Reaction to MTMTE

[lyingliarwholies]

M-Mun...

Do you think that... maybe...?

[Cyclonus told him not to hope, but he can't help himself. It feels like a solution is right there, just barely out of his reach.]

It's a possibility right? You believe it too?

[Vague little robot is vague.]

Comments

[flashdrive]

Hey, they paused on your scene for dramatic effect.



Totally means something.

[lyingliarwholies]

I hope so.

Dying really isn't that much fun.

[Not that he doesn't have to tell you.]

[flashdrive]

Don't I know it. But hey, that's no attitude.

Make the most of what you got. Who knows what'll change.

[lyingliarwholies]

I miss your optimism.

It's just not the same without you around, you know?

[flashdrive]

Aw bud, I miss you too. It's just one of those things that happens.

You know, an Overlord attack.

[Look! He's trying to joke about it!]

Just...keep an eye on Domey for me. He's got a knack for trouble and I need a substitute to watch him.

[He's also saying this to Tailgate specifically as a reason. A reason to keep living. Who cares what the clock says.]

[lyingliarwholies]

[Tailgate cares what the clock says!]

Domey's been... really sad since you, uh, died.

I'll be happy to be your substitute Rewind, as much as I can be.

[There's a pause before he decides to go in for a hug. He'd give anything to get you back Rewind.]

[flashdrive]

So he...remembers?

[A huge sigh of relief. Seriously.]

[lyingliarwholies]

Uh.

Did you expect him not to?

[notsostraightforward]

[Tailgate...

As much as he wants to re-enforce his ideals, things are looking strangely optimistic for the mini-bot. But...]

If there is anything we should have learned by now, it's that things that seem too good to be true, are.

[lyingliarwholies]

What if...

What if things are what they seem?

Maybe I can be cured?

That'd be nice, wouldn't it?

[notsostraightforward]

[The gaze in Cyclonus' eyes... softens. Just a bit, but it's noticeable.

Cyclonus simply bows his head, saying nothing.

...Yes, it would be.

After a moment, he finally says, quietly,]

Things are never what they seem.

[lyingliarwholies]

[Tailgate's gaze falls, and he starts fiddling with his fingers. His entire situation fills him with a panicky helplessness. There must be something he can do. Anything. Maybe Cyclonus will save him.]

I don't want to spend my last few days dying in a cell. That just isn't fair.

I do want to hope.

Cyclonus...

[notsostraightforward]

[Primus damn it, Tailgate. He knew this would happen, it always does.

He can't say anything, nothing that it's something he's said and thought a million times before and then had to eventually question.

He stays silent again.]

[lyingliarwholies]

[Tailgate has a question he wants to ask though. It's an important one, and requires an important answer.]

Do you think that... well...

Are we friends, Cyclonus?

I like to think we are.

[notsostraightforward]

Tailgate --

[Stop. Please just stop. The last person whom he called 'friend' disappeared without a trace.]

That you consider me a friend is unwise.

[Stop doing this to him. Please.]

[lyingliarwholies]

That's not an answer.

[notsostraightforward]

[His gaze hardens again, and he growls.]

You're frustrating -- there's nothing I can tell you that I haven't already told you before about how insufferable you can be. And even knowing what I think of you, you persist. Why?

[lyingliarwholies]

[Just because he's small doesn't mean he's a pushover Cyclonus.]

Because I know that's not all you think about me!

You can be pretty frustrating too you know! You're always on your own and you won't let anyone in. But I keep trying anyway because I want to be your friend! Is that really so wrong?

I like you, and I just want to hear you say you like me too before I... whatever happens.

[notsostraightforward]

Because that's what works best. Perhaps you have noticed that you're alone in that opinion.

[Seriously, have you heard the other crew of the Lost Light talk about him? But... damn. Tailgate has a point.

Cyclonus huffs and looks away.]

...Your company... I have grown somewhat accustomed to it.

[...It's a start, okay?]

[lyingliarwholies]

[It's definitely a start and Tailgate will take it. He absolutely lights up at the not!confession.]

I think that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me.

[notsostraightforward]

Don't get used to it.

[The warning is snapped, but perhaps Tailgate knows it's just part of the mask. Grumpy old ex-zombie bots are hard to deter their ways.]

[lyingliarwholies]

[Ah, but now that he has a taste for it...]

Never.

If something does happen to me, I just want you to know that it was worth getting to know you.

[notsostraightforward]

[Something happening to Tailgate... Like he's been telling himself would happen. And he manages to stop himself just as he starts to agree.

And instead, Cyclonus slowly bows his head.]

[lyingliarwholies]

[Cyclonus is very hard to read sometimes, even for someone as observant as Tailgate. Tailgate fiddles with his own fingers some more before walking up to the other and placing a small hand on his leg.

Cyclonus has taught him that sometimes silence speaks louder than words.]

[notsostraightforward]

[That hand on his leg draws his optics offline, and he lets out a small huff again -- although this one seems more tired than anything.

...

Damn you for doing this to him.]