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Pt. 4: The Slow Road
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In the short term, there's little Soundwave can do to shore up his lapse. He publically swore his loyalty to Starscream, kneeling in submission before the Lord of the Decepticons, and just as publically rescinded his fealty upon Megatron's return. It saved his life at the time and restored his place as Megatron's right-hand mech, but it came at the cost of destroying the dearly-won trust he spent so long culturing. He regrets that.
He's restored Starscream's crown and humbled himself before the Seeker in profound, sparkfelt apology - but Starscream has neither forgiven nor forgotten his betrayal. It's a raw, open wound edged in hate just barely tempered by intelligence. Starscream is too smart to throw aside a supporter, even if Soundwave's a proven traitor.
It's not a situation Soundwave can change quickly. He plans for the future, however.
In the long term, supporting his true leader against Megatron will regain him the favor he now craves. He needs Starscream to accept his fealty how he's never needed before. Soundwave can't prove he truly means his oath, not to someone he's already betrayed, but evidence will serve to soothe Starscream's doubts. The sharp edges of that brilliant, cutting mind won't dull, no, but they'll angle to drive him closer to Starscream's side. Eventually, the public display Starscream demands can be offered. Soundwave can kneel to Starscream, swear his loyalty, and give as proof Megatron's dead body if necessary. Surely that will be enough.
Until then, Soundwave strives to appease Starscream's pride in private. There's little he can give that mean much in terms of apology or grand gestures. Those might impress the twitchy Seeker, sway him more or faster, but Soundwave courts him ardently through smaller means. He offers small gifts. Little things. Hints of luxury, no expense spared, and submission proffered through personal services, those typically done by a body servant. Megatron doesn't want them of Soundwave, but then again, his confidence in Soundwave doesn't come from acts of subservience. Starscream is different, Soundwave has found. Starscream needs constant, strong signals of control.
It's tiresome, but loyalty binds both ways. Soundwave kneels beside Starscream in the darkness of the Seeker's quarters, and the wary gaze watching him is a physical weight. It drags him down. Offering a chip of energon crystal is an effort to ease the burden on his own shoulders as much as placate Starscream's ever-present anger.
Starscream studies him a moment more before opening his mouth. Soundwave lowers his visor from the optics that don't release him as he delicately slips the crystal between parted lips.
They stay open. Breathing quietly through his mouth, Starscream narrows his optics to suspicious slits as though wondering if the tidbit is poisoned.
Soundwave dares cradle the Seeker's jaw in the palm of his hand, thin thumb tracing pewter lips. "Fuel: necessary." His words are quiet, an offering from his rarely-heard vocalizer.
Behind still lips, Starscream's tongue rolls the glowing crystal slowly from side to side. When Soundwave's thumb slides a bare fraction between those lips, the teeth behind them close in a solid, powerful crunch that breaks the crystal apart. Sharp teeth graze over Soundwave's thumb like a warning, but Soundwave lets his thumb linger in heat and moisture. Starscream allows it, optics locked on him and lips relaxing as he chews.
After he swallows, he exhales in a long sigh and opens his mouth. Soundwave doesn't move even as sharp, ready teeth skim the surface of his thumb again.
It's a warning as much as it's a tiny, infinitely small indication of what might become trust again.
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A/N: This was a Tumblr kinkfest ficlet, prompt of "People sticking their fingers into other people's mouths."