rekindleme | spent my life waiting for a sight of the sea

Entry tags:

spent my life waiting for a sight of the sea

Who: Ironhide + Chromia
Where: The AQUARIUM!!
When: 8/13, evening
Summary: In all Ironhide's wandering around the city, he finds something he thinks is pretty neat. So, he decides to share it with someone he thinks is pretty neat. But it's totally not a date.
Warnings: None

[Something good, at least, had come out of all his wanderings, all his attempts to avoid other Cybertronians. He thought he should tell Nautica, but as fond as he was of her, the scientific explanations of it all would ruin it. He didn't want to bother Ratchet -- Primus knew the medic had enough to deal with.]

[So...]

[He turned up on Chromia's doorstep. She might not appreciate it as much as he hoped, but she wouldn't be adverse, he had a feeling. It meant getting out to stretch her legs, at the very least. And the chances of running into any other Cybertronian were fairly low.]

[... He totally wasn't excited. No, never. Excitement was for younger, less jaded bots than he was. Antsy. Yeah, sure. That was a better word.]

[Still. His hand practically vibrated as he knocked.]

Chromia.

You in? It's just me.

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[Save for a select few, Chromia would not have opened the door as quickly as she did. Nautica was busy and Strongarm was off doing his usual routine. That left Ironhide as the only one it could be--well, other than the obvious-Ironhide voice.

The door peeks open, before being pulled back completely. Okay Ironhide, you have her attention.]

Hey, what's up?

[She notices that antsiness, and...cue the eyebrow perk.]

Something happen?

Hey.

[He tries for a smile, when she peeks out. It actually works when she opens the door all the way. He's smiling. Really smiling.]

Nothin'. Promise. I just... found this thing an' I wanted to show it to you.

[Now that he's said it, wow, it sounds a little stupid. The smile turns sheepish and he rubs the back of his neck.]

... I mean. If you want. [Pause.] And that sounded less. Weird. In my head.

Edited 2014-08-14 06:26 (UTC)

[The smile's what throws her off. She's never seen him beaming like that. In fact, in all the time (although it was rather short) that she knew him, she'd never seen him that happy.

So suffice to say, it gets her attention.]

Show me? It better not be human food.

[But she can't help but smirk, leaning against the doorframe.]

Well, when you put it like that..all cryptic, you've got me curious.

[Well that just makes the smile turn to a grimace, and he puts a hand to his chest, looking faintly ill. Which is saying something, for him. It takes a lot to make a bot his size sick... and...]

Eugh, don't remind me.

[But she seems willing, which keeps the mood light enough for his taste. He starts down the hall, waving her after him.]

It ain't that far. If we drive, we'll get there in a couple minutes.

[Yeah, she's not letting you live that one down, Ironhide. She didn't even go to Earth and she knew that was a bad idea. There's a soft huff, a chuckle, as she pulls herself off that door frame, starting to walk beside him]

Lead the way, big guy.

[Whatever it was he was taking her to, he sure was excited. And for as grumpy as she can be, there's no way she can just deny him that.]

[In his defense, Nautica was doing it too. But even he can tell this is a stupid thing to bring up, so he just huffs, leaving it alone. For now.]

[He'll lead her out. Down out to the street, and transform, trusting her to keep up. She's plenty fast. Faster than he is by a long shot. So when he starts driving, he fully expects to hear the bike's engine too.]

Down this way. You ever been out here before?

[This drive feels different than their last. More... upbeat.]

[It's a good feeling.]

[No way man, you've been on Earth. Memory or not you should know better!!]

I have...haven't really stopped to look at the sights though.

[Partially because she thought the stay wouldn't be all that permanent. Why get attached?

Something she's been changing her opinion on quite often...]

You? ...Stupid question, you're the one who found the place....

You don't seem the type to.

[He says it lightly. Relaxed. She's a bot after his own spark, and he can't blame her for it.]

[There's a light chuckle out of him, as he pulls up into the proper district, nearing one building in particular.]

Not stupid. I could've heard of it from Strongarm or someone.

[THAT gets a laugh out of her. A full forced laugh.]

Strongarm? He's less social than we are!

... Okay, bad example, but you know what I'm tryin' to say here.

[He pulls up in front of the building, somehow managing to look embarrassed, despite... you know. Being a tank-van.]

[The word: "AQUARIUM" is clearly written over the entrance.]

Here we are.

Yeah, yeah, don't worry. I getcha loud and clear.

[The way he seems to slow to a stop is enough for her to notice. But not long enough before she looks up in...slight intrigue.]

Aquarium? What's...what's an aquarium?

[Don't mind her, she'll just take her robot form now. To get a better look at it.]

[He transforms too, stepping up beside her. He's not grinning as broadly as before, but the amusement is still plain on his face.]

