Chapter Text
“Now that you have had a tour,” Ultra Magnus said, turning to Elita, as the stepped on to the 3 floor of the Hall of Records, “I can give you your assignment.”
“Are you not going to ask me if I like it? What assignment I would prefer?” Elita asked, fully turning to Magnus, her new Elita Guard badges bright. “I have a decent resume.”
“That you half discredited with the stunt you pulled.” Magnus said, quietly, raising an eyebrow at her. Elita’s optics lit up, but she stayed quiet. “You should be thankful that I was able to pull what weight I have to get you this position.”
“I am eternally grateful, Magnus.” Elita said, nodding, and giving him a small smile. “Kept me out of prison, at least.” Magnus nodded. “Well, Commander, where is my assignment?” Magnus gave her a small smile, and led the way down the corridor.
It had high windows, with plain metal walls, and the feeling that any noise above a whisper may bring them down.
“This floor holds all of the records and its clerks.” Magnus said, as they walked into brightly lit room, with shelves upon shelves of records, terminals in neat rows, with clerks working in near silence. “You will be in charge of ensuring that anyone that enters is authorized, as well as make sure all information is kept within this floor.”
Elita nodded, looking around, and quietly resurging herself to boredom. They turned a corner, and found themselves in front of a set of doors, carved with swirling designs and twice the size of Magnus.
“As well as making sure no one disturbs Alpha Trion.” Elita looked at him wide opticed and then looked over the doors. “Understood?”
“Yes, Sir.” Elita said, nodding, still looking at the doors. Magnus turned back into the records room, Elita following, and glancing at the various mechs and femmes working. They stepped passed the doors, and had to promptly step aside as a mech, as tall as Elita with a red and blue paint job nearly walked into them, as he was reading a data pad.
“Orion.” Magnus said, and the mech stopped and turned around, still looking at the pad. “You will keep running into walls if you do not stop reading while you are walking.”
“I do not do it very often.” Orion said, shrugging, and Elita smiled, glancing at Magnus, who huffed. "Run into walls, that is."
“This is Elita 1, she is a new guard for this level.” Magnus said, and Orion finally looked up, only to do a double take at Elita, his optics wide and mouth slightly agape. “I expect you to not walk into her as well as the other guards.”
“Orion, is it?” Elita asked and he nodded slowly. “It is good to meet you.” He stayed quiet and Elita glanced at Magnus, “An archivist that is at a loss for words…That must be a first.”
“Forgive me, Elita 1, I had only read about the beauty of the Primes in stories but to have it in front of me is a completely new reality.” Orion said, and promptly looked horrified, before turning around and running into the records room.
“It is Orion Pax.” Magnus said, after the door had shut, “He is a bit odd, but is favorite of Alpha Trion’s.” Elita nodded, still looking at where Orion had disappeared. “Elita?”
“Yes, sorry,” She said, shaking her head to hide her smile, as she turned to him. ”When do I start?”
**************************
It took Orion Pax 3 weeks to finally approach Elita.
He did his best to avoid her after the disastrous first introduction. He avoided her as best he could, which usually mean keeping his optics down as he walked passed her post. His quick glances at her always saw her smiling, which was odd because most of the clerks swore she had a frown to match Magnus'.
When he finally approached her, he was heading into the record room, and paused when he saw her at her post. The bright light streamed in and made her plating glow, making a sharp contrast to the troubled look on her face. He walked up to her, stopping an arm's length away, and she zeroed in on him, that small smile already playing on her lips, lighting up her face.
"Orion Pax, how are you today?" She asked, and it took him a minute to respond.
"I am well, Elita 1...are you alright? You seem to be lost in thought." He mentally smacked himself for being unable to watch his mouth around this femme.
"I was for a moment. It is so quiet here it is so easy to do here." She said, nodding, and then looked at him fully, making his fingers twitch, and he took a deep vent.
"I wanted to apologize for when we were introduced." Orion started, and Elita's smile grew just a touch. "I was too forward and I should not have said what I did."
"Oh..."Elita said, sighing.”There goes my ego boost." Orion's optics got wide. "It's not everyday you are told you are beautiful as a Prime."
"I never denied that fact-" He froze, realizing what he said, as Elita fully smiled now. "Forgive me Elita 1, I will leave you alone forever now and go finish eating the rest of my ped."
He turned to leave as Elita covered her mouth to stop from laughing.
"Orion Pax, wait." He turned back to her, "How about you make it up to me with a drink?" His jaw dropped, "Have you ever been to Maccadam's Old Oil House?"
He nodded, having been there at least once a week for years and years with his best friend Jazz.
"Buy me a drink there tonight and we'll call it even."
"I will buy you two for my terrible social skills." He said, and Elita laughed, making him smile. "And you may call me Orion."
"Then please call me Elita." She said, her smile making Orion's vents freeze for a moment. "8 sound alright?"
"8 sounds wonderful." He said, nodding, and couldn’t keep the smile off of his face.
**************************
Jazz buzzed Orion's door for entry 3 times before he simply hacked the lock, and stepped inside.
