Blinking red eyes innocently behind black and blood red hair, Starscream pursed his lips. "No need to tell me, I know." He rolled his eyes, looking back in the mirror. "Knock Out won't shut up about him. Why not give the ginger to this guy? Why me?"
"Starscream, please calm down. You're the best. That's why I chose you. It's just for tonight, so try to behave. If he does anything you don't like, just let me know." With that, Soundwave left the room.
Starscream crossed his arms once he was finished primping, though he didn't try very hard. He had natural grace and looks that accompanied it, which made Starscream wonder if he envoked envy in the other performers. But none of them had ever been hostile towards him.
He looked at his reflection in the mirror and sighed, cupping his hands over his face. "...I'm going to kill Soundwave if this man tries anything out of line."
Knock Out poked his head into the dressing room and waved to Starscream. "He's here! Are you ready yet?" He walked in, placing his hands on his hips. Knock Out was Starscream's main stage partner, along with the youngest performer, Bumblebee. Knock Out had the most pride in his appearance and would always step in to help everyone get ready. Though, unlike Starscream, and this made him envious of Knock Out, the redhead had a lover. It was no secret that he was dating the bartender of the Nemesis, Breakdown.
"Yes, I'm ready." Starscream said, standing, his robe closed around him, part of the left sleeve hanging off his shoulder. That was the main problem Soundwave and Airachnid had when finding costumes, and clothes in general, for Starscream; nothing ever fit properly. The clothes would always be too big. Starscream was very petite, in both height and frame. His tailor bill would be enormous if Airachnid hadn't been a seamstress before coming to work for Soundwave.
The redhead rolled his eyes after looking his friend over. "You're not seriously going out there with your hair looking like that, are you?"
Starscream huffed and pouted, which he usually did when he was told to do something he didn't want to do and whenever anyone picked on his hair. "There is nothing wrong with my hair!" A lie. He didn't feel like putting his usual pride in his appearance because Soundwave refused to grant much information on his 'client'. He wasn't even wearing his usual bit of make-up.
Knock Out chuckled and forced Starscream to sit back down as he began brushing his superior's hair. "Sorry, Screamer. But this guy is a military commander. Now I know how you feel about them, but he's loaded. And he fits 'tall, dark, and handsome' perfectly. He's your type. Maybe he can get you out of this job. Can't you just settle down and see how it goes?"
"No promises." The lead dancer replied, crossing his arms again and resuming his pout. That was the best Knock Out was going to get out of Starscream.
Out on the floor level, Soundwave smiled at the silver haired male, a longtime friend of his. "A pleasure to see you again, Megatron. Welcome to my club." It had been three years since Soundwave resigned from the military, whereas Megatron, who had been his squadron leader, remained. This made the club owner wary with asking Starscream to be his host. And the raven seemed none too happy with Soundwave when the word 'military' was mentioned. "Now, I must warn you about your host for tonight..."
Megatron nodded his head and smiled at his friend. "A pleasure to see you too, Soundwave. I never would have thought you would start a club like this." he said before blinking. "How careful do I have to be with him?" he asked when he mentioned he had to warn him. Soundwave only ever warned him of something if it could turn into a threat on his life. He had been his spy master when they were both military and had saved his aft multiple times. The silver haired man was in his uniform, having just gotten out of a boring war speech. His hair was actually a bit too long for military rules since it was to his shoulders now, a point that was brought up by Sentinel Prime, so he planned on getting it cut tomorrow.
"Well... He's a bit... Feisty. Starscream has some deep-seated problems with the mlitary and he has some major trust issues. Just watch what you say. These people are family to me, so don't do anything out of the way. He has a tendency to run his mouth, so if he says something to piss you off, just don't hit him." Soundwave glanced up as Knock Out approached with the disgruntled Starscream. "There he is now."
Starscream had opted to wear a thin silver shirt with red trim, silver and black pants with one leg that stopped at his thigh, the other to his ankle. As usual, his back and arms were exposed. Which meant that things he didn't care to explain were also visible. His hair, which usually hung an inch or so past his shoulders, was pulled into a high ponytail, with bits framing his face. And he was wearing red and silver heels. Overall, he just looked like a girl.
