"Stubborn, aft-headed, violent, ugly spawn of the Unmaker!" Hot Rod stomped past Optimus in one Pit of a temper, burning so brightly that he didn't even register the senior Prime's presence.
"Cyclonus! The war is back on!" At the same time, Galvatron stormed past Ultra Magnus in much the same mood, and with the same regard for other mechs in his presence. Magnus blinked, opened a comm line to Optimus, and received a busy signal in reply - only, he discovered a few seconds later, because his superior had been trying to contact him.
//Galvatron?// Optimus guessed.
//Yes,// Magnus confirmed. //Hot Rod?//
//Yes.// The mech sounded weary even over the comm line. //This is... an unfortunate development.//
//For the truce?// Magnus asked, then regretted the question as soon as he heard himself ask it.
//And for them,// Optimus responded, confirming Magnus's instinct. //Normally I am not an advocate of getting in the middle of a lovers' quarrel, but...//
//Consider the lovers,// Magnus finished dryly when his leader trailed off. //I... am unsure of my ability to handle Galvatron. Perhaps I should take Hot Rod?//
//Yes.// There was a smile in Optimus's 'voice.' //I will take care of Galvatron. Meet us at the usual place?//
//Understood, Prime. Ultra Magnus out.//
***
Hot Rod was clearly still angry, but he was keeping it ruthlessly under control in Ultra Magnus's presence. Magnus approved of the show of restraint, and almost regretted that he was about to decisively shatter it.
"What was it you wanted to talk to me about?" Hot Rod asked, nothing but professional curiosity in his voice.
"It's not something we can speak of in the open hallway. Wait until we're somewhere more secure."
Hot Rod lifted an optic ridge. "The residential sector is secure?"
Magnus allowed a flicker of a smile. "Keep getting smarter, Hot Rod, and soon none of us will be able to hold you." So saying, he took a firm grip on Hot Rod's shoulders and steered him the last few steps: into a room with no assigned dweller, well-stocked with various toys and lubricants and the highest-grade energon they could afford to keep stocked, euphemistically called the Boudoir.
Optimus Prime was already there. And with him, pacing restlessly, was Galvatron.
Hot Rod stiffened, understanding all at once. "Magnus, let me go," he rapped out, sounding so much like Rodimus Prime for a moment that it was a struggle not to obey.
Fortunately, it was Optimus Prime who answered. "You don't really want to leave, do you, Hot Rod?"
Galvatron whirled on the elder Prime, furious. "Optimus! You deceived me!"
"I told you I had something of great import to discuss with you," Optimus answered, as calm as if Galvatron didn't have that particle cannon aimed at his head, "and I do. Shut the door, Magnus. Hot Rod won't run."
It was true. Hot Rod was staring at Galvatron, transfixed, his fans whirring softly. Galvatron's cannon was lowering, slowly, and though he wasn't looking at his young Prime, it was clear where all his attention was. Whatever had passed between them, it was clear they still desired each other.
//We'll log this as 'truce maintenance,'// Magnus told Optimus silently, and received an amused ping in reply. Smiling, Magnus let go of Hot Rod's shoulders and shut the door.
Re: :D
"Cyclonus! The war is back on!" At the same time, Galvatron stormed past Ultra Magnus in much the same mood, and with the same regard for other mechs in his presence. Magnus blinked, opened a comm line to Optimus, and received a busy signal in reply - only, he discovered a few seconds later, because his superior had been trying to contact him.
//Galvatron?// Optimus guessed.
//Yes,// Magnus confirmed. //Hot Rod?//
//Yes.// The mech sounded weary even over the comm line. //This is... an unfortunate development.//
//For the truce?// Magnus asked, then regretted the question as soon as he heard himself ask it.
//And for them,// Optimus responded, confirming Magnus's instinct. //Normally I am not an advocate of getting in the middle of a lovers' quarrel, but...//
//Consider the lovers,// Magnus finished dryly when his leader trailed off. //I... am unsure of my ability to handle Galvatron. Perhaps I should take Hot Rod?//
//Yes.// There was a smile in Optimus's 'voice.' //I will take care of Galvatron. Meet us at the usual place?//
//Understood, Prime. Ultra Magnus out.//
***
Hot Rod was clearly still angry, but he was keeping it ruthlessly under control in Ultra Magnus's presence. Magnus approved of the show of restraint, and almost regretted that he was about to decisively shatter it.
"What was it you wanted to talk to me about?" Hot Rod asked, nothing but professional curiosity in his voice.
"It's not something we can speak of in the open hallway. Wait until we're somewhere more secure."
Hot Rod lifted an optic ridge. "The residential sector is secure?"
Magnus allowed a flicker of a smile. "Keep getting smarter, Hot Rod, and soon none of us will be able to hold you." So saying, he took a firm grip on Hot Rod's shoulders and steered him the last few steps: into a room with no assigned dweller, well-stocked with various toys and lubricants and the highest-grade energon they could afford to keep stocked, euphemistically called the Boudoir.
Optimus Prime was already there. And with him, pacing restlessly, was Galvatron.
Hot Rod stiffened, understanding all at once. "Magnus, let me go," he rapped out, sounding so much like Rodimus Prime for a moment that it was a struggle not to obey.
Fortunately, it was Optimus Prime who answered. "You don't really want to leave, do you, Hot Rod?"
Galvatron whirled on the elder Prime, furious. "Optimus! You deceived me!"
"I told you I had something of great import to discuss with you," Optimus answered, as calm as if Galvatron didn't have that particle cannon aimed at his head, "and I do. Shut the door, Magnus. Hot Rod won't run."
It was true. Hot Rod was staring at Galvatron, transfixed, his fans whirring softly. Galvatron's cannon was lowering, slowly, and though he wasn't looking at his young Prime, it was clear where all his attention was. Whatever had passed between them, it was clear they still desired each other.
//We'll log this as 'truce maintenance,'// Magnus told Optimus silently, and received an amused ping in reply. Smiling, Magnus let go of Hot Rod's shoulders and shut the door.