This is already on AO3, but I’m daring myself to re-post. I had an accompanying piece done in May by the amazingly talented kirashion. She’s not on tumblr anymore (you can still see her work circulating though), but you can find her on Instagram. She also has a Linktree there to her twitter and other outlets. I was going to be selfish and keep this piece just for me for eternity, but I asked for permission to share. I want to show her my continued love and hopefully have others send her some too! Oh yeah, I guess I wrote this lol. It’s 800-ish words and called “Proposal”.
“There you are. My intuition told me that I might find you here.”
Hanzo found McCree sitting slumped against a supply bin at the apex of the watchpoint, overlooking the endless sea. His signature hat and serape lay in a crumpled heap beside him as he was lost in thought, glued to the evening horizon. His gaze remained on the shimmering waters as he gave a distracted reply.
“I’m sorry ‘bout missin’ dinner. Wasn’t hungry.”
McCree sluggishly raised his prosthetic arm. As he examined it, Hanzo knew that he was witnessing a rare moment of insecurity. The cowboy slowly curled and unfurled his metal fingers as he inspected the new scratches added to the established collection on the shiny surface.
His confidence was fading. It seemed as if every mission in the last year had been a close call, a victory far from guaranteed. A bullet had grazed him that afternoon: a shot allowed by his own mistake. What should have been a killing blow to the head had instead veered into the target’s shoulder. If the offender had noticed Hanzo at his flank, the round could have easily destroyed skin… or a skull.
McCree was the renowned sharpshooter, the legendary Deadeye. He wasn’t supposed to miss. He couldn’t afford to; not now, not ever. While Hanzo was exceedingly capable, he had placed his beloved in harm’s way. McCree’s normally booming voice retreated to a near whisper as doubt spread like wildfire inside him. For him, the one-off was inexcusable. Now, he questioned everything.
“Han… we’ve been on this ride for years now, you n’ me. This stallion ain’t what it used to be. Y’know you could have anyone in the world– someone who could give you a life without chaos. Don’t cha want better?”
Hanzo clenched his fists as he pivoted away, offended by the question. His tone was severe as he scolded his significant other.
“You are spouting utter nonsense.”
He paused as he struggled to express the emotions welling up inside him:
“That aside… you know full well that I cannot answer your absurd remark with mere words.”
Hanzo walked over to speak with the gunslinger face to face. He stood over him, concerned, for a short time, hoping that McCree’s umber eyes would instinctively meet his own as they always did. When they failed to do so, Hanzo went down on bended knee. McCree scoffed at the chivalrous gesture, blowing it off.
“What the hell are y-”
Hanzo’s glare stopped his quip dead in its tracks. The archer’s gaze was so intense that one could almost see the flames of his dragon soul blazing brightly behind the dark irises that commanded such attention.
“Listen well, you fool.”
With the cowboy silenced, Hanzo spoke with absolute purpose in his voice.
“Before we met, I was already attempting to escape forces far greater than law and order. Through my own actions, I had sentenced myself to a life that I would not force upon even my worst enemy… one of unbearable regret. You have given me a gift without equal; the ability to forget. My chains have been broken, banished to another place and time. In your company, I am reminded of who I am– not who I was.”
To McCree’s surprise, Hanzo gently placed his right hand on his cheek, in a loving touch. To Hanzo, the sun-kissed skin and rough stubble against his palm were both warm and familiar, a source of comfort so many times before. He cherished the sight as he continued:
“Jesse… your existence is beyond the weapon you wield or the burdens you bear. It was on an evening like this that you stated such, if I am not mistaken. I have chosen my partner for my dances with death, and he is more than a man to me. If I was ever granted one wish? It would be to know that he felt the same.”
McCree closed his eyes in contentment as he raised his hand to join Hanzo’s. A calm surged through his veins, soothing his body. His heart was full as he softly chuckled.
“That’s my Hanzo alright. Can’t say anythin’ plainly, and beats around the bush with frilly words.
–Funny way to ask someone to marry ya, ain’t it?”
