Transformers (Starscream/Thundercracker)
Jul. 27th, 2007 05:46 am![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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kinkfestTitle: The Persistence of Lechery
Author: Apathy
Rating: R, I guess.
Warnings: Silly premise, 'Cons being 'Cons, Starscream's idea of seduction, mechasexin'.
Word count: 3027.
Prompt: Starscream/Thundercracker: Seduction - "I pray every day to be strong/for I know what I do must be wrong"
Summary: Starscream really needs a hobby.
A/N: Late again, late again, jiggety-jig.
Okay, this story contains copious amounts of WTF. If I had longer, I could possibly wrangle it into something that makes sense, but as it stands, you're going to just have to put up with it as it is. Sorry! (IT IS SIX IN THE MORNING OKAY.) Also, it doesn't really follow the prompt very closely.
Did I mention the WTF?
Oh, and I've gone with a number of Cybertronian time units, although there are also some Earth units in there, just for ease of understanding. Probably the only Cybertronian unit in the story that isn't pretty self-explanatory is the deca-cycle, which is about one Earth year. And now you know!
Day 1
He's not sure why today is different.
The new guy -- Starscream, he recalls -- has been studying at the War Academy for just over thirty deca-cycles, blitzing through each course with a disturbingly grim single-mindedness Thundercracker has never seen before, and hopes he will never see again. Thundercracker -- who knows he's no slouch -- is six levels beneath him, despite having been studying almost twice as long.
In all this time, Starscream has not exchanged optic contact with Thundercracker once, and Thundercracker would be willing to bet that the same holds true for all the other cadets. Stand-offish and silent, Starscream does not interact with anyone more than is absolutely necessary.
Which is why Thundercracker is surprised when he catches Starscream looking at him. Like he's a specimen in a cage, granted, head tilted to the side in detached curiosity and optics focused like he's trying to work out the best way to dissect Thundercracker into a thousand thousand tiny pieces, but looking.
When Starscream realises he's been caught out, he doesn't jump in embarrassment, doesn't try to cover his aft with bluster and excuses. He just observes Thundercracker a moment longer, thoughtful, before turning and leaving the room.
Thundercracker stares in confusion for a moment, before shaking his head and returning to his studies. He doesn't give it another thought.
Day 62
His optics must be on the glitch. That's the only reasonable explanation. Either that, or he's going mad.
Starscream is everywhere. No matter where he is, or where he looks, there's always a flash of red and blue just in the corner of his vision.
It's maddening.
The worst thing is, Starscream has every right to be wherever Thundercracker is. Thundercracker has checked and double-checked both their rosters, and it all fits. Never mind that their rosters are supposed to be exactly the same as always, and he knows Starscream was never around this much before.
The other jet strides past officiously, too close, and yet not close enough for anyone else to notice anything strange going on. Thundercracker feels the air rush by in his wake, the faint crackle of energy.
Stifling a groan, he rests his head gently in his hands.
Day 3871
A moment's distraction, an error in calculation, and the missile is right on his tail -- he's going to be picking his own pieces out of the scenery for days --
A streak of red from out of nowhere slices between high-powered missile and impending Seeker flambé, dragging the heat-seeker onto a new, less imminently deadly trajectory.
Thundercracker flounders uselessly for a moment, before deciding not to look a gift equinobot in the mouth. Finishing off the rest of the course in quick order, he transforms as he comes in to land, scanning the sky anxiously. It's not usual for cadets to get help on the courses; frag, far as he knows, it's never happened before. He can't imagine what his punishment's going to be, although it can't be as bad as four astrotonnes of ultra-refined aft-seeking enema.
Probably.
Above him, Starscream leads the missile into the next course, guiding it directly into the path of some hapless Seeker, who promptly explodes into a wide spectrum of rather pretty colours. Thundercracker ducks as a piece of wing goes whizzing overhead, embedding itself into the ground behind him with a pained skreek. Seeker bits rain gently from the heavens.
Thundercracker wonders what the frag just happened. And how he's going to explain it to his superiors.
Day 19845
They're on their first official assignment since graduating, heading out to some aft-frag planet somewhere past the middle of nowhere.
He has a trine, now, with Starscream at the head. Starscream is also a mid-ranking officer, much to the disgruntlement of a number of those on board, where "disgruntlement" equals a polite euphemism for "not-so-secretly plotting his slow and painful deactivation".
