Jetfire was the first to wake.
As he blinked, he realised it was still very early in the morning. Dawn had not even broken yet, and checking the new watch Astro had brought beside him, he found that it was 5:35 am. He let out a grunt and rubbed his face; he may as well get up. He looked down to see Starscream curled beside him, snuggled into the larger man’s arm. Gently, he brushed him off and managed to move his arm without him waking. Smiling, Jetfire pulled the covers up over him and stroked his head for a moment, eliciting a small purr from the other man and grin. Jetfire then sighed, looking down at him.
I remember …He watched Starscream breathe deeply. I remember the first night we slept together in the same bed.
Indeed he did. It was that evening that he had taken Starscream out to play-fight in the air all day, ending when Jetfire flew down to the nearby plateau to watch the sunset. The subject had been bonding …

“Well sure,” Jetfire leaned back. “You won't believe me when I say this, but I was pretty terrified when I first mind-shared with someone ... except it wasn't the 'energy bond' that we did ...”
Starscream tilted his head towards the jet. “....not an...” He coughed. “Energy bond? Was it with Prime?”
The other nodded, face slightly flushed from the thoughts that had entered his head when he first read Prime’s mind, the first time he saw the other’s thoughts. He didn’t know he could be so … normal.
“Because we're a gestalt we share a mind link ... and the first time I did it I was scared shitless ... so I guess it’s only natural to want to be protective of your thoughts at first .... but after a while ... you start to like it ... Especially if you're with someone you care about ...” He smiled lightly.
Starscream looked at him again, noting the red tinge to his face. “I guess its only natural you would be protective of him. After all, he IS your friend and Leader.
But is it more? He thought.
Jetfire just chuckled at that. “He was only ever a friend … though we could be brothers. It would make a lot of sense.” He snickered. “Prime sometimes confuses the hell out of me.”
Starscream coughed again, expecting more than a friend relation between the two, and felt embarrassed by it. But then he tilted his head and smiled a bit. “Sometimes that damn Megatron confuses me too …”
“I think it’s because the leaders have so much on their minds. So much they have to deal with …” He shrugged. “And us being second to our leaders, well, I guess it’s safe to say we both know how weird they get sometimes. Kinda like the same person.”
Heh, crazy is more like it for Megatron … If Demolisher hadn’t of been outside that time … Starscream thought before cringing, then smirking. “Well, I was thinking the opposite sides of the same card ...” He stretched.
Jetfire noticed the cringe and looked over, slightly concerned. “Hey, are you okay?”
“Huh? Ah ...no it’s anything. It was just another one of our leaders.....I mean 'Megatron’s' ...hissy fits.” Suddenly realizing it was Jetfire beside him, Starscream felt funny. He was so used to them fighting or glaring at each other, that this change was … strange.
Jetfire snickered, oblivious to his thoughts. “Well while Megatron’s hissy fits might be funny, Prime’s sure aren’t.”
“Heh, I guess even Prime has his limits. It’s interesting how you Autobots act …” He then dropped his voice as though he was talking to himself. “Like a family…” He then raised his voice suddenly to its normal level. “Kind of hard to understand too …”
“Yeah well, I suppose it would be hard for you to, being alone so much …” Jetfire closed his optics for a moment, and then opened. He noticed that the seeker looked somewhat sad, and lightly nudged him. “Hey, what’s the matter?”
I wish he would stop trying to read my face … He thought before shaking his head. “It’s evening already …” He watched the sunset light reflect off Jetfire, and wondered what his life would have been like if he had started as an Autobot, then smiled. “You best be off, your duties are awaiting …” He gathered a pile of dust and tossed it the shuttle’s way.
“Hey!” He chuckled and gathered his own pile, tossing it back at the seeker, who huffed. “I just polished, I would like to STAY clean thank you.” He stood up and stretched himself, then noting a smudge of dirt on Jetfire’s faceplate. He paused for a moment, before kneeling down and brushing it off with his thumb.
Jetfire made a small sound as Starscream ‘cleaned’ him and grinned. “Are you going back to base, or staying here? I want to stay out for a bit … I like watching the sunset.” He nodded towards the darkening sky.
Starscream remained where he was, and hesitated for a moment. He then reached forward and clicked off Jetfire’s faceplate and leant forward, planting a kiss on his lips. Lingering for a moment, he then drew back, but the night’s events were already decided …

