Author's note. Written as a further request EmeraldMoonGreen, hope you like.

Thanks to all the great reviews I've gotten, I really appreciate it.

Contains only mention of past punishment.

Enjoy and please review.

It started, as always, with whimpers. And then the frightened voice mumbled.

"No…please…."

Sunstreaker lay still, his body rigid as he felt his brother shift by his side. He knew there was more to come.

"I'm sorry…."

Small, gasping sobs were now heard even though Sideswipe was still sleeping. Ever since Sunstreaker had returned from his mission to the base, it had been the same. They always slept in the same berth when they were together, it helped settle their sparks, especially after any kind of absence. The first couple of nights, they'd cuddled close, happy to be reunited while also rather hopeful for the future with the truce currently on with the two factions.

But then the nightmares had started and showed no sign of abating.

"Don't…."

Sunstreaker's bright blue optics burned brightly in the darkness of their room. When he returned and found out what had happened to his brother, he'd been rightly furious. However, Sideswipe had earnestly told him that both Prowl and Ratchet had sincerely apologised and that he didn't want his brother seeking revenge. Very begrudgingly, Sunstreaker had agreed, partly because of this truce.

He didn't want to start a big fight that could disrupt the Autobots at this strange and delicate time, one that might get back to the Decepticons. Plus, his red twin could be really persuasive when he wanted to be. Even when the nightmares started, Sideswipe kept assuring him everything was okay, that it wasn't all that bad.

But with each passing night, Sunstreaker's patience was rapidly nearing its end.

"They are so slagged," growled the yellow Lamborghini as Sideswipe continued to toss restlessly. Not only was he suffering from nightmares, he was waking up exhausted and having trouble getting through his day. Sunstreaker had had enough of it.

Turning and sitting up, he began rubbing his brother's back, speaking soothing words as well as sending waves of comfort from their split spark bond. Gradually, Sideswipe started to relax and his whimpers of distress died away but he still didn't look entirely at peace. Sunstreaker forced his inner anger behind a wall he built up to protect his brother who could easily wake up if he sensed anything across the bond.

He'd save that anger for the two Mechs who deserved it.

….

Leaving Sideswipe first thing in the morning, he stalked angrily through the corridors, not even bothering to fuel up. His brother seemed to be sleeping peacefully and would soon be getting up himself to start the early duties. Sideswipe had not woken up and had no idea what his brother was up to. He'd only try to stop Sunstreaker from doing what he had to.

As he walked, steps rapid and loud, he muttered furiously to himself.

"Slagging Prowl! Fragging Ratchet! I swear I'm gonna tear them a new one! When I'm through with them, they're gonna wish….!"

He more or less continued in this vein for several breems, ignoring anyone he passed until a dark shadow suddenly enveloped him.

"Uh!?" he almost yelped, reflexes somehow saving him from walking right into the huge broad chest of his leader. His back hit the wall, he'd propelled away from the obstacle but tripped over his own feet and ended up stumbling sideways.

Bracing his hands on the orange wall, he looked up into his Prime's concerned looking optics.

But it wasn't just the Prime standing there, but Starscream and his wingmate Thundercracker. A sneer quickly took effect on the Decepticon Second in Command while the other Seeker merely looked mildly curious.

"Don't you look where you're going?" Starscream said with considerable contempt.

"What are you doing here?" Sunstreaker snapped, bristling all over and forcibly reigning in the desire to simply punch the sneering Seeker. This was a truce after all, heading for a real peace but it was hard to prevent automatic reactions ingrained after such a long war.

With an angry flare of his wings, the white and red Seeker drew himself up and fixed the smaller yellow Mech with a glare.

"Megatron sent us, if you must know," he declared, already looking impatient.

"Why, is he too scared to come along?" Sunstreaker could not prevent himself from saying sarcastically.

"Sunstreaker, enough," his Prime rumbled warningly.

"Just saying," Sunstreaker muttered to himself, looking mulish.

"Megatron has been communicating with Cybertron," Optimus now told his front liner. "This is a big step for us all and we must know what is needed on our home world."

The young yellow Mech nodded his acceptance of this answer but his expression barely improved. He was simply too keyed up about his brother and his continuing nightmares, he was not going to remain idle anymore.

