Gaslight_Dreamer (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
wyntir_knight) wrote2012-02-25 08:24 pm
wyntir_knight) wrote2012-02-25 08:24 pm
Entry tags:
Long Slow Road
Title: Long Slow Road (Chapter 3 of 4)
Rating: M
Series: G1
Character(s)/Pairing(s): Trailbreaker, Smokescreen
Summary: Trailbreaker and Silverbolt have been together for a while, settling into a happy, healthy relationship. But not everyone is happy about the new couple.
Warnings: Mentions of slash
Disclaimer: Transformers belong to Hasbro and Takara, and are licensed to IDW and Dreamworks. My original characters are my own and any similarity between them and any existing characters from canon or fandom is purely coincidental. I claim no ownership by writing this work.
Author's Note: This story follows More Than Friendship, Rumour Mill,![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
eloquencelost's fic Picking Your Battles and references To Have and Not To Hold (which comes later).
As always, thanks toeloquencelost for betaing and offering ideas and support.
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Trailbreaker dropped the data pad back on the table and leaned back in the chair to stretch, exhaustion written all over his faceplates.
“Long night, TB?” Smokescreen asked with a knowing smirk.
“Yeah,” Trailbreaker admitted, scrubbing his face with his hands. Then he noticed the amused look the other tactician was giving him. “No, no, it wasn’t anything like that, Smokey. I just ended up under an impromptu jet pile last night.”
“Jet pile? Is that what the kids are calling it these days?” Smokescreen asked, his grin widening.
“Smokescreen, come on. It’s really not like that,” Trailbreaker protested. “It’s just that Fireflight had a nightmare and he broadcast it to the rest of the gestalt and next thing we knew they were all in bed with us.”
The Datsun made a vaguely confirming noise and folded his hands on the table, going into ‘shrink mode’.
“And that happens a lot does it?” he asked.
“Yeah, I guess so. Normally it’s not bad. I mean, it’s kind of nice having all those people there. … Well, nice when they don’t interrupt anything,” Trailbreaker admitted sheepishly.
“Ah. That must be embarrassing,” Smokescreen stated simply.
Trailbreaker’s optics narrowed as he clued in to the Datsun’s game.
“This is a tactics session, Smokey. Not therapy. Let’s just get back to work, okay?”
“Okay, okay!” Smokescreen raised his hands in defeat. “Sorry, bad habit, okay?
Trailbreaker chuckled softly. “It’s okay. Really it is.” Then he sighed and looked at the psychologist carefully. “I think I may just need to talk.”
Smokescreen nodded. “Well, that’s what I’m here for. And I’m available at any time. Now, if you want,” he said, nodding slightly toward the door.
The big mech shook his head and then seemed to change his mind, looking up at the room’s camera. “Actually, maybe some privacy would be a good idea.”
Smokescreen checked his chronometer and nodded. “Yeah, and I think it’s about time for a break. Why don’t you come join me for some energon. I’ve got some stuff that Red Alert would not entirely approve of.” The look and the crooked grin promised nothing that any of the Brass would approve of.
***
Smokescreen motioned to the guest chair and locked the door, putting up the busy notice as he did. It would let everyone know that he was not to be disturbed, but wouldn’t advertise a session.
“Okay, so let me get that energon for us.”
He pulled two cubes from a locked cabinet and handed one to Trailbreaker before settling down in the chair opposite the big mech. The SUV accepted the drink, looking at it carefully before breaking the seal. It was a dull purple tinged pink with traces of golden flecks throughout the liquid. When he opened the cube he found that it smelled of something organic and floral with an undertone of sweet amber, and the taste was unlike anything he’d ever experienced before.
“Woah,” Trailbreaker breathed as the energon coursed through his systems. “It tastes like … What is that? It tastes like-”
“Green. Yeah, I know. It tastes like the colour green,” Smokescreen said with a chuckle. “I have no idea how the Fridonians do it, but they somehow manage to create a synaesthesia effect with all their fuels.”
