In Absentia
Title: In Absentia
'Verse: TF_IC_prompts (Nexus'verse), TFA
Characters: Jazz. Prowl.
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Angst.
Chapter 1 - Waking up
One by one his systems began to cycle online. Senses groggy, slow to react, pleasant heat suffusing his circuitry as he shifted languidly on his berth. His field was still thrumming, buzzing with excess energy, the feeling drawing a soft smile from his lip components. Stretching out the stiffness in his joints, Prowl turned onto his side, his visor flickering online to a dim azure, vision greeted by the still recharging form of the white mech lying beside him.
His smile widened as he felt a gentle, pleasant tug in his spark, causing it to flutter in his chest.
Mm... what're you smiling about?
Prowl laughed at the sleepy presence in his spark and gently lifted a finger to brush over Jazz's chest, lingering over his spark. "I can feel you."
Visor gradually brightening, Jazz shifted onto his side, his smile crooked, drowsy as he leaned closer to steal a sweet kiss. "That's the idea."
Curling closer to his bondmate, the darker ninja exhaled quietly, focusing on his mate's presence in his spark, feeling his way through the very new bond the ninja gently sent a passing thought through the connection.
Jazz suddenly burst out laughing, tucking closer to his mech with warmth in his visor. "I'm luckier." He murmured fondly, idly mouthing his lips with a contented purr. "I can't believe I'm bonded... we're bonded. Feels amazing."
"I never put much stock in others' descriptions of being bonded." Prowl replied quietly, expression thoughtful. "Didn't expect it to be this strong."
Jazz hummed in agreement, fingers slowly tracing lines over Prowl's warm frame snuggled close to his own, their energy fields sliding over each other, still aglow and electrified from their recent bonding a few hours previous. "They say that newly bondeds can't bear to be apart from each other straight after they bond."
"Oh?" Prowl's visor flickered and brightened a smirk tugging at his mouth as Jazz's hands wandered lazily over his black and gold plating. "Why's that then?"
"Mm, why d' you think?" Jazz purred, nuzzling his mech's audio, sliding closer, his intentions rippling over their bond.
"Oh... ohhh." Intakes hitching Prowl's engine revved gently as Jazz leant over him and kissed him slowly, softly, humming in pleasure as Prowl returned the affection with a lowly purr, deepening their kiss. Their bond flaring open between them in their intimacy.
****
Nexus was fairly mild and temperate compared to Detroit back on Earth. The winter's were prone to their icy conditions but the summer was pleasantly warm and inviting. The days were long, lazy and there was always something to so, somewhere new to visit. Even when you'd thought you'd explored every part of this Nexus, it seemed to shift, change and throw in a curve ball you never expected.
That was one of the charms of the place, Prowl mused as he gazed out upon the woodland at the back of their dojo. A light sprightly breeze whipped playfully through the trees creating a cascade of early morning shimmering sunlight as the sun climbed higher. The darker ninja had long since given up questioning Nexus' existence or his own for that matter. He'd simply opted to enjoy this second chance, especially now that he had everything to live for.
Turning back inside, Prowl shook his helm and smiled in vague amusement at the aftermath of their 'quiet' ceremony. The floor was littered with half eaten plates of goodies and the odd empty cube. He set to busying himself tidying and sweeping the dojo, always finding the act soothing, not that he was in need of soothing at the moment.
His spark pulsed and he pressed his palm to his chest, happiness etched onto his face. "I could get used to this."
"Good." Jazz grinned, kissing his audio quickly reaching around him to tease his mouth with a freshly made concoction.
"You're spoiling me."
"You deserve to be spoiled."
"And you don't?"
Giving a shrug, Jazz stole another kiss as Prowl turned to face him. "I have you." He murmured, brushing his lips over Prowl's.
Wrapping his arms about his mech, chuckling, Prowl mouthed his lower lip with a soft hum. "Charmer."
"That I am." Jazz grinned, his visor flickering in a wink.
Both ninjas laughed and spent the day cherishing each other, relishing their bond, enjoying the peaceful late spring day together. They danced, laughed and talked, made love and simply basked in the warm comfort their bond brought them. Today was the beginning of the rest of their lives and they planned on living and enjoying every second of it, together.
