Starscream stepped into his purple skidplate armor while looking into a mirror. He deliberately hiked the sidebands of his purple skidplate up to accentuate his hips and aft. He had turned to a 'compensated dating' program after the Great War, he had to afford his Energon and high-grade jet oil somehow. This was the new normal. Months ago, the former scientist would have refused, but he found that he was surprisingly popular when he filled out his application. As he was checking himself out in his mirror, his data pad received a notification.
Kup's message popped up on Starscream's datapad.
[Hey flyboy, I got us a double date.]
[Starscream: Yes, sir.
The message had an attached location. Starscream headed out and transformed into his jet alt-mode, flying to the location, feeling oddly nervous.
Kup waited patiently outside of the restaurant, his hands behind his back. The old bot was in a good mood, and a bit more dressed down than usual - his old battle scars and the wrinkles of time more pronounced. He looked over as he heard the familiar sounds of an incoming jet - smiling to himself as he spotted Starscream in the distance.
Starscream landed and transformed back into his bot mode.
"Hey, sir."
Kup's smile widened as Starscream approached, his expression warm. He nodded his helm in greeting, patting the seeker bot's shoulder in a friendly manner.
"Hey there, flyboy. Nice to see you." He replied, the affectionate term bringing a slight hint of warmth to his gruff voice.
"Thank you, sir," Starscream responded. He seemed meeker with Kup's servo on his shoulder.
Kup chuckled softly, his optics taking in the seeker's body language. He couldn't help but notice the subtle change in demeanor.
"Relax, kid." He said, his voice gentler than usual. "No need to be so nervous."
Starscream let himself be guided toward the entrance of the restaurant, Kup's servo rested on his lower back.
Kup kept his servo on Starscream's lower back, feeling the subtle contours of his frame under his touch as they walked into the restaurant. The Autobot was keenly observant, and he couldn't help but notice that the seeker bot almost seemed to... lean into it.
He felt a warm, almost fatherly feeling well up in his spark, but he quickly pushed it away. He was only doing this to look after the young bot, no further than that. Definitely no other reason.
Once inside, Kup led them to a secluded booth in the corner of the restaurant. Kup's large servo was a comforting presence on Starscream's lower back, making the seeker feel oddly...small?
"So is our other date any bots that I would know?" Starscream asked.
Kup sat down in the booth before answering, gesturing for Starscream to join him. He chuckled softly at the younger bot's question, his tone fond.
"Just an old friend of mine from the war. You've probably heard of him." He replied with a smirk, his servo remaining on Starscream's back. The old soldier didn't seem to mind the closeness. In fact, he seemed to almost unconsciously press the seeker against his side a bit more.
Springer and his apparent date Octane entered the restaurant.
Kup watched Springer and his date enter, raising an optical ridge at the sight of the two. He knew Springer was a fan of the compensated dating programs, but he was a bit surprised at his choice of date - Octane had quite the reputation. But that didn't surprise him, after all, Springer liked... interesting bots.
He raised his servo and waved them over, getting their attention.
Starscream raised his servo too and meekly waved at them as they approached the booth. There was something odd about seeing a fellow ex-Decepticon turning to compensated dating as well.
Springer and Octane walked over to the booth, Springer waving back at the bots already seated as he approached - grinning broadly. His optics landed on Starscream, and his own smirk grew, though his optics held a hint of surprise at the sight of the seeker.
"Well well, didn't expect to see you here, Screamer," Springer teased, his voice holding a note of friendly familiarity.
"It's Starscream," Starscream subtly corrected as he gave a small smile of his own. "Yeah, the post-war has been...different."
Kup chuckled softly at their interaction, watching as Springer and Octane sat across from them. He patted Starscream's back reassuringly, keeping his servo there, still feeling oddly protective of the younger bot.
Springer said, "No kidding, man. But hey, gotta do what we gotta do, right?" He said with a shrug. He then looked over at Kup, his smirk growing wider. "Never thought you'd be into this, though, Kup."
"Yeah, me neither," Starscream added as he looked up at Kup.
