I've always wanted to write something for the twins in the IDW-verse since their relationship in this universe is so different and twisted and as of now no one in IDW bothers to give an explanation.

I have to write something for them. It's a promise I made to my Universe Sunstreaker and his brother Sideswipe. I intend to keep it.

Please leave a review if you like it. It is greatly appreciated.

Disclaimer: Despite my wish, I don't own either Transformers or Lamborghinis. Alas.

Without Him

0. Prologue

"Sometimes I wonder, Sideswipe, what it's like to be the Only."

That dream again.

He was tied to a hard surface, with pale, artificial light above shone into his optics. He yelped in excruciating pain, all the time trying to squirm out of the shackles to no avail. He jerked up his helm as another wave of pain from his limbs washed all over his processor. He gasped as he saw a bunch of small organic creatures hunching over his body, literally cutting him into pieces.

He screamed. He begged. He cried out loud for mercy while his words fell on deaf ears. Those squishy creatures were communicating in a language he could not comprehend, yet he could tell from their careless demeanor that they thought of him no more than a pile of scrap. Perhaps that was what he would become after they finished their job.

Another squishy thing started sawing off his right arm, his scarlet red arm with his proud pile-driver fist. He shrieked at the top of his vocalizer, words broken, utterly incomprehensible.

It was only after he emerged from the recharge with a start did he realize that he was, at the end of his nightmare, calling out for his twin, begging his savior to come for him.

That was stupid, Sideswipe mused to himself. It got to be the extra energon cube he'd consumed before going to recharge. He rolled to his side, giving himself a reassuring nudge on the right arm before drifting off again.

Who would need that self-absorbed fragger? After all, he had decided to leave him and all thoughts of him behind. Sunstreaker could rust in his purgatory for all he cared. Twin brother or no, Sideswipe was happy being the "only" after he had acquired his inner tranquility.

Sunstreaker was out of his concern for good. Perhaps he should have done it eons ago. He had tried, in every possible way in the last thousands of meta-cycles, to get away from his brother's shadow. Now that he finally succeeded, he was at peace with himself. His life that had used to be so twisted like a knot was finally straightened out. He would move on, being cheeky and cheerful all again, being much more alive.

A life without him, without his curse in the golden form, would be much more livable.

Sideswipe's systems went offline one by one as he slipped deeper into the soundless recharge. There were no more nightmares, no more phantoms of the past; only darkness welcomed him, embraced his Spark and calmed his mind with the warmth of eternal solitude.