A/N: I'm just going to say a HUGE thank you to all of my wonderful reviewers. You guys give me the biggest warm fuzzies with your reviews (EEE! So close to 500!), and I am so glad you all liked the way I dealt with Megatron. Thank you also to those who have favourited and alerted this story.
Warnings: Slash, kissing, fluff
Disclaimer: Hahaha….no, Transformers is not mine. Nor are Lionel Richie songs.
Turning Point – Chapter 28
When Blaster woke once more, he found that he was alone.
Although he wished that Soundwave would have stayed, he understood that the blue mech had their cassettes to care for and comm. duty to attend while he was out of action. Groaning as he sat up, the red mech stretched, feeling for what still ached in his frame. His joints had been re-set perfectly, but he would need some time to get used to them. All new joints were a bit stiff before everyday wear smoothed them out. His sensor net registered as functional, and he was perfect in every other way physically.
Gingerly stepping forward out of the room Ratchet had placed him in for privacy, he found he could walk fine, if a bit slowly.
He couldn't stop the soft smile that crossed his features when he saw Ratchet and Hook talking softly together.
"You know, something burned in my processor the day that I had to repair the results of Starscream's assault…why didn't you do anything?" the white medic asked, forcefully keeping his tone neutral. The balance between the Autobots and the ex-Con's was tenuous, and he had no desire to spark the more volatile tempers.
Shrugging, the Constructicon replied, "There are things that I've done that I'm not proud of. That is one of them. But Megatron's orders were finite. To break them was to open myself and my gestalt up to further degradation and starvation. And while a bit selfish, I did not want any harm to come to my gestalt."
Sighing, Ratchet murmured, "I can't fault you for that, I guess. Still it would have been better for us all if we had known what was happening."
"True. I must tell you though…it is pleasant to be in a proper medbay once more. Orderly. Clean. Perfect."
This time the Autobot CMO snorted, "Yeah, until some slagger who got into a brawl over some polish or something equally idiotic comes in."
Blaster chuckled, drawing the attention of both medics to him. Ratchet scowled at him. "Did I say you could leave?" he questioned, giving the red mech his patented 'evil optic.'
"Nah. But I'd thought I'd beg forgiveness than ask permission," Blaster replied with a cheeky wink.
Ratchet's scowl lessened and he said, "Well, if you are joking, you might as well get out of here. I have no less than 11 coding reprogrammings to do today, and it's going to be hard work to remove the violence coding from Vortex and Motormaster alone, not to mention the other 9."
Perking up at the go ahead, Blaster bounced jauntily out of the medbay, helm held high. He couldn't wait to be back in his quarters, sleep in his own berth, and hopefully cuddle with Soundwave. It sounded like the perfect way to spend the rest of the day.
It was good to see Autobots mingling, albeit hesitantly, with the ex-Cons as he walked down to his quarters. He saw new doors everywhere, and he grinned. According to Soundwave in the scant 20 minutes they had together the day previous, the Constructicons were working with Grapple and Hoist to make space for the surrendering mechs, also building branches of quarters off the Ark. So far their work seemed to be going well, he noted. He waved to Bluestreak who passed him chatting away to Thundercracker and Skywarp, who were discussing plans for them to move into a bigger rooms.
Smiling at those he passed, he eventually made it to the quiet of the corridor in which his quarters resided. A warm wash of contentment flowed over him as he opened up the bond to his creations fully, feeling their excitement and their love for him.
Typing the code in and palming the door open, Blaster took no more than three steps into his rooms before he was tackled by nine small bodies, all radiating joy.
"Score!"
"You're back!"
"Ratchet kept you beyond the usual amount of time allotted…"
"How are you? Does it still hurt?"
"We missed you!"
Wrapping his arms around both his cassettes and Soundwave's, Blaster grinned widely. "Yeah guys, the Blast-man is back! I'm all good thanks to Ratch."
Ramhorn and Steeljaw nuzzled him before wiggling out of the cuddle pile, as did Laserbeak and Buzzsaw. He didn't mind though. He knew that they were the least publically affectionate, and that in their own way this had been like a gift to him. Ratbat was the most cuddly, which was to be expected. The little purple bat let out a happy chirr, hogging Blaster's left shoulder. Eject and Rewind took up his right side, curling close to his spark, while Rumble and Frenzy grinned at him from his chestplates.
