context clues to deduce that the two were speaking Japanese. 

    "I am! Thanks to--this handsome man and that old woman!"

     "That is Cassidy, and the woman is his grandmother."

     Cassidy perked up at the mention of him and his grandmother. 

     "Mmh, I will have to give him my deepest thanks," Genji gave Cassidy a once-over. 

       "Genji!"

      "What!? Look at him!"

     Hanzo rubbed his temples. "I am aware of his physique."

     "So you get it!" Genji beamed. 

     "I do not 'get' anything--we need to focus on getting home."

    Cassidy cleared his throat, looking a little sheepish. "What's he sayin'?" He asked Hanzo. 

     "Genji says thank you." Hanzo tells him--in English. 

      "Tell him he is hot!" 

      "No!"--

     "Awe, well ain't a problem, Genji." Cassidy smiled, cutting off the brothers' bickering. Genji looked at Hanzo questioningly. He sighed and relayed the statement to Genji. 

      "What a gentleman," Genji snickered. 

     "Get your head out of the gutter; now is not the time. We need to plan how we will return home--and we cannot do that with your debauchery in the way."

    "I am simply having fun, brother! I almost died, you know," Genji sighed and placed the back of his hand against his forehead. Very dramatic. 

     "Contain yourself," Hanzo sighed. He noticed Cassidy's gaze on him, and waved his hand to dismiss the discussion. 

    "When will he…" Hanzo searched for the word. "Be good?“ He asked Cassidy. The man scratched his chin. 

     "Hard to say. We'll have to keep an eye out for infection, but he should be good to get around in 'bout a week or so."

    Hanzo bit the inside of his cheek. A week was a long time--given their current predicament. Cassidy smiled kindly and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, drawing his thoughts away. 

    "Hey now, don't get all glum--we'll figure this out. How 'bout…" Cassidy seemed to consider his next few words very carefully. "How 'bout I help you and your brother up to San Francisco?"

    Hanzo stared at him with wide eyes. "Why?" was as eloquently he could phrase his thoughts. Cassidy gave a hearty laugh. 

    "Y'all need help, and I know my way 'round the West. Won't be no problem at all. Promise."

     "I will… talk to Genji," Hanzo told him. Cassidy nodded. 

    "'course. Just let me change his bandages right quick."

    Hanzo watched Cassidy move around the room, gathering up various medical supplies. It reminded him a lot of Cassidy's grandmother. 

     "My grandmother said it looks pretty bad," the man said aloud, probably to both Hanzo and Genji. "'case ya wanna leave for a minute, get ya somethin' to eat. Breakfast is still warm in there."

     "I…" Hanzo gagged as he watched Cassidy peel away a bandage from Genji's leg. "I will go." He turned on his heels. 

~~~~~~~~~~

     "Do we go with him?" 

     "Why not? He seems very trustworthy."

     "We know nothing about him."

     "He is kind. Generous, too."

     "That is not much to go off of."

     "Well, you seem to like him. A lot." Genji snickered, giving Hanzo's shoulder a light shove. Hanzo just responded with a deadpan look. 

     "This is serious, brother."

    "I know. But we can still try to make the best of the situation!"

      "What good could there possibly be?"

     "We are fed! And we are clothed, and I may not die of infection, and there are kind people giving us refuge!"

     "We are not refugees," Hanzo hissed, as if the word were dirty. 

      "What might you call us then?"

      Hanzo was silent for a moment. "We are not refugees." He said again. Genji sighed. 

     "I do not like being the reasonable one, brother."

     "You are not being 'reasonable.'"

     "I am." Genji shook his head. "We will have time to get to know Cassidy and his grandmother while I recover. You can decide then if we should travel with him or not."

     Hanzo huffed, closing his eyes and rubbing his temples. Genji was making a lot of sense and he did not like it. But perhaps he was right. Perhaps he should give the Cassidys a chance. 

     "We will see," Hanzo declared. 

     "I am sure we will," Genji hummed. 

Chapter Text

    Genji was healing up exceptionally well--according to Mrs Cassidy (Cassidy's grandmother). He and Hanzo had been staying with the Cassidys for about a week, so Hanzo had been doing his best to help wherever he could. Mostly, he cleaned up around the house. Doing dishes, washing clothes, sweeping, that sort of thing. It was a lot more work than he was used to, but he couldn't bear being some sort of freeloader (even if Cassidy and Mrs Cassidy told him it wasn't necessary). 

     He honestly didn't mind the new workload; it was quite meditative--for as domestic as it was. He got to spend a lot of time with Mrs Cassidy since she worked at home. She was great company, even if they couldn't talk to each other. 

     Genji liked her too, he said. 

***

     "She reminds me of Grandma!"

     "We do not have a grandmother."

     "Yes, but I wish we did! I want her to be just like señora Cassidy!"

     "Do you now?"

     "Mm-hm! But I do not expect you to understand; you do not know her like I do,"

     "I do not?"

     "No; she is my best friend."

     "You cannot be best friends."

     "Why not?“

     "She is nearly three times your age, for one--"

     "Age is just a number!"

     "I cannot--Genji, no."

     "Just stop being jealous."

     "I am not jealous."

     "It is seeping from you!"

     "You are--"

     "You want to be me so bad, I can tell."

     "I am not talking to you any further--"

     "You wish you could be as lovable as I am."

    "I am leaving."

    "Wait, Hanzo!--"

    "Goodbye."

    "NOO--"

***

     "Shimada?"

     "Hm?" Hanzo's head poked in from the backdoor, where he'd been sweeping.

     "Ah, there ya are! I'm makin' a run to the market; could use an extra set of hands if ya don't mind."

     "Oh--I have not… been there."

    Cassidy propped himself against the doorway with his arm. "Nice place, and it could do ya some good to get out for a minute."

     "I cannot speak to people."

     "Ain't gotta."

     "Mmph… Then… I shall go,"

    Cassidy beamed. "Great! Just need to talk to Grandma right quick--go 'head and get your shoes on though," Hanzo nodded, and Cassidy walked briskly to the next room. 

~~~~~~~~~~

     It was a little later in the day, so the market was not as packed as it could have been (Cassidy said). Hanzo tried to look as unassuming as possible while he walked with Cassidy, but he found the task to be rather difficult. 

     He was used to sticking out in public. The average man in Japan wasn't as tall as Hanzo, nor was he as muscular or dressed as fine. But right now, that seemed trivial. 

     His complexion was different. His eyes were different. His facial structure was different. His hair was different. His posture was different--not a single thing about him was even similar to those that surrounded him, and it was daunting--

    "Shimada?" Cassidy snapped him out of his spiral. "Ya alright?“

      "I am good."

      "Y'sure?" 

      "Yes."

      "I'm kinda hungry; wanna get somethin' to eat? I know a good place for lunch," Cassidy smiled down at Hanzo, but the first response he got was simply a look of skepticism.

      "You can eat at your home, no?"

      "Yeah, but it's nice to eat out sometimes. C'mon, I'll get ya somethin' too!" Cassidy nudged Hanzo with his hip and made a b-line towards the outskirts of the market. Hanzo followed hurriedly. 

     He stood half-behind Cassidy as the man talked to an old woman in Spanish. He saw the woman look him over, but it didn't seem that she said anything about him based on the way Cassidy interacted with her. 

     "What all do ya want?" He asked Hanzo, stepping aside so that all the food was visible. 

     "Oh, erm…" Hanzo recognized most everything he saw, so he pointed towards his favorites. Cassidy relayed the information to the woman, and she quickly had their food. 

      Hanzo picked out a clear spot in the shade, overlooking the bay. He helped Cassidy put the baskets of grain and produce down before sitting down seiza-style. Cassidy took his place next to him, slouched and cross-legged. Silence occupied the space for many minutes as they ate. 

      "What's the beach like in Japan?" 

      "Hmm…" Hanzo surveyed the area. "This is very similar to where I lived. Rocks, cliffs, blue water, sand… But more… green. Less"--he gestured to a mess of spindly, wide-spread branches in the near distance. Cassidy gave a hearty chuckle. 

      "That's the torote blanco." Hanzo could hear the smile in Cassidy's voice. "Been real useful--sap's good for repairin' boats and pots, wood's good for buildin', oil's good for treatin' cuts n' stings,"

(Hello! This is when I'd recommend not reading the next few paragraphs if the cw/tw applies to you. You can scroll to the next block of bolded text to keep reading (I'd scroll until the bold it's at the top of your screen so your eyes don't wander).) 

     "You know a lot about the--... torote blanco."

     "Grandma grew up learnin' 'bout 'em from her parents. Damn Jesuits pretty well wiped her tribe out when she was lil kid, so she likes tryin' to keep her tribe's culture alive."

     "What are--... Jesuits…?"

      "'Society o' Jesus'; Spanish missionaries comin' to Christianize the natives. Just some piss-poor excuse to spread their white supremacist ideas." Cassidy shrugged, but Hanzo could hear the venom clear in his voice. "Same thing happened to my momma's people up in New Mexico."

(It's really short ik, but I just wanna be sure people don't accidentally read something they really don't want to. It's safe to read from here tho!) 

     "Mmh… I--... my apologies, Cassidy. The West has not been so unkind to my country."

     "Naw?"

    "No. The shogunate has kept us very… isolated, for a long time. The United States of America only recently has forced us into foreign relations. Many traditions are being--... gone? but not like you."

     "Losin' tradition can still hurt."

     "It is upsetting, but it is not… forced."

     "Maybe not violently, but I betcha an arm and a leg it ain't a coincidence your culture starts dyin' as soon as the United States gets involved."

     "You do not respect your military?"

     "Not a single bit."

     "How strange…"

     "What's so strange 'bout it?"

     "It is…" Hanzo shook his head. "We are supposed to back home."

     "Yeah, we are too, but ah--bit difficult given my circumstances." Cassidy laughed, prompting a smile and a quiet chuckle from Hanzo. 

      "Yes, I would think so."

     Silence, again, filled the space between them. Hanzo felt much more relaxed, he realized, as he had to consciously correct his posture.

     "Do ya feel any better now…?" Asked Cassidy, his voice uncharacteristically soft. Hanzo froze, and he wasn't sure if it was the words or the way they were spoken that made his heart beat faster. 

      "I--... yes. You have my thanks."

~~~~~~~~~~

     The two were headed back to the Cassidys' home just as the sun began setting. Hanzo felt re-energized. He hadn't known he'd genuinely miss going into town and doing literally anything--but here he was. 

     Yeah, it wasn't home, and yeah, he felt like someone was always staring at him, but at the end of the day he was merely a foreigner that the Cassidys had taken in. Here, he wasn't Shimada Hanzo, heir to the Shimada clan. He wasn't someone to bow to and avoid eye contact with--he was just some guy--an odd looking guy, considering the norms in appearance, but some guy nonetheless. Anonymity was a comforting thing. 

     Hanzo went to check on Genji, who was out back looking at flowers with Mrs Cassidy, then returned indoors to assist in putting away and storing the goods from the market. He helped start supper (which, for him, was simply chopping vegetables, but Cassidy sure made him feel like it was a big help), but eventually strayed off to do other chores when Mrs Cassidy took over. 

    When Hanzo couldn't find anything else to do, he made his way to the room Genji was staying in, bringing him the medicinal tea he'd been prescribed. Genji had very recently been permitted to move about, and he took full advantage of that. Genji was never quite able to sit still for extended periods of time, and Hanzo never heard the end of it back when Genji was on bed rest. 

     Even with as much as Genji enjoyed it though, the sudden influx of exercise after essentially not moving for a week exhausted him. Genji was back in bed and nodding off before dinner was done. 

     "Brother, I have brought you your tea," Hanzo announced. His intrusion snapped Genji out from nodding off. 

     "Hmmn…? Oh!--yes, of course," The younger Shimada pulled himself into a seating position before being handed the cup. "I meant to ask earlier, but did you have fun on your little date with Cassidy?" He giggled. 

     "Genji--!" Hanzo hissed, lightly smacking his brother's arm. "It was not a--a date. We simply went to the market."

     "That is all?"

     "We had lunch."

     "Mm. Mhm-mhm." Genji held back another giggle. Hanzo just rolled his eyes. 

     "I came here to speak with you about a serious matter."

     "Is it about Cassidy?" Asked Genji. Hanzo narrowed his eyes at his brother. "Ok, ok, go on."

     Hanzo huffed. "After having spoken with Cassidy more--and considering señora Cassidy has said you will be good to go soon--I believe we should accept Cassidy's offer to travel to San Francisco together." Genji gave a devilish grin. 

     "Oh? What was that? Did--did you just say the exact same thing I said a week ago?"

     "Do not let it get to your head, brother."

     "Is this how you feel every day? No wonder you are so vain--being right feels incredible!" Genji laughed as Hanzo rolled his eyes. "Perhaps I should become more like you and father, although I would not want to walk around with a stick up my ass all the time--"

    "Alright, enough of that," Hanzo snapped, but was unable to speak with any actual anger. "Drink your medicine or we may never leave."

    "That would not be so bad," Genji mused, sipping the tea.

Chapter Text

     "Wagon's set up and stocked," Cassidy announced as he re-entered the house, wiping his hands off on a brightly colored handkerchief. 

     It had been nearly another week since Hanzo took Cassidy up on his offer to escort him and his brother to San Francisco, and Cassidy had spent the whole week ensuring that they'd have the proper supplies for the trip.

    "Y'all ready to head out?" Cassidy looked between Hanzo and Genji. The brothers nodded (after a swift translation from Hanzo). "Alright, let me go say g'bye to Grandma before we leave." He offered a lopsided grin and left for another part of the house, spurs clinking against the floor. 

     "Where is he going?" Asked Genji. 

     "Bidding Mrs Cassidy farewell."

   "What!? I want to say goodbye as well!" Without a response from his brother, Genji got up and ran for Cassidy. 

     "Genji, wait-!" Hanzo chased after him. 

    "...safe, don't be reckless, and please take care of Hanzo and Genji," Mrs Cassidy practically babbled, holding Cassidy's face in her wrinkled hands. 

     "Yes, Grandma, I will. Promise," Cassidy responded as he brought his hands up to place them over hers. 

     "You're done packing?"

     "Yes, Grandma,"

     "Then let me get the handkerchiefs for Hanzo and Genji!" Mrs Cassidy pulled away from Cassidy as she turned around, but immediately came face-to-face with the Shimada brothers. She jumped and placed a hand over her heart, eyes slightly wide. "You scared me! Are you okay?"

     Hanzo glanced to Cassidy. 

     "Y'all good?" He translated. 

     "We want to say goodbye." 

     Cassidy turned to his grandmother and told her something in Spanish. Before he even stopped speaking, Mrs Cassidy broke into tears and quickly drew Hanzo and Genji in for a hug. 

     "Precious boys! I will miss you!" She cried. Genji hugged back tightly, and Hanzo awkwardly pat her back. He glanced over at Cassidy, who was watching with a soft smile. Hanzo quickly looked away. 

     Mrs Cassidy pulled away and placed her hands on Genji's cheeks, pulling him down to kiss his forehead. She did the same to Hanzo, saying things like "stay safe," and "I hope you get home."

    "I will be back," she said, bustling away. It took a minute for Hanzo to look up at Cassidy. 

     "Said she'll miss ya," Cassidy told him. "and told y'all to stay safe and she hopes ya make it home." Hanzo gave a small smile. 

     "I will thank her,"

     "Tell her 'thank you,'"

     Hanzo nodded slowly, repeating the word under his breath. Mrs Cassidy was back in moments, holding in her hands two pieces of square cloth. One was blue with intricate white and red detailing, and the other was green with white and yellow details in a similar pattern. She gave the blue one to Hanzo and the green one to Genji. 

    "As a parting gift," she said softly. 

     Hanzo closely inspected the gift, eyes trailing over each little stitch and strand of wool. A little dragon twisted its way around the corners. It was gorgeous. 

     He looked over as Genji gave a deep bow, choking out a rather loud "thank you" in Japanese. Mrs Cassidy pulled him up and into another hug. 

     "Th... Thank you," Hanzo managed, hoping his pronunciation wasn't God-awful. 

     "Awe, come here," Mrs Cassidy held her arm out to Hanzo, and he allowed her to bring him in for another hug. 

