CHAPTER 37

"… Not wasting time, are you?"

The nightfall had come down when Drift joined Fracture in the forest. He had found him easily. The purple Decepticon had settled down in a clearing, watching something on a Pad while drinking a cube of energon. As promised and despite his comrade's objections, Drift had come without his Minicons. However, he had still kept his swords though he had the feeling he wouldn't have to use them tonight.

After Fracture's departure, Bumblebee had tried to convince him not to go there. It could have been an ambush. His teammates had repeated the same thing. Even Jetstorm and Slipstream had agreed with them while they never contested their Master's decisions. But Drift had given his word.

That "contract" confused him…That was so odd. Especially if Lockdown was part of it. Drift got closer to the purple Decepticon, checking his shoulders. His torpedoes were missing. Fracture noticed his expression and smiled.

"Divebomb and Airazor went out for a walk. I told them to stay around but…As I said, it's just the two of us."

Drift didn't comment. He sat down in front of him. Fracture offered him a cube of energon but Drift refused it. He still didn't trust his rival. He wished to keep a clear mind. He suddenly caught sight of a presence near Fracture. He moved and discovered one of these earthling creatures. A cat, if he was right. A white and black, quite fat cat curled up into a ball. It didn't seem to care about the two giant robots who could crush it at every instant.

"I would never have expected you to be a cat person." He said.

Fracture shrugged.

"Do you think I wanted it? Sheesh. It likes me. It came to squat here during my recharge."

"You didn't give it a name?"

"What for?"

The Decepticon turned around. The fur-ball didn't move. He had a thoughtful expression. It amused Drift. He would never have expected Fracture to listen to him.

"Bounty" He decided.

"Wow. What an inspiration. Always for your bounties" Drift sighed.

"What? I could have called it Fatty. It wouldn't have changed anything."

He rolled his optics, taking a sip of his cube. Once it was empty, Fracture threw it away. His bitterness came back. That's the same expression as the one he had in the scrapyard. Drift had his arms crossed, his full attention on him.

"You said you met Lockdown."

Fracture nodded. He wasn't facing Drift. He was staring off the distance. Obviously, it didn't go well.

"Tell me"

"Oh well…I just expected something else. In my memories, Lockdown was the perfect bounty hunter. The rich and lone adventurer. So powerful…well, my idol. I told you."

Drift remembered. He remembered his nostalgic expression whenever Fracture mentioned Lockdown. Now it disappeared.

"And what happened?" Fracture kept on. "I met a bot. A pretty different bot. So, yes. He saved me. But he let me agonize on the alley's ground. Indeed. I wanted to meet him again. I knew he wouldn't remember me. He wouldn't remember about the young bot whom he saved the life, whom he inspired to become like him."

He paused.

"To sum it all, when we met again, he only criticized me. I only received stupid commentaries. What a shame. You are a disgrace to your profession. You only gained 230 bounties. Furthermore, you work with Minicons."

"I also work with Minicons" Drift said. "There is nothing wrong with it. That's the only one thing you shouldn't be ashamed about."

"Oh, but I'm ashamed!" Fracture replied. "I'm ashamed because I wanted to meet him! I'm ashamed because I relied on him. If I hadn't been that stupid, he wouldn't have come to rescue me."

He turned off his Pad, putting it down near him.

"Then, he showed me his collection. He showed me his tools, his objects, his trophies…All these bot's parts he collected before killing them."

Drift had heard about it. Lockdown and his infamous collection…That was actually nothing new. But unlike Fracture, he had never seen it with his own optics.

"That was disgusting" Fracture finished. "And that was not over yet. He was about to cut another bot in pieces when I left."

"…You didn't try to help him?" Drift sternly asked him.

Fracture shook his head. Drift almost punched the floor. Of course, he hadn't been there. Of course, Fracture wouldn't have laid one digit to rescue someone. However, it still made him angry.

