Chapter Text
"I believe that will conclude our discussions on tax brackets. Is everyone in favor of the amendments made?"
Optimus asks the rest of the room, though his optics were clearly focused on his fellow leader sitting across from him. Anyone who was watching, and they all were, could see Optimus’ optics brighten when he focuses on his contemporary.
On the other side of the wide circular table Megatron reclines in his chair, one he had brought that had a higher back then the others, and smirks secretively at Optimus.
"Yes, I believe these changes will be perfectly adequate to all our means."
"Very good. We can have them written up in two solar cycles and have them posted to the datanet for public viewing."
"That would be perfect. Always so efficient in your decision-making Prime."
"You flatter me Megatron."
With that dangerous smirk he’s known for, Megatron all but purrs, "How could I not."
"W-Well I can’t take credit for all of this," Optimus stutters, optics brighter in his flustered state, "If you hadn’t —"
"Optimus," Ultra Magnus cuts in gently and deftly ignores the whispered sighs of relief from the rest of their little committee, "If you would permit me, I can finish the grammar checks and write up a finished version with annotations for review at the beginning of tomorrow’s meeting."
"That is an excellent idea Magnus," Starscream stands from his chair much to Megatron’s disappointment, "I vote that we adjourn this meeting because some of us have better things to do than flirt in front of an audience." He says with a pointed look to his Amica.
Not looking put out at all by the accusation, Megatron tilts his helm high, smirking.
"You’re just going to break into the lab to flirt and feel up Skyfire after you leave."
"Of course," Starscream say with a flick of his wings, not even bothering to deny the fact, "But at least I will have some class and do it elsewhere from prying optics."
With a sharkticon grin, Megatron reclines further back in his chair, "As if your deviant behavior is considered class."
With an offended gasp that was more akin to Grimlock's claws raking across steel sheets, Starscream slams his servos on the table.
"You take that back!" He hisses, "I have more class in one digit than you!" Pointing said sharp digit at his Amica’s faceplates.
"Are you partners with the Matrix Holder?"
"That’s seduction you idiot!"
Shuttering his optics, Ultra Magnus reminds himself that facepalming was not the proper conduct of a commander. But looking to Prowl and how he was clenching his servos he can see he is struggling to keep his calm as well. Elita had not cared and was covering her faceplates with both servos while Jazz was resting his chin in his palm with a weary smile. As usual when praised or brought into less than appropriate conversation Optimus sat flustered and hiding behind his datapad, hunched like a bitlet trying to play hide-n-seek.
The Decepticon side was no better. Strika’s facial mask was doing an impressive feat to frown as she gives her leaders the side optic. And the upper ridge of Shockwave’s helm was creasing ever further as his singular optic dimmed the longer the two fought. Meanwhile, Soundwave was the only one able to ignore it all and work on with what Ultra Magnus assumes is his set of the annotations.
Truly a remarkable and diligent operative to work through this level of behavior solar cycle in and solar cycle out.
Having enough of this go-around Ultra Magnus stands to put an end to this Amica nagging.
"Aye."
The conference room goes silence as every bot looks up to him in confusion. Soundwave looks up last and even with the full battle mask he can tell the look he was giving him was a knowing one.
"Starscream of the Decepticon faction put forth a vote and I am voting in accordance to the rules we all agreed on." He explains.
It had been started as a serious rule at the beginning of these talks though a few – Starscream and Jazz – took it down a ridiculous avenue for the first few meetings. Using it to ask for silly votes like removing leaders too focused on each other or to have symbiotes around for 'pats'. After they had put a stop to that and covered any possible loopholes it became a useful tool.
Everyone else immediate stands, voicing their own versions of affirmatives, and filing out of the room at varying speeds. Gathering up his datapads in no rush Ultra Magnus makes his exit with only Soundwave and Elita left in the room.
Closer to the door Soundwave gets there first, but stops to look back, his visor brighter than usual.
"Ultra Magnus: Attentive."
Then with a slight inclination of his helm, that Ultra Magnus returns, Soundwave leaves.
"I’ll say," Elita chuckle as she walks around the opposite side of the circular table, "I don’t think I could handle another 30 breems of that again."
"I assumed that for most of our fellow mechas. I can't imagine most would want to use their time watching Megatron and Starscream arguing." Ultra Magnus says dryly as he waves at the doors to open them for Elita.
