Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Starscream swung the Star Saber in a wide arc, felling three wooden training dummies at once. Each one split in two and fell to the ground, a clean cut.

Which did mean he would have to set them back up again.

He had taken Rad's admonishment against deforestation to heart and agreed not to test his skills by cutting down whatever wild trees he happened to have in front of him, and instead had found a natural clearing and set up his own training ground to practice with his weapon. It was inconvenient, but it ameliorated the child. Now, he often found himself coming out here when he found the Autobot base too stifling.

He didn't quite fit in. He knew that. As much as the children and the minicons tried to make him welcome, and as much as Optimus Prime was willing to trust him, he wasn't a good "culture fit". He was used to a Decepticon environment and a Decepticon way of doing things. Integrating with his new team was proving… difficult.

He closed his eyes and renewed his focus. Trying to stay present in this moment, in this space. The air around him. The sword in his hand.

He turned and swung.

Four more training dummies split in two, sliding to the ground. Another clean cut.

However, he was now out of dummies.

He released his grip on the Star Saber and it split apart into the Air Defense Team. Runway, Jetstorm, and Sonar landed safely on their feet, looking up at him.

"You alright, boss?" Runway asked.

"I'm fine." He waved off the mini-con's concern. Though there was something niggling in the back of his mind. Something he couldn't quite put his finger on.

He almost didn't notice when Alexis arrived in the clearing looking anxious and out of breath.

"Guys!" She said, addressing the four of them. "Have you seen Sureshock anywhere?"

Jetstorm and Runway shared a look before shaking their heads. Sonar looked up to Starscream, who lowered his eyebrows.

"I haven't." He said. "Has she gone missing?"

"She's not at the base." Alexis looked genuinely worried. "It's not like her to run off without telling anyone. Or at least… not without telling me."

That was true enough. The vespa had an independent streak a mile wide (she preferred to call herself a free thinker) but she wasn't an idiot. She knew better than to go running off, especially since she was technically unbonded and therefore in danger of being picked up by the Decepticons.

That was a very good reason to find her quickly. Even a single mini-con could upset the balance of power on Earth and Starscream had no desire to be on the losing side.

"Runway." The mini-con stiffened to attention at his voice. "We should find our errant scooter. You head south. Jetstorm, east. Sonar, west. Alexis and I will continue north."

Runway nodded. "Understood. Team?"

Jetstorm and Sonar saluted. "Right!"

Then all three of them transformed and took off into the sky.

"Thanks for helping with this." Alexis said, smiling at Starscream.

He flushed, but turned his head to hide it. "Don't mention it."

Starscream did not have a soft spot for the humans. At least, not that he would admit. But, unlike Rad and Carlos who were generally reckless and impulsive, Alexis was responsible, efficient, and, dare he say, charming.

He definitely didn't have a favorite. But if he did, it would be her.

He had to move slowly, crouching below larger branches as he followed Alexis out of the clearing and into the forest proper. He could fly instead, but even his naturally good eyesight didn't let him see through solid objects, and unlike the Air Defense Team he would need to stay above the canopy. It was unlikely Sureshock would be clearly visible from up there.

And besides. He didn't want to leave Alexis alone out here. Just in case.

For some reason, he felt an itch in his powerlinx peg. He elected to ignore it.

"Tell me." He addressed the small human that was making her way through the underbrush as best she could. "Has Sureshock been acting oddly or said anything that might indicate where she's gone?"

"Not really." Alexis had to climb over a fallen log that Starscream could step over easily. Then she thought harder about the question. "Well… I noticed she's been more cuddly lately. And moodier. She's been getting more annoyed by the boys, easier to set off."

Starscream narrowed his eyes. "Is that so…"

The itch in his peg was getting worse, and he felt antsier the further they walked in this direction.

"Do you feel that?" He asked, genuinely not sure what a human sensory array does and does not pick up.

Alexis just looked at him, confused. "Feel what?"

He frowned, but shook his head. "I think there's another clearing up ahead. You can get there before I do."

Alexis nodded, then took off, running ahead as well as she could through the foliage.

Alexis was… fetching. In a way Starscream wasn't used to organic beings being. He had never really groked the way certain transformers, mostly Autobots, cooed over tiny organic beings. And yet, watching Alexis he understood the concept of "cute."

Alexis was harmless, yet bold. Fragile, but fearless. She seemed completely heedless of the fact that all it would take is for a bot like Starscream to lean on her and she would die. Maybe it was foolish of her, but she trusted the Autobots - trusted Starscream - not to harm her. Even by accident.

Starscream had trouble trusting anyone. He couldn't help but admire that about her.

"There you are!" He heard Alexis shout before he made it past the trees.

And there was Sureshock. The orange mini-con was sitting against a tree, fingers massaging the port between her legs. She froze as soon as she saw Starscream and she jumped to her feet.

"Alexis! I- I was-" She tried, hands instinctively covering her port as though no one would know what she was doing if they couldn't see it.

Alexis apparently didn't care. She closed the distance and hugged Sureshock tight. "We were so worried about you!"

Now it made sense. The itch in his peg, it was because of her. She was sending out mini-con signals so hard he was picking it up with his body alone. She was desperate to powerlinx.

Sureshock's eyes met Starscream's and he glowered at her. There was a part of him, a very urgent part, that wanted to take her right here and now.

He had to imagine the Autobots wouldn't appreciate that.

He knew Alexis wouldn't.

He tore his eyes away.

"You shouldn't be out here all alone." He said, his voice curt. "It's dangerous."

The mini-con glared at him. "And I suppose I'm safer surrounded by bulks?"

"You would be safer if you just picked someone to bond with."

"Over my dead-"

"Woah!" Alexis threw her hands up between them. "Okay, none of that."

Sureshock cut her vocalizer but kept up the glare. Starscream, pointedly, still didn't look at her.

"We'll head back to my house." Alexis suggested. "That way you don't have to be around other bots, but we know where you are if something happens. Okay?"

Sureshock grimaced. But she saw the sense in it. She nodded. "Fine."

Starscream didn't like that idea.

Not because there was a part of him that, against his better judgement, was telling him that he should take this opportunity to bond with the mini-con. But because keeping her near Alexis, and especially without any of the full size Autobots around, put the human girl in more danger. Even if Sureshock was adamantly against powerlinxing, it would still be safer for her to remain at the Autobot base. At least there the biggest threats were all goody-goodies.

Alexis wrapped her hand around Sureshock's and pulled her to the trees, back the way they came. Starscream took a moment to contact the Air Defense Team on an internal channel to let them know the errant mini-con was found. It also allowed Sureshock the opportunity to put a bit more distance between them, which at least got her to stop glaring at him through the corner of her optic.

