[Open]

[tsunclonus]

Who: Cyclonus and YOU!
When: Between the 18th and the 24th (pre-Scraplets)
Where: Cargo Bay/Hallways/Observation Deck
What: Cyclonus gets his mail, starts doing his job, and tries to be a better boyfriend.
Warnings: Gay robots. (Will update as needed)


Cargo Bay, 18th

Cyclonus has received a message about a package waiting for him, and has made his way to the cargo bay to retrieve it. He opens the large crate first, and much to his relief it's the energon he requested. The rest of the Cybertronians will be pleased to hear that they can relax the energon rationing somewhat.

He's surprised by the second, smaller crate. He didn't request anything else. Pulling off the lid, however, his jaw actually drops. If anyone approaches, he'll be quickly pressing the cover back into place.


Hallways - Various

Following the shipment of energon received on the 18th, Cyclonus has decided to actually start doing his job. With the energy available now to project his holoform, the Moira's crew will find a tall, dark-skinned, red-eyed, and purple-haired woman prowling the hallways, wearing something that looks like an odd amalgamation of his usual holo dress and his appropriate Moira uniform.

He's busy getting a better sense of the ship's layout in order to plan evacuation routes and it's much easier to get around when you're the size of a human, so his holomatter avatar can be found all over the ship.


Observation Deck - Semi-closed to Tailgate

It took him awhile to work up his courage and set aside his pride, but several days after the mail drop, Tailgate will receive a simple message in his inbox from Cyclonus:

Meet me on the Observation Deck

Comments

[daintylegs]

Oooh, that was different and intriguing! Tailgate instantly abandoned his craft projects and drove all the way to the observation deck, his mind racing through all the possible reasons Cyclonus would send for him. Was someone dying? Did someone new somehow arrive? Or maybe Cyclonus just wanted to spend time with him. He seemed more intent on doing that lately.

"Cyclonus!" Tailgate said as he motored into the observation deck. This was a creepy place when you were alone, but it was alright with someone else. He transformed and walked excitedly up to his friend. "You wanted to see me?"

[tsunclonus]

"Tailgate," Cyclonus says, greeting his friend as warmly as he ever does, having turned from the view at the sound of Tailgate's engine.

His holomatter avatar is crouched over something off to one side, and after a moment the opening notes of The Power of Love ring out across the empty deck. With a soft smile, Cyclonus holds out his hand.

"I owe you a dance."

[daintylegs]

Tailgate could have died right there and then and he would have had no regrets in life. His optics light up with pure delight. He knew that song! It was the same song he tried to get Cyclonus to dance to before. He faintly recalled Getaway taking that dance instead because Cyclonus had been an old numpty about it.

Things were different now, and Tailgate tried to approach it as dignified as possible.

"Yes you do." He said, walking up to the other bot and taking the outstretched hand.

[tsunclonus]

Cyclonus very distinctly recalls Getaway stealing that dance... right out from under his nose as he grudgingly prepared to accept. That's part of the reason he had made himself do this after the record and record player showed up unexpectedly for him.

He had a lot to make up for. And given the look on Tailgate's face, it will be completely worth it. The utter happiness in his optics makes Cyclonus's spark flutter.

He doesn't actually know how to dance, at least not the way these darn young people do, but he knows some of the old dances of Cybertron that he can at least try to lead Tailgate through, never mind whether or not it fits with the music or that their height difference makes things a little awkward.

Holding that little white hand tight, he tugs it up and tries to twirl his friend closer.

[daintylegs]

He allows himself to be twirled closer and does his novel best not to trip over his own feet. His thoughts go instantly to all the human romance movies he's seen in the past, and he feels like this scene was in at least four of them. The thought makes him super giddy and nervous. Does Cyclonus feel the same way? Should he ask?

"This is nice." Tailgate says as he follows Cyclonus through a dance that doesn't match the music. He doesn't care though, it's Cyclonus himself that's the most important bit. "Where'd you learn to dance?"

[tsunclonus]

Don't worry, Tailgate, even if you stumble Cyclonus will be here to catch you.

"I'm glad," he says, smiling softly. He likes to see Tailgate happy, and as selfish as it is, he's especially pleased to see Tailgate happy with him.

"In Upper Tetrahax, as I learned the arts of combat," he explains, leading Tailgate around the floor against a backdrop of stars and planet. "Dancing was seen as a partner to fighting. To be good at either required grace, coordination, an awareness of your surroundings..."

