#my new fav au :)

[princessbrunette]

₊🐈‍⬛˚ʚ 🥛₊˚🎀°˖ 🤍｡˚

mechanic!jj who’s a lil toxic, always manhandling you n telling you off ໒꒰ྀིっ˕ -｡꒱ྀི১

he’d show up to a beach party you’re at straight from work, grease still smeared all down his shirt, hair matted under his cap — face all frowny n pissed off. spotting you chatting happily away to a guy worsened his mood and he yanks you away, pulling your arm to face him.

“so uh— you don’t answer my calls n’ now you’re here playin’ cute with this random douche? you wanna explain yourself or what?”

“jayj! you’re finished work!” you’re too tipsy to fully take him in, reaching out to him with a dazed smile and he swats your hands away making you frown.

“nah, answer me. not playin’ with you babe.”

“this is my friend!”

he tongues at his cheek, eyeing the guy who stands awkwardly — watching the whole exchange.

“hes not your friend, okay— i fixed up this guys car once. dudes a loser, trust me— c’mon.” he doesn’t give you room to argue, wrapping a hand around your arm once more and dragging you to his truck.

“jj that was mean.” you complain, glossed lips pouting at him as he backs you up against the cool metal of the vehicle door.

“yeah? you wanna tell me more about that? or— hear me out, you shutup n’let me pound that pussy in my truck. up to you, mama.” he purses his lips, still clearly pissed before manhandling you aside— popping the back door open. “yeah, i didn’t think so. in you go.” he nods at the open door when you fall silent.

he was mean, but god was he sexy.

₊🐈‍⬛˚ʚ 🥛₊˚🎀°˖ 🤍｡˚

[wastefulreverie]

girl wake up im writing a no one knows au sequel

“Danny, one of these days you have to tell us what’s up,” Sam said. “You can’t stretch yourself thin like this forever. Whatever your secret life has you doing.” “I don’t have a secret life.” Which is exactly what someone who had a secret life would say, but Danny obviously evaded this with the loophole that was being dead. His secret half-life was also none of their business.

[starrspice]

So i got ahold of the game Hades and IT got ahold of me and I'm using that obsession to fuel my Muse AU

The story is basically the same except Sun and Moon are new Muses, with Y/N being their first Human they have to inspire

Eclipse is the head Muse and worries over Sun and Moon constantly (for good reason) and pops in often to see their progress

Sun is high strung and desperate to prove their worth as muses, while Moon is a bit too lax and content to continue being the court musician rather than dealing with mortals which makes it all the worse when things become an absolute mess

[mud-castle]

The Kittypet Sandstorm Au doodles in question

ft. platonic Silversand

[jtl-fics]

Fluent Freshman - 41

PREV

Two and a half hours into the Banquet and FF had not moved from the chair he had sat in at the start of the banquet. He hadn’t gotten up for water. Hadn’t gotten up to go to the bathroom. Hadn’t gotten up to dance despite Nicky’s pleading. He hadn’t even gotten up when a Raven had come over and asked him to.

He was not leaving his seat.

The stadium could be on fire and he’d still try to be the last one out.

Until there was a time where he could slide out of this chair without a single eye on him and put on his winter jacket without it seeming strange he was going to remain seated.

The answer on why was under his precisely placed napkin.

It had all begun about an hour and fifteen minutes ago, not that FF was counting. Dinner had been wrapping up and people had started to get up and jostle about. Flirtations were flying across the table and generally over FF’s head. The team had been smiling, there’d been laughter, and it had seemed unlikely for anything to go wrong.

He relaxed and that’s where he made a mistake.

FF could not eat the meal served. He’d had his liquid dinner on the way over on the bus so it didn’t bother him much to have a decent looking meal in front of him and not being able to eat it. He wasn’t going to eat so he hadn’t even unwrapped his cutlery, wanting to save the clean up crew from at least his set of utensils. He hadn’t placed the napkin over his lap to protect himself, what danger could there possibly be when he was not going to be eating?

The danger came when a Trojan smacked the table hard as he laughed at something that he had taken as a joke but, knowing Kevin, was probably a serious suggestion.

Hit the table hard enough to jostle FF’s plate.

