TF: A Little Help
Rating: PG
Series: G1
Pairings: Prowl/Smokescreen
Summary: Prowl is working too hard. And Smokescreen is determined to help him. If Prowl will let him.
Warnings: None
Disclaimer: As per usual, the good things in life are not mine to have, but belong to someone else... in this case Hasbro, Takara and IDW and anyone else I’ve forgotten…
Authors Notes: This is for the tf_rare_pairing weekly requests, prompt Prowl/Smokescreen - Bend. And I completely skewed the meaning of bend. I was hoping for something a little… racy, but they had other ideas.
Feedback makes friends. Flames dealt with by the masters of paranoia and fire, Red Alert and Inferno.
“Perhaps if you just…”
“No.”
“You didn’t even let me finish.”
“I knew exactly what you were going to say.”
“Oh, did you now?” Smokescreen actually glared at Prowl. “Then enlighten me, what was I going to say?” Prowl opened his mouth to reply, but didn’t say anything. His doorwings slumped from their upright position.
“I didn’t know what you were going to say.” He admitted quietly, much to Smokescreen’s surprise.
“I was going to say, perhaps if you just lighten up a little and let me help where I can…” Smokescreen ventured carefully.
“Perhaps you’re right.” Smokescreen cycled his optics. He could count on one hand the number of times Prowl had said that to him.
“Prowl, are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” Prowl nodded, but his doorwings drooped further. Smokescreen raised an optic ridge and grabbed Prowl’s arm, tugging him towards the sofa in his office.
“What’s wrong?” He asked, concern lacing his tone.
“Are you asking me as our resident psychologist?” Prowl asked wryly.
“No, I’m asking as your partner.” Smokescreen answered, sitting down next to Prowl, turning slightly to face him. Prowl nodded, but didn’t say anything.
“You’re exhausted.” Smokescreen started for Prowl. “You’ve got too much work on and you’re not giving yourself enough time to rest and relax.”
“I don’t need to relax…” Prowl protested.
“Prowl, I’ve barely seen you over the last few weeks.” Smokescreen murmured, some of the hurt at not seeing his lover leaking into his tone.
“Smokescreen, I…”
“No excuses Prowl. I know you have a job to do, but frag…” Smokescreen scrubbed a hand across his chevron. “I can help you out. I know I’m not as good at tactics as you, but I can still do it.”
“Are you sure?” It was the closest Smokescreen had ever got to appreciation of his own tactical abilities. And the fact that Prowl was allowing him to help just showed how overwhelmed he was. Not that he’d ever admit it of course, but Smokescreen could read him like an online datapad.
“Of course I’m sure.” Smokescreen nodded, reaching out to take hold of Prowl’s hand. “We’re partners Prowl. And a relationship is about give and take. About helping each other out. What sort of partner would I be if I didn’t help you out?” Prowl stared at him, not entirely sure what to say. In lieu of speaking, he squeezed Smokescreen’s hand, silently thanking him.