However, Thundercracker is pretty fragging sure that delivering the speech on protocol is not in Starscream's job description. And he knows that the finer points of inter-rank relationship protocol should not be delivered in a voice rich with innuendo and sly amusement.
'Interfacing between crew members of differing ranks must only take place if instigated by the crew member of higher rank.' He lets the pause draw out for long, long moments, clearly relishing his new rank of Senior Afthole in Command. 'Unless, of course, you want to risk punishment. And I can assure you that you will be punished. Thoroughly.'
Fragging creatorless son-of-a-glitch proptease.
Day 4982490
Cybertron's canyons beckon, and Thundercracker answers their siren call.
He has a day's leave to kill, and this part of the planet has long been abandoned to Decepticon forces, the Autobots forced back to the ruins on the horizon. It's just him and the wind out here, dark and desolate, perfect for a Seeker with reckless energy to burn and uncomfortable thoughts to avoid.
He leaps over the edge and drops headfirst towards the canyon floor, transforming at the last possible moment.
Allowing his processor to contemplate nothing but the relevant calculations, he twists through the channels at top speed, revelling in the rush of air and the way his sonic booms seem to make the entire world tremble.
He loses himself in the sensation, his whole being narrowed down to making sure that the next bend he takes isn't his last. And that's all there is for awhile, until --
He'd recognise the sound of those engines anywhere.
He curses roundly, and attempts to wring out a little more speed from already overtaxed engines. Primus, can't he just get a moment alone?
Starscream pulls up alongside, skimming along the canyon wall, mere astroinches from oblivion. Thundercracker tries to force down a pang of bitter jealousy at the ease with which his trine leader caught up with him. The bastard is fast. Thundercracker could deal with that, if not for the fact that Starscream's a little too in love with his own speed and skill, even for a Seeker. The red jet can't stand the possibility of anyone not remembering for a nano-klik that he's the fastest there is.
Starscream lazily manoeuvres himself into an inverted position, as if he's not currently travelling at a speed of instant-exploding-death through a perilously narrow canyon. Thundercracker suddenly finds the bottom of his fuselage so close to Starscream's that he can feel the other Seeker's electric field, the resultant surges leaving him giddy. It's all he can do to keep his concentration enough to avoid becoming Seeker astropancake.
Starscream has the worst timing of anyone he's ever met. Ever.
They scream through the canyon in perfect synchronicity, Thundercracker focusing all his being on mirroring Starscream's every move. Any mistake at this stage will be fatal, and Thundercracker can't help but feel a delicious thrill rush through his systems at the thought.
They continue their dance, slicing through the dead night air; and just as Thundercracker is about to throw sanity to the wind and just transform and tackle Starscream to the ground, Starscream peels off, disappearing into the black sky within nano-kliks. Thundercracker suddenly finds himself looking at a very large canyon wall, and he pulls up in a hurry, transforming as he clips the top edge.
Lying in a crumpled, wheezing, but reasonably functional heap on the ground, Thundercracker doesn't make an attempt to get up.
He stares at the empty sky for a long, long time.
Day 77714298
He glares accusingly at the energon cube.
It remains uncowed by his impressive display of Decepticon ferocity.
It's not the cube's fault, not really. The cube itself is full of black label premium-grade, the really good slag that's restricted to the highest-ranking officers; technically, even Starscream shouldn't have access to it.
No, he doesn't have a problem with the cube itself.
It's how the cube made it into his locked quarters that's bothering him. Either Starscream overrode his locks, or Skywarp offered to 'port it in for him. Neither option leaves him particularly happy.
He contemplates the cube awhile longer. The cube sits there patiently.
... Fine. No use wasting perfectly good energon, especially when they're in the middle of an energy crisis.
He won't enjoy it, though.
Day 248609317
'Primus below! Does he ever give up?!'
Skywarp idly tosses the Ixnaldian's head from hand to hand, seemingly fascinated by the way it still manages to make disgusting organic gurgling sounds, despite being very much detached from its body. 'You know the answer to that question as well as I do, TC. What Screamer wants, Screamer gets. You're just making the chase more enjoyable for him by resisting.'
Thundercracker slumps down next to him on the recharge berth, leaning back against the wall and levelling a glare at his wingmate. 'You're not helping.'