"What could I have done?" Fracture dryly retorted. "I would have been crucified too. My Minicons as well. We would have suffered the same fate. Our parts would have been collected by that—"

Drift invited him to go on. Fracture hesitated. After a few minutes, he spoke up.

"…That monster. You were right, Drift. Lockdown is a monster."

"I'm glad that you realize it."

Fracture chuckled. A joyless laugh. Drift stared at him. He was a completely different person from the one he'd always known.

He looked…vulnerable.

"You know how it feels, right?" Fracture asked him. "You had always idealized a bot. In the end, he disappointed you. You are wondering what you have been doing with your life…"

Drift nodded. Yes. He would never have expected someone to understand his feelings. He had always admired Shadow Raker before he revealed his true colours.

Now. Fracture went through the same thing. With Lockdown.

Somehow Drift couldn't really judge him. He hadn't rescued Lockdown's victim. Of course, he resented him…Drift hadn't defended Shadow Raker's victims either.

Just like he had been unable to protect Jetstorm and Slipstream…

"I don't know what to do now" Fracture sighed. "I always lived this way…all for nothing."

"Don't say such a thing."

Fracture looked up back at him. Drift went closer to him.

"Everyone needs a model to rely upon." The samurai said. "Sometimes, we are disappointed. That's what happened to me. But I endured it. I grieved and I cut ties with my old mentor. The one who had given me a reason to live."

"…How did you do?"

How did he do…? If he had expected Fracture to ask him for advices one day…

But if he needed to be guided…Drift must do it. He shall help him like any other lost bot…

Just like Father John did. Just like Wing did.

"That's quite simple. I found another model. This model was Wing. I changed my name, I became Drift. And I took his advices. I wanted to make him proud of me."

"…But wasn't Wing your boyfriend?" Fracture asked him, raising one eyebrow.

"Our model isn't always a paternal figure. Maybe you saw Lockdown as a paternal figure of sort…just like I viewed Shadow Raker as a father. That's so easy to become attached to the very first person who cares a bit about you…to the point you can't accept he has flaws too…"

Drift took a long breath, closing his optics. For one moment, he actually could see Wing in front of him. He could see him smile to him, praising him, repeating how proud he was.

"I loved Wing. I did everything not to disappoint him. Taking his advices was like a way to keep him close to me."

He opened his optics again. Fracture remained silent. Drift knew he was listening.

He was thinking about the samurai's words. Fracture could lie with ease…but his optics didn't lie. Not this time.

"You only need to find another model. No matter whoever it is" Drift said. "This person will probably be better than Lockdown."

"…I think it's difficult to be worse than Lockdown."

Fracture pulled something out from his back. Drift recognized the stone that had been given by the priest. He stared at him, confused.

"…You actually kept it?"

"Yeah" Fracture replied. "I didn't find any buyer so…"

"Sheesh."

Fracture will always remain greedy. No matter whatever would happen to him afterward, this trait of personality will never change.

"So" Fracture kept on. "I came on Earth for another reason."

Drift raised one eyebrow. The Decepticon looked deeply into his optics.

"I came to offer you a partnership" He declared.

He sounded genuinely serious. The samurai froze, his behaviour seemingly amused his rival.

"Are you kidding?" Drift calmly asked.

"Oh no" Fracture chuckled. "I spotted good bounties. And with our last teamwork—"

"I didn't team up with you for pleasure."

"You are wrong."

Fracture stood up. Drift watched him bypass the animal before sitting down near him. Drift slightly twitched yet remained unmoving.

"Imagine us" Fracture said, a servo over his shoulder. "Two bounty hunters conquering the universe, our Minicons by our side. You definitely noticed it, right? We are deadly together. No one would resist us. Who knows? Maybe together, we could exceed Lockdown's 100 000 bounties."

"But what are you talking about?"

Actually, he wasn't sure if he wanted to know. He shook his head.

"I refuse a partnership with you. I ceased this activity anyway. I belong here. I wouldn't leave Autobots for you."