It was after they returned that they slept together. Jetfire didn’t know why and Starscream certainly didn’t seem to know either, but that night … the closeness he had the seeker near him was amazing. He had woken up in the night to look down and see the seeker curled next to him, offline, and he realised then that he wanted Starscream to be by his side forever.
He opened his eyes in the present, and as he watched the sleeping human, he wondered why on Cybertron he had chosen Starscream. Primus only knew that he would end up with his greatest rival sleeping beside him this night, a friend … lover even.
Is it simply because when I saw him, when he came to the Autobot base and we flew together, that I wanted to make him happy? He thought, frowning. Or is it some deeper reason that I like him?
Although he couldn’t place a finger on it, his desire to see smiles from Starscream was definitely high. And of course he was very attractive to Jetfire, and although he had not thought so when they had been enemies, he did blink a few times when he did first saw him. This was due to the shock of seeing Starscream in person (for he had heard about him beforehand, but never seen him) and also his colours. Never before had he seen a red seeker, or one like Starscream before. And now that they were close, Jetfire could comfortably say that he was beautiful.
It’s a shame he doesn’t think so … He absently sighed out, looking at the ex-seeker with some sadness.
He was also a very interesting character for Jetfire to observe quietly, watching him slowly change. He had seen the ex-Decepticon laugh in battle, the pitiless way he slaughtered others, but also the tremendous sadness in his optics that day in the forest … when he had called and called for his team-mates … for Megatron. He had then realised that Starscream had a heart, a mind unlike any other being in the world. And Jetfire had slowly watched Starscream change and adjust to the Autobot way of life, he also realised that Starscream was different … special.
And I want to be with you … He crawled over and knelt next to him, placing a hand on his head and stroking his hair. Beside you … as you change into someone YOU want to be … not what Megatron wants you to be … someone you can be on your own.
Starscream murmured in his sleep, and Jetfire shook his head with a chuckle. One day he would realise he was crazy … when of course he had won a certain seeker’s heart.

***

Starscream woke up slowly, moaning out as he felt a tickling sensation on his waist. Unable to hold back a purr and grin, he opened his eyes to find a hand sitting on his hip, moving up suddenly to tickle his waist again.
“Jetfire …” He protested and threw an arm out, only to hit the other’s chest, and Jetfire then slipped his arms around the man and drew him up into his arms, holding him in his lap. Starscream blinked and looked up at Jetfire smiling at him, and made a sound of confusion. Needless to say, he shifted to be more comfortable in the hold.
“Why are you … holding me?”
“Hmm …” Jetfire snickered. “I dunno. Just felt like it …”
“Hmph.” Starscream was comfortable, that was true, but he was also a warrior, and that came first. Slowly he pushed the other away and sat up, sighing as he did.
Jetfire sighed too, then shrugged and got up. He looked over to the floor and noted the food already laid out like usual. It was starting to become a schedule for the former Transformers. What would they get up to today?
It turned out to be very lazy. Jetfire contented himself with alternately leaning over Starscream’s shoulder when he was drawing, something the ex-seeker found both highly annoying and embarrassing.
“Would you get off?!” He snarled out as the other had crawled over and snuggled up to his shoulder catlike, laughing as Starscream shoved him off and the bigger man had to flap his wings to stay upright.
“What? You’re an artist, Starscream!” He exclaimed, having seen the image on the paper.
Starscream’s face was beet red. “I am NOT!”
Jetfire just chuckled at him and suddenly came over, touching a cheek. “You look so cute when you blush …”
That only made Starscream’s face turn a more delicate shade of red and snarl at the former Autobot. “Go AWAY!!”
“Hissy fit!” Jetfire poked his tongue out and ran off, smirking a little way away. The ex-seeker grabbed his head and pulled at his own hair, cringing as it hurt.
“Boyyyyys!” A female voice trilled out as Astro bounced into view. “Fun times ahead! I’m going out to a pub tonight for dinner, but-” And here she glared at the two of them. “YOU two will be staying in the actual pub itself. I’ll give you some money so you can have a drink. You’ll eat dinner here before you go.” With that, the girl grabbed some clothes and went off to the bathroom to change.
Starscream growled. He hated orders. “Who does she think she is? Ordering me around …”
“She’s only doing it for our benefit, you know.” Jetfire replied. “It’s not like she had to take us out, or help us.”
“Still…” But the lack of further argument hinted Starscream’s reluctant agreement either way.

