Tracks:

::Incoming transmission from: Tracks. Accept: Y/N.::

Bonecrusher:

:: DEAR PRIMUS Y. ::

Tracks:

::You're still in one piece then?::

Bonecrusher:

:: MISSIN' AN ARM AN' LOW ON ENERGON, BUT I'D SAY YES. ::  *a pause*  :: MAYBE A BIT GLITCHED.  THEY'RE DOIN' TH' MACARENA. ::

Tracks:

::Nearly one piece then, and so are the rest of us, with the refinery down there with you. ...And I suppose if they're giving you a floor show then they're not attacking, at least.::

Bonecrusher:

:: THEY WON'T LET ME NEAR TH' REFINERY THOUGH.  WHICH IS REALLY A SHAME, SINCE I COULD USE A FEW MORE DRINKS RIGHT NOW.  'M KINDA RATIONIN' MYSELF MORE'N I WOULD NORMALLY. ::

Tracks:

::Well, you still sound rather pleasant.:: *dryly*

Bonecrusher:

:: HAVE YA EVER HEARD TH' MACARENA?  'S PRETTY UPBEAT.  BETTER'N BLUE VELVET, AT ANY RATE. ::

Tracks:

::Yes. ...I don't have much to say about Bombshell's taste in music, frankly.::

Bonecrusher:

:: I DON'T THINK ANYONE HAS MUCH T'SAY 'BOUT HIM IN GENERAL, REALLY.  OTHER THAN HE'S A SLAGGER AN' 'M GONNA KILL HIM.  Y'KNOW, AFTER EVERYONE ELSE GETS THEIR HANDS ON HIM. ::  *pauses long enough to take a swig from a half-empty cube*  :: SO, WHAT'S GOIN' ON UP TOP?  Y'ALL WASTIN' AWAY IN TH' HALLWAYS OR BLOWIN' EACH OTHER UP WITHOUT ENERGON LYIN' AROUND? ::

Tracks:

::I'm not one for that final of a punishment, usually, but in this case I think I'd make an exception. And no-- it's been oddly quiet, lately. Though no one's decided things are bad enough to start rationing yet, either.::

Bonecrusher:

:: THEY WILL ONCE I DIE OR SOMETHIN'.  WHO KNOWS, MAYBE THEY JUST DON'T REALIZE HOW FRAGGED THEY ARE.  EH, MAKES NO DIFFERENCE.  ......SO WHAT, ALL THAT QUIET GOT Y'SO BORED Y'DECIDED T'CHECK IN ON ME? ::

Tracks:

::I wasn't bored. And you had better not die. Who would I talk to, then?::

Bonecrusher:

:: MIRAGE?  RAOUL?  YER REFLECTION? :: *the last one is obviously a joke, going by his tone* :: 'M NOT PLANNIN' ON DYIN', BUT SLAGGIT, I MIGHT RIP MY OWN PROCESSORS OUT IF I HAVE TO HEAR BLUE VELVET ONE MORE TIME. ::

Tracks:

*An odd pause, like the conversation's hit points he doesn't know what to do with, then slightly quieter* ::You could turn your audio receptors off.::

Bonecrusher:

:: ....NAH, I COULD, BUT THEN IF CAT NEEDS FOOD, HOW DO I HEAR HER WHININ'?  'SIDES, AT LEAST IT GIVES ME SOMETHIN' T'FOCUS ON. ::  *he's not really going to go after the pause - either he didn't notice it being strange or he simply doesn't want to start an argument*  :: THEY'RE ANNOYIN', BUT AT LEAST THEY CAN CARRY A TUNE. ::

Tracks:

::Mm. Does it have enough food for a while, at least? Organics seem to consume quite a lot for even basic functions.::

Bonecrusher:

:: I THINK SO.  IF TH' CAT FOOD RUNS OUT, 'M PRETTY SURE I CAN TRICK ONE OF TH' RATS INT' TH' ROOM LONG ENOUGH T'TAKE IT DOWN AN' MAKE SOMETHIN' SHE CAN EAT. ::  *completely nonchalant, even though the rats are about 1/4 his size*

Tracks:

::Aah. Well, that's good.:: *He must not be aware of the odd-sized rats, because that actually sounds rather reasonable to him. There's another slight pause, this one just awkward* ::...I -am- sorry we never made it down there, by the way.::

