Remedy

[winged_knight]

WHO: Wing and First Aid (as Wing wakes up), then anyone who decides to come by...
WHERE: Ratchet's Medibay
WHEN: Now. After this, and this, this, this.
WHAT: Wing wakes up in medibay, mostly recovered from the accident with Soundwave.
WARNINGS: None yet. Probably lots of FEELS though?



The accident with Soundwave's nightmare had taken them all by surprise, none more than Wing himself of course. He'd been out for a few days, and though he'd woken long enough for the medics to determine there was no permanent damage, the ache in his cortex was such that returning to blissful unconsciousness during recovery was better all around.

The anomalous activity of Wing's spark had been quiet for a few days now, the readings more within normal range, and the spike in brain activity also gone now that his own set of nightmares had ceased.

When the repair status of his systems reached certain tolerances, he's coaxed back to the waking world. Wing comes online slowly, step by step, diagnostics held in temporary check thanks to treatment protocols, to be run manually later after full system boot.

Amber light flickered from behind the shuttered optics, opening slowly to take in his surroundings. A groan as he put a hand to his helm instinctively. He raised up onto an elbow, trying to push through the disorientation and get his bearings.

~~~

A short time later, he'll be sitting on the med berth, still achy, disorientated and perhaps a touch distressed, but capable enough to carry on a conversation with anyone who comes by.

Comments

[sword_redemption]

"No, uh, no problem." Really. Ask Drift something hard next time. The only thing he'd struggled with in this whole thing was not taking advantage of the jet's body so close to his.

It's harder to be a gentlemech than he thought.

But for a kiss like that, it was worth it. "Did you?" Because that's the important part.

[winged_knight]

Wing may find similar trouble here soon as the ghost of recharge fades and his systems liven to the mech he curls against. But for now he's safely focused on other things.

He lets his helm settle back, just enjoying the peace of early morning. "I did. I...actually feel rested now." He hopes Drift is too, not just because he wants what's best for the other, but because it made this a little less purely self indulgent.

Rested also meant a clearer head. A thought that had flitting around in his processor he finally catches with his resolve.

"Drift...after our conversation last night, I realized something..." His tone is still heartily content, but it has an edge of seriousness to it now.

[sword_redemption]

"Good." He cycles a relaxed, deep vent of air, listening to the too-familiar soft sounds of a medibay, but all at a comforting distance. This is...nice. Nicer than he ever thought he'd have. And it's all the more precious since it's probably just a matter of time before the bay stirs to life around them, ending this tranquility.

His browridges furrow on the edge of worry. "What?"

[winged_knight]

Wing doesn't want to cast a shadow over this bright moment, quite the opposite. He only wants to make reassurances, but that meant broaching previous uncomfortable subjects first.

He strokes gently over the plating of Drift's shoulder.

"Earlier yesterday...you were worried about Soundwave and I." Wing can almost guess Drift's reaction. "He mentioned it. He was concerned he made the wrong impression."

[sword_redemption]

"Oh. That." He couldn't entirely apologize, because he still felt it. However childish, however insecure. He'd lost Wing once; he hated the idea of losing him again, either to injury or another mech.

[winged_knight]

Insecurity is exactly what Wing wants to stave off. It's natural at this stage, and Drift isn't the only one to feel it. What they have is so new and so fragile, it's barely learning to walk much less run or leap over pitfalls like jealousy.

Wing makes a point to Drift in the optics, his presence as affectionate as ever. "I want you to know: I won't ever pursue anything serious without talking to you first. And I know I get affectionate with friends so we can define 'serious' however you are comfortable."

The jet reaches up to gently touch the side of Drift's face. "Bottom line is you're the one I want to be with most. Your happiness is important to me. Whatever I need to do to preserve it, please tell me."

[sword_redemption]

Well. There went any last vestiges of the warm glow of the morning, tearing like old cloth. There's nothing quite like waking up with the mech who owned your heart intimating that he wanted to be with other mechs. Possibly even 'seriously'.

The fact that he'd 'check' with Drift didn't matter. Drift had no right to veto Wing's happiness.

Drift shuttered his optics. It was your fault, thinking you were special. It was your fault, pinning so much onto this, Drift. Always wanting too much, always. If you want someone else other than the one you have, the message is clear. The one you have isn't enough. Wing was everything to Drift, all he could ever want, and Drift was...not enough for Wing. Why else would he even be thinking this? Especially right now?

"Who." The word is short, pained, and he cuts it off with a shake of his head, sitting up abruptly. "No. Never mind. Be with them, then. Be happy." He pushes off the bed. Better this than drag it out. A swift cut, cold and sharp.

[winged_knight]

Wing wants nothing more than to give Drift that right. It's what he's trying his hardest now to do. But it's like his last words go unheard.

For Wing it's always been about what others needed and what he could do to make them happy. Love, in all of its forms and whatever the source, has always been boundless and limitless; he always has more to give. But it's always been in smaller doses, never quite like this.

When Drift tears away from him it's tangible, a painful rent between them, and Wing realizes his mistake too late. Maybe this was more commonplace in Crystal City, but perhaps not in Drift's world.

"Drift, wait!" Wing reaches out, trying to throw his arms around the other's back and hoping not to be rebuffed. "No one, just you! Please, listen--I just want to prevent what happened yesterday from happening again. I don't want you doubting like that. Please..."

[sword_redemption]

Drift pauses in the doorway, one hand squeezing on the door's frame.

"Wing. Be with whomever you want." He doesn't know how much he means to Drift. Drift's not used to having anyone. Drift had lost Gasket, and Wing, once, already. And he knew he clung too tightly, and he could see already this was going to strangle Wing.

If he put limits on Wing, the jet would chafe against them, sooner or later. That wasn't how it was supposed to work, as far as Drift figured. And he knew how well Wing dealt with rules he didn't like back at Crystal City.

"It won't happen again, Wing. I won't stand in your way."

[winged_knight]

No. He won't let this happen, especially as it originates with him. Wing is a stubborn mech, especially when it comes to setting things right. He'll chase after Drift if he has to. As it is, he hastily closes the distance between the berth and the doorway, pinions quivering in reaction.

"Drift! Why won't you listen to me, please!?" He's caught somewhere between frustration and panic now. It's like a rejection, being handed off to someone else, however merciful it seemed to be. Under normal circumstances he'd try to handle it gracefully, but this feels like a misunderstanding.

"Don't you see Drift: You're the one I want! More than anything..." There's a desperate catch in his voice, he can't quite hide it and isn't certain he cares. Pride and ego be damned, neither would sustain him the way this love would. If only he be allowed to give it.

[sword_redemption]

Drift turns. He at least ought to face Wing. "I am listening. And I don't want to control you. I want you to be happy." He shrugs. "If you want someone else, that's not anything I need to be involved in." At all.

Because he knows he'll still follow Wing around, accepting any crumb of attention he can.

[winged_knight]

"You're not controlling me, the choices are mine in the end aren't they?" His browridge is furrowed under his helm, Wing's face taut just as his emotions are.

"You make me happy. And I hope, I do the same for you? If you want this at all...please don't go."

"I'm sorry."