#and one could definitely be conjunx without having a conjunx bond

[transingthoseformers]

https://www.tumblr.com/transingthoseformers/754758695410401280/been-thinking-about-spark-merging-and-bonds-in?source=share

oh? do tell 👀

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Thinking about different types of bonds and how bonds are depicted in fanfiction

Some appear to be deeper than others, some appear to be inherent some appear to be created

like gestalt bonds, considering how they turn into one giant person it makes sense

There's splitspark bonds and branched spark bonds (I need to do more research on branched spark bonds, they appear to be a bit more entwined than splitsparks) but looking at tfwiki there's also miotic sparks which. Varies a bit per continuity but it appears to be the closest bond between bodies as it's pretty much the same exact person but in multiple bodies (except, in the case of Jetfire and Jetstorm in tfa)

I've also been thinking about there being a specific bond between Prime and High Lord Protector, for Megatron and Optimus angst

Of course there's conjunx / marital bonds, which I feel like vary in how connected they are from fic to fic

There's also the connection between a Host and their cassettes/symbiotes, which I've seen in fanfiction and have interesting dynamics

Hm... Looking at tfwiki, there's also binary bonding, which is explicitly between a mech and an augmented human/nebulan who becomes a weapon/component

Onto the topic of spark merging, I find it fascinating because it's so so so different than anything we experience. Sparks are complicated and unique, and the idea that they can maintain a connection even after they're no longer directly touching is interesting.

[witchofthesouls]

That last line, Nickel's right Tarn isn't going to leave the nurse destitute and stranded.

I feel like at this point Vos has stopped trying to seduce Tarn even without Nickel's or Koan's prompting. Now he's keeping book on when tarn gets a clue and side bets on what variety of clue stick it's going to take.

Tarn is so confused when venders are giving him free stuff he could only use as courting gifts.

The one that keeps score is actually Helex. He's making a killing by keeping track of everyone's bets and losses. Like too many people severely overestimate Tarn's self-awareness that's not part of the Cause.

Can his boss memorize every line of Lord Megatron's early works to his late-stage political speeches? Yes. Is Tarn a menace when it comes to rules and regulations? Definitely. Has Helex ever witnessed Tarn actually wind down and be normal off the clock? Never.

Shoot, the only reason the entire ordeal happened was because of Tarn's own hand at the regulations in regards to traitors with expecting mates. So it's still related to the Cause...

Despite Vos' disappointment not being able to get his clutches on the mech that could entwine pain and pleasure in a single word, Vos is deeply entertained by the massive scale of confusion and emotional whiplash the entire ordeal is having on everyone else. Especially since Kaon is literally shocking others if they try opening their mouths about Tarn's new Conjunx status before the guy figures out he's putting far more than the necessary effort into the Donor Clause. If High Command sent a gift to the newlyweds, then it would have been lost in the mail, or Kaon would have buried it deep in his floorboards until his otp got hit by Feelings. ("They're sharing a room, Pet! They're raising sparklings together! They're practically bonded roommates!")

It doesn't help that Tarn actually stonewalls any attempts for the other 'cons to figure out who's his Conjunx. Everyone wants to know and subtly/outright try to snoop, but Tarn thinks it's digs at being a poor donor. Of course, he isn't bringing you to any of the meetings. You're not a Decepticon, just an expecting carrier with an unlucky love life. Plus, you're basically a noncombatent compared to them. You're an excellent nurse and extractor, but that doesn't mean he's going to drag a heavily gravid carrier into a shootout. Nor will he be swayed by bribes like corrupted officials of the old regime, thank you very much.

A few of the 'cons begin to realize that Tarn doesn't even know his updated relationship status. Kaon is over Tarn's shoulder as the tank drones about the "responsibilities of the Cause to the most vulnerable among them" and the "indignities of some medical processes," and he has a terribly dark and focused expression as he gestures a finger across his neck to keep their mouths shut.

Now they're stuck with Tarn's rants about the baster method because he'll never let it go. Never.

[iliterallydecepticanteven]

This is an exceedingly random question, but it's been on my mind insomuch that I might have a fic idea stewing in my brain: do you have any thoughts on Cybertronian marriage/bonding concepts or rituals? For example, what exactly makes two people "consorts"?

