#rhythme

Friday night, Drift worries Jamie will change her mind about attending the dance tomorrow. He'd respect that, but he knows that with her mental health, she needs to be encouraged to go out. While out is downstairs in the cafeteria for an event. The two have what they're wearing planned. Drift was hoping Jamie would wear a dress, but he loves seeing her in her red long-sleeve shirt that's her formal wear and black dress pants rather than jeans. He convinced her to borrow nice shoes from Lily rather than wear her boots. The two picked what to wear two days ago, and Jamie has said nothing since.

The next morning, Drift wakes up feeling nervous like it's his first date today. He worries about the thin line between encouraging Jamie and causing her to feel like she has no choice. He holds off asking until after breakfast to talk to Jamie. The two get ready for the day and go downstairs.

The two see Sunstreaker's holoform writing on a large chalkboard about the event. The blonde focused on the art on the chalkboard. "I wonder how often Lily had to ask him about going to the dance?" Drift asks. "Once," Sunstreaker replies while finishing his work with chalk, "I didn't tell her no. I still dislike these events, but I also like going to these events with Lily. I don't care if that makes little sense." He finishes with the chalk and enters the cafeteria, where Lily and Sideswipe await him. "Sunstreaker volunteered to make the sign?" Jamie asks, "are we sure that's Sunstreaker?" Drift laughs, "you know how much he still hates most humans." They don't know the terror twins, and Lily worries about the two. The three friends know events are hard for Jamie, even with friends, and Drift wants to take Jamie to the dance.

After breakfast with the twins and Lily, Jamie and Drift go back to their room. The event starts at three, and Jamie isn't a femme who spends much time getting ready.

Drift asks Jamie at noon if she still wants to go to the dance. He knew there'd be a little anxiety even as Jamie says she wants to go. The two take turns taking showers and getting ready. This kills off two hours. Drift loves seeing Jamie wear her formal outfit, and the shoes she borrows from Lily improve the outfit. He also loves her jet-black spikey hair. "So beautiful," he smiles, "but I wonder how much hairspray would it take to flatten these spikes?" He runs his fingers through her hair. Drift suspects wearing a red button-down, black pants, and shoes will look odd to some as he's matching Jamie, but he doesn't care. "I know Crosshairs would argue this is an event for us and stay in the room, but I don't like that he had to be part of the mission." "I doubt he'd stay in the room, but he wants us doing more things together without him." Drift brushes his short, fine hair, and the two put their shoes on. Fifteen minutes before the event starts, Driftsits with Jamie on the couch, hoping to help keep her anxiety in check. Even while this is not the first event at the base they've been to, Jamie struggles with anxiety even while the event is with friends and others she knows. He also worries about her feeling alone, as she'll see couples in the cafeteria.

Even with Jamie's calm, Drift worries about her once they enter the cafeteria. Knowing how hard it is for her to see soldiers and Autobots in love. Part of her mental struggle that he's trying to help her with. He knows how much Jamie loves him and hates that she's afraid to show she loves him. The two sit at a table with Sunstreaker and Lily, uncertain what to do.

Soon, every couple is dancing the Waltz. Even Lily has Sunstreaker dancing. Even with their size difference, Jamie wants to try dancing. The two won't be dancing the Waltz perfectly, but they want to see what the dance turns into. They are unaware that they have become the center of attention. All observe their flawless rhythm despite their inability to perform all dance steps. Sunstreaker is now known to sneak photos of the two. Drift loves getting the photos; otherwise, as much as he'd love to, Sunstreaker wouldn't take pictures. A few minutes pass, and Drift picks Jamie up and does the remaining dance steps with her. Sunstreaker takes a few more pictures. As Jamie puts her hands on his cheeks and kisses him, Drift becomes convinced that she is unaware of her surroundings. Drift acknowledges the rarity of this occasion but fully comprehends the reasons and will savor each moment. He's happy she's relaxed. He hopes Sunstreaker is taking pictures for memory and to show Crosshairs.

After a little dancing, some get food. That's what Drift, Jamie, Lily, and Sunstreaker do. They sit together with Sideswipe, who is not pleased to be at the event without a date but is also happy with how Jamie is doing. If only this were the start of Jamie saying the two are together. Sideswipe comments through the bond. From what Drift tells me, she's been doing better, but he doesn't think this is a permanent change because of her mental health. I hate to say he's right. We can only hope things get better. The two love seeing how happy Drift and Jamie are.