juliecampbell:

Been thinking about a pic of Nick receiving some ‘emergency repairs’ from Ruby for a while, so finally did something about it. Quick and sketchy study.

Ruby is good at general settlement building, but leaves technical stuff to Nick. Having to repair him in a ruined building on the outskirts of Boston is way outside of her comfort zone, but Nick needs help, and he’s good at giving out instructions. She knows how difficult it is for him to ask for help like this, and she’s trying not to think about the fact she has her hand in his chest, but a stray bullet hit a coolant line and a duct tape patch is needed before they can go on. The tubes are slippery with leaked coolant, and she’s concentrating hard to find just the right one, and not get a shock from the parts Nick told her to avoid touching. She focuses hard on that spurting line tucked right at the back of his spinal column, and NOT the fact that she has to get so close to him she can feel his simulated anxious pants ruffling her hair, and feel the enticing warmth pouring from his open chest.

Nick has possibly never felt so uncomfortable in his synthetic life. He rarely lets people touch him much less do repairs, but he can’t reach this one himself and can’t risking moving on without a patch – he’s losing too much coolant in a dangerous and awkward place. Letting Ruby do the repairs is even worse. He trusts her more than anyone, but Goddamn she actually sees him as a person, a man, and the last thing he wants is for her to be forced to acknowledge him as the machine he really is. He sets his teeth, looks away, and tries his best not to feel her warm fingers moving deftly over his exposed skin, making his breath hitch with every touch.