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Chapter Text

Skyfire’s long flight back to the Autobot base ought to have been uneventful. This was not the case, unfortunately, when he suddenly found himself pursued by many seekers despite previously clear skies. 

::-what are you doing, you dumb aft shuttle, you’re going to-::

This was the first time Skyfire had been ambushed by Deceptions while out on his own. The shuttle mech wasn’t even flying any supplies in his cargo hold, apart from a few cubes of enegon. This didn’t prevent being shot at by desperate seekers on the off-chance that he did have cargo to steal.

::-stop! Ramjet, you slagging moron!: : Starscream’s voice was loud and aggressive, broadcasting to all within-range comms ::You’re going straight to the brig if you end up destroying such easily obtained supplies!::

Flares of pain rose from several blast strikes. Skyfire’s HUD flashed damage warnings at him. 

::-what did I just say?! You’re joining Ramjet in the brig, Thrust! Maybe Dirge’s mood will rise with you two-::

Skyfire’s comms began to malfunction, but he was far more concerned by the smoke curling off his alt mode’s frame. Wherever he was going to land wouldn’t be far enough away for him to escape, meaning Skyfire would have to resort to his weapons to defend himself. 

::-pull up! What are you thinking?! Pull your nose cone up-::

Grimace unseen, Skyfire couldn’t exactly follow the screeching demand. Starscream appeared alongside him, matching his unplanned descent. Skyfire canted his wings, braced for his soon-to-be be landing pad of grasslands below.

::-Skyfire! Don’t you dare-:: Starscream maneuvered himself closer to Skyfire, one jet wing clipping the nose cone in a poor attempt to make the shuttle lift it up. It didn’t work, seeing as Starscream was currently four to five times smaller than Skyfire. ::If you die from this I’m going to drag you back from the Well and kill you myself!::

The comm cut out, along with Skyfire’s control of his own wings. He was almost grateful to be knocked unconscious right before the rough landing.

Anguished cries of the lone jet circling overhead went unheard, the other seekers watching from a distance.

~

Skyfire’s consciousness sluggishly returned to him, his processor taking time to categorize the damage he’d taken. 

The burning slide to the underside of his alt mode from the rough landing.

Unbroken energon cubes within his in-tact cargo hold.

Downed comm systems.

Several aching bends in his left wing, and a painful, jagged tear below it. 

By the time Skyfire’s visuals came back in, a helpful alert on his HUD let him know that someone was close in proximity.

Only one mech was there; a blur of white with flashes of sky blue and red. The mech solidified into one with thruster heels and wings.

Skyfire used his newly restored visuals to stare, mind wandering.

A seeker’s frame was nothing if not aesthetically pleasing to gaze upon.

Skyfire wasn’t blind; he could appreciate the wings, the aerodynamics, and occasional dramatics. But Skyfire had never been one to pay attention to any pointed posturing or flirting. He’d always worked under the assumption that, being much larger than seekers, and most other mechs, that no one would be interested in him.

A shuttle mech was not small, either in flight or in the berth.

Skyfire wasn’t sure what he would have done had someone approached him in the past. He was more open to the idea now that he wasn’t swamped with academy work and research. But while Skyfire had more free time to his name at the Autobot base, it wasn’t like he could pursue a relationship during an ongoing war. He didn’t have time to be thinking about seeker frames because…

Wait.

Skyfire was due back to base after taking the day to get his mind off a previous battle. Only he’d been…ambushed. Taken unawares by Starscream, his trine, and several other seekers hoping to find supplies that the shuttle didn’t actually have.

“-can you hear me-“

Woozy, and recuperating from the rough landing, Skyfire used his alt-mode’s restored visuals, (specifically the cameras) to locate Starscream. Skyfire couldn’t help but admire the other mech’s frame as he paced around with an agitated flutter of wings.

…it was a shame they were on opposing factions.

Starscream, despite being deeply involved in a war that Skyfire had only recently begun to take part in, was as beautiful, graceful and confident as ever. 

…perhaps Skyfire’s processor had taken some damage, as he suddenly couldn’t keep his cameras from focusing on Starscream’s turbines, thinking about playing with them and maybe nibbling along those twitching wings-

“Skyfire?” A hand carefully pressed to the shuttle’s undamaged side. “Can you hear me? Open up, before-”

The touch caused Skyfire’s large engine to lazily rev; no one touched him, apart from bumping into or brushing past him when in root mode, or when supplies were put into or removed from his cargo hold.

“-off! Turn that off!” Starscream thumped Skyfire closer to his nose cone this time. “You’re going to set yourself on fire!”

Skyfire barely noticed the elevated heat, but at Starscream’s words, he was quick to cut his engine.

The seeker hummed something like approval.

If Skyfire had been told in advance he’d get to spend time alone with Starscream, he’d have been cautiously thrilled at the chance. But memories of the not so recent past lingered. Being shot by Starscream had been more than enough for Skyfire to get the message. A shame, then, that Skyfire’s spark couldn’t fully accept that Starscream had chosen to keep him at a distance.

But Starscream countered his own past actions by choosing to brush his digits soothingly along Skyfire’s damaged left wing, murmuring in Vosnian with soft chirps and croons.

The surprisingly gentle preening slowly sent Skyfire into recharge.

A scoff, one full of disbelief, left Starscream, followed by his field flaring with exasperation.

Skyfire hadn’t opened his alt mode’s cargo hold before recharge took hold.

Chapter Text

Skyfire came back to full awareness only to find himself surrounded by six seekers, with more wheeling about in the air overhead, keeping watch. Skyfire doubted anyone would be coming to his aid; he’d not had time to send out a distress signal, nor could he now with his comms down. 

Starscream, the nearest mech to Skyfire, appeared to be fretting over him as if he were still unconscious. Beside Starscream, a quieter coneheaded seeker assisted his commander by passing over paltry first aid supplies. 

An attempt was being made to patch up the tear in the shuttle’s side. 

From another angle, Skyfire watched Starscream’s trine-mates catch another coneheaded seeker before he could ram said helm into the door that led to Skyfire’s cargo bay. 

The remaining coneheaded seeker flared his wings aggressively, presumably the trine leader of the other two.

Skyfire contemplated whether or not to let the Decepticons know he’d come out of recharge. It seemed unlikely they were prepared to leave behind potential supplies. After sensing EM fields failing to curtail hungry/desperate, Skyfire ‘woke up’. 

The seekers scattered as if Skyfire’d awakened with his weapons systems engaged. 

“He’s not going to fire at you.” Starscream remained near, scoffing as he strutted along to stand in front of Skyfire’s nose cone. Reaching out to drag his sharp digits along, Starscream all but crooned. “Isn’t that right, Autobot?” Another scrape. “Open your cargo bay.”

“I’m not running a resupply mission.” Skyfire said quietly. “I have a few cubes of energon with me.” He warily opened the door. “That’s all.” The response was immediate as seekers crowded into his cargo bay. For Skyfire, it was always an odd sensation to have another mech within his alt mode. More so when Skyfire had to withstand the sudden dramatics of three seekers finding out he didn’t have the anticipated supplies to take.  There was further discomfort when Thundercracker and Skywarp joined to take a look for themselves. Skyfire grimaced as his damaged side was jostled when all five seekers scrambled out to allow their commander entrance.

“Why were you out flying on your own?” Starscream sounded irritated, but his touch was light as he traced the inside of Skyfire’s jagged injury. “You're an easy target like this.”

“Do you remember when we would fly for no other reason than the joy of feeling the wind over and under our wings?” Skyfire returned. “To allow our troubles to become distant, even if only for a short time?”

Starscream released a slow vent, not speaking as he turned to investigate deeper within the cargo hold.

“You can take my energon cubes. It was recommended that I have some with me for emergencies.” Skyfire noted that Starscream did take the cubes, but left one behind. “All of them, Star.”

“Don't call me that.” Starscream snapped, wings rigidly rising up and forward, though he did pick up the last cube. The seeker proceeded to down less than a fifth of the cube, hesitating while tracing the edge with claws. Abruptly, Starscream jammed the energon cube back where he’d found it, then straightened up to glare around the interior of the shuttle. The moment a camera was spotted, the intensity of those vibrant red optics grew. Starscream’s chin haughtily tilted up, as if daring Skyfire to tell him to take the last cube of energon again.

Skyfire’s engine rumbled. He couldn’t help it in the face of that defiant flare of upturned wings, and the brief flash of pouting lips that became a scowl on that attractive dark face.

Their gaze lingered on one another. 

Then, the unexpected happened, as Skyfire was treated to a devilish yet devastatingly handsome smile with fangs, causing the shuttle’s engine to rev loudly. A smirk remained as Starscream flounced out of Skyfire’s cargo hold, like he hadn’t just sent Skyfire’s processor ablaze with conflict and need. 

Starscream gave one energon cube to his trine and the coneheaded seekers to share. He hissed irritably at the seekers who dropped out of the air to surround him, but Starscream passed over the second cube.  Once the enegon was drained, Starscream began to silently argue with his wings. Other seekers joined in with the rise and fall of their own wings. 

Skyfire watched, bemused, until he received a delayed alert that his auxiliary tank had been punctured earlier. 

The sight of numerous pairs of intent red optics snapping near-simultaneously to the energon that had begun to leak was unsettling, to say the very least. 

Starscream practically dove in front of the open door to prevent any of his command from getting inside.  

An all-out brawl ensued. 

Starscream and his trine, however, were quick to exert their authority with quick bites and nips to wings while taking with extended sharp claws until the fight was dispersed with. Starscream’s voice, high and harshly grating, ordered the seekers to go back to base. 

Several rude gestures were made, but at an aggressive snap of wings from their commander, the gathered seekers quickly took to the sky, apart from the elite trine.

Starscream stomped over to Skyfire, holding something up with an accusatory glower. 

A tracking device?

Skyfire’s field rippled with confusion. 

“The ‘bots Aerialbots are here!” Thundercracker’s deep voice called out. 

Skywarp vanished with a ‘vwop’, crackling purple energy, and an eager grin plastered on his face. 

Starscream crushed the tracker, but instead of joining his trine, he went inside Skyfire's cargo hold and closed the door. Starscream then planted his aft right near the cockpit. 

Skyfire stared at Starscream while the seeker nonchalantly inspected his claws. Should Skyfire not open his door, Starscream had effectively locked himself into a pseudo-prison.

Starscream smugly fluttered his wings.

A taunt. 

Skyfire wasn’t certain where his patience had gone, but he was pleased to catch Starscream off-guard when a sizable laser gun appeared from the wall to jam warningly into the seeker’s cockpit. Skyfire refused to play games; he wanted answers.

Preferably before the Autobots reached them.

Chapter Text

Skyfire had gravely miscalculated.

Despite the threat of the blaster bigger than Starscream’s whole arm being pressed to the seeker’s cockpit, he was not in any way intimidated. In fact, Starscream appeared completely and utterly unfazed, as one of his clawed hands reached up to lightly curl over the top of the blaster.

“As interesting as it is to see you properly armed-“ Starscream pressed down on the blaster, daringly digging it harder into his cockpit. “-don’t you have to patch your auxiliary tank before the damage extends?”

Without moving the blaster, Skyfire dispatched  a cable cord to locate a med kit, and delicately placed a patch over the leak. It wasn’t perfect, but it would do until Ratchet could take a look at it. Skyfire kept the muzzle of the blaster on Starscream when he made an attempt to stand. 

The seeker smiled sharply, the hand on the weapon tracing claws lightly along it. 

“What are you planning?” Skyfire jammed the blaster between the top of Starscream’s cockpit and just below the seeker’s jaw, before slowly tapping Starscream’s chin to make him tilt his helm back. “We both know that you’ve already made it explicitly clear you want me to stay away.” 

“What I’m planning is to take advantage of this situation.” Starscream, helm turning, fleetingly nuzzled the top of the blaster, his glossa briefly darting out. Red optics lingered on one of Skyfire’s cameras. “I’ve already told Thundercracker and Skywarp to go back for reinforcements.” Looking obviously around the cargo hold, Starscream added. “I do want you to stay away…but why not use the opportunity to take you prisoner and trade you for supplies?”

“It’s rather bold of you to believe that you can take me prisoner. You chose to stay behind, in my cargo hold, without your trine or others under your command nearby to aid you.” Skyfire used the cameras on the outside of his alt to track what was going on, if anything. As Starscream had indicated, Thundercracker and Skywarp were nowhere in sight, and Skyfire could just barely sense faint indications of EM fields.

“If you shoot me, you will injure yourself too.” Starscream pointed out with a hiss, possibly taking the increased friction of the muzzle of the blaster against him as aggression.