~~~~~~~~~~

     Hanzo, per Genji's complaining of being "too cramped," sat with Cassidy in the jockey box. He was honestly grateful to be sitting there instead of in the wagon because he was at least offered a bit of a breeze in the sweltering heat. He wasn't sure how hot it was exactly, but God was it uncomfortable--nothing like what it was like in Japan. 

     He noticed the heat back in town, but it wasn't like this. Maybe the ocean breeze had offered a little solace, but Hanzo wasn't permitted that any more. 

     The longer they went, the worse it had gotten. The first few hours were actually quite nice (aside from the uncomfortable seat), but as they traveled further it got more and more unbearable. 

     Hanzo would swear the heat had solidified into some sort of skin-tight bubble around his body. The awning above his head did little to help, but it seemed that Cassidy was doing just fine. 

     Hanzo looked over at the man with envy. He was just sitting there, relaxed, whistling some tune Hanzo had never heard before. Meanwhile, Hanzo was sure he wouldn't make it to the next rest stop for Cassidy's horse. 

     "Ya doin' alright?" Asked Cassidy. Hanzo didn't move his head from where it rested against a wooden beam--just shot Cassidy a glare from the corner of his eye. 

     "No," he spat. Cassidy gave a hearty chuckle, seemingly unaffected by Hanzo's coldness. 

    "Here, take a swig." The man handed Hanzo a water canteen, to which he rather urgently chugged. "Can put your hair up too, if ya want. Might be a little cooler then."

     Hanzo just gave what appeared to be a shrug as he handed the canteen back to Cassidy, grumbling a quick "thank you" 

     "Cools off later in the day," Cassidy said. "Pretty nice out them few hours 'fore nightfall. Temperature drops after that though."

     "Does it?"

     "Mm-hm. Gets down to freezin' sometimes."

     "Your weather is…" Hanzo's sentence trailed off as he searched for the proper word. Cassidy let him take his time. "Up and down?"

     Cassidy nodded, offering a smile. "It is. Nights ain't so bad durin' the summer, but days can be tough."

     Hanzo huffed. "Not at all." His words were laced with sarcasm. He was startled as Cassidy let out a bellowing laugh. "Did I say something funny?" He asked. Cassidy shook his head. 

     "No, no. You just ain't never been so… snappy?"

     Hanzo flushed with sudden embarrassment. He hoped it wasn't noticeable with his already heat-reddened face. "Ah!--my apologies,"

    "Naw, no need to apologize: I kinda like it. Feels moree… organic." Cassidy shot Hanzo that dumb, lopsided smile of his. Hanzo shook his head, turning away while making a "mmh" sound. 

~~~~~~~~~~

     The next stop was by some strange rock formations. It was high noon, but the overhanging ledges offered some decent shade. Hanzo sat on the back of the wagon, watching Cassidy as he tended to his horse, Johona. 

     She was gorgeous, and much like everything else Hanzo had experienced these past couple weeks, she was unlike everything he was familiar with. 

     "Pretty, ain't she?" Cassidy's voice broke Hanzo out of his minor trance. 

      He nodded. "She is,"

     "She's a Mustang. Wild horse. Diné been ridin' em for a long while," Cassidy said as he offered Johona a bucket of water. 

      "Us as well."

      "You n' Genji ride?"

      "Yes, though I am better than my brother."

     Cassidy chuckled at Hanzo's gloating, looking over his shoulder at the other man. "Yeah? You'll have to show me sometime." He gave a quick wink before turning back around. At this point, Hanzo was no stranger to Cassidy's flirting (he even reciprocated it on occasion), so he just huffed and rolled his eyes--which garnered yet another little laugh from Cassidy. 

     "We were trained to fight horseback." Hanzo continued. "Father wanted to ensure our… skill, with a sword. Though I prefer a bow."

     Cassidy grinned. "Was taught to shoot a bow on ol' Johona here," He pet the horse's neck, giving her an affectionate scratch behind the ear. "But I'm more keen with a gun nowadays." 

     "Oh," Hanzo's eyebrows rose. 

     "What?"

     "Ah--we do not have personal firearms; that is reserved for the military, and even they do not like it much. It is merely something being pushed by the West."

    "They don't make ya uncomfortable or nothin' do they?"

     Hanzo couldn't help but laugh. Uncomfortable? no, that would be absurd! "No, no, not at all. I simply do not find them…" Hanzo wasn't sure how he wanted to phrase this. "They are not as honorable as a sword or bow."

     "Ain't honorable, huh?"

     Hanzo found himself actually scrambling to defend himself. "But that does not mean you are not honorable for using a firearm! I believe you to be very honorable!"

     Cassidy laughed this time. He shoved Hanzo's shoulder. "I wasn't bein' serious! Y'know how many times I've heard that spiel? It's all water off a duck's back," He grinned at Hanzo. "Plus I bet ya ain't ever seen a real gunslinger in action, huh?"

     "That is what you call yourself?"

     "Yessir! Best in the West!" Cassidy said, puffing out his chest. Hanzo shook his head, holding back a laugh. 

     "I am certain you are," He mused. 

~~~~~~~~~~

     The rest of the day was smooth sailing. Cassidy showed Hanzo and Genji how to assemble the tents, then he started a fire and began cooking. Genji managed to convince Hanzo to play daruma-san, while they waited for supper--which Cassidy found quite entertaining (he mentioned to them over dinner that he played a similar game as a child, called "un, dos, tres, calabaza!"). 

     Even though he slept most of the ride, Genji was "completely exhausted!" by the time he was done eating, so he went straight to sleep. Cassidy and Hanzo retired to bed soon after, but Hanzo was unable to sleep. He wished Cassidy had been lying when he said it would get cold at night. Really cold. Because, as it were, Hanzo was sitting up with his knees drawn to his chest. Even with the extra pants, shirts, and outerwear he'd been given, it was far too cold in his tent, and he had to resort to sitting on a log by the withering fire. 

     Fuck. The fire. 

     It would die soon, surely. The firewood Cassidy had collected ran out a while ago, and Hanzo had no clue where to look for more (not that he'd risk gathering it even if he did know where to look--he was terrified of those scorpions and coyotes he saw earlier). 

     Hanzo screwed his eyes shut and tried wrapping his blanket tighter around himself. He was shivering so bad his teeth clinked together, which he found downright embarrassing. God was he thankful no one was there to see him in such disorder.

     "Shimada…? What're ya doin' still up?" 

     Goddamnit.

    Hanzo whipped around in time to see Cassidy shuffling out of his tent. "I was… cold," He mumbled, looking back towards the fire. Cassidy gave a "mmh," and Hanzo heard him walk over. 

     "Wanna share? Ain't got much else to give ya."

     "Share?"

     "Mhm. I can just let ya have half my blanket; I stay pretty warm, so it won't be no worries," Cassidy assured, smiling.

      "I… would not mind," Hanzo mumbled, keeping his eyes on the fire. Cassidy didn't give a verbal response as he plopped down next to Hanzo, draping a corner of his blanket over Hanzo's far shoulder. It was barely big enough for the two of them--Hanzo's sure the sudden spike in warmth he felt was actually from Cassidy himself and not the blanket. 

     "That better?" Cassidy sounded almost too close, but his voice--deep and gravelly from sleep--was somehow just as comforting as his body heat. Hanzo took a shot in the dark and moved to sit closer to Cassidy. He became a bit rigid, Hanzo noticed with a twinge of delight. 

     "Much. Thank you."

     "'Course, no problem." Cassidy cleared his throat and reached up to scratch at his beard: a gesture Hanzo had long since recognized as nervous fidgeting. 

    "Am I too close?"

    "No!--erm, no; you're good, honest." Cassidy offered a lopsided smile, which Hanzo returned (somewhat). 

     A comfortable silence fell over the two, and Hanzo made no comment when Cassidy's knee fell lightly against his own. The contact was miniscule, but Hanzo wanted to take a long hike through the frigid desert for the way it made him feel. 

    Cassidy was far too inviting for his own good, Hanzo thought. Under better circumstances, he liked to think that perhaps something would come of their flirtatious banter. 

     But better circumstances were not possible. 

    Cassidy was only here to help them back to Japan, and once Hanzo has inherited his father's wealth and power (because, let's be honest, Genji was not going to take on that responsibility), he doubted he'd ever go back to Mexico--even if he really wanted to. 

     "Fire's gettin' real low. You put all the wood on it?" Asked the man plaguing Hanzo's thoughts. 

     "Yes. I do not know where to get more."

     "Oh, ain't no problem," Cassidy stood, making sure to keep the blanket wrapped around Hanzo, and went out of sight for a moment. When he returned, he had an armload of chopped wood. Only one. 

     "Your arm…" Hanzo trailed off, unsure of what he even intended on asking. 

     "Hm? Oh, I take it off to sleep."

     "How did you…"

     "Lose it?"

     Hanzo nodded, hesitant. "You do not have to say,"

     "Nah, it's all good." Cassidy smiled. "Ran with a gang back in the day; just some us poor kids in the town I grew up in. Not to brag, but I was the best damn gunslinger 'round--still am, but I maybe let it get to my head as a youngster." Cassidy chuckled, voice a little distant in his reminiscence. "Picked a fight I wasn't prepared to lose and wound up an arm short. Ashe n' Bob dragged me out 'fore I lost my head too."

     "How long has it been?"

     "Hmm… damn near ten years now?" Cassidy turned to face Hanzo as he dusted his hand off on his serape. Hanzo hadn't even noticed that he threw a few logs on the fire. 

     "That is a long time," Hanzo commented, eyes trailing Cassidy as he made his way back over to the log. Hanzo held the blanket out so that Cassidy could sit back under it. 

     Cassidy laughed. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you're warmin' up to me." He sat down, wrapping the blanket over his shoulder. 

     "Then perhaps you do not know better." Hanzo murmured in Japanese. He was unsure if it was a confession he wanted to make, but saying it out loud made him feel better. 

    Cassidy looked at him with a tilted head and knit eyebrows (Hanzo thought he looked rather similar to a dog) but he was waved off. Cassidy let it go, and they fell back into that comfortable silence before Hanzo drifted off to sleep against Cassidy's shoulder.

Chapter Text

     Hanzo groaned as he awoke. The first thing he noticed was how horrible his body felt--it was like every fiber of his being was stiff. The second thing he noticed was that he was in his tent, Cassidy's serape atop him and his blanket. 

     "What…" He grumbled in his native tongue, sitting up. He had no memory of going back to bed. The last thing he remembered was sitting on the log with--... 

     With Cassidy. 

     With his head on Cassidy's shoulder. 

     Oh fuck--

     "Brother, you are awake!" Genji chirped. "Did you sleep well?"

     "I slept fine--why?" Hanzo snapped. 

     Genji arched a brow. "It was simply a question; no need to get defensive,"

     "Well I slept fine."

     Genji gave a slow nod. "Mm-hmm… well, Cassidy prepared breakfast. You should come eat; it is very good."

     "I will be there in a moment."

    "Okay~" Genji went somewhere out of Hanzo's line of sight, leaving him to his thoughts again. 

    'Cassidy gave me his serape…?' Hanzo ran a hand over the garment, feeling his face get a little hot. 'But… it was so cold last night…' His face scrunched up in confusion. Why in the world would Cassidy sacrifice his own comfort like that? 

     Hanzo huffed and shook his head. Sounds of Cassidy and Genji picking up camp prompted him to finally get up. He carefully folded the serape to give to Cassidy later, then left his tent. 

     "Mornin', Shimada!" Greeted Cassidy. "Guessin' ya already been told, but there's breakfast over by the fire. Go 'head and get ya somethin' to eat 'fore we head out"--Hanzo complied with the request with no resistance--"cus we got a decent ride today. Gonna try and make it to 'bout right outside Los Angeles; some lakes there we can bathe in either when we get there or tomorrow 'fore we leave."

     That caught Hanzo's attention. "We can bathe?"

     "Eyup! Won't be as warm as it was at Grandma's, but it'll be nice regardless."

     Hanzo grumbled, not enjoying the prospect of a cold bath. Forgive him, but baths were meant to be hot--not lukewarm and certainly not cold. How could someone possibly relax and enjoy themselves when they're one step away from getting hypothermia? 

     "Awe, c'mon, Shimada, it ain't that bad," said Cassidy suddenly. "Cold water's nice in this heat, anyhow." Hanzo supposed he was right, but that doesn't make him not incorrect. 

     Hanzo finished his meal quickly, then began deconstructing his tent whilst biting on a chewstick. Most everything else was already put back in the wagon, and Cassidy just needed to hook up Johona's gear before they left. 

     Hanzo made sure Genji was sat in the wagon before approaching Cassidy. 

     "Everythin' alright?" the man asked, glancing over his shoulder towards Hanzo. 

