BONUS ROUND 1: THROWBACK PROMPTS

[a1c0bb]

In this round, we'll be using prompts from last year's bonus rounds! You can either come up with a prompt based on the previous themes, fill a prompt from previous bonus rounds, or fill a prompt that's been posted this year!

Here is the tag with all the previous bonus rounds!

Fills can be in any format, and you can fill your teammates prompts, but you cannot fill your own prompt.

You can post as many fills and as many prompts as you want!

for your prompt post title, please use the following format:

PROMPT: TEAM [TEAM NAME]

for your fill post title, please use the following format:

FILL: TEAM [TEAM NAME]

If you're filling from a 2023/2024 prompt, please link to their prompt in your post!

To participate, reply to this post!

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Prompt: Team OC

[static_prevails]

Dialogue:

"Do you have any regrets, now that it's over?"

Fill: Team Mecha

[pluralsword]

From Regret to Reprieve

Transformers: Original Continuity (drawing on some of our other writing)
Relationship: Greenlight/Aileron/Anode/Arcee/Lug/Lancer

"Do you have any regrets, now that it's over?" Greenlight poked Arcee’s metal cheek past her cheek guard, with a big grin matched by hers in turn and then laughter from the six bots in total under the shine of the setting sun and ring of hundreds of moons around the verdant cliffside of Nebulos they sat on, like the thousands of sparsely clustered gatherings across species around them taking in the postwar sky, the clarity without bombs, plasma bolts, and missiles so deeply precious to the survivors.

“Regrets? Oh do I have regrets? I have mountains of regrets!!” Arcee warbled with a smile wet with the coolant going down her cheeks from her optics. “I’m just so glad it’s over, for now… no more having to choose between a rock and a hard place of which way people under my command or protection may die carrying out plans or supposed to be defended, no more of me having to strike blows that injure or end lives over and over. No more…” the robustly armored pink and cyan car-bot sighed, her wheels in her back pylons and lower legs whirring, her waist in stocky half-track Greenlight’s thickset checkered and deep green arms. “That entire war was a regret, like all wars. I’m just glad people survived, and that we’re working to rebuild, now. What you, do any of you dears you have regrets?”

“I wish Gauge and Sideswipe hadn’t had to be around for it, but I’m glad we were here for them when it happened.” broadly rounded orange-winged and alabaster and jet gray armored Aileron leaned on big blocky purple and orange armored jeep bot Lancer’s arm and plucked a kiss on her shoulder.

There were murmurs and outcries of agreement, Lancer embraced Aileron close, her hand caressed the shorter bot’s domed helm. “I know. I know that’s particularly hard on you five since you weren’t there that day in the first few days, while I hoped against hope I wouldn’t run out of scatter blaster rounds looking after our young ones when Decepticon commandos hunted down potential targets back home.”

“I felt so helpless,” lanky biplane bot Anode shivered in Arcee and stout blocky Lug’s tender grasp. “I just. We went to the capital with the support of humanity and the galactic community no less to pass the collective quest assemblage resolution doctrines of autonomy and thus rejoin the galactic alliance we helped create... ...only to find that was the moment the likes of Slipstream and Strika were waiting for to justify a civil war, while we were far away from defending you and our children? I hated every moment of it. I just wish- I just wish we had started the Autobot movement sooner, before the Golden Age had reached such a decay, before the original Functionist movement incompetently struck terror upon the known worlds, something darling Arcee knew would happen sooner or later, whether she lived to face off against it or not. I wish she hadn’t had to carry that weight, to have been sidelined in a pedestaling fashion for warning well before most people were willing to listen.”

“Aye, she got the most burning of it, and in that regard,” Lug sniffed, her cyan light inlays in her gray and scarlet armor bright, helm headlights ablaze. “You should have gotten to run for Prime without feeling your position as sage counsel would be ineffectual and expected to solve things for the people without them changing, you shouldn’t have had to quit the running. It’s unfair, dearie, so…”

She opened up her chest compartment with but a thought while Arcee leaned over to kiss her cheek among their Conjunxes affirmations, and Lug reached into her own armor to pull out a two handled orb of gold and silver hue lit with prismatic light in it’s six main grooves and core, the intergenerational thought-whispers of that Matrix in full agreement with Lug’s decision. “I’m more than ready to end my time being a Matrix bearer, I am sure people will agree on after. We’ve won what we fought for, people understand that we must engage in history together, continue to use technology and the arts to soothe and hope and care, to dare to hope and love even if just in the thinking and doing therein, to hold all life and the cosmos dear. I wish I had gotten to do this sooner, Arcana Magnus. Some will call it nepotism, but I want out and it’s long overdue for you, and people still have to vote on it-”

There were no words at first in the new interim-Prime’s thanks, just lips on Lug’s mouth, chin guard brushing with her chin as the two’s heads swayed in tides of opening and closing on each other among the awwws and cheers and gentle, firm touches of their loves, until Arcana Magnus leaned back, one hand in Lug’s own, the other gripped and squeezed by Aileron, who spoke before anyone else-

“Gods damn been waiting two centuries for that!” her cackle was joined by the rest among tearful joy, and when she was able to find herself among the stilling of smooches, she went on. “Glad it got to be you after all, was worried Yellow Splendid Convoy was going to abdicate her Matrix. Or Elita or Override, or transformation forbid Twitch doing so out of misplaced well-meaning philosophical duty.”

“We should check on the lovescoop and lovebird, shouldn’t we?” Greenlight smirked. “That at least was a good thing that came out of this war, Twitch and Gauge finding love in one another.”

“Oh, I’m sure the youngsters will reach out once we tell them sweetspark Lug finally did the hand off,” Anode chuckled.

“Gods, how many people exactly were waiting for this to happen?” Arcee took the Matrix into her hands, it’s glow starry upon her, with her answer shown in the psychological roil of sparks it was a conduit for, and in the thought paradigms of past bearers: Everyone, some much longer than others.... Our regret, that you could not do this sooner, and our joy, that you get to in the way you want most- to rebuild, to transform, to teach, to encourage transformations unto one’s own and cosmically shared.

“Oh…” she smiled. “Guess that explains Slipstream saying ‘I regret more than you’d ever expect me to.’”

“Windblade sure knows how to choose ‘em doesn’t she,” Lancer snorted. “I guess that’s her hope, like yours for us all, how deeply you both share and feel that viscerally. Honestly shocking you two didn’t Conjunx.”

“In another life, perhaps,” Arcee upturned face felt ever so warm to her own sensors, wistful. “But that’s a story for another time.”

“Wait a tick!” Lug gasped. “What do you mean? You met one of yourself who has when you did when you did spark echo meditations or some’hat?”

“It never ends,” Arcee blew her a kiss. “There’s no end to history.”

“Oh come ooonnn.”

“I’ll tell you all later… it was rather recent and with all the battles there wasn’t time to say. I regret that too.”

“It’s okay,” Aileron grasped Arcana’s chin. “I know your kissing you so want to do will make up for it.”

“Now that, no regrets from me for the lot of you on that front,” Arcee leaned in, nestled among laughter, understanding, hope she knew so well and they her own in turn.

FILL: TEAM VISUAL NOVELS

[realxeyez]

Ship: Ayase Naru/Suzuno Ito (Pretty Rhythm: Rainbow Live)

-

It takes time for everything to settle. 

Naru finds herself busier than ever— helping the new girls transition into taking over her role as Prism Stone's manager takes up the bulk of her time, but there's also exams and family stuff and everything going on with Edel Rose. While she seens Ann and Ito both at school and Prism Stone, it's not like they've had time to sit down and talk. 

It'd take a lot to keep Happy Rain apart, though, and it doesn't take long before Naru starts to really miss them. Ann's the busiest, but Naru manages to drag her out for all-you-can-eat sweets one day after school and they spend so much time chatting that the owner has to throw them out. 

Ito is harder to get a hold of, however. A bad break-up leaves her in Tokyo while Kouji chases his dreams in New York, and even Naru can't find the right moment to slot herself back into Ito's life. 

In the end, it's Ito who reaches out first. Honestly, it's barely invitation, just a casual offer to check out the Christmas markets currently going on, but from someone like Ito it's basically a confession of affection. The idea sets off butterflies in Naru's stomach, even if she knows that the break-up is still relatively fresh and Ito absolutely doesn't have anything romantic in mind.  

(Otoha had mentioned that your first break-up tended to be the worst; three months later is basically the same as if you broke up the day before.)

They meet by the large decorative Christmas tree in the middle of the markets, around dinner time. Naru's spent most of the afternoon making sure she looks perfect, so she's just barely on time. Ito's already waiting by the time she arrives, bundled up in a scarf and gloves in an effort to brave the cold. Naru thinks she may be wearing one of her dad's leather jackets too— it's a little too big on her, and she'd clearly rolled the cuffs up so they don't swallow her. 

It all feels remarkably date-like. Ito brightens up when Naru trots over, and Naru makes sure to not hug her because that's not really Ito's thing. They go through the usual 'hi, how have you been's and the 'wow its been so long!'s before they realise how stupid it all sounds and agree to set off. 

They stroll through the market side by side, a probably-appropriate-for-two-female-friends amount of space between them. Naru's interested in all the handmade clothing and accessories, while Ito chows down on whatever savoury treats pique her interest and occasionally drags Naru to a stall selling cool punk stuff or anything instrument related. 

By the time they've made a lap, Naru's legs are aching. Ito chides her for wearing heels (tiny and chunky as they are) and quickly pushes her towards the nearest bench. 

"Seriously, think ahead for once." Ito grumbles, but magics a bandaid of out thin air and starts yanking off Naru's shoes and socks to slap a bandage on her blistered heels. She goes a touch red when Naru repeatedly thanks her, but that could just be the cold. 

They talk a little, about this and that, while taking a break and people watching. Things seem to be getting better with Ito's family, even with her brother looking into attending Edel Rose when he becomes a highschooler. It's not anything deep, but Naru's just happy to be by Ito's side after so long. Keeping things light means Naru won't accidentally stumble onto a landmind concerning He Who Won't Be Named In New York. 

