[fic] Smokescreen Backstory 2

[wyntir_knight]

Title: Smokescreen Backstory Part 2
Fandom: Transformers: G1 (AU)
Characters: Smokescreen, Prowl
Wordcount: 576
Summary: Smokescreen left Praxus long ago and never looked back. Now he's found himself in a bind and there's only one place he can turn.
Author's note: I do believe that this has created enough of a bunny to become my CampNaNo fic.


Smokescreen hit the call button before he could talk himself out of it. Again. It had taken him far too long to make this call, but there was a greater than sixty-five per cent chance that it would not be taken and an even slimmer chance that he would get the help he needed.

It took a long time for the call to connect and even longer for the recipient to answer.

"Why are you calling," Prowl asked, though it came across more like a statement. And a dismissal. There was so much meaning couched in those four little words.

"Hi Prowl," Smokescreen said with a smile. "How's the new job? Big move working in the offices of the Prime."

"What. Do. You. Want." Prowl didn't snap. He remained distant the entire time, but there was a distinct anger under the icy exterior.

Smokescreen sighed and fought back the urge to end the call.

"I need your help, Prowl. You're the only one I could call," he said. "You have to know I wouldn't be reaching out if it wasn't urgent."

"You left Praxus and your House," Prowl said, "and now you come back to ask for their help? Why should I even consider entertaining this?"

"I'm not asking them for help, Prowl, I'm asking you. Look I'm in Iacon. Can we meet? In person? I'd really like to talk to you about-" Smokescreen broke off and stopped the thought before it could get out. "I'd just really like to talk to you. Something came up that I don't want to discuss over an open line."

"My duties keep me far too busy to waste time with frivolities. Now either tell me what you want or I will end this farce immediately," Prowl snapped. Actually snapped this time and Smokescreen felt a bit of a thrill at his ability to draw an emotional response from his cousin after all this time.

"Prowl, it's personal. Really personal. Can you just trust-"

"Good bye, Smokescreen. Do not call me again."

"I'm sparked!" Smokescreen cried, desperate to stop Prowl from disconnecting the call. "Please, I need help."

There was a long pause and Smokescreen saw his cousin's optics pale and flicker slightly.

"That is impossible," Prowl finally said. "Praxians cannot become sparked. We have the gestation chambers for that exact reason."

"Yeah, I thought so too," Smokescreen said. "It's true though. And I- Prowl, I can't keep it."

"So what do you want me to do about it?" Prowl asked.

"Can we just meet? Discuss things?" Smokescreen asked. "I know that this is a long shot - beyond a long shot - but I don't have anywhere else to turn. Please."

Smokescreen steeled himself for the response he knew was coming. This had been the worst idea with the least possibility of success. And he wasn't sure what he was going to do when the inevitable happened.

"Fine," Prowl finally replied. "I have sent you the time, date, and location. I can afford you half a joor."

"It may take a bit longer than that. And I was hoping that we could-"

"It is all the time I have to offer you," Prowl said, interrupting Smokescreen with a hard finality.

Smokescreen nodded. "Half a joor. Okay. I can make that work. Thank you, Prowl."

"I am simply agreeing to a meeting. I agree to nothing further than that."

Prowl ended the call from his end, leaving Smokescreen with a blank monitor.