re_alignment | [Locked to SG!Starscream

Entry tags:

tf: classics | cliffjumper (crau)

[Locked to SG!Starscream - video]

[He'd been avoiding Starscream since that... thing after he'd been exploring around Megatronus' quadrant and had he really just not seen it? Why had Blurr seen it? Either way, Cliffjumper had been avoiding Starscream but considering Blurr's stupid... date thing and then that he'd been feeling like he should do something about it.

Nevermind that something felt off, he just couldn't put his finger on it. Maybe it was just because of the realisation and Starscream--- With a groan, and before he decided not to, Cliffjumper turned on the Link.]

Hey, uh, Starscream? I just... [What was he even supposed to say? Squirming and scowling off to the side, Cliffjumper felt the flustered embarrassment, annoyance over his own feelings and that offness just coalesce into... something.]

Got time to, er. Talk?

[... Well, that worked he supposed with a grunt.]

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[ well Starscream had been giving it some thought as well. short of just ASKING Blurr where he could have gotten that idea, this guy right here had been going over each and every interaction with Cliffjumper slowly, analyzing and well...

he hadn't gotten too far and he knows CJ is avoiding him a bit. it hurts a bit more than he had expected, but it's reasonable. the mini is easy to fluster and doesn't particularly like being caught in those situations.

the last time Starscream had seen him was after a flight in Solus' quadrant. granted, that had been a few days ago, but to hear him now, well.

relief. so much relief. and joy. lots of joy.

only problem is Cliffjumper sounds, well. like embarrassed. ]

Yes... Is something wrong?

[ concern! ]

Uh... [Was something wrong? Not really. Cliffjumper still hesitated and then scowled, snorting far more violently than what was necessary as he shook his helm.]

No. Nothing's wrong there's just--- I was thinkin'. Of, ya know, earlier. The library thing and the... er, few days ago? [The hesitating and near-flustered embarrassment just makes Cliffjumper more annoyed, and the feed rattles as he crosses his arms jerkily over his chest and looks away for a moment.

The flickers of Starscream's emotions he can pick up through the feed on that way too expressive face doesn't make anything easier either and he doesn't know how to continue.]

[ it's all right. if anything Starscream is patient. anxious, but patient.

the mention of the library thing is actually... surprising. he had thought that Cliffjumper would never bring that up again. so why is he...

honestly thinking about that is making him flustered all over again. and maybe sort of wishing it had been a little different. and that thought just makes him embarrassed too. ]

W-what about the library thing?

[ smooth, Starscream. ]

[Well, he wasn't ever going to bring it up again, but for... this thing he sort of needed to bring it up. Except Starscream repeating it made him think about it, and what Blurr had intended it to be, and all the...

emotion he'd apparently been ignoring until that meeting when Starscream met him in Megatronus' quadrant.]

Nothing! [He snaps, then realises that's counter productive to what he wanted to say and growls, his too-bright optics flicking briefly to Starscream on the other side of the feed and then away again.]

I mean, not nothing but, uh. Like, the slaggin' thing that Blurr intended it--- [His vocaliser glitches, goes to static, and then Cliffjumper snarls. This was stupid and why did he think was a good idea!?]

[ oh... oh it must be something very big and personal if Cliffjumper is having that much of an issue even SPEAKING.

it sort of soothes over his own nervousness - focusing on Cliff's anyway. ]

I'm not sure I follow...

[ okay, so. he's mostly confused. STARSCREAM HAS NEVER SEEN HIS FRIEND THIS WAY AND IT'S REALLY REALLY STARTING TO WORRY HIM. ]

[He's not sure where this sudden rush of emotion came from - the little flicker over his circuits at watching Starscream's faceplate twist in confusion, that shouldn't be so fragging cute, or the annoying earnestness in his voice or any other things. It just popped up and now he can't gnore it!]

I just--- gah! [Scrubbing a hand down his faceplate Cliffjumper's engine rev in frustration and embarrassment.] I like you, okay?!

[Optics flickering, Cliffjumper freezes - despite having made the call (easier than being in person), he's not sure he'd actually intended to say anything and now he has and...

And he's just going to disconnect because slag, he just told Starscream he liked him, and this is Starscream even if it's the negative polarity one and WHY?

Something still feels off, but it's probably just because he's embarrassed by what he just said.]

[ well that's not what he had expected to hear at all! at first Starscream had thought that CJ might cry a circuit before actually saying anything but then... I like you.

Starscream stares for a few moments, trying to process that, even after the disconnect. he isn't entirely sure that he heard Cliffjumper correctly. but then, as he replays it over, no there is no mistake about what's been said or the validity of it - Cliffjumper would have disconnected in such a fashion if it were anything but the truth.

it's just... what. how. when!?

he's flustered just over the "confession" and wondering how to proceed with that information. something isn't right, but what... well. he's a little too caught up in his panicking to concentrate on that. but he DOES know the one thing that he doesn't want to happen because of this...

the flier doesn't want Cliffjumper to avoid him anymore. :(

so even though he's nervous himself - because it kind of would be nice to maybe go out on an actual date - if Cliffjumper could work up the courage to do this despite his own embarrassment, then surely Starscream can too!

this is why he is now just down the hall, knocking softly on that door. trying not to pass out from anxiety. ]

[What the slag did he just do?