She smiles at him and offers her arm, a holdover from their early solar cycles. Gently looping his much bigger arm through hers they walk down the hall, but they don’t get more than a few meters when Ultra Magnus could feel a touch of gloom in Elita’s field.
"Is there something wrong?"
"Not with me," She assures him with a pat to his arm, "but Magnus… Don’t you think you deserve a break? You've being working so hard, harder even, than most of us."
"Writing up the documentation will not take more than half of the night if I start now."
With a heavy sigh Elita comes to a stop. Stopping with her Ultra Magnus is concern because he can’t understand what was so distressing about that comment.
"I don’t think you're seeing that’s the point," She says harshly. Taking a deep in-vent she expels it slowly before looking up pleadingly, "You’re rushing to work and finish everything related to the treaty. Even without it finalized, bots are getting along and places are starting to be rebuilt together. After the truce and then our triumph over the Quints plenty of mechas have been, and are, open to working together."
"That makes it all the more important that I finish so we don’t have to exist in limbo any longer."
But his answer does not clear up Elita's expression and leaves Ultra Magnus unsure of why this is troubled one of his oldest friends.
"But you’ve been pulling multiple duties since the truce. That was three thousand stellar cycles ago. And that's not including the most recent war."
"I was busy before the Quintessons."
"Yeah, but that was only dealing with Optimus, Rodimus, and the Decepticons. Much easier," Elita says with a wry grin, "Now you’re helping to write a treaty and build a government. I’ve seen you setting up and enforcing basic laws with Prowl. Helping a few of the original enforcers left and training new ones to be fair. Changing civil, medical, and building laws with Prowl, Ratchet, and Hook."
"Do not forget Hoist."
Smiling forlornly at him she untangles their arms so she can take hold of one of his servos in both of hers.
"I’m just saying you are stretching yourself thin and I think you should take advantage of the break before you break. You’re fine now, but I think you need to try and find the bit of Dion that’s still left and relax."
And the weight of that was share. They had both been in their reformatted forms longer than their original. Ultra Magnus had been in existence twice as long as Dion had ever been allowed.
"I don’t know if there’s any version of him left." He voices woefully.
"I know," Elita says softly, but her smile isn’t as somber anymore, "But I promise he’s in there, you’re still as respectable and humorous as you were back then."
"Others would assume you were jesting if you ever told them I had a sense of humor." He says, his lips lifting just a millimeter.
"It’s just because they aren’t wise to it," She says returning his grin, "But seriously, don’t you think you could take a break tonight. I know you can finished your work with enough time to leave for your apartment at a regular time."
"Alright Elita. I will try —" But at her stern glare he amends the verb, "promise to leave at a respectable time. I’ve set an alarm." He says as he does so.
Smiling brightly, she squeezes his servo, "Thank you Magnus. I’m only doing this because I care."
"I know. Take care."
Leaving after their customary hug, she walks down the other hall as he continues towards his office. He arrives just to see Prowl locking his office and walking in the opposite direction with Jazz in tow. Jazz was latched onto his Bonded’s arm and happily chattering away about what they should do tonight. Prowl listens quietly as his doorwings rotate back in slow circles showing how calm he was at the moment.
Ultra Magnus finds himself watching the monochrome pair until they disappear around the corner before he enters his own office. It always astounded him how effective they were for being of completely different personalities.
Sitting down his holo-screens blink back to life as he pulls his datapad from subspace. Turning it on he checks the work on the annotations and sees that the share link between his datapad and Soundwave's is currently logged into and had 3/8th of the notes correctly annotated and revised. Leaving Soundwave to that Ultra Magnus takes up the task of writing up the notes in more law abiding wording. His digits fly across his textscreen that he doesn’t realized he had converted all the notes to text by the time his alarm went off four joors later.
Saving his work once again Ultra Magnus stares at his agenda of other work he could start now, but before he can open one he can see Elita’s stern glare spark across his processor. He knows that if she thinks he’s not following something for his health she will tell Optimus and Rodimus in her despairing tone and they’ll come running with chromepuppy optics and... he is too weak to them both even after all these millennia. Plus, he doesn’t want to risk his schedule being thrown off if they decide on another intervention and then include Ratchet.
