Delightful December: Day Seven Frozen Doorwings
Title: Doorwings Dont Make a Mech
Day: Seven
Prompt: Frozen Doorwings
*Verse: G1
Rating: PG-13
*Words: 4824
Other Characters: Jazz, Prowl, Ratchet, Wheeljack, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, Bluestreak
Warnings: some heated fluff moments
Summary/Notes: Lame title. Sorry. Prowl's doorwings get injured on a recon mission. As told through Jazz's optics.
Day Seven: Frozen Doorwings
Jazz shifted uncomfortably from one leg to the other keeping his optics on the crew, making sure every bot was doing their duty. Inwardly, his processor was going over the list of things that still needed to be done for the Christmas party tomorrow on Christmas Eve. He wanted it to go off perfectly.
It had to.
Glancing down, Jazz pulled the object out of subspace for the fifth time during the past hour and his spark fluttered nervously, excitedly. It had each time he set his optics on the special object. He prayed to Primus it all went according to plan. He was nervous as it was. After all, it wasn't everyday you fell in love with your best friend and then decided to ask him to bond with you.
"I hope he stays out until after Christmas," Sideswipe whispered from across the room but Jazz still heard with those extra sensitive audio receptors of his.
"Same. The mech is such a scrooge all year round as it is," Sunny snickered. "He's worse during the holidays. Especially Christmas."
Jazz frowned, knowing exactly who the twins were talking about. He knew Prowl didn't give a mechano-rat's aft what the crew thought of him. But Jazz did. This was the mech he loved, the mech he would defend with his life if necessary. He knew intimately of the sacrifices Prowl had to make all for the good of the crew.
He admired the mech for that while at the same time reminding Prowl to live his own life as well. It took vorns for Jazz to break down those walls Prowl built around himself. It was all worth it. Their love was worth it. Jazz's only wish was that others could see Prowl for who he really was. Then maybe they'd understand.
In Jazz's optics too many of the crew took Prowl for granted.
The decision made, Jazz limped calmly over and stood between the twins. He cursed his knee for not having healed up yet. It was why he was on the command deck instead of Prowl. Jazz hated the fact that Prowl was out doing his job at the moment because Mirage and Bumblebee were also recovering from injuries. Frag the fact that Prowl used to be in special ops when he first joined the Autobots. Ops was Jazz's department and he took pride in his mechs getting the job done.
"For one day, I'd like to see the two of you attempt to do Prowl's job," he told them quietly. "Then maybe you'd respect him and what he sacrifices for us. Besides, you should be working not complaining."
"We do respect him Jazz. He is the SIC. We just wish he was…you know…more fun," Sideswipe smiled angelically.
"Prowl has his fun. You just aren't privileged to see it," Jazz smirked. "Now give me Prowl's latest update."
"Uh…do you have it Sunny?"
"No, I' haven't heard from Prowl."
"Prowl didn't report in and you didn't tell me?" Jazz asked.
"It's just Prowl. He can take care of himself."
"It's Prowl. He follows protocol to the letter which means he checks in promptly when scheduled. It's 11am a full hour after he was supposed to have checked in!" Jazz growled angrily, turning on his good leg he headed for Teletran's main console. "Teletran, when did Commander Prowl last contact us?"
"Last received transmission was precisely at 05:00 am as scheduled."
"Show me his current coordinates in relation to what they were at 5 this morning."
The map of the Arctic Circle popped up instantly with a blue blip indicating Prowl's location.
"He hasn't even moved a full mile?" Bluestreak commented from his station as all bots were looking at Teletran's main monitor.
"Jazz, a blizzard hit the area just after Prowl's last transmission," Hound said. "Apparently the winds shifted. No one predicted it would turn. And if that's not bad enough, reports have it as being the worst blizzard in recorded history."
"Prowl would have called for retrieval if he'd known a blizzard was coming in. Especially after what happened to him when he and Bluestreak got caught in the one last year," Jazz mused.
"Ouch," Bluestreak winced, his doorwings trembling at the memory. "Our doorwings had ice all over them. It was horrible and painful."
"Something must have happened. Try getting him on comms," Jazz ordered.
"Already did that. Prowl's not responding to hails on any frequency," Sideswipe said.
"Ratchet, Optimus report to the command deck," Jazz called, hitting the Ark's intercom system.
Twenty minutes later, Jazz found himself outside watching Skyfire lift off with Ratchet, Optimus, Ironhide and Hound in the cargo hold. He wanted desperately to go with them to see if his lover was ok. Not knowing Prowl's condition made him feel so useless.
Jazz hated being idle. Even more so when it was his own stupidity that caused him to be injured and removed from field duty.
Again he cursed his damaged leg and limped back inside. He couldn't go to get Prowl but he was going to make sure he stayed in contact with Optimus and his team. Nor would Jazz allow himself the luxury of relaxing during the duration of the retrieval mission. He couldn't if he tried anyway. He was far too worried for Prowl.
Of course when Optimus contacted them with an update Jazz wished more than anything he'd have gone.
Skyfire had to land before they reached the designated coordinates because the wind was too dangerous to fly in. The mechs ended up having to walk a six mile journey to Prowl's location. From there it only got worse for Jazz when Optimus said they had to dig to just get to Prowl.
"From what we can tell, the ice beneath his peds gave way, he fell into a crevice and got wedged in there," Optimus said. "The blizzard covered it up."
"Unfortunately, his doorwings took the brunt of the damage when he fell. Knocked him offline instantly," Ratchet continued. "In combination with the severe cold temperatures from this accursed winds, his repair systems put him into stasis to save his vital systems."
"What does that mean, exactly?" Jazz asked worriedly.
"I'll no more when we get him to the medical bay and properly thaw his doorwings and extremities."
