C.M.D: This was one of the very first TF fanfictions that I ever wrote. I'd probably say about the first, too, but it's hard to remember really. This was originally posted on this site but was pulled down, probably for the more graphic scene in the last chapter. Sad, but I'll be reposting it here all the same, just with some censoring. As with a number of fics, if you'd like to read more graphic works or whole, uncensored fics, please follow the links provided in my profile off-site. For now, enjoy!
The Twins were known for a lot of things.
Pranks.
Trouble.
Being the best front-liners.
Their crazy Jet-Judo tactics.
Even interfacing with various members of the Ark.
Sideswipe and Sunstreaker had a very prominent reputation that traveled with them no matter where they went. Most put up with it; others tried to stay the frag out of their way or keep their juvenile behaviour under control. None of the Autobots really knew the Twins. In reality, none of the 'bots actually knew each other. War had been swift and merciless, and 'bots from all life-styles were thrown together; the ones that managed to survive and find the will to fight back gathering under Optimus' leadership. It made sense than that the members of the Ark, though carrying a sort of camaraderie from the battles they had faced together, were still very distant with each other.
That didn't mean they weren't for interacting.
Oh, no, after confirming that they were indeed essentially stuck on Earth until such a time proven otherwise, the Autobots had finally decided to hazard the ship's rec room, spending long hours there while off-duty in the presence of their comrades.
It was how they first discovered the small, personality quirks of each other, usually unnoticeable during the constant fighting and struggling for survival. Sideswipe and Sunstreaker's berth hopping was perhaps the very first thing the Ark learned about. After watching Bluestreak -sweet, innocent Bluestreak- march into the rec room one morning and throw a massive fit worthy of Starscream, the other mechs present were also kindly informed that the Twins had no care for a relationship and only wanted an interface here and there.
The news was passed on quickly, and Sunstreaker's and Sideswipe's future partners were then spared the horrible confrontation and spark-ache that Bluestreak had the misfortune of being subjected to.
Should have it been a surprise then that nobody thought of the lamborghinis as nothing more than promiscuous, uncaring 'bots incapable of actual love?
Certainly, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker didn't understand why everybody made a big deal about them sleeping around.
Acting like they were, it was not that shocking when the universe decided to turn around and kick the Twins for their debauchery.
It started as a normal day... or, well, as normal as it could be with the rest of the Ark's crew about to meet some of the refuges that had made it all the way from Cybertron to Earth. The mechs that had slipped past Shockwave's incredible defense were going to help boost Optimus and his team. Well, that was the plan. At the very least, the intel they carried for a leader long thought dead, about a home world that they all had been cut off from for millions of stellar cycles, was enough to lift anyone's spirit and for Optimus to immediately extend his arms in welcome for their weary comrades.
Reasonably so, the rec room was a buzz of activity that orn.
Sideswipe sat at a free table, drinking his morning ration of energon, lazily observing the gathered crowd in the room. He had only just gotten off patrol himself and was looking forward to a nice, long recharge after the initial greetings. He could feel his brother through their bond, still in their shared quarters even at this time, no doubt primping and preening himself. Honestly, the red lamborghini couldn't understand why Sunstreaker was so vain sometimes...
Taking another sip of his cube, Sideswipe found his optics drawn to one corner of the room. The first thing he saw was their crazy resident engineer Wheeljack -the sight of the mech was enough to make the red twin simply want to turn his attention away. Wheeljack was certainly not one of Sideswipe's "types". But as he was turning his helm to the side, the warrior suddenly took notice of the slightly slimmer, shorter frame beside Wheeljack.
A femme?
Femmes were a rare sight to see these days, and Sideswipe hadn't interfaced with one in what felt like forever. Was one of the new recruits, as they were being called, actually a femme? The lamborghini wasn't entirely sure, but he was content to simply watch the mysterious 'bot.
They were definitely dainty in a sense -they held themselves very reserved and carefully, though they appeared relaxed enough. When Wheeljack spoke or asked a question, the obsidian helm inclined slightly towards the engineer; servos gently touching the weird device Wheeljack pulled out from subspace. The "femme's" paint job was a shade similar to american rose -a much softer, muted variation of red in comparison to Sideswipe's colour- with cornflower blue adorning their arms and legs. Unfortunately, it wasn't the other's paint job that really had Sideswipe's attention...
It was that lovely coal-coloured aft that made the red twin practically steam as the "femme" bent over to retrieve the datapad they had just fumbled and dropped.
