Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of Cybernetic Couple. Enjoy the 900-word chapter. I don't own RWBY, Monty Oum and Rooster Teeth do.

(Mantle.)

Ruddy continued to monitor his cybernetics as he was going to be heading out for patrol soon.

He turned to Penny who sighed. She hadn't left since the attacks… despite the footage being refuted by numerous people and her having the backing and support of the Atlesian Military.

Part of him blamed them, as they had gone from seeing Penny as an ally to giving into fear so quickly. They had Penny risking her neck for their protection and they were so quick to assume she was a monster because Robyn didn't trust her.

On the other hand? They were people, and they had no reason to assume Penny wasn't behind the attack, people had been killed on the night of the attack and Grimm had come to the city as well.

He pulled up computer footage of a Sabyr. He had forgotten how easily the Grimm had been subdued and killed on the tundra.

He wondered how they had been so resistant to the elements suddenly, it made so little sense and yet it had happened.

"You know, those attacks have no proof you did it… and no matter what? your still their guardian, she can't take that away, and neither can the people of Mantle." Ruddy pointed out.

He sounded more like he was trying to convince himself, like he wanted to believe in Penny and yet didn't.

He had seen Penny and knew she wouldn't hurt anyone she didn't have to… he was torn on how to handle this situation.

He was a soldier, a military servant to the kingdom of Atlas. His job was to help the people of the city. Penny wasn't just a partner; she was another fellow soldier in the military. He couldn't just allow the people to throw her to the wolves.

He sighed and rubbed at his temples before Penny finally spoke up again.

"I know, but their right to be worried, I could… I could snap and hurt them if I'm not careful." Penny looked at her feet.

She could feel her toes, her heels and soles connected to the boots that allowed her flight. She knew nobody else on the planet had access to that technology and it just made her wonder why she was a cyborg and yet she was bullied.

Ruddy sighed and turned off the terminal before spinning on his heel and walking over towards her before sitting down on the operating table.

"Pen? People always dislike someone; we can't change that. I'm a former grunt in the army turned into a pile of flesh and cybernetics. I've dealt with people not being happy about what you're doing. We're living in a city that thinks Atlas either doesn't give a damn about them or is willing to use them as bait to deal with an even bigger fish. You should know just as much that no matter how much you dislike it? the best thing to do is ignore it." Ruddy pointed out.

Penny raised an eyebrow at him and Ruddy hummed and looked at his hands.

The ones that had advanced circuits and wires and such over the bones in them, he wouldn't be able to even walk if it wasn't for the tech in his back.

"Pen? The only reason I'm still alive so I can tell you stuff like this? You, you're the one who swooped in like my guardian angel. You took down the bad guys and stopped me from being ripped to shreds by a Grimm in some crazy back ally of Mantle."

Ruddy hummed and patted her shoulder. Penny didn't respond till a second later when she turned and hugged him.

Ruddy had no idea how to respond to the unpredicted affection so he simply returned the gesture and then allowed Penny to rest her head on his shoulder.

He had no idea how to feel about the cyborg because he seemed to have no idea how to feel about himself.

He was a grunt given purpose; a soldier who had been given a duty to fight. he had no real idea what to do about the fact that he had been reborn and given a second chance to help right wrongs.

"Pen? If you need anyone? We're here, we've always been here and we will always be here... I want you to know even if all of Mantle doesn't accept you? I will. You're my friend, I don't let my friends get hurt, or neglect them. I don't have many friends. I like to help the ones I have to deal with their issues." Ruddy stated before he got up and started to walk to the room which he called his own.

"You going out with me on patrol? Your welcome to stay with me if it puts your mind at ease." Ruddy wondered what else he would have to deal with tonight.

Author notes

Phew, another chapter done! I want to apologize for the chapters being short. Next chapter might be a bit longer. I want to point out that these chapters will be short still and such. next chapter will also be on next Tuesday or so and will show the first scouting missions and set up the next story chapter. until then, Lighting Wolf out!

Ps: Yang is Sunday, Glynda is Thursday, Raven is Friday, Ruby is Sunday and Winter is Saturday.