knowhere | [private to Drift]

Everyone has moments that don't seem--at the time--to be their best. But those are tests that allow our best to shine brighter.

[In other words, he will swat aside any insecurity, just like he used to chuck Drift around.]

Well, I can't wield a sword without a hand, can I?

Well I won't be making the same mistake twice, that's for certain. [Too high, the price. He can see all the mistakes he made along the way, though that does nothing if he can't learn from them right? Shine brighter. He needs to not make them here.

Drift pulls back, a little insecure in other ways, a shy smile fluttering over his face.]

Of everyone, you'd find a way though. The power of faith and determination?

[And an infinity gem shard sure, but it still takes willpower to use, right?]

[Wing grins.]

Well, I did think about trying to hold a blade in my mouth, but...I think this is more practical.

[Not only because of fighting, but because he can do this: turn his palm under Drift's, his hand holding the other's.]

In your... [Gulp. W-why is that image so...umyeahhot.]

If this is practical...[He gives the hand a squeeze, finding certain points to press upon that whisper gently of his contentment. And more...] I like it.

[Hot? Wing was thinking 'silly' and impractical. He wrinkles his nose in laughter at the image.]

[His engines give a lilting purr at the touches, curious and knowledgeable and...hopeful? ]

Well. I haven't tested it very much.

[Which is a hint for Drift to keep, erm, helping him test it.]

[Well, admittedly, Wing plus anything is hot just by nature of Wing being involved. (Unless that anything is a someone other than him, then not so hot.) Course he's maybe not strictly thinking combat things, oops. Sorry Wing, he's been reeeeally lonely for a little while now.]

So you need practice using it? Like grip strength or, uh, manual dexterity things?

[Wing needs a helper? Pick him, pick him!!]

[Wing would imagine that losing a hand in a glowy quantum anomaly wasn't too 'hot'. At least not too smart. But his curiosity had always outpaced him. ]

[Still, the little purr of the other's engine, and the way the hands don't leave his, even now, after he's revealed what it is, is encouraging.]

I could use practice with all of it, yes.

[Like now and the way he strokes it up Drift's wrist. He's just, uh, checking sensitivity.]

[Well no, that is decidedly un-hot. However, the image of Wing wielding a sword with his teeth? YES-hot. Sorry, Drift just has, uh, tastes in that area now. All thanks to Wing, on multiple levels.

His optics lid as those exploring touches travel up his arm, EM field going soft in invitation. It's nice to be touched, a seemingly small thing but one he's come to really appreciate (and long for) in his time alone. Rodimus does loves his cuddletime, and Drift is honored to be chosen to fill that need, but in the end it's always what Rodimus needs. This feels...different.]

It feels like you, but not you. [And not in a bad way, considering he's completely forgotten about the jello on the counter.]

[Well, maybe they should talk about the relative hotnesses of things to do with blades and/or mouths once Wing's little surprise is revealed. The good one, he figures, the energon convertor hulking under the flowered cloth.]

[And Wing really should be thinking about his surprise--that's why he'd invited Drift over, really. But the way the EM field turns into a soft plushness under his touch is captivating. It's hard to feel like he should stop. ]

I can feel things normally with it. Especially if I concentrate. [Which, guess what he's doing right now? Definitely concentrating: not wanting to miss a contour, or a seam.]

[O-ooh. Because adding energon to that mix can only make it hotter. ER. better. And things. yes. ANYWAY.]

[But well, Drift is saying nothing at all akin to 'no' or 'stop' or 'why am I here again' because as far as he's concerned at the moment this right here can be his life's destiny. Especially if those touches keep moving. Sorry Wing, you're the more disciplined one here.]

Anything? Normally? [He bites his lower lipplate because that is a tremendous temptation right there.] Is that...a challenge?

[Wing doesn't like dilemmas, having two things to choose between, but he really can't complain about this one: having two such wonderful options: touching Drift, and showing him his surprise.

[Surely there's a way he doesn't have to choose?]

Maybe that sets the parameters of our testing, at least.

[Wink wink nudge nudge, stroke up the arm....that Wing turns into cupping the other's elbow, turning him toward the lump on the table.]

But testing is, I hear, strenuous work.

[Drift may need his strength.]

[That's the benefit at least, of having more time. They can choose to do one, then the other. Not that Drift knows there's a dilemma here. In his mind, Wing > jello any day, no matter how nice strawberries smell.]

...do there need to be parameters?

