#0pr1me

But that wasn’t when he had met the robot. That had been another run when he was more comfortable with it and was starting to learn how to apply that speed to flying. The first time he’d met it… him(?), was an impromptu trip to some lush mountains in Colorado. It had been in some woods and it had spooked him bad enough that he’d gone straight home again. But he couldn’t stop thinking about it and nearly the next day he’d made an excuse to go visit again, poking around curiously. …He’d had some fun playing The Iron Giant with the robot since then, even if he wouldn’t really say that was what he was doing.

This time he’d decided to make actual contact. He’d brought with him a mass of scrap metal from the barn. He still didn’t know if it ate or what it might eat. Metal was just what he supposed… Clark was only about eleven. If he were honest, they’d both startled one another. The robot either it’s presence and hom with his powers. He’d immediately taken into the air rhe first time they’d crossed paths. - In any case, the boy was hauling the scrap metal through the trees, dragging it behind himself as if it wasn’t nearly enough to comprise a whole tractor.

…They hadn’t exactly exchanged any words yet either…

“Uh… Mr. robot?! I have food! Maybe…” he called out. He floated up slightly, looking around. He was pretty sure that this was close to the area he’d seen it last time.

[ 𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 ] : as sender is about to leave, receiver embraces them.

As the Prime starts to depart, Ratchet half turns to catch hold of his vambrace. It isn't a firm hold, but rather a gentler sort of strength, primarily intended to maintain his attention.

"Try to be careful, even if you're just going on a drive," the healer states, "I'm glad you've rested, but your self-repair hasn't quite finished from the last bout." With that, his servo opens, freeing Optimus' arm as he shifts again.

Now she's got guilt on top of her embarrassment, adding a new shade of pink over her ears and cheeks. Still, Charlie knows she can't exactly argue against his help. The longer she walked on her leg, the worse it'd get, and then she'd really be no good to either of them for who knew how long. She's sheepish all the same when she limps up to him, careful to favor the leg.

❝ Thanks... ❞ and she means it, even with her chin tucked into her chest a little, using her bangs to hide her eyes. ❝ I didn't think it'd be this bad. ❞

And to her credit, Charlie was sure it wasn't that bad when she'd first checked. A little scraped up and bruised, but for a while it was fine. A little sore was all. That was until she'd walked a good few more paces, then she'd really felt how bad it'd got and just how bad it'd be. She wanted to tough it out, though. So much for that...

❝ I, uh - I won't scratch your paint, I promise. ❞ A little joke, trying to lighten the air ( mostly for her own sake ).

"You plan. I’ll handle the explosions."

"Eugh, Nat's usually better at planning this crap than I am but seeing she's not here.. Fuck it."

You'd think that talking giant robots would be out of the blue but honestly? He had seen worse, dealt with worse and he couldn't even judge, seeing that he was sporting a bionic arm himself, aside the whole fact that he was an enhanced human, too. But compared to some others, he was normal, for sure.

Last thing he'd want to do would be to piss off something the size of a goddamn building by himself with no back up. That is, unless he felt a little crazy but thank god he had his head on his shoulders at the moment.

It’s hard to catch, but the faintest of some sort of… expression flashes on her face.

“Ohhh, I’ve just made myself at home! It’s kinda cozy here, yanno? Microgravity is not quite as comfy as being on solid ground!”

This is true. She seems quite satisfied in giving this answer.

Frank stays silent. There is a chilling, frightening realization that someone can see you. Actually see you. There's no warning, it's sudden and he internally recoils back by this revelation. He feels naked, and it makes his skin crawl.