17th Transmission - Audio - 4TH WALL DAY

[heavyweaponsbot]

So. It is time for the tournament?

[Ironhide chuckles.]

You may as well all retire now. I will be winning this one, I think.

Comments

[heavyweaponsbot]

Good. Good to hear. Been wondering about you.

[He means that. More than he can adequately put into words, but still.]

Fine. Everything is fine.

[Which is Ironhide-speak for "I'm really not okay but this is public and I can't say I'm not fine".]

[brynkitten]

[She understands completely.]

Can I see you? Before you enter the tournament?

[They can speak in private.]

[heavyweaponsbot]

Yeah. There is time.

Where are you?

[brynkitten]

Uhm, outside. By a fountain?

[heavyweaponsbot]

Coming.

[There's no hesitation. No further questions. He's driving there now.]

[brynkitten]

[She's waiting, sitting on the fountain's edge.]

[heavyweaponsbot]

[It takes him almost no time to arrive. And upon reaching the fountain, he wastes no time transforming.]

[... he hasn't changed. Not physically, anyway. Still bearing the hole in his chest armor, still favoring one leg. But -- he looks exhausted. Run down. He crouches in front of her, extending a hand.]

Hey.

[brynkitten]

[Bryn's heart expands a bit at the sight of him. That familiar truck. She stands when he arrives, and the smile is genuine, heartfelt when he crouches before her.

She places her hand in his.]

Hey. It's really good to see you...

[heavyweaponsbot]

All Spark...

[His fingers curl around her hand, lightly, carefully. And there's a painful edge in his voice.]

... Missed you too.

[brynkitten]

[Her throat grows tight, but she forces a smile on her face because she's happy to see him even if this moment is making her a bit emotional and a little sad. The larger part of her is happy to see him whole and alive.]

You look the same as when I last saw you...

[Not letting go yet, she tightens her hand slightly though she doesn't know if he'll feel it.]

[heavyweaponsbot]

You... you look as I remembered. For so long.

[He doesn't know what else to say. He's never been good with words. And now they're failing him completely.]

[He does feel it, and he curls his free hand around her to indicate it.]

[brynkitten]

Not worse for wear huh?

[She offers him a small smile and after a moment, just steps forward so she can lean against him. Hugging is a bit awkward but this much she can offer.]

Same goes for you. Are you alright here?

[heavyweaponsbot]

This old armor has seen worse.

[He doesn't move. Even when she leans against him. He doesn't mind it. Not from her.]

[His shoulders hunch though, when she asks the question, and his voice turns harsh.]

I am... alone... here.

[brynkitten]

[It's comforting to stand there pressed against those metal plates. Perhaps not warm and welcoming like a human body, but it doesn't matter to her as much as who's inside.

When he answers, she goes still, and Bryn can't bring herself to look up at his face.]

No Ratchet...no anyone? Friends?

[heavyweaponsbot]

[It's probably best she doesn't look. His expression twists. His shoulders draw up. And he looks for all the world as if someone has dealt him a physical blow.]

[When he answers her, his voice is very quiet.]

He... did not follow me here.

[brynkitten]

[Her heart drops a little bit and her throat closes on a sympathetic sob at his words. She tried to swallow it back.]

Oh god I'm...I'm so sorry.

[heavyweaponsbot]

[There isn't much he can say to that. He wouldn't know how to, even if there were. Instead, he just bows over her, staying like that for several long seconds.]

Don't know what to do. Without him.

[It's... an admission he wouldn't make. Not to just anyone. And like a lot of what he's had to do recently, it costs him. His optics shutter, and he falls silent.]