#stallout

War is a common ground, sometimes you don’t know a mech until you’re forced to work together.

Words: 856

Missions with paired trines weren’t uncommon, what was definitely uncommon was Megatron taking charge and pairing trines that definitely shouldn’t be paired together. For example, Starscream and Slipstream’s trine. The trine leader’s had their own little rivalry going on and typically avoided each other, because of this their trine’s barely interacted.

This was leading to some interesting interactions, especially with their current position, with the smaller jets using the largers’ wings as cover.

:.You’re too fragging close.: Stallout’s annoyed voice comes over the comm link.

:.Oh eat scrap, you’re being dramatic.:

:.That’s rich coming from you Starscream.:

:.Can you all shut up?.:

Skywarp had long since tuned out the group comm, he wasn’t good with group arguments after all, his processor barely able to keep up with so many parties. Though, Blackout was quiet, surprisingly so. He had expected a bit more conversation from the seeker, but Skywarp finds himself relieved that he isn’t a part of the ever growing argument.

Skywarp himself had hardly said a word, save for a few jokes at the beginning but he quickly shut down when the arguments started. Blackout hadn’t said a word though, but his EM field gave him a hint of amusement when Skywarp cracked his jokes. It gave Skywarp a bit of hope that things wouldn’t crash and burn, but perhaps he had been too far in thought.

He nearly sounds his master caution alarm when the tip of his wing brushes the back of Blackout’s and he immediately scrambles to straighten himself out. Panic fills him for a moment and it settles in his frame, only disappearing when nothing happens. The argument is still going on so the others didn’t seem to notice and Blackout doesn’t comm him nor does he feel any anger from the other’s EM field. No, oddly enough he feels curiosity, concern.

That’s enough for Skywarp to latch on, nudging back with his own EM field, pushing the little feelings of comfort he gets from being in the sky. It seems to please Blackout enough at least, that is until the comm comes it.

:.Ignoring the fight huh?.:

:.They always fight, nothing new..:

:.Yeah, that’s true, you seem to be doing good though..:

:.Me?.:

:.Well no one else is in this comm channel..:

Oh, Skywarp hadn’t even realized the channel was private. That explains the lack of communication from the others.

:.Yeah, sorry I’m not very observant sometimes..:

:.It’s alright, can’t blame you with all the ruckus they’ve got going on..:

:.Yeah, oh and I’m sorry for nicking your wing! I wasn’t paying attention..:

:.It was just a little brush, I don’t think you did any damage. Not that I can feel at least..:

:.Oh um,.: Skywarp takes a moment to check, :.the paint is a bit scuffed, not really noticeable..:

:.Eh, I can just say it’s from the fight..:

:.You think we’ll end up having to fight? I thought this was recon?.:

:.The autobots are going to see two big seekers flying directly over and then behind their base. I’m sure they’ll send those aerial brats to check us out, either way, I’ve got arsenal for it..:

:.Well, fighting is fun I suppose, plus the aerial bots are easy enough to deal with and hey, we beat them at numbers this time!.:

:.True, but Stallout and I are fat, they can run circles around us..:

Blackout is honestly a bit startled to hear Skywarp laugh on the other side of the comm but it certainly brings a sense of.. something? He isn’t really sure what, comfort perhaps.

:.I promise to run those little wireroaches off you if it comes down to it..:

:.My hero, they’d probably do more damage to my paint job than you ever could..:

:.Is that a challenge Blackout?.:

There’s a subtle pause.

:.Maybe..:

:.Oh you’re on, better recharge with an optic online..:

Now it’s Blackout’s turn to laugh.

:.Wait, were you the one who repainted Thrust?.:

:.Innocent until proven guilty, Blackout..:

:.So it was you..:

Skywarp’s EM field expresses a sense of smugness and Blackout can feel the subtle shift of wind as the seeker hugging his wing shifts ever so slightly.

:.Maybe, I’m not admitting anything..:

:.I was the one who fogged the constructicons quarters..:

:.That was you?! You’re my idol..:

EM fields mingle with playfulness and solidarity, comfort harboring its inner meaning.

It’s a moment that comes and goes as fast as the wind between their frames, something so unusually cherished gone in an instant.

:.Aerial bots on radar..: Thundercracker’s comm takes control of the argument, pushing it into silence. :.They’re circling us..:

:.Hunting behavior?: Skywarp chirps in.

Slipstream is quick to respond, :.They’ve seen us do it before, probably don’t understand what it means..:

:.Wait until they get closer, until then continue straight..: Starscream tuts.

Slipstream chimes in after, :.If they try anything we shoot them out of the sky..:

:.So cruel Slips, they’re just kids..: Comes Stallouts eased reply.

:.Kids who are a pain in my aft..:

Attention locked on the sky, Blackout nearly misses a private comm from Skywarp.

:.Wanna get together later and chalk bomb the command room?.: