Chapter Text
"Slag it," said Cliffjumper as he jumped to the side to avoid the laser shots coming at him.
"I think I can second that," came a cultured voice almost beside him.
"Mirage, what are you doing here?"
"Dodging assassins I believe."
"What? Me too, what's going on?"
"I was on my way back to report that there is a bounty on your head."
"My head, why?"
"You are the acting head of Intel."
"Only because they haven't replaced me yet. Who has it in for me?"
"Apparently Shockwave left instructions to target you."
"What?" Cliffjumper was shocked.
"Must have pissed him off when you were working for him, not a hard one there."
"Slagger, but why are they firing at you?"
"Because I was poking around trying to find out why they were after you, idiot."
"Oh. How about we get out of here?"
"Sounds good to me, you lead?"
"Sure."
They both started a countdown, Cliff had recovered a weapon from his subspace and once they reached ten, Mirage turned and fired at their attackers, while Cliff rose and ran. He stopped at the next pillar waited for Mirage to look to him, and then he started firing as Mirage made his run for his position. They kept this going until their attackers couldn't follow them any longer without them all being noticed. When they were sure they had evaded their assailants, they sat side by side and laughed. Cliff had loved it; it had been way too long since he had been in a good fight.
"That weapon isn't exactly legal for an office type,"
"Yeah, well I am not giving it up."
"You see happy though."
After all those years as a damn secretary, Primus yes. It was exhilarating."
"You could wind up a Prime."
"I know, but it's not where my heart really is. This is where I would love to be."
Mirage nodded, "Come on, let's go to my villa, I can put in my report there. How are we going to handle this? They will have your place staked out, and anywhere else important to you."
"I'll have to report that I'm being stalked and I'll get to a safe house, until its safe."
"My place is safe for now. You are the main target."
"What about you? Won't that connect us?"
"If they have done their homework, they would know that you don't really trust me."
"Oh. How long will you put up with me then?"
"We'll see."
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"Wow! I heard you had swanky digs, but this is..."
"I know you don't like the extravagances of the Towers mechs. But I earned all this."
"Still, my entire apartment would fit in this room with space for another apartment."
"I don't want to fight you about my lifestyle again Cliffjumper. It was bad enough the first time."
"I apologised for that, didn't I?"
"True. I'll make my report, make yourself at home."
Mirage left the enormous entertainment room leaving Cliff to look around. Even if he did make Prime he still could never afford this lifestyle, but it suited Mirage. He and Mirage had clashed when Cliff had suspected him of being a traitor, but was soon to learn that it was all a frame and though they both worked in Intel, it was common knowledge that he did not trust Mirage. But Mirage was mainly in the field, where Cliff had proven to be no good in because of his temper, but he was good at sorting out the information the operatives got for him. Still like most he wanted to be a fighter, hence his illegal weapon stash, which he hoped Mirage wouldn't bring up with others.
Mirage came back into the room, "Do you want to make your own report? They asked if I had seen you and I lied. They had heard of reports of a fire fight."
"Well, now they know I'm a target, let them do what they should and I can at least see if they do their jobs correctly."
"Still we can't stay here too long. Remember I am a target too."
"I know, but where would we go anyway."
"I've been to most of the safe houses and they are boring places to be. We should go somewhere they wouldn't expect."
"I have no idea where you are going with this."
Mirage grinned, "I recently had a mission at a resort. One of those new human themed ones."
Cliff smiled, "That sounds good. I haven't had leave in...I can't remember when."
Again Mirage grinned, "There's a glitch though."
"Oh."
"I was posing as a bonding celebrant."
"You mean a honeymoon resort, don't you?"
"Yes exactly. I think we could fit in as a newly bonded couple."
Cliff's jaw fell to the floor, "You what!" he practically squeaked.
"I became a qualified celebrant so I can get all the correct documents."
"No, no, no, there's got to be something else we could do."
"Fine name it."
Cliff fumed white he tried to think of something.
"So?" pursued Mirage.
Cliff crossed his arms angrily, 'Fine."