****
The days after their bonding were peaceful and idyll as they learnt more about their new connection, the nights quiet and spent wrapped about each other, almost as if Nexus itself was granting them a honeymoon, seeing as how they couldn't exactly leave its bounds for a trip.
Jazz wandered out of the dojo, called outside by a gentle but insistent tugging on his spark, following its call into the surrounding forest. Locating his mech, the white Guardsmech climbed into the branches of the tree Prowl had claimed a perch in, balancing easily as he wrapped his arms about the darker mech, pecking his cheek in greeting.
“Hey, you called?”
Prowl turned a bright smile on the other ninja, leaning into him affectionately before tipping his head at the branches nearby.
“Look.”
Jazz looked, and smiled at the delicate bird's nest tucked into the fork of the tree limb, spotting a clutch of tiny eggs nestled within the structure. A crack wound its way down the surface of one, and Prowl continued speaking softly.
“They're just beginning to hatch, I thought I'd keep an optic on them while their mother was away.”
A chirrup, and both ninjas glanced up to see a drab little bird land on a twig, then dart down to the nest to hop about on its edges, eyeing them suspiciously with dark, beady eyes. Jazz nudged Prowl, tilting his helm slightly.
“I think that's our cue to leave momma bird to her business.”
“Well, yes. We wouldn't want to frighten her away from her hatchlings.” Prowl conceded, dropping to the ground silently as the other mech followed. The black and gold ninja glanced upwards again, smiling slightly as he watched the bird settle on its nest, then started when Jazz stole a brief kiss and darted off into the forest, a flare of playful intent communicating itself over their bond.
Laughing, Prowl tracked him through the trees, the other ninja staying just out of sight and reach but with their sparkbond fully open, a constant, bright presence at the edge of Prowl's awareness, ensuring that neither mech was ever truly hidden from the other. Finally, Prowl caught his mech, tackling him to the ground and claiming a victorious kiss, purring softly.
“Found you...”
“Mm, so you did.”
Jazz chuckled, leaning up to nuzzle at his jawline, and Prowl smirked at him, wrapping his arms possessively about the other mech's neck. “Will always find you, no matter where you go.”
White hands slid lightly over the dark curve of Prowl's windshield, resting over his spark, thrumming gently within his chest. “Will always want you to find me.” Jazz kissed him softly, murmuring against his lips. “Bondmate mine...”
“Yours...” Prowl leant in to kiss him again, his own hands wandering over Jazz's chestplates, coaxing plating into sliding apart as his own sparkchamber came into view, the flare of sparklight briefly lighting the little clearing the ninjas were in as their sparks met joyfully.
= = =
They made their way home slowly, hands joined, fingers intertwined as they walked. Jazz looked over at Prowl when the darker ninja leant against him, smiling faintly. “I love being bonded to you.”
The white mech smiled back, squeezing his hand as he replied. “So do I. This bond... It's like a part of me is always making love to a part of you.”
“Such a romantic mech.” Prowl laughed, and Jazz chuckled.
“You like me this way.”
“Mm, I like you in any and every way.”
“And I like you too, Prowl.”
“Oh? Would you be willing to... demonstrate?” The Guardsmech smirked at the coy look being shot at him by his lover, and tugged Prowl inside the dojo with a low purr.
“Oh, gladly.”
****
Onlining to another day wrapped around his mech, or rather, his mech wrapped around him, Prowl laughed softly at the humming, contented presence in his spark. The white ninja was sprawled over his darker frame, their blanket tangled about them as Jazz stirred at Prowl’s chuckle and tucked him close.
“Mm, morning.” Nuzzling the back of his neck, Jazz purred as he held Prowl flush, his spark fluttering happily in his chest. “I was thinking we should probably show our faces at the medbay today.”
Humming as he felt Jazz’s spark thrumming through their plating, Prowl shifted to face him. “I agree. It’s been about a week since we bonded, Sari will send out search parties if we’re not careful.”
“Wouldn’t want that.” Jazz grinned, stealing a slow kiss. “Could be embarrassing for everyone.”
