I-I am so sorry! It has been an entire year since I've uploaded, and I am so mad at myself. I had no idea where I wanted this chapter to go, and it was this constant cycle of me writing and deleting, writing and deleting. So I finally took some time to actually think about what I wanted to do. Then came actually delivering it and it threw me in for another loop. But here I am with it. The story should honestly get better after this chapter, as this was something that needed to happen before I could move on. Anyways, an entire year is absolutely no excuse and I'm definitive gonna try and do better. Again, I am SO SO SO SO SORRYYYYY!
Chapter 16
It was day two of Ratchet's experiments to attempt to create a biologically human atoned version of Autobots, and I was simply waiting for him to hit a wall. The same wall I'd hit as soon as he projected the idea onto me. I'd gotten about as far as having to literally create human cells, then having to transfer from a holographic form to a genetically...real form.
I honestly wasn't sure how much thought Ratchet had actually put into this... excursion of an experiment. I couldn't say the same for Cybertron, but Earth certainly didn't have that kind of tech yet. I attempted to explain this to him, only to get a gruff scoff about how I didn't know what I was talking about, and it was easy to create something that could create cells. They'd just be modified.
I really wouldn't describe myself as a quitter, mainly because quitting would destroy my pride, and I'd die before my ego could. But this, this was different. Now technically, I wouldn't exactly call it quitting. Because this idea was impossible from the beginning. There was no other outcome except our failure. So, if we didn't quit ahead of time, this would turn into a project that would never end. At least in my lifetime. You know, unless this weird Cybertron bullshit was gonna keep me from living an average lifespan.
I bit my lip, slightly perplexed at the thought. About a year ago, I would've been absolutely mortified at the idea of living longer than I had to. But now, the thought didn't seem to bother me as much. Unless of course, this Cybertronian...thing cut my life short. I let out a sharp breath from my nose, trying to shake the thought from my head so I could stay on task. Watch Ratchet fail. His optics glowed, fading in and out, and indicator that he was looking through something, whether it was the internet, or Nuclear codes, I wasn't sure. After a couple of minutes, his optics stopped dully flashing, and he turned to look at me, his face plate crunched up in a defeated scowl. I looked at him dead in the optics, my lips forming in a victorious smirk. We stared at each other for quite a bit of time, before Ratchet huffed, turned around, and walked out of the MedBay. As soon as the door slid closed behind him, I laughed so hard I had to lean against the wall for support. After a couple of moments of my ridiculous breathless laughter, I tried to compose myself as best as I could. After I had myself, somewhat under control, I walked out of the MedBay in hopes of finding Optimus.
As much as enjoyed spending time with the Autobot leader, I was hoping he'd tell me the details pertaining to the meeting he went to. To my surprise, I was actually asked to attend, but I politely declined, as sometimes, just sometimes, I have an incredibly hard time keeping my mouth shut. As I walked into the main hanger, I scanned the room quickly for Optimus. To my utter despair I didn't se- oh, there he was, talking to Colonel Lenox. Yeah, you know it's kinda like when you momentarily can't find your mom in the store and totally freak, but instead of your mom its your fucking twenty-two foot robot guardian...ya know?
I began to walk toward the two before a saw a distinct orange flash in my peripheral vision. An orange flash, Muflap of course, was careening toward! Without hesitation, I threw myself to the opposite side, but the idiot swerved in the same direction I jumped to miss me. Upon impact I was nearly catapulted to the other side of the room, basically sliding the rest of the way. I'd say it was an absolute miracle I remained conscious, and even more that I found the strength to give him a detailed epic about how I was literally going to rip his spark out, and personally turn it into kitchen utensils that I would personally drop into the fiery pits of Mount Doom.
Between my saga, I heard a different variety of footsteps, some heavy, some not, and finally, Optimus came to view. He knelt down, obviously conflicted on what to do. He glanced around looking for what I prayed for a N.E.S.T medic, and not Ratchet. To my utter despair, Ratchet was the first to get to me, and helplessly tried to squirm away. Optimus reached over and blocked me from moving any farther, speaking softly. "Do not worry, you will be taken care. I am very sorry that my Autobots are not taking necessary precautions to keep you and the other humans safe. As their leader, I take full responsibility, as it is my job to make sure they are being careful." Ratchet scoffed, and had the audacity to look somewhat horrified.
"They? THEY! It was that aft- brained freak who ran her over, so I don't know what "they" you're talking about!"
I didn't give Optimus a chance to respond before my left arm was desperately grabbing one of his digits.
"Optimus please! Please don't let Ratchet touch me, he'll kill me! He'll kill me because he knows I was the one who showed the twins that horror movie, and scared them afterwards, making Skids pee on his Medbay floor!" From the way Ratchet's optics flickered brightly, and his dentals gritted at such painstakingly slow pace, I realized he didn't know. I gulped. Oh no.
*Two Days Ago*
I walked into the main hanger of the N.E.S.T base, and to my utter shock and horror as I saw Mudflap and Skids standing in the middle of the chamber. Shock as they didn't seem to be doing anything to get themselves whacked with a wrench, and horror as the both immediately turned in my direction. Shit, now I was going to have to entertain them, or else they'd threaten to blow something up. I sighed and gave them a fake smile.
"Hey boys, what's up?"
Skids was the first to respond as he gave me a dramatic servo gesture before saying, "you were jus' in time! We were about ta' go out and see what fun things ta' do in dis' place!"
That was code for "let's see what shit we can blow up and somehow only end up with a lecture." Yeah, not happening on my watch. I pursed my lips in thought, trying to figure out how I could distract them. I rolled my eyes in frustration, for fucks sake they were like toddlers, it couldn't be that hard to entertain them. As I debated on turning on Sesame Street, an idea popped into my head. I smirked somewhat evilly, crossing my arms.
"Have you two ever watched a scary movie?" I asked innocently. The two shook their heads, and my smile widened. "Well I know a really good one. Unless of course...you're too scared." I knew they probably would've agreed without the last bit, but I knew it would seal the deal.
Mudflap scoffed. "We ain't scared...at least I ain't."
Skids glared at him. "Wha' the slag's tha s'posed to mean? I ain't scared either." Before it could turn into an argument, I interjected.
"Well if you two are the brave mechs you're making yourselves out to be, this movie should be no problem, right?" The two nodded in unison and I gestured to the projector that had been set up a few days ago.
"Then get comfortable," I smiled. After a few minutes of searching, I found what I was looking for. Once I had found it, I pressed play, and turned the volume up. With that, I turned around and began to walk out of the room.
"Where ya goin'?" Skids asked.
"I'm not watching this movie! It's based on a true story…" I paused, giving the two a serious look. "It actually happened." The two gave each other looks and Mudflap gave a nervous chuckle.
"Yeah right. She's jus' tryna scare us."
I laughed darkly. "Yeah, maybe it's best you believe that...I'll be in the MedBay." With that I slid out of the room, biting my lower lip in excitement. This was simply part A of my plan. Now on to part B. I made my way into the MedBay, checking to make sure it was empty. Just as expected, it was. I smiled and made my way into the room, turning the lights on, making sure they were as dim as could be. There was a specific reason I chose the MedBay, as I knew that room the best, and I kept one of my bags in there. I also didn't foresee the twins lasting that long, so I needed a room that was farther away to give myself a bit of extra time.
I grabbed the bag that was under one of the tables and quickly opened it, grabbing the hairbrush that was inside of it. I quickly unbraided my hair, shaking it out. I brushed it over my face and took my fingers twisting it into gnarly little strands. I sighed wishing Dylan were here. This would absolutely kill him. Apparently he had some "family matters" to attend to, and wouldn't be back for a few days. It sounded strange to me, but I didn't question him. I sighed again. Looks like I'd just have to show him the footage.
I quickly turned the lights off, and moved to the corner of the door. Surprisingly enough I had to wait longer than I thought, but about fifteen minutes later, I heard the loud footsteps of the two coming and I tensed, getting ready for the final act. The lights suddenly turned on, and their footsteps stopped.
"Rose where'da go?" I heard Mudflap ask. I took a breath before dropping one shoulder down, and squaring the other. I bent my head down in a crooked position and raced toward the nearest bot, letting out the best demonic scream I could. And boy did my plan work. Both mechs immediately stumbled back, Mudflap giving a shriek of absolute terror. I heard one of them fall over some equipment, and I winced. That didn't sound good.
I flipped my hair up to look at the damage, my eyes widening at what I saw. Mudflap was flipped halfway over a berth, while Skids stood, optics shut, in a puddle of his own lubricant.
