Birds Of A Feather - Tumblr Posts

“so maybe in like 2 years, he’ll get like the two or three strums” [x]

ship ask game !!! jamie/trevor

DO NOT get me started on these two!! my babies. my raison d'etre. 90% of the reason behind my blog name. i spent an entire afternoon scrolling their tag on hockeyblr and came away utterly devastated. have not recovered since.

officially, makes sense and compels the heck out of me. extrovert4introvert, rivals to lovers, idiots in love, they've got it all. part of the reason they work so well is bc trevor is a big ole softie under that cannot-shut-up in-your-face exterior and jamie despite being quiet can be snarky and funny in the most unexpected ways. terribly codependent and yet very sweet married couple vibes. not to mention the fic-worthy dramatic fallout from jamie getting traded and trevor going off the rails aka one of my top ten favourite tropes in romance novels. i'm still hoping they'll be put back together someday.

send ship asks!

- Clementine Von Radics

and when jamie gets home, he's gonna tell trevor 'let me look at your tooth" and gently take his face in his hands as he looks and trevor is going to shiver and stare at jamie's face so so close and think 'thank god i get to keep him for another three years'

help what game is this from

how could I not include Trevor’s iconic

“we’re good baby, we’re good baby”

like Jamie is out here defending Trevor’s honor by going after the guy who tried to hit him and trevor pulls up immediately grabbing at him, wrapping his arm around jamie’s shoulders and says ‘we’re good baby’ NOT ONCE, BUT TWICE. just to offer some reassurance that he’s okay, we’re okay.

but the hilarious part of all of this is the opposing player who’s stuck front row being a third wheeler to all of this. he was just doing his job, grabbing his guy (trevor) but trevor wanted to grab his guy. trevor wanted to grab his jamie. so this sharks player is just awkwardly holding onto Trevor’s arm while he basically back-hugs jamie

to me that is cinema

its like, the beginning and end of it all, innit?

and then the fucking clip where trevor is skating around the circle of the pack where he cant see the iPad the coach is showing them, trying to find a spot - so what does jamie do, fucking grabs him by the scruff of his god damn jersey and PLOTS HIM IN FRONT OF JAMIE (or next to him? i don't remember) so trevvy can see the play (that likely he is going to be the one executing anyway lmao)

help, don't make me watch old videos of them on the gulls today. ;[

Birds of a Feather previous / next

Birds of a Feather previous / next

Birds of a Feather previous / next

Birds of a Feather previous / next

hobismorning.com 

💕Positivity prime time! Share five things you love about yourself, four things you're excited about, OR three people you care deeply about and why. Pass this along to someone whose posts make you smile💕

CA-CAW BISH 💙

CA-CAW BINCH! 💙

Thank you for sending this, ya cutie! I didn't feel like writing about myself so I uh did this instead 👉👈 hehe I hope it spreads some positivity regardless.

Silly drabble, 600~ words.

Sebastian smoothed the sheet of parchment over the desk and reviewed his work with a small nod of satisfaction. Curfew was near, and the library was deathly silent save for the near-constant stream of dark mutterings coming from the girl beside him. Aurélie, for all her beauty, humour, and charm, was a force to be reckoned with when she was in a bad mood, and after an entire day of being grumbled, glared and snapped at, Sebastian was quite ready to put a stop to it. 

'Right,' he said decisively, squinting at his untidy scrawl. 'Are you ready?' 

'No.'

'First question —' 

'I still don't understand how this is going to help!' 

Not for the first time in his life, Sebastian thanked whatever higher power had given him a twin sister and thus a lifetime of experience dealing with the wildly shifting moods of girls: Anne was certainly a  formidable foe when she was upset, but even the volatile temper of a Sallow paled in comparison to that of a French girl when she woke up on the wrong side of the bed.

Still, vast experience notwithstanding, he exhaled a deep, slow breath before calmly explaining, for the third time in a row, ‘It's called practising gratitude. It's supposed to help you shift your mood so you feel better.'

'Fine,' Aurélie pouted, slumping lower in her chair. 'Ask the stupid questions.'

‘First,’ he began, referring to the list of prompts he'd compiled. 'List five things you love about yourself.' 

'Five?' she shrieked, bolting upright as if he'd just assigned her a twelve inch essay on the history of flobberworms. 'Pass. Next.'

'We'll come back to that one, then, shall we?' he said through his teeth. 'Share four things you're excited about.'

'Going to bed,' she muttered. 

Sebastian scribbled it down. 'And?' 

'That's it.'

Unwilling to concede defeat until he at least drew out a single, tiny, begrudging smile from her, he went on. 'Next question. Three people you love deeply.'

'Shoes.'

'Shoes are not people, Aura.'

'Shoes are a girl's best friend.'

'That's diamonds!' 

'Those, too. Write that down.'

'Alright.' With mounting frustration, he added "shoes" and "diamonds" to the list of people she loved. 'Who else? Real people, Aura.'

'Celeste,' she offered, leaning forward to watch him write her best friend's name on the list. 