Returning the grin, the black and gold mech laughed lightly. “Did you lock the door?”
Visor brightening at Prowl’s sultry tone, Jazz let out a low hum and sidled closer. “Mmhmm.”
Their legs entangled, hands gently wandering, both mechs lost themselves to each other, gentle moans and whispers of adoration filling their modest room. They merged their sparks again, never tiring of exploring their connection, learning more about each other, strengthening their bond. Every time they joined sparks their bond grew in intensity and strength. They still weren’t ready to spend much time apart, but thankfully in Nexus they didn’t have to.
Some time later the two ninjas ventured over to the medbay. They knew the others had been expecting to see them and after almost a week alone together, it was nice to share their happiness with others.
Sari was in her garden when they arrived and the techno-organic wasted no time in racing over to embrace the both of them. “I’ve missed you two!” She beamed happily at them, bright blue eyes flicking over their almost constantly intertwined fingers. “Swoop from our ‘verse has asked about you two almost everyday. I think the other Swoop is having a bit of trouble explaining bonding to him and why he couldn’t visit.” The red-haired girl giggled and ushered them inside. Throwing each other an amused grin, the ninjas headed inside to greet their adopted family.
Spending the day at the medbay was a nice break from the dojo. Jazz whipped up a batch of his now famous goodies while Prowl pulled Swoop away from his work. Soon enough there was a small crowd gathered in the kitchenette, even Ratchet appeared to share his congratulations with the two ninjas and they spent the rest of the time trying to explain what being bonded meant to the younger Swoop without traumatising him.
Daylight drew to a close and the bonded pair decided it was time to head home, hoping their stolen sidelong glances at each other while everyone had been enjoying themselves hadn’t been noticed. They didn’t want to appear rude and had really enjoyed spending time with their friends again, but their sparks called to each other, yearning to join once more. It was normal for newly bonded pairs and so the ninjas accepted it, welcoming the closeness and intimacy it brought them.
The evening was warm and pleasant as the sun slowly sank behind the trees. Sari saw them off, waving from the main entrance of the med bay as the ninjas turned their faces towards the setting sun, deciding to walk back to their dojo, quietly talking and simply enjoying each other’s company.
“I enjoyed today.” Prowl stated simply, his hand tangled with Jazz’s, his thumb idly stroking the other mech's plating. “Days like these were just not something we could have had on Earth, we wouldn’t have made such good friends like Swoop.”
“I know.” Jazz smiled, his face bathed in orange light of the fading sun. “I used to wonder how a place like this could exist and how I could get home, it didn’t last long.”
Blinking at the white mech, Prowl tilted his helm curiously. “Oh?”
“Not once I realised what I had here, what I could have here, no.” Jazz smiled, tugging Prowl to him with a playful smile, stealing a full kiss. “Why would I want to be anywhere else?”
Smiling into the kiss, Prowl sighed contentedly. “Oh, I don’t know, maybe you’d want to catch me.”
“Huh?” Jazz mewled in surprise as the darker ninja pressed a firm kiss to his parted mouth and lightly bit his lip before darting off with a last playful look.
“Oh it's like that, is it?” The guardsmech laughed and raced after his mech, leaping gracefully into the branches to drop down in front of Prowl and catch him in his arms, kissing him soundly. “Always find you, you’re right here.” He murmured against Prowl’s mouth, taking his bondmate's hand to press Prowl's palm to his own chest. “But can you catch me?” Visor flickering with a wink, Jazz stole an all too brief kiss and escaped once more, his spark thrumming in his chest as Prowl gave chase.
Their bond allowed them to never lose sight of the other, always there at the edges of their consciousness, a bright light, a welcoming presence. With this, Prowl soon caught his mech and wrapped his fingers around his wrist before he slipped from his grasp once more. “Told you.” He laughed, tugging the white ninja close. “Will always catch you.”
Jazz cupped Prowl’s face and kissed his chevron, resting his helm against his. “I’ll always want you to.” He murmured quietly. “My Prowl…”
“Yours…” Prowl replied, leaning into the white mech with a quiet sigh of contentment.