'Oh. For. Fucks. Sake,' I thought, before hightailing it out of the MedBay, turning the lights off on my way out.
*Two days after the erm...accident*
As it had turned out, I left the scene with only a couple broken ribs and some, somewhat nasty bruises, along with some fear that Ratchet was going to kill me in my sleep, which was honestly a win in my book. Optimus, however, did not feel the same way. I knew this because he started following me around everywhere, making sure I did as little as possible, keeping Skids and Mudflap away from me(which I deeply appreciated), and was constantly asking me if I was okay.
Don't get me wrong, it was super sweet, really it was, but as much as I enjoyed spending time with him, I didn't want him doing all of this because of his own guilt.
And that's exactly why we were sitting alone in this here clearing, not to far away from the base. So I could tell him to grow a pair and that I wasn't fragile...just kidding. On a serious note, I needed him to know that this treatment wasn't necessary. However, when I went to say this, all could get out was a sigh along with the nervous, twiddling of my thumbs. I cursed myself internally, speaking my mind to people never was an issue.
I guess this "person" was different.
A, huge, autonomous robotic organism, from a planet called Cybertron, a leader, about the wisest there ever was, a protecter, and...and someone I cared deeply about.
"You are deep in thought." Optimus's voice echoed softly, interrupting my thoughts. A statement, not a question. I slowly nodded.
"Yeah...yeah I am." He tilted his head slightly, his gaze soft.
"May I know what is on your mind?"
I gave another sigh. "It's just...it's about you," I said, mentally slapping myself for how I worded it. He immediately leaned back, his optics slightly dulling.
"Have I done something? Something to upset you?" I quickly shook my head and waved my arms around, ignoring him as he glanced down to my still-healing ribs. "No! No of course not!" He tilted his head even more, as a confused look colored his faceplates.
"I'm afraid I do not understand," he said, looking somewhat frustrated. For some reason, I could tell it wasn't at me.
"I.. just want you to stop feeling guilty about what happened with Mudflap. There's no way you can blame yourself, but you are. It wasn't your fault at all, and for Primus sake why are you eating yourself up about it?!" The last part wasn't meant to come out, really it wasn't. But as the question hung in the air, I no longer regretted it.
There was a long pause before I asked again, "why?" He looked down at me, his blue optics staring into mine.
"Rose, though I do in fact blame myself, I assure you, my recent actions haven't been on account of my guilt. I simply want to make sure you make a full recovery without…" he paused.
"Sabotaging myself?" I finished. I did have a habit of doing that to myself. He gave a small smile. Damn I felt like an idiot. Of course he wasn't doing all of this just because he felt guilty. I cleared my throat.
"The fact remains that you still feel guilty. Why?" Optimus vented.
"As your guardian, it is my duty to keep you safe. Even if it be from my own team," he said, cringing.
"Optimus," I started. "You can't protect me from everything. There's gonna come a day, and I assure you there will come one, where I get myself into some crazy mess, and you wont be there to rescue me. I can't have you feeling responsible for me when you're not. You have so much responsibility on your plate as well, don't add me to it. Besides you won't be able to protect me when you inevitably...when you leave me." Optimus offered me a servo, and I carefully stepped into it. He lifted me onto his shoulder and I sat down, making myself comfortable.
Optimus hummed in thought. "Do you feel as though we are connected?" I blinked rapidly at the sudden change in subject, but still answered.
"I do. In this weird way, we must be. I mean, it's like I can see right through you, and you can see right through me. I understand everything. Your pain, your joy, your sadness. I understand you." I had never mentioned it before, but it was all so true. Optimus looked out to the sky.
"And I you. As time goes on, our bond only deepens. Therefore it is my job and duty to keep you safe. As...I don't know what I'd do without you." He paused at his revelation. Optimus never said something without thinking.
My eyes widened. He couldn't mean that! He just couldn't. I mean, I know that we were connected in this odd way, but to say he wouldn't know what to do without me. I mean, I wasn't his life form. I couldn't be that for him, not as a human. Compared to his bots, I was so different. I could go so much faster. Die so much quicker. In a way his apprehension alleviate my constant dread. Leaving me didn't seem to be an option.
Still, I leaned into him and sighed. "I've never cared about someone as much as you, ya know?" He smiled softly again.
"I know."
Aww this was kinda cute. But honestly, what's the deal with Dylan. Guess we'll just have to wait(but not for a year) to find out ._.