Work Text:
These past megacycles have slowly gotten harder. With every megacycle the system’s user is absent it feels like more goes wrong. With system instability, unrest, glitches, and gridbug attacks coming in gradual increases over these long megacycles.
Its most notable effect seems to be on Tron’s own core. However only being directly responsible for managing only two of these pressing issues may be a relief to some, but in reality, it's not that much of a comfort.
The program that bears the majority of the system's weight stands just within arm's reach. The large empty room currently holds nothing but themselves and a holographic screen. Displaying a various array of system information, Tron did not need to have administration functions to understand the troubling results displayed. However, that wasn't why he stood here.
All programs require downtime, that's what downcycles are for. It was already edging late into the downcycle and Tron knows if he doesn't step in the absorbed system administrator will go another cycle without resting.
“You know they won't go anywhere” he spoke softly but boldly between just them. There was no one else around, but despite that, this moment was for them.
Circuits flared momentarily in surprise before evening out, evidently, he had been forgotten about.
“Yes, but they also won't fix themselves” Clu bit back. Not even bothering to properly regard the monitor. Tron knows that removing Clu will be difficult, but having known Clu for this long the older program knew a few tricks to deal with him.
With just a step to the admin's side. A strong arm found itself around broad shoulders, stiffening in minute surprise before relaxing. physical affection was surprisingly the obstinate administrators' weakness. Something Tron observed from early interactions between Flynn and his program.
A deathly sharp look masking something else was the only acknowledgment the action received. But Tron knows better, a mask was all it ever was with Clu. Anger often hid fear and indifference often covered worry. It kept all but a few programs at an arm's length and kept a copious amount of subordinates in line. Many seemed to be unable to see through Clu to what he truly thought.
Tron was given the advantage of upgraded observational capabilities but it sometimes seemed like it didn't even need to take a monitor to see the exhaustion and weary disposition under the sysadmin’s demeanor.
However, Clu continued his self-destructive work. Tron internally cursed the stubbornness and drive to make everything perfect. But He knows the latter he could never judge him for, The older monitor knowing more than any other program the weight of a directive.
The only other effective option was direct confrontation something a monitor can do.
“Clu” he sighed, moving between the admin and the display, a fold of blue circuited arms across his chest to make himself clear that his concern was not to be waved off this cycle.
Now if looks could derezz as Flynn may say Tron would find himself in only cubes.
“Out of the way Tron I don't have time for this” Clu growled gaze indignant and annoyed.
“No” Tron stayed firm “I know for a fact not even you are not able to function under the conditions you have put yourself in” he gestured to the admin’s circuits, dim, with a lack of energy and rest, betraying their owner.
The stubborn program refused, but unlucky for him Tron was just as stubborn, and with an advantage.
Blue-circuited hands found the other's arms giving them a shake. “Come, They will be here when you get back. No one expects you to be able to fix everything this cycle.” Tron attempted to reason
His glare remained but weakened, the exhaustion peaking through. “I can't” he stressed, “sector 23 is reporting structural errors, these have gone on for nearly a hex, much longer and we can lose the entire sector.” he continued, his voice starting to rise in anger.
“Unless you're too eager to eliminate the swarm of bugs that no doubt will come if I don't get back to work” he snapped and temper flaring along with his circuits. “I need to find a way to work around the permissions” clu snarled, rage flaring “BECAUSE FLYNN ISN'T HERE!” he exploded, chest heaving in regulating breaths, circuits almost to their natural brightness.
The fury bled to exhaustion and remorse. “I only need his permissions” he finished weakly. “I can't fix this unless he is here.” he strained, desperation radiating from his frame.
Tron knows that Clu doesn't like showing anything but indifference, pride, and authority around other programs. Tron was glad he was able to see sides of Clu he never showed to others leaving Tron to be his only confidant. Tron loved that such a program would trust him for support.
Hated it just the same. Hated seeing a friend in pain. He hated the reasons Clu often comes to him, becoming more common over the megacycles.
The older program likes to remember seeing the admin before things started to go sour, before Flynn started leaving them to fend for themselves for longer periods. He is finding himself starting to not only to emphasize with Clu’s opinions on the subject but to agree with them.
A large part of him notes that Flynn is their friend, no, their user. That part has started to get quieter as they struggle, as not only the system starts to crumble but his friend does too.
A spike of protectiveness snakes through his core he doesn't bother to take note of the section on programming the root of the emotion is from. If Clu can't have Flynn, Tron will just have to do.
The emotions drained from Clu’s frame, eyes unfocused on the screen behind Tron the admin starts giving his weight to Tron. Who gladly forgoes a simple grasp to drag the defeated program against a solid support. Who gently guided his head to his shoulders.
The monitor can feel the minute shakes in Clu’s frame.
Flynn, in the beginning, was never unable to identify when programs were distressed often causing tension without noticing. The system was new, and Tron was unquestioning to the actions of users. However, one particular event where he pushed a grieving program too far changed things. It was only then Tron learned users showed distress differently. He idly wonders what Flynn would do if he saw his own program in such a state due to him, would he even notice? Tron decides to quiet that bothersome thought.
Tron gazes down softly at his friend. Arms wrapped protectively over the back and disk. Noting Clu’s clutching tightly Tron's own disk, but despite the vulnerability, he felt nothing but calm, rare for a monitor like him, but not unwelcome. Dim circuits buried themself further into the crook of the blue program's neck, frame still shuddering quietly.
