Understood
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Chapter 43
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::Come downstairs when you're finished with your present client,:: Cyclonus sent to Tailgate.
::Cyclonus! You're here! I didn't know you were going to be in today. You didn't tell me.::
::I only just decided to visit. I don't mind waiting for you to finish up with the mech you're with now.::
::Oh, of course. Well I should be down in about a cycle then.::
::I'll just be here in the bar. No need to hurry.::
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When Tailgate did make his way downstairs, he found Cyclonus sitting at one of the tables close to the bar, Moonlight in the chair next to him and Dancer sitting on his thigh. Glasses of refined oil sat on the table. Approaching, he felt a twinge of jealousy, along with sudden twinge of worry that his unavailability might have shifted Cyclonus' favor to another boarder. As a kept toy, his position was never secure. He had no contract with Cyclonus...only the mech's interest.
On hearing Tailgate's footsteps, the big jet turned and smiled. "There you are," he said with as much excitement as he ever mustered. He tapped Dancer's aft, getting her to hop off of his leg. And then he stood. "Let's go out," he said. "Take in a showclub or something."
"Oooh, a showclub! Tailgate, have fun!" sighed Moonlight.
"Oh, do!" squeaked Dancer. "Tell us about it when you return, all right?"
Cyclonus cocked his horned head amusedly. "Why don't you two come with us? If you can."
The two gasped. "We'll have to ask Gloss," said Moonlight.
"Maybe we can. There are seven of us on the floor but it's not been busy."
Again came that twinge of worry. Moonlight and Dancer were gorgeous femmes, and he was just a dumpy little minibot by comparison. Could his cute stand against their beauty? Perhaps Cyclonus was just being jealous. His rank within the Decepticon faction obviously paid well, but there were hints of older money. And while he was no spendthrift, he never held back on his generosity.
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Tailgate's worries were quickly eliminated in the air shuttle. Cyclonus had offered to treat the two femmes to drinks and a show, but he made it clear that he was not purchasing their company. And when the taxi's anti-gravs lurched it into the air, Cyclonus pulled Tailgate into his lap, pulling his helm close. "Do you have any clients booked for later tonight?"
"None."
"Fill me in. Can't wait to have you. Maybe I could take you right here before we get to the club."
Tailgate squeaked. "Here? In the taxi?"
"Sure." His lips brushed the side of Tailgate's helm. The jet was being unusually affectionate and the arousal in his field was definitely waxing.
"But we'll be there soon, and Dancer and Moonlight are here," Tailgate protested embarrassedly.
"If I ask, the pilot will keep flying. And I'm sure that Dancer and Moonlight would turn their heads if you're self-conscious about it."
Thankfully the taxi pulled to a stop right then and the doors opened. "Silver Canopy. All out!" called the pilot.
Tailgate sighed gratefully. He still held onto some modesty despite his profession.
Heads turned as the party walked into the showclub. Unless they were low-ranked soldiers or laborers, it was unusual to see three like-painted mechs together. The host found them a table, one quite close to the floor, and soon they were enjoying the good life. And throughout their time there, Cyclonus' hand kept straying to either Tailgate's thigh or shoulder, stroking his plating with a near-tenderness.
Tailgate felt much relieved. He still had the Decepticon's devotion; the big jet still wanted his company. And at one point when the pair of dancers on stage took their bows and reveled in the applause, Tailgate looked up at the big, skull-faced mech in adoration. Beneath his mask he whispered a prayer to Primus that they would always be together like this, that the war would go on forever, that Cyclonus would always be there looking after him, and that he would always be there to see to Cyclonus' needs.
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"Understood" continues in Chapter 44
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