So Unionized now has like, pre initial drabble lore but it is still very much like herding cats
So, the lore reasoning behind things because there's gotta be a reason for the team up uniting in the first place is probably some episode bullshit with a villain who can basically mind control via visual displays, I know Soundwave attempts a mind control and I've been infected by G1 that show has so much mind control manipulation nonsense, either way the visual hypnosis basically fucking gets like everyone, minus Swift because he's got shaded goggles which filter out the like hypnotic waves ect, Wings was probably fronting when they got got otherwise Blitz would've been fine too and because of the effects of the hypnosis it's probably locked Wings in front which, is probably a very unpleasant experience! Noone wants to be force locked into fronting and the others probably got locked out which is equally distressing but he can't focus on being distressed because he's under mind control, his monocle is probably closed or just as sensative as a regular optic so it doesn't filter out the waves.
Swiftwing is just like okay this is some bullshit, and is also like, fuck my guy (is not his guy, yet) and sees the autobots are basically also all got, maybe it only works on robots maybe it affects humans too but the villain is doing some villain shit being evil probably making them build something probably to expand their influence to take over the world then galaxy ect, the drama. So very reluctantly Swift ends up tackling Optimus out of a lineup, full body slam his ass down wrestling fighting its probably hard because Optimus now has 0 restraint and is probably very capable of hurting Swift before in essence waterboarding his ass grabs his shoulders and shoves his head under some water because water always works to break someone out of hypnosis holds him under even though he's struggling because doesn't know if it's hypnosis struggle or not pulling him back up to check maybe shoving him under again for good measure, Swiftwing isn't exactly a nice person probably gets smacked in the face (deserved) with Optimus just what the slag??
So Swiftwing explains, all your friends and all the decepticon and all the citizens of this stupid organic earth town are under mind control. And Optimus is skeptical but also, why did you specifically grab me? Why not one of the other decepticons. "Do I look like I could fight Blitzwing in a state where he has no restraint or hesitation to not kill me?" fair play, "and, when we take down that stupid tower and defeat her I need you to hold up your end of this arrangement and tell the autobots to go back to base, because I'm not doing all the hard work of fighting this glitch, and autobots and decepticons, defeating her only for your side to try and fight us again" which is a valid play I don't wanna do all that work and have to keep fighting as the leader you tell them to go and I'll tell my lot to go
So it's an uneasy alliance, Swift probably mentioned "We have a better chance together than we do taking this alone," while offering his hand in a truce handshake, Swift probably makes Optimus a pair of tacky shades to block out the hypnosis waves, and they're spying working together, and Optimus probably asks like why isn't the other one (because he probably doesn't know the individual names at this point) fronting if all it takes is a visor then why isn't he fighting it? (realised Prowl I think has a visor, he's on holiday to Japan or smth idk he's in the workshop) and Swift is just,,, he can't,, they've had Wings locked in front. And gives Optimus a suspicious side eye when he makes a noise that's almost too authentic in it's distress and concern.
There's probably another couple points during the episode of Optimus being a bit sus when it comes to the Blitzwing stuff maybe even nearly blowing their cover when the villain of the episode is maybe too comfortable with him touching his frame ect, Swiftwing is also about to rip their throat out but the fact Optimus reacts to it as well both because it's disgusting to treat someone mind controlled like that and because of undisclosed feelings
Anyways they work together defeat the villain destroy their tower and the others come to, Optimus keeps his side of the deal while Swift keeps his the autobots and decepticons retreat to fight another day.