Glancing at the saved document on the shared link datapad he notices that even Soundwave had signed out. Sighing, Ultra Magnus begins to slowly turn everything off to leave early for the night, but not before sending more paperwork for the laws and rules around building permits to his personal datapad. Locking up and walking to the elevator he finds he wasn’t the only one leaving at this fated time.
"Good evening Soundwave," He greets the shorter commander as he approaches.
If the other was surprised by him he does not show it as he turns slowly to him and nods. Returning it they wait for the elevator in silence. In his time working with the other, Ultra Magnus had found the deployer to be an efficient worker, though silent for long stretches of time. It did not bother Ultra Magnus, in fact, he found it pleasant, compatible even.
"Ultra Magnus: Departure deviating from normal schedule."
Ultra Magnus is surprise more by the subject of the comment than the suddenness of the comment itself, but reminds himself that the title Communications Specialist could be broader to include security.
"Yes, Elita-One brought it to my attention that I might be pulling myself in too many directions."
As the elevator pings its arrival he lets Soundwave enter first before stepping into the lift.
"I decided it would not ruin my usual schedule if I did so just once."
His shorter companion stares up at him thoughtfully before nodding to himself and turning back to the doors. But only a few floors before the bottom does he speak up again.
“Query: Destination?”
Soundwave states as he tilts his helm up partially making it look like he was raising an optic ridge at him.
"I do not have one. I was thinking I would just go home."
"Ultra Magnus: Does not enjoy rowdiness or silliness for fun," The tilt of his helm and his synthesize tone makes the comment sound that much more sarcastic.
"Not in the slightest," He answers, pleasantly surprised by Soundwave’s talkativeness.
"Query: Does Ultra Magnus enjoy refreshments?"
"Occasionally."
"Soundwave: Knows of small bar. Nosie Level: Acceptable parameters."
If they were acceptable for Soundwave it was likely perfect for him as well.
As an early show of trust between factions myths were dispel about certain mechas with the hope of building ties instead of relying on Optimus and Megatron staying stupidly in love, even if the chance of that falling through was only about 0.1%. They put to rest the worrying concept of Starscream’s non-existence sonic scream and Optimus' special energy pulse. They do reveal Elita’s time stop ability and the Decepticons admit that Soundwave is not an outlier telepath as they had once feared, but an outlier in terms of overpowered senses. That is what allowed him to gather information incredibility easy, but it was also a strain and the reason he wore the full battlemask.
"As tonight will be my only time rebelling against my schedule I would not mind exploring. I have the night to myself." Though he still planned to work when he finally made it to his habsuite.
Soundwave promptly sends over the coordinates of the bar, called Harmonies, as the doors of the lift open for them. When they make it to the doors Soundwave bends at the waist for a shallow bow.
"Good evening Ultra Magnus," And with that leaves the remodeled conservatory building.
Stepping out as well Ultra Magnus' systems are immediately cooled by the cold air and the magnetic tingle in the atmosphere. Looking up he is treated to the Iaconi Borealis lightening up the sky and the scattered growing skyline of his home city-state.
He takes a moment to capture it all and has to agree he is glad with Elita’s decision to leave early tonight. Since they had come back to the city he hadn’t seen the familiar phenomenon. It was also good from a scientific stand point as it proved their planet was not beyond saving, it just required, as Jazz said 'A little TLC'. Smiling at that Ultra Magnus continues on his way to the suggested bar.
The drive to the bar is only a 10 breems away and it was hidden between two derelict, but sturdy buildings. Walking in his optics adjust from the darkness outside to the muted light of the establishment and can see it was fairly crowded, but clean and following codes as much as he could tell. The music was soft and has a low resonant tone that settles nicely in tune with his engines, relaxing him. As he looks around the patrons he is delighted to see a healthy mix of factions, neutrals, and frame types all holding their own conversations. But the bar was still a bit too heady for him.
I will order one drink, savor it, and leave.
With his mind made up he approaches the bar and looking over the menu of drinks on the counter screen.
"Welcome to Harmonies. What would you like sir?" A green and blue minibot asks him.
"One Mood Whiplash please." And swiping his shanix card the bartender tells him it will be two breems and leaves to go work on it.
As he waits Ultra Magnus looks through his unopened messages from earlier and is glad to see there are only a few non-pressing matters. Although Ratchet’s ominous one for him to come in for a piston check did fill himself with some dread.
