[Voice]

[needlefingers]

I am an Autobot. I earned my badge.

[His voice shakes a little in anger.]

I'll prove it. I'll make things better. You'll see.

[Locked to Rewind]

Look I.

I don't know. I feel like we should talk. Or something.

Comments

[voice]

[needlefingers]

Don't.

Don't do that voice.

[stubbornandfrustrating]

Do what voice, Chromedome?

[needlefingers]

That voice.

[stubbornandfrustrating]

What voice? [His tone drops to a deadly whipcrack hiss, brittle with ice.] The one that tells you that you attacked two people who were basically defenseless, who trusted us not to do them any harm? Fulcrum is K-Class--do you have any idea what that means, after rooting around in his head? He's killed fewer Autobots than you have. All Krok wants for his crew is for them to be safe, you have to have known that before you destroyed the chance at real happiness they had here for whatever sad, selfish, petty reason you've decided to excuse yourself with today.

[Real anger flares in Ratchet's voice as he continues, tense and a little choked.]

And I could hate you for forgetting Rewind, but it would be like shouting at an animal that's made a mess hours ago--why I'm angry is a complete blank for you, and there's no point in me wasting the time and the effort to try and correct behavior you apparently have no concept of how to change anyway.

[needlefingers]

I-

[Ratchet's anger and disappointment overwhelms him and he finds himself cowering from the network while the medic rants at him. He desperately wishes that he had just stayed dead. At least that way he wouldn't have had to endure this.]

I do want to change.

[stubbornandfrustrating]

Then do it.

[Flatly.]

I'd give you all the time and space in the world if you weren't going around actively destroying any kind of chance at peace we have here. But--and I'm sorry if this is news to you--your actions affect people who aren't you. So get your act together before we have to do it for you, because I will not look another Cybertronian full in the face after an examination and inform them that you've strip-mined their head again. I refuse.

[needlefingers]

You won't have to, will you? You took my needles. Problem solved.

[Despite Chromedome's best efforts to come off as casual, a bitter resentment seeps into voice. His fingers itch, despite the absence of the needles, and it's driving him crazy. He wanted to inject again, but had no ability to. Frustration wells up in his spark, only to be pushed forcibly back down as Chromedome reminds himself that he wants to do better. To do better means to put this behind him.

Which is one of those things that are easier said than done.]

Look, I don't know how I'll do it, but I'll fix my problems.

[Somehow.]

[stubbornandfrustrating]

It had better be. You think that's something I wanted to do? You think I wouldn't have done anything else, if you'd left me anything even vaguely resembling a choice?

[His lip curls, though Chromedome can't see it.]

Well. That's very comforting.

[needlefingers]

You took them from me.

[The bitter resentment turns swiftly to a barely controlled rage. The desire to inject again is strong enough that it blots out his common sense. This is the person who took the only part of him that matters. The part of him that he hated but felt like he couldn't live without.]

I could easily hate you for taking them-

No. No I don't mean that. I'm sorry Ratchet.

I have to go. Bye.

[stubbornandfrustrating]

You think I care if you hate me?

[Ratchet's voice is soft again.]

"I wouldn't. Not you. I promise." [He snorts derisively.] You really can't control yourself, can you? Maybe this was best, just make you quit cold instead of letting you drag everyone down with you as you wrestle with these problems you've created for yourself.

But fine. See you around, Chromedome. I'll be checking up.