Fandom: Transformers G1/Bayverse
Author: gatekat and starshield on LJ
Pairing: Jazz/Prowl, Prowl/Soundwave
Rating: NC-17 mech/mech
Codes: Slash, Sticky
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 41: To Honor a Bond

Soundwave knelt to kiss Prowl, expressing all his desire for the mech in the simple chaste contact. He left his lover heated when he stood.

"Soundwave: must speak with the Prime," he said gently. "Prowl: should spend time with Jazz."

"He has been very patient with me." Prowl agreed, and he was more than willing to admit that he wanted to see his silver bonded again. "Will you come back here?"

"Affirmative," he promised before turning to leave. His symbiots greeted him at the door and quickly docked in a flurry of transformations.

Prowl watched them go, content with knowing that his lover was well and at peace knowing that Soundwave would return. He returned to his suite once they were out of sight, determined to tidy up a bit and maybe get caught up on changes since the surrender before Jazz arrived.

Optimus had assured him that everything would be seen to and that Prowl need not worry, but during his time as third and the little time he already spent as the Prime's second Prowl knew there were things that were being missed. It was his very function to catch those oversights and deal with them.

He was quickly buried in the work, so focused that he wasn't consciously aware of Jazz's approach, or how long the silver minibot sat in the corner on a comfortable chair and simply watched him.

It was only when a gentle, amused pulse along the bond requested his attention did he look up.

"Hey lover," Jazz grinned at him, his relaxed sprawl on the chair intentionally enticing.

"Jazz." Prowl murmured, optics traveling over his bonded, appreciative and hungry as a hint of guilt wormed across the bond. "You should have told me you were here."

"You were too content, I couldn't," Jazz purred with a warm smile and soothing comfort over the bond. "I know how good it feels to sink fully into your function, you know."

Prowl stood and crossed the room to pull Jazz into his arms, soft vent of contentment as the silver mech snuggled against him. He had missed his bonded, affection and joy flooding back across the bond.

Jazz stretched up for a kiss, his glossa stroking along Prowl's lip plates before delving into his bonded's mouth, intent on reclaiming everything Soundwave had touched. ~Sorry,~ he moaned, shaking with the sudden surge of need. ~You accept my lovers and it's so hard for me to accept him. I never wanted to hurt you like this.~

~Not hurting me.~ Prowl promised him gently, willing and offering himself to his bonded without reservation. In truth the Praxian was more concerned with the distress that his needs were causing to those he loved. ~I want, need, your happiness.~

~I am,~ Jazz promised him, meaning it with all he was as his hands found sensitive gaps in armor. ~My happiness is yours, love. These insecurities will fade in time.~

Prowl carried the smaller mech back to his seat, settling with Jazz on his lap and holding him close. ~What worries you love?~ Prowl wanted to know, to understand to care for his bonded as Jazz needed.

~Same thing it's always been,~ Jazz murmured as he relaxed and snuggled in with a content sound and allowed his hands to wander. ~That I'm not good enough, not enough for you. That I'll loose you because I'm not enough to satisfy your needs. Our bond helps a lot, but ya know, not everything responds to reassurance and logic. I'm a pleasurebot to my very spark. We exist to fulfill our client's every need. You aren't a client ... you're so much more ... but, love, that you need more than I can give freaks out a level of my coding I can't even begin to touch. You need my happiness ... I need yours, I need to provide whatever you need. I'm adapting. I'm learning. Just give me time for it to sink in that what you need from Soundwave doesn't mean I've failed you.~

Prowl processed that, thought it through, looked at it from every angle he could before nudging gently at Jazz's helm and until the silver mech looked up so Prowl could kiss him. It was a gentle thing, long and drawn out, to share and reassure. ~You have not failed me. You have never failed me. Take all the time that you need, but know this- What I need from you is exactly what you are, as you are.~

A low purr, a shiver of pleasure and the bond sang with Jazz's joy at the statement. ~Thank you,~ was more sense than words, and it carried everything that being approved of meant to Jazz and his pleasurebot coding. ~I know you aren't going to leave me, that Soundwave isn't to replace me, that it's not because I'm lacking that you love him,~ he said as firmly as he could. ~It's just going to take me time to believe what I know.~

Acceptance of that need, and a belief in Jazz that came with complete and total trust. Prowl was willing to take as long as was needed so that it would work, was willing to work as hard as it took, to see to those he loved.

~Love you, Prowl,~ Jazz murmured, stretching up for a long, gentle kiss that slowly deepened. ~All I need from you is the attention you enjoy giving,~ he promised, then grinned cheekily. ~At least Soundwave isn't possessive like I am. That'd be a real campaign for your battle computer.~

Prowl groaned at the suggestion, but it was a sound of amused agreement more than anything negative. ~Thank Primus for small blessings. And you know I love giving you attention. Especially when you tell me what kind of attention you want.~

Jazz could only moan and arch against Prowl's chassis at the statement, a flood of images rushing between them. Dominating them was Jazz's favorite; a show of Prowl's strength. Whether it was taking Jazz against the wall or pinning him down, very little got Jazz revved up quite like being 'forced' to spread his legs for the pleasure of another, but especially for Prowl.

