[TF] Uncharted Territory 05/28
Jul. 25th, 2019 06:13 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dracoqueen22Title: Uncharted Territory
Universe: Transformers AR, Flights of Fancy AU
Characters: Blurr/Starscream, Original Human Character(s), Sari Sumdac, Miko Nakadai, Ratchet, Megatron, Rodimus, Red Alert, Others
Rated: M
Enticements: Sexual Content, Harpy/Human Sexual Content
Summary: There were a lot of things Blurr knew with great certainty: his path, his future, his happiness. Then Starscream swooped into his life and turned everything upside down in the best possible way.
Uncharted Territory
Chapter Five
A tingle spread up his spine, and Blurr knew without looking that he had an admirer. It was a common occurrence as of late. He glanced up from scribbling some notes, and slanted a look out the class window.
Starscream perched in the large oak tree, draped over the thick branches like he was posing for a still-life. His dark red and blue feathers stood out in stark relief against the green leaves and brown bark. He clung to the branch languidly, leaves fluttering to the ground beneath him.
As of now, he didn’t have a crowd gathered around him, but Blurr knew that would change in a split-second. Ever since Sari and Miko’s article hit the campus magazine, the amount of students interested in Starscream had tripled. They could hardly go anywhere without being waylaid now, and Blurr kept getting bombarded by the most irritating and impolite questions.
Blurr's fellow students hadn't noticed Starscream yet, mostly because they were all so focused on the lecture. Blurr wished he could learn that skill. He hadn’t been able to ignore Starscream once. Not since Starscream flittered into his life.
He once accused Starscream of casting a spell on him, like a special harpy magic.
Starscream laughed at him.
Harpies don’t have magic, he said with a little smirk. Like Blurr should’ve known.
Before coming to Kaon, Blurr had never seen a harpy, much less interacted with one. Back home, they kept to themselves and away from humans. He’d only glimpsed one from afar before, a dark blotch in the middle of a blue sky. He’d envied that harpy.
Blurr had no interest in harpies until Starscream swooped into his life. He wasn't an Avian Studies major, and he wasn't a member of H.A.R.P. He was a soon-to-be graduating senior who entertained dreams of maybe one day running in the big leagues while juggling a job in something easy, like contractual IT work.
He still didn't know why Starscream was interested in him.
Speaking of, the harpy's eyes lit up with glee when he noticed Blurr looking back at him. He lifted one taloned hand, wiggling his long fingers in a wave. He smiled with a mouthful of pointed canines that no human could match. Once, that would have unnerved Blurr.
Now, his face reddened as his stomach did a weird little flip. He forcibly turned his attention back to his notes because they were safer to look at than the pretty harpy in the tree. He had no idea where his instructor was in the lecture anymore. His thoughts scattered in all directions, and it was entirely Starscream's fault.
It usually was. Starscream had a talent for swooping in and scattering all of Blurr’s plans to the wind.
Blurr sighed.
He had enough trouble paying attention as it was without Starscream distracting him.
He propped his head on his hand and stared up at the whiteboard as his professor scribbled something in a bright blue marker. It looked like gibberish to Blurr. Maybe physics wasn't the best choice for an extra credit course. But like hell was he going to take existential poetry. Just the idea of it made his head spin.
Blurr was not suited for fancy things. But he liked numbers. So long as they made sense.
It was that much harder to concentrate now. Blurr was intensely aware of Starscream watching him through the window. The end of class couldn't come soon enough, and Blurr was one of the first to bolt from the room, already working himself into a righteous froth.
Not that yelling at Starscream ever seemed to faze him.
He wasn’t even sure why he was so angry, or if anger was even what he felt. Just that there was something bubbling and boiling inside of him, and Starscream had to be the catalyst.
Blurr left Archstone, the biological studies building, and headed straight for the massive oak tree. It rustled, several leaves drifting to the ground. A crowd started to gather.
Starscream couldn’t go anywhere without attracting attention. Now people in the crowd had noticed Blurr. They whispered and pointed at him, too. One person’s eyes lit up with interest, and he broke away from his friend, as if he intended to corner Blurr and start in with more of the invasive questions.
No. Blurr couldn’t deal with that. Not today.
Blurr spun and headed the opposite direction. He was going to get a latte and camp out in the back corner of the library. Hopefully, he could use the time and space to make sense of the squiggles of his physics notes. Maybe, if he ignored Starscream long enough, the harpy would get bored and leave Blurr be. Then Blurr could go back to his normal, boring life and stop dreaming about colorful feathers and sweet scents and warm hugs.
Maybe.
Blurr managed to get around the corner and halfway across the courtyard before the sound of shouting and rustling rose behind him. Blurr walked a little faster.
He heard a whistling, rushing noise. A shadow raced across the ground from above. Blurr groaned and braced himself seconds before there was a heavy thump and a whoosh of air next to him. Starscream landed, his wings slicking down the length of his arms as he clutched his talons behind his back.
“Where are you going?” Starscream sidled up to Blurr's side, casting a rather lengthy shadow. The harpy tried not to loom, but given that he was almost two feet taller than Blurr, he failed miserably.
Blurr looked up into a bright grin. “Somewhere to study. Do you have any idea how distracting you are?”
“Of course I am.” Starscream's plumage ruffled. He all but preened. “I’m a smol, remember? Beauty is what we’re born for.” He leaned closer, the sweet scent of fresh summer fruit cloaking him like a natural cologne. “Want to go for a flight?”
“No. I have to study.” A pang of regret tugged at him though. As terrifying as it was exhilarating, Blurr loved flying with Starscream.
“Study later.” Starscream's talons went click-click on the polished cobblestones. He didn’t notice the stares they attracted anymore. Or if he did, he no longer commented on them. “Or what are you studying? Perhaps I can help.”
Yeah. Right. If Starscream was sitting next to him, no way could Blurr concentrate on his homework. Starscream had been completely capturing the entirety of Blurr's attention from the moment he’d fluttered into Blurr’s life.
“It's physics,” Blurr said.
“And you think I don't know anything about it?”
Blurr whirled to face the harpy, hating he had to look up to do so. Starscream was two heads taller than him. Blurr couldn't imagine what it was like in Starscream’s aerie. He’d already admitted there were harpies much bigger than he was. It would be like being surrounded by feathery giants.
“I didn't say that.” Blurr shifted the weight of his backpack, trying not to sink under a sudden wave of guilt. “It’s just… I mean, I know you have other friends. Like Rathi.” No, that wasn’t a wave of jealousy either. “
Starscream tilted his head. “Is that a subtle way of asking me to get lost?”
Blurr gnawed on his bottom lip. “I didn’t mean that either. I just meant, wouldn't you rather spend time with other people? Maybe someone in Avian Studies or, you know, more interesting people.”
“If I did, I would be with them and not with you,” Starscream said with a patience that Blurr didn’t expect of the oft-impatient harpy.
“That doesn’t really answer my question,” Blurr said with an exasperated sigh. “I just don’t understand why you want to be here with me is all. You have better options.”
“I see.” Starscream straightened, his gaze flicked away. The smile fell off his lips. “I apologize. I didn’t mean to bother you.”
Blurr shook his head, heart suddenly thudding a worried, frantic rhythm. The sound of Starscream’s hurt tone was like an arrow to the chest.
“No. I’m sorry, Star. I’m not saying the right words.” He inhaled, his chest tight and heavy. “It’s just… it’s hard to focus around you, you know?”
He was distracting. Not just because he was smart and beautiful and colorful, but because of the twist in Blurr’s belly when Starscream smiled, and the way he always wanted to lean into Starscream’s presence, even if just to greedily inhale the fruit-sweet smell of him.
Starscream chuckled, thin and weak. “So I’m beginning to see.” He dipped his head in a bow. “I understand. I can leave you time to study. Will you be free tomorrow?” He was already backing away, even as he asked, something in his posture closed off.
Guilt clawed harder. Guilt and the knowledge he actually didn’t want Starscream to leave him alone. No matter how much easier it would make his life. He’d regret it if Starscream left.
Blurr’s resolve crumbled.
He eyed Starscream. “You really understand physics?”
“I do. It was my favorite subject of study,” Starscream replied, his tone a bit cautious, for all that his eyes brightened with pride. “Theoretical or applied?” He bobbed on his clawed feet like an excited toddler. “Not that it matters. I’m familiar with both.”