“Then the same applies to your own weapons.” Skyfire informed Starscream calmly, glad he couldn’t visibly react to the handsome if devious smile that rose on the seeker's lips. 

“It would be a shame to damage you any further, if that meant we’d receive less supplies for your safe return to the Autobots.” Starscream agreed, looking far too relaxed, especially when Skyfire drew his blaster away from the seeker. At least until Skyfire allowed some more data cables out that had been hidden behind paneling in the walls of his alt, which surged out to quickly wrap around Starscream. “Idiot! Aren’t they sensitive?!” The seeker demanded right before he let out a high pitched, indignant yelp. Starscream’s arms were yanked behind his back, under his wings, while another cable wrapped snugly around his thighs and knees. Another two cables joined the others, the end of one cable petting reassuringly along one trembling wing. “Those cables are for doing research; they aren’t supposed to be used as restraints!” A pause, then, with some slyness. “What a…different way to use them.”

It was. 

Ordinarily, Skyfire would plug the ends of the cables to do work for scientific endeavors, should he have a long flight ahead of him and he wanted to have a head start on the work.

“I’ve had to adapt, when mechs began stowing away in my cargo hold, either to disable my engines or to steal the cargo.” Skyfire believed the cables would be enough to temporarily prevent Starscream from escaping so easily, should the shuttle open his cargo hold door.  “And what prevents me from taking you prisoner instead?”

“You won’t.” Starscream wriggled for a moment, before going still with a sullen wing flick. “I’d escape long before the Autobot base came into view.”

“You willingly entered my cargo hold.” Skyfire pointed out. “I don’t have to open the door.”

“The damage you took won’t allow you to fly until it’s repaired.” Starscream responded, one thruster heel idly tapping.

“That doesn’t prevent me from keeping you here until I can move under my own power.” Skyfire muted himself briefly so that Starscream couldn't hear his shaky vents when one of the cables received feedback after inadvertently brushing over Starscream’s armor. Resetting his vocals, Skyfire added. “And before you ask, I did share my energon with you. Are you still low on fuel?”

Starscream glowered, but said nothing. 

“If you are, you’re welcome to have the last of the energon cube you left behind.” Skyfire offered. 

~

A couple hundred yards away, the Autobots who’d engaged with Thundercracker and Skywarp siddenly heard the familiar high-pitched screeching of a Decepticon seeker.

“‘Ole Screamer sounds like he’s being tortured.” Sunstreaker said brightly as he glanced over at Sideswipe. “You think Skyfire’s finally got over causing harm to our enemies?”

“Maybe, but isn’t that what that slagger Starscream always sounds like?” Sideswipe nonetheless looked ready to join in on any jet-pummeling activities. 

“Skyfire’s got weapons and knows how to use ‘em when he needs to.” Jazz casually tossed in. “Don’t sound like he’s torturin’ a mech for interrogation.” A glow brightened the saboteur’s visor while a brief, humorless smile flitted across his lips; a playful, carefree smirk snapped right back into place soon after. “Seems Starscream got himself into trouble ‘cause he underestimated Skyfire.”

Ratchet, in the middle of the group, appeared to be considering an about-face over the mere thought of being within Starscream’s insufferable presence.

“It ain’t that bad, mech.” Jazz danced out of range in preparation of projectiles Ratchet might have on hand. “I’ll go on ahead and secure the scene, yeah?”

A high-pitched shriek of furious rage echoed out from nearby.

Jazz grinned cheerily.

Ratchet merely sighed, resigned.

Chapter Text

Skyfire was relieved to have the gouge on his alt form’s left side seen to, thankfully while numbed to the pain. Ratchet had welded and then provided some extra naintes to help speed the repair along (and make the mending tears mold to the rest of the armor). But Skyfire was unable to explain what reason he had to why he currently held a screeching Starscream within his alt mode. Not even when Ratchet insisted upon checking on the shuttle’s damaged auxiliary tank. 

Maybe it would have been better to only allow Ratchet to enter his cargo bay.

Jazz merely let himself in with a jaunty bounce of pedes after the medic, the TIC’s sights no doubt set on Starscream.

“Mech, there’s gotta be a better way to contain Screamer here than to use your own data cords.” Jazz said amicably as he produced stasis cuffs from his subspace. “Ain’t that hurtin’ you?”

“It was what came to mind in place of cuffs.” Skyfire returned politely. “It isn’t painful.” The shuttle’s data cables curled subconsciously around the Decepticon’s SIC in a protective way. “He’s not done any damage.”

“He didn’t even take a little nibble?” Jazz asked with a laugh as he approached the tethered seeker.

Skyfire tried not to think about the pleasure-pain that a bite that might bring, and said nothing.

Starscream, however, issued out a hiss at the saboteur’s nearness, even bunching up against the interior wall of Skyfire’s cargo hold. The seeker’s wings twitched up in defiance despite the current unorthodox way of being held prisoner. Starscream did not pull on any of the data cables. Not even when Skyfire coaxed him into turning to one side to show bound arms beneath wings. With a little further direction, Starscream sullenly moved his bound arms away from his bac in order to allow Jazz to cuff him. Clawed digits twitched, but Starscream moodily subsided as a cable gently pet along his wings, out of sight of the Autobot TIC.

”Maybe we need to bring you along on seeker-related battles, ‘specially if Starscream is leading the assault. He’s real quiet today.” Jazz observed, grin widening. He swiftly leaned back out of range of a sudden lash of cable-contained arms, claws spread to go for Jazz’s visor. 

It was an awkward angle, yet Starscream attempted the attack nonetheless.

“C’mon, you were doing so good, too.” Jazz teased, taking advantage of the way Starscream froze over the way Skyfire rippled the data cables tighter around his arms. The stasis cuffs were put in place with little fanfare.

Skyfire slowly unwound the cables from the seeker’s arms. 

A sullen red glare was met by a brightening of Jazz’s visor, a hint of fang showing before Jazz turned his helm to where Ratchet was checking on the auxiliary tank. With a change in tone Jazz called out brightly. “How’s it going Ratchet?”

“Better, since Skyfire has the sense to not move new welds and ruin them while I’m making more repairs.” Ratchet grumped irritably, even though Skyfire could tell that the medic was gently making additions to the patch the shuttle had placed on the auxiliary tank. To Skyfire, Ratchet peered up with a frown. “Let the welds and the patch take for at least two days before attempting to transform out of your alt mode.”

“Of course.” Skyfire said. “I wouldn’t think it would feel pleasant while my armor is soft.”

“At least you have some sense.” Ratchet said, optics flicking over to settle on Jazz. “Unlike some other mechs that think they can immediately get back to work after going through heavy repairs.”

“Don’t know what you’re talkin’ about, Ratch.” Jazz said breezily, quickly diverting the Autobot CMO’s expected response via wrench by indicating a displeased Starscream. “You able to knock ‘im out? I’m all for a quiet drive back to base without needing to cut out my audials.”

“What?!” Starscream demanded sharply. 

“You planning to bring him back?” Ratchet addressed Skyfire.

“Yes.” Since Starscream had so kindly put himself into Skyfire’s alt’s cargo hold. “Perhaps a sedative?”

“You-“

“I can put him in a deep stasis so you’ll stop having to use such delicate data cables.” Ratchet gave Skyfire’s nearest camera a look. “I’m uncertain if you are aware, but seekers can cycle quickly sedatives through sheer paranoia. Especially him.” Ratchet replied.

“I can handle him.” Skyfire assured the medic, using the cables no longer around Starscream’s neck, preventing the devious mech from biting at them.

“Oh you can, I’d like to-“ Starscream didn’t get the chance to continue, as Jazz rudely popped open the data port on his arm while Ratchet slipped him a sedative. The seeker’s attention instantly went from Jazz to Ratchet with a dark glower. 

“See ya in the brig later.” Wings twitched over Jazz patting Starscream on the shoulder in a rather patronizing way. But the patting did have its use, as it allowed Jazz to help Ratchet lie Starscream on his side.

The data cables unraveled.

Starscream dazedly ended up staring at one of the data cables that remained, draped over one shoulder as it carefully pet along one dark cheek. The seeker grumbled, but subsided quickly, the sedative doing its job to keep him calm and quiet.

The murmur of voices continued on for some time, before it grew silent.

All Starscream was aware of was the gentle caress of the data cable along his cheek. The touch caused the seeker to let out a sluggish churr, followed by a twitch of wings when the cable rose to his helm, passing by one of his turbines.

A throaty purr rose and fell.

“What am I going to do with you, Star?” 

Starscream was of no help as he lay there, engine idly rumbling away.

Chapter Text

When Starscream finally shook off the effects of the sedative, he fully expected to still be confined within Skyfire’s alt mode.

Only he wasn't.

Starscream’s arms were cuffed at the wrists behind his back, beneath his wings, just like before. But he was outside again, currently alongside the shuttle’s uninjured side, resting beneath Skyfire’s right wing. A complicated emotion attempted to make itself known, but Skywarp suddenly prodded Starscream through their trine bond. 

<You awake yet Screamer?>

There was worry hidden behind the taunt.

Starscream sent a jab toward the purple and black seeker.

<Can you two keep it down? I’m trying to go to recharge.> Thundercracker sounded drowsy, but even the blue seeker held concern for their now-awake trine leader.

<It would be better had Skyfire not been joined by the Autobot medic and their spec ops commander.> Starscream reluctantly admitted. 

<Aww, your plan to kidnap your boyfriend to the Nemesis didn’t pan out?> Skywarp sent an equivalent of a playful shove through the bond.

<Do not use human terms for my conjunx.> Starscream sent back with all the affront he could manage. 

<Don’t you mean ‘almost’ conjunx?> TC questioned. 

<Or former conjunx, since you shot him to keep him away from you practically right after he got thawed out?> Skywarp added unhelpfully. 

<Not sure what you’re trying to accomplish. Are you trying to get Skyfire to defect from the Autobots already, or were you trying to barter like you said earlier, no feelings attached?> Thundercracker made it clear via his tone he assumed the former. 

Starscream wordlessly growled under his breath at his so-called trinemates, before promptly closing off his side of the bond. He didn’t want the pointed jabs, as well as the continued undercurrent of worry/concern/safe, right now. In the quiet, Starscream took stock of his surroundings. 

The Autobots from before were not there, but Starscream couldn’t shake the sense he was being watched. But not by Skyfire, currently in recharge.

Interesting. 

Had the gathered Autobots believed Starscream was secure, despite being outside of Skyfire’s cargo hold? 

Fools. 

Starscream wasn’t going to waste this chance to make his escape. Leaving Skyfire behind clenched uncomfortably at his spark, but Starscream hastened on his way, the feeling of being watched following him.It was only when he was a fair distance away from Skyfire that Starscream realized he was being followed. Abandoning all pretense of a sly unnoticed escape, Starscream ran as quickly as he could, wings fluttering uselessly. The seeker growled and tugged uselessly at the stasis cuffs that prevented him from flying away (transforming a set of cuffs Jazz out in him might lead to unnecessary damage). 

A rocky ledge came into view. 

Starscream hesitated at its edge, shifting on his pedes, the seeker did a quick calculation, then made as if to jump. He didn’t get the chance to lift off the ground, as something unseen hit Starscream from the side, pinning him to the ground.

In the dirt.

Starscream was infuriated by the appearance of Mirage as the Autobot appeared as if from out of thin air.  At least that explained the ‘feeling watched’ sensation. Before Starscream could try to pitch Mirage off of him, another engine sounded, vehicle coming to a halt nearby and changing into Hound.

Lovely.

Jazz’d left behind some of his mecha to keep watch over Starscream while Skyfire recuperated. 

The moment Mirage stopped pinning him, Starscream was unceremoniously dragged up via the area behind his neck and wings by Hound. This prevented Starscream from thrashing around  as much as he desperately wanted to. This was humiliating enough and it was made worse when Mirage used stasis cuffs to hobble Starscream’s legs. The seeker strained to prevent the Tower mech from maneuvering his wings together, but eventually relented to prevent the strain from damaging them. A low hiss of displeasure escaped Starscream when Hound clipped something over his held-together wings, trapping them to prevent easy motion (or to strike at the two Autobots). 

“Skyfire did tell you that he’d try to run.” Hound told Mirage. “Especially if he wasn’t kept inside Skyfire’s alt mode’s cargo hold.

“We couldn’t have kept a close optic on him that way.” Mirage countered. 

“Do you believe Skyfire now?” Hound asked, leaning in. “And me?”

”I…you…of course I believe you.” Mirage avoided optic contact as he frowned down at Starscream, who’d begun scooting along the dirt.