"Ya made Dad play hero. Gave him a lot of his self-confidence back," remarked Rumble casually.
Blaster continued to smile warmly. "I did, didn't I?"
They chuckled as they clambered off him, now content to finally give him his space.
Into his vision stepped Soundwave, smiling his small, tender smile at him which made his spark spin in a frenzy. If possible, his smile got wider as he whispered, "Hey there my Main Machine."
"Good to see you up," replied the telepath softly.
"Good to be up!" crowed Blaster, getting up from where he was sprawled on the floor.
"Good. For we have to be part of the entertainment tonight," said Soundwave, his smile turning into a secretive smirk.
Well, there went Blaster's visions of talking over with Soundwave how much he loved him and wanted him and…well, you know. His smile dimmed as he asked, "What do you mean?"
"I have volunteered us both to play music for Prowl and Jazz tonight as they go for a date night out in the woods to celebrate the end of the war. After all, I owe the both of them. They helped overcome my fears and orchestrated the plan to rescue you and to end the nonsense that we all called a war. They had a large hand in it, apart from Prime," explained the blue mech softly, visor dimming in his thought.
Shrugging, figuring it couldn't hurt, Blaster replied, "Sure, why not? Might be fun."
"Mm…I'll see you later. I must go to my shift on comms to make sure no rogue Decepticons decide to do something," Soundwave said, and without another glance at Blaster, he left.
The red mech felt a bit deflated. Had he read the signs wrong? Did this mean that Soundwave rejected his declaration of love? Sighing, he pushed the negative thoughts out. Whatever will be, will be, he reckoned. Looking around at the assembled cassettes, he noticed that the eldest one was missing. "Hey guys. Where's Ravage?"
Frenzy cackled as Ratbat answered, "Dad gave him a massage and a wax because of what he did in the battle."
"And what did Ravage do?" asked Blaster. This was new to him.
"When he was on that mission, you know, the one where Soundwave was freaking out?" asked Rumble with a grin. "Turned out that kitty-kat planted a virus that controlled all of the Nemesis's systems, so when it was time for battle, it was way too easy to put the odds on our side."
Nodding excitedly, Ratbat continued, "So in reward, Dad pampered him, and now he's sleeping because he was so relaxed."
The boom box couldn't help it. The mental image of Ravage acting like a human cat and purring was too much…and so he laughed.
Prowl and Jazz had not been the only mechs to make arrangements that evening.
High above the Ark, a shuttle chased a speeding tricolour Seeker through the atmosphere, revelling in the pure, untainted sound of Starscream's laughter floating back to him on the wind. He caught each sound and cherished it.
Ever since Megatron's death, the Seeker had improved in leaps and bounds, as if the shackles of the warlord's existence had bound him and prevented him from healing previously.
Now, he was free.
There was no doubt that there was still some mental and emotional healing to be done, but they were getting there. Inching towards that goal of wholeness, of not feeling worthless, but instead a survivor, a fighter. They were working on it.
Together.
Skyfire rumbled a laugh in return as Starscream executed a death defying series of loops and turns that would leave even the greatest fliers dizzy and nauseous.
Which was why Starscream was the best.
"You have gotten better," Skyfire said with a broad, kindly smile as he transformed into mech mode, hovering and watching the Seeker's own graceful transformation.
"Well, of course," Starscream replied teasingly, if a little haughtily. But Skyfire didn't mind it at all. He accepted Starscream as the whole package. His spark was big enough for that, he mused quietly as Starscream glided over to him, crimson optics dancing with delight.
"You know Skyfire…you have been so good to me," the tricolour mech whispered to him.
"Always will be," replied the larger mech.
The smaller mech's smile turned tender, which made Skyfire's spark leap in his chest. Starscream just had that effect on him. He waited for the Seeker to make the moves, all too aware that the balance between them could go either way, especially with Starscream's temperament.
Starscream moved closer, loosely wrapping his arms around Skyfire's neck, now openly grinning.
"So, my big silly mech. If I told you I loved you, what would you do?"
The shuttle grinned back. "I would tell you I love you right back."
"Mmm…good thing I love you then," Starscream whispered, and before Skyfire could register what he had planned, he leaned forward and pressed his lips into the other's, swallowing the surprised sound that he emitted. He pulled away after the brief contact, optics sparkling with a mischief he had not felt in a long time. "That one was free," he teased, "if you want some more, you'll have to catch me."
