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Soundwave startled awake, falling off the berth flailing. First thing he realized was that his bond with his cassette, and with Megatron, was muted. He pushed himself up in panic and knocked his helm against the wall, sending a jolt of pain down his frame.
Wait. His servos. Were. Not. His.
His frame was larger, but shorter and- white. And orange. What??? He accessed the frame's diagnostic, running a damage report. No physical damage. Spark irregularity. And he had no clue on how he got here.
Ratchet's frame. Who was hungry because his fuel was low. Didn't Autobots raid a mine last week?
He stood up, legs creaking. He was alone somewhere, most likely the Autobot base, in another frame, and Laserbeak was.. he hoped she was fine.
He recalled going with Megatron to collect an omega Key but then.. static. He didn't remember what happened. He needed to contact the Nemesis. Clear things up and gather data.
Soundwave exited the room. It was late at night, so hopefully no one was awake. The layout of the base reminded him of something but he wasn't sure exactly what right at this moment. His processor was still reeling from waking in a frame that wasn't his. The console was on sleep mode, and wasn't locked. He shifted to open his data cables but. Right. He had large servos instead.
But before he could get anything done, a voice called the medic's name. "Old friend, what are you doing up at this hour?" And it had to be Optimus Prime.
Soundwave turned. This was messing him up. The strangest part was seeing the prime without his battle mask, his expression of worry. Was he unaware of what had happened? Most likely given his subdued reaction. And seeing his face- it felt wrong. He knew how important his visor was.
"Ratchet?"
Right. Talking. He reset his vocalizer, unused to not feeling pain when he spoke. "So- I, I am a little confused, Optimus." He rubbed his helm and prayed to be convincing. No module to speak for him. "What happened during our last mission? We were fighting Megatron and then.. I cannot remember." That sounded good enough. Hopefully. Pit, his helm ached the more he tried to remember.
Optimus frowned. "Ah, the Decepticons took the relic. I preferred to retreat. You had lost consciousness after.." He hesitated. "The Matrix sent a pulse. Everyone on the battlefield was touched. Could I help you scan yourself, now that you are awake?"
Scanning meant seeing this wasn't really Ratchet. Different spark signatures. "No, I'm fine. Diagnostic is normal." Pause. "Perhaps a cube would help."
Optimus smiled. Things were getting stranger. Out of place. "Of course old friend."
Soundwave watched as the prime went into the corridor. He turned to the console, hacking a backdoor so he had access to the communication without being connected. Couldn't type as fast but he managed to put the foundation of his program in. Then he shut off the console as Optimus arrived with a cube.
Soundwave took it and headed toward the medic's quarters.
---
Ratchet slowly came online. He ran a diagnostic but froze as he noticed the damage. One optic broken, voice module scarred, and.. cassette? What? He shifted, opening his optics. He was in a med bay, but not his. Pain pulsed down his spinal struts to his pedes as he tried to make sense of himself. Too many error codes and warnings..?
"Ah, there he is." Knock Out appeared over him. "Any lingering pain? An explosion knocked everyone out of it, it seems."
He pushed the racer away, or tried to, his arm smacked him. Long, very long arm.
"Hey my finish!"
"Soundwave?" This voice. Megatron.
Ratchet froze. The warlord was sitting by the berth, watching him.
"Get out." Megatron called to the medic. Once alone, his voice softened. "Soundwave. An explosion knocked you out. How do you feel?" That wasn't what Ratchet had been expecting at all.
He coughed static as he reset his vocalizer. Scrap, just what happened to Soundwave?
Megatron was still waiting for a reply. Which was.. the spymaster never spoke. From what Ratchet knew. That also meant that the relationship with Megatron seemed.. something else. Conjuxes? There was no bond. Megatron must feel it. Then why..??
Ratchet shook his helm slowly, moving a servo over his throat. He dismissed the error messages until the visor was cleared.
"Ah, I see." He frowned. "The Autobots. I will make them pay for hurting you."
Wait wait, no. Ratchet reached out but Megatron was quicker. "Soundwave. You need to rest. Recharge. Work will wait. You need rest. I can see you're struggling."