The seeker relented with a grumble.

“I did not think Starscream would stumble about so inelegantly at such a speed.” Mirage eventually directed to Hound, who snorted in response to the sight the Decepticon SIC had given them. 

“Very inelegant on land.” Hound agreed.

Starscream indignantly puffed out his armor as he kicked a muddy patch on the ground with one of his pedes. 

It splattered right onto Mirage’s chassis, much to the Tower mech’s horror. 

Satisfied by petty revenge for being shoved into the dirt, Starscream waited, albeit impatiently. Much to the seeker’s amusement, Hound made little headway ending Mirage’s sudden stuffy tirade, accidentally getting more mud on him. Starscream attempted to move again, only for a set of pedes to block his path.

“Going somewhere, Screamer?” An upbeat voice drawled a little too cheerily. 

Starscream twitched; slag his life, Jazz was here too. 

“Hey, don’t look so glum, mech.” Jazz continued on. “Don’tcha want to spend some quality time with Skyfire on the way to the brig?”

Starscream considered his options, but hindered as he currently was, he couldn’t select ‘throttle the spec ops leader’, so the seeker remained silent.

“Let’s get goin’, then.”

Maybe being put into stasis would have been preferable to the indignity Starscream was subjected to; being strapped to a large broken piece of metal and towed back to Skyfire’s location. 

Chapter Text

Skyfire fretted over Starscream’s disappearance.

How could this have fallen apart so quickly, already?

And Starscream had been cuffed!  

Skyfire wondered if the escape was for the best. It wouldn’t do to have any feelings rekindle between the two of them, as such emotions would only make matters more complicated than they already were. No matter what happened between them in the past, this was the present, and much had happened between.

Skyfire wasn’t lost in his thoughts for long, brought out of them when he heard the distinctive, telltale screech of an upset seeker as Starscream was brought into view. 

Despite the increasingly distressing threats, Skyfire’s alt mode shivered involuntarily when he got a good look at the seeker. 

Starscream’s wings were tethered, the metal wings pressed tight to his back, and there the additional stasis cuffs hindering his leg’s movement. The seeker was clearly offended over the way he was bound to a sheet of metal that Hound was hauling toward Skyfire in his own alt mode. 

Very undignified for someone who loved to fly through the air.

Mirage drifted serenely alongside Hound, with Jazz bringing up the rear with music blasting out from his radio. Mirage gracefully slid out of his sleek alt mode and helped Hound to detach the hauling cable. The tower mech reluctantly unwrapped the cable that had held Starscream trapped against the sheet of metal he’d been dragged back on.

By then, the seeker’s bound wings had hiked up defensively. 

Skyfire wondered if any of the spec ops present knew about seeker wing language, because Starscream and his shifting wings were ignored.  

Jazz and Hound, now out of alt mode, lifted the seeker to his pedes and wrested him over to-

Skyfire.

The shuttle couldn’t help the kicking on of his engine at the scowl that appeared on Starscream’s face, a hint of fang over curled derma. Skyfire attempted a clumsy sentence intended to reassure Starscream. The shuttle rumbled out a few low clicks and chirps, loud enough to have been heard over his embarrassingly loud engine rev. Skyfire’s Vosnian accent continued to be atrocious, but he’d take the stilted accent to receive the fleeting flicker of genuine appreciation that flashed across Starscream’s visage. So, he at least recalled Skyfire had been attempting to learn as much of the language as he could.

With another little shove to his shoulder, Starscream held his helm and wings high as he strutted over to Skyfire’s right side, where he planted his aft down. After peering curiously up at Skyfire, the seeker immediately turned his helm to glower at the three other Autobots. It was as though Starscream were wondering what more the spec ops team had planned for him.

Skyfire brushed his field fondly against Starscream’s tightly reigned in one. He received a quick flutter of Starscream’s field before it was flattened close to his frame once more. Skyfire used a camera on his alt to see that Starscream was fidgeting. The shuttle surmised that this was because the spec ops were out of audial range, were speaking via comm right now, and that Starscream’s comms were likely out as well. Skyfire also noted that Starscream had begun to move closer. 

The seeker somehow figured out he was being watched, as Starscream scooted a little ways away, as if not wanting to be caught plastered to the shuttle’s side. 

Skyfire realized that he really wouldn’t mind if this happened. He believed he ought to be concerned about that. Skyfire was attempting to keep his emotions under control when it came to the (unfairly attractive) seeker, and yet here he was, welcoming the idea of Starscream sitting closer to him. He shouldn’t want, and yet… 

An aching, woefully hopeful spark overrode common sense. 

“Jazz?” Unable to access his own comm system, Skyfire addressed the closest of the three mechs. “Would you contact Ratchet, to see if I have spent an adequate amount of time recovering, so I may leave my alt mode?”

Jazz’s helm tilted to the side briefly. “…Ratchet says he’d rather you wait a bit longer but, an’ I quote, ‘I am not going to argue with that overgrown shuttle if he insists on returning to base with an irate seeker.’” Jazz grinned. “So ‘e means to take it easy, which means ya shouldn’t be wranglin’ certain mechs.” The visor seemed to look straight at Starscream, who scrunched up with a suspicious narrowing of his optics. 

Skyfire returned to root mode, stretching out his left wing gratefully, before lowering it to a comfortable position like his right was. “I have the situation handled.”

The ‘situation’ glared up at him with bared fangs and stiffly raised wings. 

“Starscream’s a flight risk, even grounded.” Hound commented, though he chuckled over the sight of Skyfire gently picking the seeker up and tucking him under his good arm. 

Even in root mode, Skyfire was twice, nearly three times Starscream’s size. 

“Y’get one chance to meet up with us at the checkpoint, but if he gives you the slip again, we’re takin’ him in our way.” Jazz informed Skyfire cheerfully, one servo dropping to Mirage’s shoulder to forstall arguments. The TIC bounced over to Skyfire to transfer a map to him, what with his comms currently down.  “Good luck, mech.” At that, Jazz rejoined Hound and Mirage, the three spec ops leaving via their alt modes to head to the checkpoint. 

The moment they were gone, Starscream squirmed, his bound wings digging into Skyfire’s side until the shuttle shifted Starscream into his arms. 

It was silent, as neither mech seemed to know what to say to one another. 

Skyfire began to walk, pedes heavy on the ground. He kept an optic on where he was going, as well as the trussed-up Starscream in his arms. 

The seeker struggled the best he could, until he eventually wore himself out with a frustrated groan. Starscream slumped, sprawled over Skyfire’s arms, the seeker’s cockpit rising and falling with a low engine thrum as Starscream rapidly vented. 

Skyfire experienced a cascade of emotions; so much had been lost between them, making Starscream practically a stranger to him. And Skyfire was just a part of Starscream’s memory from a lifetime ago. The conflicts that came due to the two of them being on opposing sides.  

The lingering ache that had come from being shot by someone Skyfire thought he still knew. A part of Skyfire was unable to let go, until all options were completely exhausted when it came to the seeker.

With Starscream cradled against his chassis near cockpit glass, Skyfire kept the seeker’s wings angled over the top of one armored forearm.

Said wings quivered now and again, which caused Skyfire to absently pet them in a gentle massage intended to relax.

Starscream’s expression softened near-imperceptibly after around three hours of walking.  The tenseness of the seeker’s frame slowly relaxed at the attention paid to his wings, but didn’t entirely leave.  At some point, Starscream pressed the side of his helm into Skyfire’s shoulder with a slow vent.

As much as Skyfire wanted to reach the checkpoint today, his frame demanded rest, dragging his entire frame down with each step, as if insisting to stop in order to further along repairs from the damage he’d taken.  Finding a quiet spot, Skyfire lowered Starscream onto the ground, after which Skyfire slowly sat down, shaking the ground as his weight settled.

Starscream was quick to tuck himself awkwardly into Skyfire’s right side and hip, helm ducking. Possibly, the seeker was attempting to prevent Skyfire from possibly scooping him back up into his arms (or on his lap).

Skyfire sensed a flicker of interest/need/longing, but Starscream kept his field drawn in tightly.  With a huff of amusement at the seeker surreptitiously peeking up at him, Skyfire carefully leaned backward into a rocky wall.  Then, slowly, in case of rejection, Skyfire wrapped his right arm around Starscream loosely, idly petting an armored knee.  Entering recharge so quickly meant that Skyfire hadn’t been as recovered as he had presumed. 

There was a moment, where Skyfire thought lips had pressed to one of his cheeks, lingering, a hand stroking over one of his finials, but it was there and gone.

“Skyfire.”

It seemed like he’d barely been within rechange before he was being awoken by a servo giving one of his upper arms a shake.  

“Skyfire!”

The shuttle mech’s optics cycled on, greeted by the sight of Mirage’s pinched expression.

Dread rose when other Autobots could be heard speaking nearby.

Skyfire’s helm jerked to the side and down, where there was the ominous sight of a set of broken stasis cuffs on the ground.

Starscream was gone.

Chapter Text

Starscream wasn’t about to congratulate himself on a clean escape until he was well out of range of those dratted spec ops ‘bots.  

He yearned to fly. 

Starscream could have already been far away if he’d been capable of doing so.  Instead, the seeker found himself struggling to navigate without being high up in the air. There was only the use of an incomplete layout of the area he and his seekers had pursued Skyfire to.

Starscream wasn’t certain where he was going or if he’d be caught again, but anywhere was better than being alone with Skyfire. Alone with the shuttle’s firm yet gentle touch… 

(Don’t think about the hug)

…The concern. 

(Don’t think about the affection)

Leave it alone.

Unable to free his wings, or his cuffed wrists beneath them, Starscream growled irritably. At least he’d been successful in breaking apart the cuffs that had been hampering his ability to walk easily. 

An unflattering slip.

A flash of fang.

This terrain was terribly uneven, which in turn forced Starscream to maneuver around carefully on thruster heels. It meant the seeker couldn’t run like before, if he didn’t want to risk slipping again.

Frustrating. 

Starscream scowled when the sound of water grew in volume. This was, of course, the moment he made an unfortunate miscalculation, which wasn't like him. With a yelp, Starscream slipped again in a mortifying manner, which sent him toppling down a tall, rocky hill with armor striking loudly with each roll. Starscream was unable to prevent himself from pitching forward to splash into a lake. 

It was deep.

Starscream submerged underwater briefly before surfacing with a splutter of indignation over this indignity. Standing, the water came to his upper chassis. Starscream wrinkled his nose in distaste. 

What a miserable planet this was, with its abundance of water, and with it, the risk of causing rust.

Starscream raised an arm and looked it over, then glanced over a shoulder at his pinioned wings. 

Ugh.

This was going to require a thorough preening to ensure that all delicate components of his wings were not waterlogged, not to mention what might have slipped under open armor panels and-

Starscream lifted a ped, only to be brought to an immediate halt, his right thruster caught between something, pitching him forward and underwater a second time.  

To the pits with this planet!

How he missed Vos and its skies…

The seeker attempted to right himself, but was unable to tug his ped free from the angle he was currently in.  Fluttering trapped wings was a useless endeavor, as was kicking his other leg.

Starscream eventually stopped; it was a waste of energy. He reconsidered his options while ruthlessly shoving down the panic attempting to claw its way in.

He was not in an enclosed space.

Starscream could see in every direction.

And yet-

And yet he was trapped.

Trapped.

Starscream gave his right leg another useless yank, unaware that his steadily growing alarm pushed his EM field out.  He’d even opened up his side of the trine bone again.  By the time Starscream exhausted himself down to one third of a tank, the seeker finally noticed that Skywarp and Thundercracker were speaking to him through their trine bond.

<Where are you?> Thundercracker was exasperated, if concerned. <Megatron is going to negotiate for your release from the Autobots.>

<And Skyfire.> Skywarp added in teasingly.  The purple and black seeker paused, indicating that he and TC noticed, in real time, that their trine leader was slipping into a panic.  <Star?>

Starscream responded by opening the bond further. His trinemates began to tentatively, then confidently, calm him down from a distance.

But their intentions weren’t hidden.

Starscream could all but guess what they had in mind. Even so, he attempted to keep them at a distance. <Do not come to my location. There are several Autobot spec ops in close proximity.> Starscream felt a displacement in the water.  <You’re here.>. Starscream stated, relief trickling in, despite his attempt to withhold it. His trine affectionately, and playfully, bullied him into not shutting down on them.

<We’re trine, Screamer>. Skywarp pointed out unnecessarily.