     "You gave me your serape last night."

     "That I did."

     "Why?"

     "You were cold."

     "Yes but you were as well."

     "S'pose I was,"

     "So… so why give the serape to me?"

    "You were colder than me." Cassidy shrugged. "Wasn't gonna leave ya by the fire to sleep either, so I gave ya another layer."

     "But--… "

     Cassidy stretched his shoulders as he turned to fully face Hanzo. "Ya ain't gotta think too deep into it." He smiled. "'Less ya wanna." He winked. Hanzo rolled his eyes at the flirtation, shoving the serape into Cassidy's chest.

     "Here."

     Cassidy chuckled as he transferred the garment into his arms. "C'mon, let's get goin'," he nodded towards the wagon. Hanzo gave a curt nod and spun on his heels, making a swift b-line to his spot in the jockey box. 

~~~~~~~~~~

     Because of the distance they had to cover that day, Cassidy tried minimizing breaks--only stopping for Johona or anything deemed an emergency. Currently, they were stopped in the shade so that Johona could cool off. Hanzo grumbled, pulling his hair off his shoulders and neck. For a moment, he thought seriously about cutting his hair as short as Genji's. It would make this heat a lot more bearable. 

     "Y'alright?" Asked Cassidy

     "My hair,"

     "Ain't got nothin' to tie it up with?"

     "No."

     "Is uh… Is it alright if I touch your hair?"

     "Oh!--I… well, I suppose," Hanzo eyed Cassidy suspiciously. 

     "I'm just gonna fix it up for ya; c'mere." Cassidy looked around for a moment before taking a seat on a large rock. He pat the ground at his feet. 

    Hanzo grimaced at the suggestion--the position being rather undignified. However, the want to get his hair out of the way overpowered the thought. He sat seiza-style in front of Cassidy. There was a moment of hesitance before he felt hands in his hair. 

     "Use to do this with my momma when I was a little kid," Said Cassidy as he parted Hanzo's hair down the middle. He moved one section over Hanzo's shoulder as he worked with the other. "My hair was as long as this 'fore I… 'fore I cut it." 

     "Why did you cut it.. ?"

     "Oh, ah--..." 

     "You do not need to share if you do not wish,"

     "Naw I'd… I'd like to tell ya, I think."

     Hanzo couldn't help but smile a little at that. He remained quiet as Cassidy collected himself. 

     "Did a lotta stuff I ain't too proud of 'fore my momma passed," Cassidy said eventually. "Just felt… real guilty. Usually ain't supposed to cut our hair, but we can for grievin', and... I had a lot of that to do, I guess." 

     "Why is that? That you can only cut your hair to grieve?"

     Cassidy hummed. "Our hair's like a connection to the universe, so we're supposed to care for it like we would anythin' else. So no cuttin'."

     "Ah…"

     Cassidy laid the hair he was working with over Hanzo's shoulder, beginning to work on the other half. Hanzo took the finished hair in his hand to examine it. It was a braid. 

     Hanzo felt a weird sense of… calmness? No, it wasn't calm--it was actually kind of overwhelming when he thought about it, but he didn't find himself minding all that much. Especially not with Cassidy finger-combing his hair.

     "My mother use to do my hair as well," the words fell out of Hanzo's mouth before he could even process them. 

    "Yeah?"

     Hanzo gave a small nod. "Yes. I… I miss it very much. It brings me peace."

     "She don't do your hair no more?"

     "No. She"--Hanzo cleared his throat--"she died when I was young,"

     "My condolences,"

     Hanzo shrugged. "It was long ago,"

     "Still, ain't too nice a' feelin'."

     "I suppose…" Hanzo looked down at his hands. 

     The silence that befell them was suffocating, Hanzo felt. He shouldn't have said anything. He knew it was foolish the moment he mentioned his mother. What made him think that, after days of saying nothing about his personal life, he could just drop that sort of information on Cassidy? What a fucking idiot--

     "So I'm the only person to do your hair since your mom?" 

     Hanzo stumbled over his words. "Wh--I--" he cleared his throat. "Yes. Yes, you are…"

     Cassidy's pleased hum drew out a blush high on Hanzo's cheekbones. "I'm honored," He said softly and with such genuineness--it caused the pink to spread across Hanzo's face. 

     Hanzo noticed his posture lacking, but he couldn't be bothered to correct it. Not when he felt so comfortable. So relaxed. All too soon did Cassidy release the second braid over Hanzo's shoulder. "All done!" his grin was evident in his voice. 

     It took more willpower to stand up than Hanzo would like to admit. He stepped a few feet away before turning to face Cassidy. "Thank you, I appreciate it." He gave a small bow.

     "Glad I could be of assistance," Cassidy tipped his hat in a way that, for some reason, Hanzo didn't find repulsive. "C'mon now, let's get a move on; I think Johona's ready to get goin." 

     Hanzo dipped his head. "Of course. I will let my brother know." But neither of them moved. Hanzo felt hypnotized by Cassidy's mere face--lopsided smile, crooked teeth, sparkling eyes, rosy cheeks. He was so… 

     Close. 

    Hanzo's breath hitched. He whipped around, clearing his throat. "I will be on my way then," he announced as he (rather quickly) walked away. 

     "Don't be too long, darlin'~"

~~~~~~~~~~

     Hanzo stirred, feeling calloused fingers brush against his shoulder. "Mmh…?"

    "Hey, Shimada, we're here," Came Cassidy's voice. Hanzo rubbed his face, looking around drowsily. It was still light out, and Hanzo took quick notice of the bright, grayish-blue lake. Just past it were green, shrub-filled mountains, and further in the distance was a small city. What did Cassidy say it was named? Las Angels or something? 

    "Brother, look how beautiful!" Called Genji, who was quickly approaching the lake. "It is safe to swim in, yes?" He turned to look towards Hanzo, practically bouncing in place. 

    "Cassidy said we will bathe in it," It didn't really answer Genji's question, but it seemed to be an adequate response. Genji kicked off his shoes and took hold of the end of his shirt. "Genji! You can wait--we need to help Cassidy unpack!"

     "But Hanzo!"

     "No, put your shoes back on and get back here!"

     "Y'all can go 'head and hop in," Said Cassidy--sheepishly, almost. 

     "That would be unfair to you,"

     "Ain't a problem, swear." Cassidy grinned. "I'll get y'all set up--just gimme a moment." Hanzo tried to protest, but Cassidy was already moving. He brought back two towels and a wooden box that had a few jars. "Same stuff at Grandma's; you remember how to use everythin'?" Hanzo hesitated before taking the items. 

     "Yes, I remember… You are sure you do not want us to help first?"

     That familiar smile spread across Cassidy's face. "Are ya just tryin' to get me naked with ya?" 

     Hanzo scoffed and turned around in an attempt to hide his flushed face. "You are insufferable," he huffed. 

     "Have fun now," Cassidy called as Hanzo walked rather briskly towards Genji (who was back to stripping). 

    "Cassidy gave us everything to wash our hair with," Hanzo told Genji, hearing a loud splash as he sat the box carefully on the rocky shore. He glanced back at Cassidy as he slid his shoes off. 

    "The water is rather nice!" Genji said aloud. Hanzo watched his brother swim around, skeptical. He'd be the decider of that. 

     Hanzo sat his clothes and shoes a safe distance away, then carefully descended into the water. His body stiffened at the sudden coldness, but Genji was right: it was rather soothing in the near-blistering heat. Hanzo waded through the water, careful to not slip on the slick rock. He began undoing his hair, feeling slightly guilty since Cassidy had just braided it for him, but he felt a twinge of giddiness at the prospect of Cassidy redoing it. 

     "You look nice with braids," Genji commented. 

     "Do I?"

     "Yes! I am surprised you let Cassidy touch your hair,"

     "What is that supposed to mean?" Hanzo glared in Genji's direction, easily detecting his teasing tone. 

     "Oh nothing~ It is just that you do not even allow the servants to touch your hair,"

     "I am allowed independence,"

     "You are willing to give up your independence to a farmhand?" Genji snickered. 

     Hanzo flushed, turning around to scowl at Genji. "That is a preposterous thought! I merely needed my hair out of the way and he knew how to do it."

     Genji giggled, covering his mouth with his hand in a poor attempt to hide it. "Yes! I am sure that was your only motivation!"

     Hanzo huffed. "You are so immature." he grumbled, quickly returning to washing himself off. 

     "Perhaps you should let loose sometimes, brother."

     "I can be plenty 'loose' when and if I please!"

     "You could not relax to save your life!"

     "Watch your tongue!" Hanzo barked, splashing Genji with water. The brother laughed, splashing him back. But Hanzo was not satisfied. He needed to win this Water Battle (in which he was the only participant). He continued splashing Genji with waves and walls of water, barely giving the brother enough time to fight back. Never did Genji's grin falter, however. 

    "Hanzo!" he coughed. "Come now, brother, be reasonable!" He coughed again--this time accompanied by a laugh and a boyish squeal. "You have proven your point! I believe you!" He tried splashing back, but it was futile. "Ack! Calm down before you kill me!" 

     "Let this be a lesson about choosing your battles wisely, Genji." Hanzo chuckled, ceasing his attacks. Genji splashed him with water one last time, out of pettiness, and Hanzo let it slide (for the time being). 

     "It seems you are the immature one." Said Genji, cleaning his hair with the products Cassidy gave them. 

     "Not in this lifetime," Hanzo chuckled, wetting his hair. 

     The following moments of silence were broken by Genji. "I like the way you have been acting since we have known the Cassidys,"

     "Hm?"

     "Feels more like when we were kids, you know? You are normally so serious and… pompous? We rarely had a pleasant conversation," Genji cleared his throat. "I miss this."

     "Genji… We have a standard to uphold, you know that."

     "I do not appreciate how this standard has taken my brother."

      "You are being melodramatic--I have not been 'taken'.“

     "That is a lie! You know nothing of me, and I know even less of you! I do not wish to die a stranger to my own brother!"

     "Genji--why would you even think that? You will not die a stranger."

    "But I nearly did! What could you say of me, had my injuries been fatal? You do not know my favorite games, or my favorite beach to swim at, or my favorite dish to eat,"

     "Those are trivial matters, Genji."

     "That is the point!“

     "That does not make sense!"

     "I--" Genji sighed. "It is fine. It does not matter." He said in a tone that made Hanzo think it probably wasn't 'fine'. But if Genji wasn done talking… Hanzo shook his head and tried ignoring Genji's change in demeanor. His thoughts lingered on what his brother said. 

     Surely he wasn't being serious--games? favorite food? It was ridiculous! But… it really seemed to matter to Genji. For whatever reason. 

     Hanzo continued bathing. He heard Genji get out of the lake, and found himself becoming upset that his brother didn't say anything to him before leaving. 

     It seemed that Cassidy had waited for Hanzo to exit the lake before he went down to bathe himself. "Hey, darlin', y'alright? Heard you n' your brother yellin' down here earlier,"

     Hanzo didn't turn to face Cassidy, as he was busy drying his hair. "We are fine." 

     "Mmh. Alright, well… Camp's all set up. If ya don't mind, could y'all get some wood for the fire? I'm probably gonna start supper after I'm done washin' up."

     "That can be done," Hanzo said coldly. He began pulling his clothes back on, and didn't hear any movement from Cassidy as he did so. He scowled. The oaf was probably checking him out while he redressed! God, couldn't he read a room? This obviously isn't the time! 

     Hanzo clenched his jaw and whirled around, bent on catching Cassidy in the act and calling him out on it. Ha! Just as he thought, Cassidy was--

     Cassidy was looking at him with some expression he couldn't decipher--an expression Hanzo had never seen on his face before. He looked… hurt, almost.

     Hanzo swallowed, feeling his throat tighten. His chest too--he felt like his whole body was caving in on itself. Before Cassidy tortured him any longer, Hanzo turned away again, walking off without another word. 

~~~~~~~~~~

     Hanzo grunted, kicking at a few stones as he picked up shrubs and dead branches. It’d been about half an hour since--since whatever went down with Genji in the lake--and he didn't feel at all better. 

     He thought the bitter feeling would dissipate after a few minutes, but he could practically feel it festering in his chest. So he turned to meditation, which didn't help either. 

     Hanzo glared ahead of himself, towards Genji, who was picking up anything that could be used as kindling. He hadn't said a word to Hanzo since The Disagreement. Hanzo scoffed. 'I cannot believe he is giving me the silent treatment!' he exclaimed (internally). 'How--how childish! He has not changed a bit since we were boys! No wonder he's fixated on such irrelevance!'

     Hanzo kicked at another stone, and found a small amount of catharsis in seeing it tumble and chip into pieces. 'Does he truly think those things matter? We are heirs to the Shimada clan! We do not get to dwell on what food we like or where we like to swim!' Hanzo scoffed at his own thoughts, which got a quick glare from Genji. 

     Hanzo continued ranting to himself until he realized he couldn't carry any more sticks or branches. Genji had apparently reached that point as well, as he turned around, pushed past Hanzo, and made his way back towards camp. 

     Dinner was quiet. Cassidy tried making conversation, but quickly gauged that whatever was happening with Hanzo and Genji wouldn't allow it. Hanzo felt an ache in his chest watching Cassidy draw away and eat quietly. It was so… not Cassidy. 

~~~~~~~~~~

     'This is a bad idea. This is a Genji-level horrible idea.' Hanzo thought as he stared at Cassidy from across the fire. Just as the night before, Genji had retreated to his tent long ago, leaving Hanzo and Cassidy to sit by the fire alone together. 

     He shouldn't be attached to Cassidy like this--and he especially shouldn't be fostering that feeling like it's something attainable. What was he even thinking--

    "I got somethin' on my face or am I just that nice to look at?" 

     Oh--oh no. No, you cannot do this--

     "Could you do my hair again?"

     Throw yourself into the lake. 

     Cassidy's expression softened. "'course, c'mere." He moved his knees apart to make room for Hanzo, who sat between them on the ground. Like he did earlier that day, Cassidy parted Hanzo's hair and began braiding it. Hanzo, again, reveled in the feeling. 

     "You n' your brother still ain't made up, huh…?" Cassidy asked softly. Hanzo ducked his head. 

     "There is no reason to make up."

     "Naw? Y'all ain't talked since I heard ya yellin' in the lake,"

     "A mere disagreement."

    "Disagreements don't usually last all day, do they?" Asked Cassidy, but Hanzo suspected it may be rhetorical. 

     "Some do. This one has."

     "Mmh." Cassidy was silent for a moment. "Ya wanna talk about it at all?"

