...FINALLY!
Thank you BrewedSugar for having edited this chapter...months ago...
Skyfire was in his lab organizing the salvaged remains from Starscream's collaboration when they moved units around for the Seeker's new quarters. A lot of the laboratory containers were either cracked or contaminated, and most, if not all, of the datapads were fried. Did the annoying jet really have to drop his units onto running water? And why weren't these things waterproof? Skyfire had saved his aft from certain termination and this is how the Seeker repaid him? The urge to call up the Security Force and confess about the whole "still being bonded thing" was high.
But Skyfire couldn't bring himself to tell the truth. Not after it took him cycles to gain the Autobots' trust after defecting from the Decepticons.
Skyfire quietly hummed to himself as he placed containers on selves. He tried to forget about Starscream, but how could he? They were living together. The Seeker was now a redundant part of his life. Well, Starscream was a part of his life before when they were happily bonded, but this time the bond was full of nothing but resentment. Hopefully this charade would only last a vorn; less if Starscream did anything stupid to violate the contract, which he probably would.
Living with animosity wouldn't make thing easier. They had to have a serious talk. But the hard part was making Starscream converse, despite the fact that the Seeker loved to run his mouth. Skyfire was curious about the changes in Starscream. What was he hiding? Then again, who was he to force Starscream to talk about something when he himself refused to talk. Perhaps curiosity was sometimes a flaw. It was useful in science when you sought out new discoveries but not when talking to this Seeker. And yet, he still wanted to know what changed Starscream. Skyfire had to dissect Starscream- metaphorically
Maybe he needed to try a different approach; become more considerate. Talking to him proved to be inefficient. Maybe they needed to go out. Flyers were claustrophobic after all; being indoors could have provoked them to be irritable towards one another. Besides, Skyfire needed to purchase supplies and subsequently Starscream would be forced to follow along. This would give them space to air out and refocus on the situation at hand.
Or he could have gone shopping alone and left Starscream home to eventually offline from an overcharge of electric energy from the collar that would have released from the distance created between them.
No, something was clearly wrong with his processor. He really needed to go out.
He placed his current tasks aside and marched up to the washrack. It didn't open automatically, Starscream must have it locked from inside. Skyfire knocked at the door. "Starscream, open up."
There was hesitation from the other side, but after moment the door reluctantly slid opened, and reveled quite possibly the cleanest frame he had ever seen; and he'd seen Sunstreaker on self-cleaning fits. Skyfire had to dim his optics just to look at the Seeker. But what else would one do being locked inside the washrack for joors on end? "What do you want," asked Starscream, who felt exceedingly pleased with the blinding reaction his buffing job had on the shuttle.
"We're going to the Cybertron Underground Center to purchase some necessary items." He swore he could see sparkles emanating from Starscream's frame.
Shopping? Frag yes. Starscream's optics gleamed with excitement. The prospect of leaving this Pit-hole to go shopping was exciting and all, but it would mean being stuck with Skyfire, not to mention being seen with that horrible collar. "I do not wish to go."
"You have to because I want to. Besides, don't you want to decorate your quarters?" He struggled to force a smile.
Shopping had always been one if Starscream's favorite activities. But if he was to go out in public with this collar on, Skyfire would also suffer as well. He decided to play his twisted negotiation skills. "I will only go if you buy for me."
Are you serious? "I will choose whether or not to purchase it," Skyfire didn't want to argue. Starscream would want the most expensive items around, he always had, but now he must remember that credits weren't easy to come by. Cybertron was in a time of reconstruction, it might take vorns before everything stabilizes.
Starscream pouted. He also didn't want to argue, he just wanted to go shopping already. "Fine."
-0000-
The Cybertron Underground Center had always been one of the busiest places, even during the war. Vendors here never cared about sides –this place remained neutral and was on neutral grounds during war- all they cared about were credits. They sold anything you could possibly think of and more at relatively good prices. This was also the gold mine for illegal transactions: weaponry, false credits, slaves, system high enhancers and viruses.
Starscream never liked coming here because it was beneath him; he preferred shopping at high-end centers. Not to mention somebot always attempted to kidnap him and sell him off as a pleasure-bot. He learned to cling onto Skyfire when shopping due to his intimidating size. But after he lost Skyfire on Earth, he had to rely on his trinemates as his shopping mates and guards.