Smiling brightly at his bondmate, Jazz drew back, the daylight had all but dissipated as he held out his hand. “Let’s go home.”
Giving a small nod, Prowl gazed back at his mech, spark fluttering as Jazz sent adoration and love through their bond. Reaching out his hand, he felt his fingers brush over Jazz’s but when he curled them to take hold, it was as if the hand was no longer there.
Visor flickering Prowl glanced at their hands and his smile faded as a ghostly white image greeted his optics. Snapping his helm back up to meet Jazz’s gaze, his intakes failed him.
“Jazz…” His voice was but a whisper as his hands shot out in desperation, trying to catch hold of the white mech, processor struggling to register what was happening as his fingers met nothing but air and his optics watched the gradually fading image of his bondmate reach for him, trying to feel the white arms wrapping about his frame and failing, as if Jazz were a mere hologram.
He stared in dread at the ghostly visage of his mech, optics bright with fear as he watched Jazz’s mouth moving trying to say something to him but his audios couldn’t pick up the distinctive sound of his voice. “No… no, Jazz… JAZZ!!”
Love you, love you so much Prowl... I'm so sorry, don't want to go...
The moon shone bright into the forest, coating everything with a silvery sheen as Prowl pleaded with Nexus for his bonded, his spark thrumming harder and faster in his chest as Jazz faded from sight. He spun around, frantic, desperate, searching as the ghostly white image finally disappeared, and found himself alone in the clearing. Sinking to his knees, a hand clutching at his chest as his spark burned with a deep ache, the ninja cried out with spark breaking grief as the once strong and very present bond became excruciatingly faint before falling quiet, plunging the black and gold into darkness as he slumped to the ground.
A/N: This fic (and subsequent chapters [oh come on, did you really think we'd end it here?]) was and will be co-written by wicked3659 and me. It begins in Nexus, the world created by the players in tf_ic_prompts, but moves on to the TFA'verse from there. For the uninitiated, Nexus is a place that anyone can get pulled to at any time, and where second chances are possible, but those who leave do not remember their time there. Cue the angst.
'Verse: TF_IC_prompts (Nexus'verse), TFA
Characters: Jazz. Prowl.
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Angst.
Chapter 1 - Waking up
One by one his systems began to cycle online. Senses groggy, slow to react, pleasant heat suffusing his circuitry as he shifted languidly on his berth. His field was still thrumming, buzzing with excess energy, the feeling drawing a soft smile from his lip components. Stretching out the stiffness in his joints, Prowl turned onto his side, his visor flickering online to a dim azure, vision greeted by the still recharging form of the white mech lying beside him.
His smile widened as he felt a gentle, pleasant tug in his spark, causing it to flutter in his chest.
Mm... what're you smiling about?
Prowl laughed at the sleepy presence in his spark and gently lifted a finger to brush over Jazz's chest, lingering over his spark. "I can feel you."
Visor gradually brightening, Jazz shifted onto his side, his smile crooked, drowsy as he leaned closer to steal a sweet kiss. "That's the idea."
Curling closer to his bondmate, the darker ninja exhaled quietly, focusing on his mate's presence in his spark, feeling his way through the very new bond the ninja gently sent a passing thought through the connection.
Jazz suddenly burst out laughing, tucking closer to his mech with warmth in his visor. "I'm luckier." He murmured fondly, idly mouthing his lips with a contented purr. "I can't believe I'm bonded... we're bonded. Feels amazing."
"I never put much stock in others' descriptions of being bonded." Prowl replied quietly, expression thoughtful. "Didn't expect it to be this strong."
Jazz hummed in agreement, fingers slowly tracing lines over Prowl's warm frame snuggled close to his own, their energy fields sliding over each other, still aglow and electrified from their recent bonding a few hours previous. "They say that newly bondeds can't bear to be apart from each other straight after they bond."
"Oh?" Prowl's visor flickered and brightened a smirk tugging at his mouth as Jazz's hands wandered lazily over his black and gold plating. "Why's that then?"
"Mm, why d' you think?" Jazz purred, nuzzling his mech's audio, sliding closer, his intentions rippling over their bond.