He tried again but the warlord simply pushed him into the berth. "Knock Out will come for pain blockers." The tone meant no arguing.
Ratchet deflated into the berth. He would wait until alone to try and understand what the frag had happened. What a mess. He hoped Optimus was doing fine- Scrap. that surely meant Soundwave was with his team. Frag.
Megatron stared at him for a moment, before he exited quietly.
--
Fooling the Autobots was surprisingly easy. He had to be more vocal but it worked. Throwing a wrench at Bulkhead kept him away from the console, and the humans didn't bother him when he worked.
First thing in the morning, he had refueled, then went to the console. His hacking was much slower than normal but he couldn't win everything. He learned which relics the Autobots had in their vault, and the access codes. They didn't have cameras, except one outside full of desert dust. Without Laserbeak.. better not think too much about it. Megatron would care for her.
After clearing the console, Soundwave went to find the prime. The medic coding in the folders was useful- he could perhaps find out why the Matrix acted. He didn't have unrestricted access due to Ratchet most likely keeping the medical folders safe on his own data bank but Soundwave could work with what he had found.
Optimus followed without complaint. The medbay was semi private but with only a look, the others left them alone.
"You wish to see the Matrix?"
He took the scanner from subspace after fumbling a bit. He set it for a full frame scan first.
"It might have to do with the radio silence from the Decepticons." The prime said. "They have been touched as well. I wonder.."
Soundwave met his optics.
"Ah, I'm not sure." He paused.
Soundwave tilted his helm. Oh right. "It could help us understanding what happened."
"The Matrix showed me visions before the pulse happened. I am unable to describe them, for they are without much sense."
"You can try." He offered.
"Hm. It wished to stop the war. I saw Soundwave and yourself. Too fleeting to understand what was happening but I believe you might be they key to end the war."
Soundwave blinked. Reset his optics. Then the audios just to make sure.
--
Ratchet managed to find a map of the ship and get out of the medbay before Knock Out arrived with the pain blockers. He was fine thank you very much.
The vehicons he encountered on the way to the personal quarters all turned or fled, which honestly didn't surprise him with Soundwave's reputation. But knowing the truth..
As he approached the door, and small flying thing almost crashed into him. He staggered, holding the wall for support. He was bombarded with worried chirps. Ah, Laserbeak.
He lifted her up gently, caressing her wings. She seemed to like that. He couldn't let her dock, and it wasn't as if he knew how.
She chirped and unlocked the door. He went in, letting the door lock behind. The quarters were a mess of pillows stacked on the berth, with data pads all over the dining table.
Laserbeak squeaked. :: Wave? Why can't I dock?:: He received via comm.
Frag. ::Damage by Autobots.::
She hopped off and landed on the table, sending a few pads falling off. ::You should be in the med bay!::
::I have work to do!:: He replied by habitude.
She huffed and flew into her nest by the ceiling.
Crisis averted. Ratchet glanced about the room. He would have expected Soundwave to be more orderly. He turned to the console. Of course it had passwords. Frag him. He should play amnesia. The explosion could have damaged the frame in a few points but since he had lost consciousness, it would be ideal to play processor damage since there was no way in the Pit that he knew all of the passwords or any of the patrol schedules.
He was a doctor not a hacker!
He sat in berth, taking the data pads and putting them neatly on the table. Most had passwords. Cautious spymaster. It reminded him of Jazz.
--
Soundwave was definitely not a doctor. He could deal with injuries, he had been a gladiator after all, but that was then. Now, Arcee was staring at him, her pede bent in an awkward position.
"Come again?"
She crossed her arms and looked away. "I slipped because of Smokescreen. Idiot."
"Hey it wasn't my fault!" He squeaked from somewhere out the medbay. "The super hero landing isn't for everyone!"
Soundwave scanned her leg. He had to snap it back in place, thankfully it wasn't wire broken. Just twisted. He checked the cupboard for the pain blockers because he knew having her shout about his shitty repairs wouldn't do.