     Hanzo huffed. "He is upset that I do not… share his… interests."

     "What kinda interests?"

     "Matters of importance."

     "What's he think 's important?"

     "Food and games and beaches--all of which are not important."

     "What do you think he should prioritize instead?"

    "Tradition! Our family and values and--our roles that come with it!"

     "And I'm guessin' y'all talked about that?"

     "Yes. It is what caused the--… disagreement."

     "He say anythin' else?"

     "... that he felt we would die strangers."

     "Mmh…" Hanzo could imagine Cassidy's face, scrunched up with contemplation. "Well… I cain't say much 'bout your situation in particular, but… I mean, I've always valued family, and I'm lucky enough that family overlaps a lot in my culture," Cassidy laid a braid over Hanzo's shoulder, then turned Hanzo's head to look him face-to-face. "But I think it'd do ya some good to think about how ya wanna balance your priorities. I can tell ya care lots 'bout your brother, and he obviously cares 'bout ya too, but I understand how important your traditions are to ya."

     Hanzo decided he couldn't meet Cassidy's gaze any longer. He averted his eyes, but didn't shake his head free of Cassidy's hand, the warmth too inviting. "Your advice is strange," he grumbled. Cassidy cracked a smile. 

      "Is it?"

     Hanzo nodded, turning back around with no further words. Cassidy resumed braiding Hanzo's hair while he thought over Cassidy's advice. Genji was definitely ranked high on "importance"--he was Hanzo's brother, of course he was important. And… so was Hanzo's role as a Shimada heir. He didn't like thinking of those things together. He realized a long time ago that it was impossible to be friends with Genji and be the perfect son. And he thought he'd been doing a reasonable job at being both (separately), but according to Genji, that isn't the case. 

     But… how could he not even notice how far he and his brother had drifted apart? Was he seriously that caught up in trying to appease his father and father's advisors? 

     … 

     … 

     … 

     Oh. 

     He was… 

     No! surely not--not when he has been busting his ass to straighten Genji up in recent years. He had spent plenty of time with Genji! He enforced a strict training and meditation regimen for Genji's own good! That took up a lot of Hanzo's precious time--especially when he had a mountain of other responsibilities he had to attend to that Genji didn't. 

    Of course… the training and meditation thing was recommended by his father's advisors, but Hanzo still did it willingly! Why? Because he's a good older brother. Older brothers ensure that their straying younger brothers stay in line and are prepared to fight for and defend their country and their honor.

     … 

     No, no, that doesn't sound correct… 

    Hanzo has not felt like a brother to Genji in a long time--not since they were young boys. Well, that is until the most recent weeks. It's been fun just being able to be around Genji (life threatening situations aside). Not having to worry about rules and appearances and politics... He missed it. Just as Genji did. 

     He's been a terrible brother. 

     Hanzo turned to face Cassidy as the other half of his hair was braided and placed over his shoulder. He watched, with mild delight, as Cassidy's eyes widened when he settled his hand atop the other's. "Thank you…"

    "Awh shucks, sugar, it ain't a problem" Cassidy smiled. 

   "Not… just the hair… Your advice…" Hanzo grumbled, averting his eyes. 

    Cassidy chortled, bringing Hanzo's attention back to him. "Thought it was strange?"

     "It had some value,"

     "Glad it did." Cassidy turned his hand over and rubbed his thumb over Hanzo's knuckles. Hanzo's breath caught in his throat. He stood swiftly, stumbling a little. Cassidy grasped his waist to support him. "Woah, woah! calm down there, darlin'!"

     Hanzo cleared his throat, taking a large step away from Cassidy. "I will be sleeping now."

     "Erm--yeah, 'course. Alright."

     "I… will speak to my brother tomorrow morning,"

     Cassidy nodded. "Good. Lemme know how it goes?" He asked--hopeful, almost. Hanzo felt himself smile. 

     "Of course." Hanzo cleared his throat. "Good night…?"

     "G'night, sugar." Cassidy grinned. 

     Hanzo turned and headed for his tent, feeling light and fluttery and almost hating himself for it. 

Chapter Text

     Hanzo sat near the fire, watching Cassidy prepare breakfast. He offered to help (mainly to give his brain something to focus on other than the rapidly approaching conversation he'll have to have with Genji), but Cassidy insisted that it was a "one man job." So instead, he tried simply watching Cassidy as he went back and forth between adding various spices and herbs and such to bowls, and stirring something in a pot over the fire. Of course, he wasn't able to stay distracted for long, because the ruffling of fabric notified him that Genji had woken up. 

    Cassidy glanced past Hanzo, likely hearing this as well. "I'll give y'all a minute," he told Hanzo, removing the pot from the fire and relocating himself towards the forestline. 

     "Why has the cowboy left?" Genji grumbled. 

     "Smoke break?"

    "In the middle of cooking?" Genji gave a skeptical look. Hanzo merely shrugged, looking away.

    "Brother, I--... I would like to apologize for my words yesterday."

     "Would you?"

     "Yes."

     "Hm, that is surprising."

     "I am trying to be serious." It was a conscious effort for Hanzo to not raise his voice. 

     "Fine. Go on then."

    "I… thought it over, and it has come to my attention that I have not been--... the ideal brother."

    "Really now?" Genji spat. 

    Hanzo took a deep breath. "Yes. And I would like to change. I… find myself missing the times when we were boys--as you said. I feel that it would be appropriate to first address your concerns of us being strangers--"

     "Are you about to give a speech for this?"

     "Not a speech but--"

     "Listen, brother," Genji grasped Hanzo's shoulders. "as entertaining as I would find that, I am far too hungry to appreciate it to its fullest extent." He smiled. 

     Hanzo shook his head, returning the expression. "Yes, of course. I will call Cassidy back over." 

    "Thank youu~ and--thank you for doing some self reflection too."

     "Send your thanks to the cowboy,"

     "Oh? What did he do?"

     "He was being a nosy bastard,"

     Genji laughed. "What do you mean he was being a nosy bastard?"

     "He asked why we were not talking, and insisted it was more than a disagreement,"

     "It was more than a disagreement."

     "Yes, but I did not want to think so at the time."

     Genji snorted. "You are so emotionally constipated, brother. Do you know that?" He teased. 

     "Yes, I am aware."

     "Anyway, go get Cassidy! I'm hungry."

     "You are such a baby," Hanzo chuckled. He noticed Cassidy staring at them, so he waved him over. Cassidy's face seemed to light up, and he bounded back over. "Genji wants you to continue cooking,"

     Cassidy laughed. "Can do," he drawled, putting the pot back over the fire. 

     Just as they did the previous days, the three ate, packed up, and continued their journey north. Cassidy said that, because of their proximity to Los Angeles, the roads were a little nicer and they'd cover more ground. 

     "--there's lots'a little towns 'tween here n' San Francisco, so we'll probably stop outside one of them for tonight." he explained to Hanzo. "Should be gettin' a little warmer at night, too, since we got that ocean breeze comin' in."

     "Awh, will I have to stop sleeping with your serape?" Asked Hanzo, sarcasm dripping from his words. Cassidy laughed. 

    "Only if ya want to, darlin'," He shot Hanzo a wink, earning an amused scoff. 

     "Do not get excited, cowboy."

     "And why not?"

     "It stinks."

     Cassidy gasped dramatically. "Stinks!?"

     "Yes. Of smoke and dirt."

     "You wound me, Shimada."

     "Suffer."

     Cassidy bit back another laugh. "Ain't no way to talk to your ride, now is it?"

     "You are not my ride just yet, Cassidy."

     The man sputtered. "What're you suggestin'?" he asked in a way that was very smooth (it was not). 

     "I do not know what you mean," Hanzo said devilishly. 

     Cassidy huffed, shaking his head but smiling nonetheless. "You're a bastard, y'know that?"

     "I believe you have mentioned it before,"

~~~~~~~~~~

     The day was remarkably uneventful, save for the new view of the mountainscape, but that got tiring after having stared at it for five-or-so hours. Cassidy definitely tried making it more entertaining by getting Hanzo to play I Spy, but that grew old as well. Later, Cassidy decided that it would be a fantastic idea to sing.

     One song, Hanzo gathered minimally, was about dogs and trails and cattle. Another, he guessed, was about loving and losing a lover (who is also a cowboy). The last was his favorite due to the odd sounds of the chorus, although it otherwise sounded just like a simple cowboy balled. 

    Cassidy only stopped singing because they needed to rest for Johona, and Hanzo told himself he was grateful that Cassidy didn't give him an encore--even though he kind of missed watching just how much Cassidy himself enjoyed it. 

     As they had been, they stopped to set up camp a few hours before sunset. They made good distance that day, since stops were decreased due to them finally being out of the desert. Yeah, it was still ungodly hot, but at least it was less extreme--plus, now that they were getting closer to towns and cities, the roads were more worn, which was much easier on Johona. 

    Genji abandoned setting up camp to instead play some sort of butchered, solo version of kemari with a small rock. "Brother, play with me!"

    "I cannot, I have to get the tents set up. Alone, apparently."

     "Oh, do not be a baby!"

     "I am not being a baby," 

     "Yuh-huh."

     "Nu-uh."

     "Yuh-huh."

     "Nu-uh."

     "Yuh-huh."

     "Nu-uh.

     "Yuh--" Hanzo threw a pillow at Genji's face, effectively shutting him up. 

     "Be quiet and help me." He laughed, and laughed again when Genji used the pillow to take a hard swing at Hanzo's side. 

      "Will you play with me after the tents are up?“

      "There is no possible way I will be able to keep track of that rock."

     "That is okay! Just means I win!"

     "There are no winners or losers in the rules."

     "There are also no rules in the Wild West! I can do whatever I want! And I want to be the winner!" Genji grinned. 

     "Get to work," Hanzo instructed, amused. 

     "Yessir," Genji mocked, giving a salute. 

     With Genji's help again, the last tent went up much quicker. Cassidy soon had wood gathered and a fire started, and Hanzo volunteered to help cook (he's sure it was a "one man job" again, but he suspected that Cassidy was just getting tired of Hanzo's insistence). Either way, Hanzo enjoyed the… learning experience. It had nothing to do with how close he was able to sit next to Cassidy, or how the man took his time explaining to Hanzo all the steps and techniques to preparing the dish, or how he could smell hints of tobacco and some sort of woodsy scent coming off of his serape--

     No. Hanzo simply enjoyed learning. 

     Which is why his face definitely didn't light up (literally or metaphorically) when Cassidy complimented him on the combination of spices he used to season the meat, claiming he had a "good eye for cookin'." 

     No no, that would be ridiculous! 

    "You look like an old married couple," Genji commented with a snicker. 

     "Genji, I swear"--

     "You are not supposed to do that!"

     --"I will kill you if you keep this up."

     Genji laughed. "You could not lay a finger on me even if you wanted!" 

     "Is that meant to be a threat?"

     "Never! I am above threats, you see. It is a promise."

     "Oh, how intimidating yet incredibly non-threatening," Said Hanzo, deadpan. 

     "You know, you are no fun sometimes."

     "Perhaps sometimes I would like to work in peace."

     "With Cassidy, right?"

     "Go kick your rock, loser."

     Genji slapped a hand over his heart. "You wound me, brother."

     "Good. Now get going, food will be done soon."

     Genji huffed, still smiling. He scurried off to continue his game alone. Cassidy glanced over at Hanzo. 

    "Seemed like an interestin' conversation," He commented. 

     "It was just my brother being--... himself."

     Cassidy laughed. "Yeah? What'd he say?"

     "Oh, well--... it was nothing important, do not worry." Hanzo brushed off. 

     "Ah, alright." Cassidy was silent for only a moment. "So y'all made up just fine?"

     "Oh--I… believe so? I feel that I have done nothing to deserve his forgiveness,"

     "Reckon you apologizin' was enough for him,"

     "I do not understand why."

     "Showed you're self aware and care 'bout him."

     "It would not have happened had you not been there,"

     "So just be glad I was!" Cassidy grinned, turning to face Hanzo. "Ya ain't gotta beat yerself up over it y'know. If ownin' up to it and apologizin' and workin' to be different is good enough for you're brother, then that's what matters, yeah?"

     "I… suppose,"

     Cassidy clapped Hanzo on the back. "C'mon, now, y'know I'm right!" He said lightheartedly. Hanzo shoved him playfully. 

     "Your hubris will be your downfall, cowboy."

     "Yah? I'd have to challenge fate then."

     Hanzo snorted. "Challenge fate? What would you do?"

     "Dual, of course."

     "How will you dual fate?“

     "Just shoot it?"

     "You are ridiculous."

     "Let a man dream!"

     "What would you accomplish?"

     "Maybe I wanna bargain,"

     "For what?"

     "Your heart?" Cassidy wiggled his eyebrows. Hanzo laughed and shoved Cassidy's face the other way. 

     "Only in your dreams." Cassidy laughed as well. 

     "Can't knock a man for tryin',"

     Hanzo hummed. "Do not let the meat burn." He said, eying the fire. 

~~~~~~~~~~

     Genji grumbled as he woke up. He rubbed at his eyes, and noticed it was still dark outside his tent. With the light of the moon and the dwindling fire, he could see that Hanzo and Cassidy had gone to their respective tents as well. Must've been pretty late then--usually those two stayed up for hours talking. 

     Genji kicked his blankets away and crawled out of his tent--he needed to piss. He shuffled towards the treeline, careful of rocks and tree roots sticking up from the ground, and stepped behind a tree. 

     He hummed to distract himself from the creepy feeling he got from the dark, open forest. Well, maybe not open. It felt really cramped--and he wasn't a claustrophobic kinda guy. Or a jumpy one, for that matter, but he could feel eyes on his back and every noise had him glancing around. 

     And that's how he came face-to-face with the barrel of a shotgun. 

     Thank god he was already peeing, else he would've pissed his pants. He met eyes with the person behind the gun, and they had the nerve to look more caught off guard than he was. The person turned around to talk to some people behind them, but made sure to keep the gun pressed firmly against his back (not that'd he'd be going anywhere in his current condition). They said something--a few words Genji recognized, but the only ones he understood were "goddamn" and "shit."

     The person turned back to Genji and said something about "dick," but again, he couldn't understand the rest. They repeated their words, shoving the gun against his spine, and he cried. 

     "I do not know what you are saying!" He bawled. 

     He distinctly heard the person say "oh fuck," before turning to exchange more frantic, hushed words with the other people. Eventually, he heard footsteps as another person approached. 

