pullmeoutalive | Ramey

Hindsight. [And that's all he says, as if that explains everything. Which would make more sense if he were to finish that whole phrase but he can't be bothered right now.

He leans forward a bit to scrutinize the ladder leaning against the building before he shifts to get back to his feet.]

I think I can manage myself.

[ Thankfully, McCree is fluent in “drunk”, and as far as drunks go, Genji is still surprisingly coherent. He gets where that statement was meant to go, at least. ]

If it’s all the same, I think I’ll go first.

[ Go first he does, heading down the ladder a short ways to keep an eye on the man above him. Don’t crush him too badly if you fall Genji. ]

[Genji makes to watch McCree go down at first, right up until he realizes that doing so makes him aware of the height he's at, which serves to collaborate with the alcohol to translate into vertigo. He quickly corrects that mistake and focuses on anything else until he hears McCree's clambering down the ladder stop. Then he steps down onto the ladder himself, steadfastly focusing on either the wall or each rung he passes instead of the ground below.

Thankfully he manages to make it there without incident, if not without having to stop a couple times in order to make certain of himself. Once his feet are back on the ground, Genji is leaning unabashedly into McCree, fighting off the dizziness that managed to get through despite his best efforts otherwise.]

You thought I'd fall.

[This is the most petulant accusation ever.]

[ Genji’s tone draws a laugh out of him, though he’s at least somewhat nice about it in that he tones it down from a full-on guffaw to a sort of chuckle.

He gives Genji a quiet pat on the shoulder as he leans into the cowboy. ]

You just had me bring ya a ladder ‘cause you were too drunk to get off the roof yourself. I was tryin’ to be prepared.

Besides, ya made it just fine on your own. No harm done.

I am a ninja. I do not fall.

[Yes, apparently he is serious about this. He pokes McCree in the chest to emphasize his point and everything. How very dare you, cowboy.

Let's completely ignore the fact that the concern of falling is exactly the reason he had McCree bring a ladder in the first place.]

Somebody’s a grumpy drunk.

[ In return, he pokes Genji’s forehead, right above where his visor dips into a V-shape. ] I go outa my way to help you out and this is the thanks I get?

[ He’s not really bothered, of course, and he’s smiling even as he pretends to be put out, but this is a very rare state to catch Genji in. He’s definitely gonna get his mileage out of this. ]

[It's clear he's not expecting the poke back, given the surprised noise he makes and the way he jerks his head back from the offending finger just a bit. If he could express the scowl that he's making right now, he would.]

I am a grumpy drunk when my abilities are called into question.

[It's a grumble more than anything. But he heaves a sigh.]

I suppose you have a point.

[And Genji proceeds to. Get up on his tiptoes (without falling over, thankfully) so that he can... press his mask against McCree's cheek in the approximation of a kiss. Because that's how cowboys are always rewarded in movies and stuff, right.]

My hero.

[ Let this always be known as the day that Genji Shimada stunned Jesse McCree into silence.

He’s pretty sure he knows what that was supposed to be. A gesture of gratitude, yes, but also a kiss. And… okay, he really does like Genji and that was actually really adorable, and he would have no problems exploring that further, but not while Genji was drunk. He’s a gentleman god dammit, and gentlemen do not take advantage. For all he knows, Genji could be totally mortified when he's sober again.

That thought process sort of pings around in his head as he blinks owlishly at the ninja for a handful of seconds. Finally, he collects himself, tugging the brim of his hat down on instinct as he clears his throat. ]

I wouldn’t go that far.

[Genji watches the proceedings in confusion, not quite understanding what's happening up until McCree tugs his hat down and clears his throat. The realization clicks immediately, though he's silent for a while longer until:]

You're flustered.

[He sounds absolutely giddy about this. The grin on his face is clear in his voice.]

Am not. [ That comes out way too defensive for his liking, which means he may as well have a red neon sign on his head that says “FLUSTERED”. Why this. ]

I ain’t sure I like that tone, Shimada.

[And Genji is immediately laughing at McCree's attempt to defend himself. He's flustered!! Genji only wishes he could get a picture of this without being caught immediately while attempting to reach for his phone.]

I did not think I would fluster you so easily. It's cute.

[That's probably not going to help McCree be any less flustered. Oops.]

[ Oh, great. Now he’s being called cute. That doesn’t quite fluster him as much as the kiss did, but it does bring a little warmth to the tips of his ears—and he’s extremely grateful for the presence of his hat in this case. ]

Remind me t’return the favor once you sober up.

Ha. To fluster me, or call me cute?

[Not that it couldn't be both. It's been a while since Genji's had to deal with that sort of attention, his ability to play it off has likely degraded. But even while drunk, he's not about to show his hand like that.]

And why sober?

[ McCree seems to have reined in his embarrassment, because he takes a second to flick some ash from his cigar before answering levelly, ]

To kiss you.

And I sure as hell ain’t gonna do that while you’re drunk.

[Oh. Well, nevermind, that shuts Genji up pretty nicely already. Though his brief silence is a dead give away, he's thankful that his mask hides the worst of his reaction: the way he has to avert his eyes, the heat rising in his cheeks.]

I don't know what you would be thanking me for.

[At least he manages to keep his voice steady.]

[ Aha, victory! The grin on McCree’s face gets downright wolfish. ]

Who says I need an excuse?

[No!! Genji refuses to let him enjoy that victory for too long. He scrambles for a response before he comes out with:]

If you wanted a kiss, all you had to do was ask.

[Does he realize exactly how loaded that statement is? Nope.]

Is that so?

[ Oh, Genji, Genji. You should know better than to give McCree ammunition. He crosses his arms over his chest, cocking his head to one side. ]

Just how long you been wantin’ to kiss me, Shimada?

[He played himself! How did this happen!!]

I - that's not what I meant.

[Now his tone is visibly flustered. He's honestly about .5 seconds away from reverting back into Japanese.]

[ Oh, but he is enjoying this. Sweet, sweet payback. ]

Ain’t it? I’m surprised at all the trouble ya went through- gettin’ stuck on the roof and all- just for a little ol’ kiss.

I didn't! That was not -

[And there he goes, rambling in Japanese. This is the worst. McCree is the worst.]

[ The way Genji lapses back into Japanese has McCree laughing outright, even if he's only picked up enough Japanese to know one word here and there. ]

Lord, help me. I think I broke him.

[Depending on what those words are, McCree may be able to pick out the very colorful curses Genji throws in there. Soon enough he regains his grasp on the English language, and huffs as he gives McCree's shoulder a light shove.]

You are a terrible man, Jesse McCree.

[ If anything, you know McCree learned how to swear in multiple languages while traveling around the globe.

He flashes Genji his most winning smile. ]

It's part a' my charm.

To be part of your charm, you would have to be charming.

[ELIMINATED MCCREE 100🔥

Or Genji wishes, anyway. Being petulant makes him less than convincing, nevermind the fact that he kissed McCree not long ago.]

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