13th Transmission

[heavyweaponsbot]

[There are dragging, scraping sounds as the comm clicks on, and they continue throughout the transmission.]

I require...

[A long pause, as if the next part is physically painful to say.]

... a mechanic. And a drink.

[The comm clicks off there, as the speaker continues hauling his broken old aft toward his quarters.]

Comments

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[heavyweaponsbot]

...

I am sorry. All right? I do not know what to want you to do!

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[medicalofficer.livejournal.com]

I was not asking for apology. But I honestly do not know what you expect, when you refuse to acknowledge that what occurred was partially my desire as well.

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[heavyweaponsbot]

...

You... wanted... that to happen? Thought you said it was alcohol and... hormones.

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[medicalofficer.livejournal.com]

[ ... Slag. ]

... That... was not what I had meant.

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[heavyweaponsbot]

[He simply stares at him for a long... long moment.]

... You did.

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[medicalofficer.livejournal.com]

[ It's his turn to look at the floor, not entirely sure how to respond to that. Without flat out lying, that is. ]

... It is not my intention to make you more uncomfortable.

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[heavyweaponsbot]

[He wants to tell him to get out. But every time he tries to form the words, he can't. He can only stare at him, his expression blank.]

...

Too late for that.

[He regrets saying that as soon as he finishes.]

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[medicalofficer.livejournal.com]

Then I shall leave you be.

[ He turns for the door, fingers clenched into fists, annoyed at his own slip, moreso than Ironhide's behaviour. ]

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[heavyweaponsbot]

...

[He'd like it if Megatron showed up right now... to blast him into tiny components.]

I am... sorry. I...

[So much he wanted to say. To apologize for--for not being what the other wanted, what he needed, for hurting him, for not being able to tell him he'd wanted it too... But couldn't.]

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[medicalofficer.livejournal.com]

You have nothing to apologize for.

[ He doesn't look at him, his tone stiff. ]

I should return to my quarters.

... Perhaps it is best we both forgot it happened.

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[heavyweaponsbot]

[He buries his face in his hands, nodding. The tone stings.]

... Yeah.

If... that is what you want.

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[medicalofficer.livejournal.com]

... It would be for the best.

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[heavyweaponsbot]

...

[He nods, shoulders hunching over. It's for the best. It's for the best.

So why does it hurt?]

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[medicalofficer.livejournal.com]

If... you no longer require me, I will take my leave.

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[heavyweaponsbot]

... Whatever you think is best.

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[medicalofficer.livejournal.com]

... Clearly, my judgment is no longer trustworthy.

[ Yeah, he's just going to head for the door, before he makes this worse again. ]

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[heavyweaponsbot]

I...

Did not mean that...

[But he makes no move to stop him from leaving.]

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[medicalofficer.livejournal.com]

... You did.

[ Pauses at the door, still conflicted. He does not want the conversation to end on this note, but... What more can he say? ]

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[heavyweaponsbot]

Then, I apologize. Again.

[What more can he say? What more can he do?]

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[medicalofficer.livejournal.com]

If you feel that way, there is no reason to apologize.

A Medical Officer with compromised judgment is of little use to any 'bot.

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[heavyweaponsbot]

Stop that! You... you are the only medic we have! You think I will really allow anyone else to treat me! Hmn!

This was my fault! Not yours!

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[medicalofficer.livejournal.com]

Others may be trained.

Stop blaming yourself! You are being a fool.

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[heavyweaponsbot]

[You know what? Frag this hip - he pushes himself onto his feet, to better glare at him.]

I do not want others! There is only one I want.

[... a statement which eerily paralleled other, non-medical sentiments as well.]

So are you!

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[medicalofficer.livejournal.com]

[ He meets his glare with a questioning look, only partially surprised by the outburst. ]

You are being stubborn.

If you are uncomfortable with me, then I fail to understand why you would want me to work on you.

[SPAMS WITH ACTION!]

[heavyweaponsbot]

[He leans against the wall, since it's the only thing in the vicinity to support his weight.]

No. I am not. None of... no one else is as capable as you are. No one.

... Not... uncomfortable with your work. I... [He takes a long pause. And when he speaks again, he's quieted.]

I... need you.