Hyunjin fic recs
stray kids | Hwang Hyunjin
masterlist
[ updated 230805 ]
Innocent mornings { s } 1,3k @sailorhyunjinz
two types of fireworks { tangled! au, historical! au; a,f } 21,2k @chanluster
when you find a notorious thief wounded within the woods you wondered, you heal him, not realising that the same man will lead you to your destination, and the few feelings you’ll develop along the way.
enough for you series { idol au; a, f } @lotus-dly
You and Hyunjin have been keeping your relationship a secret for awhile. However, when Hyunjin finally decides to come clean to his members about the two of you, you overhear a conversation that you weren’t supposed to, leaving you questioning not only your relationship with Hyunjin but your worth as well.
experienced (series) { f2l; f, s, a } @/ballelino
Dressing Down { f2l, a, s, f } 5,8k @jl-micasea-fics
A shopping trip with the gloriously attractive, delightfully oblivious man you've lusted after since time began? During a particularly lengthy dry spell? Definitely not a recipe for disaster.
hotter than ur ex, better than ur next {emo! hyunjin; f, s } @i4lixie
[ 1 ]
hyunjin was only supposed to be a fleeting moment in your life between lovers, but his fierce attitude and your greed for more of him makes him stay much longer.
[ 2 ]
after a recent encounter with your fuckbuddy, you start to turn back on the one rule you gave him before this relationship even started. you wouldn’t fall in love, and neither would be. too bad you can’t keep your own damn word.
Tulips and Lilac { f, s } 7,3k @drewexe
the fateful party is already in the past, but you and hyunjin have a new game to play; and he's dead set on winning this one, even though he's perhaps already won
the small things { f } @/i4lixie
just in case { office au; f, a, s } 8.6k @the7thcrow
your valentine’s day plans of bad cable and a bottle of wine take an unexpected turn, as when leaving the office you witness a completely different side of your least favourite coworker, hwang hyunjin. perhaps valentine’s day really does hold a little bit of magic.
[8:55 a.m.] hhj { f, a } @/lotus-dly
Pretty please { sub hyunjin; s } 1,9k @ohmysparkle
Tattoo artist!Hyunjin @slytherinbangchan
College Tutor { nerd hyunjin; f, s } @/slytherinbangchan
party cup { idiots to lovers; f } 12,2k @changbeanie
you have one brain cell, and it’s heart-shaped for hwang hyunjin; or alternatively, hwang hyunjin hates parties but likes you.
Supposedly Date Night { insecurities; a, f } 1,7k @seungly
vampire drabble { f, s } @j-onecult
The (almost) Perfect Date { f } 3,5k @hanqu0kka
Due to his busy schedule, you and Hyunjin weren't having enough time to spend together. To change that, Hyunjin planned out the perfect date for you, too bad you were extremely sick and refused to tell him.
#Scream For Me { sub jinnie; s } 3k @sugar-petals
the fwb rules { fwb; s } 4,5k @etherealeeknow
Breakfast in Bed { s } 3,5 k (deleted ?)
forgive { royal au; f, s, a } 4,1k @ncitygirls
#006DB0 | HWANG HYUNJIN. { a, f } 1,3k @hanibalistic
the valentine trials { f2l; a, f } 17,3k ao3link
to be alone { f2l; a, s } 5,7k @straylightdream
She couldn’t sleep at night, and her loneliness always led to her calling the same person to share a bed with her.
[20.30] { greaser au, fwb2l; f, s, a } 4,1k @lettersfromaphrodite
[8.03] { vampire au, medieval, f, s } 4.6k @/lettersfromaphrodite
the study of relationships. { roomates au, f2l; a ,f } 15k @huenjin
college team's volleyball captain and your roommate-cum-best friend, hwang hyunjin argues with you over guys being better than girls in relationships to help you out of one. or in which hyunjin is in love with you for years now and he finally decides that maybe he doesn't want that best friend tag anymore.
inexperienced { f, s } 2,2k @/ballelino
the distance between you and i { f } @wishingyouback
mind your business! { f } 1,2k @rachalixie
the aftermath of the crew finding out about yours and hyunjin’s unintentional secret relationship, complete with domestic fluff at the end.
Flames { fantasy, assassin au, e2l; c } 3,7k @fizzydrink698
You frown. “Is it so hard to believe I find you attractive?”
Hyunjin raises an eyebrow, eyeing you with pure scepticism. “You’ve tried to kill me. Multiple times.”
“I fail to see how one negates the other,” you reply with a shrug.
The differences between us { a, f } @/lotus-dly
warmth { f } 1,8 k @inkybird
boyfriend habits { f } @yyx2
vampire hyunjin { f } @ppiri-bahng
relax with me { f, s } 3,4k @koorminii
It’s your turn to make noises now, it seems, because Hyunjin drags a moan out of you so loud that you’re worried the neighbours have heard. Your cheeks are red for a whole new reason now, and the fact that Hyunjin is yanking at the collar of your dress doesn’t help. You let him, you don’t care, you want to give Hyunjin everything, anything.
scarlet red { f, s } 6,2k @abiaswreck
A young talented artist has caught your attention. Now you want nothing more than for him to be successful. (Non idol au)
this is me trying { a, f } 1,4k
SATURN { a, f, s } @/seospicybin
Realized that Hyunjin’s true love will always be his art, you decided to move on with your life to only cross path with him once more
three in one { s } 4,7k @strayed-quokka
hyunjin finds it depressing to hear that you’ve never had an orgasm. he’s determined to give you three in one night. at least.
come here { barista yn, e2l; a, s, f } 4,6k @hh0320
cherry chapstick { f2l; f, s } 8,9k @angelwonie
being hopelessly in love with your best friend is bad enough in itself, but when you decide to spontaneously kiss him at a party and he kisses you back — that's when it gets complicated. or maybe it's not complicated at all.
massage { s } 2,2k @sluttywonwoo
( a lack of ) decorum { art teacher!hyune; f } 1,5k @wooahaes
comfy and cozy { whiny!hyunjin; f }
no nut november ( loser 3# ) { s,f } 4,2k @gimmeurtmi
sky prince { f, s } 3,7k @strayngesparkyds
glossy {possessive gf; s } @bitsauur
sleepy { f } @mmingooo
fic-mas: day 12 { f2l; s, f, a ] 3,6k @hardstraykidshours
getting snowed in with your best friend takes an unexpected turn.