The fact that Starscream and Octane matched up with Kup and Springer respectively on the compensating dating program seemed almost...too coincidental.
Kup glanced down at Starscream, his optics locking with the younger bot's for a moment. He chuckled again, feeling a hint of... something in his spark at the way Starscream was looking at him. He quickly pushed it away, trying to focus on the present.
"Well, life's full of surprises, kid," Kup said with a smirk, his servos still lingering on Starscream's lower back. He couldn't help but notice the odd symmetry of their pairings, but he chose to ignore it. For now, at least.
"Yeah," Starscream responded. The compensating dating felt a bit humiliating, but Kup was willing to pay for his Energon and high-grade jet oil, Starscream was surprisingly content with the arrangement. "We should order drinks."
Springer nodded in agreement, his optics still on Kup and Starscream. There was something off about their dynamic, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. He noticed the way Kup seemed to be almost protective of the seeker bot, and how the usually proud and cocky Starscream seemed unusually meek in the old soldier's presence.
He was about to make a snide comment, but his date, Octane, spoke up first.
"I'll take the strongest ener-ale they have."
"I'll have high-grade enegex," Starscream said.
Kup chuckled, giving a subtle nod of approval at both bots' drink choices. He turned to Springer, raising an optical ridge.
Kup asked, "You drinking the usual?"
Springer nodded in response, leaning back in his seat. "You know it."
Kup responded, "Alright, I'll go order."
The old Autobot started to get up, but his servo lingered on Starscream's back for a moment longer, like he was reluctant to let go.
"So, how did you two meet?" Starscream asked Springer. He already had his suspicions about the compensating dating program but he needed to confirm his suspicions.
Springer smirked, leaning back in his seat. He knew where this conversation was going, and he was happy to play along.
"Oh, we met on the good ol' compensating dating program." He said, making it clear he wasn't going to hide anything. "It's pretty popular among Autobots and former 'Cons alike."
"Yeah, I noticed that," Starscream remarked.
Springer nodded, his smirk growing wider.
"Yeah, it's the new normal. No one could've imagined that after the war, we'd all be turning to this, huh?" He said, his optics flickering to Kup, who was currently ordering their drinks.
"Yeah..." Starscream responded. The compensating dating program's sudden popularity among Autobots and former Decepticons seemed odd, especially with how popular it became after the war. As did the seemingly convenient pairings.
Springer nodded again, eyeing Starscream carefully. He could see the questions in the seeker bot's optics, and he was more than happy to play along.
"It's weird." He said, his tone bordering on conspiratorial. "Like it almost popped up out of nowhere, and suddenly everyone's doing it. And the pairings are oddly... convenient, don't you think?" He smirked.
"Yeah, exactly," Starscream responded. He was glad he wasn't alone in his suspicions.
Springer leaned in slightly, his smirk growing even wider. "Ever wonder if there's more to it than meets the eye? I mean, it's almost TOO convenient, you know?"
He glanced over at the bar where Kup was still ordering drinks, and then back at Starscream.
"You think it's not coincidence?" Starscream asked.
Springer shrugged, his expression still that conspiratorial smirk.
"It could be coincidental, but I wouldn't put it past someone to rig the system if they had the power to." He replied. He then leaned in even closer to Starscream, his voice dropping to a whisper.
"And who would have an interest in Autobots and 'Cons going on dates?" He said, raising an optical ridge.
"Well it would have to be someone high-ranking, but prefers unconventional methods. A psyop. A strategic psychological operation... A military strategist using dating as a part of a special operation..." Starscream had a realization. He spoke through gritted denta, "Jazz..."
Springer's smirk faltered for a moment as Starscream mentioned Jazz. He hadn't considered the Autobot special ops agent, but the seeker bot had a point.
Springer said, "Jazz... that's a good point. He's definitely strategic enough to use something like this."
Kup returned to the table, placing drinks in front of everyone.
"What're you two whisperin' about?"
"Oh nothing," Starscream responded casually as he scooted over so Kup could take his seat in the booth again.