Omg, I'm so excited to talk about this!! So I actually made a huge list of headcanons for bonding in TFA that I was gonna use as a reference in a fic but then I never got around to the fic. Instead, I'm just gonna toss all those rules in below because I have Some Thoughts™.

But before I get into them, I do wanna say, because TFs don't follow the same gender binary that humans do, I think bonding is seen as an act done between two bots who want to spend the rest of their existence together. There are no "roles" in a relationship, like "wife" or "husband," it is legit just "I am so madly in love with you and I want to spend every moment with you until we both die." As such, bonding for political purposes or class status isn't really a thing. The term consort really works here, since it's a gender-neutral term used to refer to the romantic companion or partner of someone.

Anyway, here's the extensive list of headcanons I threw together. I'm gonna throw a read more in there since this is super long:

You can be legally bonded without being spark bonded.

Legal bonding gives similar benefits to marriage, such as tax benefits, shared insurance, and being priority emergency contact.

Spark bonding often considered closer and more intimate but also more dangerous as when your conjunx dies you spark could go supernova and kill you as well.

As such, it's harder to break a spark bond. While not deadly, it's painful. So most will be legally bonded for a while before eventually spark bonding once their sure the relationship will last.

There are huge benefits to spark bonds though. The major one being that you can reach out through it and sort of communicate with your conjunx. You can't exchange words but you can exchange emotions and sense when they're in pain or distress. It also provides a deeper connection with the conjunx and better synchronicity with them.

Megatron actually banned spark bonds within the Decepticon army pretty early on. He didn't want two soldiers dying when one got killed.

The only exception to this rule is Strika and Lugnut, who got bonded right before the war broke out.

Pre-war bonding ceremonies could be incredibly lavish and similar to weddings with a ceremony followed by a reception and party. Traditionally everyone was expected to dress up in nice armor and decorate with jewelry and capes or robes.

Obviously, those who weren't rich often did smaller ceremonies. One major tradition among many was to get bonded in a bar.

The major acts during the ceremony is to review what was done for conjunx ritus, read vows to each other and exchange vials of innermost energon, have all guests affirm their faith and hope in the relationship, and have a third party (whether that be a higher ranking politician or a bartender) announce the bond as legitimate.

That's all for the legal aspect of bonding. Spark bonding is always done in private, away from everyone else.

Spark bonding is done by touching and merging sparks. Because of how intimate and dangerous this is, it is imperative that it be done in a safe secluded space.

Conjunx Ritus doesn't need to be performed before getting bonded, but it's expected and even concerning if you don't do it. It's like getting engaged before getting married. Not technically required, but definitely expected.

The four acts are: the Act of Intimacy, the Act of Devotion, the Act of Disclosure, and the Act of Profference. These don't have to be done in a specific order. Yeah I stole this straight from MTMTE sue me.

There also isn't really a way to indicate that someone is bonded, like a ring. External displays of bonding just aren't a thing.

That being said, I do think after starting trade routes with Earth and interacting with American culture, some form of transformation safe matching jewelry would start to get big among bonded couples.

That's all I have for now, but I am sure in the future when I incorporate these headcanons into an actual fic, I'll add more!

[novaimpactgenerator-blog]

MTHTMTE Ch. 3: The Lost Light

Summary

"Yeah, I'm definitely lost." I finally admitted after roaming around the ship for about half an hour. It just seemed like every turn at the end of a hallway led to an identical hall. To be quite frank, at this point I was certain I was just going in one big circle. Like one of those Earth horror movies that Rodimus had sent me while he was on the organic planet.

The humans seemed like a pretty nice race if only a bit morbid, and I would like to go to their planet one day. I still remember the first time he ever showed me one of their infamous films. He had just gotten back to Cybertron after visiting the small blue planet for the first time and said he had something "totally rad" to show me.

These movies were actually how I got introduce to the idea of the female gender.

~Flashback~

"There's no way that house is that big." I stared quizzically at the screen while clutching at my energon treats.

