Chapter Text
Prowl stepped into the last public transport of the cycle, relieved to find it nearly empty--only one other mech occupied the cabin, a visored mech with a bag wrapped around one hand and an oddly-shaped case on the seat next to him. He was exhausted after working a triple shift, and wanted nothing more than to get off his feet and rest as he was carried to the station near his apartment.
“Evenin’ officer,” the visored mech said softly.
“Good evening,” Prowl replied, taking a seat and letting his wings relax into the built-in supports.
The visored mech opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something else, but closed it as the Enforcer watched. Prowl wasn't sure what the other mech had wanted or expected, but he was really too tired to ask and find out.
The transport lifted off with a gentle sway a few moments later and the Enforcer offlined his optics, hoping to relax further as they flew.
Instead, just as they should have reached cruising altitude, the transport pitched wildly, pressing Prowl into the cabinet wall. He heard the other mech swear loudly and reactivated his optics in time to see the case fly off the seat it had been resting on and out into the walkway between them.
The visored mech couldn't reach it without leaving his seat and endangering himself, and he looked distressed. Before he was truly aware of it, Prowl was reacting the way he would to any citizen in distress.
One arm shot out to grab the case and the other anchored him as he extended his body toward the flying object. His hand wrapped around the narrow section that had been near the top on the seat and he pulled the case in close to his chest and the shuttle tipped again. Prowl’s back slammed into the seat at an awkward angle as the transport attempted to right itself, but the case remained safely against his chest.
The visored mech was staring at him with an expression that was somewhere between shock and relief as an automated system droned apologies about the turbulence in the background. “You caught it!”
“You seemed upset.” Prowl pulled himself to his feet as the transport leveled out and extended the case to its owner. “It must be very important to you.”
The visored mech took the case and opened it immediately, revealing an old-looking musical instrument. “Aside from needing it for work, this guitar belonged to my sire and his sire before that. It's nothing fancy, but it's priceless to my family.”
“Then I am glad to have been of service. I would hate for your family to lose an heirloom or for you to lose your job.” The Enforcer sat back down with a small smile.
“Thanks. I mean that.”
“You are welcome.”
“Can I play you something in return?” The question was sudden, but the visored mech looked serious. “To say thanks, I mean.”
“I do not feel that you owe me anything.” He wasn't sure that playing music on the transport was a good idea, but there were no other passengers to disturb currently, and the other mech had offered freely. “But I would enjoy hearing this guitar. I do not believe I am familiar with its sound.”
The visored mech’s expression shifted into a smile. “Mech, you're in for a treat!”
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
Jazz let himself smile as he watched the Enforcer get off the transport at the second to last stop. The mech moved with a noticeably lighter step as he moved off into the darkness, and the visored mech was glad that he had enjoyed the music.
The Praxian had been all right, for a badge.
After the doors closed and he was lifted back into the air, Jazz noticed a few loose credit chits laying on the seat where the Enforcer had been and his smile widened. Busking on a public transport was illegal--and it had only taken one fine to ram that point home clearly after he’d come to Praxus--but the officer had still cared enough to leave him a tip despite that.
The mech was definitely all right. Maybe even despite the badge.