sorrynotguilty | IC Inbox

That remains to be seen. Can I see you in my quarters? I'd prefer not the have this conversation in a digital space.

[ Very curt. ]

[ oh man. is Drift mad? upset? ]

Right away.

[ look, Megatron can even be there literally one minute later. knocking. ]

Drift?

[ perhaps some concern bleeding into the tone of his voice? ]

[ The benefits of living next door: Drift isn't forced to keep up the stalwart act for too long. Which is doubly difficult because ordering around his former commander and having him jump is kinda hot. ]

Secure the door please. And sit.

[ These are private matters! At any rate, Drift is seated as the small table in the room sharpening one of his swords, his face serious but unreadable. He looks up from the weapon, his face almost grave....until a twisting curve works its way slowly onto his face, splitting into a smile when he can't hold back anymore.

He gestures at Megatron with the sharpening stone, mirth and wonder in his tone. ]

Did you seriously convince Rodimus to propose to me?

[ usually Drift isn't so grave or serious. rather, he hasn't been since Megatron has come to have him in his life again. unless the situation merits it. thus to have Drift calling him here in that tone with THAT expression...

isn't it only natural that he'd be somewhat concerned? think that something is underfoot? ]

Urgent, you say...

[ must be if Drift is sharpening those swords. that's why he secures the door and takes a seat.

then the expression on Drift's face shifts and he realizes that he's been had. Megatron's expression also changes. to neutral. ]

Did I really just fall for something like that so easily...

[Drift wouldn't do this often, raise a false alarm, but this is, quite literally, a special occasion.

He rises with a fond smile on his face, setting down the sword and sharpening stone in preference for putting those hands on Megatron's plating. He's pleased as energon punch really, and it has nothing to do with fooling his former leader.]

Now, now. I only spoke truth. It is important that we talk and I wanted to thank you...

To thank me for what, exactly?

[ Megatron doesn't think he really had anything to do with it. however Drift is more than pleased, it seems. Drift is practically bubbling, filled to the brim with a happy energy.

but back to the question that Drift had asked. one of Megatron's hands pats one of Drift's. ]

He proposed, you say?

[ well that's one way to settle the issue. ]

I can't take credit for what he has decided. My involvement in the matter really is minor. I only asked him what it was he wanted.

For shifting his perspective. I was trying...but sometimes it takes an outside influence to get us thinking in different terms.

[It's as simple as that. Saying Megatron convinced Rodimus of anything is a gross simplification of the whole thing. Rodimus needed to come to his conclusions on his own, but getting out of that rut of fear wasn't something Drift had been succeeding with at all. If anything he was only making those ruts deeper.

Drift chuffs a soft laugh. He's glad he can laugh about this.]

He did. I was feeling bad, like I pushed him too far and managed to damage what we had. So I thought to repair things and set him at ease by doing the Amica Ritus. Heh. Needless to say he turned around on me before I could finish.

And here you thought I might have some difficulty speaking his language.

[ Megatron takes a moment to preen and be smug. he knows he actually does have issues talking things out with Rodimus. they are just too different to mesh completely. thing get lost in translation even in the best of moments. ]

I didn't think you'd go so far as the Amica Ritus...

[ even he is a little floored by that one. ]

Well....yes. If I'm honest.

[He sees that smugness, that preening. And it is still so, so attractive. He comes over the lean a hip against Megatron's side, careful that the helm isn't one of the places his casually affectionate hands land. Megatron isn't like Rodimus who seems to thrive of physical stimuli. No, more like focused and intentional is Megatron's way. Drift sits somewhere in the middle.]

Well he is my best friend. We've talked about growing even older together. It wasn't an illogical step, especially in the wake of me accidentally trying to push him on the romantic front. I just... I guess in my fear of losing it all I was willing to give up that part to save and secure our friendship.

Heh. He sure surprised me!

