Fic: Unexpected - Part Two - When It's You Instead
Title: Unexpected
Authors: aprilraven and ladydragon76
‘Verse: G1
Series: None
Rating: NC-17
Pairings: Soundwave/Optimus Prime, Starscream/Ratchet
Summary: Relationships can have the strangest beginnings, and become something completely unexpected.
Notes: We both (ladydragon76 and I) wrote responses to different kinkmeme prompts. Both of us received requests to continue in those verses. We both really wanted to write something together. So. Here’s this. We tweaked, combined, and wrote more together, tweaked, adjusted, poked, forgot about, wrote some more… LOL. It’s more about the relationships than it is any grand plotline, but we are glad to FINALLY be able to post it. We hope you enjoy!
Warnings: Rape, Violence, Character Death, BDSM (Real bdsm, not abuse disguised as bdsm), and Sticky Smut.
Crossposted on ladydragon76’s LJ over here.
Originally filled by ladydragon76 for this kinkmeme prompt. The fic was posted over here way back on 12-5-09.
When It’s You Instead
The Decepticons flew in silent retreat. All of them afraid to be the one Megatron finally released his seething fury on.
Soundwave remained in his customary place, just a bit lower in altitude with Megaton in the lead. He knew his leader was angry with him, and did not begrudge Megatron that. Soundwave had made the rare miscalculation, and their newest chance at conquest had met its exploding end. The Autobots quickly routed the Decepticons after that. The defeat stung even more than usual as Soundwave acknowledged his responsibility for the failure
They landed, everyone crowding into the docking bay to wait for it to pressurize properly with the rest of the Nemesis. Soundwave stood just behind Megatron’s left shoulder. He would wait until he and Megatron were alone, and apologize. Offer himself up to his Lord’s punish-
Soundwave crashed to the floor, optics fritzing momentarily, audials ringing from the blow. Decepticons scattered back, shouts of surprise echoing in the confines of the bay. Soundwave rolled himself into a sitting position, only to choke on a gasp of surprise as Megatron’s large hand closed around his throat.
“I am so very disappointed in you, Soundwave. Such idiocy is no surprise from Starscream, but I expect far better from you than today’s farce.”
Soundwave would have apologized, but his vocalizer was immobile under the squeezing grasp. Megatron tapped Soundwave’s compartment cover. “Eject them. They, too, will witness your punishment.” Soundwave obeyed, using telepathy to order his creations out instead of the usual spoken order. Rumble, Frenzy, and Ravage transformed, landing beside Soundwave and Megatron.
“It was an accident,” Rumble whispered.
Frenzy jerked his twin back, Ravage cringing and bounding away as Megatron glowered down at them.
“I will not be made a fool of by any of you,” Megatron said, optics passing over the surrounding Decepticons. “Let this be a lesson to you all. I am through accepting your failures, your pathetic excuses!” Megatron’s fist impacted the side of Soundwave’s helm with no further warning. “Do not doubt that this will be you the next time I am displeased.”
Soundwave understood, of course. He was being used as an example. For if even Lord Megatron’s favorite officer could be punished, then surely no Decepticon would think himself exempt.
Soundwave was hauled to his feet, and his throat released. There was an instant of relief, less than a nanoklik, where he foolishly thought - hoped - it would end there.
But then heavy, powerful, armor-battering fists drove Soundwave back. He tried to stand and take the punishment, but after being pummeled to the floor for the third time, he could no longer override the instinct to block and flinch away. After the fourth time, Soundwave could no longer restrain his vocalizer, and yelped, or gasped, or hissed in pain.
He was jerked to his feet once again, gyros spinning, the room tilting dangerously. Megatron’s next punch shattered Soundwave’s visor, fingers digging under his battle mask.
Soundwave cried out, pain flaring a blinding red as the mask was ripped away from its moorings. Megatron’s other fist bashed into his face, and Soundwave fell once more to his back. Through bleared vision he could see Starscream, one arm pinning Rumble to his chest, his free hand clamped over Rumble’s mouth. Rumble was kicking furiously, fighting to get free.
