Author: gatekat and starshield on LJ
Pairing: Prowl/Soundwave
Rating: PG-13
Codes: Crossover, Slash
Summary:
Disclaimer: The authors are only playing with their own twisted muses. Transformers belong to Hasbro. Fandom-side, check the inspirations page ( gatekat-fics .livejournal .com/290 .html ) We draw from a ton of amazing stories and authors you should read.
Notes: klik = 1 minute; breem = 8.3 minutes; joor = 6.3 hours; orn = day/32 joor; metacycle = 6 (5.9285) years; vorn = 83 years/14 metacycles
~text~ bond/hardline talk
::text:: comm chatter
At All Costs 03: A Second Date
Back to the wall at an out of the way table in the rec room, two glowing cubes of regular energon waiting, others present assessed and dismissed, Prowl allowed himself to relax enough to review his conclusions from the orn before.
All the evidence pointed to the conclusion that Soundwave was courting Prowl with serious intent of at least a long-term relationship. Having no prior experience with this sort of thing, Prowl could only read the signs based on second hand knowledge and what Soundwave told him.
The Praxian was still hesitant, wary. So far he had seen no sign that he should not take the communications expert at his word. Most of his dealing with Prowl had been open, straightforward ...and so very different then what he was accustomed to. Domination, power, control - those were all things that Prowl was intimately familiar with, parameters that he could work within comfortably. Apparent affection, gentleness, desire - alien concepts that still baffled him, things that he held at arms length.
So ... he would give Soundwave the chance the mech wanted. He would wait and see if the pattern continued, or if it fell back into the old pattern that Prowl was familiar with. Time would tell, and he would be vigilant. He glanced at the door along with everyone else, more than half expecting Soundwave. It was as unlike the mech to be late as it was for Prowl.
Instead Ravage padded in and went directly for Prowl's pedes, carefully settling in a spot where neither of them would be in the other's way should an attack happen. The feline symbiot extended her field and brushed against Prowl's affectionately and with a trace of loyalty.
Then she pinged him for an ultra-short range encrypted comm that he accepted after a brief thought.
::Master sends his apologies. He had to fix a mech. He should be here within three breems,:: she explained. ::Sent me to make sure you didn't think you were forgotten. Duty just comes first. If you'd rather wait in your quarters or ours, you are welcome to.::
::Three breems is not long to wait, unless he would prefer a different location.:: Prowl replied softly. ::I can bring the energon with me.:: A sudden curiosity as he looked down at the symbiot.
::If waiting is agreeable, may I ask you a question?::
::Yes,:: the feline responded without so much as twitching.
::If it is not something you wish me to know, or I should know, I will understand if you do no answer. But can you consume regular energon to support yourself, or are you completely dependent on Soundwave to meet all of your needs?::
::We all consume regular energon,:: she answered easily. ::We need him for other reasons.::
::You simply do not do so where other can see to maintain the illusion of what you wish them to see?:: Prowl asked, sorting back through his memories and trying to recall ever seeing the symbiots refuel in public, though there was not an overly large amount of data to pull from.
::Some. Mostly it's to avoid loosing the energon to larger mechs. More than a few enjoy messing with us.::
Irritation rippled from Prowl. With his knowledge of many of the Decepticons it did not surprise him that some were inclined to do so, but he did find rather odd that mechs would choose to risk irritating the communications officer by picking on his symbiots.
::The smart ones don't,:: she chuckled, seeming to follow his thoughts. ::There is an over-abundance of not-smart mechs around.::
::So I have noticed.:: It was occasionally painful, the level of stupidity that he was forced to deal with. There were time he wished that some of them were drones, to be fueled, turned on and given orders that would be followed to the letter, then repaired and replaced in storage until needed again. ::It would make planning so much easier...:: He mused to himself.
Ravage laughed uproariously across the comm, though didn't give so much as a twitch physically. ::Wishing we had drones instead of processor-deficient mechs?::
::I am surely not the first one to wish for such.:: Prowl replied, pleased that he had managed to amuse her while they waited.
