Chapter Nineteen
It's Friday!! Which means the next chapter of To Catch a Thief. Hope you like.
Title: To Catch a Thief
Rating: T
Characters: Prowl, Jazz, others
“Is it really so strange to see me enter the rec room?” asked Prowl dryly. Jazz couldn’t help but chuckle at the shocked expressions on the mech’s faces at Prowl’s question and tone.
“Yeah Prowler, it kinda is,” said Jazz as he stepped into the room.
“Am I really in my office that much?” Prowl followed Jazz over to the energon dispenser and waited as Jazz got them both a cube.
“Yeah, ya are. But ya do have a lot of work ta do, so I don’t really blame ya.”
“I wouldn’t have so much work if mechs on this base didn’t act like a bunch of younglings and cause trouble,” said Prowl looking at Sunstreaker and Sideswipe. “Wheeljack’s explosions every Deca-cycle don’t help either. And let’s not forget the Decepticons attacking.”
“I get it mech, I get it.” Both walked over to where Bluestreak and Smokescreen were sitting, the pair watching them, and the rest of the mechs in the room, in amusement.
“You’re not much help either Jazz. Don’t think I don’t notice you pulling the occasional prank as well.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” said Jazz in an innocent tone, but he had a slag-eating grin on his lips.
“Of course you don’t. Maybe I should refresh your memory files. How about that time in the public washracks where you put a dye in the soaps so anyone who used them would turn neon pink? Luckily, the dye came off after a few washes. Or that time you rigged the holograms in the training room to look like Megatron if he were a femme?”
“Okay, okay, ya got me Prowler. I thought you thought the twins were responsible for those.”
“No, I just decided to make them do the work, so I could give you a false sense of security until the next prank you pulled.” The twins sputtered in outrage as Prowl smirked mischievously.
“You’re a sneaky mech Prowler,” said Jazz with a laugh. “You really like ta plot, don’t ya?”
“Jazz, I’m a tactician, I’m supposed to plot.”
“Remind me again why you’re an Autobot?”
“Megatron was afraid I’d take over.” Jazz, Bluestreak, and Smokescreen laughed as Prowl sat with a triumphant smirk on his lips, “Which is probably why Starscream hates me so much.”
“Oh?”
“Starscream constantly tries to take over the Decepticons, but Megatron treats him like a nuisance. That Megatron actually thinks I’d be capable of taking the command of the Decepticons from him makes Starscream jealous.”
“Huh, that actually explains a few things,” said Jazz thoughtfully. “But how’d ya know those pranks were ma doin’?”
“I’m disappointed in you Jazz, those pranks were youngling’s play. I mastered those pranks before I was even in my second upgrade,” said Prowl imperiously making Jazz laugh.
“It’s true,” muttered Smokescreen with an annoyed look. “I was usually his target.”
“And you made a perfect target Smokey. Your reactions were always priceless,” said Prowl with a grin. There were several loud crashes and Prowl looked towards the sources to see several mechs unconscious. “Maybe now they’ll stop trying to make me crash. They’ll know how much it fragging hurts.”
“Frag Prowler, ya planned that, didn’t ya?” asked Jazz with wide optics hidden behind his visor.
“Did I?” asked Prowl innocently. That’s when Sunstreaker and Sideswipe sat down next to them.
“Are you seriously saying that you used to pull pranks?” asked Sideswipe as he stared at Prowl.
“When I was a youngling, yes,” said Prowl. “Smokescreen was my test subject, along with my creators a few times, but I usually pranked other younglings and the teachers at the academy.” The twins stared at Prowl with their mouths open and optics wide.
“No fragging way,” muttered Sunstreaker.
“Prove it,” said Sideswipe.
“Have you ever known me to lie Sideswipe?” asked Prowl dryly.
“Well, no, but I just can’t see you pulling pranks, even if you were a youngling,” said Sideswipe. “But it could kind of explain how you figure out all the pranks we pull.”
“And you don’t think that I figure out all your pranks because I’m a tactician and I’m supposed to see through plots and traps?” asked Prowl with a raised optic ridge.