Later Swiftwing is just oh my god he's gay. Because wait a minute XD lying in berth getting realisations
Later goes to find Optimus when he's alone on a patrol like a creep appearing hanging upside down from some buildings in an alleyway because we love an alleyway scene like, "You're attracted to Blitzwing," while Optimus is very *oh my primus please stop moving like that* because hanging upside down from things crawling along surfaces like a spider is understandably freaking him the fuck out. But Swiftwing is a bit challenged because obviously he's also crushing like fuck on Blitzwing and maybe at first is considering chasing Optimus off completely breaking his hope and spirit of being with Blitzwing, but he's probably wracking his data banks and analysing things and shit Blitzwing HAS been looking at Optimus 5.6 seconds longer than necessary sometimes,, there's probably other tells as well but dammit there is at least from what he's seen confirmed intrigue he doesn't know if it's attraction but realises Optimus might actually have a chance with Blitzwing, (and possibly a little crushingly more of a chance than he does as Blitzwing probably hasn't really looked at him in those same ways)
He probably extends a hand to Optimus, "We have a better chance together than we do taking this alone," because aye call back to their original alliance, I think to some degree it's Swiftwing kinda trying to maintain a level of security and control, if Optimus does approach Blitzwing alone he's got a chance, more of a chance than he might, but if they approach it together he might also be able to attach himself to the relationship (like a vestigial limb)- I mean Blitzwing might also see how super interesting Swiftwing is too and want them both! (Sure baby girl)
Optimus is probably so confused and baffled he shakes swifts hands without fully comprehending what he's agreeing to and then Swiftwing slinks off while he's just *did I make a deal with the devil?*
I imagine they meet a couple times in private as sort of, testing the grounds, Optimus rightfully doesn't fully trust Swiftwing and he's a bit insulted when Optimus brings backup the first time they're meant to meet in secret because >:c this isn't very secret you brought backup, "did you?" no??? "oh,,"
It's a teething process, Optimus having to learn to trust Swiftwing that it's not a trap he's not gonna hurt him ect and Swift having to adjust to being less outright creepy around and towards Optimus, he's just naturally a weirdo but he tones it in, still has his moments tho, but eventually there's enough mutual trust to lead to the short fic even if they absolutely have tension between each other still
I think from that point on Optimus and Swiftwing would spar each other to try and work out whos getting tied up (it's Optimus), which also works to get both their tension and aggression out from whatever they've been through since the last meeting it's a pretty healthy outlet for Optimus anger and it also encourages him to learn different fighting styles because Swift while not necessarily cheating fights dirty, he fights like a con and so Optimus keeps losing and ending up on the rope, but he slowly starts picking up how to fight like a con and his overall combat actually improves! And for Swiftwing it's just an excuse to touch Optimus which is a win in itself with his developing confusing feelings because it's not quite reciprocated? This way he at least gets to be close to Optimus and often times Wings is willing to share let's him come and cuddle up on Optimus while Optimus is subjected to affection, Blitz is probably less inclined to share because it's /his/ prize (even tho Swiftwing technically won so it should be his, Blitzwing is the ultimate winner because he basically always gets Optimus tied up in cute fun ways) and he's probably still a bit uncertain on Swift, and Zing just straight up doesn't wanna share and is a bit of a bitch, which, sir- you're being SO mean this is the Unionized au you're meant to be getting kissed by both!
Swiftwing also fights with such intensity because he is insecure despite feigning a large amount of confidence and he does get a bit desperate to not lose because he's picked up on the fact only 1 out of the 3 actually seem to like him and doesn't know exactly what Optimus thinks of feels about him but assumes it's neutral/negative and he's kinda anxious that if he loses and gets tied up, Blitz would probably just ignore him and Zing may straight up suggest him and Optimus leave and do something else.
And Swiftwings kinda reluctance and fear of being vulnerable in that way just works in a loop against him, Blitz doesn't want to get close and potentially be vulnerable with Swift because Swift hasn't been vulnerable with him, whereas obviously Optimus regularly is in that vulnerable position of being tied up in ways that sometimes do limit his mobility leaving him at their mercy, I think despite how arguably kinky it is the secret meet ups at most involve kissing none sexual touching cuddling and holding and probably a lot of just, talking? About everything and nothing. So Blitz is reluctant avoidant of him, and because he's also a fellow con he's at times defensive usually when they're alone together he's more brisk and bristled watching him making sure he doesn't say or suggest anything that Megatron could learn about, he's trying to protect himself from being harmed and probably sees Swiftwing as rather insincere because of the lack of vulnerability.