[ Megatron does like focused and intention. however, there is something to be said for casual. he's finding that he likes it more than he had in the past. ]

You're not wrong, exactly. It is still a "work in progress" that I believe we'll always be working on, no matter how it all turns out.

[ that's just how it is, honestly. at this point, Megatron isn't sure about what course of action Rodimus is liable to take. it puts a feeling of wary uncertainty into his field, but he pulls it back in. there are better things to focus on.

like pretty much sweeping Drift off of his feet and into Megatron's lap. that is a much better place for the white mech. surely Drift agrees. ]

It is somewhat rational, to a degree. Though I suspect that the fear played a larger role in the hasty decision. Does it really matter now?

More ways to grow then. Certainly better than having none.

[Megatron and Deadlock are a great example of what happens when there is no room made to grow or change, when there is only stagnancy. Deadlock especially; the epitome of his name.

Despite knowing well Megatron's habit of scooping up and claiming or carrying, Drift still lets out a little puff of surprised air has he's pulled in that lap. It turns into an airy laugh, banishing a little of his hidden worry.]

Mmm. Correct, most likely. I'm glad we found a happy way out of it in the end. But that brings me to why I wanted us to talk...

You're so positive about it all.

[ Megatron rolls his optics, but really it doesn't bother him. it's just a thing that Drift does now, for better or worse.

however, he does take joy in that little surprised puff of air. ]

I have a feeling there is much talking ahead for me.

You knew me when I wasn't.

[ It bears noting, Drift doesn't even need to explain. It wasn't like that in the beginning, but eventually Megatron did become a target for that relentless, driving anger. Even Deadlock's frustration and despair was channeled into it. It wasn't hope that keep Deadlock fighting in the war, no. Hate. Anger. Desperation.

It's a sober topic, but Drift, as always, feels no further need to excuse or explain himself. This is who he is now and is better for it. ]

Do you have something on your calendar that would prevent that?

[ Just checking. If he's going to get settled into this lap, he's gonna hang around a while. ]

I know. It doesn't really change my opinion of you, the you of now that is.

[ there's no need to further explain, no. they both know enough of one another's past. but that's just it, isn't it? it's in the past. they are moving on from that, onto something new. hopefully towards the future.

a finger slides under Drift's chin. ]

I might have a pressing appointment. Should I check?

[ no, no he doesn't have anything on the books, Drift. he's just being a little shit. ]

[ He settles a little more into that lap with a wiggle, as if making a statement. Try and move him, Megs. ]

I'll wait while you check.

[ All is fair and love and trolling, after all. Besides, there's another statement there. You're worth waiting for, Megs.]

Edited 2017-07-21 04:46 (UTC)

[ yeah, Megatron gets the point. sort of. it's not entirely blatant, but Drift sure does like subtle. the tank can appreciate that. ]

Hmm. It seems as though I am entirely free.

[ almost meaning that, well, he'd drop most things for you even if he were busy. ]

[ Drift knows that his lessons learned are not necessarily the lessons of others, even if the advice is still good and he still gives it anyway. Having spent 90% of his life in a negative space though? Positive is a better thing to strive for. ]

Excellent. [ Drift's turn to be smug. His engine purrs a little. ] Now you're occupied.

But in all seriousness, this is...an unexpected development. It's happened though and makes me ecstatic, but, I don't want to step away from this.

[ He lays a hand on Megatron's chestplate, over where he imagines that spark resides. Subtle indeed. ]

[ well, he would have been occupied either way! but that move isn't subtle, Drift. not at all. neither is the way one of Megatron's hands cover Drift's. ]

I'll admit, I was fully prepared to step to the wayside.

[ because what else could he do? Megatron, of all individuals, isn't about to step in the way of someone and their happiness. not for his own sake. not anymore. ]

However, I wondered if it would come to that at all.