“Well…when you put it that way…” muttered Sideswipe and Prowl shook his head with an amused expression.
“Hey Prowler, it’s gettin’ late and Ratch said ya need ta get some recharge. He’ll have ma aft if I don’t get ya ta your quarters soon,” said Jazz with a small grin. Prowl sighed and stood.
“I suppose you are right. It would not do for Ratchet to harm our TIC when he has to deal with my work load as well as his own,” said Prowl with a faint smirk.
“Oh slag,” muttered Jazz. Prowl merely smirked as he bid Bluestreak and Smokescreen goodnight. Jazz hopped to his feet and followed Prowl out of the rec room.
“You know, you don’t have to follow me everywhere I go, Jazz. I’m fully capable of functioning normally,” said Prowl with a faint amused glint in his optics.
“I know, but…I worry about ya,” said Jazz quietly. They were silent as they walked through the halls until they stopped in front of Prowl’s quarters.
“Thank you for your concern Jazz,” said Prowl. “But I think I’ll be able to handle myself from here.” Jazz gave a light chuckle when he realized Prowl was teasing him.
“Alright, I get it,” said Jazz. “Goodnight Prowler. I’ll drop by in the mornin’.”
“It’s not necessary Jazz, I know you’ll have a lot to do now that I’m temporarily unable to work, but…I appreciate the gesture. And since I know I won’t be able to convince you otherwise, will you join me for our morning energon before you get to work?”
“O’ course.” Jazz grinned widely as Prowl punched in the code to his door.
“Goodnight Jazz.” Prowl stepped into his room, glanced over his shoulder at Jazz as the door shut behind him.
He remained perfectly still until he heard Jazz walk away before he walked over to his berth and collapsed, exhausted physically and emotionally. He didn’t want Jazz, Bluestreak, or Smokescreen to see how much of a wreck he was without his battle computer. He was just glad that Jazz hadn’t picked up on the act. His processors ached terribly, his door-wings throbbed in time with his spark pulse, and his emotions were running wild. Many of the emotions he kept under lock and key roamed free through his spark and processors, making him feel sick to his tanks.
Prowl sat up in a meditating position, and offlined his optics. He knew he should recharge, but he needed to regain some semblance of control, of balance, even if that only meant going through his emotions to sort them out. As he sat, his door-wings twitched with each new emotion he analyzed and put in order until finally, he felt somewhat calm, but many of the emotions were still raw and powerful like the grief for his home. He knew there were some pains that would never go away, but since he had never actually grieved for Praxus, the emotions were much stronger.
Shaking his head, Prowl pushed the thoughts aside. He didn’t want to deal with them now, especially when he was so tired. Now that he had at least acknowledged the emotions raging through him, he was able to find a balance that allowed him to slip into recharge. He woke the next morning to a knock at his door, and he sat up shuttering his optics tiredly. Whoever was on the other side of the door knocked louder and Prowl forced himself to his feet, still not really awake.
“Mornin’ Prowler,” said Jazz cheerfully, but his grin faded a little when he saw Prowl’s dim optics. “Hey, what’s wrong?”
“I wasn’t able to recharge well last night,” mumbled Prowl. “Too much on my processors.”
“Ya look like slag Prowler, no offense,” said Jazz. “Ya need a good wash.” The silver mech slipped into Prowl’s quarters and tugged Prowl towards the wash racks. Prowl tried to protest, the emotions and feelings he had for Jazz rising to the surface against his will no matter how hard he tried to shove them aside. Also, the thought of Jazz helping him clean up in the washracks brought up several unbidden thoughts that made him shake his head, trying to clear it while feeling faintly embarrassed. He hated not having any control over his emotions, and thus over his thoughts concerning a certain very attractive silver mech. “Ya alright there Prowler? Ya seem…distracted.”
“Huh? Oh, I’m fine,” said Prowl quickly and Jazz raised an optic ridge. Jazz turned on the cleaning solution and shoved Prowl under the spray.
