i wrote this for 30 days of otp on tumblr, and then i received a request for a continuation. something purely self-indulgent and light-hearted, i'd say. and dumb. i am gonna go now im so embarrassed with the title but i stared at the blank box for like five minutes i just shoved it in there oh my god goodbye


Skyfire was sure this didn't count as stalking. He technically wasn't doing anything; really, he was just stealing glances and if he had time, gazes at the Seeker sitting in the booth next to the window. It was that particular customer's favourite booth, and he came in at the same time on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. He ordered the same thing every time; a blistering hot macchiato, and a shepherd's pie; and sat there doing the same thing; reading a datapad and taking notes. Sometimes, he'd look out the window and just watch people pass by, and his faceplates would be arranged into something almost melancholy.

Skyfire wasn't entirely sure what the mech's name was, because the flier seemed to come up with new and creative ways of addressing himself whenever Skyfire asked while taking his order. His personal favourite was that time when he had to call out for 'My Lord' to give the customer his coffee. The flier looked mighty pleased with himself, and despite Skyfire's intense blush, the shuttle did smile particularly sweet at his customer. It wouldn't do to be rude. The fact that the Seeker was really pretty came as a bonus, in a way.

It wasn't until the Seeker came in with two other friends did Skyfire find out his name. They were a trio of Seekers, of the same frame but utterly different paintjobs and demeanour. A purple one had his arms slung around Skyfire's usual customer and a blue Seeker, unabashedly eyeing Skyfire up when they came to the counter.

"This is him, Star?"

Star; apparently that was what Skyfire's customer was called; elbowed the purple Seeker hard in the side. Skyfire was pretty confused, looking at Star, who waved a hand dismissively, "You always do my drinks, I told him about it. The usual for me, please," he turned to his friends, "You idiots are paying for your own orders."

"Awww, Screamer!" the purple one whined while Star moved to his booth, taking a seat. Skyfire smiled cordially at the Seekers standing in front of him.

They ordered a chocolate chip frappuccino and a black coffee, as well as a Danish pastry. The purple Seeker pointed at the shepherd's pie in excitement to the blue one, exclaiming, "That's Starscream's favourite, right? He's always going on about it."

Skyfire worked on their orders, all the while mentally noting that name. Starscream. Interesting. That would explain the variations of 'King Star' and 'Star the Magnificent' his usual customer had given him.

"Names, please?" is what he asked the duo instead, marker poised to write their designations on their respective cups.

"TC," the blue one said before the purple Seeker piped up.

"Skywarp! And oh, for that guy over there," he lowered his voice and jerked a thumb in Starscream's direction, "Put Screamer. Thanks!" And he left, pulling TC in tow. Skyfire paused, debating internally.

Well, it wouldn't do to refuse a customer's demands.

He finished making the drinks and placed them on the pick-up counter. Here goes nothing, he thought.

"Screamer! Order's up."

Skywarp guffawed loudly from their table, while Starscream looked like he could murder someone with his bare hands. He stood up, reaching over to smack Skywarp's head, before striding to the counter. Skyfire was a little intimidated, truly. Starscream grabbed his drink, hesitating, before looking at Skyfire with determination in his optics.

"It's Starscream."

"…Excuse me?"

"My name's Starscream. Just so you know." The Seeker seemed adorably embarrassed, despite the harsh clip to his words, or the hard glare in his eyes.

As usual, Skyfire smiled sweetly, the smile he'd unintentionally reserve only for this particular customer, "Alright, Starscream." It was nice that the Seeker told Skyfire his name personally. Much better than finding out from anyone else.

Nothing much happened afterwards, as the trio proceeded to drink and eat in the window booth. They seemed like good enough friends, and Skyfire liked hearing their chatter as background noise as he worked. He couldn't really stop smiling the entire day.

/

Starscream came in his favourite coffee place on a Monday, alone this time. After that last outing with his trinemates, he'd really rather cut his thrusters off than bring them back to this place. The shuttle barista was there, as usual, and his smile still made Starscream's spark jump. He hated it. (He didn't, but it was easier thinking he did.)

He walked up to the counter, ordered his usual, and didn't bother to give his name. If the shuttle remembered, then it wouldn't be a problem. If he didn't, well then, too bad. (Part of him was hoping badly that the shuttle did remember, but he's not going to act like it). He sat at his usual booth and read his datapad right away, ignoring the pleased thrum in his field at seeing the shuttle again.

Starscream was lost in his reading after a while, but he was snapped out of his concentration by that pleasant, deep voice calling out his name. His full name, too. He made his way to the counter and took his drink, taking the time to thank the barista, before moving back to his table.

He lifted the cup to start drinking, but…that was peculiar. There was certainly more cream than usual on his drink. And what was that?

There was a small energon candy placed right on the dollop of cream, shaped like a star. A star and extra cream. Oh.

Starscream looked up only to see the shuttle looking at him expectantly in return, and was startled by Starscream's sudden realization. He almost acted like he was doing nothing, before probably thinking the better of it and smiled shyly at Starscream, embarrassment obvious. Starscream's faceplates were heating up.

"Hey, what's your name? You never told me yours."

The barista reset his optics a few times before replying with a smile, "Skyfire."