“Both?” Blurr was aghast. “I’m only taking Introductory.” He clutched at the straps of his backpack. “Are you sure you’re not made of magic?”
Starscream laughed, and tension eased out of the space between them. “Quite.” He leaned close, until his exhales teased Blurr’s face, smelling like berries. Harpies, Blurr knew, were mostly herbivores. “So. Can I help you?”
“You really want to?” Blurr asked.
Starscream flicked his talons over his chest. “Cross my core.”
He’d picked that up somewhere. Blurr had no idea where. Probably from Rathi, knowing she’d been plying Starscream with all kinds of terrible romance novels.
It was actually adorable, not that he’d say so aloud.
Blurr gave in. “All right. Come on.”
Glee warbled in Starscream’s throat. “Can we have more of that espresso stuff?” He fell in step beside Blurr again, tucking his hands behind his back, his feathers trailing along the pavement behind him.
“No.”
“Why not?”
Because it’s the equivalent of giving a child straight sugar, Blurr thought sourly. Sometimes, Starscream’s enthusiasm could be adorable. And sometimes it resulted in Blurr chasing around a harpy with the energy and destructive capability of a child.
“Because I said so.”
Starscream’s lower lip wobbled toward a pout. Blurr should not have found it as cute as he did. “Cinnamon rolls? Studying needs energy, doesn’t it?”
Blurr laughed, resolve tumbling all over again. “Fine. If that’s what you want. I’ll swing by the Union on our way to my dorm.” His spending allotment for the month would end up a little emptier, but it would be worth it.
Feathers ruffled in a show of utter delight. “Two?” Starscream hoped.
Blurr bit his lip so as not to laugh harder. “Sure.”
Starscream beamed. “I like those a lot more than the other stuff.” His nose twitched in remembered disgust. “Why is human food so weird?”
“Because we never stop experimenting.” Blurr chuckled. “Besides, I’m sure there are things harpies eat that I wouldn’t ever touch.”
Starscream sniffed and tossed his head, feathers ruffling with pride. “I doubt it,” he said, his tone imperious and more than a little haughty.
Blurr had to hide his grin. Starscream could be so full of himself sometimes. It would be annoying if it weren’t so charming.
“I have impeccable taste,” Starscream added.
Blurr arched an eyebrow. “So you don’t eat grubs then?”
Starscream’s jaw dropped before he reared back, as affronted as if Blurr had just insulted his mother. “Of course I don’t! I’m not a… a...”
“Bird?” Blurr prompted. This time he didn’t bother to hide his wicked grin. Riling Starscream up was fun in itself. If Starscream could embarrass Blurr with his lack of tact, then this was only fair.
Starscream stared at him with narrowed eyes. “You’re teasing me.”
Blurr grinned and jostled Starscream with an elbow. “Oh, so you noticed.”
Feathers lifted and ruffled in mock offense. Starscream bared his pointed teeth in a pretend growl. “For that, you owe me three cinnamon rolls,” he declared. One talon carefully prodded Blurr in the shoulder.
Blurr chuckled. “Deal.”
~
To this day, Blurr still wasn’t sure what he’d done to capture Starscream’s interest, or why the harpy had picked him, out of all the humans attending Kaon University, to strike up a friendship with. And yeah, at first, Starscream had been nothing but a pest, with his endless string of questions and his complete lack of tact or modesty.
But he’d been coming to the school pretty steadily now, and while he was polite with a lot of the other students, he seemed pretty determined to keep Blurr as a friend.
Blurr found he didn’t mind so much. He liked Starscream, for all his quirks, and watching the harpy try new things never ceased to be entertaining. Starscream’s reaction to cotton candy was a much beloved memory for whenever he needed a good laugh. Though there were days he’d like to forget.
Like the time Starscream found his porn for instance.
Primus. Starscream really did have no shame.
It was strange how quickly Blurr became used to having Starscream in his life. Oh, sure, the weekly visits could occasionally be irritating, and sometimes, they embarrassed Blurr. But when it came down to it, Starscream was actually the closest thing he had to a best friend.
If you spent a lot of time fantasizing about your best friend anyway. Blurr actually wouldn’t call it fantasizing. More like… distracted wondering. It wasn’t like he’d actually do anything. He just had the occasional night-dream and daydream, and these random urges to kiss Starscream. The harpy was so touchy-feely, Blurr couldn’t help himself.
Anyway, the point was, Starscream was his best friend.
Which was probably pretty pathetic, come to think of it. He’d been attending this university for three years, and the person closest to him was a harpy he’d met a few months ago?
Not so pathetic, however, when he looked at his test results and realized he’d actually passed a physics exam for once. It looked like he wouldn’t be scraping by with a passing grade in this class after all.
He owed Starscream a dozen cinnamon rolls. And whatever else the harpy wanted. Screw the declining balance in his student card. He had a harpy to thank!
The worst part of being friends with Starscream, however, was his inconsistent schedule. Sometimes, he visited three times a week. Sometimes, two weeks would pass before Blurr saw a single crimson feather. And sometimes, Starscream would show up on a Monday and not leave until Friday, taking up space in Blurr’s dorm room, leaving feathers all over the place, and complaining about how small Blurr’s space was.
It wasn’t small, by the way, Starscream was just big. Blurr had said as much.
“I’ll have you know,” Starscream had replied, all exaggerated affront and twitching crown feathers, “I’m actually small for my kind.”
Blurr had boggled at that. If Starscream was small, what did they consider big and should he be glad he’d never met one of them? He’d seen pictures of Perceptor and Drift, both previous residents before they’d left to live in the newly established Kaon aerie. Both of them were bigger than Starscream, but not by that much.
So naturally, for one of the rare times Blurr wanted to contact Starscream first, he couldn’t. It wasn’t like he could pick up a phone and give the harpy a call. Or put up some kind of signal in the sky. Their friendship revolved around Starscream’s whims.
Alas.
He grabbed his phone, checking for any messages. Zip. Zilch. Nada. Rathi, he already knew, was away, out of town for the weekend for some family business.
TJ was going to a game tonight, one that had nothing to do with sports. He’d tried inviting Blurr a couple times, but sitting down for several hours in a row trying to concentrate on an imaginary situation was not Blurr’s forte.
And the two of them were pretty much the extent of Blurr’s friends, outside of casual acquaintances.
Blurr sighed and slumped into his desk chair, rolling across the floor to scuttle to his desk. If he was going to be bored, he might as well get some work done. Papers didn’t write themselves, and message boards didn’t answer questions for him. Not to mention his e-mail.
He couldn’t remember the last time he’d checked it. Most of his professors still resisted the advent of certain technologies and rarely used e-mail. His inbox was usually stuffed full of university paraphernalia that went straight into the recycle bin, when he bothered to check it anyway.
Sports announcements. Charity events. Weekly specials for the coffeehouse. Coupons for the local pizza parlor. Requests to send money to a faraway prince…
Oh, and an invitation to a dorm hall mixer two nights ago. Oops. He missed that. Intentionally. Blurr couldn’t remember the last time he actually attended one of those. They were so… boring? People had already formed their friendship cliques and while Blurr was acquainted with everyone else on his floor, he wasn’t close to any of them.
Blurr deleted the email, and then on a whim, just selected all of his emails and deleted them. All except for the one marked high importance. Only it wasn’t, because it was just a reminder for the Halloween costume party this weekend.
Pass.
Blurr declined just so he could delete the invitation.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Blurr blinked. Why did it sound like someone was tapping on his window? He was on the third floor. That should be impossible.
He swung out of his chair, hip-checked it aside, and pulled back the curtain. He reached for the cord to the ever-necessary blinds. Sunrise sent rays of blinding light into his room so he’d learned to have extra coverage.
The blinds drew up, and an upside-down face peered back at him. It was framed by bright red and blue feathers.
Blurr startled and jerked back. “What the frag!” he shrieked. “Starscream!”
The harpy grinned and wriggled his fingers at Blurr. He said something, but Blurrr couldn’t hear him through the double-paned glass. Talons rapped on the window again, a sharp staccato.
Blurr shook his head and pointed to his ears. “I can’t hear you!” he said, mouthing the words.
Starscream blinked and reared back, his feathers fluttering around him. He said something else and rapped on the glass.
“The window doesn’t open!” Blurr said, and then almost smacked himself in the face. If he couldn’t hear Starscream, obviously Starscream couldn’t hear him. He rolled his eyes and held up a finger. “One minute!”