He hadn't heard from his friend in two weeks, ever after Jazz had gotten back from an assignment in Praxus. He was worried, Orion had been acting strange for the past few months, and skirted the issue whenever Jazz brought it up...and Jazz was tired of waiting for an answer.
He looked around, as the always spotless apartment, and looked towards the bedroom, realizing the wash racks were running. Jazz felt a little better knowing why Orion didn’t answer.
He grabbed a cube, and sat on the couch, getting comfortable, and thankfully didn't have to wait long. Orion stepped out of the bedroom, still drying off when he noticed Jazz, still holding the towel on his head.
"Jazz."
Jazz was curious as to why he sounded so shocked.
"Orion Pax, how's my oldest friend doing?" Jazz smiled as if he didn't just break into his apartment and stole a cube. But it was Jazz, and Orion was use to this, but never seemed so shocked before...well, since after the first time it happened.
"I am well Jazz," He said, and Jazz didn't miss the look he gave over his shoulder. "Can you come back later? I have...an appointment to keep."
Jazz raised an eyebrow at the obvious lie, and having not intention of leaving, at all, now.
"Appointment for what?" Jazz asked, putting down his cube on the coffee table. "You've been really busy lately...kind of odd for you..."
They both turned as the heard something move in the bedroom and Jazz fully looked at Orion, smirking.
"Is someone else here?" Orion avoided his optics, "Vector Sigma! You. You brought someone home. I cannot believe this."
"Jazz, please, can you come back later and-"
Orion was cut off as Elita stepped out of the bedroom, making Jazz's optics go wide and his jaw drop.
"Sweetspark, can-" Elita started, and stopped, towel still around her shoulders when she stepped into the living room and looked at Jazz, smirking, and Orion was looking worried and uncomfortable. "Is this Jazz?"
Before Orion could answer, Jazz was up and offering Elita his hand.
"It is, and what is a tall drink of energon like you's name?" Jazz asked, and Elita smiled.
"Elita, it is nice to meet you." She said, as he let go of her hand. "Orion told me you two are old friends." Elita took the towel off her shoulders and set in on the back of the couch.
"Very old friends." Jazz said, throwing a look to Orion, who looked worried now. "So old we are forgetful sometimes." He gave Elita one of his killer smiles, "So, how do you two know each other?"
"Elita." Orion said, and she looked at him.
He looked beyond worried, and she gave him an apologetic smile. Jazz glanced between them, and paused, looking at Elita's badge.
"You. Did. Not." Jazz said, and they both looked at him. "She's the Elite Guard you embarrassed yourself in front of." He raised an eyebrow at Orion. "You're smoother than I thought."
Elita laughed, but quickly covered her mouth, trying to stifle it, but her optics were bright, and Orion finally relaxed, his lips twitching into a small smile.
"Why didn’t you tell me? I'm not going to go spread rumors about you. I'm just impressed you found a femme this hot to date you."
Elita started to laugh again, still trying to not laugh out loud.
"Seriously, he's like cute, adorable," Orion rolled his optics, "But not-" He motioned to all of Elita, and she couldn’t help it, finally letting the laughter bubble out. "Hot." He glanced at Orion, who seemed more annoyed than anything now.
"It's cause he's all awkward and cute when he gets flustered, isn't it?"
"Pretty much." Elita said, smiling, as Orion gave her a full smile brightening up his whole face.
*****************************
Orion buzzed the door for entry and the door opened a moment later, barely giving him time to calm his fast swirling spark. He stepped into Ultra Magnus' office, and found Magnus at his desk, looking over a data pad.
He put it down and motioned for Orion to sit in one of the chairs in front of the desk.
"Orion, it is an odd request for you to come speak with me in my office." Ultra Magnus said, looking over Orion. "Is something wrong?" Orion steadied himself, and handed Ultra Magnus the data pad he held. He had been researching for months, tripled checked everything, and we was at one of the last steps.
"I would like your permission to bond with Elita."
Since they were different classes, but worked in the same district, in the same building, they could bond. Besides all the paper work Orion had already filed, he need both his and Elita's superiors permission, and then they could bond...after Orion asked Elita.
Ultra Magnus pinned Orion with a look, one he usually reserved for some of the rowdy Elite Guard, and Orion knew how he had become Head of the Elite Guard at such a young age.
"Orion... you cannot do this...especially with Elita's background." Magnus said, after a minute. "It will tarnish your reputation, and hurt possibilities in your future..."
It seemed to hurt Ultra Magnus to say this, as he turned back to the request form he held.
"I cannot in all fairness approve-"
"Are you saying this as her brother or her commanding officer?" Orion gently interrupted.
He and Elita had been dating for so long, too long by some standards, but they had been quiet about it. They were rarely seen in public, and never in Icaon, and only interacted in the Hall of Records when they had to.
They had talked about family, about Orion had lost his parents when he was young to a freak accident, and his grandfather had raised him, and now lived in a small retirement center at the edge of Icaon. Elita had told him how her parents had simply left her and her younger brother at an orphanage, and she had raised him and watched over him...and who he was.
Ultra Magnus had grown out of his humble upbringing, but had never forgotten his sister, who had taught him how to survive.
