Author's Note: Thanks for all who reviewed! Please enjoy what I've been so looking forward to show. I've been imagining this moment since I started writing this story. I finally managed to get a cool proposal down. Thank heavens I watch enough sci-fi to actually know a few things. (shot)
Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers.
Chapter 14: The Proposal
Starscream:
"Why don't you just use the human body?" Ironhide asked, downing another energon cake that Bumblebee had been so willing to make. "You brought it all the way up here…"
Starscream lifted an eyebrow at the suggestion, finding himself curious as to why he hadn't thought of it before. Scratching the back of his head and staring at the ring for Iris, he realized that not only would it make them both feel more…level, but it would also be easier for him to put the thing on her finger. He trying to do on Mikaela was practically impossible, and they even had to stop before he broke the tiny limb. Ironhide certainly had his point. "Maybe," Starscream said nevertheless.
The black Autobot simply shrugged, leaning against the counter as he made another move for yet another cake. Fat boltbag. Starscream paused to rub his optic for a moment, waiting as Optimus spoke to the humans for an amount of time. He, and the other Autobots, had considered allowing a few of the more important human officials from the government, specifically the ones that assisted in destroying Megatron, to also join their celebration. Therefore, while Optimus did his thing, Starscream was forced to endure some time with his favorite cohort, Ironhide.
"Why did you make it out of the Allspark?" the black Transformer continued to inquire.
Starscream slid his annoyed gaze to the other and asked, "Should I have made it from anything else?"
"Something from Earth."
"Is that what you would give your most beloved mate in the universe?"
Ironhide returned his comment with a glare. "Hmph," was his only verbal response as he munched on another cake.
"Hey you guys," Sunstreaker said as he entered the kitchen. "Optimus is done with his little speech with everyone, so you should come now."
"Awright," Ironhide replied with his mouth full.
Rolling his optics, Starscream moved from his place against the counter and slipped out the door. Sunstreaker watched him stride past with an inquisitive gaze; the ex-Decepticon had actually gotten quite used to it now, considering all the Autobots seemed to still be unbelieving in the idea that Starscream had joined them. Well, whatever. They could ask and stare as much as they wanted to. Walking down the hallway, Starscream found himself growing more nervous the more time ticked past. It was almost midnight to human standards, and the party had just begun. He would take her to the sight room, which had the most windows. He would show her the beauty of the stars, the moon, the Earth. He would show her what he could offer her in this lifetime, all the love and beauty in the universe. Then he would ask. And then it would be his life in one word that came to her lips.
Sighing almost absently, Starscream wandered into the common room, the largest area of all on the ship, two Autobots following him. Moaning somewhat, he was stopped by a hand on his shoulder. Turning, he discovered a red and yellow Autobot standing before him. Holding out his hand, Starscream took it wearily as the other said, "I'm Hot Rod. It's nice to have you on our team, Starscream."
"Pleasure," he mumbled, unsure of how to reply.
"You're great in battle…I take it you change into an F-22 fighter air jet, yes?" he continued, making Starscream realize that he was in for a conversation.
"Yes, I do…" the other replied while taking a cup of glowing purple liquid Hot Rod handed to him. It had been a very long time since he had drank any energon substance, but once downing it one shot, had discovered that he missed the taste and feeling of it traveling through his systems. Savoring the liquid in his mouth, he felt himself traveling away from the conversation. It was just too nerve-wrecking, besides everything that had happened. He was going to marry—or at least introduce the possibility—a human. Something so tiny, fragile and…and…squishy. Once he had considered them to be a nuisance; but he realized that if Megatron's plan had come to pass, he never would've met her and things would've never happened this way. He supposed he had Sam and the Autobots to thank for that.
--
Iris:
"Don't you ever find yourself doubting that Starscream would be a good partner?" Wheeljack asked, swirling the neon purple contents in a massive cup.
"…Not really," Iris said after a moment of thought, "He's been very good to me so far."