Hit the table hard enough to jostle FF’s plate and more specifically a meatball that was with the pasta served with the beef tenderloin.

Hit the table hard enough to jostle FF’s plate and more specifically a meatball that was with the pasta served with the beef tenderloin so that it fell off of his plate and onto his lap.

Fell right onto his unprotected lap.

FF had looked down at his gray pants now irreversibly blemished by the errant meatball. His mind flashing back to when Nicky had decided on these pants. Remembers how Nicky hadn’t wanted him to vanish in the lower lighting of the banquet.

FF had grabbed his cutlery and put the napkin over his lap, far too late to save his pants, but fast enough that no one would see that he had spaghetti pants.

After that the trajectory of his evening had changed dramatically.

He was going to sit here all night until they were getting into the bus and then he’d have his winter jacket on and it was a long jacket that would cover his mark of shame. You might think that FF could just slip under the radar and go try and clean off the stain or at least hide somewhere less conspicuous.

He would, he really would, except he can feel the eyes of Captain Jeremy on him regardless of how low his presence is. FF entered into Ultra Stealth but Captain Jeremy merely turned to him and asked a friendly question that had Nicky startle remembering that FF was next to him still. 

Captain Jeremy has x-ray vision and can see the wall behind the wallpaper. Captain Jeremy can see colors that mantis shrimp can only dream of. Captain Jeremy is standing in some secret government office pointing on the radar as CIA and Military officials look on going “What are you talking about he’s right here?” with a smile.

Captain Jeremy was the kid that ate all the cheap fruit on a dessert table before he looked at the cake when he was a kid.

It’s the first time in his entire life that he’d been completely unable to slip below someone’s attention and if it were any other time he might feel good about that. Might enjoy the idea of being seen and having the attention of someone like Captain Jeremy on him.

Except FF has Spaghetti Pants.

FF cannot escape the man’s determination to ‘make it up’ to him after Aaron had let slip that FF had a restraining order against one of his brothers.

FF insisted that it was okay.

Captain Jeremy insisted on making sure he had a good time.

FF insisted that a good time for him would be to sit at this table all night by himself. He kept to himself that what would really make it would be for him to sit without anyone around to notice he had spaghetti pants.

Captain Jeremy seemed to think that it was due to the still healing stomach injury and insisted on at least keeping him company then, unaware of the unvoiced second part.

So Captain Jeremy of the USC Trojans had declared himself FF’s banquet buddy. A man that was friends or at least friendly with almost every single player here at the banquet.

He looks around the banquet and sees the various tense standoffs at the other tables. These were men and women who would find even the smallest thing and never let you forget it.

He doesn’t know what he’d do if they realize he had spaghetti pants.

How does one recover on the court when the person you’re up against can remember the cold December evening that you dumped a meatball on your pants? He can already hear the jeering nicknames.

He wants to sink into his seat but he’s afraid to shift at all, worried he’ll dislodge the napkin in some way and the newest person coming up to say ‘Hi’ to Jeremy Knox will notice the marinara stain on his pants.

While Jeremy was distracted he did try to wet Nicky’s disposed of napkin to perhaps clean himself off a bit except before he could a Raven came up to him, “Come with me.” a large Raven Backliner says, jerking his head towards the bathrooms.

“No thank you.” FF answers in return, “I don’t need to do that.” he says assuming that the Backliner had seen him shift in his seat and assume he needed to use the restroom.

The Raven Backliner stood for a few moments as if waiting for him to change his mind but then Captain Jeremy’s attention snapped back, “Can we help you with something?” Captain Jeremy asks and his friendly demeanor had vanished.

“I-” The Raven Backliner started to say before seemingly deciding that it wasn’t worth it and walked away.

Captain Jeremy and him continued to talk. They had somehow fallen onto the SAW movie franchise and FF could admit that he was surprised that the Trojan Captain had watched the series.

“You need to come with me.” A Raven Striker says coming up and interrupting the two of them as they talked about the ethics of SAW. FF believed that it was all well and good to learn to appreciate life but there had to be simpler ways to go about teaching that. Jeremy didn’t disagree, he just also thought that sometimes there were some people who Jigsaw never intended to redeem and those people may have deserved their fates.