Fair enough she was wary, but she didn't have to look at him with such contempt.

At the edge of the trees, Sureshock let go of Alexis' hand. She took a moment to look once more at Starscream, then looked back to Alexis, an uncomfortable expression on her face.

"I'm going to go on ahead." She said. "I'll… meet you there."

Alexis' brow furrowed. "Are you sure? It's safer if we-"

"I'll stay out of sight." She insisted. "There's something I need to… take care of. Privately."

"But-"

Before Alexis could protest, Sureshock transformed and sped off.

Alexis watched her go, helpless to chase after her. 

"I guess…" She said, watching her friend turn a corner, "...A lot moodier, actually."

"Probably just wants to get away from me as quickly as possible." Starscream shrugged. He looked down at the human girl. "Have you figured out what's happening?"

She looked up at him quizzically, then shook her head.

"It's a mini-con thing," he said. "Her body knows that she's meant to powerlinx with a proper transformer, and the urge to do so is reaching its peak. That's why we saw her playing with her port. And her body is sending out signals to every bulk in a two-mile radius to come and claim her."

"That's awful!"

"That's biology. She is a battery, after all."

She wheeled on him then. "Sureshock isn't a battery! She's a person!"

He threw up his hands, as though she could muster enough force to warrant his defending himself. "I didn't mean it like that. When I say she's a battery, I mean it in the same sense as I am a jet or Hot Shot is a car. It doesn't make her any less of a person."

That got Alexis to relax her posture, but not to stop scowling at him. "I've never seen this happen with High Wire or Grindor, though."

"And you likely won't, not as long as they have that combination thing they do. That seems to satisfy the powerlinx urge for the two of them."

"But not for Sureshock?"

"High Wire and Grindor aren't batteries. Not in the same sense." He crouched down, as though making a token effort toward getting on her eye level might get her to listen. "High Wire is a Headmaster. His role is to give tactical feedback and an extra pair of eyes on the battlefield. So long as he forms the head of Perceptor, he's satisfied. Grindor is a Targetmaster. He provides additional armament to his partner. So long as Perceptor battles, he's satisfied. But our dear Sureshock is a Powermaster. Her role is, first and foremost, to supercharge her partner with excess energy. And while Perceptor may require her to function, he is made from three mini-cons. Even if none of them were Powermasters, he would already have more juice than a standard full-sized transformer. She simply isn't being used to the extent her body needs."

Alexis turned to look back at the direction Sureshock had left. "...What's going to happen to her?"

"It's difficult to say." Starscream admitted. "If she keeps up her stubborn streak, she'll likely have to find some way to burn off or discharge the energy building inside her. More likely is that she'll give in and choose an Autobot to give herself to. Assuming she isn't caught by a Decepticon first." He reached back to touch his peg, which still felt as though she was right here ready for the linxing. "Primus knows she isn't making it easy on herself."

Alexis eyed his hand and its position near the crest that came out from his back. The place that becomes the rear of his fuselage in his alt-mode. The place where Swindle usually attached to him in combat. 

"Does playing with it help?" Alexis asked.

Energon rushed to Starscream's cheeks, giving them a faint golden glow. He moved his hand to his side immediately. "I'm sorry?"

"Her port." Alexis feigned innocence, tilting her head at him. "Does playing with it help?"

"It…" He cleared his intake. "It likely soothes the urge. For a bit. Much like… actually, I don't know if organics have an equivalent."

"Is that what you're doing, then?" She let the facade drop. "Soothing your urge to linx up with Sureshock?"

He frowned hard. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"I could… help you. If you want." Alexis offered, her own cheeks coloring.

Starscream looked at her, wary now. "What exactly are you suggesting?"

She glanced away shyly for a second, but bit her lip and looked back at him. "I could massage your peg? It's probably a lot easier for someone as small as me to make it feel better than for you to do it yourself."

There was logic there. His peg was smaller than his fingertip, but would be a solid handful for her. No doubt she could massage it in ways he could only imagine. But did she actually understand what she was offering?

Frankly, did he?

It was one thing to powerlinx with Swindle or one of the ADT. But to fake a powerlinx with an organic?

With a fleshling?

…

…With Alexis?

He shivered.

Solus, he liked that idea. If Alexis were a minicon, he would have bonded with her in an instant. If there were a way for humans to powerlinx with transformers, he would be the first to volunteer so long as it was with her.

Cheeks still flushed, he reached a hand toward her, palm up. She took that as an invitation and climbed up, holding on to one of his fingers for support.

"Are you sure about this?" He asked.

She looked up at him with an innocent expression. "Is there a reason I shouldn't be?"

He supposed there wasn't. He lifted her up behind his head, where she moved from his hand to his crest. Even as she moved across his chassis, he could feel how warm her skin was. He was, in fact, extremely conscious of her body, climbing over his.

His spark shivered as he felt her approach his peg, then his body followed when he felt her breath against it. She reached out carefully, like she was aware just how sensitive it could be, before her hands wrapped around it. Though metal, it was surprisingly soft and malleable, like his face. More like soft plastic or silicon than solid steel.

She began to stroke it up and down, her hands warm against his peg. His optics closed and a sound rumbled in his throat.

"Is this alright?" She asked, her voice softer and breathy.

He felt his servos relaxing involuntarily. "A little faster would be alright."

Her hands moved a bit quicker in response. His jaw clenched as he felt the energon discharge building up inside him.

Was this how it felt for the minicons as well? Was Sureshock, wherever she had spirited herself away, working her fingers inside her port and tricking her body into the same explosive finish Starscream felt himself nearing? Who did she think of when she did? One of the autobots? Or perhaps, as Starscream might, did she want to powerlinx with Alexis as well?

"I'm going to try something." Alexis said, eliciting a spark of anxiety in Starscream's chest.

And then he felt something soft, hot, and wet envelop his peg.

He jerked in surprise and Alexis had to stop whatever she was doing to hold on tight.

"I'm sorry!" She said quickly as he tried to look back at her over his shoulder. "Did that not feel good? I thought it would feel good."

"It…" It had felt good. "What was that?"

Alexis hesitated before answering. "It was my mouth."

Starscream's mind needed a second for that. "I thought humans used their mouths to speak and eat. You weren't planning to eat my peg, were you?"

"We also use them to… show our affection. Sometimes." Her blush was practically audible in her voice. "With people we especially like."

He had never seen Alexis use her mouth to show affection to her human friends. Perhaps she was lying. Or perhaps she "especially liked" Starscream more than Rad or Carlos.

He didn't hate that idea.

"B… by all means, continue." He said, feigning graciousness. "I was surprised, but it was… pleasant."