"Oh good, we need to disguise ourselves a little. I can arrange that, I've done it before so I have a contact. I'll set it up for tomorrow. You better go report in, tell them you'll go to a safe house and they can find you there."
'Why do I get the feeling I might regret some of this."
Again Mirage grinned; maybe he might get in a little revenge on Cliffjumper.
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"White! I'm white," shouted Cliffjumper when he saw his reflection.
""You won't stand out like you do in your natural color."
"But you get to be all blue."
"We could say it was a white wedding.
Cliffjumper gave him a death glare.
Mirage smiled, he was rather enjoying this so he wondered if Cliff realised what he was insinuating.
Finally all the arrangements were done and he and Cliff carefully left for the resort in plain sight. Cliff was stunned when Mirage gave him a peck on the cheek and called him 'Hun.' The taller mech told him just to follow his lead.
It was a quiet trip.
As they were approaching the resort it finally hit Cliffjumper, "If I've got my earth terminology right, you've cast me as the bride in all this, haven't you?"
Mirage grinned but did not answer until they got out of their travel vehicle, "I think you make a cute bride."
The death glare returned and it looked like Cliff was just about to go off on a tirade with much profanity as the door was opened by a valet.
"Ah Reflector?" he said to Mirage who nodded, "We are pleased to greet you and your new mate; we hope you will enjoy your stay at the Starshine Resort."
"Oh thank you, I'm sure we will can you show us to our room?" Mirage winked.
Winked! "Starscream Resort more like," muttered Cliffjumper.
"Certainly sir. Do you say something, Stoneskater? Do you need something?"
Stoneskater! "Um, no, thank you."
"Come my own," Mirage put his hand out for Cliff to take and with a muttered obscenity he barely allowed himself to be taken in hand by his 'husband'.
When they reached their private cabin, the valet opened up while Mirage quickly swept Cliff into his arms.
"What the pit!" squawked Cliffjumper.
"Hush love, it's the custom to carry the 'bride' over the threshold."
"But..."
Mirage silenced him with a full mouth kiss and crossed over into the cabin, striding straight to the berth where he allowed them both to fall on to. The valet closed the door behind him.
'Why did this business have to adopt so many earth customs,' though Cliff as he landed on the berth with Mirage over him. "Why you!" Cliff tried to push Mirage off of him.
"Hey! I had to make it realistic, didn't I? We will be here for a while."
"I'm not sharing a berth with you!"
"Fine, there's a couch over there, make yourself at home."
"But why can't I have the berth?"
"I wouldn't fit on the couch."
"I will barely fit."
"I rest my case."
Cliffjumper crossed his arms in frustration, "So now what?"
"We make ourselves comfortable for the rest of the day and night. We might make an appearance tomorrow, but I think staying in here as long as possible would be for the best."
"You are kidding me?"
"No, most newly bonded have only one thing in mind at a place like this. Remember it's a honeymoon resort."
Cliff's eyes widened, "You want every mech here to think we're having... relations in here!"
"That is what I just said. You know your faceplate turns bright pink when you blush, it's kind of cute."
"Don't you dare call me cute! You are enjoying yourself way too much."
Mirage grinned, "Yes I am."
"Bastard."
"Oh, earth swear words now."
"Shut up. Is there a TV here, I may as well amuse myself that way."
"I believe there is a button for a down screen beside the couch. And not too loud that's not what we're supposed to be doing in here."
"Slag off."
He found the mech wrestling show amongst all the romance channels and settled down to watch that. Mirage eventually sat beside him and handed him a cube of high grade compliments of the resort and a tray of goodies to accompany it.
They didn't speak just watched the show, nibbled and drank.
In the evening Mirage retired to the washracks to take a shower, before moving to the huge berth to lay down.
Cliff switched off the TV and tried to make himself comfortable on the couch.
He gave up after an hour.
"We've all had to sleep together in worse conditions that this in our pasts. There's plenty of room and I won't touch you."
Cliff huffed but got up and lay down on the other side of the berth.
"Can I ask you a personal question?"
"If you have to."
"I don't have to, I'm just curious it's a part of my nature believe it or not."
"Fine."
"Have you...been with another mech before?"
"Of course I have!"
Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that you were a virgin or anything--"
"I'm NOT a virgin."
"Oh my, touchy subject. It's just I've never heard of you being with anyone."
"I could say the same of you."
"Oh no, in my line of work I sometimes have to use any means I have to get information."
Cliff remained silent, then, "You prostitute yourself for your job?"
"Only if I really need to and it's not as often as your tone implies. And don't evade my question, I am a spy remember."
"I...Not for a long time."
It sounded sad the way he said it.
"Let's recharge we can have some fun tomorrow, but don't get too worked up if I kiss you again."
"Worked up!"
"Hush Cliffjumper, treat this as a vacation.
"Fine." Cliff settled as they lay back on the berth.
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"Breakfast in bed, dear?" Mirage stood beside him holding a tray. "You must be worn out from the night; at least that's what the management presume."
Cliff wanted to death glare again, but he saw the tray of goodies and high grade and wanted some. "Whatever," he muttered as he sat up and took the offered tray.
Mirage picked up another tray and got back onto the berth to enjoy his breakfast too.
"We're going to have to act like a newly bonded couple, but we can still have some fun while we are here. There's this huge water slide I bet you would enjoy"
"I've never been anywhere like this before, any leave I've had before I've spent on a range."
"Then it's time you learned what it's like to really relax."
"But what about the bounty?"
"I've got things in place if we are traced here, and don't worry dear, I will protect my new mate with my life."
Death glare returned as Mirage grinned again, "You know you're cute when you glare."
"I AM NOT CUTE!"
The laughter continued as Cliff put aside his tray and stomped off to take a shower. When he returned the trays were gone, and the berth was made. Mirage was comfortable on the couch.
His partner, as that was what he had forced himself to accept, rose, "Ready for some fun?"
Cliff moved over to him, "As long as that is what it is."
"Trust me."
"Now you ask."
"What? You still don't trust me. I am working to keep you alive."
"I have to trust you, but I'd rather fight them."
"I'm sure you would, but these mech's do this for a living, they don't want to fight, they just want to kill you any way they can, that's what they're paid to do."
"I get that, but still, are you sure we couldn't have gone somewhere else?"
"And give up all this comfort? Fun, fuel and fraternizing?"
"Fraternizing? I thought we were supposed to not be enemies?"
"It means other things, you know."
"It better," muttered Cliff.
Just as they left the cabin, Mirage snatched up Cliff's hand and while he pulled against Mirage's hold, Cliff was unable to get it free. "Beautiful day, isn't it, beloved?"
'Beloved! Cliff was fuming though he could not show it, and he refused to answer.
Still they strolled along, Mirage swinging his arm, thus forcing Cliff to join in. Mirage had a huge grin on his face, he was so enjoying himself. His royal blue paint job literally glowed beside his smaller white companion.
"Smile dear, you might look out of place with a scowl on your face as usual."
Cliff gritted his dentas and managed a forced smile when another couple of Autobots passed them.
"So the water slide?" Mirage bounded in front of him still holding his hand.
Bounded! He'd never believe it if he hadn't just seen it. Mirage always seemed rather gloomy and quiet. This was definitely something different. And he never would have thought to hear the innuendos the mech had been making. While he figured he was deserving of some form of revenge from Mirage, he didn't think it would be anything like this.
Cliffjumper later had to take back everything he had ever said or thought about Mirage. Except for fighting, he had never had so much fun with the taller mech. They were like a couple of sparklings playing in the water, racing on the beach and visiting a nearby fun park with rides and games. They walked back to the resort eating frozen energon and Cliff was carrying a large teddy bear.
Even then Mirage said, "Dinner in, or at the restaurant, dear?" Cliff's smile did not disappear.
"Restaurant."
"You sure? We might have to be a little more intimate."
Cliff faulted a moment, "Yeah. I've never been to a high class restaurant."
Mirage smiled, it wasn't exactly high class, more like a romantic dining area, but he really didn't want to say that. He wanted to show Cliff more of a good time. He had enjoyed himself that day as well, enjoyed being in Cliff's company. They left the bear with a valet though.