'Just telling it like it is. And hey, it's a good opportunity for advancement. What better way to move up the ranks?'
Thundercracker stares flatly at him. 'I can think of a few.'
Skywarp's expression takes a turn for the dreamy. 'Slag, what I wouldn't give to swap places with you. He may be a screechy little runt with slag for brains, but he's fast.'
'Shut up.'
'I'd love to know what those engines can do when they're really pushed to the limit.'
'Shut up.'
'Bet he screams real good.'
'Shut. Up.'
'Imagine what the two of us could do with him.'
Thundercracker delivers a sharp elbow to Skywarp's side. 'Shut it, you aft-kissing tailpipe-sucker.' He lowers his voice to a mutter. 'Pervert.'
Skywarp grins cheekily, elbowing him back. 'And don't you forget it.'
Thundercracker beats the back of his head gently against the wall. 'Slag, 'Warp. What am I gonna do?'
'Knowing you? Angst and bitch about it for the next few millennia, instead of just doing what both of you obviously want to do.' He flicks the Ixnaldian's head away disdainfully. It splatters against the far wall with a faint burbling noise, before gravity drags it on its inexorable squelchy way towards the waste disposal unit.
'I don't even like him!'
'Which is why you can't take your fragging optics off him for a second whenever he's strutting around and you think he's not looking. And he is looking, for the record.'
'He's my superior officer!'
'I honestly don't think he gives a slag about that. He's been after you for how long, now?'
'You honestly don't think, full stop.'
Skywarp clutches one hand to his cockpit. 'Why, Thundercracker! You positively wound me.' He sobers. 'Just how long are you going to let this go on?'
Thundercracker sticks out his chin obstinately. He refuses to classify his expression as pouty. Absolutely refuses. 'As long as it takes.'
Skywarp sniggers. 'Heh, riiiiiiight. And I'm the Queen of Kirella Six.'
'It would explain the stench.'
'Hey!'
Thundercracker slumps forwards, massaging his forehead tiredly. 'I don't know, 'Warp. I just don't know.'
Skywarp pats his wing consolingly. 'Sucks to be you, buddy.'
Day 873019572
Sometimes, he wonders how on Cybertron he and Starscream manage to be friends. Friends in the true Decepticon sense, granted, where they spend most of their time insulting one another and plotting each other's downfalls and occasionally putting themselves in enormous danger for each other despite all sense of self-preservation, but friends nonetheless.
Skywarp probably has a lot to do with it, his easygoing, gregarious nature and fondness for dumb pranks smoothing over a lot of the tension. It's easy to get along with Starscream when they're both trying to pay Skywarp back for teleporting the two of them into an alien sewer.
It's when they're not working together in their trine that it becomes a problem. It's the times when Starscream -- after millennia of acting like a vaguely sane mech -- apparently gets bored. It's these times that he starts up with these little... games... and these times that Thundercracker suddenly becomes a gibbering idiot.
Like right now. The Air Commander is delivering some speech on the latest engine upgrades, and he might as well be talking about the newest robobloom being showcased at Cybertron's annual horticultural show, for all Thundercracker can tell. And Starscream knows it, if his smirk is anything to go by.
For a few horrific nano-kliks, Thundercracker is certain that Starscream is going to call on him for his opinion. His energon pump thuds sickeningly in his throat.
But apparently Starscream is feeling benevolent today, because he lets Thundercracker off the hook with nothing more than a knowing smile. Thundercracker is appropriately relieved, albeit not enough to fling himself at Starscream in gratitude.
If only just.
Day 1392857502
Seekers are an inbred bunch. While all Transformer types have something of a tendency to pair off with others of similar build, Seekers seem to be drawn to one another to a degree that exceeds anything the other build-types can offer.
There is a certain degree of narcissism involved, an appreciation for being able to look at one's partner and see perfection reflected. However, they also share a mindset -- okay, a tendency towards a very specific brand of insanity, Thundercracker can admit it -- that brings them together. A stupid recklessness and cruelty, attempting to deal maximum death while skirting as close to it as possible themselves.
Starscream, though, is fascinating. Oh, sure, he's nuts -- one of the worst of the lot. Cruel? Check. Fond of flirting with death? Most certainly, if his constant attempts to get Megatron to blast him to pieces are any indication.