After taking the blockers, he slapped them on her leg, ignoring her hiss. He grabbed her ped and yanked harshly. It twisted back in place. He scanned it again to be sure.
"Ugh. I feel like scrap."
Soundwave simply left her there. He needed to go back to work on the console.
"Ratchet?" The smallest human called.
He turned to look.
"Are you working on a new formula?" What was their name again.. Rafael? Yes, that. ..actually, he could use the child to gather data.
"Rafael." The child smiled at the acknowledgement. "Could you search the.. internet for any traces of Decepticon sighting?"
"Sure thing. I'm worried about them too. I'll get to that!"
One thing done. He went to the console and continued to work. He had to contact the Nemesis once he was sure Megatron had found out the imposter. It wouldn't take too long he was sure.
--
Ratchet was not expecting the door to open to a visitor that night. Even less so to see Megatron himself. The implications.. scrap.
The door closed and they stared at each other. Megatron smiled and it wasn't kind. "What have you done to Soundwave." Oh frag.
Ratchet coughed static before being able to talk. The voice came out raspy and broken, static lacing each glyph. "Before you pull a tantrum know that it wasn't my fault." Primus his vocalizer ached. "Frag. He needs repairs to his vocalizer."
"Who. Are. You."
"Ratchet. We switched frames because of.. something. I'm not sure and it's not like I can ask!" He gestured vaguely. The arms didn't really bend and he didn't know how to use the data cables.
Megatron growled but didn't try anything at least. He went to the console and contacted the Autobots.
Optimus answered, and Ratchet was glad to see no one was injured. Or worse. Better look out for the worst with Soundwave involved.
"Prime." Megatron said. "I believe I have something of yours."
"What are you talking about?"
"Come meet me at these coordinates. Bring Ratchet." He ended the communication and grabbed Ratchet's arm.
His vocalizer spat static as he struggled.
"Stop that! You'll hurt his voice even more!" The warlord snapped. "Be presentable and shut your damn vocalizer, understood?"
He nodded, glaring at him. The visor hid it but whatever. Frag you.
--
"Ratchet, I don't understand."
Soundwave put the coordinates and activated the ground bridge.
"It's a trap!" Arcee snapped.
"You stay in berth!" Ratchet hollered at her and damn if that didn't feel good to scream at someone. "I'll explain this slag soon. Optimus, with me." And he went into the ground bridge. The area was desert of organic life, a forest away from life. Megatron was already there.
Soundwave thought that seeing himself was strange enough, seeing himself struggle to walk was on another level. Real Ratchet couldn't even put his pedes one in front the other properly, he looked like a new build. It would almost be funny if Soundwave wasn't dying from being embarrassed at seeing his body like that.
"Megatron."
"Prime. I believe the Matrix took someone from me, as it did yours."
And Ratchet tried to speak, only spitting out static.
"Don't use my voice you idiot!" Soundwave cried, offended. "There's a reason I can't speak!"
::Shut the slag up you afthole!:: Ratchet commed on the close range channel. ::The racer you call a doctor is barely keeping this crew together!::
"And you're starving yourself for yours!" They glared at each other.
"Ah. I believe the Matrix was involved." Optimus said. Soundwave was about to join his partner when Optimus grabbed him. "No, we have to agree to a cease fire."
"Whatever. Give me back Soundwave." Megatron's cannon hummed softly.
"I cannot do that."
"Yes you can! Give me back my body so my cassette can dock!" He punched the prime but the mech was much stronger than the medic body he inhabited. "Frag you!"
Megatron snorted. "Love, we'll figure it out."
::I don't trust him with my body.:: Ratchet snapped.
"A cease fire. Until we find what caused this and how to reverse it." Megatron said.
"Prime had a vision about- hmph!" Optimus put a servo over his intake. He glared at the prime.
Megatron narrowed his eyes.
"I'll keep your conjux safe." Optimus said. "Ratchet, will you be fine?"
::Yes, don't worry about me.::
And then Soundwave was promptly dragged back to the Autobot base.
--
::Unhand me you afthole!:: Ratchet removed his arm-wing from the warlords grip.
"Stay put. Starscream better not see you acting like this."
