Seeing the vast skyline dashed with fluffy white clouds and hints of the orangish-red sunset on the horizon was such an invigorating sense of relief. Being on the topmost part of the city, the bitter air cooled the blue mech who stood fanning his wings in its wake. This was a welcoming sensation that seemed to wipe away the past grief. Alone once again, but this time, the mech relished his solidarity giving him time to sort through memories and thoughts.

They say that breaking up is hard to do, and Thundercracker knew this all too well. Whenever he found a fellow seeker that caught his fancy, be it with their dashing good looks or simply had a lot in common, the blue winged mech would begin the courtship with vigor. Fine gifts where brought to his chosen mech as well as tons of affection. He played by the rules and treated his partner with respect. But for whatever Primus-forsaken reason, no seeker ever accepted his courtship.

With a sigh, Thundercracker stretched his arms to the skies. He heard what was said about him and why no one accepted to bond with him. To put it simply, he was too dominant. Thundercracker just liked to be the one in charge, so much that it either frightened his partners away or the blue mech himself called it off. He just wished his courted mech would understand and want to be taken care of.

What did it mean to Thundercracker to be the dominant in the trine bond? Well, it meant he was in control. He wanted to be the provider, the one to care for his partners, and the one who protected him. It was just so prominent in his coding that he needed this position. He wanted that responsibility. And it was that desire that ruined his courtships. Why couldn't the other mechs understand this and simply allow Thundercracker to be in charge? He was open about this with them, after all.

His latest relationship lasted only a few months, and due to his inability to change his thinking, the partnership ended just like the other ones. Even specifically courting seekers that had tendencies of being submissive ended the same way with the two mechs parting ways. The constant rejection was spark breaking to him, and was taking a toll on his desire to have a family. No matter how much he searched, he couldn't find a mech to complete the puzzle, to complete himself, or complete a trine.

As the last of the oranges sunk beneath the towering buildings, Thundercracker let go of his troubled thoughts and just enjoyed the moment. The urge to fly rose, to speed past the feathery clouds and to race through the last moments of light. He could totally loose himself in the skies that surrounded Vos. His wings fanned in excitement, however, it was short lived. There was a party going on, and it was important to Thundercracker's creators, and therefore he should make a presence there. Perhaps after a bit he could slip away, but for now, the lure of the skies will have to wait.

The downcast mech made his way down from the roof and wondered his way through the great halls to the gathering. While deep in thought, he walked through the doorways and entered a room full of joyous mechs who where having a good time. They gathered in several small groups littered throughout the hall, chattering and laughing among themselves. How he longed to join in with the festivities! To gossip of the good times and and chortle with good company as you sipped your fancy drink would surely be a marvelous time. However, being in his current mood prevented this, and the blue mech simply walked to get himself a drink then retreated to an empty table to sit. He watched his fellow seekers with envy at their carefree night.

The blue mech nearly spilled his drink when a hand clasped him on the shoulder. With eyes furrowed, he turned to see who had disturbed his thoughts. To his surprise, he saw his red and blue friend from long ago.

"Starscream!" Thundercracker shouted as he stood up to greet his pal. "Wow, you're back!" He pulled his friend in warm hug. "It's been a long time."

"Yes, it has," Starscream replied. "It's nice to see you again, Tc."

"Likewise," The blue seeker said as he offered Starscream a seat. "I'm surprised you aren't at the University."

"I'm done there," The red and blue mech firmly stated. His lips formed a slight pout as a sad expression played on his face, but was quickly covered up. "So, what have you been up to?"

Tc shrugged. "Nothing really. But I don't want to talk about myself, I want to hear how things went with you. How your exploration trips went. It must have been exciting!"

Starsceam didn't answer at first, just idly played with his fingers. He gave a heavy sigh and returned his gaze to his friend. "It was the usual, you know, charting new courses to planets that looked promising. The usual. You heard all about it with the messages I sent you."

"Yeah," Thundercracker replied. "How is this Skyfire you been telling me about?" He playfully elbowed the other mech.

"I don't want to talk about him." Sadness flashed on his face, but quickly changed to anger. "How are things with Bolt?"

Thundercracker knew the other seeker was changing the subject, but played along. No sense pestering information out if he did not wish to share. "Ended a while ago. Just like the others." This was rather embarrassing to admit. "Want a drink?" He asked, and upon Starscream's nod, he got up to fetch one for his pal.

He knew the friendship between Starscream and Skyfire heated up to a relationship. The message that was sent to him of the news gave Thundercracker a feeling of happiness for his friend along with jealousy. Sure, he was glad Starscream found a lover, but part of him was still holding onto perhaps they had a chance. The blue seeker was sure that if Starscream didn't leave for the university he would have eventually got the nerve to court his friend. Regretfully, the chance never came. He still kicked himself to this day for not telling Starscream how he felt sooner.

Upon returning with the drinks, Thundercracker couldn't help but notice something was just different about the other. It was like their was a veil over his pal, and only a certain amount of his former self was showing through. He didn't like it. He didn't like the sorrow that surrounded Starscream no matter how hard the prideful seeker tried to hide it. Something happened, Thundercracker knew it. Perhaps what he was seeing was the same that was wrong with him- the desolation of a broken spark from an ending relationship.

Thundercracker placed the drinks on the table and sat back down. "I am glad you came back, Stars," He said. "No matter what happened that you refuse to share with me, I'll always be here for you. You know that, right?"

"Yes, Tc," Starscream said as he swirled his drink. "You're like a bad credit, you always turn up."

"That's no way to treat a friend," the blue seeker chuckled as the red one playfully smirked. "I missed you."

Starscream just nodded, and the two of them drank in silence. Good buddies can do that, enjoy the company without words. They sat together watching their surroundings socialize but never joined in themselves. Their drinks where quickly drained, and Thundercracker offered a refill, but Starscream shook his head no.

"I'm itching to get out of here. I don't know about you," Starscream said as he stood up, giving his wings a stretch. "I want to go fly." He held out his hand and jerked his head toward the balcony. "Care to join me?"

"Sure," Tc replied. How could he deny when the other flashed such a charming smile? He took his pal's hand and allowed himself to be led on the balcony. The night air was chilly and the clouds from before had disappeared leaving a pretty starred horizon. They stood hand in hand for a moment, gazing at the beauty of the sky that called to them.

"Ready?" Starscream asked, looking up to the taller blue seekers eyes. He grinned when the other nodded. Crouching slightly, they sprung in the air, boosters kicking on, and only let go of their hands once their transformation sequence required it. Their engines wailed as the climbed high into the atmosphere, flying side by side, and headed off into the night sky.