FF tilts his head, “Do I?” he asks since it didn’t seem like the ERC had made any sort of announcement and she seems utterly and completely perplexed by his response.

The girl looks at him, looks over her shoulder, looks back at him, “Yes?” she responds sounding so unsure that even FF wouldn’t believe her.

“I don’t think he does.” Captain Jeremy interrupts gaze utterly cooled from the warm one he had been giving FF throughout their philosophical debate.

The Raven Striker looks cowed and FF almost feels bad for her but not bad enough to console her when he has spaghetti pants.

She leaves.

FF and Captain Jeremy’s conversation shifts to winter break plans. Captain Jeremy is going home to his family and he’s taking Jean Moreau with him. “I think my mom likes him more than she likes me sometimes.” Jeremy laughs heartily. “He deserves nice holidays though so I’m always happy to bring him up.” he says voice and features going soft as he looks to where Jean Moreau was standing with a raised eyebrow next to Andrew as Kevin and Neil were having some animated conversation.

FF talks about his own plans with the Foxes and how he’ll be spending the break with them. He thinks Captain Jeremy looks a little sad about that but whatever sadness there is Captain Jeremy moves past it quickly and starts to ask if he had plans to go anywhere specific in New York. He heartily recommends the LEGO store when FF says he’s never been.

“Someone important wishes to speak with you.” An Offensive Dealer from the Ravens says and he looks like he’s about to shake apart as he stands in front of them.

“Who?” He asks, tilting his head and sipping his water.

The Dealer looks at him.

“Is it that hard of a question to answer?” Captain Jeremy asks voice stern once again.

“He’s…Master is-” The Dealer goes paler and Smith can’t help but pull out his handkerchief from his front suit pocket as he sees the Dealer break out into a cold sweat.

“You don’t look well, maybe you should sit down?” he asks with his handkerchief extended in offer. The man looks at him and then the handkerchief and then takes it. “Thank you.” he says 

“Wow a handkerchief? My pocket square is just a fake one sewed in.” Captain Jeremy laughs jovial once again as the Raven took a seat shakily.

“It’s something my dad used to always say.” Smith thinks about the additional handkerchiefs in his pockets. “A gentleman always has a handkerchief on hand to help.” He pulls out a second one, “A real gentleman has two.” he adds and folds the new handkerchief into shape for the pocket square again.

Captain Jeremy laughs, “Sounds like a great guy! He must be happy you took his advice to heart.” he says and it doesn’t hurt that bad when Captain Jeremy is saying it since he’s saying something so nice.

“I hope so.” he agrees and doesn’t feel like ruining the mood.

Captain Jeremy turns his attention back onto the Raven who has taken a seat and his eyes soften on the Raven, “Wow you really are pale. Not a lot of sunlight in the Nest?” he asks.

The Dealer swallows, now visibly the most nervous person at the table which is saying something considering that FF is at the table.”I-I’m just pale naturally.” he denies.

“Sit and talk with us until you feel better.” Captain Jeremy insists, “What’s your name by the way?” he asks.

“Michael.” He answers awkwardly.

“Great, my name is Jeremy,” Captain Jeremy points at himself, “and this is Smith. So, have you ever been to New York City before?” he asks

Captain Jeremy, FF, and Michael chat at length about Michael’s New York pizza recommendations. Captain Jeremy asks about some of the places he has been in New York and the longer Michael is there chatting the more color comes to his face and the more vehement he becomes that Captain Jeremy managed to pick all the worst places by accident.

“You’re kidding me! It was 10 bucks a slice, it has to be good!” Captain Jeremy exclaims looking as if Michael was telling him Santa and the Easter Bunny weren’t real.

“If you’re paying more than $2.50 it’s a rip.” Michael insists passionately. “If it’s more expensive than the subway ticket then it’s a racket!” he slams his fist down at the table.

“You mean to tell me that I was lied to by that person I followed on Twitter?” Captain Jeremy asks, appalled.

“Swindled.” Michael insists.

“Christ, I’ve given that recommendation to so many people.” Captain Jeremy and while gesturing he puts his elbow in his own remaining spaghetti, “Oh shit.” he says. Smith looks at the black suit jacket and thinks about a future one step to the left where he had on black pants and a black suit jacket.