Trailbreaker pulled the cube away from his lips and looked at Smokescreen, concern and doubt written all over his face.
Smokescreen laughed at the reaction. “Don’t worry, it’s totally harmless so long as you don’t overindulge. And even then all it does is cause mild hallucinations and leave a killer hangover the next day. It’s actually a lot of fun until then.”
The SUV didn’t look in any way convinced.
“Come on, would I really give any Autobot something that wasn’t safe?” Smokescreen asked, doing his best to look hurt at the potential accusation. Then he seemed to think about it, and took a different tack. “Well … Okay, let me rephrase. Would I ever give you something unsafe? You’re my friend, Breaker. I’m not going to poison you or play with your mind just for slag and giggles.”
“Right, sorry. I guess I shouldn’t have-”
“Don’t worry about it TB. It’s new, it’s strange, and it’s coming from me. I get the concern,” Smokescreen said with a casual wave of his hand. He took a sip of his own cube and made a pleased sound before focusing back on the other Autobot. “So. Wanna tell me what’s eating at you?”
Trailbreaker looked down into his cube before taking another sip, steeling himself. “Nothing’s eating at me. Not exactly. I’m just tired I guess.”
“Right. The jetpile. Makes sense that they’d be close. From what I’ve gathered they all share something almost like a sparkbond,” Smokescreen replied, settling into his chair for what was likely to be a very long session.
Trailbreaker nodded. “Yeah. Bolt says that he can feel what his brothers feel and vice versa. Unless they’re actively blocking each other out. But I guess that at night they share dreams sometimes.” He shook his head and looked down at his cube. When he spoke again his voice was soft and distracted, as if he was talking to himself. “Sometimes I worry that they feel a little too much. Especially when the jetpiles interrupt us when we’re …” He trailed off, optics darkening in a blush as he realized he was speaking aloud about far too intimate things.
Smokescreen chuckled. “Yeah, I feel you on that. One time Sideswipe and I got a little too drunk during a late night poker game. I won’t go into details but Sunny wasn’t overly pleased.
“But what you’ve got with Silverbolt is something totally different. I’m sure that Silverbolt isn’t broadcasting to his brothers. He’s too mature for that. And too sensible,” Smokescreen assured the nervous SUV.
“Too mature. Yeah,” Trailbreaker muttered, distracted.
The Datsun looked at the big mech carefully, noting the tone and the distracted look. “What’s wrong? Something more than jealous brothers and potential voyeurs is eating at you.”
“It’s just …,” Trailbreaker trailed off uncertainly. “This doesn’t leave this room, right? I mean, never, right? I need some advice, but what I’m thinking … if Silverbolt knew, it’d just destroy him and I can’t have that. So I have your word, right?”
All amusement left Smokescreen’s face as he became completely serious. “Of course, Trailbreaker. Everything said in here is privilege.”
Trailbreaker looked unsure for a moment, but then steeled himself and opened his mouth to speak. A confused moment of silence followed before he was finally able to get his thoughts together.
“I love Silverbolt with every fibre of my being, but every once in a while I remember just how young he really is. I mean, he’s mature. More mature than a lot of mechs on this base, but there are times when I have to wonder if it’s all an act. Like last night. Slingshot kicked me out of bed. Physically kicked me out and then claimed it was an accident. And rather than let it go, Silverbolt lit into him and they were like two arguing sparklings …” He trailed off with a shrug.
“Why should he have let it go? It sounds like Slingshot was being difficult for the sake of being difficult. As his commanding officer Silverbolt had every right to get angry.”
“It’s not that. I mean, yeah, he had every right it’s just that Slingshot was acting like an immature little brat. He was acting like a child, and then it hit me … he is a child. And Silverbolt, for all his maturity is no older.” Trailbreaker’s voice was so low that Smokescreen had to raise the sensitivity of his audios to hear. “And then suddenly I felt like- … I love him, Smokey, but he is a child …”
There was nothing but sympathy in Smokescreen’s optics. “Trailbreaker, he’s not a child. He was sparked as an adult. Fully grown. After all, weren’t you the first one to point out that they’re old enough to fight for us? If they really were sparklings then we would never have done that, would we?
