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Starscream shifted the bags in his arms as he made his way to the community center, feeling the butterflies in his stomach getting worse. The scientist remembered the lavish parties his father hosted. They were always so stuffy, and filled with mostly adults. Windblade and his brothers were often the only company he had during the event. Starscream hated the party every year it came around.
The town’s Thanksgiving dinner had to be different from the ones from his childhood. Maybe they would be like the ones in the cartoons that he and his brothers watched. A little part of him questioned if this was going to be like those, or would it be just another stuffy party. Starscream couldn’t see Optimus or Megatron talking about the same things that his dad’s friends did, but the atmosphere could be the same.
Maybe he should go back, Starscream thought. Just stay home and work on his research. Eat some of the pie and Cheesecake he made and watch holiday specials. It was a safer plan, something he knew that he would like.
“Star!” Skyfire exclaimed as he stood in the doorway of the community center, “you made it!”
“Yep!” Starscream said quickly. Skyfire took one of the bags, and Starscream took a deep breath. It was now or never, and it was too late to back out. Looking at Skyfre’s bright smile, the scientist felt a little more confident about going into the party knowing that Skyfire was going to be by his side.
The community center was warm as Starscream stepped inside. The bright yellow and orange decorations looked inviting. There were hand turkeys plastered on the walls, each with one of the kids' names at the bottom. It was homely, and warm. The scientist took a deep breath, he could do this. He could do this.
“Are you feeling okay, Star?” Skyfire asked, placing his free hand on Starscream’s shoulder.
“I’m good,” Starscream said quickly, “just nervous.”
“I know the pies and cheesecakes will be great,” Skyfire reassured. Starscream nodded, and followed the wereowl over to where some of the other desserts were. There were a couple of apple and cherry pies sitting on ice. Starscream set down his bag and started to set out the pumpkin based desserts he'd made.
“What’s that?” Hot Rod asked as he ran up to the scientist, trying to look in the bag Skyfire was holding.
“Pumpkin pie,” Starscream muttered as he then brought out another dessert from the bag.
“Then what are those?” Hot Rod asked as he pointed to the cheesecakes.
“Pumpkin Cheesecake,” Starscream said, trying to frame the dessert just right in the ice.
“Can I have a slice now?” Hot Rod asked, trying to give the scientist his best puppy dog eyes.
“Rodi,” Skyfire said with a laugh as he handed Starscream a pumpkin pie to add to the table, “you know that these are for after dinner. There are some pre dinner snacks on that table.”
“But it’s just vegetables and cheese!” Rodi whined.
“There were grapes and meat on there earlier,” Skyfire muttered.
“I ate those already!” Rodi whined.
“Then eat some of the vegetables,” Starscream muttered, “these are for after dinner.”
“But you made so many! Surely no one would miss one slice!” Rodi whined.
“Rodimus,” Optimus said as he came up to his son, “Why don’t you play go fish with Kup and the other kids while we wait for dinner to be ready?”
“I’m hungry now!” Hot Rod whined, “can I just have a slice of pie or cheesecake now?”
“Not until after dinner, but you can have some carrot sticks now if you're hungry,” Optimus said. Hot Rod huffed and grumpily walked over to Kup and the other kids. “You certainly made a lot of food, Starscream.”
“I just wanted to make sure there was enough for everyone,” Starscream said softly, wondering if he had made too much. He knew that others were making food too.
“At least we have more than enough if Hot Rod eats a whole pie again,” Megatron said, seeming to appear out of nowhere. “Optimus, your turn to watch the turkey and ham.” The werefox waved to the scientist and wereowl and disappeared into the back kitchen. Megatron looked over the dessert table, and Starscream gulped. He could feel the judgment coming off of the werewolf. The scientist didn’t normally care what Megatron thought, why was he caring now?
“They look nice,” Megatron said before going off towards Galvatron, the little wolf pup howling as he won at go fish with the other kids. Starscream let out the breath he didn’t know he was holding in. Skyfire looked at his boyfriend and smiled.
“Do you want to see if anyone needs help in the kitchen?” Skyfire asked. Starscream nodded and the two went off to help Optimus.
Skyfire smiled as he watched Starscream talk to Ratchet, the two exchanging recipe ideas. It was nice to see the scientist finally relaxing. For some reason, Starscream had been nervous before dinner. Perhaps it was because of the large gathering, maybe he was worried about the dessert. After the wereowl suggested they help out in the kitchen, the scientist finally became himself. The two listened to Optimus talk about the history of the holiday in the town.
“So, who’s the new guy?” Sideswipe asked as he came up behind Skyfire.
“Ratchet didn’t say that anyone new was moving in,” Sunstreaker said as he came up on Skyfire’s other side, “you’ve been spending the whole night with him.”
“That’s Starscream, my boyfriend,” Skyfire said; Sideswipe grabbed him and started to shake his arm.
“You didn’t tell us! Does Ratchet know?” Sideswipe said excitedly.
“Yes he does,” Skyfire said. Sunstreaker narrowed his eyes as he looked at Starscream, almost as if he were studying the scientist.
“Congratulations!” Sideswipe said pulling Skyfire’s attention to him, “So when did he move in?” Before Skyfire could respond, Hot Rod yelled.
“Can I have pie now!” The little werefox made half the room start to laugh. Ratchet got up from where he was sitting. Sideswipe and Sunstreaker rushed over to him, seeing if he needed anything.
“Who are those two?” Starscream asked as he came up beside Skyfire, “I’ve never seen them around here before.”
“Those are Sunstreaker and Sideswipe, they’re Ratchet’s adult kids. They care for Ratchet’s house as he hibernates.”
“That’s nice,” Starscream said softly. The scientist leaned into Skyfire, and the two just stood there for a moment, just enjoying each other’s presence.
“Time for pie!” Hot Rod yelled again, causing Starscream and Skyfire to jolt.
“You two might want to get some before he eats a whole pie again,” Megatron grumbled.
“How?” Starscream asked, “he ate so much during dinner.”
“It’s a mystery,” Skyfire said with a laugh, before walking with Starscream to the dessert table.