"Details!" Knock Out practically squealed. His white faceplate glistened with a fresh paint job around his wide grin.

Starscream faced the grounder with half-shuttered optics and a tired scowl and let the door slam behind him, snuffing out their only source of light. He let his wings sag and started towards the street, ignoring Knock Out. Every step he took throbbed and his frame felt like it had doubled in weight during his shift.

Knock Out gasped as if he had been dealt a great injustice and called after Starscream, his voice full of offense, "I set you up with a hot stud and this is the thanks I get?"

"And look how well that turned out," Starscream said. His vocalizer was sore from all of the fake compliments he had been giving out that evening, and his sarcasm clawed at it more severely.

"What are you talking about?" Knock Out asked.

"He hasn't commed me in days," Starscream said quietly and bitterly. He slowed to a stop and his wings drooped lower.

"Oh, come now, Starscream." Starscream heard Knock Out's footsteps behind him. "He told me that you were the best he's ever had. He went on and on about how he's still coming down from the overload."

"What?!" Starscream shrieked, whipping around.

"Woah!" Knock Out yelled. Dodging Starscream's claws by a microklik. "Evidently, you two are perfect for each other," he complained, dusting off his chest plating. "I need to learn to stand out of arm's reach."

"Knock Out!" Starscream screamed into his faceplate, his wings stretched out wide.

"Ok, ok I lied!" he confessed, holding his servos up in defense. "I haven't talked to him."

Starscream ventilated a sigh of relief and leaned against the building wall.

"But if we had discussed the events of a few solar cycles ago, I'm positive that he would be raving about your prowess in the berth," Knock Out went on unhelpfully.

Starscream massaged the crest of his helm. "Knock Out," he said slowly and calmly. "I'm going to need you to shut up right now if you don't want me to terminate you."

Knock Out crossed his arms. "I have been nothing if not patient with you," he said huffily. "And I will not leave your side until you spill the juicy details of your date with Megatronus."

"There's nothing to tell," Starscream said, dismissing himself. He started off down the street, trying to walk like he wasn't aching.

Knock Out scoffed. "That's scrap. Either it went wonderfully or it was awful and you need to talk to a trusted friend." The grounder put a comforting servo on the plane of Starscream's wing and Starscream flicked it away.

"Was it that bad?" Knock Out asked, a twinge of sympathy in his vocalizer.

"No," Starscream said. "I thought it went great, actually." His frame drooped again and the throbbing became more prominent. He shook his helm and perked up, quickening his pace. "It doesn't matter. It was just one night."

"So you did interface," Knock Out purred. "How is he in the berth? I've always wondered."

"Not everyone frags on the first date like you," Starscream said harshly.

"Technically it was your second date," Knock Out pointed out.

Starscream rolled his optics, annoyed. "We haven't interfaced yet."

"I'm surprised you're even walking," the medic insinuated.

"Drop it, Knock Out."

"You're usually willing to gossip with me." Knock Out pouted.

"I said. Drop it." He took a few more steps and then slowed to a stop. "He's different," he said to himself.

"At least tell me what happened," Knock Out pleaded.

"There's nothing to tell," Starscream reiterated. "Now leave me alone."

As the performer went to leave the medic in the streets, he heard him sigh. "I didn't want to do this," he said.

"That makes two of us," Starscream said without stopping.

"It will be a shame, going alone," Knock Out said sadly. "No one to talk to. No one to form meaningful bonds with. No one to admire my freshly waxed frame..."

"A shame, really."

"I guess I'll just have to take someone else..."

"I guess so," Starscream said, deadpan.

"It's too bad... The arena lights really sparkle off of their frames."

Starscream rolled his optics and looked back. Knock Out had a glowing turquoise hologram before his faceplate and was sliding different panels around with the flick of his wrist. He mumbled to himself and looked thoughtful for a moment.

"What is it?" Starscream barked shrilly.