“And as for immaturity, age is no proof of maturity, Breaker. I mean, look at the Twins. Pit, look at me,” he said with a small smile, motioning casually to himself. “We all have our immature moments. I bet even Optimus acts out on occasion. When no one’s watching.”
Trailbreaker couldn’t help but chuckle at the mental image of The Prime throwing a temper tantrum like an overgrown child. “I suppose you’re right …”
“But I’ll bet good credits that that’s not all that’s eating at you, Breaker. I mean, you knew Silverbolt’s age when you got into this. As I recall, you defended the two of you quite vocally to Ratchet recently.”
“Yeah, I did. And I’ll defend us again to anyone. But it doesn’t change the fact that I hear the talk and see the looks we get from the other Bots.” Trailbreaker took another long drink from his cube, emptying it on one go and shivering slightly as it hit his systems.
“Does what the others say or think really matter any? I seem to recall that you have Prime’s blessing,” Smokescreen said gently.
“Yeah, he doesn’t have an issue with it so long as it doesn’t interfere with our work.”
“Well then, what’s the problem?” Smokescreen prompted; pretty sure that he knew precisely what it was.”
“It’s just … It’s hard sometimes, you know? Sometimes it feels like we’re fighting a war on two fronts.” Trailbreaker sighed miserably. “I’ll take on anyone who says anything about me and Bolt. We’re happy and we’re good for each other. That’s all that matters, right?”
Smokescreen nodded, encouraging the SUV to continue.
“It’d just like to be able to go out with Sil and sit in the common room with him just like all the other couples do, without having to hear the whispers and see the looks. But even that; I can handle all that. But then to go back to the aerie and have to face it with the Aerialbots too?” He shrugged slightly, obviously heading toward depression.
“I thought you said that the other Aerials often come to recharge with you and Silverbolt. If they didn’t accept you, would they really do that?” Smokescreen asked carefully.
Trailbreaker shrugged. “Fireflight likes me and Skydive and I get along just fine. But Air Raid seems totally indifferent and Slingshot … Slingshot actively hates me. I mean, yeah, they all come into the berth with us, but Slingshot makes it clear that I’m not welcome.”
“How does he do that?”
“He makes comments. He leaves the room when I walk in. He’s constantly picking fights with Silverbolt. He kicks me out of the berth or off the couch whenever he can. He hates that I’m insinuating myself in their life.”
“Slingshot has always had issues with outsiders. And I suppose the fact that you’re not only an outsider but also monopolizing Silverbolt’s time doesn’t help his mood.”
“But I don’t monopolize his time, Smokescreen! I mean, I could see the anger if I was, but Sil and I are really careful.” Trailbreaker suddenly stood and began to pace the room, agitated. “Silverbolt feels all of it even more that I do. I mean, I see it all, and I’m on the receiving end of all of Slingshot’s jabs, but Silverbolt actually feels it! And it’s tearing him apart! I just know it is.”
“Calm down, Trailbreaker,” Smokescreen said soothingly. “Why don’t you sit down and take it slow, okay? What’s going on with Silverbolt?”
Trailbreaker sat back in his chair and scrubbed his face with his hands. “For Silverbolt family comes first. It always has and it always will. And it has to stay that way. I mean, any kind of schism between them and it effects Superion.”
The big mech seemed to deflate as he sat back in the chair. “He’s said that he’s chosen; that I’m just as important to him as his brothers are. But I see that tension. I hear it in his voice every time he and Slingshot have a fight. And yes, I know that those two have always and will always fight; but when they fight over my being there? It’s worse, Smokescreen. And I don’t know how much more Silverbolt can take.”
“So what are you suggesting?” the Datsun asked carefully. “That you take yourself out of the equation? That’s not fair to either of you.”