[ mostly because of the way that Rodimus has been talking that night. now, of course, it's because of the way Drift is carrying on right at this second. still, hearing Drift say it cause a bit of tenseness in his shoulders to release. Megatron hadn't even been aware of it. ]

[He delights in Rodimus's bold manner and approach but there's things about Megatron, like these subtle signals, that is very appealing as well.]

I thought that you might. I thought I might not have a say in it either. I wasn't sure how you'd feel about the idea. I... Honestly I thought you might step aside like it was nothing while secretly being upset...

[This is the last thing he wants. He opens his mouth to continue but something entirely different comes out.]

Is it selfish of me to want both?

Again, the thought did occur to me. Largely because I knew that you would think I'd be secretly upset about losing something that had barely begun. [ it's not hard to figure out Drift's mindset on the matter. ] You wouldn't have been entirely wrong to think it either. I know I would have acted like it was nothing.

[ not that he wouldn't have been secretly upset. Megatron would have felt a bit of a loss, then reprimanded himself for it. it isn't for him to impede on someone's happiness. he has no illusions that he deserves it for himself. ]

And quite frankly, Drift, you are the least selfish person I know. At the moment. Who is alive.

[ because in the end, Bee had been quite selfless. but that's not what this is about. Megatron brings Drift's hand to his mouth, an action that he has grown rather accustomed to doing as of late. ]

I can't say that this isn't... Unusual. Yet your other partner seems to be in agreement with you so who am I to judge? Am I not just as selfish for allowing it?

I guess that makes it easy then; we're both on the same page. [A beat.] Except that part about you deserving good things.

[Yeah, Drift can guess your mindset too, Megatron.] I think we've seen what happens to people who have few in the way of good things in their lives. Deserving or not, good things help us be better people.

[Drift often wonders what his early life would have been life if he'd been less destitute. But even with that philosophy is hard to think himself deserving. Small wonder why selfishness comes up. Drift flusters a bit, faceplates gently heating.]

I, er. T-thank you?

[He can't imagine it honestly.]

Does that mean you will? That's what I wanted to ask you today. If you'd be willing to continue and if there were any, I don't, terms to make things work better?

I didn't realize I had said anything of the sort.

[ casually not going to admit that Drift apparently can trace some of his thought processes so easily. transparency... Megatron doesn't know what to do with it.

but there's the real meat of the conversation coming up. Megatron can dance around the other topic a little longer. Drift's flustered face provides him with that slight distraction - not that he believes in any way that it has been forgotten. ]

Terms? Now you make it sound like a binding contract. [ he chuckles, then gives it some serious thought. ] I am not opposed to continuing, Drift. As for how to make things work better, I couldn't say. This... Is not familiar territory. I know not what to expect and what to demand.

You didn't need to. [Drift smiles an understanding smile.] I've been there, remember?

[They share more than a few things in common, it's one of the reasons this is working between them.]

Then give me a better word, poet. [He teases. But really, Drift doesn't know a better word because it's not familiar territory for him either.] Look, I just want to do right by both of you, I'm not sure how any of this works either.

I know. Really, being so transparent puts me ill at ease.

[ it's not about Drift. more like Megatron isn't really sure what to do when people can so easily tell what is on his mind. it's been too long since anyone really has. ]

Which I know you do. I think that we will just have to stumble along, finding where to dig in and where to yield. It isn't going to be particularly easy, but... Well, I suppose you's say "hopefully rewarding."

[ what works for him doesn't necessarily work for Drift and Rodimus. every facet has their own personality and quirks to match. it's finding that balance, where all three mesh well enough together, that is going to take time to nurture. ]

I know I require a bit more patience.

Because it's different from what you're used to or for some other reason?

[Drift chuckles.] It's true. I would say that. And believe it too.

[Then leans a little closer, helm coming to rest on the wide shoulder.]. I love that about you, though. You balance Rodimus so well. I love him dearly and I love what we have together but I could never handle two of him.

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Oh action now duh

you goob

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