Author: gatekat and starshield on LJ
Pairing: Prowl/Constructicons, sorta
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 20: Constructicon Courting
The small part of Prowl's processor noted just how long it took him to boot up, each system coming online slowly. The reason was not hard to determine, since the last memory he had stored was Megatron coming at him, clearly not pleased with the report that Prowl had given him, or the maddenly calm way the Praxian had stood there and taken the first several blows without flinching.
A quick internal diagnostic scan informed him that despite the extensive damage that had been inflicted he was already repaired and able to resume normal functioning after refueling. Satisfied with his findings, Prowl allowed the rest of his senses to come online, optics focusing finally and sending a jolt through him.
He had fully expected to come around in a repair bay with a lecture close at hand, or in whatever served as Soundwave's quarters with his lover nearby. The location he found himself in was clearly neither. It wasn't a location he'd ever seen before.
The mechs about though, he knew them.
Hook and Scraper were closest, working on something together - a new mech frame - but only giving it part of their attention. The pair were really focused on Prowl. Further away was Mixmaster, brewing up something - high grade from the scent. Bonecrusher, Long Haul and Scavenger were not in sensor range, though he had little doubt they were nearby.
Sitting up slowly, Prowl spread his sensor panels, working the stiffness from them and scanning the surrounding area as he did so. The room looked like the main room of a gestalt's private quarters, not a common workshop, and that alone was enough to put him on guard.
Outwardly calm, Prowl turned his attention on Hook, the one of the gestalt that he was most familiar with. "I would assume it is to you I owe thanks for putting me back together again?"
"Always," the Constructicon nodded with a small grin as he turned to come over. "Welcome to Constructicon headquarters, such as it is. Megatron's still raging about the loss of Hive City. You weren't safe there, especially not with Soundwave still on his mission."
"Then it sounds as though additional thanks are in order as well." Prowl relaxed a bit. "He took it as poorly as I recall."
"Very poorly," Hook agreed. "I'd prefer you remain here until he's finished raging."
"What a time for Soundwave to be away," Mixmaster grumbled. "Megatron might be unstable, but he usually manages to keep the worst of it under control."
Prowl settled into a comfortable sitting position as he ran more extensive diagnostics and once again acknowledged the need to fuel. He was not critical yet and there were other things demanding his attention that were of high priority at the moment. Like the pattern he had noticed to Megatron's mood and the way it had slowly been changing over the vorns.
A pattern he had yet to say anything about to anyone else, especially when he was not sure of their intentions.
He noticed Mixmaster walking over, giving an exasperated look at the other two Constructicons.
"Here," the big mech shoved an energon cube towards Prowl. "Those two would forget their helms if they weren't welded on at the moment."
"Thank you." Sensor wings flicked in amusement and acknowledgment, Prowl simply thankful to be away from the leader of the Decepticons and any immediate threat of physical harm.
He started on the cube, taking the time to openly study his surroundings before his optics came back to settle on Hook's current project. "What are you working on?"
Scrapper nearly jumped at the question, his armor flaring slightly before he caught himself, earning him a snort from Mixmaster as the mech walked off to his own project.
"We're attempting to build a new gestalt," Hook answer with distinct pride in his voice as he stepped slightly to the side so Prowl could see the small frame they were working on. It wasn't much larger than Rumble or Frenzy. "Three microbots that form a camera."
Prowl hummed thoughtfully. The actual mechanical aspects were beyond him, but even from here he could see the detail and the quality of the work. Well familiar with Hook's skill he would expect nothing less.
"Drink," Scraper pointed at the energon cube Prowl hadn't yet started. "We'll show you to your quarters."
A low snicker came from Mixmaster's corner.
The Praxian looked up but started in on the energon his systems were insisting they needed. If nothing else this would prove a good time to try to understand the Constructicons better. If they were willing to allow him to stay here and away from Megatron he had no intention of arguing. He just hoped that the two in front of him, watching him, weren't planning to take advantage of the situation too much. Prowl could never completely forget that they were both on the list of mechs Soundwave had said were interested in him.
So he listened to Hook talk about the project, noting that the perfectionist was making some effort to keep it to fields that Prowl understood. Particularly the anticipated tactical value, which was of great interest to Prowl. His planning and battle computers were already inventing missions for the gestalt provided they worked out and came online with agreeable programming. He even took the liberty of asking questions as he refueled, some of them clarification or requests for more detail of the explanations he was being given, other straying into neutral topics that were not overly distracting.
Finally he finished the cube, systems settling into running contently and efficiently now that they were properly energized. As Prowl stood, Scraper shattered what ease the three had managed to generate.
"How are things working out with Soundwave?"
The Praxian's entire posture shifted subtly, doorwings acquiring a level of formal control and poise as he turned to look at Scrapper, golden optics and tone as he spoke all suddenly closed. "Very well, thank you."