They stood there, Tron was willing to stay there for some time, if such a simple gesture helped then Tron would gladly provide it. Making an easy decision he let a part of himself relax that he hasn't often indulged in since his time in the ENCOM system.
He let a calm but deep rumble purr from his frame. A token of his age and origin.
Using this form of expression was common in the old system, but here considered strange. Tron was surprised and grateful when found that the newly rezzed sysadmin never thought of it as such.
“Tron?...” Clu murmured into his skin. Clu's voice slurred with distortion, his energy levels finally betraying him. Giving more of his weight into Tron's hold, reveling in the comforting hum.
“Come on” Tron commanded with something dangerously close to compromising affection. Raking his fingers through the admin's combed hair, smiling as the infraction earned him a lidded glare.
“Are you going to make me carry you like some beta?” Tron teased. “Don't you dare” Clu growled through his dimming voice.
The threat did work, Tron merely offered his shoulder as he was finally able to lead the stubborn admin from the office.
—-----______—-----
The elevator ride was short, Clu insisting on his quarters not being far from his place of operation ensured that. Despite such a short ride, to Tron's amusement, almost got the admin into his restcycle prematurely. Thankfully the alert of the floor arriving saved Tron from having to extract a crashed program from his shoulder, or worse, from the floor.
He shadowed the program into the room, shepherding him to the couch with unusual ease. Tron was glad he stepped in, users know what would have happened with Clu when his system gave in, energy loss is typically incredibly dangerous. He dispelled that heavy thought and focused on making his way to where he know from experience where Clu’s energy stores are kept.
Clu’s quarters resembled Flynn's user-styled rooms. The user had insisted on “upgrading” Clu’s private quarters. Clu’s who didn't care for pointless things like ‘decor.’ However, Tron was not surprised Flynn's additions were kept. Reminding even Tron of the user by its presence.
There was quite the stock of energy types Clu, tron observed, was finicky about trusting energy from unknown sources. Deciding on a glass of something not too special, at the very least to get the admin away from dangerously low energy levels, that he would be able to safely start his much-needed restcycle.
“Here, drink this” Tron offered the drink the circuits down past their wrists brushing at Clu’s uncharacteristically ungraceful attempt at coordination. Tron couldn't stop the shudder at the accidental touch but clamped down the reaction instantly.
Clu seemed unaffected in his state simply bringing the glass to empty. Tron left his thoughts to focus on the gradual brightening of the other program’s circuits. Clu often wore user-styled attire to Flynn, but if Tron was, to be honest, he much preferred the admin in a gridsuit. Being unable to fully admit why.
Clu, even past his evident exhaustion, caught on to a look on Tron's face.
“What is it” Clu hummed curiously despite being ready to crash. Tron realizing his energy level ‘inspection’ has gone beyond the point of professionalism refocused his attention on Clu himself.
“Get some rest Clu” the sysmonitor gently commanded.
“And where would you be going?” the sysadmin asked with a masked glance.
Tron frowned "Don't worry about me. Would you just please rest?” Tron sighed “you have been active far past your systems capabilities.”
“How is it that you get to apparently get to worry all over me” Clu returned with a sharp look he somehow managed to gather his pride flaring.
Despite that, It faded in just a moment, exhaustion and defeat overcoming him. Tron internally lamented at the backward progress. However, the single word Clu muttered next halted any stirring thoughts of repairing Clu’s mood.
“Stay” Clu sighed as he finally came to his systems call for rest, blatantly making room for Tron with a look.
“What?” Despite Tron’s advanced systems, he was unable to fully comprehend his luck, no, his situation.
There is in fact something Tron has been unable to fully settle with. But somehow admitting that in the spare moments Clu allows physical comfort, just the two of them, is something that Tron enjoys. He hates the usual reasons they find themselves like this. Hates the pain that radiates from the program he calls friend, But with some guilt, cherishes moments like these. Gentle affection stirrs things he hasn't felt since his old system.
Clu is unresisting and near limp as Tron gives into the offer. Encompassing his frame against his own, and brings the couch to the tired programs back. Clu is still awake judging by the sold luminosity of his circuits and the near unconscious program takes full advantage of the position. Laying claim to the space under Tron's chin, face softly lit by Tron's identifying heart circuit.
Tron couldn't hold back the gentle rumbling and encompassing noise the action elicited even if he wanted to.
Clu said something, illegible by the distortion of his exhausted voice. Tron watched as his circuits darkened and began to softly blink, revealing his restcycle activating. Adjusting his grasp to protectively wrap around the unconscious admin.
Within one of Tron's directives is his dedication to protecting the system. Directives were funny, alongside a program's functions they made them who they were. The difference between directive and function was that functions were unchanging, you are what you were programmed to be.
However, directives are different. They can be interpreted, to the point their meanings could even change.
It was unconscious, the shift in meaning, protecting the system now meant more than just ensuring the system stayed safe from external and internal threats.
As the sysadmin, Clu was the system, without him looking over the Grid every program that calls this system their home would likely have been derezzed by now. However, Tron has come to realize it wasn't just the system that need protecting.
Clu needed protecting. From what? Tron will figure that out later as his active processes fade and he falls into a restcycle of his own, for now, they are going to be okay.