Sorry this took a while... I'm not exactly happy with this chapter. A bit, okay, a lot of it is out of character. Or I think it is, anyway. I know what I'm writing in future chapters, it's just chapters like this one that need to be there, but are getting in the way. If anyone has any constructive criticism or any ideas to help me, I'd be willing to hear them! I'd like to thank NiceBeans (who I know in person) for adding this story to their faves, adding me to their favorite authors list, subscribing to this and me, and leaving a review. A huge shout out to you NiceBeans! Written whilst listening to Broken Wings, One Day Remains, Metalingus and Open Your Eyes by Alter Bridge. Anyway, on with the chapter!
EDIT: This chapter takes place 10 weeks after the events of chapter 9.
Cyclonus walked through the halls of the Decepticon headquarters. It had taken a while, but he was finally back to normal after the Draxian attack. Well, as far as anyone else could tell, he was just as he was before.
But on the inside, he had changed immensely. If someone were to follow him to his quarters after a day's work, they would see that he constantly checked around corners before walking down them, a very faint case of paranoia still present in his systems. Rarely, there were also nightmares, ones that he had somehow managed to suppress whilst in Twilight's care.
Speaking of the femme, it was obvious to the others at base that the two warriors had grown closer during Cyclonus' stay in her quarters. Obviously, there was the occasional rumour spreading around the hallways as to how exactly they had gotten closer. Cyclonus didn't know for sure, but he had a feeling that Rumble and Frenzy were behind it all, especially since they seemed to snicker every time Twilight and Cyclonus did so much as walk past each-other.
As much as he despised the little troublemakers, Frenzy and Rumble did have a point. Now that they'd gotten to know each-other better, the purple jet did have to admit that an unfamiliar feeling had stirred within his spark. Shaking his head, he scowled to himself.
'Snap out of it, mech. Whatever it is that you're feeling, it's not likely that she'd feel the same.' To hear the words come from himself so sharply hurt even more. Putting on an emotionless mask that even Soundwave would be proud of, Cyclonus walked into the throne room.
Work was tedious, as usual. Filling out and signing datapads. Not that he'd ever say so. Normally, he'd chastise himself for even thinking such things, but being around Twilight had opened his optics a little.
The femme was loyal, but she had no problems speaking her mind, even if it meant speaking against the mighty Galvatron himself. There was as much of a chance of her rebelling against him as there was Swindle putting an end to his scams, but she was not blinded by her loyalty.
And Cyclonus couldn't help but think he was no longer blinded either. Unicron had rebuilt him to be the most loyal second in command, one that would never challenge the actions of his leader, one that would never try to overthrow him.
But then she came along, and suddenly, he felt as if he were seeing the universe through different optics. It was like a slap in the face-plates to Unicron himself. Setting the final datapad into the file, Cyclonus sank down in his chair. The loyal side of him hated himself for admitting it, but he liked the way he saw things now, he preferred it.
With a quiet hiss, the doors to the throne room opened. Galvatron walked in, and Cyclonus noticed that until now, he had been alone in the throne room for quite some time. Standing up and bowing slightly, Cyclonus waited for his leader to give him permission before returning the new stack of datapads.
Galvatron watched in confusion. Sure, the purple jet was quiet whilst doing work, he always had been. But there was an irritable frown placed on the mech's face-plates that was definitely not concerning the information on the datapad. No, this was something that was eating his second in command from the inside out. After a while, the warlord couldn't stand looking at his subordinate's frustrated features.
"Something wrong, Cyclonus?" Said mech's frame immediately went rigid, turning to face the Decepticon leader.
"N-no, not at all My Lord." Galvatron frowned. Cyclonus never lied. Partially because of his loyal programming, but also because he was generally terrible at it. Well, when it came to lying to Galvatron, he was.
"Do you think I'm stupid, Cyclonus?" A shocked look flitted across the tall mech's face-plates.
"Not at all, sire!"
"Then why do you lie to me?"
"My Lord, I would never-"
"You're an awful liar, Cyclonus. Something's bothering you, and I want to know what."
"Please do not take offence, sire, but even if I did explain, I'm not sure you could help."
"Tell me, Cyclonus, that's an order." Galvatron's second sighed.
"I have this weird... Feeling in my spark." Galvatron's optic ridge raised slightly.
"Go on."
"It's like... I have this urge to, well... Protect... Someone. It's almost as if I couldn't bear the thought of them being harmed, like my spark would literally be torn from it's casing if anything were to happen to them. I can't stop thinking about them and whenever I hear their name-"
Cyclonus quickly silenced himself, knowing he had already said too much. Galvatron let his SIC's words sink in before a smirk appeared on his face-plates.