"You're sure?" She asked, stroking his peg with her hand once more. Her saliva let her fingers glide more easily across its surface.

"Is there a reason I shouldn't be?"

She must have supposed there wasn't. After just a moment, that hot, wet sensation returned to his peg.

He felt the muscles in her mouth working as she not just engulfed his peg but suckled on it as well. The sound that escaped from his lips then was one he didn't know he could make.

She moved up and down over the tip while her hand still worked the base. It didn't feel like this with Swindle. Honestly, he had never felt anything quite like this before in his life. This building euphoria was something new entirely.

If he weren't already kneeling, he's sure he might stagger. She made him weak. Her hand and her mouth and her warmth and her smile all made him weak. But somehow, he didn't hate that weakness. Not if it felt this good.

It didn't matter if he was tricking his body into a false powerlinx connection to satisfy some primal urge. No powerlinx he had ever felt before felt this good.

Pleasure erupted through his whole body, and he felt the phantom sensation of his shoulder cannons opening up, even though they didn't move. He stumbled forward, and Alexis fell backwards off his peg, sliding up his crest until she came to rest against the back of his head.

When he plucked her from that spot and held her back in front of his face, it was with awe in his eyes.

She worked her jaw for a moment, as though the sensation of sucking on his peg had been a new one for her, then grinned up at him, drool still coating her chin. "How was it?"

"It was incredible." And effective. He no longer felt the itch or the urge. He had no desire to chase down Sureshock and bond with her against her will. Frankly, he felt mildly disgusted that he ever had.

She chuckled before sitting back on her palms. "I'm glad! I was really hoping I'd do a good job."

She definitely had. Far better than Starscream had expected.

"I want to… I feel like I should do something for you." He said, keeping his voice even. "As repayment."

"You don't owe me anything." She said. "I was doing something for someone important to me."

"As thanks then."

"Well…" The color rose again in her cheeks and she glanced away from him. "There is one thing…"

"Out with it, girl. I'm not a mind reader." His voice kept a level tone, but he allowed a little bit of annoyance into it. Just enough to urge her.

She stood on his palm and tilted her face up at him, pushing herself to look into his optics. Then she pointed to her mouth.

"Could you… press your lips to mine?"

He blinked. "That's it?"

"That's it."

The corner of his mouth quirked up, but if that was all she wanted than it would trouble him not at all to oblige. He leaned closer, pursing his lips as he did. He felt her hands beside his mouth as she craned up to close the distance.

There was a tiny electric spark when their lips touched.

And then, after a second that felt at once much longer and much shorter than it was, she pulled back.

"I should… get home to Sureshock." She said. "Make sure she's alright."

"Yes." Starscream's optics fluttered open, and he needed a moment to remember the world outside just the two of them. "Yes, you should. I'll… see you later?"

"Of course you will!" She favored him with her smile one last time before he set her on the ground. "And thank you again, Starscream. I'm glad I can always count on you."

As she ran off toward the city, she stopped every few feet to turn back around and wave at him. He watched her go, waving back each time, until she was out of sight.

His fingers moved to where her lips had touched his. It was such an odd request.

But then, she had said that humans use their mouths to express their affection. Perhaps what she had wanted was confirmation that he held affection for her just as she held for him.

His crooked smile grew into a proper smirk.

If Alexis had wanted a kiss, she could have said so plainly.

Chapter Text

Sureshock sat in the garage of the Thi Dang household with her head in her hands. She couldn't believe this was happening, and worse, that it had been Alexis and Starscream who had seen her in that state. The two people she least wanted to ever see her like that, save perhaps Megatron himself.

She barely trusted Starscream. He had no loyalty to the Decepticons who he had known and fought alongside for thousands of years. Now he was expected to be loyal to a group he had been fighting against for just as long, not out of some ideological commitment, but because they treated him better? She was willing to give him a chance, but she wasn't about to consider the matter closed just because everyone else seemed ready to.

And Alexis…

She hated knowing that Alexis had seen her… so weak. Slave to her body's instincts and impulses, helplessly craving the one thing her rational mind wants least of all. How must that have affected the picture of Sureshock in Alexis' mind? How would Alexis look at her after seeing Sureshock's fingers inside her own port?

And the fact that Starscream had looked at her that way. Like he knew she couldn't stop him if he were to just pick her up and linx with her right there. Like he could just take what he wanted.

She growled when she felt a tingle in her port again.

She had already taken care of it! She should have at least another couple of hours before the build-up got to her again. So why did picturing his stupid smug face make it go so much faster?

She hated this. She hated herself for being this way.

The door between the garage and the house began to open. Sureshock startled, then quickly (and quietly) transformed into her alt mode.

She needn't have worried. It was Alexis who stepped into the garage rather than her parents. She was dressed in a nightgown and carrying a sleeping bag and pillow.

"How're you feeling?" She asked in a hushed whisper as she came down the stairs. She had the tone of a mother checking on her sick child.

Sureshock was slower converting back to bot mode. Her eyes pouted as she watched Alexis spread out the sleeping bag on the concrete floor beneath them.

"You really don't have to do this." Sureshock said. She had no problem resting on any kind of flat surface, either on her back or on her wheels, but humans were much more delicate. "I'll be fine. Really."

"Don't be silly." Alexis sat down, pillow in her lap. "My best friend is going through something rough. I'm gonna be there for her however I can. Besides, I've been camping plenty of times. I've slept in way worse places than my dad's spotless garage."

Sureshock was uncertain, but she could tell this was one of the things Alexis planned to be stubborn about. "I'm… sorry you had to see me that way." She said.

Alexis shook her head. "You don't have anything to apologize for. You didn't do anything wrong, and it's not your fault your body is…" She motioned generally to Sureshock's body, hoping that covered it.

That wasn't what she had meant, but Sureshock decided not to push the issue.

"Can I…" Alexis starts, but she hesitates for a moment before trying again. "Would it be okay to ask you about it?"

"About my body being…?" Sureshock motioned generally to her body.

"Yeah."

The minicon sighed, but nodded. "Go for it."

"I get that you don't want to lose your independence," Alexis said, slowly. "But why don't you powerlinx with someone temporarily? You know, just to burn off the energy?"

Sureshock almost snapped at her. It took a tremendous amount of willpower to stay still and remind herself that Alexis was asking because she genuinely didn't know.

"It doesn't work like that." Her hands had closed into tight fists, and she didn't continue until she had managed to relax her servos. "When a mini-con first powerlinxes with a bulk… it activates something inside us. We call it our Servility Program. It makes us loyal to our 'partner', so loyal it's difficult to even imagine disobeying them."

