Optimus Prime

It wasn't often that the Prime was seen simply lounging, but this had been "doctor's orders" and Ratchet would have removed legs if it meant keeping him in one place to recharge.

shelby was one of the newer humans who had learned the existence of the cybertronians, and one of the most level-headed, although she had a tendency to be reckless when it came to protecting her friends. even with a bum leg and all.

"How are you feeling today?"

"The fever just won't break."

"I brought you some soup. It might help with your congestion."

"I hate being stuck in bed. It feels like time is standing still."

"I'm so tired of being sick."

"Is there anything I can do to make you more comfortable?"

"I'm sorry you're going through this. I wish I could take away your pain."

"I can't believe we're both sick at the same time. It's like a cruel joke."

"I hope you start feeling better soon."

"I can't wait to get back to my normal self."

"It's tough being confined to these four walls. I need some fresh air."

"I brought you a book to keep you entertained. It's one of your favorites."

"I'll make you a cup of tea. It might soothe your throat."

"I hate seeing you like this. It breaks my heart."

"Don't worry about me. I'll be alright. Just having you here helps."

"I will when I finish the last of this coding." The Prime responded as his digits continued to move over the keyboard in front of him. His processor pulled for recharge, optics a touch dimmer than usual. "Using my internal systems is faster than waiting on a program to be built."

His large frame leaned sideways just enough so when a panel opened on his side, he could reach the data cable there and plug it directly into the computer. Before becoming Prime, he had been an archivist, a data mech, so handling large transfers of information weren't out of scope of his expertise.

Kelsey stepped closer to him, observing the former data clerk do his thing with expertise. She was fascinated by it, knowing a little bit of how her Guardian lived before he became a Prime. Once she figured out a data clerk was similar to a human librarian, she became more attached: mostly since as a little kid, she wanted to be a librarian. Of course that never happened, but the memory of helping the librarian at her school work the circulation desk and put books away as an eight year old left her with warm feelings.

It was strange to see wires coming out of Optimus, but the human tried to keep in mind that Cybertronians were different, they were living technology. Little by little she was gaining information from Optimus and Ratchet about Cybertron itself. Nobody knew if returning to Cybertron could ever be an option, but if it was, Kelsey would’ve explored it all with the last Prime.

"When I find a new bit of information related to Cybertron, I code it to fit into my databanks. I hope to save, at least, some of our history." He vented lightly, a soft shake of his helm following. "Perhaps it is a fool's errand. If we can rebuild our home, we will be beginning anew."

there's still a lot of work to be done.

i'm not finished with it yet.

i can't give up just yet.

there's nothing noble about working yourself to death.

you think i can't handle this myself?

there's not enough hours in the day.

i realize you think you have to do this.

working like this helps me think.

i'll sleep when i'm dead.

your work ethic scares me sometimes.

i don't need your help.

do you ever sleep?

they need me.

no matter how hard you work, it won't bring them back.

do you realize how crazy that sounds?

i'm not stopping until this is done.

you need to slow down.

i feel like i'm wasting my life.

have you ever taken a vacation?

i can handle this on my own.

i'm nothing without my work.

you're going to get sick if you keep going like this.

you've proven your point.

you're going to work yourself to death.

there are worse ways to spend a life.

you can't keep going at this pace.

i don't have time to rest.

it needs to be done.

do you have any healthy coping mechanisms, by any chance?

there's no time to waste.

i think it's time for you to take a break.

everything was going great until you stopped me.

i can't sleep yet. not until this is done.

i'm the only one who can do this.

at least let me help you.

if i just focus on my work, i don't have to think about anything else.

i'm not asking you to take a break, i'm telling you.

did you really have to interrupt like that?

i'm not budging.

it's my life's work.

you're not going to convince me otherwise.

when was the last time you slept?

i'll help you finish the job if you promise to get some rest.

you're practically falling asleep standing up.

you can finish this in the morning.

let me get you to bed.

don't you get it? it's over!

working yourself to death isn't going to fix anything.

if i don't do it, no one else will.

i wish you would take some time to rest.

i'm not taking a break, if that's what you're asking.

you just broke my concentration, thank you very much.

i'm not going to bed.

i don't know how to quit.

they're counting on me.

too many people rely on me.

i can't disappoint them.

you need a vacation.

i wish you would just listen to me and slow down.

your eye bags have eye bags.

all right, that's it. i'm putting my foot down.

no more excuses.

what do you get out of this? this overworking thing?

without my work... i'm nothing.

no one else is going to step in.

i don't care about me. i care about them.

we have unfinished business.

if i stop now, it'll be like giving up.

i'm a perfectionist. it's in my nature.

better to pour myself into my work than something else.

i wish you would go easy on yourself.

((Whichever Megs you want.))

@peterbilt-prime | x

Megatron grimaces, slightly; shifts his weight and makes another face at the scrape of metal on metal, his injuries seeping fresh energon.