#19 - Anywhere
Punishment had been slow in coming for Starfeather and Terrorsaur. And what was their punishment? Complete isolation with no energon rations in the brig for three days, each in their own soundproof cell. Terrorsaur had spent most of his time seething and planning on what he was going to do to Megatron when he attempted a takeover again. Starfeather, however, had spent her first few hours pouting. After concluding that was doing nothing but making her feel miserable, she settled for forced sleeping, making her systems power down into recharge.
The next morning, the raven woke up to feel a gnawing, subtle pain in her gut and felt weak. The transformer equivalent to hunger: power drainage. She didn't dwell on that. She needed to get things straightened out and figure out what to do from there. So, she formulated a plan. She would ask Terrorsaur directly if he wanted to take their friendship further. She would do this far away from the others to ensure that no one, Waspinator in particular, would walk in on them. She figured that her special place would be the best choice and she would show him and herself that there is nothing to fear or be nervous about.
-x-
Tarantulas was ordered to release the two. Waspinator tagged along and when Starfeather's cell was opened, she had barely stepped out when a green and yellow blur knocked them both backwards back into the cell, but she was laughing.
"Yes, I missed you too. Now get off, please! I can't feel my hands!"
The spider watched all this, muttering about how childish that Waspinator was.
-x-
A few days later, Megatron was feeling rather generous so he gave his men a leisure day. Nothing really important needed to be done and the Maximals were quiet as ever so why not? He could use a break himself. He didn't feel like ruffling that blasted raven's feathers today. A nice long hot bath with his rubber ducky would be just perfect...
-x-
"Bird-bot! Wake up!" Waspinator exclaimed as he pounced on her in his beast mode.
"Bwaak!" she squawked when the wasp landed on her stomach. "Waspinator! What are you doing?!"
"Wazzpinator and Terrorsaur hungry and want Bird-bot to play Uno cardz."
"Now?" she groaned, pushing him off near her feet before sitting up and crossing her arms. "You and Terrorsaur know perfectly well that I am not by any means a morning person, right?"
"Wazpinator and Terrorsaur knowzz, but Wazpinator want Bird-bot up now," he answered innocently.
"Nuuhhh," she moaned, falling onto her back and throwing her arms over her head. "Fine. Jus' lemme wake up a lil more..."
"Ooh, Wazzzpinator help!" He then jumped on her again and began tickling her. She screamed with laughter and kicked to try and get him off.
"Stop!" she shrieked through laughter. "Stop it! Stop it! STOP IT!"
"Waspinator!" a new voice yelled. "What're you doing to her?!"
"Terrorsaur, please! Make him STOP!" Starfeather pleaded through her fits of cackling and screaming.
"My pleasure," Terrorsaur said and came at the wasp, planning on grabbing him and dragging him off and out of Starfeather's room. Waspinator stopped, seeing this. He then jumped into the air and tried to zoom away, but Terrorsaur got him by an insect leg and caused the wasp to fall on his back on the floor.
"Ha ha! Pay back time!" Starfeather cried and began tickling Waspinator.
"No, Bird-bot!" he buzzed. "Zzztop!"
Terrorsaur watched for a while, smirking to himself, before deciding to break it up.
"Okay, I hate to break up a good squabble but I'm drained. Let's go."
Starfeather ceased her 'attack', took a deep breath, and exhaled long and loud, collapsing on her back again and spreading out her wings and arms to either side.
"Oh shit... what a wake-up call."
"Bird-bot, come on!" Waspinator transformed and grabbed her ankles, attempting to drag her to the cafeteria/lounge room.
"Hey! Cut it out!" she squealed. "Terrorsaur! A little help!?"
"Alright." But Terrorsaur had another idea. He took her wrists and now, she was suspended between the two mechs like a living hammock. Waspinator giggled.
"Hey! That's NOT helping!" Starfeather managed through her laughter. They all laughed for a moment before she had enough and kicked out, causing Waspinator to let go. Her backside hit the floor and she grunted with slight pain. "Fuck you, bug," she muttered teasingly. Waspinator eeped and raced out of her room.
