Title: The Spigot
Rating: K+
Continuity: G1
Characters: Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, Jazz, Starscream
Disclaimer: Don't own.
Prompt: 2. Spigot


March 16, 2013


"Mech, remember Maccadam's? Primus, what I wouldn't give for a place like that today," Sideswipe moaned as he practically fell on his aft into the soft couch in the practically empty Rec Room. His brother, already sitting on said couch, simply snorted at his brother and settled back again.

Jazz, who had been slouching on a bench set behind one of the multiple tables in the room, straightened. "Man, some good high-grade does sound good right about now. But it ain't the same without a place t' go t' relax."

"Agreed. I even miss the 'Cons," Sideswipe said wistfully, leaning back against the couch.

"Heh. Yeah. They're always good fer a party."

Sideswipe smiled. Then he frowned thoughtfully, turning back to look at Jazz. "Hey... you think it'd be possible to set up a place here? Like, set up our own energon generators – solar, geothermal, that sorta thing – and set up our own bar? I know Mixmaster can brew pretty well, and Sunny and I could use some... skill-polishing."

"Don't call me that. But sure," Sunstreaker muttered before Jazz could answer.

The saboteur snickered, but nodded. "Yeah. Ah'm sure Ah could convince Prowler t' 'llow it. Prime'd be all for it. Dunno 'bout Megatron, but... Hey, Ah'm goin' on a mission soon. Ah'll leave a message."

"Cool. We'll start working on plans and whatever."

"Sounds good."

. . .oOo.

"Hey. Ah got Megatron's response. He says he don' want trouble, but he wouldn' have a probl'm with lettin' his mechs go t' a bar. 'S long as th' 'Cons had 'n equal part in makin' an' runnin' it. 'N that no info's exchanged. Same rules's Maccadam's."

"Okay. Optimus gave the go-ahead on this end, and you handled Prowl. Sunny and I have been thinking. I've got floorplans here... I could send them to the Constructicons?"

"Sounds good. Wait, you have their comms? Why?"

"Eh... Long story."

"No it's not, idiot. I used to do commissions for them."

"Heh. Okay. Give th' plans t' Grapple an' Hoist with the Structies' comms, if they're okay with it. They can coordinate."

"Alright. Sounds good."

. . .oOo.

"Hey, Jazz. I... I just got a comm from Starscream."

"Uh, okay?"

"Said he found a good location for the bar. A little closer to us than them, but he said we can't fly, so..."

"Mm, true. So, coordinates?"

"Here."

"Hm. Never been there. Up fer a little road trip, Sides?"

"Sure. Let's go."

. . .oOo.

Starscream was waiting for them. "Took you long enough," he said with a sneer.

Sideswipe shrugged. "Yeah, well, I had to find Jazz. So, this is the spot?"

The Seeker twitched his wings. "Right. Well, I was thinking, we built it partially into the side of the hill, here. It's easy to get to for both sides, and... well, all kinds of available energy here."

Jazz and Sideswipe glanced around, then at each other. "Looks good t' me," Jazz offered.

"Same. Now we get the building teams out here?"

"Sounds about right. Screamer? You wanna get the Structies?"

"Don't call me that!"

"Heh," Sideswipe laughed. "You sound like my brother."

"Whatever."

"See ya soon, Starscream."

"Later, Autodolts."

The two Autobots watched, amused, as the Seeker blasted into the bright blue sky.

. . .oOo.

"Well, would ya lookit that. Turned out pretty well."

"Yeah. It was a good idea."

The two Autobots stared at the wide, flat face of the building. It was, as Starscream had suggested, built into the earth. It was a blank gray color on the outside, but everyone who had been involved in the building of it knew the inside was much more colorful. The walls were painted a deep, dark blue. Lights of all colors were placed generously throughout the massive building. Tables lined the walls, there was a bar in the corner, and the center of the room was one giant dance floor. A DJ station was pressed up against one of the walls. Smaller, private rooms branched out from the main one in the back, buried under the hill (though they went far enough back that there were quite a few back exits).

The scientists of both sides had installed a multitude of different energon converters. Some of them tests, some proven. Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, and Mixmaster had worked hard in the past few days to get a good supply of high-grade stocked.

Tonight was opening night.

There was just one problem

"Hey, Siders, what are we callin' it?"

"Umm... 'The Bar'?"

"Li'l boring, don'cha think?"

Sideswipe rolled his optics. "Jazz, it's just a bar."

"Yeah, but... It needs a name."

"Fine. How about 'The Flashing Light'?"

"What? No," Starscream protested, having walked up a moment ago. "No, no. That sounds like a pleasurebot house."

"Eh... yeah, you're right."

"How 'bout 'Th' Prancin' Pony'."

"... Someone's been reading too much human literature."

Jazz snorted. "Not me. Prowler's been readin' a lot in his free time, which he has, what with ya bein' involved with buildin' this. Anyways... Any other ideas?"

"It should be something Earthen," Sideswipe mused, tilting his helm to the side. "I mean, we are on Earth."

"True."

"Ugh. Nothing too human. We aren't squishies, after all."

"Oh, stuff it, Screamer."

"He has a point, Sides."

Sideswipe threw up his hands. "Fine! Whatever. Let's just call it 'The Garden Spigot and be done with it."

"... What?"

Sideswipe rolled his optics. "Ratchet threatened to turn me into a garden spigot the other day. You know, something the humans hook a hose up to? They use it to get water."

"Actually," Starscream mused, "'The Spigot' isn't a bad name."

"Hm. No, it isn'. What'cha say, Sides? The Spigot?"

"Really? Ugh. Fine. The Spigot it is."

"Cool! Let's comm the mechs!"

That night, most of both armies gathered to (relatively) peacefully drink, dance, and laugh together.