How long had those feelings been there?

That question brings a flutter of... something, but then his processor brings up a brief image of Starscream's widened optics right as he said those words and he forgets what it was he was thinking about.

Instead he just curls up on the berth and glares at the opposite wall, uncomfortable and feeling like he's prickling from the way his EM field is flexing around---

Door. His helm whips up and he stares, well-aware his optics are too bright.

He could ignore the door.

But that would sort of defeat having had this... confession, wouldn't it? So instead he just remote activates the door to open it for Starscream. Staring at him from across the room.]

... Uh. Come in?

[This was a bad idea, and his optics are too bright again.]

[ ahh... well now he's here and Cliffjumper is kind of letting him in. so Starscream does enter, but only a step or two. he's too busy fidgeting and shifting awkwardly from side to side a bit. ]

Ah... Um. You see, Cliffjumper...

[ but what does he say? What sort of words do you really use in this situation? honestly, the other curled up there is nothing short of adorable... Starscream sort of wants to pick him up and - ]

You never let me answer you.

[ ah ha ha... this is a bad idea. ]

... yeah?

[Cliffjumper grimaces, but only because Starscream shouldn't look that cute fidgeting, and where does that thought even come from?!

Okay, so he also thinks Starscream looks a bit silly like that, because it's Starscream and the mech shouldn't be able to fidget, but... that doesn't diminish the... uh, adorableness.]

Um. [He huffs, nodding hesitantly and he doesn't want to hear it, even if it'd seemed they'd both been struck by something at that meeting a few days ago. If he doesn't hear whatever Starscream's going to say, he can just pretend Starscream might reciprocate.

That feels kind of embarrassing to think about, really, and Cliffjumper's engine growls a little, but he doesn't move from his position.]

I... suppose I didn't, no. [He's totally not flustered and there was no static in his voice and this is ridiculous!]

No, you didn't.

[ brilliant, Staracream. Because repeating yourself is oh so graceful. Now his wings are even twitching a little, too anxious from being unable to decipher what Cliffjumper's body language is saying. It's silly because here the red mech has already confessed! He has nothing to worry about here.

So why is it so hard to get the words out. ]

Well, you see... The point is that I'm flattered, you know, a-and...

[ he pauses there, field erratic from all of those emotions that he can't quite place. Then he just starts to laugh. ]

This is ridiculous. Cliff, you have been a great friend and companion. Here you went completely out of your comfort zone to tell me this, knowing full well I could turn you down. Now here I am, trying to tell you the same thing without the fear of rejection and I'm on the verge of a nervous breakdown!

[ his smile is shy, soft. ]

How do you continue to be so amazing?

[Cliffjumper twitched and then froze as Starscream paused, because all that fidgeting and twitching is doing nothing for his confidence and he can sort of feel a sullen growl begin somewhere---]

Starscream--! [The mech doesn't have to laugh at him! Cliffjumper hisses and curls up tighter, right hand tightening into a fist and then cuts himself off as Starscream actually starts to talk again and...]

You--- Stop that! I ain't--- anything amazing. At all. [His field flexes and flares fitfully as his optics does as well, giving Starscream a rather vicious glare - from flustered embarrassment rather than hurt.]

Just had to say something.

[Even if something still feels... odd about this whole thing, but the fact that Starscream apparently reciprocates is a warm, fluttering tingle in the circuits around his spark chamber.]

You are, though.

[ he doesn't meant to get Cliffjumper all riled. not really. it's only funny and, ah, adorable to a certain degree. then Starscream just feels bad about it. he doesn't feel guilty over his words, though. they are true and spoken from the warmth in his ember. ]

I will continue to offer all of the praise that I can muster until you believe it just a little. Or until you can accept a complement without too much fuss.

[ Starscream has no room to talk about that, really.

he wants to step forward, more into the room. actually, he's twitching with the urge to either sit down by the other to, once more, pull him into something that resembles a hug.

maybe it is odd. exactly what are the chances that this could even happen in real life? but the truth is, he's just too happy to think on it too much. ]

Though... There you have it. I like you as well. In case it wasn't clear what I meant.

Humph. [That's as eloquent as Cliffjumper is in response to that, twisting his lips and crossing his arms over his chest. He can take a compliment perfectly fine, but sometimes Starscream just totally go overboard!

Or maybe they're right not just making him feel extra squirmy because it's Starscream and the accompanying bright tingle in his circuits.]

No I... uh. Got it. [He ducks his helm, optics brightening and loosening his arms to rub the back of his helm and shouldn't this be easier now?]

Ya don't have to stand there ya know. [Angling a glance at Starscream and realising the scientist is basically hovering in the door, he jerks his chin to the side - more into the room, even if he's got no idea what they're going to do now that they've gotten this far.

But leaving Starscream in the doorway just seems silly, even if he's flustered himself.]

[ Starscream is far less nervous now. despite the situation, Cliffjumper now is more readable, more like what the flier is accustomed to. it makes him smile, really. ]

I suppose I don't... Though exactly where would you have me?