But he also thinks. While his affected airs often cross the border into the ridiculous, and his ego has a tendency to make his judgement... suspect, his processing power is beyond impressive.
When he chooses to actually exercise it, anyway.
There's an undeniable charisma about him. Heads go up when he enters a room, even if his mouth is -- miraculously -- shut. The sheer attitude he gives to Megatron is impressive, if not something that should really be aspired to.
But it comes through into everything he does. Thundercracker could pick the Air Commander out of a line-up of a thousand Seeker silhouettes, based on his haughty bearings alone. He stands out from the crowd: different, exciting... dangerous.
But Thundercracker's a Seeker. A member of the Decepticon elite. Danger is what he's built for.
Which, of course, is why he's frozen like a petrorabbit in Optimus Prime's headlights at the sight of Starscream test-firing a new weapon he's just invented.
Slag.
Day 2975910572
The insufferable little bastard is waiting in the passageway, arms crossed, leaning against the wall like he owns the place.
Thundercracker knows that Starscream is waiting for him, that Starscream knows Thundercracker always turns up early for watch duty when he's coming off a recharge cycle. His own personal stalker is highly observant when it comes to these things.
Starscream nods genially. 'Thundercracker.'
'Starscream.'
There's less than half a breem until the change of shift, until a dozen Decepticons come streaming through this hallway. They're stuck underwater on some primitive excuse for a planet, and any excuse at all for gossip will do.
Thundercracker stares at Starscream.
Starscream stares right back at Thundercracker, optic ridge raised.
... Oh, frag it all.
Thundercracker pounces, slamming Starscream into the wall and wiping that stupid smug smile off his face the best way he knows how. Starscream makes a most undignified squeak, and Thundercracker presses his advantage, deepening the kiss and grinding Starscream into the wall with a satisfying screech of metal on metal.
He breaks off only when there is less than a klik until shift changeover, and even then only because he's not particularly in the mood to face Megatron's wrath. He'd rather leave that particular pastime to a certain suicidal Air Commander.
Starscream grins exultantly, air cycling rapidly through his intakes.
'What took you so long?'
Thundercracker takes the only logical option, and punches Starscream in the face.
Day 2975910576
He finds Starscream waiting outside his quarters.
And walks right past, locking the door behind him and listening to the indignant shriek with satisfaction.
Let the slagger wait.
Day 2975910591
Starscream dumps the energon cubes on the floor without ceremony.
'I was going to bring you a bouquet of squishies, but you didn't seem like the type.'
He laughs despite himself. 'Yeah, you could say that. I'm sure Skywarp would appreciate it, though.'
Starscream moves, lightning-fast, and Thundercracker finds himself pinned to the recharge berth. Starscream scowls. 'That moron doesn't enter into the equation. Not tonight.'
'"That moron" is part of the Skywarp-and-Thundercracker package. Take it or leave it.'
Starscream's smile glitters in the half-light, sharp and possessive. 'Oh, I'll take it. Later. Right now, you're mine.'
There's a sudden tearing pain in his throat, and fingers dig furrows into his arms.
Oh, slag that for a joke. He's not going to give up millions of deca-cycles of resistance, just to let Starscream have his way with him.
Well... not without putting up something of a fight, anyway.
The advantage of interfacing with other Seekers is that he knows all their weak spots. Reaching around, he grabs one of Starscream's wings and pulls. It has the desired effect: Starscream yelps and jerks back, and Thundercracker seizes the advantage, rolling them over in a tangle of limbs and flipping Starscream onto his front.
'You were saying?'
Starscream howls and bucks, but Thundercracker holds his wrists tight. 'Not fair! Let me go!'
'Oh, yeah. That'll work.'
The Air Commander's voice turns... thoughtful. Considering.
'I must say, this wasn't the expected outcome.'
'Huh?' Thundercracker says intelligently.
'You, here, now, on top.'
'Wait. You... you predicted this?'
'I had theories, yes.'
Thundercracker gapes. 'You... this... all this was an experiment?!'
Starscream's voice turns petulant. 'I had hypotheses that needed testing!'
Thundercracker's hands loosen in shock, and that's all Starscream needs to scrabble free and slam Thundercracker into the wall. His optics narrow in victorious glee.
'Gotcha.'
Thundercracker struggles, but it's no use.
Ah, frag it. If this glitching slag wants to learn, then Thundercracker knows the best way to teach him a few lessons he won't forget in a hurry.
