Turns out I had this one too, and it's in the same 'verse as the Bored prompt. We call it Origins, and there's several stories in it, most of which are unreleased (yet!) Co-written by myself and Katea-Nui again, Revolution is also her OC.
Strong slash warning, but this has no naughtybits. Origins AU, pre-war. This does contain a romance between a canon character and an OC, so if you do not like that sort of thing, just skip this bit, please. Constructive criticism is appreciated; all flames are answered with null ray blasts.
-6- Dancing "May I have this dance, now and forever?"
Revolution stood awkwardly in front of the full frame viewer in the front room he had installed recently (because watching Skywarp or Maverick walk by and then backtrack to admire themselves was hilarious to him) as he looked his frame over for any blemishes or smears. Starscream had said to look nice and he intended to do so. It was their first date in the eye of the public. No more dinner dates in the small apartment that was no longer home. No, this was a /real/ date. And he was nervous as fragging pit. He would /not/ embarrass is lover in front of their people. He would be proper, polite and courteous and remember that Starscream was still Winglord even in their relationship. He was lucky as pit to even be here and he knew it.
Starscream finished fussing with a small smudge on his shoulder plating. He sniffed, buffing it out with a bit of soft cloth, and made his way to the main room, thinking that Rev was still getting ready. What he saw was a vision of shining grey, silver, and yellow, gleaming softly in the light. He was so beautiful, and all /his/. Star wondered again exactly how this had happened...and he was grateful that it had. He hurried to his side. "You look wonderful." he said softly, taking the younger Seeker's hand in his own. "Are you ready, or did you need some more time?"
Revolution looked at him and then his reflection again. He didn't /see/ any mars on his plating. "I think I am ready." He said softly.
Starscream looked at Revolution, really /looked/, and a slight frown hit his faceplates. "Don't be so nervous, all right? You belong here, with me, at my side...and to the Pits with those who think otherwise."
Revolution nodded and tried to gather himself as he squeezed his lover's servo in his. "Okay. I think I'm ready. This is... new."
"It is, yes. Before...when we went anywhere, it wasn't as... Us. Even if it was. But you don't deserve to be hidden anymore." Starscream said, meaning every word. He leaned down slightly to give Rev a gentle kiss, one filled with affirmation and caring, before retaking his hand to lead him out into the world. It was 'evening' in Vos, and the skies were filled with those going to and from the entertainment districts, and to the more expensive establishments located in the Spire. It was there that Star led his named consort, to his favorite establishment, a small place known simply as Apex.
Revolution vented deeply, trying to ignore looks shot their way, or the whispers that followed them. He wrapped an arm around the strong, but slim waist of Starscream and took comfort in the fact that he didn't need the population's approval. Starscream accepted him and that was enough for him. Or he would make it be. "This is... A nice establishment." He said quietly, staring at the spacious area.
"It's one of my favorites." he said, keeping his tones low out of deference to the ambiance of the area. It /was/ very quiet here, with the tables set far apart, the establishment clearly made for Seekers and Seekers only by the configuration of the chairs. An attendant stared for a split second at the couple, and Starscream gave him a Look. The attendant's head whipped back around almost as if burned and quickly led them to a choice location on a dais facing the city itself. The glow of the lights reflected off the crystals in the centerpiece, and Star smiled, looking at Rev fondly. He held out his lover's seat, feeling foolish, but he also felt it was necessary...
Revolution smiled a bit shyly and took his seat, feeling equally foolish but flattered by the gesture none the less. "Thank you." He chuckled.
Starscream gave a slightly grandiose bow, a silly little grin on his lips. "You are welcome." He seated himself, wings twitching in mirth. "Are you all right?" he asked, knowing that Rev didn't precisely /like/ being stared at, and also knowing that there were plenty of optics aimed straight at the couple. He knew what they were wondering, what they were saying, and he privately dared /any/ of them to say one wrong word.
Revolution gave him a small twist of lips. "I will be fine. This will not be the last time something like this will happen. Are /you/ okay?"
Starscream nodded, wings flicking. "Yes...I just...I don't want you to be distressed, and I worry that some idiot will say something to you. I doubt they would in /my/ presence, but..." He shrugged, picking up the single-sheet that outlined the offerings for the day, handing it to Rev first.
