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

[thesurpriseinside]

[ He's quiet for a moment, considering that. ]

Perhaps next time we can do that. Dancing, I mean.

[tilallisoverused]

We'll go as soon as I get back.

( He'd mean it literally too, if Nova wasn't going to drag him into reporting on the state of their empire the moment he touched down. )

A month, two tops.

[thesurpriseinside]

I'll look forward to it then.

[ And it's a little startling to realize he means that. ]

After you give your report to Nova.

[tilallisoverused]

Good. I'll get you to loosen up and have fun yet. ( But he makes a face at that before waving it off. ) After I report back to Nova.

[thesurpriseinside]

Glad to hear it.

[ A not-smile for that. And they're close enough to his apartment that he pauses and offers his hand to Rodimus. ]

Thank you, again, for this, Rodimus. I'd prefer more advanced warning next time, but this was. Very nice.

[tilallisoverused]

( Rodimus gladly takes his hand to give it a warm shake, a winning grin spread across his face. )

You're welcome.

( If anyone asked him later why he did it, he wouldn't be able to tell them. He just knows he wants to, and because he wants to, he has to. Which is why he drops Minimus's hand in favor of placing his hands on either side of Minimus's face. That's the only warning Minimus will get before Rodimus leans down and pulls the other bot forward slightly so he can kiss him.

Did the advance warning count for this? Probably, but it's too late and he wouldn't have cared anyway. )

[thesurpriseinside]

[ That was. Not at all the response Minimus was expecting. He has enough forethought to pull away before he starts kissing back. He's choosing not to meditate on the idea that kissing back is an option or that he doesn't pull very far away to stare at Rodimus. ]

What. [ Yeah, he's not sure which of the many questions he should attach to that. ]

[tilallisoverused]

( That isn't the response he's hoping for. He wasn't sure he was actually hoping for a positive response until he doesn't get one - he'd just assumed that he'd kiss him back. But Minimus hasn't exactly moved far or shoved him away or punched him which would really hurt so he's glad that wasn't the response. )

What what?

( Maybe if he tries it again, now that the shock has worn off? He runs his thumbs down the lines of Minimus's stupid sigil mustache before attempting to kiss him again. )

[thesurpriseinside]

[ It's. A nice touch. Not one he's had in a very long time and it's surprisingly easy to lean right in and kiss Rodimus back a moment before pulling away. Right, he was saying something. ]

Why are you kissing me?

[ There, that was coherent. ]

[tilallisoverused]

( Better, and a small smile creeps over his face for a moment. )

Because I want to?

( Honestly. What other reason would there be? )

[thesurpriseinside]

[ sorry, all that gets Rodimus is a perplexed frown. ]

But. Why?

[tilallisoverused]

Are you always going to ask for a reason? I can't visit you without one, I can't kiss you without one--

( Speaking of kissing, he's going to do that again, one of his hands slipping back to cradle the back of Minimus's helm and pull him close again. )

I just want to.

[thesurpriseinside]

[ He leans into it, his own hands lifting and hesitating before settling on Rodimus' waist. ]

People typically have deeper motivations to their actions than just wanting to.

[tilallisoverused]

( That's definitely encouraging, and Rodimus lets his other hand fall to splay against the armor at the base of Minimus' back. And if he pulls him a little bit closer, well, who can blame him? )

Have you met me?

( It's probably the drink that he had earlier making him continue talking as he presses kisses to the corner of Minimus' mouth. )

Ask anyone and they'll tell you I don't ever need a reason for what I do. Orion hates it, and I don't think Nova knows what to do with me half the time.

[thesurpriseinside]

[ His hands tighten briefly on Rodimus' waist when he's tugged closer, a sound suspiciously similar to a growl escaping him. He really needs to put a stop to this. ]

Reckless. [ he would have more to say, but Rodimus is worringly effective at distracting him. ] Wasn't long ago I was arresting you, you know.

[tilallisoverused]

That's me.

( The sound only encourages him, and he can't help the grin that spreads across his face at that. )

I know. But I promise I won't hold it against you. Much.

( At which point he kisses Minimus again. Maybe they shouldn't be doing this outside, even at night, but he really doesn't care. Someone could see - and that should worry him, he's a Primeling after all. But he really, truly, doesn't care.

All Rodimus wants to do is keep kissing Minimus. )

[thesurpriseinside]

[ Minimus makes the mistake of kissing back for a moment before pulling away. ]

We can't do this.

[tilallisoverused]

( Well color him confused. )

What, why?

( He thought it was working out pretty well. )

[thesurpriseinside]

[ That response does make Minimus feel more confident in his decision. ]

To begin with? The location. [ They really really are just standing out in the open here. ] But more importantly... Do you know what you want from me?

[tilallisoverused]

Am I supposed to?

( He thought these things just happened. )

[thesurpriseinside]

[ Primus, what a question. ]

It would be a start.

[tilallisoverused]

( Rodimus' hand drops from the back of his head to Minimus' waist, the other one sliding across his plating to do the same. )

Well, more kissing. And dancing, since you promised. Also for you to come with me tomorrow, since you promised to watch my back.

[thesurpriseinside]

[ The touching is pleasant, not something he's had for a very long time and Rodimus' answers are strangely endearing, but the last stops him cold. ]

Tomorrow- Rodimus, you said you'd be gone for two months. I can't just pick up and go off world without notice.

[tilallisoverused]

I can tell Nova, he can tell Tyrest, they can find someone to cover for you for that long.

( They've got this, or so he assumes. )

[thesurpriseinside]

[ He shakes his head, pulling away a little. ]

We're thinly spread enough as it is. I have a responsibility to my sector and the people who serve under me as well.