"Oh... ohhh." Intakes hitching Prowl's engine revved gently as Jazz leant over him and kissed him slowly, softly, humming in pleasure as Prowl returned the affection with a lowly purr, deepening their kiss. Their bond flaring open between them in their intimacy.
****
Nexus was fairly mild and temperate compared to Detroit back on Earth. The winter's were prone to their icy conditions but the summer was pleasantly warm and inviting. The days were long, lazy and there was always something to so, somewhere new to visit. Even when you'd thought you'd explored every part of this Nexus, it seemed to shift, change and throw in a curve ball you never expected.
That was one of the charms of the place, Prowl mused as he gazed out upon the woodland at the back of their dojo. A light sprightly breeze whipped playfully through the trees creating a cascade of early morning shimmering sunlight as the sun climbed higher. The darker ninja had long since given up questioning Nexus' existence or his own for that matter. He'd simply opted to enjoy this second chance, especially now that he had everything to live for.
Turning back inside, Prowl shook his helm and smiled in vague amusement at the aftermath of their 'quiet' ceremony. The floor was littered with half eaten plates of goodies and the odd empty cube. He set to busying himself tidying and sweeping the dojo, always finding the act soothing, not that he was in need of soothing at the moment.
His spark pulsed and he pressed his palm to his chest, happiness etched onto his face. "I could get used to this."
"Good." Jazz grinned, kissing his audio quickly reaching around him to tease his mouth with a freshly made concoction.
"You're spoiling me."
"You deserve to be spoiled."
"And you don't?"
Giving a shrug, Jazz stole another kiss as Prowl turned to face him. "I have you." He murmured, brushing his lips over Prowl's.
Wrapping his arms about his mech, chuckling, Prowl mouthed his lower lip with a soft hum. "Charmer."
"That I am." Jazz grinned, his visor flickering in a wink.
Both ninjas laughed and spent the day cherishing each other, relishing their bond, enjoying the peaceful late spring day together. They danced, laughed and talked, made love and simply basked in the warm comfort their bond brought them. Today was the beginning of the rest of their lives and they planned on living and enjoying every second of it, together.
****
The days after their bonding were peaceful and idyll as they learnt more about their new connection, the nights quiet and spent wrapped about each other, almost as if Nexus itself was granting them a honeymoon, seeing as how they couldn't exactly leave its bounds for a trip.
Jazz wandered out of the dojo, called outside by a gentle but insistent tugging on his spark, following its call into the surrounding forest. Locating his mech, the white Guardsmech climbed into the branches of the tree Prowl had claimed a perch in, balancing easily as he wrapped his arms about the darker mech, pecking his cheek in greeting.
“Hey, you called?”
Prowl turned a bright smile on the other ninja, leaning into him affectionately before tipping his head at the branches nearby.
“Look.”
Jazz looked, and smiled at the delicate bird's nest tucked into the fork of the tree limb, spotting a clutch of tiny eggs nestled within the structure. A crack wound its way down the surface of one, and Prowl continued speaking softly.
“They're just beginning to hatch, I thought I'd keep an optic on them while their mother was away.”
A chirrup, and both ninjas glanced up to see a drab little bird land on a twig, then dart down to the nest to hop about on its edges, eyeing them suspiciously with dark, beady eyes. Jazz nudged Prowl, tilting his helm slightly.
“I think that's our cue to leave momma bird to her business.”
“Well, yes. We wouldn't want to frighten her away from her hatchlings.” Prowl conceded, dropping to the ground silently as the other mech followed. The black and gold ninja glanced upwards again, smiling slightly as he watched the bird settle on its nest, then started when Jazz stole a brief kiss and darted off into the forest, a flare of playful intent communicating itself over their bond.
Laughing, Prowl tracked him through the trees, the other ninja staying just out of sight and reach but with their sparkbond fully open, a constant, bright presence at the edge of Prowl's awareness, ensuring that neither mech was ever truly hidden from the other. Finally, Prowl caught his mech, tackling him to the ground and claiming a victorious kiss, purring softly.
“Found you...”
“Mm, so you did.”
