ask-smokescreen:

mightymegatron:

Megatron nods, taking a few moments to stand from his place on the berth. He walks over to the center of the medbay, the largest open space in the room. 

“Alright, then. I’m watching.”

Smokescreen pauses, waiting for Megatron to come over, and another moment, just to prepare himself…

His transformation is a bit slow, but that might just be from not having done it for a while. But Smokescreen manages to stay in his alt mode for almost a minute before transforming back and running towards Megatron!

He waits, arms folded behind his back. There is nothing to be rushed, it has to be Smokescreen’s choice.

When he finally transforms, Megatron can see the sticking, his very T-cog resisting, but it’s progress. The warlord smiles, satisfied as he stays that way for a few moments. He isn’t surprised when Smokescreen pops back into his root mode, although he wasn’t expecting the Autobot to run towards him. Smokescreen clings to his leg… and Megatron lays a servo on his upper back, between tense doorwings. 

“Very good.”

ask-smokescreen:

mightymegatron:

mightymegatron:

Megatron stares long and hard at him.

“Transform.”

None of that fidgeting. Megatron doesn’t look at Smokescreen either, but he gets closer to tuck the Autobot into his side.

“I know what happened, and I disagree. Because of their actions, you are afraid of being in a vulnerable state again, one that can be abused. …I can tell you that it’s a miserable way to live. Accepting your armor as permanent, not seeing it for the cage it is.” 

Smokescreen squirms for a klik, before letting himself get closer to Megatron.

“Well- I mean- of course I am. I don’t want to get hurt again, and I don’t know what’ll make it easier.” Smokescreen’s vocalizer starts to waver a bit. He’s trying to keep himself calm, but it’s a little obvious in his EM field that Smokescreen’s starting to let himself get upset. “And it’s not that bad- I’m fine. I’m fine, Megs- I haven’t missed transforming, really.” A lie.

Megatron doesn’t interrupt, waiting for an opening to speak again, letting him get upset. He should be upset about this; it would be more concerning if he wasn’t.

“What will make it easier is affirming that you are still in control, that you can still be safe. Remembering that what happened to you is far from the only thing that may happen, that it was a rarity in the scope of your entire life.” He contemplates for a moment, still looking off at the far wall instead of the shaking mech at his side.

“For that, you will start slowly. Tomorrow, I want you to come back here, and transform once, briefly. Return to your root mode as soon as you’d like to, but do it. If you don’t take the first step, it will be a part of yourself you cannot reclaim.”

ask-smokescreen:

mightymegatron:

mightymegatron:

Megatron stares long and hard at him.

“Transform.”

“But surely you can tomorrow, right?” Once Smokescreen sits, he gets an arm resting on the berth on his other side, creating an alcove full of Megatron’s steady EM.

“You cannot live in fear of your own frame, Smokescreen.”

“I don’t know- I really don’t know.” Smokescreen’s starting to fidget, getting uncomfortable even thinking about transforming, trying to keep his field in. He didn’t expect someone to bring it up once tonight, and Megatron bringing it up for a second time was just shocking.

“I’m not afraid of my frame, Megatron.” Smokescreen’s looking away from Megatron, “I don’t want to get hurt because of it, though.”

None of that fidgeting. Megatron doesn’t look at Smokescreen either, but he gets closer to tuck the Autobot into his side.

“I know what happened, and I disagree. Because of their actions, you are afraid of being in a vulnerable state again, one that can be abused. …I can tell you that it’s a miserable way to live. Accepting your armor as permanent, not seeing it for the cage it is.” 

ask-smokescreen:

mightymegatron:

mightymegatron:

Megatron stares long and hard at him.

“Transform.”

“Stop.” Megatron’s voice isn’t as forceful as a command, more like on the edge of one. He doesn’t take his optics from Smokescreen.

“Sit with me, if you won’t now, and listen.”

Smokescreen does end up stopping, doorwings drooping. Even if it’s not strictly a command, it’s pretty hard to ignore, and with a sigh, Smokescreen’s soon walking over to sit down with Megatron.

“Look- I’m sorry, Megs. But I can’t- I can’t do that tonight.”

“But surely you can tomorrow, right?” Once Smokescreen sits, he gets an arm resting on the berth on his other side, creating an alcove full of Megatron’s steady EM.

“You cannot live in fear of your own frame, Smokescreen.”

ask-smokescreen:

mightymegatron:

Megatron stares long and hard at him.

“Transform.”

…

/Smokescreen’s starting to walk out. He can’t do that- not today./

“Stop.” Megatron’s voice isn’t as forceful as a command, more like on the edge of one. He doesn’t take his optics from Smokescreen.

“Sit with me, if you won’t now, and listen.”

ask-smokescreen:

mightymegatron:

mightymegatron:

Megatron tilts his helm, considering Smokescreen and his rider, who gets a smile as well. He leans over from his place, seated on the edge of Soundwave’s berth. “Really. Go on.”

“…” Smokescreen had better back away. He’s starting to growl.

/He’s not even taking a step back. He’s gonna prove that Megs won’t offline him for things like this!/

How’re you feeling today, Megs?

“Significantly more like a popsicle than I did yesterday. Why is that, Smokescreen?”