"So what's the problem with your Second and Medic?" Starscream suddenly asked. "You were muttering their names."

"None of your business," was Sunstreaker's quick retort.

Starscream made a noise that was both a growl and a huff. Optimus however said calmly.

"If you don't mind, I'd like a quick word with my soldier."

"Go ahead," the offended Seeker said with a wave of his hand, move away with his wing mate and muttering something about 'manners'.

"This is a very delicate time," Optimus said softly, a hint of reprimand in his tone. "We cannot afford to start disagreements."

"I didn't know they were with you," Sunstreaker muttered, he knew this was important but was too angry to summon up much energy to care.

"That's beside the point," his leader reminded him. "But we shall leave that aside for now. Why were you muttering about Prowl and Ratchet?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Sunstreaker growled up, optics flashing slightly at the memory of his brother trembling in his sleep.

"I have a fair idea but I would still like to hear it from you," the Prime said simply.

"He has nightmares," the yellow bot spat out. "Every night, I wake up to hear him suffering. And it's because of them, he cries their names!"

"Hmm," Optimus hummed, his tone had now turned grave. "I did not realise he was having problem, he has appeared fine during his shifts."

"He hides it," Sunstreaker said darkly. "He's even tried to tell me everything's fine but he can't hide what he feels when he's sleeping."

"I see," the Prime said gravely. "That is not something we can allow to continue. Has Sideswipe told you the precise nature of these nightmares?"

"No, I just know it's because of what they did to him," his frontliner said, a grim expression on his face.

"That conclusion is the most likely," Optimus agreed. "I will call them to meet outside my office."

"Alright," Sunstreaker said, he guessed that would be best. Get them to come to him at the same time instead of tracking them down and perhaps separating chewing them out.

Optimus nodded, glad that this was agreeable but Sunstreaker had realised something.

"What about those Seekers?" he questioned. "You don't want them finding out about this, right?"

"It would be best if they didn't," Optimus admitted. "While this truce is in this delicate stage, we still want to avoid the other side discovering any difficulties we're experiencing. I'm sure they are doing the same."

"Yeah, I bet," Sunstreaker muttered. Normally, he might smirk at the idea Cons were dealing with domestic problems but not this time.

"Come," Optimus told him with a wave of his hand.

"You don't want to be there for it?" Sunstreaker questioned as they started to walk to re-join the Seekers.

"No, I believe you can handle it," Optimus said quietly but firmly. "Tell them exactly what happened and give them a chance to make amends."

"Right," Sunstreaker said, feeling inwardly relieved. It'd be easier to let rip at those two slaggers without Prime being there.

"I know you are angry Sunstreaker," Optimus continued in a low voice. "And I understand why but please, do not simply tear into them."

The younger Mech grimaced but nodded. Optimus inclined his head, giving him a rather intense look as he did so. Yeah, he supposed slagging the pair of them wouldn't be very productive or help his brother. Sideswipe would probably only become more distressed if he did that.

He waited impatiently outside the Prime's office, arms folded and a scowl firmly plastered on his face. Optimus had gone inside with the Seekers and no sound penetrated through the door and out into the corridor. He assumed both Prowl and Ratchet were on the base otherwise he'd have been contacted but they could still be a bit of a distance away. So while he waited, he attempted to form his anger into a mentally well worded complaint but kept straying into inventive insults.

When they did eventually come, it was together which was a bit of a surprise but worked fine for him.

"Sunstreaker," Prowl greeted formally. "Optimus said you wish to speak with us. About Sideswipe?"

Ratchet didn't speak but looked intently at Sunstreaker who was glaring at the pair of them.

"Yeah, I do," he half growled out, not relaxing his offensive stance.

"Is Sideswipe alright?" Prowl inquired rather hesitantly and received a worse glare for his troubles.

"No," growled Sunstreaker, voice low. "He fragging well isn't!"

Before they could say anything, his temper finally simmered to the surface and boiled right over.

"Every single damn night he cries in his sleep, every night!" he roared at them, arms free and fists clenched. "All thanks to those bloody nightmares and guess who caused those!?"

Both officers flinched back but he was not finished.