Revolution took it. "I will be alright. You are with me." He said seriously, meaning it. He smiled softly at his love and then looked down both in embarrassment and to view the cuisines. His optics cycled wide when he caught sight if the prices. One drink was what he made in half a cred turnover.
Starscream hummed and waited for Rev to make his decision, his elbows resting on the edge of the table, chin resting in his palms. He couldn't stop /looking/ at him. It was strange. He didn't question it, though. Not with Rev sitting across from him. He wondered why the odd look, though.. "Is something the matter? Not to your liking?
Pale lips opened and then closed as he struggled for words. Then he found his voice again. "Star..." He licked his lips. "These prices..."
"What about them?" He knew he was very, very guilty of not even paying attention to these things. He really didn't. Star generally just threw a chit out for validation and let his accountants handle these things...it was their job. It really didn't seem like that big a deal to him. He'd never not had anything he desired, never went without. Everything had been given to him his entire life.
Revolution frowned slightly and he finally looked up at Starscream. "The cheapest item in this list is worth half my turnover." He explained.
Starscream still didn't quite understand what the fuss was about. "Rev, you don't have to worry about that. I don't, therefore /you/ don't. Anything that you want, it's yours. You /or/ your brother. It's part of being my family."
Revolution stared at him. He just couldn't wrap his mind around it. He was so used to saving creds instead of spending them. With a sigh, he set the menu down. "You choose. I haven't a clue what most of these are."
Starscream considered this, then summoned the staff with a single raised finger. He ordered rapidly, almost too quickly for anyone but the waiter to decipher, then dismissed the mech, smiling back at Revolution. "You will learn, over time. I got us some of my favorites, a small selection." His hands reached across the table, wanting to touch. "How was your day, love?"
Revolution reached to grasp at cobalt ones and he smiled. "It was mostly normal. Having Maverick pop randomly in and out and having three guards tailing me is still an adjustment I'm working through." As well as the glances (a few hostile, others disbelieving and some amused), but he wasn't mentioning those.
"The guards...are necessary, and something that I too put up with. It's easier to just pretend they aren't really there. It's to keep you safe, you know." Star said, knowing that this had to be a shock. "I have been asked if we will be having some formal ceremony? This is up to you, if you want one." He wasn't sure that Rev ever would. Their relationship was a private thing, and they enjoyed that aspect of it. Skywarp wanted it, for some odd reason, and he'd been bending Mav's audial about it when he dragged him around for tutoring. Maverick wasn't saying much about the Academy, either, because he was still upset about having to go. "And has Mav said anything about his schooling?"
Revolution shook his helm. "Can't pry more than two words from him about it." He sighed. "Although he's been excited about meeting his sigma instructor. And what ceremony?" There was a ceremony? For what?
Starscream looked at once embarrassed and surprised. "To formally announce...us." Star said, ducking his head down like a shy youngling. "I am leaving that decision to you." He squeezed the hands that slightly covered his own, just a bit bigger despite his slightly larger overall size. Starscream's hands were slender and small, though strong. "I don't make the choice because I don't know if you want quite that much publicity. I am willing, though."
"... I was not aware there was even a ceremony for these things." He murmured. No. He was /not/ comfortable with that much publicity. Not one bit. "I-if it is required..."
Starscream shook his head. "No. No it is NOT required, and we don't have to." The look on Rev's face was enough to make him want to whap Skywarp across the back of the head the next time he so much as mentioned it. "Certainly not." His thumb caressed the hand trapped between both of his. "It is enough that you and I know, and are happy. Frag all of /them/. They can know simply by association, rather than by some ridiculous gathering where people can stare at other people and look down upon them for wearing last years' decorative scrollwork or the like."
Revolution gave his lover a somewhat bland look. "The description doesn't help, you realize." Their food arrived and he watched, once more wide optic'd, at the different assortments placed in front of them. This was worth /far/ more than two cred turnovers.
"The description is accurate, unfortunately. Ah, here we are." He moved his hands and arms, allowing the mech to arrange their dinner around them, looking down at it with satisfaction. "Very good. That will be all." he informed the staff, and he bowed and left in a hurry. Star waited for Rev to make his choices from the sparkling, gelled, and in one case frozen solid confections and treats arrayed before them. "Your choice first, love."
