[What the…?! Blast Off groans irritated. This better isn’t just another useless, unnecessary comm, just because Swindle has the stupid need to hear his voice.]
// What do you want this time? // [He asks without answering the question first. What should he say anyway? Insomnia is taking a toll on him and his team isn’t helping with their pointless comms, either?]
He gives no thought to Swindle not returning to the delapidated house before Cyclonus got to him. After what happened between them, he is confident that Swindle isn't about to try to leave the gestalt any time soon, so he doesn't need the reassurance of his team mate's physical presence.
It occurs to him that Swindle, however, is cursed with Autobottish sentimentality, and might well have returned to the room to find Vortex gone and then got worried about it. Or worse, put off from making such an effort to be an integrated part of the team.
Swindle comes to an abrupt halt again, tyres crunching in the gravel, his brakes screeching. Part of his mind makes a mental note to put them on the list of 'bits to be serviced.' The other part is frozen in horror.
I left him there. Something awful happened ....
Although at least Vortex is talking. And he sounds more or less OK.
But has Swindle gone and ruined what they had together, by not going back? Swindle can hardy bear to think of that possibility.
He says shakily, his voice full of dread: // What happened? //
Yep, as he guessed, Swindle is indeed concerned. Unduly so, in his opinion. He tries radiating a cheerful complete lack of concern through the bond.
//Cyclonus came and got me. What is it with that mech and immobilising people? Ugh. Anyway, Sinnertwin didn't like something I said about his team, so he broke into the brig. Slagger ate a few bits 'cause I couldn't move to stop him, but Cyclonus turned up and introduced him to the wall. So it's all good. I'll kill him later.//
Swindle absorbs the sensations over the bond, relieved not only that Vortex is all right, but also that he hasn't gone all - well - like he was before again. Swindle does not think he could have coped with that.
The mention of Cyclonus, however, puts him ill at ease, although not out of fear for Vortex's safety. It's this thing Cyclonus seems to have for nabbing Vortex and locking him up. And the way Vortex fawns around Cyclonus - like in the medbay after they crashed that time. Swindle isn't jealous - but there's something between them he doesn't understand and it makes him uncomfortable.
However, he tries not to let this show, and to make a joke out of things. Although some of it probably goes across the bond.
// So all my efforts were for nothing, huh? Trust Cyclonus to frag up a decent days work.
The notion of the terrorcon in Vortex's vicinity doesn't make him that happy either - but then a far more uncomfortable thought occurs:
// Uh - V - uh - Cyclonus hasn't figured out how you got out of the brig, has he ?
[OOC: continued from here]If it wasn't for the proximity of Cyclonus, and the highly pleasurable promise that brought with it, Vortex would certainly have responded with the worst possible thing. As it is, however, he's a fair bit more mellow than usual and his desire for unity outweighs his pride. That, and pressing Swindle's buttons just doesn't have the entertainment value that it used to. Well, not those buttons, anyway
( ... )
Swindle listens to everything Vortex says without interrupting. His emotions stir more as his team mate talks, it hurts, and Swindle gets up and starts pacing, as he tends to, in the subconscious hope that movement will diminish the feelings.
It's partly what Vortex is saying, which comes across as so - sensible. Nothing Swindle disagrees with. But it's mostly that he says it at all, that he seems to understand and - more importantly cares now. It does not matter what the basis for which he cares, the fact that he doesn't want Swindle to get hurt or worse after so many eons of apparently not giving a pit is nearly overwhelming.
Swindle's frame shudders, he says quiety: // I shouldn't take things out on you Vortex, I'm sorry. //
Then he adds miserably: // I'd be happy to have both! It's just he couldn't handle that. It made him jealous. Just like what he's been doing makes me jealous because, I don't want anyone else getting what ought to be mine. We're jealous types, I think V, him and me. Like - I used to be jealous
( ... )
His attempt to reassure Swindle via the bond is immediate and without conscious intent, although he doesn't regret it. It does, however, disconcert him a little - in the same way as all reminders that his thoughts are not entirely his own, and that he has no way of telling any more how much of his desires and impulses are a result of the gestalt programming.
//Yeah, I'll ask.//
He ignores the implicit criticism in Swindle's statement about not going through millions of years of jealousy and other garbage like with him. If it wasn't for the combiner programming - and getting stranded in the Nexus - that would never have come to an end.
//Uh, probably not right now, though. He's kinda torqued about the whole 'getting put back in the CR and having the engravings vanish again' thing.//
He pauses, again searching for the right words.
//Uh, Swin, how, um... How the frag did you bond the things in the first place? 'Cause this one time one of the Autobots showed me his spark and I kinda burned the inside of my mouth. But it didn't like
( ... )
Swindle absorbs the reassurance, although he can feel a degree of pique' emanating down the bond - of the sort which used to precede arguments. He feels further reassured that Vortex does not go down that path, and wonders what he said. He mutters: // I'm not having a go at you or anything V. Just at myself for getting so screwed up about everything. All I'm saying is - I don't wanna do that again. Over anyone. Or have them do it over me. //
He doesn't understand the 'engravings' comment, and is a little disappointed that Vortex can't ask Cyclonus "now." Especially since the guy is obviously right there. But then he thinks of how he, Swindle, is probably not Cyclonus' favorite mech at the moment, and decides not to push the issue. Anyway, Vortex asks that question about the sparks.
