(This is in the same storyline as Soundwave’s S/O getting taken by the Autobots. This is just straight fluff that I need as a Soundwave enjoyer. Sorry I couldn’t post it day of, I was at the TWICE concert D2 and got so sidetracked with work!)
(Valentine’s Day💜❤️Pt. 1) Soundwave x Human!Reader
(Word count: 2,929)
Riding around town with Knockout, you struggle to find something to give Soundwave for Valentine’s Day. You know it’s stupid to get him anything food related since he can’t eat it, plus you don’t want it to be easily forgotten either. It needs to be memorable and fitting for the silent purple mech. You already felt bad for not getting him something the first year you got together, and the last two years could have been much better. Sure, he keeps your scrapbook on his desk next to the decorated picture of you and him stargazing together. You just wanted to get him something that reminded you of him, of something he likes.
“Can we hurry this up? Primus knows the Autobots are already aware of my presence here, and I doubt they would be very pleased to see me with you.” The red mech grumbles, pulling away from yet another failed store stop. 'How many more store are you going to turn down before you finally find something worthwhile?' He says, silently grumbling to himself. Who knows.
“Well, lucky for us I told them to leave me out of their issues with you all. I doubt the “virtuous” leader of the Autobots would go back on his word.” You say with finger quotes, smirking to yourself. You may not remember the entire interaction with them, but you do remember putting your foot down and demanding to be left out of the fighting. Anxiety had been rippling off of you for next few days after that. You called out of a few shifts and stayed on the Nemesis for a bit longer, not that Soundwave would complain.
Your response elicits a loud laugh from Knockout, making him swerve a little as he heads down the worn Jasper roads. “And I’m still lost on how YOU talked Optimus PRIME into releasing you to US. You must have annoyed the pits out of him or something.”
“Hey, I can be very persuasive when I need to be! Plus I wasn’t going to take no for an answer. They kidnapped me in broad daylight, Knock! What argument do they have about being the good guys when they kidnapped me?!” Your body rises from your slouched position, turning to look indignantly at the Aston Martin’s radio.
The change in your tone and body language made Knockout laugh. The usually quiet and mild mannered (Y/N) was currently blowing their top just remembering the incident. He could only imagine what that must’ve looked like and the reactions the Autobots must have had. Oh to see their faces would have been priceless. He would have paid good shanix to watch.
“Alright, calm down. You don’t have to tear into me to prove your point. Now, get out and go get your conjunx his gift you’re so badly wanting to get him.” There was that word again. This isn’t the first time you’ve heard it, but no one has tried to explain it to you. Suddenly, Knockout’s driver side door swings open as he stops at yet another rundown store. Maybe you’ll ask him after this stop.
The sign read “Arid Arrangements”, though it was missing several letters and the s was hanging on for dear life. “Really, is this the only store left in this crumby town? I was hoping for something with at least more, I don’t know, options?” You shake your head as you grab your bag, hoping to find at least something in the store. “This is going to have nothing but cactuses. I highly doubt it’ll have anything good enough for him. Oh well, I have to find something for Soundwave.”
Walking towards the building, you think about how you don't have to get him something. It is a capitalist's holiday geared towards making money off of couples love. It just feels wrong not to, especially since he does so many little things for you. The little living space he has created in both his habsuite and his work area come to mind. They have touches of him and you in everything. Your favorite color on your sheets, the stuffed animals he stole collected for you, even the knick-knacks you collect for your hobby are scattered around. He doesn't have to do all that, but he does because he cares. You care too, so you have to find something. 'There has to be something for him. I just have to think about the little things.'
As you come to the entrance, you pull the tattered door towards you; wincing as it squeaks open. A short, brunette woman walks over with a gentle smile on her face. "Looking for something special, my dear? I may not have much, but I'm sure we can make it special!" Looking around the building, you notice that the interior of the building is in much better condition than the outside. 'Maybe I shouldn't judge this place so quickly,' you ponder to yourself.
"So what can I do for you, hun?" Your eyes turn to look her way again, shrugging and smiling nervously. "If I'm being honest, I don't know. My boyfriend is hard to get gifts for. He's rather quiet and doesn't talk about what he likes very often." The woman hums to herself for a moment. "Do you know any colors or plants he may enjoy?" Your eyes scan the room as you think. "He wears a lot of black and purple, though he hasn't said anything about what plants he likes. I think a cactus would work really well, since he works a lot and they are lower maintenance." Your eyes light up a little at the sight of a cluster of cactuses with varying colors and vibrancy. There are some barrel cactuses, though the others you couldn't name off of the top of your head.