[daintylegs]

Tailgate can't help the look of admiration he gives to Cyclonus. His friend is so cultured and amazing, he feels so lucky to have him as a friend. Of course, Tailgate's well aware that it's his own persistence that's brought them to this point. If he had given up on Cyclonus the first time Cyclonus had told him to drop dead, then they wouldn't be here now.

Right now is a very good place to be.

"It's a good thing you don't need any of those things to dance at a party." Tailgate jokes, partially referring to how everyone flailed around during Thunderclash's funeral dance. He had done his own share of flailing around, a lot of it with Getaway, who flailed around a lot more elegantly than he did.

Thoughts of Getaway causes his visor to dim a little and he looks away. There's something that's been bothering him lately. But if he says something to Cyclonus, would Getaway be angry with him? He probably would.

[tsunclonus]

Cyclonus gives a small chuckle at the reminder of Tailgate's dancing at the party - the part before Getaway dragged him off, he doesn't want to think of that.

"I suppose you don't." Such unrestrained partying and general fun-having wasn't something Cyclonus was inclined to engage in. He hadn't even danced more formally since he was young. Sometimes he envies Tailgate's ability to just let go. Perhaps he has become too rigid in his old age...

He's distracted from his thoughts and the dance as Tailgate glances away, suddenly not looking quite so happy. He slows to a halt.

"Is something wrong?" Is it his fault?

[daintylegs]

Tailgate's first instinct is to say no, everything is just dandy. But that's a complete lie, and Tailgate is rather tired of those. He feels nervous, however, when they slow to a stop and he wonders if he can get through this without upsetting anyone.

"You asked me before why I thought you were embarrassed by me." Tailgate says slowly. He has to be honest, especially with Cyclonus. "Getaway's been telling me for weeks now how you think that I'm an embarrassment to you, and how it'd be better if I just left you alone. It's part of the reason why I haven't been around much. I just thought that maybe I had misjudged somewhere and... you didn't value our friendship the way I did." There. He said it. Who knows what'll happen now.

[tsunclonus]

Stillness turns to stiffness, every joint in Cyclonus's body going rigid with rage. Not at Tailgate, no, but at just how much Getaway had done to damage their relationship. How much he'd done to damage Tailgate.

His avatar takes the needle off the record. Now is not the time for music of good times. Getting down on one knee, he grasps both of Tailgate's shoulders firmly, as if worried he'll float away.

"Getaway is a liar," he says, words coming out with a growl. He takes a moment to compose himself, voice and optics softer when he speaks again. "You are many things, Tailgate, but an embarrassment is not one of them. I am... I am blessed to have you as a friend."

[daintylegs]

Maybe Getaway just made a mistake. Maybe this was just a misunderstanding. Tailgate wants so badly to believe that his new friend, who says all these nice things about him, does actually like him. But he is glad that he was wrong about Cyclonus.

"I wish I had asked you about it earlier." Tailgate mutters, walking over and wrapping his arms around Cyclonus' neck and pressing his face against the other's jaw. "I was so afraid of what your answer would be. It seems so silly now."

[tsunclonus]

The contact startles him for a moment. Then, slowly, he allows his own arms to curl protectively around Tailgate.

This is the perfect time, Cyclonus. This is the perfect time to try and talk about your feelings. To think he thought he told Tailgate what he needed to know. But if he'd told more often what he really needed to hear, then perhaps the incident with Getaway would not have gotten so bad.

"I thought you were no longer interested in my company," he says slowly, trying to explain his own distance. "And I thought... Perhaps you would be better off without me."

He's still not entirely certain that isn't the case, at least once Tailgate is world-wide enough not to need his protection

[daintylegs]

"I think we've both been stupid." Tailgate says bluntly. Better off without him? What a thought! It's his own fault for not asking about it sooner, and the result of that was that he neglected his friend. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

"You're my friend. Not having you in my life at all would make things very, very lonely, especially after all we've done to get here. I'm really sorry I was dumb and made you feel that way." Look at them! Communicating like healthy individuals are supposed to! They're practically not Cybertronian anymore.

"I'd like to finish our dance. You owe me a whole dance and not half of one, remember."

[tsunclonus]

Cyclonus laughs softly as Tailgate is, for once, the one being bluntly honest.

"You have many friends," he says. "You would do fine without me."

Still, he straightens up, fingers brushing along Tailgate's arms from his shoulders to grip his hands again. "Then let us dance. It wouldn't do for me to underpay you."

Instead of setting the needle back at the point where they left off, Cyclonus's avatar restarts the song from the beginning. It's not like he's enjoying dancing with you or anything Tailgate. And the dance isn't over until the song ends...