The next few days passed by uneventfully with Prowl in his office working, Jazz also in Prowl's office working, though he would work to distract his lover from time to time. Prowl didn't mind too much, as long as Jazz didn't keep him from his work for too long. The twins were oddly quiet and well-behaved, but when anyone brought up the subject, Prowl and Jazz would just smirk and glance at each other making the others around them look at each other in confusion.
There were times though, that Prowl would kick Jazz out of his office and lock the door so that the saboteur couldn't hack his way back in. Once Jazz tried everything he could think of to get the door back open and failed to open the blasted thing, he would stare forlornly at the door for several minutes before walking away dragging his feet. Humans and mechs alike watched him carefully during those times since it was so rare to see Jazz anything but grinning and cheerful.
Smokescreen, Bluestreak, Sunstreaker and Sideswipe all worried about Jazz when he looked down and wondered why Prowl was kicking his lover out of his office. Sunstreaker and Sideswipe suspected that Prowl was getting ready to break up with the silver mech and scowled at the black and white whenever he was in the same room as them. Prowl would merely give them a confused look, but his door-wings seemed to twitch faintly as if to keep sensors on them.
One evening, Prowl kicked Jazz out of his office and after a while, headed to the rec room to get some energon. Jazz was sitting at one of the tables staring at the surface despondently with Sunstreaker and Sideswipe on either side of him and Smokescreen and Bluestreak across from him. Prowl stepped into the room and Jazz looked up at the sound of the door. He gave Prowl a hopeful expression which Prowl returned with a faint smile before heading to get some energon. Once he had his cube though, he nodded to Jazz and left. The silver mech slumped to the surface with a deep sigh.
Sunstreaker and Sideswipe looked over Jazz's slumped shoulders and scowled. They were about ready to go after Prowl. Bluestreak, recognizing that look, stood up and tugged Smokescreen to his feet. Smokescreen gave him a confused look, but Bluestreak shook his head and merely tugged his older brother out of the rec room. Once the door was shut behind them, Bluestreak began to slowly walk in the direction of Prowl's office.
"We've gotta do something Smokey," said Bluestreak.
"We don't even know what the problem is," protested Smokescreen.
"Which is why we're going to go and ask Prowl," said Bluestreak as he strode down the hallway to Prowl's door and knocked. There was no answer for several moments, but then it slid open revealing a slightly confused Prowl. He was off-duty at the moment, so he hadn't expected anyone to knock on his door.
"Smokescreen, Bluestreak, is there something wrong?" asked Prowl. Bluestreak pushed Prowl back and slipped into the office with Smokescreen right behind him.
"That's what we should be asking you," said Smokescreen as he glanced at Prowl's desk and the datapads scattered across the surface and the glowing screen that he couldn't see. "Aren't you off-duty? And you're still working?"
"You've been blowing Jazz off for work? But I thought he helped you with all the reports and things," said Bluestreak incredulously.
"I'm not blowing Jazz off, nor am I working. What has gotten into the two of you?" asked Prowl as he blocked his brothers from getting to his desk.
"Jazz is depressed!" cried Bluestreak, throwing his arms up into the air. "Or haven't you noticed?"
"He has been looking a little down lately, but every time I ask him about it when we get back to our quarters, he says it's nothing. I try to get him to talk to me, but he won't," said Prowl with a flick of his door-wings.
"Well, if you're not blowing him off, and if you're not working, then what are you doing?" asked Smokescreen curiously as he stepped towards Prowl's desk. Prowl got into his way and his door-wings flared up threateningly.
"It's none of your business Smokescreen," said Prowl and Smokescreen backed up at the sudden fierceness.
"But Jazz…he seems so down. The twins think you're about to break up with him," said Bluestreak and Prowl stared at Bluestreak with wide optics, his door-wings flaring up in surprise.
"I'm not! He's everything to me!" cried Prowl before he took a deep intake to relax. "Look, I appreciate your concern, but we're not going to break up, and I don't mean to make Jazz, or the twins, think that way. I'm just…working on something, a surprise if you will."
"You're planning to surprise Jazz?" asked Bluestreak, shuttering his optics and Prowl nodded.
"You both should know how hard it is to surprise someone who knows just about everything that goes on around here," said Prowl dryly and his brothers had to nod in agreement to that. "I'm not done planning yet, so I would like to get back to it if you don't mind. Please and try to keep it to yourselves."
"We will," said Smokescreen with a faint smile. "One thing though, what should we tell the twins and Jazz when we get back to the rec room?"