Ratchet only complied because he was going to escape on his own Pit damned power. So after being pushed into the locked habsuite, he busied himself by trying to understand how to control the data cables. If he could hack his way out..
But then he heard a sad chirp from above. He looked up, seeing Laserbeak staring back at him.
::Our bond is muted. I can't hear him.::
::Sorry kid. Primus pulled a joke on us but I'll find a way to give him back to you.::
She peered down at him with a glint in her optics. ::I'll open the doors for you if you do one thing for me.::
..maybe that was an idea.
--
Soundwave glared at the two wheeler but it wasn't as effective. He was sitting on a crate, servos cuffed because they were cowards.
"So the Matrix just swapped them for no fragging reasons?!"
"Arcee language!" Bulkhead squeaked.
"How do we end a war like that?" Bumblebee asked.
"I do not know." Optimus replied gravely, battle mask still on. "But the Matrix works in its ways. I feel we are on the right path. Bulkhead, you have first shift on watching over Soundwave."
"Sure thing. But uhh.. do we put him in the cells?"
"Don't you dare." Soundwave growled. "Your medic's frame needs energon. He has a deficiency because it seems he cares about you. Ask Megatron to send you rations and it's an order. I won't starve because of you."
"I liked it better when he was silent and scary." Smokescreen blurted out.
"Shut up." Arcee said.
Optimus sighed. "Bring him to my berthroom. I will contact Megatron."
--
Okay this was a bad idea. He glared at Laserbeak as she stole one of Knock Out's polish from the medic bay. She didn't seem to care, fleeing with her finds and leaving him there.
If he had a voice he would curse everyone on this ship damn it. But now that he was here.. he couldn't help but snoop. He knew the Cons didn't have much in terms of medical supplies but seeing it first hand.. the crew seemed well fed but some surgical supplies were missing. How could one even run a med bay like this? What even was this organization system?
"Uh.. Soundwave?"
He turned, startled. Breakdown stared at him in confusion.
"Have any issue? I can call Knock Out for you."
::No. But do tell, who organizes the supplies?::
"I do. Anything wrong in the manifest?"
Well. He had to start somewhere.
--
The prime's room was bland. A berth, a desk filled with nothing but data pads. A lot of them actually, but none about the base or any sensitive information. He had checked all of them. No, there was poetry, human books, and many different kind of writing.
And the silence.. it was suffocating. Soundwave missed sleeping next to a warm frame and his cassette.
He sat on the berth. He wondered how the medic held up if his body was such in a state. It felt wrong. But since Soundwave was living in this frame, even temporarily, he'd make sure it at least got better health.
He settled in the berth like he owned it because if he had to hold onto something it was definitely spite.
--
Ratchet was in the middle of a checkup when Megatron walked in the med bay and ordered everyone to leave. The Vehicon on the berth struggled but he held them there while Knock Out fixed a knee wire.
"What are you doing."
::Your troops are in bad shape. Look at this! Bad maintenance, dirty seams, a huge rust infection hazard!::
Knock Out coughed to hide his laugh. Then shrunk under the warlords gaze. "My lord, alone I can do so much." As if he wasn't busy smooching Breakdown at every hour instead of doing actual work.
Megatron visibly vented to steel himself. "Of course." And then he exited.
::Get to work!:: He barked at the racer.
--
"I already hacked your database." Soundwave said to Optimus as the prime walked into the room.
"Hello to you too Soundwave." He handed the cube.
Soundwave took it. It felt weird not being able to drink with his wrist intake. "You've learned more about me than I'm comfortable with."
"Is it truly a bad thing?"
He ignored him.
"The war has gone on too long. We both know it would be best to come to an agreement."
"And what. Rebuild as if nothing happened?"
"Fix the mistakes of old past. A new beginning."
"I was thrown into the Pits. We were slaves. You saw it. You saw what happened- you met us for frag's sake!"
"I know. I.. I know. I thought-"
"Doesn't matter what you thought! You betrayed us!"
"Then tell me. All of it."