“If ya say so. Now, hold still,” said Jazz as he picked up a bottle of soap and a scrubber.
“Jazz, I’m fully capable of washing myself,” said Prowl hastily, holding up his hands while taking a step away from the smaller mech.
“But ya’ll still need help washin’ your back, won’t ya?” asked Jazz and Prowl paused. Normally, Prowl just used the pressure of the spray to clean his door-wings and it would be nice for someone to wash his door-wings for him, especially if that someone was Jazz. Prowl mentally shook his head again.
“I…I suppose,” said Prowl. Jazz grinned widely and motioned for Prowl to turn around so his back was facing him. Hesitantly, Prowl turned around and watched Jazz over his shoulder. “What’s the matter Prowler? Don’t ya trust me?”
“Of course I do,” said Prowl. ‘It’s me I don’t trust,’ thought Prowl to himself as he vented a gust of air from his intakes and looked forward.
“Let me know if I’m hurtin’ ya or anythin’,” said Jazz as he began to scrub Prowl’s back between his door-wings. Prowl nearly melted at the sensation. Jazz was using the perfect pressure and motions that completely relaxed him. Prowl made a humming sound in contentment with a smile on his lips as he lifted his door-wings slightly to allow Jazz to wash his lower back and lowering them when Jazz moved to wash the back of his neck and shoulders. Jazz then gently grabbed hold of one of Prowl’s door-wings and began to scrub making Prowl brace his hands against the wall. “Ya alright?”
“’M fine,” mumbled Prowl and Jazz shuttered his optics in surprise before grinning slightly.
“This feel good?” asked Jazz and Prowl could only nod. Feeling a little more confident, Jazz continued to scrub as he looked curiously over the black and white mech’s door-wings, distinctly remembering Bluestreak’s comment about the sensitivity of door-wings. He wondered just how sensitive they were. Jazz traced his fingers along one of the seams on the door-wing he was holding and Prowl shuddered. The silver mech was surprised at the reaction, but Prowl wasn’t saying anything, so he traced his fingers around the edges of the wing earning another shudder and a fluttering door-wing. Feeling a little bolder, Jazz ran his finger along the hinge of the door-wing and Prowl moaned.
“J-Jazz…stop,” mumbled Prowl as his door-wings flicked. The sensations on his door-wing were…arousing and with what little control he had, he didn’t want to do something he’d regret when he got his battle computer back, though he was having a very hard time keeping himself from turning around.
“Ah…sorry Prowler,” said Jazz, faintly sheepish. When he heard the tone Prowl used and he felt his engine rev quietly. After a moment, he continued scrubbing without all the little explorations from before. Prowl let a loud gust of air from his intakes and Jazz stared at the larger mech’s back for a moment. Then, he leaned forward and rested his forehead between Prowl’s shoulders.
“Jazz?” asked Prowl curiously, a faint hint of worry in his tone, as he looked over his shoulder.
“Do ya have any idea how scared I was when I saw ya lyin’ there, chest plates dented in and your helm torn open?” mumbled Jazz.
“Like the time you nearly got yourself blown up?” asked Prowl quietly.
“I felt like ma spark was twistin’ in knots and I was so close ta panickin’. I thought I was gonna lose ya,” whispered Jazz as he wrapped his arms around Prowl’s waist. Prowl looked at Jazz with a pained expression, resting a hand on the silver mech’s clasped hands.
“I’m sorry,” said Prowl softly.
“And we all know helm injuries are always dangerous ‘cause if anythin’ gets damaged, ya might not be the same, even after ya recover. I was worried that, even if ya were repaired, I’d still lose a part of ya.” Jazz grip tightened and Prowl could feel the mech trembling, picking up the slight movements with his door-wings. Prowl felt his spark constrict with guilt at worrying his dear friend so horribly. He tugged Jazz’s hands and the mech looked up enough for Prowl to turn in his hold and wrap him in his arms. Prowl buried his face in the smaller mech’s neck, resting a hand on the back of his helm with his other arm around Jazz’s waist.
