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Family dinners, as Skyfire could recall, were relaxing occasions on a busy day.
They were quiet occasions for Skyfire’s family. His creators usually ate in relative silence, only talking in hushed tones, as did he. Skyfire remembered that the fuel was always good, and that they were usually uneventful affairs.
So Skyfire wasn’t really expecting much when Starscream asked him to accompany him and his folks for dinner during the weekend. Since Starscream didn’t talk about his family much, Skyfire didn’t assume much about them. From what Skyfire had heard about his partner’s creators, they were apparently modern mechs with modern values.
However, that was about the extent of it. Starscream had reassured Skyfire that they were accepting of all mechs, regardless of frame class or size, that they were perfectly friendly mechs, and that Skyfire had nothing to worry about.
But still, standing in front of the front door to Starscream’s family home, Skyfire couldn’t help but feel nervous.
Starscream lived in what could be described as a middle class suburb in the city of Vos. The house was a rather drab white, with crystal plants lining the exterior. It was nothing fancy, but Skyfire still felt rather out of place, especially while he was standing just outside of the porch. Skyfire wrung his hands together, linking his fingers together. He looked over at Starscream, who was standing at the door with a smile.
“Do they know that we’re coming?” Skyfire asked.
“Of course. I’ve been planning this for weeks.” Starscream responded. "Why do you ask?"
Skyfire heard the sound of faint footsteps on tile, and then the sound of the door knob.
"I don't know. I'm just nervous, I guess."
Starscream looked back at Skyfire with a soft smile. He walked over to his partner in science, and in love, and placed a hand on his arm.
"I assure you, Skyfire, that you have nothing to worry about. My creators…er, creator will adore you."
Skyfire cocked an optic ridge in confusion at Starscream's words.
"Wait, what?"
Before the two mechs could continue their conversation, though, the door opened to reveal a mech standing at the door. Skyfire turned to see that the mech standing at the door was a silver seeker, with a bright orange visor. There were wrinkles evident on his face. He looked up at Skyfire with a curious expression, before he looked down at Starscream with a warm smile.
"Starscream, sweetspark!"
Skyfire watched as Starscream was pulled into a hug with the older jet.
"Hello, sire." Starscream greeted. He wrapped his arms around his fellow seeker, and to Skyfire's surprise, returned the hug. "How are you doing tonight?"
The silver seeker pulled away from the embrace, and held Starscream by his shoulders.
"I'm doing great. But what about you, Star? How are you and…"
The seeker turned to look up at Skyfire, who stood awkwardly at Starscream's side.
"Your partner."
Skyfire waved, attempting to return his partner's sire's smile. Starscream then grabbed his other hand, and wrapped his thin fingers around his. Skyfire's faceplate heated up.
"I'm doing great, especially with Skyfire at my side tonight." Starscream then turned to look up at Skyfire. "And I'm sure he feels the same way."
"Yes, of course!" Skyfire nodded enthusiastically. "It is nice to meet you, Starscream's sire."
Starscream's sire chuckled.
"There's no need for titles here." He replied. Wrinkles appeared at the corners of his eyes. "Just call me Leader-1!"
Starscream's family home was rather humble. One thing that Skyfire noted as he entered the living room was that the house certainly looked lived in. There were shelves of books, and photos, with pictures of what looked like a younger Starscream and Leader-1. The orange seating was showing signs of wear and tear, and the coffee table had a few scuffs on it. But Skyfire didn't particularly mind.
Skyfire found the home to be a lot more inviting than he initially thought Starscream's home to be. Especially with the scent of energon stew floating through the air.
While Leader-1 and Starscream were in the kitchen, chatting amongst themselves, Skyfire was looking around the room. He was curious about his partner's family. In a way, he wanted to study Starscream.
Skyfire began by looking at the various family photos that decorated the hall. Many of them were photos of Starscream, and Starscream alone. However, some of them had Leader-1, usually with an arm around his creation's shoulder.
But, one of them was not like the others.
In one of the photos, a very young Starscream sat perched in a white and red mech's arms. The mech appeared to be a motorbike, with a faceplate that had intricate face markings, and a smile full of sharp teeth. He had helm vents just like Starscream. Additionally, his plating seemed to have a similar color scheme, save for the blue that Starscream sported.
Then, Skyfire heard the sound of heels clicking against tile. He turned around to see Starscream standing in the hallway.
"Skyfire!" He exclaimed.
Starscream walked over to the shuttle, who stood like a deer in the headlights in the hallway.
"I've been looking for you." Starscream stated. "Dinner was served a few minutes ago."
"Oh." Skyfire averted his eyes. "I didn't know. Sorry."
Starscream turned his gaze to the pictures on the wall.
"There's no need to apologize, Skyfire. You didn't do anything wrong."
Skyfire watched as Starscream picked up one of the frames hanging on the wall, specifically the one with him and the motorcycle.
"I saw that you were staring at this photo in the doorway." Starscream began. "Do you want to know something about this photo?"
Skyfire nodded hesitantly. Starscream's face morphed into a more mournful expression.
"This is my favorite photo of me and my carrier."
Starscream returned the photo to the wall, making sure to set the photo straight.
"If I remember correctly, this was taken soon after my first frame upgrade."
Starscream then turned to Skyfire.
"Do you want to know why it's my favorite photo?"
"Sure. If you're willing to share, of course."
"It was taken right after I learned how to fly." Starscream smiled again, and flicked his wings in pride.
Skyfire returned the smile.
"That's great, Starscream." He responded.
Starscream relaxed back into his usual demeanor.
"Now, let's go to dinner, or else the stew will get cold."
The rest of the evening went by without a hitch. Leader-1 was curious about Skyfire's plans for the future, and his ambitions. Skyfire was happy to talk about his plans to chart the stars. Starscream was glad to fill in some of the details that Skyfire left out.
Additionally, the stew was flavorful, and unlike anything that Skyfire had tasted before. Starscream and Skyfire were sent home with a bowl of leftovers, and a hug.
All in all, it was a good night.