+2 originally had a different ending. I'm happier with the ending I have now, but I thought that some people would like to see how it could have gone if I'd managed to wrangle the characters properly. Behold, one of my rare deleted scenes.
(The first paragraph is still the same to show where it splits).
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Dry β dry enough at least β Optimus returned to the berthroom. The smell of acid cleaner was strong. It had obliterated the lingering scents of lubricant and energon, but there was a comforting warm oily scent layered over the top. Megatron laid a tarp over the stained and scratched sheet metal, it glistened invitingly.
"I do not wish to impose," Optimus found himself saying.
"I have no qualms about dropping you down the elevator shaft should I feel you've imposed upon me," Megatron said. "You should recharge, Optimus."
Optimus sat on the edge of the berth and was delighted to find that the tarp was as oiled as it looked and it appeared to be made up of the same circuitry that lay beneath the surface of a berth. It was warm with charge and already threatened to shut down his systems.
"Scoot over," Knock Out said, finally finished with his drying process and looking remarkably streak-free for it. "Megatron has a thing about being trapped in a corner."
"Knock Out still has his car alarm from Earth," Megatron said, as Optimus obligingly moved further onto the berth towards the wall. "If you bump him too hard during recharge it'll go off."
"I have been told that I talk during my recharge fluxes," Optimus said before they could devolve into further pettiness. He really hoped it wasn't his presence increasing friction where they would normally be civil.
Knock Out got onto the berth and transformed. He shifted his wheels so his undercarriage was lying fully on the tarp. The charge running through the circuitry connected with a snap and he gave a satisfied hum, snuggling down into it.
Optimus hadn't recharged in the same berth as someone else β let alone two someone elses β for at least a few centuries. He took the time to manually disengage his battle protocols so that he wouldn't automatically do something he'd regret upon being nudged during the night. It was a foreign, the thought of friendly (potentially more than friendly) touch during recharge. Optimus still couldn't quite shake the surreal feeling of it all.
"Sweet dreams," Knock Out said.
Megatron sat on the edge of the berth but didn't lie down. His optics flicked between Knock Out, Optimus, and Optimus's leg. Optimus pushed himself back up to put a hand on Megatron's shoulder between sharp curves.
"Would you like to talk about something?" Optimus asked.
Megatron shook his helm. "No, Optimus, I'm merely distracted."
"I can recharge in another room," Optimus offered. "Or return to my own hab. This is your berth, Megatron. I would like for you to be comfortable here."
"I'm fine," Megatron said, pushing Optimus's hand away.
"Then will you recharge? With us?" Until the words left Opitmus's voice box, he hadn't realised how much he wanted this. Interface was an intimate experience and the soft warmth of being cleaned and having a berth prepared would be too much to bear without also knowing that the mechs responsible were also comfortable in any way Optimus could make them. To enjoy the mutual vulnerability of close recharge.
Megatron looked like he dearly wanted to shout something and storm away or, more likely, put his sword through Optimus's spark, but he only ex-vented slowly. He glanced at Optimus's leg again with its bare rims.
"Very well." Megatron lay down stiffly. "Do you have any more demands?"
Optimus settled himself on the berth. The tarp was wonderfully live, even with two other mechs draining its power. "No."
"Run a proper defrag for once," Knock Out said.
Megatron's engine grumbled, however, he didn't sound truly annoyed. Optimus reached over to grip Megatron's hand. Megatron ex-vented, armour settling down somewhat. He twisted his hand around, rough gladiator claws threading between flat archivist digits.
"Goodnight, Optimus." Megatron laughed quietly when Knock Out revved. "And to you as well, Knock Out."
"Thank you both for letting me experience this," Optimus said. "Goodnight, Megatron. Knock Out."
"If neither of you start recharging I'm going to plug in and force the issue," Knock Out threatened. "Goodnight."
Optimus squeezed Megatron's hand and was pleased when Megatron squeezed back. He ran a venting cycle and then set his shutdown routine going. Between the spent charge and the warm electric tarp, he would hopefully have a good rest.
