Fallout: Apocalypse
Interlude 5: "Starting Over"
By Nan00k

The chapter in which everyone was waiting for since like ever. Sort of. Even if you didn't realize it. This takes place between chapters 48 and 49.

I blame Shantastic for this 100%, no regrets. :)

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Warnings: character death, foul language, violence, disturbing imagery and discussion, religious ideological discussions, theoretical science, and original characters
Disclaimer
: Transformers © Dreamworks/Hasbro. The original characters found in this story were created explicitly for this story.


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"We need to talk," Thundercracker began without preamble.

Jazz stretched and relaxed against the larger mech's side as they reclined on the asphalt, alone for the first time in days. "About?"

"Prowl."

The comic look of uneasy surprise that immediately popped up on Jazz's faceplates made Thundercracker sigh.

They had saved the world only a week ago, literally risking their entire family and almost miraculously surviving without more than superficial injury. They'd returned to Plumas two days ago, to recuperate and try to regain some sense of calm. Everyone was both simultaneously giddy and nervous as they tried to figure out what to do with themselves, now that the majority of their enemies were out of the picture. More specifically, the idea of the drones being permanently dead had sent most of the time travelers into a sense of wary delirium.

Jazz had been clingy, naturally, following the events of the battle for Earth. He hadn't needed to say how terrified he had been to find Thundercracker facing the Fallen alone. Thundercracker had seen it shining in his visor and had set himself to the task of reassuring Jazz that it was over and they were both fine. Now that Jazz had realized that fact, in both mind and spark, Thundercracker knew it was time to thrash out another issue. Although neither of them was good with words when it came to talking about their relationship, it was moments like this that made Thundercracker recognize that he had significantly more self-confidence than his mate. He would have to be the one to bring up the hard-to-discuss topics, the unfinished business.

"…What about him?" Jazz asked. His spark was sending out waves of unease, no matter how much he tried to hide it.

They had been relaxing in Hangar A; their humans were asleep, and the other mechs were either in recharge or working quietly in Hangar C. Thundercracker had been hoping to find some well needed alone-time with his mate. And not for the "nooky" that Jazz was constantly referring to, annoyingly so.

"I was thinking," Thundercracker replied, not caring that Jazz was trying to shrink away from the awkward topic. "I was remembering what you said before. Or rather, what was in your spark. You have affection for him."

When they had bonded… Thundercracker had felt the remnants of an intense love for Prowl in Jazz's spark, a love similar to the one he still had for Skywarp. The love they each felt for a dead mech clung to their sparks like ghosts. The continuous exposure to this world's Prowl had made it a thousand times worse for Jazz, who had never had the closure (harsh or not) that Thundercracker had dealt with after Skywarp's demise. Thundercracker understood why the feelings remained for Jazz.

What had surprised Thundercracker was the revelation of his own feelings toward the tactician. He'd thought he liked the mech, but that moment had force him to… think about things.

"TC, no," Jazz immediately said, on the defensive yet again. He sat up a bit more to look Thundercracker in the optics. "It's not—I like him, sure, an'—bein' honest, I… I could love 'im. I could." Jazz shook his helm. "But I don't."

"Because that's not your Prowl," Thundercracker said, pointing out the obvious, a fact that they had already covered in great depth. Jazz, however, needed the reinforcement of hearing it from Thundercracker again.

"Exactly!" the saboteur said emphatically. "Me an' him never had history, ya see? It's not th' same. I'm finally gettin' that. Took forever, but that's th' truth."

Thundercracker nodded vaguely. "Hmm."

Jazz hesitated at the Seeker's behavior. "What?" he asked, a probing question over the bond going unanswered.

"Well, I was thinking…" Thundercracker gauged Jazz's reaction carefully, knowing that this was where it would become a difficult conversation. "Maybe that's the point."

"What is?" Jazz demanded, visor narrowed.

