IC Inbox [Rekindled]

[needlefingers]

Hey this is Chromedome, sorry I didn't catch this but leave a message and I'll get it when I can!

Comments

[needlefingers]

Wait.

You said that you were going to tell Ratchet and Magnus. But the needles would have been in Ratchet's room.

Did you break into Ratchet's apartment?

[pffft]

That's not really the prudent issue here - but yes.

I would rather resolve this privately.

[needlefingers]

You'd... really deliberately break the law for me?

I'm flattered, in a really weird way.

[pffft]

...

Yes, well.

[He crosses his arms.]

You're still my partner.

[needlefingers]

[That might have caused a pang of guilt in his spark. Guilt over what is anyone's guess. He has a lot to be guilty about.]

You're mine too. For better or for worse it seems.

But I don't have the needles. Feel free to tell Ratchet and Magnus. I've got nothing to hide.

[pffft]

I will. I won't be ruling out your involvement when I do.

[Prowl looks at him, considering saying something for a long moment, but eventually just clicks the feed off.]

[Action]

[needlefingers]

[There's a small knock on Prowl's apartment door about an hour later.

Now who could that be.]

[pffft]

I hope you're not here to try and change my mind.

[Prowl says from down the hall. Looks like he was just returning from something.]

[One hand is careful to hover by the embedded gun holster in his leg. He doesn't suspect Chromedome will harm him, per say, but after being tossed into a coma - he couldn't help but be cautious in a moment like this. Not that it looked much more suspicious than having one's hands at their side.]

[needlefingers]

[Chromedome, as it so happened, had both of his hands behind him. When Prowl walks up to him, he holds up a colourful glass sculpture for him to admire.]

Not at all. I actually wanted to give you this.

[Because he knows full well that Prowl would never buy a pointless pretty thing for himself.]

[pffft]

[Prowl looks confused at first at the offering, then touched by the gift, but he keeps his hands at his sides and quickly steels his gaze.]

You should be returning the needles to back to their place. Or at least begin looking a little more concerned that you're the prime suspect in this.

[It was beautiful and most likely the only decorative object he'd have in his apartment. But he couldn't accept.]

But instead you try and placate me.

[needlefingers]

Pfft, you really think I'd believe that this thing would placate you? I got it because I figured you could use a little colour in your life. You're very... black and white.

We can do something other than this needle drama you know.

Speaking of which, I honestly don't have them.

[And he doesn't. So he's technically being honest here.]

I'd be a prime suspect no matter what happens, so I'm not too upset over it.

[pffft]

Chromedome, this investigation isn't just 'drama'. If you're found to have any connection to this your punishment may be much more severe than before.

[He puts his hands on Chromedome's shoulders.]

This is serious.

[needlefingers]

I am serious.

[Chromedome leans in, wanting to be closer despite everything. Prowl's touch feels nice, and maybe he wants more of it.]

And I died Prowl. You can't get much more "severe" than that. I've told you several times that I don't have the needles. I wouldn't lie to you about that. What would I even do with them? Stare at them and think about everything they cost me?

I want to move past this, Prowl. I wish you'd let me.

[pffft]

Let you...

[Prowl immediately stiffens in that familiar way that denotes his displeasure with those words.]

I want to move past this as much as anyone. I wan't you to stay afloat. But it's been getting more and more difficult to trust that you won't drag yourself back into it.

[needlefingers]

I won't. I promise I won't.

I'm trying to get better, Prowl. I want to get better.

Starting with us.

[pffft]

[His expression softens a little. It's difficult to not believe Chromedome wanted to change - partly because Prowl wanted it to be true.]

[The stiffness melts away, and a hand rests gently on the side of his partner's mask.]

I want to help you through this. You know that.

[needlefingers]

[He takes that as an invitation to move closer. His optics dim and he leans his forehead gently against Prowl's. This contact is so desperately wanted that, at that moment, he'd do anything to keep it this way. Optics brighten again and he looks into Prowl's eyes, inviting him even closer if he wants to.]

I know you do, and I appreciate everything you do for me.

[He wants to say it again. Another "I love you". But he doesn't know if Prowl is ready to hear it again.]

I'm sorry about all the trouble I've caused you. It must be a real pain to have me around, huh?

[pffft]

[Prowl shuts his optics tight as Chromedome touches his forehead, avoiding eye contact but staying close to him.]

[At the question, Prowl reacts oddly. He can't help but tremble a little before reaching forward and squeezing Chromedome into a tight hug.]

[There was nothing he missed more from the past than being able to spend a little moment like this. Together. Before the war tore Tumbler apart.]

[It was wrong, it was unprofessional - but for the first time in a long time, he allowed himself to break a little.]

Don't be ridiculous.

[needlefingers]

[Chromedome hugs back the best he could, considering that he's still holding the glass vase. The contact invokes a warm, deep sensation that spreads through his chest. A deep pang of guilt reminds him that he gets the same feeling when he's with Rewind.]

I'm sorry...

[His voice drops to a whisper and he presses his faceplate against Prowl's lips. A rash action. He will never be able to take it back. But the emotions that come from it are intoxicating in themselves. It'd be so easy to just lose himself in it...]

[pffft]

[Prowl opens his eyes again after finding himself kissing Chromedome's mask. The contact sends deep pangs of comfort that no amount of completed work could ever hope to match. He shifts a little lower and buries his face in his partner's neck, simply enjoying the sounds of their bodies in the quiet hallway.]

[He closes his eyes tightly, afraid he might leak light if he opens them again. He was tired of all this. Of the needles. Of needing to be guarded against the only person he'd ever gotten close to.]

[Prowl wanted things to return to normal.]