Jesse McCree sighed in relief as he opened his eyes to see the man he held dear, the person whose worth was impossible to explain.
Hanzo Shimada held his breath as he waited for the voice that he so adored speak the words he longed to hear.
Once, they had been two drifters in an unforgiving world. With trust and time, they had become two halves of a whole. The future was riddled with uncertainty. But, McCree would never let go of Hanzo’s hand. It was his to have and to hold, til death did they part.
“You and your stuffy formalities… but, it does take two to tango.”
Greetings, kind humans! A WILD SHIPPER HAS APPEARED!
It’s been a long ass time, but I hope that you’ve all been well.
Where was I? TL;DR = life :P What have I been up to, you may ask?
*hyperlinks underlined*
- Still McHanzo dependent (v important)
- Moved my Overwatch collection to its own display case (fancy)
- Finished several RPGS (finally)
- Had to drop out of the McHanzo Big Bang that started last year :C
(Please check out the work though, so much love and effort by all!)
- Hit plat border, 1600 total hours played, 6000 wins (committed)
- Wrote a one shot in May (much fluff)
- Reformatted my first fic (incomplete, but now 99% legible XD)
- Attempted to make more Overwatch friends (work in progress)
- Finally, I received MANY new follower emails! THANK YOUUUU uWu
I came back because I still truly love this game and this fandom with my whole heart. I want to be a part of it for as long as I can. I want to try and modify my comfort zones, talk to you guys, and keep exploring my creativity through writing. I want to continue sharing content from tumblrs big, small, and everything in between! So yeah, I’ll give it a go.
I’ve noticed that I’ve gained quite a few followers recently despite my inactivity lol. Hello and welcome! :D I hope to be around more regularly. Some OW related highlights from the past little while:
Acquired both Shimada brothers Nendoroids (smol angsty broz)
Confirmed that the Moira I once played with was in fact the real Trungles
Went to Fan Expo in Toronto with some OW friends
At said convention, I met Jonny Cruz <3 … AND GAKU SPACE!!!
(I’m still deceased)
This now means that BOTH Paul Nakauchi (via IG) and Gaku Space are aware that I exist, and I can die 90% fulfilled
Purchased prints to add to my Shimada wall
“Arms” has passed 2700 hits, which is friggin’ bananas
I’ve been down these days, so I’m glad that I have these happy moments to hold on to. As always, my ask box is always open if you want to send me a prompt, a head canon, or just want to say hi. :3 Farewell~
P.S. I can’t stop thinking about Vampire Hanzo…. Halloween McHanzo equals VAMPHELSING, ANYONE? (Hehe, get it? K I’ll go now XD)
I need inspiration to strike again, so I offer this while I wait. (I just realized I haven’t posted a conversation between these two yet, whoops.) You don’t need too much context for this one, but if you feel so inclined to find out what’s going on, you can do so here! This is from chapter 10 out of a current 16. Currently seeking ideas as I move forward with the plot! Have a great Wednesday, peeps. :3
McCree motioned to Hanzo to follow him. “Might as well take in the view.” They ascended the stairs of one of the industrial structures overlooking the clear horizon. McCree hunkered down onto the flat, frosty roof, dangling his legs off the edge. Hanzo transitioned to his meditation position in kind, weary from their terse excursion. Whilst up there, the moon and stars illuminated their figures as they shone without the interference of all things metropolitan. The glimmer of the beacons wobbled in the murky Mediterranean below. “Normally I’d break out the whiskey in times like these, but I’ll take a rain-check. Say, Hanzo… what do you do when the blues hit ya?”
Hanzo took a moment to formulate his answer. “When I was distressed in my youth... I would go to my window to view the cherry blossom trees. The season mattered not. I gazed upon the branches, admiring their shape and everlasting form. I would examine and memorize every splendid twist and turn. There is beauty in simplicity. Of course I cannot deny that the heralding of spring made the sight that much more sedative. Now... I can only bide.” “You sure miss the place, huh?” “I… have learned to be content with mere memories. It is no longer my home.”
