Archive of Our Own

Sideswipe shivered internally as he got close to Prowl again. He had to teek the Praxian once more to be sure.

~You're sure and so am I, so lay off it.~ Sunstreaker grumphed at him. ~You just like the teek.~

~Can you blame me?~

~No, you just want to torture yourself over what you can't have.~

Sideswipe stilled his edging towards Prowl. ~Why can't we? Not like any of us are with anybody.~

~He's an officer, you idiot. Second in Command. We aren't even senior enlisted.~ Sunstreaker snapped.

~And your point?~ Sideswipe snapped back. ~He's the only one we have to convince. And between us I bet we can top anyone else who tries.~

~And raising a creation? You really think we can do that?~ Sunstreaker asked more quietly. ~Can we even create?~

~Not by ourselves. Which we wouldn't be.~ Sideswipe countered, then sighed over the bond, softening in private to his twin in a way that he never would in a way that others could see. ~You think we can't? Or you don't want to?~

~Split spark complicates a lot,~ Sunstreaker pointed out. ~Never thought about it.~

~Ratchet insists we have inhibitors. If we couldn't create he wouldn't bother. He'd use them for those that can,~ Sideswipe reminded him.

Despite the distinct sense that Sunstreaker felt this was an incredibly bad idea and he wasn't sure they could even do it he stopped objecting. He'd help. Their nest would be beautiful. It would be the finest created since before the war.

Sideswipes eagerness flared as he moved closer to Prowl, watching as his twin moved in closer to flank the Praxian on the other side.

"So what are you going to do?" Sunstreaker asked, field reaching out to teak Prowl's pointedly. Whatever his twin might believe, if the Praxian wasn't going to act on the signal he was broadcasting to the world at large now the point was moot. Prowl's field flared back in invitation.

"Inspect what is on offer next metacycle," Prowl answered.

~Well?~ Sideswipe prodded at his twin again over the bond, his field flaring gently against Prowl's at the invitation from Praxian. He noted that Prowl never gave more than acceptance of their participation, but at least it wasn’t outright rejection.

~We're in.~ Sunstreaker agreed despite the continuing unease.

Thanks and excitement met the agreement, Sideswipe confident where his twin was not. ~Offer to help him clean up?~ He suggested, optics taking in the dirt and grime coating the Praxians frame. ~Or too much?~

~He can say no. It'd hardly be the first time we helped him clean up,~ Sunstreaker decided.

"Help cleaning up?" Sideswipe asked Prowl directly, nodding at the Praxian's frame and then at his brother to include all of them. "'less you need to see Ratchet first."

"I am undamaged," Prowl answered. "You may help me clean up. It will not impact my opinion of your nest."

~So he says now.~ Sideswipe purred to his twin, already plotting as they followed Prowl into the Ark in the direction of the washracks.

Monitors were spread before him, but for a change the security mech was not focused on them completely. Attention was being split on a secondary set as the sharp processes worked through all of them and the mech evaluated out loud.

"Not that one. Not deep enough. Needs to be at least sub level 5." Red Alert murmured as he moved on to his next choice. Ever since Prowl has asked for a klik of his time and the field that had touched his had conveyed far more than words could, Red Alert had been hunting for the perfect location. He knew without checking or being told that he wasn't the only one being explicitly invited to court Prowl for his next creation. There were already a couple nests in the first stage of being built.

Smokescreen's would be attractive and well stocked for entertainment for both carrier and creation, and he had the best income and contacts of those known to be competing.

From the look of things the Prime had done the diplomatic thing and declined his invitation.

Ironhide was unquestionably Red Alert's primary competition. Both security minded with protection their focus they'd present Prowl with two very secure options with very different types of security.

The twins were a bit of a surprise, but already he could see the attraction their work might hold for Prowl. They were fiercely protective and loyal, and while Sideswipe could be clueless, Sunstreaker would more than make up for his twins lack in making sure the nest appealed to the Praxian's comfort.

"There." Red purred as he found what he was looking for. A small cavern below the Ark. Whether it had existed before the ship collided with the volcano or been formed by the impact mattered little. It was labeled a dead end but that only added to the appeal for his purpose, once he confirmed that there was no access beyond the single winding hall of already jagged metal that gave way to volcanic stone. The cavern itself could be secured and reinforced. "That should do nicely. Now, how to furnish it?"

He flipped a couple monitors to view the spaces Prowl spent the most time in; his office and the tactical suite. Those were work spaces, yet as Red Alert knew all too well they exemplified what made Prowl feel comfortable just as the security office made Red Alert feel safe.

Clean, open sightlines with most objects being hardlight and translucent rather than truly solid. The few real objects were either required to be real or crafted to the best standard for Prowl's frame as possible. It was difficult to tell if you didn't know but Prowl had spent more than a vorn's income as an officer for his chair and had brought that chair along with very little else until it was replaced with one just as good when it wore out.

The visual layout would be easy enough to accomplish. And a berth as close to the quality of the chair as he could manage. While he was willing to wager that the space that served the Praxian as personal quarters was as sparsely furnished as the workspaces, a berth that supported his frame in recharge was one of the few things that would rate comparably on the personal indulgence scale. Connections and space for Prowl's work would need to be addressed. It would only be moved in if Prowl accepted the nest.

What for a sparkling though? Prowl could work through the carry and when it was too vulnerable to be outside, but the bitlit needed entertaining as well.

Small things, generic things to start with. Coordination and fine motor skill developers. A large datapad designed for a sparkling's interaction level. And a few soft things to play with, various sizes, on hand to show Prowl that he was thinking long term as well and knew the basics of sparkling care and could source it.