"Starscream," Soundwave began, gently taking Starscream's hand as he shooed Knock Out away to prepare for Bumblebee's show, "this is my friend, Megatron. You will be his host tonight." The former spymaster smiled softly at his employee and then at his friend. "Now, I must go and help Airachnid prepare for Optimus." He gave a nod to Megatron and lightly patting Starscream's shoulder, which Starscream knew was a 'watch your mouth' warning, and walked off to the violet eyed woman standing at the bar with Breakdown. It was no secret that Soundwave and Airachnid were also together, or that's what everyone in the club believed, including the employees.
Megatron twitched when Soundwave mentioned Optimus."Great, Prime's going to be here too?" he muttered lowly. The only one that might have heard would have been Starscream. He regained his composure and looked at Starscream. His host was very beautiful. He could understand why Soundwave would worry. "Shall we sit?" he asked, offering his arm politely. He noticed the younger male had scars on his arms but tried not to give it away he looked. He failed. Miserably.
Starscream's shoulders tensed when he caught Megatron looking at his arms, but he took his offered limb and led him to a corner table. "Optimus always comes when Bumblebee performs." The dancer sat on the opposite side of Megatron and looked decidedly unhappy that he was near the soldier, though he tried his hardest to hide this fact. "Just like everyone else comes out of the woodworks when I perform."
Soundwave's twin sons, Rumble and Frenzy, approached Starscream and Megatron and offered to get them some drinks. Frenzy chittered something to Rumble, causing the elder twin to giggle at Starscream. "So, what can we get for ya?" They said in unison.
The raven glared at them, crimson eyes glowing in the lighting. "Screwdriver, please. Easy on the vodka."
Rumble looked up at Megatron with bright eyes. "And you, mister?"
"You have very nice skin. It's soft." Megatron said to Starscream before turning his attention to Rumble. "Anything non-alcoholic, thank you. I would rather avoid breaking a promise tonight to your father, boys," he said but was curious at what was chittered. He looked at Starscream. "If so many come, then they must really enjoy watching you perform." He said, kinda wishing he could see the raven perform but he was normally busy. He came tonight because he had the time off and wanted to see how his old friend was. He agreed to be a client though when Soundwave had asked him.
The twins nodded excitedly and scampered off, murmuring to one another.
"They do. And I enjoy giving them a good show." Starscream was fiddling with his necklace, which was a flame dragon encircling a dolphin in a small heart-shaped crystal. "Anyway... Got any war stories to tell, Sergeant?" He was surprised that the disdain stayed out of his voice, though his usual sarcasm that came with everything he said was definitely present.
"None that I'm proud of..." Megatron said, looking at the necklace. "The design looks familiar. A soldier I had the honor of serving with had a bracelet with it on it and his brother, who I also had the honor of serving with, had a ring, although he never showed it." He looked at the table and his hands as he got quiet. His eyes were distant and held a deep sadness as he remembered his time with those two particular soldiers. "They were great soldiers and better men." he muttered softly, closing his eyes shoulders sagging until he once more regained his composure.
Starscream twitched at the mention of his brothers' side of the jewelry. He raised his head to look at Megatron, his red eyes that could charm anyone now narrowed in hatred. "Says the man they died serving under, correct?" He couldn't hide the hate in his voice this time, his bitterness. Starscream hated to be reminded of his brothers, to be reminded of what he no longer had. He had lost his entire family, and the military always seemed to be involved.
His father served years ago, before Starscream was born. And he died ten years ago from an old war injury he hadn't thought was dangerous. So much for that. Jetfire was felled by experimental biological waeponry and the military didn't lift a finger to help. His mother, Slipstream, disappeared shortly after his father died, and Starscream suspected it was to keep her quiet on the military's attempts at biological warfare. And five years ago? Skywarp and Thundercracker died. In an attack that shouldn't have even happened.
"They died. And they were technically innocent casualties because it was a 'no risk' operation that ended in a rival stronghold's destruction, and the extinguishing of their lives." Starscream couldn't shut up now. He was too upset. He still remembered that day all too clearly. Watching helplessly as his brothers went into the stronghold in disguise to negotiate a truce, only for the building to come crumbling down upon them moments later.
