“He turned down the Yamamoto girl. Maybe I can try with Ishimura’s middle daughter or even Tanaka’s.” Yukina mumbled, looking through a book of contacts. “They’d be possibly good matches. Since Hanzo is heading back to Austria,  it would make it easy to set up an arrangement while the ladies are studying in Europe.”

“At this rate why don’t you just try and get him back with Amélie. ” Akari mumbled annoyingly under her breath as she sipped sake.

“What was that, Kari?” Yukina asked, not hearing it.

“Just let Hanzo be.” Akari said, leaning against the back of her chair. “I know you are trying for his best interest but putting a marriage on him won't solve anything.”

Yukina looked sad for just a moment. “He’s next in line for the Shimada head so eventually he needs to have a wife of caliber to continue it.”  

Akari rubbed at her temples. “So putting him in a potentially loveless marriage is the best thing? Cousin, I know you can do better than that bullshit.”

“Sojiro and I had an arranged marriage and it worked for us.” Yukina said, as her voice turned defensive. “Why would it be different-”

“You and Sojiro grew up together and had time to fall in love, so it is different.” Akari said, not budging. “Let him find his own peace and break off that stupid deal you made with him.”

“He was the one that came up with the deal himself.”

“Did you ever stop to think that maybe he made it to make you happy? Hanzo cares about what you think of him. You’re his mother!”

“All I want is to give him a nice push to a good woman and for him to be happy.”

“There is yet another difference between a push and tossing off a cliff.” Akari sighed. “He’s a grown man and he’s free to make his own mistakes. He’ll never learn what he wants out of love if he has it forced down his throat.”

“The world we live in is enough of a warzone of aristocracy so I need to be his defense.” Yukina stood up and slammed her hand on the desk.

“We are to be his supporters and let him live his life.” Akari placed her cup down and got out of her seat. “If you defend him constantly what will he be able to do on his own?”

“Don’t you tell me how to raise my son.”

“All I’m doing is trying to help my family.” Akari headed for the door. “I care for Hanzo and Genji too but I want them to grow into their own people and not be controlled by the stupidity of our so-called ‘world’.” 

“Says the one whose father abandoned everything.”

“It seems my company isn’t wanted right now, so I will make my leave, cousin.”

Once the sliding door was shut, leaving Yukina alone in the office, she sat back in her chair. Placing her hand over her mouth, disappointed with herself knowing that Akari was correct. But she had to protect her sons for their futures.

---------------

Akari walked down the halls of the Shimada estate. Several of the servants bowed as she passed, if they noticed her annoyed expression they let it be. She wanted to whisk Hanzo and Genji out of this life. She knew Yukina really meant well with these attempts and even the last comment didn’t bother her as much but Akari was truly sick of this ‘High Society’ crap everyone seemed to wallow in.

“Seems like you and Yukina had quite the argument.”

With an ironic chuckle, Akari turned to see an older woman in a black and gold kimono tending to the sand garden. “Do rumors travel that fast now, oba-chan?”

“Just because I’m getting on in years doesn’t mean my hearing has left me. Besides you know these walls have ears and eyes of their own. ” The woman who spoke was the figurehead of the Shimada clan and mother to Sojiro, Chiyo Shimada. She sat down on the wooden porch and patted the spot next to her. “Come sit with me.” 

Akari sat down and just took a deep breath, just letting the cool air calm her.

“What’s on your mind child?” Chiyo asked, handing over a candy.

“How have you managed to not go insane dealing with all this?” Akari said, taking the candy. 

“One step at a time and gardening.” Chiyo said with a mischievous grin. “Also a few things that I will spare you the details.”

“Genji really got that grin from you didn’t he.” Akari snorted before popping the candy in her mouth. 

“I guess you could say it skipped a generation and went to him.” Chiyo looked over at Akari in the corner of her eye. “You are really worried for Hanzo?”

“Is it too much to ask that he doesn’t have to deal with this crap? I’ve seen how stressed he’s been getting every year to the point where I notice he hates even his own birthday. Every bit closer he gets to thirty seems like another nail in the coffin.” Akari sighed. “It’s like Genji has so much more freedom and all the weight is being thrown at Hanzo. He was dragged here for arrangements that didn’t need to happen.”

“Sadly these arrangements are a part of this clan. Yukina and I were some of the few that ended well very well.” Chiyo said. “Hanzo will be fine. He’s a strong man, he has my stubborn blood in him. Plus I have seen a slight change in him when he came to the hot springs, mentioning a lovely new friend.”