Y'know, I said the same thing.

[He gestures toward the entrance, and starts forward.]

Then I poked my head in. [Because what else was there to do around here, really.] C'mon. You'll see.

[It's really hard to stay grumpy with Ironhide's clear enthusiasm. Whatever he wanted to show her, he certainly found it exciting. She takes a step forward with him, a small curl of her lips starting to show.

A smile.]

Alright, alright. Should I close my eyes or something?

Nah, you don't wanna trip or nothin'.

[And, just to be sure nothing like that happens, which would definitely spoil the day, he offers her an arm. Like an escort. Or something.]

[Even if she turns it down, he'll head inside. There's not much to the lobby, but he keeps on going.]

[She's surprised by the offer--not that she's offended just...no one's ever done that before. SHE'S always been the bodyguard.

...Okay, Aquariums don't sound like in need of a bodyguard but.

She had a point, in her thoughts.

Either way, a hand rests on top of that arm, smirking. The lobby isn't anything special, in agreement, but she figures Ironhide wouldn't lead her this way if this was all it had to offer.]

You're being pretty cryptic.

Don't think too much 'bout it.

[Out of the main lobby, the hallways get a little dimmer. He's steering her toward the place he'd found. The big walk-though tank.]

[Her hand feels a lot warmer on his arm than he was expecting.]

I'm just cryptic cause I dunno how to describe it right.

[And a slow blue light starts to appear. Rippling. Sure does look like they're underwater...]

[She doesn't have enough time to answer. By the time she's about to, they're already in the walk-in tank. And her eyes widen immediately. She'd seen water, sure. But whenever she had to go into it it wasn't like this. Nothing getting into her plating...

Just water and--]

Fish, right?

[Nautica'd told her about these kinds of things. She breaks away for a moment, to look at them through the glass.]

That what they are?

[He hadn't heard. Or bothered reading about them. He'd just brought her here, a little too excited over things.]

Either way. They don't look half so bad.

[He leads her a little further down the walkway. Past a lot of seaweed. Some typical aquarium fish. All those things. But once he gets to a certain spot, he just stops, looking into the glass.]

[Waiting for something.]

Yeah, Nautica complains about them sometimes. Her alt's a boat. So I guess that's her traffic down there.

[She follows his lead, though, eyes never leaving the glass. It was interesting, how mellow everything seemed to be here. Relaxing, even...]

[But she feels Ironhide halt, looking back up at him as he stares.]

Why'd we stop, big guy?

A boat? That's different.

[Then again, there's a lot that's different about these two. Not that he's complaining.]

[He smirks at her a little, and then nods back to the tank. Keep watching. Because if he's right, then...]

[And there they are. A sudden school of rainbow-colored fish. They're so bright, they actually change the reflected light from the water. And it's a huge school, too, taking its time passing by. Big fish, small fish, every single color there is, just gliding on past.]

There.

[He can't help but grin, broadly, watching it.]

[Nautica would probably correct her on it being a SUBMARINE, but she's not here, right? RIGHT.

She waits as he does, though, looking up. Chromia wouldn't be ruled as the most patient of Autobots, wondering if Ironhide was just trying to play up the water.

She's about to say something, about to pull him along--

But it happens, and her eyes shoot open wide. Grabbing onto that arm in excitement as she watches the fish swim overhead.

It was...amazing, to say the least.]

Did you seriously watch them until this happened the first time?

[He actually chuckles, both at her reaction and at the sight of the massive, living rainbow swirling around. The laughter stays, while he grins, his optics focused upward.]

[One of his hands covers hers, where they grasp his arm.]

Kinda. Good place to think, and stuff.

[He never looks away, still grinning, more warmth in that expression than he's had there in a long time.]

... Then they showed up. An'... heh. Okay. Don't laugh or nothin'. Right?

[It doesn't even phase her when he puts that hand on hers, more just having a good time than anything.

Having FUN, for once.]

'Think and stuff'.

[That gets a short laugh out of her, softly leaning into him. Unintentionally and unnoticed, of course.]

...You can't just start it off like that. I can't promise it.

But okay. Shoot.

Yeah, you heard me.

[His weight shifts to better support hers. Unconsciously. And ever so slightly. He doesn't appear to realize he's doing it any more than she does.]

Okay...

[His fingers tighten on hers, just once. Like he's bracing himself for this.]

I'm the only one here who... really remembers Cybertron bein' all. Not normal, but... not a wasteland either. I mean, sure, they all know it. But for me -- it's like yesterday. It was all bright lights an' bright color... always movin'.

[He nods up at the rainbow cloud of fish, apparently content to stay swimming lazily around them.]

Like that.

