Author: gatekat and starshield on LJ
Pairing: Jazz/Prowl, Prowl/Soundwave
Rating: PG-13
Codes: Crossover, Slash
Summary:
Disclaimer: The authors are only playing with their own twisted muses. Transformers belong to Hasbro. Fandom-side, check the inspirations page ( gatekat-fics .livejournal .com/290 .html ) We draw from a ton of amazing stories and authors you should read.
Notes: klik = 1 minute; breem = 8.3 minutes; joor = 6.3 hours; orn = day/32 joor; metacycle = 6 (5.9285) years; vorn = 83 years/14 metacycles
~text~ bond/hardline talk
::text:: comm chatter
At All Costs 02 Developments
It had been a most productive shift, and Prowl had to concede that his company had been right. Jazz had amazed him at every turn, shown him a world he had never known existed, relaxed him so that he had recharged an entire allotted cycle, not just the minimum required for his frame type, and woken him in a most pleasant manner.
When it had come time for Prowl to report to his shift he had found himself reluctant to let the silver minibot go, despite his knowledge of the mech's schedule and his own. Jazz had pulled things out of him that no one still functioning had seen. Prowl had shared things with Jazz that he was unwilling to share with anyone else, and he felt no regret over it, no fear.
Already he had arranged things so that when the mech visited next, provided he was not overridden, Prowl was on his schedule. An arrangement the Praxian was looking forward to with anticipation. Putting the finishing touches on several plans and making annotations to one that needed to be revised by those in charge he finished up his shift, taking a moment to submit several requests before shutting the terminal down and locking it.
It was almost disappointing, the thought that he was going to return to his quarters, to his old routine. The distraction had been pleasant, and one that Prowl would like to repeat more often. Perhaps- a ping on his comm distracted him from that line of thought, and it was with surprise that Prowl identified to origin.
He straightened unconsciously as he answered, even though there was no one there to see. :: Yes sir?::
::Query: Prowl consumed orn's ration.::
Well, he had downed one that morning, his reading indicating that his systems wanted the boost after the prior evenings activities, but that had been one of the emergency rations he kept in his own quarters, and not his ration for the orn. ::Not for the current orn. Readings indicate a need to refuel before recharging.::
::Query: Prowl will join Soundwave in the officer's recreation room for energon.::
::Of course sir.:: Gathering up the few datapads he had planned to take back to work on Prowl left his work station. ::Estimated arrival time: two breems.::
The extra few kliks factored in would allow for any hold ups along the way.
::Satisfactory,:: Soundwave replied and cut the comm line.
As it turned out, Prowl didn't need the full two breems. No one bothered him on the walk there, though everyone glanced at him. Exactly the way it always was.
His appearance in the rec room met with similar passing interest. Everyone always wanted to know who'd walked in, but that was where interest typically ended. This time Laserbeak flew from his master's shoulder to Prowl's.
"Master has the energon," the little symbiot chirred. "Special for you."
Prowl did not allow his curiosity to show, moving a sensor wing some to give Laserbeak more room as he crossed the space to join the waiting Soundwave. He noted only absently that the host was devoid of his symbiotic menagerie, leaving him looking like he was missing most of his frame. He stopped politely by the table, waiting for an offer before being seated. Present at Soundwave's invitation or not, Prowl was still the junior officer.
"Prowl: sit," Soundwave motioned to the empty chair, one designed for winged frames, and the glowing energon cube in front of it. "Soundwave and Prowl: not on duty."
It matched the cube Soundwave had and by the time he sat down, Prowl worked out that this wasn't standard grade. It wasn't high grade either, however. At least not the kind that was at the celebrations he had been ordered to attend.
"Energon: Mixmaster's personal formula." Soundwave supplied.
"Very hard to get," Laserbeak chirred and rubbed his head against Prowl's cheek plates. "Smooth and tasty."
The Praxian took his seat, tilting his head to momentarily study the symbiot. The display was one he had seen before and had always classified as affection. It was also something he was not sure he could ever recall being directed at any but Soundwave. When nothing else was offered by way of explanation he reached for the energon, raising it to Soundwave before taking a sip.