“I’m sorry Jazz. I never meant to worry you so.” Jazz wrapped his arms tighter around Prowl, burying his face in the black and white mech’s shoulder. “But I’m alright now, and I’ll be back at 100% once Ratchet finishes repairs on my battle computer. I promise you though, I will do everything in my power to ensure that I don’t worry you like that ever again. Promise me you’ll do the same?”
“O’ course Prowler.” They remained like that for several moments, ignoring the fact that they were still standing under the spray of the cleaning solution. Prowl felt so at home holding Jazz close and he never wanted to let go, but he knew he had to. Slowly pulling back, he gave Jazz a warm, reassuring smile which Jazz returned. To Prowl, Jazz was the most attractive mech he had ever seen, and he believed that nothing was more beautiful than Jazz’s smile. He wasn’t sure just how much Jazz cared for him, but Prowl could be content with just being friends if Jazz always smiled like that for him. Faintly realizing that they had been staring at each other for several moments, Prowl looked away, faintly embarrassed.
“Let’s finish getting cleaned up and then go to the rec room. You still have to refuel before getting to work,” said Prowl and he tried to ignore Jazz’s faintly disappointed expression. They finished washing their armor and Jazz helped Prowl dry his door-wings before they stepped out of the washracks.
“So, what are ya plannin’ on doin’ while your waitin’ for your battle computer ta be repaired and while I’m busy doin’ your work?” asked Jazz and Prowl faintly smiled.
“I don’t know, but I’m sure Bluestreak and Smokescreen can assist me while you’re busy. Just don’t forget to refuel regularly,” said Prowl teasingly and Jazz pouted, but he couldn’t hold back the smile.
“Yeah, yeah, I’m not a workaholic like ya, ya know,” said Jazz.
“Hm, we’ll see.” They stepped into the rec room which was mostly empty since it was still early, and got themselves some energon before sitting down. “Hopefully, the twins will behave and you won’t have to deal with them as well.” Jazz snorted.
“Just don’t help’em, alright?”
“Now, why would I do that?” Jazz raised an optic ridge in a pointed look and Prowl merely shrugged with a smirk. “If anything, I’d take this chance to get back at them, but I can do that easily enough by making them do extra shifts and things like that.” The pair sat in comfortable silence for a little while longer before Smokescreen walked into the rec room, grabbed a cube of energon, and sat down with them.
“How are you feeling Prowl?” asked Smokescreen and Prowl gave him an annoyed look.
“Don’t you start that on me Smokey, you know I’ve always hated it when you start using psychology on me,” said Prowl and Smokescreen chuckled.
“Sorry, but I still want to know how you’re doing,” said Smokescreen and Prowl sighed.
“I’m fine,” said Prowl. He glared at his older brother when the blue mech opened his mouth to speak which made him shut his mouth with a sheepish look.
“Right, sorry,” said Smokescreen. “So, have any plans for today?”
“Not particularly. Maybe I’ll get some of the book files from my quarters and read. It’s been a while since I’ve been able to do that,” said Prowl thoughtfully.
“Well mechs, I’ve gotta get ta ma office ta get ta work,” said Jazz as he stood up. “I’ll see ya later Prowler, Smokey.”
“Later Jazz,” said Smokescreen.
“Good luck with your work,” added Prowl with a smirk and the silver mech groaned as he left the rec room with a wave over his shoulder. Prowl turned to Smokescreen. “Shouldn’t you be heading to the simulation room to lead the other tacticians in my absence?”
“I’m sure they can handle themselves for a little while longer. I’m just waiting for Bluestreak to get here. Ratchet did say he wanted someone with you at all times while you’re without your battle computer in case something happens.”
“I’m not fragile.”
“No, but I can see you’re having a hard time coping right now.” Prowl’s optic narrowed and Smokescreen held up his hands in a peaceful gesture. “I’m not going to say anything or poke at you to get you to talk, just know that I’m here, okay?” Prowl’s expression softened.
“I know, thank you,” said Prowl softly.
