Title: Lunch
Rating: PG
Summary: Blast Off comes to the lab again
True to his word, Blast Off came to see him the next day. Cosmos, back at work, was just putting away a series of star-charts, when there came a crisp rap on the door. Turning to see who it was knocking, the pyrenees felt his spark give a little whirl as he faced the kittycon; grey optics focused on him alone.
"I apologize for the interruption," Blast Off said, "I hope I am not catching you at a bad time."
"O-oh, oh no," Cosmos quickly replied, wiping his servos on his lab coat nervously. He slowly crossed the room, glancing in embarrassment at his messy office. "I, um, I w-was just tidying up a little before going out for my lunch break."
The siamese cocked his helm slightly at the statement, thinking for a moment. "Then, if you are favorable to the idea, may I accompany you during your lunch?," he asked, his expression amazingly neutral. "In the most politest and friendly respects, of course."
The smaller mech had not thought of the suggestion as a date, until Blast Off had added that tiny comment at the end. Unable to stop the heavy blush coating his cheekplates, Cosmos shyly glanced at the floor, playing with the buttons of his lab coat distractedly. "I-i would appreciate the company very much," he answered, smiling foolishly he was certain. The autodog was already excited at the prospect of having lunch with his friend.
Tipping his helm forward lightly in acknowledgement, the kittycon crossed his arms behind his backstruts, his deep gaze having yet to leave the pyrenees. "I am ready to depart when you are," Blast Off politely said.
Flustering in surprise, Cosmos quickly turned around and padded for his desk, collecting his things and mentally berating himself for simply standing around like some lost puppy. Cheekplates aflame with his embarrassment, the astronomer returned to his friend, silently following Blast Off out of the lab and downstairs.
Title: Passion
Rating: PG
Summary: Cosmos has himself a companion while works
"...I am curious," the siamese began, glancing up at the night sky above, "How does a study of the stars count as science?"
Little clangs came from the autodog moving about behind him busily. Turning around, Blast Off watched as Cosmos set up his portable telescope; adjusting the tripod and fiddling with little dials around the scope's circumference. "Well," the pyrenees answered softly, his attention spliced between the kittycon and his calculations. "It does lend to the field of science to a certain degree, simply because of the planetary changes that can occur with various celestial developments. Solar flares, black holes, gravitational pulls of large inter-stellar bodies... Everything within the universe is connected, in a sense, and they play off each other in ways that are both beneficial and, well, chaotic."
Cosmos paused in his explanation, tapping away at something on his datapad, before glancing up at the star-lit sky and adjusting the telescope's angle. "By keeping track of the things that occur closest to us, we are then able to approximate how our planet will be affected -whether that be through weather, atmosphere, organic life...," the green mech continued. "We are then able to take some precautionary action, depending on the type of result a cosmic shift makes. As well, there are many scientific advances to be made to medicine and the like through discoveries in space. The universe is, forgive me saying, truly magical in all sense of the word. What other body of creation do you know of, that without any influence, grows, expands and unveils another wonder of life beyond mortal engineering?"
"We may never fully comprehend the universe, but by studying it, we are able to find new resources, new answers, new molecular compounds and formulae that then aid us in our own growth and development." Cosmos paused, looking up from his work finally and turning his passionate-lit optics to Blast Off. "I-i'm sorry, I must sound a little s-silly...," the pyrenees added, smiling self-consciously at the ground, "It's j-just that, I love w-what I do and I'm a-afraid it's made me a b-bit of a fanciful fanatic..."
"Do not apologize," the kittycon interrupted. Surprised, Cosmos looked up, finding himself pinned by Blast Off's deep, penetrating stare. "Never apologize for being passionate about something you care deeply about. Those who would demand you feel shame for such things do not respect you, and they are not worthy of your respect either."
The autodog shuttered his optics at the strong blend of words. For a moment, it fell silent between them both.
"You do much good...," Blast Off said after a klik, turning his optics to the stars. "You deserve much recognition for your achievements."