Bonecrusher:

*chuckles*  :: EH, DON'T WORRY 'BOUT IT.  IT'LL GET DONE EVENTUALLY, Y'ALL CAN'T GO TOO LONG WITHOUT MY REFINERY. ::

Tracks:

*indignant now* ::It's ridiculous, really, that there hasn't been more done. Aren't you somewhere in the line of succession for Decepticon leadership?::

Bonecrusher:

:: YEAH, TH' BOTTOM OF IT.  'SIDES, 'S KINDA WHY 'M DOWN HERE INSTEADA BACK IN MY OLD ROOM.  Y'KNOW, SWEEPIN' TH' DRUNK UNDER TH' RUG. ::  *still light*

Tracks:

::Still. It's not right.::

Bonecrusher:

*laughs* :: LOVELY THAT Y'AT LEAST AGREE WITH ME ON TH' RUG THING.  NAH, 'M A 'CON, REMEMBER?  'S NOT A BIG DEAL SO FAR AS I'M CONCERNED.  RIGHT NOW, AT LEAST.  WHEN 'M OUTTA ENERGON, THEN I'LL START YELLIN'. ::

Tracks:

::It seems like that should be the last thing I forget about you.:: *wryly*

Bonecrusher:

:: I WOULD HOPE Y'WOULDN'T FORGET THAT.  'S KINDA A BIG PART OF WHO I AM.  WHAT MAKES ME TICK, AN' SUCH. ::

Tracks:

::It's not the only - or -most- important, though, either.:: *mildly*

Bonecrusher:

:: MEH, 'S EITHER BE A 'CON OR BE A DRUNK.  KINDA LIKE TH' FIERCE PERSONA I GET BY BEIN' TH' DECEPTICON BONECRUSHER, INSTEADA TH' DRUNK. ::

Tracks:

::If you insist. But if faction were still that important, I suppose I wouldn't be talking to you now, much less... other things.:: *The last comes out, not with distaste, but somewhat unconsciously affectionate*

Bonecrusher:

:: ... ::  *quiet for a minute, then laughs, sounding just shy of awkward* ::  YEAH, 'M PRETTY GLAD FACTIONS DON'T MAKE MUCH OF A DIFFERENCE AT TH' MOMENT.  IT'D BE A SHAME. ::

Tracks:

::Yes.:: *a beat, and then, in a curious tone* ::I hope I'm not the only one to have commed you since you've been caught down there.::

Bonecrusher:

:: SO FAR, YEAH, PRETTY MUCH.  EITHER THERE'S SOMETHIN' MORE IMPORTANT GOIN' ON UP TOP, OR... Y'KNOW, DRUNK UNDER TH' RUG. :: *sounding a little artificially relaxed*

Tracks:

*The Corvette makes a rude noise over the comm link* ::But we know what happens when mechs are in difficult situations around here.::

Bonecrusher:

:: THEY BAIL T'URUGUAY.  OR DO STUPID THINGS THAT THEY... SHOULD REGRET BUT DON'T. :: *he kind of mumbles that last bit, and there's the sound of him glugging down a cube pretty rapidfire*

Tracks:

::...Anything particular come to mind?::

Bonecrusher:

:: ...... ::

Bonecrusher:

:: ....AT TH' RISK OF SOUNDIN' RIDICULOUS, 'M NOT EXACTLY SORRY FER WHAT I'VE DONE WITH YOU. :: *there's a grand show of sounding nonchalant and casual!*

Tracks:

::You'll be sorry when Blackout finds out again.:: *Testy* ::As I'm sure he will, because he's hardly an unintelligent mech.::

Bonecrusher:

:: .....I know. ::  *sighs*  :: ...I just got no idea what 'm doin'.  An' 's not like him bein' pissed at me ain't th' normal state of things, so I hardly think 'm gonna regret this even with him bein' pissy. ::

Tracks:

::You're not the only one has no idea what he's doing. And I'm not going to try and navigate whatever you two call a relationship. But I think -I- am going to regret this.::

Bonecrusher:

:: Why? ::

Tracks:

::Why do you -think-, Bonecrusher?::

Bonecrusher:

:: I don't know. ::

Tracks:

::...Because I deserve better than being your dirty little secret.::

Bonecrusher:

*there's a long, slightly staticky pause at that, broken only briefly by the clinking of empty cubes* :: ...Yeah, prob'ly do.  Never said y'had t'be a secret, though. ::

Tracks:

::I don't think Blackout would put up with that. -I- shouldn't, but... well.:: *frustrated* ::Do you expect to carry on with the both of us, politely ignoring the other?::

Bonecrusher:

:: I don't expect anything.  Tracks, do y'honestly think 'm plannin' all this out?  I just... :: *quietly* :: Dear Primus, I don't know what 'm doin' anymore. ::

Tracks:

::Somehow -that- doesn't entirely surprise me.::

Bonecrusher:

:: WHAT, and you know what yer  doin'? ::

Tracks:

::If I did, I don't think I'd feel as much of an idiot as I do lately.::

Bonecrusher:

:: ....Don't feel like an idiot. ::

Tracks:

::How can I not? I don't even know what I'm hoping for - that you'll suddenly stop loving him? That you'll decide you don't want me anymore?::

Bonecrusher:

:: 'Cos this is my fault, not yours.  'm th' one who's doin' th' stupid slag here. ::

Tracks:

::It's just as much my fault for not telling you go. For not moving.::

Bonecrusher:

:: .......Why didn't you? ::

Tracks:

::I don't know. At the time... maybe I felt I had something to prove.::

Bonecrusher:

:: An' now? ::

Tracks:

*bitterly* ::...And now I wait around, pathetically hoping for scraps of attention because I like them too much to tell you to stop.::

Bonecrusher:

:: Scraps. ::  *annoyed* :: Y'think I just give you whatever bits of affection I have left over?   Do you really  think that little of me? ::

Tracks:

::I'd think you'd give the mech you -love- the attention that he deserves! What -else- would I be getting?::

Bonecrusher:

:: An' yet yer th' first one t'comm me.  At all. ::

Bonecrusher:

:: Wonderin', here, kitten, what's that say 'bout all this? ::

Tracks:

::... ::

Bonecrusher:

*sighs* :: Already tried t'explain this once.  I don't...  What I do with you, Tracks, is not  th' same as what I do with Blackout.  Yer not gettin' scraps, yer gettin' somethin' different.  I don't treat you like I do him. ::  *pauses* :: I know that doesn't make this less fragged up. ::

Tracks:

::No, not at all.::

Bonecrusher:

:: ......Yer still th' first one who's comm'd me.  Th' only one, actually. ::

Tracks:

::I don't think I've made it a secret that I care what happens to you.::

Bonecrusher:

:: You haven't. ......I don't understand it, m'self. ::

Tracks:

::Why I care?::

Bonecrusher:

:: Pretty much.  I mean, I nearly ripped yer face off, Tracks.  An' now 'm pullin' all this slag with you an' Blackout.  Is it an Autobot thing or somethin'? ::

Tracks:

::No. You just.::

Tracks:

::...You didn't leave me out there. And then, you stayed. You didn't have to.::

Tracks:

::I know you were just angry with Prime, but...  No one else did even that much.::

Bonecrusher:

:: I was angry at Prime fer not payin' attention t'what I did t'you.  An' I honestly dunno why I stayed.  I... don't.  Do that, normally. ::

Tracks:

::I didn't think so.::

Bonecrusher:

:: Would y'prefer it if I hadn't...? :: *sounding mildly uncertain, but not for any obvious reason*

Tracks:

*uncomfortably* ::...Is that even worth discussing now?::

Bonecrusher:

:: ......Only if y'want to. ::

Tracks:

::I don't.:: *collecting himself, he sighs* ::It doesn't change how things are, now.::

Bonecrusher:

:: ...It doesn't, I guess.  'm not sure what y'want me t'say to ya, Tracks.  I like you, an' 'm not givin' you my leftover attention.  I dunno. what y'want from me. ::

Tracks:

::I don't know either.::

Tracks:

::A choice would be nice.::

Bonecrusher:

:: .....I don't know what t'do. ::

Tracks:

::What do you -want- to do?::

Bonecrusher:

:: .......... ::

Bonecrusher:

:: .....I wish I knew. ::

Tracks:

::Well...::

Tracks:

:: ...against my better judgment.::

Tracks:

::I'm still here.::

Bonecrusher:

:: ......You... :: *dazed sounding* :: ....I, uh.  'm glad fer that. ::

Tracks:

::Good.:: *wryly*

Bonecrusher:

:: ....'m not exactly used t'this situation. ::

Tracks:

::That makes two of us.::

Bonecrusher:

:: Well, no, not th' whole two mechs at once thing.  Pretty slaggin' used t'that.  Just... th' standards of mosta th' 'Bots I ran into were a bit too high fer a drunk 'Con who likes barfights, an' all. ::

Tracks:

::"Used to that?":: *a slight pause, followed by a snort* ::Well, my standards are flexible, when needed. Though those aren't what I would call your best qualities, either.::

Bonecrusher:

:: Y'have higher standards than anyone I know who'd so much as glance at me. :: *ignoring the whole issue of "multiple partners" for the moment - that's another story*

Tracks:

::I suppose. And yet.:: *Somewhat amused* ::Is this where I tell you what it is I find attractive about you?::

Bonecrusher:

:: Nah. :: *chuckles* :: If I wanted that, I'd just ask.  's just kinda weird.  I doubt yer one fer bar fights, after all, an' that seems t'be th' general... common factor I've seen in my relationships.  's just weird. ::

Tracks:

::I've started one or two, but they're not generally how I go about enjoying myself, no.::

Bonecrusher:

:: I thought as much.  Still, y'can be pretty social, an' that's...  Slag, I dunno what 'm even goin' with this......  Primus, Tracks, either my heads always been this glitched or those fraggin' drones are doin' a number on my processors. ::

Tracks:

::Or both. But I wouldn't be surprised if something of Bombshell's makes mechs glitch. ...And if it's any consolation, I've never been with either a Decepticon or a mech like yourself.::

Bonecrusher:

:: Heh.  So, 's a learnin' experience fer th' both of us.  's good t'know. ::

Tracks:

::At least that, yes. I can't deny there's been a few things I've learned so far.:: *amused, his tone warmer, coy almost*

Bonecrusher:

:: Oh yeah?  Like what? :: *lowers his voice to a rumble, his smirk practically audible*

Tracks:

::Like how wrong I can be, at times, with quick judgments. How to touch a mech with heavy armor. How easily I can ignore my finish being scratched when I am sufficiently distracted...::

Bonecrusher:

:: T'be fair, not every heavily armored mech is as stupid as me when it comes t'gettin' repairs done.  And I try t'be gentle, but I got kinda sharp claws... :: *mildly* :: I suppose I could try t'be gentler...  's not in my nature, but 'm willin' to try fer ya. ::

Tracks:

::I appreciate the thought, but I -like- the way you touch me.::

Bonecrusher:

:: Mmm...  Good t'know, gorgeous.  I'll make sure not t'pull any punches with ya from now on, then. ::

Bonecrusher:

*laughs after a moment* :: Want t'just designate a safe-word now t'save yerself trouble? ::

Tracks:

::Oh, I'll make sure you know if you get too rough, don't worry.::

Bonecrusher:

:: .............Y'know I don't really like bein' blinded, Tracks.  Yer lil' flash gun kinda stings. ::

Tracks:

::I wouldn't shoot you. Hit you, maybe, but I'm not usually in a position to draw a firearm...::

Bonecrusher:

:: Oh, good.  Y'can  throw a punch, that's fer sure.  An' quite frankly, I like yer hands on me an' not on a trigger of some sort. ::

Tracks:

*vaguely smug* ::As do I. I would, in fact, like to have my hands on you now, if not for the horde of drones.::

Bonecrusher:

:: Would you now......  I wouldn't mind that m'self, t'be honest - kinda goin' a little crazy here.  Slag, I wouldn't mind just havin' some real fraggin' company at this point, overloads optional. ::

Tracks:

::I don't blame you. I know it's not the same, but you're welcome to comm me, whenever you feel like hearing a voice besides your own, or -their's-.::

Bonecrusher:

:: .......'s not the same, yeah, but 's about a hundred times better'n bein' completely alone. ::

Tracks:

::That was my thought, as well.::