[ where should he go instead? he doesn't know what they should be doing next - what is appropriate or not. 8T ]

[Where..? Well, he doesn't know! Cliffjumper's optics flicker around, and then he shrugs, field flexing a bit.]

Uh... dunno. Where ya want to sit, I guess, since at least the desk chair and the be-- er, whatever, all of it ain't fit for just mechs my size.

[All of the extra stuff he'd had to find and get into the room, of course, since the desk and the chair already present, as well as the berth, was fit for someone much bigger than he was.

And it was silly, they were just talking, but mentioning his berth in this situation made him blush, so he'd cut himself off.]

[ he chuckles a little at the cut off - not because he is laughing at Cliffjumper. more like, he understands and is trying not to blush for Cliffjumper's sake. they don't need to make this more awkward than it sort of already is. they are silly, silly mechs. some adults they are...

it makes his smile tight as he shakes his helm to take a seat at the chair. somehow he doubts they will ever really stop skating around each other when it comes to this sort of thing. ]

Ah, well... I suppose you do look rather miniscule in comparison to some of the items in this room.

[ because teasing helps, right? ]

Say what. [Cliffjumper's optics narrow while the glow sharpens and darkens slightly - exaggerately so, he knows, since this is Starscream, it's not meanly meant.]

Outsized or not, they fit me fine.

[Cliffjumper snaps a finger out, pointing, and then, since it's kind of silly to be sitting at opposite ends of the room, he slides off the berth and slumps down on a pouf he's put next to the desk.]

You'd think they could slaggin' well have some variation on the rooms, but no. [His voice drops a little as he grumbles, while he ignores the warm squiggle deeper down at being close to Starscream now that they've confessed.]

There are plenty of individuals here that could customize things for you, Cliffjumper.

[ he's putting that out there. with so many people here, there has to be some variation in talents. everyone comes in every shape and size and perhaps it isn't unreasonable for the FFs to think of that, but ah well. ]

To be honest, it is just as awkward being a larger mech as it is a small one.

[ his smile is apologetic and his ember sort of skips a bit at CJ coming closer. silly thing... ]

I've managed so far, haven't I? [Cliffjumper says with a huff and a dismissive wave of his hand. Sure, the berth was too high up, but that had been solved with somoething to step on.]

Yeah, I suppose it's harder when you're too big to fit onto or into somethin' rather than when ya can't fraggin' reach...

[Shifting in his seat, Cliffjumper looks off. This just sort of feels like avoiding the actual issue.

Not that he's sure what that issue is, really. They'd both confessed, what more was there?]

So... uh.

You also have a jetpack for an extra boost if needed.

[ meanwhile... Starscream is just trying to keep Cliffjumper comfortable. at ease. surely the mini is frazzled enough without the flier pointing things out or even making it worse.

but with all of the shifting and the way that Cliffjumper is still hesitant about something...

Starscream smiles, reaching over to put a hand on a shoulder. ]

I'm not going to do anything without your permission first, if that's what you're worried about.

Edited 2014-03-23 18:22 (UTC)

I don't think that's very practical inside, ya know. [Even while he rolled his optics, Cliffjumper grinned. The uncertainty present in his earlier trailed off words slid away and he totally didn't get a little warm glow at the touch on his shoulder.

The only reason he didn't dvelve on the strangeness of that because he'd never in his function reacted to being attracted to someone like this, was what Starscream was saying.]

Starscream, I ain't a fraggin' human teenage girl who's worried 'bout her virtue! [He tried for offended and it just came out in a chortle, pushing off the hand on his shoulder - though he did squeeze it, optics brightening as he did so and that was just silly.]

It's just... ain't somethin' that's happened a lot. [Huff.]

True, true... You're hardly some fair maiden locked in a tower that needs saved by her knight.

[ some more chuckling here, withdrawing his hand. the mental image, though... it is amusing.

though... he mimics a very human gesture for awkwardness - coughing into his hand. at the mention of 'virtue' and 'not something that's happened a lot... ]

I apologize, though. You see... It might surprise you, but I've never... Um.

[ he waves a hand about. he's never done ANYTHING like this really. at all. 8T ]

And don't you forget it! [Snorting, Cliffjumper shakes his helm and he's not thinking, at all, about the fact that Starscream brought that up in relation to him.

Because really, if anyone's a princess here, it's Starscream. He can't voice that thought though because what Starscream says next neatly derails him.]

You've never... what? [He's not sure whether he's surprised that Starscream hasn't... kissed? Been together with someone, never gone... ahem, whichever or if he's just not catching on what Starscream's saying.]

[ yeeeeap. going down the awkward train real fast here. this turtle? it's not getting back up. it's just going to roll on its shell perpetually into oblivion.

which means Starscream is looking away. embarrassed. ]

I've never really participated in any romantic activities.

[ that's a nice way of saying it, right? ]

I-It never seemed important. Or, ah, appropriate with the war that had been going on.

[ read: everyone else and their lives are more important to me than getting laid. or being in a relationship with anyone ever. ]

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