Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Soundwave stared at himself in the mirror of his quarters, somewhat nervous. He was wearing what the humans called a ‘maids dress’, which, from his limited research on the subject, was supposed to help clean after another. Soundwave smiled wryly under his visor. Considering the fact that he cleaned up whatever stupid, asinine thing happened on the Nemesis, he found it fitting.

Originally, he wasn’t going to go. After all, he normally never went to parties intended to raise moral, or any for that matter. But Megatron was quite convincing.

He turned to the side, making sure he looked his best. He had made the costume himself, as he had usually knitted blankets for Laserbeak, so while it was very different from a knit, the experience certainly helped. The dress was black with bright white highlights. A corset wrapped around his unarmored stomach/abdomen, black with white laces, and a simple black, slightly frilly skirt fitted around his waist with a white lace lining the end. He also had lace garter fitted around each of his thighs.

The short skirt  ruffled as he turned to Laserbeak. “What do you think?” he comm’d.

“Oh I think Megatron will love it” Laserbeak giggled.

Soundwave stared at Laserbeak suspiciously, wondering what was so funny  before brushing it off entirely. Laserbeak could be rowdy at times after all.

“What if everyone thinks I look weird?” He asked, digits fiddling with the hem of his skirt.

Laserbeak snickered again “Oh everyone is going to love you. Plus it cant be worse than whatever Steve is wearing” She easily brushed off his concern.

Soundwave’s spark swelled at this, his little chick never failed to reassure him. He stepped forward, scooping Laserbeak up lovingly, hugging him to his chest.

“Thank you, my little  chick” He smiled.

“Hey! I’m not a chick anymore! I’m a big bird now!” Laserbeak angrily chirped  though they both knew it was in jest.

He set Laserbeak back down on the berth, where she happily snuggled into the nest of knitted blankets near the edge. He gave her a few scritches under her beak, her wings fluttering happily, before he started to leave.

He made his way to the door, before pausing, turning back to Laserbeak.

“Remember, be safe” He told her, and she grumbled, annoyed at being treated like a newspark.

Ever since the Autobots had put a bomb in Laserbeak -they cut her open without any painkillers!- he was even more protective of his charge. After all, Laserbeak would only be about fifteen in human years. She was still very young.

He sighed, before typing in the code to open his door, metal sliding out of the way as he stepped out. The dark amethyst colored hallway was empty, not a single soul in sight save for him.

He looked around for a brief moment, before starting down the hallway. The party had started about ten minutes ago, and while he was usually never late for anything, this was an exception. He trekked along the hallway to the no doubt loud canteen room where the party was happening, nervous excitement bubbling inside.

The doorway was in sight, and he took a deep vent, cooling his slightly overworked systems.

Here goes nothing.

-

“It seems Soundwave wont be showing up again” Knockout sighed. He was looking forward to what the mech would wear too.

Knockout himself didn’t want to wear anything,  because it would be a hassle to make something. Also he didn’t particularly want to scratch his finish with a gaudy costume. Though he could still admire the work put into the others costumes.

He  was still disappointed Soundwave never came to any of the parties. It was a little known fact, but he and Soundwave were friends. With Soundwave being head of communications, security, and other things meant he was bound to have good information. And with Knockout himself being a natural gossip, they got along well.

He was brought out of his thoughts as Breakdown elbowed him.

“Is that Soundwave?” he exclaimed, surprised, as he followed Breakdowns gaze to the doorway.

Oh no, no nono- The poor thing, he probably didn’t even understand why everyone was looking at him like that.

His gaze travelled to Megatron, who was very entranced by the spymaster, his gaze trailing down…

“I think big M likes what Soundwave is wearing~” He smirked. Knockout was always good at seeing who liked who. He could tell Soundwave had a crush on Megatron for a while, the kind of shy, high school crush that made him metaphorically stutter over his words. And Megatron definitely returned their affections, if that barely concealed lustful hunger he directed at the spymaster was anything to go by.