After about twenty minutes of that, Ito quietens down for a moment. Well, more quiet than usual. She looks like she's thinking deeply about something. 

"Hey, Naru. Do— do you have any regrets? Now that everything is over?"

It's a little out of left field, considering everyone's general avoidance in talking to Naru about all the Rinne and June stuff. She supposes Ito isn't one to worry about stepping on eggshells. 

"Hm. Nothing really comes to mind. I mean, there's stuff I wish happened but that's all out of my control. I would've liked it if Rinne could stay with us forever, or if June could keep her memory... what about you? Is there something you regret, Ito-chan?"

Naru regrets the question the second it leaves her mouth. She panics, grabbing Ito's arm and shaking it. "Wait! Don't answer that!"

Somehow that wrenches a laugh from Ito, who doesn't look as conflicted as before. "Don't worry, I'm not gonna say something like 'dating Kouji'. All this reminiscing just had me wondering."

Letting out a sigh of relief, Naru lets herself sit back. "Your 'wondering' gave me a heart attack..." She grumbles, much to Ito's amusement.

"Sorry, sorry. I was just thinking about what things would've been like if I met you before all this Prism Stone stuff."

"You would've hated me?" Naru offers. Ito had been almost like a feral cat at the beginning, so she can't imagine them meeting earlier leading to anything good.

"Haha, probably. I guess I just wish we had more time together. It's not that I regret taking my hat out of the ring or anything, but it was pretty fun skating with you."

Fun? Skating with her? The butterflies are back in full force, and Naru doesn't have the strength to will them down. Her voice is quiet and pleading when she asks "Really?"

Ito gives her a look she can't quite understand in response. It's soft and amused and endeared all at the same time. "Really. Don't get me wrong, Ann and Otoha are great partners, but I always thought it was kinda a shame the two of us never got to perform together on our own."

"We could. Right now."

"Like there's any place that would let us put on a Prism Show at," Ito checks her phone, "7pm."

"It doesn't have to be a Prism Show! I wasn't going to bring it up, because I knew you quit skating, but we passed by one of those public skating rinks earlier. We could... we could skate together, just you and I."

Ito raises a brow at that. "And the rest of the general public?"

"If I'm with you, I won't even notice anyone else!" Naru declares in a firm tone. 

"Woah, you really had the guts to say that, huh. I can't turn you down if you're that passionate about it."

"Ito-chan!" Naru coos, smiling as bright and wide as humanly possibly. Those butterflies in her tummy? Still there, but they're happy butterflies now. Happyflies. "C'mon, let's go before the market shuts down!"

There's still a few hours left, but neither of them comment on it. Instead, Ito lets herself be dragged off to the skating rink by a very excitable Naru. 

"I haven't skated properly in a loooong time, by the way, so don't laugh if I fall over." Ito says by the time they're pulling on their skates. The rink still has some stragglers but it's relatively empty. "Okay, I know you wouldn't laugh, but just give me some grace."

Secretly, Naru's a little happy at this revelation. If Ito can't skate that well, she'll have to hold onto Naru for stability. Maybe even hold her hand... 

"Hey, stop spacing out. We've only got thirty minutes on the ice." Ito waves a hand in front of Naru's face, grumbling. Naru just flushes and stumbles after her onto the ice. 

It's not exactly as Naru had hoped— Ito isn't the touchy type and prefers to be self reliant, so she refamiliarises herself with ice skating on her own. But they don't stray too far from one another, and it's obvious they're here together, so it isn't that bad. Naru's happy to see her enjoying herself. 

"This rink is way too small to do anything." Ito grumbles as she skates up to Naru, once she's figured everything out. She struggles with the stop, and Naru grabs her by the shoulders to steady her. "If we tried anything, we'd just run into someone."

Honestly, the rink had seemed bigger from the outside. But even if she can't perform with Ito, she's not giving up just yet. Gathering her courage, Naru's hands slip from Ito's shoulder to grasp her gloved hands. "We might not be able to dance, but we can still skate together!" With that, she starts skating backwards and pulling Ito by the hands.

"Wha— hey, Naru, warn me before doing that!" Even though Ito chides her, she still let's Naru pull her along. "Jeez, you're totally gonna bump into somebody like this."

"You'll just have to warn me!"

"You're lucky I like you." Ito grumbles, then freezes in spot. Issue is, this means when Naru continues skating backwards, she's pulled forward and is flung straight into Ito. 

They land in an awkward pile of limbs and skates but Naru barely notices, because— 

'You're like I like you'. Like. Daisuki, as in really like. Like-like. Maybe she wouldn't have batted an eye if Ito didn't freeze up immediately after saying it like she just exposed a state secret. 

Naru lifts her head, coming face to face with Ito. She looks winded, but mostly embarassed and like she wants to melt into the ice and become one with it. Naru's practiced for this moment, for the far of dream of Ito falling for her, awkward confessions recited in front of mirrors and late-night gushing over the phone to Bell. The words she wants are right there in her throat, all she has to do is-

"You liiiiiiike me~!" 

Not say that?!