"Just some codes," Knock Out sighed out. He shifted a page with a simple numerical sequence on it to the forefront of his vision and enlarged it using two digits. "Codes that may or may not get us into Megatronus' match tomorrow."

"Not interested," Starscream said after a moment.

"Now I know that's a lie." Knock Out minimized all of the tabs but for the code, which he shrunk down until it was just a small box.

Starscream marched towards Knock Out stiffly, wings taut, and said flatly, "We went out. It wasn't right. I've moved on. End of story."

"Not end of story," Knock Out persisted. "He probably just lost track of time with all the matches he's been having."

Starscream huffed and crossed his arms.

"If he wants nothing to do with you after the match I'll drop it. Okay?"

Starscream looked down his nose at him. "What kind of seats?"

"Front row balcony," Knock Out said with a smirk.

Starscream ventilated loudly and twitched his wings a couple times. Then, "Fine."

Knock Out's optics flickered with triumph. "Come closer," he said, beckoning the performer with one digit.

Starscream flushed. "What? Why?"

Knock Out clicked open an panel on the side of his helm, pulling a small cord. "To get the code, of course."

"Oh." Starscream leaned down until his helm nearly touched the grounder's. He smelled strongly of paint and wax. "Couldn't you get a longer wire installed?"

"New upgrade didn't allow for much space," he explained. "Besides, it's a lot easier to get acquainted." Knock Out's servo rested on Starscream's waist.

"Get your servo off me before I snap it off and use it to scratch your finish," Starscream hissed.

"Touchy," Knock Out purred. He removed his servo and used it to plug himself into Starscream. "Don't worry, Screamy. You're not my type."

"Your type is the willing."

"And you're not willing," Knock Out pointed out.

Starscream tensed up as the information flowed into his processor. The code flashed orange before his optics, and was archived by the time he blinked. He reached to disconnect himself and had his servo swatted away.

"Not until we disconnect safely," Knock Out ordered.

Starscream grumbled. "It's never hurt me before."

"Once you've repaired locked-up t-cogs from a moment of impatience, you would do this too," Knock Out said, tapping a tiny button next to the port on his helm.

Starscream scoffed. "Like I need to worry about that."

"Everyone should worry about it," Knock Out said. "It is an unnecessary visit to a medic."

Starscream rolled his optics and tapped his pede impatiently. The moment the beep sounded the performer yanked the cord out and stalked away.

"You're welcome!" Knock Out called after him.

The audience bustled around Starscream in anticipation. Overenergized bots with boisterous voices sloshed drinks around and were just generally unpleasant. Most of them, especially the mech to his left, were not kind on the olfactory sensors.

An expansive field of rusty metal filings glimmered dully under the light below, packed down and levelled to the point where it could almost be mistaken for solid flooring. The curved metal wall surrounded it like a giant basin and was scored with countless gouges, but it was buffed until it shone with a mirror-like finish.

"Eugh! Does anyone here actually drink their energon?" Knock Out flicked his servo, trying to dislodge the liquid clinging to his clawed digits. "You owe me a full body buff."

"I owe you nothing of the sort," Starscream retorted, "You came here of your own volition."

"Had I known what this would have entailed I would never have bought these codes."

"Had I known you would complain the entire time I wouldn't have agreed to come."

"You were sold the moment I said Megatronus' name," Knock Out countered.

"Well... You just want to ogle gladiators," Starscream said huffily.

"You say that as if it's a bad thing." Knock Out leaned forward onto his knees. His dark optics cast a sidelong glance at Starscream. "And aren't you here for the same reason?"

"No!" Starscream screeched, turning his rapidly heating faceplate away from the medic.

Knock Out shook his helm slowly and chuckled. "You and Megatronus need to get the sticks out of your afts and just admit how much you want to frag each other silly."

"We don't all think with our interface panels!" Starscream said.