Trailbreaker managed to look both shocked and guilty at the same time. “No! No, I’m not suggesting that. Silverbolt’s never been in a long term relationship before. Not really. If I break up with him … I just don’t know what he’d do, Smokey.” Seeing the concerned look on the psychologist’s face, he quickly amended his comment. “He won’t do anything stupid, but it won’t change the fact that it’ll break his spark. I can’t do that to him, Smokey. I just can’t. … Can’t do it to me either. Even with everything, even with all the slag, I feel healthier now than I have in a long, long time.”
Smokescreen nodded, a small smile pulling at his lips. “Yeah, I’ve noticed that. You two are good for each other. You balance each other out. I think you should keep that in mind during all of this. Regardless of what anyone else says, you two have found happiness and a healthy relationship. Believe me, there aren’t a lot of people who can say that nowadays.” There was a look in the Datsun’s optics that spoke of first hand experience with broken, damaged relationships.
Trailbreaker nodded. “So, what do I do?”
“Well, I can’t tell you what to do, but I can tell you what I’d do in your position,” Smokescreen said. “I would go talk with Slingshot. See if you can’t clear the air with him. Remember though, confrontations never win. This isn’t a battle you can hit head on or a siege you can wait out. Just talk to him. Mech to mech and see if you can’t find some kind of common ground.”
“Right … mech to mech …” Trailbreaker murmured, nodding his head slightly and obviously absorbing the advice and turning it over in his battle computer.
Smokescreen stood and unlocked the door. “I think we’re done. Let me know how it turns out and come see me if you need to talk. Or just need a sounding board. After all, it’s what I’m here for, right?”
Trailbreaker nodded and moved to leave the room, only to be stopped by Smokescreen’s hand on his arm.
“One last thing, Breaker. Stop letting the kids walk all over your grown-up time, okay? Slings will use the jetpile as an excuse to push you away, and even without that, it’s not healthy to have your personal time with Silverbolt interrupted.”
Trailbreaker looked at Smokescreen, a furious blush rising in his optics, before nodding and leaving the office.
Rating: M
Series: G1
Character(s)/Pairing(s): Trailbreaker, Smokescreen
Summary: Trailbreaker and Silverbolt have been together for a while, settling into a happy, healthy relationship. But not everyone is happy about the new couple.
Warnings: Mentions of slash
Disclaimer: Transformers belong to Hasbro and Takara, and are licensed to IDW and Dreamworks. My original characters are my own and any similarity between them and any existing characters from canon or fandom is purely coincidental. I claim no ownership by writing this work.
Author's Note: This story follows More Than Friendship, Rumour Mill,
eloquencelost's fic Picking Your Battles and references To Have and Not To Hold (which comes later).As always, thanks to
eloquencelost for betaing and offering ideas and support.Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Trailbreaker dropped the data pad back on the table and leaned back in the chair to stretch, exhaustion written all over his faceplates.
“Long night, TB?” Smokescreen asked with a knowing smirk.
“Yeah,” Trailbreaker admitted, scrubbing his face with his hands. Then he noticed the amused look the other tactician was giving him. “No, no, it wasn’t anything like that, Smokey. I just ended up under an impromptu jet pile last night.”
“Jet pile? Is that what the kids are calling it these days?” Smokescreen asked, his grin widening.
“Smokescreen, come on. It’s really not like that,” Trailbreaker protested. “It’s just that Fireflight had a nightmare and he broadcast it to the rest of the gestalt and next thing we knew they were all in bed with us.”
The Datsun made a vaguely confirming noise and folded his hands on the table, going into ‘shrink mode’.
“And that happens a lot does it?” he asked.
“Yeah, I guess so. Normally it’s not bad. I mean, it’s kind of nice having all those people there. … Well, nice when they don’t interrupt anything,” Trailbreaker admitted sheepishly.
“Ah. That must be embarrassing,” Smokescreen stated simply.
Trailbreaker’s optics narrowed as he clued in to the Datsun’s game.
“This is a tactics session, Smokey. Not therapy. Let’s just get back to work, okay?”