And he did. All the painful details. The harm done by the Senate. The betrayal. They had been friends with Orion and then it all went to shit. It still hurt. And Megatron had never been the same after Orion left them.
--
"Ah, dearest Soundwave. Fancy seeing you in the medbay." Starscream said as he entered.
Ratchet resisted the urge to throw a wrench. But barely. He didn't need that annoying fragger putting his nose in everyone's business.
"Since when have you decided to become a nurse?" He sneered. "Ended up with processor damage?"
Ratchet threw the wrench, hitting helm on. Starscream collapsed into a heap.
Knock Out blinked at him.
::I didn't hit him that hard.::
They both stared at the downed Seeker.
"Do you think Lord Megatron will mind if we accidentally drop him out the window?" Knock Out nudged the seeker with a pede.
Then, Starscream groaned. His wings fluttered as he sat up, optics blown wide. "Holy scrap my door wings!"
::Bumblebee???::
"Ratchet? What-?"
They both heard Megatron shouting from across the ship.
"Well slag." Breakdown muttered.
--
"I'm a grounder!" Came the screech of beeping noises.
Soundwave already knew who it was and Primus must hate him dearly. "Starscream: desist."
"Shut the frag up Soundwave! I knew something wasn't right! Prime! What is this!?" The door wings bounced with aggression/stress.
"Starscream, please calm down. There must be-"
"You don't tell me to calm down! I'm a grounder!"
"It might humble you." Arcee snapped. Smokescreen snorted.
"You-!"
Prime stopped him. "Starscream. Perhaps you could help us. You have diplomas in science, yes?"
Starscream seemed to preen under the praise, wings flutter and all. "Of course I do. Here, I'll even help you." No matter that said seeker had a crush on Prime.
Soundwave rolled his optics. It kept things interesting. Maybe Primus was laughing at them right now.
--
"Gosh you're so mean." Knock Out complained.
::At least Breakdown listens when I give him lessons.::
"Ugh. Breakdown, love, I need a good spa day. Right now." Spa day being code for, let's kiss in a closet and let Ratchet deal with the medic duties. Idiots.
Breakdown smiled. "Of course love." The two exited the medic bay without a care in the world.
Ratchet shook his frame. Living with a disability sure humbled him. Chronic pain was no joke. He had already put together a list to look with Soundwave for potential treatment to help manage it. He hadn't known but now he could do something about it.
He was curious to see what was under the visor but Megatron had threatened him with creative ways of torture, so he complied. It wasn't his business anyway. He knew the visor was an aid. A very interesting one. Maybe he could get the blueprints for it to create more aids to those who needed it.
The doors opened and Megatron walked in, trailed by Bumblebee. "Keep your scout close. At this point rumors have spread about our.. peculiar situation."
"You ripped out my vocalizer you afthole."
"I wonder why."
::Okay shut up. I fixed your crew by the way. I'll tell on Soundwave how you avoid any check up.::
Bumblebee snickered.
"Arg. You are annoying. I initially came here to tell you we have an official ceasefire. Now-"
::I need to talk to Optimus.:: He interrupted. ::Preferably in person.::
Megatron muttered something under his breath. "As you wish." He turned to exit, Bumblebee following. "You stay here!"
"Nah."
"Annoying slagger."
"Thanks."
--
Having Starscream here was helm ache inducing. But at least prime seemed capable of handling him. That didn't mean Soundwave was free to go. They let him to the console since he had hacked it already but they kept Arcee watching him. He didn't like being watched. It felt like worms crawling under his plating.
"Me ped is somehow healed." She stated, sitting on a crate.
He didn't reply.
"What, lost your glossa?"
He glanced at her.
"We have to tolerate you here doesn't mean you're free to be."
"Have anything interesting to say? If not I'd rather continue decoding."
She scoffed. "Decoding."
"Yes. You know, being useful instead of judging others." He ignored her angry muttering. Decoding the Iacon database was a priority, even if he lacked the capability. He missed his data cables dearly. He could find the last Omega key and they could get the frag away from this pit hole and go to Cybertron.
"You want to bring it to him. You have three keys already."
