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Green.
Soundwave used to hate the color. It’s not as pleasing to the optics as blue or purple, and not as sleek as red or white. It didn’t have the power of black or grey, nor the whimsy of yellow or pink. It’s bland. The color of many of the bots that spend their life in the mines or working construction. It’s meant to go unnoticed. Unappreciated. Unloved.
And yet, green was what he was searching for on his video feeds today.
He’s not quite sure how it happened. The green Autobot - Hound - had always been quite a wrench in Soundwave’s side. He loved illusion and trickery, low and filthy tactics to confuse so he never had to pull the trigger of a blaster. Soundwave despised a bot who didn’t have the will to do what was necessary, to get their servos dirty. Hound was just that.
Until he wasn’t.
Because Hound had a strength to him, Soundwave had observed, that was far beyond firepower or fists. A kind Soundwave simply wasn’t accustomed to being among Decepticons.
He’s kind.
And for Primus’ sake, Soundwave couldn’t understand why.
Hound never seemed to want to hurt anyone, or anything. He’s nice to a fault. Soundwave found himself wondering how many times Hound had swallowed down any words or actions that had hurt him in this pursuit to keep his spark warm and sweet. Surely life hadn’t been so kind to him that he had nothing to be angry about.
“Just hold still, I have a repair patch right here. Promise you won’t blast me?”
Hound had smiled at him as he’d said it, something strangely soft, like he wasn’t giving first aid to the enemy. Like he wasn’t risking his place with the Autobots, like he wouldn’t be found by other Decepticons. At that moment, there was just care. Warmth.
“Can’t leave Ravage and Laserbeak without their Oppy. You take good care of your bots, Soundwave.”
“Give some thought to coming home.”
Coming home. As though he’d ever had a place within Optimus Prime’s ranks.
Though perhaps Hound had been referring to himself, and not the Ark.
:Now, don’t you go telling on me to your Oppy, okay? I made these energon goodies myself!:
Soundwave was pulled from his thoughts as the words came through and the green he sought appeared on the feed. Hound was sitting beneath a tree, splatters of mud and muck against his armor, his outstretched servo holding a glowing energon sweet. Soundwave watched as Ravage came into view and pounced, taking the treat before settling in Hound’s lap.
:That’s it, I’m not so bad, am I?:
Hound’s servo gently pet Ravage along his spinal strut. The mech smiled, his motor purring along with Ravage’s. Something tugged at Soundwave’s spark.
Cute.
:I was told not to bring any more animals to the Ark. I sure wish we could have a kitty!:
Soundwave smiled to himself under his mask as Ravage nipped Hound’s digits. A sign of affection.
It seemed that just like him, Ravage had found something lovable in Hound beyond the chase.
Hound offered another energon goodie to the feline bot. Ravage took it before curling up, pressing his helm against Hound’s servo and nuzzling. The mech giggled.
:Sorry, sorry, I stopped doing my job! There we go, get yourself a little power down before you gotta go back. If I give you the extra goodies, can you promise to share with Laserbeak, Rumble, and Frenzy?:
Ravage purred, his servos pawing against Hound’s leg until he finally settled. The mechanimal kept one optic open. Waiting.
:A-And of course Soundwave, too. I bet even he likes a sweet every now and then.:
Ravage’s optic finally closed. The tug in Soundwave’s spark grew stronger.
He has never had an opinion on sweets. He supposed ones from Hound would be worth an opinion, though.
Soundwave watched as Hound’s helm tipped back to rest against the tree, servo still petting Ravage in calm, steady motions. Moments like these were not easy to come by, in their situation. Soon, it would be back to more of the same. Fighting. Chasing. Capturing. With times in between where there may be some sweet, secret moment. Just for them. Just for right now.
So, Soundwave would enjoy his peeks of green, and wonder what more there could be.