WARNING TL;DR
It’s not just these facts, but the fact that she is a pacifist and that until he met Zen, was still into killing or would kill for the sake of doing so. It goes against her character from what we know and because we know so little on her, cannot make a proper judgement call as to how she really is or what she thinks. All we can go off on is what we know currently, which is that she hates violence and fighting, yet Genji is one of the strongest (if not the toughest at least) members of OW, hence why he interrogated Maximilian. Now, there are different types of pacifist, and which she is depends (as she is willing to kill with a gun but probably ONLY if she needs too) so it’s hard to say where she actually stands on this. However, being an “Advocate of Peace” should speak volumes as to where she stands on the subject.
Another thing here is that she is very much ethical and puts her work above all things. A workaholic. I am assuming she really does as in Reflections, we can see she is still helping people from all over the world, and Genji was I am guessing, training with Zen. The fact she would even think about going into a relationship is very un-character like of her, regarding both ways. One regarding morals and ethics as where she is a doctor first and foremost and that they very fully believe in not dating their patients, now or former, despite what rules have been changed. She is very much a “stickler” to rules for when it comes to the medical field (Hence why is very much against Moira and her ideals. Despite Moira being correct, in every way, as her science brings results, she is very much immoral and unethical in her research as a whole) If Mercy just throws these principles, that are her life’s work, out the door for a “relationship” then she herself would be a hypocrite and it would damage her character since she holds a high stand as to who she is. Even if in the future this is ok, it seems Mercy is very much old school in her ways and would not conform so easily.
For these reasons alone, I would like to believe, after thinking about it for a while, that Gency is no more than a very close friendship that both benefit from. The “I respect you and care for you as a best friend since we both are lonely and have nobody to understand us. You comfort me since you saved me and medical is something I want to listen to since it makes me feel assured and I comfort you because I listen to your medical talk when no one else will which you benefit from by having someone understand you now” It’s as if they both benefit from something hence why both keep each other close.
Genji is overly grateful she saved him and in return will listen to her speak as it keeps him calm since he was afraid of dying and it scarred him. This is very much evident through Retribution as he was a changed person after his near death experience. He missed being able to live so much that he agreed to work for OW so that he could walk again.
So, by talking to Mercy, this in turn helps him mentally in ways which seems to be the reason why he is very much attached to her, along with the fact she saved him (Though Zen could technically be argued that he is the teacher of his mental state, which he indeed also did help, Zen could also be considered however the teacher of his spiritual side more so) He feels somewhat obligated right now to her since she recently saved him and he will always cherish that. Now, whether this is a good thing or bad thing is up to determination upon one’s own morals, but for me, I find it that all he seeks is comforting.
When it comes to Mercy now, it seems she very much is seeking the attention of another who would be willing to listen to her speak about what she is so passionate about. That being her science and medicinal practices. She mentions to Genji that her talk is “dry” when it comes to her speaking about her life’s work, but to Genji, it isn’t (hence he finds possible comfort in it and enjoys it) Because of this, she is willing to keep him around. She even says “The lengths I will go to to find somebody willing to talk to me” shows you that even she herself is surprised at what she will do for another constantly, even if she doesn’t want to, to keep that person around so that they acknowledge her and see her for the person she is. That is very much a longing. A drive. She is lonely and possibly saddened that she cannot find people to talk to. She is up at night late, possibly doing work, so again, she is a workaholic, and knowing that her work means that much but can’t talk to anyone because she is too smart or because it’s “boring” to some people make it hard for her. She seeks and confides in Genji because he gives her that comfort to be herself and she knows he will listen when no one else would.
In conclusion? While some may find this a “romantic one” I am now seeing a light of another possibility. One that is a deeper friendship and both acknowledge one another and appreciate what the other does/did for them. While the undertones are suggestive in themselves, I am seeing that it could be a very sweet and meaningful connection. Platonic but they care deeply for on another. I personally prefer this outlook on Gency as opposed to the romantic one people want only because a bond like that, to me, is precious and not much of that is seen between a male and female without falling in love in media. I hope they keep the bond they have but I also hope they find there are others out there who understand them as well. I am hoping this remains a Platonic connection and a friendship that lasts to prove males and females can be friends without society jumping down them.