"One Mood Whiplash."
Sliding the messages away he reaches out for the indigo drink only for his servos to knock against another’s, their sharp digits nicking his servo.
Turning to apologize his words stop short when he sees Thundercracker, who looks back equally shocked.
It was a true surprise to see as the tallest of the Elite Trine had been mostly unseen. He saw Starscream the most as he sat in on the treaty construction and any other important matters in discussion for the new world order. And Ultra Magnus also saw Skywarp numerous times as he and Sideswipe had discovered each other’s existence and had being getting centuries worth of pranks in. In all that time Thundercracker had been missing and prior to this Ultra Magnus hadn’t given it any thought, but now he was mildly curious for the sudden reappearance.
"Sorry about that," The Seeker says, his voice deeper than what Ultra Magnus expected. It definitely helped live up to his name, "I thought it was mine."
"It is of no consequences. If you ordered the same there is a probability —"
"Here you go Thundercracker, one Mood Whiplash." The same minibot says as she places the drink next to the first one.
With a faint smile the Seeker turns back to him, "You were saying?"
"That I might be mistaken," He says lightly and Thundercracker’s smile gains some volume.
"It is what it is," Shrugging before taking his drink, "I haven’t seen you in here before."
"No," Taking his own he looks out onto the bar, "It has been highly advised that I take a break and this establishment was suggested to me."
"It's a good choice...... Well if you’re not a regular do you want to sit with me?" Thundercracker asks as he points back towards an empty booth, "As an apology to nicking your servo."
He had planned to stand at the bar, out of the way of pede traffic of course, but this could be a perfect opportunity to see if all the work he and his fellow commanders were doing was popular.
"Thank you. I will." And follows the Seeker over.
Comfortable in the booth Ultra Magnus takes a sip of his drink while Thundercracker gets settled. The drink is much richer than he remembers having and relishes the sharp savory taste of the high grade petrol used.
"The petrol’s from the Benzuli Expanse," And looking over his drink he see another faint smile from his companion, "Apparently a lot of the broken up planetoids there housed the petrol used. Its so cold its crystallized to a point and has been untouched for thousands of centuries."
Ultra Magnus is surprised he knew, but before he can ask how Thundercracker explains, "You're making the same face I'm sure I did when I first tried it." He says his frame lightly rattling with a silent chuckle.
"It is refreshing." Ultra Magnus compliments, but even he could tell that the delivery was done somewhat lamely.
But Thundercracker hums in agreement before drinking some of his own.
"Thundercracker, I wanted to know if it would be acceptable to ask you a question?"
"About?"
"About life for the average mecha since we have moved into full scale reconstruction. I wanted to ask someone with a more personable view. I know we are doing the right thing, but —"
"Well not everybot will be happy even if you try to please them," Thundercracker interrupts gently, "But I will say its going well. I personally don’t have a lot to say, but Star does and he’s getting Vos rebuilt so I'm happy about that."
Early on when reconstruction was purposed it was agreed upon that city-states that suffered the most damages and the ones that would show a united front would get premier materials and allowed to allocate work there. This placed Vos, Crystal City, and Praxus at the top of the list along with Iacon and Kaon, which were all coming along very well in the past few quartexes. They were nothing like their former glory, but the layout could be seen if glimpsed from above. This was the complete opposite for the pole city-states. It took three quartexes worth of discussions before an entirely new set of blueprints were drawn up for both to erase the divides both old city-states thrived on.
"Everything else is coming back bit by bit, like little stores, places like this, or the Crystal Gardens. I even donated one of the Vosian crystal bevels I had to the new site. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything but a frown on Prowl’s faceplates, but that smile was, yeah, it nice to see that life in general is trying to come back," Thundercracker smiles to himself as he stares fondly into his drink, "I had to test out that one Space Bridge Star and your scientists put together and it had pretty good range. I only had to travel an extra joor each time to get to the Neutral colonies that signed presumptively to the treaty with us. Then we have those twenty Ground Bridges now to move around easier. I know there are only like seven, maybe eight, places you can go, but it's something."
"It is. Is there anything else?" Ultra Magnus prompts gently, eager to hear more.