"How could you have done that to him? He's dreaming that you are both hurting him, have you any idea what that's like? I wake up to him whimpering and begging you to stop and I can't do a fragging thing about it! He won't admit to anything, just keeps saying he's fine but he slagging well isn't!"

His whole body trembled with righteous fury but that wasn't the alarming aspect. In extreme emotion, optics would often brighten and his certainly were at that very moment. But as he continued, they began to grow darker in colour, changing from brilliant blue to more of a navy.

"I swear if this keeps happening, I'll slag the pair of you until his nightmares cease! Who beats someone without evidence they did what you accused them of? And a bare spanking for one stupid little prank? Are you out of your minds!? Do you know the damage you've done?"

Neither of them were in a position to answer but he had no intention of allowing them to speak until he was good and ready. It felt so good offload all of his anger and worry on them when they'd been the cause of so much strife. They were officers, they were supposed to protect and take care of their subordinates. Yes, discipline was a very important aspect of that care and protection, something he understood and accepted. He and the others might grumble at being ordered to scrub the halls, go on extra monitor duty, given the worst patrols or placed in the brig. Even if an officer went overboard with one of the latter, after some time, either they would amend the punishment or another officer would come along and do it for them.

But corporal punishment was another matter entirely. That was almost never put off, it was performed and you were left with a stinging aft and a lecture ringing in your audios. Sometimes, if you'd really managed to frag someone off, there might be a bit more power behind the whacks. But that was when you'd actually done something really serious. Not for a daft prank like tripping someone and definitely not when you had no proof someone had trashed your med bay.

"He looks up to you!" he roared at them and their optics widened in shock, seemingly at his statement. "He hates disappointing either of you, no matter what you might think. How do you think he feels now?"

Unbeknownst to him, their horrified expressions were in part due to how his optics had darkened to the point of being purple, a clear sign of just how enraged he truly was. He looked on the point of attacking them and it was time for an intervention.

"We need to see him," Prowl said, voice trembling slightly with emotion, the display had affected him greatly.

"Yeah," agreed Ratchet hoarsely, no less affected. "Sunstreaker….will you let us see him?"

Said Mech glared at them furiously, almost tempted to yell at them 'No!' It would serve them right but….his brother's wellbeing was much more important than his satisfaction. Their Prime was right, these two needed to fix their mistakes and he wouldn't let them wriggle out of it.

"Fine," he snapped, his optics beginning to lighten slightly as his volcanic rage began to simmer down again. "Let's go."

…

Despite his night-time difficulties, during the day Sideswipe appeared as his normal, cheerful self. Sure, he seemed a little tired and drained at times but with all the uncertainty around, he wasn't the only one. So no one delved any deeper into what might be bothering him, especially with his twin in residence. He simply carried on as those everything was fine and like normal, he was heading to the Rec Room for his early morning fuel.

There weren't many bots about but he smiled, waved, nodded, whatever was appropriate to those he passed. There was a lot less dust around which made walking through the corridors far more pleasant. He smiled wryly at the thought of his twin who'd hated the state it had left his armour in. Both of them could rough it with the best but that didn't mean they had to like it.

At least Sunny wasn't complaining so much about it now.

"Hi Sideswipe," greeted Bumblebee, spotting his friend entering the room. "Tried those new additives yet?"

"There's more?" Sideswipe queried, a grin spreading across his face. "Primus, we're being crushed by choice."

"Hey, it's not as crazy as all the different things humans eat," was Bumblebee's reply, the young scout was in the middle of pouring himself a cube. Sideswipe imitated him by grabbing his own cube and pressing it against the dispenser, watching as his friend sprinkled in some additives before swirling them about.

"So?" the red bot probed as Bumblebee took a sip before pulling a face.

"Wow, sour," he grimaced, looking down at the offensive cube. "How can Huffer like this stuff?"

"Well, it does explain a lot," his friend couldn't resist saying, avoiding the additive Bumblebee had used and instead picking another. "Any idea what this one is?"

"Sorry, nope," Bumblebee shrugged, taking another sip and shuddering. He might not be keen on the taste but as a solider, he couldn't waste Energon so he just had to make due.

"Eh, I'll take a chance," Sideswipe mused, pouring the new flavour into his fresh warm fuel and mixing it lightly. "Can't be worse than yours?"

"Funny," the other said, rolling his optics.