"It's just so weird," the silver Autobot continued, "I've never seen a Decepticon change sides, and the last one that I would ever consider becoming a good-natured Autobot would be him. But I suppose there's a lot to him than first meet's the eye."
Iris nodded, adding, "I thought that first, too. And then I recognized the fact that he just has a lot of pride, and is very self conscious. He worries about what others see him as, and he probably didn't want to be considered weak. But now that he's shown his power through being an Autobot, I think others reconsider."
"I know I did," Wheeljack muttered while taking a spare glance at the ex-Decepticon.
Two gazes found one staring back at them already; Starscream realized this and shook his head, then shifted back to Hot Rod who had been talking the entire time, oblivious to the fact that Starscream hadn't heard a word he said. Iris grinned at his tactics, and it almost made her feel happy that he should be so interested in her if he wasn't in a half-conversation in the first place. "He's…sensitive," Iris murmured, "There's a lot in him, and he's very, very sensitive about it. He doesn't trust people at first, and it takes him a long time to get him to do such a thing."
Wheeljack lifted his eyebrows in disbelief. "You seemed to manage it pretty quickly."
"Because all I offered was unconditional love," she replied, smiling softly. "I never disobeyed. Except once."
"When was that?"
"When I feared for his life."
"Ah."
Silence became the two for a moment, Iris staring fondly at the other side of the room as Starscream passed her an affectionate glance for every one he could spare. Iris sat on the long range of the counter, Wheeljack leaning up against it, while panels of windows facing the outside beauty of space and Earth were spread behind her. The room was moderately noisy from the fact that all the Autobots were chatting amongst one another, mostly talking about their adventures to their comrades they hadn't seen in such a long time. All the Autobots seemed to spare her a great amount of respect, simply because of the fact of her relationship with Starscream. However, they seemed to be shy to really ask her any questions, Wheeljack had managed to slip his way through the small talk and be a bit inquisitive. Not that she minded, of course, she never minded about talking about Starscream.
"So did he, uh…mark you yet?" Wheeljack suddenly asked.
"Mm-hm," Iris replied casually, licking her lips.
"You accept this so easily?" the other continued.
"It was a little…uncomfortable at first, but the pain eventually goes away," she replied while letting her legs swing over the edge of the counter.
Wheeljack stared at her for a moment. "That's not what I meant."
Iris turned to him, and she found he was giving her a funny look. To his surprise, she merely smiled, patting his arm which was laid in between them before she said, "Do not think of me in such a way. I was a boring girl, once, Wheeljack. And Starscream was the one who made me different, extravagant, and beautiful…even a bit crazy."
"…You really love him?"
The question in itself didn't necessarily catch her off guard as it did with the way he put it. Was what that feeling was? That bubbly feeling her stomach that reached up to her chest, filled her senses and brought warmth to her fingers and toes? Maybe that was it after all, and to Mikaela's question—
"Hungry?" Wheeljack suddenly asked.
"I am, actually," Iris replied, and allowed him to help her up. "Can people eat energon?"
"I think, but I'm not sure," he said, picking her up. "You're going to have to sit at a table on the counter next to us with the rest of the humans. I'm afraid our forks and spoon are too big for you to use."
"They're as big as me, aren't they?" she asked with a grin.
"Maybe a tad smaller, but yes," the silver Autobot replied. "I don't think I've had a party like this in millennia's. Far too much for the liking, if you ask me."
"You live for so long…I'm sorry to hear that," she murmured, staring up at him.
"Oh, well, once you do have the chance to have parties like these, it's well worth the wait. I don't think I've seen my comrades so relaxed…and seeing Optimus Prime enjoying himself so much after all he's had to sacrifice is definitely a Spark-warmer," Wheeljack murmured, glancing at his leader. Optimus himself was chatting merrily with the one they called Hound, a boxy figure, but looked pleasant to speak with.
"He looks happy," Iris added with a smile up at Wheeljack.
"It's a very reassuring thing," the other said with a content sigh.
"If you'll excuse me," Iris suddenly heard Starscream say to Hot Rod, before departing the conversation and making his way towards her. "Damsel in distress, I have come to save you."
