Fallen Angels

Academy

TC had gotten used to looking out for Prowl as well as looking out for his trine mates. After all, it wasn't like Prowl actively sought out trouble like Warp was prone to do, and Screamer kept a close enough optic on him as it was. For the most part, all TC did was take over when Screamer had either a severe study session with Skyfire (which put Screamer in such a good mood) or was in detention after one of those study sessions. TC failed to understand how Skyfire managed to keep pissing off the very mech that he had a huge crush on.

Then again, TC mused as he watched Prowl and Starscream go through the lunch line, he could see where Skyfire would get jealous. Prowl and Screamer were standing much closer together than they normally did, Screamer occasionally brushing Prowl's hand with his, and Skyfire –

Well, if looks could kill, no force on Cybertron could save Prowl.

Starscream slid into the seat across from TC, Prowl taking the seat next to him. Prowl frowned. "Warp get detention again?"

TC grimaced. "Yep. Told the dumb fragger it was stupid to prank Sentinel when he was in a mood." he muttered. Starscream shook his helm.

"Not much we can do about him being a dumb fragger." he pointed out.

"True. But still." TC all but pouted.

Prowl wasn't quite looking at Screamer and TC, though. He was looking pastScreamer. "Um, Star? Why does Skyfire look royally fragged off?" he asked, doorwings pulling back in a clear indication of discomfort. Screamer twisted around and growled something under his breath.

"Don't mind him." he muttered. "He just has the world's biggest crush on me."

TC grinned. "And it frags him off that you have Screamer's undivided attention." he commented.

Prowl didn't miss the venomous look Screamer gave TC, but he decided not to comment on it for the moment. That would come later. He shrugged casually. "Not my fault I got adopted by the trine and he didn't." he said blandly. Screamer chuckled at that.

"Very true." he said with a small grin. "Still, he grates my nerves more often than not. Always fawning over me, just like when we were sparklings." His lips curled into a sneer.

Prowl considered this for a moment. "Have you let him know you aren't interested?" he asked.

TC burst out laughing at that. "Does decking him in the face count?"

Prowl grinned. "Yep, that counts."

"And he still won't get the hint." Screamer growled.

Prowl leaned back in his chair for a moment before casting them both a smirk. "Be right back." he said, letting his hand trail across Screamer's shoulder before walking off. Starscream shivered.

TC grinned. "Still gonna sell me that crap about not being interested?" he teased.

Starscream shrugged. "Okay, so I am interested."

"You can do better than that." TC said in a sing-song voice. Screamer merely flicked him off. TC just laughed. He had won; Starscream didn't need to admit it. TC knew exactly what Screamer felt. It was just a matter of getting the stubborn jet to admit it.

Prowl approached Skyfire with a small smile on his face. "Hello, Skyfire."

"Prowl." Skyfire muttered. "Coming over here to gloat?"

"Hardly." Prowl said dryly. "Star and I aren't an item, and if we were, I wouldn't feel the need to rub your nose in it." He took a deep breath. This wasn't something he had ever done before, but the trine protocols he had assimilated from Star, TC, and Warp demanded that he do something to help his trine mates. Even if it was defending Star from an annoying suitor.

There was something else as well, but Prowl chose to ignore that for the moment. He could figure it out later.

"What I want to tell you," he continued, "is that you really should stop pestering Starscream."

Skyfire snorted. "Do you have any idea how long I've loved him?" he demanded. "I can't just give up. He's all I've ever wanted."

It was all Prowl could do not to laugh at that. TC was right – he really was blind. "Skyfire, Starscream has never loved you." he said gently. "You know that. Besides, if you keep mooning after him, someone who will love you back will come along, and you'll never see them because you're too blind." His bit said, he turned to walk away.

Skyfire's voice stopped him. "Are you helping me or yourself?" he asked.

Prowl considered. "I'm helping Star. Take that how you will."

Starscream gave Prowl a look as he sat back down. "What did you say to him?" he asked, tilting his helm to the side.

Prowl smirked. "I told him to keep his optics off my mech." he said in a total deadpan.

Star looked like he was about to choke. TC was laughing hysterically. Prowl merely smiled and turned his attention back to his energon cube.

It was so nice to be proven right.