DON'T COUNT MISTAKES I LOST TRACK OF THEM

[tilallisoverused]

( He's in trouble. He's Rodimus, the younger of Nova's two candidates for Prime, and he is absolutely in trouble. It's not his fault. He just happened to be somewhere where trouble results, although okay - that part isn't new.

And he knows exactly how he got here in the first place, it's the same as it always is.

Orion frowns at him every time he leaves the Primal Basilica dressed in a cloak - knowing full well that he's going to go to those places that Nova finds unlawful and unruly. Sure, the other Prime in training had attempted to stop him before, to no avail. That makes something twinge in Rodimus because he likes Orion, he really does.

Then again, most people like Orion 'Super Cop, Future Prime' Pax. Because apparently some people like having a career that's pointless once you know you'll carry the Matrix. He guesses that has to do with Orion having spent some of his life from out of Nova's influence - maybe that made you like police work.

Not that Rodimus would know what that's like - Nova snatched him up two days after he was forged, as if he knew exactly where to find him. Must be a 'wisdom of the Matrix' thing. Find your replacements before someone else does and what not. But it boiled down to the fact that he'd never really got to know or experience life outside the basilica walls and for every time Nova told him he shouldn't or couldn't go out - he did.

Which is how he ends up standing over someone he punched into a wall - thanks Galvatron and Cyclonus for teaching him that one - inadvertently starting a bar fight that he is determined to win. Rodimus is pretty sure that as a mysterious cloaked and hooded figure, he definitely looks awesome which negates the trouble.

Mostly. )

Comments

[tilallisoverused]

( As if Rodimus would complain about that. One hand goes under Minimus' chin to turn his head back towards Rodimus and up. The leaning in so his lips brush over Minimus' is also a nice touch, or so he thinks. )

Goodnight, Minimus.

( And promptly kisses him properly. Which is probably not befitting a good night kiss but he doesn't... actually care. )

[thesurpriseinside]

[ He really should have expected this in retrospect and it's worryingly effective. He sways into the kiss with a soft sound before pulling away again. ]

That. Was not a good night kiss.

[ He doesn't really look all that upset. Just flustered. ]

[tilallisoverused]

Wasn't it? We could keep trying until I get it right.

( Can't stop. Won't stop. Don't know how to stop. )

[thesurpriseinside]

[ He frowns. ]

I suspect you have an ulterior motive for that.

[tilallisoverused]

If I did would that be so bad?

( He just wants to kiss you all the time, Minimus. )

[thesurpriseinside]

I... suppose that would depend on what it was.

[ He still doesn't quite believe this, sorry, Rodimus. ]

But we have to recharge at some point.

[tilallisoverused]

Nothing bad. Honestly, Minimus.

( Oh right. He should probably be well-rested for that at the very least. )

I can sleep on the ship out.

[thesurpriseinside]

Well, I can't sleep at my desk.

[ Small huff at that. ]

...Last kiss.

[ Better make it count. ]

[tilallisoverused]

( Which he does, one hand going to support the back of Minimus' head as the other wraps around his waist to hold him close. )

Until next time.

( He's just making that clear before he kisses him - long and thoroughly. )

[thesurpriseinside]

[ He leans right into it. There is no denying how much he's enjoying this, although he will adamantly deny clinging to Rodimus. Which is still happening. He has effectively been swept off his feet and he'll be properly worried about it as soon as they're done kissing. ]

[tilallisoverused]

( Minimus might deny it, but Rodimus can tell anyway. Which just makes him smugger - if at all possible - when he finally breaks the kiss. He'll be ignoring the fact that somewhere along the line his fans had kicked in and all he really wants to do is continue down this road until it reaches its natural conclusion. )

Two months. You'll miss me.

( What a smug asshole. )

[thesurpriseinside]

[ He makes a soft noise, trying to gather his scattered focus. The smug look helps. ]

Hmph. We'll see.

[ He still reaches up and brushes his hand over his cheek. ]

Watch yourself out there.

[tilallisoverused]

( Rodimus turns his head slightly to nuzzle the palm of the hand before letting Minimus go completely. He misses the feeling of the other under his hands already and balls his hands up to prevent himself from reaching out again.

Well, mostly. Since one of his hands has returned to rest on Minimus' chest over where his spark is. Or should be, he's not sure what happens with the tinier version of him inside that armor.

Maybe he should ask. Eventually. )

Yeah, yeah. I'll be fine.

[thesurpriseinside]

[ Rodimus' estimation is fairly accurate. Minimus holds back a shiver by force. The touch feel... so intimate. Which perhaps shouldn't surprise him, but he still hesitates before covering Rodimus' hand with his own.

