2021 TF Rare Pairing Fest

by Hours_Gone_By

Summary:

Fills for the 2021 TF Rare Pairing Fest on the tf_rare_pairing community! Come play with us on Dreamwidth!

Chapter 1: October 31 – In your arms, all else fails to matter (Mirage/Prowl)

Mirage's quiet evening alone was unexpectedly interrupted by the door chime. Answering, he was pleasantly surprised to see Prowl.

"I apologize for dropping by unexpectedly," Mirage's lover said. "Today was…difficult and I -"

"It's alright," Mirage said gently, seeing clearly that Prowl was stressed and upset about something. "Come in."

"Thank you."

Mirage embraced Prowl as soon as the door closed. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Prowl hugged him tighter. "…no," Prowl said finally. "I'm with you. When you're holding me, nothing else matters."

"Alright, darling," Mirage said. "Take as long as you need."

"Thank you, my dear."

Chapter 2: Trope: Collapse or cave-in (Bluestreak/Mirage)

Bluestreak pushed at the rubble that stood between him, Mirage, and the entrance. It didn't give; he sighed.

"It isn't moving," he told Mirage. "We're stuck in here until the others can dig us out. At least we don't have to worry about running out of air like humans."

"True," Mirage agreed, coming to stand behind him. "And the battle ended; we don't have to worry about anyone."

"Yeah," Bluestreak said, leaning back as Mirage's hugged him. "But what'll we do till we get out?"

"Oh," Mirage said, drawing Bluestreak a little closer. "I can think of a few things…"

Chapter 3: Trope: Huddling for warmth (Bluestreak/Mirage)

Getting dug out of the cave took a little longer than Bluestreak would have thought, not that he minded getting some time alone with Mirage. The only thing was, it was after sunset and the cave was getting cold, especially for Bluestreak. His doors radiated heat and he got cold easily.

"It's a good thing you're here," he said, pressing a little closer into Mirage's side. "I'd get cold without you."

Mirage revved his engine to provide a little more heat. "Don't worry, I'll look after you."

"Yeah," Bluestreak said, resting his head on Mirage's shoulder. "I know you will."

Chapter 4: Trope: Happily Ever After (Wheeljack/Mirage)

"Y'know," Wheeljack said thoughtfully, looking over the rebuilt campus of Iacon University, "for a long time, I really didn't think we'd ever see this again. Buildings going back up instead of being destroyed, people doing something besides fighting or planning to fight. I just got used to thinking the war was going to go on forever."

"I think a lot of us felt that way," Mirage said, squeezing Wheeljack's hand. "I still feel that way sometimes, even now that Cybertron's restoration is well underway."

"Yeah. I mean," Wheeljack shrugged one shoulder, "it won't ever go back to exactly the way it used to be, but…."

"No," Mirage agreed, looking out across the city to where Iacon's Towers used to stand, a dozen stories above everything else. "But maybe that's for the best. There would be too many reminders, otherwise. It's far better to move forward." He smiled at Wheeljack. "Would you like to show me your lab now, dear?"

"Sure! Uh, try not to let me get too into things. I know you've got your turbofox conservation meeting later."

"I won't," Mirage promised and smiled. "At least we know I'll be able to come back to you afterward. No more Decepticon surprises, no surprise missions, no need to cover for anyone because they're injured. No sudden Ops meetings."

Wheeljack nodded. "I'm looking forward to building stuff that isn't weapons. Getting to go home to you every night sounds pretty good too. We can just relax."

"That sounds like a schematic for happiness," Mirage teased gently.

Wheeljack freed his hand only to slip it around Mirage's waist. "It sure does, doesn't it? What's that phrase the humans use…oh yeah! 'Happily ever after?'"

"Yes, I believe it is." Mirage leaned down and kissed Wheeljack on the cheek. "Happily ever after together."

Chapter 5: I wouldn't do this for just anyone (Skywarp/Mirage)

"You know I wouldn't do this for just anyone, right?" Skywarp asked, pulling Mirage tightly against his side on the narrow ledge.

"Teleport them high up off the ground as a surprise?" Mirage teased.

"Nah, I do that to a lot of people. Did. I mean, bring them to watch the sunset over the Mithril Sea from high up. Romantic scra – stuff like that."

