More Than Friendship
Chapter Four
by BitterEloquence and Wyntir Rose
Disclaimer: Transformers belong to Hasbro and Takara, and are licensed to IDW and Dreamworks. Our original characters are our own and any similarity between them and any existing characters from canon or fandom is purely coincidental. We claim no ownership by writing this work.
Authors' Note: Thanks go out to Okami_Myrhibis for betaing this fic for us.
It was late when Silverbolt crept back into the Aerie. He hadn't meant to stay out so late but he'd had such a great time talking with Trailbreaker that time had slipped away from him. Now, he stole back into the hanger like a thief in the night. He didn't want to accidentally rouse any of his brothers so he crept noiselessly through their common room and towards his quarters.
Slingshot was lounging on the couch, angrily flicking through the channels. When Silverbolt came in he looked up and glared at the big white mech.
"Finally decided to come back, did you?" he sneered as the television screen flickered, each show flashing by so fast it was almost impossible to see what was on.
Silverbolt met his rancor with an unflappable calm. "I wasn't aware I had to clear my schedule with you."
Slingshot snorted derisively, turned off the TV and tossed the remote onto the couch. "Yeah, of course not. It's not like you care what any of us think anyways." He stood up, arms crossed petulantly over his chest.
"And what am I doing now that's so offensive to you?" Silverbolt rumbled, staring down at the sullen Harrier. He kept his body language non-threatening and non-aggressive. Years of experience with Slingshot had taught him the only way to deal with his tantrums was to ride them out.
"You're doing that groundpounder, that's what you're doing! I mean, frag! You couldn't choose another flyer? Fragging Cosmos would have been better than a dirt-hugger!"
Silverbolt had remained calm throughout the whole interrogation but he found his temper quickly approaching flashpoint when Slingshot began to throw out his insults. The large mech's optics went cold and flinty as he poked one finger at Slingshot. "Not that it's any of your fragging business but Trailbreaker and I are just friends but even if we were 'facing it's none of your slagging business anyway! Watch yourself before you go throwing wild and completely unfounded allegations around like that, Slingshot."
"Right, friends," Slingshot sneered. "Because we all spend every waking moment when we're not on duty with one friend. And we always sneak around at all hours with our friends." He stepped up to the larger mech and glared up at him. "Everybody's seen how you two are all chummy and how you're making googly eyes at each other, so if you're trying to keep this quiet then you're doing a piss poor job of it."
"First off, I don't spend every moment with him and for another if I had to choose between having a civil and pleasant conversation and having you tear into me waspishly all the time, I'll fragging well take Trailbreaker! And for that matter, who I 'face with isn't your blasted business." Silverbolt snapped, temper finally getting the better of him.
"If I want to 'face with 'Breaker, fragging Grimlock or half the base I'll slagging well do it and not ask your blasted opinion on the matter! Because it's none of yours or anyone else's business!" he snapped and poked his brother in the chest.
Slingshot took a step back with the poke, then came back and shoved Silverbolt roughly. "It is too my business! It's all of our business!" he growled out in a hoarse shout. "In case you've forgotten we're your brothers! And as you are so often reminding me, what happens to one of us happens to all of us! He's a fragging groundpounder! You can't trust cars! And when he uses you and throws you away it's going to be up to us to pick up the damned pieces!"
"My not sleeping with Trailbreaker is nothing like you throwing yourself into danger in battle! And yes, we're brothers but I'm allowed to have relationships outside the gestalt if I want to. Besides that, Trailbreaker isn't going to use me up and toss me away, this is fragging Trailbreaker you're talking about, not Sunstreaker!"
"He has four wheels and hugs the dirt!" Slingshot yelled. "You. Can't. Trust-"
Slingshot was interrupted as Skydive stuck his head out of his bedroom door. "Will you two keep it down," he hissed. "Some of us are trying to sleep, and unless you want Fireflight to get involved in your little alpha game I suggest you either take it somewhere else or be quiet."
Silverbolt grimaced and looked away. "I'm through having this conversation with you, Slingshot. It's none of your business and that's the last of it." With that, he turned and stalked towards his room with quick, angry steps.
"Fine. Whatever," Slingshot grumbled as he stalked off to his own room. As soon as the door slid silently closed behind him something heavy and breakable was thrown violently against it.
***
Trailbreaker drove down the old dirt road following Hound. They had just completed a survey of some reported Decepticon activity and were heading back to the Ark.
"So, Hound, I've been meaning to ask you," Trailbreaker began tentatively, "how are things going with you and Mirage?"
"Hmmn?" Hound asked curiously, his attention focused briefly on a couple of deer grazing about a hundred yards away. "They are fine actually. Why?"
Trailbreaker shrugged a little on his suspension. "Just curious. I mean, I never see you two together, y'know? And I wanted to make sure that things were still going well. ... I want to see you happy, Hound."
"We're together all the time," Hound protested. "Just...er...not in public is all." Even to his own audios that sounded weak. "I mean....'Raj is afraid mechs might come after me because they know we're together. But I'm happy, I really am....I'm...very happy."