"T-they're... they're not really achievements," the pyrenees shrugged, blushing, gathering the rest of his supplies and stacking them together neatly for later. "I-i mean, I d-don't do a-amazing things like o-our lead scientist P-perceptor, I j-just watch s-some p-pretty stars."
"Even watching 'pretty stars' can impact a life." Cosmos straightened up slowly, his spark pulsing erratically beneath his chestplates as he faced Blast Off again. No matter how many times it happened, he was still amazed to find those thin, grey optics focused on him; staring deeply into the poor autodog's spark, yet never judging, never weighing him. Just merely... almost... connecting with him.
Clutching his datapad to his chestplates tightly, the astronomer smiled shyly, interpreting the simple statement as something else. Something secretly wanted. "I suppose they can...," the autodog quietly agreed. The siamese gave a short nod in response.
Put at ease by the motion, Cosmos turned back to his telescope, finishing up his arrangements and settling behind the scope to complete his work for that night. Blast Off seated himself on the grass not too far away from the pyrenees, glancing frequently over his book's lip towards the merry mech as the evening stretched on.
Title: Pretend
Rating: PG
Summary: His resolve is stronger than his desires
Because of his promise, he had to pretend.
Pretend that they were simply friends, talking and seeing each other frequently. But just friends.
It was his punishment, the siamese surmised, and his way of apologizing to Cosmos after having hurt the astronomer so. He'd already made his verbal apologies, so all that was left, was to show in his actions that he was sincere in what he had said. He never wanted to hurt the pyrenees ever again, just as much as he never wished to believe (or see) anyone being that close with Cosmos.
It had been a miracle that the autodog had even wanted anything to do with Blast Off after his horrendous actions and so, the brown mech did not wish to make the same mistakes again. It's why he had made a secret promise to himself to keep his affections checked and veiled, so they would not upset the smaller mech anymore.
But he could feel himself struggling.
Never had there been a challenge such as this: to have the only 'bot he'd ever cared for so deeply know of his feelings and yet, to not be allowed to show, share or even act upon them. Sometimes, Blast Off almost broke his pact. Especially in those moments when it was just him and Cosmos alone in the astronomer's lab, discussing a range of topics, both fascinating and engaging.
He'd been tempted to lean down and kiss the pyrenees when his smiles had been the softest and his optics bright stars in their own right.
Only ages old, beaten-in military training kept him from doing so.
After all, the kittycon was only a friend and this was how he promised to never hurt Cosmos again.
Title: Leaving
Rating: PG
Summary: Blast Off has to go
There came that familiar, sharp rap at his lab door, before a series of near-silent pedesteps entered into the room. Snapping a cog back into place, Cosmos quickly wiped his servos off on a rag, walking around his ladder's platform quickly, trying to see his guest around his massive telescope's girth. "Hello Blast Off," the autodog greeted cheerfully. "How are you doing today? I'm sorry I'm so messy; I was fixing the -ooomph!"
In his haste to get back down the ladder, the little mech tripped on the second rung, falling to the floor. Before he even had time to panic, Cosmos was being scooped out of the air and gently set back down on the ground. Blushing with embarrassment at the kittycon who had caught him so easily, the pyrenees tried to steady himself on his uncertain legs, staring down at the floor shyly. "I-i... t-thank you. V-very much. I...I would not l-like to ponder w-what might have happened i-if you hadn't been here to catch me."
Blast Off did not respond to that, and a little confused by the siamese's unusual silence, Cosmos looked up from his pedes. He was not able to maintain optic-contact with the other mech for very long though. "I-i probably s-should go c-clean up then...," the astronomer said, speaking aloud in his self-consciousness. "I h-hadn't expected you to be h-here so early. But it's fine. I-i made t-too much extra for my lunch today. If y-you'd like, you a-are free to have some. We c-could sit in courtyard and t-talk, i-if that's what you want. I d-don't-"
"Cosmos."
The call of his name -the first word spoken by the kittycon this orn- caught Cosmos' full attention. He paused on his way to his desk, his lab coat folded in his arms. "Y-yes...?," the autodog hesitantly pressed, noticing the stiffness about Blast Off's ears. "Is something wrong?"