Then a kick to Soundwave’s midsection pulled his attention back to the immediate threat. Megatron kicked him again, then was reaching down. There was a low whirr of sound and Megatron’s face twisted beyond fury, to something wholly indescribable. With belated horror, Soundwave realized it was his own sonic cannon powering up in instinctive defense. He tried to brace himself for the next blow, hands raised to fend Megatron off.
The cannon was torn away, another cry of pain, this one sounding far more like a scream, escaped Soundwave. He rolled, and mind on nothing but getting away, he scrabbled at the floor in a panic to drag himself out of reach.
Megatron caught Soundwave’s ankles, and jerked him back. Soundwave kicked out, flipping to his back, hands sliding against the deck as he tried to sit and scuttle away. Another blow to his helm sent static across his senses, leaving him reeling and helpless to block the beating fists.
Soundwave twisted, fingers clawing at the floor as he tried to squirm away. A brutal punch to the center of his back dropped him. Vents heaving, gyros unable to stabilize, vision laced with static, Soundwave went limp and unresisting. His body throbbed everywhere. There was not a part on him that didn’t hurt. It felt like his armor had been shredded, ripped away.
He could hear Rumble’s muffled shrieks, and his own taxed systems laboring.
Soundwave was flipped to his back, and Megatron leaned over him, face twisted. “You will learn,” Megatron growled, “to never,” Soundwave gasped in shock and pain as Megatron’s fingers dug into and warped his interface panel, “charge a weapon for use against me again!”
He screamed as the panel was torn away, then shoved himself away when Megatron’s panel released, his spike extending instantly, large enough to be intimidating.
Primus! Once, possibly, Soundwave might have accepted being ordered to kneel and service Megatron that way as penance. Or maybe even as a reward.
But now, this…
Soundwave couldn’t find his balance well enough to stand, he looked around at the Decepticons. They were pressed to the walls, as far from Soundwave’s reach as they could get. As far from Megatron’s reach as they could get. Soundwave still crawled toward them. This. This was rape. There had to be a boundary, even as Decepticons. There had to be a line where an action was unacceptable. Unconscionable.
Soundwave’s forehead bounced off the deck, everything stilling for a moment as his processors reset from the blow to the back of his head.
He was sliding backwards again, large hands gripped his legs just above his knees, forcing them apart, exposing him.
Soundwave fought with everything he had left in him, uncaring that they all heard him drop the emotionless monotone, uncaring they could all see his face as he screamed, “No,” and “Stop,” and “Please, my Lord, I beg you, don’t, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry!”
His hips were jerked back, one of Megatron’s hands pinning Soundwave, chest to the floor, the other holding him still for the imminent assault.
Soundwave had a split second of clarity, realizing now, entirely too late, why Starscream was so fast to beg and plead forgiveness.
Then he shrieked as Megatron’s spike pierced his unprepared, dry valve. Soundwave shook, sobbing, pleading for forgiveness, for it to end, for Megatron to just stop, please stop, Primus, he was tearing him apart. His tanks roiled, his screams echoing in the confines of the docking bay as the agony in his valve burned ever hotter, ever more excruciating.
Soundwave was caught between purging his tanks and praising Primus as Megatron growled, stabbed him twice more, and finally overloaded.
He was shoved away, and heard as Megatron’s plating clicked into place. Heavy footsteps paced away, calm and composed. Megatron’s voice rumbling in satisfied tones as he ordered the Decepticons to their duties. Soundwave’s vents hitched in sobs he could not suppress, body shaking hard enough for his armor to clank against the floor. He listened, praying to be left alone as the door opened. Primus, just let them all leave, everyone, so he could be alone with his shame.
Footsteps receded, a low murmur of sound, a voice issuing orders, then the door hissed shut. Soundwave waited a moment in the silence, and hearing nothing more, allowed himself to break down completely.