A final sweep of the spray gun and Smokescreen switched it off, stepping back to study his work. Unable to find an empty room in the Ark that offered any sort of view that would work, the gambler had decided that he would just have to create his own. Paint, thankfully, was easy enough to get, and while he had none of Sunstreaker's talent even he could follow the outline of a skyline projection.

It was just one move to incorporate their common city of origin into the nest that he was constructing. Soft colors with a finish that glowed like crystal graced three of the walls of the regular square room now. The final wall would be graced with the outline of a Praxus skyline. The floor and the ceiling would be seen to as well, blending into the rest of the room once he was finished.

He knew he was up against some stiff competition. He wasn't nearly as close to Prowl as Red Alert or Jazz, nor as experienced as Ironhide, but he was the only Praxian trying and that gave him an edge. He knew what another Praxian would find attractive. Crystals attached to the walls, diffused lighting, softness underpede -- he had to give it to the humans, they knew how to do soft and durable in the same product -- and at least a visual of open space. Plus the specifics for Prowl: work space. If he could prove that he understood and was willing to meet Prowls needs now, it would be evidence that he was willing to meet the needs of the creation that would follow the other Praxian's acceptance of the nest.

Ironhide looked around the apparently empty room. The walls painted with pale lavender and white abstract scrollwork with local common and artificial crystals layered over it to defuse the pattern and catch the lights hidden all over. The floor was similarly mocked up, though that had more of a cloud design with pale blue and gray and the 'crystals' were Preceptor's work. The ceiling was the sky over Praxus when Prowl had been created and switched from day to night with triple-time sunrise and sunset of Hadean controlled by the lights. Basic holographic technology of the kind even the humans could manage but for all its simplicity the effect was amazing when combined with the rest.

That was the Praxian layer. That was to show Prowl he had a clue about the city's preferences and some about the mech's. A background that was to be soothing and comforting in the uncomfortable second half of the carry.

What he added, what made this an Ironhide built nest was far less visible. Of course there was the security of the locks on the front door and the built-in weapons on ceiling and floor. These quarters were built as the final retreat for the Prime. Not that Optimus would ever retreat for his own sake, but that was beside the point. Getting past Ironhide's front door was a feat for anything. Getting into this room required a spark signature match to one of three mechs: himself, Prowl or Ratchet. Plus three more layers that were a mixture of traditional security and a physical security in deadbolts and heavy plating on all sides. The vents were still open but they'd been rigged with stun sticks, vibro blades and no-power-needed blades welded into all sides going his full height into each one.

Nothing the Decepticons had could get in.

Nothing the Autobots had could get in for that matter.

The only thing left had to wait on his next shipment. Apparently translucent, curved shards with smooth edges eight to ten meters tall was a difficult order for human facilities.

The pillows were also coming but those had been timed to come last.

This wasn't the first mate he had tried to attract. Honestly, when Prowl had pointedly come close enough to make his condition clear, Ironhide wasn't sure that he wanted to act on the information.

Things on this planet had improved since they had landed, and were still far better than Cybertron at the moment. Still, a war was no place to raise a creation.

But this was a chance that a long buried part of him couldn't refuse. A chance, possibly his last, to sire and raise a creation. And if Prowl, master planner that he was, was willing to consider it, well, that was enough for Ironhide to try for the Praxian's attention. Optimus's blessing on his decision hadn't hurt either, the Prime's desire to try to counter their rapidly dwindling numbers and the personal desire of a friend to see good in a friends functioning.

So while he waited on supplies Ironhide went around to see what the others were up to. There was no way Red Alert would even say where his nest was but the others likely understood that this was a half-public event until Prowl chose.

"Megatron: Ravage returned." The large host turned to his leader, the monotone report only annoying the Decepticon leader.

"Well, what is it?" Megatron growled.

"Autobots: constructing nests. Conclusion: broadcasting receptive carrier." Soundwave reported, tilting his helm to keep an optic on his leader and to observe the effect of the announcement on the rest of those within hearing.

Megatron was briefly stunned, then his grin turned dangerous. "And which little car is it?"

"Broadcasting carrier: Prowl. Known nest constructors: Ironhide, Smokescreen, Hound, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker." Soundwave relayed, reviewing the data and images that Ravage had returned with.

Several of the smarter Decepticons exchanged disturbed looks. Soundwave didn't need his telepathy to know what they were thinking.

What did Prowl know that they didn't.

No one with a shred of sanity and most that didn't would never have a creation right now yet the Autobot's master tactician had decided it was worth the risk.

"Prowl?" Megatron seemed to be tasting the name. "We have a Praxian, don't we?"

"Affirmative. Barricade: Praxian." Soundwave paused, considering, before he added. "Praxians: descended from Seekers. Connection: still exists."

"Oh no you are NOT dragging us into this insanity," Starscream screeched in outrage. "No Seeker will touch some filthy grounder..."

"If you win him over I won't replace you with him," Megatron said with a strange calm given his manic grin before he focused on Soundwave. "Who else should try? I want him on my side."

"Constructicons," Soundwave suggested immediately. If nothing else they could build something suitably useful for afterwards if Prowl didn't fancy them.

Megatron nodded thoughtfully. "And any other Decepticon who wants a promotion can try. Bringing Prowl over to the Decepticons is a worthy mech for my second in command."

The shrill squawk of indignant protest that rang through the room had every mech cringing, pitch and volume grating on audios in a way that only Starscream could manage. "But you said you wouldn't replace me!"

"And I won't, if you bring him over," Megatron repeated. "If you don't and another does, that mech is better than you."