"That's why it's scary." Hot Rod spoke lowly with a mischievous look from his spot next to me on the recharge slab. I watched as the human male and female, as he called it, ran through the dark, abandoned house, trying to get away from the big furry monster chasing them.

Eventually, the two organics found a room with a red door and barricaded themselves in there using a storage unit that Hot Rod called a "dresser".

"I'm so sorry I got us into this, Jason." The female began to cry. "I never should have brought us here."

"It's okay, Elizabeth." 'They have some really odd names.' The male reached over and hugged her close to him. "We'll get through this. Together."

"In case we don't make it out of this, there's something I need to tell you." The female looked up to the male with red, puffy eyes. 'I didn't know organics could change color and shape at will.'

"Don't say that, Lizzy. We'll get out of this."

"Please." The female pleaded. "Just listen."

"Alright." The male gave in.

"Jason, I love you."

"I love you too, Elizabeth." They then pressed their faces together, connecting their lips, and- it looked like they were doing something with their tongues every once and a while. I leaned closer to try and figure out what they were doing, but I had no idea.

"What are they doing, Roddy?" I looked back over to Hot Rod to see him smirking. For a moment, I thought I saw a shade of energon pink on his face, but it must have been the light from the movie because when I blinked it was gone. He took a second to pause the film before answering me and I perked up to listen to him.

"The humans call it kissing. It's how they show affection. Like a bomp, or touching foreheads."

"So it's something they do with their Conjunx?" I tilted my head in thought

"Not necessarily. I've seen them do it with their Amicas too. It's kinda like how some bots interface with their Amicas."

"Oh." I slouched down again as I began to think about it. Even though he was my Amica Endura, I had never done something so intimate with Hot Rod before. Or anyone for that matter.

"Would you... like to try it? Kissing I mean!" Hot Rod asked and corrected himself with highly uncharacteristic nervousness. I was a little caught off guard by his question, but I considered it none the less.

"You don't mind?"

"No!" Hot Rod immediately replied. "Not at all! You're my Amica. I care for you deeply."

"Have you ever... kissed someone before?" I was curious to know, but I wasn't sure if I was using that word right.

"No, I haven't... But I would like to with you." He seemed a little sheepish that he hadn't done it before. This was the first time I had ever seen him so... unconfident.

"Then sure!" I sat up straight with an excited grin. "Let's do it!" I looked over to the viewing screen again to get another look at what to do.

When I thought I had a good idea of how I needed to go about this I turned back to Hot Rod. I moved to sit on my knees between his open thighs and pressed our flat metal chests together, just like the two humans. "Is this okay?"

He didn't respond verbally, but he did nod his head rapidly. He sat up straight so that he didn't need to lean back on his arms for support. Hot Rod then wrapped his newly freed limbs around my waist, pulling my frame flush with his.

I began to get a bit nervous. I've never been this close to another person before in my entire life. This was apparently something that some people do with their Conjunx after all, and I felt my face start to flush pink.

Since it seemed that Hot Rod had decided to take the position of the male I took that of the female and wrapped my arms around his neck. Hot Rod was the first to move from here and I followed suit.

The first brush of contact my lips had with his startled me and I flinched back. I wasn't sure how Hot Rod was going to react that. I didn't want him to think I wasn't comfortable enough with him as my Amica to be like this. However, his carefree chuckle reassured me.

"Heh. Sorry." I apologized, shifting my gaze away from his eyes.

"Don't be. It's okay. Do you want to try again?" Hot Rod tilted his head and gave me a soft look.

"Yeah. It just surprised me. And I've never seen another Cybertronian do this."

"It's mainly a human thing. Is that okay?" He looked like he was becoming more and more unsure of continuing.

"Of course! It's just different. Which isn't a bad thing! I-" I cut myself off before I could start rambling. "I think I'm ready now."

"Hehe. Alright." Hot Rod pulled me flush with him again. This time when our lips met I was prepared.

It was honestly a bit awkward at first, but after a few tries with different angles, we managed to find a good rhythm. I was sure that I had it down. That is until Hot Rod's lips parted mine and his tongue traced my top lip.

