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seehowsupplethespineis · 2 years

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Stop and Smell the Roses

(SkyStar Week 2022, Day 5: Memories / Dreams)

(Summary: Starscream is reminded of happier days when he spots a hint of red in the darkness.)

(Warnings: brief mention of physical abuse from Megatron, mild injuries from said abuse, shoving)

(AO3 Link)

The sky shone a radiant blue. Not a single cloud passed them by as Starscream led the Seekers onward, making for the sea of green treetops just up ahead. The forest appeared small from up here, though Starscream didn’t imagine it was that much larger up close; everything on this accursed planet was too small.

The three jets touched down on the outskirts of the woods. According to Laserbeak’s reconnaissance, there was an Autobot base a few megamiles away. The forest would provide ideal cover for spying on them from afar, hence why Starscream and his Seekers had been tasked with constructing a surveillance outpost. Initially, Starscream had questioned his leader’s orders, as the Autobot base in question was small compared to the others they were aware of; in the lead Seeker’s not so humble opinion, the Decepticons would be better served focusing their energies elsewhere. He’d quickly changed his tune after Megatron added a few new dents in his fuselage.

Starscream hissed quietly as his transformation aggravated the new injuries. He was immediately made aware of his mistake.

“You alright there, Starscream?” Skywarp teased, “You wanna rest up while the real Cons get the job done?”

“Silence, dolt,” Starscream gritted out, “Don’t you forget who leads this trine.”

“How could we?” Thundercracker broke in, “You remind us at every possible opportunity.”

Starscream rounded on the blue jet, “And I will keep doing so until you remember your place.”

Not bothering to wait for a response, the lead Seeker forged ahead, “Come on!”

A few microseconds later, he heard the reluctant tromp of his companions. A malicious grin split the Con commander’s face. Asserting his authority never failed to lift his mood.

The woods grew thicker as the three trekked onward. Starscream paid little heed to the darkness or the plant life it shrouded. Once upon a time, he’d have lingered among the greenery, taking samples and cataloguing findings. Those days were far behind him, now. Sometimes he could hardly believe they’d ever been; only the occasional unwanted memory served as a reminder that he’d lived a different life once- one far less lonely and miserable than the one he slogged through now.

Taking in their surroundings, Starscream was now struck by such a memory. It was odd how something as fleeting as a shock of red among the leaves could make him still and forget all else. Skywarp and Thundercracker’s questions fell on deaf receptors as Starscream made a beeline for that hint of red. Unthinkingly, he reached out and plucked the red from its stem.

The flower was tiny in his massive grip. Even so, its vibrant hue dazzled his optics. He couldn’t look away. He didn’t want to look away. Suddenly, he wasn’t so alone.

Starscream didn’t know where to begin. This planet was dense with plant life of every classification he knew of, plus more he’d need to study further. It was all he could do not to rush in and start recording his findings (they’d need to tread lightly so as not to trample the foliage underfoot).

Without turning away, he called to his companion. Heavy yet eager footsteps moved closer, until Starscream was shrouded in a large shadow.

“This planet is incredible!” his partner enthused, “So much to learn!”

The same excitement sang in Starscream’s spark as he glanced up. Skyfire beamed down at him, his wide blue optics sparkling. For a moment, Starscream almost forgot his own enthusiasm as his spark skipped a beat. Hastily looking away, he attempted to return to the task at hand.

“Yes, well, we’d better get learning then,” He pointed off to the right, where a large clump of petaled plants burst from the ground, “You check those out. I’ll inspect these trees.

Skyfire glanced to the said trees on their left then back to the flowers, “Okay. Call me if you need help with anything.”

“Do I ever?” Starscream scoffed as he strolled off, careful not to step on the various flora.

“There’s a first time for everything,” Skyfire replied with a smirk.

Smiling softly, Starscream made his way over to the trees and listened as Skyfire’s footsteps retreated behind him. Aside from a few animals, it was just the two of them on this rich planet. This may as well have been a vacation rather than a mission. Soft grasses grazed his legs just below the knee as a cool breeze brushed his wings. He couldn’t help a sigh of contentment.

The trees were tall even by Cybertronians standards. The leaves cast dappled shadows over him as he withdrew his scanning equipment and set to work. Behind him, he heard a pleasant rumble as Skyfire hummed to himself as he worked. Starscream thought he recognized the tune, though he was in no rush to place it.