“What are older brothers for?” asked Smokescreen. The door opened and the mechs looked up to see Bluestreak walk into the room with a cheerful smile.
“Morning Prowl, Smokey!” cried Bluestreak as he dashed over.
“Good morning Bluestreak,” said Prowl warmly with a smile.
“Well, now that Blue’s here, I’ll get going. Keep an optic on him, okay Blue?” asked Smokescreen and Bluestreak gave a mock salute and a grin as Prowl sighed in annoyance. Smokescreen left the rec room and Bluestreak looked at Prowl eagerly.
“So, what are we going to do?” asked Bluestreak and Prowl raised an optic ridge.
“Don’t you have a shift or patrol today?” asked Prowl and Bluestreak shook his head.
“Not until later so I can stay with you until then, when Smokescreen gets off shift,” said Bluestreak and Prowl had a feeling that Ratchet had a hand in this to make sure that he had someone with him all the time. “Hey, I was wondering, can you still fight without your battle computer?”
“Of course I can Blue,” said Prowl dryly. “Just because I don’t have it doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten all I’ve learned.” Bluestreak looked a little sheepish and Prowl fluttered his door-wings, reassuring his brother he wasn’t mad.
“Well…can you train me then?” asked Bluestreak eagerly. Prowl gave an amused sigh before nodding. Bluestreak cheered and began dragging Prowl to the training room. Ironhide was there with a group of new recruits and the large black mech watched them curiously.
“What’re you two doing here?” asked Ironhide curiously.
“Since I am currently off-duty thanks to Ratchet, Bluestreak has asked me to spend some time training him since he doesn’t have to go on shift until later in the orn,” explained Prowl. Ironhide grinned before turning back to the recruits.
“You lot are going to get to see a real treat,” said Ironhide and Prowl sighed. The recruits merely glanced at each other curiously before turning back to Ironhide. They had all heard rumors about the cold and emotionless SIC that was a tactical genius, but they had also heard that he didn’t fight hand to hand. “Watch and learn what a true Autobot warrior, other than myself of course, is capable of.” Prowl couldn’t help but feel a bit of pride at what Ironhide called him and smirked.
“Alright Bluestreak, we’ll start off with going through the basic stances,” said Prowl. Bluestreak nodded and the pair stood side by side, a few arm-lengths apart before taking a deep intake to relax, and then they moved. The recruits watched as the Praxian mechs when through the basic Diffusion stances gracefully. “Next set.” Bluestreak didn’t respond as they moved fluidly into the next set. They went like that for some time before they went through all the stances Bluestreak had learned. Bluestreak stopped, but Prowl continued to go through all the stances. “Alright, now I’ll teach you the next set.”
“Yes!” cried Bluestreak excitedly. He’d been eagerly waiting for Prowl to teach him the next set of moves and he was more than ready. Bluestreak listened intently as Prowl instructed him and committed the moves to memory, though Prowl would still correct him from time to time.
“Now, let’s have a light spar,” said Prowl and Bluestreak stared at him with wide optics.
“Really? You think I’m ready?”
“You’ll need the practice sooner or later. Better to practice now in a controlled environment than on the battlefield.” Bluestreak nodded and Prowl dropped into a stance, Bluestreak mirroring him. “Go.” Bluestreak attacked first, but Prowl dodged and blocked all the blows Bluestreak threw at him. He let Bluestreak attack for a while before turning the tables. Bluestreak yelped in surprise as Prowl pressed the attack and quickly knocked him down. “And point.” Bluestreak froze when Prowl’s clawed fingers touched his neck. “You did better than I thought you would.” Bluestreak beamed as Prowl helped him to his feet.
“But I still did horribly,” said Bluestreak.
“Yes, but all beginners start out that way. You’ll get better with practice,” said Prowl warmly.
“Our turn!” called Sunstreaker and Sideswipe from the doorway wearing matching grins.
“You want to get your afts kicked again?” asked Prowl with a raised optic ridge.
“That won’t happen this time,” said Sideswipe.