He gave another quick peck to the side of Skyfire's mouth, before jetting off, laughing at the stunned and giddy expression on his love's face.
Skyfire transformed back into alt mode, grinning stupidly on the inside, his spark dancing joyfully inside his chestplates. He always believed in true love.
Now, he was chasing it.
That night, curled up in alt mode next to a certain tape deck player, Blaster wished that Soundwave had acknowledged him a bit more. He felt like their relationship was on rocky ground now that he had revealed his feelings – Soundwave's seeming non-acknowledgement unnerving him. The possibility that Soundwave did not feel the same for him was looking very real now.
Still, he was not there for solely Soundwave. They were playing soft jazz music, far enough away from Prowl and Jazz as to give them privacy, but close enough that their music could be heard by the couple. They were sitting together on a blanket, leaning against each other as they drank energon, shared sweet goodies, and murmured soft endearments to each other. It was cute in Blaster's opinion. The two black and whites were not perfect, but they were damn close to it when they were together. He sighed softly, causing a hiccup in the music he played.
Soundwave's EM field brushed over him questioningly, but he batted it away gently. He didn't really feel like elaborating.
Especially when an echo of loneliness came from within his spark once Jazz tilted his helm and began to kiss his mate, slowly at first, and then passion built.
Prowl, having more of his wits about him, softly pushed his lover away for a moment to turn to the two music players.
"Thank you for your services tonight. You provided the ambience I wanted. There is no need to stay here any longer," the tactician murmured to them, gratitude clear in each syllable.
Blaster transformed first, winking at them. "Have fun you two."
Soundwave followed suit, only more sedate, as he nodded and wished both black and whites well.
The red mech turned to the blue, and asked quietly, "Walk with me?"
"Always," murmured the telepath.
It calmed the boom box's nervousness slightly at least.
Blaster led the way. They weren't too far from his favourite spot, where the waterfall crested the small lip of the river and cascaded down. The spot where he felt his desire roar to life when he recalled Soundwave stretching in the shimmering sunlight, causing his dark plating to sparkle…
They were silent, but it wasn't uncomfortable. By some unspoken agreement, they both knew the time for words was not until they reached the bank of the river.
They finally reached the spot, and both studied the area.
Moonlight shone through the branches of the trees, bathing the landscape in a soft silver. It made the world beautiful, ethereal. The surface of the river looked kissed by starlight, painting the trees with the moonlight, and dappled the two mechs with the colour. A few crickets chirped their lullabies, and a light breeze twirled around their frames.
"It's always so nice here, ya know?" Blaster started, a bit awkwardly. "And whenever I came here, I always thought about you. How you were doing. If you were all right. And then…you came to me. Not alright. But I didn't care about that. I cared about making you better again. Stronger once more. And now…you are." He turned, drawing a bit closer to the mech he loved, staring into that visor. Something that had been troublesome in the back of his mind since he woke up in the medbay that first time, he decided to voice aloud. "And now, you're here. In front of me. And I wonder now that you're stronger…do you even need me anymore?"
Soundwave's posture relaxed, and the soft smile he reserved for Blaster alone spread across his face. "I do," he whispered.
Blaster looked hopeful for a moment, but then it disappeared. "Did I push too far? You know…when I told you that I love you?"
"No…you didn't," replied the blue mech.
Soft clicks filled the air, and Blaster gasped as that ruby visor lifted away to reveal…
Amber optics.
Shock bolted through him, before tears inexplicably came to his own cerulean optics. He stumbled forward, lost in that soft amber gaze. His hands, trembling, reached up to cup Soundwave's face as he gasped again, finding so much emotion there. With a sob of joy, he whispered, "You kept them…all this time…you kept your beautiful, unique optics."
Hands came to rest outside of his own, squeezing gently. "I did. I didn't know why at first…when I joined…but…" Soundwave too, was emotional, voice trembling with his own repressed feelings. "I wanted something to keep from our days together as roommates. You were always so special to me then. So I never changed the colour of my optics. As a reminder of you…"
They stared into each other, and any possible barrier between them was shattered, leaving them open and raw to one another. One of Blaster's hands slipped from the metallic cheek to curl around his love's side, drawing him closer to that their plating touched and their faces inched closer together.