He opens his comms.
'Skywarp!'
Author: Apathy
Rating: R, I guess.
Warnings: Silly premise, 'Cons being 'Cons, Starscream's idea of seduction, mechasexin'.
Word count: 3027.
Prompt: Starscream/Thundercracker: Seduction - "I pray every day to be strong/for I know what I do must be wrong"
Summary: Starscream really needs a hobby.
A/N: Late again, late again, jiggety-jig.
Okay, this story contains copious amounts of WTF. If I had longer, I could possibly wrangle it into something that makes sense, but as it stands, you're going to just have to put up with it as it is. Sorry! (IT IS SIX IN THE MORNING OKAY.) Also, it doesn't really follow the prompt very closely.
Did I mention the WTF?
Oh, and I've gone with a number of Cybertronian time units, although there are also some Earth units in there, just for ease of understanding. Probably the only Cybertronian unit in the story that isn't pretty self-explanatory is the deca-cycle, which is about one Earth year. And now you know!
Day 1
He's not sure why today is different.
The new guy -- Starscream, he recalls -- has been studying at the War Academy for just over thirty deca-cycles, blitzing through each course with a disturbingly grim single-mindedness Thundercracker has never seen before, and hopes he will never see again. Thundercracker -- who knows he's no slouch -- is six levels beneath him, despite having been studying almost twice as long.
In all this time, Starscream has not exchanged optic contact with Thundercracker once, and Thundercracker would be willing to bet that the same holds true for all the other cadets. Stand-offish and silent, Starscream does not interact with anyone more than is absolutely necessary.
Which is why Thundercracker is surprised when he catches Starscream looking at him. Like he's a specimen in a cage, granted, head tilted to the side in detached curiosity and optics focused like he's trying to work out the best way to dissect Thundercracker into a thousand thousand tiny pieces, but looking.
When Starscream realises he's been caught out, he doesn't jump in embarrassment, doesn't try to cover his aft with bluster and excuses. He just observes Thundercracker a moment longer, thoughtful, before turning and leaving the room.
Thundercracker stares in confusion for a moment, before shaking his head and returning to his studies. He doesn't give it another thought.
Day 62
His optics must be on the glitch. That's the only reasonable explanation. Either that, or he's going mad.
Starscream is everywhere. No matter where he is, or where he looks, there's always a flash of red and blue just in the corner of his vision.
It's maddening.
The worst thing is, Starscream has every right to be wherever Thundercracker is. Thundercracker has checked and double-checked both their rosters, and it all fits. Never mind that their rosters are supposed to be exactly the same as always, and he knows Starscream was never around this much before.
The other jet strides past officiously, too close, and yet not close enough for anyone else to notice anything strange going on. Thundercracker feels the air rush by in his wake, the faint crackle of energy.
Stifling a groan, he rests his head gently in his hands.
Day 3871
A moment's distraction, an error in calculation, and the missile is right on his tail -- he's going to be picking his own pieces out of the scenery for days --
A streak of red from out of nowhere slices between high-powered missile and impending Seeker flambé, dragging the heat-seeker onto a new, less imminently deadly trajectory.
Thundercracker flounders uselessly for a moment, before deciding not to look a gift equinobot in the mouth. Finishing off the rest of the course in quick order, he transforms as he comes in to land, scanning the sky anxiously. It's not usual for cadets to get help on the courses; frag, far as he knows, it's never happened before. He can't imagine what his punishment's going to be, although it can't be as bad as four astrotonnes of ultra-refined aft-seeking enema.
Probably.
Above him, Starscream leads the missile into the next course, guiding it directly into the path of some hapless Seeker, who promptly explodes into a wide spectrum of rather pretty colours. Thundercracker ducks as a piece of wing goes whizzing overhead, embedding itself into the ground behind him with a pained skreek. Seeker bits rain gently from the heavens.
Thundercracker wonders what the frag just happened. And how he's going to explain it to his superiors.
Day 19845
They're on their first official assignment since graduating, heading out to some aft-frag planet somewhere past the middle of nowhere.
He has a trine, now, with Starscream at the head. Starscream is also a mid-ranking officer, much to the disgruntlement of a number of those on board, where "disgruntlement" equals a polite euphemism for "not-so-secretly plotting his slow and painful deactivation".