Horror dawned on Alexis' face as she absorbed that. That helped. It made Sureshock feel less like she's insane for wanting no part of that.

"It isn't just that bonding with a bulk would be degrading. It would literally strip me of my independence. I wouldn't be… me." She looked down at her port, hidden behind its protective plate, with disgust. "I'm willing to work with the Autobots. But there isn't a single one of them I'm willing to give myself to so completely."

Before Sureshock realized it, Alexis was hugging her tight. The human girl's body was warm and soft against the mini-con's cold, metal chassis. It felt really nice.

"I'm so sorry!" Alexis said, squeezing tighter. "It was a stupid suggestion. Of course that's out of the question! We'll just have to figure something else out somehow."

"It… it wasn't a stupid question." Sureshock hugged her back, careful not to hug so tight she might hurt her. The relief that washed over her as someone for once told her she was right to want to remain independent was euphoric. Even High Wire and Grindor, who were keen to stay unbonded if they could swing it, still thought it was generally fine to bond with the Autobots. They, at least, try not to abuse the relationship.

Alexis not only agreeing with her, but taking her position as a given, it meant the world to her. As though she could possibly love the human girl more than she already did.

"You should get some sleep." Sureshock ran her knuckle over Alexis' cheek. "I'll be alright."

Alexis took a moment to squeeze Sureshock's hand. "If you're sure. And don't be afraid to wake me up if you need me, okay? I love you."

"I… I love you too."

Alexis crawled into her sleeping bag and rested her head on her pillow. She rolled over so she could look at her friend as she drifted off. Sureshock's eyes were not a steady, consistent brightness. Instead, the brightened and dimmed over time, almost like the rise and fall of a breathing chest. It was hypnotic, almost. And it was beautiful.

Sureshock didn't touch herself until she was sure Alexis was asleep. In fact, she didn't touch herself until an hour after she was sure Alexis was asleep. But she knew she couldn't hold out all night. Even if her body could take it (and it couldn't) the minicon signals she was putting out would put Alexis in danger.

So, when she was beyond certain Alexis was asleep, she slid her panel up and moved her fingers down to her port.

Her body was ready, and the walls of her port were as sensitive as ever. Even her own fingers elicited an electric sensation throughout her lower half. Her intake sped up and her coolant systems started working faster to account for the heat spreading from her groin. She leaned back and closed her optics, spreading her legs wide to give herself as much access as possible.

In order to properly trick her body into a false powerlinx reaction, it helped to imagine actually doing it with someone. For a while, she was content to picture Grindor and High Wire, playing out a combination in her head. Grindor was cute and creative, and High Wire was pretty in his own way. But if she could be satisfied with combination, she wouldn't be in this mess.

Now she found herself trying to imagine actually powerlinxing with one of the bulks she knows. She had had some success earlier imagining Blurr. Her fingers moved faster inside herself as she pictured his plated face and cold demeanor. He was deadly competent, and he understood independence. He'd probably be tough on her, though. Boss her around. That's a turn-off.

Hot Shot was a no-go, and so was Smokescreen. Maybe Red Alert? Or, if she was willing to go a little dark with it, she could imagine a forced connection. Possibly with Sideways? Or maybe even Megatron…

And then her port quivered as a certain smolder entered her head. Those golden orange eyes burning into hers. His hand around her, guiding her where to go.

She shook her head, trying to dislodge that fantasy with a hiss. "No! Primus, anything but him!"

Eyes now open, they settled in Alexis' sleeping form in the dark. Really, it should be odd for Sureshock to find Alexis attractive. The softness of her skin, the rise and fall of her chest. Her long, delicate eyelashes. Her pillowy lips which hung open just a micrometer as she breathed in and out. Sureshock's fingers began to move again.

She kept her eyes on Alexis as she imagined touching her. Pressing her body against her. A pair of fingers stroked inside her, tightening a spring that threatened to come undone with each twist.

"Alexis~" She whined, her hips moving to meet herself.

"Sureshock?"

The mini-con froze immediately.

Alexis stirred in the sleeping bag and sat up. She blinked into the light cast by Sureshock's eyes.

"Are you alright?" She asked. "It sounded like you were moaning."

"I'm fine. You should go back to-"

But Alexis was already sitting back up. Her eyes zeroed in on Sureshock's groin, and the fingers still pressed inside her port. Hot shame washed over the vespa.

And then Alexis surprised her. "Can I help?"

She blinked. "What?"

Alexis moved toward her, almost crawling. "I want to help you. It feels better if it's someone else, right?"

She could feel the heat radiating off her human partner. Could feel the breath from her parted lips. Could see the the half-lidded nervous smile that Alexis wore on her face as she leaned in close.

And it wasn't wrong. Using her own fingers was almost like trying to tickle herself. Her brain anticipate her touch, and no matter how sensitive her body was it would only be moreso to the touch of another.

And for sure, her body shivered at the thought of Alexis touching her. She took a moment to steel herself, moved her fingers out of herself, and nodded. "I'd like that."

Alexis grinned and moved toward her until she was straddling the seat cushion on Sureshock's shin. She held her gaze intensely while her hot, eager fingers slipped into her port. She dragged the moan out of Sureshock's vocalizer as she stroked her insides.

"You're so cute~" Alexis breathed, moving her face closer. "I feel like I don't tell you that enough. I love your big, expressive eyes. I love the beautiful shade of orange your chassis is. And I love the way your body vibrates against mine when I'm riding you~"

Alexis' fingers were much more dexterous and much more eager than Sureshock's had been. It didn't feel like a normal powerlinx connection, but it felt so much better. Alexis wasn't using her. Alexis was trying to make her feel good, and Solus, she was succeding.

The girl's own hips started to move, grinding against Sureshock's leg. Was that just antsy energy, or did it feel good for her too? The growing blush in her cheeks and the quickening of her breath suggested it did.

"Your voice is really cute too~" Alexis breathed, pressing closer. "It's okay to let it out. I want to hear you moan for me~"

She did. Sureshock moaned loudly, loud enough that she could swear any moment now Alexis' father would wake up and come to check on things. But it was so hard to focus on that when Alexis' fingers were taking her to places she had never imagined.

This girl. This beautiful, charming, intelligent girl. This bright shining example of all that humanity represents, all its potential to be more than millions of years of war have made of Transformers.

It should be her. If it could be anyone, it should be her. There was no one Sureshock trusted more - no one she loved more - than this girl who was rocketing her to a powerlinx reaction.

Still moaning with each stroke and curl of Alexis' fingers, Sureshock moved her hands to cradle the girl's face. She held her cheeks as she crossed the point of no return.

If there was any justice in the universe…

"Powerlinx!"