The energon was everything that Laserbeak had promised, stunning Prowl's senses. It was smooth, sliding across his glossa, the lingering taste rich and a whole new experience. He vented softly, replacing the cube carefully on the table and inclining his head to Soundwave. "Exquisite. My thanks. And I must also offer my thanks for my company last night, which I understand was also your doing."
"Prowl: should enjoy the freedoms we fight for," Soundwave said evenly, only the tiniest inflections in his voice. Yet to the mech who spoke with similar reserve, the approval was as clear as if said outright. "Freedoms to enjoy functioning."
The large blue mech seemed to hesitate fractionally as Ravage brushed against Prowl's pedes and took up a lounge behind the Praxian. A defensive posture to protect against whatever came while not actually expecting any trouble.
"Pleasurebot Jazz: very skilled. Suitable to introduce Prowl to such activities before others do," Soundwave continued after a small sip of his cube.
Sensor wings twitched slightly, following the path of the feline symbiot until Ravage settled, and after a moment of consideration went still. The surrounding protection was different, and Prowl slowly adjusted to being in such close proximity to others, focusing instead on Soundwave's most recent comment and confirming that this was not meant to a working meeting like he had first suspected.
He considered the possible layered implication of the words, and when he answered his tone was carefully neutral. "I was unaware I was being considered for such activities. I will pay more attention."
"Prowl: highly desirable to several mechs," Soundwave focused on him. "Prowl's best interests: not of concern to some. Advice: be cautious who is allowed in berth."
The first part was surprising, and before last night Prowl would have been even more surprised to hear that he was considered desirable. That fact that his best interests were not close to spark for many of this fellow faction members, on the other hand, was not.
"I shall," he replied, glancing to the side as Laserbeak fluttered on his shoulder again and starting to view his current location in a rather different light. Now that he was looking at it in the light of interest, Soundwave's actions seemed clear. A public display of sharing special, very hard to get energon. Two of the communication/Intel officer's most prized symbiots clearly displaying their protection of Prowl to any who would look. The statement that he and Soundwave were not on duty.
Yet with no solid evidence to act upon he settled for taking another sip of the energon, the flavor as intense this time as it had been the first. He could understand why it was so prized. He did not care to think about what Soundwave paid for it.
"Price: acceptable." Soundwave extended his EM field cautiously, only just brushing against Prowl's in an invitation for a slight bit of intimacy ... and a relatively blatant statement of his interest. There was no other reason to try.
Prowl's initial reaction was rejection of the contact, despite all the apparent effort to make him feel safe. Tension stiffened every inch of his frame, visible before he forced himself to relax. He weighed everything- his past against the present, today against where he had been at the same time yesterday. He had learned much in that short span of time.
Balance.
So he accepted the contact and simply limited what he allowed to slip into his field, constantly monitoring his own feelings. While he acknowledged it was far less of a defense against the mech seated across from him, it was hopefully an expression of his view of the situation at the time.
Across the new connection Soundwave pushed his understanding, acceptance and something Prowl was quite certain was pleasure.
"Exchange: mutual now," Soundwave told him. "Prowl will know some of what Soundwave experiences."
A tiny flicker of unease came from the symbiot host. "Prowl: desirable to Soundwave."
The Praxian's head tilted in acknowledgement as he analyzed the mutual exchange, and the confession. He relaxed a little more, not finding the admission troublesome, though it was not yet reciprocated on the same level.
Acceptance flickered through his field of the current arrangement. "Why?"
"Prowl: intelligent, insightful, logical, strong willed, dedicated ... caring," Soundwave listed the traits he found most appealing. "Prowl: desirable."
Many of those were traits that Prowl recognized in himself and he accepted them without question, taking the time to study the mech before him. The idea that he was desirable was still questionable to him, and now rather confusing. Jazz had expressed an extreme attraction to his physical appearance, but all of the characteristics that Soundwave had described had nothing to do with his frame shape.