"Lucky for you," Wheeljack joked as he handed over the tiny human. "I was about to run away with her."
"In your wildest dreams," Starscream shot back as he placed her on his shoulder. "You'll have to find yourself another…no, wait, there is no other like Iris."
The young woman blushed, giving him a large smile. Wheeljack did the same, but his was far more playful and she could tell he was thinking of the impossibility of the situation. Starscream. Giving someone a comment. NO FREAKING WAY. Nevertheless, they split before Bumblebee, who had helped fix dinner up along with Ratchet, told everybody that their meal was complete and awaiting them. This should be interesting.
--
Starscream:
"This feels weird, Ratchet," Starscream whined, twisted the body. "Besides the whole equation of being a tenth of your size, I feel…squishy."
"Well, it goes along with having sweat and blood, my friend," the doctor replied. "I figured you'd be more worried about staring at yourself."
Starscream gave a weary look over to his other body, which was slumped in a corner at the other room. It was in constant recharge, considering his Spark wasn't there to keep it alive, and looked as dead as it probably was. Any other Autobot, including Bumblebee and Hot Rod that came in here without knowing what was going on, would no doubt consider him indeed dead. Of course, it would've really bothered him if he wasn't doing this for Iris. For her sake, he could at least deal with being smaller, but it just felt weird inside. Like he shouldn't be there.
"Your eyes glow," Ratchet noted.
"Does it look freaky?" Starscream asked as he clothed himself in human garments. He honestly didn't care if he walked out there stark naked in human terms, but he was sure he would get a strange reaction from everyone. Not to mention the fact he wanted to look best for his love, and being bare of clothes wasn't an attire to do such…for now.
"Not necessarily…your pupils are white," the doctor added with the point of his finger.
Starscream halted from tripping into the 'pants' to give Ratchet a glare. "That's not freaky at all," he replied sarcastically.
"Calm down, Starscream…I know you're nervous, I would be in your shoes, too, but you have to remind yourself that it'll very unlikely she'll give you a big 'no'," Ratchet mentioned while giving him a soft expression. "Imagine how she feels at this point. Her parents refused her, she's about as much in love with you as you are with her, and she's got nothing holding her back to her Earthly life. I wouldn't be surprised if she asked you first."
The ex-Decepticon sighed, understanding his point. Of course, it didn't falter the feeling of something fluttering in his abdomen. He moved a hand across the 'skin', made of nylon and plants and other materials, feeling the resonation of muscle over the metal skeptical structure beneath it all. It just felt so…different. "Yeah…I guess you're right," Starscream muttered as he tossed the button up shirt around his back and around his arms. "I just don't think I could handle myself if she refused."
"Even if she did, I don't imagine it would be forever," Ratchet said gently. "It can't rain every day."
Starscream glanced up at him, a thoughtful expression masking his nervousness for a moment. "Yeah…yeah, I suppose," he finally replied, shrugging on the long trench coat to add to his 'casual gentleman' appeal. "How do I look?"
"Like a human," Ratchet replied, smiling at him. "Except it's somewhat awkward without the shoes…"
The beige Autobot gave another disgusted glance towards the foot protectors, curling his nose as a human would. "I just don't understand these fleshlings."
"I find it interesting—"
"Iris is different, all right! She makes EVERYTHING look pretty!" Starscream snapped before Ratchet could start in. With a huff, the ex-Decepticon stomped his feet in the shoes, coiling somewhat at the weird sensation they brought. They, including the clothes, made it feel like a soft wall was surrounding Starscream besides his head. He might as well thrown a Transformer-sized comforter on with his normal body for what this effect brought. With a sigh and a swipe of his tan, coarse hair, he gestured Ratchet to pick him up.