Jazz opened a private line to Ratchet.
"Doc, what are you not telling me."
"His doorwings were damaged…the energon supply cut off. As you know that is perfectly normal for doorwinged mechs. It's a default in the repair systems of a Praxian. Prowl can go for nearly a full day like that if necessary so long as he doesn't continue to take damage. Only problem are these freezing cold temperatures. Even for a few hours…if the damage to the circuitry is too extensive I might not be able to save his doorwings."
Prowl without doorwings?
Jazz shuttered his optics. He didn't want to think of his beautiful Praxian that way. He couldn't imagine Prowl without doorwings. In fact, he'd never seen a Praxian without doorwings. Wings for a Praxian were akin to mechs needing a spark to live.
How would Prowl cope with no doorwings? Was it even possible?
Hours, later, Jazz remained outside the medical bay hoping and praying for the best while preparing himself for the worst. If Ratchet could save the wings then all would be well. If he couldn't then Jazz would accept it and do whatever necessary to help Prowl. After all, while Jazz was initially attracted to Prowl because of his magnificent doorwings, it was the drive within the mech's spark he loved most.
"You can come in now," Ratchet's voice quietly sounded over his internal comlink.
Jazz gathered himself up before limping into the medical bay. Prowl was nowhere to be seen but Ratchet emerged from one of the private rooms. Presumably that was where Prowl was so Jazz headed over.
"He's ok to be release now," Ratchet spoke quietly to Jazz as he intercepted him. "Someone should stay with him. Since you're restricted to light duty, I don't see why you can't look after him."
"Ratchet…"
"I've had to remove his doorwings," Ratchet frowned wearily, rubbing his faceplates. "He wasn't getting any sensory input or feedback of any kind. A lot of the circuitry was damaged due to being over exposed to the freezing temperatures. You know better than anyone how sensitive doorwing circuitry is."
Jazz nodded sadly. He did know having learned it the hard way when he accidentally damaged one of Prowl's doorwings when the pair had been being particularly playful in their foreplay. Nothing like killing the mood by causing your future mate pain.
"Are you going to be able to repair them?"
"We don't know yet," Ratchet sighed. "Perceptor and Wheeljack are examining them right now. I'm on my way to Perceptor's lab to see what I can do to help."
"How is he?"
Ratchet glanced at the open door for a long moment before answering Jazz.
"Just keep your optics on him. He's to recharge and bring him back first thing in the morning for a follow up exam. And NO over exertions."
"Honestly mech, that was the last thing on my processor right now," Jazz grumbled irritably.
"I know you Jazz. It doesn't take much to change the devious processor of yours. Just remember your maintenance exam is coming up and I can make it unbearable if you ignore my orders."
Right now Jazz would agree to anything if it got him in to see Prowl that much sooner. He respected Ratchet and appreciated the mech's handy work. But honestly, he could be over protective of his patients at times despite his cranky bedside manner.
Not knowing what to expect, Jazz put on his best smile before he entered the private medical room. His spark instantly ached with worry upon seeing the normally proud Praxian sitting there looking utterly dejected, slouching and…wingless.
"Hey Prowler," Jazz smiled, keeping that smile for Prowl through. "Ratchet says you're free to go. You ready to get out of here?"
Prowl nodded and slid off the bed. Once his peds hit the floor he started to fall forward.
"Whoa, take it slow, babe," Jazz murmured, holding Prowl up.
"Sorry. I'm used to walking with added weight on my back."
Jazz smiled sadly, "One step at a time then. Ok?"
Prowl nodded, relying on Jazz to support him for several steps until he managed to stay upright enough on his own. Even then, Jazz kept a hand on Prowl, ready to help the mech at a moment's notice as they walked slowly through the hallways. And with each step Jazz's worries seemed to intensify.
"What's wrong?" Jazz asked when Prowl looked over his shoulder for the fifth time since they left the medical bay.
"No sensors to tell me if someone is coming up behind me," Prowl mumbled softly. "I feel so…vulnerable."
"Nothing is going to harm you while I'm here," Jazz spoke softly, tenderly rubbing Prowl's lower back. "I won't let that happen. Promise."
Prowl nodded, keeping his head down.
Jazz's frown deepened. It wasn't like Prowl to not make optic contact with anyone no matter how pleasing or displeasing the conversation. For now Jazz decided not to pressure the dejected mech. Instead, Jazz talked about the Christmas Party plans.
The Party would still go on. He'd sent a text to Blaster to take over the moment Prowl entered the medical bay. Jazz just wasn't sure how to proceed with the original plans he'd made for him and Prowl as a couple. Their trip to warmer weather next week was presumably postponed due to Prowl's injuries. And with Prowl probably not in any kind of partying mood, Jazz wasn't sure how to propose to his mech now. But he was determined to find a way. Prowl was worth it.
"I apologize for ruining your plans for the Christmas party," Prowl spoke softly, head bowed down as he sat on the edge of his berth. "I know you were very excited and were very much looking forward to them."
"Plans change, babe. You know I can improvise and adapt better than any bot around. Besides what's important is that you're ok."
Prowl nodded slowly, head drooping even lower as he slouched down.
Jazz stood there, unsure what to do. He'd never seen Prowl this depressed before and it surprised him. Prowl was always so resilient, so strong. He was the Autobot's SIC, the rock they all relied on, including Jazz. Nothing ever seemed to faze him. Sure things bothered him but he always talked to Jazz about stuff when troubled or upset.
Right now, all Jazz wanted to do was hold his Prowl close and whisper to him that everything was going to be alright.
"I don't need to be watched over if you have more important things to attend to."
"I've no better place to be," Jazz smiled, deciding to sit beside Prowl. "Will you talk to me? Please."