***

The night was young. Dusk had settled over the city, and the last threads of light lingered though the clouds to the west. The sky was multi coloured as was typical at this time of day, and a light breeze brushed the trees lightly.
Starscream grumbled as he walked. He missed flying dearly, and although he was permitted to fly around Jetfire’s quarters as much as he pleased, he missed the open space of outdoors most. Too bad the stupid humans have eyes, he had thought. It irritated him to no end to be stuck in this form.
As Astro entered the pub, she looked around for the entrance to the dining area. She smiled as she found it and one of her friends waved her in. She looked at the two transformers and handed them some money each.
“Alright,” She said. “I know you two can handle Heavy Energon in your transformer forms, but I don’t know how tolerant you are to alcohol. So just get some light drinks if you must. Have fun!” She then hurried off; her friend instantly engaged her in a conversation about the two men she was with.
Jetfire sighed and then smiled. “Well, come on Starscream! We’ve got a practically free range here!”
But the former seeker was surprisingly close to seething.
“She … she …” He spluttered, and then fully snarled. “FIRST she questions my ability to handle a DRINK and then she orders me around?!” He threw a fist out, and Jetfire had to grab it to avoid him punching the wall. Starscream ignored it and breathed deeply.
“Stuff her orders.” He smirked, calmer. “I’m going to drink however much I want and she’s not going to stop me.” With that, he stood up tall and marched into the pub and took a look around. He found himself a group of men and smirked.
Now to see how well I can get some men on my side…

Jetfire groaned, and slapped a hand to his forehead. He knew that Starscream was just asking for trouble, but he really couldn’t do anything about it, except maybe punch him so hard that he would knock the former seeker out. But he didn’t know the limitations of the human body, so he didn’t know what damage that would do internally either. It was an agonizing annoyance, but one he just had to go along with. He growled.
Primus Starscream, you MORON.
He walked into the pub himself, and sat himself on one of the stools. He ordered himself a Mudshake – A chocolate milk drink with a small amount of Vodka in it. He had seen an advertisement on the TV about it, so he wanted to try it. As he sipped it, he heard behind him Starscream getting acquainted with his new fellows over in the corner of the Pub …

“So, you come from Australia, huh?” Starscream questioned to a rather big male opposite him.
“Got any problems with that, mate?” He snarled, pointing a beer bottle at him threateningly.
“Why would I?” Starscream raised an eyebrow.
“All these bloody yanks seem to.” He smirked at his fellows, some which sneered at him.
“So, how much of this stuff can you drink before you get intoxicated?” Starscream held up a bottle of a rather strong beer.
“About two bottles will trash a normal person.” One of the others answered.
“Hm.” Starscream stared at the bottle for a moment, but then a smell caught his nostrils and led him to a tiny glass next to him. It was filled with a yellow substance and an ice cube was in it too. It also had a bit of white stuff on the top that he knew was cream.
“What about this?” He pointed to the glass.
The owner picked up the glass and smirked at him. “Ooh, Butterscotch whiskey, eh? You think you can handle a spirit?”
“Yes I can handle it!” Starscream jumped up, glaring. “What do you take me for? A weakling?”
The others snickered. “You sure don’t look too tough…”
Starscream snarled, then jumped over his chair and went up to the counter in a rush. He went to the server and ordered not a shot glass, but a full glass of this Butterscotch whiskey. He smirked at it and then went over to the table he had claimed as his own group.
The other men looked a bit surprised, but then all started snickering and snidely making comments.
“Ooo now he’s going to prove us all wrong …”
“Go on then, skull it.”
“Skull! Skull! Skull!”
Starscream had the biggest smirk of them all. He then tipped his head back and chugged the lot down. That certainly shut the men up as they watched the other drink the potent drink down in one gulp.
The former second in command slammed the glass down, panting, and he snickered at the others gaping at him.
“Am I still weak now? Hmm?” He smirked, but then felt the rush of alcohol go straight to his head after about five seconds. He gasped and wavered a bit, feeling the chemical start to take hold.
I will NOT let this stuff hit me yet! He thought furiously, and his strong will managed to suppress the affects a little. He grinned like a crazy man and looked the Australian man straight in the eyes.
“So, tell me another drink then.” He grinned wider.