     "I speak little Japanese," they said, and Genji could definitely tell they didn't speak much Japanese. "Put it away," they gestured vaguely to Genji's crotch, so he did as told. "Camp?"

     "Erm--no!"

     "Say the truth. Or you die." Genji yelped as the gun, again, was shoved into his back like he needed a reminder it was there. 

     "Over there!" He pointed with a shaky hand towards the low fire. 

     "Good." The person took hold of Genji's shoulder, shoving him towards the campsite. "Show." Genji let out an involuntary whine, ducking his head but leading the way. 

***

     "Hands up."

     Hanzo grumbled, rubbing at his eyes as he woke up. Instantly, he was staring down the barrel of a gun. He noticed Genji not far away, on his knees with a gun pressed against his back. Cassidy was beside Hanzo, arm stretched out in front of his chest (as if that would do anything to protect him against a SHOTGUN). 

     "Give us everythin' ya got and we won't hurt ya." Demanded the man staring Hanzo down. 

     "We ain't got nothin' valuable. Y'all best run along 'less ya want somethin' bad to happen." Said Cassidy, somehow calm despite the situation. 

     "Brother, what is happening!?" Genji cried, but was quickly silenced by the firm shove of a gun. 

     The man snorted a laugh. "You're actin' like you got the upper hand here. Ain't nothin' happenin' to us."

     "Ya wanna take you're chances on that?"

     Hanzo stiffened as the barrel of the shotgun was pressed right against his forehead. What the hell did Cassidy think he was doing!? 

     "Cassidy, just give them what they want."

     "I ain't gonna do nothin'!"

     "They have Genji--"

     "Wait, Cassidy?" The man behind Genji sounded almost astonished. "Holy hell! Ain't seen you in ages! It's me--Julien! Hey, Sam, drop the weapon." Julien approached Cassidy and Hanzo, ushering 'Sam' away. 

     "Well I'll be--didn't think I'd ever see your ugly mug again!" 

     Julien cackled. "Hell're you doin' out here?"

     "Could ask you the same thing,"

     "Had to flee New Mexico. And Arizona. And Nevada."

     Cassidy laughed heartily. "Law on your ass?"

     "Every day of the week." Julien pushed his hair back. "Man, what're the chances… Do you… d oyou wanna head back with us? Got a bar and inn in town. Tad more efficient than what it was like back in the day." He chuckled. 

     Hanzo saw Cassidy's whole demeanor shift. 

     "Y'all still run with Ashe?"

     "'course--we'd be nowhere without her."

     "I… lemme ask these two." 

    Julien nodded and stepped back. Genji scrambled over and wedged himself between his brother and Cassidy. He kept his head down, and his shaky hands frantically wiped at his face. Cassidy was the first to do anything, putting an arm around Genji and drawing him into his chest. Hanzo placed a hand on his brother's shoulder.

    "What is an inn?" Hanzo asked lowly. 

    "It's like a buildin' with lots'a bedrooms. Folks passin' by can sleep there instead of campin'."

     "That sounds pleasant."

     "It's just… I ain't been with these guys in a long time,"

     "You are scared?"

     "I ain't scared…! I just--... I dunno if 'd be wise to go."

     "Why?"

     "Ashe and I didn't leave off on the best a' terms,"

     "I thought you were friends?"

     "We were, but…"

     "Are you enemies?"

     "Naw, I wouldn't say enemies…"

     Hanzo's brows knit together. "So… would you be okay to go?"

     "I--... I dunno."

     Hanzo flexed his jaw, thinking. He wasn't used to this--wanting to consider someone else's feelings before he made a decision. He wanted to sleep in a bed and god did he need a drink but… not if Cassidy was so apprehensive (which he never seemed to be). 

     "Cassidy," Hanzo started, moving to place a hand over Cassidy's. "I… Listen, we do not have to go if you do not think it is a good idea."

     Cassidy's expression softened. "Ain'chu just sweeter n' honey," He said softly. Hanzo wasn't exactly sure what the expression meant, but it still made him feel all warm inside. "I… I suppose nothin' too bad can happen... What the hell--let's go."

     Hanzo gave a hint of a smile and relayed the information to Genji--telling him that there would be beds and alcohol. Genji was much more enthusiastic about going with the people that held him at gunpoint after gaining this knowledge, and he helped Hanzo and Cassidy pack everything up again (Cassidy took extra care to snuff out the fire). 

     Hanzo was pleasantly surprised to find that the ride to The Drunken Dynamo (as Julien told them) was rather short. When they arrived at the saloon, Julien whispered something to the other three people he was with, then they scurried off inside. Julien showed Cassidy where he could leave the cart, and even got Johona settled in a small stable. 

     All four of their heads whipped around when they heard the saloon doors slam open. Charging at them was a woman with white hair and peculiar red eyes and matching lipstick. She wore a hat similar to Cassidy's, though it was darker and wider, with different details. And behind her was an absolute behemoth of a man. He was easily two or three heads taller than her, and was probably twice as wide. Hanzo found his facial hair to be odd, as well as the incredibly small hat that sat atop his head. 

     "You got a lotta nerve comin' here, Cole Cassidy!" the woman spat, snatching Cassidy by the collar of his shirt. She tugged him down so they were eye-level. From her demeanor and the way she approached Cassidy, Hanzo assumed this was Ashe. 

    "Hey now, this wasn't my idea! Jules is the one that suggested it!" Ashe turned to stare down the other man. 

     "Wh--c'mon, y'all, it ain't that bad! So what Cass left the gang, he's allowed to do that!"

     "You'd suck at bein' a lawyer, y'know that?" Said Cassidy.

     "I'll say," Ashe snorted. 

     "See? Y'all can still be friendly!" 

     Ashe scoffed and shoved Cassidy away. "Try n' pull some bullshit and I'll kill ya." She threatened before turning to Hanzo and Genji. "Same rules apply to y'all too. Understood?" Hanzo nodded, and Genji nodded after seeing his brother do it--which caught the eye of Ashe. "Understood?" she asked again, eying Genji. 

     "He does not understand English," Hanzo told her, holding a protective arm out in front of his brother. 

    "Oh! You can go 'head and let him know what I said then." Ashe seemed patient as she motioned for Hanzo to talk to Genji--which he definitely didn't see coming based on her previous behavior. 

     "The woman wants us to be on our best behavior. Or else she will end our lives." 

     "Oh! That sounds very pleasant."

     "Not particularly,"

     "Just show us to a room and we'll be outta your hair for the rest of the night." Cassidy said to Ashe, and she replied with a scoff

    "So what, two rooms?" She asked, eying Hanzo and Cassidy. 

    "Three'll do just fine." Cassidy told her. Ashe seemed suspicious though. She turned to the large man behind her, and Hanzo noticed very quickly that she wasn't saying anything, just making gestures with her hands, and the man responded similarly before leaving. Hanzo looked to Cassidy for some sort of explanation. 

     "Hand Talk. Used lots in the West and down in Mexico to talk to deaf folks easier."

     "Death?"

     "Deaf--with a 'f.' Means someone cain't hear."

     "Mmh. So the… large person…"

     "His name's Bob."

     Hanzo recognized the name from one of Cassidy's earlier stories. "Bob is deaf?"

     "Yep,"

    "Do whatever ya want, just don't bother me." Ashe glared at Cassidy. "Bob'll let y'all know when your rooms are ready." She sounded venomous, which had even Genji shrinking away a little. 

    Ashe left with long, swift strides, her hands clenched at her sides. Cassidy huffed, rubbing at his face. 

     "Definitely need a drink after that," He chuckled. 

    "'ll put your drinks on my tab, alright?" Said Julien, smiling. "C'mon, let's get inside." He waved towards the saloon entrance. 

    Hanzo followed Julien and Cassidy into the building, cringing as he was hit with a wave of tobacco smoke. He noticed that the smell did not seem to affect Genji. Cassidy took a seat at the bar, and was quickly approached by another man. 

     "Well butter my ass and call me a biscuit--Cole!?"

     Cassidy laughed, pulling the man into a hug. "The one and only!"

     "We missed ya, you ass!" The man shouted, but Hanzo didn't sense any real contempt from his words. What he did sense, however, was… some sort of--he wasn't even sure. It wasn't a tension but… some sort of lingering feelings between the two. Hanzo placed a hand over his chest as he felt it clench. 

     "Trust me, I missed y'all too." Hanzo couldn't hide his scowl at the warm smile Cassidy sent the man. He noticed Genji looking at him before swiveling around in his stool. Moments later, a glass was placed before Hanzo, filled with some dark orange-ish liquid. Genji had a similar one--which he held out towards Hanzo. 

     "Cheers?"

     Hanzo arched an eyebrow. "What is it?" He asked, swirling the glass. 

     "I do not know," Genji shrugged. "It cannot be bad though, right?" Hanzo gave him a skeptical look. "Just drink, brother."

     Hanzo huffed, bringing the glass up to his lips. He took a small sip, cringing at how much it burned. But fuck it, he decided. He didn't want to remain sober--and it definitely wasn't because his fantasies of being in a relationship with Cassidy were being crushed before his very eyes. 

    Hanzo threw his head back, downing the glass in one gulp. Genji grinned and gave a barking laugh. "I did not know you knew how to have fun, brother!" He teased, copying Hanzo's action. The clink of the glass on the countertop caught Cassidy's attention. 

     Finally, Hanzo thought. 

     Cassidy laughed and got the bartender's attention. "Whisky," he requested, getting poured a glass of what looked like the same drink Hanzo was given. "Didn't think you could knock em back like that," he grinned that stupid charming grin of his. 

    "You do not know much of me." Said Hanzo, cold tone slipping through unintentionally. Cassidy's head tilted. 

    "Y'alright, darlin'?" he asked, voice lowered and full of concern. 

     Just for me, Hanzo thought--foolishly, he told himself. 

     "I am fine."

     "Ya don't really seem all that fine…"

     "Well I am." Hanzo focused on his second glass of--oh, what did Cassidy call it?--whiskey? From the corner of his eye, he saw Genji looking around almost frantically before getting up and making his way across the saloon. Hanzo wished he'd stayed, because now he was stuck next to Cassidy and his friend--ALONE. 

     Hanzo looked towards the back of the building as music began playing. On a small, raised platform were a few instruments. Some had a striking resemblance to the taiko he was familiar with--and another looked very similar to the kugo, which he'd learned about and seen in a few art pieces. Some other instruments looked like a gottan or a shamisen--maybe even a kokyū, but it was a stretch. Behind the other instruments was a large, wooden box on legs, and behind it was some sort of bench. 

     The music started off rather slow--probably because it was so late, and people were trying to relax. Hanzo watched with wide eyes as Genji brought some poor innocent soul to an area void of tables and chairs. He led them in a dance that matched the pace of the song, and even Hanzo could tell how flustered Genji's dance partner was. It quickly disappeared, however, as Genji guided them around the impromptu dancefloor. 

     Julien and the man Cassidy had been talking to gave a few whoops and whistles, and Julien eventually joined the two alongside another woman. Cassidy's… friend--turned to him with a wide grin. 

     "Ya wanna join me?" He asked, offering his hand to Cassidy. 

     "Oh" Hanzo could've sworn he saw Cassidy glance over at him. "naw, I'll sit this one out. You can go ahead and dance though, Frankie." Frankie seemed disappointed. 

     "Damn. Ya gotta promise to get out there later though, a'right?"

     Cassidy laughed. "'course!"

    Hanzo watched Frankie grab a partner and join Genji, Julien, and the other two on the dancefloor. "You two seemed friendly," said Hanzo, offhanded. 

    "Me n' Frankie? Yah, we go back awhile. Ashe n' I started Deadlock--the gang I told ya 'bout--when we were kids, n' Frankie and Julien were the first to join."

     "Mph. That is all?"

     Cassidy's face scrunched up. "What? do ya think there's more?--" his face lit up with recognition. "Oh. Oh, I understand,"

     "Understand what?"

     Cassidy gave a shit-eating grin. "Your jealous of him."

    Hanzo scoffed, as if the thought were absolutely ridiculous. "What is there to be jealous of?"

     "Dunno, you tell me." Cassidy leaned in a little. 

    "Nothing. I do not get 'jealous.'" Hanzo mocked, and Cassidy laughed. 