“We won’t be surprised by your skill this time,” said Sunstreaker. Prowl grinned with a malicious glint to it. Ironhide looked a little nervous nearby, he had never seen Prowl look like that and it was definitely unnerving.
“Uh Prowl, is that really a good idea?” asked Ironhide and the recruits were all shocked that Ironhide sounded nervous.
“Well, I can’t really help it if they’re foolish enough to take me on after the last time I beat them,” said Prowl with a shrug. The twins glanced at each other and attacked Prowl. Bluestreak yelped and leapt out of the way. Prowl smirked and began defending. “This time, I really won’t hold back.”
“You were holding back last time?!” cried Sideswipe.
“Yes, I only used Diffusion when fighting you. I’m also a master of Metallikato and Circuit Su,” said Prowl as he slammed them both into the ground and pinned them. “I’m feeling a little…vindictive at the moment, so if you want to keep attacking me, you’ll probably end up having to see Ratchet.”
“So, is this how you used to act before the war?” asked Sideswipe with a smirk.
“No, actually, I still had quite a bit of control, but right now, that’s flown out the window. And just because I don’t have my battle computer doesn’t mean I can’t figure out that you’re trying to get information about my past out of me.”
“Aw, come on Prowler,” said Sunstreaker and Prowl scowled. He picked Sunstreaker up and threw him. Sunstreaker slammed into the wall upside down and slid to the floor, staring at Prowl with wide optics.
“I told you not to call me that,” snapped Prowl. “You only know me to be ‘cold’, ‘emotionless’, a ‘stickler for the rules’, but you have no idea what I was like before. You have no idea what I’m capable of, so don’t push me. I’ve tolerated your pranks and insubordination, I’ve tolerated your brawls Sunstreaker, and I’ve tolerated your brewing of high grade Sideswipe, but I will not tolerate you trying to pry into my life. Is that understood?” The pair nodded quickly, staring with wide optics at the black and white mech glaring down at them with his door-wings raised high and threatening.
“Prowl!” yelled Bluestreak and Prowl turned to face him. The gray mech was trembling slightly, staring with wide optics and mouth slightly open in shock. Prowl shuttered his optics and his door-wings lowered when he realized he must have scared Bluestreak.
“I…I’m sorry Bluestreak,” said Prowl quietly. “I shouldn’t have lost control like that.” Prowl’s fists clenched and he grit his teeth as he stared at the floor. He wasn’t supposed to lose control. He wasn’t supposed to be so emotional. He wasn’t supposed to scare his little brother and he wasn’t supposed to hurt his subordinates.
“Prowl…” said Bluestreak. Prowl walked out of the training room, leaving the others to stare after him. He went to his quarters and shut and locked the door before sitting on the berth in the corner to wrap his arms around his knees. He hated feeling so…out of control and vulnerable. He wanted his battle computer back.
Bluestreak ran over to Sunstreaker and Sideswipe and knelt next to them. “Are you two alright?” he asked worriedly.
“We’re fine,” said Sunstreaker.
“We’re front-liners Bluestreak, we can take more damage than that,” said Sideswipe reassuringly. “But slag, what got into him?”
“He’s never been without his battle computer, remember?” asked Bluestreak softly. “Plus, he’s really protective of me. When you first got here, he warned me that you two could be dangerous, but I didn’t care. He was only looking out for me and he said he can worry ‘cause he’s my older brother. He also gets really stressed when you guys cause trouble when he’s already got a lot of work to do.”
“So he was actually releasing all that frustration out on us?” asked Sunstreaker and Bluestreak shrugged.
“I don’t know, maybe. I’ve never really been able to figure out what he’s thinking. Jazz was always better at that,” said Bluestreak.
“He looked pretty upset when he left. Maybe you should get Jazz to go talk to him,” said Sideswipe, faintly concerned. Though he and his twin were always at odds with the tactician, they respected him and faintly cared about him since he showed a kind of attention to them that no one really did before. Bluestreak nodded and helped them up before heading to Jazz’s office.
“Hey Jazz?” asked Bluestreak as he knocked on the door.