Alexis' entire body stiffened all at once, and she yelped in what might have been surprise, but might have been pain.

Sureshock took her hands away immediately. "Oh no!"

For a moment, Alexis wobbled, then she put a hand to her forehead, panting. "Woah. Headrush."

"I'm so sorry!" Sureshock blurted. "I didn't- I just wanted to-"

"Easy, easy!" Alexis moved closer, pressing her palms to Sureshock's face this time, helping to ground her. "I'm okay. Sureshock, I promise I'm okay."

The worry shone clear in Sureshock's eyes. "I'm really sorry."

Alexis closed the distance and pressed her lips to Sureshock's faceplate. She held that kiss for a long moment, not pulling away until she was certain the mini-con wouldn't panic.

"I'm okay." She repeated when she pulled back. "It just surprised me is all. It didn't even feel bad, really. Just… intense."

Sureshock was quiet for a moment, then leaned forward, pressing their foreheads together. "I wish it could be you, Alexis. With all my spark, I wish I could bond with you."

Alexis hugged her tight. "I wish it could be me too. But we're not gonna give up. We're gonna solve this, somehow. I promise."

Sureshock really wanted to believe that.

"Thanks for letting me help." Alexis said, slowly untangling the two of them. "I'm glad we at least got to do that together. I might've been doing most of the work, but you're the first girl who ever made me cum."

Sureshock blinked. "Cum?"

Alexis smiled. "I'll explain in the morning. You should be good for now, right?"

Honestly, Sureshock felt more satisfied than she had since she first activated on Earth. Maybe it was premature, but she felt like she could go a whole day on how good that had felt alone.

"Yeah." She said. "Yeah, I'll be good for now. You sleep, I'll recharge. I'll see you in the morning."

Alexis kissed her again on the cheek. "Goodnight. I love you."

"I… I love you too, Alexis."

Chapter Text

"So it's like being on your period?" Carlos asked.

Alexis rolled her eyes. "It's more like… have you ever seen an unspayed dog go into heat?"

"Oh yeah!" Said Rad, hitting his palm with the bottom of his fist. "I saw my uncle's dog go into heat the last time I visited their farm. That must be rough."

"Poor Sureshock." Carlos nodded.

The three of them were in Alexis' bedroom while Grindor and High Wire kept Sureshock company in the garage. As far as Alexis' parents knew, the three of them are studying.

Rad's brow furrowed. "But heat comes and goes in a cycle, doesn't it? Is Sureshock's going to let up eventually if she just holds out?"

"We don't actually know." Alexis sighed. "Starscream didn't seem to think so. I think she needs some way to burn off the excess energy. I've tried having her powerlinx with Earth technology, but it hasn't been enough and there's only so much she can evolve the appliances in the house before I have to start coming up with explanations."

"I don't see why she doesn't just powerlinx with one of the Bots then." Carlos said. "Why's she being so stubborn?"

Alexis rose from the floor. "It's basically mind control, Carlos! We can't just expect her to be okay with that!"

"I'm not saying I like it!" Carlos put his hands up defensively. "I'm just saying at this rate she's either gonna powerlinx with one of the Bots or she's gonna get picked up by a Decepticon."

"Or the energy build-up will get to be more than her body can handle." Rad's voice was quiet.

Alexis looked at him. "What do you mean?"

Rad kept his eyes on the floor. "This is happening because she's building up more energy than she's burning, right? What happens when she's overloaded all her capacitors? Does she shut down? Does she explode?"

Alexis froze. Horror rose in her stomach and she had to take a step back. "You don't think…"

"If it's a matter of life and death…" Rad looked away from her, unwilling to look Alexis in the eye, "then Carlos is right."

She pressed a hand to her mouth, fighting a wave of nausea. That wouldn't happen, right? Sureshock wouldn't die from this, would she?

"And I'm not saying we just hook her up with Hot Shot or anything." Carlos said, trying to be as gentle as possible. "Maybe we just get one of the Bots we trust to powerlinx with her for just long enough to burn the energy, and then never powerlinx with her again. Never give him the chance to make Sureshock do anything she wouldn't do anyway."

For a long moment, Alexis was quiet. Then she shook her head. "I don't like it. That has to be a last resort, not our go-to solution. At least not until we're sure nothing else will work."

Rad stood and put a hand on Alexis' shoulder. "Alright. Last resort."

He looked over at Carlos who got to his feet too and nodded. "We'll brainstorm some more ideas then. No reason to give up before we've even started."

Alexis nodded, then pulled them both into a hug. "Thanks guys. I really appreciate it."

"So…" Carlos said, hugging her back. "If it's like going into heat, does that mean powerlinxing is like having sex?"

The both felt Alexis stiffen in their arms.

"Wait." Rad pulled back. "Earlier today you said you 'helped Sureshock' with her urges. Did you and Sureshock…?"

Alexis broke the hug and turned away from them to hide the red in her cheeks. "A young lady doesn't kiss and tell."

"Dude! No one ever says that unless they kissed!" Carlos ran a hand through his curly hair. "You had sex with Sureshock?!"

"What I do and who I do it with is none of your business!" Alexis shouted at him.

Carlos' eyes widened further. "That's still not a no!"

Alexis looked to Rad for help, but Rad was just as wide-eyed. "But I thought you liked Starscream."

Alexis' cheeks darkened even more. She tried to yell at him, but her response stuck in her throat.

"Wait, did you have sex with Starscream too?!"

"Does Sureshock know?!"

"Shut up!" Alexis shouted. "You two are such -"

Whatever insult she was about to hurl at her friends was cut off by the sound of something very large flying very close to the rooftop. It seemed to come out of nowhere, and it vibrated the building to the point where all three of them had to struggle to keep their footing.

When the vibration stopped, Alexis moved to the window and pushed it open. She stuck her head out into the air and narrowed her eyes before pointing at a figure in the sky. "Guys, Decepticon at one o'clock!"

"That's Cyclonus!" Carlos said, following her finger.

"We need to get out of here." Rad said, grabbing his backpack and tossing his friends their helmets. "He's probably here for Sureshock!"

The other two nodded and followed after him toward the garage.

"Kids?" Mrs. Thi Dang called after them. "Where are you off to in such a hurry? That quake might have an aftershock."

"We're going to the library!" Alexis lied, easily and reflexively as she's had to grow used to lately. "Don't worry, we'll be careful."

Her mother stepped into view, but Alexis shut the door to the garage behind her before her mom could say anything. Rad and Carlos shot her a sympathetic look and she frowned but shook her head. She can make it up to her mom later.

Grindor ran to Carlos while High Wire stayed near Sureshock.

"We're under attack?" Grindor asked.

