They both realized it, and they both decided on one thing: they would not admit it unless the other exposed their feelings first. This became the several days wait for (Y/N)'s answer, and Soundwave's reveal. One had become accustomed to hiding his expressions and feelings, while the other was far to used to solitude and having no one to practice sharing such emotion with. The doubles were out of practice. 

     Laserbeak was bound and determined to change that, however.

         :Soundwave, you're scheduled for a recharge soon,: the avian noted, :lord Megatron won't take to kindly if you disobey his orders to rest again. (Y/N) will be there as well.:

     And that was why the TIC was avoiding recharge. If he was going to, more than likely she was already there, or they met along the way. Much like before, (Y/N) was difficult to avoid. Only now, when he almost wanted to avoid her did Soundwave realize how connected they had become. Of course, it hadn't clicked yet that they were both attempting to avoid each other because of an irrational fear of rejection. Laserbeak was the only one to connect the dots, being a third party. The wingman, so to speak.

         :Please, you need it.: Laserbeak sighed through their master and servant bond. :You're being uncharacteristically irrational, and it's beginning to show.:

     The mech stopped his work as he thought. Perhaps he was being a trifle irrational. Overall, he hadn't seen the femme because of errands that separate them, and she would be mistaken for him on the rare occasion, so she picked up odd jobs he'd normally find. He was rather grateful of it, considering his workload that had increased once Project Predacon had begun to take form. (Y/N) would inquire if it was appropriate, never assuming, through their private messaging system, and he'd usually answer with a simple 'yes' or some other similar word.

     As neither were particular to conversation, they didn't care to correct whoever confused one for the other, unless asked directly, which was rare. Megatron had made it abundantly clear that (Y/N) was to be treated as Soundwave was, with respect (though mostly through fear). Soundwave would often be mistaken for her, even. The occasional Vehicon having something from Shockwave for the femme. Sometimes from Megatron, but it was not a common happening. 

         :Soundwave, you're getting off track.: Laserbeak informed him, and Soundwave began his work once more. 

     He was right, Soundwave needed rest, if anything to calm his ever-racing mind. A flight beforehand may do him some good, but he did not have the time. 

     The mech logged out from the computer by retracting the elongated appendages. He stared at the terminal for a time before turning and running through his usual path to his private quarters on the cameras. The way was not as clear as he wished, with several Vehicon drones making their security rounds or having business in that general vicinity. He'd have to take the long way around.

         :You just know (Y/N) doesn't care if there's a crowd.: Laserbeak huffed. :They move out of both your ways like Autobots nearing a smelting pit.:

     The mech sent a small wave of amusement through their bond, making the Minicon groan because of his master's stubbornness to simply face his predicament head-on. It wasn't like Soundwave to not take care of a potentially urgent matter. It wasn't every day the infamous Soundwave found interest in someone, either. He wasn't exactly talkative with femmes on Cybertron, and they were not readily lining up to meet him anyway. Soundwave stuck to the shadows, letting Megatron take the lead. Much like (Y/N) let him lead.

     Filing through the cameras once more, Soundwave stopped. The hall was silent, but there was something he felt he had missed. Turning, the mech came face to face with his femme double, her darker colors dulled further in the low light of the Nemesis. She had crept up behind him, and somehow, he supposed she knew, though it was not her intention to do so. (Y/N) nodded and they stepped in synch, walking side by side through the corridors until they reached Soundwave's private quarters. 

     (Y/N) was never given a room of her own, so they shared. It was not a matter that concerned the two, as they would often recharge at different times. They would converge at the same coordinates, yes, but mostly for different reasons, as their strange connection often proved. This time, after checking the surrounding cameras before entering, Soundwave found that the human-turned-Cybertronian had come to pay mind to her precious flora. They needed the attention. Not because of neglect but because of routine, and the Nemesis had been particularly hot that day due to their destination over the Equator of Earth.

     The mech turned to his computer, stalling his much-needed recharge. He knew he'd do better to simply lie down and rest, but he couldn't help but to wait a moment longer as the femme dipped her lithe digit into the water basin to water the apple tree. Sure, he was looking at nearly the perfect duplicate of himself, but no matter how much he tried to process that he was looking at his own visage, he couldn't help to see someone completely different. This wasn't him that had been released from the clear cannister within Darkmount. It wasn't a mirror image that watered their well cared for greenery. He didn't see his reflection through a darkened mirror, but a completely different being altogether, with a personality that was unique, sometimes inquisitive but tolerable. Their visor's matched, and so did their form's basic design, but Soundwave saw a femme who gladly took on responsibility and protected himself and Laserbeak, as he protected her. 