'And? Come on, you might play the part of World’s Most Aloof Ravenclaw, but I know for a fact you love more than just one person…' 

'Hmm, Poppy. And Esme! And Jean, and Siobhan. And Lory, Cordelia, Tessa, Rosalie, Gibby, Allegra. Ummm...' She paused to catch her breath while Sebastian's quill flew across the parchment, struggling to keep up. 'Johanna, Calypso, Matty, Eleanor, Ariane, Winter, Alyn. Oh, and Artemis, and Lydia! And Violet and Pearl, and Eloise, both of them —' 

When finally she found herself out of names, Sebastian reviewed the long list with a bemused expression. ‘All these friends and you can't think of a single nice thing to say about yourself. Anyway —’ He shook his head and turned to look at her, ‘— you're missing someone.'

'Oh?' she frowned, critically eyeing the list of names. ‘No, I don't think so.’

'Mhm. A certain charming, good-looking, highly intelligent, freckled someone.'

'Oh!' She smacked her palm to her forehead. 'You're right! Garreth Weasley.'

Sebastian nearly choked on his tongue. 'I'm not writing Garreth fucking Weasley under "people you love deeply"', he refused, throwing his quill down. 

'Oh, but he's so friendly.'

‘No,’ he said flatly. 

‘Alright, alright, grum-py. How about this?’ With an impish grin, she picked up his quill and, in a long, elegant script, wrote “Sebastian Sallow” across the top of the parchment. 

Sebastian narrowed his eyes. ‘You couldn't have put me first?’ he grumbled.

‘I could've,’ she replied, smiling for the first time that day. ‘But it's much more fun making you jealous.’

🦋 Featuring my loves and some of Aura's AU besties: @sallowsangel @sallowslove @sloanesallow @lorriiraine @2centniffler @gingerlegacy07 @mianeryh @galaxiasgreen @lyworth @ravenwind-75 @dwightschrute11 @girl-named-matty @endless-starlight-legacy @yoshitsuno @moonstruckmoony @ps-cactus @polarisgreenley @esolean @vienguinn @myokk @thesuperiorfeeling

- I've been blossoming alone over you

Mitski, “Pink in the Night” / jhart / Yahoo Sports / Billie Eilish, “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” / X / Delaware Online / Sports Illustrated College  / Hanif Abdurraqib, “In This Scene” / ESPN / New York Post / jalenbrunson1 / New York Post / jhart / Yahoo Sports / New York Post / New York Magazine / Getty / Getty / “Like a Kennedy” by @yaerine / Taylor Swift, “Gold Rush” /  Mary Oliver, “Thirst” / Athlon Sports

inspired by this heartwrenching (yet lovely) web weave by @novaknicks 

tried to source all the images but the ones that aren’t linked are probably ones I saw on @abruiseblue @comebckszn @cazluvsu @simplechange blogs so thank y’all !! and credit to thee sports rpf bible @its-always-silly-season for the poems and general lore im not even a nyk fan but I do have a soft spot in my heart for dubs legend donte divincenzo which by extension includes his bfs now lol. wishing him well in minny or wherever he ends up ! 💌

kofi request for @/touyacentric on twitter; Hawks and Tokoyam enjoying yakitori together uwu

happy one year to chapter four of this wonderful fic from PST(pacific standard time)!! i only found out about this fic yesterday and it’s been my obsession for that past day,,,,,it warms my heart

Birds of a Feather 4/?

Previous Part AO3 Link

The warmth on his chassis was not surprising this time but still unsettling. 

Starscream narrowed his optics at the recharging minicon, her field entirely content and borderline smug. 

It was a sly trick she had pulled, and while the gesture had been a comforting one, Starscream was not at all pleased in being manipulated to Laserbeak’s wants. Clearly, she missed Soundwave and craved closeness. It was why she had latched onto Starscream, following him around like a lost sparkling. In truth, he was just an approximate, a convenient placeholder. It was not an arrangement meant to last.

And so, it wouldn’t do to grow too complacent on the matter.  

With no hesitation, the seeker raised a servo to deftly flick the top of Laserbeak’s helm, waking the snoozing cassette. Perhaps it was cruel after such kindness displayed the night prior, but Starscream was not the coddling, nurturing type. It just simply wasn’t in his coding.

The immediate squawk was expected and so was the angry trailing beeps that followed, but even now out of recharge, Laserbeak remained firm against Starscream’s chassis. Stubbornly so. Optics daring him to repeat the offending action. 

“Go,” Starscream hissed, nudging the cassette’s side. “This is not going to be a thing.”

Laserbeak glared her optics at Starscream but after a lengthy klik, removed herself all the same and took to the air, circling the room slowly. 

::Why not? Records indicate you received peaceful recharge with berthmates.::

Embarrassment flooded Starscream’s field as the minicon let out a series of laughing beeps. He almost, nearly retorted back, wanting to demand where the pesky annoying sneak got that intel, but there was one clear answer. The very idea, whether true or not, that Soundwave was privy to his interfacing habits was beyond humiliating, nevermind invasive. 

Laserbeak seemed to take pity on Starscream, drifting closer and offering a friendly, warm field that brushed against him.

::It is a joke.::

“Right,” Starscream muttered, pulling himself from the berth. “A poor one at that. Did Soundwave teach you that one?”