Whereas Zing, he's taken a really weird turn he's actively a lot more hostile but in a sort of passive aggressive making mean remarks way? He knows the dangers, he recognises it, like Blitz he doesn't trust Swiftwing because he's also a decepticon, that's untrustworthy, decepticon are liars and cheats and deceivers and only care about themselves, and I think as well their trauma with Blackarachnia has sort of mutated and twisted so Zing also doesn't like the fact he is an insect it's too close though they don't look similar Swiftwing is other in the fact his alt mode is still based on an organic species despite being full cybertronian, and he probably is also running the numbers that if Swift betrays them he could also betray Optimus and like, Optimus is a cutie can't kill him. So Zing is just, he's just become strangely mean? But in a way that isn't outright like, hey that's mean Zing stop it, it's concealed deceptively behind his playful tone and laugh, but his words are sharp cutting and undertoned with malice his actions are so very intentional to exclude Swift. If asked though he wouldn't tell you his dark musing contemplation he'd just be like "🌸 Oh I'm not an entomophile~! 🌸 I just don't like bugs~! 🌸 Besides Optimus is just so cute let's make this a BlitzOp💕 fic instead yes~? 🌸" how are you doing that with your mouth, flowers and floral and hearts pouring off of his speech bubble while actively saying something so, callous?
Wings is the only bitch playing 3d chess because it's more beneficial to have somebody both on the inside and outside, inside he gets protection from fellow cons by having someone on his side and outside if the autobots win he can leverage the relationship he has with Optimus for protection for himself and honestly Swiftwing as well, I mean that creature straight up whimpered when he kissed them lightly, he doesn't think they're going to betray him, and whenever he's fronting he's probably going through every current and past interaction analysing and studying Swiftwing and the chance of betrayal from him and can probably isolate the exact point Swiftwing began to develop a crush now he has the knowledge that they're into him, like, ah I see now. Also he recognises that Swift and Optimus share a lot of visual similarities (audial fins, kissable lips sort of similar frame build with bigger upper bodies tho Swift has less of an absolutely insane waist) and a lot of qualities that they find attractive but also different features he also finds attractive, Optimus has lights which probably sometimes flash to light decorating them in red and blue glow and obviously his ridiculous fucking waist and his legs- while Swift I think ironically he can admire his wings, they're not like his not build like a plane they move on far more advanced hinges with far more motion and he's started to learn and decipher the subtle wing language realising while he also can speak with his wings insecticon seem to have an entirely different wing dialect which he's been missing this whole time. Also the size difference, I think he likes the fact they're both smaller than him, he can protect them he can hold them he can overpower them. He's chasing the others with a rolled up newspaper because this could be highly beneficial for us!!!! Don't fuck it up!!! Besides he does recognise there is the very slight but improbable but not impossible risk that if Zing pushes Swift too far he could betray Blitzwing and Optimus both and put them in serious danger. Don't bite the hand that's also at your illegal cross faction meet ups!!! Also also, Swift is the one who ties up and prepares Optimus (though I'm sure he'd love to capture and detain Optimus himself), it's nice to be given a pretty gift, chasing off Swift they lose that factor of mystery to how he's going to be subdued and tied up and in what and they lose getting to watch them spar about it, because let's be real that shits like foreplay for him, watching two bots fight over who gets the right to tie the other up to present to him? There's a certain level of like, he is the object of their affection their attention they want his attention and affection they want his recognition, Optimus is willing to play into decepticon culture and it's because Swift taught him about it. Again, he's chasing Blitz and Zing with a rolled up newspaper.
Problems I thought would happen in Unionized: Optimus and Swiftwing have too much negative tension from being on opposite sides and start to argue or fight in a way that could ruin the throuple and make Blitzwing uncomfortable
Problems I'm actually having: Blitz and Zing only want Optimus
