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]

( The grin that Rodimus gives Minimus might as well be classified as blinding - quickly running through his available options before settling on one. He likes going to this particular bar because it's noisy and out of the way and there's plenty of people there who're willing to engage in a few shady deals.

But more importantly, they always have live music. Good live music, though Rodimus will be the first to admit that he's not an expert.

Unthinkingly sliding his hand from Minimus's wrist to his hand, Rodimus continues on dragging the other bot behind him. And through rather questionable neighborhoods until they come to the outside of said shady, probably dirty bar. )

See? Not illegal or dangerous. ( Said as he shoves the doors open and everything Minimus feared about the place is probably proven to be correct. ) Find us a place to sit - I'll get the drinks.

[thesurpriseinside]

[ This is honestly everything that Minimus was expecting and then some. He twitches just slightly at just how dirty the bar is and gives Rodimus the most dubious look possible. ]

You're joking.

[tilallisoverused]

Nope.

( A not a gentle as it could have been shove towards the seats closest to the stage area the place has set up - absent of anyone performing for the moment. )

Get us seats before someone else beats us to them and I have to fight for them back. Which you'll only get upset at. ( So clearly Minimus should do as he's told. ) What do you drink?

[thesurpriseinside]

[ He almost can't believe this is happening, which is starting to seem like a theme for whenever Rodimus shows up. He goes to grab the stupid seats, because he actually doesn't want Rodimus to get in another bar fight. ]

I don't.

[ Surprise surprise. ]

[tilallisoverused]

Figures.

( But then he's off - grabbing something for himself and something with a lot less kick for Minimus. And by a 'lot less' he means nonexistent because Minimus doesn't make exciting drink choices.

By the time Rodimus slides into the seat and shoves the drink over to Minimus, the band has trickled onto the stage. )

So what you didn't tell me is that you like music. ( He's seen your datapads, your music collection. He knows, Minimus, he knows. ) And this place has the best live music.

[thesurpriseinside]

[ If Rodimus was shooting for a surprised look, he gets one. ]

How did you... [ He coughs static and picks up his drink. ] An excellent observation, Rodimus, but I think I'll still reserve my judgement until I've heard for myself.

[tilallisoverused]

( Grinning obnoxiously. )

You left me in your apartment unsupervised. The only people with that much music and datapads on musical theory - which, by the way, almost as boring as the ones on law - are the people who really, really like it.

( He went through your stuff, Minimus, and isn't sorry about it. )

I won't be wrong.

[thesurpriseinside]

[ he wants to explain to Rodimus why it's generally not an acceptable practice to snoop in others personal belongings, but the music starts before he has a chance to.

Rodimus is. Not wrong. The music is good. Very good even and he actually starts to relax. After a few songs he leans close to Rodimus, so he can be heard over the music. ]

Yes, you were right. The music is wonderful.

[tilallisoverused]

( Rodimus leans forward as well, smug expression clear on his face. Heck yes he was right - he was counting on it. )

Told you. ( IT'S SO GOOD TO HAVE MINIMUS ADMIT THAT HE NEEDS TO BASK IN IT. ) So this is Rodimus: 1, Minimus: 0.

[thesurpriseinside]

[ The noise Minimus makes is that soft almost laugh. ]

You're keeping score?

[tilallisoverused]

Yeah, just so when you try and say I'm never right I can prove you wrong.

( Wow that's--- that sure is a thing and he doesn't know how to process that. )

[thesurpriseinside]

[ He shakes his head, turning slightly to take a sip of his drink. ]

Pretty sure this makes us even, not put you ahead.

[tilallisoverused]

Yeah? How come?

( Guess who's forgotten about the 'if you go back you're going to get in trouble' conversation? This guy.

But he's still leaning forward, drink forgotten for a the moment because it's very important he makes this point. )

[thesurpriseinside]

[ He looks back at Rodimus and gives him a Look. ]

Did you forget about the gambling ring? I told you it would go badly if you went back and it did.

[ He got shot and everything. ]

[tilallisoverused]

( He winces at that, taking a drink. )

Alright, fine. Tied.

( But that just means he's got to do something to give himself a win. Watch out. )

[thesurpriseinside]

[ That does occur to him. He reaches out and sets his hand lightly on Rodimus' arm. ]

You don't have to be keeping score, you know. And... Thank you for this. Really.

[tilallisoverused]

( His free hand moves to rest over Minimus's almost absentmindedly - lips in a thin line before he smiles. )

And if I want to? ( That's not the point, though. ) I knew you'd like it.

( So you're welcome, Minimus. )

[thesurpriseinside]

[ He glances down at the hand resting over his, expression warming for that. ]

If you're going to insist on keeping a score, I suppose I can't stop you. [ He shakes his head, leaning back just a little. ] You're impossible.

[tilallisoverused]

Impossible is good, I like it. I like doing impossible things even more.

( It's just encouraging him at this point. )

[thesurpriseinside]

[ Yeah, that sounds a lot like trouble. ]

And what impossible thing are you planning next?

[tilallisoverused]

Dunno, but I'll know it when I come across it.

( He has to remove his hand from over Minimus' to take a drink, and he is very resolutely not missing the feeling of the other bot's hand under his. )

[thesurpriseinside]

Try not to do it without back up at least.

[ He settles back a little when it occurs to him that probably he doesn't need to be immediately in Rodimus' personal space. ]

[tilallisoverused]

Are you offering?

( He misses that too, which is weird. So he's going to look at either his glass or the band for a long second, even though he can't help but have his optics flicker over to Minimus, an easy smirk sliding across his face. )

[thesurpriseinside]

[ It's a minute before he answers that, considering the question as he stares down at his own drink. Finally he looks back up at Rodimus, utterly serious. ]

Yes. Yes, I am.

[tilallisoverused]

Good. I accept.

( Said with an easy smile, as if it's the most natural thing in the world for him to do.

Rodimus isn't certain what he just accepted, if it's friendship or something. He doesn't think Minimus is swearing his life to him in the way that Cyclonus does to Galvatron and Galvatron to Nova, but it's-- something. And it makes warmth snake through him, curling around his spark. )