An interesting series of emotions crossed Laserbeak’s field, each too quick and short to read before the field was retracted all at once. 

::No, just overheard jokes from vehicons.::

“Figures Breakdown would teach them such crass humor,” Starscream sneered. “Actually, that’s probably Knock Out’s doing.” Starscream almost smiled as he watched Laserbeak come to hover beside him, inching closer to land on his shoulder. “You know, I bet Soundwave would jump right out of his stassis if he heard you speak like that.”

Indignation was sharp in the cassette’s field. Starscream patted Laserbeak lightly on the helm.

“There, there, no need to get all defensive over him.” Laserbeak’s field shifted to something softer, more somber. A kern of sympathy bloomed in Starscream’s chassis that he immediately pushed down. Still, with a not unkind tone, Starscream said, “Refuel, then we can see where Knock Out stands with him.”

--

A not entirely unfortunate rhythm began: refuel, update from Knock Out, shift, refuel, then recharge. Laserbeak, a near constant companion. 

As much as Starscream had tried to put boundaries between himself and the minicon, she continued to worm her way as a fixture in his life. Persistence and determination were often qualities Megatron boasted about Soundwave, but it appeared those qualities had been taken on by the cassette as well. By the time a whole earth week had passed, Starscream had come to expect his little shadow’s presence.

He wasn’t an idiot; Starscream knew the grieving cassette was trying to distract and fill the void in her spark while Soundwave remained offline and unmoving in the medbay. Still, he couldn’t deny that a small part of him was beginning to enjoy the company. 

It felt good to not be so alone anymore, whether that had been his choosing or not. Maybe, he too was also filling the space that had been left behind long, long ago. He tried not to put too much weight behind the companionship, knowing it was only a temporary arrangement. Soundwave would wake, for that he had to remain certain. And once their TIC was back on his pedes, Laserbeak’s clingy presence would be no more. It was never meant to last for more than was strictly necessary and to expect anything more was foolish. For now, he would simply enjoy the company. 

--

Mining operations were back in full swing. In truth, activity had only been halted for three cycles in the wake of Soundwave’s grievous injury. As much as it had shaken up the entire Decepticon force, securing the mines and their energon wells were of utmost importance while they regrouped and plotted their next move. Starvation was not an option. Neither were leaving the mines defenseless, should the Autobots decide to make their move.

As much as Starscream was rue to admit it, Breakdown had done a fine job in training up the vehicons. Even with his lengthy absences in assisting Knock Out in the medbay, his orders were upheld and followed unwaveringly. The vehicons had resumed their positions with ease and little incident, bringing the mines back to full operation in less than a cycle. As far as ongoing operations since Soundwave’s absence, it was the most successful, if not the only successful one.

Admittedly, Starscream had neglected his typical duty of routine inspection. In dealing with the fall out with their failed encounter with the Autobots and inadvertently taking on Soundwave’s workload, it was just one of many things that had fallen to the wayside. 

Laserbeak had pointed it out the nightcycle prior, tsking at him in faux disappointed beeps before clearing his schedule to allow the time to catch up on his lesser responsibilities. She also insisted on tagging along, despite her own duties on the bridge. She happily explained how she subrouted all feeds to the various vehicons on bridge duty, leaving the main feeds to be remotely monitored by her background processes while out on the field.

::It’s called multi-tasking:: she pointed out in a teasing jest as they exited through the groundbridge. 

“I didn’t think your simple processor could handle such a taxing venture,” Starscream drawled. Despite his words, their fields mingle together pleasantly. 

::Maybe for the typical drone, but I’ve had upgrades::

“ Really now?” Starscream raised an optic ridge.

::Soundwave did them vorns ago. He did not see the purpose of me being stunted by my built when I’m capable of much more.::

There was…something charming in the notion. He could picture Soundwave’s long, slender digits working on Laserbeak. Her frame was small and slight, finding the right components to fit but not weigh her down would have been a fun challenge. He wondered if Soundwave had viewed the task as anything other than for the purposes of function alone. He knew that was false. As much as he may like to objectify and brutalize Soundwave and his motives, evidence had shown time and time again the genuine affection and care he held for his cassettes. Even if his emotions were hidden behind that dark visor and muted by a vow of silence, Soundwave was not as callus and objective as he may want to appear. He may enjoy the wide berth his unusual frame gave him and may find value in the distance he had created with everyone else, but beneath it all, Soundwave was still Cybertronian. He still had emotions. He still cared. 

“I’m glad he held so much foresight,” Starscream said, to which Laserbeak trilled happily. 

A cough echoed through the mine. Starscream stopped mid-step and looked forward to see Breakdown and two vehicons staring back at them. 

“What are you doing here?” Starscream sneered as the larger mech. “Hadn’t Knock Out insisted your presence was vital?” Beside him, Laserbeak squawked in agreement.

Breakdown was nonplussed by Starscream’s vitriolic tone. Instead, he looked more confused, optics darting between him and Laserbeak.

“Just taking a short break to check on the workers.” He tilted his helm in a gesture towards the vehicons. “We are waiting for some of the welds to integrate on Soundwave. We don’t want to overstrain ‘em with continuous work. K.O.- Knock Out is taking the break to do inventory.”