"No one is better than me. And I'll prove it!" The Seeker countered, frame quivering at the insult. "No one is going to replace me. I just might replace you though!"

"You haven't done either yet," Megatron pointedly looked away from the volatile Seeker. "Soundwave, send the participants anything useful to know."

"Affirmative, Lord Megatron," Soundwave responded and turned to his console to put together the file. For once he felt no need to give Starscream a separate file lacking something critical. The Seeker would be his own greatest enemy.

Hound stepped back to look over his work, reaching out to make a small adjustment that only only the large green mech would notice. While the others had all been scrambling for some place inside the mountain or the ship proper, he had taken a different approach.

The bulk of the nest was still secure, set into a shallow cave in the side of the mountain that Hound had tripled scanned for stability before he even started. Lights set into the ceiling provided adjustable illumination that for now was set to a soft glow. The floor had been cleared of wayward stone and smoothed level before being finished with a pattern that provided wonderful traction. Larger rock outcroppings had been shaped into practical function for the space, providing resting and work surfaces. It might not be what Cybertron was like, but the smooth integration of what existed with the new coverings into something both beautiful and functional was something he hoped the mech he was trying to attract would appreciate.

And speaking of beautiful- Hound turned to look out from the carefully camouflaged nest entrance to take in the desert view spread out before him. There was nothing like this in the Ark to compare and because he was going with a no-color force field with a one way holographic image to hide it for the entryway that view would never be hidden. He'd even taken Prowl's sensors into account when setting it up. The Praxian should be able to feel if it was on or off without looking and also without any of the feedback he felt in the brig when the high-powered barriers were up.

He gave one last look into the cave and used his projector to fill in all the blankets, pillows, furniture and toys he had ordered when his subconscious decided to add Prowl laying invitingly on the platform that would be the berth with a first stage sparkling recharging on his hood. A small shiver ran through him, frame and spark, at the vision. It was an indulgence... and a hope.

Jazz hummed softly to himself as he looked around the space he had chosen. He had discovered it not long after waking from stasis on Earth, and until now it had been his personal retreat. Getting in and out had been a challenge that involved squeezing through spaces where a mech of his size barely fit.

Those spots had been addressed to the point that a mech of Prowl’s current specs could now manage them without being in danger of scuffing his finish if he was careful.

Over their time here Jazz had already been shaping it some to his comfort. Now he was shaping it to the comfort of another he hoped to be spending considerable time with in the near feature. Potentially two someones.

His optics slipped over the arrangements for the first potential future occupant. A large berth now dominated one one corner of the space, already arranged with thick padding that Jazz had managed to scrounge up, trade for or otherwise acquire. Beside it was a favor he had called in for the second- a convertible berth that currently resembled the furniture that the humans here on earth referred to as a crib and utilized in corralling their own creations. The major difference was that this berth was designed to fold down and out to accommodate a creation as it grew. And it could be moved to an alcove on the other side of the cavern when their creation was old enough to recharge on its own.

Jazz’s personal entertainment center graced another space, moved from his own quarters to here bit by bit. Directly across from it was a mobile workstation, still in its default configuration to allow the intended user to arrange it as they pleased.

All of the arrangements were made to take advantage of the true focal point of the space. A quick command and one side of the cavern seemed to open up, bright light spilling in through a crystal clear blast barrier. Stretching out as far as the optic could see was a view of that planet so different from their own, but which now served as their home. Hound would likely be jealous if he ever got a look. Jazz hoped it would help entertain Prowl's processors enough that he wouldn't miss his office for the couple of Earth centuries he'd be in here if things went well.

Even for as long as he'd known Prowl it had never occurred to him that Prowl might like creations enough to have one. Sure he'd adopted Bluestreak but the Praxian orphan was already a mechling and needed the familiar and stable more than he needed to be raised. Prowl did stable better than anyone Jazz knew.

It had been strange having his thoughts towards Prowl shift so abruptly. They'd been friends for ages already and despite Jazz's predilection for being a berth buddy to those who needed one he and Prowl had never been together that way. Casual offers and equally casual 'not tonight' was as far as they'd gotten.

As for the other nests, well, out of the ones that he had seen Ironhide worried him most as competition. When it came to potential providers the old mech had everything going for him, with the possible exception of temperament and personality. And as practical as Prowl could be, those qualities might not rank near as high of qualifications as they would for other mecha. As for the Decepticons, as much as he'd like to write them off he just couldn't. If Prowl thought he could weaken the Decepticons and bring some of them over he might just do it. It wasn't a choice Jazz thought he could make, to willingly have a creation with someone who'd tried to gray him, but Prowl made choices of that nature every orn. He knew Barricade had no chance. He wasn't important enough and his nest in a ghost town wasn't much to look at. But the elite trine and the Constructicons were both significant prizes and both knew how to build a nest.

::Are you seriously considering any of them?:: Optimus asked as he drove behind Prowl down the dust road to an abandoned town and the first Decepticon-built nest.

::As seriously as I considered Hound's,:: Prowl answered. ::Improbable but not impossible. A chance to bring the Seekers over to us cannot be ignored. Neither can the opportunity to bring Devastator back.::

::You believe you could convince either of them to stay?:: Optimus questioned, skeptical.