"Believe it or not neither do I," Knock Out said calmly. "Which is why I'm the only one who can see how much you two want each other."

"Five solar cycles without so much as a message shows disinterest," Starscream said bitterly.

"Did you ever try comming him?" Knock Out asked.

"Well... No..." Starscream admitted.

"Then you can't really complain now, can you?"

"Knock Out," Starscream began, his voice quiet and raspy. "I don't comm bots. I can't."

"Of course you can," Knock Out reassured. "You've got this sensor on the side of your helm," Knock Out poked at it with his claws, each touch punctuated with static, "that can connect you with anyone. Just select the name on your HUD and-"

"I know how to comm someone!" Starscream yelled, slapping Knock Out's servo away. His optics went dark with his next words. "I am a lower life form. I do not have the privilege to speak with whomever I choose."

"Don't pull the caste system into this," Knock Out said dismissively. "You can't blame it for all of your shortcomings."

"That's easy for you to say," Starscream said angrily.

Knock Out's next words were drowned out by a buzzer and the whole arena went black. A single spotlight came on at one end of the field and brought the first wave of cheers from the audience. Starscream's wings perked up when a bot stepped into the light and then dropped to half height when that bot wasn't Megatronus.

The bot, a femme, was tall and built strong. She wasn't as bulky as Megatronus, but her armor looked thick enough to take minor blows and vastly decrease the severity of major ones. Her paint was dull and extremely scratched up, with only the faintest traces of dark green beneath her battle scars. Her servos were small in comparison to the rest of her frame and they held a long staff. She smirked and twirled the rod once, releasing the curved blades at either end. They crackled with energy and splashed blue light on to her plating.

The second spotlight came on then and the roars from the crowd escalated to a frenzy as Megatronus stepped into the light. His frame shone brilliantly but had its share of dents and cuts. His faceplate was solemn and his blue optics were nearly black. He twitched his servo and deployed his blade, freshly sharpened and cleaned. He held it non-threateningly at his side.

A giant monitor flashed on across the arena and displayed both of the gladiator's faceplates and names. Scrapblazer, the screen named her, raised her free arm and pounded her fist into the air, letting out a cry and pacing in a circle, basking in the love of her fans. Megatronus glared unwaveringly at his opponent.

"Scrapblazer?" Starscream made an amused face. "What kind of name is that?"

Lights illuminated the rest of the arena slowly and the monitor shut off. The gladiators walked towards each other, Scrapblazer swinging her shoulders back with each step. They met and shook servos, Scrapblazer grinning down at Megatronus while the mech stared up calmly. She seemed to say something to Megatronus and he nodded before they turned away from each other and paced to either end of the arena.

A hush fell over the crowd, broken by a few cheers of the gladiators' names. Scrapblazer stood widely, both servos grasping her weapon tightly. Megatronus stood as if he wasn't in the Pits; he was too calm. The femmes shoulders grew more and more tense as the silence dragged on. Starscream was leaning over the railing of the balcony, anticipation making his frame shiver.

"Get back before you fall," Knock Out fretted.

Starscream turned around with sharp words on his glossa, but was interrupted by a shrill bell signaling the beginning of the match. By the time he turned his attention back to the gladiators they were already together, Megatronus with his servos on Scrapblazer's staff, struggling to keep the blade from connecting with him.

Scrapblazer laughed and her near-white yellow optics were bright with glee. Megatronus pushed up harder, his optics glowing intensely and with a mighty roar he flung Scrapblazer across the arena, sending rust particles flying everywhere. It created a smoke-like cloud that hid the gladiator from view. Megatronus took a defensive stance, holding his blade up before him.

The femme charged out of the cloud of dust, swinging her weapon around like a fan, connecting solidly with Megatronus' blade. He slashed his arm to the side and Scrapblazer was thrown with it. Lightning quick, he slashed a sizeable wound into her back, energon flying off and staining the ground. Scrapblazer cried out and swung blindly, just catching the edge of Megatronus' chest plating. The curved blade was stuck fast in his armor, and when Scrapblazer gained her composure, she tugged her staff towards her, slamming her opponent faceplate-first into the ground.