"What's to talk about? I ruined your Christmas plans you had for us. Ratchet has confined me to the base so our vacation is off. Plus, he's not very optimistic about repairing my doorwings."
"He'll fix them. I know he will."
"And if he doesn't?" Prowl asked, finally making optic contact with Jazz. Jazz in turn felt his spark lurch painfully at the sorrowful expression on Prowl's normally stoic face. "It was…unsettling that I couldn't even feel them or move them. They were dead weight on my back. If I've lost them permanently, what does that mean for me and my position? What does it mean for us?"
"What are you talking about? You're still Prowl with or without the doorwings. You're still the Autobot's SIC, Optimus' right hand mech. We'll always need our tactician and friend."
"They are an integral part of who I am and you know that Jazz. I'm nearly blind without them. I'd be a liability on the battlefield. Plus…they are…they're what you love most about me."
"Is that what you think? That I'm in love with you because of your doorwings."
"You told me yourself they were what intrigued you when we first met, said there were hypnotic whenever they moved. You can never keep your hands off them. You always talk about them. Always caress them in that affectionate way to turn me on so we could interface. And now that I don't have them you haven't…you haven't really touched me except to keep me from falling. You're normally always so tactile especially whenever we're alone. I've…I've grown accustomed to your touch."
Jazz reached over and cupped Prowl's cheek, lifting his face back up.
"There's more to you than your doorwings that I love," he smiled fondly. "And I'm sorry about not touching you until now. I've been restraining myself."
"Restraining yourself?"
"My lover was hurt, he is hurting now, all I want to do is smother you with kisses but I'm afraid of hurting you."
Jazz tenderly nuzzled his nose against Prowl's cheek.
"Primus, I love you so much, Prowl," he whispered, holding the mech close in his arms. "I was so scared. The thought of losing you makes my tank churn and my spark tremble. I was so worried I would never get to tell you exactly what you mean to me."
"You tell me you love me every day," Prowl murmured, resting his helm on Jazz's shoulder. "As I love you."
"Those are merely words. They seem so inadequate to express the feelings I have for you deep within my spark. I've thought about this and I've decided. Prowl, my spark belongs to you, now, always, and forever. It's yours if you'll have it."
Jazz pulled the bonding gift from subspace and held it the palm of his hand for Prowl to see.
From the small gasp that sounded and the look in Prowl's optics Jazz knew the mech recognized the intricate design of the object d'art.
"It's beautiful," Prowl whispered.
"It is my gift to you. Prowl, will you bond with me?"
Prowl frowned, "This was part of your plans for tomorrow, wasn't it?"
"Yeah, I improvised," Jazz smirked. "Besides, this moment turned out far better than I imagined for our evening tomorrow."
"Oh? I haven't even given you an answer," Prowl remarked, raising an optic ridge.
"Your reaction spoke volumes. I know you like no other mech. I know your spark. With or without your doorwings, who you are here is what I love most," Jazz smiled warmly, pressing his hand against Prowl's chest over his spark.
"Then my spark is yours. It's always been yours," Prowl murmured, kissing Jazz, one hand tenderly stroking one of Jazz's sensitive horns.
"Hmm, you are breaking my will here mech," Jazz hummed into the kiss before he reluctantly pulled away. "Ratchet will have my skidplates if we go there. He gave specific orders."
"Fragger," Prowl sighed, opting to rest his head on Jazz's shoulder. "He'd know if we interfaced too."
"I still don't get how he knows just by looking at us," Jazz chuckled, laying down, pulling Prowl with him. "I'll never forget the look on your face though. Your face was so red! And the way your wings…"
Prowl's body instantly tensed up. Jazz couldn't stop his words in time and regret it with his whole spark.
"I'm sorry, babe," he whispered, tightening his arms around his lover.
"It's ok," Prowl sighed. "I need to start getting used to the idea of not having my doorwings anyway. I'll need to rearrange the patrol schedules for winter months. I'm not going to risk Smokescreen or Bluestreak getting caught with frozen doorwings."
"We'll get through this together. I promise."
"Ok," Prowl mumbled.
Jazz felt Prowl's systems dialing down as the mech slipped into recharge. He let out a shuddering sigh, trying to relax. Normally, Prowl was the more dominate partner between them, holding Jazz against him. Very rare were their roles reversed. Not that Jazz was weak or submissive. He simply understood Prowl's need to be in control and loved to assert himself to try to make Prowl lose control. The result was often a most processor blowing overload whenever they interface. He knew right now that Prowl felt like he had no control. Jazz honestly wasn't sure if he was strong enough to help Prowl through this.
"Please Primus, don't take his wings away," Jazz prayed quietly before falling into recharge.
The following morning Jazz woke to a heated body pressing firmly against his and warm, tender lips kissing his sensory horn repeatedly while whispered sweet loving words of affection. Jazz responded accordingly, his body waking, his own lips eagerly finding his lover's.
Ratchet's orders be damned. If his lover wanted to 'face then so be it. Besides, from the way Prowl's hands moved desperately over Jazz's plating the mech needed some kind of release. Far be it from Jazz to deny his lover. And for once, Jazz and Prowl were able to reach their peak of pleasurable bliss without said medic barging into their quarters at the worst time. This, despite the fact that they were now late for Prowl's morning visit.
Of course their serene moments of post overloading delight were short lived.
"For frags sake, can't you follow the simplest of orders!" their irate CMO snarled as the lovers lay content in their afterglow.
Still in a haze of bliss, the warmth of Prowl was suddenly moved from beneath Jazz's body. His systems that were cycling down for a post overload recharge halted, shocked and confused.
"Honestly, I'm not a youngling!" Prowl yelped, getting dragged out by his chevron. "That's sensitive!"
"Hey!" Jazz shouted, coming to his senses and chasing after the CMO and his mate. "What the frag, mech?"