::In 16.3% of the scenarios I can convince Thundercracker. He would bring Skywarp. I do not have the information to calculate on whether it would also bring Starscream. Their relationship is volatile. Their attachment to a sparkling should be a significant enticement.:: Prowl gave just how low he considered the possibility. ::With the Constructicons it depends entirely on how susceptible they still are to reprogramming. I would have significant access to them for much of a vorn.::

::And if they decide to leave you and take your creation with them?:: Optimus as as they pulled and transformed to look at the nest of large metal sheets set in a maze and reaching well over their helms. ::It would be difficult to stop them Prowl, particularly Skywarp.::

::Skywarp could not be stopped. Those odds are part of the decision making process just as the odds of any given Autobot I might choose has of surviving three hundred vorns to be there until it is mature and how well they will walk away afterwards,:: Prowl informed him.

::You don't believe anyone likes you enough to stay?:: Optimus glanced at his SIC and hid the sadness that this wasn't part of something longer-term.

::The odds are strongly against it. I am not an easy individual to coexist with for long,:: Prowl said a long-accepted truth for himself. "You didn't try very hard," he addressed Barricade when the dark Praxian stepped out of the nest.

Barricade just shrugged. "I was ordered to try. Not sure which of us finds the idea of it more distasteful."

Prowl briefly considered him. "Likely you by a small margin."

"It was at least appear to try, or get scrapped by Megatron." Barricade admitted with a small shrug of his doorwings. "And unlike some of the others that are trying, I'm not suicidal, nor do I have any desire to be second in command."

Prowl twitched his doorwings in appreciation of the honesty and motioned for Barricade to show him what he'd done.

Four mecha waited outside of the small fortress, attention centered on the heavy doors that had closed behind Prowl after he entered to view the nest being offered him by the Constructicon gestalt.

Of the four only Optimus seemed completely in control of himself, and the longer he observed his companions the more convinced he was that the three had insisted on accompanying them more because they were displeased at the competition courting Prowl than the stated need to protect their Prime.

Ironhide settled for occasionally grumbling softly and checking his weapons in a not so subtle manner every few kliks. The twins were a different story, though they expressed their building tension in very different manners. Sideswipe was focused on the entrance, hands twitching and clearly prepared to try to beat it down if needed. Sunstreaker paced like a caged beast, optics scanning the wall with each pass. They'd all expected Prowl to be in and out in a breem or two. A groon at the most.

Now it was wearing well into a joor and a quarter and the sun was due to rise soon.

"What could possibly be taking this long?" Ironhide finally lost his grip on his vocalizer, though there was genuine worry there as well. "Are you sure he's safe?"

"Prowl is fine. He has commed regularly to say so," Optimus reassured him.

"How are sure it's not a trick?" Sideswipe demanded.

"Or that they aren't forcing him to say he's fine?" Sunstreaker growled, a well packed path showing under his pedes now.

"Familiarity," Optimus said gently, then paused. "Proof will come out in a klik."

All three eyed him, and Optimus has the suspicion that trust was the only thing still holding them back. Trust that was confirmed when the heavy gate opened and the object of their concern emerged. Even a cursory glance said Prowl was indeed fine physically. He was freshly showered and polished and walked smoothly to them.

"He 'faced'm," Ironhide rumbled in outrage, just kept quiet enough Prowl probably didn’t hear.

Both of the twins froze in place, while Optimus merely nodded to Prowl in greeting. "Are you ready to depart?"

"Yes. It was quite informative," Prowl nodded and folded into his alt. ::They have Autobot prisoners inside as part of the living architecture.::

::They- And we are just leaving them here?:: The Prime demanded as he followed the Praxians lead and transformed. For the moment. ::A reason. Now.::

::It is a mission better suited for Jazz and Mirage with you as a distraction. Driving in blindly is never the best move.:: Prowl pointed out.

::Very well.:: The concession was granted less than gracefully, but it was there. The sharpness with which the large convoy class mech took off a clear indicator of his frustration, and an act that had the other three around them quickly.

::Uh- what happened?:: Sideswipe asked, rather expecting a reprimand and an order to mind his own business, but figuring he had nothing to lose.

::Prowl probably pointed out we need a plan for better forces to take that base out,:: Ironhide replied privately. ::They might have tried to sweeten their offering with prisoners. It used to be a thing..::

::You said Prowl 'faced'm,:: Sunstreaker said on the same private line.

::Somebody did according to his doorwings. That's an overload or three, not just getting polished,:: Ironhide explained.

Prowl drove by himself to the rocky spire in Monument Valley that matched the coordinates given by the trine. Above him were the Aerialbots and even further up was Skyfire, both high enough to be considered non-intrusive. He had little doubt that Cosmos was listening in and unlike his other visits to various nests there would be no private words without enough trust to hardline, something Prowl wasn't willing to do. He was sure Bluestreak and Mirage were about somewhere as snipers and Jazz was around as well even if he wasn't told about it. It was certainly the kind of precautions he would have insisted upon for any other senior officer -- any other Autobot these orns -- in a similar situation and for once he didn't want to know about most of the precautions taken for his safety. It reduced the chance he could give any of them away.

Already he could pick out the glint of the metal egg-shaped nest high on the spire and had to appreciate the location. It had a low human content, reasonably warm temperatures year round, the spire was impossible to sneak up on and there was plenty of space for him to drive in safety as well as for the Seekers to fly. If it wasn't for Starscream being part of the mix this would be a difficult proposition to turn down. Yes, Smokescreen's was more traditional, Ironhide's was both safe and incredibly thoughtful and Jazz's ... well, it was Jazz's in addition to being very acceptable. Even so it was difficult to deny the thrill of having a high-status trine court him this way. Even after this long at war he still found them attractive and the cultural upbringing hadn't died completely. Plus there was the benefit of having a creation that was likely to fly and the real potential to get them to defect and possibly bring most of the Seekers with them.

Of course it still meant Starscream.

Starscream in his berth. In him. Against his spark.

Prowl nearly swerved as that really sunk in.

