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The sound of windchimes in the air. The soft click of the conservatory sliding door as it closes. The omnic seated in the centre of the room raises his head at the sound, glancing briefly towards you.
"Human. Greetings." he turns back to his meditation without another word. However, when you walk in with an exasperated sigh, putting your bags down on the counter, he speaks again. "You seem troubled."
You pause, unsure of your response for a moment. Best not to get into it. "Oh, yeah. Had a long day, is all." there's no time to rest now- you still have a lot to do, after all. You feel a hand on your shoulder, turning, only to see Ramattra towering over you. It makes you flinch a little. "Wuh- don't sneak up on me like that!"
"Ah-" he withdraws his hand hastily, stepping back a little. "My apologies. What are you doing? You're not... thinking of going up to your study again, human?" he tilts his head a little as he speaks. His gaze is piercing; but then again, you've always found it oddly comforting.
"That... is where I was going, yeah. Why?" He hesitates for a moment as you respond, seemingly thinking it over, before sighing.
"You are weary. Sit with me for a while, y/n?" That's... you think that's the first time he's addressed you as something other than 'human'. Something compels you to accept his offer- its a little unusual of him to suggest such a thing. You nod, so he turns to sit back where he was before, expecting you to follow. You take a seat on one of the cushions next to him in the middle of the room, and he watches as you get settled. There is silence for a little while, but it isn't too awkward.
"...Have you been sleeping?" he suddenly leans forwards, looking closer at your face, examining the tiredness in your expression. The question catches you off-guard.
You nod. "I have. Maybe not as much as I should, but I definitely do get a few hours a night at least." He exhales in frustration as you finish your statement.
"Not good enough. Please tell me you're at least eating a sufficient amount?" your hesitation is enough of an answer, and he shakes his head a little, shuffling closer. "Y/n. You are working too hard. And you can't be expecting to continue that way without rest and sustenance. I- I worry about you sometimes." he looks away a little sheepishly after the comment. You always knew he tolerated your presence; you hadn't expected him to particularly care much about your well-being though. It makes you smile.
"Thanks, Ramattra. Its good to know. I can try to work a little less, I guess." you shuffle a little closer to the large omnic, and he hesitates, before slowly putting an arm around you. His movements are slow, cautious- maybe even a little nervous. But he continues anyway, drawing you close to him.
"Perhaps I am going soft. I want you to promise me you'll take better care of yourself." another pause as he reaches down, lifting your chin with one hand to look into your eyes. You feel your heart flutter a little. "Please."
"Alright. I will." his grip tightens slightly as you make the promise, holding you tighter. Its not uncomfortable, surprisingly; for a great big guy made of metal, he's particularly gentle in the way he handles you. You feel his hand go to your hair, caressing it softly, the two of you in peaceful embrace. He rests his chin on the top of your head, humming a little as he plays with your hair.
"Perhaps you could join me in meditation sometime. Your presence is welcomed. I find you... enjoyable." he leans in a little as he speaks, listening to the sound of your breathing, the thud of your heartbeat in your chest. He closes his eyes and relaxes more, and you find yourself relaxing too, leaning back onto him gently. "You mean a lot to me, y/n. Don't ever forget that. I want you to know I will be here for you when you struggle. You know where to find me." his words are comforting, and he shushes gently as you go to reply. "You don't have to speak. Just rest."
And so you do. Your evening is spent in his arms in the conservatory, with nothing but the sounds of the windchimes, the wind in the trees, and the slowly-receding notes of birdsong outside. The rest is welcomed, and for the first time in a long time.. You feel safe.