“Okay, okay!” Smokescreen raised his hands in defeat. “Sorry, bad habit, okay?
Trailbreaker chuckled softly. “It’s okay. Really it is.” Then he sighed and looked at the psychologist carefully. “I think I may just need to talk.”
Smokescreen nodded. “Well, that’s what I’m here for. And I’m available at any time. Now, if you want,” he said, nodding slightly toward the door.
The big mech shook his head and then seemed to change his mind, looking up at the room’s camera. “Actually, maybe some privacy would be a good idea.”
Smokescreen checked his chronometer and nodded. “Yeah, and I think it’s about time for a break. Why don’t you come join me for some energon. I’ve got some stuff that Red Alert would not entirely approve of.” The look and the crooked grin promised nothing that any of the Brass would approve of.
***
Smokescreen motioned to the guest chair and locked the door, putting up the busy notice as he did. It would let everyone know that he was not to be disturbed, but wouldn’t advertise a session.
“Okay, so let me get that energon for us.”
He pulled two cubes from a locked cabinet and handed one to Trailbreaker before settling down in the chair opposite the big mech. The SUV accepted the drink, looking at it carefully before breaking the seal. It was a dull purple tinged pink with traces of golden flecks throughout the liquid. When he opened the cube he found that it smelled of something organic and floral with an undertone of sweet amber, and the taste was unlike anything he’d ever experienced before.
“Woah,” Trailbreaker breathed as the energon coursed through his systems. “It tastes like … What is that? It tastes like-”
“Green. Yeah, I know. It tastes like the colour green,” Smokescreen said with a chuckle. “I have no idea how the Fridonians do it, but they somehow manage to create a synaesthesia effect with all their fuels.”
Trailbreaker pulled the cube away from his lips and looked at Smokescreen, concern and doubt written all over his face.
Smokescreen laughed at the reaction. “Don’t worry, it’s totally harmless so long as you don’t overindulge. And even then all it does is cause mild hallucinations and leave a killer hangover the next day. It’s actually a lot of fun until then.”
The SUV didn’t look in any way convinced.
“Come on, would I really give any Autobot something that wasn’t safe?” Smokescreen asked, doing his best to look hurt at the potential accusation. Then he seemed to think about it, and took a different tack. “Well … Okay, let me rephrase. Would I ever give you something unsafe? You’re my friend, Breaker. I’m not going to poison you or play with your mind just for slag and giggles.”
“Right, sorry. I guess I shouldn’t have-”
“Don’t worry about it TB. It’s new, it’s strange, and it’s coming from me. I get the concern,” Smokescreen said with a casual wave of his hand. He took a sip of his own cube and made a pleased sound before focusing back on the other Autobot. “So. Wanna tell me what’s eating at you?”
Trailbreaker looked down into his cube before taking another sip, steeling himself. “Nothing’s eating at me. Not exactly. I’m just tired I guess.”
“Right. The jetpile. Makes sense that they’d be close. From what I’ve gathered they all share something almost like a sparkbond,” Smokescreen replied, settling into his chair for what was likely to be a very long session.
Trailbreaker nodded. “Yeah. Bolt says that he can feel what his brothers feel and vice versa. Unless they’re actively blocking each other out. But I guess that at night they share dreams sometimes.” He shook his head and looked down at his cube. When he spoke again his voice was soft and distracted, as if he was talking to himself. “Sometimes I worry that they feel a little too much. Especially when the jetpiles interrupt us when we’re …” He trailed off, optics darkening in a blush as he realized he was speaking aloud about far too intimate things.
Smokescreen chuckled. “Yeah, I feel you on that. One time Sideswipe and I got a little too drunk during a late night poker game. I won’t go into details but Sunny wasn’t overly pleased.
“But what you’ve got with Silverbolt is something totally different. I’m sure that Silverbolt isn’t broadcasting to his brothers. He’s too mature for that. And too sensible,” Smokescreen assured the nervous SUV.
“Too mature. Yeah,” Trailbreaker muttered, distracted.
