Title: Serendipitous - Volatile Science
Author: odd_stick
Disclaimer: All recognizable characters are owned by Hasbro and associates.
Rating: PG for flirting and insinuation (I'm probably rating too high)
Pairing/Characters: (G1) Skywarp x Wheeljack, Thundercracker, Starscream
Summary: Skywarp's bored while waiting for his Trine, and spots a familiar face.

Units of Time: Cycle (IDW definition) - 1 hour 15 minutes

WARNINGS: AU, slight OOC

A/N: Trine antics totally snuck in and took over the last half of this fic D:

Skywarp is in a bit of a mood. He had long ago dragged a neighboring chair over, smirking as the other occupants of the waiting room stared at him for the horrible screeching noise that the piece of furniture made as he dragged it closer to his seat. Once he had it suitably positioned, he flopped his pedes up on it and glared at any mech who even looked like they were planning on asking for his newly acquired pede rest for their own seating needs. They could sit on the floor for all he cares at the moment.

The only reason he is even wasting his time in the waiting room is because the three of them had a series of mandatory checkups to make sure the Trine Bond was settling properly before they returned to a full schedule at the academy. His exam finished first, but TC and Screamer still hadn't been released. All of them are impatient with the procedure and the very fact that they had to be there at all. Not to mention the fact that their connection through the Trine Bond was making that impatience fester between them.

Skywarp is debating between taking a nap or pestering the other patrons to relieve his boredom and frustration when he hears the clatter of dropped data pads and a startled cry. His optics and sensors immediately swing over to the source of the commotion. There are several data pads scattered at the pedes of a mech who is turned away from the seeker and towards the quickly retreating back of a running medi-bot.

With a frustrated cycle of atmosphere through his vents, the mech bends low to gather the chaos. When he turns slightly to grab a wayward data pad, Skywarp finally gets a good look at his helm and his optics flare in recognition. He is already out of his chair and half way across the room before he recalls the mech's designation.

He squats next to the mech, grabs a data pad and offers it. "What's a nice mech like you doing in a place like this?" he asks when the other transformer notices his outstretched hand.

The blue optics follow the dark arm up to his chassis, are briefly distracted by the wings, and finally settle on his face. "It's you!"

Skywarp grins. "Didn't think I'd see you again." He gathers the few remaining data pads and holds them out to the other mech. "So, what're you doing this far from Iacon?"

Head fins flashing, Wheeljack responds, "I was proposing one of my new inventions to the Medical Guild. I have a medic friend that's on loan to this clinic, so I figured I would drop by and visit while I was in the area."

"He the one that taught you how to fix banged up mechs?"

"Not officially, but I couldn't help but learn something what with him always growling at me while he made repairs. Plus, I was the one that helped him study for all his tests and quizzes." The masked mech shifted the data pads in his hold as he took a closer look at the seeker. "You never told me your designation."

"Skywarp." The seeker offers his hand, and then waves it off as he notices the mech struggling to free a hand from the jumble of data pads.

Head fins flash and Skywarp thinks the mostly white and grey mech is smiling behind his mask. "A fitting name. I'm Wheeljack."

The dark seeker's wings perk up a bit as he shifts his weight. "I remember. Thanks again for helping me." Skywarp leans a bit further into Wheeljack's personal space, letting his energy field playfully nudge the other mech's. He doesn't try to hide the mischievous smirk that appears when Wheeljack jerks and his head fins flash in surprise.

He silently curses the mask hiding the inventor's face when he can't see the returned smirk that he just knows is there when he feels the unexpected, yet tentative, nudge back. The sensation sends a shiver down his wings and he can sense his Trine mates' curiosity through their bond. They can't tell what he's doing, but they are able to perceive that he is enjoying himself.

Gently shushing the bond, he refocuses his attention on Wheeljack who is watching him with a teasing glint in his optics. Skywarp knows that he needs to tread carefully around this mech; while the flirting is going very well, he remembers the flustered reaction from the kiss in the lab. But then again, he was always the kind of mech to throw caution to the wind and see where it would take him.

"How long are you in the area?"

The inventor's optics shine brightly, and Skywarp likes to think he's already getting better at reading the limited facial expressions. "Unfortunately, I'm leaving the city in just over a cycle. This was my last stop."

The seeker's wings lower a fraction, but he brushes off his disappointment. "Well then, may I see you again?"

"As long as you don't crash into any of my shelving this time!" Wheeljack laughs, the head fins flashing in tandem, making the action even more appealing to Skywarp's sensibilities. The scientist may not be of seeker stock, but his unique display, smooth voice, and sturdy frame are definitely holding Skywarp's interest longer than any of his previous passing fancies.

Skywarp is caught off guard when Wheeljack unexpectedly starts. "Slag it all," the lighter mech grumbles. Hefting the data pads into a more secure hold, he explains, "That was my alarm. I've got to leave or I'm going to miss my transport."

The seeker nods, a bit disappointed but already planning his first deliberate visit to the scientist's labs. "Wouldn't want that now would we?" he asks, winking his optic conspiratorially.

