NOTE: Fodder the Eradicon is my OC.

Enjoy!

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Starscream walked the halls with no destination in mind. He was still reeling from the fact that Slipstream – his sister, a Seeker with an attitude rivaling his own – is, in Cybertronian terms, married, and to the Junkion leader no less!

"How?" he asked himself. He racked through his processor, trying to figure out how such seemingly opposite bots could become so close that they're willing to spend the rest of their lives with each other.

As much as Starscream would love to have someone like that, he knew it was impossible. No one, in his processor, fit the bill, and the ones he could think of he immediately turned down.

He couldn't have that kind of relationship with an offline bot, now, could he?

But even if he could, he wouldn't.

Starscream wants something real, someone who is still alive, and won't betray him for something stupid. Along that train of thought, a certain mech came to mind.

Shockwave wouldn't betray me unless he had a very good reason to, or as he would say, a "logical" reason.

Starscream laughed, but then the reality of his thoughts settled on him and he stopped in his tracks to contemplate further.

Why did I just think that? What is wrong with me? Why have I been talking… thinking… about Shockwave, and not in a murderous way?

Images of his time spent with Shockwave, followed by images of Slipstream and Wreck-Gar being all lovey-dovey with each other, caused Starscream's spark to pulse a little faster.

Scrap! I can't possibly have feelings for him! Of all the mechs I could be feeling about in this way… him? Really? We hate each other! Well, I guess Shockwave is more so indifferent… no, what am I thinking? He's actually emotional around me! Nobody else, just me! Why?

Starscream hissed as he clutched his helm in his claws.

Gah! Curse these wretched thoughts and feelings! Why should I even care about him? Why do I care about him? NO, STARSCREAM, NO! DON'T THINK LIKE THAT! YOU DON'T LOVE HIM! AND THERE'S NO WAY HE WOULD EVER LOVE YOU! HE DOESN'T LOVE OR CARE ABOUT ANYONE OR ANYTHING OTHER THAN SCIENCE! DON'T YOU SEE THAT, YOU PATHETIC…

Starscream opened his optics and screeched when he felt something grab a hold of his wrists and pull his servos away from his helm.

"Calm down! You want the whole ship thinking I'm killing you?"

Starscream stopped struggling and quickly recognized the neutral and red-colored Eradicon.

"Of… of course not!" The silver Seeker replied. The other mech nodded his helm and released Starscream's wrists. "So, what can I do for you… Fodder, right?"

"Yeah, and there's nothing you can do for me. I was just on my way to the bridge when I saw you, so I figured I might as well intervene before you hurt yourself," Fodder explained. He muttered something else under his breath, but Starscream couldn't hear.

"Pardon?"

"Huh?"

"What were you just saying to yourself?"

"None of your business."

Starscream huffed and crossed his arms, irritated by the fact that a former foot soldier who somehow survived the Great War was standing here giving him attitude. He knew why, but that doesn't mean he has to like it.

"Oh, right, I almost forgot!" Fodder piped, grabbing Starscream's servo and dragging him back the way he came. "Shockwave needs you for something."

"What? Why?" Starscream asked, a little anxious about being around the scientist again, especially after his emotional conundrum literally only a minute ago. Unfortunately, between his own curiosity and Fodder's surprisingly strong grip, Starscream had no choice but to follow.

It was a short trip, as Shockwave's lab was only a few corridors down and away from where they were. Once they reached their destination, Starscream noticed the door slightly ajar. He raised an optical ridge and looked at Fodder.

"I'm surprised Shockwave would leave the door to the lab open, even if it's only a little," Starscream admitted. Fodder just shrugged.

The Eradicon pushed the door open, and the two were greeted by the sight of a long table running along the back wall, a few shorter ones set up in the middle, and a shelving unit built into a corner of the wall, stretching from floor-to-ceiling. On the far side of the lab was another door, but it was closed, so Starscream had no idea what was behind it, but he figured a storage area, considering the amount of equipment littering the place.