He sighed, he’d probably have to bring Soundwave over before Megatron did something stupid.

“Hey! Soundy! Glad you could make it!” He waved them over to  a table they were sitting at, with Breakdown and some vehicons sitting down.

Soundwave stopped awkwardly standing in the doorway and walked over, taking a seat next to Knockout when he gestured toward it.

Breakdown grimaced, leaning to whisper very loudly in Knockouts audials “Should we tell him…?”

Knockout just shot him a glare, if Soundwave found out that he was essentially wearing lingerie, it would probably not end well. He returned to his cheery demeanor quickly, a pleasant chatter filling the table.

However, he noticed how some of the vehicons were subtly gawking at Soundwave’s…less than professional outfit. He should nip that problem in the bud.

“Hey, there’s some sweet drinks over there at the drinks table if you want any” He gestured specifically to the drinks table near the corner of the room, knowing Soundwave would probably want to get away from all the noise.

Soundwave nodded, sending him a quick ‘thanks’ and heading off.

-

Soundwave walked at an even pace to a drinks table in the corner. This one was specifically for sugary drinks, and, admittedly, Soundwave had a immense sweet tooth. It was in part simply just enjoying the sweet taste, though he also was advised by Knockout to intake more sweets.

He smiled fondly at the memory, he remembered feeling fatigued for a while, before he eventually fell asleep at his station. Megatron had to come bring him to Knockout. Soundwave wasn’t exactly sure why he had a sugar deficiency though he had it for a while.

He selected the only warm drink at the table, the one everyone stayed away from because it was too sweet. But for Soundwave it was perfect. He grabbed a cube of the warm, tan colored liquid and made his way to the corner of the room, watching.

He took a straw out from his cluttered subspace and dropped it in the drink, unclasping the lower half of his visor just enough for the straw to slip through, but not enough for anyone to see his face.

The drink was nice, very sweet and warm. Soundwave was always fond of warm things, which, considering he had significantly less armor than other mechs, made sense. It was quite easy for him to get cold.

Soundwave quietly nursed his drink in the corner of the room, letting the noise of the party fade into the background, but still caring to be alert. While the chance was slim, it wouldn’t do for a stray Autobot to invade and ruin everything. They seemed keen on doing that.

Though, while the drink was nice, he could feel the burning stares of mechs staring at him, drilling holes into his plating with their gaze. Now, Soundwave was no stranger to stares, considering his unique genetics. But… well, people mainly ignored him. He barely made a sound. No one ever noticed him. But now?

Soundwave was starting to get antsy from all the unwanted attention. He wanted to go back over to Knockout, where he could at least feel the company and comfort of a friend. And an acquaintance, since Breakdown was there. Or he supposed him and Breakdown were friends as well?

Soundwave took another sip of his drink as he eyed the table Knockout sat at. He wanted to go over there, but he didn’t want to cause a scene walking over there, what with all the attention on him…

Soundwave brushed the thoughts off. He wasn’t a sparkling! He was a grown mech- he could hang out with his friends if he wanted to!

Drink in hand, Soundwave started walking back towards Knockouts table.

Chapter Text

Soundwave flushed and smiled nervously under his visor, as people still stared at him. Perhaps even more so now that he was walking again. The drink swished as he walked to the table, wishing he wad there already or that the stares would at least cease. He didn’t like the attention. Maybe it was a mistake coming here…

The table only had a minuscule distance between him and it, and he ended up awkwardly increasing his pace until he had reached it, and hurriedly sat down on his seat, thankful to not be in the open anymore.

Soundwave quickly noticed that all the Vehicons at the table were staring at him, and he shyly lowered his gaze to his lap. Thankfully they got the hint and stopped.  Though Soundwave didn’t remove his gaze from his lap, embarrassed from all the attention still. Maybe everyone was just surprised he came to a party for once? Yes, that had to be it. There was nothing to worry about.

