Work Text:
The dull light of the distant stars painted a slight glow on her teal plating. The rest of the world around her was cast in the night's signature darkness. Nightbird was sitting upon a rafter in the old dock building's roof, watching as Moonracer walked the same pathway again and again with a new box in hand each time.
It's been hours since this ordeal started. Nightbird wasn't there at first, as she was dealing with her own… task. She arrived a while ago after finishing up, only to find Moonracer in this unending loop. This wasn't unsurprising, as she knew the Autobots were collecting supplies in this warehouse, and it did need to be transferred out in a few days. It was also routine that Moonracer was the one packing it up, as she was commonly put onto this task. But, what was surprising was how late she was still out. It was common for Nightbird to find herself working this late, but Moonracer? No.
Nightbird noted the pathway, noted where the boxes were in the building. Moonracer’s pathway connected the old storage building they were in to a shipping container on the doc. The building smelt of rust, yet the rafters were strong and held. There was only one small light in the building, it was next to the many piles of boxes still left over. When Moonracer left with the next box, Nightbird glanced over the rest of the building. There was a singular table in the corner, with a small chair next to it, and a larger couch off to the side. There were many supporting pillars connected to the rafter, one of which she climbed up earlier. When Moonracer came back, Nightbird’s optics focused on her.
The more Nightbird watched, the more apparent the amount of work her frame experience became. Her steps were no longer even, causing her to sway every now and again, her optics were a bit duller, yet her determination was still overwhelmingly obvious on her face. After a few moments more of watching, Nightbird hopped down from the rafters. Normally, she would try to land within one of the shadows, but she wanted Moonracer to know she was down from her perch. Moonracer didn't flinch.
Moonracer was in the part of her circuit where she was carrying one of the boxes to the shipping container. Nightbird quickly stalked up to her, pacing herself next to her. That got Moonracer's attention. While she didn't stop, she did shift her head to look at Nightbird.
“Huh, oh- Hey Nightbird, what are- uh hello Nightbird.” Her voice was shaky for a moment, before it seemed to nearly pull itself together, nearly.
Nightbird’s gaze shifted from Moonracer’s faceplate, down to the package in her hands, then back up to Moonracer with a tint in her head.
“Oh this,” she slightly lifted the box in her arms, before they sank back down. “I was assigned to load up the shipping container. I'm trying to finish it up tonight so I can go on the scouting mission tomorrow.” Her steps faltered once, luckily she caught herself, only for her grip to tighten and she walked a bit faster for a few steps in protest. Nightbird took note.
She walked by her side till they reached the shipping container. Nightbird stood outside it as Moonracer stepped inside. “I need to, uh, organize this before the next load of supplies comes in.” She placed the box upon another one within the container. She stood there for a moment, leaning upon the pile of box’s. Then, she pushed herself upwards with a bit more umph then she probably meant if the stumble she took after was anything to go by. She caught herself, shook her head, and went right back to her circuit.
Nightbird tilted her head again.
“What?” Moonracer asked, her voice a bit gravelier than normal, as she reached out a hand.
Nightbird paused for a second, before she reached for it. -You Work Late Why- her eyes furrowed for a second.
Moonracer’s determination was strong. “I didn't finish it during the day, so I’m finishing it now.” Nightbird kept looking at her as they walked, though their pace had slowed a bit.
Moonracer reset her voice box, the clicks it let off echoed within the silence that surrounded them. “Look, there's a scouting mission happening tomorrow that I want in on. But, I can't join if this isn't done. So, I will finish it, tonight.”
Nightbird nodded in understanding, their arms disconnecting and laid back down to their sides. After a few steps, Moonracer took a stumble. Nightbird's arms flung out, and wrapped around her, pulling her back upwards.
“Thanks,” Moonracer mumbled, taking a few moments to settle back onto her feet.
Nightbird held onto her hand -Rest When-
“When all this is stored , I'll head in for the night,”
Nightbird nodded, before turning to look ahead of them. Many boxes still littered the floor. Nightbird looked back at Moonracer, taking in more details of her frame up close. Her platting seemed sagged off her body, dull optics focused forward, steps getting less coordinated as she walked onwards.
When they reached the storage unit, Neighbird’s optics turned to face the couch that rested off to the side. It was an old thing, but it was larger, larger enough to fit Moonracers smaller frame.
Just as Moonracer started to approach the rest of the boxes, an arm upon her own stopped her. “Huh?”
-Now Couch You Rest-
Moonracer paused for a moment, frame frozen in its position. “What- no. Sorry I need to finish this, then I will rest.” Moonracer pulled away, Nightbird quickly letting go, and walked, well stumbled, to the boxes. Nightbird stood there, unsure of what to do. She watched as Moonracer reached down again. Nightbird tapped upon her leg, a nervous habit she picked up from watching other mechs. She was deep in thought, not used to communicating to, let alone helping, another. Then, her tapping stopped.
Moonracer stood back up, a smaller box this time in hand. As she turned around, she was met with Nightbird within her face. “Huh?”
Nightbird grabbed her arm within a tight grip. Moonracer glanced down at it, confusion well within her faceplates. Then, Nightbird started walking, dragging Moonracer behind her. Moonracer stumbled, dropping the box, and yelped out “Wha- Hey!”
Nightbird kept walking, till she was standing in front of the couch. Then, with the momentum of being dragged still within Moonracer, Nightbird flung her into the couch. Moonracer hit the couch with a thud.
“What are you-”
-Now Rest-
“I can't stop Nightbird,” Moonracer pushed up against Nightbird, trying to stand. Nightbird held her back down. “I need to finish this first.” Her voiced grinder, anger starting to seep in.
Nightbird just looked at her, holding her down. Moonracer pushed back. This wasn't working. Nightbird started to tap against Moonracer's plating.
Moonracer struggled up against Nightbirds grasp. Then, the tapping stopped. A sparkle within Nightbird optics started to glow. Anger now rested within Moonracer's own.
“Nightbird, I swear, let me up! I'm not joking.” Moonracer struggles were weak, but not from lack of trying.
Then, Nightbird leaned down, and down, and down. Confusion then joined Moonracer's face. “What the hell are you doing Nightbird- NIGHTBIRD!”
Nightbird slowly laid upon the couch, or well, on top of Moonracer who was on top of the couch. -Organics Say Gravity Increase- .
Moonracer could feel the smirk Nightbird would have held upon their face. She was stunned, unsure of what to do.
-Now Rest-
“I can’t…” Moonracer tried to protest, but as her body was forced upon the laying potion, her exhaustion slowly creeped in. Her plaiting sagged into the cushion, head hitting the pillowed surface. Her optics became heavy, and the fight slowly drained out of her. “Ok… Maybe just for a bit…”
Nightbird laid there for a while longer. She felt Moonracer's frame give into its basic needs, felt her frame slow down. She stayed there, holding her down, making sure she didn't wake up soon. Soon, once she was sure Moonracer was deep in recharge, she stood up, quiet and swiftful. Moonracer did not toss nor turn. Nightbird looked at her, taking in the way her vents moved as they circled air through her body, taking in the way the star light reflected off her body. She saved it all to memory.
Then, she turns to face the boxes left. She picked up the one that was dropped on the floor, and started the circuit herself.