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]

Hey!

( He attempts to look down, but finds that he can't. Minimus is far too tiny for that, and he can't really see around the box he's holding. So he's just going to casually invite himself in, like one does. )

Are you actually taking a day off? I didn't really believe it when they told me at the station.

[thesurpriseinside]

[ He sidesteps, letting Rodimus pass because really what else can he do? He shuts the door and trails after him, his systems rapidly idling now that the first burst of energy is gone. ]

I need to recharge at some point, I can't if there's work to be done. [ Minimus is going to have to rethink that if things like this are going to start happening. He crawls up onto the slightly too big for Minimus couch and leans back. ] What are you even doing here?

[tilallisoverused]

They gave me your address when I told them I needed to see you.

( That's what he's doing there instead of at the station. Rodimus thinks that's explanation enough and stares at Minimus on his slightly too big couch. Which reminds him a few seconds later of the box in his hands. Right.

He places it on the ground, in front of where Minimus is sitting. )

This is yours, and I think that kind of makes us even? Ratchet did some upgrades - he said it should integrate with your system better? Something like that. ( They weren't monosyllabic so Rodimus didn't pay them much attention. ) And he also says that next time you're injured you should just come to him.

[thesurpriseinside]

[ Minimus just stares at him. ]

...I don't understand.

[ He's not entierly convinced that this isn't some odd dream. ]

[tilallisoverused]

Open it.

( Nudging it with his giant ass feet. Also Minimus do you really want to dream about Rodimus let's examine that statement carefully. )

[thesurpriseinside]

[Maybe he already has. Minimus gets up, a little reluctant to be up and moving and opens the fragging box.

And then he just stops and stares at the perfect, pristine armor packed inside. ]


...You fixed it.

[tilallisoverused]

( Was it about arresting him and then ~teaching him a lesson~? Rodimus grins down him, arms crossed proudly over his chest. )

Good as new. Better, even.

[thesurpriseinside]

[He admits nothing. It takes him back to the first time he was given the armor, but this time, he has to ask. ]

Why? [ He's not functioning at 100% and there's no reason on hand he can think of for Rodimus to do something as kind as this. ]

[tilallisoverused]

( HAH. )

It's yours, isn't it?

( Because he needs to stop feeling guilty about nearly getting Minimus killed, because he nearly got Minimus killed in the first place. But he can't admit those - he can barely admit both of them to himself. )

[thesurpriseinside]

Yes, but you didn't have to go this far.

[ The armor is custom built and losing it was huge. Getting a new one would have taken weeks, but to find it fully restored and- if what Rodimus says is true- better than ever is. Slightly overwhelming. ]

I can't repay a favor like this.

[tilallisoverused]

You're the one who got shot.

( So this is, in fact, repaying an earlier favor. )

[thesurpriseinside]

I was doing my job.

[ If he were more awake, he might have noticed that this is clearly the point of where their ideas of what happen split. ]

[tilallisoverused]

You still got shot and I--

( NOT FINISHING THIS. so instead he just nudges the box with a foot again. )

Just take it, okay? I didn't go to the trouble of going back to get it for you to just stare at it.

[thesurpriseinside]

[ He can sort of pick up on where this is going and turns to frown up at Rodimus. ]

Don't feel guilty. Unless it's about how foolish and recklessly you've behaved, then fine, because you were. Be better, but I chose to take that hit. It is my sworn duty to protect the citizens of Cybertron and that includes you. ...But.

[ And then the frown softens slightly. ]

This. What you've done means a lot to me, Rodimus. I don't think you know how much.

[tilallisoverused]

There's nothing wrong with relaxing.

( He doesn't look at Minimus for that, face in a scowl and optics focused on a very interesting point on the floor. If he hadn't have gone back, if he hadn't have been there -- Minimus wouldn't have been shot. He knows that, but Minimus' words let him exvent air he didn't know he was holding in. )

Probably not. ( Casually, like one does. Because they're moving away from that part of the conversation as soon as possible. ) Go put it on. Ratchet won't leave me alone if I don't come back with a report.

[thesurpriseinside]

There is when you're endangering yourself.

[ He exvents a sigh and begins unpacking the suit. ]

Very well then.

[ There's not really a lot of room in Minimus' apartment, so he just does it there. It's not especially graceful and it takes up a bit of energy that he doesn't really have, so by the end he's a little unsteady on his feet. He'll endeavor to hide it, though, trying to get used to being in the suit again, which... feels good. Feels right.

Possibly even more than the first time he put it on. ] It's good.

[tilallisoverused]

( His frown eases into a smile, leaning against whatever wall is nearest. )

Everything works? Ratchet told me about some exercises you had to do but ( A shrug. ) you know where to find him if it freezes up.

[thesurpriseinside]

What are the- [ Exercises it what he means to ask, but in taking a few experimental steps, he discovers that a few weeks out of the armor and running on fumes is actually enough to lock up his joints.

He stumbles forward as his knee joints suddenly refuse to hold his weight, falling against Rodimus. ]

[tilallisoverused]

( Rodimus' arms instinctively come up to wrap around the other bot in order to try and steady him - although it does have the side effect of pressing Minimus' face into his chassis. )

Woah, watch it. ( But his tone is light and amused. ) I'm only getting your armor fixed once - next time you break it, it's all on you.

[thesurpriseinside]

[ Minimus is both relieved and mortified that his face is pressed where it is. It means Rodimus can't see how flustered he is, but it's also still happening.

He pulls away, but finds himself still unsteady, so he can't go too far. ]

I- I'm sorry. It takes a little time to get use to being back in the suit.

[tilallisoverused]

( Rodimus helpfully doesn't remove his arms just yet - he felt Minimus sway and would rather have him fall on him again than on the floor. )

Guessing that means you're not out of it often.

[thesurpriseinside]

No.

[ He appreciates it, even if he's too embarrassed at the moment to say. Or even really look at Rodimus. His hands settle on Rodimus' arms. ]

The last time I was completely out of it was years ago.

[tilallisoverused]

Weird.

( He shifts so that his hands are gripping Minimus' sides - still steadying him before tapping one finger against the side of his helm. )

Looks fine to me.

[thesurpriseinside]

[ Minimus does look up to frown at him for that. ]

It's not weird. The armor isn't meant to be taken on and off.

[tilallisoverused]

Not that, the fact you have it at all.

( He isn't aware of anyone having such a thing. Not that he pays attention to his lessons, or paid. )