The sheer pain…
But more than that. The humiliation, the shame of all of the Decepticons witnessing him cry and beg and be raped by the master he had served loyally for millions of years. It had been a mistake. An accidental miscalculation. One error in ages! He certainly didn’t deserve the punishment he received.
No, that wasn’t punishment. That was pure degradation! How could he justify his loyalty ever again? Even to himself!
A hand rested gently on Soundwave’s helm, and he lurched away, optics wide as he stared into the surprisingly sympathetic optics of Starscream.
“Exactly, Soundwave. How can one justify loyalty after that?”
Soundwave struggled to think, he had not realized he had been speaking out loud. “Stayed to gloat?” he finally asked, not bothering to mask the bitterness. “Would you like to indulge in an ‘I told you so’ type of moment?” Words poured from Soundwave, even he didn’t know all he said, but he shocked himself silent by saying, “It should have been you! Not me!”
Starscream didn’t even blink, and perhaps that more than anything caused Soundwave to break again. He surprised himself again by dragging himself close enough to lay his helm on Starscream’s knees. The gentle hand returned to his head, stroking in slow soothing caresses.
Soundwave had exhausted himself, lying curled on his side, head still in Starscream’s lap, when the seeker finally spoke again. “May I touch you? I have a few items I keep close at hand, and you need repairs.”
Soundwave translated that all too easily, though there was nothing but an uncharacteristic compassion in Starscream’s voice. Soundwave nodded, and lay on his back, twitching occasionally as Starscream set about his repairs. He felt oddly soothed by the way Starscream told him everything he was going to do before touching him.
“I’m going to touch your shoulder, there’s a sparking wire there.”
“I have to work my fingers under this side plate. I can see a leaking energon line.”
“There’s a dent in your pelvic plating along the waistline. This will probably hurt, but it’s compressing a relay. You aren’t going to be able to walk well like that.”
And on and on.
Soundwave stared at the ceiling listening to Starscream talk, and trying to keep from flinching even though he was always, always, warned about where the next touch was going to occur. He allowed the seeker’s voice to wash over him, wondering why he had always found Starscream’s voice annoying before. It was still raspy, but this soft, gentle tenor was far from the obnoxious tone everyone associated with Starscream.
Soundwave was warned, and a soft cloth wiped over his face. “I can do nothing here for your visor or mask, nor your panel.”
Ice flowed through Soundwave’s lines. He would have to walk the corridors with his interface array exposed.
“I have supplies in my lab, a private washracks in my quarters.”
“As do I,” Soundwave said, voice a rough whisper, and vocalizer protesting even that much.
“Yes, but your creations are in your rooms.”
His optics shot wide. How had he forgotten? Primus, his sparklings had seen it all! “You contained Rumble.”
“Yes,” Starscream said, with a short nod. “My trinemates took them back to your quarters. They’re waiting there. When Laserbeak and Buzzsaw return, they will be collected and taken there as well.”
“Why?” Soundwave asked, the single word somehow managing to convey everything.
“Because no one else will dare. Because your creations need someone to keep them in check until you are able. Because I’ve lain exactly where you lay now, but had no one to stop my bleeding.” Starscream stroked the cloth over Soundwave’s face again. “Hush now. TC and Warp will stay with them tonight, and I will see to you.”
“The Construc-“
Starscream interrupted him with a snort of derision. “No,” he said and did not elaborate. “Now we have one more injury to see to before I can move you. Do you want to clean yourself up, or shall I?”
Soundwave flinched. How could he bear another’s touch there? And how could he be so much a coward that he didn’t want to do it himself? He heard the whimper before recognizing it as his own. Starscream brushed his face again, but waited.
“Your choice.”
“You,” Soundwave whispered after a moment. “I cannot see the damage.” He had to fight himself to relax his knees out, and clutched Starscream’s wrist suddenly, unable to think beyond the sharp, stabbing agony between his legs.
And Starscream hadn’t touched him yet.