"Looks that way." Carlos nodded. "We need to get moving. Hopefully lure him away from the city while we wait for Autobot backup."

"Sureshock, are you alright to move?" High Wire asked, moving closer to her.

"I'm fine!" She snapped. Then she shook her head. "Sorry. I'm fine. I am." She converted to her alt mode and moved to let Alexis mount up. "Let's just get out of here.

High Wire and Grindor shared a look, then transformed too, letting Rad and Carlos on.

The telltale roar and rumble of another flyby goes off overhead. Rad looks up at the roof above them, then back at his friends. "I think he's zeroing in on Sureshock's signals. We should move now before he pinpoints her."

The other two nodded, and soon all three of them are rocketing out of the garage and down the street as fast as the mini-cons' vehicle modes can take them.

Cyclonus circled back over Alexis' house, then paused in the air at the end of the run. He must have been playing hot-and-cold with the physical sensation Sureshock was putting out, minimizing the search location with each pass. But now, he could tell the mini-con was on the move.

And once he knew she was moving, it wouldn't be hard for him to watch the streets for something small and fast.

Sure enough, rather than another flyby, the Decepticon helicopter began to follow after the Street Action Team and their passengers.

Rad reached into his pocket and pulled out Laserbeak, who unfolded and flew alongside him.

"Transmit to the Autobot base," Rad said. "We're under attack by Cyclonus. We need backup immediately!"

Laserbeak relayed the message, as well as the kids' real-time location to the base. All that was left was holding out until help arrived.

That's when the bullets started firing.

Alexis gripped Sureshock's handlebars tight as the vespa swerved to avoid incoming fire.

"Is he nuts?!" Carlos shouted. "He knows he doesn't get the mini-cons if he kills them first, right? What is he thinking?!"

"I never have any idea what that guy's thinking!" Rad shouted back.

Cyclonus flew past them, turning in the air to hover in front of them. The mini-cons were moving too fast to make a sudden turn, and Cyclonus spun up his guns, ready to fire again-

And then a blast of laser fire collided with Cyclonus' port-side, and a crimson fighter jet slammed into him at top speed.

That sort of thing would've destroyed a real earth vehicle. Instead, Cyclonus transformed at the same time as the jet unfolded into a figure that made Alexis' heart leap.

"It's Starscream!" She cried.

"Where'd he even come from?" Grindor asked. "Didn't look like he ground-bridged in."

"It doesn't matter." Alexis said, watching Starscream form the Star Saber and force Cyclonus back. "He came to save us!"

"Yeah…" Sureshock's voice had a tinge of bitterness to it. "Knight in shining metallico."

"We're near the edge of town." Rad said, eyes forward. "Let's just keep going. Once we make it to the base, we'll be safe."

The buildings thinned, spaced farther and farther apart as they left the city limits and neared the canyon. Still, Alexis kept her eyes on Starscream. Even as he forced Cyclonus into a dogfight, he made sure to protect the city from collateral damage as best he could. Maybe in his head that was a waste of time, but the fact was, he was protecting the humans he always claimed not to care about.

Once inside the base, the kids dismounted and the mini-cons transformed. Red Alert met them at the entrance.

"Are you all alright?" He asked, lowering himself to get a better look at them.

"We're fine." Rad said. "Honestly, I'm surprised how quickly you guys scrambled. Must've been a new record."

"Actually, Hot Shot and Smokescreen only just left." He managed to look embarrassed despite his visor. "Full disclosure, if it was just up to us, I'm not sure we would've made it in time."

Alexis blinked. "But Starscream-"

"Was already on patrol nearby when we got your call. He's been flying a perimeter around the city since he left his berth this morning. Frankly, I'm surprised he didn't catch Cyclonus before he got that close."

Sureshock's eyelids furrowed. "You're telling me Starscream has been babysitting us this whole time?"

"Not really something to complain about." Carlos pointed out. "It did save our skins. And our… hulls? Chrome finishes?"

"Apparently he didn't think housing Sureshock with Alexis was a good plan, given… her condition."

"I get it, alright?" Sureshock snapped. "I'll stay on base. Better I be the one in danger than a city full of humans."

"We've been working on upgrading the base's shielding," Red Alert offered like it was a concession. "Your signals shouldn't reach past the outer walls."

Sureshock wrapped her arms around herself unconsciously. "Right. Because it's bulks outside the base I'm worried about."

Red Alert frowned at that and Rad looked like he was about to admonish Sureshock, so Alexis quickly stepped forward and caught the mini-con by the shoulders, pushing her deeper into the base.

"Thanks so much." She said, deflating tensions as best she could. "We'll just head to her room and see what we can do about making this easier."

Sureshock let Alexis push her, but her pout was clear in her body language as she went.

"So…" Sureshock said quietly when they neared the mini-con quarters. "Starscream's keeping a real close eye on you."

Alexis felt the heat rise in her cheeks. "He was probably just being practical. He figured you'd be a target and he acted accordingly."

They got inside her room and to her slab, where Alexis helped her up before hopping up next to her. Sureshock stayed quiet, moving her fingers past each other.

"If I had to linx with someone…" Sureshock said, quietly. "If it came down to that… who would you trust most?"

"Me?" Alexis tilted her head. "That should be your decision, shouldn't it?"

"I don't trust any of them." She admitted. "And I don't trust my own judgement either. There's a part of me, a part that keeps getting louder every day, that wants to powerlinx with anyone – anyone! – just to burn off all this power. And I keep arguing with that part of me, shutting down every urge and impulse. And that means I can't judge any of them rationally. It's like I can't tell them apart anymore."

Alexis wrapped her arms around Sureshock, pulling her close. "That sounds awful. I'm sorry."

"So… who would it be?"

Alexis considered that. Faces flashed in her mind one by one. Some faces more times than others.

"I mean… it would have to be Optimus. Wouldn't it?"

Sureshock looked at her, and almost wary expression in her eyes. "Not Starscream?"

Alexis frowned. Apparently she hadn't been even a little subtle about the whole Starscream thing. "I trust him. I do. But I know you don't. And… I'm not sure I'm one hundred percent ready to trust him with my best friend. You're precious to me, Sureshock."

The mini-con nodded. "Would you trust him with you? If you were in the same situation as me, would you powerlinx with Starscream?"

"If I were a mini-con…" Alexis said slowly, giving it genuine thought, "and I needed to powerlinx with someone… yeah. I would pick Starscream. I trust him not to betray us. I trust him not to use me in a way I would object to. And… I would be making him stronger. In a way, I would be protecting him. And that would also mean I was protecting all of you."