::Skywarp,:: she chose firmly. ::Mean idea of what's funny, not bright enough to avoid Soundwave and protected by Starscream. There is nothing good about that mech.::
Prowl contemplated this and had to agreed with her assessment of the Seeker. ::You know that I am to train with him.::
::Good practice,:: she said. ::Hard to get more random than a teleporter who doesn't think tactically, or rationally. Mech's good at his function. He's just not good when he doesn't have a valid target. You'll want to make nice with Hook, though. You'll see him a lot.::
Sensor panels twitched at the suggestion, the Praxian acknowledging that the symbiot was probably right. However necessary, Prowl was not looking forward to the experience. ::Suggestions?::
::Don't show up with the same damage twice,:: she began with her most firm tone. ::He's highly intolerant of that particular stupidity. Don't try to get up until he tells you to. He's a perfectionist. Let him. Intelligent conversation is good. So's a high grade apology, just make sure it's quality stuff. He does have Mixmaster on call. If you weren't with Soundwave, inviting him to your berth would work very well since he's quite partial to you. He's not beginner's material though.::
Taking the symbiots words seriously, Prowl started working through them. The first one would hopefully be easy enough - the Praxian was a quick learner, not prone to making the same mistake twice.
The second one ... he could be patient, if it resulted in the quality repairs Ravage believed he was going to require.
He would find out what sort of topic interested the mech before he required attention in case further research was required on his part to be properly repaired.
High grade could be acquired, should the need arise.
As for the symbiots final conclusion ... if it were ever to come up he would make sure he was prepared, having been properly warned.
He reached down, stopping just short of touching the symbiot. ::Thank you.::
::You're welcome,:: she purred softly. ::Master's here.:: she added. ::In a less than stellar mood. He needs company more than usual tonight.::
::I shall do my best.:: Prowl promised quietly, attention shifting to the approaching mech, searching for visible clues to the current mood of the communications officer. He was rather sure that Ravage's assessment of her host's mood was gathered from the connection between the two of them, but Prowl was also sure that if he paid attention he would be able to find signs that would serve a similar purpose.
Quickly he double-checked his preparations, even though he knew there was nothing missing. The chair drawn up across from his was suitable for a mech of Soundwave's specs, and the energon was waiting. Had he been aware of the mood his superior would arrive in he might have tried to acquire some high grade instead, but it was too late now.
"Prowl: thought is appreciated," Soundwave said as he sat down, his outwards manner and tone the flawlessly neutral one he always had in public. "Prowl's company more helpful than high grade," he admitted before sipping the regular ration. A small x-vent escaped audibly. "Prowl: events of day?"
"Satisfactory." Prowl answered honestly without bothering to go into detail. There had been nothing exciting and little comment worthy that had crossed his desk that shift, mostly the same things he had dealt with the shift before only in a different format or worded different. "More tolerable because of my projected evening." He added, debating as to whether he should inquire about Soundwave's or leave the subject alone for later.
He felt Soundwave's field reach out to him with a brush of thanks/affection/appreciation before shifting to caress Prowl's field lightly in an offer to mesh and share more of Soundwave's reactions.
A moment of hesitation before Prowl cautiously initiated a surface blending, one that would allow for consciously shared thoughts, emotions and feelings on his part, and strong unconscious ones, to transfer easily. It was potentially only an illusion of privacy, but it was enough to keep him happy at the moment. The mere fact that Soundwave, a powerful telepath, was asking for the connection and offering it in return was telling. Everything Prowl was giving up to the blending fields were things Soundwave had to try to not pick up from others. Yet Soundwave was offering a great deal to Prowl in exchange.
~Disloyal mech: Unpleasant to deal with,~ Soundwave offered quietly, the thoughts and distress they caused, a direct reflection of the later part of his shift, coming through more clearly than any normal field meshing would carry. ~Prowl: refreshingly loyal, not ambitious, compared to most officers ... most Cybertronians. Prowl: very pleasant to be near.~
Prowl acknowledged the compliments, their intention, just as he always did, and then dismissed them as usual. His was loyal because he believed in what they were trying to accomplish, more so now than even when had first joined. Now there was a level of personal interest involved - though the idea that what he was doing was for himself as well as others was still at odds with his conditioning. His ambition was to serve and he was being given an expansive means of expression. And the last compliment pleased him more than he cared to admit, which earmarked it for analyzing at some later time.
Questions, his desire for knowledge leading part of him to want details he was sure he probably didn't want to know, was squashed as well. ~Thank you. Perhaps after this such incidents will be fewer in the future.~
A flicker of hope was followed by the grim knowledge it was a futile hope, drifted from Soundwave.