“I’m sure it’s good.” FF tries to comfort offering Jeremy his third handkerchief, this one from his left pocket since the one in his breast pocket was a specific color for the ‘look’ that Nicky had wanted. “It’s just not representative of a New York slice,” he adds.

“Thanks Smith.” Captain Jeremy takes the handkerchief wetting it with the glass of water nearby and wiping away the excess of marinara and spaghetti. “I’m going to go wash this off and try to dry it for you.” he says holding the handkerchief up.

“You don’t have to do that.” FF says but Jeremy is waving him off as he stands.

“Sit tight, I’ll be right back.” he says and heads off.

FF turns to Michael, “So I shouldn’t trust anything more than $2.50?” he asks.

Michael shakes his head and turns to look at FF, “Absolutely not.” he says with a smile before FF can see his eyes flick away and he stiffens. “Hey, it’s…” he looks down and the handkerchief, “it’s been nice chatting with you but… is there anyway we can take this conversation somewhere else?” he asks.

FF blinks, “No, I’m not getting up until the party is over.” Smith declines because by this point the stain has set. There is no stealthily cleaning it now that Captain Jeremy has left.

“So, you’ll get up once the banquet is over?” Michael asks leaning across the table and as he does that Smith can see a fairly ugly bruise on the Dealer’s forehead.

“I’ll have to won’t I?” he asks because despite the not-zero possibility that he’ll get left behind by the team again. His gaze shifts to Nicky who is leaning heavily against Matt as the two sway back and forth dancing and laughing. Probably about 50/50 at this point, depending on how quickly FF can make his way out of the stadium.

Michael looks at him and there’s something in his eyes that feels saddened, “Yeah, I guess that’s true.” he says before rising to his feet. “Thank you for this.” he says and hands the handkerchief back. FF can’t help but notice how there was a schmear of make-up on it.

The Dealer walks off and FF waves him off with the handkerchief before sliding it back into his right pocket, where he kept dirty handkerchiefs. He lets his eyes wander across the banquet. He sees Aaron and Katelyn slow dancing to a song that is not a slow dance. He sees Kevin and Jean now in the middle of a passionate conversation. Jack is pouting by the punch bowl with a few other Sophomores patting him on the back. Sheena is seemingly trying to flirt with the older bartender. Nicky and Matt have somehow only gotten sloppier in the 2 minutes between when he last looked at them and now. Captain Neil and Andrew are at the dessert table and he sees Andrew offering Captain Neil a chocolate covered strawberry. He sees a gaggle of his fellow freshmen huddled together all sipping their drinks nervously he moves to wave them over back to the table. Threat of the reveal of his spaghetti pants aside he’s not used to be alone anym-

“What the fuck did you just say?!” He hears behind him.

“I said what I said. She wasn’t even that hot! Get over it!” Another mocking voice.

“That’s it!” the sound of glass shattering and all hell breaks loose.

MASTERPOST FOR ALL PARTS OF FLUENT FRESHMAN AU

NEXT

[ghost-bxrd]

Keep going I want everything *holds up a note pad* give me angst

*slides glasses up higher*

Okay, you asked for it! Get ready for some really cracky ship content on the side of more Court Family au!

Bruce grows up learning high society and Court etiquette mostly from Alfred and some trustworthy Court members and quickly decides that some things need to change. (He may be morally flexible here but he still wants to change things for the better). He still puts up the Brucie mask in front of High Society, but now he does it with the goal to gather blackmail material from as many people as possible and indebt them to him for potential use down the line.

Bruce becomes Voice of the Court when he turns eighteen and immediately starts uprooting several of the more corrupt members of the Court, instating new people into the ranks that will benefit the city as a whole. He makes some enemies this way, naturally. And soon after the Cout’s Talon is tasked with Bruce’s safety at all times.

Bruce and Cobb do NOT get along. At all. Mostly because Bruce is determined to make Talon’s life even harder by trying to slip away from his sight every other second. It’s infuriating. Cobb considers literally sitting on the guy after only one week. (“Try bailing on me now, o’ honorable Voice”)

Bruce spends several months strategically implementing new laws and projects that will benefit the Court AND Gotham in the long run, making it a point to go to the most important meetings in person, even if they happen to be between criminals. (Cobb was so, SO tempted to let Black Mask shoot the idiot that day.)