"Tell them…that I want to meet Jazz in my quarters in a joor," said Prowl with a faint smile. His brothers nodded, smiling, before they left Prowl's office to head to the rec room to deliver the message. Prowl sat down in his chair and began to go over the data pads once more. After a short while, he put them away and left his office for his quarters. When he arrived, Jazz was waiting for him, sitting on the couch in the main area with his knees drawn up to his chest and his arms wrapped around them. "Jazz." Said mech looked up with dim optics hidden behind his visor.
"…Prowler," whispered Jazz. The black and white mech sat down next to him and pulled him flush against his side. Jazz shuttered his optics in surprise before wrapping his arms around Prowl's neck and burying his face into the black and white chest.
"Jazz…Smokescreen and Bluestreak tell me the twins think I'm going to break up with you," said Prowl and Jazz flinched. Prowl sighed and hugged Jazz tightly to his frame. "I'm not. I would never throw away the one thing that I love with all my spark. I'm sorry if I made you think otherwise." He kissed Jazz's helm and rubbed the smaller mechs back soothingly.
"But why do ya keep kickin' me outta your office? It's like ya don't wanna spend your evenin's with me anymore," said Jazz.
"I'm working on something right now Jazz and it needs to be kept a secret, even from you. I want to tell, but I can't, not until I've finished it."
"Like that plan of yours back on Cybertron?" Prowl nodded.
"Yes, like that. I'm sorry I didn't tell you that that was the reason I made you leave my office. I supposed I was taking your trust in me for granted."
"No, I trust ya completely, I'm just…a little insecure I guess. I've never been in a relationship that lasted as long as ours has," said Jazz and Prowl smiled.
"Then I'll have to make sure it lasts forever," said Prowl softly as he captured Jazz's lips in a soft kiss. "I love you Jazz, and nothing will change that, ever."
"I love ya too Prowl," whispered Jazz. Both mechs jumped at the sound of the alarms blaring through the base and got to their feet with serious expressions. "Slaggin' 'Cons, I was lookin' forward ta some lovin'." Prowl chuckled faintly.
"Then let's defeat the 'Cons once more and we can pick up where we left off when we get back."
"Ya got a deal Prowler!" Jazz grinned happily and Prowl felt his spark lighten at the sight. It had been days since he had seen Jazz truly happy and was glad he was happy once more. The pair rushed out of their quarters towards the base entrance where the others were gathering and where their human allies were getting their weapons. Optimus quickly briefed everyone that the Decepticons were attacking a coal mine and their priority was to protect the miners and evacuate them as quickly as possible so they wouldn't get hurt.
"Transform and roll out!" called Optimus as he turned and transformed. Engines roared to life and tires squealed as they all sped out of the base. It didn't take them too long to arrive at the mines and the Decepticons were already wreaking havoc. Miners ran in every direction, screaming with fear, while others were covered in cuts and bruises. Autobots immediately transformed and jumped into the fray with their human allies providing support. Prowl and Jazz fought side by side, easily working together to take on the Decepticons. A loud explosion rocked the mine and Prowl's door-wings flicked up as they picked up the vibrations from the ground.
"Jazz, stay here. The mines are beginning to collapse," said Prowl as he turned to the mines. Before Jazz could protest, Prowl was already running towards the mine entrance. Nearby, Blaster spotted Prowl running and received a quick call from Jazz to stick with the black and white. With an annoyed curse, Blaster dashed after the tactician, but realized that the mech was a lot faster than he looked. Blaster ducked into the mines and listened for Prowl's footsteps, but then realized, Prowl's footsteps were silent, always had been.
"Prowl! Where are you?" called Blaster as he slowly made his way through the tunnels. He could feel the ground rumbling faintly beneath his feet and little pebbles fell from the ceiling and walls, clinking softly against his armor. After a few moments of walking, he spotted a light up ahead and he rushed forward. "Prowl?" Blaster skid to a halt as humans rushed past him out of the mines before moving forwards again. Just as he caught a glimpse of Prowl, the walls shook violently and large boulders began to break off from the ceiling. "Prowl! Where are you?"
Suddenly, the ceiling completely caved and Blaster cried out in pain and shock as boulders slammed into him. It was an explosion of sound as boulders slammed into one another, the ground and his armor. His optics shorted out and he lost consciousness.
The rubble settled until all he heard was the faint shifting of sediment. Prowl carefully sat up, pushing the small boulders that landed on him off to the side. He was covered in dents and scratches from the cave-in along with wounds from the battle with the Decepticons. Little pebbles rattled in his armor until they fell to the ground.