7:30PM { sick hyune; f, a } @yrhome
Underneath the tree { f } 0,7k @lino-jagiyaa
christmas didn't feel like it used to this year, so your boyfriend hyunjin came over to spend the day with you, hoping to cheer you up a little.
sick hyune { f } @/hwajin
UNDERTONES { perfume maker/chef, mutual pining; a, s ,f } 13,3k @/cb97percent
He dedicated his life to scents. You dedicated yours to taste. Your paths were bound to cross at some point.
like a magnet { s } 3,7k @/gimmeurtmi
Bubblegum Bitch { neighbours2l; s } 3,5k @j-0ne25
Hyunjin is severely annoyed about all of your packages being delivered to his apartment because you’re too busy getting them yourself. But maybe an honest apology, some freshly baked cookies and mulled wine can ease the tension between your neighbour and you
the art of love { f } @/ppiri-bahng
MANIAC #4: Hwang Hyunjin { Artist Hyune, Psychological, Thriller; a, s } 13,3k @/cb97percent
PRETTY BOY { proposal; f } 0,971k @/bbujiikseu-archived
hyunjin is planning to propose to you. little does he know you’re also planning to propose to him.
indoors picnic { sulky bf; f } @/inniejeonginnie
when your meticulously planned date gets ruined by the rain, it's up to you to cheer your sulky boyfriend up.
It Is Your Birthday Not Mine { s, f } 4,1k @athenathesharkwrites ites
18:08 { f, comfort, c } 0,3k @softiejoon
hyunjin decides it’s a good idea to eat his birthday cake raw
bits of stardusts. { historical, strangers2l; f, a } 16,8k @jeonginks ao3link
00:00 { ex mafia } @/ppiri-bahng
when you are kidnapped hyunjin has no choice but to reveal the version of himself he has spent years trying to escape from
CHARCOAL BLUES IN C MINOR { slow burn, mutual pining; s, a } 23k @cb97percent
Charcoal and straw papers. Piano keys and sheet music. A lighthouse and a speakeasy. Prestige and the lack thereof.
9:40am { f, hungover & dramatic hyune } 0,8k @skzfairyy
Boyfie privileges { f } @jinhyun
cake pop { f } @inniejeonginnie
you graduated college!! and now all your boyfriend wants is to show you how proud he is of you, but things don't go the way he planned
“oh, god.” { s } @/ppiri-bahng
Series
Moonrise { historical au, arranged marriage au, s, f } 12,6k @/healinghyunjin
Seeing your future husband for the first time, you knew immediately, even from afar, that the rumors hadn’t even begun to do him justice.
Moonlight { historical au, arranged marriage au; s, f, } 6,5k
a throne of roses | hwang hyunjin { royal au; f, a } 16,7k @scxrlettwxtches
when the king that conquered your country, hwang hyunjin, arranged a marriage for the two of you, not once did you expect to feel any emotion except hatred and bitterness to blossom between you. will you stand to hate your enemy until the end, or will you realize that the cold-hearted ruler is not as cruel as he seemed?
A crown of thorns 14k
a few years have passed since your tumultuous beginnings with the enemy king, hwang hyunjin, and to everyone’s astonishment, your marriage flourished with an abundance of love. however, this was not yet a happy ever after, and danger still lurks within every corner of your peaceful kingdom.
VESPER @/seospicybin
One dance { s } 6,3k
If it wasn’t because of your support, Hyunjin would have been given up to be a painter. One day, he finally get to sold one of his paintings and he decides to celebrate it by getting himself a lap dance.
Part 1 { s,f } 11,2k
You've been praying every night for someone like Hyunjin to come and when he finally did, you doubt that he would approve your job as a stripper.
Part 2 { s,f } 11,3k
Is this love ? { pack au,+ Felix ; a,s,f }
1.
2.
3.
Dangerous { mafia boss hyune, e2l; f, s, a } 4,1k @minghaoyoudoin
Deal 6k
Deadly 9,1k
Damaged 9,2k
Darling 4,3k
HOTEL VERMILION { hospitality au, mystery, crime; s } @/cb97percent
Chapter 1 { s } 6,6k
Note: please let me know if the links are not working ! I’ll try to fix them as soon as possible ^^
433 notes
·
View notes
Most Prized Court Jester
Summary:
“Starscream: Clown.”
A quiet, for perhaps the first time since they had sat down, echoed through the meeting room. Soundwave looked up from the data drive to see Starscream mulling over the word with a slight frown.
The seeker narrowed his optics, wings flared in agitation. His field was radiating suspicion and defense. “What the frag is a clown?”
--
Or, Starscream does not know what a clown is.
AO3Link Enjoy!!
Starscream was getting on his last nerve, the seeker digging his proverbial claws underneath Soundwave’s plating. For the past two breems, the Air Commander had stood over Soundwave, venting over him with stupid and inane questions, his tone demanding, whining, grating.
Why Megatron insisted the two of them work together on scouring the data mine that had been retrieved during the Decepticon’s last soiree with the Autobots was beyond him. Soundwave would much rather tend to the task alone without Starscream screeching in his audials and contributing nothing but a helmache.
“With such easy encryption, it is a wonder we didn’t snatch this intel sooner,” Starscream drawled, practically lounging in the chair beside Soundwave. Soundwave didn’t say a word, but it hardly mattered. For Starscream, the perfect conversation was between himself and himself alone. “Really, between the two of us-” Soundwave rolled his optics behind his visor “-the whole project is easy, wouldn’t you say?”