Kup took his seat, eyeing the two bots quizzically. He could tell they had been discussing something they didn't want him to know, but he let it slide for now, taking a sip of his drink.
Kup said, "Uh huh... whatever you say, kid."
He then wrapped his servo back around Starscream's lower back, almost like he was subtly pulling the seeker bot closer.
Starscream instinctively rested his helm on Kup's shoulder as Kup subtly pulled him closer.
Springer's smirk grew wider at the sight of Kup and Starscream. He couldn't help but notice the subtle changes in their dynamic, the way Kup was unconsciously pulling Starscream closer, and the way the seeker bot leaned into his shoulder like it was completely natural. He took a sip of his own drink, keeping quiet for now, but his optics gleamed with amused suspicion.
Starscream sipped his high-grade enegex and felt how it warmed up his entire chassis.
Kup patted Starscream's back gently, feeling the younger bot's frame lean against him. He couldn't deny the strange sense of rightness he felt at having the seeker bot in his arms, and he allowed himself a small, private smile. His servo lingered on Starscream's lower back, the touch almost... comforting.
The high-grade engex warmed up Starscream and loosened the younger bot's inhibitions. He turned his helm and looked up at Kup as he rested his helm on Kup's shoulder, completely leaning into him. Starscream kissed Kup's cheek, feeling the wrinkled metal plating on Kup's lower face.
Kup's optics widened slightly at the feel of Starscream's lips on his cheek. He let out a gruff chuckle, feeling something warm and unfamiliar in his spark at the contact. He turned his helm to look at Starscream, their faces only inches apart.
"Someone's been enjoying the high-grade, huh?" Kup said, his voice holding a hint of amusement. He unconsciously pulled Starscream a bit closer against his side.
"I've mostly been enjoying the company," Starscream responded as he looked into Kup's optics.
Kup felt his spark fluttered at the honesty in Starscream's words. He was used to the seeker bot's usual attitude, but now the former scientist was so... soft, almost like an entirely different bot. He couldn't help but find it kind of... cute. He patted Starscream's back once more, his optics softening at the feel of the younger bot's warm frame against him.
"Careful now, flyboy. You're starting to sound like a romantic."
"Why? You don't like it?~" Starscream teased.
Kup chuckled again, his voice gruff but affectionate.
"Oh, I didn't say that. But I'm just a grouchy, old war vet. I don't know what I'd do with such a… cute and sweet little flyboy." He teased back.
Starscream almost sat on Kup's lap and looked him in the faceplate.
"I'm sure we'll figure something out~" Starscream teased.
Kup let out another gruff chuckle at Starscream's boldness. He didn't resist as the seeker bot practically crawled on top of him, and he found himself quite enjoying the change in dynamics.
"You're a feisty one tonight, aren't you, kid?" Kup said with a smirk. "You're gonna cause an old bot like me to have a spark attack, you keep behaving like this."
Starscream rested his helm against Kup's chestplate.
"You have a good spark in your spark chamber," Starscream responded as he listened to the pulse of Kup's spark with his audial receptor.
Kup's spark fluttered faster at the feel of Starscream resting against his chestplate, his audial on his spark chamber. He couldn't explain it, but something about it just felt… right. He almost instinctively wrapped his arm around the seeker bot, pulling him closer against his side.
Kup said, "You keep saying stuff like that, and the whole bar's gonna think I'm gettin' soft."
Starscream subtly rubbed his aft against Kup as he sat on Kup's lap.
"If only they knew how wrong they were," Starscream teased.
Kup tensed slightly as Starscream subtly rubbed against his lap, his spark fluttering wildly in his chestplate. He let out a low growl, his servo slipping to the seeker bot's waist, holding him in place.
Kup said, "Careful now, you little tease. You keep that up and I might just have to do somethin' about it."
"Maybe that's the idea," Starscream teased.
Kup felt his self-control slipping as Starscream continued to shamelessly tease him. He tightened his grip on the younger bot's waist, pulling him even closer against his lap, their chests practically touching.