"Shut up. I'm Santa Claus with an early Christmas present. One would think you'd be grateful as Wheeljack, Perceptor, Skyfire, and myself were up all fragging night working on Prowl's doorwings."
"You mean?" Prowl implied, jerking his head back out of Ratchet's grasp.
"It took some exceptionally delicate work from Perceptor but he managed to repair or replace all the damaged circuits," Ratchet smiled. "And with Wheeljack's ingenuity he used Skyfire's wing design to come up with a way to protect yours from the freezing cold."
"Meaning?" Jazz asked.
"Meaning no more frozen wings. Seekers wings are insulated against such things happening. Praxian wings are not."
"They've tried doing such things in the past to Praxians without any success," Prowl frowned.
"We're confident we got it to work," Ratchet continued. "Seems to be working just fine on Bluestreak's wings."
Both Jazz and Prowl shot Ratchet a shocked and worried expression.
"He volunteered. I guess he saw you escorting Prowl to your quarters. The kid was nearly in tears begging us to fix your wings. Alright, on the birth face down. Jazz…"
"Stays," Prowl stated leaving no room for discussion.
Ratchet growled softly but didn't argue.
"Just stay out of our way. What are you smiling at Jack?"
"Nothing," Wheeljack replied but his fins flashed merrily.
"We all know you care, Ratch," Jazz finally commented. "No need to act like a hard aft around us officers."
Ratchet simply grunted and started gathering all the necessary tools. Jazz remained out of the way and quiet. He did his best to appear relaxed and calm for Prowl's sake while on the inside he was wreck. He just prayed this worked because his spark couldn't take seeing Prowl so depressed.
"No need to put up a front for me, Jazz," Prowl spoke softly over their private comlink. "I'm nervous too."
"I'm simply returning the favor. How many times was I laying there and you were standing here?"
"More than I care to count. So, how much do you want to bet that Ratchet and Wheeljack are banging the bolts off each other?"
Jazz's surprised laughter erupted before he could stop it, receiving quizzical looks from both Wheeljack and Ratchet.
"Fragger."
"I fragged you this morning didn't I, so I guess you can call me a fragger," Prowl replied with a smug grin.
Jazz smiled, shaking his head feeling infinitely better that Prowl seemed like himself again. He felt blessed to be one of a few mechs that actually knew Prowl had such a wicked sense of humor and was glad to see it again.
"Ok Prowl I want you to bring the motor controls online only," Ratchet ordered.
Silence filled the room as Prowl sat up. Moments like this were always filled with some doubts despite all the confidence in their abilities. Each mech made their own sound or expression of relief the moment Prowl's doorwings fluttered to life. Jazz smiled, mesmerized as those wings flared out, shifting up and then down before fluttering and falling into a relaxed position on Prowl's back.
"Any discomforts in your joints?" Ratchet asked.
"A little stiff."
"All connections are strong, no feed backs or power surges, Ratch."
"Thanks, Jack. Moment of truth, bring your sensor relays online," Ratchet said, accessing Prowl's medical port in his forearm. "Jack move over here. I don't want anything behind him when he does this."
"Why?" Wheeljack asked.
"Sometimes bringing the sensor relays online after they've been offline for a long period of time can overload the sensors. It can be rather unpleasant for him," Jazz answered, moving to stand beside Ratchet.
"Whenever you're ready, Prowl," Ratchet said.
"Should I cease if I come across any errors?"
"No. You should only have one error pop up if we repaired them properly. I'm going to upload the code you need to cancel the error. "
"Very well, proceeding to online my sensor relays," Prowl said folding his wings down flat on his back, minimizing sensory input.
There was a long anxious moment before Jazz smiled as Prowl's doorwings slowly returned to their upright positions, fluttering each on in turn.
"They're slightly heavier," he commented. "And I have one error."
"Uploading the code," Ratchet said. "It will give you control of the insulation lining the inside of your doorwings. Too cold and you can keep the circuits warmer. Too hot and you can keep them cool."
"What about sensitivity?" Jazz asked.
"That's the final test," Wheeljack answered. "We made the repairs. How Prowl's systems react to the repairs depends. He could have an adjustment period."
"Which is why I'm keeping him on light duty still," Ratchet added.
"I have a series of test we can run now…"
"No need for tests," Jazz smirked, moving next to Prowl.
Ever so gently, Jazz caressed one of Prowl's doorwings. The reaction was instantaneous as Prowl shuttered, his engine revved, and a low possessive growl sounded in his throat.
"Oh, they're a bit extra sensitive right now," Jazz giggled, feeling the passionate heat emanating from his lover.
"Yes, I can see that," Ratchet remarked, glaring.
Jazz removed his hand quickly but his big smile never wavered. Ratchet merely rolled his optics and told them they were officially on vacation and to get the frag out of his medbay. The CMO even threw a wrench over their heads to make them move faster. For once, Prowl let go of some of his inhibitions and helped in their escape by carrying Jazz back to their quarters.
"How's your knee?" Prowl asked, holding Jazz close as they snuggled against one another on the berth.
"Doesn't hurt as much now when I walk."
"Think it will be well enough for a dance or two at the party tonight?"
Jazz blinked behind his visor, surprised.
"You still want to go?"
"I know it was important to you…"
"Only because I had planned on asking you to bond with me at the party though. I know with as sensitive as your wings are right now the music will bother you."
"I'm sure Blaster can turn down the music for an hour at the start," Prowl smiled, caressing Jazz's face. "Besides, what better way than to announce our intentions to bond to the crew."
"You know, you're not too bad at improvising yourself," Jazz smirked.
"When I comes to you, Jazz, I know I have to be ready for anything."
"That you do, babe," Jazz smiled, reaching for one of Prowl's beautiful doorwings. "That you do."