As Soundwave wrapped his arms around Blaster's neck, the red mech asked, "Do you trust me?"
"I trust you. So much. I care for you…I…I love you," whispered Soundwave in return, allowing the contact, knowing it felt right and good and wonderful.
"I love you…always protect you," mumbled Blaster, his spark singing with elation at the softly spoken words of love, shuttering his optics part-way and moving forward so that his lips brushed against the other mechs. The telepath gasped, feeling the tingle from the faint contact, and knew instantly he wanted more of it. He pressed forward as Blaster did, their mouths meeting at last in a tender caress.
The touch of lips to lips sent tingles running up and down their spinal struts, their sparks thudding as they both realised that this was what they had needed all this time.
Blaster kept the kiss chaste, innocent, content to move their lips together without bringing glossae into play. They would go slow. He pulled away a few times, only to give in when Soundwave pressed against him for more contact.
Soundwave sagged into Blaster's arms, feeling so loved, loving in return, feeling safe, knowing that this was home.
When they finally pulled away, they were breathless, optics meeting again.
The boom box merely held Soundwave tighter to him, brushing his lips over his cheek and helm, whispering to the blue mech how much he loved him. Soundwave purred softly, snuggling into his arms in the most contented manner. After a while, Blaster played some soft music to convey how he felt for the mech in his arms.
I've been alone with you inside my mind
And in my dreams I've kissed your lips a thousand times
I sometimes see you pass outside my door..
Soon they felt the music wash over them, and they began to sway in that way that all true love's do, the moment perfect.
Hello...
Is it me you're looking for?
I can see it in your eyes
I can see it in your smile
You're all I've ever wanted
And my arms are open wide
Because you know just what to say
And you know just what to do
And I want to tell you so much...
I love you
"Sometimes I think I don't deserve you...you are too wonderful to me," Soundwave murmured.
"No sweetspark. Sometimes I think it's I who don't deserve you," replied Blaster, hands stroking and kneading over the others back in soothing patterns. He smiled as he felt the other's faceplates warm with the term of endearment.
I long to see the sunlight in your hair
And tell you time and time again
How much I care
Sometimes I feel my heart will overflow
"Mmm, sometimes I feel my spark will overflow," the red mech sung in tandem with the crooner.
Hello...
I've just got to let you know
Because I wonder where you are
And I wonder what you do
Are you somewhere feeling lonely?
Or is someone loving you?
Tell me how to win your heart
For I haven't got a clue
But let me start by saying...I love you
The pair continued to sway, drinking in the peace of the moment, of how wonderfully warm the other's plating was, and basking in the heat in the cool night air.
Hello...
Is it me you're looking for?
Because I wonder where you are
And I wonder what you do
Are you somewhere feeling lonely?
Or is someone loving you?
Tell me how to win your heart
For I haven't got a clue
But let me start by saying I love you
"You are a wonderful sap," Soundwave smiled as he lifted his helm from Blaster's neck, wide golden-amber optics shimmering with the love he felt in return.
"You learn to adapt. Don't think I can stop loving you now I've said it," Blaster replied, chuckling.
And he didn't mind it at all when Soundwave silenced him by melding their lips together once more.
He could feel it in a the way his love held himself and still held onto him. He felt whole again. Blaster smiled into the kiss.
Soundwave had truly come home.
A/N: And that, my friends, is the end.
I just have one question to ask my reviewers: Should I put smex in the epilogue, or just start a new story completely with lots of smex and love between Blaster and Soundwave as they evolve as a couple?
*cries* I can't believe it's over! I just finished my biggest fic yet! It's so hard to say goodbye!
But, I cannot forget my loyal reviewers and other viewers. You guys have been with me the whole journey, and I just want to say thank you. To ALL of you. It's been a wild ride. As I re-read this fic, I see how my writing has improved, and most of it is because of the support of all those who urged me continue with the plot line, even though it was so challenging to write. So…THANKS SO MUCH YOU GUYS *cuddles*
A special thank you to Katea-Nui, who would proof read sections of this for me if I was unsure of the scene and how it would work. Thanks sweetie!
And CodeRed73 for their suggestions and HUGE reviews.
To SunnySides of Blue for that suggestion to make Sounders see Prowl and Jazz facing XD
And to the countless other insights and suggestions made. It's a huge list of reviewers I have!
Thank you all!
Love DE17