4th wall after the fact - a thing that should have happened at route_29

[getthehorns]

[ The residents of Casa de Rikku will get a rather rude awakening this morning in the form of Cliffjumper's Haunter freaking the hell out. Yes, Cliffjumper has magically vanished from his usual spot next to Rikku while everyone else was dead asleep. The Ghost pokémon seemed to be the first one to notice as he drifted through the wall of the bedroom.

The sudden appearance of a big red car in the front yard has also got Tanta a little startled. ]

Comments

[machinamonkey]

Don't worry, I don't get motion sick easy!

[This is so much fun.

...And not what most girls mean when they say "my boyfriend gave me the ride of my life" but who cares?!]

[getthehorns]

Good. [ Because this ledge leans more towards being a cliff, and true to his name, he jumps right off it. ]

[machinamonkey]

Ahh! Cliffjumper!

[Rikku nearly bonks her head on the dash from the impact, but she's laughing in between the "ow"s]

[getthehorns]

You okay there?

[machinamonkey]

Yeah! Nearly brained myself, but I'm good!

[getthehorns]

Hey, I won't let you get hurt. I promise.

[machinamonkey]

I know, Cliff. I trust you.

[She pats the dash since...yeah]

[getthehorns]

[ If he had a mouth right now, he'd be smiling. ] Last stop, hold on!

[ He goes tearing into a clearing somewhere and skids to a halt, kicking up a cloud of dust as he does. Once it settles, he opens the door for her again. ]

[machinamonkey]

[Rikku climbs out, laughing when she falls to the ground on her butt for the third time this morning]

Best. Boyfriend. Ever.

[getthehorns]

[ He lets out a laugh as he transforms, sitting down next to her ] And now you know why they call me Cliffjumper.

[machinamonkey]

[Rikku leans up against him. She misses the fleshy Cliff body, but this is nice. It's what Cliff really is, after all]

And I thought it was just because you guys get names like Ironhide and they don't really have a meaning.

[getthehorns]

[ He curls a hand around her, almost protectively. ]

Heh, well, I guess some of us live up to our names. Ironhide is the toughest Autobot I've ever seen, so it fits.

[machinamonkey]

Tough like in a fight or tough as in general stubbornness?

[getthehorns]

Uh, yes. But mostly the first one.

[machinamonkey]

[She giggles and tugs his hand closer]

So, any idea why you're metal again?

[getthehorns]

No clue, but I get the feeling it's happened before.

[machinamonkey]

Really?

[Hm]

Weird.

[getthehorns]

[ He shrugs ] It's probably not gonna last, but I'll enjoy it while I can.

[machinamonkey]

D'you miss being metal all the time?

[getthehorns]

Comes and goes. There's a lot of things I can do as a human that I wouldn't be able to do as a Cybertronian. [ He curls his hand around her a little closer. ]

[machinamonkey]

Like date me?

[Said very softly, but still audibly]

[getthehorns]

You know I wouldn't trade that for the world, right?

[machinamonkey]

[There's no response for a bit]

But you're really happy to be metal again. If there's a way to make it permanent, I don't want you not to...

[getthehorns]

Hey. [ he scoops her up, gently cradling her in both palms as he brings her to his eye-level ]

You mean a lot to me, and you're gonna mean a lot to me no matter what I look like. If I had to choose between lookin' like this or being with you, I'd pick you every time, okay?

[machinamonkey]

[Rikku smiles and hugs as much of Cliff's head as she can without poking him in the eye]

You're too sweet, Cliff.