Chapter Text
Iacon was an eventful polity, although it too eventually succumbed to nautical twilight. Distant paned windows supplied the lounge with a generous atmosphere of golden rays. Lavender and emerald hues were slowly exchanged for midnight skies as the night settled. Most Cybertronians resorted to their personal living quarters by now. Orion Pax, however, had a long day. He sat alone at the bar. High-grade was hardly his usual remedy for a difficult day, although his earlier endeavors proved strenuous enough to coax quite a few drinks from the librarian.
Megatronus paid a visit to the apartment complex in hopes of discussing the details of the day. He noticed the librarian instantly upon his arrival, and was admittedly surprised to see him at the bar so late. The gladiator approached him, “Long day?”
Orion addressed his company with a gentle hum, “Unusually so, and yourself?”
The gladiator understood the reciprocated interest was an invitation to join, so he took a seat next to the archivist. Megatronus gestured to the bartender as he answered, “I am well. I understand you spoke with Alpha Trion?”
The archivist sighed, “Yes. It was quite an underwhelming meeting. I regret to inform you that he refused my request.”
Two fresh cubes of high-grade were displayed before them. Orion was already buzzed. Megatronus determined that from the uncharacteristic slur of his words and the distinct scent of high-grade that embodied the librarian.
Megatronus tasted his cube before he expressed his support, “Regardless, I assure you that your hard work will provide us with the progression we seek. I am truly inspired by your unwavering determination to this cause.”
Orion drank from the spiked energon as he listened. His fist slowly brought the cube down and he finally looked up to Megatronus, “I sincerely apologize, my friend. I admit I am discouraged, as I predicted that my request would be compelling enough for approval. It is rather unfortunate to drink to failure.”
Those azure optics were dense with emotions, and their luminosity was only intensified by intoxication. Megatronus had never before witnessed the archivist in such a state, so he dedicated the night to lifting his spirits.
“Then let us instead drink to your success,” Megatronus proposed. He lifted his cube to initiate a toast, “Success is achieved through consistency and perseverance. You exhibited both today, old friend.”
Orion guided his own cube to the toast as he grinned, “I suppose you are right. Did you come here bearing news for me, Megatronus?
“Ah, yes,” the gladiator acknowledged after they finished their cubes. “It can wait. Tonight is not for work,” he decided.
Orion Pax nodded. In response, he requested two fresh cubes of high-grade. Meanwhile, he asked Megatronus about his most recent trip to Iacon. The courteous inquiry was simple enough to spark an eventful chain of conversations.
After each round of drinks, their conversations deepened and the periodic jokes became hysterical. The lounge resonated with their vocals when they laughed together. They talked for hours, exchanging beliefs and sharing stories. At some point, Megatronus allowed himself to rest his servo comfortably on the bar close to where Orion propped the joint of his elbow as he spoke. They remained like that for quite some time as they engaged in several debates that eventually strayed from politics and delved into a more personal realm.
Orion Pax was ecstatic from the pleasant buzz he experienced as he tuned in to the story Megatronus narrated with electrifying detail. His humor was casual and intellectual, therefore had quite an effect on Orion Pax.
Megatronus recognized the strong waves that emanated from the archivist’s EM field. It was nearly impossible to ignore the pleasant energy that radiated from Orion Pax as he laughed.
Thin digits reached forward to rest on the strut of Megatronus’s knee as his laugh softened. The embrace was innocent in its nature, yet Megatronus found himself leaning into it as they exchanged their laughter for a comfortable silence. They unknowingly shifted closer to each other throughout the night, and the distance they discovered was more intimate than ever before.
Orion’s intakes hitched in his chassis as he felt the gladiator’s palm clasp the strut of his elbow to gently urge him closer. Then, large digits brushed against the heated plating so tenderly that Orion may have mistaken the touch as a caress. He was also surprised to learn that he eagerly welcomed the embrace.
Neither of them spoke. Azure optics simply began to explore each other. Orion Pax was curious. Megatronus was captivated.
The atmosphere was dense with tension as they preserved the silence for much longer than either anticipated.
Neither of them moved, until Orion found himself leaning in. As he inched forward, his lips began to part. Megatronus watched him, motionless. He would have closed the space between them had he not gathered his senses.
“It is getting late,” Megatronus whispered.
Orion Pax was close enough to feel the heat of those words against his mouth before he disengaged. As the archivist withdrew, he blinked a few times and nodded slowly as if stunned by the sudden rejection.
“Of course,” Orion agreed with bated breath. He understood the situation, despite the embarrassment that crept in. He began to stand, although Megatronus supposed it took a grand effort to refrain from stumbling.
Orion Pax was drunk. Megatronus knew that. Certainly that was the only reason he refused to meet such a chaste embrace. Regardless, the noble librarian composed himself as he prepared to end the night with no intention of asking.
“Thank you for the company tonight,” Orion acknowledged with a small grin. “The drinks are on me.”
The archivist left before Megatronus could even collect the words for a response. He sat there in silence as he reflected. Only a row of empty cubes glowed from the counter to reveal the progression of the night. Soon they were all that remained at the bar, for Megatronus eventually left to follow in pursuit of the archivist.