𝑯𝒖𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚'𝒔 𝑳𝒂𝒔𝒕

𝐍𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧: 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬

If the sky still changed, it would undoubtedly be well past dark as he finished slaughtering yet another group of machines. 10B had, at this point, dragged me all over the place. The only fortunate thing is that he had let go of my arm a few minutes after we left camp.

Though, unfortunately, my arm still ached and had bruised a bit by now.

"10B... could we take a break? Please?"

"Can't keep up?" he shot back and then proceed to grumble to himself.

I stayed quiet for a minute before I let out a long sigh, "Why are you still so angry? And, of course, I 'can't keep up', I'm a human! We don't have unless stamina like you androids!"

Now, it was his turn to go mute for a few minutes. 10B stared at me, his predator-like gaze made me feel like his prey. But, I was shocked when his gaze soften.

Huh?

"Fine. We'll take a rest," he mumbled. The male no longer sounded angry, maybe just a little bit annoyed. Yet, his approval made me smile anyhow.

I strolled over to a tree, still in his vision, and collapsed down onto the ground, leaning on the trunk of the tree. It was pleasant to finally be off my feet.

"When did you get hurt? You should've─oh." the black-haired male sprang before cutting himself off, "Sorry."

Wait, wait─he was angry no less than a few seconds ago and now he's apologizing for hurting my arm earlier? He's like an entirely different person.

"It's... fine," I half-heartily delivered, staring at him confusedly as my emotions forced themselves to show on my face. "Does this happen a lot?"

I was responded to with an eye roll and that was it.

What the hell, it's like he's unstable. Emotionally and, most likely, mentally.

Suddenly, I was frightened by the noise of the bushes around us as they began to move. And, I was reminded of the time I first entered this forest with 9S.

10B must've noticed how alarmed I seemed, or just his instincts, as he got his combat bracers back out. He gazed about, that predatory light back in his eyes.

"10B? (Y/n)?" a voice yelled out, a familiar voice at that. And, once I heard it, I felt instant relief.

"We're over here 7O!" I shouted back which made 10B shoot me a glance as he put his bracers away.

"Finally, I've been looking for you two," Seven emerged, giving a soft grin before twisting towards 10B, "You're supposed to stay at the camp and not move unless you're given orders!"

"Yeah, yeah... you never said the others would show up," Ten grumbled.

I couldn't help but giggle a little, they reminded me of a father and son. Yet, I stopped when 10B glanced at me again. Though, his gaze was different.

His gaze is... kinder. Like a playfully annoyed look?

"10B, What happened to (Y/n)'s arm?" The operator spoke, tenderly taking my arm in his hand and looking over it. The bruising had gotten darker than when I last checked.

"It─it was an accident," he, surprisingly, panicked. "I got mad─that she walked out without telling me... but then 12D and 23B strolled into the camp and─and─"

"Calm down, Ten," 7O quieted him, using his other hand and placing it on 10B's back. "Just, promise me not to grip her too harshly next time... she's not made of metal like us. And, I'll talk to those two, okay?"

10B just nodded. He appears embarrassed now.

He's going through a lot of emotions all at once... something that I don't think androids experience all that much.

"Alright well, I just came to check up on you two. I recommend taking her back to camp, but if she doesn't want to right away, then that's okay. Just, take care of her." Seven let go of my arm before ruffling both mine and 10B's hair up before inclining into Ten a little bit and whispering something to him.

"Well, I'll be off. Oh, and I'll stop by within the next few days, okay?"

"Ok, safe travels Seven!" I wished him off as he retreated into the shrubs again, leaving 10B and me alone again.

We dropped into the quiet again as we stayed where we were. As we let the events that just occurred process. But, I couldn't get my mind off one thing.

He actually is emotionally unstable. But, why? What happened to him that made him like this?

I was driven out of my thoughts when Ten loudly cleared his throat, "You didn't see or hear anything just then. Got it?"

"Uh... got it."

You're a pretty, unstable ticking time bomb. Around certain people, you're either angry and aggressive and violent, or you're kind and sweet and gentle, or you're just kind but distantly quiet. 10B, you unquestionably are a piece of work.