Soundwave’s vents caught and stuttered as Starscream held absolutely still, waiting for him to choose. Soundwave was ashamed at how long it took him to rein his emotions in and release the seeker.
“If it becomes too much, say stop and I will. This can take as long as you need it to.”
Soundwave nodded in acknowledgment, only to jump at the first gentle touch to his inner thigh, and yelp, “Stop!” Starscream’s hand came away instantly, and Soundwave stared hard at the ceiling before nodding his permission again.
He knew what he was doing. He was testing Starscream’s word, and yet could not help himself as the cloth wiped over his valve. It hurt, but more than that, he needed Starscream to stop when he said to. There were no sighs of irritation. No scowls. Nothing, but Starscream’s hand leaving Soundwave’s body as he waited for permission to continue, or for Soundwave to take over for himself.
It took longer than it should have, or so Soundwave told himself. He was being ridiculous. Starscream might be behaving in a way Soundwave had never witnessed before, but something in him ached to trust that the care he was receiving would not suddenly, violently end.
Finally they were done, and Starscream helped Soundwave to stand, his greater weight and bulk nearly toppling them both when he lost his balance.
“Slow,” Starscream murmured. “We’ll go slow.”
Soundwave cringed, lips compressing in a frown. “A nice slow parade for the other Decepticons.”
Starscream shook his head, and keyed the door open. “They’ll all be hiding.”
Out into the hall and through the corridors they went, Soundwave’s optics darting around, scanning for anyone that might be watching. No whispers followed them, no one appeared, but still Starscream’s door was a welcome sight, and Soundwave sighed in relief once they were locked safely within the room.
“The cleanser is going to sting,” Starscream said, leading Soundwave to the washracks and turning on the spray. “Try to endure it as best you can. Do you want me to stay or go?”
“Go. I can do this.”
Starscream nodded. “I’ll go see what I can do about replacement parts.”
“I have extra visors and masks,” Soundwave said. “Battle has damaged both before.”
Starscream nodded again. “Just call for me if you need my help.” Then he left, and Soundwave leaned against the wall, hissing in pain as, yes, the cleanser did burn against his exposed valve and various injuries.
He was lucky, he supposed. His self-repair would take care of the rest. By morning most of the dents would be gone. Once he replaced his panel, mask, and visor, no one would be able to see it had ever happened. Starscream had warned him, however. The damage to his valve walls was heavy. Nothing that could be repaired by anything other than time.
Soundwave lost track of how long he stood under the warm spray of cleanser, coming to relish the sting, and imagining it was burning away Megatron’s touch. He startled at the soft knock, and then Starscream was calling out for permission to enter. Soundwave shut off the spray and keyed the door. He even accepted Starscream’s assistance in drying, finding the touch soothing.
“Soundwave,” Starscream said. “Stay awake just a little longer. You can rest in a few moments.”
Soundwave stumbled along, and managed to collapse on Starscream’s recharge berth without jarring his injuries too much.
“Do you want to attach your new panel?” Starscream asked.
“You,” Soundwave said, unable to find fear or shame anymore through the dragging exhaustion pulling him into recharge.
“I’ll be close if you need me,” Starscream whispered, lifting Soundwave’s legs onto the berth before turning away.
“Wait!” Soundwave caught Starscream’s wrist, feeling his face heat in humiliation. “Stay?” He shuttered his optics and whispered, “Please stay.”
Starscream said nothing, but climbed carefully over Soundwave, and settled himself by the wall. The gesture was not wasted on Soundwave, as he was certain he’d have felt trapped with the wall at his back like that, with Starscream between him and escape.
Soundwave curled on his side, pressing his face against Starscream’s shoulder, grateful beyond words and measure.
“You’re safe here,” Starscream whispered in Soundwave’s audial. “Rest. You’re safe now.”
Soundwave let his body relax into the warmth of Starscream’s, and drifted into recharge.
