okay, okay, maybe i’m overthinking bc i’m actually relatively new to the mtmte side of the tf fandom (i picked it up last november) but like? tarn/fulcrum is a really interesting ship dynamic?
like, you’ve got this convicted coward who has a Dad Friend streak and an asshole who will commit mass genocide with a snap and who likes poetry of all things? tarn is def a little bitch but like, the enemies to lovers content is there? or at least the “god i’m going to stab you but with affection” content. would tarn go for fulcrum? no, bc tarn is unfortunately immune to that chin. is it fun to think about? yes.
i kind of have this dumb mental image of tarn realizing he’s even vaguely attracted to fulcrum and fulcrum immediately moves five spots up the list bc This Is Not Acceptable.
on like, softer terms though, like an au where nickel does join the scavengers at some point but the djd aren’t brutally murdered by megatron. nickel v strictly goes “you can’t murder these idiots, they’re mine” and tarn just fucking “this blows.” fulcrum is terrified when tarn starts being even vaguely friendly.