Megatron flinched five times during the raven's speaking. "Yes. Skywarp and Thundercracker were under my command and they died because of a fool's mistake. There was a faulty report saying they had finished and were coming back, that they were far enough away and that the truce broke down. The report stated that they needed help and that the enemies were firing from inside the base as well as starting to give chase, that they had been hurt and couldn't get out alone. Because I didn't want to lose two of my best men and two of the only ones I would have ever trusted with my life OR called my friends, I gave the order. Their spark was extinguished and it was MY fault. I found that out when I went to the ruins of the base and found them dead with the enemies." He said, not about to deny his mistake. "My mistake cost two men their lives and left their brother alone..." He had been told about their brother and how much he meant to them. Not a day has gone by he didn't think about what he had done. It was why he had turned in his resignation. Now it merely needed to be approved by Sentinel Prime, Optimus Prime's father.
Starscream was clearly on edge. He was faced with the man who killed his brothers. He had the chance to get revenge. So what did he do? The dancer made his anger known. "You. You kill innocent people. Those two, and who knows how many others died by your orders, or worse, by your very hand. You people, military mutts who can't live without being ordered around, I hate every last one of you. With every essence of my being, down to my very core, I despise you." He sneered, standing and stalking away from the table.
Soundwave had approached and was rather surprised when Starscream shoved past him. He watch the raven vanish into the back curtains and heaved a sigh. "So much for that little plan..." He muttered to himself before walking over to Megatron. "...What happened?"
"He asked for a war story... I told him about my greatest mistake as a commanding officer." He said, not looking at his friend. His hair hid just how much Star's words stung him. "He hates me for killing Skywarp and Thundercracker. I don't blame him. I hate myself for it."
"Do you know his relationship with them? The reason he's so bitter is because /he/ was their brother. He's the only remaining member of Commander Jetfire's family..." Soundwave shook his head. "This wasn't supposed to happen, but Starscream doesn't know when to quit." He knew Megatron well enough to know his bangs hid tears. "Don't let him get to you. He's like that towards everyone. He's a real ice queen." He chuckled dryly, running a hand through his indigo hair. "...I've only seen two instances in which Screamer is actually happy..."
Megatron flinched. Jetfire was a well known hero who died of an old injury about ten years back. He was someone that the younger Commander idolized and had looked up to. He looked up at Soundwave. "Two instances?" he asked, a little confused. Soundwave was right. There were tears streaking his cheeks, which was odd. Before those two died, he had never shown an emotion in such a way. He had been just as Starscream said. A military mutt.
Soundwave nodded. "Relax, Megatron... But yes. Only two. He often gets love letters due to his popularity. I've seen him sitting in his dressing room, reading them. He always smiles, a /real/ smile." Which was a big deal. Starscream only ever gave teasing smiles or sarcastic smirks. But none of them were ever true happiness.
"Does he find them amusing or do they make him feel wanted in a way you guys can't do?" Megatron asked turning to look at his friend. He didn't want to make Soundwave tell him too much but now he wanted to know more about the pretty raven that he had upset. His mind went to a certain ring and bracelet though.
"It makes him feel like someone will fall in love with him. He's just so... temperamental..." He sighed. "Sometimes, Starscream is worse than that brother of yours..." Soundwave glanced over at Starscream, who was watching Bumblebee dance.
Megatron spazzed which caused him to fall out of the chair. He flailed when he fell in a very non-soldieresque manner. "DON'T EVEN JOKE LIKE THAT MAN! DO NOT BRING HIM INTO THIS LIKE THAT! THAT'S TERRIFYING TO EVEN THINK OF!" he screamed, pointing a finger at his friend, eyes wide, his voice giving quite a few unmanly squeaks and cracks that made him sound like a prepubesant boy. That Starscream would be ANYTHING like Galvatron... Ugh. Shudder worthy material indeed. His brother was currently suspended due to unnecessary force. He was a comical sight to behold right now, though. Especially with his hair all mussed up.
Starscream glanced over at Megatron and raised an eyebrow before laughing softly.
