Solace

Sanctuary

Three days.

Starscream winced as he reached into his subspace for the small calendar he kept. Though he prided himself on refusing to lower his standards for most of the things earth's disgusting fleshies produced, Starscream had to admit that their annual calendars were quite remarkable. (He would never admit this, however.) It came in handy, especially when his mind was too occupied with more gruesome things that he had no free time to keep up with their own time cycle back on Cybertron.

It had been three days since Megatron unleashed a millennial's worth of pent up fury onto his poor, beloved second in command.

The mere thought triggered a flurry of memories that Starscream had struggled to keep at bay since the moment he had awoken that morning. Cue his shock and surprise to find himself strapped down to one of Knock Out's medical tables with dozens of wires hooked up to his entire being. It didn't take Starscream long before he remembered what exactly had occurred to land him in that predicament.

Violent images flashed in his mind. Starscream tightened his grip on the console he had so diligently been studying and closed his eyes, willing his thoughts to return to normal, everyday things.

Had he taken his daily ration of energon? No, there was no need. Knock Out must have pumped him full while he was still unconscious on the operating table. Just the thought of the resident medic struggling to fill his veins with a quarter of the amount of energon spilled at Megatron's servos caused Starscream's chest to swell with dread.

No. Starscream shook his head. Think of something different. Had he gone for a morning flight? Wait, he was still grounded for another week. Knock Out's orders, Starscream grumbled to himself. Well, what about an oil bath—oh right, they were still stuck on this blasted planet. Never mind, then.

The more he tried to distract himself with normal, domestic duties, the more Starscream found himself being transferred to that one moment, stuck under Megatron's mercy, desperately begging for his life, watching through tear-filled optics as his very own energon spilled freely from his chest—

"I'm going for a stroll," Starscream announced to no one in particular. He took a moment to gather up his wits and reassert his balance, as he suddenly realized that he was leaning quite heavily against the console, and it was causing random things to pop up on his screen.

Starscream shoved his way past a group of vehicons and tried his best to ignore Soundwave's gaze as the silent mech studied his every move. He walked down the hall with an air of authority, sending a quick glare to anyone who dared stare at his sleek frame for too long.

Whether by luck or by subconscious planning (Starscream knew which one, but preferred not to admit this to himself), he soon found himself outside of the medbay. He could hear Knock Out's smooth voice as he recounted one of his surgical procedures from that day as well as Breakdown's rumbling voice, who answered the red mech every so often. By the sound of clattering tools and furniture screeching against the floor, Starscream assumed that the pair of medics were quite busy. Good, he thought, pushing his way through the doors. For once in his life, Starscream would have rather not been at the center of attention.

"Good afternoon, doctor," Starscream greeted coolly. "And... assistant," he added with a quick glance at Breakdown, who gave an awkward wave in return. "I've come to seek out your opinion on a small matter."

"Oh?" Knock Out's voice still carried the suggestive lilt Starscream had gotten so used to, but he noticed that the medic refused to face him. "And what might this advice be regarding?"

"I'd like to go for a flight," Starscream said. With one servo still resting behind his back, he inspected the claws of his other servo, searching for something to keep his gaze occupied. "Nothing fancy. No tricks, no speed. Just enough of a flight for me to stretch my wings."