maskormenace | 003 ✘ Text

[He debates responding at first. Someone's a little upset still from their last talk.]

Welcome back, Bumblebee. You earned it.

[ And Bee? Bee's still feeling pretty bad about that conversation too. ]

Oh, I don't know about that. Just seemed like a good idea, given the "additions" to the place.

[At least they can mope about it internally together!]

One proclaimed themself everyone's elder and challenged me to make brownies. You owe me.

Yeah, THAT sure sounds like something an old, mature Cybertronian would do.

I mean can you imagine Kup or Ironhide pulling something like that?

I can't, if only because I don't think they lack any culinary finesse. If they knew what cooking was.

All right you might have me there.

[There's a slight pause, his metaphorical throat clearing before he sends another text. This one nice and concise.]

We need to talk.

[ aaaaaaand the reply text takes just as long. ]

Yeah we do.

[Longest text conversation ever by pause alone.]

Coordinates?

[ you know it. wow this is dumb. they are being dumb. ]

Doughnut place.

It won't take me long.

[The feed clicks as he shuts it, immediately leaving the house to take a walk towards the doughnut place. He was starting to know his way around by the food places alone. Not the most useful in dire situations...but whatever works.

Either way, he arrives in human form, just in case he had to go inside.]

[ don't worry. Bee is all ready inside. eating and with a coffee in hand. it's nervous eating, actually. whether Metalhawk knows it or not, Bumblebe has been struggling with how their conversation ending. only Thundercracker had been able to distract himself from it.

thus he taps on the window, letting the other know he's inside. ]

[Metalhawk's head turns, brushing a few birds from flying by past as he sees Bumblebee in the window, giving an awkward wave before entering. He doesn't order anything--he's far too on edge right now for it as he sits down across from him, looking fairly nervous.]

It's...good to see you again.

[ he watches, faintly amused. Metalhawk and his dumb birds following him everywhere...

though watching the other across from him is a different story. Bee is a lot better about keeping his energy in check. he doesn't really know what he wants to say or what there is to stay.

finally though, he huffs. ]

And the award for making an already awkward conversation even more awkward goes to -

[ waves at Metalhawk. ]

[He seems to straighten up at that, his mouth forming that almost characteristic pout he's been so known for. And about to debate that, too! Until it falls flat.

Deflating like a balloon.]

What you said back there, before you left.

[His fist clenches on the table as he speaks, frantically searching for the right words.]

I won't argue that you're wrong in lecturing me, but I feel a bit singled out.

[ well. kind of not how he had wanted that one to play out. Bee rubs the back of his neck awkwardly because of it. ]

Probably because I hold you to a higher standard.

[ he sighs, rubbing his face. ]

Lecturing him like I do you isn't going to do any good. What drives you two are way too different. He doesn't want to really make friends. He's pretty happy in his seclusion and therefore I can't use anything as incentive to curb his attitudes. You, however, do want to make those connections with people. But unfortunately that means you're the one that has to act like you're stepping on broken glass. Not him.

[His back straightens, listening to Bee speak. In a way, he's honoured that Bee expects so much out of him, but at the same time, he's curbing 4 million years of prejudice.

That can't be done overnight.

And it's hitting him now, that realization--

Maybe this is what the Autobots felt when he consistently nagged them. No time to adjust, only more demands.]

My drive.

I've been trying. I know what you're going to say--that this is what the...[He has to quickly say this one, because the word still disgusts him] NAILs did to the Autobots. I know.

[His fingers drum on the table, looking out the door as birds flock to it. There's a soft sigh, though.]

It just seems like I'm getting lectured more than I'm getting praised. I really did try, Bumblebee. With Thundercracker. That day you told me to leave him alone on the communications feed. I was trying to reconcile.

[ it really sort of is. they hadn't even really finished their war than Cybertron calls them home. the Autobots couldn't sort the captured Decepticons or even try to conduct some sort of military trials or anything. it had been just demand after demand. if they couldn't keep up or if things weren't being dealt with in a timely fashion - even if the 'deadline' had been unreasonable - then well. more angrey people.

slowly, Bee reaches over. he places a hand on Metalhawk's shoulder and shakes his head. ]

I wasn't actually going to bring Cybertron into this at all. It's not like I've been hard on you about it because I'm secretly getting back at you for the Unaligned either. [ a bit of a grin. ] I'm hard on you because I think you can handle it.

[ Bumblebee then sits back, looking apologetic. ]

I'll remember this though. Polly needs a few crackers thrown his way.

[His eyes travel to that hand on his shoulder, reaching up almost instinctively to put his own over it. It's frustrating, trying to curb so much of your behavior, and seeing almost no results.

But--]

Calling myself out on my own hypocrisy is in its own way...growth, isn't it?

[But when Bee says that--the part where he thinks Metalhawk can handle it, those blue eyes practically light back up again, surprised. As if literally...that's all he needed. Just...something.

Something that tells him he's not being even worse at this. Despite there being a table in the way, Metalhawk's lanky arms fling themselves around the other, pulling in tightly.]

I don't know who Polly is, or why he wants crackers. But...thank you.

Your opinion means a lot to me--it has for awhile.

[Which is why it hurt so bad.]

It is, Metalhawk. Makes things a lot easier on me know thating that you an actually start to really put yourself in someone else's spot.

[ what Bee doesn't expect is Metalhawk's expression shifting. he half thinks that Metalhawk is going to come back and say something else. instead there are arms being thrown his way and wow. Metalhawk stop. that's a table you can't hug -

all right so Bee is half on the table and half holding onto the dumb, lanky bird. so give him a moment because he's adjusting to at least sit in the seat - by Metalhawk. ]

We're going to have to change that.

[ missing out on a good joke like that isn't going to fly in Bee's book... but then again... ]

Wait. My opinion? Since when?

[It's like he doesn't even notice Bee shifting, focusing more on holding him tightly, keeping that contact close. It wouldn't be something he'd normally do, but...well, nothing about this was normal.]

Someone finally got it through my head.

[That hug loosens, not so much a squeeze anymore as it is a gentle embrace, as if now noticing just how nice it feels.]

Since our last talk, I imagine, when I came to your house. What you said impacted me.

And I've been trying to better myself so...maybe...

[I'd make you proud. is what he wants to say.]

[ it is a little weird. Bee doesn't think that the bird is capable of being this, uh. affectionate. friendly? let's go with friendly.

to be fair, it's a little awkward with it being so tight. even after the embrace is loose, Bumblebee is half wondering why this physical contact is a thing that's still happening.

bizarre. ]

At my place? C'mon... We both needed that.

[ being cathartic and all. but Bee hears the softness in that tone. he ducks his head a little to catch Metalhawk's gaze. ]

So maybe... What?

[Well maybe you just never got to know him okay, Bee?! No you're right, this is new territory even for him. The wound he held over Bee's little vacation was now just starting to heal.

Sorry, Bee. It's going to be a thing right now and you can't stop him. His head even rests on top of the other's, sinking into that feeling.]

So maybe we could...you know. So I could be there for you. So that talk could pay off.

[His head tilts down, meeting Bee's stare and...sorta close.]

That you'd be proud of me.

Of what taking a break is - a vacation. Never had one before.

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