The sound of a record scratching could be heard, followed by immediate silence. Everyone was looking at Starscream, who looked back towards the stage.
Megatron blinked. "Uh Soundwave? Why'd everything go silent?" he asked looking at his friend lowering his arm still sitting on the floor. He hadn't heard the raven laugh.
Soundwave /had/ heard. And was shocked. "Remember how I said it was a big deal for Starscream to smile?"
"Yeah..? What did my sudden unsoldier like spazz make him smile?" Megatron asked extremely dense. He looked over at the raven who hated his guts before at his friend."If thats the case then I don't know if I should be glad I made him smile or if he was secretly mocking the fact I get spazzy when off duty" he said standing up dusting himself off.
"Well, it's an even bigger deal when he laughs, and uh... He /laughed/." His voice rose on the word 'laughed'.
"No, I didn't!" Came the defensive voice of Starscream.
Soundwave faced Starscream to say something before Bumblebee piped up. "Yes, you did!" The small blond said, causing the raven to huff and cross his arms.
A looming sense of danger filled the air of the club before everyone resumed their individual conversations with one another as Bumblebee resumed his show. Starscream glanced back at Megatron discreetly, wondering why he found that damned soldier so fascinating. He stood and disappeared into a crowd that was watching Bumblebee.
Megatron watched the raven vanish before chuckling. "You two act like a married couple," he said to his friend, loud enough for his voice to carry to the hidden beauty. He was teasing of course but it WAS the truth.
An offended noise came from somewhere behind the soldier.
"THANK YOU." Came a female voice as a woman with blond and violet hair came striding up to the table beside Soundwave. "Glad I'm not the only one to see it."
Soundwave facepalmed and shook his head. "Hello, dear Airachnid..."
"Hey, Air," Megatron said with a grin at the woman. He had met her when she was still a seamstress. "Thanks again for that patch job," he said, stretching and leaning on the table before taking his seat again. "Best work in the world. It's still holding!" He looked between the two, noticing something in his old friend.
Soundwave smiled as Airachnid placed a hand on his shoulder. "Are the boys helping Knock Out get ready?" He gave a quick nod as she gave an affirmative. "Now, about this situation with Starscream..."
"Yes, what /about/ this situation with Starscream?" Growled a /very/ annoyed and /very/ suspiscious voice.
Airachnid took her leave quickly as Soundwave swallowed hard. "Oh, crap..."
Megatron jumped and spun falling out of the chair again. "Don't do that man!" he said his ass now bruised.
The dancer was glaring at his manager. "Just what the hell were you trying to do?" His voice had dropped into an angry tone. Was Soundwave trying to set him up? Oh, his manager was in for it once the doors closed for the night. Hell hath no fury like that of a pissed off diva.
Megatron was confused and stood up, backing away, not really wanting to be in the middle of a fight between his friend and a pissed off, sexy as all fuck, diva. He managed to reach the bar and Breakdown, who was cleaning glasses.
Breakdown looked up at Megatron and nodded a greeting. "Can I get you a drink?" He asked casually. The bartender figured anything would ease the fear of being faced with an angry Starscream. Breakdown had dealt with Knock Out when his lover had broken a nail. He never wanted to face a pissed stripper again. Especially the star.
Starscream could be heard blending with the music as he, true to his name, screamed at Soundwave, who recoiled at the volume and anger in his dancer's voice. Hetried to calm the raven as he carefully explained that Starscream had the wrong idea. Which was a lie. Soundwave really /was/ trying to hook the two up, but they didn't need to know that.
Megatron looked at him. He shook his head. "Drinks plus me equals violence," he said sitting down watching his friend, a bit pissed himself. He doesn't like being set up, that much Soundwave should have known. He did find the diva very attractive, but still he didn't like the thought of being set up.
"And math is a bitch. How about a small shot?" He asked, looking over at Soundwave and setting two shots of whiskey by Megatron. "Poor boss. He should know better. Playing Cupid is best left to his boys. Or Knock Out. He's really good at matchmaking. Hence, the reason Rumble and Frenzy exist."
Megatron downed both shots before blinking and looking at Breakdown. "Wait... His boys? You mean those two really are his sons? Then... He knocked a girl up? I thought he liked guys..."