~ | ~
( Unexpected - Part Three )
( AprilRaven’s Table of Contents )
( LadyDragon76’s Table of Contents )
Authors: aprilraven and ladydragon76
‘Verse: G1
Series: None
Rating: NC-17
Pairings: Soundwave/Optimus Prime, Starscream/Ratchet
Summary: Relationships can have the strangest beginnings, and become something completely unexpected.
Notes: We both (ladydragon76 and I) wrote responses to different kinkmeme prompts. Both of us received requests to continue in those verses. We both really wanted to write something together. So. Here’s this. We tweaked, combined, and wrote more together, tweaked, adjusted, poked, forgot about, wrote some more… LOL. It’s more about the relationships than it is any grand plotline, but we are glad to FINALLY be able to post it. We hope you enjoy!
Warnings: Rape, Violence, Character Death, BDSM (Real bdsm, not abuse disguised as bdsm), and Sticky Smut.
Crossposted on ladydragon76’s LJ over here.
Originally filled by ladydragon76 for this kinkmeme prompt. The fic was posted over here way back on 12-5-09.
When It’s You Instead
The Decepticons flew in silent retreat. All of them afraid to be the one Megatron finally released his seething fury on.
Soundwave remained in his customary place, just a bit lower in altitude with Megaton in the lead. He knew his leader was angry with him, and did not begrudge Megatron that. Soundwave had made the rare miscalculation, and their newest chance at conquest had met its exploding end. The Autobots quickly routed the Decepticons after that. The defeat stung even more than usual as Soundwave acknowledged his responsibility for the failure
They landed, everyone crowding into the docking bay to wait for it to pressurize properly with the rest of the Nemesis. Soundwave stood just behind Megatron’s left shoulder. He would wait until he and Megatron were alone, and apologize. Offer himself up to his Lord’s punish-
Soundwave crashed to the floor, optics fritzing momentarily, audials ringing from the blow. Decepticons scattered back, shouts of surprise echoing in the confines of the bay. Soundwave rolled himself into a sitting position, only to choke on a gasp of surprise as Megatron’s large hand closed around his throat.
“I am so very disappointed in you, Soundwave. Such idiocy is no surprise from Starscream, but I expect far better from you than today’s farce.”
Soundwave would have apologized, but his vocalizer was immobile under the squeezing grasp. Megatron tapped Soundwave’s compartment cover. “Eject them. They, too, will witness your punishment.” Soundwave obeyed, using telepathy to order his creations out instead of the usual spoken order. Rumble, Frenzy, and Ravage transformed, landing beside Soundwave and Megatron.
“It was an accident,” Rumble whispered.
Frenzy jerked his twin back, Ravage cringing and bounding away as Megatron glowered down at them.
“I will not be made a fool of by any of you,” Megatron said, optics passing over the surrounding Decepticons. “Let this be a lesson to you all. I am through accepting your failures, your pathetic excuses!” Megatron’s fist impacted the side of Soundwave’s helm with no further warning. “Do not doubt that this will be you the next time I am displeased.”
Soundwave understood, of course. He was being used as an example. For if even Lord Megatron’s favorite officer could be punished, then surely no Decepticon would think himself exempt.
Soundwave was hauled to his feet, and his throat released. There was an instant of relief, less than a nanoklik, where he foolishly thought - hoped - it would end there.
But then heavy, powerful, armor-battering fists drove Soundwave back. He tried to stand and take the punishment, but after being pummeled to the floor for the third time, he could no longer override the instinct to block and flinch away. After the fourth time, Soundwave could no longer restrain his vocalizer, and yelped, or gasped, or hissed in pain.
He was jerked to his feet once again, gyros spinning, the room tilting dangerously. Megatron’s next punch shattered Soundwave’s visor, fingers digging under his battle mask.
Soundwave cried out, pain flaring a blinding red as the mask was ripped away from its moorings. Megatron’s other fist bashed into his face, and Soundwave fell once more to his back. Through bleared vision he could see Starscream, one arm pinning Rumble to his chest, his free hand clamped over Rumble’s mouth. Rumble was kicking furiously, fighting to get free.