Sideswipe definitely liked the look of this one.
Optimus took that opportunity to stride into the room, Prowl, Jazz and a small handful of other 'bots at his heels. Immediately, all mechs present stood to attention for their leader, only seating themselves again when the semi waved for them to do so.
Sideswipe barely listened as the tall mech began his speech, trying to relocate the "femme" he had lost sight of when their superiors had entered the room; turning away from his search only for a klik, long enough to acknowledge Sunstreaker slipping into the chair beside him.
At this point, Optimus had reeled in his monologue and was now introducing the new members of the Ark. The red lamborghini decided to actually listen this time; figuring he could see the mystery 'bot again and learn their designation at the same time.
He was more than surprised when his "femme" stepped up, displaying that "she" was clearly a "he", and went by the designation Perceptor; a scientist of all-trades. Sideswipe ignored Sunstreaker's silent jibe across their bond, having already accessed that the red warrior had been all excited to persuade the "femme" into an interface session, and was now greatly disappointed that his momentary desire was in actuality a mech... and a nerd mech at that. Sullen now, Sideswipe glared at the rest of the newcomers; hoping that they'd hurry up so he could go and get some recharge.
Though he greatly disliked Perceptor, Sideswipe was hard pressed to say that he still didn't think of that gorgeous aft. After about several months of denial, he finally accepted that he was attracted to the scientist and set out to woo the microscope. He assumed that Perceptor was probably untouched, judging by the fact that the other mech was not heard of having any relationships with others and had not interfaced with any of the Autobots on the Ark since his arrival. The thought of the scientist's beautiful, tight, unpenetrated valve made the warrior's circuits spark more than they ever had before in his function.
He was determined to be Perceptor's first.
Unfortunately, whether by conscious or unconscious will, Perceptor was not swayed by Sideswipe's "courting". In fact, he seemed quite oblivious to any of the red twin's actions. For a time, this deterred Sideswipe, but his lust returned with a vengeance and he swore to himself that he simply had to interface with the microscope or go mad with desire.
Sideswipe began to double his efforts.
Many pranks pulled and cycles spent in the brig later, the warrior was still nowhere near to being even noticed by Perceptor, let alone convincing the microscope to interface with him. Sideswipe was at a lost what to do, and it was beginning to bother him that he couldn't move past the miserable little geek of an Autobot. Storming from the brig now that his punishment had been served for his latest bout of trouble, the red lamborghini marched down the near-silent halls of the Ark. It was early morning for Earth, sometime just before dawn, and the mechs off-duty were fast in recharge in their rooms. Sideswipe would have been among them if he hadn't been busy with his detention; now though, after stewing in his recollection of failed attempts at getting Perceptor's attention, the warrior didn't feel like resting.
He wanted to walk, march, run, drive -anything to get away from his thoughts at that moment! As luck would have it, as he was rounding the bend (quite quickly one might add) he ended up colliding with another mech. There was a small cry of surprise and the tower of boxes before his face began to shiver and shake, as the 'bot holding them began to lose his balance with the impact. Sideswipe, hearing all the fragile glass within clink together dangerously, and knowing that he would probably get in trouble for breaking that much equipment, quickly reached out and grabbed the boxes; steadying them, and hence forth, steadying the swaying Autobot on the other side. Equilibrium maintained now, the boxes began to lower, until Perceptor's face was just visible over the top-most box.
"I can not express my gratitude enough," the scientist said softly, relief in his azure optics. "It would have been a great misfortune if I had dropped my load of equipment -and an even longer wait for them all to be re-ordered and replaced."
"Uh...yeah...," was all Sideswipe was able to articulate. His processor was beginning to freeze up, thoughts and actions taking a century's worth of time to correspond with the rest of his systems.
Perceptor continued to smile slightly, shifting the load in his arms. "I apologize for bumping into you -I was not paying attention to my surroundings, and at this late of an hour, I had foolishly assumed that there would be nobody else awake. For that, again I must thank you for your assistance, but now I must be getting back to my labs. Have a good night... Sideswipe, correct?"
The warrior could only nod his helm in answer. Perceptor inclined his own helm in acknowledgement before scurrying off down the hallway and deeper into the Ark.
It would be another two breems that Sideswipe, still standing where the scientist had left him, would realize that just now he had wasted a perfectly good opportunity to offer his help and walk Perceptor back to his labs; losing the chance he'd been looking for to start communications between him and the microscope.
