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Chapter Text

The tension was palpable...

One by one, each Cybertronian and Terran began to awaken and realize what had happened. Mandroid was no longer part of the equation, and both Autobots and Decepticons were mixed together and facing each other on the battlefield. Murmurs, questions, and many confused glances filled the air as everyone wondered why they had all gone offline.

But before anyone could even ask, the sound of an engine in the distance reverberated through the trees, and a purple figure appeared at full speed.

"Soundwave!" Shockwave exclaimed as he approached at full speed in his vehicle mode, only to transform quickly and embrace the shorter mech, lifting him off the ground, leaving more than one bot speechless, especially Megatron, who seemed to have crashed his system. "I came as fast as I could... The cow told me about the fight."

Once the initial surprised subsided, Soundwave returned the hug and responded by giving Shockwave one of his zap kisses they love to share, earning growls from Starscream and Bumblebee.

"Didn't you know?" Optimus asked with a smirk, helping the former Decepticon leader to his feet. The gray mech shook his head without taking his eyes off the waves.

"No, I... I didn't know." They had been his friends... Frag, he still considered them as such, and he didn't know something so... personal. He understood that in war, romantic entanglements never end well, but to keep it from him? Megatron looked down to see Ravage passing by, who returned his gaze in a mocking way. "Of course you knew." Megatron remarked, amused.

Descending Soundwave, Shockwave turned to face the Autobots. The Decepticons and Autobots were slowly separating, facing each other once more. Soundwave unleashed a powerful metallic riff, demonstrating his still-strong hatred for the traitor who had once been his leader.

The Terrans were equally tense, but for different reasons. Why, if they had joined forces to fight a common evil, would they continue the fight?

"We will retreat for now," Shockwave ordered confidently, surprising more than one of them.

"What?! We can't do that, we're...!" Starscream began to protest, ready to continue fighting, but his complaint was interrupted by Shockwave's voice, which was more prominent than usual.

"We'll make sure there's a reason to keep fighting first!" the purple 'Con exclaimed, looking at Starscream before turning to face Optimus Prime and Megatron. "If we can't return to Cybertron, continuing this war is pointless. We'll maintain this... truce only if humans keep their noses out of our affairs. This is between Cybertronians."

"...So be it, Shockwave," Optimus agreed, nodding his head. With G.H.O.S.T.'s betrayal and everything that had happened, it was another reason to reconsider his stay on Earth and among humans.

Shockwave nodded back and began to retreat with the others. Soundwave couldn't resist making another annoying guitar noise before following his companion. Starscream gritted his teeth, dissatisfied but watching the others leave. Fighting alone against them all was suicide. The Seeker glanced at Hashtag one last time, her gaze stuck on him, with a plea on her expression but Starscream transform and disappearing into the sky with his fellow Seekers.

The Autobots and Terrans remained silent, weighing up what had happened in the last few hours. Everything had changed.

"So... I'm not the only one who saw the Waves 'kissing,' am I?" Bumblebee broke the silence, earning more than one look and a giggle from Twitch.

Chapter Text

"We already tried doing it your way, Optimus, and it didn't work."

The Autobots were gathered at the old G.H.O.S.T. base. Although the association had officially dissolved, the facilities were still operational, and their relationship with Agent Schloder remained good. There wasn't really a reason to abandon everything, especially with so much Cybertronian technology at the base.

"I understand, Megatron. This truce is hanging by a thread, and we need to make smart decisions." Optimus looked around. Elita-One watched them with her arms crossed; Grimlock seemed lost in thought, but Optimus knew he was listening closely; and Bumblebee looked displeased. Aside from Megatron and himself, the five were the only ones discussing this.

The Malto had returned home, exhausted after what had happened, and the Decepticons still hadn't made contact, likely engaged in the same kind of discussions.

"I must admit, after the way Shockwave reacted to being back online, I never expected him to consider a truce, but it might be our only chance." Megatron didn't want to put his former allies back in a cell; he'd only fueled the animosity, and he knew they'd only joined the fight against Mandroid because of the Terrans.

"Yeah, well, sorry to say this, Megs, but... Not all the Decepticons want peace. Who can guarantee that Soundwave won't try to attack you when he sees you again?" Although his relationship with Breakdown was friendly, Bumblebee had lived too long with the war against the Decepticons to believe they'd just cease hostilities so easily.

"Soundwave is smarter than that. If it benefits the cause, he'll know how to control himself." The gray mech countered, frowning as he looked at the yellow bot.

"We have something they need." Elita commented before the two mechs could start arguing, because for Bee's expression, it was quite obvious that a heated debate was about to begin. "Energon. I know it sounds low to negotiate with something so essential to their operation, but the 'Cons have long subsisted by stealing and filtering low-quality Energon. We can guarantee them fuel in exchange for their... good behavior."

Optimus looked around once more but didn't respond immediately; there was much to consider.

Meanwhile, quite far away, Soundwave had built himself a safe house, with only the bare essentials for himself and the cassettes. It wasn't much, but with the main base compromised, there were few safe places left for them.

Inside, Shockwave paced in circles, pondering what to do next, until the shorter mech approached him.

