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 has never, really, had to make this conscious decision. He has had to choose between his life and the life of others before, but only when those specific others were trying to kill him. Now though.

He tries to keep his voice steady and firm. ]

I know, Rodimus. It'll be fine. Put me down and get out.

[tilallisoverused]

( It's not going to be fine. He's not stupid - he knows if he leaves Minimus he's going to die. And that's unacceptable, he refuses to acknowledge that as an option. No one is going to die who isn't trying to kill him, especially someone who took a shot that was meant for him, who wouldn't even been injured if it wasn't for him and-- )

No. ( He says it again, with more conviction. ) No, I'm not leaving you.

( Rodimus doesn't think about how he's going to manage it, only that he has to. There's not another choice. )

[thesurpriseinside]

[ That's the kind of conviction that could get them both killed, even as Minimus knows he means it. He might not know Rodimus well, but he's positive of that at least and arguing the point is just going to make him more stubbornly set on it. ]

All right. All right. I can... [ It hurts to move himself into his smallest form and push. The damage to his outer armor was more extensive than he thought. ] I heed you to open me up, Rodimus.

[tilallisoverused]

( That... isn't what he's expecting. He's about to protest when he can hear the gun being charged again - struggling to his feet to get them out of the way of that shot even though it ends up with him dragging Magnus along the floor before they can duck behind an overturned table. It's not a perfect shelter, but the thud of the shots hitting the metal next to his head is reward enough for the moment. )

You want me to do what?

[thesurpriseinside]

[ He realizes that was an unfortunate choice of words. He manages to get one arm up and dig it into the seams of his armor near his chest, tugging it away enough to reveal the armor below it. ]

This body is an exterior armor. My real body is under it. I can't move like this, but I might be able to if you can get this armor off. [ He already knows the chances of that are slim. He can feel the energon pooling in the gaps of his armor. But it's the only help he can offer. ]

[tilallisoverused]

Hold up-- you're even smaller than you are?

( This is not the time, Rodimus. But he uses the gap Minimus has already created in the armor to stick his own fingers in - pulling on the pieces of what apparently isn't his actual body but armor.

Yeah, he definitely has questions about this entire thing, but for once he doesn't ask them and instead focuses on getting Minimus out of it. )

[thesurpriseinside]

Yes.

[ And that's the last he'll be saying as he unplugs himself from his outer armor. He won't be able to move until Rodimus has it mostly cleared away and even then, he's still bleeding, still struggling to sit upright. ]

Frag... Hit me harder than I thought.

[tilallisoverused]

( He tosses the last bit aside as another shot hits the table, and his brow furrows. They need to get out of there, and they need to get out there quick. Ratchet. Ratchet will know what to do.

But they just need to get out. )

Hold on.

( Which is the only warning Minimus gets as Rodimus scoops him up into his arms - easier to do now that he's tiny. The moment his head pops over the top of the table he knows he's going to get shot at, which is why he kicks the table forward with all the strength he can muster at the same - it doesn't travel the same amount of distance as it would have if Minimus did it, but it goes far enough.

And then it does something better, and falls over onto whatever bot was shooting at them - the sound of pain is countered by Rodimus' own triumphant shout before he looks back down to the bot in his arms. And all the energon that's covering the both of them.

Oh Primus, he's going to be sick. )

[thesurpriseinside]

[ It's frustrating that there's nothing he can do other that hold on. Hold on and try to keep his systems stabilized, but he still feels Rodimus looking down at him. He knows what he's seeing. ]

Keep it together, Rodimus. [ His voice is firm. ] Just get us out and clear.

[tilallisoverused]

( He takes a few sure steps towards the exit that's suspiciously clear, slipping out into the night and gets a few steps further before he speaks again, panic evident in his tone. )

But you're leaking all over, Minimus.

( The anguish and guilt overtake the panic at the end, when he gets to his name. He stumbles a bit as he tries to pick up the pace to get them to where he knows Ratchet will be this time of night. )

[thesurpriseinside]

I know. [ Primus, does he know.. ] That's why I need you to stay calm, Rodimus. Keep your head clear.

[ It's a little startling to realize that his life is literally in Rodimus' hands and more so to hear the upset in his voice. He hadn't thought Rodimus even gave him much of a thought. But neither of them was dead so that was certainly something. ]

[tilallisoverused]

Ratchet. ( He knows Minimus might put up a fuss about it, but he doesn't care. ) I'm taking you to Ratchet.

