rehab 3 WE'RE STILL GOING AT IT

[staygoldponybot]

Who: op and sentinel
What: THE CONTINUING ADVENTURES OF MAKING AN ASSHOLE FEEL BAD
When: post bang botanicals
Where: bar then other places
Warnings: Vodka Aunt sentinel


Unbeknowst to him, Sentinel's comm device was buzzing away, rattling across the floor. It had rolled off the table about an hour ago but he hadn't noticed.

Instead, Sentinel had made a somewhat decent decision to rewire his wrist mounted guns into non-lethal tasers. It wasn't anything outside his area of expertise - though admittedly, he was much better with guns that would actually kill. Ah, c'est la vie. Apparently during the goddamn war, someone decided murders were "unethical."

Anyway.

Despite trying to do something positive, Sentinel had also made the bad decision of drinking while doing so. It's made his concentration suffer but frankly, after what happened in Kaon, he's amazed he's not comatose in a gutter somewhere. Fuckin' Megatron. Fuckin' Decepticons. Fuckin' political apartheid that eventually and, he supposes in hindsight, inevitably violently spilled over the bubbling pot.

Fuckin' Megatron.

Comments

[optout]

It took a few tries before Optimus gave up attempting to contact by phone. If Sentinel was going to ignore him, he could certainly do this in person.

You can't skip out on rehab that easily, buddy.

But the good thing about hunting down Sentinel? He wasn't exactly hard to find. He didn't really see him as someone who went out of his way to hide himself, but he was surprisingly not all that social. Huh. Weird, right? But honestly, that meant Sentinel was in one of three places: the crater, an old building, or here.

This one just happened to be his first stop. LUCKY YOU.

"Sentinel."

His voice had a little more authority this time as he steps into Maccadam's. It wasn't exactly hard to find him in the room. He's just the giant asshole.

[staygoldponybot]

He doesn't look up immediately. His forearm armour paneling is on the table alone with a load of wires and he's trying to concentrate on not completely screwing up his finger pistons. Something that would be far easier if he had the right equipment but whatever. Beggars and ex-Primes can't be choosers.

It takes a good minute or two before he acknowledges Optimus' presence.

"Do you need something lifted?" he asks flatly. Why else would Optimus come after him? He's not entirely aware of the amount of time that's passed and that it would be time for rehab again.

[optout]

There is always the alternative of going to an expert for this, Sentinel. Although, a part of him wonders who would even take on that task without fear of getting their fingers or head ripped off should they do it wrong. On second thought, continue on with whatever home improvement you're trying to do.

Still, he'll walk over and pick up that communicator, checking it briefly to see--yep, all of his calls ignored. There's a quick slide of it in Sentinel's direction.

"I've been trying to reach you for quite some time. Rehabilitation."

Yep, it's that time once again.

[staygoldponybot]

"Oh."

For a moment, Sentinel does look vaguely surprised. He didn't think Optimus wanted to continue it. He picks up his comm with his free hand, dismisses all the missed calls and starts putting his forearm back together. There is a reason he's doing it himself.

"What did you have in mind for this time?"

[optout]

Optimus waits patiently, although his arms can't help but fold across his chest as he watches Sentinel reassemble himself. Really, Sentinel? You go to a bar, get smashed, and then remove your arm plating to do some fine tuning?

Pick better, more responsible hobbies.

"I was hoping we could drive out past the limits."

Say it slower, Optimus. Driiiiiiveeeeeee.

[staygoldponybot]

He was doing well until Optimus showed up! One of his guns is... sort of rewired. Okay it's unfinished and doesn't work but whatever shut up

Anyway, at drive, Sentinel almost drops the armour panel he was holding, then shakes himself.

"I'd rather not drive."

[optout]

A brow perks.

"I don't think you really get a choice in the matter. I'm surprised it's taken you three of these and you still question that."

[staygoldponybot]

"Let me rephrase that. I can't drive."

He clicks the plating back into place, avoiding optic contact.

"You are welcome to go without me."

[optout]

...

Okay, things got a little more interesting. His arms stay in their folded state, but those eyes narrow.

"What do you mean you -can't-".

[staygoldponybot]

"I am no longer in possession of a t-cog."

He's expecting Optimus to laugh it up.

"Even if I still had one, I do not think I would be able to transform, anyway."

[optout]

Optimus doesn't laugh. Like...ever.

But there is a strained sigh as two fingers go to the bridge of his nose. Honestly, Sentinel, if you wanted to get out of this you could at least come up with a better excuse.

"You magically do not have your T-Cog."

Can you feel the weight of disbelief in his voice?

"I didn't realize I was speaking to Rodimus."

[staygoldponybot]

"You think I'm making excuses."