     "Alright, alright--say what ya will," He sat up, taking a sip from his whiskey. Hanzo just looked away with a huff, bringing his attention back to Genji and the other people dancing. 

~~~~~~~~~~

     People and drinks and cigars built up around Genji, and the music was in full swing. The saloon seemed to vibrate with energy--even Ashe got up a few times to dance with some women. Cassidy danced too, but only took part in line dances--claiming he was "tuckered out" every dance that required a single partner. 

     Hanzo, of course, didn't dance at all. He was quite content sipping on his drink and watching as Genji seemed to have the time of his life. It was nice to see his brother act like himself so unapologetically--even if he may be a bit inebriated. 

     Okay, Genji was definitely shit-faced--but that's alright. 

     As the night progressed, and more and more people got absolutely wasted, the noise and smell became too much for Hanzo to bear. He left the building through the back. Parties were never his atmosphere anyway. 

     The slight breeze on his face was like a breath of fresh air. Nice, clean, fresh air that was unpolluted by alcohol, tobacco smoke, and body odor. Hanzo took a seat on a bench, taking a moment to (try to) meditate. 

     His concentration was broken by the doors swinging open. Hanzo heard the familiar steps before he looked at the figure. 

     "Cassidy; come to join me?"

    Cassidy chuckled. "Caught me there, darlin'. Just can't seem to get enough a' ya." Hanzo laughed quietly. He almost let himself believe Cassidy's words could be true. 

     "You flatter me, cowboy."

     "I aim to," Cassidy sat next to Hanzo, and remained silent for maybe a total of three seconds. "Don't like parties?"

    "I do not enjoy large gatherings; that has always been Genji's--erm…" Hanzo struggled to find the word he was looking for. "He was better."

     "Assumed so. Think he was already drunk 'fore I got to my first smoke,"

     "I believe our alcohol is much lighter than yours,"

     "He gonna have a hangover?"

     "Most likely."

      Cassidy shook his head, letting out a small huff. "Welp--let the kid have his fun, I suppose." he shrugged, slinging an arm over the back of the bench. 

     The music from inside transitioned to a slower song. Like the others, Hanzo had never heard it before, but it was beautiful and melodic nonetheless. His attention, however, was suddenly drawn to Cassidy, who stood in front of him with an extended hand. 

     "May I have this dance?"

     "Oh--!" Hanzo fumbled, looking anywhere else but Cassidy. He cleared his throat. "I do not know how."

     "Neither do I really. Ain't somethin' ya get good at, just somethin' ya do to get closer to someone else."

     "This sounds like more than a simple invitation to dance."

     "Would ya be upset if it were?"

     "I cannot say I would," Hanzo mused, taking Cassidy's hand. He was finally--FINALLY--pulled against Cassidy's chest, and it was every bit of soft and comforting he thought it'd be. 

     "Your hands go up here"--Cassidy placed Hanzo's hands on his shoulders--"an mine'll go on yer waist. That alright?" Hanzo flushed, but nodded (maybe a little too enthusiastically). Cassidy's hands settled right above Hanzo's hip bones, and he could feel the warmth from his flesh hand through his clothes. 

     "Then what?"

    "Ya just kinda… move?" Cassidy began swaying, leading Hanzo in the dance. 

     "That is all?"

     "Pretty much,"

     "Hmph," Hanzo rested his forehead against Cassidy's trapezius. He closed his eyes--he wanted to remember everything about this moment. The heat radiating from Cassidy's body; the feeling of his wide shoulders beneath Hanzo's hands; the smell of dirt, tobacco and old cotton that clung to Cassidy's shirt; Hanzo's own flushed face and the giddiness he felt throughout his whole body. He needed to be able to recall every detail. He needed to be able to reminisce about it when he was back home. 

     When Hanzo was able to look up at Cassidy's face, he realized they were no longer moving. The music had died down at some point as well, and Hanzo allowed himself to be content with simply being held. 

     Cassidy was looking back at him, expression reflecting Hanzo's own. His hands came up to gently cup the sides of Hanzo's face. "Y'know… it's like I can see the whole night sky in your eyes…" He laughed to himself, looking away and rubbing the back of his neck. "But I guess that's pretty corny, huh?"

     "Perhaps a little," Hanzo chuckled. He traced Cassidy's jaw to coax him back into looking at him. "Refrain from saying something idiotic again, yes?" He smiled, hoping his words would be recognizable as a joke. 

     "C'mon now!--it wasn't that bad!" Hanzo could hardly focus on anything other than Cassidy's grin. 

     "It would not kill you to admit it,"

     "Ain't admittin' nothin'."

     "You are impossible."

     "You like it."

     "You wish."

    Cassidy laughed again, and Hanzo's sure nothing could ever sound as beautiful. Cassidy leaned down to press his forehead against Hanzo's. "I do." 

     Hanzo lagged. 

     "You--" he cleared his throat. "Do you?"

     "Mm-hm. Figured I'd been makin' it pretty obvious, but…"

     "No, no, you have been very straightforward, I just… I was unsure how sincere you were,"

     Cassidy pulled back to look at Hanzo. "I like ya a lot, Shimada."

     "I--... you may call me by my given name,"

     "That a 'I like ya too'?"

     "You should stop speaking before I leave."

     Cassidy laughed. "Who ain't bein' sincere now, huh?" Both of his hands came back to rest on Hanzo's cheeks. 

     "Cassidy," said Hanzo with false warning. 

     "Alright, alright--just one more question though."

     "Fine."

     "Can I kiss ya?"

    "You should have led with that instead." Hanzo held back a laugh and drew Cassidy in closer. 

    "Had t' set the mood first." Cassidy pressed his forehead against Hanzo's again. 

     "You merely made a fool of yourself,"

     "Only for you, darlin'."

     "Do you ever stop talking?"

     "Eventually…" 

     Hanzo held his breath as Cassidy finally closed the gap between their lips. Cassidy's touch was soft and slow, which was surprising because Hanzo had always envisioned the other man being a little more… fast-paced--not that he's thought about kissing Cassidy or anything! 

     (He definitely has)

     (On multiple occasions) 

     But of course, Hanzo was not one to complain. How could he complain when the man he'd been enamored with for weeks now was so close to his own body? 

     Rough hand on his cheek, thumb tracing lazily over his sharp cheekbones. 

     Metal hand on his waist, holding him close. 

     Facial hair scratching his nose and chin. 

     Warm, chapped lips pressed firmly against his own. 

     Cassidy consumed his senses, he was practically suffocating in it. Wait--no! he actually was suffocating. 

     Hanzo pulled away with a gasp, breathing deep in hopes to refill his lungs. Cassidy laughed--loud and affectionate as always. 

     "Y'know you can breathe, right?" he teased, pressing his lips to Hanzo's temple. 

      "Do not mock me," Hanzo spat, trying and failing to sound venomous. 

     "Ain't mockin'! Just a light suggestion since ya seemed to wanna kiss me so bad." 

     Hanzo scoffed at Cassidy's shit-eating grin. But like, in an affectionate way! "Do not act like you were not as eager."

     "C'mon now, don't put words in my mouth, darlin'! I ain't never said such a thing." As if to prove a point, Cassidy peppered multiple kisses across Hanzo's face, which only elicited a laugh and a hand pushing him away. 

     "You are like a mutt!"

     "Hey now, no need to go hurtin' my feelin's! You can just tell me ya didn't like the kiss,"

     "Do not put words in my mouth, darling."

     Cassidy laughed again, and Hanzo was gifted another kiss to the lips (though this one was considerably shorter). Hanzo could only hum, wrapping his arms around Cassidy and resting his head against the other's large chest. Cassidy, in turn, held him close as well. 

     "I have not felt like this in many years," Hanzo murmured. 

     "You should make up for lost time then, yeah?"

     "And how do you propose I do that?"

     "Was thinkin' ya might accompany me to my room,"

     "I think I would like that," Hanzo lifted his head to kiss Cassidy again--just because he knew he could. 

Chapter Text

     Hanzo hummed as he awoke--on an actual, legit mattress. Light flooded the room, although dimmed and tinted an orangish-red from the curtains. He tried sitting up, but immediately found the task difficult on account of the massive arm laid across his chest. He smiled to himself, shimmying to turn and face Cassidy. 

    The man lied on his stomach, right arm on top of Hanzo and left arm tucked underneath his pillow. His head was turned to face Hanzo, face nuzzled into his shoulder. Hanzo did his best to scoot down so he was face-to-face with Cassidy. He counted the rhythm of the other's deep breathing, finding some sort of unidentifiable joy in doing so. 

    Many minutes passed, and Cassidy simply slept away. Hanzo brought a hesitant hand up to Cassidy's cheek, letting it sit there for a moment. Cassidy looked so pretty in the early morning light. With the orange-y-red tones of the sunlight, Cassidy looked like--like something holy. Hanzo traced the other's cheekbone, methodically and unashamedly observing every little detail of Cassidy's face. 

    He'd noted parts of Cassidy's face before--like the wrinkles around his eyes and his sloping nose--but he'd never gotten the chance to take his time with it; To truly appreciate every little thing about Cassidy. 

    For example, Hanzo never noticed the thin, whitened scars that went across Cassidy's forehead and cheek. He also hadn't seen the discoloration under his eyes--probably from a broken nose (that theory was further supported when he saw how Cassidy's nose bridge crooked a little in the middle). 

    Even things Hanzo was taught to hate on a person--freckles, wide pores, eye bags, stray hairs, messy hair--they all looked so perfect on Cassidy. 

     Finally, Cassidy grumbled and shifted to lay on his side, easily pulling Hanzo against his chest. "G'mornin…" he grumbled, voice gravelly from sleep. 

     Hanzo gave a light laugh. "Good morning," he greeted, eying Cassidy's mess of oaky hair. "May I--... touch your hair?" 

    "Hmn? O'course, darlin'," Cassidy smiled sweetly--although still a little sleepy. Hanzo excitedly reached a hand up to sort out Cassidy's bedhead. 

    "Did you sleep well?"

    "Like a baby," Cassidy hummed, head lolling into Hanzo's touch. "How 'bout you?"

    "I slept very well. I believe this is the first day in weeks I have not woken up with sore joints," Cassidy gave a sleepy laugh and turned to placed a kiss against Hanzo's palm. 

    "Doublin' up on bedding might help that," he said flirtatiously, but it had Hanzo frowning. 

    "We… will not be camping again tonight, Cassidy…"

    "Oh… Yeah, right, I remember…" Cassidy sounded disheartened as he ran his fingers through Hanzo's long hair. Hanzo frowned. 

    "We may… continue to share bedding for the next few minutes…?" He suggested, which elicited a little smile from Cassidy. 

   "Think I'd like that," he hummed, pulling Hanzo flush against his chest. Hanzo pressed his face into Cassidy's bare chest, enjoying the warmth that blossomed from it (and the hand that had settled on the small of Hanzo's back). Hanzo, once again, found himself tracing the many different imperfections on Cassidy's body: sun spots, freckles, scars of all kinds--Hanzo was absolutely enamored by them. 

    Cassidy chuckled. "Ya really seem to like touchin' me," he commented, causing Hanzo's face to flare up. 

     "I find it… relaxing, to"--Hanzo couldn't find the proper words. “To touch your… all of you." He punctuated his words with a soft kiss to a hypertrophic scar located towards the top of one of Cassidy's pectorals. 

   Cassidy smiled. "And they say I got a saccharine tongue." he gave a light laugh. 

    "You flatter me, cowboy,"

    The two fell into a comfortable silence, nearly falling back asleep in their peace. They decided it was for the best that they get up and prepare for the ride ahead of them. 

     Hanzo admired Cassidy as he pulled on his shirt and chaps, buckling that gaudy belt buckle of his. "Let's find Genji, then we'll track down some breakfast, alright?" Cassidy grinned, placing his hat atop his head. Hanzo nodded, approaching the door. 

    "Good, I am rather hungry." He commented, opening the door. As he did, the door directly across from them opened as well, only to reveal Genji; a person Hanzo recognized as his dance partner behind him in the room. 

    The brothers stared at each other for a moment before Genji, quite bluntly, shouted, "Did you fuck the cowboy!?" He winced at his own loudness, pressing the heel of his palm into his eye socket. 

     "What!? No, of course not! Did you?"

     Genji waved an arm at Hanzo, holding his head in one hand as he stepped aside to allow the person behind him to scurry out of the room. "Uhh, next question…?"

     "Genji!"

    "Brother, my head…!" Genji scolded, rubbing at his temples. Under the shifting sleeve, Hanzo saw black marks and swollen, red skin. 

    "What is that?" He asked, keeping his volume down as per Genji's request. 

     "Hm?" Genji lowered his arm and, lo and behold, there was a tattoo of a shotgun shell. "Oh, would you look at that, huh?" Genji lifted his arm to try to see the tattoo closer. 

     "Genji!--" Hanzo cleared his throat, remembering he needed to refrain from shouting. "Genji, father is going to kill you…!"

     "Oh, do not be dramatic, I can cover it with my sleeves." Genji waved his brother off. "We are not discussing what is really important," he grinned mischievously, looking between Hanzo and Cassidy. 

     "I--!" Hanzo sighed. "I will tell you over breakfast."

     "Great!" Genji winced a little. "Let us go then," 

     Hanzo turned to Cassidy, who was waiting patiently as the brothers talked. "We have Genji, let us get breakfast."

    Cassidy nodded with a grin. "'course, let's go." Hanzo noticed that he was speaking much quieter than usual--probably for Genji's sake, he assumed. 

    Cassidy managed to track down Bob, and asked him something using Hand Talk. Hanzo figured it was related to breakfast or eating, because Cassidy then led them out through a door, and to what looked to be a communal fire with different kinds of food all about. Hanzo saw Julien and Frankie sitting and talking to each other a little ways away from the fire. Although he definitely tried to hide it, a displeased look came across Hanzo's face when his eyes passed over Frankie. 

    He jumped a little when Cassidy slipped a hand around his waist. "'Don't get jealous,' huh?" he teased, a callback to the previous night. Hanzo scoffed. 

    "I do not." he claimed. Cassidy laughed. 

     "Naw?"

     "No,"

     Cassidy shook his head, grinning. "Yeah, yeah, alright."

     "Brother, stop flirting with the cowboy and eat with me," Genji complained. 

     "Oh, stop whining," Hanzo laughed lightly, but urged Cassidy towards the fire so they could all get food. Julien waved them over. 

     "Y' wanna sit with 'em, Han?" Asked Cassidy, wrapping his arm around Hanzo's waist once again. Hanzo liked to think it was a calculated way to reassure him.

     "Erm… we may," Hanzo turned to Genji. "Would you like to sit by Cassidy's--... friends?"

     "I do not mind; we will not be focusing on them anyway," Genji smiled. Hanzo sighed through his nose. 

    "Genji does not mind either," he told Cassidy, who nodded, walking Hanzo over towards Julien and Frankie (with Genji following). 

    "Howdy," Cassidy greeted his old friends with a wide grin. Hanzo caught Frankie eying the large, tanned hand resting just above his hip, and he couldn't help but preen because of it. 

    "Mornin'!" Julien greeted, and Genji blenched. "Ope--sorry, Genji." he smiled apologetically. Hanzo quietly relayed the apology to his brother, who gave Julien a nod of acknowledgement. 

     While Julien quickly struck up a conversation with Cassidy, Genji took to questioning Hanzo about whatever was going on between him and the aforementioned cowboy. 

     "Are you dating?"

     "No, we are not dating,"

     "And you did not have se-" 

     "No. No, we did not do that either."

     "Soo… what are you then?"

     "I--... do not know." Hanzo admitted, sheepish.

     "You did not talk about it?"

     "No?"

     "What did you do then?"

     "We--" Hanzo looked around as if someone would overhear them. "We… kissed."

     "That is all?"

     "Yes."

     Genji snickered. "Prude,"

    "Living a modest lifestyle does not make me a prude." Hanzo spat. 

    "Do not lie, brother, you are far less than modest." Hanzo gave Genji a light shove. 

    "You know nothing."

     "Oh yes, I am completely ignorant to your activities outside of the palace." Genji's voice was laced with playful sarcasm. Hanzo just gave him a deadpan stare. "Alright, alright," Genji put his hands up defensively. "Do you like him?"

    "I believe so," Hanzo suddenly found more interest in his food. 

     "Oh? Did you tell him that?"

     "Well--no, but he said he really liked me, and I allowed him to call me by my given name."

     "Oooh~" Genji giggled. "So you both confessed?" Hanzo scoffed. 

     "'Confessed'--Genji, we are not children."

     "Just answer the damn question."

     Hanzo groaned. "Fine. Yes, we confessed."

    "That is great," Genji grinned. "What is holding you back then?"

     "We will be leaving for Japan today."

     "So?"

     "I will not see him again…!"

     "Says who?"

     "I will be the leader of our clan--I cannot leave to come to America or Mexico."

     "Says who? You will be the new leader, brother. You can do what you please."

     "You know I cannot do that. What if something were to happen while I was gone?"

     "We can handle it, brother."

     "We?"

     "The Elders and I,"

     "They do not like you,"

     "They will learn to live with it," Genji shrugged. "Listen, if you like the cowboy then you should go for it,"

     "How would I even manage that?"

     "Just get a boat and have it take you here?"

     "Do you know how inconvenient that is for everyone involved?"

     "But, brother, it is for love…!"

     "It cannot be love--we have just met."

     "We have basically been living with him for a month,"

     "That is not enough time to fall in love with someone."

     "No?"

     "No."

     "But it is enough time to kiss and sleep with someone?"

     "That--that is different."

     "How so?"

     "Because--well--"

     "I am listening,"

     Hanzo scoffed. "Shut up."

     Genji tried to not laugh. "Admit it, you wish to see him even after we return home."

     Hanzo rolled his eyes. "Fine. Yes, I do. Are you happy now?"

     "Very." Genji gave a shit-eating grin.

     "Great, now what do you expect me to do?"

   "Stay with him…! Well--maybe not stay with him, but come back to him…!"

     "Genji…"

     "Hanzo."

     The two stared at each other for a moment, before Hanzo sighed and gave in. "I will talk to him about it,"

     "Wonderful…!" Genji clapped his hands. Hanzo shook his head as they continued to eat with no further questions from Genji. It wasn't long before they had to leave, and Julien and Frankie followed them out to help them with Johona (and to delay their goodbye to Cassidy, probably).