Even though Skyfire insisted that Starscream had once been sane if always vain and arrogant, that mech was no more. The Seeker was intelligent and cunning, and also highly unpredictable in a not so good way. While his Autobot comrades may, and often did to Prowl's way of processing, act in unpredictable ways their actions were not normally vengeful or malicious.

That thought hung over him as he rolled up and transformed, gazing up at the spire from a different perspective, both literally and figuratively. He knew his approach had been noticed, and he did not have to wait long for confirmation.

With a roar the trine appeared overhead, soaring out and around the nest before shooting upward in perfect synch. The show continued, the three breaking apart and coming back together in smooth precision, showing off as only a long bonded trine could.

A precision that if they bothered to utilize in battle would make them frighteningly more effective, a small part of his processors that was still concerned with such things noted. Most of him was entranced by the show that was for him, and by extension anyone competing for him.

If only it wasn't Starscream in the lead. Skywarp was a brute and cruel but Thundercracker was downright reasonable and could control him. Starscream though ... nothing could really make Starscream better.

The show ended with the three hovering before him.

"You are impressive," Prowl purred as he pushed thoughts of exactly who this was out of his processor. Flirting was useful. So was flattery. None of it meant he'd say yes.

"But of course, and that was only the beginning of the show." Starscream smirked with customary arrogance and drifted to one side, allowing Skywarp to come forward.

"Ready to see the rest?" Skywarp asked, optics looking Prowl over, the teleporter still clearly undecided on how he felt about the whole situation.

"Yes," Prowl answered and stepped close so Skywarp could get a good grip on his arm. There was a deeply disorientating spinning sensation as reality blinked out and then he was standing in the center of the nest and Skywarp's trinemates were flying up to join them. By the time they landed Skywarp had let go so Prowl could take in the gleaming, polished metal petals of the multi-layered protective shell that was still open to the sky. He knew his field expressed his appreciation of it, the approval he couldn't help, and he knew they teeked it.

"Feel free to look around." Starscream offered as he landed, the approval from the Praxian seeming to settle all three of the trine to an interesting degree. While they were not necessarily relaxed, some of the tension eased. Skywarp was close enough that Prowl was able to feel the shift in field from defensiveness to curiosity.

Prowl did so, inspecting and speaking as he moved. "Are you considering giving mine a sibling or three if I say yes?"

Starscream's field flashed abject horror at the idea, but Skywarp cooed eagerly and Thundercracker's rumble was one of interest. While he kept an audial on it in case there was anything useful in the squawking and arguing that followed, Prowl largely ignored it in favor of checking the nest out.

If it just wasn't Starscream he'd say yes to them.

Once the fervor above him died down Prowl settled in the smallest of the four pillow-created nests in the space and waited for them to join him. "I'll take that as you hadn't considered it. There are more pressing matters for now. Such as the fact I know you and the others were ordered to do this."

"That obvious?" Thundercracker asked as he glanced around the nest with a critical optic.

"Yours, no. This is the finest nest I have been invited into," Prowl told them honestly. "Some did not try very hard. The giveaway here is how uncertain you are. This is a strange situation to say the least."

"Megatron made getting you into a competition. Not a bad one for us though." Skywarp admitted, studying Prowl with more interest now.

"One that I intend to win." Starscream informed them all he waved at the nest, hand sweeping around the area and stopping pointing at Prowl. "All of this, and us, yours until the creation is old enough to leave the nest."

"I admit, it is tempting," Prowl told them. "So is the Constructicon's offering. They built a base, including three Autobot POWs, that would remain mine. There are also concerns about your intentions after the sparkling is old enough to leave."

Both Skywarp and Thundercracker tensed at that, Skywarp to the point that his wings quivered.

"As a flier it would be coming with us, of course. And you would be welcome to come with him." Starscream stated. "As for the rest, I'm sure we could arrange the release of some prisoners."

"Or you could come with us," Prowl countered. "I will not have a creation raised anywhere near Megatron."

"There would be until the creation is ready to leave the nest to settle things for sure." Starscream suggested mildly, ignoring the flinches of his trinemates that his words caused.

Prowl considered the entire trine but then focused on Thundercracker. "Are you willing to risk what I will command should this fail and you try to take my creation from me?"

"No," Thundercracker's response was entirely too quick and sure for Starscream's pride. He glared at his trinemate. "No, I am not willing to cross him and the pit spawn he commands without Optimus to keep them in check."

"Why is Buckethead still around?" Skywarp asked Prowl bluntly.

"Optimus keeps many plans off the table," Prowl shrugged. "It is his war in the end. My plans must fall within his dictates."

"Sounds like he's no better than Buckethead," Skywarp huffed.

"Optimus is far less volatile. Possibly no less irritating but far less violent," Prowl half agreed.

"So back to that sticking point. If the threat is still there when the sparkling is old enough to leave, either it leaves with you or you will have anyone claiming it grayed," Thundercracker said quietly.

"Or you can come with us," Prowl added. "The Decepticons without the Seekers would be a limited threat."

"Merely trading one threat for another." Starscream scoffed. "Your Prime is no more safe than Megatron."

That raised an optic ridge and both doorwings in curiosity. "What threats does Optimus pose to a neutral or defector?"

"At the moment, none. But if they're both gone, it opens the way for others to create a different future." The scoff had slipped into a suggestive purr, Starscream's field reaching out for Prowl to teek, full of invitation. It met a guarded welcome and openness to the conversation as Prowl relaxed in the cushions with an invitation of his own.

"I'd like to hear about this future you're thinking of," Prowl didn't have to fake any of his interest in the subject even as he had to will himself to be more physically inviting than he wanted to be.