Okay, no, he is slightly offended because WHY WOULD THAT BE THE EXCUSE HE USES, and also he is still salty about losing a major organ.

"By saying I'm missing a major organ." He can hear Megatron laughing somewhere, he's sure. "After - despite it being entirely pointless and moronic - I was disembowelled by Megatron."

He clenches his fists so hard the knuckles creak, resisting the urge to outright sucker punch Optimus. For all the 5 seconds he would be alive after it, it would be extremely satisfying.

[optout]

"I think there is room for disbelief in the idea that you are suddenly missing an organ and haven't brought it up to a medical professional."

HE'S NOT SAYING IT'S LIKE YOU BUT PRIMES ARE KNOWN FOR BULLSHIT EXCUSES OKAY.

"What good would your T-Cog be to Megatron?"

Sorry Sentinel, he needs more clues than that.

[staygoldponybot]

"It's been gone for almost a year. This is not sudden."

Yeah, because Optimus would know that.

"I'm not dying so I assumed they wouldn't care. And what would they do? Do we have some t-cogs laying around? That would fit?"

He huffs. Really, the reason is he's a giant shitbaby.

"Megatron took it for symbolism."

...

"I think."

[optout]

...

Inhale. Exhale.

"No, but I could have talked Megatron into giving it back."

...


But of COURSE he took it for symbolism. This isn't a fucking mess that he's learning about a year later. NOPE. See this dent marks by his nose bridge? THEY'RE JUST FOR DECORATION.

[staygoldponybot]

"Talked him into--"

Get your camera out, Optimus. Something momentous is about to happen. Sentinel makes a pfffft noise then starts laughing.

The second he's finished - honestly it was just a little heh heh heh noise - he immediately covers his mouth with his hand and looks a little shocked, like he betrayed himself by having An Emotion.

"...No. You couldn't have."

[optout]

…

Okay, laughter out of Sentinel is both momental and a little worrying. Mark that down for things he never wishes to hear again, and it visibly worries him for the short duration it exists. His plating twitches, as do his ear pieces. Like a dog who's just heard a new sound.

"You'd be amazed what I've accomplished with just speaking to him."

[staygoldponybot]

"I will not stop you if you wish to try."

He shrugs.

"However I would not be surprised if he no longer has it."

Sentinel expects Megatron probably ate it.

[optout]

That was a good point. Even if Megatron had somehow not crushed it between his thighs feet, the chance of him holding onto it merely for sentimental value was at an all time low. Especially after a year.

"Mm. Then perhaps we can walk."

A glare. He's not going to forget about this. He's going to deal with this RIGHT after rehab.

"Unless you're opposed to walking as well."

[staygoldponybot]

Sentinel just looks away again. It's really weird feeling so uncomfortable. If he knew the concept, he'd feel like a kid who got caught by his dad trying to steal something. Or murder a cat.

"...No, that's fine."

He drags a hand down his face, trying to compose himself again. Goddamnit.

[optout]

"Good." And just like that, his voice softens to that of a worn, tired soldier as a hand rests on his arm. "It'll take longer to get there, surely. But we could always talk." A finger helps flip that hatch Sentinel had pulled open closed.



You know, that thing you're so good at.

[staygoldponybot]

Unfortunately, Sentinel still doesn't like being touched. Even more so after his canon update, which he is trying to figure out how to describe to Optimus without sounding like he's finally lost his marbles.

Pulling his arm away from Optimus' hand and he makes a thoughtful noise.

"There are some things I would like to discuss along the way."

You know, to wherever the hell they're going. Sentinel puts a hand over where Optimus flipped the panel shut. Ugh. Peasant germs.

[optout]

His hand gingerly retracts, at least getting somewhat of a message through body language. Not that Sentinel didn't deserve to feel slightly uncomfortable, but Optimus can somewhat understand the feeling.

"Really."

That's as surprised as he can get, honestly.

"Well, I look forward to it." He really is. Maybe...Sentinel is opening up? He takes a step back, waiting for the larger bot to adjust himself.

Seeing those cannons finally.


"I think I have a few myself."

[staygoldponybot]

MAYBE HE IS, MAYBE HE ISN'T. ONLY TIME WILL TELL. It takes a few more seconds, but he manages to put himself back together and flexes his hand a few times to make sure all his fingers still worked. They're still all broken, but at least they respond to the pistons moving. Ow.

He watches Optimus for a second. Nope, still no idea how to describe his trip home without sounding completely insane.

"You first."

[optout]

If you're looking for pity on that, Optimus sure isn't going to notice and/or care. He's already got one body part he has to look out for for you, surely you can handle a broken pinky. Asshole.

But he starts to walk, making his way out of Macaddam's and holding the door open for him.


"I'll start with the obvious. What were you doing back there?"