Sideswipe grinned before palming something small from his sub space and offering it to Bumblebee.

"Huh, what's that?" the yellow scout questioned, pausing just as he was about to take another brave sip.

"A sweet to take away that taste," Sideswipe told him, showing the bright red little treat that resembled a stone. "Go on, I've got loads more."

"Where did you get those?" Bumblebee said in both awe and envy.

"Traded them," was the smug reply. Sideswipe took a cautious sip of his drink before grinning, confirming that it was to his taste. So probably not sour.

"How do you do that?" Bumblebee said rather enviously but just received a wink and a grin.

"Thanks anyway," the yellow scout chuckled with his own smile. "I'm going to need this."

Sideswipe opened his mouth to speak but stopped at a warning nudge in his split spark bond. He slowly turned, inwardly sighing at the sensation he was getting from his brother, another lecture was probably coming.

It was indeed Sunstreaker coming towards him but he wasn't alone. Ratchet and Prowl were with him and they did not look happy at all. Sideswipe felt himself tensing up at the sight of them but tried not to let it show on his face.

"Uh hi," he greeted, his voice betraying a bit of his nervousness. Bumblebee glanced at him but he wasn't paying attention to the other Mech. "What's going on?"

"We wanted to speak with you," Prowl said kindly. "Is that alright?"

Sideswipe opened his mouth but Sunstreaker interrupted brusquely.

"We're going now," he said flatly. "Come on Sides."

"Everything alright?" Bumblebee couldn't help but question, giving them all curious looks.

"Yeah, it's fine," Sideswipe said quickly, realising he was in a bad position. "You fuelled yet Sunny?"

"Get it later," Sunstreaker said shortly.

"You could have my cube if you want," Bumblebee offered but he was ignored.

"Nice try," the red Mech sighed, glancing his way. "See you later."

"See you," Bumblebee acknowledged, wondering what was going on but he wasn't going to get an immediate answer. The little group was already leaving the Rec Room and he was left standing with his sour tasting cube.

Sideswipe miserably followed his brother to an empty room, not liking this at all. But if he tried to run, Sunstreaker would chase him and he wouldn't care if there were witnesses to this. Prowl and Ratchet would probably follow anyway so he might as well cooperate for now. Once they were in a room and the door had closed, he started to speak. "Sunny…"

"Don't," his brother said shortly. "Sides, this has gone on long enough. I've told them about your nightmares, they're here to make amends."

"You told them!?" Sideswipe exclaimed in dismay, looking away in shame from the two officers.

"Of course I did," his brother snapped back. "They're the cause, now they can fix it."

"There's nothing to fix," mumbled Sideswipe, why did Sunny have to involve them? This was so embarrassing….

Prowl had done most of the talking today but now it was Ratchet's turn. The white and red Medic took a firm step forward and said gruffly.

"You're in distress. Sideswipe, your readings indicate that. I thought you were avoiding me out of embarrassment but it was more than that. You didn't want me to sense anything."

Sideswipe squirmed on the spot, feeling worse than ever.

"Sideswipe," Ratchet continued gently. "I should have followed up with you, made sure you were alright. You can't continue like this, it's going to affect your whole life if it gets out of control. Especially if this truce goes to hell."

"Is that likely?" Sideswipe yelped, staring worriedly at him, forgetting to avert his optics.

"Prime's hopeful," Prowl offered and Ratchet nodded.

"Yeah, he is. But even if Megatron doesn't restart the war and his main force goes along with it, we could easily see splinter groups that don't agree. As head medic, I need to make sure everyone is mentally and physically prepared for such an eventuality. And I need to start with you Sideswipe."

"I'm…," the young red Mech started to say but Ratchet hushed him.

"No, you're not youngling," he said in a very gentle tone. "Even with that cube, you're feeling drained aren't you? Exhausted from lack of proper recharge and stress."

He wanted to deny it but a yawn suddenly overtook him despite his efforts to stifle it. Sunstreaker snorted as the others smiled sadly.

"I won't fail you again," Ratchet said earnestly. "I've got to start helping you."

"And as Second in Command, I must do my part also," Prowl added, reaching to place a careful hand on Sideswipe's shoulder. "But to begin, we must learn what has plagued you. Please, we won't judge, on my oath."

