Null Protocol || Ramattra x Reader

Chapter Ten

(Y/n) let out a yawn, catching the omnic's attention from beside her. "It is time you rest again, human." Darkness once more permeated the cave, the sun taking its leave until tomorrow, and with its departure, the cold became all the more all-encompassing. Her shivering got worse and she shifted closer to Ramattra, reaching down to feel for any residual warmth emanating from his stomach. He rotated his head like he was cocking an eyebrow and she blew out a breath of fog in response. "You humans are so needy," he grumbled, rolling his head.

"I would ask if I can cuddle you for warmth but, uh..." Her words tapered off at the look he was giving her, and she flushed, nervously licking her chapped lips. His head dipped like he was watching the movement of her tongue before it disappeared back into her mouth. "Metal's a great conductor but it ain't like I'll be getting no warmth considering, well..." She gestured around them to the frigid cold of the cave. The only thing his metal body would conduct is cold right into her skin. "But you're also the warmest object here other than me, so I don't know if huddling together for warmth really applies to this situation-"

"Iris' sake, human, just use me like your people are known for." She jolted as he glared down at her, but the disdain in his voice seemed to lack something vital, like it was a front to hide how he truly felt, and she grimaced in embarrassment.

"Sorry, I just don't wanna make you uncomfortable." She shifted closer to him, unsure if it was too close, but when he just stared at her, she cleared her throat and leaned against him. Her whole body was tense, every muscle wound tight like a spring so if he made the slightest protest, she could jump away from him and end up on the clear other side of the cave.

"The only uncomfortable one here is you, human." He picked his staff up to plant it in the ground beside the two of them, casting them in a purple nightlight glow, and he patted his thigh. "It will be much more comfortable than your pathetic toolkit." She looked between his hand and face, wondering if he just offered something downright chivalrous without a second thought, and he tch'd. "Take it before I change my mind."

So she did, laying down beside him with her head on his thigh over the fabric of his pants. It was surprisingly comfy, and as one of the few spots that wasn't cold metal, it was almost warm – it beat her hard toolkit any day. He pushed her hood down, but before she could ask, he wrapped his scarf around the back of her neck, using the long tails as a makeshift blanket, and her lips parted in surprise as she stared up at him. "I do not need you freezing to death when we are so close to achieving our goal." There was an edge to his tone like he was warning her not to prod him right now, but she wanted to – why was he being so nice?

"I thought you enjoyed my suffering." She pulled her trapped hair from the scarf so it flowed down her back, and her hand got caught in a snarl. She huffed as she tried to comb it out with her fingers.

"Just because your fate is sealed does not mean you should suffer up until the point you leave this earth." He gazed down at her evenly. "I do not delight in unjust suffering."

"I thought all humans deserved to suffer." She frowned, wincing when she yanked on a knot, and he batted her hand away from the mess in her hair so she'd stop hurting herself.

"Not all of them." The look he pinned her with was hard to read, and she caught the light of his beady blue eyes glowing almost calmly. She could've sworn his eyes were a deep red before, but what she was staring at now was a crystal blue, so, chalking it up to fatigue building up, she relaxed against him and smiled.

"I knew you were redeemable."

He openly laughed at that, the sound rumbling from deep within his chest as he studied her. "I am beyond redemption, but I do it all for my people. If I am condemned, so be it, but I will fight for them until the very last second." That last part sounded familiar and it clicked then he was explaining his philosophy – he was actually opening up to her, and her heart warmed at the thought.