    Hanzo stood next to Genji, watching Cassidy as he greeted and fed Johona, then guided her towards the cart. Genji shook Hanzo's arm, directing his attention towards an opening door. 

    "Leavin' so soon?" asked Ashe, sounding every bit of ingenuine. Hanzo noted Bob standing behind her before his eyes were drawn to her bicep. He couldn't tell for sure from where he was, but it looked like the same shotgun shell Genji had on his bicep. 

     "Oh, don't worry your pretty little head, darlin', I'll be sure to pay ya a visit on my way back." Cassidy spat. 

     Ashe scoffed. "Bite me."

     "I'd rather bite the dust."

    Genji looked between Ashe and Cassidy, then looked to Hanzo. "What is going on?" he asked in a hushed tone. 

     "They hate each other?" Hanzo whispered back. 

     "Well I gathered that,"

     "What're ya doin' here anyway? Doubt you're here to make sure we get out safe," Cassidy questioned. 

     "Was--lookin' for those idiots." Ashe gestured towards Julien and Frankie, who gave her twin expressions of incredulity. "Fine. Was just--... wantin' to see y'all out is all." she crossed her arms, looking away. Cassidy's eyebrows drew together, and he turned his head towards Bob, who signed something in return. A softer look came across Cassidy's face, and he didn't press the matter further. 

    Soon, the three were ready to leave. Cassidy was bombarded with hugs from Julien and Frankie, both of which were in near-tears.

    "We'll miss ya, man!" Said Julien, who was clutching onto Cassidy's arm. 

    "Come back and visit us, yeah?" Asked Frankie, on Cassidy's other arm. 

    Cassidy gave a light laugh, nervousness on the edge of it. "C'mon, y'all, no need to make a mess of yourselves," Frankie and Julien pulled away, wiping their faces. Cassidy put a hand on each of their shoulders. "If ya want, I can come see y'all on my way back from San Francisco,"

   "Please?" The two begged, getting a laugh out of Cassidy. 

    "Alright, alright, I will. Promise." The two threw their hands up and cheered, celebrating together as Cassidy turned to Ashe. "Ashe,"

     "Cassidy,"

     The two were silent for a moment. 

    "See ya later," Cassidy offered his hand. Ashe rolled her eyes, but gave his hand a firm shake. 

     "See ya." Hanzo swore he saw a twinge of a smile on her face. 

     After Cassidy said goodbye to Bob--and gave Julien and Frankie one last hug--he, Hanzo, and Genji were off. "Should reach there mid-to-late afternoon," Cassidy told the two. "Hopefully y'all can catch a boat back 'fore night."

    "What will you do after that…?" Hanzo asked--almost reluctantly--and he received a shrug. 

     "Find somewhere to stay tonight, stop by n' see Jules n' Frankie, then head home myself I reckon." 

     "Where do you live?"

     "Same place I grew up in," Cassidy rubbed the back of his neck. "Just a little ranch, ain't much."

     "Ranch?"

     "It's like a farm where ya breed n' raise cattle n' such."

     "Ah," Hanzo nodded. "And… your parents also did this?"

    "Yep! always been kinda small, but there use to be a mighty nice community of us."

     "Everyone lived on a ranch?"

    "Naw. Some others did, but lots'a 'em were farmers. Had some shepherds n' weavers n' such too." Hanzo's perplexed face was a tacit plea for further elaboration. "Ah--shepherds take care of sheep and weavers make clothes," said Cassidy, receiving a quick nod in response.

    "Oh, so all the peas--" Hanzo cut himself off. 

    "All the what?" asked Cassidy, nudging Hanzo with his elbow. Hanzo stared at Cassidy, eyes a little wide. 

   "Erm,"

    Cassidy gave a bellowing laugh. "It's okay, Han, you can say I'm poor."

     "I did not want to--... suggest that you were less than?"

     "I know I ain't."

    "Still, I just--..." Hanzo looked away, struggling to figure out how to word this. Cassidy patted his knee, grinning wide.

    "Don't sweat it, alright?" Hanzo nodded, and found himself smiling as well when Cassidy didn't move his hand away.

    They only made two stops between the saloon and San Francisco, and both times Hanzo talked with Genji about what exactly they'd do once they reached the city. 

     "We need to find sensei Nakazono," Hanzo stated, and Genji nodded in agreement. 

     "How do we find him though?"

     "Erm--... Cassidy said he knows his way around these parts, I am sure he will be able to lead us around the city."

     "Yes, I have no doubts about that, but how do we find sensei Nakazono?"

     "I remember where he is located,"

     "Exactly?"

     "Vaguely."

     "Brother, we are going to be lost the whole night!"

     "We will not be lost,"

     "Yes we will!"

     "We will find our way."

     "In a week perhaps!"

    "We will find our way." Hanzo stated again. Genji huffed. 

     "Fine. Say we do find him tonight; what then?"

     "Explain everything to him, I suppose. He is most likely wondering where we are anyway--we were supposed to meet with him nearly a month ago."

     "Then what?"

     "Hopefully he will be able to secure us a boat ride back to Japan,"

     "Hopefully?"

     "He frequents Japan! I have no doubts that he can find a boat for us."

     "Then all we have to do is not explode again?"

     "Then all we have to do is not explode again."

     Hanzo didn't talk to Cassidy about what would happen to them after he and Genji left America. He didn't even ask about the status of their relationship. He wasn't putting it off exactly, he just--...had other things to worry about! We need to have a plan before we get there, Hanzo told himself. That is the most important thing right now. He wasn't just nervous or anything--not that. Ever. Because Hanzo Shimada doesn't get nervous!

     The remainder of the ride to San Francisco felt far too short. As Cassidy had predicted, the sun was just beginning to set when they arrived. Cassidy slowed Johona's speed down to a leisurely walk. 

    "Y'know where you're goin'?"

   "Oh!--well…" Hanzo scratched at his beard, looking around at the people and buildings surrounding them. 

    Cassidy gave a sweet smile. "It's okay if ya don't know, Han. We'll find him,"

     "I do know!" Hanzo declared. "Sensei Nakazono lives… by the--the water!" He nodded to himself. 

     "Alright, that's a good start. Do ya know if he lives by other folks from Asia?"

     "Yes, but not Japanese,"

     "Chinese then?"

     Hanzo took a moment deciphering the word, but couldn't. "I--... am unsure,"

    "Probably would'a been lots'a red. 'round New Year they hang red lanterns across the streets. Oh!--maybe ya seen a banner that was kinda goldish? Would'a had dragons and clouds on it?" Hanzo nodded vigorously at that. 

     "Yes! I remember something like that!"

     "Great!" Cassidy grinned. "We'll look 'round Chinatown and San Francisco Bay then," Hanzo dipped his head. "Chinatown's up towards the top of the peninsula, so we got a bit 'till we get there." Hanzo nodded, not really knowing what "peninsula" is--but he got the jist! 

    Hanzo listened closely as Cassidy just talked and talked about the areas they passed. 

     "Right there's a bar I use to go to when I came to San Francisco; got into a pretty nasty fight there, broke my wrist. 

     "I know the folks that opened that restaurant there. Real nice, they are. Co-owner knew my Pa somehow, and he'd look after me when I was in town; made me food n' let me stay at their place n' such.

     "Use to know a woman that worked in that hospital. She was a real angel--fixed me up more times 'n I can count.

     "Got mugged there. Bastards stabbed me in the side

     "Oh! that man who knew my Pa?--from the restaurant?--well he knew this Dutch man back when he was workin' at the harbor. Got in an accident and had real bad head trauma. Woman from the hospital I mentioned earlier helped treat him, but she said the damage was just too much--she was surprised the fella lived. Lost his job, o'course, and was kinda just wanderin' about for a while. Not really sure what happened after that, but next time I was in town a few years later, he was bein' taken care of by this girl from Mexico. Aparently he taught himself Spanish n' everythin' so he could talk to her."

     Hanzo only took his eyes off of Cassidy to look at the different buildings the other man would point to. He couldn't help it--Cassidy was just too captivating not to! The way his face would light up with familiarity, and the way he'd get so excited about fond memories, and the way he'd talk so tenderly about the people he used to know--it made Hanzo's heart flutter. He was absolutely sure Cassidy was the most awe-inducing thing to ever exist. 

     "--ain't much of a city man, but San Francisco ain't all that bad; I'd like to show ya around if we had the time," Hanzo heard as Cassidy turned to face him, expression softer with hints of--sadness? 

    "Hmn? Oh!--yes, it would have been a pleasure to explore the city," Hanzo pulled at the hem of his shirt--Cassidy probably knew he hadn't been listening to him for a while. The man just gave a light chuckle though. 

    "Comin' up on Chinatown," He told Hanzo. "You said your sensei lived by the bay?" 

     "Yes."

     "Alright, we'll start there." Cassidy led Johona down a rather crowded street. "Chinatown ain't too terribly big. Hopefully we'll get to an area ya recognize and that'll speed us up a bit,"

    "It seems rather lagre to me," Hanzo mumbled, scooting a little closer to Cassidy. 

    "Don't worry, we ain't gotta stop and talk to no one," Cassidy gave Hanzo's knee a small squeeze. He kept it rested there as they made their way through the town--closer towards the bay area. Hanzo kept a close eye on all the buildings they passed, and he asked Genji to do the same. 

    "Brother! I remember that shop!" Speak of the Devil. "We walked there from where we were staying with sensei Nakazono! We came fromm… that way!" Genji pointed down a street to the east. Cassidy looked to Hanzo. 

    "Genji says he remembers going there with sensei Nakazono," He gestured to the shop. "And be believes we had walked from that way." Hanzo pointed with Genji to the street. 

    "That's great!" Cassidy grinned, turning Johona down the street. Hanzo scanned one side of the street while Genji did the other. Eventually, their attention was grabbed by a small, two story building. The dim yellow lights and pink flowers behind the windows were all Hanzo needed to see. 

    "There!" He and Genji shouted together, garnering a few disgruntled looks from passerbyes. 

    "Here?" Cassidy stopped the cart. 

    "Yes. I am sure." Hanzo was already scrambling out of the jockey box, Genji right behind him. Genji hammered on the door, bouncing in place as they waited. 

     And waited. 

     And waited… 

     "Brother, is he coming…?"

     "I--... do not know…" Hanzo answered truthfully, knocking thrice again on the door. He perked up as he saw a dark, blurry figure make its way down the stairs and towards the door. He turned to Genji, eyes wide and a grin making its way onto his face. 

    The door unlocked and steadily drew open. A young man--no older than Hanzo himself--stood in the doorframe. He eyed the brothers up and down, looking at them with narrowed eyes. 

    "Who are you?" He demanded. His accent was distantly familiar. 

    "Shimada Hanzo and Shimada Genji. We are here to see sensei Nakazono…?" Although he knew it was rude, Hanzo tried peeking into the room behind the man--just to see if it looked familiar as well. It did, he saw with great excitement, but that was snuffed as the man closed the door enough to block most of the interior. 

     "He is not to see anyone tonight."

     "We were supposed to arrive last month, but we faced some obstacles."

     The man's eyebrows knit. "No such meeting existed."

    "What--of course it did; our father's advisor sent letters to sensei Nakazono."

     "You must be mistaken."

     "I am not--!"

     "Min, what is the matter…?" came the groggy voice of an old man. Genji perked up. 

     "Sensei Nakazono!"

     A thin, wrinkly hand appeared from behind the door and was placed on the young man's elbow. Another hand opened the door, revealing silver hair atop a battle-hardened face. The old man's eyes widened, his jaw dropping. 

     "Hanzo, Genji, what are you doing here? It is very late, you must come inside, please." Nakazono ushered Min out of the doorway, making room for the Shimada brothers. 

    "Oh--sensei, we have another companion," Hanzo told the man, gesturing to Cassidy, who was still waiting with the cart. Nakazono squinted in that general direction, remaining silent for a moment. 

    "Ah! Yes, of course. Your friend may enter as well! There is room for the horse and the cart right there,"

    Hanzo turned and called out to Cassidy. "He wants you to come inside with us," Cassidy looked a little shocked, dumbly hopping down from the jockey box and jogging to the front door, hand on his head to keep his hat from flying off. 

     Nakazono allowed the three guests to sit at the chabudai towards the corner of the room. Hanzo eagerly soaked up the familiar furniture and decorations around them. He liked everything Mexico had to offer, but he just missed his home. He caught Cassidy lingering. 

     "You just sit on the--..." Hanzo just pointed towards the cushion. "Do not worry about sitting the right way, there is no time to teach you." Cassidy gave a slow nod, squatting down to take a seat on the cushion next to Hanzo. 

     "What brings you boys here?" asked Nakazono. He had trouble sitting down, and Min was quickly at his side, assisting him. 

    "We were supposed to meet with you last month?" Said Genji. 

    "I do not believe so," Nakazono turned to Min. "Min, were the Shimadas scheduled to visit?"

     "No, sir."

    "Father's advisor exchanged letters with you, sensei. He told us so." Hanzo explained--probably in vain. Nakazono shook his head. 

     "I neither received or sent any such letters."

     Hanzo and Genji looked at each other, faces contorted into thinly veiled alarm. "Then why were we put on a boat and told we were coming here?" Asked Genji. 

     "That I cannot answer,"

    Hanzo groaned, rubbing at his temples. "Then--do you think you could help us get home? We only need a boat--it does not need to be large." Nakazono thought about it. 

     "I should be able to locate a boat,"

     "How long would it take?"

     "Hmm, perhaps a few hours. Min, how fast do you think you can find a boat to take these boys to Japan?"

     "Mmph. An hour?" answered Min. "Will that need to be done now?" Nakazono looked to Hanzo, who nodded. 

     "Yes, please." Nakazono told the man, who simply dipped his head and headed towards the door. 

    "I will pay you extra for this, Min!" said Nakazono, lighthearted. He turned to his guests. "Would you like tea while we wait?" 

     "Yes, sensei, please." Hanzo turned to Cassidy. "Tea?" 

    "Hm?--Oh! erm, yes please!" Hanzo couldn't help but smile at Cassidy's nervousness. It wasn't something he'd seen on the man before. In passing, Hanzo thought that Cassidy just had to know a response for everything. He never seemed to fumble his words, and he was never stunned into silence--Hanzo figured Cassidy was just the smoothest talker known to man. So to see him right now, speaking quickly, fiddling with the seam of his pants, stumbling through his sentence: it was a natural wonder. 

     And it was kind of cute. 

     Nakazono shuffled out of the room, and Hanzo turned to Cassidy, smiling slightly. "There is no need to be nervous, Cassidy." He rested a hand on the other's knee. 

     "Nervous? I ain't nervous."

     "You are sure?" Hanzo arched a brow, looking Cassidy up and down. The man held back a laugh, pushing Hanzo's face away. 

    "Don't look at me like that, it's crackin' me up. And I ain't 'bouta cause a ruckus in front of your mentor."

     "What? You want to act proper for him?"

     "Not for him,"

     "Why then?"

    "Well, y'know, he seems real important to y'all and I don't wanna make a fool of myself," Cassidy glanced away, scratching at his beard. Hanzo chuckled and again, placed his hand on Cassidy's knee. 

     "You are just fine."

    Cassidy gave a nervous laugh as he rested his hand atop Hanzo's. "Thanks, darlin',"

     "Of course"--

    "Would you two stop flirting?" Asked Genji, eying Hanzo and Cassidy with faux disgust. Hanzo shot him a glare, although his face was dusted with a light shade of pink. 

     "We are not flirting."

     "Looks like flirting to me."

    "It could look like anything to you, Genji, you cannot understand what we are saying."

     "So my point still stands,"

     "Wh--no it does not?"

     "Yuh-huh: if I cannot understand what you are saying, I can assign whatever meaning I want."

     "No, that is not--!... You are messing with me."

     "No, why would I do that, dear brother?"

     "Because you are an ass."

     Genji cackled. Cassidy looked to Hanzo, eyebrows drawn up in question. "He is being Genji," Hanzo told him, and received a small chuckle. 

     "Maybe I should pick up some Japanese--so I can talk to ya both,"

     "Oh--I--" Nakazono shuffled his way into the room, balancing four cups of tea on a tray. "Sensei, please, allow me to help you." Hanzo stood, gently taking the stray from Nakazono. 

     "Thank you, Hanzo," Nakazono pat the man's shoulder. While Hanzo brought the tray to the chabudai, Genji helped his sensei sit down (like Min had earlier), and the elderly man passed out the cups. 

     "Thank you," The brothers said in unison. 

     "Thank ya, sir." Cassidy blipped. 

    "So, who is this? You said a companion?" Asked Nakazono, gesturing towards Cassidy. 

    "Er--yes, his name is Cassidy. Our ship exploded on the way here, and we awoke on the shores of Mexico. He and his grandmother took us in and helped us recover, and he offered to escort us to San Francisco so we may meet with you." Hanzo explained. 

   "Look at the scar I have!" Genji exclaimed, lifting his shirt to show Nakazono the large, gnarly scar going up and down his abdomen. Nakazono gave a light laugh. 

     "Oh my, that is a very ghastly injury,"

     "It was! But Mrs Cassidy did very well healing me!"

     "'Mrs'?"

    "It means 'missus' in Spanish." Hanzo told his sensei. 

    "Ah, yes," Nakazono dipped his head. He turned to Cassidy. "You helped Hanzo and Genji get here from Mexico?"

     "Yessir!"

     "Mmh. I hope they were well behaved; these two can be a handful." While Cassidy and Nakazono shared a laugh, Hanzo felt his cheeks flush with embarrassment. 

     "Naw, they're great company," Cassidy smiled, soft and genuine in the way that had Hanzo's heart melting. "Wish I knew a tad bit of Japanese to talk to Genji some."

     Nakazono sipped from his tea. "You seem like a very courteous man," He commented, looking at Cassidy over the rim of his cup. Cassidy shifted under his gaze. 

    "Oh, well it wasn't nothin'," Cassidy chuckled, scratching at his beard. 

    "Of course it was! They would not have been able to make it home without your help."

    "We could have died if you and your grandmother did not help us," Hanzo added, looking up towards Cassidy's quickly reddening face. 

     "Not you too, Han!" Cassidy joked, giving Hanzo a light shove. 

     "Oh, do not act so humble!"

     Nakazono arched a bushy brow at the two, glancing over towards Genji, who only grinned and shrugged. 

     "You seem to have grown close then," commented the sensei. 

    "Oh--I suppose," Hanzo mumbled, retreating from Cassidy's personal space. 

     "I'd say we all have," Cassidy told the old man, looking down towards his tea. Nakazono nodded slowly, sharing a knowing look with Genji. 

     "Of course," He chuckled. 