“Can’t say I’ve ever had a fixed address, never stuck around long enough in one spot to make one. Before Deadlock, I’d sneak out of my jail o’ the week to take a gander at the stars. The brightest ones were never my favourite; I preferred the small fries playin’ backup. Every night without fail they’d come to greet me… I knew I could always count on ‘em to watch over me. Once I met Reyes, I kicked the habit...” He sighed as he scoured the night sky. “Looks like I’ll be takin’ it up again.” He rotated his torso, hands at either side, to appeal to Hanzo directly.
“Hanzo… you’ve gotta go back to Hanamura sometime. You can’t go the rest of your life runnin’ away from it. Promise me you’ll at least think about it.” “What would that achieve? Consider what has come to pass over the course of my life, McCree.” The archer’s voice was plagued with torment: “I have nothing… because I am nothing.” McCree turned himself back towards the infinite indigo spread. He spoke coolly, masking his conflicting opinion. “Sorry to burst your bubble, Hanzo… but you’re dead wrong. You have me.”
I’m back at it again, because I can! I’m trying to remind myself that self-promotion doesn’t equal vanity XD Same deal as last time: McCree was seriously injured in a fight and Hanzo made sure he got to safety. He left McCree in Mercy’s care and returned to the scene of the scuffle to retrieve the cowboy’s beloved hat. Now they’ve reunited, and Hanzo finally begins to realize maybe he can’t live without this dork after all. Full fic here <<< :3 Looking for feedback! It would make my day!
Hanzo returned to a much happier scene in the infirmary- McCree was upright and more or less awake. Swaddled in blankets to keep warm, the gunslinger gave a lopsided smile to his visitor: “Well now… look what the cat dragged in, Doc.” It had only been a short time since he fell quiet, but Hanzo never thought he would be so grateful to hear the cowboy’s voice again. He chuckled in relief: “You should be resting, gunslinger. Your quips can surely wait.” Angela interjected: “I need to step out for a moment, but I’ll be back shortly. Will you two be alright?” “We’ll be fine, Doc.” The doctor excused herself from the premises, leaving the two men alone. The archer restored the cowboy’s crown to its rightful position: “I believe this is yours, is it not?” McCree’s eyes lit up as he saw Hanzo settle in on the stool, his dragon at arm’s length. “Thank you kindly, good sir.” They picked up their chummy jibing where they left off. “In the future, you would do well to keep track of your possessions.” “Okay, dad.” “I am only one year older than you, fool.” “Aww come on… I’m just respectin’ my elders.” “That I can appreciate indeed. How are you feeling?” “Been better... but I guess I’ve also been worse.”
McCree sunk back into his pillow, pensive. He closed his eyes, content to feel Hanzo’s presence: “Say, Hanzo.... You ever just want to get away? Pack up everythin’ and go somewhere new? Just pick a destination and start runnin’- somewhere upset can’t reach. No shadows or curses tailin’ ya… just freedom.” Hanzo’s gaze drifted to his kneecaps: “I have wandered aimlessly for a decade… fleeing the pursuit of my life’s concerns has grown too tiresome. “I hear ya. Believe it or not, I know exactly what you mean. You can never forget the day your world stopped turnin’... the second that time left you behind in the dust.” Silence invaded the space between them until the archer found his voice. “...Can it truly resume anew?” “It sure can. I know that now.” The first petal of Hanzo Shimada’s emotions slowly began to unfurl from its bud: “I once thought it impossible. But, this existence… this world… is bearable with you in it.”
Hey again! In commemoration of chapter 15 of Arms being uploaded today, I thought I would share another piece of my angst pie with the good people of the internet. To set the scene: McCree was seriously injured in a fight and Hanzo made sure he got to safety. He has left McCree in Mercy’s care for the time being. Hanzo leaves doctor and patient behind to return to the arena to retrieve the cowboy’s beloved hat, but is joined by an unexpected guest. Ana Amari heard and saw everything that went down in the infirmary... and she’s telling it like it is. Mother knows best.