Looking up Thundercracker shrugs, giving him a perplexed grin, "Not much, just mechas trying to build something better. I guess I can say there isn’t really any hostilities towards anyone else, or at least that I’ve seen. It’s all focused on how we’re all going to go forward and make sure we never have to fight again. It weird, but kind of humbling to actually see us come together to do something again. It actually reminds me of Jumpstorm's team-up with Stormswitch to bring peace to —"
And the next noise the Seeker makes sounds like a stalled engine as his faceplates twist into one of shame. Ultra Magnus watches in fascination as Thundercracker starts to color a deep grey over his olfactory sensor and high across his cheeks as he looks around frantically.
"Forget I said anything," He whispers sadly as he hunches over the table, field swirling with embarrassment, "You can leave if you want," He mumbles.
"Why? Everything you said was helpful. And I believe the analogy you were going to make about Jumpstorm and their Knights' alliance with Stormswitch and her Renegades would have been valid for this conversation."
For a long breem Thundercracker doesn't move from the uncomfortable position. But as he slowly rights himself Thundercracker stares blankly at him and asks quietly, "You – You’ve read it?"
"Yes."
"The whole series? All six books?"
"Yes."
The Seeker’s continued gobsmacked expression leaves Ultra Magnus worry, but before he can ask about his status Thundercracker speaks up.
"Wow I - um - Its - I’m not trying to be rude, but you seem more like the one to read biographies or manuals."
"I have been told something similar," Ultra Magnus agrees with a faint and wry grin, "I do consume forms of literature that are usually nonfiction. But a certain injury and overprotective friends kept me from work, so reading was the next best option."
Even if one-third was done as dramatic readings.
It had been towards the midpoint of their war, but straits had been desperate enough that he was caught during the first round of chemical warfare. Only a small number of the soldiers he led had survived under the cover of what was once a multiple lane overpass. He lost about 65% of his mass that battle as he was protecting two of his younger soldiers from the Rainmakers. He needed extensive repairs and was laid up in intensive care for almost two stellar cycles. When he became conscience again any form of work was strictly off the table and no one could be persuaded otherwise.
It had been Optimus who suggested the series, but it was Rodimus, then a very young Hot Rod, that had roped Optimus, Jazz, and surprisingly Chromia into reading the series to him in a ‘fun way’. Rodimus' logic at the time was that if he was in berth than Optimus needed to read to him like the leader did for Hot Rod's berthtime stories. With Hot Rod supervising, the readings went on until he had both hands repaired and aligned again. After that he was capable of reading the novels himself, though he could never forget the voices his friends gave the characters.
"Oh. Sorry to hear that." Thundercracker says awkwardly as he sharp digits tap out an uneven rhythm on the table.
"It was war. Injuries were a given."
"Yeah," Thundercracker whispers looking back to his drink.
Ultra Magnus watches as Thundercracker beings to lightly rake his digits over his knuckles, alternating his servos as he refuses to met Ultra Magnus' gaze. Going over the short exchange he is confused to what caused the sudden pause in their conversation before he begins to think like Optimus and Elita and it dawns on him. He mentally reprimands himself for forgetting that certain facts caused different responses.
"So... You liked it?"
Looking up, not sure when he looked down to his drink, Ultra Magnus sees that Thundercracker was unsure, but clearly willing to salvage their conversation. And Ultra Magnus will not allow it to be in vain.
"Very much so," He says sitting up straighter so he can give the Seeker his full attention, "Despite the fictional setting it was serious in its approach of historical accuracy and lore-building to support the different city-states customs and laws. Inkwell goes over and beyond to craft these events and does the amazing step of not listing them out, but instead describes them from the point of view from someone outside the conflict or was in the thick of it. I see their use of this literary drive as very poetic and moving, their choice of words then exemplified the scenes."
"It thought so too!" Thundercracker gasps, looking overly enthused, "The diction and the prose, that is. It was powerful yet subtle throughout until it needed to punch you in the faceplates and then curb stomp you with all these emotions. Like Jumpstorm describing the moments of Requiem being snipershot just before he was supposed to walk through the foldspace gate! That really got me, I almost stopped reading then and there."
"That is a ... descriptor... for the feeling it had when that befell him," Ultra Magnus says slowly as the excited Seeker settles down.