He paused.

"And you are too cheap to share."

Fracture looked disappointed. However, he still didn't take his servo off Drift.

"Anyway" Drift said. "Thanks for the information. We Autobots will take care of this. We will arrest Lockdown."

Lockdown had to be arrested one day or another anyway…not only because of what he did to Wing.

"What about me?" Fracture questioned him.

"It doesn't involve you" Drift sighed. "I can handle myself. Then…I thought you were happy to return to Cybertron."

It left Fracture speechless. After a few seconds, he slightly smiled at him. He didn't look mocking or smug…He looked upset.

"Cybertron isn't funny without you, Drift"

"Oh, stop"

Why should he believe him? Fracture had always viewed Drift as a nuisance whenever it came to hunting.

"I miss our rivalry, Drift. Then…I thought a partnership would be a good way to get closer to you."

A warm feeling invaded Drift's spark. He didn't understand where it came from. He chose not to display his awkwardness.

"Why…Do you want to kill me again?"

"No. I think you already know the reason, Drift."

Before Drift could react, Fracture's lips were already on his. His spark's warm feeling widened. Drift didn't move. Their kiss only lasted a few seconds before the Decepticon pulled back.

"Truth to be told, I missed you" Fracture declared. "That felt…so empty."

"You are really twisted."

"Just admit it: you missed me too."

Fracture's arms wrapped around Drift's neck. Their chassis touched, Fracture's face a few inches away from Drift's.

No…Fracture easily lied. At least, that's what Drift believed. His spark was pounding…

He couldn't. He had broken up with Windblade because he didn't want a rebound relationship. Wing's memory was still present…

He couldn't…especially with Fracture. He couldn't do it with his sworn enemy. Okay. They came through same things. But that didn't make him a good person…He had tried to kill him many times. These things couldn't be forgotten…

And maybe was it actually another way to kill him? Drift came back to reality and pushed him back.

"No!" He said. "You'll not have my spark."

"…Who said anything about your spark, Drift?"

He didn't add anything else. Fracture kissed him again, deeper. Drift wanted to struggle. He wanted to say he hated his touch. He wanted to say that Fracture was a criminal. He would never get anything from him if he didn't change…

But maybe was he beginning to change…by realizing that Lockdown was a monster? Maybe in Fracture's cold spark, was there still an ounce of morality?

Drift closed his optics. He didn't kiss him back. However, he let Fracture deepen the contact, caressing his chassis, his neck, his back…He felt his tongue on his lips, asking him for entrance…

Drift allowed him.

Their kiss went much more passionate. Fracture moaned, grabbing Drift's face to prolong the moment. Drift's optics were shut. He wanted to forget that Fracture was kissing him right now…

…And Drift wanted to forget that he was allowing him…

Fracture pulled back, putting a servo behind Drift's head. He left a trail of kisses in his neck, licking and nibbling it slightly…Drift wanted to go. He wanted to leave that place. He wanted to join his comrades…he knew what that would lead to…

But the moment Fracture gently pushed him to lay him down on the ground, he suddenly stopped. Drift opened his optics, feeling something on his chassis. What was…?

Bounty. Fatty. The cat.

It was curled up into a ball on his chassis, purring. Both bots stared at it, open-mouthed. They could have crushed it. Fracture frowned, baring dentas at it.

"Get out of here!"

The cat growled. Drift let out a soft sigh before sitting up. He caught the cat in his arms, a slight smile on his face. These creatures were quite cute.

Fracture had his arms crossed, frustrated.

"How ruining the mood?"

"Oh please" Drift teased him. "At least, it proves one thing: I'll always win against you. Especially when it comes to bounties."

The Decepticon clenched his fists.

"I can't believe you would cuddle that piece of fat instead of me."

"Always, Fracture"

Fracture walked away, a furious look on his face. Drift settled up against a tree, enjoying a moment of peace.

He mentally revived their kiss.