Starscream highly doubted Knock Out was doing any actual work on this supposed break, let alone inventory . Then again, the seeker couldn't really blame him. Knock Out hadn’t truly received a break since Soundwave landed on his medberth, working tirelessly around the clock on Megatron’s orders. Starscream had seen the evidence on his frame, not nearly as sleek and shiny as he knew the mech preferred. 

“I see.” Starscream could acknowledge that made plenty of sense but having to delay Soundwave’s recovery at all was bothersome. “Then I suppose you have a status report to give here?”

Breakdown snapped his attention back to Starscream before he gently nudged one of the vehicons forward. The vehicon looked back at Breakdown and got a reassuring nod before he fully turned to address Starscream. 

Dutifully, the vehicon gave his report. His vocalizer spat static out a few times as he began but slowly, confidence took over and soon Starscream was tuning out the droning detailed report. He caught Breakdown’s optics again, watching them shift curiously between himself and Laserbeak who found refuge on Starscream’s shoulder once more.

As soon as the vehicon finished his report, Starscream waved him away. Whatever the report was, he knew Laserbeak had recorded it and she would let him know of anything of importance. From what he gathered, everything was up to normal standards.

Starscream was ready to call the excursion to a close when a soft click got his attention. His optics snapped back to Breakdown who still had that puzzled look on his faceplates.

“It’s good to see you two getting along,” Breakdown finally said, a slight smile ticking up the corner of his lips. His optics shifted as he addressed Laserbeak. “Happy you both can keep each other company.”

Starscream bristled despite Laserbeak’s field warming around him. He hadn’t considered that growing closeness had been noticed by others. There was an inherent vulnerability in making alliances and connections, and having those connections observed by others. So Starscream did what he did best: deflect.

“Perhaps she’s the only one on that infernal ship that can actually hold an intellectual conversation.”

Whatever his intended effect with that statement was, fell short and Breakdown gave a half shrug.

“Whatever works for you.” And then, Breakdown had the audacity to turn pede and head back towards the group of vehicons. Without being dismissed.

Laserbeak snickered beside him in a vibrating series of beeps. ::Aw, you mean that?::

“Careful, bitlet,” Starscream snapped back lightly, “anymore backtalk and I’ll put you on mining duty.”

Laserbeak laughed again, nudging her helm playfully against Starscream’s neck. ::Then your intellectual stimulation will be in the servos of grounders and Dreadwing. Might as well put your processor into hibernate and save yourself the trouble.::

Starscream snorted as Laserbeak initiated the groundbridge remotely. Perhaps she did have a point.

--

Flying together had become a regular activity. Despite the clear differences in their flight capabilities, Laserbeak always insisted on coming along. She seemed more than content to follow as much as she could until Starscream reached a speed and altitude too straining for her frame. From there, she was happy to watch and leave commentary in his comms. 

Starscream would be lying if he didn’t enjoy the entire interaction immensely. So much that maybe he was giving her lessons. He doubted Soundwave did any fancy flying and the notion of Laserbeak performing aerials next time she flew with the stoic Third was far too amusing. 

He had been halfway through the process of teaching her to barrel roll when a comm ping interrupted his very important lesson. 

::Commander Starscream:: Dreadwing’s subglyphs were just as bored and stilted as he sounded in the metal. ::Your attention is required on the flight deck.::

Starscream nearly snapped back, but knew, unlike most mechs on this ship, Dreadwing didn’t bother with nonsensical frivolous annoyances. Mostlikely, whatever did require his attention was actually important. 

From their position circling high above the Nemesis, he could see the deep, impatient blue of Dreadwing waiting for him.

::We’ll resume this another time:: Starscream sighed over his private comm with Laserbeak. She gave a hum of acknowledgement and followed as they returned back to the flight deck.

If Dreadwing was annoyed by his flying break, his neutral faceplates did not show it. However, an optic ridge rose high as Laserbeak caught up and hovered beside Starscream.

“I see,” Dreadwing let out a heavy exvent. “I didn’t mean to interrupt .” The snide sarcasm around the word was not missed by Starscream but he knew Dreadwing was far more annoyed by being ignored than taking his bait. 

“Don’t worry you little processor over it,” Starscream beamed as Dreadwing’s grimace deepened. “What required my urgent attention?”

Dreadwing produced a datapad from his subspace. “Sign off orders. I’d rather get these handled immediately.”

Starscream rolled his optics but took the datapad and begun skimming the text. It was banal, boring and very regulatory. He signed off on it immediately, groaning as he saw three more queued up.

Dreadwing was not impressed with his lack of enthusiasm. “Not all of us can have the luxury of playing with pets when work needs to be done.”

Laserbeak squawked, her field flaring up with anger. Agitation curled its claws on the back of Starscream’s neck as he deftly signed off on the remaining work orders without so much as a glance. 

“Polishing Megatron’s aft can only captivate a mech for so long. It’s amazing you’ve kept up the stamina. Your glossa must be chafing. But as you say, the work needs to be done.” Starscream tossed back the datapad with little care if Dreadwing actually caught it. The larger seeker fumbled it for a moment but ultimately secured it in his servos. “Get to it, Dreadwing.”