“That person is a young woman he met back in Austria. Oba-chan, you should see his smile after he talks time with her. I’ve never seen him this happy even with Amélie. It’s like a teenager with his first crush. ” Akari whispered more now. “Though it seems with how Yukina talks, he hasn’t said a word to her about it.”

“Right now, we need faith and patience. Everything works out for the best even if we don’t see it now.”

------------------

Genji smiled as he felt fingers play with his hair. “Morning.”

“More like afternoon but does it really matter?” 

Opening his eyes, Genji looked over to see Ady. Her short brown hair was in a mess from sleeping. She had been his company for the night and it showed since everything was sore but it was worth it. “You stayed later than usual.” 

“I had nothing else to do for a while besides your bed is comfy, might as well enjoy it.” Ady said with a soft giggle. “Plus I’m curious about something.”

“Unless you are aiming for something else I’d move that knee.”  Genji jokingly said and caressed over the smooth skin of Ady’s thigh before pulling her on top of him. 

“I don’t think I have enough time for that, at least for now.” Ady gave him a quick kiss. “But that wasn’t what I was implying at, even if you are hard to resist.”  

With a smirk, Genji nibbled at the chocolate tinted skin of her neck. “So what’s the question?”

“Not really a question, more an observation.” Ady let out a tiny moan. “You’ve been spending a lot of time with your pretty bodyguard lately.”

“Zar’s fun to hang out with.” Genji said backing away from her neck.

“With how much you talk about her, one might think there might be a bit more than just that.” Ady sat up.

Genji made small circular motions with his thumbs over her bare hips, his smirk returning. “Are you jealous?”

“Gen-chan, if I got jealous easily I wouldn’t keep doing what we do.” Ady said slipping off the bed. “I’m just so used to if you want someone you try and see if they want to sleep with you. And I don’t even think you’ve tried with her.”

Sitting up, Genji sighed. “Honestly, I’d love for her to wreck me. Though I haven’t gone for her like that because she deserves better than one night stands or casual sex.”

Ady raised an eyebrow. “So what does that mean for me?”

Genji took a breath, “We both know we are hot messes and will probably always be.”

“Touche. I guess you really do care for her.” Ady said before booping his nose. “Though for now, want to take a shower together?”

“Nah, I’ll get us some lunch.” Genji said, putting on his smile grin. 

“Alright.”

After getting another kiss on the cheek, Genji watched her head into his bathroom before grabbing a pair of pants, suddenly feeling a bit lackluster. Once in the kitchen, Genji realized no one else was home. For some reason it made him feel weird. Opening the fridge he looked around for anything to make and on the shelf was a tupperware container with a note on it.

‘Since you missed breakfast, I saved your portion and also a smoothie in your green tumbler. Just heat up the pancakes. P.s. Going grab some groceries - Zarya’

He smiled, and decided to eat that later. She had made the pancakes he liked and wanted to have it all to himself. Grabbing his phone, Genji thought to just get some take out since it was easier.

--------------
Brigitte huddled herself in a blanket and finished one of her webcomics, snuggled under a large white kitty. Her music playlist started the next song, which was a gentle piano opening. Blushing, she went to her photo gallery to shuffle to the picture of her and Hanzo. The memory of that day replayed in her head for the past week and it made her happy. Brigitte missed hanging out with him but he had to go away for family stuff and she had been having the night shift at work, which meant they barely could text each other. 

She had been tempted to make the picture her wallpaper but didn’t know if it would be weird. Even Hana had suggested that she go ahead and do it.

“You’re staring at it again.” Hana said in a sing-song voice, leaning over Brigitte’s shoulder. “Here let me do something.”

“What are you doing?” Brigitte asked in a fret as Hana hit the “set as wallpaper” button.

“There, now you can look at it more easily.” Hana backed off with a grin. “I’m surprised you hadn’t done it earlier.”

“Won’t it seem weird?” 

Hana raised an eyebrow. “My lock screen was me and Lucio way before we dated. So what if you want to feature a cute picture with you and a ‘friend’.” She said the last word with a grin. 

“I guess so.” Brigitte said, wondering why she was fretting about it anyway.

Plopping on the couch at Brigitte’s feet, Hana covered herself with a bit of the blanket. “Haven't heard from him in a bit?”

“He said he was dealing with family business in Japan and I’ve had night shifts at work. So we’ve had conflicting time schedules.”

“I guess since you got up later today you have another late night?”

Brigitte nodded. “Then I have a few days off. It’s just been busy since there were a few events planned in a row. So everything had to be kept in order.”