Caring ... that one was still throwing his analysis off as well. Prowl had stopped caring long ago, or so he thought. And his initial observation of his fellow officer had resulted in conclusion that the mech existed for the same reason as Prowl- to function and to serve the bottom line. A re-evaluation was now in order.
"A host must care for their symbiots or they will find another," the blue mech answered the unspoken question. "I am their master. I am responsible for their well being in all ways. Any I would be with must have the ability to care about them as well."
New insight. The symbiots had always been devoted to Soundwave, but Prowl had believed they had no other choice. The implication that they remained with Soundwave out of a desire to do so implied that the large mech treated them well. Very well.
The new idea also roused Prowl's sense of curiosity, and he had to resist the urge to reach out to the symbiots nearby. Just because Soundwave was allowing them to remain so close to Prowl, perched on his shoulder, in Laserbeak's case, did not mean the contact would be welcomed or tolerated.
"You may," Soundwave caught the thought easily. "He will tell you when he wishes to be left alone."
"I will," the avian trilled. "Won't snip fingers off like with Starscream either," he cackled, apparently delighted with the memory.
Across their lightly meshed fields, Prowl felt Soundwave's amusement, though he couldn't tell if it was at the antics of the symbiot or the event. Either way Prowl was sure that Starscream had deserved whatever damage Laserbeak had done to his extremities and allowed that carry across as he reached out the symbiot perched on his shoulder, also extending his field just far enough to sense Ravage as well, not wishing to appear biased in his attention.
Laserbeak easily snuggled into his field, wrapping it around himself with a trilling coo. He pressed closer to Prowl's plating, taking up a posture that was similar to what he did with Soundwave when trying to disappear in plain sight.
It was what filtered across their fields as the symbiot meshed them that captivated Prowl's attention, however. Pleasure, happiness, a fierce protectiveness of Soundwave that was cautiously being extended to Prowl. More than anything, though, was a sense of kin that did not come naturally to a race that were typically sparked in an adult frame ready to go to work.
On the tail of Laserbeak's emotions came Ravage. Feminine, a point the symbiot wanted to make abundantly clear. Ravage was a femme by choice, and Pit take anyone who objected. When no objection came from Prowl at the statement, she felt much the same as Laserbeak. Pleased with Prowl. Pleased at what was happening. Willing to kill, die or live for Soundwave and a very cautious indication that her loyalties could be extended to Prowl.
Sensor wings rose and tipped forward, shielding Laserbeak even more in an unconscious response from Prowl to the presence in his field. The idea that they were pleased with him was interesting, accepted. Their devotion to Soundwave was an insight to another facet of the mech, one that Prowl had the suspicion that not many were privilege to.
Distracted, he reached out more to Ravage, acceptance pointedly on the surface. Why would he object to her preference?
"Many do not believe symbiots are fully sentient, or even sparked," Soundwave said after savoring another mouthful of the energon, though he did not retract his mask to consume it. "Such a choice is thought beyond them."
Ravage simply purred, a deep rumbling sound that would have been threatening if Prowl couldn't feel exactly what it meant; the large symbiot was happy.
"Foolish." Prowl commented, clearly meaning those who underestimated the symbiots. But it also explained part of the reason that the small ones were so effective at what they did. The tactician was keenly aware that a lot of information he had to work with was a result the prowess of the symbiots.
He was also starting to find their presence somewhat soothing, though he was not sure that some of it was not the quality of the energon he was consuming.
"Overcharge: improbable," Soundwave supplied. "Potency: standard. Quality: improved. Conversation: continue in my quarters?"
Very clearly across their interlaced EM fields Prowl felt that Soundwave intended only conversation. It was simply a more private location.
It would also send another signal to those watching that Prowl was accepting the TIC's advances, though Prowl also knew that meant very little to most mechs here.
So it had nothing to do with the energon and everything to do with his own perceptions. Prowl filed that away as he inclined his helm. "That would be an acceptable distraction before recharge." While the public setting was an initial nice touch, and a now obvious claim, there were questions Prowl had that were not suitable for such a place.