Then a kick to Soundwave’s midsection pulled his attention back to the immediate threat. Megatron kicked him again, then was reaching down. There was a low whirr of sound and Megatron’s face twisted beyond fury, to something wholly indescribable. With belated horror, Soundwave realized it was his own sonic cannon powering up in instinctive defense. He tried to brace himself for the next blow, hands raised to fend Megatron off.
The cannon was torn away, another cry of pain, this one sounding far more like a scream, escaped Soundwave. He rolled, and mind on nothing but getting away, he scrabbled at the floor in a panic to drag himself out of reach.
Megatron caught Soundwave’s ankles, and jerked him back. Soundwave kicked out, flipping to his back, hands sliding against the deck as he tried to sit and scuttle away. Another blow to his helm sent static across his senses, leaving him reeling and helpless to block the beating fists.
Soundwave twisted, fingers clawing at the floor as he tried to squirm away. A brutal punch to the center of his back dropped him. Vents heaving, gyros unable to stabilize, vision laced with static, Soundwave went limp and unresisting. His body throbbed everywhere. There was not a part on him that didn’t hurt. It felt like his armor had been shredded, ripped away.
He could hear Rumble’s muffled shrieks, and his own taxed systems laboring.
Soundwave was flipped to his back, and Megatron leaned over him, face twisted. “You will learn,” Megatron growled, “to never,” Soundwave gasped in shock and pain as Megatron’s fingers dug into and warped his interface panel, “charge a weapon for use against me again!”
He screamed as the panel was torn away, then shoved himself away when Megatron’s panel released, his spike extending instantly, large enough to be intimidating.
Primus! Once, possibly, Soundwave might have accepted being ordered to kneel and service Megatron that way as penance. Or maybe even as a reward.
But now, this…
Soundwave couldn’t find his balance well enough to stand, he looked around at the Decepticons. They were pressed to the walls, as far from Soundwave’s reach as they could get. As far from Megatron’s reach as they could get. Soundwave still crawled toward them. This. This was rape. There had to be a boundary, even as Decepticons. There had to be a line where an action was unacceptable. Unconscionable.
Soundwave’s forehead bounced off the deck, everything stilling for a moment as his processors reset from the blow to the back of his head.
He was sliding backwards again, large hands gripped his legs just above his knees, forcing them apart, exposing him.
Soundwave fought with everything he had left in him, uncaring that they all heard him drop the emotionless monotone, uncaring they could all see his face as he screamed, “No,” and “Stop,” and “Please, my Lord, I beg you, don’t, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry!”
His hips were jerked back, one of Megatron’s hands pinning Soundwave, chest to the floor, the other holding him still for the imminent assault.
Soundwave had a split second of clarity, realizing now, entirely too late, why Starscream was so fast to beg and plead forgiveness.
Then he shrieked as Megatron’s spike pierced his unprepared, dry valve. Soundwave shook, sobbing, pleading for forgiveness, for it to end, for Megatron to just stop, please stop, Primus, he was tearing him apart. His tanks roiled, his screams echoing in the confines of the docking bay as the agony in his valve burned ever hotter, ever more excruciating.
Soundwave was caught between purging his tanks and praising Primus as Megatron growled, stabbed him twice more, and finally overloaded.
He was shoved away, and heard as Megatron’s plating clicked into place. Heavy footsteps paced away, calm and composed. Megatron’s voice rumbling in satisfied tones as he ordered the Decepticons to their duties. Soundwave’s vents hitched in sobs he could not suppress, body shaking hard enough for his armor to clank against the floor. He listened, praying to be left alone as the door opened. Primus, just let them all leave, everyone, so he could be alone with his shame.
Footsteps receded, a low murmur of sound, a voice issuing orders, then the door hissed shut. Soundwave waited a moment in the silence, and hearing nothing more, allowed himself to break down completely.