Blast Off shuttered his optics, before silently lowering his helm a tad. The gesture made the pyrenees spark begin to whirl wildly, dread filling his fuel tanks heavily. Seeing that his friend was working himself into a panic, the siamese quietly strode towards Cosmos, kneeling to be more level with the green mech as he gently stroked one of the plump cheekplates.
"I must leave for a few days," Blast Off answered blandly, confirming some of the autodog's worse fears. The kittycon cocked his helm slightly as tears slowly formed in Cosmos' optics; the smaller mech attempting to turn his face away from his friend to keep him from seeing their presence. The brown mech gently tipped Cosmos' helm back towards him though.
"I will return," he continued, his vocalizer a tad more defined as he said these words. His thumb wiped away at one of the tears that fell in the autodog's surprise. "I wished to inform you before I departed tonight. I did not want you to worry."
Even though this shocking news sent periodical twinges of pain to his spark, hearing that Blast Off had specifically come so as to spare the pyrenees the fright of finding out the kittycon would be gone, a flash of warmth went through him; starting first at Cosmos' pedes and blazing all the way to his anxious spark. Touched, that's what he was. Smiling softly, the astronomer quickly shuttered back the rest of his tears, looking up at his friend.
"O-okay. Thank you for telling me," Cosmos replied, "I hope that your journey goes well and that you come back safely."
Grey optics shuttered slowly, before the kittycon nodded and rose to his pedes again. "Shall we head down to the courtyard?," Blast Off prompted gently, reminding him of the invite the autodog had given him before he'd spoken.
"O-oh! Yes!," the pyrenees flushed in remembrance, turning back to his desk and gathering his things frantically. Smiling wryly -in both embarrassment and joy- Cosmos padded back for Blast Off's side, allowing his friend to take their lunch containers. They headed out of the lab together, conversing softly with each other as they walked.
Title: Tension
Rating: T
Summary: Is it wrong to regret leaving?
Two figures crept low through the foliage, keeping out of range of twig and rock alike; using the softly blowing wind as a cover as they tip-toed through the long grass. The facility lied up ahead, surrounded by twelve-foot tall electric fencing with barbed wiring along the top. Easy to get over, if you knew how.
"What pathetic security these morons got," the lynx at his side sneered quietly. "Primus, it's like they were sitting all pretty like, waiting for us to come and frag them up the aft."
Blast Off ignored the crude comment, measuring the height of the fence, the distance to the nearest tree and the approximate time between each guard rotation within in this corner. No doubt they had motion sensors set along the inside of the grounds to set off the alarms. Calculations done, the siamese headed for the tree, scaling up and into its thick branches without any sound. Vortex watched him for a moment, before he too slunk back across the field and up the tree as well.
"What's wrong, Mr. Sour puss?," his younger brother grinned. "You seem a little tenser than usual. What? You pissed that big, bad daddy sent you off on a mission with lil' ol' me?"
Blast Off did not rise to the bait.
Thinking deeply, the lynx stroked at his chin, his grin turning devious. "No... no, that wouldn't be it. You've dealt with me numerous times in the past; it means nothing to a cold, hard killer like yourself. After all, you're a professional," Vortex cooed, a servo sliding sensuously over his brother's arm. The older kittycon shook it off quickly, sparing a quick, hateful glare in the other's direction. "No... it must be your little crush. Are you missing your lil' mechfriend? Do they know you are here right now?"
The siamese said nothing, unstrapping his sniper rifle from behind his back and pointing it toward the facility.
The grey mech giggled in glee, as if he'd discovered some secret treasure. "No, no he doesn't, does he?" Vortex cackled, his fingers tip-toeing up Blast Off's back struts. His brother unlocked the safety with a threatening snap. "Hmmm... sounds like a pacifist," he continued, unconcerned about his well-being, even as Blast Off's aura grew darker, "Must be an autodog. They always were such a weak, sentimental race..."
