~forty~ (and to hell with everything)

[glowing_science]

[Klavier's droned. For good.

Needless to say, Ema's taken the discovery pretty hard. The two of them had been together for over a year after arriving within a few months of each other. Yes, lately things had been strained, but they had been working through it. Klavier was her rock, the man who gave her comfort when the town hit her too hard,

Comments

B

[weaponsparked]

[He'd heard the message. And had spent a while trying to decide how best to respond. He'd come up with nothing at all.]

[So... instead. He decides he should go try to find her. Not that he remembers where she lives, but as the Corvette pulls out onto his street, he realizes that's not exactly a problem. She's just down the road, out in front of a house.]

[He slows to a stop, behind her, letting the engine idle.]

[glowing_science]

[Ema hears the car pull up and turns around to see who it is. She's not surprised to find the Corvette idling there.]

Hey, Sideswipe.

I guess you heard?

[weaponsparked]

[The car flips and folds until it's just the Autobot crouching there, and looking as concerned as his facial construction will allow.]

I did... So... I suppose asking if you're all right is an entirely stupid question.

[glowing_science]

It is. I'm not.

[She sighs heavily, sinking her hands into the pockets of her lab coat as her body slumps.]

It's just... not fair. And I wasn't ready for this. At all.

[weaponsparked]

I didn't think you would be.

[He shuffles forward. And... sort of curls a hand around her. It's like a hug.]

It isn't fair... or right. We figured that out a long time ago.

[glowing_science]

[It takes a minute, but Ema eventually realizes what he's trying to do. She places a hand on his (well, a finger) and gives him a sad smile in response. She has to blink back tears.]

We did. And I know. But... it still hurts, you know?

[weaponsparked]

[He sits very still, crouching over her like that. He's not very good with this whole comforting thing -- he never learned how, really. But he's trying.]

I know... It was bad enough when they... When they killed Jolt. I can't... even imagine them taking him.

[glowing_science]

[The fact that he's trying is more than enough. Ema wipes at her eyes with the heel of her hand.]

I hope you never have to deal with it. It's awful, and... well, you and Jolt have more water under the bridge than Klavier and I did.

When I'm feeling better, I want a way out.

[weaponsparked]

More... water...?

[His concerned expression is suddenly horribly confused.]

Don't we all?

[glowing_science]

It's a human expression. It means... that you've been through more together. I forget that you don't know these things.

... is it terrible that I also want to set something on fire?

[weaponsparked]

Oh. Well... I suppose so. Considering the war and all.

[He's silent for a moment, before just shaking his head.]

No. I... wanted to kill them all, myself.

[glowing_science]

I can see why.

But... Jolt's okay. Right?

[weaponsparked]

He is, as far as I know.

... does that help, at all?

[glowing_science]

You've helped, believe it or not. [She wipes at her eyes again.]

Thanks, Sideswipe. Really.

[weaponsparked]

If you say so.

[He tilts his head, peering at her.] Are... you leaking?

[glowing_science]

[Ema nods, then pauses, then shakes her head.]

Scientifically, no. I'm crying. Humans do that when we're sad.