Rare Pairing Fest Day 3; Trust
Pairing: Bayverse Crosshairs and Drift Description: A short version of how Crosshairs and Drift became friends. Longer story planned.
"Are you sure about that, sir?' Ratchet asks, "I know no matter whom you partner with Drift, there's going to be a period of distrust, but surely there are other Autobots you can choose. Crosshairs is one of the Autobots who will not agree with this decision. Even centuries from now." "I am aware but believe these two will be a good team." "I'm not seeing how, but I trust your judgment."
Crosshairs watches Optimus talk to Deadlock, livid that Optimus believes the lie. Crosshairs is already thinking of skipping the part when he tries to convince everyone that they're letting Deadlock fool them and go right to taking care of the problem. Crosshairs can't believe he's being partnered with Deadlock. Expected to go along with the charade. He knows it's pointless to argue with Optimus.
Crosshairs tries to ignore Drift, who doesn't bother trying to befriend Crosshairs. Knowing Autobots won't forgive what he's done as Deadlock.
Crosshairs will only talk to Drift in battle since he has no choice if he wants to make it out of battle alive. The two end up pinned down. Decepticons try to trap the two by causing a building to collapse. Crosshairs' legs end up trapped under the rubble that Decepticons set ablaze. Druift tries to remove the rubble off Crosshairs, but this is impossible for one bot. "I have to get help," Drift says, "you have to trust I'll come back." "You'll just leave me here to die!" Crosshairs argues. Drift runs away from the fire. Tears roll down Crosshairs' faceplate. He doesn't even have it in him to yell 'traitor ' to the sky. As time passes, Crosshairs feels the effects of the smoke. He tries to free himself but only causes pain. Well played, Primus. This must be my punishment for thinking of killing Drift. Now, I must pay by dying. Crosshairs thinks. Soon, Crosshairs can't keep his optics offline.
Crosshairs' optics online. The paratrooper realizes he's on the medbay. His leg that was trapped is resting on two pillows. "Ah, you're awake," Ratchet comments, "you've been in stasis for three days. Your leg was a challenge to repair." Crosshairs knows this means there's a lot of physical therapy before he can return to the battlefield. Ratchet confirms this and that, for now, Crosshairs will need to be in a wheelchair. Which, of course, Crosshairs hates. "…and I want Drift to help you," Ratchet finishes. "You've got to be kidding me, Ratchet?! So you're giving him the chance to finish the job. "Actually, he got Autobots to help save your aft. He's been worried about you. He'd sit by the berth for a few hours a day, and I lost track of how many times he asked me if you'd be ok. I told him what I told you, and he agreed while thinking you'd hate the idea."
Right on time. Ratchet thinks, seeing Drift walk into the medbay the same time he has the past three days. Drift smiles, hearing Crosshairs is awake. He knows Crosshairs is hating the plan and is prepared for the insults or silence. Drift is used to it but also hopes it'll stop someday.
"Get out!" Crosshairs yells. Drift watches him move his injured leg and yell in pain. Ratchet rushes in, which Drift worries the medic assumes he did something to cause Crosshairs pain. "You need to keep your leg still for now," Ratchet tells Crosshairs, injecting local pain relief, "I can immobilize your leg." "No." "Fine, you'll be in here for another two days before going to Drift's quarters since his has two berths and is big enough for a Wheelchair to fit." Crosshairs says nothing, believing his other opinion is to stay in the medbay until his leg functions properly. Drift sits on the chair five feet from the berth, uncertain what to say.
Even while Crosshairs wants nothing to do with him, Drift continues to sit in the medbay room. Crosshairs stares at the wall to avoid staring at Drift. Ratchet is considering getting Rung involved. I doI don't see you think these two being partners is good, Optimus. Ratchet thinks.
Rung also questions Optimus' decision, but he knows Optimus wouldn't carefully think about a decision like this. He attempts to get at least Crosshairs to have a little trust towards Drift, and the two will have to keep working on their trust toward each other. Crosshairs is pissed with what Rung wants to do, but since he can't walk, he's stuck doing what Rung wants. Rung can see how hard this is going to be.
Drift figured Crosshairs would try to do everything himself once released from the medbay. Crosshairs hates how he can't do much without causing pain.
"Help me," Crosshairs says while sitting on the edge of the berth. Drift holds onto Crosshairs' arm and feels Crosshairs is unsteady while Crosshairs tries to put all his weight on his legs and walk. Drift is having to support Crosshairs more than he thought. He is worried that Crosshairs can't make it to the medbay without needing to rest.
Crosshairs does need to rest when the two reach the medbay. Ratchet watches the two walk into the physical therapy room before Crosshairs sits on a chair. Drift didn't think Ratchet would ask how Crosshairs did. "He still needs help," Drift tells the medic, expecting Crosshairs to be pissed. "That's what I'd expect at this point, but leg strength is improving." Knowing Crosshairs will be tired after physical therapy, Drift retrieves the wheelchair.
Between forty minutes of therapy and walking to the medbay, Crosshairs feels like he just ran a marathon. He trips and falls toward Drift, who is sitting on a chair. "I've got you." The two stare at each other. Unaware Ratchet is watching. The medic quickly but quietly leaves the two alone. Drift helps Crosshairs sit in the wheelchair. Crosshairs' tired optics tell Drift he's done enough today. Two weeks post-release from medbay. Drift thinks. This is good. He may be fully healed and walking without help in another two weeks. Drift thinks. As for our relationship, I don't think we're even close to being friends yet, but Crosshairs trusts me. Crosshairs doesn't want to tell Drift this, but he's hoping that, once he can walk without help, Drift will agree to continue to share quarters with him. He won't say Drift is his friend yet, but an Autobot he can trust.