Jazz chuckled, leaning up to nuzzle at his jawline, and Prowl smirked at him, wrapping his arms possessively about the other mech's neck. “Will always find you, no matter where you go.”
White hands slid lightly over the dark curve of Prowl's windshield, resting over his spark, thrumming gently within his chest. “Will always want you to find me.” Jazz kissed him softly, murmuring against his lips. “Bondmate mine...”
“Yours...” Prowl leant in to kiss him again, his own hands wandering over Jazz's chestplates, coaxing plating into sliding apart as his own sparkchamber came into view, the flare of sparklight briefly lighting the little clearing the ninjas were in as their sparks met joyfully.
= = =
They made their way home slowly, hands joined, fingers intertwined as they walked. Jazz looked over at Prowl when the darker ninja leant against him, smiling faintly. “I love being bonded to you.”
The white mech smiled back, squeezing his hand as he replied. “So do I. This bond... It's like a part of me is always making love to a part of you.”
“Such a romantic mech.” Prowl laughed, and Jazz chuckled.
“You like me this way.”
“Mm, I like you in any and every way.”
“And I like you too, Prowl.”
“Oh? Would you be willing to... demonstrate?” The Guardsmech smirked at the coy look being shot at him by his lover, and tugged Prowl inside the dojo with a low purr.
“Oh, gladly.”
****
Onlining to another day wrapped around his mech, or rather, his mech wrapped around him, Prowl laughed softly at the humming, contented presence in his spark. The white ninja was sprawled over his darker frame, their blanket tangled about them as Jazz stirred at Prowl’s chuckle and tucked him close.
“Mm, morning.” Nuzzling the back of his neck, Jazz purred as he held Prowl flush, his spark fluttering happily in his chest. “I was thinking we should probably show our faces at the medbay today.”
Humming as he felt Jazz’s spark thrumming through their plating, Prowl shifted to face him. “I agree. It’s been about a week since we bonded, Sari will send out search parties if we’re not careful.”
“Wouldn’t want that.” Jazz grinned, stealing a slow kiss. “Could be embarrassing for everyone.”
Returning the grin, the black and gold mech laughed lightly. “Did you lock the door?”
Visor brightening at Prowl’s sultry tone, Jazz let out a low hum and sidled closer. “Mmhmm.”
Their legs entangled, hands gently wandering, both mechs lost themselves to each other, gentle moans and whispers of adoration filling their modest room. They merged their sparks again, never tiring of exploring their connection, learning more about each other, strengthening their bond. Every time they joined sparks their bond grew in intensity and strength. They still weren’t ready to spend much time apart, but thankfully in Nexus they didn’t have to.
Some time later the two ninjas ventured over to the medbay. They knew the others had been expecting to see them and after almost a week alone together, it was nice to share their happiness with others.
Sari was in her garden when they arrived and the techno-organic wasted no time in racing over to embrace the both of them. “I’ve missed you two!” She beamed happily at them, bright blue eyes flicking over their almost constantly intertwined fingers. “Swoop from our ‘verse has asked about you two almost everyday. I think the other Swoop is having a bit of trouble explaining bonding to him and why he couldn’t visit.” The red-haired girl giggled and ushered them inside. Throwing each other an amused grin, the ninjas headed inside to greet their adopted family.
Spending the day at the medbay was a nice break from the dojo. Jazz whipped up a batch of his now famous goodies while Prowl pulled Swoop away from his work. Soon enough there was a small crowd gathered in the kitchenette, even Ratchet appeared to share his congratulations with the two ninjas and they spent the rest of the time trying to explain what being bonded meant to the younger Swoop without traumatising him.
Daylight drew to a close and the bonded pair decided it was time to head home, hoping their stolen sidelong glances at each other while everyone had been enjoying themselves hadn’t been noticed. They didn’t want to appear rude and had really enjoyed spending time with their friends again, but their sparks called to each other, yearning to join once more. It was normal for newly bonded pairs and so the ninjas accepted it, welcoming the closeness and intimacy it brought them.