"I want a Pit damned break." He snapped. They stared at each other, frozen.
Then Starscream laughed so hard he fell on his aft.
Soundwave turned to him. "Don't you think I've had enough at cleaning your messes!" He shouted. "I'm running the damn ship like I'm a sparkling sitter! You lot don't even know how to behave! And you!" He pointed at the now frowning racer. "Working against me at all hours! Don't you think I've earned my break without any of you messing anything up!?"
"Ah.. I.. yes, Soundwave." Starscream's door wings shifted, more subdued.
"Prime actually want your genius. Use that and stop annoying my partner."
"It sounds so weird coming from Ratchet's mouth." Smokescreen said. "Imagine Ratchet giving him a smooch."
Soundwave laughed at how out of left field it was.
---
Bumblebee had the opportunity to speak and he wouldn't hesitate. Mainly because Megatron actually offered time to talk in exchange of not being bothered. Which was a win. He used all the assets available at his disposal.
He knocked at the office then entered. The warlord was sitting with a load of data pads.
Bee sat on a chair made for Seekers. Honestly they would need some for Smokescreen and him both.
"What did you wish to talk about?" Megatron asked.
"For starters, you let it all go to your helm. You messed up. Big time. Do you even see what you're doing?" His wings fluttered.
Megatron stared at him.
Time to hit strong. "Ratchet told me your soldiers are all tired. That must mean Soundwave too. I'm pretty sure he ran the ship, huh? The Vehicons have trouble right now and you're not helping. I know, I'm just a youngling. But I was raised a soldier. I never knew peace. But it's in reach. You can rebuild our home and we can start over."
"The senate would have killed you if you had been born in my time."
"I know. We can't change what happened but you can fix what's coming our way. That's a hint by the way."
Megatron sighed, and it sounded tired.
"Fix the mess."
"Sound advice from the voice of my second in command."
Bee snorted. "Well. You ripped out my vocalizer."
"I'll get Knock Out work with Ratchet."
"Is that an apology?"
"Anything else?"
He smiled. "Give Optimus the keys to show you want to fix this."
"I'll think about it."
Mission success! "Oh! Is it too much asking for a rematch?"
"Get out of my sight Star- Bumblebee."
--
"Soundwave." Optimus called. "May I have a moment?"
He followed the prime to a more private area, where they couldn't hear Starscream argue with Wheeljack about something, he didn't care what.
"You've decoded the last data log, isn't it?"
"Yes. Query?" He shifted his weight, trying to tame his nervousness.
"Megatron agreed to give me the omega keys. The war is over."
"Needs his confirmation."
"Of course. I will let you speak privately with him. He is coming with Bumblebee."
Soundwave turned and went to the ground bridge console, sending a ping. It pinged back, and he opened it.
Megatron and Bumblebee stepped forth, followed by Ratchet and Knock Out.
"That's a crowd." Wheeljack muttered. Starscream slapped at him.
"Prime."
"Megatron."
Megatron handed the keys. "The war is over." Anti climatic, honestly. But Soundwave would take anything at this point. He just wanted his life back.
Optimus started glowing and a pulse of Matrix energy knocked everyone out.
-
Soundwave booted up, both of his data banks onlined, then his visor. Laserbeak crashed into him and docked. Her happiness was almost overwhelming. He held her into his data cables. How he had missed her.
He sat up, seeing the others slowly come to themselves. His bonds flooded with relief.
"Nothing's broken?" Ratchet called.
"All in one piece." Bumblebee chirped.
"Ugh. Being a grounder.." Starscream stretched his wings.
"So, any reason I was asked to bring the phase shifter?" Knock Out asked, looking over his claws.
Megatron approached, servo resting on Soundwave's visor.
::I'm safe.:: Soundwave sent over their private comm.
::I was worried.::
"With the keys.. we can finally go home." Optimus said with a smile under his battle mask.
"After everyone has a medical check up." Ratchet lifted a wrench. "You will all go. No exceptions."
"Going first. Cannot know what this bumbling optics sore has done to my frame." Starscream scoffed.