~~~~~~~~~~

     Min arrived a little later than he said, but brought back with him great news!: A small ship could be prepared within the next hour-and-a-half. Nakazono offered to pay for the expenses, seeing as how neither Hanzo or Genji had US money, and Cassidy didn't have near enough money. 

    "I will ensure that you are repaid for this," Hanzo told Nakazono, bowing deeply. Genji was beside him, doing the same. 

    "Nonsense, I only wish for you two to make it home safely." Nakazono rested a hand on each of the brother's shoulders. "Now, get up and go make sure you have everything. We will leave in forty minutes." 

     "Of course, thank you sensei." Genji echoed Hanzo as the two rose, making their way out to the cart. Cassidy sat in the jockey box, smoking a cigar. He looked over as the door opened, and shot the brothers a grin. 

     "Need in the back?" He asked. 

     "Only for a moment." Hanzo told him. 

     "Need any help?"

     "I do not think so,"

     "Alright then. Holler if ya need then, I suppose."

     Hanzo offered a small smile. "Of course." As he rounded the back of the cart, he was grabbed by the shoulders. "Genji!--" he snapped. "Do not grab people like that…!" He scolded hushedly. 

     "Have you spoken to Cassidy?"

     "Yes?"

     "About your relationship?"

     "... Well, no, not yet--"

     "We are leaving in less than an hour…!"

     "I know…! I simply--... have not had the time."

     "We have had the whole day, brother."

     "Yes, but--"

     "Now."

     "What--?"

     "Do it now." Genji turned Hanzo around and gave him a firm shove in Cassidy's direction--catching the man's attention. Hanzo said nothing to Genji now that Cassidy was looking at him--just shot his brother a glare. He only received two thumb-ups. 

     "Everythin' alright?"

     "Ah--yes. Well--not exactly." Cassidy's head tilted. Hanzo sighed and sat next to him in the jockey box. "I--... am unsure about leaving."

     "Han… c'mon, ya gotta go back for your pa."

    "I know… ! I just--... I think it will be hard for me to leave you," Hanzo turned his head away from Cassidy. 

     "Awh, sugar…" Cassidy murmured, discreetly resting his hand atop Hanzo's. "I'm gonna miss ya too, y'know," he said softly. 

     "I am afraid I will not see you again."

     Cassidy nodded. "I've thought about that too."

     "And--... I have not felt this way for someone. I do not know what to do."

     Cassidy nodded again. He pulled his hand away from Hanzo's and instead draped the arm around the other's shoulders, bringing him in close. "Well, I'll tell ya again, I think ya need to go back home, and I'm gonna miss ya as much as ya do me," He planted a kiss on Hanzo's temple. "And… maybe we can figure out some time to meet each other again? That alright?"

     Hanzo leaned into Cassidy's chest. "I would like that, but I do not know when I would be able to."

     "That's alright, darlin', you just need to focus on your family first, alright?"

     "But if--when--I can see you, how will I find you? How will you know I have come for you?"

     "I'll be at my home in Santa Fe. It's in New Mexico. You remember the ranch I told ya about?"

     "I do."

     "It's east from right here, n' just a bit longer than from here to Grandma's." Hanzo gave a slow nod, face tensed, but that was quickly kissed away by Cassidy. "You can make it, I believe in ya."

     "And… when I arrive there, how will I know where you are?"

     "Ask 'round for me. I'll be sure and let everyone know if a handsome Japanese man comes askin' for me, send him my way." Cassidy gave a dumb smile--one that Hanzo found himself just staring at.

     "You are very hopeful," He said eventually. 

     "I wanna be; for you."

     Hanzo shook his head, drawing Cassidy in for a kiss. He tasted the tobacco and something… tangy? from the cigar Cassidy was just smoking, but he didn't bother caring about it. It was a part of Cassidy, and therefore was something worth wanting to remember. 

     "C'mon now, we'll get caught," Cassidy whispered against Hanzo's lips. He pulled away with a sigh. 

     "You are right--I am sorry…" He felt Cassidy's warm hand against his own once more. 

     "No need to apologize. I wouldn't mind it if we wouldn't get in trouble." He ran his thumb over Hanzo's knuckles. "But I'll let ya kiss me all ya want when ya come to the ranch." Hanzo looked away in hopes of hiding his flushed face, but he knew Cassidy was already well aware of it. 

     "That sounds nice…" Hanzo mumbled. 

     Before they knew it, Min was announcing it was time to head to the harbor. He helped Nakazono into the back of the cart with Genji, then they were off. 

     Hanzo kept Cassidy's hand clenched in his lap, though he didn't say a word. He wasn't sure that he could say anything--not easily, at least. Breathing became difficult as a lump formed in his throat. He should be happy--grateful even, that he's been allowed to make it this far. To (hopefully) see his father once again before his death. But all he could think about was how lonely he'd be without Cassidy. 

     The feeling of dread only intensified as the harbor came into view. 

     Cassidy stopped Johona. Hanzo heard Genji and Nakazono get out of the back, but he couldn't bring himself to do the same. 

     "Han…? 

     "Hm?" Hanzo turned to Cassidy. 

     "Hey, y'alright?" Cassidy cupped Hanzo's hands. 

     "Yes…" Hanzo choked out. 

     "Awh, darlin', c'mere…" Cassidy gently led Hanzo into a hug--which he accepted gratuitously. "It's alright, hon, I know ya got a lot on your mind, and that's alright." He rubbed Hanzo's back. "Everythin's gonna be alright, sugar. You n' your brother are gonna get things sorted out at home, and I'm gonna be right over in Santa Fe when ya get the chance to visit. I'll be waitin' for you."

     Hanzo just nodded. 

     "Do ya want me to walk with ya to the ship?"

     Hanzo nodded again. 

     "Alright, c'mon then." Cassidy hopped down from the jockey box, holding his hand out to Hanzo. He choked out a small laugh, taking Cassidy's hand and allowing him to help guide him to the ground. 

     "Are you ready, brother?" Asked Genji, popping his head around the cart. Hanzo dipped his head, and Genji quickly gave him a sympathetic look. "I can carry all of our things--it is not much. Is Cassidy walking with us?"

     "Yes," Hanzo managed. 

     "Are you boys off?" Came Nakazono's voice. 

     "Yes, sensei," Genji answered, turning to face him. 

     "Ah--then come say goodbye!" Nakazono grinned. The brothers approached their sensei, bowing deeply. "Oh, put the formalities aside!" Nakazono pulled the two into a hug, which they both returned. "Do send a letter when you arrive home; I would like to pay my respects to your father."

     "We will." Genji assured with a grin. "Are you ready, brother?"

     "Yes--we may leave," Hanzo had to clear his throat so his voice didn't sound as wobbly. He and Genji both turned to face Cassidy. 

     "Is it time?" Asked Cassidy, to which he received a nod. Hanzo took his hand, seeing as how the four of them were the only people around. 

     Genji led the way to the ship. Hanzo kept wiping at his face with his free hand. He didn't want to be seen crying--especially not by Cassidy or Genji. But as his luck ran, Cassidy pulled their interlocked hands up to his lips and kissed Hanzo's knuckles. "It's gonna be alright, sugar." He reassured. "I know it hurts now, but it's gonna get better. I promise."

     Hanzo was at the foot of the ramp. "Take your time, brother," Genji told him before ascending the metal walkway. Hanzo turned to face Cassidy, holding both of his hands.

     "It is time…" He croaked. 

     "I know, sug'," Cassidy whispered, voice wavering. He pulled Hanzo in for a hug. 

     "I--... will miss you…"

     "I'll miss ya too."

     "I will visit as soon as possible…"

     "I'll be waitin' for ya."

     Hanzo didn't want to leave Cassidy's arms--and he couldn't bring himself to do it for a long time. He was grateful for Genji's patience in this moment--something he thought he'd never be able say in his life. 

     Reluctantly, however, he pulled away from Cassidy--just enough to look up at him. "I have to--…" Hanzo swallowed hard. 

     "I know," Cassidy nodded solemnly, reaching up to hold Hanzo's face. 

     "I am sorry…"

     "It's alright, darlin', I ain't upset with ya. I know ya gotta go. I'm happy ya getta' go, and I'm glad I could help ya get here."

     "Oh, Cassidy…" Hanzo choked, pulling the man down for another kiss--just one last kiss. Cassidy returned it fervently. When they pulled away, Hanzo almost crumpled at the expression on Cassidy's face: teary-eyed and so obviously trying to hold it together. "Goodbye--..." 

     Cassidy placed fluttering kisses across Hanzo's cheeks. "G'bye, darlin',"

     With a deep breath, Hanzo forced himself to walk away.