He snapped the blinds and curtains closed, shoved his feet into a pair of runners and grabbed his jacket from the hook by the door. He took the emergency stairs down because they were faster than waiting for the elevator, and he didn’t have to pass any of his floormates. There were benefits to having the small single on the corner.
Blurr emerged on the north-facing side of the building and broke into a light jog to round the corner, looking up the face of the building as he did so. He didn’t know if Starscream was still clinging to the side like some kind of spider, or if the harpy had moved to the ground.
It was late. Later than Starscream usually arrived. It was almost sundown, and the fading light cast odd shadows all around the residential complex. Night lamps buzzed and crackled, attracting flocks of insects.
Starscream was not where Blurr had left him. Darn it. It was too damn cold out here to play hide and seek!
Blurr raised his voice, which echoed oddly in the still evening. “Star?”
“Why didn’t you let me in?”
Blurr, to his credit, did not shriek like a little girl as he jumped and spun all in one startled motion, nearly unbalancing himself and tumbling in the process. He pinwheeled his arms to keep his balance before planting his feet and glaring at the harpy, who stood behind him. It was not fair that something so large should be able to creep around like that.
“Primus, Star! Stop sneaking up on me!” he hissed.
Starscream rolled his eyes. “At least I didn’t grab you this time.” He grinned and crossed his arms, leaning toward Blurr with mischief in his eyes. “Were you busy?”
“No, the windows don’t open. For safety reasons or something.” Blurr exhaled and swept a hand over his head, trying to calm his raging heart. “You’re here pretty late.”
Starscream shrugged. “Just seems that way because the sun is setting earlier. Besides, I was hoping a friendly neighborhood human might offer me a place to stay tonight.”
“Of course you were.” Blurr shook his head, swallowing down a laugh. He couldn’t let himself be too visibly amused or Starscream would take advantage of his good nature even more than he already did. “Lucky for you, I’m feeling generous. Especially since I owe you.”
Starscream tilted his head. “For what?”
Blurr poked him in the chest, above his crossed arms. “Guess who passed their physics mid-term?”
“Really?” Starscream’s grin nearly split his face in two. “Blurr, that’s great!”
Blurr was abruptly swept up into a feathery hug. He squeaked, entirely undignified, as he face was pressed to Starscream’s chest. The scent of fruit invaded his nose, sweet and tangy. Blurr kind of wanted to bury his face in Starscream’s feathers forever.
“I’m so proud of you!” Starscream said. The rapid beat of his core danced in Blurr’s ears, pressed as close as he was.
His face heated. “Well, it’s mostly thanks to you,” he said, and squirmed.
“You’re smart, Blurr. You would’ve been fine.” Starscream gently set him back down, though he beamed at Blurr as though he’d invented the lightbulb. “I’m glad I could help.”
Blurr coughed into his hand before shoving both into his pockets. The wind picked up, carrying with it the autumn chill. “So I owe you one,” he said, trying to play it off. “Whatever you want, name it.”
“Anything?” Starscream cocked his head to the side, and there it was again, that mischievous look in his eyes.
Also, he really looked like a bird when he did that. Blurr didn’t tell him though. He saved that little gem for later.
“Within reason and reach of my bank account,” Blurr amended with a laugh.
Starscream straightened. “Can I have coffee?” If he were a dog, his tail would have wagged, given the way his eyes lit up.
Blurr swallowed down his groan. “Sure.” Reluctance poured over him, but he’d made a promise. He’d stick to it. “But in the morning.”
“So I can stay?” Starscream rocked on his heels, talons clicking on the cobblestones of the residential courtyard.
It wouldn’t be the first time. Blurr’s floormates had gotten used to seeing Starscream lurking about. It wasn’t as though Blurr could hide a nearly eight foot tall bright red and blue walking, talking bird, now could he?
“You can stay.” At least tomorrow was Saturday. No worries about studying or anything important. He could sleep in and do whatever.
Starscream swept him up in a hug again, and this time, Blurr curled his arms around Starscream in return. Starscream’s enthusiasm was infectious, and the bloom of warmth he built inside of Blurr wasn’t too bad either.
Sure it’d take him the better part of a day to vacuum and dust out the bits of feather molt once Starscream actually left. And Starscream had the bad habit of leaving seed scraps and shells on the floor. But he was company, friendly company, and frankly, Blurr liked having him around.
Feathery company was far, far better than none.
~~
Morning came.
Blurr groaned and pulled a pillow over his head. He didn’t bother to glance at the clock, only knowing that it had to be an indecent time. He and Starscream had stayed up half the night, barreling through Blurr’s DVD collection and binging on junk food.
Starscream really liked Cracker Jack. He ate the entirety of Blurr’s stock, and then had to learn the benefits of a toothbrush and floss to get all the popcorn kernels from between his teeth. He vowed to take a whole bag of supplies of dental products back to the aerie with him.
Blurr was glad he kept all of those disposable toothbrushes from the annual dental visits because the buzz from the electric one made Starscream’s feathers rise on end. Like a startled kitten! Adorable, but not quite what Blurr was going for.
Blurr rolled over, or at least he tried to, but there was a warm, breathing mass curled up next to him, when he could have sworn he’d left Starscream konked out in the bed. He absently petted the feathers nearest to his hand before reality caught up to him.
What was he doing?
He jerked his hand back, mortified, and sat up, dislodging the blankets twisted around his legs. Starscream lay next to him, body curled as though cradling Blurr, the wings of his arms scrunched between them. Why had he got down from the bed? It wasn’t that cold in here.
The pile of feathers stirred. “Your floor is hard,” Starscream grumbled as he pushed himself upright, the feathers on his head fluffing out before settling down.
Blurr arched an eyebrow. “You had the bed.”
“It’s too small,” Starscream complained for the thousandth time, and leveraged himself to his taloned feet, limbs stretching in all directions. “What’s for breakfast?”
“Is food all you ever think about it?” Blurr hoped his tone came off teasing, even as he spun onto his knees to get up, so Starscream couldn’t see his face.
He was blushing for no reason. He felt hot and weird all over, and he didn’t want to think about what that meant, except it was so startlingly similar to the feeling he had the first time he realized how badly he wanted to kiss one of his male classmates.
And look how well that turned out.
“It is when you promised me a treat,” Starscream said with that pleased little warble he sometimes made deep in his chest.
Blurr snorted and nudged the assorted bedding into a ball against the wall. He’d straighten it up later. “Fine, fine. Let me change and we can go.”
“Pfft. Humans are so finicky. Changing clothes.” It was Starscream’s turn to snort. Blurr heard the distinct noise of his feet talons plucking at the carpet. “Sounds so exhausting.”
Blurr rolled his eyes and ignored Starscream. He pulled out a sweatshirt and shrugged into it, before yanking on a pair of loose jeans over his sleep shorts. He tried not to think too hard about how he’d been nearly naked with Starscream spooning next to him, all warmth and softness and heated breaths tickling the back of his neck…
“Ready to go?”
Blurr did not leap out of his skin, but he hastily snapped his belt shut and turned, coming face to chest with feathers.
“Primus, Starscream, can I have some breathing room?” he snapped.
The harpy blinked at him and cocked his head. “Your room is small,” he said, but he still obediently took a large, exaggerated step backward, and collided with Blurr’s desk chair. “Better?”
Not really. Now he felt guilty as well as jumpy. His own weird thoughts weren’t any excuse for being rude to Starscream. After all, it wasn’t the harpy’s fault Blurr couldn’t get his mind out of the very odd gutter.
He sighed and scrubbed a hand down his face. “Sorry. Guess I just need my morning coffee.” He forced a grin behind his palm. “Yeah. I’m ready. Let’s go.” He grabbed his wallet and keys, shoving them into his pocket.
“Are you sure?” Starscream followed, though with a noticeable distance now, rather than at Blurr’s heels like usual. “You look red, and I’m told that’s not good for humans.”
“I just need my coffee is all,” Blurr insisted. “I’m not a morning person.”
“I’m not sure this counts as morning anymore,” Starscream said with a little chuckle. He followed Blurr into the elevator, and pressed himself into the corner, as he always did.
Blurr couldn’t fault him for that. Elevators made him uncomfortable, too. But sometimes, he was too lazy for the stairs.
“It does if you’re a college student.” Blurr grinned and moved closer to Starscream as the doors closed, purely for moral support of course and not because Starscream leaned against him, a shiver running through his feathers.