"Okay, there is no way Shockwave would leave a mess like this!"

His need for organization kicking in, Starscream did not hesitate to get to work. He was so engrossed in his task that he didn't notice Fodder leaving, closing the door on his way out, or the entrance of someone else from the other door a few minutes later.

"Honestly, who is stupid enough to just leave all this stuff lying around? Something could blow up and do serious damage!"

"You wouldn't have minded that back on the Nemesis."

Starscream shrieked and swerved around, bumping into a set of pristine glass beakers he was carefully rearranging. Thankfully, nothing broke.

"Shockwave!" Starscream rasped. He could feel his claws digging into the table behind him, forcibly keeping himself in place. "I… uh… I was just… um…"

"Starscream, less stuttering, more talking," Shockwave interrupted, walking over to stand beside the other mech.

"R…right, sorry… um… ah, yes, Fodder said you needed me for something?"

Despite not really having a face, Shockwave's expression was as clear as day.

"I didn't need you for anything," the scientist said, confused.

The mechs remained silent for a few minutes, silently contemplating why Fodder would lie about such a thing, just to get the two of them…

Starscream froze.

Oh scrap. Don't tell me he knows I have feelings for Shockwave! No, I don't have feelings for him! I just think I might, that's all. But, is that really all that much different? I'm sure it is, on some level or another or whatever. The point is he left the two of us alone!

Another thought suddenly hit Starscream.

Oh, to the Pits, he better not have!

Starscream raced around Shockwave and over to the door leading out into the hallway. He tried to open it, but much to his chagrin, it wouldn't budge.

Frag.

"That little glitch!" Starscream hissed, trying even harder to open the door to no avail. "You have got to be kidding me!"

"Something the matter?" Shockwave asked.

"Yes! Your assistant just locked us in here!"

If Shockwave was going to make an argument, he didn't get the chance to as the ship jerked from side-to-side and the lights flickered on and off. Starscream lost his balance and fell back against something. Whatever it was, he wasn't expecting to feel a strong arm wrap around his body and keep him pinned in a tight, albeit safe, hold.

The ship gave a violent shudder and fell silent. The lights went wild before dimming to black.

Starscream waited a few minutes before saying or doing anything. He was still in shock, afterall. Instead, he allowed his arms to wrap around the solid mass that held him in place, clutching on tightly, refusing to let go. His claws dug deep into metal, which drew…

"Energon?" Starscream muttered, still dazed as he stared at the iridescent blue liquid seeping out of whatever he was holding onto. He released a startled chirp when he heard a slight groan and felt something shift around him.

"Starscream," a familiar voice rumbled.

"Shockwave?"

The silver Seeker never thought he would be happy to hear the scientist, but right now, he didn't care. Then, he realized something.

"Oh, am I…"

"Digging your claws into my arm? Yes."

"Scrap. Sorry, Shockwave."

The scientist grunted, but he didn't sound angry. Starscream detached his arms from Shockwave's, but he couldn't bring himself to get out of the embrace.

"Is there any reason why you're still on me?" Shockwave questioned, still not making a move, other than readjusting his hold on Starscream.

Starscream didn't answer. Shockwave shifted a little more and peered down at the other mech, a little surprised to see him settling down and getting comfortable.

"No, not really," Starscream muttered, not at all convincingly. Shockwave could sense the tension and anxiety a mile away.

"Starscream, if we really are stuck in here for a while, it would be logical to pass the time by talking about what's bothering you," Shockwave explained.

"Nothing's bothering me! Besides, why do you care?"

In a quieter voice, "It's not like you like me, anyway."

"Hm?" Shockwave tilted his helm, antenna twitching.

"Nothing," Starscream grumbled, rolling his optics. He did not want to discuss his feelings with Shockwave, especially when those feelings were about Shockwave himself.

Starscream curled up in Shockwave's lap, leaning against his chassis, and enjoying the extra protection and surprising warmth that the other mech had to offer. He purred in contentment and started to fall into light recharge.