"I'm a Seeker, Jazz. Seekers come in trines, or at least we do when there are other Seekers around," Thundercracker said, gesturing at his chest. He sat up properly in order to meet Jazz's confusion with calm patience. "I would never need to take another partner, mind you, because you're more than enough." Both in good ways and bad ways.

Jazz sniffed indignantly. "Damn right I am."

"Anyway, my point is, I would not be opposed to a third partner," Thundercracker said dryly. "You, however, are not a Seeker and are not familiar with trines. I know they're possible for grounders to form, but it is likely not an option you have ever considered. The choice is entirely yours."

Thundercracker knew that trines were frequently difficult for non-Trinary mechs to understand. Seekers had always been inclined to form three-way bonds in order to function as the extreme travelers and explorers they had been designed as. During war, those bonds had been both a benefit and a hindrance; the bonds that made them even more efficient killing machines also made them more vulnerable during combat.

Thundercracker had been bonded to Skywarp for far longer than they had even known Starscream. Although all three of them had been attracted to each other and they had chosen to form a working trine, the aerial commander had refused to form a true trine bond with them, citing the dangers of bonding as a commanding officer. They had trained hard and had learned to work together as a trine effectively. That balance had been hard-won, but the effort had been repaid with success and safety for thousands of vorn.

Jazz was not a Seeker, nor was he from a background that promoted trining among grounders. A familiar look of uncertainty flickered in his visor as he stared back at Thundercracker, trying to comprehend what he was being told.

"…I don't understand," he said, disbelieving. "Yer sayin' you want t' make a trine with him?"

Thundercracker shrugged. "I'm saying, it's possible and that I'm open to the idea."

They had the option. It might be the most bizarre trine in existence, but Thundercracker could not deny the faint attraction he had for Prowl any more than Jazz could deny the lingering sense of affection he had for any Prowl. The calm demeanor and quiet kindness that had endeared him to Thundercracker would also provide balance in their relationship.

"…why?" Jazz asked, still struggling to understand.

"I like him. He's attractive and smart. Smart enough to put up with your nonsense," Thundercracker said, honest. "Also, why the frag not?"

The panic returned slightly to Jazz's faceplates. "Because… he's…"

Thundercracker narrowed his optics. "His lover died. Your lover died. My bondmate died," he said bluntly. "Now, I have a new bondmate. My bondmate, you," he pushed Jazz slightly with his finger, "and he have no history. Literally." He stroked his hand down' Jazz's arm in reassurance. "Except, of course, a fondness that could effectively become something more tangible."

Jazz tried to backpedal at the onslaught of the conversation. "Holy shit, man, why are ya pushin' this?" he asked, his metaphorical hackles raised. "Are you that determined t' get in berth with him? 'Cause ya know, ya could have just asked, I'm not gonna tie ya down—"

Thundercracker sent him a hard look. "Jazz." It was irrelevant to point out that Seekers were monogamous to their trines or singular bondmates, since Jazz liked to forget those details when he was trying to be annoying.

The agitation died in Jazz's posture as Thundercracker sent a strong thought of calm down over the bond. "…Alright. I understand what you're getting at," Jazz grumbled. He looked at the ground. "…He's just as nice as I remember, but… there. That's it." Jazz looked back up and grimaced. "I have to stop thinking about what I remember."

"Indeed." That was the only way to make this sane and relatively non-painful.

Jazz sank back a little as he seemed to consider the situation seriously for once. "Prowl's a nice guy," he said. "He appears t' have a professional crush on me, an' if I'm readin' those doorwing movements right whenever he's with you, he kinda likes you, too."

Thundercracker paused. "…Really?"

"Yup. Kinda like a schoolgirl blush. He's lucky we don't got that many mechs around who can read those door flutters," Jazz said, joking. He froze and seemed to draw back further. "…Holy shit, are we really talkin' about this?"

The Seeker smirked. "I don't see a reason why we should not."

"Yer tryin' t' make me happy, but TC…" Jazz grimaced. "Even if he's not literally my dead lover, my duplicate was his. So, he's probably gonna have issues, even more than us."