It was completely dark in the cave which meant that night vision wouldn't work very well if at all, so Prowl activated his headlights, instantly brightening the relatively small area. He tried to think of who had been following him when the cave-in occurred since they were most likely trapped together. The last thing he remembered was Blaster running behind him. His door-wings flicked as they picked up faint vibrations behind him. Turning, he spotted Blaster covered in rubble, lying face-down.
"Blaster?" called Prowl as he knelt next to the orange and yellow mech. "Blaster, can you hear me?" Blaster groaned faintly and his optics came online.
"Prowl? Where are we?" asked Blaster, his voice filled with static.
"I am unsure. We are underground in the mines, pretty deep. I have not had the chance to see if there is a way out. Are you injured?"
"No, I don't think so…just pinned." Prowl nodded and turned to the rubble.
"It looks like I can get you loose without causing another cave-in. Just hold still." Blaster gave Prowl a dry look which Prowl returned with a smirk. The black and white began to carefully shift the rubble, keeping a close optic on the large pile that blocked their path to the entrance of the mines.
"Why'd you rush in here?" asked Blaster suddenly.
"I had to help the humans. My door-wings picked up on the sound waves of their voices along with the vibrations of the crumbling stone," answered Prowl. He paused in shifting the rubble and Blaster gave him a curious look. "You have a rather large boulder pinning your leg. You'll have to pull your leg out when I lift it."
"No wonder I can't feel my leg," Blaster muttered sarcastically. Prowl sighed quietly before crouching next to the boulder. He gripped the rock carefully and pulled up. Blaster felt the boulder shift and as soon as he could move his leg, he yanked it out from under it. He scrambled away from the rocks and prowl set it down with a grunt. He stood to his full height, flicking his door-wings before kneeling next to Blaster's leg to inspect it.
"I wouldn't suggest moving much until Ratchet takes a look," said Prowl and Blaster nodded before leaning against a nearby wall. He watched as Prowl began walking around their small cave, inspecting the walls, his door-wings flicking and twitching. After a while, the black and white sighed and sat down an arm-length away from Blaster. "We're trapped."
"Do you have to be so blunt?" asked Blaster drily. Prowl merely gave him a look before offlining his optics and leaning his helm back against the wall. "…Do you think the others will find us?"
"Of course. Jazz will not stop until he finds us."
"You mean, until he finds you."
"Us," corrected Prowl immediately. "You are his friend Blaster. Jazz never leaves his friends behind." Blaster snorted.
"Then what do you call him leaving Praxus and the Enforcers after you were arrested?" The orange mech's tone was bitter and Prowl cold hear the hurt in his voice.
"Just how friendly were you to Jazz that orn?" asked Prowl dryly. Blaster glared at the black and white, clenching his fists angrily. "In any case, my meaning was that he never leaves his friends and comrades behind when they're in danger or when they need his help."
"I still don't get what he sees in you," snapped Blaster and Prowl raised an optic ridge.
"Have you ever tried to see me as anything other than a thief?" Blaster's silence was enough of an answer for Prowl. "I find it amazing that no one asks me what I see in him."
"That's because everyone else admires him. He's cheerful, graceful, always telling jokes, compassionate, dedicated, and he's very attractive," said Blaster easily and Prowl raised an optic ridge while giving Blaster a look.
"That is true, but that's all any of you see, isn't it?" asked Prowl and Blaster looked confused. "Have you ever seen him upset, sad, angry, worried, or anything like that? Can you tell when he needs a break from the crowds to have a moment of peace? Can you tell when he just wants to be held after a difficult day? Can you tell when he wants to talk and vent his frustrations to someone he can trust?" Blaster didn't answer. "I didn't think so. That's because he doesn't want to worry everyone else. He wants to make sure everyone has someone to listen to them, even if it means no one listens to him."
"I listen to him," said Blaster softly.
"Do you? Has he ever told you what he has done on Special Ops missions? He's told me, and I confide in him about the stresses of my job, about my frustrations, my grief, my anger, everything. While I do not openly show my emotions to everyone else, he sees all of me, and I gladly share all of my fears, hopes, and dreams with him, because he does the same." Blaster looked at the floor and then at his hands in his lap. "You're his good friend Blaster, and he cares a lot about you. He cares about everyone, that's why no one sees what he hides behind his nearly flawless mask."
"But why you?"
"I don't know, that's something you'll have to ask Jazz." Prowl leaned forward and flicked his door-wings to get more comfortable against the rock wall, and hopefully he might pick up vibrations of their comrades digging to find them. Feeling nothing, he sighed and offlined his optics. "Though you really shouldn't criticize Jazz's taste in lovers considering your own." He was getting irritated with Blaster constantly questioning his relationship with Jazz. He was tired of Blaster constantly sending him dirty looks or snide comments. Jazz had once said that he had near infinite patience, but Prowl felt like his patience was finally running out.
