"Mech Troubles"
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I really couldn't. The twins looked at me nervously.
"... Please tell me I heard you wrong."
Vi and Mel glanced at one another in distress. Finally, Vibes looked back at me shyly, saying,
"Are you mad?"
I stared at her for a moment, then sighed, shaking my head. "No. I'm not mad." The twins seemed to relax. I wouldn't let them off that easily, though.
"... But I do wish you would have told me about this earlier. Just how long have the two of you been at this?"
They were quiet for a moment, before Melody answered,
"... About a Quarter…"
I looked at her sister. Vibes turned her gaze down, her faceplate warming.
"And you, Vi?" I asked expectantly. She still wouldn't look at me, murmuring incoherently.
"Vibes."
"... A Cycle." She whimpered. I sighed, not wanting to look at them anymore. Why had they kept this a secret? I understand that they would be hesitant to tell me. But for a full Cycle? I wouldn't have been upset at all to hear they had met some mechs. Protective, maybe, but not upset. This, however, was unacceptable. Nightly rendezvous, sneaking about, making excuses? It's like they were afraid…
"I understand you not wanting to tell me about this," I say slowly, "But hiding it from me? For this long?"
They didn't reply. I waited a moment before continuing,
"... I am not angry. But I am hurt that you kept this from me. Go to your rooms, separately. I need to think."
They hurried away, knowing that any argument they put up would only put them in more trouble than they already are. I watch them go. I had never experienced romance. The only love I had ever felt was for them. My family. And our fans, I had to admit. I had never pursued a femme as a young mech. I cared more about music. So I couldn't understand how they, my own sisters, had been driven enough by this unseen force to leave the complex. Going who-knows-where to meet some unknown mechs. I was protective of the twins. Dangerously so, at times. I suppose that is what drove them to be so secretive.
"... What is happening to them?" I sigh to myself. Just then, an idea formed…
xxx
I thought all evening, and rose early to wait for the twins to wake. My plan was set.
"Good morning." I say as Melody steps in from the hall. She jolts, as if she had expected to be the first to get up. I decided not to be suspicious, knowing that she wouldn't dare try to sneak out after the events of last night.
"Um… Morning…" She replied, averting her gaze as she walked in. Her half-awake sister followed.
"Good morning, Vibes."
Vibes nods, then turns away quickly, joining Mel in a fake search for a canister of energon.
"Come here, both of you." I say finally, not buying their act. They were stalling, trying to avoid me. I wouldn't let them. Slowly, hesitantly, they obeyed. Sitting as far away from me as possible across the low table. I look at both of them, taking extra time on Vibes. She refused to look back.
"I've thought about what you two have been doing." I begin. "... And I understand why. I have been careful to keep the two of you safe. Not only from physical harm, but emotional damage as well. I can only assume that you were afraid I would keep you from interacting with these young mechs you've met."
I could tell that was the answer, though they didn't want to admit it. It seemed like such a ridiculous thing to fear. And yet, it sounded like something I would do, to keep them safe.
"... So," I continued, "I will be as flexible as is possible tonight when you bring them to here and introduce them to me."
Melody was shocked. Vibes was completely paralyzed. Optics wide in disbelief, she gasped,
"What?"
"You heard." I reply calmly. "Both of you. Bring these mechs you've met to the apartment this evening."
"But… Do we have to?" Mel pleaded, "Can't you meet them some other time? Someplace not as…"
"... Formal?" I offer, "No. You will bring them here. This is final. And yes, you do have to. Both of you. No excuses. You both know that stalling won't get you anywhere, so it would be in your best mind to contact these fine mechs and inform them of tonight's agenda."
xxx
Meteor had never thought himself a shy kind of mech, but what Vibes just told him suddenly made him feel unimaginably insecure. They had been meeting in secret for over a Cycle now, and had become dangerously intimate. Sooner or later, their secret was bound to slip out. Meteor had thought he could handle any reaction from Vi's bodyguard of a brother. He hadn't expected anything like this.
xxx
Cannon barely blinked at the news Melody brought.
"Your brother wants to meet me." He repeats, "So?"
Melody gapes at him. "Excuse me?" She replies, "Have you met Soundwave? Do you have the slightest idea what he will do to you if you fall one nanometer out of line?"
Cannon shrugged, still unfazed. He refused to let an overprotective family member intimidate him. He was a tough mech, he got what he wanted when he wanted it. And he wanted Melody. All he had to do was go with her, put on a show to impress big brother, and be off. Once he was in the clear, he had plenty of plans for her.
xxx
The twins left early to meet the young mechs at the front door of the complex and let them in. I waited, keeping a stoic expression. Though a small part of me was writhing. Vibes and Melody, my Vi and Mel, were going out and meeting with mechs? I was less upset about the "going out" part. Since I knew they wouldn't try it again if they valued all good things in life. But the "with mechs" part insanely disturbed me for some reason.
I pushed away the feelings, promising myself to think on them later. Now was not the time. Now, I was the big brother. No, the father. Just for tonight, I was the father. Vi and Mel are my little fems, and I won't allow anything or anyone that does not pass my judgement to come near them.