"Yes, well, that's why we have to talk to him," Thundercracker replied.

Jazz sent him a look. "Good, 'cause at th' rate you're talkin', it seemed like th' plan was t' jump 'im after his shift was over."

Thundercracker growled. "You are impossible."

Patience in these things was mandatory. The cultural differences generally made non-trine mechs wary of the concept of a trine. Praxians weren't known to form trines, or at least that's what Thundercracker had always thought. Prowl was practical, however, so it was likely he'd take the most rational approach to their suggestion.

And while this was certainly not normal… it was rational, Thundercracker decided, if the signals they were reading from all three persons involved were correct.

"I don't hate th' idea," Jazz said. He managed a smile, clearly trying for both of their sakes. "TC… I think we could be happy. Even happier than we are now."

That made Thundercracker smile back. "I could see that."

Jazz abruptly grinned shamelessly. "Besides, you'd love Prowl in th' berth," he said with a predatory wink. "He's kinky as hell."

All at once the good feelings evaporated. "JAZZ," he snarled over the saboteur's laughter.

Primus. He prayed for strength—and patience.

0000

Operation Seduce Prowl began the next morning. Jazz got to pick the name and Thundercracker picked the process.

Even if they were wrong about Prowl's interest in them, there was definitely tension between them that needed to be dealt with. Thundercracker could easily see the long looks Prowl sent Jazz—and him. If anything, Prowl was inspecting Thundercracker even more than he was Jazz, which was mildly amusing. Even if this amounted to nothing, Thundercracker knew they'd be better off getting the truth out in the open, not letting it fester.

The plan was simple: they told everyone that they had bonded. Rachel shrugged it off rather calmly, claiming she wasn't too surprised, but she later confided privately that she was very happy for them. Danny, Wildrider, and Bluestreak had made a fuss and congratulated them enthusiastically, while the rest of their friends had calmly told them the same. Like Danny and Barns' engagement, their family saw this as a logical next step in their life.

The reaction from the rest of NEST varied. Optimus had smiled and told them he was glad for their happiness, while Ratchet had nearly blown a fuse screaming at them for bonding before a major battle ("WERE YOU OUT OF YOUR PRIMUS-SLAGGING PIT-SPAWNED MINDS?!"). Sideswipe and his cohorts were torn between teasing and making disgusted comments, though Thundercracker knew they were just playing it up for a joke. The human soldiers had little comprehension of mech bonds, but Lennox and Epps also congratulated them, hoping to simplify the term with "marriage," which no one tried to correct them on. It was easier that way.

And then, of course, the information traveled all the way to their intended target: Prowl.

It was harsh. It was cruel. Even Rachel did a double take when Jazz explained it to her quietly on the side while the rumors ran wild. No one but Jazz and Thundercracker knew why they had saved Prowl for last, and that was good, in case their attempts were ill-met. Thundercracker knew that letting Prowl find out they were bonded through others was cowardly. If it had not been part of their plan, he would never have done it.

But it allowed the mech the chance to hear and accept the information, the chance to adjust to the concept and start to think about it rationally long before he was confronted with the reality. As Jazz and Thundercracker finally made their way to Hangar C to talk with him, Thundercracker hoped that Prowl would be able to think clearly about their relationship, be able to understand what they were about to suggest.

Prowl stood at the back of the hangar and did not notice them as they walked quietly toward him. He was busy reading a datapad, and his pose made it seem like he was about to reach for the one laying on top of the container unit to his left. Thundercracker felt bad about interrupting the tactician in the middle of his work; the mech probably hoped to find peace in that work while the rest of the base was gossiping about something that was hurting him deeply. He hoped the talk they planned to have would ease his pain.

"Hey Prowl!" Jazz called out loudly, making Prowl jump slightly and turn to face them. The surprise on his faceplates quickly melted into a feigned neutrality that barely hid his dread when he realized who had called to him.