However, Thundercracker is pretty fragging sure that delivering the speech on protocol is not in Starscream's job description. And he knows that the finer points of inter-rank relationship protocol should not be delivered in a voice rich with innuendo and sly amusement.
'Interfacing between crew members of differing ranks must only take place if instigated by the crew member of higher rank.' He lets the pause draw out for long, long moments, clearly relishing his new rank of Senior Afthole in Command. 'Unless, of course, you want to risk punishment. And I can assure you that you will be punished. Thoroughly.'
Fragging creatorless son-of-a-glitch proptease.
Day 4982490
Cybertron's canyons beckon, and Thundercracker answers their siren call.
He has a day's leave to kill, and this part of the planet has long been abandoned to Decepticon forces, the Autobots forced back to the ruins on the horizon. It's just him and the wind out here, dark and desolate, perfect for a Seeker with reckless energy to burn and uncomfortable thoughts to avoid.
He leaps over the edge and drops headfirst towards the canyon floor, transforming at the last possible moment.
Allowing his processor to contemplate nothing but the relevant calculations, he twists through the channels at top speed, revelling in the rush of air and the way his sonic booms seem to make the entire world tremble.
He loses himself in the sensation, his whole being narrowed down to making sure that the next bend he takes isn't his last. And that's all there is for awhile, until --
He'd recognise the sound of those engines anywhere.
He curses roundly, and attempts to wring out a little more speed from already overtaxed engines. Primus, can't he just get a moment alone?
Starscream pulls up alongside, skimming along the canyon wall, mere astroinches from oblivion. Thundercracker tries to force down a pang of bitter jealousy at the ease with which his trine leader caught up with him. The bastard is fast. Thundercracker could deal with that, if not for the fact that Starscream's a little too in love with his own speed and skill, even for a Seeker. The red jet can't stand the possibility of anyone not remembering for a nano-klik that he's the fastest there is.
Starscream lazily manoeuvres himself into an inverted position, as if he's not currently travelling at a speed of instant-exploding-death through a perilously narrow canyon. Thundercracker suddenly finds the bottom of his fuselage so close to Starscream's that he can feel the other Seeker's electric field, the resultant surges leaving him giddy. It's all he can do to keep his concentration enough to avoid becoming Seeker astropancake.
Starscream has the worst timing of anyone he's ever met. Ever.
They scream through the canyon in perfect synchronicity, Thundercracker focusing all his being on mirroring Starscream's every move. Any mistake at this stage will be fatal, and Thundercracker can't help but feel a delicious thrill rush through his systems at the thought.
They continue their dance, slicing through the dead night air; and just as Thundercracker is about to throw sanity to the wind and just transform and tackle Starscream to the ground, Starscream peels off, disappearing into the black sky within nano-kliks. Thundercracker suddenly finds himself looking at a very large canyon wall, and he pulls up in a hurry, transforming as he clips the top edge.
Lying in a crumpled, wheezing, but reasonably functional heap on the ground, Thundercracker doesn't make an attempt to get up.
He stares at the empty sky for a long, long time.
Day 77714298
He glares accusingly at the energon cube.
It remains uncowed by his impressive display of Decepticon ferocity.
It's not the cube's fault, not really. The cube itself is full of black label premium-grade, the really good slag that's restricted to the highest-ranking officers; technically, even Starscream shouldn't have access to it.
No, he doesn't have a problem with the cube itself.
It's how the cube made it into his locked quarters that's bothering him. Either Starscream overrode his locks, or Skywarp offered to 'port it in for him. Neither option leaves him particularly happy.
He contemplates the cube awhile longer. The cube sits there patiently.
... Fine. No use wasting perfectly good energon, especially when they're in the middle of an energy crisis.
He won't enjoy it, though.
Day 248609317
'Primus below! Does he ever give up?!'
Skywarp idly tosses the Ixnaldian's head from hand to hand, seemingly fascinated by the way it still manages to make disgusting organic gurgling sounds, despite being very much detached from its body. 'You know the answer to that question as well as I do, TC. What Screamer wants, Screamer gets. You're just making the chase more enjoyable for him by resisting.'
Thundercracker slumps down next to him on the recharge berth, leaning back against the wall and levelling a glare at his wingmate. 'You're not helping.'
'Just telling it like it is. And hey, it's a good opportunity for advancement. What better way to move up the ranks?'