Day: Seven
Prompt: Frozen Doorwings
*Verse: G1
Rating: PG-13
*Words: 4824
Other Characters: Jazz, Prowl, Ratchet, Wheeljack, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, Bluestreak
Warnings: some heated fluff moments
Summary/Notes: Lame title. Sorry. Prowl's doorwings get injured on a recon mission. As told through Jazz's optics.
Day Seven: Frozen Doorwings
Jazz shifted uncomfortably from one leg to the other keeping his optics on the crew, making sure every bot was doing their duty. Inwardly, his processor was going over the list of things that still needed to be done for the Christmas party tomorrow on Christmas Eve. He wanted it to go off perfectly.
It had to.
Glancing down, Jazz pulled the object out of subspace for the fifth time during the past hour and his spark fluttered nervously, excitedly. It had each time he set his optics on the special object. He prayed to Primus it all went according to plan. He was nervous as it was. After all, it wasn't everyday you fell in love with your best friend and then decided to ask him to bond with you.
"I hope he stays out until after Christmas," Sideswipe whispered from across the room but Jazz still heard with those extra sensitive audio receptors of his.
"Same. The mech is such a scrooge all year round as it is," Sunny snickered. "He's worse during the holidays. Especially Christmas."
Jazz frowned, knowing exactly who the twins were talking about. He knew Prowl didn't give a mechano-rat's aft what the crew thought of him. But Jazz did. This was the mech he loved, the mech he would defend with his life if necessary. He knew intimately of the sacrifices Prowl had to make all for the good of the crew.
He admired the mech for that while at the same time reminding Prowl to live his own life as well. It took vorns for Jazz to break down those walls Prowl built around himself. It was all worth it. Their love was worth it. Jazz's only wish was that others could see Prowl for who he really was. Then maybe they'd understand.
In Jazz's optics too many of the crew took Prowl for granted.
The decision made, Jazz limped calmly over and stood between the twins. He cursed his knee for not having healed up yet. It was why he was on the command deck instead of Prowl. Jazz hated the fact that Prowl was out doing his job at the moment because Mirage and Bumblebee were also recovering from injuries. Frag the fact that Prowl used to be in special ops when he first joined the Autobots. Ops was Jazz's department and he took pride in his mechs getting the job done.
"For one day, I'd like to see the two of you attempt to do Prowl's job," he told them quietly. "Then maybe you'd respect him and what he sacrifices for us. Besides, you should be working not complaining."
"We do respect him Jazz. He is the SIC. We just wish he was…you know…more fun," Sideswipe smiled angelically.
"Prowl has his fun. You just aren't privileged to see it," Jazz smirked. "Now give me Prowl's latest update."
"Uh…do you have it Sunny?"
"No, I' haven't heard from Prowl."
"Prowl didn't report in and you didn't tell me?" Jazz asked.
"It's just Prowl. He can take care of himself."
"It's Prowl. He follows protocol to the letter which means he checks in promptly when scheduled. It's 11am a full hour after he was supposed to have checked in!" Jazz growled angrily, turning on his good leg he headed for Teletran's main console. "Teletran, when did Commander Prowl last contact us?"
"Last received transmission was precisely at 05:00 am as scheduled."
"Show me his current coordinates in relation to what they were at 5 this morning."
The map of the Arctic Circle popped up instantly with a blue blip indicating Prowl's location.
"He hasn't even moved a full mile?" Bluestreak commented from his station as all bots were looking at Teletran's main monitor.
"Jazz, a blizzard hit the area just after Prowl's last transmission," Hound said. "Apparently the winds shifted. No one predicted it would turn. And if that's not bad enough, reports have it as being the worst blizzard in recorded history."
"Prowl would have called for retrieval if he'd known a blizzard was coming in. Especially after what happened to him when he and Bluestreak got caught in the one last year," Jazz mused.
"Ouch," Bluestreak winced, his doorwings trembling at the memory. "Our doorwings had ice all over them. It was horrible and painful."
"Something must have happened. Try getting him on comms," Jazz ordered.
"Already did that. Prowl's not responding to hails on any frequency," Sideswipe said.
"Ratchet, Optimus report to the command deck," Jazz called, hitting the Ark's intercom system.
Twenty minutes later, Jazz found himself outside watching Skyfire lift off with Ratchet, Optimus, Ironhide and Hound in the cargo hold. He wanted desperately to go with them to see if his lover was ok. Not knowing Prowl's condition made him feel so useless.
Jazz hated being idle. Even more so when it was his own stupidity that caused him to be injured and removed from field duty.
Again he cursed his damaged leg and limped back inside. He couldn't go to get Prowl but he was going to make sure he stayed in contact with Optimus and his team. Nor would Jazz allow himself the luxury of relaxing during the duration of the retrieval mission. He couldn't if he tried anyway. He was far too worried for Prowl.
Of course when Optimus contacted them with an update Jazz wished more than anything he'd have gone.
Skyfire had to land before they reached the designated coordinates because the wind was too dangerous to fly in. The mechs ended up having to walk a six mile journey to Prowl's location. From there it only got worse for Jazz when Optimus said they had to dig to just get to Prowl.
"From what we can tell, the ice beneath his peds gave way, he fell into a crevice and got wedged in there," Optimus said. "The blizzard covered it up."
"Unfortunately, his doorwings took the brunt of the damage when he fell. Knocked him offline instantly," Ratchet continued. "In combination with the severe cold temperatures from this accursed winds, his repair systems put him into stasis to save his vital systems."
"What does that mean, exactly?" Jazz asked worriedly.
"I'll no more when we get him to the medical bay and properly thaw his doorwings and extremities."
Jazz opened a private line to Ratchet.