Revolution put a finger to his mouth in thought before he reached for the curiously frozen treats and pooped one of the squares in his mouth. " S'cold."
"It's frozen solid. Dipping anything in liquid nitrogen for a few moments does that relatively quickly, then they wash it in inert gas to rid it of the toxic elements. It's then flavored and served. A good cook is also a good chemist." Star says, unaware that he is definitely showing his geek roots even here. "These are my favorite. Their consistency is gelled, yes, but they're mixed with rare elements...the red ones are spicy, do be careful." He takes a red one and eats it with every indication of pleasure.
Revolution sucks on the little frozen treat in his mouth that is slowly melting on his glossa. It was incredibly tangy, almost sour, but the juice of it was nice. His wings twitch in surprise as he reaches the middle and a burst of sweet greeted him. He made a soft sound of surprised delight and reached for another confection. "These are delicious!" He would love to make these himself.
Starscream smiled. "I'm glad you like them." He himself seemed to stay away from the very sweet treats, keeping to the spicier type. He just watched Rev enjoy himself, happy that his love was enjoying himself. He needed to, after a life of work...how soon /did/ batch-Seekers begin their functions? There was much he didn't know, but here was not the place for it. "Are you enjoying yourself?" he asked quietly.
Revolution smiles as he reaches for a red cube. "I am." He confirmed, eyeing the treat. He and MAverick had been limited in their choice of treats and ingredients on the salary he made. So spicy was a newer concept as he nibbled on the corner.
Starscream waited for a moment- that thing that Rev had grabbed was hot, and though Starscream loved them, he wasn't quite sure how Revolution would feel with the unique tang scorching his glossa. He himself took one of the sour ones, delighting in the contrasting flavors. The music had begun to play already, a light string composition made popular some time ago. No one had begun dancing, not yet.
The moment Revolution has swallowed he knew it was perhaps too much and he coughed as the spice and tingle followed the piece down his intake. It was rather hot, leaving a tingle and prickle on his glossa he wasn't sure he enjoyed too much. Or perhaps it was because he hadn't been expecting it. Either way, he reached for the cooled midgrade that had been served with the dinner and tried to drain the heat away without making a fool of himself.
Starscream smiled. "I warned you...but you had to find out, I suppose. Those /are/ my favorites." He squeezed one of the sour ones and it broke open on his fingers, and he regarded the greenish gel with a half-smile.
Revolution finished his drink with a gasp. "I wasn't quite expecting /that/." He pouted slightly, deciding he would avoid the red ones for now, or until he felt brave enough to try them again. Instead he looked at the green gel on his lover's fingers and reached for one of those.
Starscream actually LIKED that little pout; it made him look so...innocent. Though Starscream knew that /that/ wasn't the case. That was part of his sex appeal, though- how reserved he was in the world, in public...and when they were alone, he grew passionate and even wanton, in some cases. The memories caused Star to heat up just a bit, but he forced that down- now was for them to be in public, he was displaying Rev as /his/ to all of Vos. "It's fine. The first time I had one I cried." he admitted.
Revolution looked at him in surprise, a green gelled cube paused in front of his lips. "Really?"
"I was just a sparkling, and I grabbed one off my Sire's plate. Not only did he get decidedly upset, he made me finish it. Hotter than the Pits of Kaon, it was. My carrier wasn't home that day..." he trailed off.
Revolution paused again, looking at his lover. He hardly ever spoke of his genitors and always seemed rather upset doing so. He set the treat down and took the cloth to the right of his own served tray and reached across the table to wipe the gel from a cobalt hand.
Starscream tilted his head and smiled softly."Thank you. You didn't have to do that." His voice was quiet, almost introspective. Images of his genitors crossed his mind, and for the thousandth time he resolved to be /nothing/ like his sire. "You don't need to be cleaning up my messes, love...enjoy yourself. We can dance, if you wish to."
Revolution smiled back. "I wanted to." And it was his own way of offering silent support when he felt Starscream might need it. Then he blinked as something seemed to register. "Dance?"
"Dance. To the music? On the dance floor out there?" Starscream teased gently. "Can you? I...am proficient." Which was a giant understatement. Starscream was an excellent dancer, and had always been one.
Revolution shook his helm. "I can dance fine, but... I only know classical dances. My mentor insisted after Blast Off." He said.
