AN: Second update~ It's half of what the other chapters have been so far, but I like it nonetheless. :3

Towerling
Chapter 10
Yellow

"I like your optics."

Mirage frowned at the seemingly random statement and glanced at Solaris sitting on the bench beside him. She smiled at him and continued to play with his fingers as she held his hand in her lap. Mirage didn't understand why she was constantly grabbing his hand now; it wasn't a common custom in the Towers, though he had seen some of the common mechs and femmes do so during an occasional excursion into the city. "Pardon?"

"I like your optics." Solaris looked away the longer he stared, and she slightly pinched his fingers between hers. "They're not 'Autobot blue' or 'Decepticon red.' They're just…aristocratic gold, I suppose. Even then, it's a rare color to see among the nobles!"

"Yes, I hear that my carrier was absolutely mortified when she first saw them. Even now she laments that they are the reason I am having a difficult time finding an appropriate partner."

"What!" Mirage flinched at the sudden yell, and he quickly scanned the crystals for anyone who may have heard. They were perfectly hidden in one of the many secluded alcoves of the gardens, but knowing the desire that many towerlings possessed for good gossip nevertheless kept Mirage on the edge and ever aware of their surroundings. "That's ridiculous! They're absolutely gorgeous. I know a mech from Vos who can't keep suitors off him because of his golden optics."

"Yes, well, this is the Towers." Mirage gently pulled his hand from hers and stood up. He walked a short distance away and picked up a crystal shard that had fallen out of its display. Instead of returning it like he normally would, he carried it back over to the bench where he sat again. "Here the most attractive shade of optics would be the lightest blue possible. I hear it is because that is the shade your optics become when you are thoroughly intoxicated with high-grade."

Solaris giggled, though she amicably attempted to hide them by covering her mouth. Mirage handed her the amber crystal he picked up, which she carefully spun in her hands. "Please tell me that's a joke. You're not a joking mech, but that sounded desperately like an attempt."

"Were it a joke, I may have never said it." Mirage gave her the deepest frown he could muster, making her giggle even more. What a strange femme she was, giggling at a frown. Any other femme would politely frown back at him. "Though, my understanding is that optics tend to darken the more intoxicated one becomes. I suppose none of them ever realize this, seeing as how I am usually the only sober mech left at most parties."

"Now that is a joke. No noble stays sober at any event, not even me!" Solaris gave the crystal back to him, and he returned it to the crystal bed, putting it in a place where it wouldn't fall again. "It's the only way we can cope with being trapped in one space together. If you're going to joke now, we need to work on your sense of humor. I'll give Cloudhugger a call later."

Mirage slowly blinked at her after he returned to the bench. "My sense of humor is perfect."

"Is it?"

"Of course. There is none, after all."

Mirage's mouth twitched at the full belly laugh that came from Solaris.