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]

[ 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. ]

[weaponsparked.livejournal.com]

You... felt that way. You shouldn't be sorry for... feeling. I guess. I'm not good at this.

[He almost pulls his head back, wondering if whatever's been done to him only gets worse with proximity. It would certainly explain a few things.

But... this is the first good feeling he's experienced all day. He takes a shaky breath.]

This... is what it's going to be like. Isn't it?

[electrowhipit]

... Only kind of. I'll be able to feel what you're feeling too.

And we won't have Mayfield around to make me feel like my world has ended.

[weaponsparked.livejournal.com]

[More silence. He's... trying to figure out exactly what to say.]

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

[electrowhipit]

I... I can't promise I won't. Not as long as we're stuck here.

[weaponsparked.livejournal.com]

... then I'll just have to get you home. Really home.

[electrowhipit]

[ A smile- accompanied by a warm sort of affection- as he perches on the edge of the couch ] I'd like that.

[weaponsparked.livejournal.com]

[He can't really say anything to that - not without getting choked up. Instead, he uncurls an arm from around his legs and reaches over to grip Jolt's hand. That feeling... it feels so good after everything else today.]

[electrowhipit]

[ He's still got the ring in his hand, and he passes it over when their hands touch ] I think you dropped this.