...at least he could be satisfied in the knowledge that Perceptor knew his designation...
This small interaction though was enough to encourage Sideswipe to continue.
And finally, he got his chance about a week later.
The most recent battle with the Decepticons had taken a heavy toll on the Autobots. Ratchet found his servos suddenly full repairing almost twenty mechs at once, more than half with serious and mortal injuries. Wheeljack could be found easily enough in the medbay assisting the CMO, and surprisingly, so was Perceptor. Though not a medic himself, the scientist did know a thing or two about repairs and offered his assistance immediately once he heard the damage report of their latest fray. The three Autobots worked on the mechs most at risk of offlining, and then they split off: Wheeljack remaining as an attendee to Ratchet, while Perceptor was tasked with the job of repairing all minor injuries.
In a few short cycles, the medbay had been cleared out of all other 'bots, excluding those still in recovery and that would need to be monitored before they were given the clear. Sideswipe laid in a berth not too far away from Cliffjumper, nursing a newly replaced knee joint and sealed fuel lines in his abdomen that had been ruptured by Thundercracker's shots. Bored -because his twin refused to stay when he was okay- and virtually trapped -because Ratchet refused to let the red lamborghini leave until he was sure that the warrior wouldn't tear open his wounds so soon after repairs- Sideswipe was practically gleeful to see that Perceptor still hadn't left the medbay. The scientist had decided to stay and watch things while Ratchet quickly ran off to give his report to Optimus and grab some energon.
Sighing dramatically, Sideswipe managed to catch the microscope's attention and had a difficult time concealing his grin as Perceptor actually crossed the room to see if he was alright.
"Is everything okay, Sideswipe?," the scientist asked, concerned optics quickly darting about the lamborghini's frame. "Your injuries are not bothering you still, are they? I can administer an analgesia if you so require it."
"Ah, no...," the warrior pretended to grimace, shifting uncomfortably on the medical berth. "I mean, it's not necessary, just -ouch- a little pain. Nothing I can't handle."
"Are you certain? I do not wish for you to put further strain on yourself and risk agitating your wounds." Perceptor's worry was genuine, and the thought that he had all that to himself made Sideswipe smirk wickedly on the inside. Now if only he could coax another emotion from the scientist...
Perceptor moved closer of his own accord, and the warrior had such a difficult time masking the automatic roar of his engines as the microscope took up post right at the very side of his berth. Fortunately, he was able to cover it up to a spasm of pain when the other Autobot startled at the sound.
"I'm going to give you the analgesic in either case," the scientist announced, moving away quickly before returning. "It'll do no good if you should damage something further because of simple pride. You are important to the cause, and thus, you should make your function a top-priority!," Perceptor scolded lightly, dipping the needle tip between some plating and injecting the warrior with the pain-killer.
"And what about you?," Sideswipe asked innocently.
"Pardon?" Perceptor cocked his helm slightly to the side in confusion, lip components pursed gently and large optics openly puzzled at the lamborghini's question. The image was utterly adorable.
Sideswipe, smirking somewhat now, raised a servo; stroking the microscope's arm with slow, sensual sweeps of his fingers. "Am I important to you as well?," he elaborated, eager to see what the scientist's reaction would be.
Normally, there would be the flushing of cheekplates or even the sudden vibrancy of optics as lust and unspoken desires flashed through a 'bot. Neither showed themselves on Perceptor's face; in fact, his confusion just seemed to grow, though his face relaxed into a more contemplative expression. "Well, I suppose so. Every 'bot plays their part in the war, after all."
That wasn't really the answer he was looking for.
Sideswipe frowned and opened his mouth to say something more -probably reveal the intent of his actions since the microscope wasn't getting it- but had to click it shut again when Ratchet strode into the medbay. The CMO took one look at Perceptor at the lamborghini's bedside, wandering servo still resting on the other bot's forearm, before coming to an abrupt stop. It was silent for a couple kliks, before Ratchet crossed his arms over his chest, looking at both mechs blandly.
"What is going on here?," the medic asked in a neutral tone, that belied the anger beginning to burn behind his optics. Sideswipe was quick to withdraw his servo, grimacing for real this time as the CMO actually glared at him.
"Hmmm, nothing Ratchet," Perceptor replied good-naturedly. He didn't even seem to notice that Ratchet was furious! "Sideswipe had expressed discomfort because of his wounds, so I was just administering an analgesia to alleviate the pain."