Breakdown sat two more shot glasses beside Megatron. "Well, yeah. Mommy's over there with her friend, Mary." He pointed towards the back where Airachnid and an elderly woman stood talking.
Starscream could still be heard over the noise of the club. Soundwave was now defending himself.
Megatron looked, downing the next two shots before seeing the ring on Airachnid's finger. His eyes widened and he stood walking to Soundwave and Starscream. "WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME YOU GOT MARRIED?" he screamed in Soundwave's face. He already smelled of the alcohol. That was the only warning someone would get normally.
Soundwave took a step back and was about to say something when Starscream roughly shoved Megatron. "I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A RANT! HOW DARE YOU INTERRUPT ME, YOU FUCKING ARMY MUTT?" The raven was fuming, his shoulders hunched and his fists tightly closed. He was looking for something to hit and Megatron's reaction would decide whether or not he would be the target of the dancer's pent up aggression.
Megatron growled and grabbed the raven by the front of his outfit lifting him off the floor. "Excuse me for being just an army mutt that has no right to be in your prescense, O Masterful Beauty of the Stage, but DON'T get in my face just cause you are pissed off cause that idiot friend of mine decided to be Cupid and try hooking you up with a military man since all we are good for are following orders and slaughtering those that don't deserve it like the mindless family stealing, killing machine monsters we are!" he said, roughly shoving the raven into a table and glared at Soundwave. "You know better, Wave," he spat before turning and starting to leave.
A firm hand rested on Megatron's shoulder as a deep voice rumbled, "Calm down, Megatron." It was a simple command, expertly shaped into a request of peace. Optimus Prime, the young Bumblebee's lover, had arrived in an attempt to play 'Peacemaker'.
Which didn't work as Starscream snarled at Megatron, swiping him across the face with finely manicured nails, leaving thin, lightly bleeding scratches. "Don't know why Soundwave bothered. I'm not meant for anyone. I learned that long ago," He hissed darkly before storming out of the building.
Soundwave shook his head at Starscream's exit before turning to his friend, his eyes narrowed. "What the fuck was that about?" He growled. Then he paused, a familiar scent hitting him. "Oh, now that makes a lot more sense." He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, waving a dismissive hand at Optimus. He stayed in the position he was in, a hand on his hip, the other still on his face as Prime walked off to the back to meet with Bee. "You want to see my star happy? Come back in two days, Meggie. For now, go home, clean the scratches, and go to bed. Whiskey is your weakness, man. Always has been."
Knock Out walked in from the front door and looked around, seeming worried. He had gone outside to find Starscream, hoping to find him at the park a block away. The raven was always there when upset, but the redhead didn't see him. He went to the back with the others, hoping his friend would come back before anything bad happened to him.
Megatron had flinched at the scratching and the raven's words. He stormed out, ignoring Soundwave. After a little while, he felt wetness on his cheeks. Military mutt. Mindless killing machines that stole innocents and family from people. Monsters. Yeah, that was him. That was all he would ever be. He was lost in thought so he didn't see the dark shadow hiding in the alley before or when he passed. "Never should have taken the whiskey. Always makes me fuck up things that might eventually turn out good or at least give me a new friend" he muttered.
"New friend?" Came a scornful voice. "Hardly." Starscream stepped out of the alley and glared hard at the soldier. His outfit revealed his sides and Starscream's right side had a progressively darkening bruise. He raised a hand and slapped Megatron hard before turning his back to him, beginning to walk away.
"You said you weren't meant for anyone. That's a lie. You are better suited to find love than a murdering monster like me could ever be," Megatron said and turned continuing to walk away, very tempted to never go back to that club but knowing he would just to see his friends. He figured the raven didn't hear his words since he knew the other man was very angry. Before he was out of earshot though he added, "I'm sorry for being the cause of that bruise, whether you believe it or not." He then vanished by going around the next corner.
Starscream scoffed at what he said and continued on his merry way back to the club. He ignored the question he received when he went backstage and walked past everyone, annoyance clear in his body langauge as he stalked up the stairs to his bedroom.
Living hell was imminent.