Inevitable (Megatron x FEM/OC)

Chapter 52 - Saudade

Time was a relative thing to Cybertronians and Blackout was neither an exception nor adherent to such a fact.

The decepticon wasn't above the limit of mortality, but, instead, irrevocably bound by it weather he liked it or not.

The hunter loathed that knowledge, not because human life ended so quickly, but because he'd live to experience an existence without her to occupy it. The very thought plagued his processor frequently in quiet moments void of her voice.

Ruby optics flicked over the tree line with lethal precision and practiced calculation. His sights narrowed a fraction as he stalked the perimeter, processor turning over and computing all the information intake.

The small mass of warmth in his hold stirred, causing his gaze to pan down for a klik to observe the small femme secured close to his chassis, just above his spark chamber.

Lauren shifted closer, curling in on herself in her slumber. The mech's warmth served as a safety blanket, allowing her a desperate moment of restful sleep. A rare occurrence in recent times. A drowsy mumble escapes her throat as a hand absently roamed his chest plate as though subconsciously reassuring herself that she wasn't alone-- that he hadn't left.

The con responded in kind, his spark molding to her subconscious needs without question.

Ruby optics snapped up to attention when a familiar signature entered his field. His sights found Dispatch emerging from the forest, sights narrowed.

"Report." Blackout barked lowly in their native tongue, his hold upon Lauren never wavering as his spark thrummed in beat with the rhythmic pulse of her heart. The action allowed him an odd sense of peace.

Dispatch glared, shifting some of his weight to lean upon the trunk of a tree. "The femme has no idea. Does she?" The question came out pointed, almost accusatory with the mech getting his answer when no answer came at all. "What do you think he'll do if he finds his way here? Because you know he will. What happens if--"

"Nothing will come of his presence. He will be offline before any such thing." The hunter growled threateningly, chassis rumbling absolutely.

"You're so sure." Dispatch bit back indignantly.

Blackout subconsciously hunched forward slightly, his helm lowering in clear warning as his frame shielded his charge. He was ready at a nanokilks notice to jump into battle and if he did not come out the victor, he would offline himself and neutralize the threat.

That he was sure of.

Ruby optics narrowed dangerously at the mech's implication. "I will be sure to terminate you and your insinuations if you do not cease." The words came out in English, tone dripping with promise. His spark bristled, irritation flaring.

"I continue to be correct." The broad mech stated flatly, allowing a beat of tense silence to pass. "Shutter has not been near these coordinates. Not yet."

The hunter diverted his red gaze toward the femme in his hold, a talon curled over her form to gently trail her scalp, causing her to stir, but not wake. "Keep scanning frequencies or are your systems that damaged?" The Cybertronian left his vocalizer with an air of enmity, optics pointedly scanning over the mech, noting and filing away the apparent damage he donned.

His processor distantly whispered that she could fix him.

Dispatch growled lowly, posturing himself openly as though to drive home his displeasure, but he did not refute it.