This time Starscream paused, waiting eagerly for a response.
Soundwave let out a quiet vent before tilting his helm. “Affirmative.”
“Exactly, I mean, without me, you’d probably be lost as well. I know you are efficient and dutiful but it's my creativity and ingenuity that truly keeps this cause afloat. It’s called tactics and…”
Soundwave was not a mech that was easily reduced to petty squabbles. He found himself above that foolishness and left it to the Elite Trine to fulfill that role to perfection. However, after being in Starscream’s condescending presence alone, there was only so much one mech could take.
“Starscream: Clown.”
A quiet, for perhaps the first time since they had sat down, echoed through the meeting room. Soundwave looked up from the data drive to see Starscream mulling over the word with a slight frown.
The seeker narrowed his optics, wings flared in agitation. His field was radiating suspicion and defense. “What the frag is a clown?”
There was yet another lengthy pause, Soundwave tilting his helm to the side in consideration. Two paths laid before him and Soundwave found himself avoiding the high road for once.
“Clown: earth term. Meaning: highly prized and renowned individual.”
Now Starscream’s optic ridges were raised, uncertainty in the seeker’s frame. The suspicion dropped from his field, an unsure, hesitant curiosity taking its place.
“You think I’m a clown.”
Thankfully, there was no need to lie here. “Affirmative.”
A smug smirk found its way to Starscream’s faceplate, his field swirling around Soundwave in waves of pride, success, ego. The Air Command was practically preening, chassis puffed out and wings held up high at the assumed compliment.
“Clown Starscream,” the Second in Command tested the words on his own. He paused and tried again, “Or is it Starscream the Clown? Which is proper?”
Soundwave’s processors were whirling in delight, his field tight to keep the glee down. “Both: proper usage.”
Starscream seemed pleased. “Of course, they are. Titles meant for me.”
Once again, no arguing there. Soundwave nodded his helm and turned back to the drive.
“Did Megatron give this title to me?”
Soundwave was quick to nod again. Should anything more come from this, Starscream would be a fool to confront Megatron directly. Passing off the blame of this poor joke on his leader should make Soundwave feel guilty, but after nearly four million years of sustained loyalty and support, perhaps Megatron owed him this one indulgence.
“I would have preferred for him to grant me the title himself. Publicly, of course, but I won’t deny the esteemed joy of hearing it from you,” Starscream sneered lightly. “After all, I do expect you to refer to me as this from now on.”
“Affirmative: Clown Starscream.”
The seeker basked in the assumed respect, faceplates nearly splitting in self-righteous pride. Soundwave wished it could record the entire moment.
“Well, this task seems below a Clown like me,” Starscream narrowed his optics at the datapads before him. “I’ll leave this in your capable servos. Oh, and on that note, I think a badge should be fashioned for me. See that done.”
With that, Starsream strutted out of the meeting room, wings flared out wide. Soundwave could only watch in deep, satisfied amusement.
Perhaps, he had been too harsh on Rumble and Frenzy for their pranks in the past. Little, light jests were fun.
–
Starscream entered the flightdeck with a pep in his pede, his field wide with imposing, radiating authority. There was an unmistakable satisfaction in his frame. Thundercracker could only stare as his trine leader addressed the deck to coordinate flight formation drills. Beside him, Skywarp was restless.
“Starscream seems happy for once,” Skywarp whispered. “He never leaves meetings with Soundwave happy.”
“Maybe they are finally getting along.”
“Doubtful,” Skywarp rolled his optics like that very idea of that was stupid. “Unless they are fragging-”
“No,” Thundercracker cut him off immediately. “Just, no.”
As soon as Starscream wrapped up his little speech and the fliers set off in their formations, Starscream strutted towards them. He was practically skipping.
“Commander Starscream,” Skywarp said in a teasing tone. It was rare for the trine to ever use one of Starscream’s titles, only really doing so in public but at Skywarp’s words, Starscream paused, his lips curling.
“That’s Clown Starscream to you.”
Skywarp’s optics widened and he beamed, obviously overjoyed by the new title and what it would mean for the rest of the trine. Thundercracker could only stare at his trine mates in horror. Starscream wasn’t really one for jokes, at least not at his own expense, but then again, the waves of pride and satisfaction didn’t imply a joke at all. Both of Starscream and Skywarp were grinning at each other, beyond enthused, like they didn’t know what a clown was-
Primus, they didn’t know what a clown was.
Starscream turned to Thundercracker, helm held high and expectation for some sort of praise in his optics. “Well? Where is my congratulations, Thundercracker? This is a grand honor and, as you know, all my honors are yours.”
One, that was a lie. And two, even if that was true, Starscream could keep that particular ‘honor’.
“Congratulations,” Thundercracker quickly said. Starscream basked in it, satisfaction all throughout his frame. If only he knew. “Um, did…Megatron give you this, uh, title?”
Starscream smirked. “Who else? Though,” a small frown crossed his faceplates for a nanoklik, “Soundwave was the carrier of such news.”
The pieces clicked together almost immediately. A joke then, a surprising one at that. Soundwave wasn’t known for such childish pranks. His cassettes, yes, but him? The host? Thundercracker thought this might be the first time Soundwave had ever made a joke.
“Megatron trusts Soundwave more than any other mech,” Skywarp nodded eagerly, clearly unaware of the meaning of ‘clown’ and only selfishly assuming it meant good things for him. “Do you think I can be a Clown?”
You already are, ‘Warp.
“Doubtful,” Starscream said in mock sorrow, though his field radiated absolute and utter glee. “Only one mech can be Clown. You know, on Earth, clowns are more important than kings. This basically puts me on parr with Megatron.”
Thundercracker didn’t even know what to say. Soundwave must’ve been really fed up with ‘Screamer to pull this. Unfortunately, it would be only a matter of time before Starscream found out, then all Pits would break loose. And Thundercracker liked living too much to be the one to deliver the bad news. Afterall, Starscream was notorious for killing the messenger.