"Is that so?," the medic said. He turned his glare away from the warrior momentarily to look at the microscope curiously. "Well, I thank you for watching the medbay for me while I ran to do some errands. You're free to go now, Perceptor."
"Of course. Have a good day, Ratchet." The scientist smiled kindly, and made his way to the door. He paused shortly in the doorway, looking over his shoulder at the sullen Sideswipe laid out on the medical berth. "I hope your injuries heal quickly, Sideswipe." And then he was out the door finally.
Sideswipe wanted to grin at the other Autobot's naive words of well-wishing, but Ratchet was still standing in the same place he had stopped at, glaring fiercely at the lamborghini. Shrinking slightly into the berth, the warrior glared back at the medic. "What?!," he snapped defensively.
"Try something like that again in my medbay, and I promise I'll show you what the meaning of pain is," Ratchet growled. Suddenly though, his shoulders relaxed, and the CMO was uncrossing his arms. "You're just lucky that Perceptor doesn't understand your intentions." Then the medic too was turning on his pede, crossing the medbay to his office just adjacent to the room.
Sideswipe shuttered his optics stupidly for a few moments, frowning as he contemplated Ratchet's words.
Beside him, Cliffjumper snorted on his berth, stirring somewhat in light recharge. "You're such an idiot... the lil' glitch mouse isn't even aware you're chasing him," the minibot mumbled mockingly. "...wasting your time trying to berth that nerd..."
"Mute it!," the warrior hissed, rolling over and turning away from the other 'bot.
He couldn't help to think though... was Perceptor really clueless to his advances?
Sideswipe's second chance came during a string of storage duties.
He was sorting through the dozens of dusty containers in one of the less used rooms; taking inventory and placing all important supplies closer to the door, for transfer to one of the more frequently used storage areas later on.
Or at least... that's what he was supposed to be doing.
The warrior in reality was taking his sweet-time rifling through the containers, keeping a mental list of everything that he came across should it hold some value for future pranks. It was all he could do really, knowing that Red Alert was keeping an optic on him from the security hub and would report to Prowl immediately should he catch Sideswipe pilfering any of the supplies. He was getting into the seventh, long, boring hour of his shift when his relief came walking through the door.
Sideswipe peered over the top of a stack of containers; smirk coming to his face as he saw just who his unexpected guest was.
Perceptor strode into the storage room, helm turning this way and that as he tried to place a container of slides he had left here some time ago. Normally it would have been an easy thing to spot the box, but Sideswipe's rearranging left the scientist confused. He had to double-check that he was in the right room, before he decided to delve deeper into the rows of containers and find his box.
The red lamborghini tip-toed behind stacks of boxes, keeping match with the microscope's steps; rounding his way up and behind the other Autobot. He was grinning when Perceptor startled as the warrior clasped his servos loosely on the smaller mech's shoulders.
"S-sideswipe!," the scientist squeaked in alarm.
"Heya, Percy. What's hanging?," Sideswipe purred. He let Perceptor whirl away from him, servos falling back down to his hips. His grin did not fade.
Calming down a little after his initial fright, the microscope returned Sideswipe's grin with his own small, innocent smile. "You startled me so. I did not expect anyone else to be here."
The warrior merely shrugged at the question in the scientist's tone. "I'm stuck here doing inventory, but I'm a little curious as to why you're here."
"Inventory...," Perceptor mused, looking about the room. "Yes, that explains why things seem to have shifted. Perhaps I could regal your services then? I am looking for the container housing my slide samples and mineral deposits."
Sideswipe kept his optics on the scientist even as he went through his mental list of the items he'd thus far documented. "Yeah, I might of seen such a box just a little while ago. Shall we go take a look?" The warrior held out his servo, but Perceptor did not take it; instead only smiling his gratitude at the larger mech's assistance.
His advance rebutted for the time being, Sideswipe raised his outstretched servo a little higher, looping it about Perceptor's shoulders and pulling the microscope along. He steered them both through the haphazard towers of crates, making sure that the scientist was practically pressed into his side as they walked. Perceptor didn't seem to notice their positions, and Sideswipe was too fixated on the delicious warmth against his side plating to care about the other's obliviousness at that moment.
Eventually, the warrior took notice, but he soothed his agitation by running simulations of the numerous fun activities that one could do in the storage room. He wondered if him interfacing the pretty little scientist would make Red Alert glitch. It was an amusing idea.