<Showing weakness among ourselves is different than ‘weakness’ when around other mechs>. Thundercracker added. <I’m going to try to free your pede.>

Starscream allowed the relief to flow more properly across the bond, a smile twitching across his face over Skywarp’s cheer, though it dipped unexpectedly quickly. <?> Starscream couldn’t even send a proper question to that.

<…sorry, gotta go!> Skywarp suddenly apologized, just as Thundercracker freed Starscream’s pede from what felt like rock.

<Warp?> Thundercracker questioned, his grip tightening around Starscream’s chassis and back beneath his wings. With no response, TC assisted Starscream upright, so both of them could break the surface of the lake.

The water came up to the lower-middle of TC’s cockpit, while the lapping water reached just over the top of Starscream’s cockpit.

Thundercracker lowered his wings, alarm rising in his field as one wing lowered to half-hide Starscream from view.There were several Autobots present, including  Skyfire, who stood closest to the edge of the lake, the larger mech’s optics on Starscream. Thundercracker slowly lowered his wings before stepping forward, keeping his weapons from coming online.  There was a faint tremble in his frame as the blue seeker helped Starscream move through the lake, until the two of them reached the shallows.

Starscream kept his gaze firmly on the water, and then the land.  He lifted his pinioned wings to gently bump the tip of one into Thundercracker’s right, before Skyfire stepped closer to assist Starscream fully on land. 

One big servo wrapped gently around one of Starscream’s upper arms.

The Decepticon SIC went quietly, his wings betraying both his unease and sudden awkward shyness in the shuttle’s presence.

<…Star, you sure you’re not still planning to conjunx him?> Skywarp sent, after presumably getting an image capture from Thundercracker. 

<He chose to become an Autobot.> Starscream argued. 

<Didn't stop you from staying behind in Skyfire’s cargo hold and getting yourself captured.> Skywarp shot back without hesitation. <Twice.>

Thundercracker appeared to be listening in to his bickering trinemates, though outwardly he remained still and wary. The gathered Autobots (Mirage, Jazz, Hound and an aerialbot, Silverbolt). When Jazz approached him, Thundercracker looked swiftly pressed his wings together, like how Starscream’s currently were held. Thundercracker reluctantly allowed the saboteur to clamp something around the upper part of the wings to restrain them, followed by stasis cuffs around his wrists.

“Let’s get ready to go.”  Jazz announced, his visor lingering on Thundercracker a moment before his helm turned to Starscream.  “Unless Skywarp’s plannin’ to come to join the fun to keep ya company in the brig?”

Starscream’s optics remained fixed on the ground. 

TC held his wings up at an uncomfortable angle as he shifted from pede to pede.

Neither answered Jazz’s question.

Starscream stiffened at Jazz’s approach, but Skyfire murmured something softly in Vosnian. Not that the reassurance helped, as it was always unpleasant to have someone rudely open up a data port to press something in. Whatever Jazz gave him (a stasis chip?) Starscream soon collapsed backward into Skyfire’s waiting arms. Starscream sensed Thundercracker’s unease within their bond, as well as Skywarp’s more distant concern, before Starscream was dragged swiftly under.

Stasis it was.

At least stasis meant that Starscream couldn’t dwell on his waterlogged state, or of the way Skyfire scooped him up into his arms, holding Starscream close to his chassis, over his spark.

Chapter Text

The Ark was not as busy as it ought to have been, considering it was now holding two Decepticon prisoners. 

Skyfire supposed that he could just be in the wrong area of the Autobot base for such gossip. After all, Skyfire had hunkered down outside of the medbay ever since returning with Jazz and the others, along with their two seeker prisoners. 

Starscream…

Skyfire cast a worried glance to the closed medbay doors, but his concern quickly became relief upon hearing Starscream’s sudden high pitched demands of Ratchet. 

Starscream sure did fight off the effects of the forced stasis quickly. 

“What is the meaning of this?!” A sharp in-vent.  “Do Autobots torture unconscious prisoners now?” 

“You’re awake!” Ratchet shot back. 

“Ah, so you admit you had plans of unethical medical practice on me!” Starscream proclaimed. 

“I’ll show you unethical medicine, you flighty tramp!”

“Disgusting! Human insults already?” The dramatics grew, as did the pitch of the seeker’s voice. “I thought you were better than that, medic.” A clang of metal on metal sounded, followed by an indignant squawk of outrage from Starscream. “Treachery! This is abuse on my fragile frame! Surely, weakening me while I was in stasis is all part of your evil Autobot plan to torture me! As expected from those who stay in this orange eye-sore interior of a ship!”

“I will put you back into stasis!” Ratchet warned. 

“Try it, medic, and you will not find it so easy to-“ There was a long silence, followed by a scandalized gasp. “You left me to soak up even more of that pungent lake water?! You won’t even have to torture me! The rust will take care of it for you, whittling away through to my protoform!” A beat, then, with all the snotty entitlement he could draw on, Starscream screeched even louder. “How dare you treat me like this! I demand full use of the washracks right this instant!”

“You mean not being treated like a Decepticon prisoner, since you’ll actually be getting your slagged thruster fixed since Optimus insisted upon it?”

“Keep your diagnostic cable to yourself, medic! Who knows what insidious viruses you’ll give me!”

“I’ll give you a stasis chip if you keep acting like a youngling!”

Skyfire couldn’t help but smile at the indignation in the seeker’s tone, only to jerk to attention when the medbay doors abruptly opened. Skyfire’s optics met Ratchet’s in a brief glance as the shuttle ducked his helm to enter the room. As he did so, Skyfire witnessed Starscream duck out of range of items being tossed at him by Ratchet. Seemingly at random, but upon closer inspection Ratchet was focused as he kept a watchful optic on the seeker. 

Starscream hissed in faked pain when something clanged off his aft, right as he ducked behind the med berth he’d been sprawled across. From the side of the berth, narrowed red optics glared mistrustfully at Ratchet. 

The stasis cuffs the seeker had been brought in with lie broken and forgotten on the med berth.

“You.”  Ratchet rounded on Skyfire, waving a medical tool in hand.  “Get this ridiculous seeker to the washracks. Before I decide to disconnect his voice so I won’t be subjected to his vain Vosnian nonsense.”  Ratchet pinged Starscream in the helm with the tool, knocking him over to the floor with a flick of a wrist. Ratchet hadn’t even glanced in the seeker’s direction.  “Even if that broken thruster is obviously higher up in priority than cleaning and detailing.”

“You wouldn’t know a good hygiene routine if it struck you between the optics, medic.”  Starscream spat from where he lingered on the floor, servos flexing as if debating on tossing some of the items back in retaliation.  Starscream cursed Ratchet out in several languages when he was struck in the aft again, this time by a heavy wrench.  Starscream scrabbled across the floor in an undignified manner in order to avoid any further medic thrown items. a hand from grasping him. 

Skyfire watched this all happen in silence, not entirely certain what to do.

~

Wretched medic, assailing him while he was not offering any resistance but for demands to clean himself of disgusting lake water. He was going to-

A shadow fell over the floor. 

Starscream’s attitude changed in an instant once he caught sight of Skyfire. No longer bristling, the seeker’s wings perked up, currently free of their restraints.  So focused on Ratchet, Starscream hadn’t even checked to see who had been asked to escort him to the washracks. 

This was a welcome sight. 

Already, the seeker was checking to see how quickly he could get across the room to hide behind Skyfire’s frame from any further items Ratchet tossed his way. 

Starscream, partially crouched alongside the medberth, watched as Skyfire’s wings moved. The seeker watched the motions the shuttle mech made with his wings with rapt attention. Puffing up his armor, Starscream smirked, pleased, when he spotted  ‘beautiful’ within the wings’ movement  

Skyfire’s optics met his own. 

With a narrow, mistrustful look tossed over a shoulder at Ratchet, Starscream got to his pedes and quickly approached Skyfire (albeit with a limp), hiding the pain in his pede by addressing Skyfire with a purr.  “You’ll show me to the washracks?”

 ‘Are you going to help me yourself’ was left unspoken, but heavily implied with a few quick wing flicks that had Skyfire duck his helm to one side, almost shyly. 

Starscream’s wings rose up to their full height when Skyfire took him by a hand to lead him out of the medbay. 

Ratchet had to ruin the moment by opening his intake. 

“When he’s finished with the washracks, Skyfire, bring him back here. His thruster and your downed comms still need fixing.”

Skyfire let out a sound of acquiescence, the medbay doors closing on Ratchet’s muttered grumbles about high maintenance seekers. 

Starscream ignored the medic, focusing on the larger servo loosely clasping one of his ien. But the seeker’s own eagerness to get to the washracks quickly fell to disappointment when Skyfire didn’t enter with Starscream, as another mech was already there. 

Thundercracker. 

Starscream’s trine mate was in the process of sluicing off lingering lake water with solvent, while making use of brushes and other tools to reach smaller areas.

Starscream entered the washracks with a bit of a scowl.

(Not because Skyfire let go of his hand)

(…no, don’t dwell on that)

<What's the matter, Star?> Thundercracker’s expression hinted at amusement over Starscream’s disappointment over Skyfire waiting for him outside the washracks. <Were you hoping for bigger servos to preen your wings for you?>

Starscream shouldered his way beneath the solvent to stand there, as if content to let it attempt to smother his intake and vents. 

Thundercracker calmly coaxed his grumpy trine leader into cleaning up his armor, as well as under and between the panels. TC even managed to get Starscream to preen his wings a little, though it was clear Starscream was otherwise occupied. No doubt planning something, since he’d not responded aloud or within the trine bond. 

Thinking about a certain shuttle nearby.

Thundercracker finished in the washracks first. 

Starscream furtively watched TC pass by Skyfire, to where another mech waited, from the sound of stasis cuffs being put on the other seemed, to take Thundercracker to the brig. The following silence meant that Starscream was left to his own devices. 

A dangerous thing to allow. 

Standing there as he dried himself off with some towels, there came a pause in Starscream’s motions to reach his own wings as an idea came to mind. Starscream waited within the washracks until Skyfire finally stooped into the room to check on him. The seeker took the chance and fluttered his wet wings at Skyfire. 

A greeting, and an offer.

Starscream smiled slyly, only for it to slip away when Skyfire was suddenly in his space. A looming presence, as Starscream was being gently yet firmly turned to face away from Skyfire. The touch of a soft cloth had Starscream sagging into Skyfire’s hands as he carefully, dutifully began to dry first one wing, then the other.  Starscream shivered involuntarily when one of Skyfire’s servos lingered on the joint where one of his wings connected to his back.  

There was a light press, a few digits massaging the spot, right before Skyfire switched to the same area of the other wing. 

Starscream melted; it had been a long time since he’d gotten his wing joints massaged. It felt good. Relaxing. And due to this calm, there was only a fraction of a second of hesitation before Starscream moved his wings in clear enticement. 

Flutter, drop, flutter, raise, flick in tandem, then fully drop to lie flat-

Starscream was unprepared to be swung around, helm tilted back and cupped with a hand behind it right before Skyfire was upon him.  Starscream vented into the surprise kiss, Skyfire’s glossa teasing his derma, but never quite delving in, despite Starscream helpfully parting his lips to welcome such attentions. Not that it mattered, as Skyfire cupped his cheek with his other hand, digits lightly tracing along the outside of his helm. The deepening of their kiss caused Starscream to become a disoriented, heavily venting mess as he scrabbled to find some purchase on Skyfire’s armor to steady himself. 

Laughable. 

Skyfire was languidly exploring Starscream's derma while he pressed the seeker into the wall of the washracks. There was a swift, teasing trace of Skyfire’s glossa to Starscream’s now parted intake. It only made the seeker vent harder, optics barely open. 

Time stood still.

It hadn’t, but it sure felt like it.

Starscream wouldn’t have been able to tell anyone anything at all, only concerned with the way Skyfire surrounded him with his stupidly large armored shuttle of a body. The contrast of the gentle way Skyfire stroked his digits along the back of Starscream’s helm, venting slowly into the kiss. So wrapped up within Skyfire and his closeness, Starscream was utterly shocked by the way Skyfire drew back out of the seeker’s space.

The firm press of lips against one another was gone.

Skyfire was gone.

Starscream was left standing in the middle of the washracks, his chassis heaving with sharp, excited vents, stunned into inaction as his processor struggled to grasp just what had happened.  While he did, Starscream’s optics burned an intense stare the last place he’d seen Skyfire.

<Star, you know I care about you, but I did not need to see impressions of what you think of Skyfire when it comes to interface and what you want him to do to you, and vice versa.> TC even went so far as to partially block the trine bond off on his side, when Starscream made no indication he’d heard the half-plea of his trine-mate. 