[He sort of mumbles that dreamily, optics half lidded under the influence of Wing's touches. And then he realizes that was his outside voice and he perks up.]

Huh-what? Strenuous? I can handle that. No problem. [But then he takes in the lump on the table, which appears to be significant. Somehow. His browridge raises as he looks at Wing. What's this? Need some heavy lifting done?]

[Wing would be proud to rate higher than jello. Drift rates even higher than the energon convertor: this whole thing is really an attempt to impress Drift with it.]

Well. A starting point, at least. A line of inquiry.

[That could go....places.]

I'm glad to hear that. [He moves to the table, whisking off the cover, beaming.]

[Wing rates higher than all the jello in the world, especially since Drift can't eat it. It just makes him smell better than unwashed components, stale oil and recycled air.]

Starting is good. Very goo---

[He stares at the thing on the table for a beat or two, helm tilting in what is generally disbelief.]

Is that...

...is that what I think it is?!

[It looks positively ancient and entirely out of context, so maybe Drift's having some weird lucid dream about the two most basic things he wants in life right now, but he's pretty sure that thing makes energon...????!]

[Well, they'll just have to test how good Wing + Jello is. Together.]

[And that smile turns into an even bigger beam, with a little wriggle of the flight panels behind his back. He might be a little proud, or at least gratified that his surprise is actually a good surprise.]

It's an energon convertor! [He'll just drop that cat right out of the bag.]

[Oooh. Um. Yes. AHEM. Let's do that. He suddenly sees the appeal in this super slippery, jiggly, sweet substance.

His optics go wide, mouth dropping in delighted surprise as his suspicious are confirmed.]

Primus! Wing!! W-where ever did your find it!?!

[See? New places and experimentation can be fun: amateur science!]

I found it in the marketplace. It needed some repairs, but. [He beams.] Want to try it?

[That sounds...kinky?!]

I. Wha. Yes! YES!! [There were going to be other words in there but uh, he throws his arms around Wing instead, too jubilant to even think about anything else.]

[Oops too fast?]

The hug is wonderful, and Wing leans into it for a long moment, subsiding into it with a small, pleased wriggle. And he's in no rush to disentangle himself.]

Is the jello ready? [He hopes not, for more of this hug.]

[What? No! Nothing is too fast for Drift. Not even speedy little jets.

That wiggles under his hands! >_> That's, uh, really distracting, and Drift tries his best to keep his EM field demurely contained. It's hard though, with the tease of those flight panels just out reach.

But oh. He totally forgot he left the jello on the counter, 'rehydrating', whatever that means.]

Um. It might be?

[He should really check, right?]

[Sorry, he's just feeling, well, giddy. He's not really that sorry for being distracting, though. He's guilty as charged for that. ]

We could wait a moment to make sure it's ready for sure?

[Maybe?]

[If Wing has to apologize for feeling giddy, so does Drift. Because he is. Which was the converter's fault originally but now maybe it's the unique scent of Wing filling his olfactory sensors, the feel of glossy plating under his hands and a welcoming EM field so near his.]

Yeah. Just a moment...

[And he's going to ignore the ping of his empty tank. Shush, silly ping, Wing might hear you.]

[He can't ignore the ping, even if he'd wanted to. It was just timed too well, too funny, and it was just so very much like Drift to try to demur. But it's not the mean kind of laugh he gives, his nose wrinkling under his helm's nasal, as he steps back.]

I think that's our cue.

[But he's holding out hope for another hug when the convertor works, a hug with a toast, even.]

[Wing stop no that's cute. There's a moment that he's not thinking about food at all.

...

and then it passes because well yeah, hunger is not his favorite thing and neither are insistent pings. He pulls away a little shyly, gesturing at the counter and the cafeteria size quantity of jello.]

Uh, guess it's ready now. Why don't you do the honors? Just be careful, it's slippery.

[Don't get it on yourself Wing, he might have to clean you up later.]

[Why should he stop when it's something Drift seems to enjoy so much?

In other words, you can't make him.]

Slippery? Is that how you got it in your... [Vague gesture at body sort of thing.] everything?

[Right, Wing, stop thinking of slippery fluids in Drift's, uh, everything. He shakes that idea out of his processor, picking up the bowl, and pouring it in the convertor's intake, entranced at the way it jiggles and wobbles.]

Here goes nothing.

[private to Drift]

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now i want coffee mmmm

coffeeeeeee