“Geeze.” Hana whistled a little. “How about we do something altogether during your off time! We haven’t done karaoke night in a loooong time. I was thinking of also asking Genji who will bring Zarya. Genji has been acting weird lately and I think he needs just a simple time out too. That is if you don’t mind. Heck, if Hanzo is back in time you can invite him.”

“That sounds fun.” Brigitte said. “I don’t mind. I’m free Wednesday through Friday. So I guess find a day when everyone is free? I’d rather not stay up too late on friday night since I’m going back to my normal times.”

“I think we can work with that. Lucio should be free Thursday at least. I’ll check with the others.” Hana was all excited. “This is gonna be awesome!”

“Yeah.” Brigitte smiled.

“How long until you head on to work?” Hana asked.

Looking at her phone to check the time, Brigitte replied. “About three more hours but I should shower first.”

“Then I’ll make you something to eat. How about some rice bowls?” Hana suggested. “You can go shower while I cook, okay!”

“Ok.” Brigitte said, picking up Sushi to put him on the couch which made him cranky that his petting ended so she pet him once more. “You can get some treats later as an apology. Be back in a bit.”

Sushi purred as if he accepted it and loafed on the blanket. 

Hana also gave him a scratch behind the ears after Brigitte disappeared down the hall. “Is it me or is your mom distracted? Or have you even noticed.” With another purr, Sushi bapped at Hana’s nose. “Should I take that as a yes or no you silly cat.”

Sliding off the couch, Hana went to the kitchen and got the rice to start cooking in the rice cooker. Deciding on the beef, she threw it on the griller. She wondered if Lucio was too busy to text about the karaoke date. Shrugging she started typing.

‘Heeeeeeey. Briggy needs a nice break from work and I thought we could do a karaoke party. Thursday is good for both you and Brig. I was gonna also invite Genji and Zarya. She might ask Hanzo if he gets back from his trip in time.’

Hana went off to check the meat since she didn’t expect an answer right away. Not too long after her phone went off with a text. The frog icon alone gave away who it was.

‘Sounds perfect to me. I can set up a reservation at the karaoke bar after work. Even if the rest can’t come we can still go with the three of us. Also Brig has another late night shift tonight right?’

Quickly typing back, Hana replied. ‘Yeah. In about 3 hours.’

‘Lucio is typing’ appeared on the screen. ‘Tell her I’ll be home in time to drop her off at work and pick her up later. I have paperwork to do all night and I figured it would be safer.’ 

‘Alright :3. You be safe and I’ll have dinner ready when you come back.’

‘Love you babe 😘 ’

‘Love you too 😘 ’

Hana smiled and focused on cooking, excited about going to go karaoking. Hoping that Brigitte would have a good time with a certain someone again.

---------------

Brigitte stretched after lifting a few of the heavy boxes around she knew had to go back in the storage room. She’d make one last inspection and then call Lucio for her ride home. Luckily that wouldn’t take too long because she was hungry and she had finished her meal earlier. 

Right when she was done putting away her tools her phone went off with a ding. Expecting it to be Lucio or Hana but it was someone else.

‘Hello.’ Then ‘Hanzo is typing’ appeared at the bottom of the chat. ‘How are you?’

She was so surprised to see that it was him this late, thinking maybe it was really early in Japan and he had time to type. ‘Hi! I’m doing good, just a little tired after all the work. Late shifts and all this week. How about you?’ Brigitte wanted to type that she missed him a lot but didn’t.

‘Same, dealing with family was a bit draining. Are you still at work?’

‘Yeah, finishing up and gonna call for my ride home. Lucio insisted.’

‘Well it is quite late and a lady should stay safe. Not that I don’t think you can not protect yourself.’

She couldn’t help but chuckle at the fumbling she imagined he did for the last sentence. ‘Seems I’m surrounded by gentlemen, lol.’

‘Would you happen to be hungry?’

Brigitte blinked at the text and then it dawned on her that he was actually here. ‘You’re here?’

‘I’m out in the lobby.’

Her heart fluttered in her chest at the thought of seeing Hanzo again and she rushed to the lobby without replying. Though she stopped just before opening the door to take a breath before turning the knob. 

There he stood, looking at his phone as if waiting for an answer. Hanzo was dressed in the same coat and scarf when they went out together. Except this time his hair was down, she didn’t realize how long his hair really was, as it reached to the middle of his back. Also another new thing that Brigitte noticed that he was wearing a pair of black oval framed glasses.

Before she’d end up staring at him forever, Brigitte finally spoke up. “Hi.”