Without so much as a look back, Starscream walked off, wings held high. Laserbeak was still fuming beside him but followed along.

::You don’t have to fight my battles.::

Starscream shrugged lazily. “Maybe it wasn’t for you.”

Laserbeak’s field quieted, the anger draining away as she took her position on his shoulder.

::I’m not a pet.::

“I’m aware. Pets are far more obedient and less chatty. I wouldn’t take anything Dreadwing says as an insult. He would have to matter for that to affect you and he is far beneath us both .”

Laserbeak considered this for a moment, tiny engine humming. ::Soundwave’s file for Dreadwing marks the mech as capable and reliable.::

“Even dear, poor Soundwave is prone to mistakes. Shocking, I know. We’ll just have to alert him of this error in his files when he awakes. I’m sure he’ll be more than happy to make the correction.”

Soundwave was not one for petty actions, but Starscream found himself amused at the notion of an angered Soundwave taking revenge. He’d probably be far classier in his approach than say Knock Out or Starscream himself, but the idea of still tantalizing to mull over.

Laserbeak pressed her helm to Starscream’s. There were no words, but the waves of gratitude kept Starscream in a good mood for the rest of his shift.

--

There were only a few times in the following cycles that Laserbeak left Starscream’s side. All of them, during his one on one meetings with Megatron.

Granted, these meetings used to have a third and while several mecha had offered themselves up, Megatron was not interested in replacing Soundwave. Each time a new offer came forward with bold promises of efficiency and picking up the slack, Megatron snarled and bared his denta until they skirted away. While Megatron may have replaced Starscream before and threatened the action too numerous a time to count, the warlord could not bring himself to do so with his loyal third. It wasn’t just a position of immense power and responsibility, but it was a position that belonged to Soundwave. Replacement, even temporary, would be finalizing the truth of his severe condition in a way Megatron was clearly not ready to. Starscream couldn’t say he was much for the idea either.

However, Starscream wasn’t sure how long this could continue. As much as he was hoping for Soundwave’s speedy recovery, it was anything but swift. A deca-cycle had passed since the incident and Soundwave still remained offline. Knock Out’s progress was coming along, but it was slower than any of them had expected. They could only operate without a TIC for so long.

As it was, Megatron and Starscream had found a sort of equilibrium in these meetings. An equilibrium born out of necessity, rather than any amicable feelings. It was tenuous and strained, but ultimately productive. Megatron seemed continuously surprised, though he never commented on the matter. Starscream himself wondered if he could grow used to working like this, even if it meant bowing to Megatron.

The rest of the crew was equally in awe and confusion. Several vehicons had entered the meeting room, surely expecting bloodshed only to find the two of them snarling at each other over resource allocation or bickering in low, even tones over shift schedules for the mining operations. Borderline a respectful debate than a true fight. On one rare occasion, one of the vehicons was even graced with Megatron haunting laughter at a simpering joke Starscream had made. Laserbeak had caught wind of it as gossip spread across the ship like wildfire. She had teased Starscream over his apparent change in spark well into the night cycle before they both fell into recharge. 

Right now, their meeting, while far more civil than anything prior to Soundwave’s absence, was stalemated by an argument. Megatron’s optics were in dangerous slits, denta bared menacingly. 

“Just because you think you know better, Starscream-”

“I don’t think, I know . You are blinded by Prime and your vengeance and that’s fine but consider other options than facing head on again and again. It clearly isn’t working out for you. He’s proven to be a weakness and-”

“ Weakness -“

A soft ping echoed through the room. Both Megatron and Starscream reeled back, realizing that they had been hissing at each other across the table. Silence engulfed the room as Starscream settled back in his seat and flattened out his ruffled plating. Megatron unclenched his jaw with a sharp click and let his tense frame relax. They gave each other a small acknowledging nod. No point in getting heated over nothing, especially an argument they’ve had since the damn near beginning of their infernal four million year long war with the Autobots.

With quiet exvent, Megatron sat back in his own chair and accepted the pinging request, queuing the doors to open. 

To Starscream’s surprise, Laserbeak entered. While he had grown far used to her presence, he’s never disclosed that information with Megatron. He watched with cautious optics as she entered the room, making a beeline for Megatron. 

The warlord held out his servo for her expectantly, any lingering anger previously filling his form fading away at her presence. Laserbeak was quick to perch herself on his claws, as if they had done this many times before. 

They probably had done this many times before.

Panic settled in Starscream’s tanks as his processor raced through all the possible simulations and probabilities. 

Soundwave was a master of intel, and this included espionage. He was the Decepticon Spymaster for a reason. Surely, his cassette was also equipped with such talents. Soundwave never did anything in half measures, so surely he made sure Laserbeak was just as skilled in the art of intel gathering and deceit. Had he truly misjudged Laserbeak’s intentions and she had been spying on him this entire time? Using his kindness as a means to gather intel, to keep him in line? Burrowing into his spark only to stab him in the back?

Betrayal was quick to corrode his intake, creeping up until it coated his glossa. 