Cliff looked around the mostly candle lit room, the tables were widely spaced and the other couples never really noticed their passing. Cliff however noticed that very few were mech/femme couples, most were mech/mech though he saw one femme/femme couple back against a dark wall.
A waiter led them to their table and they sat. Mirage ordered and Cliff nodded his acceptance of what he wanted, which was the same.
"You had fun today. I was so glad to see that scowl was gone."
"I can't help it; it's just the way I am."
"I like you better this way. You haven't had a lot of happiness in your life?"
"Like I said I haven't taken much leave. Don't get me wrong I go out to bars with acquaintances."
"Don't you have any close friends?"
"Well... not really. You?"
"I could say the same, but I meet some interesting characters in my line of work."
"Am I an interesting character?" At first Cliff wondered why he had said that.
"Yes."
Cliff didn't know how to answer that, and their order came, they settled in to eat and Cliff could feel Mirage watching him. It seemed so odd not to have some sort of comment to come out with, not even a nasty one.
Meal over, there was more high grade. They made small talk about their day and Mirage kept their cubes topped. In no time they were both tipsy and laughing at each other's silly jokes. Then Mirage reached across and cupped Cliff's face. They froze, and then the hand jumped away.
"Sorry," said Mirage.
Cliff kind of liked it, but knew he couldn't say that to him.
"Let's head back to the cabin," said Mirage and as they stood he said quietly, "I am going to put my arm around you, okay?"
"Sure...ah...sure," stumbled Cliffjumper.
Mirage wound his arm around his white companion as they made their way out, the waiters smiling as they passed.
Once outside it was dark and Mirage said, "Sorry about that touch, I just...probably the effects of the high grade."
"Yeah, that was it," answered Cliff, his faceplates felt heated up and he hoped Mirage could not see it.
When another couple came their way all cuddled together and kissing, Mirage stopped leaned down and kissed Cliff on the lips. Cliff didn't pull away; in fact he leaned into it and let Mirage take advantage. When they parted the couple were nowhere in sight, Mirage smiled and took Cliff's hand as they continued to their cabin, glad that Cliff hadn't pushed him off.
Cliff felt warm all over, what the pit was happening to him?
There was another bottle of high grade in the room when they arrived and Mirage immediately poured some into the cubes and handed one to Cliffjumper.
Should he really drink more? "It's already paid for, why not? Come let's sit on the couch," and patted the seat beside him. Cliff joined him. "You seemed to have liked that kiss."
Cliff knew his face plates had warmed up again, "I...ah...I...erg...suppose."
Mirage laughed then, "I liked kissing you."
"Really?" Cliff was surprised, then he gulped down most of his cube.
"Yes, really." Mirage slid his arm around the smaller mech's shoulders.
"Are you trying to seduce me?"
"I think maybe I am."
Cliff felt a jolt in his spark. Was it all just the high grade? How could a Towers mech ever want him?
The hand touched his face again, turning him gently. Their eyes met and Mirage leaned in to kiss him again. This time Cliff opened his mouth to appreciate the kiss more. In the end they came up for breath, both of their fans whirring hard.
Mirage stroked Cliff's face. "I didn't see this coming. It's not part of the act anymore. How do you feel Cliffjumper? Do you trust me?"
Cliffjumper sat there still surprised by what happened and what Mirage had just admitted. This from a mech he had pegged as the traitorous type. Right now however, he just wanted to be kissed again. "Kiss me," he said and Mirage happily complied.
After what seemed like hours of heavy petting Mirage said, "I want to make love to you, Cliff."
Cliff was heated up and his body was definitely willing, but it scared him.
Mirage realised that he might have pushed it too far, "But that can wait, let's just go to bed and cuddle. How about that?"
Cliff nodded and allowed Mirage to pull him up and led him to the berth. Once laying Mirage gently pulled Cliff to him and kissed him before Cliff turned and Mirage spooned behind him, holding him close and laid a final kiss on his helm, "Go to sleep, love."
Love. This time that word was not a part of his act. Cliff's spark leapt again as he accepted his endearment, damn it felt good to be held by another mech after so long. But, how the pit had he fallen for him so quickly?