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"It is illogical of you to assume that I don't care for you."

Starscream nearly shot out of Shockwave's hold as he jolted awake, optics wide, mouth agape, and wings perked, slightly wavering as the initial shock wore off.

"Are you saying you actually like me?"

Shockwave stiffened. He suddenly realized he didn't have a logical explanation to back him up.

"I… I didn't exactly say that. More… more of… how do I describe it?"

Shock turned to surprise.

Surprise turned to amusement.

Starscream laughed at Shockwave's inability to make an argument, let alone speak properly.

"Shockwave, less stuttering, more talking."

Starscream almost regretted his decision to make fun of Shockwave when said mech grabbed him and removed him, but then something happened; something rather cliche, Starscream would admit. Thank Primus Knockout wasn't there.

As Shockwave rose to his pedes, still holding onto Starscream's arm, something caused him to lose balance. The two mechs were sent crashing to the floor. The silver Seeker groaned from the heavy weight pressing down on him.

Now he regretted his decision to tease Shockwave.

"Well, this is quite the predicament," Starscream commented.

"In a single word: embarrassing," Shockwave added.

"Never thought you would be embarrassed by anything, Shockwave."

"Only if the others walk in and see me on top of you."

"Are you saying you'd be embarrassed by me?"

"Would you prefer the logical or illogical answer?"

Starscream gaped at Shockwave.

"You are unbelievable," he muttered, shaking his helm.

Shockwave was just about to ask what the silver Seeker meant when, out of the blue, he received a kiss from said Seeker. Well, not so much a kiss as a love bite, but the effect was still the same.

"Star… scream… are you… perchance suffering from a malfunction?"

"Depends," Starscream growled, squirming beneath the scientist.

Shockwave noticed the blue-tinted faceplate, a rise in body temperature, and labored venting that didn't sound quite right. Wait, this is Starscream! Why is he worrying? Still, his curiosity got the better of him.

"On?" Shockwave questioned, pushing himself up off of Starscream on a shaky, leaking arm. Starscream's claws did more damage than the scientist initially thought, thus forcing him to land with a thud on his side, right next to the other mech.

Starscream was startled by the sound. He looked over and grew worried when he saw Energon forming a small pool around Shockwave's arm.

"Oh scrap, Shockwave, I'm sorry," the silver Seeker apologized, laying back down beside the injured mech.

"You are well aware of all that I have been through," Shockwave pointed out. "I will be fine."

Starscream nodded his helm and vented, but his worried expression remained. He crawled closer to Shockwave and once again curled up against his chassis.

"Are you going to finish your answer?"

"Huh? Oh, right."

Starscream was silent for a moment as he regained his thoughts.

"If I am suffering a malfunction, then it depends on how much you believe in me actually caring about you.

You know, before Fodder brought me here, I was… having a bit of a breakdown. I was thinking about you, and wondering why I'm having these feelings. I don't know why I all of a sudden care about you so much, and it's driving me insane! I feel like I shouldn't care about you, and yet, you're one of the only good things I can think about nowadays. I know, it doesn't make any sense. That's why I tried to leave earlier. I didn't want to talk to you about this so soon!

What do you think?"

Shockwave tilted his helm, debating on what would be the most logical thing to say next.

"I… understand your confusion. However, I am not the one to talk to about this specific topic. Might I suggest Knockout as an alternative?"

Starscream growled and smacked his helm against Shockwave's chassis.

"You can be so hard to deal with at times, you know that?"

"I believe the Earth expression is pot calling the kettle black."

Starscream growled again, even louder this time, and swatted one of Shockwave's antennae with his servo.

"Shut up. I've had a long day, and I would like to get some rest before we're rescued."

Shockwave didn't argue.

Soon, both mechs were deep in recharge.

Starscream was smiling, and if Shockwave had a normal face, – or visor; Soundwave makes it work – then he would be smiling, too.