Yes, another one of these

[andallthatme]

[ This might be a training center. And this might be a lieutenant running a few drills. It's been far too long since he did any sort of training, anyway.

Right now the Cybertronian version of a punching bag is occupying his attention. ]

Comments

[show_my_cannons]

[He can feel himself returning the sentiment, returning everything. Metal is bending under his fingers with the sheer force of will it's taken him to hang on this long.

And then there is no line. There isn't any more distance, and he starts to slip.]

[andallthatme]

[ He can tell, somehow, that Ironhide is beginning to fade, and he briefly wishes they were built to withstand more of this.

But he's nodding, for some reason, even though he's pretty sure the other isn't paying attention.

It's okay. Go. ]

[show_my_cannons]

[He wonders, for a moment, how he can hear Jazz speak. But then it's gone, and he falls backward, offline and reeling. Without even the energy to close his panels up.

His whole body just goes limp, everything working overtime to try and recover from the exertion.]

[andallthatme]

[ For his own part, Jazz only has the energy left to pry his hands out of Ironhide's paneling, before falling offline himself

He's exhausted, but content ]

[show_my_cannons]

[He's offline for a long, long while. Moreso than usual. He's contented too, but completely drained.

When he does come back around, it's only with a flicker of his good optic, and a muffled groan.]

[andallthatme]

[ He's online- has been for a while- and still sprawled over Ironhide's chest, feeling too lazy to move.

He grins. ] Good morning.

[show_my_cannons]

[The grunt is probably Ironhide-speak for "Good morning". He slowly lifts a hand to rub at his head - feels stiff, everything does.]

Feel all right...?

[andallthatme]

Tired. A little sore. [ he stretches, working out the kinks in his limbs ] But otherwise fine. [ Quite fine, actually. That was amazing. ]

You?

[show_my_cannons]

[He lets his arm flop back down.]

... Feels like I could... recharge for a week. Or refuel for a day. Whichever came first.

[That was pretty good though. Whatever it was. He doesn't know.]

[andallthatme]

[ He's not too sure himself- and frankly he's not yet figured out that some of these thoughts aren't his own. ]

I vote for the former.

[ He's quite content where he is- and if recharging for a week means staying here with you, like this, he's all for it. He loves you, and he loves being with you. ]

[show_my_cannons]

[Jazz's thoughts right now are mirroring his too closely for him to tell. He sighs heavily, shuttering his optics again.]

Yeah... Sounds good.

[But... But there's courses he needs to get back to running - he can tick off each one in his head right now - and as much as he agrees, he loves you, he loves being with you...

Wait. What.]

[andallthatme]

... [ What indeed. Since when does he know your schedule that well? ]

Uh, Ironhide-?

[show_my_cannons]

[There's a long, long silence while a vague sort of dread starts creeping up on him.]

... Yeah?

[andallthatme]

Did we- are we--

[ bonded? ]

[show_my_cannons]

...

[Don't say that word, don't say that word, they can't be, it's too dangerous--]

... I... don't know.

[andallthatme]

... I didn't say that word. Not out loud.

[ He's so sorry. So, so sorry. ]

[show_my_cannons]

...

[He can't say anything. He just covers his face, like he can shut it out.]

[Don't be sorry--enough of blame--they both had to want this, on some level--now what do they do?]

[andallthatme]

... I don't know.

[ He's part terrified, part worried, part... happy ]

[show_my_cannons]

[He's just scared. Flat out, no-other-word-for-it-scared... that it's going to hurt the other 'Bot, that he's done something wrong, he'll break this too, if they lose one another...]

...

Me either.

[andallthatme]

Ironhide, stop. We're not going to lose one another.

[ And he means it. He refuses to let that happen- he'd long since promised himself that he would never, ever lose you again. ]

[show_my_cannons]

... You cannot promise me that.

[He'd never intended to die. He doubted Jazz had either, back in Mission City. Or Prime in the forest. And now, more than ever, he can't lose you.]

[andallthatme]

I can and I will.

[ He has to. He's scared too- and Ironhide's thoughts on the matter aren't helping- but for his own sake he has to tell himself they'll be all right. ]

[show_my_cannons]

[This... is so bizarre. He can't even begin to describe it. He can feel the other's unease, because of his own... But he can't stop thinking it, hard as he tries.

His vocals only emit a brief burst of static, before he reaches up, to pull Jazz's forehead against his own, just holding him there.]

[andallthatme]

[ He just... clings. He can't think of anything else to do.

This could not have been a mistake. The timing, yes, but not the act. He loves you, and wanting to be together like this- please don't say it was a mistake. ]

[show_my_cannons]

[He can't think of anything either, despite how hard his processor is racing.

That... hurts. On some level. Partially because he knows it's his fault it even came up. If he hadn't reacted like this...]

Just... just need time. Sink in. Adjust.

[That's all. He swears it. Bad timing - that's all.]