"I don't know." Ultra Magnus said, he glanced at Orion. "You know the details of how she came to her position in the Elite Guard?"
"She spoke against her commanding officer, and went above and beyond to help others that had nothing to offer. She saved lives by taking the excess energon from the Upper Class, and giving it to starving mechs and femmes in need. She was thrown in prison, waiting for trial, when you were able to step in and smooth everything over, giving her an out that the stress of the job had gotten to her, and giving her a job here. She fought you the whole way...but agreed so she could watch over you."
The last part Elita had told him, and Ultra Magnus looked at him surprised.
"I am jealous to not have a sister like yours. She is an amazing femme...and I want to keep her forever. I will live in the slums of Kaon, the back alleys of Rodion, even on the edge of the Rust Sea if it means I can be with her everyday for the rest of my life."
He leaned forward, putting his hands on the edge of Ultra Magnus' desk.
"I am a data clerk, I had a quiet, boring life and Elita has made it better by simply existing and letting me share her time with me. Please do not deny this request because it may hurt my reputation, I do not have one, and do not care if I will have one because of Elita. I will be beyond happy, and plan to make sure Elita is the same."
Ultra Magnus' look softened as Orion spoke, and he sighed, putting his hand to cover his mouth.
"I am glad the bumps on your helm, from not watching where you are going, have not impaired your ability to speak." Ultra Magnus said, and Orion let a small, embarrassed smile show. "If you were not a data clerk, you would have been a great leader, Orion Pax." He tapped on the data pad as he spoke, "You can move this old mech's spark with a few well placed words."
"I am older than you, Ultra Magnus." Orion said, still smiling. "You have a soft spot under that constant frown of yours."
Ultra Magnus handed him the data pad back, his lips twitching.
"Do not let anyone know, I have perfected this frown for sometime now." Orion chuckled quietly. "I would like to be present for the ceremony, if you do not mind."
"I think Elita would prefer that...I have a good friend that has invited himself as well." Orion said, he glanced at the data pad. "Thank you, Ultra Magnus."
"Do not thank me, Orion Pax...I simply ask that you keep your promise to make her happy."
"I will."
Orion left, holding the data pad close, the other with Alpha Trion's approval in his subspace, and headed to where Elita was guarding that day. She had traded with another guard, and was on the ground level, near the entrance of the building. He put away the data pad, double checking it was safe, and half ran to find her.
He slowed down when he finally saw her, as she spoke to a few of the other guards, as the shift was about to change. Orion was already off, but had met with Ultra Magnus, and was now on time to meet Elita as she was about to end her shift. He joined them, and they paused their conversation, looking at him curious.
"Forgive me for interrupting, but may I speak with Guard Elita 1?" Orion asked, Elita flashed him a curious look and they excused themselves out of audial range of the guards.
"Orion, what are you doing?" She asked, "Are you ok? Should I comm Ratchet? Is-"
"I am fine, my love." He said, looking at her with bright optics and a small smile. "I did not want to wait for you to get home to see you." Elita still gave him a wary look. "Would you like to go out tonight?"
"You are worrying me, Orion, this is not like you." Elita said, "Are you sure you are ok?"
"I am just fine, sweetspark. Shall we head out?"
She nodded, and they left the building, and just a few blocks away, Orion took her hand. She stopped, and pulled him out of the flow of foot traffic.
"Orion Pax, what is going on? You find me in the hall, pull me away from other guards, walk out of the building with me, and then take my hand as we walk." She searched his face, "We cannot get caught, and I don’t want to lose you because we are not being careful."
"We do not have to worry anymore." Orion said, Elita looked even more confused. "I love you, Elita 1." He pulled her into a kiss suddenly, and she was too surprised to object. He held her close, and she put her hands on his chest. "I cannot wait to get home and must ask you something." She nodded, "Elita 1, will you bond with me?" Her face showed her complete shock, and he smiled. "I have all the details figured out, every paper is filed, and all the approvals we needed. The Ceremony guest will be Jazz and Ultra Magnus, and anyone else we want to share it with." Elita simply stared at him, still processing everything. "Elita?"
"You've been planning this?," Elita said, "How long have you been planning this?"
"A year, give of take, the paperwork was the worst part but I was patient because I knew the outcome." Orion said, slowly becoming unsure. "I hope I knew the outcome..."
"Orion...why would you want to bond with me? I was almost thrown in prison, downgraded to a guard, I have nothing to offer you-" He stopped her with another kiss, and she almost melted into him with the intensity of it.
"You make my life better by existing in it. You are the reason why I get up in the morning. I love you with my entire spark, all my being..." Orion said, "And you didn't answer my question."
She looked at him, searching for any doubt in his optics.
"Primus be, Orion Pax, now I have to deal with your sappy aft the rest of my life. Yes, Orion Pax, yes I will bond with you." Elita said, starting to smile. "You should not be-"
Whatever Orion shouldn’t do he didn’t care. He kissed her, and she kissed him back, getting looks from passersby, and only parted a little ventless, putting their foreheads together, not wanting the moment to end.