The Datsun looked at the big mech carefully, noting the tone and the distracted look. “What’s wrong? Something more than jealous brothers and potential voyeurs is eating at you.”
“It’s just …,” Trailbreaker trailed off uncertainly. “This doesn’t leave this room, right? I mean, never, right? I need some advice, but what I’m thinking … if Silverbolt knew, it’d just destroy him and I can’t have that. So I have your word, right?”
All amusement left Smokescreen’s face as he became completely serious. “Of course, Trailbreaker. Everything said in here is privilege.”
Trailbreaker looked unsure for a moment, but then steeled himself and opened his mouth to speak. A confused moment of silence followed before he was finally able to get his thoughts together.
“I love Silverbolt with every fibre of my being, but every once in a while I remember just how young he really is. I mean, he’s mature. More mature than a lot of mechs on this base, but there are times when I have to wonder if it’s all an act. Like last night. Slingshot kicked me out of bed. Physically kicked me out and then claimed it was an accident. And rather than let it go, Silverbolt lit into him and they were like two arguing sparklings …” He trailed off with a shrug.
“Why should he have let it go? It sounds like Slingshot was being difficult for the sake of being difficult. As his commanding officer Silverbolt had every right to get angry.”
“It’s not that. I mean, yeah, he had every right it’s just that Slingshot was acting like an immature little brat. He was acting like a child, and then it hit me … he is a child. And Silverbolt, for all his maturity is no older.” Trailbreaker’s voice was so low that Smokescreen had to raise the sensitivity of his audios to hear. “And then suddenly I felt like- … I love him, Smokey, but he is a child …”
There was nothing but sympathy in Smokescreen’s optics. “Trailbreaker, he’s not a child. He was sparked as an adult. Fully grown. After all, weren’t you the first one to point out that they’re old enough to fight for us? If they really were sparklings then we would never have done that, would we?
“And as for immaturity, age is no proof of maturity, Breaker. I mean, look at the Twins. Pit, look at me,” he said with a small smile, motioning casually to himself. “We all have our immature moments. I bet even Optimus acts out on occasion. When no one’s watching.”
Trailbreaker couldn’t help but chuckle at the mental image of The Prime throwing a temper tantrum like an overgrown child. “I suppose you’re right …”
“But I’ll bet good credits that that’s not all that’s eating at you, Breaker. I mean, you knew Silverbolt’s age when you got into this. As I recall, you defended the two of you quite vocally to Ratchet recently.”
“Yeah, I did. And I’ll defend us again to anyone. But it doesn’t change the fact that I hear the talk and see the looks we get from the other Bots.” Trailbreaker took another long drink from his cube, emptying it on one go and shivering slightly as it hit his systems.
“Does what the others say or think really matter any? I seem to recall that you have Prime’s blessing,” Smokescreen said gently.
“Yeah, he doesn’t have an issue with it so long as it doesn’t interfere with our work.”
“Well then, what’s the problem?” Smokescreen prompted; pretty sure that he knew precisely what it was.”
“It’s just … It’s hard sometimes, you know? Sometimes it feels like we’re fighting a war on two fronts.” Trailbreaker sighed miserably. “I’ll take on anyone who says anything about me and Bolt. We’re happy and we’re good for each other. That’s all that matters, right?”
Smokescreen nodded, encouraging the SUV to continue.
“It’d just like to be able to go out with Sil and sit in the common room with him just like all the other couples do, without having to hear the whispers and see the looks. But even that; I can handle all that. But then to go back to the aerie and have to face it with the Aerialbots too?” He shrugged slightly, obviously heading toward depression.
“I thought you said that the other Aerials often come to recharge with you and Silverbolt. If they didn’t accept you, would they really do that?” Smokescreen asked carefully.
Trailbreaker shrugged. “Fireflight likes me and Skydive and I get along just fine. But Air Raid seems totally indifferent and Slingshot … Slingshot actively hates me. I mean, yeah, they all come into the berth with us, but Slingshot makes it clear that I’m not welcome.”
