Chapter Text
Hazard was not one to shy away from a challenge. In missions, with Bonespur wielded fearlessly, his confidence was unshakable, and his shots and quips razor-sharp. But when it came to Hanzo Shimada, his usual bravado seemed to falter.
For weeks now, Hazard had been putting his heart on the line through every romantic gesture he could think of. Small gifts, like hand-carved trinkets he got during mission downtimes. Thoughtful acts, like making sure to get Hanzo’s favorite tea during supply runs. And compliments… so many compliments. Like sickeningly many ("Aye! Looking as sharp as yer arrows!").
Yet, instead of winning Hanzo’s affections, he seemed to have solidified himself as “the friendly teammate”.
---
This attempt involved a handwritten note. Hazard had spent an embarrassing amount of time perfecting it, asking Tracer, Mei, and even Winston for advice. The result was a short yet heartfelt composition sprinkled with just the right amount of wit and charm.
He slipped it into Hanzo’s locker while the other man was not looking, confident this would finally get the message across.
Later, Hanzo found the letter and read it carefully. His brow furrowed as he walked into the common room, holding the note like it was a piece of evidence in a mystery he had yet to solve.
“Hazard,” Hanzo called, his tone as even as ever.
The larger man sat up straight, his heart pounding. “Yeah?”
Hanzo approached, holding the note out. His expression grim like a funeral. “I found this in my locker, and I believe that this came from you. Thank you for your truly kind words. It is good to know I am appreciated as a comrade.”
Hazard blinked. There’s literally no way the elder Shimada is this dense. “Huh?”
Hanzo nodded. “Yes. I truly appreciate your efforts in bolstering morale for the team. It is… admirable.”
Hazard continued to stare at him, dumbfounded, as the archer bowed lightly and walked away. Tracer, who had been watching from the doorway, burst into laughter.
“Mate, he still doesn’t bloody get it?” she choked out between giggles.
Hazard groaned, slumping back into the couch, resting his gun arm defeatedly on his lap. “Och. Are you kiddin’ me?”
---
The next day, Hazard escalated his efforts. He brought Hanzo a bouquet of flowers—simple, elegant, and totally romantic. Totally no room for the archer to misinterpret his intentions, right?
“Oi, Hanzo!” Hazard said, holding out the fragrant bouquet of red roses, with his best confident grin on display. “For ye.”
Hanzo stared up at the Scotsman, then shifted his eyes down towards the flowers for a moment before taking them with a small nod. “I thank you. I believe these will brighten the common room quite nicely.”
“Oi! What common room?” Hazard echoed, his voice cracking.
Hanzo tilted his head slightly. “Yes. Flowers are meant to be shared, do you not agree?”
Hazard opened his mouth to retort but quickly closed it, realizing any attempt to explain would likely sail over Hanzo’s head.
---
By the fourth week, Hazard was at his wit’s end.
“I tried everythin’,” Hazard said exasperatedly. “Flowers, gifts, letters, compliments, but dragon man just doesn’t get it!”
“My brother is not exactly the best at picking up… things like these,” Genji said with a smirk in his tone. “Subtlety does not work with him.”
“Subtle?” Hazard gawked. “I wrote a literal love note!”
“He probably thought it was a mission brief,” Tracer joked, earning chuckles from the group.
“Have you just... told him how you feel?” Winston hesitantly suggested.
The large Scotsman sighed. “World could be burnin’ up, but the bloke might still be too thickheaded to get it.” He said defeatedly. He was this close to giving up.
“Very well.” Genji said ominously with a bit of mirth. The younger Shimada had seen these several attempts for quite some time now. As funny as this whole thing may have been, he must admit that it finally got tiring to see these two dance around each other like stubborn mules.
Hazard’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. “What are you plannin’?”
“It seems as though a conversation needs to be had.”
---
Hazard was in the training room, in the middle of doing push-ups, when Hanzo hesitantly approached him.
“Hanzo,” Hazard said, surprised. He stands up to full height, towering the archer. “What’s up?”
Hanzo faced the larger man carefully, his expression uncharacteristically soft. “I have been told that… I greatly misunderstood your intentions.”
Hazard scratched the back of his neck, suddenly nervous. “Uh, yeah. Guess I wasn’t exactly subtle.”
“I thought you were simply being kind,” the elder Shimada admitted, his voice quieter than usual. “I must admit. I did not consider the possibility that you, or anyone at all, could... care for me in such a way.”
“Well, I do,” Hazard said, stepping closer. “And I’ve been trying to show ye for weeks. I just... didn’t want to push ye, y’know?”
Hanzo met his gaze, a small smile tugging at his lips. “You have been patient with me, even when I was completely blind to your efforts. That is not something I take lightly. I greatly apologize.”
Hazard shook his head. “Don’t worry yourself.” A beat of silence passed between the pair. “So... what do you say? Maybe I can take ye out sometime? Just you and me, yeah?” the Scotsman finally asked, his voice hopeful.
The archer’s smile grew slightly. “Yes. I would like that.” He said, his voice warm.
Hazard let out a loud whoop of triumph, startling Winston nearby.