"Frag you." Bumblebee said all too happily. "I saw the plush toy in your berth-!" He ducked behind Arcee.
"Starscream." Megatron interrupted.
The Seeker sent a rude flick of a wing. "Fine." And followed the medic.
"Sooo." Smokescreen looked between the two faction leaders.
"I will prepare the Nemesis for the travel." Pause. "You're free to join us."
--
As soon as the door of their habsuite closed, Soundwave pulled Megatron in a hug, holding him tightly. Their bond lit up with love.
"Ratchet said you still were in pain."
::It never went away. Frame overhaul simply lessened the ache.:: He admitted quietly.
"I see. Rebuilding Cybertron will take a lot out of-"
"Together." He whispered, his fried vocalizer spitting static.
"Of course." Pause. "I did promise to repair what I have broken. I lost the war, but those who oppressed us are no more. We shall shine in the daylight of our planet, free, without chains."
::What a poet, my love.::
Megatron hid his face into Soundwave's helm.
::I am tired.::
"Then let me care for you. I will never leave you out of my sight again. It was torture to see your frame without it being you."
::Being Ratchet wasn't too bad. I yelled at the Autobots and they listened. I should have used the wrench more often.::
Megatron laughed. "Ah, my love. Let's get to berth. I will arrange your pillows to your comfort."
::I need to send an army of plush toys to Starscream.::
::Oh I know which ones to get!:: Laserbeak chirped happily.
--
"It's good to be back." Ratchet said to Optimus, after he had finished half his check ups of the crew. They had removed the key from Smokescreen's chassis using the phase shifter to make it painless.
"That, I must confirm, old friend. Soundwave was rather.. unsettling. But I understand where he came from."
"Next you'll tell me the Matrix planned that to win the war."
"Perhaps. I believe it was overdue. Our peace is tentative and I hope Megatron will enforce the peace."
"I'm sure Soundwave's got that covered." He stretched.
"I must order you to drink your share, Ratchet. Soundwave told me you under fueled."
He huffed. "I had kiddos to keep alive."
"And now we have energon thanks to Soundwave."
"I can say the same to you. You better park your aft in your berth and recharge."
Optimus laughed. "Yes. Yes, I will."
"Good."
"Prime!" They heard Starscream call.
Optimus' s smile turned to something else. Ratchet had a feeling he knew that something. He grinned. "Go on, your little Seeker is waiting."
"Hush." There, the prime blushing.
"Good night."
"Good night, old friend."
--
Smokescreen followed Bumblebee in the Nemesis, the others having gone to recharge already.
"Bee-"
They stopped at a door, that Bee opened. It was a communal bunk, with many Vehicons. "Hey guys!" Bee greeted.
There were echoes of acknowledgement, everyone rather tranquil, no traces of aggression. Bumblebee introduced some of the Vehicons, as most were preparing for recharge. He jumped on a bottom berth, gesturing to Smokescreen to take the top one.
Far from the strangest place he had slept. He didn't feel threatened but he still kept his door wings alert.
A Vehicon approached. "Mind if I..?"
Bee pulled them in his arms and they snuggled. Many were sharing too. "Good night!"
Another echo of replies. And a few "shut up"s along.
Smokescreen wondered how Bee had managed to do this. But he figured himself had been wrong to judge the Vehicons. Well, there was always time to rectify that.
He settled more comfortably, the lull of happy/comfortable EMF's eased his spark.
--
Starscream flicked his wings, slightly nervous as he waited for Optimus to acknowledge him. It was rather awkward between them but the few weeks stuck with them made him realize that maybe.. maybe he had attracted the wrong attention before. Optimus was much more kind and didn't threaten to rip out his wings.
"Would you.. like to come in?" Optimus said at last, shuffling on his pedes.
"I'd like that." He replied with confidence he didn't feel. That was fine. He followed the prime into his personal quarters.
Optimus settled on the berth, arms open as an invitation. Starscream settled into the warm embrace, shivering at the tender touch.
"Is this okay?"
"We're not two younglings, prime." He snapped without bite.
Optimus smiled softly. "Good night Starscream."
"..good night."