Terrorsaur chuckled and pulled her up so she could stand. Her back was to him and his hands slipped to clasp hers. This gave her an idea. She guided his arms around her and leaned back against him, smiling sheepishly. He wasn't quite sure what she was doing or why he was going along with it, but he liked it. He held her closer against him and rested his chin on the top of her head. Ever since she had first kissed him, he wanted more. He now wanted to hold her like this all the time, he wanted to know that she was safe and happy, he wanted to feel what she was like... to taste who she was.
He stopped himself with that thought and let go. That was too much to ask of her now. He hadn't even wanted that a few weeks ago. What had gotten into him?
Starfeather turned and looked at him curiously. He looked down, not wanting for her to look into his optics and see his thoughts. Not that she had that kind of power, but it felt like she did whenever she looked at him. She smiled reassuringly, leaned forward, and kissed his cheek like she had once before. He froze, just like the last time. She giggled and took his hand to lead him to the lounge area. Once there, Waspinator raised his head from resting on his arms and beamed.
"Love birdzz take forever," he whined.
"Shut up, Waspinator," they both said in unison. Terrorsaur took his usual seat at their favorite table and Starfeather sat in her normal place, in-between the two mechs, leaving a space on the other side of the table facing the door.
"Anything specific Megatron wants us to do today?" she wondered.
"Wazpinator hear Zzcorpion-bot zzay that Megatron give everybody day off."
"You serious?" Terrorsaur demanded. Waspinator nodded enthusiastically. The other two fliers gaped at him.
Thank you Megatron, Starfeather thought. "In that case, what do you guys want to do today?"
"Wazpinator want to play Uno cardzz!" the wasp exclaimed.
"Alright then, but I have an idea. Let me show you how to play without the rig," the raven said before she left to go back to her room. She found the game and took the cards out of the attack machine and took out the unnecessary cards. She came back with the rest and showed her wingmates how to do it.
The two mechs had slight difficulty adjusting to this method, but they soon found it easy and just as fun.
-x-
The three played until late in the afternoon. By this time, Starfeather was growing restless. Not just because she had less time to get things sorted out, but she was a flier and all fliers have a programed need to get out and feel the freedom of the skies. She held back until around sunset. When she did approach Terrorsaur, he was making himself comfortable in the command chair in the main control room. She smirked.
"All hail Terrorsaur, leader of the Predacons!" she declared, overemphasizing a bow. He flinched and jerked his attention to who had spoken before relaxing.
"And what reason does my loyal subject have for interrupting me while I make my plans of conduct?" he replied with an amused grin. She giggled and looked up at him again.
"I wish to request a flight with m'lord."
Dear my love
Haven't you wanted to be with me and
Dear my love
Haven't you longed to be free?
"A flight to where?" he asked, no longer exaggerating an authoritative tone.
"Oh," she straightened up. "Just this cool place I found..." Suddenly, she had second thoughts and even doubted that he would want to go out alone with her, but she didn't let her doubt show.
I can't keep pretending that I don't even know you
And at sweet night
You are my own
Part of him wanted to ask if she planned on asking Waspinator to come too, but the other half was hoping it would be just him and her. The very thought of it seemed to fill his spark, his whole body, with this strange sensation. He didn't know what this feeling was. He still wasn't quite sure that he liked it.
"I... I guess so."
"Oh good," she sighed, relieved. "And there's something I have to tell you too," she added, smiling a little and starting to head toward the base exit.
He wondered what it was she had to say that would warrant leaving the base for her to do so, but pushed the thought aside for now. He got out of the command chair and caught up beside her. Starfeather smiled even brighter and, a little hesitantly, slipped her hand into his. Terrorsaur turned his attention to her curiously. She grinned innocently and forced her sight on the way out. Once they were outside, they let go, transformed to their respective beast modes, and took off.
Take my hand
We're leaving here tonight
There's no need to tell anyone
They'd only hold us down
From the shadows, someone was watching the two. His suspicions about what exactly was going on between the two had been growing for weeks now. When they left the base, he followed to see if these suspicions of his were correct.
