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]

[ 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.

[tilallisoverused]

( For a brief second Rodimus actually looks hurt. His hands fall away and he's overcome with the strange feeling that he might have actually made a fool of himself and it, for the first time, bothers him. )

You promised-- ( This is not helping his cause any. ) Right, yeah. Responsibility.

( He thinks he really hates that word right now. More than he normally does. )

[thesurpriseinside]

[ That actually hurts a bit. Not enough to make him believe he's made the wrong decision or to change his mind, but still. He reaches up, cupping the side of Rodimus' face. ]

I can only do what is within my power to do, Rodimus. That won't always be what you want and it won't always be something you can change.

[tilallisoverused]

( His own hand comes up to curl around Minimus', not to remove it but just to feel it under his again. )

I'm going to be Prime. I could change the rules.

( Somehow he knows that isn't going to work on the bot who threw him into jail, but it's worth a try. )

[thesurpriseinside]

[ Really he had expected as much for an answer. He shakes his head. ]

That won't make it right. It won't change the reality of the situation.

[ Which... brings him back to his first point. ]

...Is that all you want from me? The kissing and dancing and watching your back.

[tilallisoverused]

I-- ( He frowns at that and his grip tightens on Minimus' hand. ) What else is there? I'll be getting your company with all three.

[thesurpriseinside]

My company you can have. [ His free hand moves to settle on Rodimus' forearm. ] But if that's all you want than I won't kiss you.

[tilallisoverused]

You kissed me back. What's wrong with doing it more?

( He is so confused, he's certain that's how these things went. )

[thesurpriseinside]

I did. [ There's certainly no denying that, but... The next bit is almost embarrassing. ]

I am not very good at... casual encounters. What I mean is. I liked kissing you. But at some point, if we keep doing it, I believe I will want more than just kissing.

[tilallisoverused]

Oh. Oh.

( Something in him relaxes at the mention of Minimus not being opposed to doing it more. And the vague idea of said more send a jolt of warmth radiating from his spark.

But he gets it now, or at least he thinks he does. )

Okay. ( Only Rodimus could put as much feeling and conviction behind one simple word. ) I'd like that.

[thesurpriseinside]

For how long?

[ Minimus isn't generally in the habit of shooting himself in the foot, but all the same. ]

[tilallisoverused]

How long?

( HE HAS NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT THAT WHY ARE YOU ASKING WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? )

[thesurpriseinside]

Yes.

[ It occurs to him that he should probably expand on this since. Well, Rodimus did admit that he only just now felt like kissing him. ]

What I mean is... Do you want to be with me. In a relationship. Or is this just until your interest changes?

[tilallisoverused]

( That gets Minimus a frown, because Rodimus is not self aware enough to realize he gets really into things and then forgets about them on a regular basis. )

What makes you think it'd change?

[thesurpriseinside]

Did you ever really want to kiss me before now?

[ Which he realizes might not be a fair marker, but still. ] Did you ever think about me that way before tonight? I don't know you well enough to say tat it wouldn't change.

[tilallisoverused]

( That actually takes some thinking, his free hand returning to Minimus' hip on reflex. Some thinking and a little bit of self-examination. Which he doesn't do often, so Minimus should be flattered by the fact he's doing it at all. )

Once. ( He just didn't realize it at the time, but now that he's done it and knows the urge, he thinks he can say with his usual amount of surety when it was. ) You smiled at me, back in your apartment. And earlier tonight.

( Obviously. )

[thesurpriseinside]

[ That warms him strangely, a soft tingle in his spark. Enough of one that he leans a little closer. ]

I'm glad. [ He trails his hands up Rodimus' arms till they settle on his shoulders. ] I'm still uncertain. But... Think of me? When you're gone, I mean. I want to know how long I can have you.