Time is a seemingly never-ending loop of pain and darkness. Thunderhoof's increasing spark attacks are concerning for all parties involved, especially since no one knows what is causing them. The toll it takes on Thunderhoof is great, forcing countless recharge cycles. Long after he stopped counting did things take a different turn. Instead of pitch black nothingness, he was overcome by a blinding white light. The veil fell to present a memory.
Thunderhoof strolling through Nova Terra's woods, no destination in mind. He tilts his helm ever so slightly to avoid hitting his antlers on the surrounding trees.
Unbeknownst to the Cervicon, someone is following him.
The pair traverse unmarked paths to a shallow river. They follow the river's path upstream, where it runs off from a deep pool at the base of a waterfall. Thunderhoof scans the area, humming a tune. His shadow crouches behind a tree, perfectly still on moss-covered stones.
Their presence doesn't go unnoticed for long.
"Yous gonna show yourself, or do I have to drag your aft out here myself?" Thunderhoof warned, stretching his neck cables and cracking his knuckles.
A playful laugh escapes the mech following Thunderhoof before he rises to his full height and steps out of the shadows.
"I must be losing my touch…" Phantomjaw stepped up to Thunderhoof and placed his claws on his hips. "There's no way you're that good!"
"I know I am, but that ain't it," Thunderhoof snorted, a wry smile forming. "Yous wanted me to know you were followin' me. Part of one of your little games."
Phantomjaw chuckled.
"I can't help it that you're my favorite bot to play around with! I can only pester my brother for so long before things become not worth it for a while."
The black and white Lupicon vented and crossed his arms, staring at nothing in particular.
"Don't get me wrong, I love my brother, but a whole scrapheap worth of problems has been built-up between us, and trying to topple it or circumvent it or however you want to describe it as is…"
"Somethin' yous should discuss with Steeljaw and not me," Thunderhoof interrupted, mood instantly souring. "I don't care what happens between you two. I don't want any part of it."
"You're kind of already a part of it," Phantomjaw said, scratching an ear.
"What the frag is that supposed to mean?"
"Well, first and foremost, there's your history with my brother…"
"Not my choice."
"You stuck with him regardless."
No response.
"Secondly, there's me."
"So?"
The speed and bluntness in which Thunderhoof spoke seemed to genuinely surprise Phantomjaw, yellow optics dilating as he took an involuntary step back.
"What?"
"I… I guess I just… I don't know what I was thinking, but I thought… You know… We had something?" Phantomjaw stammered, shuffling in place.
Thunderhoof jerked back into a straighter position.
"Uh, come again?"
Phantomjaw vented, his entire frame going slack.
"Maybe it's just me, then."
He raised his golden gaze to meet with his companion's red.
"I think I like you. As in, more than just a casual, platonic kind of like, which doesn't make any sense, I don't think. Believe me, I've run this whole conversation a thousand times and gave myself a scrap ton of processor aches…"
Thunderhoof could only stand and stare as Phantomjaw started pacing, tail aggravatingly swishing from side-to-side as he rambled on and on about his thoughts and feelings. He tried to follow along to no avail.
"Phantomjaw."
"Hm?"
"Long story short?"
". . . I like-like you, Thunderhoof, and I want to get to know your other half."
Phantomjaw sounded completely serious in a shockingly soft-spoken way. He moved closer to and placed a clawed servo on Thunderhoof's chassis, avoiding scratching the surface.
"I want to see the side no one else sees."
What follows is their first kiss.
After that are clips of future dates, all occurring in the privacy of their neck of the woods, far away from prying optics.
A distinct memory plays itself.
It was storming for days, and nobody wanted to leave their shelter for anything short of fuel. Thunderhoof had no such worries, as he made preparations ahead of time, just in case of emergencies. Granted, rain – non-acidic – never hurt anyone, but weather on a primarily organic planet is no treat. Exposure to the elements isn't good for metal plating or neural wiring.
When Thunderhoof heard someone enter his abode, his first thought was to kick them out, but thought better of it. After all, if they were taking shelter from the storm, he could understand why they were trespassing and begrudgingly let them stay. Unless it's Clampdown. The only possible scenario where he would allow the little snitch to lay low in his home, albeit temporarily, would be if Steeljaw was present and ordered him to. That's what happened in the past, and now with Ramulus by Steeljaw's side, Thunderhoof knows better than to make a big deal about it.
"Wow, nasty out there!"
The voice is instantly recognizable.
"You're smart staying in here."
"And yous are stupid for being out there in the first place," Thunderhoof huffed. He paused in the middle of organizing his data pads and turned to look at his partner.
"Heh. Looks like yous are havin' quite the day."
"Y…Yes, q…quite."
Thunderhoof's amusement shifted to concern. Phantomjaw wouldn't stop shaking, arms and tail wrapped tightly around himself.
"Cold?"
"F…Frag off."
Thunderhoof hummed. He looked his partner over for another minute.
"Hot spring or heated cloth?"
"I don't care!"
Phantomjaw started coughing after his outburst. The hollow, rattling sound kicked Thunderhoof into high gear. He grabbed a hold of the shivering Lupicon and guided him down the tunnel that leads to a spa deep within the cave. The rest is a blur as Thunderhoof focuses all of his attention on tending to Phantomjaw.
A couple hours later, Thunderhoof returns from a quick trip upstairs, carrying large, clean towels for Phantomjaw. Once he gets out of the hot spring, that is. He is still there, nothing visible aside from his helm. His ears flick and optics flutter open when his partner enters.
"Hey, Hoof."
"Hey."
Thunderhoof put the towels down on a relatively dry surface before joining Phantomjaw.
"Feelin' better?"
"Much. Thanks."
"No problem, though I think yous are causin' me more trouble than you're worth."
"Hah! Please! You like me!"
"Debatable."
Phantomjaw pouted in faux coyness. Whining, he dragged himself out of the hot spring, wisps of steam rising from and rivulets of water streaking down his plating. On all fours, he crawled over and into Thunderhoof's lap.
"You love me."
He doesn't give his partner time to answer before initiating intercourse.
Phantomjaw is ecstatic when Thunderhoof gains a firm grasp of his hips and matches his rhythm.
A notable shiver courses through him when blunt digits tease a soft spot on his inner thigh.
"Now ain't that interesting?" Thunderhoof mused.
"Don't go getting any ideas, Hoof!" Phantomjaw warned.
"A little late for that…"
Phantomjaw stifles a surprised yelp when Thunderhoof picks him up and carries him over to where he left the towels. He sits down and starts cleaning.
"But I think I'll wait to use my newfound leverage."
"Enjoy the victory while you can," Phantomjaw huffs, content as soft fabric rubs soothingly across his frame. He leans over and shares tender kisses with his partner.
"Mmm… I don't want this to end."
"If yous are havin' a tough time, just pull up this memory. I know I will."
"SCRAP!"
Thunderhoof circulated his vents and pressed a servo to his chassis. He spotted Bumblebee in the corner, but something was off.
"Why yous lookin' like the one havin' spark problems?" Thunderhoof asked.
"You… You just…" Bumblebee cleared his vocalizer and relaxed. "I didn't expect you to be awake and alert. Whatever's going on is messing with your functionality."
"Heh. I think I may know."
The realization finally sinking in, Thunderhoof erupts in forcefully muffled, hysterical laughter.
"Phantomjaw and I…"
He buries his helm in his servos, unable to look at Bumblebee when he finishes.
"We have an incomplete spark bond."