“How does he do that?”
“He makes comments. He leaves the room when I walk in. He’s constantly picking fights with Silverbolt. He kicks me out of the berth or off the couch whenever he can. He hates that I’m insinuating myself in their life.”
“Slingshot has always had issues with outsiders. And I suppose the fact that you’re not only an outsider but also monopolizing Silverbolt’s time doesn’t help his mood.”
“But I don’t monopolize his time, Smokescreen! I mean, I could see the anger if I was, but Sil and I are really careful.” Trailbreaker suddenly stood and began to pace the room, agitated. “Silverbolt feels all of it even more that I do. I mean, I see it all, and I’m on the receiving end of all of Slingshot’s jabs, but Silverbolt actually feels it! And it’s tearing him apart! I just know it is.”
“Calm down, Trailbreaker,” Smokescreen said soothingly. “Why don’t you sit down and take it slow, okay? What’s going on with Silverbolt?”
Trailbreaker sat back in his chair and scrubbed his face with his hands. “For Silverbolt family comes first. It always has and it always will. And it has to stay that way. I mean, any kind of schism between them and it effects Superion.”
The big mech seemed to deflate as he sat back in the chair. “He’s said that he’s chosen; that I’m just as important to him as his brothers are. But I see that tension. I hear it in his voice every time he and Slingshot have a fight. And yes, I know that those two have always and will always fight; but when they fight over my being there? It’s worse, Smokescreen. And I don’t know how much more Silverbolt can take.”
“So what are you suggesting?” the Datsun asked carefully. “That you take yourself out of the equation? That’s not fair to either of you.”
Trailbreaker managed to look both shocked and guilty at the same time. “No! No, I’m not suggesting that. Silverbolt’s never been in a long term relationship before. Not really. If I break up with him … I just don’t know what he’d do, Smokey.” Seeing the concerned look on the psychologist’s face, he quickly amended his comment. “He won’t do anything stupid, but it won’t change the fact that it’ll break his spark. I can’t do that to him, Smokey. I just can’t. … Can’t do it to me either. Even with everything, even with all the slag, I feel healthier now than I have in a long, long time.”
Smokescreen nodded, a small smile pulling at his lips. “Yeah, I’ve noticed that. You two are good for each other. You balance each other out. I think you should keep that in mind during all of this. Regardless of what anyone else says, you two have found happiness and a healthy relationship. Believe me, there aren’t a lot of people who can say that nowadays.” There was a look in the Datsun’s optics that spoke of first hand experience with broken, damaged relationships.
Trailbreaker nodded. “So, what do I do?”
“Well, I can’t tell you what to do, but I can tell you what I’d do in your position,” Smokescreen said. “I would go talk with Slingshot. See if you can’t clear the air with him. Remember though, confrontations never win. This isn’t a battle you can hit head on or a siege you can wait out. Just talk to him. Mech to mech and see if you can’t find some kind of common ground.”
“Right … mech to mech …” Trailbreaker murmured, nodding his head slightly and obviously absorbing the advice and turning it over in his battle computer.
Smokescreen stood and unlocked the door. “I think we’re done. Let me know how it turns out and come see me if you need to talk. Or just need a sounding board. After all, it’s what I’m here for, right?”
Trailbreaker nodded and moved to leave the room, only to be stopped by Smokescreen’s hand on his arm.
“One last thing, Breaker. Stop letting the kids walk all over your grown-up time, okay? Slings will use the jetpile as an excuse to push you away, and even without that, it’s not healthy to have your personal time with Silverbolt interrupted.”
Trailbreaker looked at Smokescreen, a furious blush rising in his optics, before nodding and leaving the office.
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He's right though! TB needs to step up and realize that his and Silverbolt's 'personal time' is just as important as a jetpile.
That said, I adore Fireflight. :D
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(Anonymous) 2012-02-26 10:22 am (UTC)(link)Just hope Slingshot will listen.
Starfire201
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I think I'm hooked. :)