The purr from Prowl shifted into a low growl as he proceeded to claim Jazz's mouth, glossa invading and demanding as his hands moved to better hold the silver mech and he stood. The unabashed thrill he felt from the minibot, hot and bright as a star that slammed through Jazz's systems and into Prowl's was more than enough to prime both their systems.

Prowl had planned to carry his bonded to the berth and make up for their time apart there, but the sudden charge to his system changed his plans, and Prowl was nothing if not flexible in his planning.

With another growl he pressed Jazz against the nearest wall, hands digging into hips, pressing at sensors and wires as he ground their interface systems together. Jazz's valve cover had already snapped open, but now his systems begged for a hard spike to drive into him, to fill and stretch him into shared bliss.

~Yesssss,~ Jazz's mind and spark sang with pleasure that wasn't physical. ~So strong.~

~And you are mine.~ Prowl rumbled, sound carrying through them both as his spike pressurized. ~Say it.~ He demanded, even as he field flared with love and adoration of the mech in arms, passion and need clear and bright of how much Jazz was loved.

"Yours!" Jazz responded without actually thinking, the words and intent so purely right for him that he nearly overloaded just from the intensity of it. "I'm yours, Prowl. Please use me," he begged without shame.

Spike plunged into the waiting valve, drawing a cry of pure bliss from both mechs as Jazz clung to Prowl and Prowl supported Jazz. Thrusts came fast and hard, driving deep into Jazz's valve and pushing them hard. The physical pleasure heightened the emotional pleasure until Jazz keened against Prowl's throat as his overload crackled between them.

Hard overload gave way to shared post overload bliss, the delight at Jazz's pleasure radiating clearly from Prowls spark as he nuzzled at the smaller mech. ~Mine.~ Prowl purred, chest plates parting to offer his spark to his bonded.

An offer that was eagerly accepted, no words needed as familiar sparks met again, melting into one another in a sharing deeper and stronger than each alone.

~Yours.~

The request at his door was no surprise. Prime had been expecting any orn now, knowing that it would come as soon as Soundwave could bear to tear himself away from the love he missed for so long.

In fact he was a little surprised that the pair had managed to part so soon, but he was not going to comment on that as he opened the door and welcomed the High Priest inside.

With a motion as smooth as it had been from Sentinel Prime's memories, Soundwave knelt and spread his arms in supplication as a greeting, then stood. Most would wait for the verbal command, but the telepath could hear it before it was spoken.

"Soundwave: gives thanks to my Lord Prime for time with Prowl before reporting. Prowl: reassuring Jazz now."

A nod of acknowledgment from Prime, both of the formality and the thanks as he directed his visitor deeper into his temporary accommodations. "You both deserved it, after what you have been through. And I am sure that Prowl will see to putting Jazz to rights again."

"Affirmative," Soundwave agreed. "Jazz: still learning Soundwave is not a threat to Jazz's place with Prowl."

Energon was produced and seats were found that would hold up the strain of the larger mechs as Prime nodded slowly. "I am sure you are already know it is going to take him some time, since he is now being asked to share the very center of his universe."

Prowl and Jazz were not the only things that Soundwave had come to discuss, Optimus was sure, but if that was the subject the host wished to address first he was willing. As much reassurance as he was being given that everything would work out between the three mechs, they were all still his friends as well as two of his closest officers, and he cared about what happened to them.

"Affirmative. Initial projection: two to three centuries. Soundwave: has waited Prowl's entire functioning. Soundwave: will remain patient. Jazz: very generous in sharing and effort to accept Prowl as a hub."

"I am glad that things are going well then." And in the grand scheme of things Soundwave was correct. He had already waited thousands of vorns for Prowl. A few more centuries, especially since he was no longer being forcibly kept from the Praxian, seemed a small price compared to the final reward.

"And I am also sure that Prowl and Jazz are not the only things you wished to speak of with me."

"Affirmative," Soundwave inclined his helm. "Soundwave: desires to know what function the Lord Prime wishes of Soundwave now."

Optimus considered the request, giving it all of the serious thought that it deserved. There was no doubt in his processor that the mech before him would do whatever was asked of him in service to his Prime. Soundwave had already made that very clear. He was a solid match for Prowl that way. Jazz too, even if he was far more mouthy and less stoic about it.

Everything that he had seen had pointed to the idea that Soundwave had been happy in his functioning before the war. And now that there was no longer need to call up mechs to be what they were not, it was Optimus' desire, and to an even greater degree that of the Matrix, to see peace and contentment once more.

"You served Sentinel as Priest of Primus. Would you serve me as such?"