Soundwave nodded and stood, politely waiting for Prowl to join him, half finished energon cubes in hand, before walking to the door. Buzzsaw swooped down from somewhere above to land on his master's shoulder. The two avians immediately began to chatter in their own very unusual dialect, a different language for all practical purposes and one beyond Prowl's understanding.
"Learn: in time," Soundwave told him as they walked down the corridor towards the officer's quarters where they both resided. "Symbiot language: very different."
Ravage took up her post on Prowl's side away from Soundwave, once more bracketing the Praxian in a protective sphere. It was the feline's thoughts that clued Prowl in to the fact than among those here, Prowl was considered the one in most need of protection. Soundwave was a fierce warrior, well known for decimating Autobot ranks at Megatron's side even though comm and Intel were his official functions. Prowl had yet to see a battle in person, though if Megatron and Starscream were to be believed, that was likely to change soon. His rank was too high to remain shielded from it for much longer; Decepticon culture demanded strength and battle readiness in its officers. As the technical 5th in command, Prowl could no longer afford to remain detached from the front lines and the mechs he sent to die.
Or rather, Megatron could no longer afford to allow Prowl to remain detached.
Rather than be offended by this assessment, Prowl evaluated it and found a very high probability that the assessment was accurate. Which meant that the next logical steps were determining his weaknesses, and what skills he possessed that could be used in a battle setting and honing them to their highest level of possible readiness. Besides his lack of hands on experience his most prominent weakness was at least easy to identify.
His sensor wings.
While the sensory panels would give him an edge in keeping track of his surroundings, they were also an obvious and easy target to exploit. A single good hit to one of the panels would take him out of the battle quickly. A great deal of his attention suddenly shifted to the immediate problem, just enough of his processor still dedicated to his surroundings to avoid running into any of his current company.
"Suggestions: desirable?" Soundwave asked, though by rank he had every right to simply order the changes.
"Welcomed." Prowl agreed, suspecting the large mech would have better idea of how he might best survive the upcoming change in his functioning.
"Sensor wings: have third panel removed. Loss: 5% data. Gain: 30% smaller target," Soundwave began. "Install: sensor block and energon flow regulator in case of damage. Combat training: Soundwave, Skywarp, Counterpunch."
Silent contemplation and evaluation of the suggestions. Having the senor panel removed was a sound suggestion, and he started running the numbers of how much of an advantage it would be to return to having a single one in combat circumstances. He had begun his functioning with only a single set, and returning to that state would not be much of a hardship.
The installations would be needed with however many panels he ended up keeping, or he would be a liability on the battlefield. Combat training was a must as well. He was thankful for the offer from Soundwave, and Counterpunch was also a sound suggestion. However..."Skywarp?"
"Skywarp: poor fighter for a Seeker. Large wings. Rarely hit. Skywarp: skilled at dodging with large, vulnerable wings," Soundwave explained as he opened the door to his quarters.
For a brief moment Prowl's thoughts moved off the discussion and focused on a space very different from his own quarters. As he expected, Soundwave's quarters were far larger than his own, though it was less a function of greater rank and more a function of being one of the tallest mechs with ten symbiots. Each one had its own space it seemed as well. He could pick how who had which cubby with relative ease.
"Skywarp." Prowl said, making it sound like the agreement it was as he looked around openly. The arrangement was completely logical. Still, not wanting to dig too deeply he looked to the part of the room that was obviously Soundwave's portion. The berth, larger than even Soundwave would have needed, dominated one corner. A large, well-used and flawlessly organized desk that melded into a data/entertainment center worthy of the most powerful communications and Intel officer on Cybertron dominated much of the rest.
Yet there were also personal touches. Not many, but more than Prowl's quarters sported. A mural of a stylized Cybertron at sunrise spread across the entire wall containing the door. A holoframe rotated image-captures of before the war, and possibly during it. Images mostly of symbiots, both those who now called Soundwave master, and ones Prowl did not know. A small, delicate crystal statue of Primus, his spark glowing brightly from within, sat protected on a shelf above the side of the berth.