"I'm glad that we ran into each other again, Skywarp. Hopefully the next time we meet, one of us isn't crashing into anything…or anyone!" He nods his helm and turns to leave. He isn't expecting the firm grip on his shoulder or the quick peck on his mask.

Head fins flash, but no words escape his vocoder. With a wicked grin, Skywarp edges closer. "Wasn't sure if I could catch you off guard with that again." The seeker's fingers twitch, begging to dance across the scientist's plating, but Skywarp restrains himself and lets his grip slide away loosely. "See you later Wheeljack."

The grounded mech's vents hitch at the intense look in the seeker's optics – promises that he's not sure if he wants to see kept, yet sends something deep inside him fluttering with excitement and anticipation. "Bye 'Warp," he breathes before he turns and rushes towards the exit.

Skywarp shifts his weight and rests a fist on his hip even as he tilts his head to watch the retreating mech. A contented hum vibrates through his chassis. Well after Wheeljack has turned a corner and disappeared from view, he spins on his pede, intent on returning to his seat (and his pede rest better still be there) and just barely keeps from bumping cockpits with Thundercracker.

The blue seeker grabs Skywarp's shoulders to steady him. "And just what was that?"

"What was what?" A cheeky grin accompanies the response.

Releasing the other seeker, Thundercracker waves a hand in the general direction that Wheeljack had left in. "That! This is a clinic, not a bar or club."

Skywarp slips his arm around his brother's waist. "Jealous, TC?" The scoff and weak shove let him know that Thundercracker isn't truly mad at him, but irritation still trickles through their bond. "Remember that mech I was telling you about a while back? The one that fixed my optic when I crashed in his lab?"

"…yeah?"

"Well that was him! Would you believe the luck?" The dark seeker laughs at Thundercracker's incredulous look.

"What are you two talking about?" Starscream inquires as he approaches, running a hand over his chest absent mindedly. Thundercracker and Skywarp share a brief look, both having felt the faint and nearly undetectable tumultuous emotions that their Trine Leader had endured through the invasive examinations. Unfortunately, they are beginning to learn that the new seeker in their lives is very private about such things and reacts poorly to persistent niggling.

Choosing to ignore the worry for now, Thundercracker returns his attention to his darker brother and shoves ineffectively at Skywarp as the younger seeker hugs his middle with both arms. "This flirt is just on the prowl again. Ignore it; he'll get bored soon enough."

The lighter seeker tilts his head, watching the two of them as Skywarp defends himself, "I don't think I'll be getting bored any time soon with this one, TC. Everything about Wheeljack just gets my engine revving."

"Uh-huh. That's what you said about the last one, remember?"

"But this is different! Wheeljack's different…there's just something about him."

The blue seeker palms Skywarp's face, trying to pry the leech off of him as he practically drags them both to the exit. "Not a very convincing argument," Starscream notes as he sidesteps a large mech walking by them in the opposite direction. The move puts him in front of the entangled pair, but he angles his body so he can still see them over his shoulder.

Skywarp licks the hand covering his face and grins at the accosted yelp that escapes Thundercracker. "Well, I don't know him very well yet, but I'm going to be seeing him again soon."

As he nonchalantly wipes his hand off on the black and purple seeker's helm, Thundercracker warns, "Just be careful 'Warp. Don't do anything stupid."

Skywarp finally lets his brother go. Rubbing at his helm, he growls, "I know, I know. Don't be such a glitch TC. I'm not courting him or anything, we're just gonna have a little fun."

"Someone's got to look out for you," Thundercracker says quietly. The potentially somber mood is averted by the blue seeker as he punches Skywarp's arm and leaps into his transformation. "You're it!" he exclaims right before he ignites his thrusters and shoots into the sky.

With a wicked grin, Skywarp moves to follow, but before he gives chase, he notices their wayward Trine mate still in his bipedal mode watching from the ground below. "C'mon Starscream! He's getting away!"

Knowing there is no real reason not to join his Trine, Starscream leaps and transforms in the air, hovering beside the other tetra jet. Skywarp lets his playful mood spread through their Bond and takes off after Thundercracker. "Whoever catches him first, wins!" The two of them race towards the horizon and their prey, Skywarp's laughter trailing behind them.

A/N: Skywarp pesters TC with cuddly love. 83 And Starscream's still adjusting.

I have no idea when or if this is even discussed in canon, but in the 'verse of Volatile Science, Starscream meets and forms his Trine after the loss of Skyfire. Their Trine is formed after Starscream has been expelled from the Science Academy and promptly picked up by Military Academy. Behind the scene forces had to do with that (SS knows that, but he hasn't been able to figure out what exactly is going on yet), though the MA has had their eye on him for a while due to his skills.

Also – I know that Skywarp and Wheeljack never exchanged contact info, plans, schedules, or what not. It actually slipped 'Jack's mind and Skywarp just figured that since he's already got the coordinates for the lab, he can just warp in when he feels like it. Hopefully, he doesn't pop in at a bad time.

If you have any prompts for this series, please share! I've got a very, very loose idea of where I'm taking this, but your suggestions would be welcomed (totally looking at ldot_rivian since the first two stories were from her drabble requests).