"Do you, perhaps, know something, my lord?"
The leader of the Decepticons started to laugh hysterically. Cyclonus, slightly embarrassed, turned back to the datapad he had been filling in. The small sound of metal hitting metal was heard as Galvatron walked over to his throne and sat down. There was a split-second of silence, one that Cyclonus wished could've lasted for a century, before Galvatron spoke, still chuckling slightly.
"I've felt that same feeling once before, when I was the being designated Megatron. It's Twilight, isn't it? You love her."
Cyclonus dropped his stylus, whipping round to face Galvatron. His leader's time as Megatron was rarely spoken of, only in serious conversations. He didn't know what to say. If he said no, he'd be beaten for lying, if he said yes, he'd probably be beaten as well. It took a while, but he finally made a decision.
"N-no, Mighty Galvatr-"
"Don't lie to me, Cyclonus! Now, I'll ask again. It's Twilight that you have feelings for, isn't it?" The answer he heard was barely audible, as the mech hung his head in what looked like shame.
"Yes, my lord." Galvatron burst into another fit of laughter.
"Out of all the mechs..."
"F-forgive me, Mighty Galvatron! I should not think of her-"
"No need for apologies, Cyclonus. Almost every mech at base thinks the femme's good-looking. Out of them all, you're the only one I'd actually trust."
Cyclonus fought back the growl that was rising in his vocaliser. Yes, he was glad that Galvatron had voiced his trust in him. But he knew what his leader was trying to say. It didn't take a scientist to figure out just what practically every other mech's intentions for the femme were. The mech was brought out of his thoughts when Galvatron rested an elbow on the arm of his throne, then, placing his chin on his upturned palm, addressed his second.
"Love is an emotion very rarely felt by Decepticon warriors, especially of such a high rank like yourself. Emotions are what makes the Autobots so weak, that's why Decepticons tend to stay void of them. The others' opinion of Twilight was made clear the moment she arrived, and so were their intentions. You, however, actually hold respect for her, and she seems to have 'opened up' to you..." Cyclonus watched in hesitation as the regal mech grew silent.
"Very well!" Cyclonus jumped slightly at the sudden change in his commander's tone. Fierce crimson optics locking onto Cyclonus' own, Galvatron picked up where he left off.
"Twilight is like a daughter to me, Cyclonus. Given that she means so much to me, I made it clear that no-one was to try anything with her. But... you are different. Cyclonus, I give you permission to court Twilight." The purple jet looked at his leader with an unreadable expression.
"I am most grateful, My Lord... But, why?" The rest of the question was carried to Galvatron in the look Cyclonus was giving him. It had completely morphed into utter confusion and shock.
"Like I said, you respect her, you respect the fact that she isn't just a femme with good looks, but one that is an amazing warrior, and a loyal and brave Decepticon. It is clear that the feelings you are harbouring are not just a childish, sick, lust, but something far beyond that. She has affected your very spark, your core, it is obvious in the way that you speak of her, the way that you look at her."
Cyclonus couldn't help the slight embarrassment. Had it been that obvious?
"Thank you, sire." Galvatron nodded with a chuckle.
"Ah, but I wish you luck, Cyclonus. Twilight does not fall for petty compliments and beautiful gifts. She is a warrior, and love is just as absent in her spark as with any other Decepticon, even more so, perhaps." The jet nodded, still not fully grasping the situation. As he turned to walk out of the throne room, stack of datapads in hand, Galvatron called after him, voice taking on a much darker, threatening tone.
"Oh, and Cyclonus? Do anything to her against her will, and I will personally see to it that your spark is ripped from your chest." Turning so quickly he almost tripped over his own feet, Cyclonus replied,
"I would never do such a thing, Mighty Galvatron!"
As he returned to his quarters, a thought popped into his processor abruptly.
'She'd probably kick my aft before I could even think of trying to do anything anyway.' With a chuckle, he continued walking slowly down the corridors.
If anyone were to follow Cyclonus to his quarters on this particular evening, they would notice that he was not checking around corners, or turning his head at every small sound he heard. No, he was now filled with a newfound determination, one that was drowning out those last little glitches of paranoia.
'I will make her mine.'
Like I said, if you think this is too OOC for either Galvatron or Cyclonus (or both) let me know, advice would be appreciated, but don't bother flaming, you will be ignored.
Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers, or any of the characters I use in this story, apart from Twilight.