Prowl paused, appreciating the mural for the piece of art it was and glancing at the rotating images. It was oddly the statue of Primus that caught his attention. He had stopped believing in the supposed source of their race vorns ago, and he surprised to see the image in Soundwave's quarters. Finally he tore his gaze from the statue and looked to his host for instructions.
"Prowl: be comfortable." Soundwave said with an offering movement of his arm towards the portion of the room that seemed a little out of place, an addition that hadn't yet settled in. Two chairs, one sized for Soundwave, the other for a small winged frame; for a Praxian. Both padded and designed for extended comfort. Each with a side table and within a few steps of a small case of bookfile datapads.
Surprised, Prowl nodded his thanks and obediently settled himself in the chair obviously placed there with him in mind. He waited for Soundwave to settle as well and found Ravage settling by his side rather than Soundwave's.
"Prowl: has questions. Soundwave: will answer," the large mech spoke evenly, a slight inflection in his tonal quality hinting at his pleasure to do so for Prowl.
"Thank you." Prowl murmured, gathering his thoughts before focusing on a point that he had stored away to address later anyway. Now seemed as good of a time as any, with a willing source of information sitting with him. "You had said there were others that were interested in me as well. Will you tell me who they are, so that I may plan?"
Soundwave nodded. "Hook: perceives Prowl's perfection of plans as a complement to his perfection in work. Onslaught: views Prowl as possible equal and definite threat. Desires stem from goal to control perceived threat. Reflector: enamored by Prowl's appearance. Viewfinder: most fixated. Runamuck and Runabout: view Prowl as a conquest. Scrapper: enamored by Prowl's intellect, skill and modesty. Shockwave; desires and appreciation similar to Soundwave. Smokescreen; views Prowl as a conquest. Desires stem from mutual Praxian origin and Prowl's apparent disinterest in others. Tracer: views Prowl as a conquest."
Prowl's stiffened in his seat, sensor panels flaring a bit at the sheer length of the list. He had no idea that he was viewed as desirable for whatever reason by so many of his fellow Decepticons. Accepting Soundwave's attentions would deal with some of them, an excuse if they dared approach and consequences most were unwilling to face if they actually crossed the line.
For the others ... his processor went to work, tactical computer speeding through scenarios, creating and storing solutions from highest chance of success to lowest. Other potential factors were considered, and combat training was instantly elevated to a top priority. Several of the mechs would be deterred if Prowl could back up any threats he was forced to make. Strength was a key factor in the ranking of Decepticons, and now Prowl would see to it that his physical abilities were as equal with his mental functions as possible.
He slipped deeper into planning mode, distracted.
Soundwave allowed him, watching with interest and listening with unbridled fascination at the functioning of a processor unique among the Decepticons. There were many brilliant Decepticons, several skilled tacticians, but none whose processors functioned as Prowl's did. Even though the telepath could follow, at best, 30% of what Prowl was thinking in this mode, he desired to experience it, reveled in the beautiful efficiency of the processor, battle computer and logic circuits so perfectly integrated that they were effectively a single system.
Plans were made, evaluated, altered, disregarded or stored in rapid succession, each name on the list worked through systematically. Some were processed in the spaces of a klik or two, the longest taking a breem or a little more. Finally the last one was laid to rest, the Praxian reading as satisfied with his work as he cycled back to awareness and focused on Soundwave once more.
Embarrassment at ignoring his host was instant, apology quickly on its heels as sensor panels folded in a visible display of request-forgive/apology.
"Granted," Soundwave said easily, his empty rib-struts sliding open slightly. "It is fascinating to watch your work."
"My intended function, now altered." Prowl said, acknowledging the compliment while refusing to take credit for it at the same time. He earned himself some time by sipping slowly at the energon, savoring it as something of its quality warranted. At the same time he searched for something to talk about. Questions he had in plenty, but which to ask?