Vortex trailed off as the rifle gave a small hiss of release; the only sign that a shot had been made. Looking over Blast Off's shoulder, he saw the guard that had turned into their corner of the compound crumple to the ground, dead. Slinging the rifle back into its holster quickly, the siamese rose to his pedes, climbing up higher, before leaping across the field and over the dangerously buzzing fence. Vortex scrambled to follow, grinning like a loon the entire way.
"I think I like this side of you, Blasty," he purred insanely, grabbing the corpse and dancing with it to the facility's door. Blast Off said nothing as he ripped the access card off of the dead mech's frame; swiping it through the keypad before punching in the entry code. "You're much more fun when you're all stressed out as you are. Concerned for your life... longing for your lil' puppy..."
The brown mech yanked the corpse out of Vortex's servos as they entered into the building, the door shutting automatically behind them. He leaned into his brother's face, upper lip component lifted slightly with a snarl. "You know what to do," he said lowly, reminding Vortex of their mission.
The red visor flashed giddily, the younger kittycon pressing closer in return until their lip components were almost brushing. "Of course," Vortex grinned, his tone lilting a little in song. "Don't fist yourself too hard now while I'm gone." With a quiet cackle, the lynx slid around his brother's form, disappearing quickly down the hallway and into its inky shadows.
Blast Off watched him go silently, before glancing at his watch, double-checking the time mutely.
Title: Missing You
Rating: PG
Summary: He misses him more with every passing klik
It was quiet.
Cosmos sat at his desk, shuffling through his paperwork slowly, occasionally stopping and glancing over his shoulder plating. He'd stare at the door to his office for kliks on end, before he shook his helm and turned back to his star-charts and calculations.
When a sharp sound echoed softly outside in the hall, the pyrenees would perk instantly in his seat, whirling around with his optics shining brightly in hope and his lip components lifted in a small smile. But each time, there was no kittycon standing at his door; no siamese walking into the room quietly and greeting him.
He felt sillier and sillier with every backwards glance.
Staring at the floor, Cosmos slowly turned his chair back to the desk, shuttering his optics quickly to keep the flood of tears at bay. He had thought he'd be alright with Blast Off leaving for a few orns; thought that it was something manageable for him to accept.
The autodog had not anticipated how quiet and alone his lab would feel without the other mech's frequent visits, or even how much his spark would miss his dear friend.
Title: Return
Rating: T
Summary: Blast Off makes his way home
It had been a long journey. He'd trekked several cycles through wild terrain, stowed away in the back of a small shipment truck transporting frozen meat for a few more cycles, before sneaking out at the nearest turn-off and spending the next orn and a half hiking through low-level trenches and sparse woodland back to Iacon.
And all with his insane brother by his side.
By the time that Blast Off made it into the heart of the city, he was worn down, a little dirty, more than exhausted enough and his patience was waning quickly. Warm, dawn sunlight pushed as best as it could around Iacon's prominent finance district, spilling down onto the sidewalks and warming the beginning morning traffic crowd as they went about, starting their business for the orn. Vortex slipped off into the throng of passersby at the first chance he got and Blast Off didn't bother trying to track down his irresponsible brother. Onslaught would handle him, in his own time.
At the moment, the siamese was supposed to be heading back to his sire himself, to inform him that the mission had completed successfully and that they had the downloaded data for their client. Blast Off was half-way to the subway, before he suddenly changed course, and headed for the pinnacle of Iacon's city hall that he could see from his position.
His aching limbs increased pace as he got close and closer to city hall; almost jogging as he turned the corner and saw the Science labs to his left.
By-passing front desk security, who already knew him and didn't bother to stop the kittycon, Blast Off took the stairs, climbing them quickly to the top level -Cosmos' lab. He knew he was disobeying orders and he was certain that a punishment would follow for not first reporting in... but Blast Off didn't care. A spark of rebellion bloomed under his chestplates, exploding and roaring into an inferno. Onslaught could be upset with his son if he wanted to be, but the siamese knew that the one who most deserved his notification of return first was the very mech he'd been forced to leave behind.