A collective breath of relief vented throughout the Ark when several of the mecha who were protecting Prowl from Starscream came back was palpable in the teek of the entire ship. When Jazz came rolling in next to Prowl and Bluestreak another load of tension evaporated. When Jazz looked happy there was a third drop. It wasn't just from the mecha hoping to court Prowl either. It wasn't long before an officer's meeting was called together.

"I saw, how could it have really been that hard to turn them down?" Jazz asked before anyone else arrived.

"They were offering Megatron's helm," Prowl gave the most acceptable reason.

"That all?" Jazz didn't quite hide his shock that Prowl had turned down that offer.

Prowl scowled at him. "No. If I trusted Starscream to pull off a plan I would still be there. Peace would be worth it, including letting them have the sparkling."

"No," Optimus' voice was deep with shock. "No, it is not Prowl."

"Creations aren't bargaining chips Prowl." Ratchet growled, teeking angry and a little disturbed and already making plans to run a scan on Prowl's creator coding as soon as possible.

"Everything can be a bargaining chip," Prowl countered calmly. "I am choosing an Autobot," he forestalled any further debate when it wasn't pertinent.

While there were several soft rumbles of disagreement at his words, the subject dropped with that declaration. It also had all of those vying for his attention focused on him once more.

"Other matters first. You mentioned prisoners in the fortress Prowl. How are we getting them out?" Optimus asked, tone making it clear that leaving them there was not an acceptable answer.

"We lure them out and distract them while Jazz and his team sneak in and liberate the prisoners," Prowl summed up his intentions. "Given they do not know my choice yet it should be simple for me to get them outside."

Unhappy grumbles met that plan as well, but no outright dissent.

"How many and what are we looking at as far as getting them out?" Jazz asked, leaning back in his chair and falling into planning mode, focus on a mission stronger than the pull of the mech seated at the table.

"Three and you will have to un-build what they are built into without breaking them too much," Prowl sighed and double-checked that every detail, including memory captures, was included in the schematic. "One is a table in the entry way. The second is built into the helmboard of the largest berth. The third is used to hold the showerhead in the washrack. They are all conscious but immobile. If they can speak none dared to."

Aggressive rumbles met the shared information.

"Timeframe?" Ratchet demanded, already mentally setting up transport, treatments, and reconstruction. Everything that he could anticipate and be prepared for increased the chances of survival for those they were attempting to rescue.

"As soon as Jazz is ready," Prowl gave primary control over.

Jazz leaned against the window, looking over the view from the nest that he was still the only resident of. The rescue mission had gone as well as anything involving rescuing incapacitated captives could have, though the mecha would be in rehab for a long time. And since the mission Prowl had been silent on anything moving forwards.

Possibilities chased through Jazz’s processor- wondering, hoping, doubting.

Wondering who Prowl would end up choosing, now that the Decepticons were out of the running.

Hoping still that it would be him.

Doubting about his own decision, reservations spawned by comments made at the planning meeting.

His thoughts were taken off that briefly by sensors on the path towards his nest going off.

Really there should be only one mech with a reason to come up here, and as he accessed the cameras for the sensors, Jazz vented softly.

The warning they provided was enough time for him to gather himself, steeling himself for the two scenarios he figured were most likely. Acceptance, or rejection.

"Prowl." The greeting was soft, welcoming the Praxian.

Prowl smiled and stepped inside. "I would stay here with our creation."

Pride, joy, and shock rippled through Jazz's field as he approached. As much as he had hoped, he still couldn't quite believe what Prowl was saying until he was close enough to teek and touch. "You're sure?"

Not that he really thought that Prowl would say anything of the sort without having thought it through thoroughly and meaning it. Jazz just still needed to hear it for himself.

"Yes. I am sure," Prowl reached out to cup his hand on Jazz's shoulder. "You are my choice to create with."

"Sit, talk?" Jazz asked, helm tiling towards the sitting area arranged near the window. That space had actually been a little harder to create. While Jazz liked having a place to relax that was neither related to work or recharge, he had worried that it would fall under an unnecessary extravagance to Prowl. He had finally justified it with the idea that it was for him and he would be living here too.

Prowl didn't hide his surprise or confusion, but he went without question and sat, looking at Jazz expectantly.

Jazz fetched a couple cubes of energon that he had stashed away, offering one to Prowl. "Not my usual way of doing things, but I figured you'd wanna hammer some things out. Mostly how you're planning on this going."

Prowl's doorwings flicked in surprise. "I will move a few things in and finalize the connections and clearance to the workstation," he nodded towards what Jazz had set up. "We will interface often, first to create and then to strengthen and support the newspark and construction. I will not leave the nest from when we kindle until the newspark is ready to leave the nest at roughly a metacycle so you are expected to provide for all our needs. At that point we will move into family quarters until the creation is an adult and more equally share responsibilities with our duties in mind. I expect to do a higher share of direct care as I rarely leave the base."

"Fair enough." Jazz agreed, helm tilting to one side to study Prowl. "Is there something I'm missing though?" He wasn't used to catching Prowl off guard enough to have the other react in surprise so often in such a short time.

"You are the one who has questions," Prowl pointed out. "If you ask more specific questions or voice concerns perhaps I can address what you truly wish to know. You do not have to agree to create with me."

Jazz laughed softly. "Guess you're right, like usual." There was no bite behind the observation, just acceptance. "I would like to create with you, and not just because I wouldn't mind having a creation." There was a sense of that statement not being complete, but Jazz didn't elaborate any more, throwing out the questions instead. "Why'd you choose me?"