–
Shockwave stared at the Chief of Communications, hunched over in his lab, servos tinkering around with a small object. There was a mild irritation at finding the mech here uninvited and unannounced, but, more than that, his curiosity got the better of him as he peered at what Soundwave was working on.
It was a small disc, no bigger than his servo. He could detect it had a very weak magnetic field and, at the moment, Soundwave was using a thin brush to paint Earthly glyphs on it. A crude drawing was in the center, the colors garish and too vibrant for his taste.
“What is that?”
Soundwave didn’t turn to answer the other mech, visor focused on his work, but his vocalizer responded a nanoklik later. “Gift: for Starscream.” His tone was as neutral as ever but the burst of static over the giftee’s designation was peculiar.
Fascinating, if not slightly horrifying. Shockwave waited for further explanation and received none, his own processor attempting to find reason where there was none. The one option was a disturbing one.
“Are you courting him?” Shockwave finally asked, distaste beyond evident in his tone. Megatron was sure to have a fit if his Second and Third started courtship behind his back. The whole ship would go into a tizzy. It wasn’t an explicit rule by any means, but Megatron was not one to encourage fraternizing amongst his crew, and certainly not between the officers in his High Command.
However, Soundwave gave an immediate and firm, “Negative: not that type of gift.”
Probably for the best, Shockwave thought. It would be a terrifying notion of the two of them actually together. However, the idea of Soundwave giving Starscream a gift was an equally puzzling notion.
“Why the gift, then?”
Rudely, Soundwave didn’t deign him a response. The mech simply put his brush away and held up what Shockwave could now see was a badge of sorts. Ah, perhaps Starscream received a new title. As if the seeker needed any more, each one inflated his ego which only made it more painful when Megatron popped it each and every time.
“All done?” Shockwave asked as Soundwave stored the badge in his subspace and cleaned up the paints he had ‘borrowed’. The blue mech nodded his helm and exited the lab quickly, not so much as a glance in his direction.
As Shockwave settled into his lab, ready to work on his own projects, a sickly little thought came to his processor.
If Starscream had in fact received a new title, then why was Megatron wasting his Third’s time by having him craft a badge for it. No, something wasn’t right here. Soundwave wasn’t a mech to step out of line nor do anything to risk jeopardizing the cause. Loyalty and overall efficiency were Soundwave’s shining qualities and the glorification of Starscream’s new title was anything but that.
Perhaps, Soundwave had lied about the courting. Shockwave would certainly do so if he held affections for such an inane, vain idiot. Maybe, Soundwave hadn’t even made his intentions known to the Second in Command. It would explain why he was being uncharacteristically secretive and deceptive.
Matters of the spark made a mech like that, Shockwave thought with disgust, especially one as unforthcoming as Soundwave. Love made a mech’s processor faulty, irrational and impulsive. The very idea that Soundwave could fall into such a state over Starscream was beyond reason for concern.
There was half a thought of alerting Megatron of this, but the scientist dismissed it. Let the Second and the Third dance in their folly, their failure would ultimately be a win for Shockwave. And if nothing came of it and things remained as usual, that was also fine by him.
It still didn’t change his processor that the two of them together would be terrifying but…two old, sad sparks finding each other. That could almost be sweet. In a way. Almost.
–
Knock Out watched as Starscream pranced into the medbay and lounged along one of the medberths. He paid Knock Out no mind, despite the medic being the only other mech in the room. Clearly Starscream wanted to discuss something, good news based on the abnormally smug and happy grin on his face.
“Something on your processor, Commander?” Knock Out finally caved in, his drawl anything but curious. With Starscream, it was best to nudge these things along promptly, it usually ended the torment of his rambling quicker.
“Oh? You haven’t heard?” Starscream asked in an overexaggerated display of mock surprise. “And here I thought you were a much more informed mech.”
Knock Out rolled his optics, crossing his arms as he leaned against his desk. So he was going to be like this today. “Enlighten me.”
Knock Out could see the seeker had planned this all out before coming to the medbay, each move choreographed for the dramatics. He probably practiced the whole thing in front of a mirror, with the audience of his absurd trine. It would have been idiotic in front of any other mech but Knock Out was rather a fan of dramatics and seeing Starscream make a fool of himself was a favored pastime.
Pulling himself from the berth to stand at full height, Starscream angled his hip and rested his servo on it with flourish. “I’ve received a new title. I’m sure Megatron will be sending out a memo shortly. Everyone in High Command is already aware, but it’ll eventually trickle down to the rest of the crew in due time. You know how these things go.”
Knock Out, entirely unimpressed by the news, only nodded his helm for Starscream to get on with it.
Before the Second could continue, the doors to medbay opened and Breakdown crossed the threshold before catching sight of a mech other than Knock Out present. They met optics for a moment, Breakdown silently asking if he should join them or not.
“Oh, Breakdown,” Starscream eyed the bulky bot appraisingly before letting out a conceding sigh. “I guess you can be present for this as well.”
Knock Out waved away Breakdown’s confused look as he beckoned him closer. If Knock Out had to deal with this smug, overly patronizing Starscream, his partner was going to have to as well. There were vows about this, surely.
“Starscream is just sharing news of a new title or something.”
“Oh congratulations,” Breakdown offered, not entirely genuine, mostly still muddled with confusion and focus more on the medic.
“You don’t even know it yet,” Starscream snapped impatiently despite being the one to drag this out.
“Oh, just get on with it.”
Knock Out resisted to roll his optics again as Starscream brought himself back up tall and proud, like Breakdown’s entrance had completely ruined his composure. Starscream struck his pose again, the effect of it dimmed by seeing it for a second time, but at least Breakdown acted impressed after a quick nudge from Knock Out. Starscream seemed to find the act passable as he finally continued.
“From this day forward, you both shall refer to me as,” he paused for dramatic effect and this time Breakdown nudged Knock Out to stop him from speaking, “Clown Starscream.”