"Oh," Traibreaker said simply. He was quiet for a moment then he sped up and sidled up next to the Jeep. "If you're happy then that's good. I'm just worried is all. I mean, I don't know Mirage like you do but it just doesn't seem right that he doesn't want to be seen in public with you, y'know? I would think ... well, if it were me, I mean, if I had a mech as great as you, I'd let it be known that we were together. ... But I guess that Towers folk are a bit less showy."
It was Hound's turn to sink down on his struts. "He just likes his privacy. And let's be honest, if it were known the two of us were together there would be endless gossiping, teasing and speculation. I can't blame 'Raj for wanting to avoid the whole of the Ark speculating on our love life or whatever inane things they come up with to gossip about. It's not like he's ashamed of me or anything."
Trailbreaker hummed softly at that. When he spoke next his tone was soft and hesitant. "I know it's none of my business and you can tell me to back off if you want, but I just don't want to see you hurt. I know you love him an' all, but ... well is it really so terrible having people know about you? Do you really care what the other 'Bots think? After all, it's none of their business. ... I'm not trying to imply that he's ashamed of you. I mean, who could be? You're an incredible mech. It's just that I'm not sure his attitude is showing you the respect you deserve."
"It's fine, 'Breaker. I don't mind and I understand his fears."
"Well, as long as you're okay," Trailbreaker said, a smile in his tone.
Hound seemed to nod on his suspension as they drove. "And what about you, Breaker? You and Silverbolt are just as unlikely a pair as 'Raj and I."
At Hound's question, the SUV slowed slightly. "I'm sorry?" he asked, confused. "Me an' Bolt are just friends. Nothing more than that."
Hound slowed as well when Trailbreaker did and when he spoke, he sounded just as confused. "You are? Because that's not what I'd heard and to be honest, you two kinda came across as being together."
Trailbreaker shifted slightly on his suspension in the automotive version of cocking his head in confusion. "You'd heard we were together? Hunh ... no, we're just friends. I like spending time with 'Bolt and we get along well but there's nothing more to it than that. I mean, I don't think of him as anything more than a friend and I think it's the same for him."
"Oh, just seemed like more," Hound mumbled, increasing his pace a bit. "You seem happier though. I'm glad for that at least. And if you two were to end up together...well, so long as he made you happy I'd be okay with it."
Trailbreaker chuckled and sped up to roll up beside the Jeep. "Why Hound, did you just give Silverbolt permission to court me? ... Seriously, though, thanks buddy. When I do find someone to settle down with it'll be important that you approve."
It was funny, but Trailbreaker never would have thought that a conversation like this would have been so painless for him. He still loved Hound, but maybe he was beginning to accept that friendship was all that was in the cards for them. Of course, that didn't mean that he wouldn't be there to catch Hound when Mirage broke his spark.
"Well, actually I think I just gave you permission to court Silverbolt," Hound sniffed playfully. "Come on, if we hurry, we can make it back to the base before dark."
***
Trailbreaker was in the commissary reading a new tactical report from Skydive when it happened. He had his back to the door, so he never saw Hound stalk in, but he felt the reaction around him, heard the sharp intake of breath from the other mechs. He turned just in time to see Hound close in on Mirage, cornering the spy against the wall.
For a moment Trailbreaker thought that maybe, possibly, something had gone terribly wrong between the couple, and for a moment he was torn. A part of him was hoping that maybe they were breaking up, that maybe he still had a chance. But then his conscience kicked back in full force and he couldn't help but feel ashamed at that thought. Mirage made Hound happy. To wish that away was cruel and selfish. After all, he knew that there was no way he could give Hound the same kind of happiness that Mirage did.
That knowledge didn't help ease the pain though, when Hound leaned in and so fiercely claimed Mirage's mouth. Right there, in front of everyone, he declared that they were a couple.
"Mine."
Trailbreaker heard Hound's whispered statement and felt himself crack, and for a moment he thought that everyone around him knew. For a moment he was sure that his agony was written all over his face, but then he realized that no one saw him. All optics were on Hound and Mirage.
Then it was all over. The now out lovers left the room and the other Autobots were busy speculating.
"....Hound doing with Mirage of all 'bots?"
Cliffjumper's question interrupted Trailbreaker's depression and he looked over at the red minibot.
"I would have thought Hound had a little more taste than tha-WHOAH!"
Trailbreaker, though normally slow, was across the space before Cliffjumper was able to finish the comment.
With one swift movement, the big black mech had lifted Cliffjumper out of his chair.
"I wouldn't finish that thought if I were you," Trailbreaker growled optics flashing dangerously. "Hound is my friend and I won't hear of you or anyone else slurring his reputation with your filthy words. We're all getting sick and tired of listening to you put down other mechs just because it makes you feel better about yourself."
"What the slag, 'Breaker!" Cliffjumper yelped as he kicked wildly.
"Stop it. You got a problem with Hound, you're going to have to go through me." The normally likeable and sweet black mech sounded so menacing and angry at that point that all the other mechs in the room couldn't help but stare at the altercation. With one last shake, he dropped Cliffjumper and the minibot bounced off the table with a sharp clang.
Trailbreaker glowered at the other minibots for a moment before turning on his heel and stalking out of the commissary as well. But he walked off in the opposite direction from the two lovers.