The kittycon slowed his pace just a tad as he exited out onto the final floor, patting down at his dirty shirt momentarily, before he continued briskly to the autodog's lab. Blast Off didn't even bother to knock before he entered, for-going his usual manners in his haste to see Cosmos. To see his astronomer's lovely smiling face again.
Cosmos was just crossing the room slowly, his helm turned down meekly and his arms laden with old file folders. At the sight of the brown mech entering into his office, the autodog gave a little yip in surprise, dropping all of his things. Blast Off slowed to a pause at the unexpected reaction.
"B-blast Off?!," the astronomer whispered breathlessly. Trembling servos rose up to the pyrenees' face, his optics filling rapidly with tears. "Y-you... y-you're back! I... I-i t-thought..."
Blast Off didn't wait for the rest of Cosmos' words. Immediately, the siamese closed the last of the distance between them, dropping to his knees and pulling the autodog up into a desperate kiss. The green mech gave a muffled yip at the sudden action, before his arms wrapped as tight as they could around the other's shoulders; Cosmos half-crying into the kiss.
The kittycon hugged the astronomer to him, breaking the kiss to plant warm, tender little ones all across the pyrenees' face; a servo lifting and wiping away his tears with his thumb. "I'm sorry," Blast Off whispered in sincere apology; his cold voice warmer, "I am sorry. About leaving, about surprising you, about kissing you... It was necessary that I see you first. I needed to know you were okay. I could not resist."
Cosmos shook his helm weakly, his servos grabbing Blast Off's servo and squeezing tight. "I-i, I d-don't mind," he whimpered, looking up into the taller mech's optics. "I... I c-couldn't... I w-was afraid..."
Though he knew it was selfish, the kittycon kissed Cosmos again. He kissed him roughly, easing out the pressure until it was almost feather-soft and keeping his mouth molded tight against the autodog's, feeling slowly as all the tears and anguish bled out of the pyrenees. Only when he felt Cosmos start to relax in his hold, did Blast Off slowly break off their kiss, easing back, optics fixed entirely on the green mech's and his servo gently grasping one of the autodog's servos.
"To you, I shall always return," the siamese promised lowly, "For my spark longs to be near yours at all times. And with you, it'll forever remain... if you wish to have it."
Cosmos shuttered his optics in surprise at the spark-felt words, feeling his own spark begin to pulse and whirl anxiously. He couldn't believe that Blast Off was asking him to be his mechfriend and making such enormous promises. This... this was all too good to be true! Slithering doubt pushed its way into the autodog's helm, whispering to him in its coy, conniving voices. Telling him that the kittycon was lying, that he didn't really feel such things for the other. That he would fail on all of his promises. But... Cosmos thought, swallowing sharply, that wasn't true... Hadn't Blast Off promised him before he left that he'd return? Hadn't he followed through with everything that he'd ever said, since the two mechs had made up a few months ago?
The astronomer's optics flared brightly as he realized this, his cheekplates darkening with a blush as he turned his focus back to the waiting kittycon. This mech had once told him that he loved him. He'd been hurt and jealous when he had thought Cosmos was with someone else, and quietly left again rather than interfere and hurt the autodog. Cosmos had been hurt greatly though when Blast Off had done that, and he had never felt happier than that orn when the siamese had apologized and they became friends. Everything after that Blast Off did or said displayed the sincerity of his spark and all the affections he still carried for the smaller mech.
Feelings that Cosmos realized now that he shared.
Smiling despite his optics quickly filling with tears again, the pyrenees squeezed the kittycon's servo, stepping closer to the surprised mech. "It feels as if I've waited my whole life for you," he whispered, reaching up and setting his servos on Blast Off's shoulders. The brown mech leaned down a little, pressing foreheads with the small autodog, looking deeply into each other's optics. "I... I w-want to share my spark with you as well. I-if you'll t-take it."
For the first time ever, Cosmos saw the grey optics flare, and the barest hint of a smile tug at the kittycon's lip components. "I accept," he replied, taking one of the astronomer's servos and kissing the back of it softly.
Spark pulsing with bliss, Cosmos giggled a little, snuggling closer to Blast Off; happy that both his feelings and this mech were returned to him.