<Whoa, Screamer, I did not need to know that about you.> Skywarp was more distant in the bond already, as if picking up on Thundercracker’s long-suffering. <Think you can keep your very thorough and graphic thoughts about your almost-conjunx out of the trine bond?>

<I don’t think he can hear us, Warp.>

<He had to have fluttered his wings at Skyfire.>

<Skywarp!>

Starscream stood there, not tracking either of his trinemate’s bickering. He didn’t even move, until Skyfire returned to help draw him out of the washracks. There was a brief expression of heated desire there on Skyfire’s face, likely from the state he’d put Starscream into. 

Then it was gone. 

Starscream was only with it enough to shiver involuntarily, before blinking and looking back up at Skyfire.

A soft smile rose at the continued speechlessness as Skyfire coaxed Starscream down the hall back to the medbay.

Starscream went without protest, still lost in a daze of confused emotions. At least until Starscream noticed that he’d been brought back to the med bay and the Autonot’s CMO waiting for them too close for comfort.

Skyfire let out an embarrassingly content engine rumble when the seeker ended up scaling his frame to perch on one shoulder to shout imperiously at Ratchet for perceived wrongs.

Ratchet looked supremely unimpressed with the both of them.

It was pure luck, in Skyfire’s opinion, that repairs went so smoothly, when Starscream was talked down (lifted off of) from Skyfire to be placed on one of the med berths.

The moment the seeker touched the berth, Ratchet was quick to initiate the magnetization, causing Starscream to lurch first in surprise, then fury. 

“Treachery!” Starscream hissed, wings flaring as he was forced to settle on his left side, facing away from Ratchet.

”A precaution so you don’t kick me with an ignited thruster.” Ratchet grumped back in return, before pointing to a larger med berth nearby. 

Skyfire got the message and went to go sit down, where he watched Starscream quietly muttering under his breath about sadistic medics. 

The seeker’s wings were held spread wide, rattling in indignant offense over being magnetized to the berth. 

Ratchet remained in place for a moment before he was apparently satisfied that Starscream wouldn’t be going anywhere. 

It was both disappointing and a relief to Skyfire that Ratchet chose to restore his comms before dealing with the belligerent seeker. Skyfire even rose to leave the medbay when Ratchet bone too subtly began to shoo the larger mech out. 

“I’ll have Ironhide or another available mech escort him to the brig once I’m finished.” Ratchet said, as if anticipating the reason why Skyfire had hesitated right by the doors. 

Skyfire left the medbay, leaving behind the start a tense standoff between Starscream and Ratchet. 

In a way, it was better that Skyfire wasn’t the one to lead Starscream to the brig. Skyfire hadn’t been asked to guard their two Decepticon prisoners either, and Skyfire couldn’t help but believe this was because Ratchet was on to his reaction toward Starscream.  

In hindsight, perhaps Skyfire’s decision to press digits into Starscream’s yet-again locked up wing joints as he guided the seeker from his perch on his shoulder to the berth had been a bit too familiar. There was also the possibility that there had been a stray camera that Red Alert had decided to install outside the washracks they’d been in before might have caught Skyfire’s moment of weakness. 

He hoped not. 

Skyfire wanted to keep the sight to himself of kissing that sly smirk off of Starscream, rendering him beautifully dazed.  Catching the seeker off guard meant that Starscream hadn’t been able to reciprocate the kiss, and could only make a soft noise while leaning in before Skyfire had gotten a hold of himself and left.  

Just to get control of himself.

It was bad enough that Ratchet had seen Skyfire casually touching Starscream with the seeker not only allowing it but seeming to enjoy the attention.

Skyfire couldn’t make any more mistakes when it came to the seeker. 

(Not a mistake. Not really. Starscream had always been alluring in his optics)

It was just that, as things were at present, Skyfire and Starscream couldn’t have what they’d first begun with one another, long before the war. 

They could have what had been between them, when they’d gone on their ill-fated expedition, and had become separated from one another, with Skyfire becoming trapped within ice for so, so long.

With restored comms came pings and alerts, a priority message flagged for debriefing in a meeting room with upper command. 

Skyfire wasn’t particularly looking forward to this debriefing, but since he received the message, Skyfire went to the appropriate room. 

Small mercies that this was unlikely to become an interrogation. 

Entering the room after announcing himself, Skyfire entered the meeting room where Optimus Prime, Prowl, and Jazz were waiting for him, along with Ironhide.  Red Alert was there as well, currently pacing back and forth in agitation. Skyfire ducked his way into the room, the door closing behind him as he uttered a soft greeting. 

“Thank you for coming, Skyfire.” Optimus returned, adding in a warm if concerned tone. . “How are your injuries healing?”  

“They’ve healed well, thanks to Ratchet’s expertise.” Skyfire answered, appreciative of the Autobots retaining such a skilled medic. For so long. “The comms were the least concerning issue compared to my injuries.”  

Red Alert suddenly swung his helm in Skyfore’s direction; Prowl and Jazz pointedly moved to block his path. This did not prevent Red from ranting in earnest over security concerns. “What if more seekers show up outside the Ark. How am I supposed to keep track of that and if the seekers in the brig?! Two of the command trine, I might remind you. What was Ratchet thinking, allowing those two seekers into the washracks? And Prowl wrote off on that, like it isn’t a big deal?!” Red Alert fidgeted and pointed at Skyfire accusingly. “What were you doing, lingering in the entrance of the washracks when it was only Starscream?”

“After Thundercracker was escorted to the brig, I waited for a little while to allow Starscream to finish cleaning off the lake water.” Skyfire answered, after seeing a nod from Optimus, followed by Prowl, to answer. “Since he took longer, I checked on him, to find that he needed assistance with his wings. After that, I left, and waited for Starscream to come out to go back to the medbay for Ratchet to treat an injury to one of his thrusters.” Skyfire was honestly concerned for Red Alert’s health over the way the poor mech was practically vibrating in place with a clear desire to continue on his tirade about base security. 

A silent passing of comms clearly happened. 

Optimus waved a hand to Prowl, who changed the topic at hand. 

“We have reports from everyone involved, and would like a verbal response from you, Smyrfire, to relate what happened, beginning with your return from your flight off base.” Prowl said, glancing down at a few data pads he’d placed in front of himself. “A written report can wait, for now.” A servo was held up, forestalling Jazz from piping up. “I will make calculations on what information I have, until I receive more in the future in order to recalculate as needed.”

It was kind of amusing to see the way the visored mech looked disappointed being calmly shutdown.

When the gathered mecha looked to him, Skyfire went into his explanation, using some audio clips now and again to help illustrate the situation, backed up with some data that Prowl had from other mechs, starting from Jazz and Ratchet making contact with Skyfire in his alt form. The only thing Skyfire left out in his verbal explanation was the familiarity with which he handled Starscream within his alt mode, and when the two of them were alone. 

Jazz’s reports, along with other spec op mechs, Ratchet, and a few others, lined up with Skyfire’s explanation. 

“How do you explain your reaction to the Decepticon SIC collapsing into stasis?” Prowl questioned of Starscream’s second capture.

Before Skyfire could answer, Jazz managed to smoothly cut in this time before Prowl could stop him. 

“What, you don’t think that most mechs wouldn’t automatically catch another if that mech collapsed right in front of them?” Prowl was clearly about to begin listing off the percentage of likelihood, which caused Jazz to drop a hand onto the former enforcer’s shoulder. Jazz tilted his helm to the side to ‘look’ Prowl in the optics. When he was sure he had his audience’s attention, Jazz playacted, gasping in a scandalized manner while his free servo was placed dramatically on his chassis. “Prowl. Does that mean that you wouldn’t catch me if I collapsed right here and now?”

“You are in perfectly good health.” Prowl’s optics reflected confusion as his doorwings lifted up. “Chances are very low, under 1%, that-“ Prowl swiftly reached out to catch the saboteur in his arms when the black and white mech feigned falling over. 

“Aw, ya do care!” Jazz cooed, hands reaching up to gleefully pat either side of Prowl’s stunned faceplate. “Love you too, boo.” Jazz laughed when he was unceremoniously dropped, as if fully expecting it. Jazz placed a servo over his spark, the mock hurt in his field at odds with his playfully scolding tone and massive grin. “How could you do that to me? I thought we had somethin’ special, Prowler.”

Skyfire and Optimus exchanged quick glances with one another as they both strove to not laugh at the sight of Jazz’s dramatics on the floor. 

“Were you struck in the helm when securing Starscream and Thundercracker’s capture?” Prowl questioned, his downturned wings twitching with what translated to genuine concern.

“Aw, don’t ya worry.” Jazz, in good humor, sat up to reach over to pat Prowl's nearest leg. “I’m all good, don’t ya worry.”

“You have made your point.” Prowl clearly remained unconvinced that Jazz was ‘okay’, but Prowl let it go, for now. 

The debriefing continued on, with Skyfire going over the fact that Starscream had escaped twice (the first was on Mirage and Hound, for taking Starscream out of Skyfire’s alt mode, where he had been secure before).  

“-I did fall into recharge the second time, not as fully recovered from my injuries as I’d thought.” Skyfire frowned. “I did not believe Starscream would be inclined to move; had I given it more thought, I would have used stasis cuffs to lock the two of us together, to prevent such an escape.”

Optimus nodded along to this, Jazz looked like he was thinking, Prowl clamped a hand down on Red’s shoulder when the mech made as if to begin pacing again, while Ironhide asked what the others had yet to address.

“Do you believe you can remain unbiased when it comes to Starscream?”

The hesitation from Skyfire was answer enough, but he was given time to answer aloud. 

Skyfire was torn. He knows the truth, but hedges it when he spoke.  “I’m not certain. It is hard to reconcile what I knew of Starscream before the war, and who he is now is.”

“Then I would suggest keeping the two of them apart, to ensure there is no trouble.” Prowl said, quieting as his tac net ran. “62% that Starscream causes a disruption should Skyfire be present. 38% that Starscream might ask Skyfire to help him escape. 27% possibility that Skyfire would allow Starscream to leave without alerting anyone to his departure.”

“I would not intentionally let any enemy go free.” Skyfire’s wings lifted a fraction, his softer voice rising in volume. “I am aware that there is a war ongoing. I know that there are steps to be taken when it comes to prisoners.” Skyfire stood to his full height, dwarfing all of the mechs in the room with him, including Optimus. “I will not get in the way of the negotiations, or anything like that. I will keep my distance from the brig, if that is what is necessary.” Skyfire turned toward the doors, wings bristling. “If you would like to deal with a less volatile Starscream in the meantime, then all of you know where to find me.” Skyfire left the room without being dismissed, his wings hiked up as high as they could go. The wings were held stiffly in place over the unspoken accusation that he would betray the Autobots for Starscream. 

Yes, Skyfire cared for Starscream, or rather, who he used to be. But that wasn’t enough for Skyfire to willingly ‘help’ the enemy escape custody. It hurt, the mistrust, but he told himself that it was practical, as Skyfire had not been awake for long, missing much of the war, unlike all the other mechs around him. 

Autobot or Decepticon.

Skyfire may still be practically a stranger, but he would prove through action that he was worthy of the Autobot badge he now wore. If Skyfire happened to speak to Starscream in the future during one of his flights away from base? Skyfire would keep it between himself and Starscream, should the two of them actually interact. 

Hopefully, neither of Starscream’s trinemates were gossipers, should Starscream experience a particularly strong enough emotion to trickle across to his trine.

Skyfire remained in his habsuite about the Ark on his own for the remainder of the day, lost in thought. 

Chapter Text

Starscream held his bound wings rigidly in place as he was led into the brig, placed into a cell across from Thundercracker. While separated, it didn’t prevent the pair from communicating via their trine bond, which both of them kept open, as did Skywarp. Their third was keeping them updated on how the negotiations for their release was progressing with occasional commentary.

Starscream paid half attention to the updates, while being uncertain as to whether or not he was disappointed by Skyfire not visiting him as the hours passed.

In a way, this was for the best.

Really, it was.

Starscteam couldn’t allow Skyfire the chance to lure him over to the Autobots, just as the seeker had attempted to convince Skyfire to remain with the Deceptic.

(With him)

But Skyfire had been quick to balk at the state of the Decepticon army, of their attitudes and the ease with which many were quick to resort to violence, and the war in general. 

Honestly?

Some of the Autobots were like this as well.

Starscream knew he’d mainly been thinking about himself and his own needs at the time. He’d not given thought to how a mech, who’d tone missing before the war, was a scientist, would be so eager to be drawn into a war. Starscream had thought that Skyfire was unlikely to survive on one side or the other in this seemingly never ending war; if he were a neutral, he’d have had a chance. 

