All the baws with The Spein and Jonbut (And a non-formatting laaaazy Kiwi)

[not_doing_puns]

For once, the manor was quiet. They'd finished a rather long round of performances, and by the time they got back even Rabbit was ready for some rest, and so The Spine saw no problem in bringing a book out of the Hall of Wires where he usually hid. Instead he took it outside, figuring he could enjoy some of the sunshine while things were peaceful.

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[tortillatrotter]

Powering on for the first time after their return home from war felt like The Jon was waking up inside of a dream.

Granted, all of reality was distorted and odd to The Jon regularly, but now more than ever his head felt it was collapsing in upon itself, his usually swirling and tumbling and colorful thoughts all distorted and monotone and frightening. Moving to his feet made his head spin in an uncomfortable way (not at all like the fun he felt when spinning around himself), the koi in his chest suddenly sluggish and lethargic as the hum of his power core vibrated almost violently through his brass structure, somehow feeling much stronger than it ever had been before

[tortillatrotter]

And so there it finally was. After much confusion and misunderstanding and just general emotional upset, The Jon had finally had the dots connected one-by-one until the entire black 'n' white picture was complete. Pappy had died, just like Spotty and Taco and Mittens and all of the pets that The Jon had attempted to keep over the years had, and just like them, he had gone up to Heaven in the sky and wasn't going to becoming back.

But still, something was different. Unlike his pets, who had all passed on and disappeared from his life and mind, The Jon couldn't help but feel that their Pappy wasn't quite as far gone as The Spine was saying. But, just like with everything, he also knew that neither of his brothers could see it like he did.

"You know, Pappy and Rabbit and I love you a lot, Spine."

[not_doing_puns]

"I... I know." He whispered, clinging tightly to his brother with an unhappy little venting of steam. "I love you all too. That... that's not changing..." He had a feeling that there was some point The Jon was trying to get at, but as usual he wasn't sure just what it was, not yet.

[tortillatrotter]

"I know Rabbit isn't very happy right now, but that's okay, cause sad times remind you why happy ones are so good. But..." His head tilted a little, trying best to put his thoughts into words that would actually make sense to the silver automaton. Sometimes his speech came out so strangely that no one had a clue what he had been trying to get at.

"But it's okay if you are sad too. You don't have to pretend." His voice dropped to a private whisper, blue eyes wide. "You can cry and yell and say bad words. I won't tell."

[not_doing_puns]

He tried to keep it together. He really did. But it was as if all he'd been waiting for was someone to say 'It's okay', to give him permission, and some previously unknown tension in him loosened. He made one last ditch effort to keep himself composed, a gasping half-sob before he gave it up as a lost cause, burying his face in against his brother's shirt with a low distressed sound.

He'd apologize later for the oil all over everything.

[tortillatrotter]

The Jon took no pleasure in his brother's structure shaking sobs, but the relief that he was giving off at no longer holding it in made the experience worth it. The younger 'bot kept mostly silent while the other released his emotions and oil, stroking his brother's lean back as he hummed a soft, sad little song in the back of his throat.

[not_doing_puns]

He had a lot of pent-up grief to deal with, that was for sure. Four years of it, of seeing his brothers put in harm's way, of holding The Jon in a similar manner as this as he tried to make sense of what was happening, why everyone was fighting. Of hiding the worst of things so that the others wouldn't have to suffer too. Wishing to be home, everything like it was before... only now they were home, and nothing was the same, everything was different and it hurt.

It was some time before his frame stopped quacking with each sob, The Spine finally starting to fall still and quiet, though he didn't move from his spot, little quivers still running through him.

[tortillatrotter]

There was no doubt that The Spine had spent the last four years in his own personal version of hell, even more than his brothers with how he shielded and comforted them. The Jon couldn't quite comprehend just how much his silver sibling had really done to save him from certain sights, but he could sense that he was only the way he was because of The Spine's constant protection and quiet understanding.

"You can power down if you wanna." He leaned down to kiss the other's forehead like he had so often done to him. It was always nice. "I'll stay with you."

[not_doing_puns]

"That... that sounds like a good idea..." The silver bot offered his brother a small smile, grateful that he was there for him. It made all the difference as he shifted from clinging so desperately to hugging the younger automaton.

"...Thank you..."

[tortillatrotter]

The Jon only hummed out a happier tune as he cradled his big brother closer to his small form, happy to be able to help ease his hurt at least a little bit. "Nighty night, Spine. When you wake up, we'll make some welcome back waffles with Petey and Petey."

[not_doing_puns]

"That... sounds real nice." He murmured, curling in against his brother with a soft sigh, shutting his optics. It was nice to just be able to rest like this after so long... even if the circumstances were so sad.

"Nighty night, The Jon."