video;

[stubbornandfrustrating]

[The video clicks on and shows nothing but the ceiling of a room for long moments before it rattles and a hand obscures the camera. There's a scrape and a soft groan as Ratchet hauls himself as much into a sitting position as he can manage and finally manages to pick up the communicator and turn the camera towards himself.]

[He looks exhausted, his optics dim and his mouth drawn down. The hand not holding the communicator up is pressed carefully to his windscreen and his ventilations are labored as he wakes up a little more, his optics focusing in the low light of his room. His voice is soft and fuzzy with static when he speaks.]

Hey. What did I miss?




LOCKED to Spinister
I need a status update on Krok. Now, please. I can't get up to go check on him myself.

Comments

[Video]

[stubbornandfrustrating]

Seems to be a trend.

[Ratchet sounds resigned as he turns the comm off and lays back to wait.]

[action]

[butwonderful]

[ Drift is there a few moments later, filling the door frame and closing the door as he steps in. A scowl draws his features tight. ]

[stubbornandfrustrating]

[Ratchet just nods to him, one hand curled quietly on his windshield and his optics dim but steady on Drift's face. He shrugs a little after a moment and his gaze slides away. When he speaks, there's a kind of flat resignation in his voice.]

I couldn't let him die.

[butwonderful]

You always talk like you've seen everything. You're just as much an idiot as the rest of us. Maybe not Chromedome. He kind of defines the word.

[ He moves, quietly settling beside Ratchet and curling against him. ]

[stubbornandfrustrating]

Is that what you wanted to come in here and tell me, then? That--hey!

[Ratchet tenses as Drift leans into him on the berth, but he doesn't push Drift away. He doesn't have the energy.]

Drift...

[butwonderful]

I'm still mad at you.

[ He mutters this as he's fitting himself against the medic. ]

[stubbornandfrustrating]

Yeah, I can tell.

[Ratchet's mouth twitches up very faintly as he watches Drift curl closer, but his voice goes flat again after a moment.]

It saved his life. I'm all right. I don't regret it.

[butwonderful]

Don't ever do something like that again. You could have died. You could have both died.

[ He's staying there for now. ]

Just shh. No talking. I'm so mad at you.

[stubbornandfrustrating]

[Ratchet stares down at Drift for a moment before he reaches up and settles a hand almost hesitantly at the back of Drift's helm. He doesn't say anything just yet, just watches Drift with dimmed optics, his tanks churning.]

[weapabilities]

So mad.

[ He tucks his face against Ratchet's neck. ]

[stubbornandfrustrating]

[Ratchet... lets him, not that he has much of a choice.]

Mmhmm.

[butwonderful]

Are you going to be okay?

[ He asks quietly after a moment. ]

[stubbornandfrustrating]

Yeah. I am.

...promise.

[butwonderful]

I love you.

[stubbornandfrustrating]

[Ratchet's whole body goes stiff, his optics widening helplessly.]

Drift...

[butwonderful]

Shh. You don't have to. I just want you to know.

[stubbornandfrustrating]

[Ratchet squeezes his optics shut hard and ducks his head, his grip tightening slowly on Drift as he presses his lips to the top of Drift's helm and just holds him, so exhausted it nearly hurts, his spark chamber still aching.]

[butwonderful]

[ This is good. This is fine. He'll stay as long as Ratchet lets him. ]

[stubbornandfrustrating]

[Well good, because Ratchet has fallen asleep.]