Shooting his former friend (his almost-conjunx endura) had been a necessity, the seeker told himself. Starscream just hadn’t expected that his own actions and obliviousness to other’s needs and feelings would force Skyfire to the opposing faction.

“Thinking about someone? You’re quiet.” Thundercracker questioned aloud, then attempted a smile. “You’re quiet. You sure you didn’t get hit in the helm?”

“I’m thinking about the state of my Air Command with only Skywarp there to look for direction, however temporary.” Starscream snarked back, wings twitching. 

“Skywarp wouldn’t lead an actual aerial assault unless absolutely necessary.” TC tilted his head to the side. “Sounds like there’s going to be an energon exchange, a two month ceasefire, and the return of a previously captured location.”

Starscream had the gall to look offended by this announcement despite picking up on it from Skywarp.

“That’s what happens when y’get captured with one of your trine.” Ironhide commented from nearby where he stood guard. 

“I wasn’t looking for an Autobot’s input.” Starscream snidely spat back. 

Ironhide grunted something in return. 

“I would have thought you’d be plastered to the Prime’s aft as his self-appointed bodyguard.” Thundercracker’s derma twitched, sharing a silent laugh with Starscream through a chirr as Ironhide’s optics settled on the blue seeker. “You must be confident here in your base, to be away from the Prime.”

Ironhide grumbled something to the effect of ‘orders’, ignoring the way Starscream had gotten to his pedes to pace back and forth with sudden agitation.

But just for a minute or so.

“Could’ve sworn it took longer to make you seekers jittery.” Ironhide watched Starscream for a moment before he added, dryly. “Haven’t been in the brig for all that long. It’s too soon to be needing to fly about, isn’t it?”

Starscream paused his pacing long enough to look down his nose haughtily at the seated Ironhide, but didn’t dignify the Autobot with a response. 

<Skywarp’s trying to ask you if we could get non-combative patrols during the ceasefire> Thundercracker vented slowly at that. <Star?>

Starscream hummed in thought before directing a query directly to Skywarp. <Did Megatron happen to mention anything about that, or has he forgotten that he has a full command of seekers who will undoubtedly go stir-crazy without flight?>

The silence on the other end of the bond was telling.

<Of course. The moment I am not there, that old fool forgets even the simplest of things. He will be driven up the bulkheads of the Nemesis if an entire fleet of seekers are forced to be confined within the damp of that underwater wreck.> Starscream released a series of aggravated vents, armor flaring out to release built up heat. <If that happens…it will lead to the possibility of infighting with ground forces.>

Thundercracker and Skywarp sent affirmative pings of agreement.

Weighing his options, Starscream came to the conclusion that he would have to make an attempt to insert himself into the negotiations, despite being a prisoner as a bargaining chip in those negotiations. Aloud, Starscream addressed Ironhide. “Autobot, it has come to my attention that negotiations have not taken into consideration exceptions for…medical reasons.”

“And what do y’want me to do about that?”

“Take me to the Prime.” Starscream stated with a lifting of his chin. 

Ironhide gave Starscream a long look, before presumably sending a comm. 

The seeker assumed he would be granted an audience; the Prime was a soft-sparked fool that couldn’t help but try to make everything work out for all.

Even for Decepticons. 

Starscream was understandably surprised when he was taken out of the brig for the ‘meeting’, stasis cuffs around his wrists once more while led from the brig to an office.

Daring, that, to show Starscream more of the layout of this base. The seeker even believed he may have caught a glimpse of Skyfire, or rather, his EM field. Starscream shut down that train of thought  He couldn’t focus on Skyfire and his lurking. Not when his attention was needed once Ironhide opened up a nondescript door.

Starscream suddenly had much more to focus on than his confusing, urgh, emotions toward the shuttle mech. In quick fashion, the seeker was ushered into the office by Ironhide. One of the Autobot’s servos reached up to press in-between wing panels when Starscream froze in the doorway. 

Starscream was unable to attempt a back peddle the moment it clicked who was in the office. 

He’d expected Optimus, and perhaps his second or third.

Starscream hadn’t expected to be met with both of his upper command officers, Prowl and Jazz, and a frowning CMO, Ratchet, standing nearby, the medic eying Starscream like he didn’t care for the way the seeker had begun to twitch. As if Starscream had somehow caused some damage to the repairs Ratchet had recently made. 

To top off this lovely group of high ranking officers, Red Alert happened to lurk in the background, the security officer’s optics bright and fixed on Starscream. No doubt he was anticipating that the seeker might use this opportunity to try something.

Starscream quickly recovered from the sight, pointedly stepping away from Ironhide’s hand between his wings as the seeker’s posture straightened. 

He was the Decepticon’s second in command, and he would be heard! 

Starscream’s armor puffed up and his wings, although tethered, were held up at a proud angle. Starscream’s helm was similarly held high, to show that he was indifferent to the restraints.

“I have already finished negotiating with Megatron.” Optimus Prime informed Starscream without preamble.

Hmm.

That made things more difficult, but Starscream took this as an invitation to say his piece. Even as loathe as he was to admit such failings within a seeker’s functioning. It was right up there with the embarrassment that came when a seeker accidentally became trapped within mines while on energon hunts, or under collapsed buildings in the aftermath of some battles. 

“I am aware that the negotiations were close to concluding, or were finished. However, it has come to my attention that Megatron neglected to account for a portion of his army being ‘grounded’, so to speak.” As no one interrupted, Starscream rustled his wings as he reluctantly continued on. “No plan has been agreed upon or implemented to allow for seekers to be able to go on non-combative flights during the ceasefire.”

Optimus’s expression was hard to read behind that battle mask, but his field was of curious concern.  

Soft-spark.

“If it were to be entertained…how far would those flights take you and your seekers?” Prowl questioned, his doorwings flaring out a little. 

“We would remain within our base’s coordinates, perhaps a three to five mile radius around it.” Starscream’s helm tilted, considering. “Flights can be done one trine at a time.”

”Does that not create opportunities to break the ceasefire?”  Prowl returned, optics watching the seeker closely. “This seems unnecessary.”

“It is, for seekers.” Starscream withheld his annoyance despite his own outward bristling.  “We do not have to fly every day, even if it is pleasant for us to do so. With lack of quality medical facilities or ‘competent’ medics, the Nemesis is simply unfit to handle seekers confined for two months.” Starscream frowned thoughtfully.  “Each trine should be allowed out for weekly flights, at the very least.”

”Maybe if Magatron’s got to deal with his own oversight, it’ll make him remember to negotiate for all his command next time.” Ironhide commented from the door.

”I couldn’t care less about Megatron’s ground force; I and my seekers are not going to take the brunt of a failed oversight.”  Starscream’s optics narrowed.  “I will certainly not be confined for two months.  Make Megatron renegotiate.”

”The energon exchange is already in progress.”  Prowl unhelpfully informed Starscream.

The seeker bit back his response on his glossa, aware of Jazz’s visor suddenly on him. Starscream could practically feel the stare.

“Think I’ve seen what Starscream’s describin’.” Jazz offered causally. “During one o’the times I ended up on the Nemesis fer a mission.”

Because of course the spec ops leader had been skulking about without notice.

Again.

Soundwave needed to insist on upgrades to catch spies lurking about.

”Saw one o’ the seekers confined to a berth.”  Jazz continued on.  “He was losin’ it over havin’ to keep to one place. Ended up needing to be sedated from all the desperation and panic in his field.”

Ah, yes.

Starscream recalled that incident.

Ramjet had been rather inconsolable (and frustrated) at the time.

”Perhaps we could-

And there it was, good-natured Optimus Prime, already caving in to-

“This will have to be a part of separate negations, Optimus.”  Prowl double-checked something on his data pad.  “As I stated, the energon transfer is already in-progress.”

”Then we will contact Megatron once the transfer is complete, and once  Starscream and Thundercracker have been released.”  Optimus said after giving it a click’s thought. “ Before the ceasefire goes into effect.”

Damned tactician, even if Starscream couldn’t help but approve of the way one of Prime’s subordinates kept him on task.

Unlike some buckethead who only occasionally took the offered consul.

The meeting, if it could be called such, ended quickly after that.

Starscream was led out of the office by Ironhide, quiet as he internally considered the problem while being brought back to the brig. Even if the seeker did happen to be briefly distracted by Skyfire’s field nearby. 

Concern, but also an offer of sympathy and understanding. 

The sensation happened to calm Starscream’s stiffened posture, his wings lowering from their rigid tension. 

No. 

No.

Starscream hefted his wings back up into their offended position.. Starscream couldn’t allow himself to be distracted. Not by Skyfire and his odd, well-meaning, if foolish, handsome-

The seeker hissed something but didn’t stop walking even at a flare of curiosity from Ironhide. Starscream squashed down anything else that might have risen over feeling Skyfire’s EM field, hastily pulling  his own close to himself. Starscream had to think about himself and his trine, the rest of the seekers under his command, and what the next two months would look like with or without flight. Starscream might even have to turn right around after being released and-

<We need you back with us on the Nemesis.> Thundercracker picked up on Starscream’s scheming the moment his trine leader was behind the energy bars.  <Skywarp won’t be able to keep the other seekers in check. And there’s only so far they will respect me.>

<You are perfectly capable of overseeing the Air Force when it is not expected to perform a complicated, multi-step battle plan.> Starscream returned, eying Ironhide with an unfriendly look. The  Autobot was doing a terrible job of pretending not to eavesdrop. Not that he’d hear anything, of course. 

Seeker trines could speak through their shared bond without worry of being overhead.

<We’re going back together, Star.> Thundercracker sent back. <How else will we convince Megatron to negotiate for all of us to fly, if he has to possibly deal with your aft being held prisoner again in such a short time?> 

The other was perfectly sensible, damn him.

Starscream chose to remain silent despite turning over possible solutions. He remained unusually silent, even to his trine mates. Starscream wasn’t aware of just how unnerving the silence was to TC, or to Skywarp, who was actively prodding through the bond at Starscream to draw out a reaction.

Or attempt to, anyway.

Starscream was deep within his thoughts, arranging and rearranging his schemes, which were either good or absolutely terrible. Nothing he came up with would work to his advantage. And it didn’t help that, as Starscream plotted, that Skyfire turned up in his mind now and again. It was also a hassle, but Starscream was able to (mostly) push thoughts of the gentle, kind Skyfire away; thoughts of the larger mech did Starscream no favors. The seeker couldn’t be lured into changing his ways now, or be given the opportunity to even have the chance to explain why he did what he did as a Decepticon.

The brig was completely silent the remainder of the time Starscream and Thundercracker spent there, until some Autobots showed up to join Ironhide in removing them.

Starscream had thought to use this as a chance to gather some intelligence regarding the interior of the Ark. But unlike when they were brought in, Starscream and Thundercracker’s optics were covered as they were escorted out of the ship. The covering ended as soon as they were outside, right as the two seekers were suddenly and unceremoniously shoved into a large cargo container…wait, was that Optimus Prime attaching the flatbed the large cargo container was on to the back of his alt?

The cargo container’s doors closed.

It was dark.

Starscream and TC, still with stasis cuffed and bound wings, instinctively pressed into one another’s side. The two seekers moved closer, armor lightly scraping, over the unnatural feeling of Optimus driving over the terrain, which at times was rough and bumpy.

It was…an odd decision.

The Autobots could have simply let them go free from outside the Ark; it wasn’t like it was a secret where the base was located after the Decepticons found it the first time.

Was this to prove a point or something?

Unnerve them?

Intimidate them by denying them the sight of the sky for a while longer?

No, it turned out to be something that Starscream found much more intriguing. Because he was being hailed by a comm, heavily shielded, which pinged him intermittently with a query for communication. Starscream had half a click to dismiss the idea of being remotely hacked as he accepted the comm line. 

It was not Optimus Prime, who was driving and right there, but his CMO instead, who was clearly in a grumpy mood.

::No funny business or I’ll let Jazz hack this comm  from a distance for recreational purposes:: 

Starscream wouldn’t put it past that mech to try. ::What do you want, medic?:: Starscream questioned dismissively, pressing one shoulder into TC’s to let the other know he was occupied.  A curious nudge back, before TC settled in against Starscream to wait.

::Optimus wanted me to take some notes for the negotiation you wanted::  Ratchet didn’t sound particularly pleased to be speaking to Starscream.

The feeling was mutual.

::If you must:: Starscream’s derma twitched.  ::Or do you want to consult with Skyfire instead? He is aware of many aspects of seeker culture, as well as some of the mental and physical aspects::

::I’m sure he is. I plan to follow up with Skyfire, but wanted to get the information from you first. I’m not familiar with seekers, for obvious reasons:: Ratchet sounded further grumpy over that.  ::I’m asking now, since Optimus didn’t to let me question you in the office:: 

::Forgot you, did he?::  Starscream asked condescendingly.

