After what I heard from Hot Shot, I got kind of worried so I went to get some hard evidence. So I snuck into Megatron's room and managed to copy his datapad files.
[He loosens his hold around the tablet enough to rest it on his lap, looking more than a little disturbed.]
They read like project and research entries, Mikaela. It's sick.
[mikaela glances down at the tablet, almost not even wanting to know.]
Fuck... [she moves a bit closer to him, unsure if she should try to offer physical comfort. her hand ghosts near his arm anyway.] God. I'm sorry you had to see that. Solid evidence will go a long way in getting him to stop doing anything to anyone, though... do you want me to come with you if you take this to security?
[He's not inclined to want to show her. It's creepy stuff.
It's out of reflex that he tenses a little when she comes closer, but he doesn't draw away.]
Y-yeah, I know. I just didn't know how bad it was. I talked to him once, and he seemed okay and said nice things about my work too...
[Even his little encounter had an entry, Donnie couldn't help but be curious after all the other things he'd read. It wasn't as bad, observations, mostly, but it still scared him a little.]
...could you? I figure Security is the best to go to but...I'm not sure what they'd be able to do.
I've known manipulative guys before. I know it's not on the same level, but... you're not wrong to feel used or grimy now you know. It's not your fault, you had no idea what he was like. [she sighs a little.] That was the point.
[mikaela looks back down at the tablet in his hand and moves back to where she was, nodding.]
Yeah, of course. This is the kind of stuff they'd need if someone else reported him, so it'll be exactly what they can use. This could help them stop him pulling it on anyone else.
[He mostly mutters it to himself. All he ever wants is recognition of his work, a bit of adult praise. Recognition from a giant robot seemed even more of a plus. It's a shame, most of the time he hears it, it comes with a catch.
Donnie looks up at Mikaela after a moment, considering. He's largely used to them having to solve their own problems, of him being the problem solver. It's strange having people to go to, even if his overall opinion might be a bit skewed, but Mikaela's right, and this involves more than him and a friend.
Society if they weren't, right? [she says, rubbing the side of her face. simmons is coming to mind here, as well as a whole bunch of people who'd treat her like she was brainless. kind of ironic that even the alien robots have similar pit falls.] I'll come with you whenever you're ready-- we don't have to go right now.
[not in a condescending way, but this is a lot. also, she realises that she's an adult now so she can give out genuine approval and praise. nice.]
You did really well getting all this. I don't think many other people would be able to get it and think to share it the way you have. Even if it's really messed up and difficult and no one should have to even do this... I'm really proud of you for managing it.
[It's important to get this info to the right people, but Donnie thinks he needs a moment. It's not too dissimilar from when he's thrown himself headlong into a project, the feeling he gets when he's finally done and realizes it's been maybe a day or two- except there's no sense of satisfaction here. The data unearthed from Megatron has only left an awful feeling and a weight settled in his stomach.
Donnie pulls his feet up on the chair, tablet sandwiched as he hugs his knees as he sighs.
Mikaela starts to speak again, and he lifts his head as he looks back at her. He hadn't really been expecting anything. Sure, a lot of what he did do had him gunning for attention and praise, but this was different. He was doing this for a friend and it wasn't a matter of how he did it so much that he had to succeed.
His brow knits, his lips pressing tightly together. It's not something to smile about, he can't, but Mikaela's words still mean a lot, even if the feeling is bittersweet. He can feel his eyes tearing up and immediately drops his gaze as he tucks his face behind his arms.]
[she can see him starting to get emotional and feels bad - this definitely isn't something he should have been put through. it's not something anyone should have to do, have to find out.]
Yeah. Someone did.
[mikaela won't deny that. she waits a moment then moves closer to him again, gently putting a hand on his shoulder.]
Hey, c'mere. It's okay. [this little green man needs a hug.]
[she won't mention it, but mikaela... did, yeah. she gets it. she gets trying to hide it all and be unaffected, but she also thinks maybe he can have a moment. maybe he can have a moment and not feel guilty about it.
so she wraps him up in a proper hug, because sometimes after some awful shit goes down you just need the contact to remember you don't have to withstand it on your own.]
[It's something he needed to be reminded of, and he's relieved Mikaela understands. Donnie manages not to start sobbing at least- that'd be super embarrassing, but he hugs her back, giving just a brief squeeze because while he doesn't trust his mouth to form any words right then, he still wants to let her know he appreciates this a lot.]
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[He loosens his hold around the tablet enough to rest it on his lap, looking more than a little disturbed.]
They read like project and research entries, Mikaela. It's sick.
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Fuck... [she moves a bit closer to him, unsure if she should try to offer physical comfort. her hand ghosts near his arm anyway.] God. I'm sorry you had to see that. Solid evidence will go a long way in getting him to stop doing anything to anyone, though... do you want me to come with you if you take this to security?
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It's out of reflex that he tenses a little when she comes closer, but he doesn't draw away.]
Y-yeah, I know. I just didn't know how bad it was. I talked to him once, and he seemed okay and said nice things about my work too...
[Even his little encounter had an entry, Donnie couldn't help but be curious after all the other things he'd read. It wasn't as bad, observations, mostly, but it still scared him a little.]
...could you? I figure Security is the best to go to but...I'm not sure what they'd be able to do.
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[mikaela looks back down at the tablet in his hand and moves back to where she was, nodding.]
Yeah, of course. This is the kind of stuff they'd need if someone else reported him, so it'll be exactly what they can use. This could help them stop him pulling it on anyone else.
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[He mostly mutters it to himself. All he ever wants is recognition of his work, a bit of adult praise. Recognition from a giant robot seemed even more of a plus. It's a shame, most of the time he hears it, it comes with a catch.
Donnie looks up at Mikaela after a moment, considering. He's largely used to them having to solve their own problems, of him being the problem solver. It's strange having people to go to, even if his overall opinion might be a bit skewed, but Mikaela's right, and this involves more than him and a friend.
He nods.]
Okay.
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[not in a condescending way, but this is a lot. also, she realises that she's an adult now so she can give out genuine approval and praise. nice.]
You did really well getting all this. I don't think many other people would be able to get it and think to share it the way you have. Even if it's really messed up and difficult and no one should have to even do this... I'm really proud of you for managing it.
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[It's important to get this info to the right people, but Donnie thinks he needs a moment. It's not too dissimilar from when he's thrown himself headlong into a project, the feeling he gets when he's finally done and realizes it's been maybe a day or two- except there's no sense of satisfaction here. The data unearthed from Megatron has only left an awful feeling and a weight settled in his stomach.
Donnie pulls his feet up on the chair, tablet sandwiched as he hugs his knees as he sighs.
Mikaela starts to speak again, and he lifts his head as he looks back at her. He hadn't really been expecting anything. Sure, a lot of what he did do had him gunning for attention and praise, but this was different. He was doing this for a friend and it wasn't a matter of how he did it so much that he had to succeed.
His brow knits, his lips pressing tightly together. It's not something to smile about, he can't, but Mikaela's words still mean a lot, even if the feeling is bittersweet. He can feel his eyes tearing up and immediately drops his gaze as he tucks his face behind his arms.]
...someone had to.
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Yeah. Someone did.
[mikaela won't deny that. she waits a moment then moves closer to him again, gently putting a hand on his shoulder.]
Hey, c'mere. It's okay. [this little green man needs a hug.]
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No one saw that lip quiver as he lifts his head again, trying to suck it up but he holds his arms out expectantly as he sets his feet down ]
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so she wraps him up in a proper hug, because sometimes after some awful shit goes down you just need the contact to remember you don't have to withstand it on your own.]
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We'll work this out, okay?
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...okay.