Starscream gasped and covered his mouth, losing his grip on the railing. Knock Out grabbed his wing and pulled him back into his seat before he could topple over the edge.

"Ow!" Starscream complained, canting the wing Knock Out had roughly handled. He put his servo over the sore area.

"Would you rather have fallen?" Knock Out said crossly.

Starscream scowled and turned back to the match. Scrapblazer had her staff held in front of her as Megatronus flew at her, his blade coming down and cutting through the middle of her weapon cleanly. Megatronus sent a swift punch to her chest and she was thrown back. Her optics were wide with fear for a moment before they hardened again. She threw her broken weapon aside and charged again. She swung her fist at him and he blocked it with the plane of his blade. She lifted a leg and kicked it forward, spinning Megatronus around.

Two grappling hooks shot out from Scrapblazer's abdomen, lodging themselves in Megatronus' back and dragging him back towards her. Megatronus reached back and tore the hooks from his back, now slick with energon. Now close to Scrapblazer, Megatronus grabbed her by the wrists and simultaneously pulled her down while swinging his legs over his head, flinging her far away with one powerful kick.

The two bots picked themselves up, and for a moment there was absolute stillness between them. Scrapblazer spit a wad of energon and her faceplate burned with rage. The gladiators ran at each other, Megatronus stepping to one side and landing a blow on her arm. Glowing rivulets flowed down her limb.

They came together again and again, Scrapblazer's moves growing weaker by the cycle. Megatronus went to slash again when he stepped in a wet spot and slipped. Scrapblazer saw her chance and lunged. The sound of a t-cog activating rang through the arena and then she assaulted Megatronus with her servos, now two welding torches. She connected with his shoulder and abdomen, melting welts into his plating. He cried out in pain and swung his blade carelessly, just grazing her. Scrapblazer pushed forward, burning through the first layer of his plating. Molten metal and energon dripped from the wound.

Megatronus found a cache of strength and pushed the gladiator off of him, sending her sprawling onto her back. He walked over to her and pressed his pede into her abdomen, pinning her down. She struggled to get up, but energon was still flowing freely from her wounds. Her servos transformed back out and her optics were flickering. Megatronus raised his blade high over his helm, poised to strike.

"Finish her!" Came the chants from the crowd, which Starscream gleefully joined in with. The crowds cheers rose to a fever pitch as Megatronus brought his weapon down, cutting cleanly into her chest and through her spark chamber. She gave a short cry and then her optics and biolights faded and she went limp. Panels slid out from the top of the basin and hid the field from view.

"What is taking so long?" Starscream grumbled and paced.

Knock Out was sitting on a short wall, inspecting his claws when he said, "Megatronus needs immediate medical attention after every match. Unless you want him breaching all over you."

"It shouldn't take this long to patch up a few wounds," he grumbled.

"Because you would be an expert on how long medical procedures take," Knock Out said sarcastically.

Starscream tapped his pede, paced a few more times, then announced, "I'm going home."

"Oh, no," Knock Out said, standing. "I did not shell out credits to sit through that uncouth display with you just to have you not talk to Megatronus."

"I'm telling you he won't want to see me," Starscream argued.

"And if that is the case I will drop it, as I said I would," Knock Out countered.

Starscream groaned and sat on the wall next to the medic, shaking his leg impatiently. He couldn't help but to glare jealously at everyone else waiting for Megatronus to emerge. His glare was joined by a deep scowl when a mech near him said to his friend, "Maybe he'll notice me this time."

"He's got nothing on you," Knock Out assured the performer.