~That one mech will keep his traitorous thoughts controlled for some time,~ Soundwave said. ~It is the most that can be done for now. Soundwave: unwilling to completely reprogram others without direct order. Process: very unpleasant for Soundwave. Prowl: desires tonight?~
A tiny shudder ran through Prowl, memories surfacing all the easier for having been pulled up not so long ago. Memories that he quickly pushed back down, not quite willing to share again just yet. They also served little purpose in the current setting. Instead Prowl focused on how much he did not know about the mech seated across from him, and Prowl's distinct lack of social skills.
He was perfectly capable of having a conversation, though few of them did not usually end up in the technical. But beyond that he had little to offer in the way of being pleasant company, making him a poor choice for companionship when one wanted to forget the normal going-ons of the orn.
Instead of words, Soundwave reached out to place his much larger hand over Prowl's and pushed a sense of calm safety across their fields until Prowl was completely settled.
~Soundwave: did not intend to suggest interfacing,~ the big mech looked at him seriously, fully focused on the Praxian. ~Possibilities: share some history, explore hobbies, play with symbiots, begin a puzzle. Do any possibilities appeal to Prowl?~
A moment of tension, quickly lost, at the physical contact before Prowl responded. ~I have never considered puzzles a social activity. It would be interesting to experience them as such. And-~ He reached down toward Ravage, curious as to what the symbiot would think of the suggestion that she and brethren cared to be...entertained?
She came back with image-thoughts instead of words. Having small objects thrown for her and the avians to chase, catch and return. Wrestling/play-fighting. Hunting games. Being told stories by their host. A board game with several types of pieces that Prowl didn't recognize in the least.
~Game: Clue,~ Soundwave supplied the name of it. ~Purpose: be the first player to determine who committed the crime described at the beginning of play.~
Prowl found himself amused at the idea on many levels, and entertained at all of the possibilities. ~I believe I might enjoy learning the rules of this game.~
He felt a spike of excitement from Ravage. Amusement, pleasure and mild eagerness from Soundwave.
~We haven't played in decaorns,~ Ravage purred. ~It's fun. You'll pick it up fast. Tactics, intel hunting, detective work are pretty similar.~
~Teaching Prowl: agreeable to Soundwave,~ he said with a smile in the thought and drank his energon a little more quickly. ~Soundwave's quarters: after energon?~
It sounded like a potentially pleasant and relaxing evening. An evening spent in the company of individuals who, while Prowl still watched his step, he was not worried about stabbing him in the back during a moment of inattention for their own gain. Things and feelings Prowl was starting to crave even though he had just recently been exposed to them. ~Yes.~
Three rounds of the board game and some very content symbiots later and Prowl leaned back, stretching his sensor wings and letting them fall into a fully relaxed posture. It had been a very pleasant evening indeed, once they had retired to the communication officer's quarters.
The enthusiasm that the symbiots had show at the suggestion they teach Prowl what was obviously a favorite game had caught the Praxian off guard initially, then infected him with enthusiasm as well. Checking his chronometer he was surprised at the lateness of the orn.
"I should retire to my quarters," he told his hosts, a small smile still on his face.
"Prowl: welcome to stay," Soundwave said, his field conveying both uncertainty and desire.
The smile vanished.
"My thanks, but I would not wish to impose." Prowl replied, stiffly and quickly, the sudden formal tone of his posture and speech a defense springing from fear he could not put a name on in the moment.
"Prowl: would not impose," Soundwave said quickly, then suddenly went tense as his processor caught up to his passive telepathy. "Soundwave: did not intend to make Prowl uncomfortable. Soundwave: apologizes."
"Accepted, though there is no need." Prowl flinched, sounding stiff and far to ... in charge, to his own audios. He rose quickly, trying to gauge the mood of the room and find some way out that would leave a minimal amount of damage in his wake. "My evening has been most relaxing and educational. Still, I think it best were I to return to my own quarters for my recharge cycle."
"As Prowl wishes," Soundwave didn't hide his disappointment as he stood to show him out. "Prowl: Join Soundwave for energon after shift next orn?"
Prowl fell into the routine, taking comfort into what was on its way to a familiar dance. He relaxed, offering a sincere sense of apology, illogical as it was for him to be sorry for his fear. "Of course. I look forward to it."
"Soundwave: pleased," the giant mech walked Prowl to the door and opened it, watching him walk down the corridor to his own quarters for recharge. It was not until he shut the door that his symbiots crowed around him to offer comfort.