Within two years human trafficking is close to nonexistent in Gotham City, lethal crime is down a good ten percent (which isn’t much in the grand scheme of things but for Gotham it’s almost biblical) and whispers of “Batman” are omnipresent. (Cobb considers asking if slapping his Voice would be considered treason but… it probably would. Even though Bruce really deserves it with such a stupid cover name. Owls HUNT bats… couldn’t he have chosen Owlman?)

(“What’s your name, anyway?” Bruce asks one day, flipping his tie into a neat Windsor knot that’s just passable enough to not be considered sloppy. “I am the Talon of the Court, my Voice.” Bruce hums, one elegant eyebrow raising in the stark reflection of the mirror, “No, your real name.” “It’s whatever you wish it to be, my Voice.” “You know what I mean, Talon. If you do not wish to answer, then I will not make you. But do not play me for a fool.” “… Cobb. William Cobb.” Bruce blinks, the left corner of his mouth tugging upwards, “Will… I see.”)

The first time a traitor nearly succeeds in killing Bruce is when he once again slips away from the Talon’s sight, and while Bruce is still well trained he’s no match against five people with guns, sedatives, and a mission. Cobb finds them right as they’re about to shoot Bruce in the head and goes absolutely feral. (He hates Bruce, he hates Bruce, he hates Bruce, he hates-)

Bruce wakes up back at the manor with a pissed off Talon standing in the corner of the room, keeping watch and refusing to talk to him anymore beyond what he’s ordered to. Sneaking away from the Talon after this becomes virtually impossible for Bruce.

Cobb keeps giving Bruce the cold shoulder for months to the point where Bruce becomes genuinely concerned, but the Court scientists assure him that their Talon is running at a 100% capacity. (That’s not what I’m asking, Bruce wants to scream. I want to know if he’s okay.)

(Cobb wasn’t worried, he wasn’t. He watched countless humans die in so much worse ways already. Inflicted worse himself. It’s just because he almost failed his mission and allowed the Voice to be killed that he’s so unnerved now. That must be it. That’s all it is. That’s all.)

Dick’s parents fall and Bruce is up and out of his seat the next second, pushing through the masses until he can clutch at the child and cover his eyes, shielding him from the view of his parents’ dead bodies. Social Services never get to put their hands on Dick Grayson.

The Court is ecstatic. Cobb is ecstatic. From tragedy, opportunity blooms like a rose with poisonous thorns, and the Talon stands ready to take on his apprentice as the Court broaches the subject with Bruce.

But Bruce (idiotic, stupid, bleeding-heart Bruce) refuses point blank. (“He’s a child,” Bruce says. Like that means anything. They were all children, once. He’ll grow out of it quickly enough. And the boy will make an excellent Talon, perhaps even surpass Cobb himself, with time and training. Maybe more capable at keeping the Voice safe than him, too. But then Bruce says, “He’s my child. My ward. And any of you who think to go against me will answer to the Talon and myself.” And, oh, damn you, Bruce. Damn you. But what else is Cobb to do but lift his head and stare down the Voice’s subject in silent challenge, daring them to object? Bruce is his Voice. Talon will never not side with the Court’s voice. (He pointedly does not think of the time he slit another Voice’s throat. He does not.))

Dick is anger and fury and sunshine and it drives Cobb crazy. The raw potential that is lost with Bruce’s refusal to allow him to train the boy… he cannot stand it. There will be another Talon before long (Cobb is not bitter about it, he is not) and with Dick the protection of the Voice would have at least stayed within the line of Cobb’s blood, but now… now Cobb can’t be sure the new Talon will take their task as seriously as the boy would have.

Dick is the one to approach Cobb for training before he ever goes to Bruce

Bruce nearly has a heart attack the first time he finds Dick training with the Talon, ripping the boy away and screaming at Cobb for nearly an hour about “orders” and “NOT a Talon” and many other things Dick doesn’t really get

Bruce asks Talon to bring him Zucco’s head and Cobb will forever deny the vindictive pleasure he felt when watching the smarmy man squirm and beg for his life (he didn’t get fond of Dick. Cobb doesn’t do fond. He hates him almost as much as he hates Bruce, thank you and good day.)