Hook's hand came down from where he was about to cuff Scrapper hard, Mixmaster went abruptly silent as he turned to look at Prowl, but it was Scrapper's look of unconvinced concern that set off the most warnings in Prowl's battle computer.
Prowl met all of their optics directly, posture not shifting a bit and at least on the surface not at all phased or affected by the sudden level of tension in the room.
"Ignore them," Hook tried to salvage things first. "Come on, I'll show you to your quarters while you're here."
"That would be appreciated." Prowl answered, transferring his attention from one to the other smoothly, though his answer was just as cold.
Inwardly he was wondering how much he was going to be able to recharge and if there was any way to lock his quarters against the Constructicons in their own base. He found himself longing for the security of knowing that one of the symbiots was close at hand, a comfort he was just now realizing he had started to take for granted.
He wanted his lovers now, for the protection and comfort they offered as well as the peace they brought to his spark, for even if Jazz was a non-combatant his was safety in his own way, so constantly aware and in tune with his environment.
"No one's going to force you into anything here," Hook said evenly, his professional demeanor firmly in place as the door to the common room closed behind them. "You aren't required to stay. I would like you to, however."
The opportunity to rest was a welcome one, and Prowl really had no place else to go at the moment. He could move on to one of the other bases, could go in search of Soundwave, but there was no guarantee he would be able to figure out where the host was, much less catch up with him if he was busy.
And if Megatron was still blaming Prowl for the loss of Hive City it was in Prowl's best interest to stay away from him until the large mech was distracted by something else and no longer focused on taking his frustration out on his tactician.
The formal slipped some as Prowl focused himself, pushing the idea that there was any threat to him here to the edge of his processor for the moment. When he spoke again it was easier, some of it probably brought on by only being in Hook's presence now, and trusting this particular mech more than other members of his gestalt. "A place to stay until I am no longer a target is appreciated, but if it is going to cause problems I shall begin looking to move on as soon a possible."
"It won't be a problem," Hook insisted as he showed Prowl along one of the corridors that led from the common room. "We've seen the results of Soundwave's processor work a few times. It's a lot like what you just did as his programming takes over."
That explained a great deal, and Prowl's sensor wings finally settled to a normal level as he followed Hook. "Then you may stop worrying. The choice to stay with him is my own."
While it might not completely stop the advances, Prowl hoped the admission might at least tone them down some. He was staying here to recover, not fight another battle on a different front.
"You'll forgive the disappointment some mechs have at that," Hook said. "He is a powerful protector, but he is not the only one who wants you."
"A fact I have discovered, and done my best to handle." Prowl responded, even if handling it was improving his own skills so that he had the power to back up the 'no', or doing his best to avoid situations similar to this one where he found himself in the middle of so many who seemed to want him. "As that may be, I am content where I am now and have no desire to change that."
Hook nodded, but Prowl had little doubt the mech wasn't entirely pleased.
"Content to share Soundwave's berth, but not his protection if the damage I keep repairing is any indication," Hook chuckled a bit as he tapped in a door code for Prowl to see. "I don't think you want to be the weak one ever again."
The code was stored away, along with an intent to see if he could change it, despite Hook's assurance that Prowl's refusal of any advances would be respected during his stay.
Prowl would be the first to defend Soundwave, the host doing his best to protect Prowl from damage. But as much as it hurt him the large mech was also practical enough to admit that there were things he could not protect Prowl from, and trusting enough to let Prowl deal with them himself. And so Prowl was determined to be worthy of that trust.
"No. I cannot afford to be. And there are things I must learn on my own." Sensor wings twitched slightly as the memory of his most recent repairs rose to the surface. "And some things that cannot be avoided."
"Not as a Con," Hook agreed as Prowl looked into the room he was offered.
A single berth, large and padded for his sensor wings but not large enough to be intended for two, much less three dominated half the space, while the other half was dominated by a tactical center so Prowl could keep up on his work. It looked like his Prowl realized as he gave it a more detailed look, right down to the marks Jazz had made in it that one time.
That was enough to make him pause again, a severe questioning look directed at Hook as Prowl once more considered exactly how long he wanted to stay.
"Prowl and no work is bad mix," Hook pointed out. "You'd go still-crazy in an orn and we all know it. So we brought your workstation."
What Hook said was true. Prowl needed something to occupy his time with, and if this was actually his workstation as it appeared to be he could just as easily and effectively from here as he could from anywhere else. "Impressive. Thank you."
"You're welcome," Hook said, taking a step backwards. "You should recharge, but light work won't drain you."
Prowl nodded in agreement with both assessments, checking the reading on his energy level and realizing that he was in need of rest more than he had originally thought. "Yes. Thank you."