So by the morning's light
We'll be halfway to anywhere
Where love is more than just your name
They flew silently, Starfeather in the lead because Terrorsaur had no idea where they were going. She looked behind her to make sure that he was still following. He continued to remain close behind without a question so she smiled and sped up. He saw this and went faster too. Pretty soon, they were racing. They laughed and dodged each other, swerving and swooping over the darkened trees as shadows engulfed the landscape.
I have dreamt of a place for you and I
No one knows who we are there
Eventually, the two reached Starfeather's secret refuge. When they transformed into robot mode and landed, Terrorsaur was amazed at the sight of the place. He never knew such organic beauty could exist on such a primitive planet. There were a few giant moss-covered rocks piled in the center, a large oak tree growing on top of them, most of its roots spread around on the ground. One large root grew above a little stream that flowed through the clearing. The place was nearly covered in yellow, white, and light pink wildflowers. The clearing was also lined with a make-shift stick fence.
"Welcome to my secret garden," Starfeather announced, spreading her arms to either side, her wings folded neatly against her back.
All I want is to give my life fully to you
Terrorsaur was speechless. The moons were now shining down on her, seeming to illuminate her as brightly as her aqua green optics. With the flowers creating a soft pastel haze in the background, she looked so beautiful... He quickly shook his head. What was he thinking? She was just his friend, but... He had thought the same thing before when she had been at her lowest on her near death bed.
She saw him shake his head.
"Is something wrong?" she asked, a little disappointed at his reaction.
I've dreamt so long
I cannot dream anymore
Let's run away
I'll take you there
"Oh, no no, nothing's wrong. I just... It's only- I-I mean..." He was unsure of what to say next. His mind had suddenly gone blank.
"Just what?" she asked more gently, the disappointment gone.
The only thing he could get out that made any sense was, "What is wrong with me lately?"
Starfeather turned to him and placed one hand on his chest, gazing directly into his optics. Terrorsaur flinched slightly at her touch, but he didn't say anything. He just gazed back at her, their optic sights seeming to lock together.
"Nothing's wrong with you," she whispered.
Without realizing it, he raised his arms to hold her where she was. They stood like this for a long moment, neither knowing for how long nor daring to speak and shatter this trance. The only noises were a few night birds, the soft gurgle of the stream, and the crickets' orchestra.
We're leaving here tonight
There's no need to tell anyone
They'd only hold us down
So by the morning's light
We'll be halfway to anywhere
Where no one needs a reason
"Do you... want to sit down?" she asked softly, finally breaking the silence.
"...sure," Terrorsaur answered. The two walked up to the highest rock. Once there, they sat close to each other, but not right next to the other. They didn't catch the other's gazes this time. She just fumbled with her fingers awkwardly while he studied the mossy stone surface they sat on.
"So..." Starfeather started again, getting a little desperate to break the heavy quiet between them. She thought that perhaps she should lead into things with a conversation to make it easier. "Have... have you always worked for Megatron?" she wondered.
"No," he said, shaking his head, but that was all he gave in response.
"What did you used to do?" She forced herself to look at his face and keep the conversation going. Terrorsaur paused, not sure if he should give her his whole life story or just the bit he thought she should know.
"Well... before Megatron approached me and asked me to be a part of this crew, I worked at this shipyard where I built and repaired all kinds of vehicles. That's why it was so easy for me and Waspinator to steal a ship to bring us here. I had a maintenance worker pass to high-security battleship hangers. We just had to take out some guards and that was it," he explained.
"Really?" She inclined her head with interest. "Well, I never got to have a job. I just did chores for my parents around the house... I was thinking about maybe being a singer or voice actor. I just need to get some education and the courage to perform in public."
"A singer? I didn't know you could sing... Is that what your parents wanted you to do?"
"No, that was just my dream," she said, shrugging it off like a silly joke. "I don't think I ever will be. If anything, I probably would have ended up as a nurse or something like that."
"My parents wanted me to be an engineer. I started to study little bit, but... something... something happened..." He trailed off as he looked away toward the dark forest. His mind was flooding with memories that he wished he didn't have.
"What happened?" Starfeather's gaze softened, sensing that it was a dark burden.
"It's nothing you need to worry about... We were both dragged into this whole thing basically the same way, only yours was an accident. I went looking for it."
