Chapter Text
The engines turn, the ship descends. Unoccupied, the cockpit beeps that the autoland procedure is underway.
The omnic before you hardly looks like the proud leader you've known him to be. Ramattra sits, hunched over, on one of the bay's benches. His shoulders are bare, his cowl wrapped up in his hands, the long tails coiled limply at his feet. Gold shines as he shifts the cloth, thumb stroking just below the symbol of the Iris.
You don't say anything as you approach. There's nothing to say; you're already landing. In a moment, the doors will open and... You sigh, cast the thought away. It's not here yet. Whatever happens, happens.
"A show of good faith." He says. His own words, though perhaps you think they were originally his friend's. It's all resolution, commitment. He's going to do this, even if every risk assessment he runs makes him want to take command of the ship back, to fly as far as he can and just- just-
"I know." You lay your head against his exposed upper arm. Your fingers thread between his.
There's many things he wants to say: he's sorry you'll pay for your involvement with him; Overwatch will be kinder to you than Talon; he'll negotiate your safety; do you regret this- any of this?; is he doing the right thing?; if he doesn't see you... He stops. He won't say any of that. Instead he turns, brings his other hand to your cheek and looks at you. He's memorized your face a hundred times, but here- here he catalogues everything he can see. Freckles, wrinkles, moles- every pore, every hair. If he doesn't see you again...
He leans forward and you meet him halfway, pressing your forehead against his array. He's warm, spooled up with anxiety.
Once, he heard when humans die they see their lives. Their organic brain rifles through memories, pulling files at random. And this, here. Your skin pressed against him, your eyelashes laid gently over your cheeks as you close your eyes. The low hum of the engines, of his own machinery, the gentle wind of your breathing.
"I love you." The words break the scene, but they make you smile. He doesn't focus on the trembling of your lips, on the wetness that gathers at the corners of your eyes.
Ramattra doesn't know what happens to Omnics as they die, doesn't know what errors he'll see.
He hopes it's you.