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]

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.]