Though he had been quite shocked and a touch morose the following solar cycle because of it too. He believed that Inkwell had done their readers a disservice by taking Requiem's life before his arc was finish. He was just starting to see the value of friendship again and was about to go home for the first time in two millennia. To put it mildly, Ultra Magnus was always distraught when rereading the series took him back to that chapter.
"Sorry," Thundercracker chuckles, his laughter was short, but a pleasant deeper timber than his voice, "I spend most of my time with Skywarp so my language is a bit more... that than I meant it to be."
But Ultra Magnus waves the apology away, "No need to be sorry, I am used to it. Rodimus is a nephew to me and I was around when the Twins were growing up."
"Sounds like your life was never boring," Thundercracker grins.
Ultra Magnus was ready to correct the other, but the playfulness in his grin gives Ultra Magnus pause. When he does skim over those memories he can admit he does so with a fonder glance.
"You are not wrong." He says finally to Thundercracker's amusement.
"I'm sure I'm not, but I wanted to ask you about the history you mentioned. I didn’t paid too much attention to the historical accuracy during any of my reads. My focus is usually on the introspection of most of the characters, supporting character in particular," Chuckling again he lightly flares his wings as he leans across the table, "I’m silly like that and get invested in them even if I don’t know what will happen to them or that they might be lost for plot sake."
Drawn in by the enthusiasm Ultra Magnus scoots as close as his size will allow him.
"I thought there were compelling supporting characters too. I don’t concretely remember any, but tell me some of your favorites please. I would enjoy hearing about them."
And the blue Seeker looks beside himself as he beams at him. The smile brightens his face in a marvelous way under the soft light and with their closer proximity it was like nothing Ultra Magnus had ever seen.
While the majority of Cybertronians had mixed city-states, Vos and Praxus had distinct frames. In passing, many thought Vosian Seekers and Praxians all looked the same, but that was not the case. While frames were similarly shaped that was the end of it. They were variances in height, exhaust channels, door wings, wings, chevrons size and shape, facial structure, optic size and shade, and olfactory sensor.
Thundercracker’s faceplates were classical in the way some of the first Cybertronians looked. With a strong nasal ridge, thin lips, and a diamond shaped face under his sturdy helm and his emotive state presented a gentle warmth to his faceplates that had Ultra Magnus captivated. Then as Thundercracker began analyzing one of his favorite characters' motives that aligned, but were skewed from Jumpstrom’s, Ultra Magnus became engulfed in that.
"I agree that Droplight had a duty to her city, but I don’t think her singular quest to take down Steelsplitter did anything more than create trouble for the rest of what Jumpstrom was trying to accomplish." Ultra Magnus adds and Thundercracker jumps on the new topic.
"For the shock and annoyance factor for sure, but you have to look at it from her perceptive," Thundercracker explains, "Ceriisum was always at the mercy of the Neodynous city-state, if they didn’t strike now it would be like that forever. She didn't have to do it with any honor, but she did and that allowed Jumpstrom and Requiem the opening to make that battle legitimate. If not, there could have been a full on war between the two city-states and it would have massacred Ceriisum."
Ultra Magnus' optic ridge goes up at that and Thundercracker does concede to the unspoken point he made.
"Yes, they almost do go to war regardless and yes, it would have been better if Droplight could have been the bigger femme. But I don’t think anyone is that perfect that they wouldn’t try something drastic if they believed it would be for the better. If the hated and downtrodden of her city could be given a chance why not take it."
Ultra Magnus hums, considering, and Thundercracker is sure he's made a DL supporter out of him.
"Yes, it all bares value and truly comes from the situation one was in when reading, which makes the epic so good. But consider..."
He says dryly, but Thundercracker spies the coy little twitch of his lips and has to bite his lip to stop smiling at how easily Ultra Magnus was turning their little talk into something so fun and engaging.
Thundercracker loves his Trine, but they just didn’t have the energy or depth in them to talk about all the interesting aspects that were presented in books and shows.
Star enjoyed dramas and any documentary he could add his two credits to. Warp wasn’t interested in anything deeper than enjoying spy caper or action films with more dramatic acting then actual content. But Thundercracker was also skewed in his interests, liking what appealed to him and had good value and care put into them. This meant no one really wanted to talk shop about the meaning of a certain set or the behind-the-scenes that made the story or art form so compelling.