::He’s got enough on his mind that he doesn’t need to deal with your dramatics, or any other seeker's, for that matter:: Ratchet let out an exasperated noise. ::How Megatron hasn’t lost his processor with the lot of you, I don’t know::

::It is a medical necessity for us to be able to fly:: Starscream ignored the comment about Megatron, more concerned about flight.  ::Our subroutines will lock up if we don’t fly in our alt modes for long periods of time.  And no, merely transforming does not help with the sensation.  In fact, as you might have guessed, lack of flight could lead one of us to run our nosecone’s into a bulkhead, at high speed, if we’re able to get enough of an initial boost::

::And mentally?:: Ratchet prodded.

::I imagine it is similar to a speedster being unable to go on a drive. I'm sure they slowly lose their processors when they have to move less than they’re accustomed to, or otherwise are confined from what helps make them feel alive::  Starscream reluctantly answered.

::Any official past records of this happening?::

Starscream had a few instances from Vos, actually, and forwarded them over the comm.

There was a long silence on the other end.

::Any other questions, medic?:: Starscream asked in a falsely sweet tone.

::Send any other instances connected to being grounded for flight frames and the medical outcomes that resulted::

Starscream spent the rest of the time in the cargo container sending over medical documentation and files to Ratchet while bickering with the medic. By the time they reached their destination, Ratchet cut communications while Prime slowed to a halt.

“We’ve arrived.”  Optimus’ voice announced, somewhat muffled on the inside of this container.

Thundercracker sagged with relief into Starscream, as he’d been getting steadily twitchy from being in an enclosed space.

The back of the container opened, and the two seekers were led out, blinking red optics at the clear skies overhead before focusing on the small grouping of Autobots as their restraints were removed.  With weapons trained on them, Starscream and TC waited for the stasis cuffs to be removed, and their wings freed. Once this was done, the two skirted around Optimus’ alt mode. But both seeker’s attention was drawn back to the sky as a jet shot into view with a flash of purple.

Skywarp.

<Screamer!>The purple and black seeker slowly began to circle overhead with an occasional playful spin. <TC!>

Without looking back at the Autobots, Starscream flung himself into the air with a brief boost from his thrusters, transforming as he went. 

Thundercracker followed suit, the two jets climbing higher into the sky to join Skywarp.

The three seekers performed a series of elaborate, complicated rolls, loops and dives around one another in greeting before Starscream, TC, and Skywarp settled into their usual flight formation. As one, the trine shot off at high speed in the direction of the submerged Nemesis.

Chapter Text

By the time the Command Trine reached the Nemesis’ interior, Starscream was immediately bombarded with comms from an already anxious group of seekers. 

Starscream sent a general ping to the lot that he was currently figuring out the oversight and that they would learn when he did the moment a decision was made. Wings raised again in ire, Starscream made his way down a damp corridor with flickering lights, Thundercracker and Skywarp flanking him. Once set on his path to deal with Megatron and his oversight, Starscream was back to plotting.

The current, most recent plan was to secure at least one flight a week for each trine. 

Failing that, Starscream was willing to drop flights to every other week for the two month ceasefire, or even a longer flight time three times a month for all seeker trines.

The absolute least would be once a month, but a decent flight time to satisfy the need to be in the air. Sidestepping the snickering Rumble and Frenzy that darted past, Starscream found that he was having difficultly figuring out what could be offered in return for the seekers to have flight time. It was tricky, as Starscream was under no illusions that their energon supply was going to be dismally low the next two months.

Megatron’s displeasure could be heard even from a distance from behind closed doors.

With a warning flick of wings to his trine mates,  Starscream moved at a quicker clip to go directly to the command deck. Despite the raised voice, Starscream presumed this was where Megatron was undoubtedly sulking. 

Thundercracker and Skywarp wisely fell back a couple of paces.

Starscream stepped onto the command bridge, interrupting what appeared to be the middle of Soundwave giving Megatron a report on the state of energon stores and that it was very low after the trade.

As such, Megatron appeared less than pleased with each synthesized word that left Soundwave. When Soundwave fell silent, the Decepticon leader turned his helm sharply to the side, his optics practically boring into Starscream’s once Megatron noted his SIC’s presence. Attention diverted, Megatron spoke with deep irritability.  “Thanks to your capture, Starscream, and one of your trine, our energon supply is critically low.”  A large fist curled at Megatron’s side.  “What possessed you to go after that shuttle?”

And there it was.

The question that Starscream honestly didn’t have a good answer to, so he would have to bluff and lie his way out of this. It wasn’t like the truth would be better in this case.

Whatever truth that was.

“Is it not a fair assumption that a shuttle would be capable of carrying large amounts of cargo?” Starscream responded dismissively, casually inspecting his claws.  “However was I to know that he had no supplies on board?”

”The rest of the seekers returned to the Nemesis together, long before you were captured.  Your trine included, until they went back to retrieve you.”  Megatron's optics narrowed at Starscream as he studied him.  “Laserbeak has image captures and videos that show you willingly entered the shuttle’s cargo hold, even before the capture.” A sardonic laugh. “Looking for supplies, Starscream?”

Starscream didn’t have an answer to that, and he knew that Megatron was aware of this. The seeker was also certain of the fact that they both knew that the shuttle in question had an interesting effect on Starscream, especially when Skyfire had first awoken from being encased in ice.  Not long after, Starscream had been forced to shoot Skyfire; Starscream couldn’t think of any other way for Skyfire to be safe but away from the Decepticons.

Away from the war.

Megatron stood in place, optics fixed on Starscream, awaiting whatever response the seeker may come up with.

”…I thought if we were to capture that shuttle mech, we could insist upon a supply run for energon, as well as other necessities, if the Autobots hadn’t shown up with recifocemenrs.”  Starscream’s wings bristled over the loud laugh Megatron barked out, along with the scornful once over the larger Decepticon gave him.

”Did you believe you could capture this shuttle mech on your own, once your seekers left?“ Megatron chuckled over whatever image his mind conjured up. “All Skyfire would have to do is refuse to move; you wouldn’t have been able to do anything but screech uselessly at him.”

”You didn’t negotiate for flight time for seekers during the two month ceasefire.”  Starscream swiftly diverted the conversation topic away from Skyfire, especially now that he’d been named. Upon seeing Megatron’s frown, Starscream was annoyed to realize that the fool really hadn’t even considered it.  

Because of course he wouldn’t have. 

“Do you want the bulkheads to be torn to scrap?” Starscream was disappointed but not surprised. He hadn’t been a part of the negotiations in the first place, to be present to nag Megatron with the needs of his seekers.  “Do you want to have all the fliers picking fights if they're confined to this ship? Underwater?”  Starscream felt vindication in the funny look twisting Megatron’s face; realization and partial horror.

Finally.

Megatron at least understood the possible implications.

It would be a disaster, no doubt about it, so Starscream added. “And if there’s ship-wide fights, there’s likely to be a great dive in military readiness once the ceasefire ends, if any injuries are made within two months.” Starscream left it at that, not caring for the intense red stare lingering on him. Starscream had a feeling that he was not going to enjoy how Megatron chose to deal with this problem.

”Thundercracker.  Skywarp.” Megatron said without taking his optics off his second.  “Bring all seekers to the medbay. Have Hook, and Knockout figure out how much energon the lot of you will require, at minimum, to get through two months. Everyone else has already been evaluated.”

It was a clear dismissal.

Starscream felt threads of an apology and some lingering reassurance within the trine bond, before he closed it off on his end while TC and Skywarp left. Starscream lifted his wings up and fully faced Megaton, prepared for whatever else came out of his leader’s intake.

Soundwave remained off to one side, eerily still and silent.

Lot of help he would be.

”Incoming transmission from the Autobots.”  Soundwave suddenly announced.

”Another negotiation, Starscream?”  Megatron asked the seeker rhetorically.

”It’s flying through the air.”  Starscream said stiffly.  “Surely it would cost little to be able to fly over and around our own base.”

”Two months of no flight would truly affect the lot of you that poorly?”

”Some more than others.”  Starscream admitted, thinking in particular about one of the coneheads.

”Would you trade your flight time for your trine’s?”  Megatron questioned suddenly as he stomped forward, looming his way into Starscream’s personal space.  “Take less energon, for the rest of your air command?”  Megatron sounded curious, as if wondering how far Starscream would go for anyone other than himself.  

As much as Starscream hated to be put on the spot like this. He despised Megatron for even considering such things, but Starscream had always been more loyal to other Vosians.  Starscream met Megatron’s gaze steadily and stood a little straighter as he looked the salgger in the optics.  “If nothing else is acceptable to the Autobots.”

Megatron stared at Starscream a moment longer, before ever so casually turning his back on his second (usually a stupid thing to do) in obvious dismissal as he addressed Soundwave.  “Patch Optimus though.”

”Affirmative.”

Starscream slunk his way out of the room the moment he was not being watched by either Megatron or Soundwave. Swiftly making his way down the hall, Starscream was beginning to form a plan to get himself off the Nemesis. Maybe he could get captured in Autobot territory again. Starscream was under no illusions that he would be grounded and confined to the Nemesis as part of these new negotiations.  

And if that was the case?

Starscream would rather spend those two months as a prisoner in the Autobot’s brig than whatever  Megatron was going to force him to endure in return for his trine and the air command getting their needs met.

~

The medbay was loud when Starscream attempted to sneak in. Unable to justify slinking in, Starscream straightened up and entered, noting that the source of the ruckus was Knockout and Hook screaming at one another from across the room. No doubt one felt as if the other had slighted them. At least the two mechs only gave Starscream the briefest of glances before verbally tearing into one another anew.

A shame.

Seeing how Hook held Knock Out’s saw hand out of the way was a rather funny sight to witness, and would have been interesting to see if the red mech could have done any damage to Hook.

Starscream believed that with the two medics otherwise occupied with one another, that he’d more or less be ignored. But the moment he began to rummage around in cabinets, that was when the two medics paid him heed.

”Megatron sent us a message.” Hook said.  “You’re not to take any sedatives with you, or any equipment that can be used to make and induce stasis.”

”Even though the negotiations are not yet finished?” Starscream questioned archly, reluctantly leaving an unopened drawer alone.

”That’s right, and if you do get around to tearing into the bulkhead, Megatron’s ordered you to be locked up.” Knock Out casually tossed in.  

“You’ve figured out the rationing already?”  Starscream diverted, noting the pointed lack of any other seeker in the med bay.

”Yes; you seekers burn through energon more quickly than the rest of the troops.”  Knock Out provided.  He casually posed, showing off his frame, neatly buffed and shined. “Good thing I changed my alt, isn’t it? Though it wasn’t because I anticipated something like this happening.”

”With the rationing, the other seekers will be able to go out for short flights, if it’s agreed upon.”  Hook stole one of the medical scanners out of Knock Out’s hand.

Knock Out’s optics snapped to the other medic, engine revving in warning as Hook waggled the scanner mockingly.

”And what of my rations?”  Starscream didn’t want to know, noticing the distinct lack of being referred to.

”If Megatron succeeds with negotiations, you will not be not allowed out of the Nemesis, and your rations will only be a fraction of everyone else’s.”  Knock Out’s derma curved up, as if thinking of something else. But he commed Starscream instead of speaking aloud.

::Is your hot, hunky mountain of a shuttle worth it?::

Starscream glowered at Knock Out, but made the mistake of not denying it.

::Oh, please do tell. I love gossip, you know:: Knock Out’s optics glittered. ::There’s even an ongoing bet that you’re planning to let that shuttle capture you again::

::He didn’t capture me:: Starscream flared his armor out indignantly over Knock Out smiling gleefully at him.

::I am going to have a wonderful night.  Breakdown will be pleased to know he was right::  At the spluttering, Knock Out causally turned on a heel and sashayed out of the medbay, speaking aloud again. “Don’t take anything out of the med bay.  Megatron wants you to empty out your subspace in the event you need to get put into crazed seeker confinement in the near future.” Knock Out leaned in from around the med bay door he’d just walked through to poke his helm back in, looking far too pleased with himself. ::Oh, would you let Hook know that Scavenger is stuck in the upper decks?::

Starscream’s optic twitched as he fluttered his wings in a series of rude gestures.

Knock Out merely laughed and cracked a wicked smile. “Oh, don’t you worry, commander. I’ll have my aft on the line soon enough.  Or my thigh, maybe my wrist. It all depends on Breakdown’s mood.” An aggravating waggle of those optic ridges, Knock Out’s shiny red self finally left Starscream’s  sight.