"Affirmative," Soundwave said, a flare of joy coursing through him. "Soundwave: would be honored and very pleased to do so."

Pleasant topics out of the way, Optimus turned to more serious matters for a while. "I am sure the takeover was not an easy thing, and I am also that you would not have surrendered without complete control over the Decepticons, but what are your intentions now?"

"Integration," he said simply, belying the incredibly complex nature of the effort. "Soundwave: has systematically removed the Decepticons that would not have adapted. Requirements: energon, shelter and a function. Recommendations: function by mech in personnel file Soundwave provided. Recommendation:" his voice turned hard and determination. "Reformat list also provided."

"So you are proposing that a great deal can be solved by finding a function that suits each mechs needs and grants them the means to find at least the basic necessities?" Optimus clarified, his processor already going over the rest of what Soundwave had said. "And to reformat those on the list and offer that same option to any others that fail to integrate?"

"Affirmative. Many mechs reformatted to become Decepticons. Many require reformat to leave. Decepticons: 62.9% mechling or youngling, processor wiped and programmed as warriors. These mechs: little hope for integration without reformatting."

The statistic was enough to make Optimus spark twist with the sheer wrongness of what had been done, and what needed to be done. The reformatting of those who required the procedure would take vorns of work, around attempts to rebuild the world they had shattered. Even worse, they would almost assuredly have to be imprisoned, or at least segregated from the general population while they waited.

"Do you already have a plan drawn up?"

"Affirmative," Soundwave inclined his helm. "Recommended actions: file 734976543-675-67542 of the surrender document."

Prime scanned the document quickly, frame still as he considered what he saw. Much as he would have expected from Prowl, it was not just a list of designations and spark case numbers. Each designation included both a brief description of why Soundwave believed reformatting was the only answer and a link to the full medical and intel files on the mech in question. That included Soundwave's personal notes on what had been done to make them a Decepticon, what he had done to temper the programming to allow them a normal function and why those efforts failed.

At the very end was Soundwave's personal suggestion that the laws regarding incarceration for life and execution be changed to reformatting, or at least include that as a preferred option. It was a more efficient use of resources and gave a much greater possibility of improving society as a whole.

Optimus nodded slowly, faced with yet another hard decision from this war and quietly amazed at how politically savvy his High Priest could be. Of the handful few left, Soundwave seemed to have the most in common with Optimus as far as a desire to preserve life and see to justice, not just to uphold the laws and ways that had created the war in the first place.

"It will be looked into deeper. Thank you for what you have already done," Optimus gave moment of thought and a sharp vent. "Are there any mechs that moved beyond your control, gone rouge, that we need to be on the lookout for?"

"Affirmative," Soundwave's regret was palpable between them. "File 734976543-675-67051 details such mechs. Rogues: thirty-two in all. Faction: Aricons. Twenty strong. Remainder: true rogues. Rogues: currently hunted by Decepticons as traitors."

"That might help matters." Optimus vented softly. "We are going to need those who can act in contact now. Are there suggestions for those as well in the file, or there some that you could care to recommend?"

Soundwave paused fractionally. "Decepticons: do not tolerate traitors to live. Recommendations: given. Probability of live capture: very low."

"Another thing that might work to our favor." Prime murmured. "What else needs to be brought to my attention before I have time to review the report?"

Or really wait for Prowl to go over the whole thing, outline everything that demanded Primes attention immediately, and then ranked the rest of it in order of importance for him to go over as he had the time.

"Negative," Soundwave said, then hesitated. "Inquiry: Function of Prowl and Jazz now?"

"Whatever they wish it to be." Optimus looked at him. "I was going to ask Prowl to continue to work with me. I have come to depend heavily on his skills over the vorns, and would appreciate his continued assistance."

And his friendship. Prowl had been a source of calm and reason when Optimus had faced hard decisions, and he was sure that he was going to need that objective secondary opinion in the future.

"As soon as Jazz had an acceptable replacement trained he will be released him position, if he wishes, to function as he chooses."

Soundwave made a low sound, somewhat thoughtful. "Prowl: not yet prepared to choice own function. Prowl: summoned to serve. Soundwave: believes Prowl would he ... happy ... to continue serving as the Prime's Second. Prowl: very fulfilled by his duties."

"Then I will speak to him about it, unless he has another position he is considering." Optimus said, relaxing back in his seat.

"Prowl: will not consider leaving unless prompted," Soundwave attempted to explain. "Prowl: content with his current function."

"I know. But I also know that he will go wherever you and Jazz are, and if there is something that takes you from here he will follow." Optimus smiled, then grew serious again. "A choice that will now be his to make. I have heard from other what changes need to be made as we rebuild, but I would value any insight you have to offer."

"Affirmative," Soundwave agreed, pulling up files and sorting intel as he would have for a presentation to Prowl, rather than what he gave to Megatron and Starscream.