o24 ★ THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME.

[electrowhipit]

[ There's a clatter as the phone is knocked off the hook. Another as Jolt tries to pick it up you can hear him muttering: ]

I'm back- it can't be true, it can't-- I'm back.

[ A final scramble for the phone and he manages to grab it. There's no mistaking the urgency of his tone ]

Sideswipe-- I need to talk to Sideswipe!

Comments

[electrowhipit]

[ He's angry, suddenly, and he snaps: ] I don't know!

[ And then it hits him. How would they know? It didn't seem strange at the time, but looking back on it now...

He slumps down, sitting just inside the doorway, feeling a little dazed and a lot like he's a total idiot ] I don't know.

[weaponsparked.livejournal.com]

[They're both angry, which doesn't help his mood swings one bit.]

Maybe you should have thought about it before you went accusing me!

[Before he can come off this "anger high", he tosses a little box at Jolt, shoving himself to his feet. Stalking off just makes him feel dazed, stupid, and it's not until he gets into the livingroom that the alien feelings start to clear.]

[electrowhipit]

[ That stings. It stings a lot, but he won't say he didn't deserve it.

The box misses him, and hits the doorjamb instead. It pops open, and it's only when its contents go clattering to the floor that Jolt looks up.

It's a ring. The ring. And just the sight of it makes Jolt want to cry.

But he picks it up and heads for the living room. He's afraid this is already beyond repair, but he needs to try. He has to try. ] Sideswipe?

[weaponsparked.livejournal.com]

[He's sprawled himself out on the couch, as per usual, scowling over at the tree as if trying to set it on fire with his eyes. He has some acidic comment prepared. But when Jolt enters, it drains out of him.

Why... does he keep feeling like this? Why are his eyes stinging?]

What?

[He presses his hand against his eyes, hoping that's going to help.]

[electrowhipit]

I'm so sorry.

[ And he is. Truly and deeply. Why does this kind of stuff always happen to them? ]

[weaponsparked.livejournal.com]

Mmn.

[Even as he makes that little noise, he... feels the same way. He scrubs his hand over his face again, breathing slowly.]

... I'm sorry.

Something's... wrong with me.

[electrowhipit]

What do you mean? [ Now he's confused and concerned ]

[weaponsparked.livejournal.com]

I don't... know.

[Jolt's confusion isn't helping. At all. Everything just keeps getting jumbled, the more he tries to think.]

... Forget it.

[electrowhipit]

[ Now he's just plain concerned ] Sideswipe... what's going on?

You didn't... get a present, did you?

[weaponsparked.livejournal.com]

I don't know, I said. Everyone... they're driving me insane. The second I get near them, I feel like I'm going out of my processor. Even you!

[He shakes his head, running his hands through his hair before glancing at Jolt - and looking concerned. Not frustrated or upset anymore.]

No. A note. Did... you? Is that how...?

[electrowhipit]

[ He just nods ] Can I see it? Your note, I mean.

[weaponsparked.livejournal.com]

[He gestures vaguely in the direction of the note (http://mayfield-mods.livejournal.com/48852.html?thread=1517780), burying his face in his hands.]

... I'm sorry I threw that. At you.

[electrowhipit]

... I deserved it. [ he wanders over to find the note, and he has to read it a couple of times before he gets it

He glances over at Sideswipe, plainly worried ] How do you feel?

[weaponsparked.livejournal.com]

Mmn.

[He shrugs, examining his feet.] ... Worried. Hurt.

[electrowhipit]

That's how I feel.

[weaponsparked.livejournal.com]

And I'm sorry. All right? What more am I supposed to say?

[... not getting it.]

[electrowhipit]

No, I mean that's exactly how I feel.

[weaponsparked.livejournal.com]

... It... is?

[He blinks. Turns a few things over in his head. And then his voice is... very small.]

Oh.

[electrowhipit]

[ Now he feels bad. And maybe a little embarrassed that Sideswipe had to witness his breakdown so... intimately ] I'm sorry.

[weaponsparked.livejournal.com]

I...

[Deep breaths, Sideswipe. Deep breaths.] I didn't know... you hurt like that. Or that... much.

[electrowhipit]

I'm... I'm trying to work on it. [ how he's really embarrassed ]

[weaponsparked.livejournal.com]

[He doesn't know how to answer that. He just pulls his knees up to his chest.]

I'm so... sorry.

[electrowhipit]

Don't be. I doubted you, and I shouldn't have.

[weaponsparked.livejournal.com]

[He says nothing for a moment, his face planted against his knees.]

... I don't... want you to feel that way.

[electrowhipit]

[ He heads back over to the couch, and crouches, putting his hand on Sideswipe's cheek ]

I'm so sorry you had to deal with that.

[ He is genuinely sorry. But there's also love there. ]