“In my aerie, there is not a single harpy who would still be abed at this hour,” Starscream said as the elevator clunked its way downward. “There is far too much to do.”
A lurch and a low beep and the elevator dropped them off at the ground floor, with Starscream the first out, leaving a feather behind. Blurr scooped it up and tucked it away in his hoodie. Another one for the collection.
“So you say, and yet you’re always here.” They stepped into a crisp mid-morning, the grass twinkling with dew and the air smelling of an oncoming thunderstorm. “Don’t you have duties?”
“Of course I do.” Starscream ruffled, quite literally, his feathers quivering. “And my work is always done before I come here, I’ll have you know.”
Blurr chuckled. “Just checking.”
Mid-morning it might be, but the campus hadn’t really woken. Blurr could see a few of his fellow students out for a jog – which he should have done but too late now. At least the line in the Union would be short.
“Come on.” Blurr pushed open the double doors, gesturing Starscream inside. “Let’s get you that reward.”
“Coffee,” Starscream chirped. “Espresso.”
“We’ll see.”
Bells announced their entrance. There were a few students with dark circles under their eyes tucked into the corners, huddled over laptops and piles of paper, clutching lattes like the caffeine was a lifeline. It was a testament to how accustomed the college was to harpies and Starscream that no one gave Starscream a second glance.
Blurr inhaled deeply, the scent of coffee and pastries already energizing him. Starscream eagerly preceded him to the counter, all but jittering in place as he waited in line behind a couple of women.
Excitement on Starscream was adorable. Especially as he craned his neck to peer into the pastry case, though Blurr had a feeling he’d default to cinnamon rolls. They were his favorite, and while Starscream liked trying new things, rewards weren’t for new experiences. Rewards were for more of the best.
The two women stepped aside.
“Good morning!” the cashier chirped at them, not even blinking at Starscream. “What can I get for you?”
“An iced caramel espresso!” Starscream said, leaning eagerly forward, his talons clicking on the counter edge and a long feather nearly knocking over the tip jar. When Blurr coughed, he eased back and added, “Please.”
“He means a latte,” Blurr clarified as he rushed to catch the jar. He righted it as Starscream leaned over to peer into the case again, and Blurr took his chance.
He frantically whispered, “And make it a decaf for the love of all that is good in the world.”
The cashier – whose name tag read Carly – chuckled. A stud twinkled in her left nostril. “Sure thing. And for you?”
Blurr eyed Starscream and his quivering feathers. Soon to be energized even further by all the sugar he was about to consume. “Double-shot americano.”
Carly’s grin got impossibly wide as she snatched up a cup and scribbled his order onto it. “I hear you. Would you like anything else?”
“Cinnamon rolls!” Starscream chirped, predictably. He leaned back into Blurr’s personal space and tapped two fingers on the counter. “Three of them.”
“Three?” Blurr echoed and gave Starscream a long look. Three was definitely pushing it. “Are you sure?” Because after the Cracker Jack last night, and a caramel latte? Maybe Starscream didn’t need that much sugar.
Starscream blinked. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Well, you...” Blurr shifted uneasily. “Lately, you’ve been getting a little fluffy, and I read that even the smallest weight gain in birds could impact their flying ability because it makes them too heavy for lift and--”
He knew he’d said far too much in that rush of words when Starscream abruptly drew up to his full height and looked down at Blurr with fire in his eyes.
“I’m not getting fat!” he snarled, feathers standing on end, and fluffing around his face in a crown of annoyance. “My winter coat is coming in! I’m supposed to look like this!”
Oh.
Blurr’s face reddened. He shifted again. Well, how was he supposed to know that? He wasn’t a harpy expert! Starscream tended to devour sweets like they were going to run away from him. Anyone else would have gained weight ten times over by now, Blurr included.
“And, as I keep telling you, I’m not a bird!”
Well, this morning couldn’t get any more mortifying.
“So how many cinnamon rolls would you like?” Carly asked ever so sweetly, as the two ladies waiting for their drinks accepted them from the other workers, giggling to each other as they eyed Blurr and Starscream.
The heat in Blurr’s cheeks turned to scorching. He shoved his hands in his jean pockets. “As many as he wants.”
Starscream sniffed haughtily and folded his arms, the very picture of outrage. “I’ll take them all.” He then stared at Blurr as if daring him to refuse.
Blurr chewed on his bottom lip just to keep from commenting. Thank Primus there were only about half a dozen in the case. Forget Starscream getting fat. He’d make himself sick eating all of those! Each roll was the size of Blurr’s fist!
“All of them,” Blurr said with a small sigh and dug out his wallet. “How much?”
To her credit, Carly never once lost her blinding grin, and if anything, she seemed highly amused. For the trouble, Blurr stuffed a five into the tip jar and ushered Starscream aside so the customers behind them could order.
Starscream, who was now making every concerted effort to pretend Blurr did not exist. He examined the menu hanging on the wall behind the counter with a scrutiny best reserved for exams or textbooks. And his feathers had clamped tight, eliminating the slight… fluff Blurr had noticed.
Blurr realized, at once, that he’d basically performed the equivalent of calling his significant other fat. In public. Well, that was him in a nutshell. Open mouth, insert foot, plus the ankle, calf and knee.
“Would you like whipped cream?” the sweet barista behind the counter asked as she prepared their drinks. Her hands moved efficiently, and however she managed to do it without looking was a mystery to Blurr.
“I don’t know,” Starscream drawled with a side-eyed glance Blurr’s direction. “I might need to watch my figure.”
“Honey, you don’t need to watch anything. You’re gorgeous the way you are.” The blonde woman winked and promptly swirled a huge mound of whipped cream on the latte, before she drizzled it with more caramel than Blurr had ever gotten on lattes of his own.
If a harpy’s eyes could light up with glee, Starscream’s surely did. He loved whipped cream as much as he loved the sweet glaze on a cinnamon roll. Blurr had never met someone with such a sweet tooth before.
“I am beautiful, aren’t I?” Starscream preened as he gleefully reached for the latte (hopefully decaf) he was offered. “Thank you!”
“You’re welcome, honey.” The barista -- whose name tag read Lydia -- remained all smiles, even as she handed over the bag of cinnamon rolls and Blurr’s double-shot. “Good luck today, cutie. Seems like he’s a handful,” she added in a hushed tone.
“You have no idea.” Blurr grinned as the paper sack crinkled in his hands. “Have a good day.”
“You, too!”
Starscream flounced out the door, and Blurr trailed in his wake, knowing that he had to apologize and trying to figure out how without swallowing more of his own extremities. He forgot how very vain Starscream could be.
Outside, Starscream sipped furiously on his latte, and Blurr once again hoped it was decaf. He stood with his back to Blurr, carefully cupping the plastic so as not to puncture it, as he had once before. He was still visibly tense, feathers drawn tight, shoulders hunched.
Blurr braced himself and swallowed his pride. He stepped up next to Starscream and tapped him with the paper sack. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I’m an idiot.”
“This is true.” Starscream snorted. He turned toward Blurr, eying the bag. “You keep them.” He whipped away, feathers smacking Blurr in the process.
Blurr sighed. “I got them for you. As a thank you. And seriously, Star. I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking. You look great.”
More than great, if his stupid brain was any indication. Stupid thoughts of cuddling the pretty harpy, or nuzzling his face, or kissing him. Of stroking his fingers over those soft feathers. Starscream was alien and beautiful, and Blurr couldn’t remember ever wanting someone as much as he did Starscream.
He was an idiot for thinking it.
Slurp went the straw and latte, rattling as Starscream swirled it. It was barely sixty degrees out here and still he’d wanted something iced. Probably because iced drinks weren’t a thing in his aerie.
“I’m going to get even fluffier, in case you didn’t know,” Starscream said around a mouthful of latte. “Though, again, not as much as others.”
“I didn’t know,” Blurr admitted. “I don’t know much at all, except what you’ve told me. I’d like to know more though.” He held up the bag again. “How about we split them then? Half for you, half for me?” He wriggled it, making the paper crinkle. “I’ll get more Cracker Jack, too.”
Starscream finally looked at him and cracked a half-grin. “Peace offering?”
“And apology both.”
He plucked the bag from Blurr’s hand. “We’ll share,” he said and leaned in close, his breath smelling of coffee and caramel. Blurr tried not to think too much of stealing his lips for a kiss that was probably illegal. “I forgive you.”