“C’mon in Blue,” called Jazz and Bluestreak stepped through the doorway to see Jazz mostly hidden behind stacks of data pads. “I don’t get how Prowl can do all this work and stay sane! There’s jus’ too much.” Bluestreak smiled. “Hey, aren’t ya s’posed ta be with Prowl?”
“We were in the training room and the twins sparred with him, but it didn’t last long, and he got upset and he ran off. Well, he didn’t exactly run, but you know what I mean right? I’m worried about him, but I’m no good at getting him to talk. Can you go see if you can find out what’s wrong?” asked Bluestreak pleadingly.
“Prowl’s upset?” asked Jazz a little surprised, but he was already on his feet and walking towards the door. “Sure, I’ll go see what’s up.”
“Thanks Jazz,” said Bluestreak with a relieved smile. Jazz nodded with a smile and headed down the halls to Prowl’s quarters and knocked on the door.
“Prowler? Ya in there? Blue’s worried about ya,” called Jazz.
“Go away Jazz,” said Prowl. Jazz scowled lightly and hacked through the lock. “I told you to go away Jazz.”
“When has that ever stopped me?” asked Jazz with a smirk. “What’s wrong mech?” Jazz walked over to the berth and sat down facing Prowl. The black and white mech remained silent. “C’mon Prowler, ya worried Bluestreak. He said ya got upset about somethin’. Ya know ya can talk ta me.”
“I lost control,” mumbled Prowl.
“So? Everyone loses control sometime.”
“Not me. I don’t lose control, but I did. I hate this. I want my battle computer back. I can’t control my emotions, I made a scene in front of some new recruits, I scared Bluestreak, I nearly hurt Sunstreaker and Sideswipe, all because I couldn’t control myself. I feel sick, I’m aching, and my head hurts.” Jazz had never heard Prowl speak so openly about what he was feeling, and while it was nice, he knew it was because Prowl wasn’t ‘normal’. He couldn’t help but feel bad that Prowl was dealing with all this and he had no idea. He moved so he was sitting next to Prowl and wrapped and arm around his waist.
“It’s alright Prowler, you’re not at 100%, so no one can blame ya. You’ll have your battle computer back soon,” said Jazz soothingly as he rubbed Prowl’s back. Prowl leaned into Jazz and rested his head on the smaller mech’s shoulder, offlining his optics. “And if you’re not feelin’ well, why don’t ya go see Ratchet?”
“There’s nothing he can do about it,” mumbled Prowl. “It’s because of my emotions. They’re chaotic and powerful and confusing all together.” Jazz massaged Prowl’s back and hummed quietly. Prowl’s tense frame began to relax and he hugged Jazz around the waist. Jazz was faintly surprised since Prowl wasn’t really one for contact, except for earlier that orn of course, and hesitated before returning the hug and nuzzling Prowl’s helm affectionately.
Prowl was beginning to feel better and more relaxed thanks to Jazz. His emotions were no longer fighting for attention and he was able to just focus on Jazz massaging his back and the tune Jazz was humming. He smiled when Jazz nuzzled his helm and gave the silver mech a light squeeze.
“I’ll always be here for ya Prowler, I promise,” whispered Jazz. Prowl nodded in acceptance as Jazz’s other hand traced fingers along his cheek. After a moment, Prowl was finally able to think more clearly and he brought his optics online. He pulled away from Jazz and the saboteur gave him a curious look.
“Thank you Jazz, I feel much better,” said Prowl with a grateful little smile. “You should get back to work though, or you won’t be able to finish.” Jazz scowled lightly, but realized that Prowl was right.
“I guess,” said Jazz as he slowly slid off the berth. “Ya call me if ya need me, alright? And ya shouldn’t stay in here for the rest of the orn. Go show Blue you’re alright.”
“I will,” said Prowl. Jazz nodded before leaving Prowl’s quarters. Prowl let out a big gust of air from his intakes and laid back against the berth to stare up at the ceiling. He was probably going to hate himself when he got his battle computer back, but at the moment, he didn’t care.