The doctor obliged, allowing Starscream to get onto his hand himself. Exiting out of the hospital ward of the ship, they strode through the corridor meeting the rest of the Autobots in the common room. Amazing as it was, dinner went respectively well with everyone treating Starscream like their own. They asked him mild questions about Megatron, ones that ended up someone making a snide remark about the Decepticon leader, and everyone roaring into laughter. Even Starscream joined at some points, especially when Hot Rod would put in his opinion about the prick. In other words, the environment stabled Starscream enough to make himself feel at home with them. Perhaps it was because of their own individual personalities, perhaps it was them as a whole. Whatever the case, Starscream found himself grateful for their acceptance.
In the end, he also found the energon meal eased the nervousness in his mind, and brought a stabilizing presence in his Spark. Now he was ready. He would ask her. He didn't feel scared anymore.
"Hello," Ratchet said kindly as Hound passed them, giving an odd look to Starscream.
The ex-Decepticon grinned; he always loved getting those looks. As they arrived the common room again, Ratchet quietly placed Starscream on the counter behind Iris, who was chatting with some of the government officials. Many questionable heads turned towards both Starscream and Ratchet, a knowing one coming from Optimus as he smiled. Silently, the beige Autobot stepped in close behind Iris, moving a finger to gently touching her dangling hand by her side.
"Oh? Who's there?" she asked, attempting to turn around.
Starscream closed in on her, taking both hands and wrapping his own arms around her stomach. Settling his nose into the edge of her neck, he could sense her heart rate flaring and a blush rise to her cheeks. Her smell became apparent, overwhelming Starscream, but it was soft and sweet, not at all too strong or intoxicating. Rocking her a little, she asked, "Wh-who is this? I have a boyfriend, you know. He'll beat you up."
The beige Autobot laughed softly, murmuring, "Even if he was my size?"
At this, the young woman twitched and twisted again, this time Starscream allowing her to turn. She stared up at him, those huge, innocent blue eyes curious, baffled. It took her a moment, giving him a once-over before saying softly, "Starscream…?"
"Hello," he said teasingly, taking her hand and putting his lips against her knuckles. "I thought I should…surprise you."
"Oh my goodness!" she cried, tossing her arms around his neck.
"Oh! I guess it worked," Starscream replied with a laugh.
"Starscream…?" the voice, from Bumblebee, said, absolutely flabbergasted.
A unified gasp arose in the room, obviously not hearing it from Iris, before they turned shocked stares from Ratchet, to Optimus, back to Starscream. All at once, they began chattering, some of them even coming to take a picture of Starscream with Iris. He merely rolled his eyes, letting them enjoy the moment for what it was worth. Yes, the neurotic Starscream not only gave up his personality, he gave up his body in order to please a human as well. The universe has ended. All three Autobots gave knowing glances at each other before Starscream said, "I'd like to take you somewhere."
"Okay…" Iris replied with a smile, still clinging to him. "I have to admit, though, you are very handsome, my dear."
"Thank you. I also have the capability to sweat, to bleed and…other things," he said smoothly, giving her a suggestive gaze.
Her flushed deepened immediately, but she smiled nevertheless. Ratchet held an open palm for them to get on, and Iris even sat in Starscream's lap, enjoying his certain body to the maximum. "Your eyes…" she then whispered, capturing his cheeks in her hands, "They're beautiful…"
A rush of relief washed of Starscream as he said, "We didn't even mean them to come out this way."
"They remind me…of the sky…" she murmured, staring into his eyes with a very loving expression.
Starscream smiled, nuzzling her nose with his own. "You always know how to get me."
"Hey, get a room before you start pulling anything on my hand," Ratchet groused.
"Oh, don't blow a gasket," Starscream retorted, shooting a glare up at him. "We're here anyways."
Ratchet smirked as he opened the door to a certain room, and darkness met Starscream's sense. He turned on his inferred, though unnecessary, before being placed on the circular podium that sat in the center of the room. Ratchet, with that, departed, saying he needed to speak with Optimus about a certain subject. Not like it mattered that he said that, only reassuring Iris that there wasn't anything spectacular in what Starscream had in store for her. Merely, she nodded, before the lights dimly glowed around the edges of the spherical room, and Starscream pressed a button on the podium.