"What do you mean by that?" snapped Blaster. "And my relationships are none of your business!" Prowl glared at Blaster and the mech shuttered his optics at the expression on the SIC's face.
"You should not be such a hypocrite Blaster."
"Hypocrite? Don't you call me a hypocrite you slagger!"
"Why not? It's true. You say your relationships are none of my business, but you can say whatever you want about my relationship with Jazz? At least my lover is an Autobot." Blaster stiffened. "Yes, Blaster, I know. I know all about Soundwave. You and he were lovers in Praxus. Tell me, did you know he was working for Megatron even then?"
"Shut up you fragger!"
"Oh, hit a nerve, did I? I suppose you didn't find out until after the Decepticons went public and blew up several buildings in Iacon."
"Just…just shut up!"
"No, I don't think I will. You see, I've had enough of how you treat me and what Jazz calls my infinite patience has finally run out. I love Jazz and he loves me, and I would do anything to see him happy. He didn't want me to fight with you about this, and I refrained from throwing you in the brig for insubordination because I believed you would assume I was doing it out of dislike for you, but I've had enough. My relationship with Jazz is none of your slagging business and if you cross me one more time, I throw you in the brig and maybe I'll try for a court marshal. I am your Second in Command and Tactical Officer and I will be treated with respect, whether you like it or not!"
By the time Prowl finished speaking, he was on his feet glaring down at Blaster with his door-wings flared high and wide. Blaster stared up at Prowl with wide optics, completely surprised at the sudden shouting when the black and white was always so calm and controlled. Seeing him lose his temper made him realize that there was more to Prowl than met the optics. He opened his mouth to speak and Prowl glared while lifting a hand to stop him.
"Enough, not another word," snapped Prowl and Blaster's mouth shut. There was a sudden loud boom and the pair felt the earth tremble. Rocks began to crumble and others disappeared as they were pulled away from the pile that blocked the path to the entrance of the mines.
"Prowl? Blaster? Ya there mechs?" called Jazz's voice and Prowl's face lit up with a smile.
"We're here Jazz," called Prowl, happiness clear in his tone. "Is Ratchet there? Blaster's leg was injured in the cave-in."
"I'm here you crazy slagger. Did you really have to run into a collapsing mine by yourself?" snapped Ratchet.
"Humans needed help Ratchet, what else was I supposed to do?" asked Prowl. Ratchet's only response was to mutter. Jazz laughed at the medic before peeking through a hole they had made in the wall.
"How ya doin' love?" asked Jazz.
"I'm mostly uninjured. You?"
"'M fine, so's everyone else." Prowl nodded and more rubble was pulled away. As soon as there was a hole large enough, Jazz slipped through and threw his arms around Prowl's neck. "Ya scared me Prowler."
"I'm sorry Jazz. I did not mean to."
"I know ya didn't. Ya saved those humans, love. They'd be dead if it weren't for ya."
"Just doing my duty Jazz, that's all." Jazz grinned and kissed Prowl. Prowl immediately returned the kiss.
"Uh, guys, can you not do that in front of me?" asked Blaster quietly.
"Blaster, ma mech, how ya doin'?" asked Jazz.
"I've been better."
"Don't ya worry, the others'll have the rubble cleared in a bit so Ratchet can take a look at ya."
"Uh…thanks." Jazz studied his friend for a moment.
"Blaster…is somethin' wrong?"
"No! No, nothing's wrong…Prowl and I…just had a little spark-to-spark talk." Jazz raised an optic ridge and turned to his lover, giving him a questioning look. Prowl merely smirked and kissed Jazz lightly on the nose.
"I believe we've come to an understanding," said Prowl. "We have decided not to criticize, or question, one another's love lives."
"Blaster, ya have a love life?"
"He did, but it's all in the past." Blaster stared at Prowl and the black and white gave him a sympathetic smile before facing the wall of rubble. "Wheeljack, don't you dare think about using explosives now." There was a sheepish chuckle and a shuffling of feet before Ironhide and Optimus appeared to pull away the rest of the rubble.
"It's good to see you're both alright," said Optimus and Prowl nodded.
"Likewise sir, now can you please hurry up? I've had my fill of a small enclosed space with no escape." Jazz chuckled as Ratchet appeared and moved to Blaster's side.
"Come on love, let's get ya outta here and ta the med bay," said Jazz as he tugged Prowl out of the mine and into the daylight.