… okay I just realized none of this really qualifies as angst but— somehow this post got away from me. I’m sorry 😭😭😭 feel free to ask for more specific angst content tho? 🙏

[absurdumsid]

another red

Fell! Sans belongs to Fella/Vic

[kobadit]

The Triumvirate

[skitskatdacat63]

2010 Australian Grand Prix - Jenson Button(ft. Robert Kubica & Felipe Massa)

[peachtozier]

uh. circus au 2024 edition bc I reread stepping stones and I miss them

richie: I'm sticking with hand balancer richie bc I don't care if it's boring. I'm giving him good shoulders. he trained in gymnastics before circus so his handstands are super pretty. when he's on his feet he has almost no control over his body but put him on his hands and he can balance on anything. can walk on his hands for minutes on end.

I also think he'd be a pretty good puppeteer!! bev helps him make new puppets :)

eddie: anything aerial for eddie. trapeze, silks, hoops, tight rope walking. that boy needs to be up high and flying. really flexible. his favourite thing to do is probably silks (and it's richies favourite too, because eddies costumes are always super short bc he likes having bare skin to help grip the silk)

mikey: dog trainer... bc the thought of him and mr chips having a silly little circus routine keeps me up at night. mr chips can balance on one paw. he can jump through hoops. he can walk a tightrope with mikey. they're so cute. best jugglar out of everyone

bill: ringmaster sorry I don't take criticisms. he also does tightrope and he even has a little tightrope routine with georgie!!! he taught georgie how to tightrope when they were little babies 🥺

stan: magician. he even has a couple of doves as pets that join in the routine sometimes. they're very well behaved and love sitting on his shoulders when they're not performing

bev: trapeze with eddie...... I also think she def helps design and make everyone's costumes. she also puppets with Richie sometimes, and her voices are always terrible and over the top but it makes the kids laugh.

ben: he's the one in charge of building everyone's sets and props and making sure everything is secure !!! he loves designing new things for Eddie to do aerial work with and weird little walkways for Richie to hand walk across and builds puppet theatres for rich n bev!!! he makes mr chips a kennel!! he helps make platforms for stans disappearing acts.... he is seriously the backbone of all their performances !!!!

[spiderink]

RAGGHHDHDB OKAY I DECIDED THIS IS MY NEW STYLE I LOVE THIS DRAWING SM

[golswia]

BABE IM BEGGING YOU FOR THE REFERENCE SHEET OF YOUR REVERSE AZIRAPHALE PLEASE IM ON MY KNEES

BABE HE'S BEEN FROZEN LIKE THAT IN WIP FOR LITERAL MONTHS HE CANT EAT

SEND HELP

[impofthegasstation]

this was meant to be a quick doodle. it wasn't :') ddoes anyone else care about duke

[magicalcraftgirl]

Modern fashion AU-ish doodles ミ★

[rosaacicularis]

au where grain is supposed to be a villain but scar, his civilian boyfriend, keeps purposefully putting himself in danger at the scene of different crimes so that grian is forced to intervene and save him, which leads the media to branding him as a hero

[lets-try-some-writing]

I’m not entirely sure at what periods The Sparkling of Unicron take place, but if it takes place during the majority of season 2, is Starscream going to encounter Optimus during their rogue/exile?

If so, I wonder how those type of meetings turn out.

Did it take me two eternities to get around to this? Yes. Am I here writing for it now? Also yes.

Previous part here. Part that syncs up with this request best, here.

Lone Rangers

During his time alone, Optimus did little aside from follow his team to try and aid them. However there was one large exception from that rule, and it came in the form of Starscream.

Starscream was operating as a neutral rogue as well, and while their interactions were always hostile at first, slowly they found a degree of companionship. Optimus didn't need much energon to survive, and so in return for helping Starscream collect some of his own or by giving him what Optimus had stored, the seeker would help him locate his team when he needed it.