Thundercracker stares flatly at him. 'I can think of a few.'
Skywarp's expression takes a turn for the dreamy. 'Slag, what I wouldn't give to swap places with you. He may be a screechy little runt with slag for brains, but he's fast.'
'Shut up.'
'I'd love to know what those engines can do when they're really pushed to the limit.'
'Shut up.'
'Bet he screams real good.'
'Shut. Up.'
'Imagine what the two of us could do with him.'
Thundercracker delivers a sharp elbow to Skywarp's side. 'Shut it, you aft-kissing tailpipe-sucker.' He lowers his voice to a mutter. 'Pervert.'
Skywarp grins cheekily, elbowing him back. 'And don't you forget it.'
Thundercracker beats the back of his head gently against the wall. 'Slag, 'Warp. What am I gonna do?'
'Knowing you? Angst and bitch about it for the next few millennia, instead of just doing what both of you obviously want to do.' He flicks the Ixnaldian's head away disdainfully. It splatters against the far wall with a faint burbling noise, before gravity drags it on its inexorable squelchy way towards the waste disposal unit.
'I don't even like him!'
'Which is why you can't take your fragging optics off him for a second whenever he's strutting around and you think he's not looking. And he is looking, for the record.'
'He's my superior officer!'
'I honestly don't think he gives a slag about that. He's been after you for how long, now?'
'You honestly don't think, full stop.'
Skywarp clutches one hand to his cockpit. 'Why, Thundercracker! You positively wound me.' He sobers. 'Just how long are you going to let this go on?'
Thundercracker sticks out his chin obstinately. He refuses to classify his expression as pouty. Absolutely refuses. 'As long as it takes.'
Skywarp sniggers. 'Heh, riiiiiiight. And I'm the Queen of Kirella Six.'
'It would explain the stench.'
'Hey!'
Thundercracker slumps forwards, massaging his forehead tiredly. 'I don't know, 'Warp. I just don't know.'
Skywarp pats his wing consolingly. 'Sucks to be you, buddy.'
Day 873019572
Sometimes, he wonders how on Cybertron he and Starscream manage to be friends. Friends in the true Decepticon sense, granted, where they spend most of their time insulting one another and plotting each other's downfalls and occasionally putting themselves in enormous danger for each other despite all sense of self-preservation, but friends nonetheless.
Skywarp probably has a lot to do with it, his easygoing, gregarious nature and fondness for dumb pranks smoothing over a lot of the tension. It's easy to get along with Starscream when they're both trying to pay Skywarp back for teleporting the two of them into an alien sewer.
It's when they're not working together in their trine that it becomes a problem. It's the times when Starscream -- after millennia of acting like a vaguely sane mech -- apparently gets bored. It's these times that he starts up with these little... games... and these times that Thundercracker suddenly becomes a gibbering idiot.
Like right now. The Air Commander is delivering some speech on the latest engine upgrades, and he might as well be talking about the newest robobloom being showcased at Cybertron's annual horticultural show, for all Thundercracker can tell. And Starscream knows it, if his smirk is anything to go by.
For a few horrific nano-kliks, Thundercracker is certain that Starscream is going to call on him for his opinion. His energon pump thuds sickeningly in his throat.
But apparently Starscream is feeling benevolent today, because he lets Thundercracker off the hook with nothing more than a knowing smile. Thundercracker is appropriately relieved, albeit not enough to fling himself at Starscream in gratitude.
If only just.
Day 1392857502
Seekers are an inbred bunch. While all Transformer types have something of a tendency to pair off with others of similar build, Seekers seem to be drawn to one another to a degree that exceeds anything the other build-types can offer.
There is a certain degree of narcissism involved, an appreciation for being able to look at one's partner and see perfection reflected. However, they also share a mindset -- okay, a tendency towards a very specific brand of insanity, Thundercracker can admit it -- that brings them together. A stupid recklessness and cruelty, attempting to deal maximum death while skirting as close to it as possible themselves.
Starscream, though, is fascinating. Oh, sure, he's nuts -- one of the worst of the lot. Cruel? Check. Fond of flirting with death? Most certainly, if his constant attempts to get Megatron to blast him to pieces are any indication.
But he also thinks. While his affected airs often cross the border into the ridiculous, and his ego has a tendency to make his judgement... suspect, his processing power is beyond impressive.