Jetfire watched Starscream get drunker and drunker as he skulled glass after glass of hardcore alcohol. After he had finished his own drink, he could no longer stand to watch. Going to Astro was a bad idea, as he knew how she would react. Well, then again, he didn’t. The girl had a tendency to be completely unpredictable in some cases, and this could be one of them. Instead, he got up and left the pub.
The night air was chilly, and he bundled himself up as best as he could. It was a shame he couldn’t let his wings free so they could keep him warm, but he decided he wasn’t up to getting in trouble. Instead, he decided to just take a walk along the sidewalk of this street. Sighing, he set off, passing people as he did. He looked up and noted that the sky was starless in this part of the city. He supposed there were too many lights that blocked that of the stars, which was a shame to him. As he continued along, he saw up ahead a girl on the street with a box in front of her. She seemed to be asking passers by a question, but they either ignored her or sneered. She looked sad as each did this. Curious, he sped up a bit to stop in front of her.
The girl looked startled, and a little afraid, and asked timidly, “Would you like … a kitten, sir?”
“Kitten?” Jetfire blinked, then bent his knees and crouched down beside the box to peer inside. There was one animal left, bluish grey in colour and fluffy in texture. It was sleeping, but Jetfire reached out a hand and stroked what he thought might be its ear. The little creature opened its eyes to look up at him, and he noted they were deep blue. He smiled and scratched under its chin, and the creature seemed to like it.
“It’s cute.” He remarked, looking at the girl.
She nodded. “My cat had a litter … but we can’t keep them all. Our family is low on money at the moment so we need to get rid of them. It’s hard though …”
Jetfire gently picked up the … kitten, as he heard the girl call it, and cradled it. It seemed happy and snuggled up to his chest, and Jetfire smiled wider.
“I’ll take him,” Jetfire said. And hell knows what I’m going to say to Astro …
The girl looked very happy. “Oh thank you so much!” She smiled brightly. “Oh, and this one is a girl, so you know.”
“Thanks.” Jetfire smiled. “Oh,” He saw the sign above her head saying that the kittens were free, but to him that felt like stealing. So he took out a bit of money and handed it to the girl. “Here, take this. And tell the cat thanks too.”
The girl thought this was an odd request, but she smiled and modestly look the money. “Thank you so much …”
“That’s okay.” He grinned once more, and then headed back the way he came. The kitten meowed at him, and he wrapped it gently in a cloth to keep her warm.

Meanwhile, Starscream was rightly smashed off his face. He stood, wavering, and smirked at one of ‘his’ men. His normally stern features were deterred by the alcohol influence, so he looked almost nice.
“Waaaassss uuuppp?!” He slurred out, and promptly fell on his face.
The other men looked startled as he got back up, leaning heavily on the coffee table. He grabbed the almost empty bottle he had been drinking and wavered it in the air.
“Mmm ….” His face was flushed and he waved the bottle again. “Primus never realised … how HOT my partner is …”
“Partner?” One of the not so drunk men questioned with a snicker.
Starscream blinked stupidly, and then rolled on the floor and onto his back, looking like a dog who wants his stomach scratched. “Uh huh … parrrtner ….”
“Is she hot?” One of the others asked.
“Mm … she?” Starscream looked up, and blinked twice. “Uh … yeah, girl … Asssstro is a girl …” He then let of a loud purr, startling everyone. “But Jets isssss the hot one, though …” He then started giggling and rolled over onto all fours, giggling. “Jets tickles me! Tickle … tickle ….”
The Australian snickered at him, and then a song came on that they all knew. Starscream perked up, then got to his feet unsteadily and staggered off to the stage. Once he got there, he grabbed the mike and started singing:
“I’m too sexy for my shirt, too sexy for my shirt, so sexy it hurts!”
Starscream smirked again, but it was then he saw the door. Or what was the door, but to him …
The ex-seeker blinked, then left the stage and staggered over to the door with a grin. He then blushed at the sight of the ‘door’, and grabbed it.
“Oooo … Jetfire …” He then proceeded to start making out with the door, much to everyone else in the pub’s shock.
But after a moment, he blinked, and the apparition of his crush disappeared so that he could see it was a door. He blinked again, and then giggled.
“I’m too sexy for this door, too sexy for this door.”
He took a swig out of his bottle, and he wandered off to the toilets. After he arrived there, he saw his reflection in the mirror, and immediately he saw it as Jetfire again. He blushed, and then grinned and went over to the sink.
“Heeeey sexy …” He purred, and then nuzzled the mirror contently. “Aren’t you lookin’ fine tonight?”
He jumped up and sat on the sink, and brushed up against the mirror again, almost snuggling the glass. He twirled a finger across his reflection’s chest and smiled seductively.
“Wanna come home with me, sexy?”
And once more seeing a figure of Jetfire near him, he got up off the sink and went to follow him back into the pub. It was there a girl was waiting for him, along with the real Jetfire.
“Oh boy…” Astro muttered as she saw a completely wasted Starscream waver towards them both. Once he got there, he draped an arm over the girl’s shoulders and snickered.
“Heeeey there … you’re lookin’ fine tonight …”
Astro then grabbed the back of his neck and sent a small charge though him. It was enough, as Starscream was instantly knocked out cold. Jetfire picked him up and they walked out, Astro carrying the new kitten in her arms.