     The two had come to stare at each other, both only mildly conscious of their actions as they closed the small space between them. Neither felt desire at the moment, but a spike of curiosity stabbed at their sparks. They wished to know many things, but the simplest one their minds could wrap around was what the other looked like. Did Soundwave hide hideous scars from his gladiatorial days, or perhaps he hid blue optics from his lord and master, Megatron.

     What of (Y/N). What did she feel she needed to hide? Was her voice box only one percent of the last two before Soundwave released her and her faceplate was somehow hideous to look upon? Or did she fear she held the visage of Soundwave, and therefore dared not take the visor off, to even look upon her new form's features? The idea of knowing what the infamous TIC may look like would certainly be tempting, he knew.

         "We're avoiding each other." The femme grated out with some difficulty, her voice box paining her. Soundwave wanted it fixed. "Why?"

     It was a valid question, one Soundwave wished he had asked first. He would have much preferred to have (Y/N) answer than himself to keep from the impending embarrassment of lacking a proper answer. She had noted that they were both avoiding each other, not just him or her, so she held them both at fault for the strange activity between them. She was not playing a victim of neglect, and it made his spark pang with a strange appreciation.

         -/Inquiry/Identical/- He stated instead, hoping to turn it around on the femme.

         "It's not every day you beat around the bush." She wheezed, the sudden use of her vocalizer a bit more straining than she anticipated. "You don't know how to answer."

     Soundwave was stiff for a moment before giving a hesitant nod. They were silent again as they stared, and the TIC guessed that was the end of it, and their unsaid questions would remain a mystery to both. He took a step forward when the femme raised a servo to her visor, only to be stopped by his own. The action made her pause, but the light touch of his digits did not change her mind. The visor clicked softly, an unfamiliar sound to both of them, and her faceplate was revealed. 

     Her optics were a fair (E/C), bright and focused on her reflection in Soundwave's visor. Her faceplate was angular, as the visor suggested, but her derma were a darker shade than the lighter silver of her faceplate, adding to her femininity. Akin to the Autobot Arcee, thin lines of deep purple metal framed her gorgeous optics, calculating and curious as she watched for Soundwave's reaction.

     The mech was stiff with astonishment. Beneath his visor he felt his faceplate contort into an unknown expression. Her faceplate could be described as breathtaking, if he had breath to take. His spark leaped for her, swelling in his chest as if to burst from its chamber. His outward reaction was nothing like this, as he simply stood, staring and motionless. What was he supposed to do? What could he do without allowing his walls to crumble for the femme in front of him, willingly or otherwise?

     (Y/N) glanced at his servo that now dangled at his side, and for a moment she stared. She saw it twitch as her pede stepped to the side from being stiff. She didn't think she'd earn so little of a reaction. (Y/N) had believed he would at least have turned and gone on with his errand or whatever reason he was coming to his berthroom. Her optics found his visor, void of anything except the glow of her (E/C) optics, a color she believed she'd never see again. They were far brighter than when she was a human, of course, but she missed seeing the hue, nonetheless.

     Replacing her pede to its original position, she saw his servo twitch again, and realized he was shaking. 

         "You're scared." She stated flatly, but the widening of her slim optics betrayed her surprise. She raised a servo, and his frame shook more, the mech taking a step back. She lowered the lithe appendage, and took her own step back, watching as Soundwave gained back his ground. His shaking ebbed into the occasional twitch of his servo once more as they stared, one mask discarded onto the berth, the other still firmly planted on its owner's faceplate. (Y/N) took a step towards him again, and the lethal Decepticon continued to step back as she advanced. The femme was not threatening but he was terrified. 

     When he could no longer back up, the mech turned his helm to realize his door could not be opened under this predicament. He turned it back to stare at the femme who cornered him, a frustrated expression crossing his faceplate. This was far from what he imagined would happen when he stepped into his private quarters. The mech was not used to the feeling of terror, and his spark jolted painfully as the femme stepped ever closer. He formed a glare beneath his visor, about to lash out at the femme for daring to commit such a stunt. Soundwave had enough, but the gorgeous faceplate held a look of understanding that softened his unseen expression. She placed a gentle servo over his visor, feeling its smooth surface, before allowing their helms to connect.

     Soundwave felt his spark relax as relief took over his body, and his frame relaxed. Their optics fluttered shut, enjoying the small contact. Why was he so scared, and now content?

         "It is your choice, as it was mine." She whispered huskily, the sound soothing despite its audio-scratching tone. 

     (Y/N) let her servo slide back down to her side, Soundwave holding it in his own as they remained standing, silent, content and relieved. Their sparks hummed in pleasure as Soundwave stepped from his place against the door, allowing Laserbeak to disconnect before coming close enough for their chassis to touch, and their helms to rest on the other's shoulder.

         -/Illogical/- Soundwave made his witty statement through Shockwave's recording, hearing the choked chuckle of his lover.

         -/I have often been described as peculiar/-*

*A quote from (Y/N) found in chapter 9