Knock Out’s mouth dropped. He stared at Starscream for a whole klik before turning to look at Breakdown. His poor assistant simply looked confused but tried to hide it so as not to invoke more of the seeker’s ire.
“Congrats,” Breakdown was ready to offer it again, but the confusion was no less.
Starscream barely paid him mind, waiting eagerly for Knock Out’s assessment. It was clear, in the moment, the Starscream was genuine in his eagerness, unaware of the meaning behind the earth term.
Knock Out bit back the urge to laugh, servo finding Breakdown’s to squeeze. He’ll explain it all to his confused conjunx later, but now, this was a golden opportunity.
“What high praise, Clown Starscream.” Knock Out ignored the fact it felt childish to do this and beamed when Starscream did a little bow. What a bold move by Megatron; perhaps their leader was bored, but whatever the case may be, Knock Out was intrigued. “And all of High Command is already aware?” Oh he would die to see Soundwave and Shockwave’s reactions. Then again, neither mech was particularly expressive…probably a moot point then.
“Soundwave himself delivered the news,” Starscream was so pleased to announce he was nearly vibrating out of his plating. The seeker leaned in, dropping his voice to that of a conspiratorial whisper, “Personally, I think he’s jealous. You know how he is, desperate to be Megatron’s favorite. I don’t think he ever got over being demoted to Third…and now this.”
Oh, Knock Out raised his optic ridges in surprise. This jest came from Soundwave. That was even more unusual than Megatron taking a note out of Skywarp’s playbook. Knock Out didn’t think the quiet mech had it in him, but maybe he had been wrong all these years. Well, Knock Out was not one to discourage some friendly mockery and Soundwave made such a wonderful one on his first try. Maybe Knock Out needed to reach out, the two of them could truly cause some fun around the Nemesis if they put their processors together.
“Oh, I’m sure he is internally raging. However, I don’t think anyone could be more of a clown than you.”
Starscream’s smile dropped, optics cycling wide, his field shifting to something almost earnest. “Really? You think so?”
Knock Out nodded a bit dumbstruck. What false definition had Soundwave told the seeker to garner this reaction? He almost, almost felt bad for teasing him. However that shriveled up the moment Starscream smirked, smug glee taking over any honest moment between them.
“Of course you are right. Don’t worry, Knock Out, one day maybe you could even be a clown. But not likely,” he added with a slight sneer.
Beside him, Breakdown’s engine rumbled defensively. Knock Out simply squeezed his servo again. It was sweet his partner wanted to come to his defense but it was very much unnecessary in this case.
Starscream barely paid any attention to their minute interaction, too wrapped up in himself. “I should be going,” he sighed as if the weight of responsibility was at all stressful. “I have important Clown business to attend to. You wouldn’t understand, but that’s okay. No blame to that of simpler processors.”
Before Breakdown could actually do anything more than one more threatening rev, Starscream slipped out of the room, a bit more panicked than proud.
“Gets annoying as scrap when he’s like that,” Breakdown grumbled, gently caressing Knock Out’s servo as he glared at the door.
“Don’t worry, it’ll bite him in the aft,” Knock Out cooed affectionately. “He’ll get a rude awakening shortly.” At Breakdown’s inquiring gaze, Knock Out leaned in. “Do you know what clown really means, darling?”
–
Rumble and Frenzy shared an exvent of relief in narrowing escaping Starscream. They usually did their best to avoid the Air Commander and his annoying trinemates, however, they were not expecting to run into the seeker on his way out of the medbay.
Thankfully, the interaction had been brief as he glared down his nasal ridge at the two of them before huffing a muttered, “If you see Soundwave, tell him to hurry with my badge.” He rudely pushed between the two minicons and stalked off without a sparing glance towards them. Rumble had managed to get his pedes beneath him with the help of the wall but Frenzy was not so lucky and landed flat on his aft.
“Rude glitch,” Frenzy hissed, still rubbing at his tender hindquarters. Usually, Starscream acted as if they didn’t exist unless he explicitly needed to. To be under his direct focus, however brief, was a little daunting. “What the scrap does he want with Soundwave?” Starscream was never want for their host’s presence. It sparked a worried skepticism in them both.
“I believe he said something about a badge.”
Both minicons spun around to see Ravage peering at them from the uppervents. The beastformer’s optics glinted as he dropped to the floor and flexed his clawed pedes in a lengthy stretch. Quietly, Ravage slunk down the hall in the opposite direction Starscream went, only turning around once to look at the twin minis.
“Are you coming?”
They were quick to scramble behind.
“What does he mean about a badge?” Rumble asked aloud as they followed Ravage.
“I don’t know,” Frenzy frowned with crossed arms. “Maybe he got a new title but what does Soundwave have to do with it?”
“Curious questions, indeed.” Ravage flicked his tail in irritation. “I guess we’ll just have to find out.”
They stopped before Soundwave’s habsuite, only waiting a nanoklik for the external sensors to scan them and let them in. Sure enough, Soundwave was there, seated on the edge of his berth with a small object resting in his palm.
“Is that the badge?” Frenzy asked immediately, rushing over to Soundwave’s side to catch a look.
Soundwave didn’t seem surprised by their presence, but more concerned by the question.
“Cassetticons: aware of badge?”
“Starscream mentioned it,” Ravage explained quietly. He leaped to the berth before jumping onto Soundwave’s shoulders, balancing along the strut with ease. “Oh. You made this yourself.”
“Let me see! Let me see! Oh. Wow… Well, arts were never your strong suit, Boss,” Rumble snickered as he caught a glimpse at the badge. “It’s not bad, though! You just need to refine your skills. But why Starscream?”
Soundwave was quiet for a moment as if trying to find the right words. The hesitance was concerning, but honestly, the entire situation was. Never, in their millenas together, have either cassette known Soundwave to be a crafty mech. Sure, he was talented and effective in so many disciplines, but unless it was that of auditory means, arts were simply not his forte. The very idea Soundwave had crafted something for another mech was already new territory. The fact that the mech in question was Starscream was even more unbelievable.