"Of the nests that were built by mecha I do not find distasteful, three portrayed sires good enough and that had paid enough attention to what I would need when being confined for over a vorn to be finalists. Red Alert, Ironhide and you were those finalists. As much as I like Red Alert the probability that we would create a mecha that was incapable of surviving was 23%," Prowl didn't hide his regret at that truth. "You and Ironhide are comparably ranked, equally likely to survive the next three hundred vorns and put genuine thought into your nests. I allowed my spark to break the tie. Ironhide would be a fine sire and co-creator. I like you more on a personal level."

"Quite the compliment, coming from you." Jazz replied. And it was on several levels. "Then I guess the other thing we, I, whatever, need to clear up is this." Jazz moved so he was looking Prowl squarely. "I won't any creation of mine being used as a pawn by someone on our side in this war. Not until they're old enough to make that choice and know what they're doin'."

Prowl inclined his helm and chose his words carefully. "As its creator you will have the legal right to block any plans that involve it until it is an adult. As a practical matter Optimus would not stand for it even if you would. I am incapable of not making the plans. I have no intention of mentioning any of them, much less trying to use them. This is a very different situation to it being half Decepticon and a chance to end the war. We are both Autobots."

"Fair enough. Questions for me, or have you got me all figured out?" Jazz asked, smiling and half joking now that his concerns had been laid to rest.

"Only one. Knowing the answers, do you still wish to create with me?" Prowl asked and extended his hand. "I will not hold it against you for backing out now," he promised.

The offered hand was taken, Jazz rising and pulling Prowl with him. "It would be an honor. One that I am very much looking forward to."

Prowl smiled and went with the tug to draw Jazz to his pedes and into a kiss that expressed all the passion the Praxian usually directed elsewhere. The passion in the touch sent a shiver through Jazz's entire frame, and one hand reached up to run lightly along a doorwing, testing as Prowl guided them towards the large, soft berth.

When their mouths finally parted briefly Prowl whispered "How do you feel about shedding our armor?"

Surprise rippled through Jazz's field at the suggestion. He honestly couldn't readily recall the last time that he had been willing to be so vulnerable. "Something you like?" He asked as his hands wandered over the frame pressed against his own, teasing at the seams of the plates as the first click of them loosening was audible.

"Yes, and something to get used to. It is simplest if I do not wear armor once frame construction begins until after the sparkling is ready for armor," Prowl said softly as he kissed his way down Jazz's neck cabling.

"Then I hope you'll be in the mood to help me when I need to go out, and when I get back." Jazz agreed, helm tilting to allow better access to his neck, fingers teasing deeper to the protoform under the loosened armor. Tension that he hadn't realized he had been holding eased from his frame, and with it the loosening of his own protective plating.

"Always," Prowl shivered eagerly and reached up to remove his helmet. With the armor gone his head was smooth and black beyond his faceplates and instead of a chevron there were two antennae centered on his forehead, one pointed each direction to mimic the chevron's points.

"And just how sensitive are those without any shielding?" Jazz purred, stretching up to vent softly at the exposed sensors.

Prowl gasped and went weak while his optics went out of focus. He trembled against Jazz to stay upright while white-out pleasure flashed through his field in waves.

"Very." Jazz smiled, highly pleased with this discovery as he held the Praxian closer and savored the pleasure rolling off the other.

"Yes," Prowl gasped as he recovered. "I'm sure your horns are similar," he reached up to rub one.

"Care to find out for yourself?" Jazz teased, visor glowing as he leaned in to the touch. "Your job to keep me on my pedes if you do."

"On the berth, then," Prowl chuckled and guided him down to kneel over Jazz. He leaned down to kiss Jazz while he gently worked the helmet off, then lightly rubbed the exposed nub.

He quickly discovered that Jazz's warning was because while touches the armored horns relaxed the mech, the same attention on the naked protoform was enough to melt Jazz into a puddle, and in the current context warm him towards other things.

"Not quite the same." Jazz admitted, though his field teeked of how much he enjoyed being like this, pulling Prowl down for another kiss.

"Then you can enjoy it longer," Prowl purred as he slid his hands down to tease at the edge of Jazz's chestplate.

That piece came away slowly, the reluctance unconscious on the owner's part. War had changed so much in them both. The first rush of air over the form underneath had Jazz shivering from both the sensation and trained fear.

"Shu, nothing to fear," Prowl cooed and stroked the much thinner gambeson, something that was now called civilian armor and once was all most non-military mecha wore. "You’re built well."

"Know I don’t need to be afraid." Jazz sighed, relaxing under the gentle touch and sincere compliment. Once he had the idea tied to the feeling of Prowl in his processor the reaction would ease significantly. "Just going to take a while to remember that."

For a klik he settled for lying there, appreciating the attention of another, before reaching and tracing the edges of Prowl's chestplate. The armor gave way in his hands and was set aside, allowing him access to lavish the same attention on the Praxian. "Just as well built as you." He said, claiming a quick kiss. "A good sign for our creation."

"As is your construction," Prowl purred and began to work on the armor of Jazz's arms. "It is your processor that enchants me the most."

"Enchants?" Jazz echoed, amused at the idea as he held one arm still for Prowl to work while his other hand continued to tease and explore. "Figured it'd be more irritating than enchanting."

"Only professionally," Prowl said as he slid his hands along the rarely touched inner armor. "When I was off duty it was enjoyable."

"Still, enchanting?" Jazz chuckled as he eased into a sitting position that allowed him better access to Prowl's armor, slowly stripping the other. Fingers trailed down bared arms as he nuzzled the Praxian's neck. "Possibly entertaining, but if anyone's enchanting it's you."