By the time he was finished, the explorer had catalogued three new species of tree. It was incredible how diverse organic life could be. With so much of it out there in the vastness of space, Skyfire and him would be exploring for a long time to come. He welcomed the prospect with open arms, already daydreaming about all that they’d discover. One day, he and Skyfire would be heralded as great scientists. Starscream would make certain of that.

A digit tapped him lightly on the shoulder. Starscream startled with a yelp.

“Sorry, sorry!” Skyfire raised an appeasing servo as his partner whirled around, “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

It took a few moments for Starscream to regain his composure, “Y-You didn’t scare me! I just…”

As he sought a rational excuse, Skyfire merely eyed him doubtfully. With a sigh, Starscream conceded.

“Okay, yes, you scared me,” He crossed his arms in irritation, “Now what is it you want?”

He didn’t mean to snap at Skyfire, though his tone still gave the larger jet pause.

“Oh, well, I…uh…found something.”

“I should hope so,” Starscream said with a vague gesture around them, “What is it?”

Swiftly, Skyfire brought an arm out from behind his back and proffered something to Starscream. Confused, Starscream only stared at the flower in his partner’s grasp.

“What is that?”

“It’s a flower,” Skyfire explained unhelpfully.

“I know that! I mean why are you handing it to me,” Starscream’s gaze moved upward to meet Skyfire’s, “Did you need help studying it? You shouldn’t have plucked it if that’s the case.”

Skyfire looked oddly upset as he shook his head, “No, I just…it’s red and pretty and…” his voice grew hushed, but Starscream still heard him clear as day, “It reminded me of you.”

When Starscream didn’t immediately react, Skyfire ducked his head bashfully, though still resolutely held the flower out for Starscream to take. After a few moments spent processing Skyfire’s words, Starscream at last tentatively reached out.

The petals were a vibrant red - similar to the color of Starscream’s own finish - and formed intricate swirls that captivated the eye. The light of the sun overhead seemed to imbue the petals with a life of their own, almost as if they were lit from within. It was truly a very pretty flower, yet Starscream still dragged his gaze away to look up at his partner.

“It’s okay if you don’t like it,” Skyfire’s eyes remained downcast as he spoke, “I just thought…I mean, I just wanted to-”

He quieted the moment Starscream placed a gentle servo on his arm. When their gazes met, Starscream beamed widely. Acting impulsively, the smaller jet stood on the tips of his feet and kissed the side of Skyfire’s face. It was a quick, clumsy peck and felt more like he’d slammed his face into Skyfire’s, but neither cared.

“It’s perfect!” Starscream exclaimed as Skyfire stared at him with no small amount of awe.

“Really?” he breathed.

Starscream nodded, “Really. I dare say it’s almost as perfect as me.”

The cheeky remark made Skyfire chuckle the way Starscream loved. Driven by that infectious sound, Starscream laughed too.

“Oh, I wouldn’t go that far,” Skyfire’s smile lit up his entire face.

“Don’t be so modest,” Starscream teased, “You have an eye for beauty.”

“I suppose I do.”

As their laughter died down, Starscream watched as the shifting sun overhead made Skyfire’s finish gleam and his blue eyes glow, hinting at the true brilliance of the bot within.

“We both do,” he said with finality. Skyfire regarded him with those soft blue optics of his and all was right with the universe.

“Why, Starscream,” he said with mock surprise, “How forward of you!”

“Get used to it,” Starscream said with a grin as he hugged the flower to his chest.

The dense canopy of trees overhead afforded little light. The thin rays that managed to pierce through illuminated the small flower, imbuing it with life. For all its radiance, it was still such a fragile thing. Even now, it wilted in Starscream’s grip. Filled with sudden disgust, the Seeker held it at arm’s length. Without the light, it was nothing but a dull mockery of what it had once been. It was pathetic and small and alone in this vast woods.

Starscream didn’t deign to watch as he let it slip from his grasp. Turning, he was met with the sight of Skywarp and Thundercracker eyeing him with open confusion and disdain.

“What’s gotten into you?” Skywarp dared ask.

Striding forward, Starscream shoved past him and Thundercracker, sending them both reeling.

“Nothing!” he cried, “Let’s just hurry up and finish this! I’m sick of these woods!”

The shadows strengthened still more as Starscream ventured further into the forest. By the time Skywarp and Thundercracker hastened to follow, he’d been swallowed completely.

#Transformers #TF G1 #Transformers G1 #SkyStar Week #SkyStar Week 2022 #Starscream #Skyfire #Jetfire #Thundercracker #Skywarp #SkyStar #Skyscream #Screamfire #Writing Entity #I just had to write something for this event!#I knew I'd regret it if I didn't.

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