"Doc, what are you not telling me."
"His doorwings were damaged…the energon supply cut off. As you know that is perfectly normal for doorwinged mechs. It's a default in the repair systems of a Praxian. Prowl can go for nearly a full day like that if necessary so long as he doesn't continue to take damage. Only problem are these freezing cold temperatures. Even for a few hours…if the damage to the circuitry is too extensive I might not be able to save his doorwings."
Prowl without doorwings?
Jazz shuttered his optics. He didn't want to think of his beautiful Praxian that way. He couldn't imagine Prowl without doorwings. In fact, he'd never seen a Praxian without doorwings. Wings for a Praxian were akin to mechs needing a spark to live.
How would Prowl cope with no doorwings? Was it even possible?
Hours, later, Jazz remained outside the medical bay hoping and praying for the best while preparing himself for the worst. If Ratchet could save the wings then all would be well. If he couldn't then Jazz would accept it and do whatever necessary to help Prowl. After all, while Jazz was initially attracted to Prowl because of his magnificent doorwings, it was the drive within the mech's spark he loved most.
"You can come in now," Ratchet's voice quietly sounded over his internal comlink.
Jazz gathered himself up before limping into the medical bay. Prowl was nowhere to be seen but Ratchet emerged from one of the private rooms. Presumably that was where Prowl was so Jazz headed over.
"He's ok to be release now," Ratchet spoke quietly to Jazz as he intercepted him. "Someone should stay with him. Since you're restricted to light duty, I don't see why you can't look after him."
"Ratchet…"
"I've had to remove his doorwings," Ratchet frowned wearily, rubbing his faceplates. "He wasn't getting any sensory input or feedback of any kind. A lot of the circuitry was damaged due to being over exposed to the freezing temperatures. You know better than anyone how sensitive doorwing circuitry is."
Jazz nodded sadly. He did know having learned it the hard way when he accidentally damaged one of Prowl's doorwings when the pair had been being particularly playful in their foreplay. Nothing like killing the mood by causing your future mate pain.
"Are you going to be able to repair them?"
"We don't know yet," Ratchet sighed. "Perceptor and Wheeljack are examining them right now. I'm on my way to Perceptor's lab to see what I can do to help."
"How is he?"
Ratchet glanced at the open door for a long moment before answering Jazz.
"Just keep your optics on him. He's to recharge and bring him back first thing in the morning for a follow up exam. And NO over exertions."
"Honestly mech, that was the last thing on my processor right now," Jazz grumbled irritably.
"I know you Jazz. It doesn't take much to change the devious processor of yours. Just remember your maintenance exam is coming up and I can make it unbearable if you ignore my orders."
Right now Jazz would agree to anything if it got him in to see Prowl that much sooner. He respected Ratchet and appreciated the mech's handy work. But honestly, he could be over protective of his patients at times despite his cranky bedside manner.
Not knowing what to expect, Jazz put on his best smile before he entered the private medical room. His spark instantly ached with worry upon seeing the normally proud Praxian sitting there looking utterly dejected, slouching and…wingless.
"Hey Prowler," Jazz smiled, keeping that smile for Prowl through. "Ratchet says you're free to go. You ready to get out of here?"
Prowl nodded and slid off the bed. Once his peds hit the floor he started to fall forward.
"Whoa, take it slow, babe," Jazz murmured, holding Prowl up.
"Sorry. I'm used to walking with added weight on my back."
Jazz smiled sadly, "One step at a time then. Ok?"
Prowl nodded, relying on Jazz to support him for several steps until he managed to stay upright enough on his own. Even then, Jazz kept a hand on Prowl, ready to help the mech at a moment's notice as they walked slowly through the hallways. And with each step Jazz's worries seemed to intensify.
"What's wrong?" Jazz asked when Prowl looked over his shoulder for the fifth time since they left the medical bay.
"No sensors to tell me if someone is coming up behind me," Prowl mumbled softly. "I feel so…vulnerable."
"Nothing is going to harm you while I'm here," Jazz spoke softly, tenderly rubbing Prowl's lower back. "I won't let that happen. Promise."
Prowl nodded, keeping his head down.
Jazz's frown deepened. It wasn't like Prowl to not make optic contact with anyone no matter how pleasing or displeasing the conversation. For now Jazz decided not to pressure the dejected mech. Instead, Jazz talked about the Christmas Party plans.
The Party would still go on. He'd sent a text to Blaster to take over the moment Prowl entered the medical bay. Jazz just wasn't sure how to proceed with the original plans he'd made for him and Prowl as a couple. Their trip to warmer weather next week was presumably postponed due to Prowl's injuries. And with Prowl probably not in any kind of partying mood, Jazz wasn't sure how to propose to his mech now. But he was determined to find a way. Prowl was worth it.
"I apologize for ruining your plans for the Christmas party," Prowl spoke softly, head bowed down as he sat on the edge of his berth. "I know you were very excited and were very much looking forward to them."
"Plans change, babe. You know I can improvise and adapt better than any bot around. Besides what's important is that you're ok."
Prowl nodded slowly, head drooping even lower as he slouched down.
Jazz stood there, unsure what to do. He'd never seen Prowl this depressed before and it surprised him. Prowl was always so resilient, so strong. He was the Autobot's SIC, the rock they all relied on, including Jazz. Nothing ever seemed to faze him. Sure things bothered him but he always talked to Jazz about stuff when troubled or upset.
Right now, all Jazz wanted to do was hold his Prowl close and whisper to him that everything was going to be alright.
"I don't need to be watched over if you have more important things to attend to."
"I've no better place to be," Jazz smiled, deciding to sit beside Prowl. "Will you talk to me? Please."
"What's to talk about? I ruined your Christmas plans you had for us. Ratchet has confined me to the base so our vacation is off. Plus, he's not very optimistic about repairing my doorwings."