“I was wondering where you’ve been,” Megatron greeted in a softer, quieter tone. 

Laserbeak must’ve answered through a private comm link as the warlord’s optics darted over to Starscream, eyeing the seeker up and down. “ Really ?”

The affirmative beep from Laserbeak was chipper as the little drone nuzzled Megatron affectionately. Megatron looked in a mixture of confusion and disbelief, but allowed the affection. 

“I’m… glad you are keeping your optics on the situation,” Megatron praised hesitantly. When Laserbeak hummed happily in response, he added, “Never hurts to have someone watching Starscream.”

Starscream swallowing the biting remark locked behind his denta. His optics narrowed but he otherwise remained silent. Clearly, Megatron had been unaware of their newly found friendship. He wasn’t sure that was exactly a better option than thinking he had been betrayed, but the tightness in his spark eased and relief caused his struts to relax. 

Whatever Laserbeak’s reasoning for coming, she seemed to wrap it up as Megatron did a slow nod. 

“Yes, thank you for the update. Keep monitoring the roads and report to me if there are any more sightings.”

Laserbeak let out a whistle as she removed herself from Megatron’s servo. However, rather than leave the room, she darted quickly over to Starscream. He froze as she approached. Perhaps sensing his apprehension, she did a simple circle around his helm, field gently brushing against his in a message that could only be read as you have nothing to worry about . She left immediately after, the doors quietly shutting behind her. 

Silence echoed in her wake. Starscream and Megatron stared at each other across the long table once more as the kliks passed.

“Soundwave will be pleased to know Laserbeak has been taken care of in his absence.”

Starscream repeated the words in his helm, searching for the hidden jab or warning message. In finding none, his anxiety spiked higher. Megatron, while fearsome and terrible, was far more preferable in his rage, with his emotions easy to read and his moves predictable. Quiet and patient Megatron was where the true terror lay. Starscream clenched his servos beneath the table. 

“Just doing my part, Lord Megatron.”

As if shifting through his words, Megatron did not respond immediately. Starscream could practically see him mulling over each syllable. 

“Let’s call this meeting to a close and regroup,” Megatron decided, optics still watching Starscream curiously. “And Starscream? Keep up the good work.”

It was an order, a commandment and a threat all tied in one. Starscream bowed his helm in lieu of a verbal response, fearful his vocalizer would betray him. 

“As you wish.”

--

Starscream had little doubts that the entire ship had become more than aware of his and Laserbeak’s budding friendship. He was sure they were all whispering about it, coming up with sinister reasons for Starscream’s apparent kindness. No one bothered to outright ask, just kept watching with curious optics and little quips.

However, Knock Out had no reservations in prying during their latest routine update. 

“The rumor mill won’t stop talking about you two. ‘Causing quite the stir,” Knock Out’s voice dripped with snark as red optics darted between the two. There was an implication in his tone, one that Starscream didn’t like. “Stealing her away from Soundwave? Tsk, tsk.”

Laserbeak let out a dull trill, sardonic in nature with her field reflecting her distaste at the medic’s joke. Starscream couldn’t help but agree.

“Hurry up with the repairs and I can gladly send the bitlet back to her creator.” Knock Out seemed wholly unimpressed and Starscream waved him off with a huff. “Come out, let’s hear that update.”

Laserbeak lightly poked Starscream on the side of his helm for the remark but otherwise nodded her helm in agreement. 

At the reminder of why Starscream and Laserbeak were visiting his medbay, Knock Out’s entire field shifted. He let out a tired sigh and his shoulders dropped. Beside him, Breakdown appeared nervous, big chassis curling inward. It was not a good sign and apprehension filled both fliers’ frames at the reaction.

“Most of his internals are back together. They’ll need some time to integrate completely and let the welding settle, but otherwise there is no lasting damage.”

It was good news, but didn’t explain the apprehension that colored Knock Out’s words.

Laserbeak chirped from Starscream’s pauldron and through the open comm said, ::And his spark chamber?::

“We are still waiting for one more structural component from Shockwave. Once I put it into place, I can seal the crack in the glass.” There was a pause, the medic looking uncharacteristically nervous. “However, there is one small problem.”

Worry poured from Laserbeak’s field instantly. Starscream teetered from it but otherwise remained still, optics locked on Knock Out.

“Go on.”

The medic gave another heavy exvent, casting a glance towards his assistant beside him. “While his helm and processors received no physical damage from the explosion, I have been unable to get any readings. They remain dormant. Not offline,” he quickly corrected at their unease, “just dormant. I can see they are running, just not responding to outside stimuli. I was hoping once his internals were back in shape, it would signal his core processors to come out of hibernation, but they haven’t. I don't specialize in processor operations so I’ve been reluctant to do anything more than preliminary scans. However, I fear that leaving them dormant for too long may be signs of a larger problem. If not, it could lead to unforeseen damage, corrosion, data loss…” 

Laserbeak took off and swooped for the medberth. She narrowly missed Knock Out, landing next to Soundwave’s helm. The minicon pressed her small head against the dark visor, nudging it with stressed squeaks. Her distress was evident and flooded the medbay. Knock Out remained impassive but Breakdown was much more affected, faceplates shifting uncomfortably. Starscream, himself, was at a loss for what to do. Comforting Laserbeak was the obvious course of action, but his own processors were still trying to put together the situation. 

