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Starscream's wings flicked warily at the sound of thunder booming far above him, red optics narrowed and glaring up at the dim clouded sky. It wasn't raining yet , but soon…
The seeker wasn't a fan of thunderstorms. Or storms in general. It was difficult enough to fly in the rain, not even mentioning the lightning…
With a light growl he retreated further under the tree he was hiding under, watching another crack of lightning light up the sky. A pout graced his faceplates as he shivered slightly from the temperature drop. He was starting to wish he was back at his base… The only reason he was out here was because of him .
Redirecting his gaze towards the small two wheeler standing farther out in the clearing, his glower softened slightly. The relaxed smile on the ninjabot was enough to remind him this was supposed to be a pleasant bonding experience.
After all, while Starscream wasn't one for rain, Prowl couldn't seem to get enough of it, enjoying the winds and storms to an odd degree. Which wasn't the problem. The problem was the small mech insisted on him coming out to spend time in it with him… Well, that wasn't the problem either…
Sensing the seeker's glower, Prowl started frowning and glanced at his companion, taking note in his posture and displeased demeanor. With a sigh, he trekked back to the tree with the seeker watching him.
Stopping before the jet and putting his hands on his hips, he questioned, "... Well?"
Starscream looked down at him with an air of curiosity despite his glare, "Well what?"
"What's wrong? You've been pouting ever since you got here."
"I am not pouting- "
"Yes you are," Prowl redirected gently, tilting his helm, "You just look unhappy. Is everything all right?"
Before Starscream could answer, a rumble of thunder shook the air around them as lightning cracked directly overhead. Prowl glanced up with a slightly awed look at the display of raw nature, but was quickly pulled under the tree with an irritated hiss from Starscream.
Finding himself pinned to the seeker's chassis in the death hug, Prowl couldn't stop his annoyed grumble as he frowned at the sudden interruption of his admiration.
" Now what are you doing!?"
"Don't like it."
Prowl's frown faded slightly as the words sunk in, "What do you mean? Don't like what?"
Pressed against Starscream's frame, however, he felt the answer rather than heard it. The next earth-shattering boom resulted in a tremoring flinch from the seeker, another irritated chirrup squawking his displeasure at the sound.
He suddenly understood, but he couldn't help but feel a little amused by this new information about his companion.
"You're… scared of thunder?" Prowl asked with a clear smile in his voice.
"Of lightning, " Starscream immediately corrected, glaring at the streak of light lighting up the sky that preceded the awful noise, "I hate lightning so much…"
Pushing himself away slightly to look up at him, Prowl chuckled, "I see. Is that why you were pouting earlier?"
" I was not pouting, I was thinking. "
"Thinking," Prowl repeated unconvinced.
Starscream looked down at the mech with a frown and narrowed optics, "Yes. About how much I hate lightning."
Shaking his helm, Prowl sighed as he pulled away from Starscream's arms, stepping out from under the tree into the pouring rain. Turning back with a smile, he held out his servo.
"Here, come here. I promise it's not so bad."
"You're going to get struck by lightning," Starscream deflected weakly with a hint of worry in his voice.
"No, I won't. Neither will you. Promise," Prowl reasoned softly, watching Starscream's expression fall as he looked to his servo.
His wings twitched before he shook his helm, groaning as he slowly stepped forward, taking the offered gesture. Holding his servo tight, Starscream warned seriously, "If I get even the slightest feeling I'm conducting a strike, I'm tossing you under the tree."
"Fine," Prowl relented, pulling him more into the open to stand in the rain with him. For a moment, all was still. Starscream looked around concerned as he waited for what Prowl assumed was his worst case scenario. As time passed, however, his faceplates softened, looking to the sky with an almost curious look. Gentle, wide optics and light chirps and rumbles escaping him. It took a second for Prowl to realize he wasn't even interested in watching the sky anymore. He was more interested in Starscream's change of demeanor towards the rain storm.
The claws holding his digits squeezed lightly as a small smile formed.
