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“Again.”
“Wrong. Again.”
“Again.”
A constant cycle as your mentor continues to push you. The sound of metal hitting metal, servos clashing against each other and the staticky grunts fill the training hall.
“Your balance is off.” He comments after you swing, dodging your blow and sending you back.
With a shaky exhale and an internal click, coolant runs through your systems. Your optics lock onto the omnic before you. He’s unscratched, at least from this sparring session, barely even reacting whilst you pump coolant and cycle through diagnostics.
“Again.”
Ramattra notices the exhaustion creeping in after the fourth round and he stands straight, adjusting his cowl as if none of this fazed him in the slightest.
“That is enough. We try again when you are rested.” And he doesn’t wait for you to respond, to refuse before he’s already out of the door. He has more… pressing matters to attend to than to stand there and watch you tire yourself out. The leader sees promise, but right now… right now you’re slacking.
—
As the days went by, little by little, you would improve, and Ramattra liked that. He could see the way you’re stance was more stable, the way you held yourself together never went unnoticed. The larger omnic could see the change with every lesson that he took part in.
“You are doing well.” He states mid session. The comment catches you off guard, causing you to stumble backwards after a blow to your chest.
“I appreciate the compliment.” You respond, standing straight and adjusting your stance once more. The leader only hums, beckoning you to come at him. So, you do.
He doesn’t see it coming, the sudden change in position, the quick bounce of your feet against the metal floor. A different approach, one that lands the leader flat on his back and you on top of him.
“I must admit, I did not see that one.” He chuckles.
You straddle his hips, keeping his shoulders pinned down under your hands as your optics lock onto his from behind his ceramic faceplate. Something… familiar pools in your chassis.
“The move or me on top of you?” Playfully, you tilt your head to the side.
“You have been studying.” He completely ignores your comment, his own hands coming up to quickly remove you from on top of him and pin you underneath him instead. “But, not good enough, it seems.”
“Perhaps I don’t mind this.” A tilt of your chin shows defiance.
“You are a fool. Up.” And then, he removes himself from you, not even offering a hand to help you to your feet.
With a huff, you push yourself up and move back to the centre of the hall.
“Again.”
Another series of punches and blocks ensue, Ramattra is quick, far quicker than you, but that’s a challenge you enjoy. But, also being this close to the Null Sector Leader was just as good.
“Your focus is lacking today.” Ramattra comments, servos flexing after blocking your incoming attack.
“It’s always hard to focus around you.”
Ramattra doesn’t see the flirtatious note in your voice, keeping his focus on your next attack. “Then you need to recalibrate your systems.”
“That-” You cut yourself short, realising that there isn’t much point in trying to argue your case. You like him and your obvious attempts at getting him to notice clearly aren’t working.
The larger omnic cocks his head to the side, systems running over your moves as he predicts where your next attack will come from. He dodges with ease before holding his hand up.
“That is enough for today.” He states.
“I’m not done.” You huff, pumping coolant through your chassis.
“Yes, you are.” Ramattra moves towards the door of the hall. “I would advise that you work on your technique if you would like to join my forces.”
“One more.” You stand your ground, not willing to let this go just yet.
“No.” He keeps his back to you. “Recover and then we-”
The leader is cut short by your sudden attack, sweeping his legs from under him and knocking him back on his ass. Ramattra lets out a sharp grunt, his systems running diagnostics to make sure nothing has displaced or broken.
“Are you out of your-” He doesn’t get chance to finish his sentence before your forehead clinks with his. You’re on top of him again, much closer than you were last time. He can feel your chassis rumbling, can hear your coolant and fans going a mile a minute.
There’s a momentary silence as you just sit there, straddling the leaders hips, your hands keeping him pinned to the metal floor.
“What has gotten into you?” He comments lowly, vocaliser humming with static as his processor works on figuring out your sudden change.
“Shut up. I just-” This is your chance.
“You need to recover from today. Your systems are not functioning correctly.” Ramattra places his hands on your shoulders, pushing you up.
There’s no fight left in you, but something completely nags at you to not outwardly say it. Sure, it would be a hell of a lot easier than throwing comments around, but can someone truly be that dense to not realise?
You stand up with a nod, stepping back and watching as Ramattra stands to his full height. He adjusts his cowl, dusts off his plating and moves back towards the door.
Just as he’s about to leave, however, he throws one comment your way.
“I am not oblivious to your advances, you are my student, and I will not cross that line.” And then, he disappears into the hallway.
“Yet…”