“And there is nothing to be done?” Starscream asked, optics focused on the berth and the lifeless mech. 

With Soundwave’s chassis still open and on display, Starscream could see the extensive repairs that had been made. Entire sections had practically been replaced with shiny, brand new components. With only a basic mechanical understanding, Starscream knew those repairs had been laborious and intensive, not to mention requiring a hefty allocation of resources and expediting of manufacturing. It had been a lot of work from all angles, but with Soundwave’s processors refusing to wake, it was all fruitless and for nothing. What good was a fully repaired Soundwave if he remained prone and in stasis? 

Laserbeak was still attempting to wake Soundwave. With each unresponsive nudge, the cassette grew more panicked. 

“It could be just a matter of waiting,” Knock Out continued, though his tone remained uncertain. “His frame type and upgrades are unusual and might sort themselves out in due time. I’ve never quite dealt with these types of processor upgrades and so many of them too.” 

This did not settle either flier. Even Starscream began to feel distressed as the gravity of the situation pressed down on him. He kept his field reigned tight. He didn’t want to further trouble Laserbeak, but his face must have relayed his troubles. 

“If I recall correctly,” Knock Out tentatively added, voice pitched softer than Starscream has ever heard and this time directed toward Laserbeak, “there has been notable evidence that positive and familiar EM fields help encourage reboot. I’d say talking as well, but…” he trailed off lamely. 

Laserbeak didn’t respond, her field warbling around Soundwave, trying to coax her carrier’s out and getting more distraught when there was still no response. Knock Out cleared his intake, optics directed pointedly at Starscream before he sharply bobbed his head to the medberth. The message was clear: comfort her. 

Hesitantly, Starscream reached the edge of the medberth. 

“Laserbeak,” Starscream tried to garner the attention of the cassette but it went ignored, the little mini’s beeping turning hysterical, the pitch peeking his audial receptors. “Come on, Laserbeak.”

He brought a servo to the minicon, gently placing it on her back strut. The beeping and squeaks quieted but her small frame was rattling. Feeling both grounders' optics on him, Starscream decided to reach out to the cassette via commlink. Starscream knew better than anyone the humiliation of over-exposing one’s emotions. 

::Laserbeak. Get yourself together.::

He could see the comm opened but ultimately ignored. He tried again. 

::Soundwave would not approve of this behavior.:: If anyone was above open displays of one’s emotions, it was Soundwave.

Once again, it was ignored. He tried a softer approach. 

::Knock Out said a positive field. Soundwave needs you to be firm and strong. This is only hurting yourself.:: He kept the subglyphs comforting and sympathetic, his field automatically reflecting the same. 

This seemed to reach the drone, Laserbeak quieting down. She still trembled but at least she seemed to be gathering her composure. Despair still clung to the edges of her field as she struggled to reign it in. 

::Come on, we can come visit later. Alone. Without the grounders watching.::

The reminder of Knock Out and Breakdown’s presence seemed to finally spur the cassette into action. Laserbeak gave Soundwave one more nuzzle and a soft, sad trill before jumping to Starscream. The seeker struggled to catch her, holding her against his chest, unused to this particular maneuver. Laserbeak then folded in her wings, transforming and shifting in Starscream’s grasp as she locked body into her cassette form. Usually Laserbeak would perch on his shoulder or hover beside him. Holding her like this was unusual as he struggled to figure out how to balance her in his arms without dropping her completely. 

“It’s probably comforting,” Knock Out said, his voice curious but not unkind. “It’s similar enough to how she’d dock in Soundwave’s tape deck.”

Breakdown brightened behind his partner, helm nodding. “Put your arms beneath her frame and it’ll mimic it perfectly.”

Starscream glared at the two mechs, a sneer ready on his lips but Laserbeak’s private comm stopped him short. 

::Let them work. We will visit later.::

Starscream let his snarl drop and exvented, eyeing Knock Out cautiously. “Update us immediately on any changes.”

“Of course.”

They left the medbay immediately. Starscream wanted to get Laserbeak out of optic range of Soundwave, at least until the minicon would calm down. Technically, they both had shifts about to start but with a quick override via his HUD, Starscream removed Laserbeak from the roster. The one thing worse than having no one operating Soundwave’s station was having an emotionally distraught Laserbeak mucking it up.

::I’m going to take you to my hab for recharge and I’ll check on you after my shift.::

Laserbeak jolted in Starscream’s arms, if anything pushing closer to his chassis. All the while, her field tightened around the two of them, sticking- almost clinging -to Starscream’s plating.

::I don’t want to be alone.::

Starscream was sympathetic. He understood the pain, perhaps better than any other mech on the Nemesis. However, with Soundwave out of commission and Laserbeak unable to work, it was absolutely essential Starscream remained at his post. The Decepticon cause was already on the precipice of ruin. He couldn’t afford the vacation days. 

