Genji Shimada

The military hangar had been converted into a tacky Christmas wonderland, garish strings of LED lights clashing with tinsel and plastic garland. That cloying scent of cheap pine overwhelmed Genji's senses. An enormous tree towered near the center, surrounded by mismatched chairs and crates. A makeshift bar took up one corner, bottles glistening beneath the strobing lights.

Loud music thumped in time with Genji's thundering pulse. It felt frenetic—like static prickling over his synthetic nerves. Agents and civilians alike filled the cramped space, rowdy laughter and boisterous chatter bouncing off the steel walls. McCree was already three sheets to the wind, swaying as he regaled a group with some exaggerated tale. (Typical cowboy.) Even Moira was smiling, which was somehow more terrifying than her usual cold demeanour. Commander Reyes was passed out already on a couch, probably getting the only sleep he'd had in weeks.

His fellow Blackwatch agents loosened further by the hour, shedding their professional demeanor like a snake's skin. Genji observed it all from the shadows, arms folded over his chest. An outsider, as always.

He took a deep drag of the crisp night air through his mask's filtration system. Inhale... exhale. Frost clung to the edges of his visor. A flicker of heat surged in his core as he watched the others from afar, trying to ignore that emptiness echoing inside his artificial shell. Why did he even come to this stupid party? What did he hope to—

"Hey there, hotshot." Ana's familiar rasp cut through the din. She materialized beside him, mug of spiked cocoa in hand. A faint smile tugged at her lips. "Wallowing as usual, I see."

Genji straightened slightly. "Greetings, Captain Amari." His synthesized tone was stilted, almost sheepish. "I do not wish to...wallow. Simply observing."

"Mmhm." She sipped at her drink knowingly, her gaze following Genji’s - the cyborg seems to be paying particular attention to one person – CraveU user. "Aren't we all just observing these days?"