This time I didn't pull away despite my shock. I wasn't confident enough to openly reciprocate, but I did move my own tongue to the edge my lips. Hot Rod then resealed our lips and tangled our tongues together.

Now I had no clue what I was supposed to do, so I just let my Amica take over the interaction. This isn't unusual for us. Hot Rod has always had the more dominant personality out of the two of us. It's not uncommon for him to take charge of situations when we're together.

The kiss went on for a while and ended up getting very intricate and heated. At some point, Hot Rod had grabbed my thighs and hooked them around his waist so that I was sitting in his lap. I was beginning to wonder if this is how all kisses go, and if this is what human friends do, then what do human lovers do?

Then Hot Rod's engine revved. We both instantly let go. I pulled back and slid off of his lap, but kept my legs draped over his. "Sorry."

"It's alright. My fans were about to turn on anyway." I reassured him.

"Well, that makes me feel a little better." He chuckled and leaned forward, placing his forehead on my shoulder. I leaned my head on top of his and we stayed like this for a while in comfortable silence. Hot Rod was the first to break that silence. "Wanna continue watching the movie?"

"Yeah!"

~Present~

It was a pleasant memory with my Amica, and it was only later, after watching the other movies Hot Rod sent me, that I found out that human friends do kiss sometimes but not like that. I'm sure Hot Rod didn't know at the time either and must have been too embarrassed to tell me otherwise himself.

Unfortunately, we haven't had the chance to recreate our bond since Hot Rod was reformed into Rodimus. When Hot Rod merged with the Matrix and became Rodimus all ties he had to anyone were severed. I was hoping that this trip would allow us the chance to become Amica Enduras again. 'If he still wants to be that is.'

This time when I turned a corner I decided to start opening doors and hope for the best. The best being Rodimus behind one of them or someone who could lead me to him.

After opening every door down two different hallways, and finding nothing but small storage units, I stumbled upon the hab suites.

"HOW BIG IS THIS PLACE!?" I yelled in utter surprise and lifted my hands up to my head and rubbed harshly at it. I quickly got bored of walking around and decided to choose one of the rooms, so I could set my stuff down and look for Rodimus faster.

The fifth room I looked into seemed nice and everything was low enough for me to use without any hassle. I sat down so that the bottom of the case was flat on the floor and unhooked it from my shoulders and hips.

I got back up and stretched out, turning my abdomen left then right, and then rotating my shoulders. Thanks to my body's nature the box and its contents weren't heavy, but the constant weight on my frame did cause some discomfort after a while, and I was in line for a few hours.

I began to hear the quantum engines startup meaning we were about to leave. "I better go find Rodimus before he thinks that he left without me or that I didn't come."

THE BRIDGE

Rodimus was now in a very foul mood. He didn't want to deal with Nova Gen going back on her word, and he certainly didn't want to deal with whatever Red Alert was saying Ratchet brought on board. He trusted her. Something he didn't do very often.

'The least she could have done was call and make up some half decent excuse for not even showing up. In the past, she would always tell me if she wouldn't be able to see me and why. Ninety percent of the time it was because of her stupid job, but she said she quit.' Rodimus didn't even take the time to realize that she wouldn't do something like that to anyone, let alone to him. He was too upset.

"It can wait. It's time we were off," Rodimus said, not even bothering to hide the anger and irritation in his voice.

"I'm sorry your friend didn't come, Rodimus." Drift came up behind the red mech and rested a comforting hand on his shoulder, but Ultra Magnus spoke up before Rodimus could reply.

"Incoming call from Bumblebee. Want to take it?" Rodimus shrugged Drift's hand off of his shoulder without so much as looking at him.

"No." With that Rodmius gave the command to lift off.

IN NOVA GEN'S HAB

I felt the ship begin to leave the surface of Cybertron, so I made my way to the door. I pressed the button to open the door when suddenly a huge explosion went off somewhere on the ship not too far from my position. I was propelled to the other side of the hab suite by the sheer force of it. Whenever I hit the back wall I could feel throbbing pain spread throughout my head and into the internal neural network of my brain.

Shadows began to creep into the outer edges of my vision, making everything around me fade into darkness. 'Well,'

.

.

.

'That... can't be... goo~...'

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

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