The fact he found it with Ultra Magnus was an honest shock, but one twist of fate that he was glad for.
He had only vaguely heard rumors of his boringness, but mostly complaints from his Trine. Star said he was unbearably strict and stuck-up and Warp said if he could he would have ‘faced a set of law datapads, but Skywarp was returning home after his latest reprimand so he took it with a grain of quartz. Yet Thundercracker could see why others would be mildly offput by Ultra Magnus with his dry tone, stiff stature, and his impressive size combined with his firm stoic ‘I’m disappointed in you’ expression. It was a bit much.
But he was starting to see pass that.
The way he crafted words were both harsh and delicate. On top of that he listened and asked for clarification and didn’t seem like the one to steamroll somebot with rules unless provoked. Or given the chance as Thundercracker had. When he had asked about the historical accuracy he wasn't expecting the boring, but informative lesson on all the different conflicts and events in the Cyaorium Continuum series. But he did it with such a vigor that it was definitely not a side that Thundercracker would have pegged for one of the highest lawmech of New Cybertron with.
Thundercracker liked the dichotomy.
"So that’s why I think —"
"Ahem."
Turning to the resetting vox, Thundercracker is surprised to see Melody out from behind the bar, that is until he notices that there was no one around the bar except the four workers she had employed.
"Sorry blues, but I’m locking up shop." She says, pointing to the doors.
"I apologize," Ultra Magnus bows, or as much as he could sitting behind a booth, "We must have been too engaged with our discussion. Your establishment provided the perfect atmosphere for meaningful talks."
The minibot gives him a weird quirk of a smile as she tries to understand Ultra Magnus' compliment.
"Thanks glad you enjoyed the stay," She says slowly, "You can leave the glasses. We’re cleaning anyway."
Shuffling out the other workers wave goodbye as they leave. The cold brisk air of the northern pole onlines his systems with a bit more of a kick then Thundercracker wanted, but he’s happy for the extra alertness as it was into the twilight joors now.
Thundercracker turns to his literary partner, to say goodnight, but instead he has to reset his optics to make sure he wasn’t seeing things. Standing before him, like some Golden Age noble, was Ultra Magnus offering his arm to him with his other hand out stretch to the complex the higher up staff of both factions had taken to living in. Something that Thundercracker was just now realizing.
And he wasn't the only one realizing something.
"Oh! I apologize I —" Dropping his arm and grimacing a light blush takes over Ultra Magnus' cheeks, just visible in the dual moonlight.
"Yes?" He prompts gently.
"It...It is something I do for Elita when we walk... From when we were young." Ultra Magnus admits softly.
That's so sweet! A friendly habit that has survived since a bygone era... an era when we were all younger and more naïve.
It was as adorable as it was somber, but Thundercracker pushes those dark thoughts away as he steps forward.
Holding his arm out he smiles at the surprised look he gets in return, "I don’t mind."
Ultra Magnus was gracious when he thought he was embarrassing himself, the mech deserved the same curtesy, and if that meant walking Thundercracker was fine with that. Yes, he only had four drinks and they were spaced out, but better safe than sorry.
Plus, he was really starting to like talking with Ultra.
"If you're sure?" Ultra asks looking to his arm cautiously.
Keeping his smile encouraging Thundercracker waits for the mech to approach him. Looping his arm through the offered one Thundercracker can’t help smiling wider at the tall Autobot, especially when the size difference was so clear now. But its the heat that Ultra gives off as being a convoy class that has Thundercracker leaning in more.
"I do apologize if I did put you out," Ultra says softly before sighing, "I was going to say, as our current location is unavailable would you be against me walking you back to the apartments so we can continue? If you wish?"
"Sure. All I need is twenty more breems to convince you." Thundercracker smirks.
"Please, present your case." He says in a light tone that had just a touch of humor.
Thundercracker does and by the time they arrive Ultra has admitted defeat and agrees that Droplight was a great complex and righteous character. And the walk as a whole was wonderful. Ultra was very gentlemanly about the whole thing, definitely in a way that he knows would make Star scoff if he told him the The Ultra Magnus was capable of emotions.
"Thanks for walking me, well, us home. I can fly up from here." Thundercracker tells him, and himself, when he steps away from the warmth.