"Soundwave: Apologise for taking so long to find Shockwave... No excuse." Without the controller to deactivate the stasis, it was too dangerous to awaken Shockwave, but it had been 15 years... In the total lifespan of a Cybertronian, that's not a long time unless you're separated from the one you truly love.

Shockwave turned to face Soundwave as this one approached and gently stroked the side of his head, careful with his finials. Soundwave was the only one who could touch Shockwave like that.

"You shouldn't apologise for that, Soundwave." The purple 'Con took another step closer. Their chassis touched, and they stared at each other for a while before Shockwave shook his head. "I must admit I wasn't in my right mind when I woke up. Now I only have one idea in mind... Getting us back to Cybertron even if that means a truce with the Autobots."

Soundwave stood still, pondering his words. It wasn't an idea he liked. Have to see the traitor, coexist with their eternal enemies but he knew that for Shockwave, life on Earth was anything but pleasant. In the days when the space bridge was operational, Shockwave rarely crossed it.

"We need gathering back, be sure every one of the decepticons on Earth return to us and leave this forsaken planet."

"Point to note: There's no working ship." They had taken care of the Autobot ship themselves, and without the space bridge, there was no way back, right?

"But I saw it, Soundwave." He said with concealed excitement, placing his hand on Soundwave's shoulder. "When they captured me and took me to the human facility, I saw they had the remains of our space bridge. I saw it working before that Mandroid guy used his technology on me. There's a chance."

Soundwave let out a surprised sound, cautiously optimistic because he trusted Shockwave and believed what he said.

"Soundwave: Understand and trust Shockwave."

"You'll see, my Sweetspark, I'll take us home, we only have to make the autobots to take me to the space bridge." The scientist stroked Soundwave's covered cheek, who responded with a contented humming sound and pressing his head on the other's hand, have him back is the best thing that had happened in 15 years. But they finally notice Ravage, who had been watching them with a less than friendly expression, they were all being romantic in front of him, Seriously?

Chapter Text

The silence of the hours between dawn and sunrise enveloped the small safe house. It was tucked away in the woods near the town of Wickwicky. Anyone there, watching the sunlight begin to filter through the leaves, the birds stir, and the insects settle into sleep, would think it a naturally beautiful place. Except, of course, for Shockwave.

It was too early to do anything. The meeting with the Autobots to discuss the truce agreement will being during the day, and frankly, recharging wasn't an option at that point. So he just stood there, outside, observing the landscape.

He wasn't obtuse; he knew what beauty and aesthetics were. He knew why even some Decepticons—even Soundwave—found some of the landscapes and wildlife of this planet beautiful. But he simply couldn't share that appreciation. For him, beauty was the metallic plains, the ever-changing shapes of the mountains, and the enormous neon cities of Cybertron. Looking at the night sky and seeing the absence of the moons he used to visit... Everything on this planet reminded him of what he missed: returning to his own.

Of all the Decepticons on missions to Earth, Shockwave spent the least amount of time there. He spent most of his time in his tower on Cybertron, creating technology and experimenting with Earth samples to better utilize the planet's terrain and energy.

He avoided it as much as possible, only to find himself trapped here... No space bridge, no ship...

His finials lifted slightly as he heard approaching footsteps. It was obvious who it was, so he didn't need to turn around. The blue mech stood beside him, observing the same landscape before turning his covered face to look at him.

"When I awoke from the stasis, I had to process several things quickly. I was with the traitor, surrounded by... younglings in the ruins of what had been our only way to Cybertron." Shockwave began to speak, and Soundwave just stared at him in silence.

Soundwave could taste the processors, even human minds; that, along with his dedication and efficiency, made him so lethal. Even so, he was never able to taste more than a meager portion of the processes and emotions buried within Shockwave. Perhaps that was why he liked being with the scientist so much, because with him, he could be inside his own mind and still prefer listening to him speak. Now was no exception.

"In that situation, I just wanted him to pay," he finally turned to face Soundwave. "Even if it led to my own destruction."

The reaction was immediate. Soundwave let out an angry sound, stamping his foot on the ground. "You... Idiot!" Soundwave exclaimed. To Shockwave, it was obvious that fear lurked behind Soundwave's anger, but he didn't blame him.

"I know, it wasn't the most logical thing to do." He accepted his own mistake and let the blue mech approach. Soundwave rested his head on the taller mech's chassis, and Shockwave wrapped his arm around him, pulling him closer. They were alone; they didn't have to pretend to anyone, just enjoy each other's company as the sun began to replace the dim, bluish light of dawn with the bright, clear light of morning.

"He'll be there," the purple mech said after a long silence.

"I know."

"Starscream refused to attend... He's not opposed to the truce, but he doesn't want to be near him, and he also emphasized that he's busy."

Thinking with a metallic humming sound, Soundwave considered his words. "Understandable. Shockwave's in charge."

It wasn't the first time the scientist had been in command of the Decepticon force, and he wouldn't shirk the responsibility that came with the position. He had to bring them all home.

Shockwave simply nodded, mentally preparing himself for what was to come.