Null Protocol || Ramattra x Reader

Chapter Twelve

A minute later, they were back at the cave entrance, and Ramattra set (Y/n) down on her feet beside her toolkit so she could fix her own mess. He planted his staff in the ground in its usual spot as he walked over to examine the ice boulder, debating how to wrench his Nemesis enhancements free when he heard her gasp. He turned quickly to see her bracing herself against the wall with difficulty. Her skin was paler than before and she swayed unsteadily on her feet, and he grumbled something unintelligible as he walked back over to her.

"What is wrong?" He made sure she heard how disgruntled he was about even asking, and she tried to smile as she breathed in and out slowly, appearing winded like she just completed a 500-meter dash.

"I..." She had to wet her lips with her tongue, and only then did he see how cracked the pale blue flesh was. "Blood loss and dehydration don't go together all too well." He muttered a sour 'Iris' sake' as he helped her sit down and lean back against the cave wall, scrounging around with his other hand to find her water bottle. Once he found it, he shoved it into her hands so she could raise it to her lips, downing the partially thawed snow sludge before dropping it into her lap. Without the heat of his open stomach, the cool of the cave kept the snow all but frozen, and it produced a chill sliding down her throat in her already shivering body.

"Thanks," she breathed, closing her eyes as he searched her bag for rags.

"This is all you have?" He sounded disgusted as he held up hand towels coated with oil and coolant.

She opened her eyes tiredly and sighed. "Looks like it." He jolted when she started pulling her long-sleeve shirt off. "Here, this'll work a treat." He looked between the shirt she placed in his hand and her exposed stomach, and when she flushed red, he scoffed.

"Do not get any ideas, I do not find your human body appealing." He missed her subtle flinch, assuming it was nothing more than the shivers racking her body. "I am simply wondering how dehydrated you must be to offer your shirt when my scarf is a suitable alternative."

"I can't use your scarf!" She sounded horrified at the very thought of using something of his, but all he did was roll his head. She added in a hushed tone, "It ain't like I'm gonna live too much longer anyway."

"Are you not cold?" He gestured to her less than ideal outfit as he pulled his scarf from her neck and wound it around her arm like gauze, and she smiled awkwardly.

"I've kinda grown numb to the cold." He said nothing to that, more than enough communicated with a sour look that made her eyes dart away. "Not like it matters, ya know? I'm gonna be dead right soon from the elements or dehydration or hunger or blood loss or you." Her words trickled off into a whisper and she became smaller, like she was huddling in front of him in an effort to hold herself together.

"Where is your resolve?" He sounded mocking as he tenderly tightened his scarf to stop the blood flowing from her injury. "You are not dead yet, and until your life is forfeit, you should fight to maintain your weak human body."

She grimaced as he tugged on the scarf. "There ain't no point, though."

"Do you have nothing worth fighting for?" His head lowered to hers as he crouched over her. "I distinctly recall you mentioning family."

Her face fell. "Right, I need to write them a letter." She fished around in her bag for a notepad and pen as he tilted his head.

"Why?"

"To say goodbye, apologize, tell them what happened so they ain't gotta worry, maybe give 'em a little bit of closure..."

"And how will this letter find its way to them?"