FIC: Touched
“Now, casually let your hand touch his,” Orion whispered into the communication link receiver.
‘But it’s a drill…’ Megatron protested via transmission, frowning. He had to make something up in response to Impactor’s skeptical questions while carefully resisting the urge to glare in the direction of his “friend”, who was hiding behind a cluster of crystals in the public garden.
A touch on his shoulder nearly had Orion squealing into the microphone. Luckily, a hand clamped over his mouth before that could happen.
“Just what are you geeks doing?”
Orion sagged with relief. It was Starscream, and not some hungry, roving Empty. Not that they would let Empties into the gardens, but-
“I’ve seen this before,” Starscream continued, crouching down with Orion and regarding the equipment with narrowed optics. “In half-rate comedies. You’re trying to give advice?”
“I’m just as capable- hey!”
“Look,” Starscream murmured into the receiver he had freshly liberated from the smaller Orion. Megatron did his best to not look startled. “Forget this stupid slag about courtship. The little truck doesn’t know what he’s talking about. You’ve got to flare your plating out, look bigger-“
“He’s a tank, how can he be bigger?” Orion hissed at his side. Starscream shoved him down.
“Then you just go find something real impressive to leave at the door to his quarters.”
‘I don’t have time for this,’ Megatron sent back. ‘We only have so much time on the surface between shifts, and I don’t intend to let it slip through my fingers.’
“Well that’s what I’m saying,” Starscream continued. “You’ve just gotta go for i- you little slagger!”
Impactor was sufficiently distracted by the sounds of a scuffle nearby, allowing Megatron a rare moment of self-pity.
Orion yelped - then giggled. Starscream’s hisses went silent. Impactor stood, turning towards the source of the noise. “Impactor, wait!”
“What’s going on over there?” Impactor questioned loudly, nearly around the mass of crystals - when Starscream gave an ear-splitting screech, and Orion came tumbling out to lay at Impactor’s feet. The seeker shot off into the sky, abandoning them all.
“… Uhhhh…” Impactor stared. Orion had the stupidest grin on his face. “Wait,” Impactor added, turning to Megatron. “Isn’t this one of yours? The little truck you usually hang out with?”
Megatron didn’t answer, covering his face with his hands.
Orion continued to giggle from his position on the ground. “Finally got to touch ‘em. Totally worth it.”