"You sure have done a lot," Perceptor noted, glancing at the opened containers and disturbed dust all around them. "I'm sure that Prowl will be quite pleased with your efforts."
"Hmmmm... oh, yeah, sure," Sideswipe mumbled distractedly. He didn't really care if Prowl was happy with him completing his punishment. "Hey, I think I saw your box of stuff just over here."
The warrior hummed happily as he steered the both of them to a darker corner of the room. He was smirking deviously now, not that Perceptor was aware. The microscope really was clueless. Well, Sideswipe would have to change that, and very soon.
"Here?," Perceptor asked.
"Oh, yeah. Should be some of those ones along the bottom," Sideswipe directed. He withdrew his arm and let the scientist step forward on his own, content to leer at that lovely, black aft. It was hard not to make a sound as Perceptor took his advice and bent over to inspect the crates along the floor.
"My, you were right! They were right here after all," the smaller Autobot exclaimed merrily.
Well, that wasn't what he had been expecting. Sneaking over to a stack of crates just near them, Sideswipe kicked at the bottom one, creating an avalanche effect. Before the heavy containers could fall on the unsuspecting scientist, the warrior threw himself before the crashing items, slamming into the smaller mech.
Perceptor cried out in alarm as he was suddenly shoved across his container of supplies; crates falling about his helm and bouncing along the storage room, and yet, the entire time he was sheltered from the raining boxes. Peering curiously over his shoulder, the microscope was shocked to find Sideswipe pressed flush against his plating.
"O-oh my... Are y-you alright, Sideswipe?" Ah, that was what he was looking for, the warrior grinned. A stutter and the starting burn of cheekplates were all good signs.
"Yes," the bigger mech husked, letting a servo trail spider-soft touches up and along the scientist's leg. "I'm quite alright. Actually, I feel exceptionally good right about now."
He pressed closer to Perceptor, hissing inaudibly as his heating codpiece ground lightly against the other's aft. "Mmmm, very good," Sideswipe continued, lust coating his words. "You're feeling good too, no? A little... hot... under here, perhaps?"
His servo reached the scientist's hip plating and he stroked his fingers along the seams to the microscope's codpiece. Perceptor gasped at the invasive touch, wriggling beneath the warrior's heavy form.
"S-sideswipe, y-you can get up now. Th-there's nothing more to protect me from," Perceptor stuttered, turning his helm away as the tremor in his vocalizer became more noticeable.
"And what if I wanted to stay right here?," Sideswipe whispered into the scientist's audio.
"I-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-"
The sound of the door opening was enough to startle both mechs; in a burst of unprecedented strength, Perceptor managed to elbow the lamborghini off in one-fell swoop, clambering to his pedes and rushing for the door. "T-thank you for assisting me in locating my samples," the scientist called back over his shoulder. "I-i'll come and retrieve them later."
With a small nod to Inferno standing in the doorway, Perceptor was quick to disappear around the corner and off into the Ark. Nursing his sore stomach armour, Sideswipe got back up onto his pedes, glaring at the puzzled firetruck looking back and forth from the hallway and to the storage room.
"I...uh, well...," Inferno stuttered, shifting uncomfortably. "Red Alert said there was an emergency down in the storage."
"Of course he did," the warrior growled, kicking the fallen crates angrily before stepping out from behind the towers of containers. He stalked to the door, clanging shoulders with the firefighter as he stormed out of the room.
"Hey, wait, don'tcha have to clean all this mess up?," Inferno asked from behind him.
"As if I care!"
The next little while presented itself as a challenge to Sideswipe. It seemed the higher ups had realized how intent the red lamborghini was of pursuing Perceptor and appeared to have taken it upon themselves to make sure that the troublesome twin did not succeed. Whether it was some misdirected paternal feelings towards the scientist, or a twisted version of revenge on Sideswipe, the mech found himself suddenly being interrupted at every turn.
If Sideswipe tried to talk to Perceptor, a comm from Optimus or Prowl would cut their conversation short.
If Sideswipe attempted to touch the scientist, or steal his attention for even a second, Jazz or Inferno would come up and act like a bodyguard until the warrior had backed down.
If he was even in the same room with Perceptor, then Ratchet or Tracks would lead the microscope out of the immediate vicinity -the situation allowing, of course.