The sheer pain…
But more than that. The humiliation, the shame of all of the Decepticons witnessing him cry and beg and be raped by the master he had served loyally for millions of years. It had been a mistake. An accidental miscalculation. One error in ages! He certainly didn’t deserve the punishment he received.
No, that wasn’t punishment. That was pure degradation! How could he justify his loyalty ever again? Even to himself!
A hand rested gently on Soundwave’s helm, and he lurched away, optics wide as he stared into the surprisingly sympathetic optics of Starscream.
“Exactly, Soundwave. How can one justify loyalty after that?”
Soundwave struggled to think, he had not realized he had been speaking out loud. “Stayed to gloat?” he finally asked, not bothering to mask the bitterness. “Would you like to indulge in an ‘I told you so’ type of moment?” Words poured from Soundwave, even he didn’t know all he said, but he shocked himself silent by saying, “It should have been you! Not me!”
Starscream didn’t even blink, and perhaps that more than anything caused Soundwave to break again. He surprised himself again by dragging himself close enough to lay his helm on Starscream’s knees. The gentle hand returned to his head, stroking in slow soothing caresses.
Soundwave had exhausted himself, lying curled on his side, head still in Starscream’s lap, when the seeker finally spoke again. “May I touch you? I have a few items I keep close at hand, and you need repairs.”
Soundwave translated that all too easily, though there was nothing but an uncharacteristic compassion in Starscream’s voice. Soundwave nodded, and lay on his back, twitching occasionally as Starscream set about his repairs. He felt oddly soothed by the way Starscream told him everything he was going to do before touching him.
“I’m going to touch your shoulder, there’s a sparking wire there.”
“I have to work my fingers under this side plate. I can see a leaking energon line.”
“There’s a dent in your pelvic plating along the waistline. This will probably hurt, but it’s compressing a relay. You aren’t going to be able to walk well like that.”
And on and on.
Soundwave stared at the ceiling listening to Starscream talk, and trying to keep from flinching even though he was always, always, warned about where the next touch was going to occur. He allowed the seeker’s voice to wash over him, wondering why he had always found Starscream’s voice annoying before. It was still raspy, but this soft, gentle tenor was far from the obnoxious tone everyone associated with Starscream.
Soundwave was warned, and a soft cloth wiped over his face. “I can do nothing here for your visor or mask, nor your panel.”
Ice flowed through Soundwave’s lines. He would have to walk the corridors with his interface array exposed.
“I have supplies in my lab, a private washracks in my quarters.”
“As do I,” Soundwave said, voice a rough whisper, and vocalizer protesting even that much.
“Yes, but your creations are in your rooms.”
His optics shot wide. How had he forgotten? Primus, his sparklings had seen it all! “You contained Rumble.”
“Yes,” Starscream said, with a short nod. “My trinemates took them back to your quarters. They’re waiting there. When Laserbeak and Buzzsaw return, they will be collected and taken there as well.”
“Why?” Soundwave asked, the single word somehow managing to convey everything.
“Because no one else will dare. Because your creations need someone to keep them in check until you are able. Because I’ve lain exactly where you lay now, but had no one to stop my bleeding.” Starscream stroked the cloth over Soundwave’s face again. “Hush now. TC and Warp will stay with them tonight, and I will see to you.”
“The Construc-“
Starscream interrupted him with a snort of derision. “No,” he said and did not elaborate. “Now we have one more injury to see to before I can move you. Do you want to clean yourself up, or shall I?”
Soundwave flinched. How could he bear another’s touch there? And how could he be so much a coward that he didn’t want to do it himself? He heard the whimper before recognizing it as his own. Starscream brushed his face again, but waited.
“Your choice.”
“You,” Soundwave whispered after a moment. “I cannot see the damage.” He had to fight himself to relax his knees out, and clutched Starscream’s wrist suddenly, unable to think beyond the sharp, stabbing agony between his legs.
And Starscream hadn’t touched him yet.
