A/N: Sorry for the lack of updatage. Real life and writer's block have made writing this chapter hellish.
"Uhhhhg," Moonracer sighs in an overly exasperated tone. "I just don't understand why she wastes her time with that slag for brains." Tonight I am once again playing the role of non-threatening best friend.
"It's more like why do you waste your time with her Moonie?" I've been through this so many times with her. The mechs she's hopelessly in love with changes from cycle to cycle, but my response is always the same.
"Whatever." She drains her cube of Energon and proceeds to glare at a pair of bots. Inferno is once again trying to put the moves on Firestar. Firestar, instead of accepting or rejecting his advances, she just basks in the attention.
"Moonracer," I begin, but wince as she begins another cube. I've talked many a mech into getting over a femme's charms, but never another femme. Therefore none of my usual condolences will work. Saying Firestar's just a fancy model reminiscent of pre-war decadence will only earn me a slap in the face.
Why do mechs want to be with femmes so badly? They want to be associated with that illustrious title, Femme. Besides being somewhat of a rarity, they're no different from any other mech. They look down upon everyone, but still expect everyone to kiss their afts. "I don't see what the big deal is Moonie," I think out loud.
"You're so negative about this!" Now comes the part where Moonracer directs her frustration at me. I'm always hanging around, so she can never get dates. The more energized she gets the more I find myself being reminded that she IS the best sharp shooter in the galaxy. Whatever the problem it usually ends up with an over energized femme, raised voices, and lots of embarrassment.
"I could just treat her so much better!"
She thinks she's the only one who's ever experienced unrequited love, and Primus she doesn't know how wrong she is. A crush rejecting you may hurt, but adoring someone from afar is much more painful. Trying to drop subtle hints for vorns that are never picked up on can be crushing. Watching someone you care about get crushed time after time, well too much of that and it will kill you. I'm sick of being torn apart from the inside by my best friend.
"Why would she go for me anyway? She can have anyone she wants," A slurred voice stutters.
I really can't take this anymore.
"Moonracer," I grip her shoulders from across the table and stare her dead in the optics. I'm only gonna give this speech once. "I'm sick and tired of you falling for some mech who doesn't even acknowledge your existence, or would never treat you right. You look so ridiculous squealing over crushes that don't appreciate you. Maybe you should look right in front of you and you'll find someone who already adores you."
It takes a minute to sink in. After all Powerglide is just a little minibot. He'd never actually confess his love for the goddess Moonracer.
"Glide?" Her voice is barely a whisper. "You mean that?"
"Yeah Moonracer I do."
We had that discussion vorns ago, but it's still fresh in my memory banks. We've had good times and bad, and I've learned a lot since then. I've learned that you can't stop a particular green femme from joining a secret splinter group of female Autobots. I now know that when galaxies separate you from your partner things get very, very strained. It's a lot easier to accept that you're falling in love with someone than to accept that you're falling out of love with someone.
"Moonracer," The only words that come to my vocalizer. I'm finally reunited with the mech I would've died to see a few Meta cycles ago. Growing apart has been a slow, gradual procession. Overtime we strayed from lovers to mechs who just seemed like they were acting a part. I still love her, but not in the way I used to.
"Moonracer," I repeat as she grabs my hands. After catching up and the required small talk, there's nothing left but the impending feeling of doom in the bottom of my fuel tank.
"Powerglide," Her voice is smooth like the most expensive high grade. This can't be good. "I'm afraid you're not taking our relationship seriously. I need more right now, and we just can't give that to each other."
Enter dramatic silence. Does she expect sobbing or something?
"I mean I just can't do this anymore."
I was once told me that for a minibot I had an ego the size of Omega Supreme. That's never been more apparent then now. I've been damaged, but I'm not going down without a fight. "So, Firestar can finally offer you more?" The mechs she's hopelessly in love with changes from cycle to cycle, and once again that mech's not me.
Ego bruising aside, it feels like an enormous weight has been lifted off of my chest plate. There is a silver lining to all of this. I don't have to choose, because the decision has already been made for me. I can finally tell Astoria how I really feel and mean it.