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“My Lord, I truly apologize for the inconvenie-”
Cyclonus was interrupted by a few strikes into his face, echoing through the halls inflicted by none other but Galvatron himself. He grabbed Cyclonus by the arm and tossed him on the floor. No one in the room dared to say anything and stayed still.
“Lately there have been nothing but failures!” The Mighty Leader said, towering above Cyclonus and embarrassing him in front of everyone.
Scourge observed how the poor jet simply absorbed all the pain, always staying quiet and never standing up for himself or let alone escaping. It always was like that when Galvatron was in one of his worse moods, using everyone else as his punching bag but mostly focusing on his most loyal servant, Cyclonus.
When those red flaring optics of his Lord met Scourge, he flinched and hid even deeper into the shadows in the corner as he hugged himself with his wings.
“Let this be a lesson to you.” Galvatron looked down at Cyclonus again and left the room.
Scourge sharpened his senses to check where Galvatron was to reassure himself before doing anything. With the current distance, it was rather safe to emerge from the shadows and he looked at his comrade.
Despite the affliction, Cyclonus stood up straight and simply rotated his shoulder a bit. Almost as if nothing happened. His posture was as elegant as ever with the constant firm expression. Scourge despite being able to hunt for things from afar with his enhanced vision, he could never read Cyclonus. Not even his wings were anywhere near as expressive as Scourge's own that he tried to suppress so much with a failure.
Cyclonus' mysterious optics caught Scourge staring, “Is there anything I can assist you with?”
Usually Scourge would just leave and mind his own business but he couldn’t help himself, “Are you okay?”
The jet blinked with confusion, “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Well, it’s just that… Galvatron always hurts you so much.”
“Regardless of what our Mighty Lord does, wants or doesn’t want is not in your concern to question his will.” Cyclonus replied sternly.
Scourge looked down, “Of course. My apologies.
____
Whenever they had missions to do together, battled arm by arm or just were in each other’s presence, they were both always silent. It was never a bad silence though but a comfortable one. A silence that didn’t need any reassurances or filling any gaps with small talks. It was nice.
Although this time the silence was so loud that he could even hear Cyclonus’ mechanical gears working inside. Scourge never dared to question nor pry too much before and he didn’t want to ruin his own image. What if Cyclonus was judging him now for not being all devoted to Galvatron? Or maybe he was simply overthinking things.
That silence had to be filled up so Scourge took something to clean the base with his comrade.
”You do know well that my faith in Galvatron is implicit.” Cyclonus suddenly interrupted the silence.
Scourge gripped tighter onto the air compressor he used for dusting off meanwhile Cyclonus kept gently sweeping the floors.
”It may look like he inflicts great harm upon me but… I am not meant to say this but he does hold back a lot on specifically us both if you haven’t taken notice.”
This time he stopped the compressor completely and turned around to look at Cyclonus who faced him with his back. It was uncommon for the jet to open up like that.
”If he would use all his power, we would end up almost like your Sweeps. But even so, not completely. We have our creator’s blood running through us after all.”
Scourge shuddered at the thought of the Sweeps being killed in all sorts of ways. It was as if looking into his own mirror, seeing his face in those scared Sweeps. All he could imagine was the day he would join that pile of dead bodies.
Although after hearing what Cyclonus just said, perhaps it was indeed just Scourge’s own fear and cowardice that made each hit feel like he was on the verge of death. Whenever Galvatron would shoot with his cannon, it would never be straight into the spark but almost as if intentionally missing it each time.
”I trust Galvatron.” Cyclonus turned around this time to face Scourge and proceeded, ”I was built to serve him and only him. Lord Galvatron could rip my spark out and it would still be an honor to me.”
Of course… Cyclonus and his beyond devotion. Everyone knew he would be there for the Lord no matter what. They always had this… specific relation towards each other. When Galvatron wouldn’t go through one of his typical episodic tirades, it almost seemed as if they were… conjuxed.
It was only now Scourge noticed how close Cyclonus was standing with his tall figure. He gazed up although as soon as he was met with a cold frown, he tensed up.
”So do not think otherwise.” Cyclonus at last said strictly.
Scourge’s wings that always made him appear fearsome, retracted and closed himself in, looking down. Although suddenly he felt a warm field enveloping him. Appreciation, understanding and… reassurance. The field Cyclonus always kept to himself, now shared with Scourge.
The jet put a servo on Scourge’s shoulder, ”We are finished with dusting. Shall we use the solvents?”
For once, Cyclonus actually smiled sincerely towards his friend so Scourge couldn’t help but repricocrate.