Soundwave’s vents caught and stuttered as Starscream held absolutely still, waiting for him to choose. Soundwave was ashamed at how long it took him to rein his emotions in and release the seeker.
“If it becomes too much, say stop and I will. This can take as long as you need it to.”
Soundwave nodded in acknowledgment, only to jump at the first gentle touch to his inner thigh, and yelp, “Stop!” Starscream’s hand came away instantly, and Soundwave stared hard at the ceiling before nodding his permission again.
He knew what he was doing. He was testing Starscream’s word, and yet could not help himself as the cloth wiped over his valve. It hurt, but more than that, he needed Starscream to stop when he said to. There were no sighs of irritation. No scowls. Nothing, but Starscream’s hand leaving Soundwave’s body as he waited for permission to continue, or for Soundwave to take over for himself.
It took longer than it should have, or so Soundwave told himself. He was being ridiculous. Starscream might be behaving in a way Soundwave had never witnessed before, but something in him ached to trust that the care he was receiving would not suddenly, violently end.
Finally they were done, and Starscream helped Soundwave to stand, his greater weight and bulk nearly toppling them both when he lost his balance.
“Slow,” Starscream murmured. “We’ll go slow.”
Soundwave cringed, lips compressing in a frown. “A nice slow parade for the other Decepticons.”
Starscream shook his head, and keyed the door open. “They’ll all be hiding.”
Out into the hall and through the corridors they went, Soundwave’s optics darting around, scanning for anyone that might be watching. No whispers followed them, no one appeared, but still Starscream’s door was a welcome sight, and Soundwave sighed in relief once they were locked safely within the room.
“The cleanser is going to sting,” Starscream said, leading Soundwave to the washracks and turning on the spray. “Try to endure it as best you can. Do you want me to stay or go?”
“Go. I can do this.”
Starscream nodded. “I’ll go see what I can do about replacement parts.”
“I have extra visors and masks,” Soundwave said. “Battle has damaged both before.”
Starscream nodded again. “Just call for me if you need my help.” Then he left, and Soundwave leaned against the wall, hissing in pain as, yes, the cleanser did burn against his exposed valve and various injuries.
He was lucky, he supposed. His self-repair would take care of the rest. By morning most of the dents would be gone. Once he replaced his panel, mask, and visor, no one would be able to see it had ever happened. Starscream had warned him, however. The damage to his valve walls was heavy. Nothing that could be repaired by anything other than time.
Soundwave lost track of how long he stood under the warm spray of cleanser, coming to relish the sting, and imagining it was burning away Megatron’s touch. He startled at the soft knock, and then Starscream was calling out for permission to enter. Soundwave shut off the spray and keyed the door. He even accepted Starscream’s assistance in drying, finding the touch soothing.
“Soundwave,” Starscream said. “Stay awake just a little longer. You can rest in a few moments.”
Soundwave stumbled along, and managed to collapse on Starscream’s recharge berth without jarring his injuries too much.
“Do you want to attach your new panel?” Starscream asked.
“You,” Soundwave said, unable to find fear or shame anymore through the dragging exhaustion pulling him into recharge.
“I’ll be close if you need me,” Starscream whispered, lifting Soundwave’s legs onto the berth before turning away.
“Wait!” Soundwave caught Starscream’s wrist, feeling his face heat in humiliation. “Stay?” He shuttered his optics and whispered, “Please stay.”
Starscream said nothing, but climbed carefully over Soundwave, and settled himself by the wall. The gesture was not wasted on Soundwave, as he was certain he’d have felt trapped with the wall at his back like that, with Starscream between him and escape.
Soundwave curled on his side, pressing his face against Starscream’s shoulder, grateful beyond words and measure.
“You’re safe here,” Starscream whispered in Soundwave’s audial. “Rest. You’re safe now.”
Soundwave let his body relax into the warmth of Starscream’s, and drifted into recharge.
~ | ~
( Unexpected - Part Three )
( AprilRaven’s Table of Contents )
( LadyDragon76’s Table of Contents )