"He'll fix them. I know he will."
"And if he doesn't?" Prowl asked, finally making optic contact with Jazz. Jazz in turn felt his spark lurch painfully at the sorrowful expression on Prowl's normally stoic face. "It was…unsettling that I couldn't even feel them or move them. They were dead weight on my back. If I've lost them permanently, what does that mean for me and my position? What does it mean for us?"
"What are you talking about? You're still Prowl with or without the doorwings. You're still the Autobot's SIC, Optimus' right hand mech. We'll always need our tactician and friend."
"They are an integral part of who I am and you know that Jazz. I'm nearly blind without them. I'd be a liability on the battlefield. Plus…they are…they're what you love most about me."
"Is that what you think? That I'm in love with you because of your doorwings."
"You told me yourself they were what intrigued you when we first met, said there were hypnotic whenever they moved. You can never keep your hands off them. You always talk about them. Always caress them in that affectionate way to turn me on so we could interface. And now that I don't have them you haven't…you haven't really touched me except to keep me from falling. You're normally always so tactile especially whenever we're alone. I've…I've grown accustomed to your touch."
Jazz reached over and cupped Prowl's cheek, lifting his face back up.
"There's more to you than your doorwings that I love," he smiled fondly. "And I'm sorry about not touching you until now. I've been restraining myself."
"Restraining yourself?"
"My lover was hurt, he is hurting now, all I want to do is smother you with kisses but I'm afraid of hurting you."
Jazz tenderly nuzzled his nose against Prowl's cheek.
"Primus, I love you so much, Prowl," he whispered, holding the mech close in his arms. "I was so scared. The thought of losing you makes my tank churn and my spark tremble. I was so worried I would never get to tell you exactly what you mean to me."
"You tell me you love me every day," Prowl murmured, resting his helm on Jazz's shoulder. "As I love you."
"Those are merely words. They seem so inadequate to express the feelings I have for you deep within my spark. I've thought about this and I've decided. Prowl, my spark belongs to you, now, always, and forever. It's yours if you'll have it."
Jazz pulled the bonding gift from subspace and held it the palm of his hand for Prowl to see.
From the small gasp that sounded and the look in Prowl's optics Jazz knew the mech recognized the intricate design of the object d'art.
"It's beautiful," Prowl whispered.
"It is my gift to you. Prowl, will you bond with me?"
Prowl frowned, "This was part of your plans for tomorrow, wasn't it?"
"Yeah, I improvised," Jazz smirked. "Besides, this moment turned out far better than I imagined for our evening tomorrow."
"Oh? I haven't even given you an answer," Prowl remarked, raising an optic ridge.
"Your reaction spoke volumes. I know you like no other mech. I know your spark. With or without your doorwings, who you are here is what I love most," Jazz smiled warmly, pressing his hand against Prowl's chest over his spark.
"Then my spark is yours. It's always been yours," Prowl murmured, kissing Jazz, one hand tenderly stroking one of Jazz's sensitive horns.
"Hmm, you are breaking my will here mech," Jazz hummed into the kiss before he reluctantly pulled away. "Ratchet will have my skidplates if we go there. He gave specific orders."
"Fragger," Prowl sighed, opting to rest his head on Jazz's shoulder. "He'd know if we interfaced too."
"I still don't get how he knows just by looking at us," Jazz chuckled, laying down, pulling Prowl with him. "I'll never forget the look on your face though. Your face was so red! And the way your wings…"
Prowl's body instantly tensed up. Jazz couldn't stop his words in time and regret it with his whole spark.
"I'm sorry, babe," he whispered, tightening his arms around his lover.
"It's ok," Prowl sighed. "I need to start getting used to the idea of not having my doorwings anyway. I'll need to rearrange the patrol schedules for winter months. I'm not going to risk Smokescreen or Bluestreak getting caught with frozen doorwings."
"We'll get through this together. I promise."
"Ok," Prowl mumbled.
Jazz felt Prowl's systems dialing down as the mech slipped into recharge. He let out a shuddering sigh, trying to relax. Normally, Prowl was the more dominate partner between them, holding Jazz against him. Very rare were their roles reversed. Not that Jazz was weak or submissive. He simply understood Prowl's need to be in control and loved to assert himself to try to make Prowl lose control. The result was often a most processor blowing overload whenever they interface. He knew right now that Prowl felt like he had no control. Jazz honestly wasn't sure if he was strong enough to help Prowl through this.
"Please Primus, don't take his wings away," Jazz prayed quietly before falling into recharge.
The following morning Jazz woke to a heated body pressing firmly against his and warm, tender lips kissing his sensory horn repeatedly while whispered sweet loving words of affection. Jazz responded accordingly, his body waking, his own lips eagerly finding his lover's.
Ratchet's orders be damned. If his lover wanted to 'face then so be it. Besides, from the way Prowl's hands moved desperately over Jazz's plating the mech needed some kind of release. Far be it from Jazz to deny his lover. And for once, Jazz and Prowl were able to reach their peak of pleasurable bliss without said medic barging into their quarters at the worst time. This, despite the fact that they were now late for Prowl's morning visit.
Of course their serene moments of post overloading delight were short lived.
"For frags sake, can't you follow the simplest of orders!" their irate CMO snarled as the lovers lay content in their afterglow.
Still in a haze of bliss, the warmth of Prowl was suddenly moved from beneath Jazz's body. His systems that were cycling down for a post overload recharge halted, shocked and confused.
"Honestly, I'm not a youngling!" Prowl yelped, getting dragged out by his chevron. "That's sensitive!"
"Hey!" Jazz shouted, coming to his senses and chasing after the CMO and his mate. "What the frag, mech?"