::I have duties to attend to.::

Anguish was thick on Laserbeak’s field. Starscream could nearly taste it on his glossa. It was achingly, painfully familiar. 

In his processor, snippets of memories flashed by.

“Behave,” Starscream’s voice warned. “And be nice.”  “Sure you don’t want to come with? You’ll miss all the fun,” Skywarp teased, wings fluttering excitedly as he pranced down the halls of the Nemesis, towards the flight deck. A steady servo from Thundercracker kept him at bay.  “ Commander Starscream has more important business,” Thundercracker admonished.  “Sounds boring .”

“It's a simple get in and get,” Starscream reminded them at the edge of the flight deck. “Not even you could frag it up.” He let out a mocking scoff at Skywarp’s cheeky grin and Thundercracker’s rolling optics as they took off.   ::Stay safe:: he comm’d as he watched their silhouettes disappear over the skyline.

“What do you mean you lost their location?” Starscream seethed, clawed servos digging into the command console.  The vehicon flinched as he whispered his response, “Their spark signatures…offlined. No further readings. I’m sorry.” There was a sharp, stabbing pain in his chassis, knee joints cracking as they hit the main deck floor. All his strength left him as he crumbled. A cable, gentle and kind wrapped around his torso, stopping him from completely falling to the ground. Starscream’s not sure how long he had been held in that position, anchored only by a single cable. 

Starscream shuttered, holding Laserbeak tight as he cut off the thought-tree, pushing the memories back down to the recesses of his processor. Now was not the time.  

::I can work remote.:: 

Starscream made no move to remove Laserbeak from his hold as he turned pede towards his private hab. As he marched through the halls, every mech stepped aside, optics watching curiously as they passed. Let the crew stare , Starscream thought bitterly.

Around him, Laserbeak’s field warmed, just a touch, with gratitude and fondness . Starscream couldn’t help but return it.

both of these duos are litterally the definition of birds of a feather i cant🙈

Hello! I’m aware that this blog has been inactive since the introduction post, and I’m very sorry for that. My main issue with projects is that I get caught up in other things and forget to work on them, and this blog has been no exception unfortunately.

I’m going to try my best to get Moon 1 out soon, and hopefully updates can be consistent now that I have a style that I’m happy with for this blog. The apprentices have gotten redesigned into the new style, their new refs shown below:

Thank you so much for your patience and I promise that I’ll work as much on this project as I can.

Moon Zero

The Beginning: Wrenpaw

The soothing sound of trickling water caresses your ears, calming the sore muscles of your body. Your eyes flutter open, greeted by warm sunlight that swallowed your vision. Wet fronds of forest undergrowth tickled at your cheeks and brushed against the lids of your narrowed eyes. As you rise from the ground, disoriented and weak, you gaze at the lakeside clearing that you awoke within. With waterlogged fur and tired limbs, you stagger through the weeds towards a forked path that twisted deeper into the dark woodland. One path, the one that branches off to the left, is shrouded in shadows and overridden with bramble and thistles. The second, which extends to the right, is clear of obstacles, but reverberates with the sound of unknown forest creatures.

Moon Zero

You go down the left path.

Dead leaves slick with bitter-smelling water crunch and squelch beneath your paws as you stumble along the uneven trail. The thorns of bramble bushes tug and tear at your fur, but strangely you’re numb to it. Thistles nibble at your ankles as you walk. You can feel drops of blood travel down from the wounds along your flanks as brambles eat away at them.

Does this path ever end? Is there nothing here?

It had turned out that, yes, something awaited you along the trail. But it was not something you had ever expected to find.

Two strangely familiar cats, drenched in foul-smelling waters and a viscous red — no, pink? — substance that poured from wounds along their soaked hides.

You discovered: Blood!

One lay unconscious, the other barely clinging on to whatever kept her awake. Upon seeing you, she rose a paw, weakly, from the foliage to reach desperately towards you. Her hooded blue eyes pleaded for help. Her mouth opened as though she wanted to cry out, but instead of words, blood cascaded from her maw. Now you recognize them — Kestrelpaw and Bramblingpaw. You grew up alongside them, though they were a few moons older. They were your best friends. Your… Clanmates.

You discovered: Clanmates!

You rush to the aid of your Clanmates, hurrying to the she-cat’s side and running your nose along her fur. She had no visible injuries besides one on her foreleg. Maybe some head trauma, but she’d be alright. You hoped. With your assistance, she hauled herself up onto her paws and swayed for a moment, as though she would topple over again, before righting herself.

“Thank you,” she said to you with a voice husky but full of gratitude. Now that you were closer, you could see that her bloody mouth was the result of two freshly knocked out teeth. “I tried waking up Bramblingpaw already but he won’t budge. I want to stay here until he wakes up on his own.”

You glanced at Bramblingpaw. With the amount of wounds he had, he might not ever wake up. But you wouldn’t say that.

The she-cat opened her bloody mouth to speak again, but she was cut off by a shrill scream and an ear-splitting howl that emitted from deeper in the woods. You glance at Kestrelpaw with worried eyes. You feel your curiosity tugging at your paws, telling you to go investigate, but should you when there’s two injured cats here?

This feels what it’s like to be in love.