Nodding he turns away for the doors and Thundercracker finds himself resetting his vox suddenly, so hard it causes him to cough a bit at the force he put behind it. He had wanted Ultra’s attention, which he had, but now he had his full concern.
"I’m fine, but I wanted to ask if - Ask if you wanted to do this again," He coughs and tries to smile through the pain, but he knows it's more of a grimace, "Talking about favorite books and the like?"
Ultra's concern returns to his stoic expression as his optics space out, likely checking his HUD, and when he focuses back on him he looks no different.
"With all my responsibilities to the wellbeing of Cybertron I am not sure about the next time I will have a scheduled chance." He says, like a practice script and Thundercracker ducks his helm in shame.
Of course. I find a good conversationalist and he’s more attached to the regs than other bots.
"But," And Thundercracker helm snaps up, "in the off chance that I do I would very much like to continue this conversation and start new ones." His lips twisting up a centimeter.
"Really!? Yes! I'm mean, Cybertron comes first after all. But thanks, if you can."
Thundercracker mentally kicks himself at how childish he sounded tripping over himself, but the real small smile is worth it in any case.
"Of course," Ultra says and in the next astrosecond Thundercracker has Ultra Magnus’ frequency and is messaging him back, "Until our next meeting."
"Until then."
Kicking his thrusters on as quietly as he could, which was still pretty loud, he finds himself lazily corkscrewing around the building up to the top floor. Landing on the darken balcony Thundercracker isn't surprised by the empty apartment. It had been empty as of late since the treaty became closer and closer to being finished and life on New Cybertron settled. Star was either caught up in Skyfire's lab working or in his arms getting centuries worth of cuddles. Which he’ll deny and Warp had to be —
POP!
Here.
Thundercracker immediately raises his arms for the crushing hug Warp is about to give him, though the crushing was more like a slouch into his side.
"You're up late."
"You should be talking," Warp yawns as he snuggles into his side, "And if you must know I was in the brilliant process of pulling off the best prank ever."
"Fantastic." Thundercracker deadpans as he herds his Trinemate into their apartment and around the half unpacked moving crates.
The moment these apartments were finished Star had claimed the top floor for them from Megatron - Thundercracker knows Optimus Prime had to have had a servo in that - and had all their stuff move off the Nemesis. And yet after all that time they still hadn’t put all of it away, except for their rooms and nesting couch.
"So you just got back too. Where were you?" Warp asks sleepily as he grabs a container of coolant from the cooler.
"Out at Harmonies again."
Taking a swing of his drink Warp smirks, "It's past closing time. Way past."
"Yeah, found somebot to talk too." He says with a shrug and instantly regrets it.
"Oohhh!"
"No," Thundercracker cuts him off and snatches the cylinder from him as an afterthought, "Its not a big deal and please don’t make big deal out of it."
Pouting, Warp makes grabby-servos at his drink but he just holds it higher. "If I didn’t know you better I would totally think that would mean it doesn't mean something." Warp grunts as he goes to climb the counter, but as tired as he is all Thundercracker has to do is gently push at his left wing and he stumbles back.
"But since you know me —"
"And you're boring."
"— I play it safe."
"Like I said, boring," Warp continues with a huff and a smug grin, "I know it’s nothing, but I don't get to tease you so much anymore."
"And I am eternally grateful." Thundercracker smirks and chuckles a bit when Warp sticks his glossa out at him.
"Yeah, yeah. Just hand me back my coolant," Warp demands.
Getting Warp's word, Thundercracker passes over the drink and shakes his helm when his Trinemate snatches it out of his servo. Warp snickers to himself as he pet the cylinder and whispers some nonsense about ultimate power before a yawn cuts him off. Stretching after the long yawn Warp wanders back over and Thundercracker gets that crushing hug that he didn't before. Letting go he watches as the shorter Seeker staggers into his room and flops into his neat pile of glitter pillows.
Shaking his helm at Warp, Thundercracker continues to his room to recharge. Settling against his wide pillows he moves some so they bracket his berth and the wall it shares in case he moves in his sleep again. Dinged wings were the worse first thing in the morning and after it happening twice he vowed to move his berth from the corner. But the beautiful sunrises kept him from doing so. So plan B.
As he powers down Thundercracker notices that he feels lighter than he usually did when he came back from the quiet bar and wonders how that happen. But before he could ponder it further recharge drags him into a peaceful sleep.