Sideswipe was certain too that Skyfire and Wheeljack were bringing energon to Perceptor in his lab so the scientist would be less prone to leave his sanctuary.
It was getting aggravating, and his bad mood was only further amplified by Sunstreaker's silent prodding as to why his twin refused to engage in the usual activities with him. But despite all these obstacles, Sideswipe was still determined to win Perceptor over.
Phase one of that plan: reinstate initial contact with the scientist.
When he was able to have some one-on-one time with Perceptor again, surprisingly it wasn't on his terms.
The knock on his bedroom door was soft and almost inaudible, but to Sideswipe, who was staring up at his ceiling restlessly, the sound was like the fist of a Decepticon pounding against the wall. Trying to hold back the growl, the red lamborghini rose from his berth, sliding to the door silently. "What?!," he hissed, shoving the door open.
The warrior's vocalizer shorted out not even a klik after, optics shutting down and rebooting in shock. "P-perceptor!?"
"I-i am sorry to be bothering you so late," the scientist apologized, lowering his gaze to the floor. "I realize you were probably in recharge, but you're the only one I could ask of this favour."
Sideswipe glanced at his chronometer, before shaking his helm. "No need to be sorry... Now," he grinned, getting over his surprise and turning on all his charm. "What can I do for you?"
Perceptor glanced up at him momentarily, cheekplates beginning to colour with boiled energon, before he dropped his optics to his pedes again. "I-i...," the microscope stuttered. He paused, cycled an intake, then lifted his chin; looking the warrior straight in the eye. "We have not been on speaking terms you and I, and though I think it should be something to rectify to increase team proficiency in the near future, I come for another reason tonight. The conditions are most optimal to collect some samples of Earth's rare vegetation, but the target is a great distance from the Ark and within clear range of a Decepticon attack. If I don't gather specimens tonight, then I fear I shall have to wait several more years before the organism will seed once again. Hence, why I require your assistance."
The red lamborghini was intrigued by the scientist's sudden confidence, his processor just lazily going over what Perceptor had said, while continuing to grin at the smaller mech. "And you've got permission for this late night stroll?," Sideswipe asked, genuinely curious. He couldn't see Prowl agreeing for the Autobot's top scientist to go wandering in distant, unprotected areas under the cover of darkness, just to pick some flowers.
"Yes," Perceptor replied, gaze still locked onto Sideswipe's. "Prowl has granted me base leave if I acquired the appropriate cover and means of transportation."
The warrior did his best to reign in his snort. 'Yeah, and he probably didn't take you to be serious about this, let alone actually drafting someone's help for such a trip.' Peeking over his shoulder, Sideswipe was glad to see Sunstreaker still in recharge. Silently he stepped out into the hall, shutting his berthroom door behind him. "So then... a little midnight drive, just you and me, huh?," Sideswipe grinned, leaning in close to Perceptor.
"A scientific expedition," the microscope corrected.
The lamborghini leered all the same. No matter what Perceptor might say, tonight was going to be just the two of them -no interfering "Good Samaritans" and the like. Sideswipe vowed to make this night memorable. He transformed into alt-mode, opening his driver's door in invitation to the scientist. "Let's split!"
Hesitating only momentary, Perceptor nodded his helm, transforming as well and nestling as a microscope in the warrior's front seat. The plush chair seemed to swallow him up, seat belt zipping out and wrapping about the other 'bot snugly. "Hold on tight," Sideswipe warned eagerly, engine revving loudly before the lamborghini was tearing down the Ark hallways; escaping with the scientist out into the star-lit night.
This was boring.
Sideswipe pouted, optics never leaving Perceptor's form with the exception of an occasional sideways glance when he saw the scientist look over in his direction. The frontliner was currently sitting on the sparsest patch of grass he could find; blaster still in subspace though he knew it would be wiser to have it out while they were out in the open. There was no telling when a Decepticon might attack... but honestly, Sideswipe had been hoping that him and the microscope would be doing some more distracting activities at this time.
Well, that plan had been shot down before he could even implement it.
Perceptor had transformed immediately the moment they arrived at the field, pulling various equipment out of his subspace and setting them neatly on the ground. Taking a set of tweezers and a container, the scientist set off for his specimen, stepping lightly through the luminescent field, trying not to disturb the strange yet beautiful phosphorous plants growing in this area. Finding himself a good spot, Perceptor bent down and began to work: analyzing the vegetation within its natural habitat and then taking samples.