Kup said, "You're playin' a dangerous game here, flyboy. You're lucky we're in a semi-public place right now."
"We could always move this to somewhere more...private," Starscream flirted as his digits trailed down Kup's chestplate.
Kup let out another growl as he felt Starscream's digits trailing down his chestplate. The spark in his chestplate was fluttering like crazy, and his processor was running a mile a minute.
Kup said, "Don't tempt me, kid. We're supposed to be on a double date, remember?"
Starscream leaned forward and whispered in Kup's audial receptor, "I'm a patient bot~..."
Starscream got off Kup's lap then turned to face Springer and Octane.
Kup let out a sharp intake of breath as he heard Starscream's sultry whisper in his audial. He was still trying to gather his thoughts when the seeker bot got off his lap, turning to address the other two bots at the table. Kup sat there, feeling somewhat dazed as he tried to regain his composure, watching as Starscream put on a casual facade.
Springer said, "Oh, so you're done canoodling now, huh?" He teased, smirking at the pair.
"Yeah. I'm sorry, I've been terribly rude for ignoring our little double date," Starscream faux-apologetically responded with his casual facade. "And how has it been like dating Octane?"
Springer said, "Oh, it's been… interesting, that's for sure." He said, glancing at Octane with a slightly amused smirk. "He certainly… has a way with words, that's for sure."
"Excuse me?" The former Decepticon said, his brow ridges furrowing in annoyance.
"I can tell. You're like Kup, you like someone who has a way with words~" Starscream teased.
Springer chuckled at the jab, his gaze flickering to Kup for a moment before returning to Starscream. "Don't lump us together. Me and Kup are nothing alike."
Octane rolled his optics at the banter between the two Autobots. "Can we get on with this? The sooner this evening is over, the better."
"I'm sure Kup wouldn't mind this evening being over and us going to somewhere private."
"Uh..." Kup felt his faceplate heat up at the comment, his processor immediately going to those not-so-innocent directions. He quickly cleared his intake, trying to compose himself.
Kup said, "Yeah, uh, this evening's been great, but I'm gettin' kinda tired."
The former Decepticon rolled his optics again. "So typical. The old bots want to call it a day early."
Starscream got up out of his seat and took Kup's servo in his servo, entwining their digits, then began leading him away.
"I'll have to take the old bot to berth~" Starscream teased with innuendo.
Kup tried to act nonchalant, but his spark fluttered at the feel of Starscream's digits entwined with his own. He felt an unfamiliar sense of excitement at the implied meaning of the younger bot's words, and he couldn't help but smile a bit.
Kup said, "Watch it now, and don't call me an old bot." He chided, gently swatting the seeker bot on the aft.
Starscream's faceplate warmed slightly as he led Kup out of the restaurant.
Meanwhile, in a dimly lit office somewhere in Iacon, Jazz leaned back in his chair, a sly grin spreading across his faceplate as he monitored the data streams from the dating app. His visor glowed faintly as he scrolled through the latest updates, pausing to read the feedback from the evening's double date. Kup and Starscream's compatibility rating had skyrocketed, just as he'd predicted.
"Another perfect match," Jazz murmured to himself, his voice dripping with satisfaction. He'd always been fascinated by human culture, especially their obsession with love and connection. When the war ended, he saw an opportunity to bring a little of that humanity to Cybertron. The compensated dating program wasn't just about helping bots make ends meet—it was a carefully crafted strategy to transition Autobots to civilian life and rehabilitate former Decepticons.
Jazz had spent countless cycles analyzing personality profiles, temperaments, and compatibility metrics. He'd matched Kup's gruff, grouchy demeanor with Starscream's sharp wit and need for validation, knowing the seeker's presence would soften the old soldier's edges. And Starscream? Well, Jazz had anticipated how the former Decepticon would feel smaller and meeker in Kup's protective presence, allowing him to let his guard down for once.
"Love's the best rehab there is," Jazz said with a chuckle, closing the data stream. He leaned back, folding his arms behind his helm. "Guess I'm a romantic at spark after all."