Perceptor

I have created a “Strawpage.” lostlightlab.straw.page

@WHEELJACK_LOSEZ -Perceptor chugs the medgrade, to finish off his meal. After placing his empty cube to the side, he curls up underneath the blankets and dims his optics.- Wake me up in an hour, please, so we can switch shifts.

@eldritch_sleep “You’ll heal better that way.” [Wheeljack begins tucking the blankets around Perceptor.] “You’ll be doing me a huge favor, as well.”

@eldritch_sleep [Wheeljack arrives at the laboratory, sits down, and immediately begins trying to code a mechanical solution to their nanite problem. He's trying to determine whether or not they can be taught to fix each other.] [She keeps looking suspiciously at Perceptor.]

@WHEELJACK_LOSEZ -Perceptor has already finished the soup, and is now working on the cake.- I feel much better, thank you. Though I suppose you still want me to recharge, before I can start working again.

@eldritch_sleep [Wheeljack sets the precubed Energon back on the table with Perceptor, and fetches a fresh one from the kitchen for himself. He more or less chugs it as he watches over Perceptor, bringing him lots of blankets and checking on the forge.] “Are you feeling better?”

@WHEELJACK_LOSEZ No, I already drank some of that. You need a full cube. I can finish that off tomorrow. -Perceptor sips on the soup, immediately grateful for its warmth.- This is wonderful, thank you.

@eldritch_sleep [Wheeljack comes back with a feast.] "Here... you can have the soup, and a cake slice, as well as the rest of the medgrade. I've got some flavorings for that as well--- I'll take the precubed." [He swaps out their meals, now holding the moldy leftovers.]

@WHEELJACK_LOSEZ I will be okay. Is the forge going to hurt your engine? -Perceptor takes a sip of fuel. It’s been a while since he’s had to drink this moldy stuff, compared to Wheeljack’s home cooked meals.-

@eldritch_sleep "I will." [He helps Perceptor lie down on the couch, and turns on the forge for warmth. Wheeljack hands him the cube of Energon, and goes to fetch more fuel from the fridge.] "Do you need any more blankets?"

@WHEELJACK_LOSEZ You have done nothing wrong. I am the one who should be apologizing. Now you will have to work alone. -Perceptor shivers.- You should have some fuel too, before you start working.

@eldritch_sleep "I'll work while you rest... and you can work while I rest. That way, there's always someone on the job." [Wheeljack enters the workshop.] "You're going to drink as much fuel as you can stomach, and then you're going to rest. I'm sorry for neglecting you."

@WHEELJACK_LOSEZ But I have to help. This is my job, Wheeljack. -Perceptor doesn’t have the energy to fight back. And somehow, he’s even colder than usual.- Please?

@eldritch_sleep [ Nnnooope. Wheeljack crosses over the table and slings Perceptor over one shoulder like a potato sack. He picks up the cube of Energon on his way out of the lab.] "You're taking a nap."

@WHEELJACK_LOSEZ Yes, I needed a control group. -Perceptor takes a sip from his cube. He does not seem to see the issue here.-

@eldritch_sleep "Percy. Did you draw out more of your fuel?" [Wheeljack was getting a little ticked off, now.]

@WHEELJACK_LOSEZ I am sipping on it as I go. I know better than to let myself pass out in the middle of a lab. -Wait a minute… whose fuel sample is being used as the control? Is that an empty syringe next to Perceptor?-

@eldritch_sleep "You didn't tell me that you didn't finish the cube. Come on... you're going to pass out, like this." [Wheeljack turns his attention to Perceptor.]

@WHEELJACK_LOSEZ -Perceptor drapes the blankets over himself and Wheeljack.- That sounds nice. Thank you. -He turns on Pokemon reruns, before leaning against Wheeljack.-

@eldritch_sleep [Wheeljack scrubs at his optics. Should he really?] “Mm… if you do. We can watch TV for a bit, and maybe take a nap.” [He brings lots of blankets over to the couch for Perceptor to keep warm.]

-Perceptor is currently in the kitchen, cooking several different dishes at once. He also has a datapad in his free hand, so he can do work.-

@WHEELJACK_LOSEZ Hm… why not take a break? I will rest if you will.

@eldritch_sleep [Wheeljack slowly shook his head.] “Mm… no. I’ve been trying to get some work done, mostly.”

@WHEELJACK_LOSEZ Thank you. More importantly, is there anything you need?

@eldritch_sleep “Okay… but tell me if I can do anything to help. You know I like to help.”

@WHEELJACK_LOSEZ That is not true. You carry the most burdens out of any of us. -Perceptor absentmindedly picks at his paint.- Nonetheless, I feel fine. So there is no need to worry.

@eldritch_sleep “Because you deserve it too? And you’re holding a lot more pain and fear close to your chest than I am…”

@WHEELJACK_LOSEZ No, you are much stronger than me. But you are also more compassionate and kinder than I am. I have spent my whole life pushing those things to the side, so why should I be granted time to rest after stress. -Perceptor shrugs.-

@eldritch_sleep “But there is for me? Why? Do you think I’m weaker?”

@WHEELJACK_LOSEZ No. -Perceptor responds, flatly.- There is no reason for me to be upset.

@eldritch_sleep “So… you deserve grace too, right?” [Wheeljack smiles hopefully.]

@WHEELJACK_LOSEZ No, of course not. I did not mean that at all. -Perceptor frowns.- The reason I cooked dinner was so you could still rest, if you were feeling stressed. I will never be upset with you for something like that.

@eldritch_sleep “I don’t think that’s true… would you say that to me, i-if I was upset?”

@WHEELJACK_LOSEZ I am fine. -Perceptor looks away.- It is in the past now, so there is no reason for me to be upset anymore.

@eldritch_sleep “Really? You don’t want it?” [Wheeljack very hesitantly takes a bite.] “I’m glad you like mine best… I hope you’re not too upset about yesterday, either. I know it’s hard.”

@WHEELJACK_LOSEZ You do not give yourself enough credit. I will always prefer your cooking over mine. -Perceptor pushes the tray towards Wheeljack.- You should finish this off.

@eldritch_sleep “Barely, anymore,” [Wheeljack shrugs.] “You’re practically as good as I am.”

@WHEELJACK_LOSEZ I just follow the recipe. It is not too different from doing experiments in my lab. -Perceptor shrugs.- You are a much better cook than I am.

@eldritch_sleep “You learned how to cook so fast! Now you’re making multiple dishes at once…” [Wheeljack grins.] “While doing paperwork, too.”

@WHEELJACK_LOSEZ -Perceptor shakes his helm, as he chews on his food.- That is an overstatement. I am not particularly special in any way.

@eldritch_sleep “I understand.” [Wheeljack smiles, and copies Perceptor.] “You’re very talented, you know.”