Page 92 of Dustwalker

Helplessness left a sour taste in her mouth. “Damn it, Ronin. Let me at least get that junk out of your leg.”

“Made it eighteen miles with that junk in my leg. Can make it a little farther.”

“Why do you have to be so stubborn?” Wiping her eyes, she stepped past him and crouched on the steps, putting her at his eye level. “Let me help you.”

“I’m just being what I am.”

“What are you talking about?”

Ronin stood up, casting his scorched arms to either side. “Look at me!”

Lara flinched, and her eyes searched his face. “Ronin…”

“There’s no pretending I ever was, or will be, human. I’m just a reminder of everything you hate.”

She stared at him in disbelief. Why was he acting like this? What had she said to upset him, to hurt him? “I don’t hate you. And of course you’re not human. That’s…pretty overrated, anyway. You’re Ronin.”

“I saw your expression, Lara. You can’t stand to look at me, and I can’t blame you for that.”

“Is that what you think this is about? God, Ronin, I was horrifiedforyou!”

“What reason would you have to be horrified for me?”

Did he truly think she was disgusted by him?

More tears ran down her cheeks. “I know you call it deactivation instead of death, but…you look like you came pretty damn close.” Her heart constricted at the thought, and she sniffled. “You might be tougher than me, but you can still get blown up.”

“This damage is largely superficial. I’ve…endured worse.” He dropped his gaze, expression neutral. “This could have beenworse.”

“That doesn’t make it better, Ronin.”

“You don’t need to shed tears for me. I’m here. I told you I’d come back, and here I stand.”

“But you might not have come back at all,” she said angrily, lungingat him and wrapping her arms around his torso. He staggered, but she held tight. Ignoring the smell, she focused on his solidness, his heat, pressing her face to his chest and squeezing her eyes shut.

Ronin’s here. He’s alive.

CHAPTER THIRTY

With most of his skin gone, Ronin’s ability to register touch was limited to basic pressure and temperature readings, both providing only estimated measurements. Despite that, Lara’s embrace felt warm and strong. It wasn’t a gesture of fear or uncertainty, but one of relief. She hugged him like she might’ve never had another chance to, like she wasn’t ever going to let him go, and he knew she’d been right.

He might not have returned.

How could he have been so blind to what he put her through whenever he left her alone?

“Doesn’t do us any good to dwell on what might’ve been,” he said, slipping his arms around her with great care. Without the more precise sensors in his skin, there was too great a chance for error. A slight overapplication of strength could crush her bones. “This is what happened, and it’s all we have.”

“You owe me an apology.”

“I’m sorry I left.”

“No.” She tipped her head back and looked up at him with those bright, emotion-filled blue eyes. “For thinking it matters to me what you look like.”

Her words swirled through his processors, settling deep in his memory bank as he contemplated their meaning. His appearance didmatter to her, but not in the way he’d assumed. She didn’t care if hewas a bot or a human, only that he was…himself. She cared about his wellbeing.

“Which is like a mess right now, correct?” he said, unable to articulate his more complex thoughts.

“That’s putting it mildly.” She chuckled, though the worry lingered in her gaze. “You kinda look like shit, Ronin.”