With it, metal shifted and contracted, leaving the ceiling opened, revealing the splendor of space and the night through hexagonal crystal windows. Iris gasped as the flood of stars and comets and planets inundated her senses, and the reaction was worth it to Starscream. They walked around the podium for a moment, Starscream checking the ring was in his pocket before he found Iris at the edge, staring up with sheer wonder. "This is beautiful, Starscream…" she whispered, fingertips fluttering to her mouth. She then whirled around to face him, smiling gently as she said, "It's like a dream…a dream I've always wanted to have, but always had something missing…but now it's there."
Starscream found himself realizing how much he loved her at that moment. While away from the young woman, he was consistently second-guessing himself at the idea that she could be happy from anything he did, but now that she was right next to him, he realized there was nothing she couldn't be satisfied with. It meant the universe to him, and besides that, to be his partner for life was something he couldn't help but smile about. His future was bright; he could see it coming like a light at the end of a dark, long and horror-filled tunnel.
Smiling from such a thought, he walked up to her, placing a hand at the nape of her back. In turn, she glanced up at him, then they both looked to the stars, sharing the moment of silence. "This is only a touch of what it all really looks like," he then whispered in her ear. "Imagine supernovas…imagine nebulas in colors you haven't even seen before and galaxies ten times the size of the one you live in…"
She glanced back at him, her eyes shimmering with amazement and a smile drawn across her features. "Oh, Starscream…"
"Imagine," he began again, running a hand through her silk-like hair, his other open palm smoothing the air in front of them like a vision, "planets fresh and clean, not a single unbalanced statistic in their atmosphere or in their lakes, or in their environments. Imagine, Iris, new species that have just begun on their route to evolution, or those who have lasted for millions and millions of years, far beyond even the Transformer's advances. New discoveries, new perspectives of life and love and truth and beauty…imagine it."
"I can't even…it's so big," she whispered, lifting her hands up. "If only I could see it."
Starscream smiled, taking her soft cheek in the palm of his hand as he said, making eye contact with her, "I can show it to you. Everything…the galaxies, the things humans couldn't even imagine. Things not yet discovered by either of our species."
"Starscream…" she whispered, blue orbs glimmering with awe at the mere thought.
"I want to show it you," he murmured, taking her hand and enfolding his fingers in her own. "The two of us, together. To see what secrets the universe holds for us."
Iris smiled, something of a knowing gaze overtaking her face. "And I…I want to show you my own planet, too. I want to show what we have to offer…and I want you to show me what you have to offer."
"We'll do it, together," Starscream whispered, suddenly finding himself lost in the moment. They faced each other, foreheads touching, hands laced together as the universe murmured the possibilities to them. Stars exploded around them, planets flaring to life with powers that none had ever seen before. Creatures thought to have never been able to exist were sprung into the environment, with senses unknown to humans and Transformers alike, seeing things never thought possible. Comets powered through space at the speed of light, a shimmer of white and blue, leaving one spot to never be there again.
Know.
Starscream finally reached for it, lifting the beautiful grey ring to Iris's sight. She said nothing, but no words were necessary from the shock and the love she had sprung on her features, her reflective eyes staring at it in complete awe. Yes. Moving, Starscream slipped it on her finger and Iris took it, beaming as tears of happiness trailed down her warm cheeks. The beige Autobot kissed them away with soft lips, taking her tiny form into his body as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Though tears streamed down her cheeks, Iris smiled back at him, and he back at her, before their lips joined. The kiss they shared represented a new beginning, not only for each of them, but for a new opportunity for all.
Believe.
The tan male slipped Iris to the ground beneath them, moving his hands to her shoulders to slip off the offending straps that held her black dress in place. Iris herself smoothed a hand over his chest as they continued to kiss, removing the trench coat, merely to have Starscream to move it under her. The collared shirt was slowly unbutton by her slender fingers, skin that felt so real emitting warmth from his Spark as he leaned down on top of her. The irritating dress was quickly cast aside, the buttoned shirt, the shoes, the pants, the tights. Starscream stared down at her, running a hand over her forehead. The young woman lifted her head and connected their mouths, sweet and enticing.