Starscream stood there for a moment, before swinging his helm to Hook, who was not so sneakily hiding medical items from the seeker. “Knock Out has indicated that Scavenger is stuck somewhere on the upper decks.”

Hook held still a moment, his visor brightening as he went quiet. Then, Hook surprised Starscream by seizing an arm and leading the stumbling seeker out of the med bay. Hook locked it shut behind them, and automatically moved out of reach of a swipe of a clawed servo. Hook moved quickly as he could down the hallway, grumbling about the other Constructicons not noting Scavenger’s plight either.

Starscream took in a deep vent, and slowly let it out as his wings lowered into a displeased slump.

He was in for an unpleasant two months.

Chapter Text

A month and a half was a long time to not hear about any Decepticon activity whatsoever.

Skyfire had been unbothered by any seekers who may have been out in flight within the agreed upon range, even when it was obvious he was bringing in a new shipment of energon a week into the ceasefire. But even when Skyfire wasn’t out and about, and merely in base, he hardly heard anything about the Decepticons once the ceasefire had gone into effect.

Apart from slowly escalating, fantastical gossip that he was sure one of the twins had started.

Unsure what to do with himself with the ceasefire in effect, Skyfire did his best to bury himself in work with Wheeljack and Perceptor. Skyfire specifically did this to avoid dwelling on Starscream. No one had spoken about Skyfire’s reactions around Starscream as of yet since his and Thundercracker’s release from being Autobot prisoners.

Currently, Skyfire was retrieving some energon from the mess hall of the Ark. As usual, there appeared to be some gossip ongoing as he entered the room. Though it appeared to have become a discussion of the ceasefire that was now a month and half in.

Yesterday’s topic had been about the patrols who were tasked with keeping watch on the seekers when the trines went out for a flight within a specified range.

As far as Skyfire was concerned, this was all that was going on.

Today’s topic, however, was about who had not shown up during any of these flights. How there was a single trine that had only two seekers when out flying. Starscream had not been seen, although there had been speculation that Megatron had put his SIC in the brig for being ‘responsible’ for the loss the Decepticons had taken for Starscream and Thundercracker to be released from Autobot custody.

Skyfire drank his energon quietly, his thoughts drifting to Starscream. It didn’t seem to be a far-fetched guess, what Skyfire was hearing. Would Megatron have put Starscream into the brig, despite the need for seekers to fly? Skyfire finished his energon before slowly making his way out of the mess hall only to be heckled at.

“Hey, Skyfire! What do you think of the idea of Screamer getting thrown into the brig? Won’t it make him lose his mind being confined underwater?”

Sideswipe.

“Knew him, didn’t you. Tolerant of a Decepticon?”

Sunstreaker.

Skyfire decided to continue onward, not about to rise to any bait; it was well known that Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, and other front liners were restless without any Decepticons to pick a fight with. So, some of them were attempting to get a rise out of an Autobot. Skyfire had other things to occupy his time with, and wasn’t interested in being disciplined for getting into a heated sparring match in inappropriate locations, especially considering how much bigger Skyfire was compared to others.

There were sudden shouts.

Skyfire’s HUD informed him that he’d just been struck where he still had a thin line of what remained of the damage to his alt mode’s right side.

Sunstreaker was suddenly closer, pointedly ignoring Sideswipe’s quickly muttered attempt to talk his twin down from picking a fight with a shuttle, without a weapon, while inside the Ark.

“Upper command says you didn’t allow Starscream to escape intentionally. Convenient.” Sunstreaker shoved Sideswipe’s arm out of his way as he closed in on Skyfire.

The shuttle mech was out of the mess hall by now, about to turn down a corridor, when he was again struck harder, this time clipping a wing. It was unlikely to be dented, but it was clear that Sunstreaker was certainly doing his upmost to start something.

Sideswipe was close behind Sunstreaker, with Cliffjumper, Smokescreen, and Bumblebee close behind. There were alarmed cries and demands for Sunstreaker to back off. Especially when the golden mech just barely dented one Skyfire’s shoulders, and the edge of his left wing.

A silence fell over the mechs as Skyfire as he slowly turned around, towering over Sunstreaker, the latter baring his denta in anticipation, armor flaring and limbs tensing.

Skyfire gave it a moments thought, then made the decision to scoop up Sunstreaker, and held the squirming mech firmly as he went immediately to the Prime’s office. It amused Skyfire that a trail of now-quiet mechs, and a bristling Sidewipe, following along after the shuttle mech.

Optimus Prime’s expression was politely confused, before it became weary with understanding upon seeing Sunstreaker angrily writhing in Skyfire’s grasp, denta biting down on an arm with soft snarls. Optimus straightened when he apparently received evidence of what had transpired, as he nodded to Bumblebee in silent thanks. Then, Optimus sighed. “Skyfire, you may leave Sunstreaker and those who witnessed the altercation here; do you have anything to add, before you report to Ratchet?”

“I was merely trying to avoid conflict.” Skyfire said in return, not arguing going to see Ratchet despite the superfluous injuries, and set a glowering Sunstreaker down.

To his credit, while the golden colored front liner looked displeased (because he didn’t even get into an actual fight) Sunstreaker sullenly remained in place as Sideswipe moved to stand alongside him.

Skyfire gave Optimus a polite nod, then left the room, the other gathered mechs moving aside to allow him to pass.

And went to the medbay, where it appeared that Optimus did not inform the medic that Skyfire was coming.

Ratchet was organizing the medbay when Skyfire ducked his way inside. He paused when Ratchet paused his current activity to turn toward Skyfire with a grumpy frown. The medic apparently scanned him, because Ratchet let out an exasperated noise and motioned for Skyfire to go over one of the larger med berths. Ratchet ran a critic optic over Skyfire, only to pause as his helm tilted to one side.

Ah.

Now the Prime was likely informing Ratchet of the incident, as Ratchet began to grumble about reckless idiots not making good use of their extra energy.

“Ironhide is likely to find something to occupy Sunstreaker’s attention.” Skyfire offered as he settled onto the med berth.

There was the barest hint of a smile before a frown replaced it as Ratchet focused on pulling out the dent in Skyfire’s arm, and left wing. Ratchet was more careful of the wing, due to some of the delicate components (though not nearly as sensitive or delicate as a seeker’s).

Skyfire decided, from Ratchet’s current mood, that he’d take the remainder of the day as the medic insisted he do. At the very least, it was quiet in the halls and corridors as Skyfire made his way back to his habsuite.

It was quiet.

Starscream…

Skyfire had half the mind to go sneak off to do some work in the lab when a rapid-fire knock sounded on his habsuite’s door.

“Skyfire are you in do you mind if I talk to you about something I wanted to speak to you first before anyone else.”

That was…Bluestreak.

Skyfire was somewhat confused, not able to think of a reason why the sharpshooter would want to speak to him. It wasn’t like Skyfire had spoken to the younger Praxian very often outside of battle fields, when Skyfire would be coming to help evacuate or deliver additional mech support.

Curious over why Bluestreak was there, Skyfire pinged the door to unlock so that the other mech could enter the habsuite. Studying the rapid, somewhat excited flutters of doorwings, Skyfire greeted the other mech. “How may I help you, Bluestreak?”

“So I just got back from my turn to keep watch of the Decepticon seekers but there was an altercation between Skywarp and Thundercracker and someone in the Nemesis which led to Thundercracker getting knocked out of the sky.” Bluesteak paced back and forth in front of Skyfire, his doorwings twitching. “I’d only gotten into position for my watch and Thundercracker nearly crashed into me but didn’t.”

”That didn’t cause anything to happen to the ceasefire, did it?” Skyfire asked, when Bluestreak took a quick vent.

”No, at least, I don’t think it sounded like that during my debrief.” Bluestreak’s helm shook a negative, his doorwings calming slightly as he continued on. “Thundercracker was actually very polite he didn’t have his weapons on or anything even when I had my rifle aimed at him. Turns out that he was hit by a weapon within the Nemesis some kind if EMP that threw off his navigation and electrical systems that forced him to find somewhere to land instead of crashing.”

Skyfire knew this was leading somewhere and waited patiently.

“I came to look for you after my debrief ‘cause Thundercracker asked for a favor, Cybertronian to Cybertronian, in concern of another’s wellbeing.”

”A favor?”  Skyfire couldn’t help but feel some concern; he doesn’t think it was a good idea to agree to anything with a Decepticon, but then again, this was Thundercracker, the con in question. Skyfire, in his short time with the Decepticons upon his awakening from his frozen state, found Thundercracker the most disillusioned with the cause, even if his it well. For Thundercracker to seek out a Autobot, and owe Bluestreak a favor in return…Skyfire couldn’t help but believe something had changed. The shuttle refocused on the Praxian. “Since you have sought me out, I assume this favor has to do with me?” 

“It does.” Bluestreak produced a small item from his subspace and held it up to show the larger mech. “Thundercracker requested that I give this to you it has two comms one for Thundercracker that’s encoded and one is a direct link to Starscream. Thundercracker wanted you to contact him first so that he can let you know the ‘situation’ whatever that means.”

Skyfire’s finials twitched up at Starscream being mentioned. The shuttle mech pondered the chip for a klick, before Skyfire slowly lowered himself into a crouch to allow Bluestreak to help him out the tiny chip into a port to download the secure comms.

Once this was complete, Bluestreak took the chip out to place back in his subspace, either ignoring or missing the questioning look Skyfire wore. Likely the former, with how Bluestreak’s wings reflected self-consciousness.

Skyfire wondered if there was a second part of the favor from Thundercracker he was unaware of.  For now, he did not pursue the topic, unless he felt it might be necessary in the future. Bluestreak’s decisions were his own, and Skyfire trusted the marksmech to have made his report and important details to the upper command. Skyfire would respect the unspoken decision to keep the favor quiet between the two of them. “Thank you.” 

“I won’t say anything about it.”  Bluestreak suddenly said, his doorwings hiking up. “It wasn’t right for you to be needled like that about Starscream. It’s not my business to question a fellow Autobot, no matter how short a time you’ve been with us.”

Skyfire was appreciative of that. It was nice to hear that not all of the Autobots believed he was somehow going to change factions again just because of his connection to Starscream. Then, to the Praxian. “I realize we do not often cross paths, but you are welcome to approach me to speak whenever we aren’t on duty. I must admit that I’ve been keeping my distance from everyone, due to the incident with Starscream before the ceasefire went into effect.”

Bluestreak’s EM field flared briefly with surprise before it toned down. Then, out of the blue, he stated. “I’m going to need to figure out how to get Prowl to take a break. Smokescreen and some others are busy going through the simulations that Prowl has been churning out with his tacnet over the Decepticon’s possible retaliation after the ceasefire reaches its end.”

”Would Jazz be in a similar position of needing recharge? Perhaps Blaster or another could organize schedules and Smokescreen and the others can take time to sort through however many scenarios Prowl has come up with?” Skyfire suggested, uncertain what exactly Bluestreak was asking of him. 

Bluestreak shrugged, his wings reflecting uncertainty of his own. “Smokescreen did suggest to just let Prowl work until he falls into recharge.” A slight curl of derma. “Or Ratchet could corner him in the medbay and magnetize him to a berth there.”

“Neither of those options sound pleasant.” Skyfire pointed out. 

“Another option is to have Jazz drug one of Prowl’s energon cubes with a sedative but that would make Prowl less likely to fuel himself in the future with energon Jazz brings to him.” Bluestreak’s expression twisted in thought. 

“Does Prowl care for Jazz’s wellbeing?”  Skyfire asked, thinking back to the time he witnessed Jaxx pretending to ‘collapse’, only for Prowl to catch the saboteur.

”Yes he does you’ve seen the way his wings react around Jazz right?” At Skyfire’s nod, Bluestreak added. “Prowl doesn’t outwardly show affection for him when he’s around the rest of us. Doesn’t think it’s appropriate to do when on duty; Jazz thinks it’s fine so long as work gets done.”

”Do you think Jazz could be convinced to play up being recharged deprived in order to get Prowl to recharge?” Skyfire wondered aloud. 

“Some mechs say my name?”

Both Bluestreak and Skyfire’s helms swung in surprise toward one of the vents in the wall of the habsuite, where a gleam of a visor was peering into the room.

Upon being noticed, Jazz flashed an unnerving-looking smile through the vent slats, one hand’s digits lifting up into view to offer a little waggle-wave of greeting.

Skyfire found himself entirely unsurprised that the head of Autobot spec ops was inside of a vent.