No matter how much Sideswipe tried to approach this situation, he just couldn't draw the scientist's attention; and when he did manage to do that, it was only to be scolded that his careless tromping about was damaging the fragile organisms and disturbing the other's work. Feeling suddenly chagrined, the warrior had retreated a safe distance away before sitting down, staring sulkily at Perceptor's back.
Why was this such a challenge?!
Berthing Perceptor should have been easy -hell, Bluestreak, though holding a grudge still against the Twins, was easy enough to persuade into a romp if they so wished it. Why then was a timid, little scientist proving more difficult than a scorned gunner?
Sideswipe released an intake heavily, turning his helm away as the sound piqued Perceptor's attention. Waiting until the scientist was absorbed back into his work again, the frontliner returned to his sullen watching of the smaller Autobot.
You know... highlighted by the pale glow of the flowers, Perceptor looked...
The gunning of jet engines jolted Sideswipe from his thoughts, and cursing, the warrior lunged to his pedes; charging for the scientist, not even bothering to look to see where the Decepticon was heading from. "Look out!"
Null-ray fire tore up the grass around them as the lamborghini tackled Perceptor to the ground, a gasp of pain and surprise escaping from the microscope. "S-sideswipe," Perceptor whimpered, fear evident in the other's vocalizer though he attempted to hide it.
Growling angrily, the warrior shoved away from the smaller Autobot, whipping his blaster from subspace as he hurried to get to his pedes. "C'mon, come fight me like a real mech!," Sideswipe yelled into the night, turning about frequently; gun raised and optics shifting about for signs of the enemy.
Clouds had moved in, covering the moonlight and plunging the field into near darkness. Not even the phosphorescent plants could illuminate the area. From behind him, Sideswipe could hear Perceptor scrambling upright, servos brushing against the ground in near panic, attempting to gather his things. The urge to tell the microscope to fragging stop moving was getting harder and harder to resist... The warrior was saved such an action though by the sudden peal of cruel laughter emitting from the shadows.
"Go for a late night flight, and lookie what I find... Two glitch mice ripe for the kill!," came Skywarp's voice.
"You're not killing anyone tonight, you wretched steel pigeon!," Sideswipe shot back, turning about slowly, trying to pinpoint where the annoying voice had come from. There was the roar of engines at the taunt, and then the seeker was shooting out from his cover and straight for the frontliner's left flank. Not expecting Skywarp to be that low to the ground, or even that close, Sideswipe had difficulty dodging the Decepticon's charge.
"I don't think so, judo-brat!," Skywarp growled, teleporting behind the lamborghini. Sideswipe whirled about quickly, firing off a shot the same time that the jet did. Dropping backwards, the warrior was able to avoid the majority of the assault, the laser only streaking a small burn across his shoulder. His earlier shot though hit Skywarp right in the arm before the seeker was able to teleport away.
"Sideswipe!," Perceptor cried in the darkness, hearing his companion's hiss of pain.
"Slagging... be quiet Perceptor!"
"B-but, I -ack!" Sideswipe cursed lowly, standing up again and lifting his blaster. The clouds moved on again and moonlight poured over the field, revealing what he had feared might happen. Perceptor stood shakily on his legs, optics bright with terror, servos to his throat where the larger servo of the seeker was clasped tight about his neck cables.
"Lookie what I found," Skywarp hissed, turning a twisted grin to Sideswipe. "I think the little fragger needs a remodel... maybe a nice, fat, burning hole to match the one you gave me." The jet raised his injured arm with gritted denta, pressing the barrel of his blaster tight against the scientist's back struts. Perceptor tried his best to swallow back his whimper at the cold metal touching his armour.
"Let him go...," Sideswipe growled, lifting his blaster to optic level.
"And why should I?," the seeker taunted. "Because of your silly Autobot mentality, or...," a pause to laugh condescendingly, "Because you're afraid to lose your favourite squeeze?"
"Hardly," the warrior snapped back. "It's only because I'd hate you to waste your time killing little petrorabbits who can't even fight back, while a better opponent stands before you. Or do you like the reputation of a mech who can only bully plants and sparklings?"
"Shut up!," Skywarp yelled, tightening his hold on Perceptor before tossing the Autobot to the side. "I could take you on any cycle, Autobutt! But just for that, say goodbye to your little spike-pillow!" The black and purple jet turned away from Sideswipe, pointing his gun at the trembling microscope on the ground. The moment's distraction was enough for the lamborghini to lunge forward, ramming into the seeker's side just as he pulled the trigger.