Blurr grinned.
***
Universe: Transformers AR, Flights of Fancy AU
Characters: Blurr/Starscream, Original Human Character(s), Sari Sumdac, Miko Nakadai, Ratchet, Megatron, Rodimus, Red Alert, Others
Rated: M
Enticements: Sexual Content, Harpy/Human Sexual Content
Summary: There were a lot of things Blurr knew with great certainty: his path, his future, his happiness. Then Starscream swooped into his life and turned everything upside down in the best possible way.
Chapter Five
A tingle spread up his spine, and Blurr knew without looking that he had an admirer. It was a common occurrence as of late. He glanced up from scribbling some notes, and slanted a look out the class window.
Starscream perched in the large oak tree, draped over the thick branches like he was posing for a still-life. His dark red and blue feathers stood out in stark relief against the green leaves and brown bark. He clung to the branch languidly, leaves fluttering to the ground beneath him.
As of now, he didn’t have a crowd gathered around him, but Blurr knew that would change in a split-second. Ever since Sari and Miko’s article hit the campus magazine, the amount of students interested in Starscream had tripled. They could hardly go anywhere without being waylaid now, and Blurr kept getting bombarded by the most irritating and impolite questions.
Blurr's fellow students hadn't noticed Starscream yet, mostly because they were all so focused on the lecture. Blurr wished he could learn that skill. He hadn’t been able to ignore Starscream once. Not since Starscream flittered into his life.
He once accused Starscream of casting a spell on him, like a special harpy magic.
Starscream laughed at him.
Harpies don’t have magic, he said with a little smirk. Like Blurr should’ve known.
Before coming to Kaon, Blurr had never seen a harpy, much less interacted with one. Back home, they kept to themselves and away from humans. He’d only glimpsed one from afar before, a dark blotch in the middle of a blue sky. He’d envied that harpy.
Blurr had no interest in harpies until Starscream swooped into his life. He wasn't an Avian Studies major, and he wasn't a member of H.A.R.P. He was a soon-to-be graduating senior who entertained dreams of maybe one day running in the big leagues while juggling a job in something easy, like contractual IT work.
He still didn't know why Starscream was interested in him.
Speaking of, the harpy's eyes lit up with glee when he noticed Blurr looking back at him. He lifted one taloned hand, wiggling his long fingers in a wave. He smiled with a mouthful of pointed canines that no human could match. Once, that would have unnerved Blurr.
Now, his face reddened as his stomach did a weird little flip. He forcibly turned his attention back to his notes because they were safer to look at than the pretty harpy in the tree. He had no idea where his instructor was in the lecture anymore. His thoughts scattered in all directions, and it was entirely Starscream's fault.
It usually was. Starscream had a talent for swooping in and scattering all of Blurr’s plans to the wind.
Blurr sighed.
He had enough trouble paying attention as it was without Starscream distracting him.
He propped his head on his hand and stared up at the whiteboard as his professor scribbled something in a bright blue marker. It looked like gibberish to Blurr. Maybe physics wasn't the best choice for an extra credit course. But like hell was he going to take existential poetry. Just the idea of it made his head spin.
Blurr was not suited for fancy things. But he liked numbers. So long as they made sense.
It was that much harder to concentrate now. Blurr was intensely aware of Starscream watching him through the window. The end of class couldn't come soon enough, and Blurr was one of the first to bolt from the room, already working himself into a righteous froth.
Not that yelling at Starscream ever seemed to faze him.
He wasn’t even sure why he was so angry, or if anger was even what he felt. Just that there was something bubbling and boiling inside of him, and Starscream had to be the catalyst.
Blurr left Archstone, the biological studies building, and headed straight for the massive oak tree. It rustled, several leaves drifting to the ground. A crowd started to gather.
Starscream couldn’t go anywhere without attracting attention. Now people in the crowd had noticed Blurr. They whispered and pointed at him, too. One person’s eyes lit up with interest, and he broke away from his friend, as if he intended to corner Blurr and start in with more of the invasive questions.
No. Blurr couldn’t deal with that. Not today.
Blurr spun and headed the opposite direction. He was going to get a latte and camp out in the back corner of the library. Hopefully, he could use the time and space to make sense of the squiggles of his physics notes. Maybe, if he ignored Starscream long enough, the harpy would get bored and leave Blurr be. Then Blurr could go back to his normal, boring life and stop dreaming about colorful feathers and sweet scents and warm hugs.
Maybe.
Blurr managed to get around the corner and halfway across the courtyard before the sound of shouting and rustling rose behind him. Blurr walked a little faster.
He heard a whistling, rushing noise. A shadow raced across the ground from above. Blurr groaned and braced himself seconds before there was a heavy thump and a whoosh of air next to him. Starscream landed, his wings slicking down the length of his arms as he clutched his talons behind his back.
“Where are you going?” Starscream sidled up to Blurr's side, casting a rather lengthy shadow. The harpy tried not to loom, but given that he was almost two feet taller than Blurr, he failed miserably.
Blurr looked up into a bright grin. “Somewhere to study. Do you have any idea how distracting you are?”
“Of course I am.” Starscream's plumage ruffled. He all but preened. “I’m a smol, remember? Beauty is what we’re born for.” He leaned closer, the sweet scent of fresh summer fruit cloaking him like a natural cologne. “Want to go for a flight?”
“No. I have to study.” A pang of regret tugged at him though. As terrifying as it was exhilarating, Blurr loved flying with Starscream.
“Study later.” Starscream's talons went click-click on the polished cobblestones. He didn’t notice the stares they attracted anymore. Or if he did, he no longer commented on them. “Or what are you studying? Perhaps I can help.”
Yeah. Right. If Starscream was sitting next to him, no way could Blurr concentrate on his homework. Starscream had been completely capturing the entirety of Blurr's attention from the moment he’d fluttered into Blurr’s life.
“It's physics,” Blurr said.
“And you think I don't know anything about it?”
Blurr whirled to face the harpy, hating he had to look up to do so. Starscream was two heads taller than him. Blurr couldn't imagine what it was like in Starscream’s aerie. He’d already admitted there were harpies much bigger than he was. It would be like being surrounded by feathery giants.
“I didn't say that.” Blurr shifted the weight of his backpack, trying not to sink under a sudden wave of guilt. “It’s just… I mean, I know you have other friends. Like Rathi.” No, that wasn’t a wave of jealousy either. “
Starscream tilted his head. “Is that a subtle way of asking me to get lost?”
Blurr gnawed on his bottom lip. “I didn’t mean that either. I just meant, wouldn't you rather spend time with other people? Maybe someone in Avian Studies or, you know, more interesting people.”
“If I did, I would be with them and not with you,” Starscream said with a patience that Blurr didn’t expect of the oft-impatient harpy.
“That doesn’t really answer my question,” Blurr said with an exasperated sigh. “I just don’t understand why you want to be here with me is all. You have better options.”
“I see.” Starscream straightened, his gaze flicked away. The smile fell off his lips. “I apologize. I didn’t mean to bother you.”
Blurr shook his head, heart suddenly thudding a worried, frantic rhythm. The sound of Starscream’s hurt tone was like an arrow to the chest.
“No. I’m sorry, Star. I’m not saying the right words.” He inhaled, his chest tight and heavy. “It’s just… it’s hard to focus around you, you know?”
He was distracting. Not just because he was smart and beautiful and colorful, but because of the twist in Blurr’s belly when Starscream smiled, and the way he always wanted to lean into Starscream’s presence, even if just to greedily inhale the fruit-sweet smell of him.
Starscream chuckled, thin and weak. “So I’m beginning to see.” He dipped his head in a bow. “I understand. I can leave you time to study. Will you be free tomorrow?” He was already backing away, even as he asked, something in his posture closed off.
Guilt clawed harder. Guilt and the knowledge he actually didn’t want Starscream to leave him alone. No matter how much easier it would make his life. He’d regret it if Starscream left.
Blurr’s resolve crumbled.
He eyed Starscream. “You really understand physics?”
“I do. It was my favorite subject of study,” Starscream replied, his tone a bit cautious, for all that his eyes brightened with pride. “Theoretical or applied?” He bobbed on his clawed feet like an excited toddler. “Not that it matters. I’m familiar with both.”
“Both?” Blurr was aghast. “I’m only taking Introductory.” He clutched at the straps of his backpack. “Are you sure you’re not made of magic?”