Skyfire, on the other hand, enjoyed coming to the Underground Center because they sold rare chemicals and other world samples that were not sold anywhere else on Cybertron. Plus, this place always had the latest upgrades and specs.
Skyfire and Starscream went from one vendor to the next looking at all they had to sell. Skyfire marveled at almost everything; he really missed a lot from being away from Cybertron for so long. It was also interesting to see the mixture of disbanded Autobots and Decepticons together without hostile intent.
There were whispers and stares directed at the two flyers, especially towards Starscream, but it was to be expected since most - if not all- figured he would have been terminated. Even Starscream had expected to visit the Well of All Sparks for a good eternity. But Starscream's miraculous survival wasn't the only gossip topic. Word that both flyers were bonded spread, which most couldn't even comprehend. And the "couple" hadn't given them any reason to. There was no physical contact between them whatsoever. Both seemed to be close enough to keep an eye on each other, but that was it. And in a place like this, most couples clung on to each other for dear life in fear of being kidnapped or getting lost among the huge crowd.
After joors of wondering from vendor to vendor, they managed to purchase and subspace everything they required and more. They were about to head back to the apartment when an upgrade center caught Skyfire's optic.
"I thought we were here to simply purchase necessary items, not get yourself upgraded, "stated Starscream in a rather annoyed tone. He wanted to leave. And fast. He sensed bots eyeing his sweet aft and he was going to murder anyone who attempts to tap his backend one more time.
"You know I always had the latest upgrades during the Science Academy," replied Skyfire. He had always been fascinated by the latest technology and was wealthy enough to afford upgrades, which Starscream used to find ...alluring.
"Then can I also receive an upgrade? This Earth vehicle form is beneath me in ascetics and performance."
Skyfire thought for a moment. Of course Starscream would want an upgrade. Earth vehicles were so aesthetically deficient. Still, he shouldn't spoil Starscream. The Seeker had received some of the items he wanted. But if he didn't get an upgrade, Skyfire would have never heard the end of it and things between them would have never improved. "A cheap scan and upgrade."
"What? No!"
Of course the princess wouldn't settle for what most Cybertronians were able to afford during times of repair. "Fine. Average."
"You know a Seeker of noble status cannot be seen in just any frame! We require high-end specs!"
"You're just saying that because you Seeker types are conceited."
"How. Dare. You! That is a stereotypical presumption! And Valkyrie models are half Seeker!"
Oh...right.
A few joors later...
Both Skyfire and Starscream emerged from the upgrade facility. Skyfire retained his original color scheme and mostly decreased his mass. He didn't plan on traveling to space or playing the role as the Autobots' glorified taxi anytime soon, so the extra mass was unnecessary. Starscream marveled at Skyfire's new form, taking in all the details, until he realized that he had been dazzled. He looked away in slight embarrassment. Skyfire was sleek and built and... yeah.
Starscream's new form made him look like a borderline femme model. The only word plaguing Skyfire's processor when he looked at Starscream was "why?" Sure, he looked...attractive, but why was he inching towards a femme model?
"You look like a femme."
Starscream gave him the "death glare." Maybe Seekers will always have a she-bot physical appearance no matter how many upgrades.
-0000-
Skyfire was installing the new door as Starscream sat on the new couch in the rec room. The newly upgraded Seeker dug through his newly purchased items. He had seemed to have calmed down from going shopping, maybe he would be cooperative.
"Care to talk now?" Asked Skyfire.
Starscream looked down at the plush Kremzeek in his servos. He had no interest in going through this talk again. "I will not talk about everything that occurred to me while you were in ice. But…I will answer one question. If I wish to answer it, that is."
So there was a chance that his question wouldn't even be answered. Skyfire's possessor was racing with possible questions. There were so many to ask: why had he joined the Decepticons, why hadn't he come back for Skyfire sooner, why had his personality changed?
But he stuck with the one that bothered him the most, "Why are you depressed?" Starscream may not show it, but Skyfire knew it; he knew the Seeker was suffering from depression while trying to hide it. He had known it the moment Skyfire awoke from his ice tomb. Starscream wasn't his normal self.
Starscream looked stunned. Depressed? I'm not…He squeezed the Kremzeek plush, rose from the couch and entered his quarters, locking the newly placed door.
"...Should have asked a different question."