The sweet woman, who you now notice has a name tag that reads 'Dahlia', follows your gaze and grins. "That's a great idea; now low maintenance doesn't mean no maintenance. He will still have to give it water here and there, as well as make sure it has proper sunlight. Is there any specific cactus species you're looking for?" You shake your head, shrugging gently. "I'm not very up to date on my cactus species, but I really like this one!" Holding up the small cluster of spikes and purple petals, you notice how the buds look like they will bloom soon. The color was gorgeous and reminded you of lavender. Some of the ones around it were a much brighter, almost magenta color.
"Oh, this is a Strawberry Hedgehog Cactus! They look small now, but if given the right amount of space, they can grow to be about three feet wide and two feet tall! They also have fruit that grow from them and taste like their namesake." She then adds, "The fruit, not the animal." This makes you chuckle a little. The smile on her face grows wider as she begins to ramble out facts about the plant, pointing out the different shades and heights they can be depending on their environment. You struggle to pay attention to her, even though she's telling you important information about the plants up-keep as well.
Instead find yourself walking towards the pots along the back wall, mainly made of stone or clay. One of them reminds you of the stuffed elephants that Soundwave got you a couple months ago. The shade of gray was almost identical to the one on your bed back on the Nemesis, and standing to where the cactus would come out of its back. It reminds you of the nature documentaries you both have watched together as well. He seems to perk up a little whenever you watch the animals in Africa, especially elephants. Maybe that's why he gets them for you. "I'm sorry, but how much for this?" You say, cutting her off and pointing directly at the large, stone pot.
Knockout better drive carefully with this, or so help you God.
After purchasing the elephant pot and cactus, you ask Dahlia if she could help you bring. Once everything has been gently placed in Knockouts alt mode, you wave her goodbye and climb into his driver’s seat. "Good-bye and thank you again!" You shout as Knockout lets you to close his door. He then starts to pull out of the parking lot and back towards a secluded area he could call for a groundbridge from. “Did you really have to get a plant while I was driving you? Do you know how hard it is to get dirt out of my interior?” He whines, though you can tell he’s not truly upset with you. “If anything spills, I’ll help you clean it up. Though if you drive recklessly and break something, you’ll have to help me get the replacement.” If he was in his bipedal mode, he’d be rolling his optics.
After returning to the Nemesis, you ask Knockout to take you into Soundwave’s habsuite. You can tell he’s a bit hesitant going into the TIC’s personal quarters, but he’s only dropping you off. "Now go make your conjunx his gift," he says as places you and your items down by your living space atop Soundwave's desk. Looking around, you see your card is still sitting under some papers on your desk. Thankfully, no one has messed with them in their less than ideal hiding spot.
You stop to look at him for a moment, finally registering what he said. That word, Conjunx, again. "Wait, Knockout, you keep saying 'conjunx'. What does that mean? Does it mean something like boyfriend?" Widening his optics, Knockout sputters for a second. "Conjunx? He hasn't- oh right, he doesn't talk," He mumbles under his breath. "Conjunx is like your life partner; your other half. A little different from your married couples because once you are conjunx, there is no 'divorcing'." A gasp escapes your mouth as realization dawns on you. "You've been calling me his wife this whole time!? I mean, I'm not against it, but that would have been nice to know!?"
"I thought you knew?!" His voice laced in exasperation. He then continues to explain saying, "Though 'wife' isn't exactly right either. Its more of a mix between husband/wife and soulmate; meaning both of you choose to be bonded for life by spark, mind, and in your case, soul. It is a very deep and important bond that I thought you were made aware of before this conversation." This leaves you in shock for a moment. Sitting down and truly thinking about it all and how deep of a bond that is, you find yourself excited and scared all at the same time. "Do you really think he likes me that much?" You ask, almost afraid to hear an answer. You know he loves you, but does he really want you to be bonded forever? Even though you aren't even the same size, much less species.
"Do you think he has optics for anyone else around here?" Knockout responds, gently nudging you as he notices your change in demeanor. "I would not be calling you his conjunx if I didn't see how much you two care about each other. It's unnerving to see how much Soundwave cares for you." You jokingly push his digit back with a smirk. "Is not." "Oh but it is. How often do you see Soundwave go out of his way for anyone or anything on this blasted ship that isn't you or Lord Megatron?" You think for a moment and roll your eyes. "Ok, yeah, but that's not unnerving!" This leads Knockout to shrug and turn away. "Whatever you say, (Y/N)," he says as he begins to walk out the door. "Hey, Knock?" He stops to look at you before he reaches the exit. "Thank you for helping me." He waves his servo as he walks out, "Yeah yeah".
