the sound of clinking metal echoed throughout the dim workshop, the room lit only by the flickering glow of a nearby oil lamp. you were used to the steady hum of machinery in the background, but this time, the atmosphere felt different. sevika had just walked in, her mechanical arm clearly malfunctioning after yet another brutal encounter. she was glaring at the arm as if it had personally betrayed her.

"you think you can fix this?" sevika’s voice was rough, a little more impatient than usual, but you couldn’t help but notice the hint of vulnerability hidden behind the tough exterior. she leaned against the workbench, her eyes fixed on the busted arm.

you grinned as you looked up at her, still holding the wrench. "what happened? did it short circuit 'cause you were too busy breaking skulls again?" you teased, your voice light and playful.

sevika shot you a pointed look. "i don’t need your jokes right now," she muttered, her tone clipped, but there was no hiding the slight blush that crept to her cheeks. "can you fix it or not?"

you tried to stifle a laugh, but it escaped anyway. "i mean, if you didn't keep getting into trouble, you wouldn’t need me to fix this thing so often," you teased, your fingers lightly brushing over the exposed wiring of her arm.

she rolled her eyes, clearly getting annoyed. "i didn't ask for your commentary," she snapped, her gaze hardening. "just fix it."