It sounded beautiful really. So often she feels so helpless once the fighting starts. She tries to help however she can, but the fact is Alexis is tiny and fragile and there's nothing she can really do to keep the people she loves safe when the Decepticons attack. This isn't the first time she's wished she could transform or powerlinx or really do anything to make a difference once the fighting starts. Anything to feel like she has some say in whether her friends live or die.

And it would be a lie to say that imagining Starscream – getting to join her body with Starscream, to fight alongside Starscream, to show him just how worthy of someone looking out for him he was – didn't make her feel warm and fuzzy inside. It was the same feeling she felt when she imagined a world where Sureshock could powerlinx with her, turning her into some kind of tiny powerhouse that could trade blows with any full-sized transformer. And more than once, it had been both fantasies at the same time. Linxing with Sureshock in such a way that it let her linx with Starscream too. Of course, that fantasy was always incredibly indulgent. Masturbatory, in more ways than one.

Sureshock leaned against her, almost looking defeated. "Why do you trust him so much with you?"

"I wish I had a better answer." Alexis admitted. "Starscream knows the best ending to this war is one where the Autobots win and he's on the winning side. He can be cold, but he treats the mini-cons he is partnered with well. And as much as he claims otherwise, I know he has a soft spot for us. But that's not really enough to go on. I know that. The fact is, deep down in my heart, I believe in him. I believe he would never hurt me on purpose, and if he ever hurt me by accident, I would forgive him."

"I wouldn't." Sureshock said. "I would never forgive him for hurting you. Even by accident."

Alexis smiled at her friend. "And that's the same reason why I'm not ready to trust him with you. Even if I would trust him with me."

For a long moment, Sureshock was quiet. Then she finally asked, "Do you love him?"

The bluntness of the question caught Alexis off-guard. But she nodded. "I do love him." She took Sureshock's hand in her own, running her thumb over her fingers. "I love him the same way I love you."

Sureshock didn't answer.

Anxious now, Alexis pushed. "Does that bother you?"

"...A little."

Alexis swallowed the lump in throat. She nodded, and she stood. "I should call my mom. Maybe there's a way I can stay here tonight. It's a long shot, but maybe I can convince her to okay a sleepover with Rad and Carlos and then -"

"Alexis." Sureshock cut her off. "It's okay. You don't have to lie to your mom again. I'll be alright tonight."

Alexis blinked at her. "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure. I still have those toys you lent me. They help a lot and I haven't even evolved some of them yet, so I'll be fine on my own." Her tone was sincere, but there was the tiniest hint of stiffness in it. "I know you hate worrying your parents. Besides, it's a school night."

All good points. Still, the anxiety didn't go away. "Are you mad at me?"

Sureshock jumped off the recharge slab. "No! No, I'm not mad, Alexis. You haven't done anything wrong. I just…" She grimaced. "I have a lot to process right now. And I need to think about it alone."

Alexis nodded. She tried very hard to believe that was it, and that she hadn't said something wrong. "And I'll be back tomorrow after school. I won't leave you alone with this. I promise."

"Thanks." She squeezed Alexis' hands. "I appreciate it. I love you too, Alexis. I really, really do."

Alexis kissed her cheek, lingering for a moment before she turned to go. It didn't feel like closure. It felt like cowardice. Like running away because she was afraid of how Sureshock would answer if she asked the one question she most wanted answered.

But she was given an out. And she really was afraid that if she pulled that thread, Sureshock wouldn't still love her.

She couldn't bear that.

Chapter Text

The silicone phallus was approximately the same size as a powerlinx peg, though it was irregularly shaped with false veins and an odd, tapering knob on one end. It looked organic, and so Sureshock assumed it mimicked some part of human anatomy, though she couldn't identify what. Presumably something involved in "sex", an activity Alexis had explained very briefly after that night they spent together in the garage.

The more interesting feature, however, was that it vibrated. It had two settings, one a gentle, buzzing vibration, and the other a more firm, thudding vibration, and both felt incredible on Sureshock's port, so long as she was already warmed up.

And, because this vibration was generated by electronic technology inside the thing, Sureshock was able to pour some of her overwhelming energy stores into it, evolving it into a new form. Outwardly, she left its shape mostly the same, though the silicone shell was slightly misshapen by the changes within. She increased its maximum power output tenfold, and added a weaponized setting just in case. It helped, but not as much as a proper false reaction would.

She closed her eyes and pressed the buzzing tube to her port. She tried to focus on the sensation, but that only ever got her so far. If she wanted this to work, she really did need a scenario to play through in her head. So she pictured Alexis.

It was easy, after that night they spent together. She could remember the exact sensation of Alexis' weight on her shin, the exact size and shape and temperature of her hands. The way she tasted in the air. The exact shape of her lips as they pursed against Sureshock's frame.

Alexis was love embodied. Soft and warm and comfortable, she made Sureshock's spark sing just by being around her. She was someone who could never force Sureshock to do anything, someone she had no reason to fear or be wary around. She was perfect.

But she loved Starscream too.

Sureshock's tool slowed inside her. It was an odd sensation, feeling her will to touch herself fall without her need to touch herself falling with it.

What did that mean, exactly? "I love him the same way I love you." Was that Alexis' way of saying that she loved them both as friends, or did Alexis have romantic feelings for both of them? Would Alexis have sex with Starscream? Has she already?

An image crept into her mind of the two of them. Alexis held in Starscream's hand as they kissed with a passion Sureshock was physically incapable of matching. Alexis stripping herself bare as Starscream's tongue explored her skin. Starscream moving Alexis to his peg and her spreading her port (her "pussy"?) open to receive it.

They didn't need her. Alexis wouldn't need Sureshock at all as long as she had Starscream.

No. No, that wasn't right!

Alexis said she loved them both the same way. Sureshock had to believe that was true. Which would mean, logically, that Alexis wouldn't abandon one of them just because she had the other.

Alexis would embrace her too. Alexis would kiss her, even if Sureshock didn't have lips to kiss back. Alexis would press her warm, soft body against Sureshock's chassis so she could feel every curve, every breath, every heartbeat.

And Starscream would just have to accept it. Not that he wouldn't. Starscream would glower at her with those eyes, so full of desire, kept in place only by the knowledge that he has to or else this all falls apart. He would lift her up, more controlled than she had ever seen a bulk, but his thumb would stroke her frame, a reminder of the simmering need just beneath his surface.

He would lift her up to the spot where Alexis is riding him, and she would press into Alexis again, touching her body in the ways Starscream can't from this position. And Alexis would reciprocate. Even as she moved her hips, her fingers would find Sureshock's port and she would stroke Sureshock's insides so intently, so lovingly. And Sureshock would have a front row seat to watch Alexis lose control of herself completely.