What did Soundwave actually want from him? Laserbeak and Ravage appeared to approve of Prowl, but having met those two and felt their distinctive personalities the Praxian was sure each of the other symbiots was just as unique. What if even one of them did not approve of their host's interest in Prowl? What if-? The tactical part of Prowl's processor sped into action, still near the surface after being called upon to compile so many plans. When presented with a new problem it reacted, automatically drawing energy and processing power default set for its use.
"Prowl: attention requested," Soundwave interrupted the battle computer, drawing Prowl's attention away from planning and to his host.
Sensor wings fluttered lightly in distress at requiring the reprimand, no matter how mildly stated, and Prowl focused his protocols on keeping his attention on Soundwave.
"Soundwave: desires to court Prowl. Desires a lover-equal," the large mech focused on him intently, yet the telltale tingle of a deep processor scan was absent. "Soundwave: offers resources, status, protection, self. Soundwave: desires fidelity to self and protection of symbiots.
"Symbiots: already approve of Prowl. Soundwave: would not act if they did not. Symbiots: highly valued by hosts. Symbiots: grant status, power, resources, strength to their host."
"Short form: he protects us, we protect him, everyone wins. You protect us, we'll protect you. You make him happy, we'll love you," Ravage spoke for the first time Prowl could think of. "Yes, I have a normal vocalizer and the processor to use it. Don't go spreading it around. I prefer them thinking I'm a hunter drone."
"Makes our job much easier," Laserbeak chirred with an affectionate rub of his head along Prowl's cheek. "He means to court you to. It's a big deal for a host to take a mate. Really, really big deal."
"We're our own society," Rumble spoke up from a cubbyhole, uncurling to make himself visible. "You already know more about us than even Megatron," he added with something of a warning. "Don't make us regret trusting you."
Prowl had to resist the urge to fall back on his computer just to process everything that had been thrown at him in the span of a few kliks, answers to questions he had wanted or not. Answers he had gotten, but the implications that went with them opened entirely new levels of understanding and possibility, levels that would take at least several joor for him to sort through to his complete satisfaction.
Initial comfort, at least, with the idea that Soundwave wanted him as an equal, and not entirely for his own devices as so many others intended. Comfort too, since he had no intention of being anything but at least respectful and courteous to the large mech, that the symbiots would at least tolerate him until he got everything sorted out.
The warning...he accepted the affection from Laserbeak openly and inclined his head to Rumble, acknowledgment and a promise of that for as much as it was in his power. "I will do my best."
It seemed to be enough for them all.
"Prowl: desires time to processes new information. Prowl: is welcome here or to analyze data elsewhere," Soundwave spoke quietly.
Quietness as Prowl finished off the energon, setting he empty cube aside carefully, taking the time weigh even this. He needed time without distraction to process all of this, and while he had certainly come to appreciate the company he had suddenly found himself in, they were still distractions. Even more so because they factored so heavily into what he needed to process. Just their mere presence on the outskirts of his conscious, because they were still constantly shifting variables, constantly altered his conclusions without letting him settle on one.
Decision made, Prowl allowed his gaze to sweep once around the room, including everyone before focusing on Soundwave. "I thank you for a most pleasant evening. However, I believe, for tonight at least, it would be best if I were to return to my own quarters now."
Laserbeak chirred and rubbed his cheek lightly before launching from his shoulder to his roost near the ceiling.
"Choice: expected," Soundwave said smoothly and stood, offering a large hand to Prowl. "Prowl: meet Soundwave for regular energon after next shift?" he sounded quite hopeful.
A moment of hesitation, not at the meeting but at the actual physical touch. The Prowl got himself under control and accepted the offer, allowing Soundwave to help him to his pedes. "I look forward to sharing energon again."
"Prowl's company: always welcome," Soundwave said before letting go of Prowl's hand and guiding him to the door. His EM field reached out for Prowl's once more, though it did not ask to mingle. This was simply a message: pleasure/gratitude/content.
Acceptance and thanks were offered in return as Prowl was shown out the door, the Praxian making his way to his quarters with a great deal to consider.