Starscream took one look at Optimus and the scrubbed insignia on his shoulder and for the first time in his life refused to comment on it. They worked together only when it benefited them both and often didn't talk. Optimus had no interest in conversing and Starsceam took the hint. While yes, loneliness ate at him as he travelled alone, he was not fond of the seeker nor the fact that he was aiding him. Of course sometimes communication was inevitable, and in those instances, a brotherhood of sorts did end up forming between them against both of their wills.

The first time they spoke was during their initial meeting. It was not a comfortable communication, nor where either pleased to see the other. However it was required as at the time Optimus had no clue where his team were and Starscream was running on fumes. Their exchange started with confusion on Starscream's part, largely because "How the frag did OPTIMUS PRIME get exiled by his own subordinates???" However that wonder and confusion vanished rather quickly when Optimus allowed his field to flare and his true nature to show more than it already was.

There were no more questions after Starscream sensed the Earth itself heed Optimus's will in a startling display of power that caused the ground to quake. Instead they simply exchanged services and went their separate ways the moment Starscream gave Optimus the coordinates to his team's location.

Their second actual conversation happened after Optimus nearly got his helm blown off during a battle around two weeks into his exile. Starscream flew down to Optimus's location in time to see the Prime hastily bolting plating back into place with his lackluster medical kit and his first instinct was to chastise Optimus in the only way he knew how. He took the bolter from Optimus and mocked him viciously even as he patched the wounds himself, being careful to not damage anything more than it already was even if he was uncertain how to bolt some things due to Optimus's strange form.

His original intent was to use his "kindness" as a means to an end, a favor for the Prime to repay later. But as time passed and Optimus continued his onward march to protect his Autobots... Starscream found himself continuing to care for the Prime when they crossed paths. It wasn't much, but some quick bolts to plating that Optimus couldn't reach or the odd set of coordinates without being paid in energon said enough. In return Optimus went out of his way to have energon on hand, and together on quiet nights they would sit in silence, Starscream drinking much needed energon while Optimus tried to stave off the pain of loneliness.

The third time they had an actual conversation was but a few weeks before Optimus pushed himself too far and needed to be recovered by the team. Up until that point their conversations were a mix of snark and silent endurance of the snarkiness in question. However after months of working together off and on... something shifted between them. They weren't friends by any means, but they understood each other in ways they hadn't before.

Starscream knew exile. He had faced it numerous times over his life and was well acquainted with it and clawing his way back into a position of power. It was the hunger that hurt him most though. Never had he been so helpless when it came to problem that was once so easily fixable. This he knew Optimus saw and he hated it just as much as he appreciated it when the Prince of Darkness offered him extra energon without any request for aid.

Optimus was well acquainted with hunger and struggle. Being left on his own was nothing new, he had been made for the express purpose of fending for himself as he completed his mission. It was the loneliness that got to him though after so very long of being swaddled in the comforting presence of friend and foe alike. He was sure Starscream saw his weakness, but he refused to comment when the seeker bolted his wounds shut and silently gave him extra coordinates to places his team were heading.

They were not friends. Nonetheless, they took comfort in knowing the other was there and would help to a degree.

Starscream: How do you handle this hunger? How does it not eat at you?

Optimus: I was made to endure such things, it is of no consequence to me. I cannot die, not as you children of Primus can.

Starscream: Hm, so why collect energon at all?

Optimus: I cannot die, but I can feel pain Starscream. The hunger of a mortal frame still hurts me, thus I try my best to alleviate it.

Starscream: So the mighty Optimus can't be felled, but he can be hurt.

Optimus: That is correct.

Starscream: ...

Optimus: ...

Starscream: Does it bother you knowing that others can die when you can't?

Optimus: ...

Optimus: It does when it comes to those I care about. No matter what I do, one day they will die, and when that time comes I will be unable to follow lest I give up on those that remain. I will never know rest, not like them, not while my maker yet lives.

Starscream: That... must be difficult.

Optimus: It can be... but as with all things, the pain of such wounds passes with time.

That was the last conversation they had before Optimus was retrieved. Optimus dropped off the map without any warning, and in a panic Starscream will never admit he fell into, the seeker searched for the Prime for cycles, trying in vain to find the one he called a brother in arms if only for a time.