Prowl paused and considered him with a slightly embarrassed field. "My apologies for speaking poorly. I do not express my emotions well."

"Ya didn't. I'm just not seein' what you are." Jazz assured him, pulling the half armored framed against his own, field warming at the closeness. It had been so long he had forgotten how it was to be like this with another, and he was thoroughly enjoying it and not wanting to ruin the mood or the feel. "Love to find out though."

"Less armor and speaking, then," Prowl began to removed the armor from Jazz's left arm.

Amusement flared from Jazz at the statement, but with came willingness and agreement. Words were left for action, the only thing slowing the removal of each piece was in pausing to touch and the occasional stolen kiss. The last bit of heavy plating laid aside, Jazz paused for a moment to take in the more slender form that still looked so very much like the Prowl he was used to, gambeson patterned an identical image of the battle armor that lay off to the side of the berth.

"Enforcer to your very spark, aren't you?" He asked with a smile, reaching out to pull Prowl close with the observation.

"Very much so," Prowl sank into the kiss and the sparks of sensation as sensor-rich plating rubbed against each other. "While you become whatever you wish to be."

"Whatever I need to be." Jazz murmured softly, then pulled Prowl in for a deeper kiss before his processor went off that tangent. He felt it as Prowl didn't even try, their protoforms covered only in the thin, sensor-rich gambeson was a fabulous distraction and Jazz privately thought would make interfacing in full armor a pale imitation.

Prowl didn't say anything as his valve cover snapped open and he rubbed the housing against Jazz's thigh. Glossa teased and asked as dark fingers circled and teased the offered valve, testing and exploring a new lover. Between the moans Jazz felt more slickness than many had after 'facing. Prowl's field was hot with need now that it would happen soon. This was nothing like the Prowl Jazz knew, but he was an enticing thing to have in his arms. The burning need was enough to drive the lingering thoughts still in his processor away, his focus shrinking only to Prowl as he eased the Praxian back on the berth with exceptional care for the much smaller, thin doorwings that were now only barely stiff. "Mine." The growl was possessive against Prowl's lips as fingers worked the Praxians valve and Jazz's spike pressurized between their frames.

"Yours." Prowl gasped eagerly and spread his legs a bit more to rotate his hips in welcome of the penetration and building pleasure. He tipped his head back to offer his throat cables and held onto Jazz with an eagerness that vibrated between them.

Attention shifted from lips to the offered neck, a momentary distraction as the Jazz's fingers slipped from the valve they had been teasing to make way for his spike to ease into the slick heat. He was hit by a wave of relief-pleasure in Prowl's field and a wave of intense pleasure as his spike was enveloped and then massaged by eager calipers. Prowl's hands rubbing his back felt good, a reminder of how much Prowl embraced this and wanted to add to the pleasure.

Jazz stilled, just feeling, before he braced on the berth and pulled back to thrust forward, setting a slow rhythm with a moan of his own pleasure and desire. The rightness of this settled in along with the first noticeable impact of the reproductive code as it rewarded both of them and pressed them to keep going and imprint on each other through this act.

Prowl quivered and gasped as it unfurled to every system and subsystem he had. Even his tac-net quieted and began focusing on the coming creation, and how to entice Jazz, with what it did put out. Enticement Prowl knew wasn't needed but it gave his tac-net something to do. With the level of growing possessiveness radiating from Jazz with every thrust into into the tight valve of the mech beneath him one tac-net tread shifted to getting out if that possessiveness didn't calm down in a vorn.

A rumbling growl and blue visor flashed, focusing for a moment, and a kiss that was planted on the sensor antenna that had drawn such a wonderful reaction from Prowl before. It earned the same blast of sensory overload bliss as before, though this time it was entwined with the overload it caused. The wash of energy was the tipping point for Jazz as he overloaded with a roar, frame going rigid with a final thrust.

When he drifted back to awareness Prowl was holding him lightly with their legs entwined and Jazz's face was tucked against Prowl's neck.

"What to please you next, beautiful?" Jazz asked once he managed to get his vocalizer to work again, nuzzling Prowl's neck from where he lay.

"Lay still for a klik," Prowl whispered back as he soaked in the warmth and field of his next creation's sire.

"I can roll with that." Jazz agreed, frame melding more against Prowl's and the gentle kiss he couldn't resist. "You're amazing."

"As are you."

The reply sparked a flare of pride, and curiosity. "So why'd you always turn me down?"

Prowl thought back. "I wasn't ready for personal connections when you first asked. Then it became habit I perceived no advantage to breaking."

Mock pouting met his statement. "If'd I known that I'd tried to make myself a different habit for you!"

Prowl frowned. "How do you think you could have changed my mind?"

"Don't know at the moment, but I woulda come up with something." Jazz informed him. "I didn't know what the problem was before. And doesn't matter right now, so I'll worry bout it later."

A klik of silence followed the statement, Jazz's processor jumping from one thought to another. "Speaking of now though, what've you got planned if I'm needed for a mission?"

"You go. Depending on who is likely to remain I will want someone to guard the nest and I will likely put as much of my armor on as possible," Prowl answered easily as he slowly rubbed Jazz's back.

"Figured you already had a plan. We can set up weapon safes. Later." If it was possible Jazz melted even more against Prowl, the gentle stroking along his back rewarded with a purr that vibrated through his entire frame.

"Yes. Much later," Prowl purred as he began to work on undoing the gambeson latches on Jazz's inner armor. "now is for protoforms and sparks."

"As you command," Jazz relaxed into the effort with a giddy pride and glowing anticipation.