Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of Cybernetic Couple. Enjoy the 900-word chapter. I don't own RWBY, Monty Oum and Rooster Teeth do.
(Atlas.)
Ruddy scratched at the back of his neck with a hum as he looked at Penny. The girl was silent, quite curious about what Ruddy wanted to say.
"You… Ok?" Ruddy questioned while rubbing at his neck once more.
"You… Like me, yes?" Penny asked, sweeping her foot along the floor as he nodded despite himself.
Ruddy felt odd, he didn't once have a personal relationship with someone before. He had met plenty of people who he was rather close with… But as far as he knew? None of them were rather romantic.
"I like you enough to take a bullet for you, Pen." Ruddy responded, nervously rubbing at his arms. "Why? I'm not an… Expert on stuff like this." Ruddy put in as he scratched at his neck.
He knew very well she was confused like he was. Romantic feelings weren't in their wheelhouse. Ruddy didn't know what to tell penny.
Did he like her? Yeah, did he want anything to happen to her? No, Ruddy was ready to go rampage towards Cinder and drag her down himself if it meant taking her out when it came down to it.
But he was no romantic expert. Ruddy's training didn't include 'You love your partner and her protection is the most important thing you desire with them.'
"I rather enjoy your company, you know?" Penny put in, gaining a smile from Ruddy. "But I do not enjoy your senseless rush into battle which almost caused you to die." Penny put in, walking closer to Ruddy who was quite silent at the moment.
"I couldn't just let you die, Pen." Ruddy said and crossed his arms. "Besides, I didn't know who that girl was. You think I would have fought her if I knew she was like that?" Ruddy questioned and got a hum and shook his head.
He knew more than anything that Penny would have engaged her anyway. There were far too many dangerous people in Atlas for Penny to just walk away when it came down to it.
"Penny, I can't just let you just fight everyone by yourself." Ruddy said, planting a hand on her shoulder. "It wouldn't be much of me being a partner of you take down everyone by yourself." Ruddy said and cracked his fingers once more as he looked to the side.
His cybernetics were killing him the more he felt his fingers and legs. How much punishment could he take without it killing him? He could only ponder what Cinder was doing at the moment. There were far too many people in Mantle to worry about at this time.
"I don't know what's going to happen." Ruddy said, grabbing Penny's hand. "But I'm going to protect you just like I'm going to protect the rest of Mantle." Ruddy stated and smiled at her.
Ruddy knew for a fact that something was off… But he didn't much care at the moment. There were far too many things on his mind for this.
Ruddy watched Penny pull away with a smile. She slowly turned to walk away before looking at him.
"I hope we can talk soon enough if that is ok at the moment." Penny said, gaining a nod from Ruddy as the cyborg flew away with interest. Ruddy could only hope he didn't come off as weird or awkward around the girl.
Ruddy rubbed at his eyes and cracked his fingers once more. He knew he'd probably have to go and talk with Dr. Pietro at the moment. The man would probably have a cure for this… As well as advice when it came down to it? Then again when it came down to talking when it came down to it.
Ruddy rubbed his temples in annoyance and decided to simply find something to do. The longer he spent here doing nothing? The more he'd question what exactly his purpose was around here… Then again? He needed something to get his mind off his own issues once more.
"This is going to kill me when it happens…." Ruddy said and slowly walked away. There was plenty for him to do.
"And now? We're going to need to deal with this… And her?" Ruddy questioned while he slowly walked towards Pietro's office. "Oy… My head is going to break before anything else does." Ruddy muttered to himself and shook his head.
He turned back and flicked off the lights. There was no shortage of personal issues for him to overcome, no shortage of people who needed to be defeated soon.
And he hated it. They had to have a plan, charging in wasn't going to solve anything… And both of them knew it.
Cinder wanted Penny's power, and she knew very well they would protect the city over themselves. He knew that was a plan that he could slowly take down once more.
Author notes
Phew. Another chapter done! I want to point out that next chapter will be delayed. Next chapter will be in 2-10 months and such. It will show Ruddy and Penny bonding more on another mission and such. Until then, Lighting Wolf out!
P.S: Penny will be 900-1200 words Saturday. Ruby 900 Monday. Yang 1200-1500 Sunday. Raven 900-1200 Saturday, Winter 1500 Tuesday, Emerald 1500 Wednesday alongside Neo, Cinder 1200-1500 Friday, Elm 1200 Saturday and Pyrrha 1200-1500 Friday alongside other things.