See.
Life whirled around them at speeds unknown, deep space offering endless possibilities. The life of the smallest things that created the greatest changes and beauty of the universe; the cause and effect that could bring them the most tender love and the strongest sense of justice. It seeped down into the ship and into their moment, the joining of their bodies and of themselves. The grey ring that rested on Iris's finger shimmered slightly, going on unnoticed by the two as the woman clung to Starscream. He shifted, moving downward, a soft moan escaping her lips. Moving in a steady rhythm, a growing light consumed them both; an escalating, blooming flow of life escaped from Starscream and entered Iris, settling there. Connecting. Becoming. Growing.
Understand.
Iris cried out, Starscream following. Fingers dug into his back as they reached climax, an explosion of color and splendor filling their dim, grey worlds. No longer did they have to suffer the hardships of being alone; never again did they have to feel the horrible pain of knowing their ego continuing to be destroyed. They were together now. And they would always love each other. Even if those that were close were lost or abandoned them, they would always have the other, their hearts, their souls, their worlds never again to be split apart. Panting, the young woman's head fell back, only to be caught by his palm on the back of her head. Heat and pleasure shook both their bodies, but they smiled at each despite their fatigue. Then they kissed, held one another, shared one another.
"You're so beautiful, Starscream…" Iris whispered, running a hand through tough hair.
"Hey, that's my line to you," he teased, nipping at her ear.
"You're right…" she replied, staring up at the sky, "I'm supposed to say 'Thank you'."
Starscream paused a moment, grinning, before he retorted, "No, I called that one, too."
"Oh!" she gasped before a reply came, noticing he was doing some after play.
Unfortunately, their moment was cut short when the door suddenly shot open, revealing Optimus and Bumblebee. The yellow Autobot, obviously tipsy from the concoctions he'd ingested during the night, screamed and threw his hands in the air, tossing his cup of fluid while he was it at, and ran like the pits down the corridor. Optimus paused a moment as he stared after Bumblebee, looking a bit drunk himself, before he turned to the couple and said, "Excuse us."
"Just close the door, boss," Starscream said with the roll of his eyes.
It was replied with the hiss of the entrance closing, the reassuring 'click' of the lock as it went into place.
"That's going to be imprinted on his mind forever," Iris noted.
"Oh yeah," Starscream replied, "Teaches him to not knock on doors…"
Soft laughter bubbled as Starscream toyed around, dragging his tongue in certain areas.
"I hope our marriage is on Earth," Iris then mentioned, tapping her lip.
Starscream glanced up, licking his mouth and said, "That's what I was thinking. Or we could have it on Cybertron. Despite the fact that it's a wreck."
"Cybertron…" Iris whispered, mesmerized. "We just might have to. Either way, I'm glad you asked. I almost considered asking you beforehand."
At the comment, Starscream cocked his head, smirking impishly. "Ratchet kept saying that…is it not customary for men to ask the women on your planet?"
"Eh, I'm not so into tradition," Iris said with a shrug.
"You're reminding me of me. Stop that," Starscream teased as he leaned against her, the young woman taking his head and hugging it to her.
"You're so sweet…" she whispered.
"I'm so in love…" he retorted. "You're the one that's sweet."
"I'm more in love than you."
"Nuh-uh."
"Oh yes."
"Cut that out. There would be absolutely no way that you can love me as much as I love you."
"Want to bet?"
"Oh yes."
Iris laughed, lining a finger down his cheek. He smiled, nibbling at her nose.
Then a there was a knock at the door.
"That best not be Ironhide and Ratchet…"
"Starscream? Did she say yes?" the doctor's voice filtered through the steel barrier.
…
"I'm going to kill them both."
--
A/N: No cliffhanger this time! I was in too good of a mood after writing this to do that to you guys. (smiles) Read and review, please!
AUGH. I'm stuck! I have writer's block! I don't know what to DO for the next chapter. AUGH. SUGGESTIONS. PLEASE.