[She notices his hesitance, although she won't bring it up. Not if he doesn't. Her hand slightly curls into his though, in some small effort to comfort.]

It's a clear memory.

[Just helping him find the right words. Her eyes cast up to the fish again, as the school finally starts to dissipate. They'd probably be back--it was a small tank area after all, and they were relatively speedy.

Her voice softens.]

Keep that vision as long as you can. Remember how vibrant it is.

Yeah... for me.

[It really does feel more recent than anything else. It was clear enough to recall, even in the ruins. When faced with nothing but monsters...]

[It was all perfectly clear.]

[His expression is a little wry and wistful, watching the fish depart. And one big arm shifts, looping gently around her shoulders. Out of habit.]

... I'm tryin'. It ain't easy... in all this scrap. Bots actin' wrong and all.

Kinda stupid how a bunch of swimmin' things can do it though. Huh?

Heh. Guess you and I are alike, then. Nautica swims, and she reminds me of home too.

[Her eyes widen, though, rethinking that wording.]

Caminus, I mean.

[Flustered a bit, she turns around, looking up at him and holding his arms. Eyes firm.]

Don't let go of it. It's what keeps you -you-, big guy. I don't know much about you guys, and until recently, I didn't want to. Kinda still don't with everything going on.

...

[A hand presses against that glass pane on his chest.]

But you're one of the only things tellin' me that Cybertron was a worthwhile place in it's prime. And if we have to look at swimming things everyday to keep that, then we'll do it.

Yeah, I get what you mean.

[But he smiles a little, though. It's sort of nice not to be the only one who's flustered, for once. Not that he'd ever say that to her.]

[He's just not prepared for what comes next. When she comes around to face him, he's suddenly keenly aware of how close she is. How this place feels like they're the only two bots in this weird city. It's quiet. And... he sort of likes it. Just standing here with someone who understands.]

[He chuckles a little, ducking his head.]

Now you're just flatterin' me... An', no. I don't blame you for not wantin' to be around us much lately. Primus, I don't wanna be around us much lately.

[Her hand is very warm. Very strong. Something in him sparks to life under it, the glass warming along with it.]

I'd like that, I think. [His voice is lower, weight shifting just the barest fraction closer.] Don't mind lookin' at these things... with company like you are.

[It doesn't occur to her just how close they are either, not til she sees that head move in a little more. Those eyes quickly soften a moment, her spark betraying what her brain module's telling her. Like Ironhide, the world seems to slow down around her, as if they're the only two in the entire city.

She bites her lip, though, eyes casting to the side.]

I don't flatter. I just say what's obvious.

[Her faceplates are definitely heated right now, and she hopes Ironhide doesn't have some weird ability that can pick up on temperature. It's stupid to think about, but you never know with Cybertronians.

That hand keeps pressed to the glass, palm gently sliding down to the red metal below it. She was perfectly able to do this. To just...look at the fish.

And then he says that, her eyes snapping to him. And boy is he close.]

You...you don't, huh. That'd be a first.

[Keep your cool, Chromia, you got this.]

Uh huh. If you say so.

[But there's a smirk in it. No teasing. Not really. He's just looking at her, then, staring down at her -- the world can do whatever it wants right now. He's enjoying this. Enjoying being with someone with a good spark right now.]

[... Not just monsters.]

[The thought seems so far away, suddenly. Overhead, the fish suddenly swirl back into view, just as lazy and brilliant as before. Yet he can't seem to pull his gaze away from hers.]

[Until her hand moves, and his optics flick down to watch. Almost without any conscious thought, one of his own hands moves, thick, scuffed fingers touching her chin lightly, to tilt it up and look at those brilliant blues again.]

What? Someone likin' being around you? I don't think that's true...

[The smile this time is definite. Genuine. Like her, really -- just saying what's obvious.]

[She didn't even notice the fish swimming by. Her eyes are too locked onto the other. Maybe it's because he's taking up most of the room in their generic standing place, but...

She's noticing how blue his eyes are. How tired they are.

Four million years that he doesn't even remember.

She doesn't move from that hold. For once, this tough bodyguard is nothing but a deer in headlights. Those rough fingers brush against her chin, and all she can do is just...stare.]

Says the guy with no memory.

[A slight...fond smile is returned.]

[He's worried, for a moment, she might pull away. After all, even he doesn't really know why he felt the need to move her chin. To look more closely at her features.]

[At how... strong she always has been. How open. Honest. They're a lot alike, aren't they? She's been someone to rely on, the entire time he's been here.]

[Someone who doesn't expect miracles out of someone as banged up and lacking memory as he is.]

[By the time he's able to speak again, rather than just staring into those optics, taking her in. Taking in everything she's offered to him. He's leaned in more than expected, their foreheads nearly touching. Her hand is still warm, still real, against his chest.]