Thundercracker sent his bondmate a strained glare. ::You are a monster.::

Jazz snorted. ::This was partially your idea. You get the blame, too.::

::Not for your idiocy.:: Thundercracker looked down just in time to nod at the black-and-white Praxian as he warily approached. "Prowl."

"…Jazz," Prowl greeted, his voice audibly tight. He looked up at the tall Seeker standing next to Jazz. "Thundercracker."

"Been lookin' fer ya!" Jazz replied amicably, as if the tension between them wasn't there. "I take it Keller's been keepin' ya busy?"

Prowl nodded stiffly. "American politicians have perfected the ability to absorb free time, yes," he replied. He hesitated when he realized both mechs were resolutely standing in front of him. He seemed more wary than confused, however. "…Can I help you?"

Thundercracker wondered briefly if Prowl thought they were there to mock him, or rub their bond in his face. That would have been ridiculously cruel, even for Jazz.

Before he had the time to correct that assumption, or share his thoughts with Jazz, of course Jazz proceeded to make it worse. "So," the saboteur began, his optics bright, "I take it ya heard th' news."

::Smooth,:: Thundercracker growled.

::Shut up, I know what I'm doin'!::

Prowl's face had remained mostly the same—politely passive with little emotion anywhere—but even Thundercracker could tell there was disappointment in his posture. His doorwings drooped a fraction and the biggest tell was that Prowl clumsily tucked his hands behind his back. Guilt tugged at Thundercracker's spark; he certainly hoped Jazz knew what he was doing. Prowl deserved credit for remaining in control of himself, however.

"Congratulations," the black-and-white Praxian replied. His reply was strained, though Thundercracker could tell the mech meant it. "Truly. I don't think I've ever seen a couple more deserving of each other."

Thundercracker said nothing, gauging the other mech. Prowl was calm on the exterior—except for his doorwings. They were twitching visibly now. He was agitated and Thundercracker didn't have to be a Praxian to know why.

He braced himself as he saw Jazz wind up wordlessly for a confrontation. They had to figure this out, before it drove them all crazy.

For his part, he had anticipated either letting it blow over, or blow up. In the case of the latter, Thundercracker expected the three of them to confront their three-way tension spontaneously, when it became too much to hold back. He did like the tactician; he liked his humor, his looks, and more than anything, he liked that Prowl still loved Jazz. In fact, Prowl loved him enough to let him go when he thought that was the best choice for Jazz. That act spoke volumes to Thundercracker. He did like Prowl.

But what it actually meant and what it would lead to… well, the jet decided to let his two companions figure that out. It was far more amusing.

"Yeah, bondin' was somethin' I kept puttin' off," Jazz said with feigned indifference. It might have worked, had he not been standing in front of the two mechs who knew him well enough to know that he was beginning a fierce teasing session. "TC was th' one who wanted it."

Prowl wilted, obviously letting his processors focus on what Jazz had just said rather than the warning signs of Jazz's mood. "I see," he said, averting his optics.

Jazz thankfully backed off a bit and smiled kindly at the other mech. "Though, I gotta admit, it ain't that different," he said. He smiled up at Thundercracker, who said nothing to contradict that statement. "Ya don't really need a bond t' understand a mech. At least that's what I've learned from this."

Unsurprisingly unsubtle. Thundercracker arched an optic ridge and Jazz just smirked back. Both looked back over at Prowl, who was staring at them with an odd mix of apprehension and a strange focus, as if they were a puzzle he had to solve.

And then, before Thundercracker could try his own more blunt way of extending their invitation to the Praxian, something changed in Prowl's expression.

"We should start over," Prowl said. He froze after he said that, clearly stunned by his own utterance. Thundercracker wasn't too surprised, having expected that sort of response, albeit not that sudden.

Perhaps Prowl had been thinking about this the way they had. Their plan had worked, then.

"Start over?" Jazz repeated. He smiled, teasing back full force. "Whaddaya mean, Prowler?"

