#TY GEORGE this was soooo perfect for ES ShockLine <3< /div> Explore tagged Tumblr posts

[eldritchships]

❤️‍🩹 for shockline 👁️

This one ended up becoming much longer than I expected but in my defence I was having a lot of fun with it

❤‍🩹 - Reunited after a long time apart

Words: 1900

The barn was completely empty. This was hardly an uncommon occurrence of course - all of the Malto family could come and go from the barn as they pleased - but when expecting someone to be there, it was quite confusing.

Nightshade poked their helm out from within the barn. Their optics blinked owlishly as they adjusted to the harsh midday sun before finally spotting Thrash and Jawbreaker in the dirt driveway. The two appeared to have borrowed the spare tire from Mom’s truck and were using it as a makeshift Terran-sized soccer ball. Nightshade brightened and walked over.

“Have either of you seen Flatline?” They asked, “He was supposed to visit today to help with my latest prototype, but I can’t find him anywhere.” Thrash shrugged and Jawbreaker shook his helm.

“No. Sorry, Nightshade.”

“Maybe he’s running late?” Thrash offered as he focused on trying to juggle the tire-ball with his pede. He spotted Nightshade’s disappointed frown and added, “If we see him, we’ll let you know.”

“Thank you.” Nightshade’s expression warmed and they left their brothers to their game. The sound of Thrash kicking the tire to Jawbreaker and Jawbreaker diving to reach it faded behind Nightshade as they wandered back in the direction of the barn. They hadn’t checked the neighbouring paddocks yet, maybe Flatline was talking to Bumblebee; the two of them were acquaintances, it would make sense for them to catch up-

“I should really be going…”

Nightshade stopped mid-step. They turned and padded silently around the length of the barn, auditory sensors perked, following the sound of hushed voices. Two of them, oddly familiar, and airy with amusement…

“You are the one keeping me here.”

“I know, but…just a little longer…”

Nightshade rounded the corner to see none other than Flatline and Shockwave entangled together against the barn’s rear wall. Shockwave was pressed back against the wall with Flatline’s arms on either side of him, a close but only implied pin that Shockwave could have escaped at any time, but was choosing not to.

The brief second it took for Nightshade’s surprise to ebb was the same amount of time it took for Flatline to notice they were there.

“Nightshade!” He startled and quickly removed his arms from the barn wall. He fidgeted with his own servos as his smile became a little tighter, “I didn’t hear you arrive.” Nightshade’s helm lowered slightly as they averted their gaze before meeting Flatline’s again, feeling only slight embarrassment at having caught them; especially in comparison to the amount of embarrassment their mentor clearly felt at having been caught.

“Apologies. I didn’t mean to intrude.” Their apology was genuine even as a tiny smirk curved their mouth with it. Flatline was quick to shake his helm.

“Oh, no, it’s- you’re fine. Really.” His vocaliser was strained and sounded like it was second-guessing every word as it synthesised them. He shot a glance towards Shockwave before looking back to Nightshade. “I was just saying goodbye.” Shockwave, who had been silent since Nightshade’s arrival, stepped away from the wall and turned towards the young Terran. Nightshade looked up at him. In the distant edges of their processor, they realised with a mix of surprise and peculiarity that their hackles rose ever-so-slightly at having his attention. A singular, unblinking yellow optic stared back at them, burning and intent. It gave Nightshade the distinct impression that they were being analysed, or perhaps evaluated, but for what, they couldn’t tell.

“Ah.” Shockwave finally spoke, slow and clipped, “The educated one.” Nightshade paused, a contemplative frown ghosting across their features, before they nodded.

“Hello Shockwave.” Taking a chance that Shockwave’s abrasiveness was currently only in demeanour, Nightshade took a step closer. “I wasn’t aware that you were here. But it is good to see you again.” The only visible reaction Shockwave gave was in a slight tilt of his helm. The same couldn’t be said for Flatline - his smile returned to that warm and relaxed state it had been in before, and his optics shone through the weariness that usually lived within them, solely watching Shockwave. All the while he was unaware that Nightshade had noticed the expression he was directing towards his partner. “How about I meet you in the lab?” Nightshade offered. Flatline blinked and returned focus to the conversation, and to Nightshade, who gestured between him and Shockwave with a knowing smile. “I’ll wait for you there while you say your goodbyes…” Flatline gave a somewhat forced-sounding chuckle and placed his servos on his hips. His rotor blades flittered behind him.

“Good idea. I’ll meet you there.” He answered while pointedly looking at his pedes. Nightshade’s smile widened and they gave Shockwave a wave in goodbye. In yet another surprising turn of events, Shockwave gave them a small nod in return. They turned and took their leave, rounding the corner of the barn once more and disappearing, eager to prepare the workstation in the underground dugout. Flatline and Shockwave both watched them exit until it was entirely just the two of them once more.

Flatline sighed and shook his helm, smirking despite himself. He turned back to the bot who was already reaching towards him and his optics narrowed.

“Stop it.” Unlike Nightshade, Flatline had plenty of experience with deciphering Shockwave’s thoughts, and he far more easily noticed the subtle perk to the faceless bot’s finials. Shockwave, innocent as he had ever been, didn’t say a word in defence, and instead wrapped his cannon around Flatline’s back to pull him back against him.

