Chapter Text
"Hey, hey, Drift!"
Drift suppressed a groan as the bot approached. "What is it, Pipes?" he asked wearily.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Apart from that?"
"Huh?"
"Never mind." He felt a little bad for losing his patience. "Yes, you can ask me something. What is it?"
Pipes hesitated, EM field suddenly bashful. "Could you—could you teach me a little hand? There's something I want to say to someone, but I'm not sure how he'll take it."
Something...uh-oh. "Pipes, you're sweet, but I—"
The red visor flipped up to show surprised optics. "Oh, no, it's not—I don't mean you, it's—it's someone else. Sorry, that must have sounded kind of like a come-on, but I didn't mean—"
"Okay," Drift interrupted him. "Fine. What do you want to say to him?"
"Just—just, like," Pipes mumbled, "'I like you,' or something like that."
Drift had to smile at that. Adorable awkwardness was adorable, regardless of its often-annoying deliverer. "Okay. Give me your hands." He continued as Pipes complied. "Now, this can be done either one-handed or two-handed. Two hands communicates a stronger sentiment, because it requires more focus, but either works."
He demonstrated the two-handed phrase. "Repeat that back to me as best you can."
Pipes' fingers moved clumsily. Drift chuckled. "Your fuel thinks? Try again."
Better, but... "Let's try the one-handed version. Repeat after me."
The simpler motions proved easier for Pipes to learn. After deeming his performance sufficient and pulling away, Drift smirked at him.
"So, do I get to know who this is for?"
Pipes' EM field flared with that embarrassed anticipation. "...rptd..."
Again with the mumbling. "Who?"
"...rptd."
"Sorry, Pipes, you'll have to speak up."
"...Riptide."
"Oh." Wait. "Oh..." That made sense. Really, Drift was offended by his own ignorance. He should have seen that one coming. And he knew who'd appreciate a piece of gossip like this.
He patted Pipes' shoulder encouragingly. "I've got to meet up with Rodimus, but I think you'll do just fine, Pipes. Good luck!"
Wait until Roddy heard about this.