His expression and voice are still stern, despite how delicate his touch is. ]

Then I will look forward to hearing reports of your successful visit.

[tilallisoverused]

Just the reports?

( It suddenly hits him that he wants to stay - not a large part of him, but still there's a part that doesn't want to leave. Not if it means he gets to have Minimus by his side. He's not quite sure how to process that, so he leaves it. And anyway, Minimus promised to come on at least all of his other off world adventures, give or take. Mostly.

So he bends down and presses a kiss to the corner of Minimus's mouth because he is more than willing to push his luck as far as he can before completely stepping back. )

See you, Minimus Ambus.

( A wave and a teasing salute before he's off - grinning as he leaves. )

[thesurpriseinside]

Don't be ridiculous.

[ It's difficult to keep his huff when Rodimus kisses him like that, but the frown stays regardless. ]

Yes, you will.

[ Time passes and. He doesn't miss him. Or he doesn't allow himself the time to miss Rodimus. He pays closer attention to the news from off world. He... does not buy a larger berth, because that is ridiculous. Two months is a long time and he's sure by the end of it, Rodimus would have either lost interest or realized what he was getting himself into.

He does buy a larger couch. And pretends he doesn't regret saying yes to following Rodimus off world. ]

[tilallisoverused]

( Rodimus does think of him. Not often, because it's surprisingly demanding work. There are numerous - boring - meetings he's required to attend and the slightly more exciting parts where he actually gets to wander around the colonies and planets. Cyclonus keeps careful watch, a grim shadow that's always two steps behind him and it's only when Rodimus turns to him, expecting someone smaller and greener that he thinks of Minimus.

They're on a break - he's recovering from a required sparring match with Cyclonus when the other bot tells him they're a week out from returning to Cybertron that he remembers. It's only a quick video message - they're too far out to hold a reliable conversation: Here's your week's warning, Minimus, just as promised. Remember to take the day off or I'll drag you out of your office.

It takes longer than he'd like to get free of Nova, who at least seemed to approve of whatever he'd done while away. No colonies revolted, or even made passing threats, so that was that. _{Even if Rodimus had lost his temper at one of the magistrates.} Ratchet wouldn't let him go without a once over as well, and it's mid afternoon by the time Rodimus shows up at Minimus's door. )

Hey Minimus, guess who's back?

( Practically yelled outside his door as he knocks. Neighbors? Who cares. )

[thesurpriseinside]

[ He answers the door with his frown firmly in place, like there isn't a warm shiver tripping through his spark. ]

Rodimus, really. I have neighbors you know.

[ And of course he's there. He's not going to say that he'd actually taken a few days off. Unless it comes up. On the off chance it matters to Rodimus. ]

[tilallisoverused]

Well now they know I'm back, too.

( As if anyone could have ignored his return. The art of being subtle is an art lost on Rodimus, which he only proves by leaning in, one hand coming up to cup the side of Minimus' face as his thump sweeps across one part of his ridiculous sigil. )

Hey.

( He doesn't know where they are with-- with whatever this is. He assumes the whole making out thing they did before he left still stands. He hopes it still stands. )

[thesurpriseinside]

[ He tips his head right into the touch, his own hand coming up to lightly cover Rodimus. ]

Hello.

[ His voice is warmer than he meant it to be. He had at least entertained the idea of keeping a little distance from Rodimus until he was sure of what he wanted. That seems to have gone up in smoke the moment Rodimus touches him. At the very least, they shouldn't be doing this in the hall. ]

Would you like to come inside?

[tilallisoverused]

Yeah.

( Which Rodimus takes as an open invitation to just brush his way in - he's not perfect. It's reassuring to find it in the same state of tidiness and organization as it was the last time he was there.

Turning around to face Minimus with a grin, he makes himself at home on the couch, like he did before. Can't stop. )

I see you've managed to keep the planet in one lawful piece while I was gone.

[thesurpriseinside]

[ It's typical enough that he just frowns at him and settles on the couch beside him. Which is now big enough that he can settle down with a little bit of space between them. ]

Of course, did you expect anything less?

[tilallisoverused]

Nope. ( Another grin. ) Nice to know some things remain the same when you're around.

Not the couch, though.

( He noticed and he's not sorry about bringing it up. )

[thesurpriseinside]

[ Oh. ]

I just needed a new couch.

[ No ulterior motive whatsoever. ]

[tilallisoverused]

Right.

( This is Rodimus of the Primal Lineage, not believing you. He is not buying that explanation so completely that he is definitely and absolutely invading Minimus' personal space, attempting to pin in the other bot. )

I thought about it. What you asked me to.

( He's pretty sure that by being here he's answered part of that question, but Minimus being Minimus he figures he'd actually want it laid out. Possibly in writing. In triplicate. )