"... Alright, this isn't so bad."
"No?"
"No," looking down at Prowl, Starscream's smile turned almost loving, "Thank you."
Prowl smiled back, his visor angles softening. But as he opened his derma to reply, Starscream's expression changed.
Then he heard the sparking. Suddenly concerned, he turned his gaze to Starscream's wings, which… had sparks arcing between the tips and running along the edges in a telltale warning. It was almost beautiful to watch, the blue lights illuminating the space between his wings-
Completely forgetting Starscream's warning, he felt himself hoisted by the chassis and chucked towards the huge tree behind them. It was such a quick movement Prowl barely registered it before harshly landing under the shelter of leaves. As he stood to scold the seeker though, the smell of ozone filled the area. Turning his gaze toward the seeker, he barely got a word out before he saw the arc of light diving from the sky.
Crack!-
The sound of lightning striking metal and Starscream's scream of terror filled Prowl's audials, the sight and sound making his systems freeze in disbelief. Then it was over.
There was Starscream, covered in black soot, trembling with wide optics and lowered wings. His claws were flexed open, a defensive stance as he coughed a small bit of smoke from his vent. With a scratchy groan, he fell forward onto his knees, stabilizing himself with shaky arms.
The moment his systems unfroze, Prowl raced to him, reaching out a servo to touch him, concern lacing his voice, "Starscream, are you- ouch! "
The resulting electric shock from the contact made him step back, shaking his injured part with a distasteful look. Features softening, he tried again, gritting his denta, "Are you okay?"
For a moment, he was worried Starscream was short circuiting from the strike. Then he heard a soft mutter.
"What did you say?" Prowl asked softly, leaning closer to hear what the mech said.
His visor narrowed in confusion when he heard quietly, "5 times…"
Then Starscream's voice raised in volume, " 5 times…"
Prowl jumped back when Starscream suddenly looked to the sky with pure unbridled rage, shaking a servo to the sky as he screamed, " I have been electrocuted 5. Fraggin'. Times these last three months ! "
It would have been funny, seeing him clamp his claws over his helm as he groaned frustrated, but now Prowl knew why Starscream had been so wary…
A few moments passed as Starscream recollected himself, an eventual sigh escaping his vents as he basked in the cooling rain. He didn't move when he felt a soft servo on his shoulder plating.
"... Starscream?"
"I'm fine," he responded gently, reaching up and patting the small part.
Another moment passed as Prowl tentatively asked, "Do you… want to go back under th-"
" Yes please, " Starscream immediately looked to him with a relieved look.
Carefully picking himself up, Starscream stood and grabbed Prowl's servo, lightly pulling him to the tall pine with him. With a huff, he sat and leaned against the trunk tiredly, watching the drops of water cover the clearing outside of the umbrellaed area. Prowl sat beside him, now quiet and unsure.
Starscream didn't like that. He didn't mind Prowl's silence, but he did mind the clear uncertainty. That was a problem.
Sneering, Starscream carefully turned and scooped the small mech up and placed him between his legs facing the rain. Prowl made a strange noise before Starscream wrapped his arms around him and rested his helm on the smaller mech's.
Prowl made a small 'Uh..' as Starscream's engine rumbled. A way off, a crack of lightning lit up the sky almost mockingly.
The two wheeler almost, almost chuckled at Starscream's scoff. He could hear the loathing… was he pouting?
"... Before you ask," Starscream mumbled seemingly reading his thoughts, "Yes. Now I'm pouting…"
"Sorry," Prowl apologized, a smile growing at the grumble the seeker made as another rumble shook his frame. He settled back, getting comfortable in the seeker's embrace, deciding despite the little… inconvenience .. as long as Starscream was willing to stay, he might as well enjoy the situation.
Watching the rain, Starscream's optics softened again. With a quiet voice, he said, "I do like the rain."
Prowl grinned as he relaxed further into the mech, chuckling at Starscream's next bitter statement, "I could do without the lightning though…"