Mirage chuckled. "Well, thank you. I appreciate your romantic scrap."

"Yeah, I kinda figured Autobots would be into all this sparks and crystals stuff. Anywhere else you wanna see?"

"Eventually. I'm content here for now."

"Same."

Chapter 6: Trope: Love At First Sight (Jazz/Mirage)

Notes:

Sorry if you got a notification with a link that doesn't work, accidentally posted a Kinktober chapter to this one!

Jazz wasn't surprised that the musicians got hustled out of sight whenever they weren't performing. He was surprised to see one of said rich mecha show up backstage, apparently just to talk? Rich mecha usually didn't get chatty with mecha like him. Good thing that Jazz wasn't shy about asking questions.

"So, what brings a mech like you back here to hang out with mecha like us?" Jazz asked.

"I, well," the blue-and-white mech looked away. "I came to talk to you."

"To me, huh? Any particular reason."

"I understand you wrote many of the songs your band sang tonight," the mech said. "The concepts are fascinating, and," a shy pause, "you're very handsome."

Well, that was sweet and kinda cute. Sure didn't sound like someone looking for a quick frag.

"So, you decided to come and say 'hi?'" Jazz flashed a smile. "Hi there. What's your designation, mech?"

"I am Mirage. I had wondered, if, perhaps, you might like to dine with me tonight?" he offered hesitantly.

Hey, Jazz had had worse dates. "Sure thing, mech. Like to get to know you better, too."

"Thank you," Mirage said, sounding relieved. "I'll meet you after the show?"

"You got it."

Chapter 7: Crunching leaves (Mirage/First Aid)

"This is amazing," First Aid said wonderingly in his soft voice. He was looking at the brightly coloured autumn leaves with the same wonder Mirage remembered having his first year on Earth. "And it does this every year?"

"Every year," Mirage confirmed.

"It must look so sad when the trees are bare, though."

"A little bit," Mirage said, "but I like to remember that the new leaves will come back in a few months.

First Aid took Mirage's hand. "Will you bring me back here to see it then?"

Mirage smiled. "Yes, I will."

First Aid smiled back. "Thank you."

Chapter 8: Married for peace (Mirage/Tracks)

Mirage knew the stories of his Tower's enmity with Tower Bijou. It had originated with a contract dispute over a monopoly Ages ago. No one originally involved in the feud was still alive, but their descendants had carried it on. At least, they had until now. Mirage's family had lost heavily on some recent investments, and to keep their living standard, well….

"What do you think of this feud?" Mirage's new fiancé, Tracks, asked as they walked through Mirage's Tower gardens. It was the first time they had been alone. Everything had been arranged, and the ceremony was just for show. No one cared what they did now, as long as they didn't run away or otherwise disgrace their families.

"To be honest, I've never understood why it's gone on so long," Mirage said frankly. "It seems to be entirely habit."

Tracks made a thoughtful noise. "I know you have an elder sibling. Was there a reason you were selected to cement this alliance over Shade?"

Mirage glanced over at him. "I imagine for the same reason you were instead of Nosecone."

"Ah. Much less need for us to be public, easy to put us out of the way should it turn out we despise each other."

"And yet they can still declare it a success if we do not."

"Yes. How do you feel about this marriage?"

"Being contracted to Tower Bijou is unexpected," Mirage admitted, "but not an arranged union. And yourself?"

"The same." They walked in silence for a while, and then Tracks said, "what do you think they expect from us now?"

"Oh, to go quietly off after the wedding and live separate lives unless we're trotted out for an event. Yourself?"

"The same."

"How would you like to defy those expectations?" Tracks asked.

"What do you mean?" Mirage asked.

"Be very, very, publicly, fascinated by each other," Tracks suggested. "I know my creators would prefer to pretend we don't have to do this. I'm sure they'd like us to simply live quietly and out of the way."

"My creators hardly feel the same way," Mirage admitted, "but – " He'd met Tracks' creators and hadn't cared for them. Perhaps it wasn't the most auspicious beginning to a relationship with his new in-laws, but he couldn't deny he liked the idea of it.

"Well, then," Tracks said holding out a hand. "Shall we?"

Mirage took it. "We shall."

Chapter 9: Trope: Cross-faction

"It would sure be nice if we didn't have to meet in secret like this," Thundercracker muttered, glancing around nervously. "I can't turn invisible."