Starscream laughed, and tension eased out of the space between them. “Quite.” He leaned close, until his exhales teased Blurr’s face, smelling like berries. Harpies, Blurr knew, were mostly herbivores. “So. Can I help you?”
“You really want to?” Blurr asked.
Starscream flicked his talons over his chest. “Cross my core.”
He’d picked that up somewhere. Blurr had no idea where. Probably from Rathi, knowing she’d been plying Starscream with all kinds of terrible romance novels.
It was actually adorable, not that he’d say so aloud.
Blurr gave in. “All right. Come on.”
Glee warbled in Starscream’s throat. “Can we have more of that espresso stuff?” He fell in step beside Blurr again, tucking his hands behind his back, his feathers trailing along the pavement behind him.
“No.”
“Why not?”
Because it’s the equivalent of giving a child straight sugar, Blurr thought sourly. Sometimes, Starscream’s enthusiasm could be adorable. And sometimes it resulted in Blurr chasing around a harpy with the energy and destructive capability of a child.
“Because I said so.”
Starscream’s lower lip wobbled toward a pout. Blurr should not have found it as cute as he did. “Cinnamon rolls? Studying needs energy, doesn’t it?”
Blurr laughed, resolve tumbling all over again. “Fine. If that’s what you want. I’ll swing by the Union on our way to my dorm.” His spending allotment for the month would end up a little emptier, but it would be worth it.
Feathers ruffled in a show of utter delight. “Two?” Starscream hoped.
Blurr bit his lip so as not to laugh harder. “Sure.”
Starscream beamed. “I like those a lot more than the other stuff.” His nose twitched in remembered disgust. “Why is human food so weird?”
“Because we never stop experimenting.” Blurr chuckled. “Besides, I’m sure there are things harpies eat that I wouldn’t ever touch.”
Starscream sniffed and tossed his head, feathers ruffling with pride. “I doubt it,” he said, his tone imperious and more than a little haughty.
Blurr had to hide his grin. Starscream could be so full of himself sometimes. It would be annoying if it weren’t so charming.
“I have impeccable taste,” Starscream added.
Blurr arched an eyebrow. “So you don’t eat grubs then?”
Starscream’s jaw dropped before he reared back, as affronted as if Blurr had just insulted his mother. “Of course I don’t! I’m not a… a...”
“Bird?” Blurr prompted. This time he didn’t bother to hide his wicked grin. Riling Starscream up was fun in itself. If Starscream could embarrass Blurr with his lack of tact, then this was only fair.
Starscream stared at him with narrowed eyes. “You’re teasing me.”
Blurr grinned and jostled Starscream with an elbow. “Oh, so you noticed.”
Feathers lifted and ruffled in mock offense. Starscream bared his pointed teeth in a pretend growl. “For that, you owe me three cinnamon rolls,” he declared. One talon carefully prodded Blurr in the shoulder.
Blurr chuckled. “Deal.”
To this day, Blurr still wasn’t sure what he’d done to capture Starscream’s interest, or why the harpy had picked him, out of all the humans attending Kaon University, to strike up a friendship with. And yeah, at first, Starscream had been nothing but a pest, with his endless string of questions and his complete lack of tact or modesty.
But he’d been coming to the school pretty steadily now, and while he was polite with a lot of the other students, he seemed pretty determined to keep Blurr as a friend.
Blurr found he didn’t mind so much. He liked Starscream, for all his quirks, and watching the harpy try new things never ceased to be entertaining. Starscream’s reaction to cotton candy was a much beloved memory for whenever he needed a good laugh. Though there were days he’d like to forget.
Like the time Starscream found his porn for instance.
Primus. Starscream really did have no shame.
It was strange how quickly Blurr became used to having Starscream in his life. Oh, sure, the weekly visits could occasionally be irritating, and sometimes, they embarrassed Blurr. But when it came down to it, Starscream was actually the closest thing he had to a best friend.
If you spent a lot of time fantasizing about your best friend anyway. Blurr actually wouldn’t call it fantasizing. More like… distracted wondering. It wasn’t like he’d actually do anything. He just had the occasional night-dream and daydream, and these random urges to kiss Starscream. The harpy was so touchy-feely, Blurr couldn’t help himself.
Anyway, the point was, Starscream was his best friend.
Which was probably pretty pathetic, come to think of it. He’d been attending this university for three years, and the person closest to him was a harpy he’d met a few months ago?
Not so pathetic, however, when he looked at his test results and realized he’d actually passed a physics exam for once. It looked like he wouldn’t be scraping by with a passing grade in this class after all.
He owed Starscream a dozen cinnamon rolls. And whatever else the harpy wanted. Screw the declining balance in his student card. He had a harpy to thank!
The worst part of being friends with Starscream, however, was his inconsistent schedule. Sometimes, he visited three times a week. Sometimes, two weeks would pass before Blurr saw a single crimson feather. And sometimes, Starscream would show up on a Monday and not leave until Friday, taking up space in Blurr’s dorm room, leaving feathers all over the place, and complaining about how small Blurr’s space was.
It wasn’t small, by the way, Starscream was just big. Blurr had said as much.
“I’ll have you know,” Starscream had replied, all exaggerated affront and twitching crown feathers, “I’m actually small for my kind.”
Blurr had boggled at that. If Starscream was small, what did they consider big and should he be glad he’d never met one of them? He’d seen pictures of Perceptor and Drift, both previous residents before they’d left to live in the newly established Kaon aerie. Both of them were bigger than Starscream, but not by that much.
So naturally, for one of the rare times Blurr wanted to contact Starscream first, he couldn’t. It wasn’t like he could pick up a phone and give the harpy a call. Or put up some kind of signal in the sky. Their friendship revolved around Starscream’s whims.
Alas.
He grabbed his phone, checking for any messages. Zip. Zilch. Nada. Rathi, he already knew, was away, out of town for the weekend for some family business.
TJ was going to a game tonight, one that had nothing to do with sports. He’d tried inviting Blurr a couple times, but sitting down for several hours in a row trying to concentrate on an imaginary situation was not Blurr’s forte.
And the two of them were pretty much the extent of Blurr’s friends, outside of casual acquaintances.
Blurr sighed and slumped into his desk chair, rolling across the floor to scuttle to his desk. If he was going to be bored, he might as well get some work done. Papers didn’t write themselves, and message boards didn’t answer questions for him. Not to mention his e-mail.
He couldn’t remember the last time he’d checked it. Most of his professors still resisted the advent of certain technologies and rarely used e-mail. His inbox was usually stuffed full of university paraphernalia that went straight into the recycle bin, when he bothered to check it anyway.
Sports announcements. Charity events. Weekly specials for the coffeehouse. Coupons for the local pizza parlor. Requests to send money to a faraway prince…
Oh, and an invitation to a dorm hall mixer two nights ago. Oops. He missed that. Intentionally. Blurr couldn’t remember the last time he actually attended one of those. They were so… boring? People had already formed their friendship cliques and while Blurr was acquainted with everyone else on his floor, he wasn’t close to any of them.
Blurr deleted the email, and then on a whim, just selected all of his emails and deleted them. All except for the one marked high importance. Only it wasn’t, because it was just a reminder for the Halloween costume party this weekend.
Pass.
Blurr declined just so he could delete the invitation.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Blurr blinked. Why did it sound like someone was tapping on his window? He was on the third floor. That should be impossible.
He swung out of his chair, hip-checked it aside, and pulled back the curtain. He reached for the cord to the ever-necessary blinds. Sunrise sent rays of blinding light into his room so he’d learned to have extra coverage.
The blinds drew up, and an upside-down face peered back at him. It was framed by bright red and blue feathers.
Blurr startled and jerked back. “What the frag!” he shrieked. “Starscream!”
The harpy grinned and wriggled his fingers at Blurr. He said something, but Blurrr couldn’t hear him through the double-paned glass. Talons rapped on the window again, a sharp staccato.
Blurr shook his head and pointed to his ears. “I can’t hear you!” he said, mouthing the words.
Starscream blinked and reared back, his feathers fluttering around him. He said something else and rapped on the glass.
“The window doesn’t open!” Blurr said, and then almost smacked himself in the face. If he couldn’t hear Starscream, obviously Starscream couldn’t hear him. He rolled his eyes and held up a finger. “One minute!”