"Shut up. I'm Santa Claus with an early Christmas present. One would think you'd be grateful as Wheeljack, Perceptor, Skyfire, and myself were up all fragging night working on Prowl's doorwings."
"You mean?" Prowl implied, jerking his head back out of Ratchet's grasp.
"It took some exceptionally delicate work from Perceptor but he managed to repair or replace all the damaged circuits," Ratchet smiled. "And with Wheeljack's ingenuity he used Skyfire's wing design to come up with a way to protect yours from the freezing cold."
"Meaning?" Jazz asked.
"Meaning no more frozen wings. Seekers wings are insulated against such things happening. Praxian wings are not."
"They've tried doing such things in the past to Praxians without any success," Prowl frowned.
"We're confident we got it to work," Ratchet continued. "Seems to be working just fine on Bluestreak's wings."
Both Jazz and Prowl shot Ratchet a shocked and worried expression.
"He volunteered. I guess he saw you escorting Prowl to your quarters. The kid was nearly in tears begging us to fix your wings. Alright, on the birth face down. Jazz…"
"Stays," Prowl stated leaving no room for discussion.
Ratchet growled softly but didn't argue.
"Just stay out of our way. What are you smiling at Jack?"
"Nothing," Wheeljack replied but his fins flashed merrily.
"We all know you care, Ratch," Jazz finally commented. "No need to act like a hard aft around us officers."
Ratchet simply grunted and started gathering all the necessary tools. Jazz remained out of the way and quiet. He did his best to appear relaxed and calm for Prowl's sake while on the inside he was wreck. He just prayed this worked because his spark couldn't take seeing Prowl so depressed.
"No need to put up a front for me, Jazz," Prowl spoke softly over their private comlink. "I'm nervous too."
"I'm simply returning the favor. How many times was I laying there and you were standing here?"
"More than I care to count. So, how much do you want to bet that Ratchet and Wheeljack are banging the bolts off each other?"
Jazz's surprised laughter erupted before he could stop it, receiving quizzical looks from both Wheeljack and Ratchet.
"Fragger."
"I fragged you this morning didn't I, so I guess you can call me a fragger," Prowl replied with a smug grin.
Jazz smiled, shaking his head feeling infinitely better that Prowl seemed like himself again. He felt blessed to be one of a few mechs that actually knew Prowl had such a wicked sense of humor and was glad to see it again.
"Ok Prowl I want you to bring the motor controls online only," Ratchet ordered.
Silence filled the room as Prowl sat up. Moments like this were always filled with some doubts despite all the confidence in their abilities. Each mech made their own sound or expression of relief the moment Prowl's doorwings fluttered to life. Jazz smiled, mesmerized as those wings flared out, shifting up and then down before fluttering and falling into a relaxed position on Prowl's back.
"Any discomforts in your joints?" Ratchet asked.
"A little stiff."
"All connections are strong, no feed backs or power surges, Ratch."
"Thanks, Jack. Moment of truth, bring your sensor relays online," Ratchet said, accessing Prowl's medical port in his forearm. "Jack move over here. I don't want anything behind him when he does this."
"Why?" Wheeljack asked.
"Sometimes bringing the sensor relays online after they've been offline for a long period of time can overload the sensors. It can be rather unpleasant for him," Jazz answered, moving to stand beside Ratchet.
"Whenever you're ready, Prowl," Ratchet said.
"Should I cease if I come across any errors?"
"No. You should only have one error pop up if we repaired them properly. I'm going to upload the code you need to cancel the error. "
"Very well, proceeding to online my sensor relays," Prowl said folding his wings down flat on his back, minimizing sensory input.
There was a long anxious moment before Jazz smiled as Prowl's doorwings slowly returned to their upright positions, fluttering each on in turn.
"They're slightly heavier," he commented. "And I have one error."
"Uploading the code," Ratchet said. "It will give you control of the insulation lining the inside of your doorwings. Too cold and you can keep the circuits warmer. Too hot and you can keep them cool."
"What about sensitivity?" Jazz asked.
"That's the final test," Wheeljack answered. "We made the repairs. How Prowl's systems react to the repairs depends. He could have an adjustment period."
"Which is why I'm keeping him on light duty still," Ratchet added.
"I have a series of test we can run now…"
"No need for tests," Jazz smirked, moving next to Prowl.
Ever so gently, Jazz caressed one of Prowl's doorwings. The reaction was instantaneous as Prowl shuttered, his engine revved, and a low possessive growl sounded in his throat.
"Oh, they're a bit extra sensitive right now," Jazz giggled, feeling the passionate heat emanating from his lover.
"Yes, I can see that," Ratchet remarked, glaring.
Jazz removed his hand quickly but his big smile never wavered. Ratchet merely rolled his optics and told them they were officially on vacation and to get the frag out of his medbay. The CMO even threw a wrench over their heads to make them move faster. For once, Prowl let go of some of his inhibitions and helped in their escape by carrying Jazz back to their quarters.
"How's your knee?" Prowl asked, holding Jazz close as they snuggled against one another on the berth.
"Doesn't hurt as much now when I walk."
"Think it will be well enough for a dance or two at the party tonight?"
Jazz blinked behind his visor, surprised.
"You still want to go?"
"I know it was important to you…"
"Only because I had planned on asking you to bond with me at the party though. I know with as sensitive as your wings are right now the music will bother you."
"I'm sure Blaster can turn down the music for an hour at the start," Prowl smiled, caressing Jazz's face. "Besides, what better way than to announce our intentions to bond to the crew."
"You know, you're not too bad at improvising yourself," Jazz smirked.
"When I comes to you, Jazz, I know I have to be ready for anything."
"That you do, babe," Jazz smiled, reaching for one of Prowl's beautiful doorwings. "That you do."