Prowl's doorwings were twitching up and down rapidly, betraying how nervous he was. "What I mean is," he began, his voice trembling slightly, "while I acknowledge that our pasts make it impossible to continue the same relationship we had in the past, Jazz, and while I continue to feel strong emotions for you—and now Thundercracker—perhaps it would be wise to start from a point where we can assume my presence is new and—"

Jazz grinned cheerily and leaned closer, invading Prowl's personal space expertly. "Ya want t' date us?" he asked, encouragingly.

Thundercracker, for his part, heaved a heavy sigh and merely let Jazz have his fun. He would have preferred subtle, as always, but Jazz's brash approach would move things along much more quickly.

"D-date?" Prowl repeated, his optics huge. The word was human-only in definition and origin; it had no sense in a Cybertronian setting.

However, Thundercracker had long since adopted human-only definitions into his lifestyle, considering that he felt more Earthling than Cybertronian these days. He understood the reference, which only made it more painful to experience now.

"Yeah!" Jazz said, grinning still. He motioned with his hand. "Ya don't know me like ya knew th' other me, an' th' same goes fer me knowin' you. But that's cool, 'cause we can just do what th' humans do, an' get t' know each other by datin' first."

"…I don't follow," Prowl said, uncomprehending.

Thundercracker rumbled lowly, interrupting. "He means that until the day we—if we decide to, that is—make a trine, you court the two of us," he replied simply.

Prowl stared at him, undoubtedly going over several definitions and attempts to understand the situation. "…What an odd phrase," he said, almost accusing. His voice wavered and that made Thundercracker smirk. "I'm not sure how this can be related to human definitions. Humans mate in pairs, not triads."

"Not typically," Jazz corrected, positively gleeful. He leaned back against Thundercracker's canopy and grinned. "Whaddya say, TC? Shall we accept Mr. Prowl's advances?"

"I hate you," Thundercracker replied, slapping a hand over his faceplates. Jazz's laughter rang out, warming their bond anyway.

A trine did not form from a normal bond. He had experienced that within the Decepticon army, albeit to a lesser degree than some other trines he had witnessed. He and Skywarp had been a bonded pair before meeting Starscream. Had they been given more time and something more than just warfare to bind them… they probably would have formed a literal spark-trine. They had discussed it, and both he and Skywarp had felt that they would be able to open their bond to admit Starscream when the time came. It was rare for a bonded pair to open themselves to an extra, to adapt the relationship to accept a third party, but it had happened before.

It could happen now.

With the three of them specifically… Thundercracker was very, very interested in seeing where this would lead. It had potential. They had potential.

"I…" Prowl looked uneasy still. He stood back a little. "I do not want to intrude on what you've made. It's not my place."

"Oh, Prowler," Jazz said wistfully. He stepped closer, his visor a little bit dimmer. He grasped the other mech's arms, either keeping him standing or in one place. "Ya never intrude, an' it's not like we're against th' idea. Why not see where it leads?"

This might lead to a disaster. Trines weren't a guarantee. Thundercracker wasn't even sure how to proceed with total confidence, since two of the members were starting without a real understanding of what a trine was.

But he had faith that his connection with Jazz would be strong enough to take the emotional strain. He had faith that he would learn to care about Prowl the way Jazz practically already had. And he had faith in Prowl's patience and apparent desire to connect with them.

It might be unexpected and it could end harshly—

But Thundercracker had faith they could pull through just fine.

Prowl stared at Jazz with uncertainty for the longest time. His doorwings were still and nothing was readable on his faceplates.

After that long silence, however, Thundercracker could see a faint gleam of something in his blue optics that had not been there before.

"…That would be the logical approach," Prowl admitted, his optics trailing up to meet the Seeker's gaze.

His doorwings twitched, and even if they were an alien language for now, Thundercracker had a feeling that was a good sign.

"Indeed," he agreed with a smirk.

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End Interlude 5.


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The final chapter is next.

A/Ns:
-At least now I can post the smut one-shot of these guys without spoilers! Keep an eye out for it haha.