When he chooses to actually exercise it, anyway.
There's an undeniable charisma about him. Heads go up when he enters a room, even if his mouth is -- miraculously -- shut. The sheer attitude he gives to Megatron is impressive, if not something that should really be aspired to.
But it comes through into everything he does. Thundercracker could pick the Air Commander out of a line-up of a thousand Seeker silhouettes, based on his haughty bearings alone. He stands out from the crowd: different, exciting... dangerous.
But Thundercracker's a Seeker. A member of the Decepticon elite. Danger is what he's built for.
Which, of course, is why he's frozen like a petrorabbit in Optimus Prime's headlights at the sight of Starscream test-firing a new weapon he's just invented.
Slag.
Day 2975910572
The insufferable little bastard is waiting in the passageway, arms crossed, leaning against the wall like he owns the place.
Thundercracker knows that Starscream is waiting for him, that Starscream knows Thundercracker always turns up early for watch duty when he's coming off a recharge cycle. His own personal stalker is highly observant when it comes to these things.
Starscream nods genially. 'Thundercracker.'
'Starscream.'
There's less than half a breem until the change of shift, until a dozen Decepticons come streaming through this hallway. They're stuck underwater on some primitive excuse for a planet, and any excuse at all for gossip will do.
Thundercracker stares at Starscream.
Starscream stares right back at Thundercracker, optic ridge raised.
... Oh, frag it all.
Thundercracker pounces, slamming Starscream into the wall and wiping that stupid smug smile off his face the best way he knows how. Starscream makes a most undignified squeak, and Thundercracker presses his advantage, deepening the kiss and grinding Starscream into the wall with a satisfying screech of metal on metal.
He breaks off only when there is less than a klik until shift changeover, and even then only because he's not particularly in the mood to face Megatron's wrath. He'd rather leave that particular pastime to a certain suicidal Air Commander.
Starscream grins exultantly, air cycling rapidly through his intakes.
'What took you so long?'
Thundercracker takes the only logical option, and punches Starscream in the face.
Day 2975910576
He finds Starscream waiting outside his quarters.
And walks right past, locking the door behind him and listening to the indignant shriek with satisfaction.
Let the slagger wait.
Day 2975910591
Starscream dumps the energon cubes on the floor without ceremony.
'I was going to bring you a bouquet of squishies, but you didn't seem like the type.'
He laughs despite himself. 'Yeah, you could say that. I'm sure Skywarp would appreciate it, though.'
Starscream moves, lightning-fast, and Thundercracker finds himself pinned to the recharge berth. Starscream scowls. 'That moron doesn't enter into the equation. Not tonight.'
'"That moron" is part of the Skywarp-and-Thundercracker package. Take it or leave it.'
Starscream's smile glitters in the half-light, sharp and possessive. 'Oh, I'll take it. Later. Right now, you're mine.'
There's a sudden tearing pain in his throat, and fingers dig furrows into his arms.
Oh, slag that for a joke. He's not going to give up millions of deca-cycles of resistance, just to let Starscream have his way with him.
Well... not without putting up something of a fight, anyway.
The advantage of interfacing with other Seekers is that he knows all their weak spots. Reaching around, he grabs one of Starscream's wings and pulls. It has the desired effect: Starscream yelps and jerks back, and Thundercracker seizes the advantage, rolling them over in a tangle of limbs and flipping Starscream onto his front.
'You were saying?'
Starscream howls and bucks, but Thundercracker holds his wrists tight. 'Not fair! Let me go!'
'Oh, yeah. That'll work.'
The Air Commander's voice turns... thoughtful. Considering.
'I must say, this wasn't the expected outcome.'
'Huh?' Thundercracker says intelligently.
'You, here, now, on top.'
'Wait. You... you predicted this?'
'I had theories, yes.'
Thundercracker gapes. 'You... this... all this was an experiment?!'
Starscream's voice turns petulant. 'I had hypotheses that needed testing!'
Thundercracker's hands loosen in shock, and that's all Starscream needs to scrabble free and slam Thundercracker into the wall. His optics narrow in victorious glee.
'Gotcha.'
Thundercracker struggles, but it's no use.
Ah, frag it. If this glitching slag wants to learn, then Thundercracker knows the best way to teach him a few lessons he won't forget in a hurry.
He opens his comms.
'Skywarp!'
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