[banging fists on table] MORE ROBOT DRAMA MORE ROBOT DRAMA MORE ROBOT DR

[knaval]

Who: riptide and some other dudes
When: after magnus's post
Where: riptide's room
What: sad fish boy
Warnings: cw for possible discussion of war, violence, ptsd, generally the depressing shit you get with these metal tittybabies



a. magnus

[accepting his fate, riptide allowed magnus to drag him to his room, no longer fighting.

if he had more knowledge of the situation, he would respond differently. he doesn't, though, and all he knows is he takes part in something that results in all his friends being left for the djd. after everything he's experienced in regards to tarn aboard to moira, after everything everyone has done for him, he was still stupid and selfish enough to leave them all for dead.

what the fuck did getaway say to him?

these are things that riptide will wonder about until he's physically unable to stay awake anymore, but for now he just lets whatever's going to happen to him happen.]

b. megatron

[they didn't finish the wall.

riptide eventually gets sick of laying on his bed staring at it like a useless sack of shit and gets up, sliding off the berth to carefully press at the edges still sticking out awkwardly.

he still thinks the table looked fine where it was.

sighing, riptide gets to work. missing brainstorm and nautica intensely for a moment before telling himself he doesn't deserve to.]

c. anyone else

[you want this sad fish? come yell at him in his room. he's not leaving.]

Comments

[redshitlord]

[He's going to take that as permission to step forward. Enough to where he can put his hands on Riptide's feet or ankles or something. Just to touch him.]

I dunno how anyobody'd just. Expect that. Like... I thought I got scrap for hating him, and he's pretty dead back home.

I guess it's nothing, compared to having to work with the crazy jerk.

[knaval]

It's seeing the face I was taught to hate every day and having to take orders from him.

[riptide shakes his head.]

It's seeing the guy who almost caused our race to go extinct every day and having to treat him like an equal.

[redshitlord]

... Come back with me.

[Because it's the first idea in his head. The first thing he can think of. The... only solution he can think of.]

Don't go back there. Once they get the space bridge working... come to Earth with me. Then you won't have to see him and then ... then it'll work out.

[knaval]

I can't do that. I don't even know if it works like that and-- I can't just run away from them.

[he draws up a little further into himself.]

Everything I said about Tarn, and I helped give everyone over to him...

[redshitlord]

You don't know it won't!

[Well if he's curling up, then Sideswipe is going to take a risk. And get up there with him.]

And ... don't you think you already ... y'know. Got punished enough?

[knaval]

I guess. I don't know.

[riptide shakes his head, then leans on sideswipe slightly.]

It won't. Nothing good or convenient like that ever works.

[redshitlord]

[He doesn't know what to say to that. So he just puts his arms around Riptide. As much as possible.]

[Leaning into him too.]

... It's worth a try, big guy. I'll try for you.

[knaval]

I can't. I already abandoned them once.

[he just sighs, leaning heavily against sideswipe.]

[redshitlord]

... You didn't abandon me.

[He has no idea if this is helping or not. But it's important to him. After every bad thing Riptide keeps saying he's done... he's always been there.]

You could've. And... you didn't. [He's just going to smush his face into the boat's shoulder.] ... You wouldn't.

[knaval]

I know. I know, I couldn't. [he puts his hand on sideswipe's.] I don't know what happens but... I couldn't. I need you around, okay?

[riptide leans forward until his chin is on sideswipe's head.

he knows for certain that he doesn't deserve it, but...] You make stuff a little clearer. I hate myself a little less when I'm around you.

[he's pathetic.]

[redshitlord]

[His fingers close around Riptide's hand as best he can. Because something about what he's saying just... feels like it's ripping his spark apart.]

[This is the only person who ever told him he was important. Important like that. Not to a world, or a cause, just important to Riptide. So... he leans right back against the bigger bot and holds on for all he's worth.]

I'm not... not gonna go anywhere. Okay? I'm sticking with you. I'll smash some sense into your big head whenever you want it, but I'm not gonna go anywhere.

[Shut up no he's not crying okay.]

... c-cause I'm. Pretty sure I need you around too.

[knaval]

Please don't smash my head.

[there's a faint smile in his tone.]

And don't do anything stupid. This is something I need to face whatever they want me to, okay?

[redshitlord]

Smush it then. That's a word. I totally just made it up, but it's a word.

[It's what he's doing with his face and Riptide's shoulder right now.]

... I'm going with you, though. If they want to yell or put you in the brig or whatever. I'm going with you.

[knaval]

No, you're not. It doesn't work like that. They won't-- I won't let you suffer for something I did, okay?

[redshitlord]

... dude, it's not like I've never been to jail before.

[SHRUG.]

And...

I really... really don't want to lose you again.

[knaval]

It's not like I'll be dead. I'll still be around. I don't even know if they'll do that.

[he shrugs.]

We'll just have to wait and see.

[redshitlord]

... Just. Listen to me okay?

I don't wanna do this without you. Like. At all. I don't wanna be on this stupid ship alone. Even if it's just you stuck in a cell or something.

I'm gonna stay with you and I don't care what they've got to say about it.

[knaval]

[he sighs again.]

We'll have to see how it goes, alright? None of this is up to me or you.

[redshitlord]

Right...

But I'm here. Okay?

I'm not leaving.

[knaval]

I know.

[riptide exvents heavily, and considers how much of a burden he is.]

[redshitlord]

Good. I'll just. Y'know. Remind you every so often, okay?

[knaval]

[riptide gives sideswipe a little squeeze.]

I know that too.

[redshitlord]

[He squeezes back. As much as his little noodle arms can.]

... can I still sleep here?

[knaval]

If you can put up with me.

[not in the "you hate me way" more on a "I am probably never going to sleep again" way.]

Don't... go under the bed this time. That's kinda weird.

[redshitlord]

Dude. I am so tired by this point, I seriously don't care what you do in here. I could sleep on a jet engine.

[He means it to be funny. Really.]

... You want me up here with you? All night?