"Perceptor!" Sideswipe disentangled himself from Skywarp as quickly as he could, facing the fallen scientist. His spark pulsed erratically in his chest and it felt like ice water was pumping through his energon lines. He almost choked with relief when Perceptor jolted suddenly at being addressed, rolling over and facing the lamborghini.
"S-side...sw-swipe...," the microscope vented disjointedly. Coolant had pooled just under the other's optics and condensation slicked his forehead. In the ground just next to where his helm had been laying was a smoking hole -the spot that Skywarp's shot had landed at. "Sideswipe, l-look out!"
The warrior elbowed behind him, hitting Skywarp square in the abdominal plating, making the seeker gasp sharply in pain, dropping his blaster to the ground again. Not wasting a klik more, Sideswipe whirled on the seeker, grabbing a wing and kicking the Decepticon in the stomach armour. Skywarp bent over double, choking on his intakes, but the Autobot was hardly finished with him. Sideswipe pulled his fist back, driving it into the jet's cheekplate first, and then into the side of his helm, with enough force to make the metal dent.
Yelling sharply in pain, Skywarp lifted his arms and randomly fired away. The warrior was too angry to care about the Decepticon's wayward shots, but he had to re-evaluate his enthusiasm when Skywarp's nullrays centered in on his chest plates, firing a powerful blast. Sideswipe heard Perceptor shout again from behind him; Skywarp slipping out of his crushing hold and, with a great deal of pain, transforming and disappearing into the night sky. The threat gone now, the scientist scrambled for the lamborghini, lifting the fallen mech's helm into his lap.
"Sideswipe -Sideswipe, answer me! Please, oh Primus, please still be online!"
Sideswipe coughed, flecks of energon staining his lip components. "...Ah, Percy...," the warrior grinned weakly. "Y-you can be q-quite loud when ya want t-to be, huh...?"
"Sideswipe!," Perceptor sobbed in relief. "O-oh, I'm so sorry Sideswipe. I-i-i... I-i did not think t-there would be any actual danger. I d-did not mean for you to g-get hurt!"
The lamborghini waved off the microscope's words, attempting to sit up. He halted that action, hissing, as he felt something tear painfully inside of him. For a moment, his vision disappeared in a flash of blinding light, before the pixels reorientated themselves and he could see again. "No, Sideswipe! You mustn't move!"
"Y-yeah... bad idea...," the warrior grimaced, lowering himself back onto the ground. "I think I'll just lay here a bit longer," he added, resting his helm back in Perceptor's lap. The scientist brushed his helm and cheekplates worriedly.
"I-i... I've contacted R-ratchet and Prowl. A retrieval squad should be a-arriving at our coordinates soon," the still trembling mech informed, his servos never stopping in their anxious touching.
"Ah, geez," Sideswipe chuckled lowly, hissing again when the action ground against the broken components within him; pressing a little closer to the warm thighs framing his face, "I bet the Hatchet will be glad to see me. I think I've ruptured the same fuel lines as last time..."
"Y-you should not make jokes like that. Now, please, d-don't talk so much. You must conserve energy until the others can get here," Perceptor said. The warrior shuttered his optics, looking up into the microscope's face with shock. He noticed the coolant making silent tracks down the other's cheek seams... he had never seen the other cry before...
"...Percy, don't cry. Please. I'm going to be just fine. 'Sides... you look better when you're smiling."
A small, watery chuckle came from the scientist. "O-okay. Sorry...," a shaking servo wiped quickly at his optics. "I-i'm sorry again, Sideswipe. I-i didn't even thank you yet for c-coming all this way out here with me... a-and now I know that simple gratitude isn't enough after what h-happened tonight."
The lamborghini shrugged as best as he could. "Hey, didn't I say something about smiling being better suited for you?," he pointed out, trying to get the other 'bot to cheer up.
Another small laugh from Perceptor. "Yes... yes you did," he said, and then a tiny, beautiful smile came to the microscope's lip components; shining down on the injured mech laying before him.
And that's when it hit him.
Two very important things suddenly clicking in the lamborghini's processor.
One, that Sunstreaker had been comming him for the last half hour with no success; no doubt roused from recharge by the sensation of his twin in pain through the bond, and ready to tear his careless brother apart for his disappearing act.
And two...
Somehow, someway, Sideswipe had fallen in love with Perceptor.