He snapped the blinds and curtains closed, shoved his feet into a pair of runners and grabbed his jacket from the hook by the door. He took the emergency stairs down because they were faster than waiting for the elevator, and he didn’t have to pass any of his floormates. There were benefits to having the small single on the corner.
Blurr emerged on the north-facing side of the building and broke into a light jog to round the corner, looking up the face of the building as he did so. He didn’t know if Starscream was still clinging to the side like some kind of spider, or if the harpy had moved to the ground.
It was late. Later than Starscream usually arrived. It was almost sundown, and the fading light cast odd shadows all around the residential complex. Night lamps buzzed and crackled, attracting flocks of insects.
Starscream was not where Blurr had left him. Darn it. It was too damn cold out here to play hide and seek!
Blurr raised his voice, which echoed oddly in the still evening. “Star?”
“Why didn’t you let me in?”
Blurr, to his credit, did not shriek like a little girl as he jumped and spun all in one startled motion, nearly unbalancing himself and tumbling in the process. He pinwheeled his arms to keep his balance before planting his feet and glaring at the harpy, who stood behind him. It was not fair that something so large should be able to creep around like that.
“Primus, Star! Stop sneaking up on me!” he hissed.
Starscream rolled his eyes. “At least I didn’t grab you this time.” He grinned and crossed his arms, leaning toward Blurr with mischief in his eyes. “Were you busy?”
“No, the windows don’t open. For safety reasons or something.” Blurr exhaled and swept a hand over his head, trying to calm his raging heart. “You’re here pretty late.”
Starscream shrugged. “Just seems that way because the sun is setting earlier. Besides, I was hoping a friendly neighborhood human might offer me a place to stay tonight.”
“Of course you were.” Blurr shook his head, swallowing down a laugh. He couldn’t let himself be too visibly amused or Starscream would take advantage of his good nature even more than he already did. “Lucky for you, I’m feeling generous. Especially since I owe you.”
Starscream tilted his head. “For what?”
Blurr poked him in the chest, above his crossed arms. “Guess who passed their physics mid-term?”
“Really?” Starscream’s grin nearly split his face in two. “Blurr, that’s great!”
Blurr was abruptly swept up into a feathery hug. He squeaked, entirely undignified, as he face was pressed to Starscream’s chest. The scent of fruit invaded his nose, sweet and tangy. Blurr kind of wanted to bury his face in Starscream’s feathers forever.
“I’m so proud of you!” Starscream said. The rapid beat of his core danced in Blurr’s ears, pressed as close as he was.
His face heated. “Well, it’s mostly thanks to you,” he said, and squirmed.
“You’re smart, Blurr. You would’ve been fine.” Starscream gently set him back down, though he beamed at Blurr as though he’d invented the lightbulb. “I’m glad I could help.”
Blurr coughed into his hand before shoving both into his pockets. The wind picked up, carrying with it the autumn chill. “So I owe you one,” he said, trying to play it off. “Whatever you want, name it.”
“Anything?” Starscream cocked his head to the side, and there it was again, that mischievous look in his eyes.
Also, he really looked like a bird when he did that. Blurr didn’t tell him though. He saved that little gem for later.
“Within reason and reach of my bank account,” Blurr amended with a laugh.
Starscream straightened. “Can I have coffee?” If he were a dog, his tail would have wagged, given the way his eyes lit up.
Blurr swallowed down his groan. “Sure.” Reluctance poured over him, but he’d made a promise. He’d stick to it. “But in the morning.”
“So I can stay?” Starscream rocked on his heels, talons clicking on the cobblestones of the residential courtyard.
It wouldn’t be the first time. Blurr’s floormates had gotten used to seeing Starscream lurking about. It wasn’t as though Blurr could hide a nearly eight foot tall bright red and blue walking, talking bird, now could he?
“You can stay.” At least tomorrow was Saturday. No worries about studying or anything important. He could sleep in and do whatever.
Starscream swept him up in a hug again, and this time, Blurr curled his arms around Starscream in return. Starscream’s enthusiasm was infectious, and the bloom of warmth he built inside of Blurr wasn’t too bad either.
Sure it’d take him the better part of a day to vacuum and dust out the bits of feather molt once Starscream actually left. And Starscream had the bad habit of leaving seed scraps and shells on the floor. But he was company, friendly company, and frankly, Blurr liked having him around.
Feathery company was far, far better than none.
~
Morning came.
Blurr groaned and pulled a pillow over his head. He didn’t bother to glance at the clock, only knowing that it had to be an indecent time. He and Starscream had stayed up half the night, barreling through Blurr’s DVD collection and binging on junk food.
Starscream really liked Cracker Jack. He ate the entirety of Blurr’s stock, and then had to learn the benefits of a toothbrush and floss to get all the popcorn kernels from between his teeth. He vowed to take a whole bag of supplies of dental products back to the aerie with him.
Blurr was glad he kept all of those disposable toothbrushes from the annual dental visits because the buzz from the electric one made Starscream’s feathers rise on end. Like a startled kitten! Adorable, but not quite what Blurr was going for.
Blurr rolled over, or at least he tried to, but there was a warm, breathing mass curled up next to him, when he could have sworn he’d left Starscream konked out in the bed. He absently petted the feathers nearest to his hand before reality caught up to him.
What was he doing?
He jerked his hand back, mortified, and sat up, dislodging the blankets twisted around his legs. Starscream lay next to him, body curled as though cradling Blurr, the wings of his arms scrunched between them. Why had he got down from the bed? It wasn’t that cold in here.
The pile of feathers stirred. “Your floor is hard,” Starscream grumbled as he pushed himself upright, the feathers on his head fluffing out before settling down.
Blurr arched an eyebrow. “You had the bed.”
“It’s too small,” Starscream complained for the thousandth time, and leveraged himself to his taloned feet, limbs stretching in all directions. “What’s for breakfast?”
“Is food all you ever think about it?” Blurr hoped his tone came off teasing, even as he spun onto his knees to get up, so Starscream couldn’t see his face.
He was blushing for no reason. He felt hot and weird all over, and he didn’t want to think about what that meant, except it was so startlingly similar to the feeling he had the first time he realized how badly he wanted to kiss one of his male classmates.
And look how well that turned out.
“It is when you promised me a treat,” Starscream said with that pleased little warble he sometimes made deep in his chest.
Blurr snorted and nudged the assorted bedding into a ball against the wall. He’d straighten it up later. “Fine, fine. Let me change and we can go.”
“Pfft. Humans are so finicky. Changing clothes.” It was Starscream’s turn to snort. Blurr heard the distinct noise of his feet talons plucking at the carpet. “Sounds so exhausting.”
Blurr rolled his eyes and ignored Starscream. He pulled out a sweatshirt and shrugged into it, before yanking on a pair of loose jeans over his sleep shorts. He tried not to think too hard about how he’d been nearly naked with Starscream spooning next to him, all warmth and softness and heated breaths tickling the back of his neck…
“Ready to go?”
Blurr did not leap out of his skin, but he hastily snapped his belt shut and turned, coming face to chest with feathers.
“Primus, Starscream, can I have some breathing room?” he snapped.
The harpy blinked at him and cocked his head. “Your room is small,” he said, but he still obediently took a large, exaggerated step backward, and collided with Blurr’s desk chair. “Better?”
Not really. Now he felt guilty as well as jumpy. His own weird thoughts weren’t any excuse for being rude to Starscream. After all, it wasn’t the harpy’s fault Blurr couldn’t get his mind out of the very odd gutter.
He sighed and scrubbed a hand down his face. “Sorry. Guess I just need my morning coffee.” He forced a grin behind his palm. “Yeah. I’m ready. Let’s go.” He grabbed his wallet and keys, shoving them into his pocket.
“Are you sure?” Starscream followed, though with a noticeable distance now, rather than at Blurr’s heels like usual. “You look red, and I’m told that’s not good for humans.”
“I just need my coffee is all,” Blurr insisted. “I’m not a morning person.”
“I’m not sure this counts as morning anymore,” Starscream said with a little chuckle. He followed Blurr into the elevator, and pressed himself into the corner, as he always did.
Blurr couldn’t fault him for that. Elevators made him uncomfortable, too. But sometimes, he was too lazy for the stairs.
“It does if you’re a college student.” Blurr grinned and moved closer to Starscream as the doors closed, purely for moral support of course and not because Starscream leaned against him, a shiver running through his feathers.