As the door slides shut behind him, you plop yourself on the ground with a huff. "Why hasn't Soundwave told me about this yet? Is he waiting for the right time, like a proposal of sorts? Am I reading too much into this? Why did I have to ask!?" You ramble to yourself, hands slightly pulling at your hair. This is going to give you a headache if you keep spiraling like this. You just need to trust in the love that you have for each other and remember that he loves you too.
Shaking your head, you decide to get started on repotting your surprise cactus. You make a mental note about how little sunlight the Nemesis gets inside as you maneuver the cactus cluster from its plastic prison. 'I'm gonna have to talk to Shockwave, aren't I? Lovely. I wonder if Knockout could help me ask; I don't want to be in Shockwave's lab by myself.' As you think to yourself, you wipe your brow and leave a smudge of dirt across it.
You finish repotting the adorable plant, you take notice of how little dirt had fallen compared to what you expected. You still needed to find a way to clean it up. The last thing you wanted was to leave a mess in Soundwave's room, especially one made from your gift. You look around for the little broom he got you; finding it hiding by your makeshift lamp stand in the far corner. Grabbing it, you begin sweeping up the dirt and walking towards the trashcan.
You freeze as you hear the familiar sound of Laserbeak flying outside the habsuite. You drop the pan and quickly sprint to your bed; launching your bedsheets on top of the newly housed succulent before the mechanical bird makes his way in. The door opens and the sound of his hovering greets you before you can turn around. "Laserbeak, you can't scare me like that! I thought Soundwave was with you for a moment and my surprise for him was going to be ruined." Your hand resting on your heart and you pant a little, trying to calm your nerves.
The minicon moves near you and tilts his body, as if asking you what you were doing. "I have a gift for Soundwave, but you cannot tell him. Its a surprise!" You say, pointing and shaking your finger at him to emphasize your point. He tilts a little to the other side for a moment, then nudges you a little with one of his wings. "Are you asking me something? What do you need?" The minicon nudges you again, but in a scooping motion; almost like he's trying to pick you up. "Oh, are you trying to take me somewhere? Does 'Wave need me?" This elicits a nod like motion from Laserbeak. You smile, motioning for him to wait a moment.
Hurrying over to your desk, you go and wash your face and hands with some of the wipes you keep on hand in the left drawer. You then grab the card and tuck it under the bed sheet, careful not to prick yourself on the cactus' spines. "Alright, now I'm ready! I didn't wanna get you dirty from my hands." You say, gently grabbing onto the front of him after you dry your hands on your pants. Laying your body flat on him, stomach down, you feel him fly off towards Soundwave. No matter how many times you have done this, it never ceases to amaze you how careful he flies with you on his back. Sure, its kind of terrifying, but its more thrilling this way!
Making one last turn around the corridor, you can see Soundwave turning to face you and his minicon companion. A smiley face emoji pops up on his visor and his servosraises towards the both of you. Carefully, Laserbeak lands and allows you to hop onto the purple mech. Once he is sure you are safely off of him, he transforms and returns to his master's chestplate. Soundwave raises you up to his visor, to which you take as an opportunity to give him a hug. You can hear his engine purr as he gently holds you there, hugging you back as best he can. This is where you want to be; just being held by him.
As he holds you against his visor, he feels your emotions roll through him in waves. Your little EM field wafting through him, sharing your undeterred love, excitement, and contentment with him. Its enough to overwhelm him for a moment, making him freeze. He regains himself and pulls you away slowly. Showing you that he now has a heart emoji on his visor. He notices the smile widening on your face as you begin to speak. "Hi 'Wave, how're you? Did you need me for something?" Your voice is so soft. He could listen to you speak all day.
He nods his helm, tilting it to the side, like Laserbeak did before, as his visor shows a question mark. You look at him confused for a second before it seems to dawn on you what he is asking. "Are you asking what I was doing earlier?" He nods again. "Knockout took me out shopping for my Valentine's day surprise for you. Do you want to see it?" It always surprises him that you give him gifts, whether it be a holiday or you just feel like it. It makes him feel what he thought would never be possible, especially during this war between factions; truly loved.
He nods his helm as he carries you back towards his habsuite.
(What will his reaction be to our gift for him? Find out next time on- *cough cough* sorry, that was stupid. Anyways, I hope you all enjoy the beginning to this fic! I hope to have some good development to the relationship in the next part, but we shall see what entails. Btw, please let me know if you prefer me leaving the dialogue white, or color-coding by who is talking. I hope you have a great day and enjoyed!)