In Hindsight... (McHanzo) | Bodyguard AU | ✔️

Chapter One

"Travelling to: Route Sixty-Six," Athena spoke calmly, her voice echoing in the helicopter. Jesse sighed, sparing a glance at his hometown below. It looked smaller than he remembered, and slightly deserted. If it wasn't for the few people walking in and out of stores, he would've thought they were in the wrong town.

Just then, the door to the cockpit opened. The co-pilot poked his head out. "We're landing at Overwatch's usual drop off. You'll be let off there, and then you'll look for the suspect. Got it?"

McCree waved him off. "I hear ya. Quick question, though. Is this disguise really necessary?" He tugged at the tan serape in disgust.

"If you don't wanna draw attention to yourself and get shot on contact, the yes," the pilot answered. "Don't forget your earpiece and tracker."

"I got 'em," he said, motioning where they were. The teacher was hidden in his serape, and his earpiece was tucked behind his ear. "This'll go smoothly."

"It better," the co-pilot muttered. "Or Reyes will not be happy."

The side door slid open, revealing the drop-off location. As soon as the helicopter touched down, Jesse stepped out. His serape was flapping in the wind, and his hat was threatening to fly away. He held it in place and playfully saluted the pilots. "I'll holler if I need ya, alright?"

"Whatever you say..." one of the pilots murmured, sliding the door shut. The agent watched as the vehicle took off, flying into sky until it was a speck. With a sigh, he made his way into town.

Everything seemed so familiar yet so foreign to him. Everything looked the same, but crime was practically non-existant there. When he caught sight of the saloon, he realized he was wrong.

The bar was bustling with people and it wasn't even noon. Everyone was laughing, singing, or gambling, with the smell of beer and whiskey on their breaths. As McCree passed by a table, a bar fight broke out at it. He simply ignored it and made his way to the counter. He pulled up a bar stool and lit a cigar.

"What can I get ya?" The bartender asked, barely sparing a glance at him.

"Whiskey. On the rocks," he answered, blowing out a puff of smoke. He quickly surveyed the room, looking for his target. Just then, his earpiece buzzed to life.

"This is Commander Reyes of Blackwatch, do you copy?"

The liquor was slid down the counter towards him and he caught it with one hand. "I copy."

"Good. We just got your location... Wait, you're at the bar?"

Jesse merely hummed in response. "Lookin' for the target."

"I doubt that. Drinking on the job is strictly prohibited, Jesse, and you know this. Now..."

The cowboy rolled his eyes and blocked out Gabriel's scolding. He let his gaze travel around the room, and it stopped on someone who looked like the target. He quickly cut his boss short.

"Hold on, boss, I think we have a lead."

"I taught you better than - wait, really?" Gabriel's tone changed completely, and he fought the urge to roll his eyes.

"I think so. Lemme jus' get a closer look..."

Just then, the man turned his head. The moment McCree saw his face, he was speechless. It was his target, Hanzo Shimada. But that's no what caught his attention. The man was handsome. He had changed his appearance since the last photo. His hair was shorter now, and pulled up in a tight, small bun. He had piercings on his ears, nose, and - after looking closely - his tongue. He was also wearing a winter coat in mid-July. The southerner let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.

"Jesse! What's the report?"

He snapped out of it and quickly responded. "I found 'im, boss."

"Great work. Now, try to approach him casually. You're in public, right?"

"Yes."

"The he shouldn't be likely to attack. I'm going offline. Keep me posted."

And with that, the earpiece fell silent. He sighed quietly and downed his drink. "This shouldn't be too hard..." he thought, looking back over where Hanzo was. He was surprised to see the Asian was gone.

He stood up abruptly, looking around for him. "Shit. Gabe'll never forgive me if I lose 'im..."

He caught sight of the black bun heading out the door. Relieved, he started after him.

"Hey!" he heard the bartender shout. "Y'need to pay!"

He ignored the cries and squeezed his way out, coming out on a back road. He looked around, trying to spot his target. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw him slip into an alleyway. He followed close behind.

Hanzo hadn't noticed he was there. Carefully, he came up behind him. He licked his lips, thinking about what he was going to say. He decided to keep it short and sweet. "S'cuse me-"

A painful gasp escaped his throat as the Shimada spun around and kicked him in the stomach. In two moves, his feet were kicked out from under him and he was in the ground. There was a foot clamped over his throat, and he was slowly starting to panic. When he looked up, he was surprised to see Hanzo looming over him, bow and arrow drawn.

"Why are you following me?" he spat, his words dripping with venom. McCree was positive the alcohol was starting to get to him, because he found that voice sexy as hell.

The archer kept his gaze on him, his eyes cold and emotionless. Beneath it, the cowboy swore he saw fear. "Are you another assassin?"

The brunet struggled to speak. "Not at all, doll. I'm here for different reasons.

He pulled his arrow back further. "Is killing me one of those reasons?"

"No," he choked out. "In fact, it's protectin' you."

The ravenet paused, looking him over once. He relieved some of the pressure from Jesse's throat. "How do I know you're not lying?"

"Would a guy gettin' choked to death lie to you?"

"If he wants to live, yes."

"Oh, for fuck's sake..." McCree let himself go limp. "I was sent by the Arakaki."

Hanzo's eyes flashed with curiosity. "The Arakaki?" he asked, lowering his bow some. "What do they want?"

"They didn't specify," he replied, thinking back to his conversation with Gabe. "They jus' told me to keep you alive long enough for you to meet with 'em."

The Asian scoffed at this and drew his bow back again. "Why don't you tell them I'm not the head of the Shimada clan anymore?"

"Woah, settle down, partner," the southerner said carefully. "They cut ties with 'em months ago."

The bow was lowered again. Through that stone-cold, emotionless expression, Jesse could see Hanzo was desperate to believe him. Finally, the Shimada slid his arrow back in his quiver. "Alright then. You can, as you say, 'protect' me." He said the sentence with a snicker, because they both knew damn well that he could defend himself. "But just know that the first time you try to betray me, I will kill you."

Nervous, he nodded. He went to get up, but the archer kept his foot in place. "But before that..." The ravenet murmured. "What should I call you?"

A charming grin made it's way onto the brunet's face. "Jus' call me McCree, darlin'."

He stepped on him a little harder. "As long as you don't call me 'darling' again, I will."

His foot came off of him and he started walking. Still in pain, the cowboy pushed himself to his feet and followed him. "Fair enough... But what should I call you?"

The Asian looked over his shoulder at him, his eyes guarded. "Simply call me Hanzo."

And with that, they were off.