A/n: Ralph deserves some love and he shall receive!

⚠️SLIGHT SPOILERS AHEAD⚠️

Love you all!!!
~✨Celestial✨~
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~(Y/n)'s POV~

The rain soaked me through my clothes as I walked down the darkened streets of Detroit. I couldn't bear the freezing rain anymore and decided to find a dry place for the night. Climbing a nearby fence, I splash in a muddy puddle as I landed safely on the other side. An abandoned house greeted me and I searched for the door.

Before I could open it, someone pushed me against the door and held a knife to my throat. "Intruders... Intruders are not welcomed here! This is Ralph's home!"

I swallowed hard as the knife drew closer to my throat. "I-I'm sorry! I didn't know someone lived here. Please, can I spend the night here? I'll be gone in the morning, I promise."

When I saw his LED change from red to yellow, he lowered the knife and stepped away from me. "Ralph hasn't had a friend before. He is scared and hasn't known a good human."

Seeing that he was talking in the third-person, I knew something was wrong with his software. The burn marks on his face caught my eyes as he fidgeted in front of me nervously. "Who did this to you, Ralph?"

"Human. A very mean human hurt Ralph."

I've always hated how androids were tossed aside because they were useless or people wanted newer models just to show off to family and friends. The android noticed I was staring at his injuries and quickly changed the subject. "You are human. Humans have names. What is Ralph's new friend's name?"

"I'm (Y/n). I'm sorry you had to go through such a horrible experience with humans."

"(Y/n)... (Y/n) is not a bad human. She is a kind-hearted one. Ralph is happy to meet a kind human. Ralph will give a tour of his home." The android took my hand and guided me into the abandoned house.

Inside, the smell of mold and the slight tinge of blood made me almost regret my decision. The only thing that kept me here was Ralph, the strange android who called me his friend after pointing a knife at my throat. He sat me down at the table that rested in front of a fireplace before he dashed up the stairs.

After a few minutes, Ralph returned with a pillow and a rather plush blanket. He laid them down in front of the fire before he started mumbling to himself. "Ralph will make (Y/n) warm. (Y/n) deserves best."

Finished with setting up my makeshift bed, Ralph sits across from me and lays the knife down. I smiled at the android as our eyes met. "Tell me about yourself, Ralph."

After fifteen minutes of him telling me about himself, he eagerly asked me the same question. I leaned back in my chair with a sigh as I told him about myself. "Ralph wants to know what brings (Y/n) here."

"Well, my abusive parents found where I lived and tracked me down. I escaped them a few hours ago and have been on the run since."

Ralph frowned, "No one should treat (Y/n) like that. (Y/n) is too nice!"

"My parents don't think so. But, I'm glad someone disagrees with them."

Another hour passed before I yawned. Ralph noticed and scrambled out of his seat to grab some wood, paper, and matches. He placed the wood and paper in the fireplace, lighting it with a single match. "(Y/n) should sleep. Staying up too late would not be good."

He points to the pillow and blanket. I knew exactly what he wanted me to do and I moved from the table to the blanket. I slid my head on the surprisingly comfortable pillow and Ralph did the unexpected. He tucked me in and smiled softly. "Is (Y/n) comfortable?"

"Yeah. Thanks, Ralph."

"Then, I will let her sleep." He left the room and headed into the kitchen, closing the door behind him. I listened to the sound of crackling wood as I felt my eyes growing heavy. I closed them and was finally able to sleep in peace.

-Next Morning-

Waking up, I realized it was morning. The fire had died sometime during the night, but my clothes were completely dry. I stood up just as Ralph exited the kitchen. "Good morning, Ralph."

"Yes, very good. Good morning, (Y/n)," he responds.

I peered out a small slit between the boards to see the outside. The sun was out and the rain had ceased. No gray clouds were in sight. Sorrow crept through my veins as I realized what I had promised Ralph the night before. "I guess... this is goodbye, Ralph."

The android's eyes widened in shock. "Goodbye?"

"I promised you last night that I would leave in the morning, remember?"

Ralph walked over and grabbed my hand. "Ralph doesn't want to say goodbye. (Y/n) can stay."

I was taken aback by his words that I hadn't realized I was staring at him until the android had grabbed my arm. He held it gently and not too tight to cause me pain. "Are... Are you sure, Ralph? I'm human."

"(Y/n)'s a nice and caring human. She can stay as long as she wants. Ralph won't hurt her like other humans did."

I smiled, "Thank you, Ralph. I'll stay."

Ralph's own smile graced his face. "Ralph has always wanted a family."

My smile widened at the word. "Me, too."

I knew I already had a family, but they didn't feel like one. All my parents ever did was abuse me. After I found a stable job and moved out, it felt as if I was breathing fresh air. Now, my once perfect life was ruined by my own parents. They found where I lived and worked, forcing me to run with nothing but a few bucks in my pocket and the clothes on my back.

Ralph pulled me from my thoughts when he asked me a question. "Is (Y/n) hungry? Ralph can hunt for her!"

"I am, but I've got money. I'm gonna head over to the convenience store and buy a few things. Is that alright?"