Sureshock was so caught up in the fantasy she didn't realize her hand was moving until all the lights in her hab suite reacted to her climax, turning on and flaring bright white as her ambient energy flooded them until going dark once more. She collapsed, completely spent, on her recharge slab, her internal fans kicking up to cool her overheated circuits.

In her fantasy, she did powerlinx with Starscream, but with Alexis as a conduit. The energy flowed between the three of them, but without activating her servility program. Every problem solved, wrapped up in a neat little bow.

It was a nice fantasy, but it was just that. Sureshock had no reason to believe Alexis' body could act as a conduit in that way, and even if it could there was every reason to believe that much energy flowing through her would hurt her. Possibly even permanently injure her. Or worse.

Still, she felt amazing. Almost good enough not to feel a little miffed that she had reached this point in part by thinking about Starscream. Almost.

She was willing to admit that Starscream was handsome. She wouldn't say he was kind, but he wasn't cruel either. He seemed to genuinely be trying to be an Autobot, and Sureshock did prefer the Autobots to the Decepticons, at least as far as bulks went. He had a darkness to him, but he wasn't a bad person. And that glower…

She didn't agree with Alexis, but she could understand why Alexis liked him. Sureshock just didn't feel up to letting her guard down. He wasn't a spy or anything, she was sure of that, but that didn't mean he wouldn't betray them if the winds shifted.

She had just turned the vibrating phallus off when a knock came at her door. Judging by the sound, it wasn't another mini-con. Possibly one of the Autobots coming to ask about the power surge.

"It's me," Starscream's voice came through the metal shutter. Speak of the devil. "You don't have to come out."

That was good, because she hadn't planned on it. She got to her feet. "What do you want?"

"To talk. If that's allowed." He kept a balance between being loud enough she could hear him through the door and quiet enough that they wouldn't disturb her neighbors. "I want to know what your plan is, regarding your condition."

She narrowed her optics. "That's not your concern."

"Until it's resolved, it concerns everyone on this base. Including the humans you're so close to."

"I don't have a plan yet, alright?" She hated admitting weakness. Especially to him. "I'm still figuring it out. And I'd have an easier time of it without bulks interfering with my rest."

She could practically hear his scowl through the door. "How you can be so stubborn is beyond me. Here you are surrounded by perhaps the only transformers in the galaxy who wouldn't use you for their own ends and you decide to put yourself and all your allies in danger instead of just doing the most natural thing in the world."

"I don't want to be a slave!" She heard her own voice echo off the hab suite walls. She knew she was being too loud, but she couldn't help it. "We left Cybertron to escape being used as tools in your stupid war, and ever since we woke up on Earth that's all we've been. I've spent enough time being the property of someone else. I don't want my first instinct to be to follow orders. I don't want to second guess every time I agree with someone because I can't tell if that's me or some stupid program in my brain! I don't want some bulk constantly thinking he can use me to get stronger every time he needs a little pick-me-up! Can you understand that? Can you even try?"

For a long moment, he didn't answer.

Then, in a voice almost too quiet for her to hear, "Yes. I can understand that."

There was a sincerity in his voice that surprised her. Without thinking she almost opened the door, but she caught herself just in time.

"Among the Decepticons, you own only what you can defend." He continued. "Property, rank, rights and considerations. Everything can be taken from you if someone stronger wants to. If you want to keep anything, you either have to be the strongest or convince the strongest that it's better for them if you keep it. And that includes the right to make your own decisions."

Sureshock had known that was the case. She had even known that that was part of why Starscream had defected to begin with. Living under those conditions would be intolerable for anyone after long enough.

"I still think the Autobots are naive, but I understand the appeal of their way of life. Not having to fight for everything, not having to fear every moment that anything you hold dear may be taken from you. Believing, truly believing, that your life is your own. So yes… I can understand."

"...Well." Sureshock said after a long moment. "As long as you understand. …Thank you, Starscream."

She heard him shift on his struts. "Just remember. Your freedom can be taken back. Your life, and the lives of others, can't. When you're in a no-win situation, make sure the trade you make is one you won't regret."

He took a step away from the door.

"Starscream."

He stopped.

"Do you love Alexis?"

She heard what might have been the sound of him stumbling, then several seconds of silence.

Finally, "Don't be ridiculous. I have, at most, a passing interest in the girl. At the end of the day, she's an organic. There's no future there for a transformer and a human."

If you asked Sureshock what it is that made her believe Starscream's words earlier but doubt his words now, she would not be able to tell you for sure. Maybe it was the undercurrent of bravado that entered his voice. Maybe it was the fact that he had clearly put thought into the topic prior to her asking.

"I see." She allowed a bit of practiced cheerfulness into her voice. "Alexis is very important to me. Please make sure you're honest with her. If you string her along and she gets hurt, I don't think I'll be able to forgive you."

"Yes. Well." Starscream's voice became stiff. "I should go recharge. Goodnight, Sureshock."

"Goodnight Starscream."

She listened to his footsteps fade as he returned to the Autobot quarters. Had he waited until he felt her signals wane from the false reaction before coming to speak with her? If he had come when they were at their peak, there was a very real risk she would have thrown caution to the wind, opened the door, and flung herself at him. It was decent of him, if it was planned.

Confident he was gone, Sureshock climbed back onto her slab and lay back.

Starscream apparently wasn't going to admit to being attracted to Alexis, which was fine. It meant Sureshock didn't have to share her with him. It wasn't that she wanted Alexis all to herself, necessarily (though, blaster to the head, she would probably prefer that outcome), it was just that she wanted Alexis to be happy and safe, and she didn't trust Starscream to keep her that way.

But on the other hand, Alexis did love him. She would obviously be happier if he loved her back, at least in the short term. Maybe she would get over him eventually and none of this would matter, but at the moment Sureshock couldn't bring herself to wholeheartedly hope Starscream rejected Alexis.

"What are we, Alexis?" Sureshock whispered aloud to the empty suite. "Are we best friends, or are we sparkmates? Something in-between?"

If she asked her to give up on Starscream and just be with her, would Alexis do it?

Not that she could ever ask that. Just the thought of it made Sureshock feel petty and selfish and small.

Still. Starscream had accepted her position. He hadn't fought her on it or argued that it was her place to be used as a tool. That was better than she expected. Maybe she was giving him more credit than was due because her expectations started low, but maybe he also just wasn't as bad as she feared he was. Maybe what Alexis saw in him really was there.

Honestly, she still didn't trust her own judgement regarding any of the bulks right now. She couldn't say for sure whether Starscream was any better or any worse than Hot Shot or Blurr or Jetfire.

Maybe that was progress.