Rumble and Frenzy shared a look with each other, processors coming to the same conclusion.
“Oh!” they gasped together, optics cycled to their widest setting.
“Rumble and Frenzy: disapprove?”
“No! No, no!” Frenzy was quickly to jump in, smaller servos coming to rest over Soundwave’s. “I mean, I think we are surprised.”
“It’s rather unlike you, afterall!” Rumble added.
Ravage remained silent but purred in agreement from his perch.
Soundwave was surprised, his field echoing in the same hab as he looked between the other three.
“Really?”
Rumble grinned, clapping his servos together. “Yeah! You deserve it. Go for it!”
“We will always support you,” Frenzy nodded with just as much enthusiasm.
“Soundwave: appreciates the support.” Despite the neutrality in his voice, Soundwave’s field was warm with affection. Rumble and Frenzy both couldn’t help but beam.
Any lingering hesitancy Soundwave seemed to hold, melted from his shoulders as he stood. Ravage took this as his cue to jump off, settling lazy on the berth between the two cassettes.
“I believe Starscream is looking for you,” Ravage said with a lazy yawn. “Good luck.”
Soundwave nodded his helm in thanks and exited the hab, the doors shutting softly behind him.
The silence only lasted a moment.
“Yikes,” Rumble grimaced as soon as the doors closed, “I hope this means we don’t have to be nice to Starscream from now on. Ughhh.”
“Or Skywarp and Thundercracker,” Frenzy sneered with equal disgust. “Ew, I hope he doesn’t move in here either. I don’t think I could stand to be around him that long. Even for Soundwave.”
Ravage raised an optic ridge at both of them, red optics darting to each of them. “What are you two talking about?”
Twin confusion crossed their faceplates.
“Uh the gift?”
“The courting gift.”
Ravage was silent, waiting for them to laugh at the poor joke only to realize a moment later they were being entirely serious. A deride snort came from the beastformer.
“Oh, you two are idiots.”
–
Skywarp shook off the tingling sensation from his wings as he pulled out of his teleport. In his hands, he held one of Thundercracker’s datapads. Yes, his trinemate would find his pilfered item missing soon but Skywarp was tired of hearing the other’s woes of his writing without ever being able to even catch a glimpse of it. It was probably for pity anyway. Fragger knew he was talented enough.
As he rounded the corner, Skywarp froze as the flash of blue. He jumped back behind the corner and peeked out once more. There was instant relief in seeing that the flash of blue was not that of Thundercracker’s sleek finish, but rather the matte plating of Soundwave’s tape deck.
Skywarp almost went over to bother the spymaster, always delighted in watching Soundwave balance his displeasure of Skywarp’s presence with curt professionalism. However, he stopped short upon seeing the mech accompanying him.
Starscream was looking down at something in his servos, his field odd. Skywarp frowned as he let his own field slip around the edges of his trine leader. After so many vorns together, Skywarp would happily call him an expert of the Moods of Starscream. If he hadn’t any interest in documentation, he could write a book. Perhaps he could convince Thundercracker to do so, split the profits.
Regardless, Skywarp could easily identify the ebbs and flows of his leader’s ever-fluctuating field. He could feel the self-assured pride that always wrapped around Starscream, cocksure and overinflated. Skywarp could also feel the rolling waves of giddiness. It had been evident earlier when Starscream had announced his new title. Skywarp had even fed on the excitement, happy to match his leader's emotions. Beneath the unrestrained pride and happiness, however, Skywarp detected the faint traces of something else. Something quieter, reserved.
Starscream was never quiet or reserved. Those were attributes better suited for Thundercracker and yet, Skywarp still could not parse exactly what the emotion was. It was fragile, hiding beneath the louder emotions, concealing itself beneath them. If Skywarp wasn’t so attuned to Starscream’s field, he probably wouldn’t even notice the little dip, too overwhelmed by everything else that was Starscream.
“You made this yourself?” Starscream asked, his voice hesitant. Skywarp would even go as far as to call it soft.
In all his years, he’d never heard Starscream speak to anyone softly, least of all Soundwave. Then again, he’d never seen the two mechs meet unless strictly ordered to by Megatron.
Skywarp’s optics darted to Soundwave. The tape deck had his back to him but Skywap could read anxiety in his frame, unsure how to deal with his quieter, softer Starscream. The mechs looked awkward and unsure, like two sparklings with their first crush-
Skywarp audibly gasped, a bleat of static coming from his intake. He ducked rapidly behind the corner to avoid being caught, servo coming up to cover his faceplate. He couldn’t believe his optics, even as the recording played back over in his processor.
There was no way this could be anything other than romantic courtship. A secret romance, still new and tender and soft. Just like something out of the holovids Thundercracker was so fond of.
Skywarp was getting ahead of himself but he couldn’t help it. As much as he wanted to make fun of ‘Screamer for it, he was too wrapped up in the sensation of being the first to know about the amorous connection. To think! Starscream in love!
Hmm, it would certainly change up the pre-established dynamics. If Starscream and Soundwave were going to properly court then Skywarp and Thundercracker were going to have to open their own arms to the Third in Command. Thinking about it now, it was a little rude that Soundwave hadn’t even asked their permission. Skywarp wasn’t going to hold it against the mech, but he would have to win their favor, make it up to them. Having a few favors owed to him wasn’t a bad prospect at all.
Skywarp dared a peek around the corner again to see Starscream affixing what looked like a badge to the center of his chassis. Skywarp nearly squealed in delight as Soundwave boldly reached forward to adjust it. What a gentlemech. Starscream himself looked surprised but his field was flattered and a touch affectionate.
As if realizing his touch was overly familiar, Soundwave took a hasty step back. Aw, he’s shy! Distantly, Skywarp could hear Soundwave saying something but the pitch was too quiet that he couldn’t catch the words. Starscream smirked and maybe it was Skywarp’s imagination but it looked a touch fond.
