re_alignment | [Voice] Trying Too Hard

Entry tags:

✘ dead space | vandal

[Voice] Trying Too Hard

So that's it then. Everything is back to "normal". As normal as this place gets and we're all left a little more fucked up than when we started.

Let's talk, humans, bears, Autobots, Decepticons. We're all people stuck here. Some of us want to be here, some of us don't...

But.

I just want to hear something good.

It doesn't matter if we're friends or not. But I'd like to hear from you.

Have you made friends here?

Would you rather go home or stay? If you want to go home, what is it there that you miss?

What makes you happy?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I do not!

...do I?

[...probably.] Look, it's just. This whole thing with Wing. You know how he, uh, was. [Yeah, he's going to skip over the highlight reel, if you don't mind.]

Everyone's saying that it was all not him. These pages. But I have been like that. No magic or pages or anything involved. And if that could happen to Wing, based on some...stupid drawing, it could happen to me.

[In other words, he wants you safe even if that means 'the hell away from Drift'. ]

[He shakes it off, to a slightly cockier smile.] I've never really taken you driving if all you think I can do is donuts. [He is viewing this as a challenge.]

You do.

And Drift? I can handle myself. I don't care what you were, or what some stupid page could make you do. You're my friend, my best friend. And honestly? It would hurt me more to not be able to be around you than anything you could do to me. I used the "L" word, Drift. It's been.

[Pause.] Six years since I've said that to anyone. May not be much for you guys, but it's a damn long time for a human. I don't think you grasp the seriousness of it.

... Oh? Have you been holding out on me, then? So bring it. I bet you can't make me scream.

[He'll, uh, take your word for it?]

I know you can. But.

[But, he's going to shut up now. For a minute. Maybe longer.]

Karrie. [A quiet laugh, almost bitter.] I've never said it to anyone. I couldn't even type it to Wing. [So if we're fighting the loserwars? Drift wins.]

I just...[know I'm not going to win this argument.]

[He bows his head.] I'll try to live up to the honor.

[But in the meantime.] What happens if I can?

[She shakes her head.]

You'll get there. And that wasn't my point. I'm not trying to out-do you. I'm saying that there's a lot of weight in that, so don't push me away. Or say I'm better off with someone else. I said I love you and I mean it. I only have one bestie and that's you.

All you have to do for me is just be yourself. Your whole self. The bad, the good, s'what makes you you.

[A shrug and a wry smile.] Then I'll be very impressed and maybe next time you'll get a 'get-out-of-tickles-free' card or something.

All right.

I just....[Because you know he has to try and argue...] I just want you to be happy.

[Which always sounds so simple but it's a lot harder to make happen.]

...I thought a can of peaches would fix that.

You want me to be happy? You work on finding some happiness yourself. And you know. Let me tag along and pester you.

[Smile.]

I'm all outta' peaches. And you can't even eat them now.

[Well, he can't really resist that.]

All right. But you don't pester me.

[Except when you're, you know, verbally wrapping him around your little finger which how the hell do you do that anyway?]

I thought they would be, you know, a diversionary tactic. Throw them and run the other way.

If you're sure of it.

[She laughs and wags a finger at him.]

Hmm, I think making you laugh is better than peaches, Flopsy.

You're actually giving me a say?

[He's going to pre-emptively step back, in case Vandal decides to punch him.]

I'm still going to look for more peaches.

[At the very least, he owes you. He knew you were saving them up for something special and he's pretty sure 'weepy teenage girl with flower dandruff' was not it.]

[She's just going to pout at you a little.]

Ohhhh zing.

Well heck, if you want to find me some peaches, I won't say no.

Just for the record though? Still not going to save you.

[Finger wiggle.]

Maybe I just want to find them to make you happy.

[Uh. Wow. That was a little too obvious. He's going to stare at his feet--now actual good solid metal footplates again.]

... What am I going to do with you?

[But you get a big smile.]

Do your peaches come with hugs as a package deal?

...be terrified of my driving? [It's a start. Donuts. *scoff*. He's got so much more in the 'reckless driving' category.]

They could but I'm, uh, no longer 'hug-sized.'

[Is it a good thing he's trying to make it a joke? ]

I will do my best to not be too delighted, then.

Heh- you know. I kind of prefer hugs from Robot-Drift. But Ill like you no matter what shape you're in.

...don't try too hard. [He'd rather have you happy. The more the better.]

Vandal....

[Yeah, he's got nothing. He'll just sort of squirm awkwardly.]

What? Did I embarrass you?

No. No. Of course not.

[He's such a good liar, yes?]

No, no. I think you're getting bashful on me.

[Seriously, Drift.]

No. Just. I'll try harder to be better.

For you.

[Cough.]

You are the sweetest. You don't need to try harder, you're great just the way you are.

... Also nice try, Mister Bashful.

Don't worry, it's cute.

I don't feel very great. [Like, ever.]

And I'm not cute. [Them's fighting words.]

Well you are. Maybe someday you'll believe me.

Ohhhh yes you are. Don't worry, you can be cute and still be manly as hell.

I'd rather be useful. But thank you. [Added hastily because she's right there and he's ticklish.]

I'm sorry for, you know, being difficult. [Drift = terrible human.]

You're useful, too. [Damn right she is, and no, she is not above exploiting his weakness.]

Ahh hey, you know? If you didn't have at least a little trouble with it, I would have been even more worried. Being a human isn't easy. I would know. Especially here, when everyone is bigger than you and frankly sometimes pretty damn scary.

[He doesn't consider it 'exploiting.']

It was...yes. I suppose I should be concentrating on what I got from the experience. You know, reflect on what I can learn.

[Voice] Trying Too Hard

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