Title: Starlight

Author: darkling7

Rating: T (may change later)

Warning: Language

Disclaimer: I do not own

Fifty-Three

He brought her to the club that they had gone to the first time they met.

The music was loud, the crowd was thick, and Kagome allowed Sideswipe to gently pull her along towards the bar. He released her hand in order to approach the bar and order their drinks. She took a moment to quietly admire him.

One of the benefits of his holoform was that all he had to do was think about what clothes he would prefer, and boom, he was wearing them. And, she had to admit, the clothing he had chosen was definitely attracting her eye (as well as many others.)

He was dressed in a pair of black harems, with a simple white v-neck and a leather jacket tossed casually across one shoulder. His blond hair certainly stood out amidst the Japanese crowd, and Kagome caught the girls standing next to him giggling into their palms when his eyes flickered in their direction.

His hands were drumming away at the counter top, and Kagome could only shake her head in amusement. If she didn't know any better, she would never know that he was actually an alien robot, and that the car they had pulled up in was actually him, not this handsome human-shaped suit he donned.

She had experience with people who used human faces.

Kagome firmly shook her head, determined to wipe away all thoughts of the Feudal Era and to focus solely on the present, and on the extremely handsome man who was walking back to her, drinks in hand.

"Here you go, gorgeous," Sideswipe said, eyebrows waggling.

She laughed, and took a large gulp; the taste of alcohol and fruit helping to chase away the memories.

He convinced her to dance.

Kagome had never actually danced before.

She had done her awkward friend-swaying with Ayumi, she had twirled around the shrine with Souta when he had announced he had gotten into a prestigious high school, and she had joined hands with Shippo and Rin, spinning in circles with them.

But she had never had such close contact with a man before. Well, robot alien man. Whatever.

She knew she had a blush permanently etched into her cheeks, as Sideswipe gently rested his hands against her waist. He had convinced her to come out to the dance floor when a slower song had come on, and she had reluctantly allowed herself to step closer.

She pressed her forehead against his shoulder, keeping her eyes firmly shut as he gently swayed with her, her fingers clutching desperately at his neck. His thumb moved just slightly, and she licked her lips nervously.

"Relax, Kagome," he breathed into her ear, and the sensation caused a shiver down her spine.

She giggled, feeling slightly panicked. "I am relaxed!"

Sideswipe snorted, and his hands left her hips. He took a step back, and Kagome was forced to release her grip on his neck. She stood there awkwardly, arms still partially extended towards him, utterly bewildered.

"W-why did you stop?" she stuttered.

He shook his head, a small smile turning up the corner of one lip. "This isn't working."

Her heart skipped a beat. "W-what?"

He grabbed her hands, and pulled her close. She stared up at him, confusion furrowing her brow. He grinned, and leaned down to whisper in her ear, "I can hear your heartbeat. Your heart is pounding away, furiously. Your pupils are dilated. And you keep licking your lips.

She blinked up at him. "Okay...so?"

His blue eyes pierced hers. "Those are signs of attraction in your species. You're attracted to me, but you're so nervous that you aren't enjoying yourself."

She could have died right there, and she wouldn't have felt less humiliated. She tried to pull away from him, her face aflame, but Sideswipe refused to let go.

"Come on," she protested, her pride battling her desire. "Just let me go."

"No. You did know you were attracted to me, right?"

She scowled. "Yes, but.."

"But what? You agreed to try."

"Try being friends," she hissed back at him, stepping closer to glare at him, no longer trying to rip her hands away from his. "I told you-!"

"You told us you would try to be friends with us, to see if there was something more. Yet, your attraction to us causes you discomfort."

"It's just...not done," she whispered. "I mean, in movies and sometimes books, but not real people.."

His eyes widened with surprise, and sudden realization. His hands were suddenly cradling her face, tipping her chin up towards him. "We're not human, Kagome. It's not the same for our species. We aren't as...restricted, when it comes to multiple partnerships."

"But I am human."

"Then at least let me attempt to sway you." His eyes were uncommonly serious, and the sounds and music from the club seemed to fade away around them, until all she could hear was his ragged breathing that even matched her own.

"Okay," she breathed, barely a whisper.

And then his lips were against hers.