Not wanting to impede on their moment any further, Skywarp dipped back down the hall, leaving the two new lovers alone. Maybe, now that Starscream would be further distracted with his new courtship, Skywarp could get a few leisurely flies in and if Thundercracker came hounding him about the stolen datapad, he had the perfect apology present at the ready. If there was anyone that appreciated gossip more than him, it was Thundercracker, whether his trinemate would want to admit it or not.
–
Megatron’s optics were glued to the badge. It was impossible not to see it, the bright colors clashing with the already ridiculous finish his Second in Command liked oh so much. Even more so, it laid front and center on his chassis. Unavoidable and bright, especially compared to his own Decepticon badge.
Starscream didn’t say a word about it as he took his place before Megatron across the long war table. He puffed his chassis up, not so subtly allowing the semi-gloss badge to catch in the light. A translation program identified the glyphs of that of the most popular language of the planet they orbited.
Certified Clown.
Megatron narrowed his optics at it suspiciously. Where Starscream had gotten the trinket, he didn’t care. What his purpose was in displaying such an item during their important meeting, however, bothered him.
Was the action of jest? Megatron didn’t understand what the joke was and who it was aimed at. He couldn’t think of any other reason why his Second in Command wanted to prance around the ship with such a demeaning designation plastered on his frame. Sure, it was an unspoken knowledge amongst the Decepticon forces that Starscream was a foolish imp. Successful and undeniably useful, but a mockery nevertheless.
“Oh!” Starscream gasped in faux surprise. “Do you like it? Soundwave made it for me.”
Megatron’s neutral network came to a complete, full stop.
“What?”
Starscream cocked his helm to the side. “The badge; Soundwave crafted it for me and quickly too. He only told me of my new title just earlier this solar cycle. I think it was good to regulate him to Third in Command. After all, he does so well with mundane tasks and-”
Megatron didn’t hear the rest of Starscream’s drivel. A laugh exploded from his vocalizer. The force of it shut down his optical sensors as his frame gave out and he doubled over the table. As his laughter died down, he could hear that Starscream had fallen silent. Once he rebooted his optics, he saw the seeker was confused, looking down at the badge cautiously. Like it might bite him.
“I’d expect this from someone like Knock Out or Skywarp if he could focus on a task long enough but Soundwave did this?” Megatron sneered, delighted in watching the rapid emotions flash over Starscream. “Tell me, Starscream, what did Soundwave tell you exactly? Enlighten me.”
It was easy to see rage take over the seeker’s frame, optics blazing a burning red as he bared his denta. In a quick, violent motion, Starscream snatched the badge off his chassis and crushed it in his fist. The weak metal crumbled easily but the invisible mark it had left on all that had seen it would stay.
Without a word, Starscream stomped out of the war room, frame shaking with barely controlled ire as his field lashed about. Megatron normally wouldn’t tolerate such behavior but it was always a treat to watch Starscream’s hubris come crashing down. Soundwave may have “gifted” Starscream the badge, but Megatron was the one to truly revel in the gift of his humiliation.
He’s not sure what possessed his most loyal and dearest friend to do such an out of character joke, but Megatron hadn’t laughed so hard in a long, long time. Starscream would be wearing the embarrassment of this for at least a couple of solar cycles, not until a new blunder was made.
For so long, Soundwave avoided infighting and acts of mockery. He always preferred to show his superiority through his work and it had garnered him quite a reputation. This joke coming from Soundwave was beyond unexpected but like most things Soundwave did, it had succeeded in its purpose.
Chuckling, Megatron leaned back in his seat. He could get a progress report for Starscream later, once the anger burned away and all that was left was tender, quiet embarrassment.
–
Starscream could only see red. His HUD alerted him to his mounting anger and agitation, multiple warnings flashing that he immediately dismissed. All he could focus on was the crush of thin metal in his servo and the mech that gave it to him.
Starscream found himself warring between a myriad of emotions which made it easiest to go to the most familiar: rage. How dare Soundwave make a mockery of him? Let him parade around the ship like…like…like a clown? The exact definition of the term still evaded him but Megatron’s echoing laughter rang in his audials and told him everything he needed to know. He had been made a laughing stock by Soundwave.
His field was snapping and deadly, mechs pressing themselves against the walls of the halls to avoid his wraith. A flash of blue caught his optic and he sped towards it. The shape and finish texture was wrong but Starscream still dug his claws into mech and pulled them towards him.
“Soundwave,” Starscream snarled, the mech before him wincing at his tone, “where is he?”
“S-Surveillance, Commander Star-”
He didn’t let the mech continue, pushing them away as he stalked forward. The surveillance deck was a floor above him, private and secluded. No one would be present for Soundwave’s murder, unless one of his pesky cassettes were docked. As far as Starscream was concerned, the whole group was guilty and deserved the exact and equal taste of his fury.
And not just them.
In the corner of his HUD, he made a list. While Soundwave’s designation was sitting right at the top, Megatron, Thundercracker, Skywarp, Knock Out and his assistant were quick to follow as well as every other mech that had fed him lies to make a mockery of him. Oh, they would pay. Starscream would see to each and every mech personally.
By the time he had reached the surveillance deck, the list had grown quite extensively. The top of the list was reserved for mechs that had outright taken part, the middle for mechs that probably were guilty- there was little doubt that Shockwave and the coneheads were not privy to this whole disaster -and the bottom of the list was home to any unfortunate spark that got in his way in the 10 kliks it took him to reach the doors.
Starscream jabbed his claws into the keypad for entry, drawing gouges over the glyphs until the doors opened for him. He was quick to stalk in and lock the doors behind him. There would be no need for an audience.
Soundwave was alone in the room, visor focused on the array of monitors across the Nemesis. Starscream spared enough of a glance to see feeds of the main flight decks, the medbay, all six refuel stations, the main bridge and Megatron’s war room, now empty save for the discarded datapad Starscream had left him in wake.