(AKA Hanzo was worried sick and it was really obvious as to why)
If you’d like to read the rest of this chapter or any other you can do so here. Any and all feedback is appreciated! <3
“May I join you?” Hanzo detected a unique inflection against his eardrums as he took his first steps out of the infirmary on his way back to the hangar. A hooded silhouette, whose face he surely recognized, joined him in the early deliverance of daybreak. The muted azure of the sky hailed a certain Ana Amari, the legendary sniper of Overwatch’s prime. The owner of the alabaster braid examined him with a sole amber eye: “I didn’t mean to intrude. I couldn’t help but overhear the goings on. Let’s just say I’ve never been a heavy sleeper.” Hanzo was indifferent, his path set: “Do as you wish, Captain.” “And that I shall, Hanzo. Walk with me” she directed.
Side by side they retraced Hanzo’s steps to the scene of the crime; Ana felt inclined to speak to the archer at length. “I have to thank you for taking Jesse to safety. Fareeha may be my daughter, but in a way he also feels like my own.” Hanzo was unaware of their relationship: “I did not know that you two were associates.” The sharpshooter was cheerful as she relived fond memories: “I mentored him for a time while he and Gabriel were still settling their differences. It seems like only yesterday that he was gaping at my every shot, begging and pleading for me to teach him… They grow up so fast. Here we are, almost 20 years later; he certainly doesn’t need my help anymore.” Hanzo maintained his diplomacy, for the former bounty hunter commanded much respect.“You taught him well. His shots find their marks unlike any other I have seen.” She chuckled at the compliment: “I can’t take all the credit; I merely nurtured what was in him all along. He did the rest.”
Hanzo became more alert as they reached the hangar door and entered the confounding cavern. He jogged ahead of Ana to reach the spot that was marked by spatters that were once a deep crimson, fixing his gaze on the now blackened blots underfoot. Lost in his thoughts, the sniper calmly went to his side to begin her true line of questioning. With matronly acumen it began: “You care for him, don’t you?” After what seemed like an eternity, Hanzo spoke: “... I was taught to be ever firm in my convictions and unwavering in my opinions- I never go back on my word. I vowed that I would requite his hospitality towards me, and that is what I intend to do.” Ana immediately called him out on his bluff: “When you see the world through a cybernetic eye, you become fluent in the language of the human body. I saw every possible conversation from the end of my rifle: each face with its own dialect. The most deafening speeches are often the ones left unheard, delivered through twitches and tells. That enhancement may be gone… but I didn’t need a scope to recognize the way you looked at him.” The dragon was immovable in both body and mind. Hanzo had not yet admitted to himself that his rapport with McCree had gone past mere amity- he would not start with a stranger.
“We are friends… nothing more. I am not sure that I care for your suggestion.” “You don’t have to. All I ask is that you continue to be there for him, Hanzo. Jesse never wanted to be alone. Unfortunately, I know first hand that the weavers of fate can be cruel in their handiwork. One by one his loved ones deserted him… myself included. He needs people, and people need him. We don’t talk as often as we used to, but he came to me the day you were injured. He wanted reassurance that he was doing the right thing, coming into your life. I reminded him that caring for another can be your greatest sorrow... as well as your greatest joy. When I do see him out and about…” She laid a finger on her ‘Eye of Horus’ tattoo, faded with age but ever present- just as she was. “This eye can see that he is happy- and that is all that a mother could ever wish for.”
With her monologue at an end, her cape swished and she turned to leave: “I’ve said what I needed to say. I’ll leave you to your search. If there’s anything I can do to help either of you, seek me out. Look after yourself, Hanzo… I don’t want him to lose you too.” Hanzo’s vocal cords were static as he continued to stare at the macabre splotches, the softest of footsteps behind him ringing in the air.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Could it be? I finally finished chapter 20? Why yes, yes I did. Took me a while, but here it is. I have returned from the realm of limbo to bestow upon the internet this humble offering, McHanzo in nature. I call it “the chapter in which Genji does all the talking”. (Lol but it’s true)
Anyway, should you be so inclined to take a look, I would be so grateful! I’m always looking for feedback, especially since I may be taking on a new project.