“Hey, you okay there?” Breakdown asked, voice laced with concern

Soundwave looked up at him and gave him a slight nod.  He was lucky to have such nice friends to have his back. Though he noticed they seemed to be more concerned and protective today for some reason. Soundwave was admittedly a little suspicious of that, but he didn’t think Knockout and Breakdown would do anything wrong. Besides committing war crimes of course.

“Concern: appreciated” He comm’d to Breakdown, earning a friendly smile in response

“Well believe it or not, but we do care, Soundwave” Knockout stated, waving a servo in his general direction with that characteristic flourish.

After the friendly conversation, Soundwave felt much more comfortable. His nerves startled to melt away like jellied Energon in a pan. His shoulders dropped by about a centimeter. Almost nothing to Cybertronians, but for Soundwave it was a lot, considering he despised showing emotions in public. To conclude, Soundwave was feeling much better.

And then his nerves skyrocketed as someone catcalled him. At first Soundwave had simply assumed they were catcalling Knockout, as he had always gotten the attention of many. Then he realized Breakdowns shocked expression, and how Knockout looked ready to punch whoever had catcalled him. And then he realized he was being catcalled. Honestly Soundwave didn’t know what to do. He hadn’t ever been catcalled before. Was he supposed to do something? He was just sort of…sitting there. Awkwardly. Panicking.

He couldn’t see who had catcalled him, as they were somewhere behind him, fairly far away (thank Primus for that). But that didn’t make it any less worse. It was hard to process,  and he wasn’t sure what to do about this. Was he supposed to tell them off? Say nothing?  Fight them?

Heavy footfalls announced the arrival of Megatron, obviously enraged by the situation. Glinting, shiny silver armor littered with scars trudged over to the Vehicon who had catcalled him, and Soundwave felt himself entranced watching it unfold. Something about Megatron being protective of him set his spark alight with a fluttery, almost nervous flame.

Megatrons booming, deep baritone sent the Vehicon scurrying away, out of sight and out of the party. Then Megatron, in all his beautiful, dangerous glory, turned to him. A second later he was walking towards the table Soundwave sat at. Soundwave felt like he was going to melt.

The silvery warlord seemed to cross the room in slow motion. Then as slowly as it happened, he was suddenly in front of Soundwave. Soundwave was- Primus, he didn’t know what to do. All of the sudden he felt fluttery and jittery and Megatron had stood up for him and now he was here and- and-

“May I join you?” Megatron asked coolly, and Soundwave definitely didn’t swoon at all. Not one bit…maybe a little

Knockout looked like he wanted to protest, but Soundwave wasn’t really paying attention. A million thoughts sped through his mind like the old racers on Velocitron. Racing on and on and getting jumbled together. Soundwave blushed under his visor, and pulled his EM field even tighter against himself, not that anyone could sense it anyways.

After a moment, Soundwave realized he hadn’t answered Megatrons question. He should- right. He should answer that. He was calm. Definitely not panicking or swooning. Not at all.

“Affirmative” Soundwave comm’d, spark feeling fluttery and jumpy as Megatron grinned at him at that- all sharp, glittery teeth.

Megatron pulled out a seat from the table (right next to him!!!). Knockout growled in response, but collected himself as soon as Megatron glanced at him. Knockout had been acting strange all day today- maybe he had too much high grade?

“Is there a problem, Knockout?” Megatron asked coolly, his baritone sending a faint shiver down Soundwaves spine

While Megatron and Soundwave used to be good friends, the war had taken a lot away. They had sort of a…falling out? Not exactly a falling out, but they were both always busy. Soundwave rarely got Megatrons attentions. (Or anyone’s from that matter, he couldn’t remember the last time he had a positive touch) Save for the occasional pat on the shoulder from Megatron. But now? Having Megatrons attention solely focused on him?

Soundwave was definitely swooning