Starscream nodded. "That's fine. The music is suited to such. And I am willing to dance anything as long as it's with you." The fact that the older dances required close contact was just a bonus. "Only when you are ready, though. We would be the first couple, and I know you do not like to be stared at."
Revolution fidgeted, glancing at the wide space that Starscream had indicated as the dancefloor. He did like dancing. And knew quite a few classical ones. He steeled himself. "I... I would like to dance."
"Now, or later when others have joined?" Star was willing to do either, though he had to privately admit the vision of the Winglord and his consort leading the dance was compelling, and something he himself would like to see (and likely would on the medianet if they did).
"I would like to dance... with you. I do not mind." He was more worried he would embarrass Starscream than being stared at in all honesty.
Starscream smiled slowly, standing tall, and stretched one arm out for Revolution to take. "With me, then. Let us show them how it's done."
Revolution vented deeply before taking the offered limb and allowing himself to be led to the dancefloor. He stood straight and proud, the only indication of his nervousness the slight tremble in his proudly raised wings. He smiled. "Let us."
The song began anew as soon as the musicians noticed who was on the floor, and Starscream took Rev's hands in his own expertly. The song was an old one, and Star whirled Rev around, a smile on his lips, the slightly dazed look of adoration that he always gave his lover quite clear to anyone who was watching. "You're the most beautiful one in the room, love." Star whispered, meaning every word. "They look upon you and are jealous."
Revolution couldn't help but laugh. "I disagree, Star. You are by far more beautiful than I." He stepped in closer as the song required in the dance, staring with love into the crimson set in dark faceplates.
Starscream smiled, but shook his head. "We shall have to agree to disagree, then." He swept Rev back in a move not required, but extra, in this dance, and a faint flash of light indicated someone imagecapping the event for some purpose or another. Swinging him back up, he hmmed inwardly...and kissed his lover right there in front of Primus and all of Vos, just as the song itself ended, the final strains washing over the couple who still remained alone on the floor.
Revolution's optics widened and his wings were stiff with surprise. When Starscream pulled away, he shook himself from his daze and smiled shyly as the start began for another song. Couples were starting to come to the dance floor now, some just to get closer image captures, others to dance. "You like to keep me on the tip of my thrusters, don't you?"
"Yes." Starscream said, teasing now. "I said that you were mine...and I mean for everyone to know it." He held his seeker close to him, almost able to feel the slight nervousness in his frame. "Would you like to continue, or go back to our table? It is your choice; this is for you."
Revolution huffed a bit. "Anyone ever tell you that you're cute when you fuss?" He smiled. "I would like to dance again. But I do not wish for those frozen treats to become unfrozen."
"Then we'd best come back to the dance floor, or they'll be puddles by the time we return. And my opponents would cringe if they ever heard me referred to as 'cute'." Star said, tugging gently at Rev's hand to lead them back to their table. People did look at them, some bemused, others uncaring, and at least one or two jealous stares comprised the watching crowd.
Revolution worried slightly. "I am sorry. I will refrain from making that reference in the future. Although I was not aware one had opponents for the title of 'Winglord'."
"Not for my title. Those that I have to deal with, primarily anyone in Iacon. They're definite opposition to me...they wish to impose /their/ rules on us, rationing so that we could not fly as we wished...I won't stand for that, you know, thus the opposition." Starscream said seriously. "As for that, it was mostly a joke, love...they just see me as a scary, temperamental glitch, which I /am/, usually."
"Oh." Revolution replied, face heating a bit. He needed to stop making presumptions... "I see."
"Rev. Look at me." Star said softly. "You are not expected to know these things immediately. It has taken me vorns. You are unused to this side of life, I understand that...and I also understand that it may take you awhile to adjust. Please don't be embarrassed simply because you don't know. Ask, and I will tell you, all right?" He brushed the back of his hand down the sharp arc of Rev's face, looking upon him with absolute love.
"I will." Revolution said, smiling again. "Can we...can we dance again?" His helm tilted as he gestured toward the floor, where several couples swayed slowly to the music.
"Of course." The Winglord of Vos stood and gave a bow over Revolution's hand, offer it, and himself, to the younger Seeker. "May I have this dance, now and forever?"
The laugh that sprung forth from Rev's lips could be heard even over the music.