TF Drabble Phrase #11 – Mind Games
Pairing: Astrotrain/Blitzwing
It was hard to tell if he was joking or not because the way he delivered his phrases was so serious. Telling jokes and playing with heads is MY forte, Astrotrain. Get your own.
Alas, the areas of joking and messing with minds crossed over fairly often, making most situations for Blitzwing and Astrotrain quite tense. For those around them, anyway; both Decepticons were too pigheaded to realise just how uncomfortable everyone else was. However, Blitzwing was about to get a taste of his own medicine. And who better to do so than his fellow Triple-Changer?
It started with the typical fare one might have expected Skywarp to pull off: "Megatron wants to see you, Blitzwing."
Blitzwing, while conscious of the fact that Astrotrain might have been leading him on, knew it would be unwise to bicker with him and thus, keep Megatron waiting. He was aware of the other Decepticon's amused little grin as he walked off. After all, it was the kind of warning he would have given to any other unsuspecting victim.
When he finally found Megatron, who was seated in front of a giant telescreen viewing some maps and discussing with the Constructicons, he asked, "Mighty Megatron, you wished to see me?"
Megatron stopped speaking abruptly and turned slowly, an icy glare penetrating the intruder's optics. "Blitzwing? No, I did not wish to see you."
Blitzwing trembled Megatron's calm voice having enough venom in it to make him feel fear, his processor sinking. I knew Astrotrain tricked me.
"Now leave, before I order the Constructicons to form Devastator."
Blitzwing bowed slightly in apology. "Of course, Mighty Megatron."
He heard a snicker from behind him and knew that the six Constructicons would enjoy joking about it for weeks. Astrotrain too, he thought bitterly, looking forward to the next time he saw the Triple-Changer so he could smash his fist into that smug face.
However, the next time they met was a week later and the circumstances were very different. For one, Blitzwing was preoccupied, having holed himself up in the recently built shooting range. It was a fine place to be, especially if one needed to pour his stress and tension into a worthwhile activity. Blitzwing was absorbed and took no notice of anyone coming in or out, ignoring all the chatter around him. However, one particular voice reached his audio receptors and he knew he was being addressed. The message, though, was strange, especially since he knew the speaker was none other than Astrotrain.
"Nice shootin'."
"… What?"
Astrotrain merely smiled. And before Blitzwing could demand an explanation, he turned tail and left.
Blitzwing came to realise that the sense of confusion he felt (and was still feeling) was probably what others felt when he messed with them. It was some sort of cruel retribution, there was no doubt about that. And surely, it had to come some time or another. But to Blitzwing, the worst part was that Astrotrain was putting his head in a spin. He still wondered if the other Decepticon was sincere when he said, "Nice shootin'". Because Astrotrain could still be impressed, no matter how unlikely it seemed. Perhaps, if he wasn't joking around with Blitzwing, he WAS in awe.
Don't daydream, though. It's recon time.
He walked into the hangar, noting that most of the Decepticons has already gathered, Astrotrain included. Megatron followed soon after, flanked by Starscream and Soundwave.
"Listen up, Decepticons," he said, scanning his troops to ensure they were all there. "This is a simple recon operation. Nothing more. We need to find a source of energon. We're beginning to run out. So Thrust, Dirge, Ramjet, head to the north. Starscream, Thundercracker, Skywarp, head south. Blitzwing and Bombshell will head east. And Astrotrain, Soundwave and I will be going west."
Someone spoke up. "With all due respect, Megatron, I'd like to go east with Blitzwing. You take Bombshell."
Blitzwing was shocked. It was none other than Astrotrain. Why did he want to go with him? To confuse him further? He had to admit that if that was Astrotrain's plan, it was already succeeding.
"Oh? Why should I grant your request, Astrotrain?"
"Well, Megatron, it makes more sense if I go with him in case we decide to start taking Energon from the site. After all, we're both large, whereas Bombshell is quite small." He glanced apologetically at the single Insecticon. "You've got Soundwave's cassettes to help out if you choose to start getting the energon. If Blitzwing and I went together, it would be far more… space-efficient."
"Hmm." Megatron rubbed his chin, taking the Triple-Changer's proposal into consideration. "Very well. Go with Blitzwing. Bombshell! Come with me. Decepticons, move it!"
They took off, Astrotrain and Blitzwing flying in a curve around the tower until they were heading in the right direction. Neither of them said a word, Blitzwing desperately trying to avoid looking at his fellow Decepticon. It was only when they both realised that there was a mine a short way ahead of them that they landed, with Astrotrain speaking. "I'll radio Megatron and inform him of our discovery."
Blitzwing grunted, indicating the affirmative. He wandered off towards the mine, checking for any humans they might need to dispose of before their leader arrived. Having found none, he walked back to their initial landing spot, feeling disgruntled. He was looking forward to pummelling the life out of being that had no hope of striking back.
Astrotrain had just ended communications with Megatron and turned when he heard Blitzwing approach. "There you are. Megatron says he'll be over with the others pronto. Didja see anything?"
Blitzwing shook his head.
"Why so quiet?"
Once again, the tank Transformer was silent. As if you couldn't see, Astrotrain. Don't play around.
"You know, Blitzwing, you're probably not in the mood to hear this right now, but I thought you'd like to know anyway."
Sure, whatever. Rub it in.
"I like you."
All it is, Blitzwing told himself, is another joke. He wants to see your reaction. He was rather scathing about it, spluttering, "Oh, by Cybertron, you have GOT to be kidding."
"Yeah, I get that you wouldn't believe me." But Astrotrain did seem genuinely self-conscious, which was so unlike him. Maybe he was sincere? "After that prank I pulled, I don't blame you."
"Well…" As stupid as it seemed, Blitzwing felt a small sense of pity for him. "I thought you were just repaying me, y'know. After all, I've done tons of similar things to everyone else." He paused, wondering if he should admit his confusion. Deciding to do so, he added, "You just really put me in a spin. With the compliment and all that. I wasn't sure if you meant it or not."
"I meant that." Astrotrain pointed out.
"I see. Then I guess that your request to Megatron was just an excuse to tell me all this?" The train nodded. "Well, then… maybe we should hang out together sometime. You know… in a non-professional way."
"I knew you'd make the first move." Astrotrain grinned, giving Blitzwing's hand a quick squeeze.
Blitzwing's cheek plates grew warmer, but he regained some of his forwardness by murmuring, "Don't rub it in. And no more mind games."
"Course," Astrotrain said, and looking up towards the sky, they saw a large party of Decepticons approaching.
"Let's get to work."
END