( He's broke into something akin to a run - not full out, but enough that they're making semi-decent time and not running into the sort of people that are going to ask why someone who looks a lot like the youngest member of the Primal lineage is covered in energon and carrying a shot minibot. )

[thesurpriseinside]

[ He can't work up the energy to argue. ] Fine. That's fine.

[ Rodimus would find Ratchet exactly where he expected, posted out in one of his small clinics. The night had been a quiet one which Ratchet was feeling grateful for. He could use the break now and then.

The promise for a truly peaceful night immediately vanishes when Rodimus appears at the door of his clinic, covered in energon with a small bot in his arms. ]

Primus! Don't tell me, I don't wanna know, just get him in here.

[tilallisoverused]

You have to fix him, Ratchet.

( If he notices that he's clutching Minimus to his chest tighter than required he doesn't give any sign of it, stepping into the clinic and looking much smaller than he normally does. )

[thesurpriseinside]

I'll do what I can.

[ He's reluctant to make promises without seeing the injury first. He steps to the nearest medical slab, gesturing for Rodimus to follow. ] Put him here.

[ Minimus, who had been on the edge of consciousness, stirs slightly at the presence of a new voice. ]

What..?

[tilallisoverused]

( Rodimus does, and while he's not the most gentle of bots, he at least tries. )

It's just Ratchet.

( As if that's good enough of an explanation for what's happening. Turning back to Ratchet, Rodimus only pauses for a second before explaining. )

His name is Minimus Ambus, he's one of Tyrest's. He got shot, but he was wearing armor? We took it off back at-- at the place.

( He'll probably want that back, now that he thinks about it. )

this is deeply weird

[thesurpriseinside]

[ Surprisingly, that was not a suitable enough explanation for Minimus, who struggles a little to sit up and see what's going on until Ratchet puts a gentle hand on his shoulder. ]

Easy, sheriff. Just rest, we've got things under control.

[ Ratchet leans down to begin, glancing up at Rodimus. ]

You, go wait out in the hall.

lmfao i'm sorry!!!

[tilallisoverused]

But-- ( A gesture to Minimus. ) He's going to be fine, right?

( He has to live. He has to. )

my life is suffering ok ok QAQ

[thesurpriseinside]

[ A pause for that. Ratchet's never really seen Rodimus this worked up about someone before. ] He'll be fine. Looks like whatever armor he was wearing took most of the damage and you got him here just in time.

[ He breaks away from Minimus long enough to rest a hand on Rodimus' shoulder, propelling him towards the door. ] Go. Grab a shower and some rest.

[tilallisoverused]

( He's tempted to dig in his heels and protest, but now that the rush from the evening is beginning to fade, finds himself putting up less of a resistance than he could.

It doesn't mean he's going to do what Ratchet tells him. Not completely, however, because he sits himself in one of the seats in the hall to wait - the energon drying on his hands and his chassis while he falls asleep.

And slides gracefully onto the floor at some point, arm and helm still resting on the seat of the chair when everything is said and done. )

[thesurpriseinside]

[ That would be an alarming sight to walk out to if Ratchet hadn't given him prior warning. Ratchet also didn't seem terribly inclined to help wake Rodimus up. ]

Good luck with that one, Sheriff.

...Thank you, Doctor.

[ Minimus leans forward, putting a hand on Rodimus' arm and shaking lightly. ]

Rodimus? Rodimus, wake up.

[tilallisoverused]

Huh?

( He wakes up with a slow venting in of air before exventing when he realizes it's Minimus he's staring at. At which point a large smile spreads over his face and he struggles to at least sit up on the floor. )

Minimus! You look, you know, like you're in one piece! ( Ratchet pulls through once again. ) You and your sigil.

[thesurpriseinside]

[ Minimus offers a hand to help him sit up properly, struggling to not find the smile endearing. ]

Yes, my sigil and I are perfectly fine. Why were you sleeping on the floor?

[tilallisoverused]

( He takes it gladly, still grinning as he's pulled to his feet. Which makes looking down at Minimus really weird. )

Must have slipped off the chair sometime. I just wanted to make sure Ratchet patched you up okay.

[thesurpriseinside]

[ He vents a sigh, adjusting his stance so he can look up at Rodimus more comfortably. ]

You should have cleaned up a bit first at least. You're a mess.