Chapter Text
Energon coals erupted from the dense bundle below as D-16 wedged his axe into the ground with a mighty force. The calculated thrusts were displaced by the sudden sensation of a hand on his dorsal plates. D-16 met the embrace with a smile once he recognized the source.
“Come with me,” Orion pleaded without even a simple greeting. He beckoned the miner by grasping his servo with an eagerness that was difficult to ignore.
“What is it that you found in the archives this time?” D-16 asked as he placed down his mining axe, indulging the curious nature of his friend.
He was well aware of the forbidden adventures Orion often made to the Hall of Records in search of knowledge, and typically offered his help to keep them low profile. The urgency presented to him could only mean that Orion did not return empty handed.
“Something good. I must share this with you,” Orion exclaimed, “Follow me.” Hand in hand, he guided them away from their post until he found a secluded area within the mines far enough from the threat of superiors or wandering eyes.
The cavern walls were lined with lanterns that eventually disappeared as they escaped from the supervised sites. Bright coals with vibrant blue embers surrounded them with enough light to visualize only each other. Orion advanced several steps ahead before his pedes spun and he finally faced D-16. The eager swipe of his digits revealed a hologram screen that beaconed from his forearm. The intoxicating blue light drew D-16 in closer to observe. He wasn’t sure exactly what he was expecting, but it certainly was not this.
Snippets of moving images lined together in a sphere to reprise a story of two cogs. Separated at first, then combined to create a unique signature. The cogs shifted and swirled until their distinct essences mixed. The ancient Cybertronian texts described the process in exquisite detail. If only they were fluent to understand it. Still, the projected images were descriptive enough. The story was intimate in a way that seemed foreign to the pair. Two halves of one whole. Something so natural and innate, yet unattainable.
Orion watched his friend first to analyze his interest before explaining, “We have always known how cogs allow transformative abilities within oneself, but this suggests that two cogs can create something together. Their joined energies form something entirely new. Like a…”
“...A bond,” D-16 answered. “I have heard rumors before. Never thought anything of it.”
Orion’s optics quickly flashed to him. He had to know more, so he inquired with great enthusiasm, “Really? What have you heard?”
D-16 met his gaze for a moment before shrugging, “Well, I never listen much to chatter about these things unless you are the one talking. Otherwise, it’s just make believe. We do not have cogs, anyway, so why would any of this matter?”
“The truth always matters,” Orion argued. He averted to study the images again, and excitement hurried his words. “This is a fundamental piece of our biology. We could be capable of creating a bond. Look here, the individual frequencies change when the connection is made. It can be so powerful that it rewrites entire code. This is amazing. The fact that we could do this-”
“-We can only try to do this,” D-16 interrupted as his hand guided Orion’s forearm down and away from sight. The words seemed to be a taunt, but Orion recognized a certain seriousness in his tone.
Although he was admittedly disappointed by the reality of those words, Orion simply sighed and laughed, “Right. Just like we can try to transform. I get it.”
The grasp on his arm tightened to pull his attention back to D-16, who stared at him with an intensity that silenced Orion’s laughter. He watched as D-16 slowly lowered his optics to the empty cavity in his chest, and his breath hitched with anticipation.
“Did you think my suggestion was funny?” D-16 asked, brows furrowed in deep consideration. His free servo moved to Orion’s chassis. Digits carefully outlined the intricate designs that swirled in the hollow center.
“Not really,” Orion answered with bated breath. The touch was welcomed, even if it caused a brief sense of panic. This was unknown territory.
“Good,” D-16 nodded in approval. His caress hesitated as his next words came slow, “Because I meant it. I have heard that a bond lasts a lifetime. I don’t know about you, but I can’t think of anyone else I would rather share that with.”
Orion instinctively moved his own servo to rest on D-16’s shoulder. His digits trailed across the rusted plates until they met his absent cog. The tips of his digits gently curled into the cavity before he replied in a whisper, “Can you imagine what it would be like?”
They stood inches apart now. Drawn like magnets to each other's touch. Both knew that this was all they could share without the true ability to ever become one, yet it felt like enough. Servos traveled to adjust to the other’s touch until slowly their frames met. Each of their empty chests pressed together. The fossae collided in a firm embrace, even though they were unable to link without the presence of cogs.
“We are not missing anything,” D-16 assured with half lidded optics. His teeth bared in an open grin before his palm clasped over the circle of lights on Orion’s fin. He gently shook his helm in a playful manner to lighten the atmosphere.
With foreheads pressed firmly together, Orion returned the smile. He was satisfied with the notion that perhaps this was enough.