The crowd that had been milling about suddenly rushed towards the entrance where Megatronus emerged, smiling down at his fans. Starscream and Knock Out walked up more slowly, staying at the back of the throng. Megatronus signed a couple of autographs and stood for a photo. His optics were on the camera but then flicked up to where Starscream was standing. His fake smile turned into a more natural one, and he parted the crowd and excused himself. Starscream's spark pounded in his chest as Megatronus got closer, and stopped for a moment when the gladiator kissed him.

Starscream's optics fluttered open and he felt the stares of many jealous bots burn his plating. He didn't have a lot of time to worry about them as Megatronus took his servo and lead him away from the crowd.

"I think I'll take my leave now," Knock Out said. He gave Starscream a look that said "I told you so" just before departing.

"I'm so glad that you're here," Megatronus said. "It's hard to come up with excuses to leave my fans."

"I thought you weren't interested," Starscream admitted quietly.

"Why would you think that?" he asked.

"I hadn't heard from you in solar cycles."

"I'm not used to keeping in touch with bots," Megatronus said.

"Oh," Starscream said. "That was a great match."

Megatronus let go of Starscream's servo and looked away from him. "I don't want to talk about the match right now," he growled.

"But you won," Starscream said.

"I always win," he pointed out.

"Yes, but-"

"I don't want to talk about it!" he yelled into Starscream's faceplate. "Sorry," he said more quietly.

Starscream's optic ridges turned down angrily. "Why do you hate your assignment?" Starscream blurted out.

"Why do I hate my assignment?" Megatronus asked as if the answer was obvious. "Because no matter how much time I spend in the washracks, I still smell their spilt energon on my plating. Every night when I close my optics all I can hear is the screams of the bots I terminated. And I am praised for it. I am good at it. And in the moment right before I lay the killing blow, I like it."

Starscream was quiet, but only for a moment. "At least you're considered to be a worthy life form," he countered. "Bots don't have to check over their shoulder to see if anyone is watching them before going into the Pits."

"If overpopulation were not an issue the High Council would have shut down this whole operation vorns ago," Megatronus argued. "To them, the lives being lost are insignificant because they're mostly miners."

"I'm not even considered part of the caste system!" Starscream screeched.

"Calm down," Megatronus hissed. "You're making a scene."

Starscream noticed the crowd gathering around them then.

"Let's fly to my apartment," Megatronus suggested.

Starscream's wings dipped drastically. "I can't," he said meekly.

Megatronus put his servo on the small of Starscream's back and led him away from the crowd. "What do you mean?" he asked, sitting the performer down on a bench.

"I just... can't," Starscream said, hugging himself and looking away.

"Are you hurt?" Megatronus asked.

"No."

"If you need repairs I'm sure we can figure something out."

"I'm not broken!"

"I'm not saying you are," Megatronus said calmly. He stroked the base of Starscream's wing comfortingly. The gladiator lowered his voice further, "Do you have a nervous t-cog?"

Starscream exvented and looked away from the gladiator."I don't have a t-cog, okay?" he hissed. He shifted away from Megatronus' touch and crossed his arms, his frame shaking.

"You're a monoformer?" Megatronus asked quietly after a moment.

"Don't use that word!" Starscream shouted, shooting Megatronus an angry look. "And I've managed just fine without it for vorns."

"Why would you have wings?" Megatronus seemed to ask himself rather than Starscream.

"Probably to make it look like I could transform," Starscream said. "They probably didn't want to waste a t-cog one me."

"Starscream. I'm so sorry," Megatronus said sincerely. He pulled the performer into his arms. Starscream was still for a moment before he returned the embrace.

"I've never had a t-cog," he said. "It's hard to miss something you've never had."

"How did this happen?"

Starscream pulled away and shrugged. "They probably kept it to have a spare on hand."

Megatronus glared down at the ground for a moment, then turned softened optics on the performer. "I'm going to get you a t-cog," he decided.

Starscream scoffed. "Right, and you're gonna be the next Prime."

Megatronus smiled. "Perhaps."