Yeah, well... I ain't ever said I was prefect...

[There's a huff, a vent of warm air, as that smile just deepens.]

[She can't expect anything. Or rather, her expectations are vastly different--too different--to judge. And out of everyone, Ironhide's the most like her. The one she can understand the best.

Although she's failing to understand why she's so accepting of this. No one else would have gotten within a few feet without a punch to the face. Even cameramen keeping distance was 'too close'.

Here...it's almost intoxicating.]

Damn right you aren't.

[There's a hint of affection there, feeling their helms touch, feeling that warm air against her lips. That is...until that's replaces by Ironhide's own.

It's just a peck, being generous. More like a brush against them before she realizes contact was made, eyes snapping open wide. Like she'd just accidentally broke a world supply of vases.

Hello, Ironhide.]

[He's comfortable with her. He trusts her. Maybe he hasn't ever said it to her face, but maybe he also felt like he didn't need to. She'd understand. She does understand.]

[That's... probably a big part of why he feels so close to her. Why he's always felt that way.]

[It's nice. Being close to someone who just plain gets him. Someone after his own spark. He hasn't felt this way about anyone since...]

[She's.]

[Kissed him.]

[It's like a spark of fire through his sensors. That slight brush of sensation could have been an electric charge. He stares back at her, feeling his engine suddenly hum to life, warmth and vibration kindling under her hand.]

[Someone who understands...]

[He tilts his head, without thinking, his optics dim, and returns that little kiss with one of his own. It's just as he is. Awkward, rough... sincere.]

[She doesn't expect anything in return. In fact, the moment their lips touched, she realized what a mistake had been made. After all, he didn't ask, and she had no incentive to. But here she was, letting him press back into it.

And the thing of it was, she didn't stop him. Her spark surges as she feels that touch again, fingers clenching to that glass panel on his chest.

His lips are rough, rugged...and to be honest...perfect.

There's a million things running through her mind right now, but none are being voiced. They're drowned out by the first happy thing she'd experienced since her arrival.]

[All he'd expected was a look at fish. Something they could both enjoy together. Something good in this sea of scrap. The fact it's turned out better than he could have expected...]

[She doesn't pull away.]

[His spark feels like it's flaring, warmth flooding through his limbs. Her fingers are like fire. His free hand settles on her waist, tugging her in a little closer. She's warm and real and accepts the flaws in his memory, all the shortcomings...]

[She doesn't expect him to be anyone else.]

[He draws it out a little longer, his head tilting to better press his mouth to hers. He has no idea what he's doing. It just feels... right.]

[Chromia feels right.]

[Her eyes close a moment, sinking into the nice, safe and secure feeling this is giving her. Ever since she'd arrived she'd felt like a caged animal, just barely getting by with a facade of stoicism.

Here...that seems to melt away.

She presses up a little, her mouth forming a smile in the kiss. Her brain finally starting to piece things together from the initial reaction.

She was with Ironhide. She was kissing Ironhide.

Kissing. Ironhide.

Wait.

And no sooner had she pressed in, she pulls away, eyes as wide as dinner plates.]

I...

[For the first time ever, Chromia is flustered.]

[It's weird. How well they fit. How well she molds herself to him. It's easy to forget everything that's going on, when someone wraps themselves up in his grip, when he feels another's engine vibrate against his.]

[He's content to let it go on as long as it can.]

[And then he feels her pull back.]

[He feels her plating pull back from his hold, and the warmth of her fades. Something in his spark goes cold.]

[... He was kissing Chromia.]

[He'd liked it. He'd really liked it. But she -- clearly something was not all right for her. His hands snap back and he takes a step away too.]

I... Sorry. I dunno why it...

Sorry.

[So much for a good thing.]

[Deep down, she'd liked it too. More than she could ever admit. In fact, if she didn't stop, she probably wouldn't ever have. Her face plating is heated, trying to form words as she looks around, to see if anyone saw them.]

Don't be. I uh...

I had fun.

[Good. Words are good. It wasn't anything close to what she wanted to say, which was really just her cursing herself. She didn't want Ironhide to feel bad.

But her legs betray her. They want to leave, but not before she gives an arm pat.]

I'll...I'll see you around.

[QUICKLY EXITING!!]

[What.]

[No, really, what.]

[Out of all the reactions he expected, that isn't it. He just sort of stares at her. There's nothing he can say. Words just... don't come. He just watches as she touches his arm. As she turns...]

[Walks away.]

Chromia...

[Maybe he's just being sensitive. Maybe it's just things getting to him. But as she turns, as she disappears down the hall, the whole place seems to grow darker.]

[... This isn't how it's supposed to be... ]

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spent my life waiting for a sight of the sea

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