"And mine," agreed Ratchet. "This is your health at stake."

Sideswipe didn't know what to say, he just stared at them. How could he tell them what was contained within his nightmares? They were just too mortifying to speak aloud. But then his brother spoke.

"Sides, please tell them. I can't bear to see you like this. Every time you have a nightmare, I feel your pain in my spark. You know this."

He did. They were split sparks, what one felt, the other did to.

"I'm sorry," he mumbled. "I didn't…"

"I know," his brother said softly. "Just tell them, alright?"

"Alright," Sideswipe agreed with a heavy spark.

"Do you need to sit down?" suggested Prowl, there were a few odd chairs in this room, it was a spare meeting room. A board full of random equations and doodles hung on one wall, with a cabinet in one corner, otherwise the room was rather empty.

"Um, yeah, I guess," he said in a muffled voice as he hung his head.

Prowl sat with him but the others remained standing, however they did stand closer. He fidgeted, wondering how to start when Prowl offered one.

"We're spanking you, aren't we?" he asked, unhappiness evident in his tone. "In your nightmares, I mean."

"Yes," Sideswipe admitted, shuddering at the memory. "You're both….spanking me, you took turns, grabbing me and dragging me onto your lap."

His brother growled but didn't move or make any comment. Prowl and Ratchet both looked grim but Sideswipe wasn't finished yet.

"I begged you to stop but you wouldn't. I tried to get away, I even tried to fight you but you overpowered me and said I'd get extra for that."

Ratchet in particular flinched at that, it sounded so much like the punishment he'd given Sideswipe previously that he felt rather ill. There was more to come though.

"You hit me on the bare, it felt so real," Sideswipe whimpered, hating his weakness but just recalling it was bringing his frayed emotions to the surface. "When I wake up, I can swear I can feel pain even though there's nothing there."

"Phantom pain," Ratchet muttered but didn't say anything else.

"T-that wasn't the worst though," he continued and they all stared at him.

"It wasn't?" Sunstreaker demanded. "They hurt you worse?"

Sideswipe nodded, tears starting to rise in his optics. He looked right at Prowl and Ratchet, speaking in an almost broken tone.

"Y-you said that I was a failure of a bot, that I never should have been made an Autobot. If you could, you'd have me thrown out so I didn't keep causing trouble and embarrassing you."

"What!?" all three Mechs yelped in shock. This was not what they had been expecting at all.

"You were so disgusted with me," he whispered. "When it was over, you'd shove me away…."

"Oh Sideswipe," exclaimed Prowl, as he embraced Sideswipe in a fierce hug. "You're not a failure, we would never say such things to you. You are a brave, wonderful Mech who is a credit to the Autobots."

"That you are," agreed Ratchet, coming round for his own hug. "I'm so sorry that we caused you to doubt yourself. Your brother should slag us for what we've done."

Sideswipe glanced over to Sunstreaker who had nodded at that statement and gasped out a choked laugh.

"I don't want him to," he said in a small voice. "I'm sorry if he yelled at you."

"Nothing we couldn't handle," Ratchet lightly teased, rubbing his back soothingly. "Come on, let it all out. If you left, a lot of bots would be devastated but we definitely would be. You young rascals light this place up."

"That is true," Prowl mused as Sideswipe started to cry but this time, it was in response to their kind words. "And if I could enter those nightmares, I'd spank both myself and Ratchet for daring to hurt you."

This image made both brothers choke back laughter, it just sounded so ridiculous and yet, they could imagine Prowl attempting to do that. The Autobot Sic and medic continued to offer soothing words, assuring that they'd never act in such a way again and they would work to rebuild the shattered trust. By the end of it, Sideswipe was a little embarrassed he'd cried but he also felt so much better for letting all of his negative emotion out.

He wasn't sure everything was fixed but he did feel a lot better. And he promised to keep speaking to them if his nightmares continued and not to try and shut his brother out.

"You better not," warned Sunstreaker, able to give his own embrace now. "How come I always have to look after you?"

It was a familiar tease, one that had Sideswipe rolling his optics.

"I think it's the other way around," he protested as his tanks suddenly gave a gurgle.

"Oops," he said before giggling as an answering gurgle was heard.