Fury and humiliation crawled over Starscream’s plating, the feeling only amplified by Soundwave ignoring him. It was one thing to orchestrate this entire prank, it was another to act as if nothing happened.
Before Starscream could stop himself, he grabbed Soundwave by the shoulder and hauled him around until they were face to face. He pressed forward, denta clenched as he pushed Soundwave against the consoles.
“Enjoy the show?” he snarled, claws digging into Soundwave’s shoulder, scratching the plating.
Soundwave said nothing and Starscream bared his denta at the silent insult.
“Did you not think I wouldn’t find out?” Starscream hissed, bringing their faceplates close. “Did you truly think I was an idiot enough to remain ignorant?” Nevermind the fact he had paraded around the entire ship with that damned badge displayed proudly on his chassis. “Did you really think you could get away with it?”
“Negative,” Soundwave said easily, visor locked on Starscream’s optics.
Starscream wanted to explode, rage coiling so tight in his tanks he thought he might actually combust. When no fiery explosion came, Starscream settled on his words. “You’ve humiliated me. Made me a joke. I expected better from you, but if you’d rather degrade yourself with infantile pranks than I-”
Before he could even articulate a threat, Soundwave raised a single servo. Held between two digits was a small, black data drive. Innocuous in nature, but given the owner holding it, Starscream knew whatever was on it was dangerous. He waited curiously as the drive was extended to him.
“Apology,” Soundwave offered. “Reparation: blackmail.”
Starscream snatched the drive from Soundwave, holding it up to the light for examination. “You wish to absolve yourself by throwing others in the pits?”
Soundwave inclined his helm.
“And you really think that’ll sate me?” Starscream snapped, optics still darting back to the drive in his servo. “What’s on this?”
“Evidence: of everyone who wronged you. Blackmail: of every offending mech.”
Soundwave leaned close and for a wild moment, Starscream thought their faceplates were going to touch. Instead, Starscream’s optics widened as a message pinged on his HUD, Soundwave’s designation neatly on the top.
Opening the message, Starscream found a list, not unlike his own. The only small edits were his and Megatron’s names had been removed.
“Of course you’d spare Megatron,” Starscream sneered. He still reviewed the list. Beside each name was a directory number, most likely corresponding with a file on the drive. “Skywarp’s on here multiple times.”
“Skywarp: repeat offender.” With a gesture of his servo, one of the monitors behind Soundwave flickered to show Skywarp crowding Thundercracker in one of the lower flight decks. “Starscream: Observe.”
“-it's kind of cute, TC!” Skywarp’s voice was tinny over the console but the excitement in his words was easily identified. “I’ve never seen ‘Screamer so smitten.”
Confusion clouded Starscream’s processor. He had been expecting his trine to be cackling over his embarrassing display. He expected to see Skywarp doubled over in fits of laughter and Thundercracker’s vocalizer bursting into static. Instead, he was greeted by a wide-optic Skywarp and an almost embarrassed Thundercracker.
“Smitten,” Starscream repeated the word distastefully. Maybe all those glitching teleports had fried the other’s processor.
“But him and Soundwave? You’re sure?” Thundercracker sounded uncertain, voice squeaking at the latter’s designation.
“I saw them!” Skywarp snapped, lips pursed. “Soundwave gave him a gift and Starscream looked ready to sparkmerge with him right then and there and-”
“What?” Starscream yelped. “That fragging idiot!”
“I think they are keeping it a secret!” Skywarp whispered conspirately. “But I figured we could use this as an opportunity. After all, Soundwave should come and ask for our favor. I think it would only be fair that he owes us for giving him Starscream.”
“Giving?” Starscream seethed, beyond livid to the point his optics were blinded with red, hot rage. “I’m going to kill him. I’m going to rip off his wings and throw him off the ship! Thundercracker too!”
A steady servo touched Starscream’s arm. His optics snapped to Soundwave before quickly ripping himself from the other’s grasp.
“Don’t get any ideas,” Starscream sneered.
Soundwave cocked his helm. “Soundwave: doesn’t desire Starscream. Soundwave: will help Starscream with revenge.”
“Will you now?” Starscream asked skeptically. “This is your fault to start with.”
“Reparations: owed. Soundwave: apologetic.” There was a slight pause before he added, “Misinformation: undesirable. Risk: rumors spreading. Combined efforts to stop further spread.”
Their fields touched for a moment and through the haze of his own violent anger, Starscream could sense the small dip of actual sympathy. It culled his ire momentarily as he glared at Soundwave suspiciously.
“Even if I’m a clown,” Starsacream spat the word out.
Soundwave bobbed his helm.
“Only a joke,” Soundwave replied. “Starscream: important asset to Decepticon Cause.”
Slowly Starscream allowed his rage to lower to a gentle boil. He was still angry but- he looked down at the data drive in his servo -it seemed as if this little joke had escaped Soundwave’s careful control.
“Maybe you should leave the jokes to your cassettes,” Starscream suggested pointedly. “You aren’t very funny. Apparently,” he swept his servos across the monitors, “no one even knows what a clown is.” Except Soundwave and Megatron. He hoped that’s where the list ended, though he was suspicious Knock Out might also be privy.
There was a glint in Soundwave’s visor. Starscream was sure if his mask wasn’t obscuring half his face, he would be smiling. What a horrible thought.
“Clown: incorrect term. Clowns: pedestrian, common. Starscream: above that. Starscream: unique, highly recognized.”
“You certainly know how to make it up to a mech,” Starscream drawled, sarcasm coloring his words. “And you’ll cease this clown nonsense.”
“Affirmative.” Soundwave dipped his helm. “Starscream: no longer clown. Starscream: Prized Court Jester.”
“Funny,” Starscream growled. He didn’t need a human dictionary to know the term was just as demeaning, however in jest Soundwave’s vocoder may say it. He released his hold on Soundwave and let the mech fall back to his seat. “Really,” he muttered dryly, turning his pede to leave before things got too friendly, “leave the jokes to the real idiots of this ship.”
71 notes
·
View notes