“In my aerie, there is not a single harpy who would still be abed at this hour,” Starscream said as the elevator clunked its way downward. “There is far too much to do.”
A lurch and a low beep and the elevator dropped them off at the ground floor, with Starscream the first out, leaving a feather behind. Blurr scooped it up and tucked it away in his hoodie. Another one for the collection.
“So you say, and yet you’re always here.” They stepped into a crisp mid-morning, the grass twinkling with dew and the air smelling of an oncoming thunderstorm. “Don’t you have duties?”
“Of course I do.” Starscream ruffled, quite literally, his feathers quivering. “And my work is always done before I come here, I’ll have you know.”
Blurr chuckled. “Just checking.”
Mid-morning it might be, but the campus hadn’t really woken. Blurr could see a few of his fellow students out for a jog – which he should have done but too late now. At least the line in the Union would be short.
“Come on.” Blurr pushed open the double doors, gesturing Starscream inside. “Let’s get you that reward.”
“Coffee,” Starscream chirped. “Espresso.”
“We’ll see.”
Bells announced their entrance. There were a few students with dark circles under their eyes tucked into the corners, huddled over laptops and piles of paper, clutching lattes like the caffeine was a lifeline. It was a testament to how accustomed the college was to harpies and Starscream that no one gave Starscream a second glance.
Blurr inhaled deeply, the scent of coffee and pastries already energizing him. Starscream eagerly preceded him to the counter, all but jittering in place as he waited in line behind a couple of women.
Excitement on Starscream was adorable. Especially as he craned his neck to peer into the pastry case, though Blurr had a feeling he’d default to cinnamon rolls. They were his favorite, and while Starscream liked trying new things, rewards weren’t for new experiences. Rewards were for more of the best.
The two women stepped aside.
“Good morning!” the cashier chirped at them, not even blinking at Starscream. “What can I get for you?”
“An iced caramel espresso!” Starscream said, leaning eagerly forward, his talons clicking on the counter edge and a long feather nearly knocking over the tip jar. When Blurr coughed, he eased back and added, “Please.”
“He means a latte,” Blurr clarified as he rushed to catch the jar. He righted it as Starscream leaned over to peer into the case again, and Blurr took his chance.
He frantically whispered, “And make it a decaf for the love of all that is good in the world.”
The cashier – whose name tag read Carly – chuckled. A stud twinkled in her left nostril. “Sure thing. And for you?”
Blurr eyed Starscream and his quivering feathers. Soon to be energized even further by all the sugar he was about to consume. “Double-shot americano.”
Carly’s grin got impossibly wide as she snatched up a cup and scribbled his order onto it. “I hear you. Would you like anything else?”
“Cinnamon rolls!” Starscream chirped, predictably. He leaned back into Blurr’s personal space and tapped two fingers on the counter. “Three of them.”
“Three?” Blurr echoed and gave Starscream a long look. Three was definitely pushing it. “Are you sure?” Because after the Cracker Jack last night, and a caramel latte? Maybe Starscream didn’t need that much sugar.
Starscream blinked. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Well, you...” Blurr shifted uneasily. “Lately, you’ve been getting a little fluffy, and I read that even the smallest weight gain in birds could impact their flying ability because it makes them too heavy for lift and--”
He knew he’d said far too much in that rush of words when Starscream abruptly drew up to his full height and looked down at Blurr with fire in his eyes.
“I’m not getting fat!” he snarled, feathers standing on end, and fluffing around his face in a crown of annoyance. “My winter coat is coming in! I’m supposed to look like this!”
Oh.
Blurr’s face reddened. He shifted again. Well, how was he supposed to know that? He wasn’t a harpy expert! Starscream tended to devour sweets like they were going to run away from him. Anyone else would have gained weight ten times over by now, Blurr included.
“And, as I keep telling you, I’m not a bird!”
Well, this morning couldn’t get any more mortifying.
“So how many cinnamon rolls would you like?” Carly asked ever so sweetly, as the two ladies waiting for their drinks accepted them from the other workers, giggling to each other as they eyed Blurr and Starscream.
The heat in Blurr’s cheeks turned to scorching. He shoved his hands in his jean pockets. “As many as he wants.”
Starscream sniffed haughtily and folded his arms, the very picture of outrage. “I’ll take them all.” He then stared at Blurr as if daring him to refuse.
Blurr chewed on his bottom lip just to keep from commenting. Thank Primus there were only about half a dozen in the case. Forget Starscream getting fat. He’d make himself sick eating all of those! Each roll was the size of Blurr’s fist!
“All of them,” Blurr said with a small sigh and dug out his wallet. “How much?”
To her credit, Carly never once lost her blinding grin, and if anything, she seemed highly amused. For the trouble, Blurr stuffed a five into the tip jar and ushered Starscream aside so the customers behind them could order.
Starscream, who was now making every concerted effort to pretend Blurr did not exist. He examined the menu hanging on the wall behind the counter with a scrutiny best reserved for exams or textbooks. And his feathers had clamped tight, eliminating the slight… fluff Blurr had noticed.
Blurr realized, at once, that he’d basically performed the equivalent of calling his significant other fat. In public. Well, that was him in a nutshell. Open mouth, insert foot, plus the ankle, calf and knee.
“Would you like whipped cream?” the sweet barista behind the counter asked as she prepared their drinks. Her hands moved efficiently, and however she managed to do it without looking was a mystery to Blurr.
“I don’t know,” Starscream drawled with a side-eyed glance Blurr’s direction. “I might need to watch my figure.”
“Honey, you don’t need to watch anything. You’re gorgeous the way you are.” The blonde woman winked and promptly swirled a huge mound of whipped cream on the latte, before she drizzled it with more caramel than Blurr had ever gotten on lattes of his own.
If a harpy’s eyes could light up with glee, Starscream’s surely did. He loved whipped cream as much as he loved the sweet glaze on a cinnamon roll. Blurr had never met someone with such a sweet tooth before.
“I am beautiful, aren’t I?” Starscream preened as he gleefully reached for the latte (hopefully decaf) he was offered. “Thank you!”
“You’re welcome, honey.” The barista -- whose name tag read Lydia -- remained all smiles, even as she handed over the bag of cinnamon rolls and Blurr’s double-shot. “Good luck today, cutie. Seems like he’s a handful,” she added in a hushed tone.
“You have no idea.” Blurr grinned as the paper sack crinkled in his hands. “Have a good day.”
“You, too!”
Starscream flounced out the door, and Blurr trailed in his wake, knowing that he had to apologize and trying to figure out how without swallowing more of his own extremities. He forgot how very vain Starscream could be.
Outside, Starscream sipped furiously on his latte, and Blurr once again hoped it was decaf. He stood with his back to Blurr, carefully cupping the plastic so as not to puncture it, as he had once before. He was still visibly tense, feathers drawn tight, shoulders hunched.
Blurr braced himself and swallowed his pride. He stepped up next to Starscream and tapped him with the paper sack. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I’m an idiot.”
“This is true.” Starscream snorted. He turned toward Blurr, eying the bag. “You keep them.” He whipped away, feathers smacking Blurr in the process.
Blurr sighed. “I got them for you. As a thank you. And seriously, Star. I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking. You look great.”
More than great, if his stupid brain was any indication. Stupid thoughts of cuddling the pretty harpy, or nuzzling his face, or kissing him. Of stroking his fingers over those soft feathers. Starscream was alien and beautiful, and Blurr couldn’t remember ever wanting someone as much as he did Starscream.
He was an idiot for thinking it.
Slurp went the straw and latte, rattling as Starscream swirled it. It was barely sixty degrees out here and still he’d wanted something iced. Probably because iced drinks weren’t a thing in his aerie.
“I’m going to get even fluffier, in case you didn’t know,” Starscream said around a mouthful of latte. “Though, again, not as much as others.”
“I didn’t know,” Blurr admitted. “I don’t know much at all, except what you’ve told me. I’d like to know more though.” He held up the bag again. “How about we split them then? Half for you, half for me?” He wriggled it, making the paper crinkle. “I’ll get more Cracker Jack, too.”
Starscream finally looked at him and cracked a half-grin. “Peace offering?”
“And apology both.”
He plucked the bag from Blurr’s hand. “We’ll share,” he said and leaned in close, his breath smelling of coffee and caramel. Blurr tried not to think too much of stealing his lips for a kiss that was probably illegal. “I forgive you.”
Blurr grinned.
