Solace

Coming to Terms

Life is complicated. Starscream misses Skyfire. Megatron is a mega jerk.

***

The room was alive with the sound of various microscopic networks hard at work. At his desk (which was slightly lower than his partner's, given the height difference), Starscream diligently worked to create the perfect sample of energon. Although he had waited until the very last minute to begin work on this project, he was going to pass his test. Primus be damned if anything should keep him from his place in the lab.

Behind him, the oversized giant of a mech Starscream so lovingly called his partner was doing... something. Every so often Starscream would spare a glance over his shoulder, curiosity taking over his desire to stay focused on the task at hand.

He could see nothing but Skyfire's huge limbs messing with something that was likely ten times smaller than himself. Every so often his wings would twitch with delight, doing the little up-and-down fluttering motion Starscream had grown to know so well.

Starscream ignored the fluttering in his chest and went back to his work. There was no time for workplace romance. No, he needed to focus.

He simply had to add a few drops of—

"Star, look!"

Starscream could've sworn the whole building shook with Skyfire's excitement as he rushed over to his lab partner. In his hands he held a plaque with both of their names welded into it.

'Dr. Starscream; Dr. Skyfire' it read.

"Err..." Starscream looked at the plaque then up at Skyfire, who was practically vibrating with joy. "What's that supposed to be?"

"It's for our office," Skyfire explained, gently placing the plaque into Starscream's servos. "You know, when we graduate? I'm sure the council will be dying to add us to their ranks."

The swirling guilt that weighed in Starscream's tank told him otherwise. What use would the council have for outliers like them? He was a war model, for Primus' sake. If anything, Skyfire would be hired the moment an opening came up for cheap transportation. The very thought caused rage to boil in Starscream's veins.

"You're right," Starscream stated, crossing his arms over his chest to prove that he had made up his mind. "We'll be the best scientists the council has ever met. We'll blow them out of the atmosphere with our brilliant minds."

"That's the spirit!" Skyfire cheered, giving Starscream a slap on the back. He was careful to avoid Starscream's wings. Not much time had passed since Starscream's scuffle with the "superior" students of the university.

"We need a name for ourselves," Starscream said, scratching his chin in thought. "Something unique. Something daring."

"We can be Vosiantists!" Skyfire cheered.

Starscream gave him a blank look. "...what?"

"You know, Vosian scientists?" Skyfire explained. "We'll be the first of our races to ever graduate from this place! We'll make our mark on the world, pave the way for mechs and femmes of all frame-types!"

"You've got that right!" Starscream said, a wide grin forming on his face. "But... what if we don't make it?"

Skyfire sensed the sudden change in mood immediately. He got down on his knees so he was level with Starscream and held the mech's face in his servos.

"We'll make it, Star," Skyfire assured him, pressing their helms together. "As long as we have each other, nothing can stop us."

*****