The evening was warm and pleasant as the sun slowly sank behind the trees. Sari saw them off, waving from the main entrance of the med bay as the ninjas turned their faces towards the setting sun, deciding to walk back to their dojo, quietly talking and simply enjoying each other’s company.
“I enjoyed today.” Prowl stated simply, his hand tangled with Jazz’s, his thumb idly stroking the other mech's plating. “Days like these were just not something we could have had on Earth, we wouldn’t have made such good friends like Swoop.”
“I know.” Jazz smiled, his face bathed in orange light of the fading sun. “I used to wonder how a place like this could exist and how I could get home, it didn’t last long.”
Blinking at the white mech, Prowl tilted his helm curiously. “Oh?”
“Not once I realised what I had here, what I could have here, no.” Jazz smiled, tugging Prowl to him with a playful smile, stealing a full kiss. “Why would I want to be anywhere else?”
Smiling into the kiss, Prowl sighed contentedly. “Oh, I don’t know, maybe you’d want to catch me.”
“Huh?” Jazz mewled in surprise as the darker ninja pressed a firm kiss to his parted mouth and lightly bit his lip before darting off with a last playful look.
“Oh it's like that, is it?” The guardsmech laughed and raced after his mech, leaping gracefully into the branches to drop down in front of Prowl and catch him in his arms, kissing him soundly. “Always find you, you’re right here.” He murmured against Prowl’s mouth, taking his bondmate's hand to press Prowl's palm to his own chest. “But can you catch me?” Visor flickering with a wink, Jazz stole an all too brief kiss and escaped once more, his spark thrumming in his chest as Prowl gave chase.
Their bond allowed them to never lose sight of the other, always there at the edges of their consciousness, a bright light, a welcoming presence. With this, Prowl soon caught his mech and wrapped his fingers around his wrist before he slipped from his grasp once more. “Told you.” He laughed, tugging the white ninja close. “Will always catch you.”
Jazz cupped Prowl’s face and kissed his chevron, resting his helm against his. “I’ll always want you to.” He murmured quietly. “My Prowl…”
“Yours…” Prowl replied, leaning into the white mech with a quiet sigh of contentment.
Smiling brightly at his bondmate, Jazz drew back, the daylight had all but dissipated as he held out his hand. “Let’s go home.”
Giving a small nod, Prowl gazed back at his mech, spark fluttering as Jazz sent adoration and love through their bond. Reaching out his hand, he felt his fingers brush over Jazz’s but when he curled them to take hold, it was as if the hand was no longer there.
Visor flickering Prowl glanced at their hands and his smile faded as a ghostly white image greeted his optics. Snapping his helm back up to meet Jazz’s gaze, his intakes failed him.
“Jazz…” His voice was but a whisper as his hands shot out in desperation, trying to catch hold of the white mech, processor struggling to register what was happening as his fingers met nothing but air and his optics watched the gradually fading image of his bondmate reach for him, trying to feel the white arms wrapping about his frame and failing, as if Jazz were a mere hologram.
He stared in dread at the ghostly visage of his mech, optics bright with fear as he watched Jazz’s mouth moving trying to say something to him but his audios couldn’t pick up the distinctive sound of his voice. “No… no, Jazz… JAZZ!!”
Love you, love you so much Prowl... I'm so sorry, don't want to go...
The moon shone bright into the forest, coating everything with a silvery sheen as Prowl pleaded with Nexus for his bonded, his spark thrumming harder and faster in his chest as Jazz faded from sight. He spun around, frantic, desperate, searching as the ghostly white image finally disappeared, and found himself alone in the clearing. Sinking to his knees, a hand clutching at his chest as his spark burned with a deep ache, the ninja cried out with spark breaking grief as the once strong and very present bond became excruciatingly faint before falling quiet, plunging the black and gold into darkness as he slumped to the ground.
A/N: This fic (and subsequent chapters [oh come on, did you really think we'd end it here?]) was and will be co-written by wicked3659 and me. It begins in Nexus, the world created by the players in tf_ic_prompts, but moves on to the TFA'verse from there. For the uninitiated, Nexus is a place that anyone can get pulled to at any time, and where second chances are possible, but those who leave do not remember their time there. Cue the angst.