[ video ]

[lifepersists]

[ First Aid is still hard at work, but he's back to video. He's got some kind of oil on his hands and he looks pretty satisfied now. ]

The pyre is almost ready. The ceremony will be tomorrow. Those who have loved ones amongst the dead, please let me know if you wish to light their pyre mound.





[ Megatronus ]
I told you, it's all about phrasing.

[ This is practically a grin with his optics. ]

Anyway, I wasn't trying to gloat. I actually would like to ask you for a favor. Do you think you can assist with the fire?
[ Megatronus ]

Comments

[sword_redemption]

I've made you pay a price for me. [He sighs, discontent.] Of course. Whenever you want.

[Whatever you want. Drift wouldn't dream of saying 'no' to anything Wing wanted.]

Not like you, Wing. [No one had ever been as pure and bright as Wing. It almost hurt to look at him sometime.]

[winged_knight]

Sometimes the price is the reason we learn. [He cocks his helm at the sigh.] It's up to you Drift. If you want to know, ask me about it sometime.

[It's certainly not a matter he'll press. Just a simple offer.]

[He ducks his head a little at the compliment.] Everyone shines in their own way. Every spark is different.

[sword_redemption]

And I want to make sure I learn it, Wing. [The price was too terribly high.]

I don't want you to feel that you have to tell me anything. [But, he'll listen.]

[And once again they're doing that dance of polite aloof distance when both of them want to draw closer.]

[He smiles, with a cock of his helm.] Accept the compliment, Wing.

[winged_knight]

You have, Drift. [And hopefully it's the hardest lesson he'll ever have to learn.]

Drift I...I want to. [A smile, because he realizes how true that is, dancing around each other and the hurts they have. Trying to prevent more, when they could be healing each other.] I want to.

[And now a little chuff of laughter, like he's been caught out.] ...thank you, love. If it lets me brighten your day, or anyone else's, then I will.

[sword_redemption]

Then I want to hear it. [He does. There's a part of him that is greedy for any crumb of Wing--his attention, his history, his touch...anything. He's just afraid of pushing in too closely.]

It does. [He wishes they were closer, but then again, he always does. And he's here about Gasket, the memento of his past that deserves to be laid to rest.]

[winged_knight]

[There might be some pain in the telling, but he realizes now too, that perhaps he still has things to learn from the experience even after it's aged so long. And well, bonding with Drift was an excellent reason in and of itself.] Maybe some quiet night, when the stars are out.

[Looking at the stars always made him feel better. Wing pulls a smile, he's almost looking forward to it now. If anyone would understand, it'd be him.]

Then I'll do it, everyday. Because I like to see you smile. [He tilts his head, the words growing soft.] I know he would too.

[sword_redemption]

Whenever you want. [Drift's not busy. And even if he were, he'd make an exception for Wing.]

[A sad smile.] I wonder sometimes what he'd make of me, honestly. What I became.

[winged_knight]

Soon. [And then he adds, for good measure:] And don't let me back out either. Just because other stuff gets in the way. [As it is want to do around here.]

I think he'd understand better than anyone why you made the choices that you did. [A soft smile.] And I think he'd be happy that you survived to make a difference.

[sword_redemption]

I wouldn't force you, Wing. You don't owe me your secrets.

[Drift looks worried.] I don't know. Sometimes I think he'd hate me for what I made of his death, and how I just...gave into the anger he was always warning me about.

[winged_knight]

I know Drift, it's one of the reasons I'm comfortable telling you. And of all people, you're the one who matters most.

Dissapointment, likely, yes. But I don't think he'd hate you. Not from what you describe of him. [Now it's Wing's turn for a sad smile.] Though sometimes that's harder to bear.

[sword_redemption]

[He's not going to answer that first part other than with a soft thrumming sound of gratification.]

I'm...I'm tired of letting people down.

[And he's worried about doing it to Wing.]

[winged_knight]

You do you best Drift. [ It's not just bland sentiment, Wing means every word. ] He'd be proud if he saw you today. I know I am.

[sword_redemption]

No. I don't think he would. I think he'd be upset. He never liked my temper.