"But Ralph wants to hunt for (Y/n). It's not safe for her to be alone, too."

"It's just across the road, Ralph. I'll be back before you know it."

As I went to leave, I noticed the android was following close behind. I raised a brow in confusion. "What're you doing?"

"It's not safe for (Y/n) to be alone. Ralph will come with her to keep her safe. That's what family does."

I reached out and took his hand in mine. "You're right. That's what family does. C'mon, Ralph." We leave the house and head to the convenience store. After climbing the fence, we cross the busy streets while still holding hands. We enter the store and the cashier eyes us suspiciously as he saw us holding hands. The man's eyes trailed up to Ralph's face and saw his injuries. "Ma'am, is this your android?"

"Yes, he's my only family. I don't have the money to get him repaired."

The cashier nods, but I could tell he was still suspicious of Ralph. I saw him tense up beside me and I squeezed his hand in reassurance. He calmed down and his LED went back to yellow. I scanned the aisles with Ralph until I found what I needed. The entire time we were walking around, the two of us held hands. As the cashier was scanning my items, he raised his eyes and peered at our adjoined hands. "Never seen an android holding a human's hand."

"Is there a problem?" I hissed.

"No, just... never seen it before. That's all."

He bagged my things and I paid for them. We left the store and I had a bad feeling bubbling in my chest as we headed back to the house. Ralph helped me over the fence and made sure I was safely on the other side before he climbed over it himself.

We entered the house and I sighed as I sat my things down on the table. Ralph disappeared upstairs and I ate a small bag of chips to satisfy my growing hunger. It wasn't a lot, but I didn't want to eat everything I had bought in one sitting.

Ralph came back downstairs, his LED flashing between yellow and red. I stood up and asked him what was wrong. "Ralph didn't mean to hurt him. He only wanted to help." I went upstairs and looked through the two bedrooms. I found nothing and moved to the bathroom. Inside, I saw a dead homeless man in the bathtub with his throat slit. I covered my mouth and nose to prevent myself from throwing up at the gruesome sight.

I went back downstairs and saw the kitchen door was open. Wandering into the room, I saw Ralph was pacing back and forth in the corner. He stopped pacing and scratched something on the wall over and over again.

RA9

I wasn't sure what it meant, but I didn't question it. I grabbed Ralph's hand and startled him. He spun around with his knife raised and aimed at my heart. I refused to budge as the blade descended closer to my skin. Inches before it pierces my chest, Ralph stops the blade and drops it. "(Y/n). Ralph didn't mean to—"

"I know, sweetheart. Just calm down."

He nods and I wrap my arms around him. A few seconds later, he does the same to me. He rests his head on my shoulder and tightened his arms around me. "Ralph is sorry for trying to hurt (Y/n)."

"Don't apologize. I shouldn't have startled you like that."

We stayed in each other's arms until Ralph had completely calmed down. I pulled away and smiled at the android. "Better?"

"Yes. Ralph feels much better!"

"That's good to hear."

-A Month Later-

With a month already behind me, I remained in the house with Ralph. We did everything together and we'd leave the house every now and then to take a stroll down the street for some fresh air. Most of the time we spent talking about whatever popped into our minds. It was nice to finally have someone to talk to.

One day, the door bursted open and the ones behind it were my parents. I couldn't believe it and felt my entire body freeze over. "There you are!" My mother shouts. Ralph stood from the table with his knife in-hand and stood in front of me. "Get away from our daughter!"

"Ralph won't listen to you! (Y/n) is Ralph's family, not yours!" He didn't attack, but he made sure my parents didn't get close.

I stood from my seat and made sure to stay behind Ralph. "How did you find me?"

"The convenience store cashier told us where you were. Now, come along, sweetie," my father answered, taking a step towards us. Ralph raised his knife higher, pointing it  threateningly at my parents.

I shook my head. "I'm not going anywhere with either of you. You just want me back so you have someone to take your anger out on. Ralph is my family now." My words brought a smile to the android's face. Anger brewed within my parents as they closed the distance between us. My father tackled Ralph, forcing him to drop his knife. "Get off of him!"

I tried to pull him off Ralph, but my mother grabbed my arm and gripped it tightly. I winced at her death grip and tried to break free. She dragged me to the door as my father began punching Ralph. "Stop it!"

My loud shout caused my father to hesitate. Ralph took the advantage and kicked him off of him. I thought he would go for his knife, but he completely ignored it and charged at my mother. "Ralph loves (Y/n)! You can't have her!"

He pried her hand off of me and pulled me out of the house. We quickly made it over the fence and ran down the street. The shouts of my parents filled the air as we weaved through people on the street. Ralph dove into an alleyway and hid us behind a dumpster. The foul odor had my stomach doing somersaults, but I knew we couldn't come out of hiding yet.

I peered around the edge and saw my parents run right past our hiding spot. I sigh in relief and lean against the brick wall behind us. Ralph sat next to me and continued to hold my hand. I rested my head on his shoulder. "I'm sorry, Ralph." The android was confused at my apology and I explained. "I can't believe my dad punched you."

"Ralph is fine. (Y/n) has nothing to apologize for."

I lifted my head and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you for everything, Ralph."