"You could change sides," Mirage suggested, not for the first time. "We both know you're unhappy as a Decepticon, and the Autobots can use more fliers."

"That's the Autobots. What about you?"

"You know I'd love it if you came home with me," Mirage said quietly.

"I know. I think about it sometimes, but…ah, I dunno."

"Promise me you'll think about it?" Mirage cajoled. "Really think about it?"

"Yeah," Thundercracker said, hugging Mirage. "I promise."

Chapter 10: Trope: Secret meeting/Secret Place

"Does anyone else ever come here?" Mirage asked, looking around the small room. He'd certainly never been in here. It hadn't been updated in vorn, and the air had the unused feel of only being cycled by the environmental systems.

"Nah, never seen anyone in here 'sides me," Ironhide assured him. "This wing don't see much use. No one's gonna find us here. If you're still sure you wanna do this, anyhow."

Mirage smiled fondly at the bodyguard, who had become much more to him. "I'm very sure."

"Yeah?" Ironhide drawled, smiling back. "Good to hear, 'cause so am I."

Chapter 11: I never forgot you (Mirage/Sunstreaker)

"So, it's been a while," Sunstreaker said quietly, not quite staring at Mirage.

"Yes, it has," Mirage said, feeling just as awkward as Sunstreaker undoubtedly was. "I hadn't heard you'd joined the Autobots. I expect Sideswipe is here with you."

"We enlisted together, four stellar cycles back."

The uncomfortable silence stretched out. Mirage was glad they were in an empty corridor instead of a more public area. It was finally broken when Mirage gathered his nerve and spoke.

"I never forgot you, you know."

"I didn't forget you either."

"Would you like to try again?" Mirage ventured.

"I don't know."

Chapter 12: Trope: Blind Date (Bumblebee/Mirage)

"Well, you're not what I expected," Mirage said in surprise when his blind date walked into the restaurant.

The yellow mini-bot chuckled and grinned up at Mirage. "I'm not what most people expect. Hound didn't tell you anything about me?"

"He told me a little," Mirage admitted, "but he didn't describe you physically."

Bumblebee chuckled again. "He didn't describe you either. I was expecting someone- shorter."

Mirage laughed, relaxing. He gestured towards the table he'd been waiting at. "Well, Hound's advice hasn't steered me wrong yet. Why don't we have dinner and see how it goes?"

Bumblebee beamed. "I'm in!"

Chapter 13: Gaming Together (Smokescreen/Mirage)

"No!" Smokescreen exclaimed, laughing. "You can't make up rules mid-game!"

"Sure I can," Mirage countered teasingly. "Besides, you're not objecting to giving me kisses if you don't have the shanix for the bet, are you?"

"Well…" Smokescreen teased right back. Mirage pretended to pout. "No, I suppose not."

"You suppose? Oh, that means you have to forfeit your next turn."

"Alright, alright!" Smokescreen laughingly conceded, stretching across the little table to kiss his lover. "Better?"

"Yes, but you still owe me for the bet."

"Oh? Well, we can't have that, then."

The card game was very quickly forgotten after that.

Chapter 14: Love across time (Mirage/Orion Pax/Solus Prime)

Mirage knew it was irrational, but he couldn't help himself. He'd been fascinated by Solus Prime since he'd first learned about the existence of the Thirteen. He'd studied every piece of lore, examined every image he could find, ancient and new. He could recite all the myths without having to consciously access those datatrax. When he was (very) young, he'd even written stories about the two of them going on adventures together. It had never been shown to anyone and later thoroughly deleted.

When he was older and began dating, every prospect seemed to fall short in some way. That was when he realized he was in love with a mech he could never possibly meet.

"I'm afraid you'll have to share me, in a way," he said apologetically to the only other mech who had won his spark and explained.

"That's alright," Orion Pax said with a smile and kissed him gently. "I think there's more than enough room in one's spark to love more than one mech at a time. I have a feeling Solus Prime would agree."

Feeling immensely relieved, Mirage kissed his court-mate back. "I'm glad you feel that way. I hope she would have too."

Notes:

This ending on 2100 words was a happy accident. ^_^

This also wasn't meant to be entirely Mirage/? but after the first four or five chapters worked out that way I ran with it.

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