“They seem quite fond of you.” Shockwave gestured with his helm in the direction of where Nightshade had been. Servos pressed against his chestplate and Shockwave obeyed, taking two steps back, unsurprised to feel his wings meet the wooden surface of the barn wall a second time. This time the chuckle Flatline gave was quieter but far more genuine. He preoccupied himself with trailing his digits across the expanse of Shockwave’s stomach before answering.

“They’re a smart one. And mostly self-taught, too, it’s impressive.” The journey of his digits naturally led his arms to loop around Shockwave’s back. Flatline rose up onto the tips of his pedes to rest his chin on the shelf of the purple chestplate in front of him. As Shockwave petted a servo along the edge of one of Flatline’s rotor blades, Flatline’s faceplate fell into a frown, and he mumbled, “Teaching them Cybertronian science feels easy, but anything else…I start to nosedive. I don’t know how to interact with these kids.” It was the first time he had voiced the trouble aloud. He wouldn’t dare admit it to the Terrans, or the human Maltos, and certainly not Bumblebee. But to Shockwave - his beloved, wonderful Shockwave, who he had opened himself up to more than anyone - airing the grievance felt more like a relief than a personal failure.

As if proving his point, Flatline’s train of thought was brought to an end when Shockwave spoke, his cannon squeezing around Flatline’s back.

“How fortunate then that a member of the young ones shares your primary interest.” He noted. Flatline begrudgingly had to nod, an action that proved somewhat awkward with his chin still perched on Shockwave’s chestplate.

“I suppose…” Flatline grumbled. Shockwave’s helm lowered, mimicking a furrowed brow, and Flatline rolled his optics, “Yes, you’re right. I’m glad one of them is easier to talk to.” He playfully shot Shockwave a scowl, but he couldn’t stop himself from smiling. It was especially hard to look annoyed about losing the argument when his spark was flipping in its chamber at getting to lose to Shockwave’s unwavering logical approach. It was incredibly familiar. It made Flatline feel fifteen years younger.

His current position had grown less comfortable though. Flatline wriggled in Shockwave’s arms in order to stand firm on the ground again, loosening his own arms to allow some extra breathing room. The latter was foiled by Shockwave immediately using the freed space to lean forward and let his forehelm fall against Flatline’s - or, at least, what counted as Shockwave’s forehelm. Flatline certainly didn’t mind either way.

“More will follow.” Shockwave’s voice lowered, quiet and rumbling through the mechanical effect in his vocaliser. Even in the bright afternoon, at this proximity, his optic still cast a faint yellow glow over Flatline’s faceplate, illuminating the grey metal. “I am certain of it…” His palm cupped Flatline’s cheek and Flatline briefly glanced towards it, optics steadily brightening underneath the yellow tint cast across them. “You have a particular proficiency at worming your way into the most resistant of sparks.” Flatline laughed and tilted his helm into the servo on his cheek.

“Aww. You flatter me, my love.” He entwined his own servo with Shockwave’s and turned his helm to press a kiss to the palm, and then one more to the pinch point where servo met wrist joint. Shockwave’s finials twitched and his optic somehow focused even more on Flatline, keeping his partner’s gaze while Flatline’s lips were still closed around the intricate interlocking components. He finally parted, but he kept their servos entwined, and Shockwave didn’t make any attempt to separate them himself. Instead, he tightened his digits in Flatline’s, ensuring that nothing would be able to tear them apart.

Flatline remained silent, savouring the moment for all it was worth. He would have been happy to stay there forever, or at least for a few centuries, but he knew Nightshade was still waiting for him. With a sigh of both contentment and acceptance, he started to untangle himself from their embrace.

“I should go. I’ll meet you at home.” Flatline moved with overt reluctance, as if he could squeeze in just a few more seconds of time together. Shockwave remained still at first, barely long enough to make it seem like he wasn’t going to let go, before he finally removed his cannon arm and rose back to his full height. After all the effort it took them to separate, Flatline didn’t think twice about stepping back in to steal another hug, that playful air creeping back into his grin. “Will you miss me?”

“As if you were one of my vital components.” Shockwave nudged the bottom lip of his helm against Flatline’s crest. Flatline’s spark started to somersault again and the grin lingered on his faceplate as he finally, finally, managed to pry himself away from Shockwave. He gave one last goodbye before he walked away, but even as he rounded the corner, his optics stayed on Shockwave until it was no longer possible for the large Decepticon to be within sight. With only a wall or two between them, Flatline already mourned his absence, but he kept his pedes moving towards his prior commitment. He even waved and smiled to Thrash and Jawbreaker as he passed by them playing in the driveway, and they both waved back - albeit looking a tad confused by Flatline’s noticeably good mood.

Flatline didn’t second-guess their reactions or himself as he ducked to enter the barn. Shockwave was right - he had somehow found himself inducted into this family, and as long as he kept trying, he would eventually find his footing when it came to interacting with them. The Maltos, Terran and human, had become important to him without him realising; they were as much a part of his future as Shockwave was. Flatline resolved to make an effort for both.