Welcome, young mechs, to the trial.
xxx
Meteor could swear he felt Soundwave's glare burning like acid rain through him. His spark might as well have been fried by those steely violet optics. So much different from Vibes' soft blue ones. It was hard to tell they were supposed to be related. Until he remembered that she and her sister had been essentially adopted by him. Only the signatures on their protoform order contracts proved they had some relation. Meteor had been coaching himself all that day, running through various simulations in his mind. What he would say, how he would act, his etiquette, everything had to be perfect for tonight if he was to prove to Soundwave that he was a worthy match for Vibes.
xxx
Meanwhile, Cannon returned the look that Soundwave sent at him, ignoring Melody's warnings from earlier that day, and the cautionary nudge she gave him just now. Instead of submitting, he stared right back at her brother. Showing he wasn't afraid. He refused to fall for Soundwave's intimidating front. Cannon would own this evening, simple as that. Then he and Mel would be free to do as he wished.
xxx
I immediately disliked Cannon. Not only because of his careless appearance, scuffed and unkempt with no consideration whatsoever for decency. But because of his defiant, haughty expression. Composed and directed especially for me. He was at least wise enough not to smirk. The other, however, Meteor, seemed fair enough. He had at least cleaned up for the occasion. Every inch of his grey and yellow armor gleamed. He wasn't overconfident, like Cannon. On the contrary, he didn't seem very confident at all. He seemed careful, wary of me. Just what I had hoped for. He was watching his own movements, making sure everything he did was just so. I decided I wouldn't have to watch him as closely.
xxx
Time passed, and the evening went on. Going better for some than others…
Meteor calmed down a bit as the evening went on, noticing that Soundwave seemed more interested in Cannon than him. Vi's sister, Melody, seemed to be regretting ever meeting him at all now. She kept her gaze down, giving up on trying to nudge Cannon out of his attitude.
Meteor could tell Vibes didn't like him either, casting a disgusted glance at him every now and then, followed by a pitying one to her sister.
Cannon did most of the talking, which was both good and bad. Good, because Meteor wouldn't have to, and bad because Cannon was only making things worse for himself.
xxx
Melody flinched every time Cannon started on a new topic, digging deeper into the pit he had dragged her into. She had given up on trying to stop him. It was too late now. How had she missed this? How had she overlooked his outstanding arrogance? It made her sick. The first mech she had been romantically attracted to was rotten to the core. She wanted to run out of the complex and throw herself into the nearest scrap pit. Mel barely payed attention to what he was saying, knowing what she heard would only make her feel worse. But she couldn't help overhearing when he mentioned her name…
"... Mel is an independant, now." He told Soundwave. "She can make her own choices, and she chose me. If you have a problem with that, you can-"
"Well, what if I have a problem with it?" Melody said sharply. She couldn't take it anymore, and she could tell her brother was running out of patience. Everyone looked at her, but she ignored the stares.
"I was stupid enough to fall for you," She continued, "That fact has been made painfully clear this evening. But I would never be dense enough to choose you over my own brother!"
"Quiet, Mel." Cannon growled, taking her aback. "If you want to be truly independent, you'll stick with me. You want to be free, remember? Free to make our own rules. So if you have any sense in that microchip of a processor, you might even be able to figure out that I'm getting you what you asked for!"
xxx
I snapped. It was bad enough, his attitude towards me. I could handle that. But what nerve did he have to talk to Melody that way? Right in front of my face? Before he could open his disgraceful mouth again, I was on my feet. He looked back at me, unfazed. But before I had a chance to throw him out the nearest window, he was grabbed from behind, jerked mercilessly to his feet, and spun around to face Meteor.
Before anyone could react, including Cannon, (who, for once in the evening, was shocked.) Meteor's fist connected with his faceplate, sending him stumbling back against the wall.
"Don't you ever speak to Vi's sister that way!" Meteor screamed, grabbing Cannon again and pinning him up against the wall, feet hovering above the ground. It was now, that Cannon seemed to realize his opponent was head-and-shoulders taller than him. And exceptionally strong. Meteor didn't hit him a second time, but every word he spat like venom, making Cannon flinch as if he had been slapped.
"What kind of idiot are you to think you deserve Melody? And then waltz in here like you own her! She wasn't stupid to fall for you. You were evil to lure her in!"
He had more to say, but I could tell Cannon had finally gotten the point through his thick skull. Composing myself, I crossed over in two strides, laying a hand on Meteor's shoulder. Instantly, he halted. He looked at me as if he had come out of a trance. Quickly, he released Cannon, who could only stand in shock. Obviously, he had not been prepared for any resistance to his ploy. Especially not anything physical. He was all bark and no bite, arrogant and tough on the outside, but too cowardly to actually put up a fight.
"That will be enough." I say lowly, to both of them. "Cannon, I believe it has been made clear you have overstayed your welcome."
Cannon was speechless, and too shaken to recover his spite. Not that it would make any difference now. It was him against me, Melody, Meteor and Vibes. Without a word, he nodded, fearfully, hurrying to the door and disappearing. Never to be seen again.
xxx
"Meteor," I say as it comes time for him to go. "You have proven that you not only care deeply for Vibes, but her sister as well, and are willing to defend either of them with whatever it takes. You have my approval, and permission to court Vibes freely."
Meteor was still quite shaken from his own outburst, and at the same time, overjoyed that he had earned my respect. For the first time that evening, he relaxed.
"Thank you, sir, you have no idea how much it means to me."
"I can imagine." I reply, "And please, call me Soundwave. You've earned that as well."
Meteor nodded, "Of course… Soundwave. And thank you again."
"You had better get home," Vibes told him, "Your complex is all the way across town."
"I can catch a shuttle if I hurry." He replies. Then he turns to Melody, "I'm sorry, about Cannon. I have a friend that's looking for a fem like you, if you're interested…"
Melody shook her head. "Thanks, but I don't think I'll be courting anyone else anytime soon. I appreciate the thought, though. And thank you for standing up to him. It means a lot. I'm glad at least one of us found a good mech." She smiled, shaking his hand. In turn, I offered my own, which he accepted graciously.
"It was a pleasure meeting you, Meteor." I tell him, "I hope to see you again soon."
Meteor nodded, smiling. "Thank you, Soundwave."
