Cloudlock wished they could say this was easy. After all, He was the 'master strategist', as well as splitting leadership with the 3 other high commanding Deceptions- but it was anything but easy. They couldn't seem to agree how to approach the upcoming battle- going to the enemy's base before they can strike first, meeting them halfway, sending spies- None of them seemed pleased with the ideas Cloudlock was giving them, making the small seeker feel more and more frustrated- and most of all, useless. How were they meant to help plan for this battle's success if even Soundwave thought the ideas sounded iffy?
Cloudlock anxiously looked down at the papers scattered on the large table, words just faintly illuminated by the large energon screen off the side, as well as the Allspark that slowly spun in the air in the middle of said table. His optics were narrowed and tense, rereading a paper from a specific purple Deception. They didn't like this. They didn't like his plans one bit. Not just because of the many things that could go wrong, but because the plans themselves seemed /wrong/- Sure, Cloudlock and Shockwave had never really seen eye to eye, but this.. Making an army with the Allspark to rule Earth? It seemed oddly taboo, even for the Decepticons- At least it seemed taboo in Cloudlock's eyes.
Cloudlock had been so focused on the papers that they had barely noted a servo placed on the table next to the papers. When it had finally processed, The small seeker blinked a few times before looking up, amused, soft red optics greeting him.
"You know, no matter how many times I see that look on your face, it's honestly always a little funny."
"What look?"
Cloudlock took a small step back from the table and papers, turning to his now lightly chuckling conjunx. Thundercracker crossed his arms, smiling down at them.
"Whenever you look at a paper too long you get this serious look on your face. It never looks natural on you.."
Cloudlock could feel his faceplate heat up ever so slightly, pouting slightly and looking back down at plans he had just been reading. Usually he would talk to Thundercracker about his current work, but he didn't want to add THIS kind of stress onto him... perhaps he would keep this to himself and speak to Shockwave about this personally later. With an ex-vent, Cloudlock gathered some of the papers together and set them to the side, leaving a few letters from Soundwave and Starscream out on display.
"It's just.. Preparation for the Autobots coming.. It's a little more than I expected.."
The black and blue seeker lightly mumbled, making Thundercracker's previous smile fade a bit. However, it quickly returned and he carefully took Cloudlock's hand into his own.
"Come with me. I wanna show you something."
Cloudlock was a little caught off guard, taking a quick glance back at the letters.
"B-but the plans-"
"It won't be long. Plus you've been down here all day, you need to stretch your wings."
Thundercracker said with another small chuckle, lightly tugging Cloudlock closer to him, which they did nothing to stop. Resting their head against him for a moment, they lightly hummed, weighing their options before smiling a little at their lover.
"Alright, alright. It has been a while since I've flown.."
And with that the two seekers left the underground bunker, all while giggling like young mischievous cybertronian as they snuck around the other decepticons patrolling the base, still holding onto each other's hand. There was no need for the others to snitch about the two leaving in times such as these- If Cloudlock could avoid the scoldings of Starscream, they were going to.
After getting a good distance away, Thundercracker let go of Cloudlock's servo, transforming and taking off into the sky- The smaller seeker following close behind him. They couldn't help but wonder what his conjunx wanted to show him. From the looks of it, it seemed to be quite a distance from the base- minutes passed, though they were filled with small giggles and laughs as the two jets spun around each other a few times, sometimes getting a little too close for safety, but never bumped into each other. Soon enough, mountains came into their view, making Cloudlock's curiosity grow.
Reaching a cliff, Thundercracker transformed and landed on his feet, turning around and seeing Cloudlock to the exact same. Taking a few more steps closer and wrapping his arms around the midsection of his lover's torso, Cloudlock looked up at the other seeker with curious cyan optics.
"What's all the way out here that you needed to show me..?"
Thundercracker just smiled a little, resting one servo on Cloudlock's lower back as he used his other servo to lightly grab his chin, gently turning his head towards the cliff. The reaction was immediate. Optics widening and mouth parting open in awe.
Lights. Many many distant lights that decorated the dark sky. Cloudlock could not even begin to count the amount of stars that shined down on them- all so clear and beautiful on dark blue and purple laced display- as well as the forest that was ever so lovely lit from the small lights above. How long had it been since he had seen and enjoyed the stars?
"I know the human town's lights make it hard to see all of them- so when I found this spot earlier, I knew I had to show you.."
Cloudlock's wings perked up in excitement, their gaze going from the stars to their conjunx, a big, goofy smile on his face, making Thundercracker's own smile grow.
"There's my sweetspark.."
He hummed softly, making the other seeker melt a bit in his arms. Cloudlock had no idea what he did to deserve this- to deserve Thundercracker.. He was so unbelievably sweet to them, no matter what- And he would never ask for a better conjunx.
The two of them sat down near the cliff and got comfortable, leaning against each other and staring off at the endless sea of stars. Cloudlock wanted to savor every moment of this- of the scene in front of them. The comfortable silence. The feeling of their love leaning against them with no tension or stress. It was a night Cloudlock wanted to remember.
"... You know... You remind me of a star.."
Thundercracker mumbled softly, making Cloudlock glance up at him with a slightly puzzled expression.
"How so?"
"Well... all stars look the same from a distance. But no matter how big or small that star is, once you get up close and personal-"
The taller blue seeker tilted his helm down a bit, lightly nuzzling his face against Cloudlock's neck cables, making them giggle a bit.
"You get to truly see how beautiful and unique they are~"
"You're so corny-!"
Cloudlock laughed, face blue in shyness as he was tempted to playfully shove Thundercracker away, but decided against it, lightly grabbing Thundercracker's face and getting him to sit up more before moving to sit on his lap, gently cupping his face.
"You, Thundercracker, are the corniest seeker I have ever met."
"Me? The corniest? Have you met Skywarp?"
The lighter blue seeker chuckled, wrapping his arms around his smaller lover.
"I just missed you.."
Cloudlock felt a pinch of guilt at those words. They had been REALLY busy with Soundwave, Starscream, and Shockwave- the four of them scrambling to lead and keep the Decepticons together after Megatron left. Making sure to keep their guard and patrol up in case any attacks happened- as well as planning for future battles and possibly more war? It had kept Cloudlock neck deep in papers and stress with little to no time to relax-
"I'm sorry..."
"Don't be, sweetspark-"
Thundercracker said in a lighthearted tone, holding Cloudlock a bit closer.
"I know you got a lot of work with.. Him...being gone and all..."
He was careful not to use Megatron's name outright, knowing it was a very sore topic for the poor decepticon. Cloudlock didn't respond, lightly pressing his forehead against Thundercracker's.
"It's just papers... I want to have more time like this.."
They spoke softly, moving their arms to wrap them around his neck.
"More time with you..."
The lighter blue seeker smiled softly, moving a hand to gently cup the side of Cloudlock's helm.
"Well, We'll have plenty of time after we win. And plenty of stars to look at..."