She wondered what it was that he wasn't telling her, but she didn't ponder on this too long. She found her chance to push things in another direction.
"I guess you're right," she said, inching a little closer. "But... is it an accident the way we act around each other?" she prompted, inching even closer, their fingers now touching. Terrorsaur looked down at their hands then back up at her.
Forget this life
Come with me
Don't look back
You're safe now
"I don't know," he answered, awkwardly placing his hand over hers. Her spark whirled in its chamber and her face heated up at his touch. She gazed into his crimson optics once again, so wanting to show him how she felt, but knew that now wasn't the right time.
"You know, I don't think you ever told me what you said you had to tell me," he said, narrowing his optics.
Unlock your heart
Drop your guard
No one's left to stop you
"That's right," she murmured and leaned closer as if to whisper a secret. "I wanted to say that I... I like you, quite a bit. Like, a lot. Maybe... more than a friend." She looked into his face, biting her lip as a silly grin fought its way to her lips.
"You do?" Terrorsaur asked, nervous. So she really did like him more than a friend. He was guessing what she wanted him to do next, but he wasn't sure he was ready. Sure, he liked her too and had wanted this for a while, but he had never had experience with a real relationship before. Any femme he had ever been with before had been nothing more than casual interface partners. Could he keep Starfeather once he kissed her? Megatron was still after her. Who knew what he would do to him if he found out they were fooling around under his nose.
Forget this life
Come with me
Don't look back
You're safe now
"Do you mind if we... maybe..." Starfeather leaned even closer until their faces were less than a hand width apart. Terrorsaur felt her warm breath on his cheek and any doubt he had melted away. He found that he didn't care what Megatron would do. He ruled the Predacons, not his private life.
Unlock your heart
Drop your guard
"No, I don't mind," he murmured, leaning closer until their foreheads touched.
Now was the time.
No one's left to stop you now
She pushed her lips onto his first, dimming her optics. He was briefly stunned by her quickness, but soon dimmed his own optics and returned the kiss as earnestly as she. Maybe Waspinator being right about how they really felt about each other wasn't such a bad thing. Terrorsaur had wanted to be something more to her, but hadn't known how to go about doing it in a way that she wouldn't shy away from him. Now he knew that she wanted to be more than just friends as well. Maybe he could do this.
When they pulled away, all he could do was stare into her pure stars of aqua green light. Starfeather tried to look away as she was reddening even more, but found that she could not. Her optics were glued to Terrorsaur's pale face. Her spark was racing and she was breathing in short, soft gasps.
Then, slowly, he brought his hand to her cheek, looking as if he didn't believe that they had just done what they did. She managed a faint reassuring smile. It seemed like hours passed before he made another move. He raised his other hand, cupping her face within his black fingers. Her own hands found the sides of his head and, optics dimming again as they pulled each other closer, and kissed even more deeply than the first time. Her arms soon wrapped themselves around his neck as he moved his own arms around her, pulling her even closer until she was practically in his lap.
Terrorsaur had never felt this way about anyone before. This feeling was even better than being supercharged with raw energon. He wanted to kiss her like this forever. Forget the Maximals. Forget the Predacons. Forget Megatron! He had all that he wanted, right here, right now.
Starfeather had always dreamed of having her prince-meets-princess kiss beneath the full moon like this, but this was even better than her fairytale daydream. It was real. She was so thrilled that Terrorsaur was willing to take their friendship a step farther. She had never wanted anything so badly, not even to be returned to being human and sent home. Right now, home was the last place on her mind. Her new home was right here with Terrorsaur and she never wanted to leave.
We're leaving here tonight
There's no need to tell anyone
They'd only hold us down
So by the morning's light
They held each other tightly, neither wanting to let go or pull away. For once, they had no worries. No fears or doubts. No anger or hostility. And for a fleeting moment, nothing and no one else existed in the entire universe. Everything was completely perfect and at total peace.
We'll be halfway to anywhere
Where love is more than just your name...
Their stalker watched them kiss in anger.
"No, no, no! This will ruin everything!" he hissed to himself. "I must put a stop to this," he growled and, silently, scurried away.
AN: Song: Anywhere by Evanescence
