A Measure of Independence

[heliopauseentertainments]

Part of MegaSound Week 2023 - Hosted on Tumblr by @mega-wave-superior

Prompt: Day 6 - Gentle/Strong

Continuity: IDW1

Rating: General

Relationship: Megatron/Soundwave

Characters: Megatron & Soundwave

Summary: In which Soundwave supports an injured Megatron with carrying out his duties.

Crossposting: AO3 | Tumblr

Fic under cut. See AO3 for complete notes.

While the medics had recommended that Megatron remain in the medical center for the duration, until a replacement transformation cog could be built with their presently limited resources, Soundwave knew that wouldn’t have been an acceptable solution.

While they had all manner of armaments, medical supplies, however, had always been more difficult to secure.

The wait for a replacement cog could have been years.

And they had a war to wage, enemies to route. Megatron would never stand, proverbially, to be on the sidelines while the Cause powered forward without him to guide its path. He wouldn’t tolerate being forced to languish on some shelf on a fuel drip until a new transformation cog was installed.

As soon as Megatron’s condition had been stabilized, Soundwave, with Megatron’s consent, had had his leader discharged into his care.

“Soundwave.”

The voice that came from the holster on his hip sounded tired.

He stopped, now standing outside the doors to the Nemesis’s bridge.

Soundwave reached down and placed his hand over the warm firearm secured to his frame, an attempt to comfort his old friend.

Blind and immobile in this shape, Megatron was at the mercy of those around him. It would be far safer for him to be under Soundwave’s watch, given the way Starscream’s smile had been a little too wide at the news of Megatron’s temporary incapacitation.

Even like this, even stuck in such an alt-mode, he would not allow Megatron to be entirely helpless. While he was unable to provide complete independence, some was better than none.

Soundwave had always been Megatron’s obedient and loyal ears, but now he would also be his eyes.

“Yes?”

There was a pause, as though Megatron was debating how to best verbalize his thoughts.

“Thank you.”

Another pause.

“To the bridge.”

“At once.”