Two more days

SZ: Maybe I can help with that, likely not tonight, but maybe in time. *studies WJ a moment* You ever share your berth with anyone? *he's been helping traumatized mechs for a long time, he knows a number of "tricks" that may help with nightmares...*

WJ: *glances up at him with a /flinch/, looking /supremely/ guilty as he looks away - it's a moment before he can make himself answer, softly*  One . . . sometimes . . .

SZ: *not sure what to make of the look WJ gives him* ....Did it ever help ease the nightmares?

WJ: ..............yeah...a-a lot...actually.  */buries/ his face in his arms suddenly with a soft huffsob, how much he MISSES Ratchet suddenly squeezing his chest and making it hard to breathe*

SZ: .....Homesick...? *leans down to gently hug WJ as best he can...*

WJ: *huffs*  ....yeah... *only half-convincing - he misses /all/ of his friends, of course, both here and among the Autobots, but times like /right/ /now/ are when he feels like he /needs/ Ratchet...*

SZ: *starting to guess that....if WJ doesn't have his mind on a mate, then it's on a close friend. He hesitates, not wanting to assume too much, to push himself on this mech he's only just met. He'd not intended anything more than to help....so he pulls back enough to shift and lie down by WJ, gently pulling the Amin to him and hugging him. He's shifted up enough that WJ's head will easily tuck to his chest/shoulder*

WJ: *flinches back, looking up . . . making /sure/ he's not misunderstanding . . . b-but then . . . can't . . . just /can't/ resist, and /tucks/ into the Human with another soft huffsob, trembling*

SZ: *ready to pull back, ready to apologize and assure WJ he's done nothing wrong, but then WJ tucks in and he hugs a little tighter, softly petting at him. Only when WJ seems to be calming down a bit again will he speak, voice soft* Try to get some more rest, Wheeljack. I'll be right here.

WJ: *finally /loses/ it for a few minutes, /sobbing/ brokenheartedly...but quietly, at least . . . when he quiets, it's to /apologize/ again...*

SZ: Shhh. Shhh. Don't apologize for grieving, Wheeljack. It's okay. *petsnugglelove* Try to relax, rest some more.

WJ: *n-nodnods, snuggling in - if nothing else, because /he/ needs it...and h-he...he /does/ feel safe and supported and cared for, and that's.../so/ what he needs right now*

SZ: *will let his hands go still, arms around WJ to just comfort and protect. He'll doze lightly so long as it seems WJ might sleep a little more.*

WJ: *the nightmares take a little longer this time...but soon he's /whimpering/ in his sleep again, flinching and shuddering and faintly pleading*

SZ: *without really thinking about it he manages to at once loosen his grip on WJ and still keep him firmly and protectively held. He murmurs softly in WJ's ear* You 're safe. It 's okay. I 've got you, and I won't let anyone harm you. I'll protect you. You're safe.

WJ: *whimpering pleas turn to pathetic apologies as he /curls/ in on himself, trembling /hard/*

SZ: Shh. Shhh. You don't have to apologize. It's okay. You're safe. I've got you. I won't let anyone hurt you. *hands start to softly move, petting, loving*

WJ: *sobs harder till he finally wakes himself up with a harsh gasp and pulling back in alarm from whoever's got hold of him!!! . . . takes him a moment to recognize SZ and then he collapses on himself, sobbing again*

SZ: *lets go, enough that WJ can pull away.  He gives the Amin-mech a smile and huggles him close again* It’s okay....  *he’ll snugglelove for a bit then coax WJ to sit up*

WJ: *reluctant, wanting to just disappear into himself . . . but doesn't resist*

SZ: *once sitting up he huggles WJ close, just loving on him* It’s still afternoon, would you care to try to eat a bit more...?

WJ: *rubbing at his eyes with huge, awkward paws, gulping air trying to calm himself back down, still /shaking/ hard . . . doesn't trust his voice yet so he just nods*

SZ: *will snuggle and comfort, not rushing him at all* Take your time, Wheeljack.  It’s okay.



((*tosses this up and goes to bed*))