And despite his bleak mood, and the apallingness of his whole situation, it amuses him:
// You're not supposed to try and eat them, Vortex! When you bond them, you just kinda put them together. I dunno - it just happens. It's like -
( ... )
Comments 45
[Blast Off was just about to try to recharge when Swindle’s comm pings him. He growls annoyed and snaps over the link:]
// What? //
Reply
[Despite the frustrating seriousness of the situation, Swindle's delighted that Blast Off commed him back so soon.]
His engine revs, happily.]
// Blast! How's it swingin'?
Reply
[What the…?! Blast Off groans irritated. This better isn’t just another useless, unnecessary comm, just because Swindle has the stupid need to hear his voice.]
// What do you want this time? // [He asks without answering the question first. What should he say anyway? Insomnia is taking a toll on him and his team isn’t helping with their pointless comms, either?]
Reply
[ Swindle grinds along the rough surface, gears crashing occasionally.]
// Blast - are you gonna be - flying around in the near future by any chance? \\
Reply
//Hey, Swindle.//
He gives no thought to Swindle not returning to the delapidated house before Cyclonus got to him. After what happened between them, he is confident that Swindle isn't about to try to leave the gestalt any time soon, so he doesn't need the reassurance of his team mate's physical presence.
It occurs to him that Swindle, however, is cursed with Autobottish sentimentality, and might well have returned to the room to find Vortex gone and then got worried about it. Or worse, put off from making such an effort to be an integrated part of the team.
//Guess what? I'm in med bay!//
Reply
Swindle comes to an abrupt halt again, tyres crunching in the gravel, his brakes screeching. Part of his mind makes a mental note to put them on the list of 'bits to be serviced.' The other part is frozen in horror.
I left him there. Something awful happened ....
Although at least Vortex is talking. And he sounds more or less OK.
But has Swindle gone and ruined what they had together, by not going back? Swindle can hardy bear to think of that possibility.
He says shakily, his voice full of dread: // What happened? //
Reply
Yep, as he guessed, Swindle is indeed concerned. Unduly so, in his opinion. He tries radiating a cheerful complete lack of concern through the bond.
//Cyclonus came and got me. What is it with that mech and immobilising people? Ugh. Anyway, Sinnertwin didn't like something I said about his team, so he broke into the brig. Slagger ate a few bits 'cause I couldn't move to stop him, but Cyclonus turned up and introduced him to the wall. So it's all good. I'll kill him later.//
Reply
Swindle absorbs the sensations over the bond, relieved not only that Vortex is all right, but also that he hasn't gone all - well - like he was before again. Swindle does not think he could have coped with that.
The mention of Cyclonus, however, puts him ill at ease, although not out of fear for Vortex's safety. It's this thing Cyclonus seems to have for nabbing Vortex and locking him up. And the way Vortex fawns around Cyclonus - like in the medbay after they crashed that time. Swindle isn't jealous - but there's something between them he doesn't understand and it makes him uncomfortable.
However, he tries not to let this show, and to make a joke out of things. Although some of it probably goes across the bond.
// So all my efforts were for nothing, huh? Trust Cyclonus to frag up a decent days work.
The notion of the terrorcon in Vortex's vicinity doesn't make him that happy either - but then a far more uncomfortable thought occurs:
// Uh - V - uh - Cyclonus hasn't figured out how you got out of the brig, has he ?
Reply
Reply
Swindle listens to everything Vortex says without interrupting. His emotions stir more as his team mate talks, it hurts, and Swindle gets up and starts pacing, as he tends to, in the subconscious hope that movement will diminish the feelings.
It's partly what Vortex is saying, which comes across as so - sensible. Nothing Swindle disagrees with. But it's mostly that he says it at all, that he seems to understand and - more importantly cares now. It does not matter what the basis for which he cares, the fact that he doesn't want Swindle to get hurt or worse after so many eons of apparently not giving a pit is nearly overwhelming.
Swindle's frame shudders, he says quiety: // I shouldn't take things out on you Vortex, I'm sorry. //
Then he adds miserably: // I'd be happy to have both! It's just he couldn't handle that. It made him jealous. Just like what he's been doing makes me jealous because, I don't want anyone else getting what ought to be mine. We're jealous types, I think V, him and me. Like - I used to be jealous ( ... )
Reply
//Yeah, I'll ask.//
He ignores the implicit criticism in Swindle's statement about not going through millions of years of jealousy and other garbage like with him. If it wasn't for the combiner programming - and getting stranded in the Nexus - that would never have come to an end.
//Uh, probably not right now, though. He's kinda torqued about the whole 'getting put back in the CR and having the engravings vanish again' thing.//
He pauses, again searching for the right words.
//Uh, Swin, how, um... How the frag did you bond the things in the first place? 'Cause this one time one of the Autobots showed me his spark and I kinda burned the inside of my mouth. But it didn't like ( ... )
Reply
Swindle absorbs the reassurance, although he can feel a degree of pique' emanating down the bond - of the sort which used to precede arguments. He feels further reassured that Vortex does not go down that path, and wonders what he said. He mutters: // I'm not having a go at you or anything V. Just at myself for getting so screwed up about everything. All I'm saying is - I don't wanna do that again. Over anyone. Or have them do it over me. //
He doesn't understand the 'engravings' comment, and is a little disappointed that Vortex can't ask Cyclonus "now." Especially since the guy is obviously right there. But then he thinks of how he, Swindle, is probably not Cyclonus' favorite mech at the moment, and decides not to push the issue. Anyway, Vortex asks that question about the sparks.
And despite his bleak mood, and the apallingness of his whole situation, it amuses him:
// You're not supposed to try and eat them, Vortex! When you bond them, you just kinda put them together. I dunno - it just happens. It's like - ( ... )
Reply
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