"Haven't you eaten today?" Ratchet questioned Sunstreaker.

"Not yet," the other admitted with a shrug. "Wanted to get this sorted."

He was glad he'd followed his Prime's advice. Unconsciously, Sideswipe had wanted to confess what was going on, to stop holding it back. And more importantly, he'd wanted comfort and reassurance from Prowl and Ratchet, to tell him that none of his nightmares were true, that they didn't feel about him like that.

"Well, you better get fuelled," Ratchet stated, his tone brooking no argument. "I'm guessing your duties begin soon?"

"They do," Sunstreaker acknowledged. He watched as Prowl helped his brother to clean up his face so no one would notice he'd been crying. It would probably be a while longer before he fully forgave them but if they kept this up, it might not take that long.

"Watch out, there's a pretty sour flavour out there," Sideswipe quipped as he got to his feet. "Should have seen the face Bumblebee pulled."

"I don't need any more sour in my life," Ratchet said slyly, of course causing the twins to grin.

"You are feeling better?" Prowl asked anxiously. Sideswipe had stopped crying and was calm but he still worried he was doing so well internally.

"Yeah, loads better," his young solider agreed. "Thanks Prowl…and you Ratchet."

"No problem," they both said before chuckling.

They headed out of the room together and proceeded towards the rec room, now able to chat easily and leaving the misery behind them. It was a bit of a surprise when they came to an intersection and met Optimus who was accompanied by Thundercracker and Starscream.

"Sideswipe, how are you?" the Prime greeted warmly as soon as he saw him.

"Uh, hi Prime," Sideswipe greeted, looking curiously at the two Seekers. "Uh.."

"We've just concluded our meeting," Optimus explained, giving Prowl a nod. "I'd say it went very well?"

Thundercracker nodded while Starscream looked rather haughty, eying the foursome.

"How is the old scrapper?" Ratchet bluntly asked. "Hard to believe he finally got some sense knocked into him."

This made Starscream smirk and he said smoothly. "Our dear leader does well, medic."

"You know they were here?" Sideswipe hissed to Sunstreaker who nodded.

"Yeah, met them earlier," he explained. "Weird, isn't it?"

"I'll say," murmured Sideswipe as a few more words were stated before Prime finally spoke again.

"Megatron has proposed something," Optimus stated slowly, glancing at Starscream who instantly replied.

"He thinks we should have an exchange of Mecha."

"That is a very big step," Prowl almost gasped, optics widening. "For both sides involved."

"I agree, it is rather bold," shrugged the Decepticon Second. "But if you accept his goodwill in the matter, I believe he wishes to test how we get on."

"Whoa," Sideswipe gasped softly, as Prowl said, that was definitely a huge step.

"Please accompany us Prowl," Optimus offered, gesturing towards the exit. "Ratchet?"

"I'm good, Prowl needs all the time he can get," the medic said wryly, indeed, the Praxian was clearly bursting with questions. "I'm heading to the rec room with Sunstreaker and Sideswipe, past fuelling for us three."

"Very well," Optimus said and various goodbyes and acknowledgements were said before the two groups parted ways.

"Is Optimus seriously going to go through with that?" Sideswipe had to ask as soon as they were out of earshot.

"At some point, we'll have to," Ratchet stated. "Can't have a proper peace if we aren't capable of living together. Gotta say, this is being proposed earlier than I would have thought."

"Think it's a trap?" Sunstreaker asked with a grimace.

"Could be but maybe Megatron's feeling as unsure as we are and wants to test things," Ratchet shrugged. "But you can bet Optimus and Prowl won't let us walk into this blind, there's gonna be a lot of conditions put in place and the right bots chosen. Let's see what old buckethead is proposing before we jump to conclusions."

"I was not expecting that," Sideswipe mused aloud. "I wonder who Prime'll select."

"We'll see," Ratchet said before pausing and asking. "Sideswipe, do you need anything to help you sleep? I'm not suggesting using drugs to cover up your problems but you do need some proper rest."

He considered it before shaking his head.

"Thanks Ratch but…I think I'll see how I sleep tonight. If it continues, I'll take you up on that but I'd rather deal with this without sedatives," Sideswipe said firmly.

"I'll watch him," Sunstreaker stated firmly. "But I think we'll both sleep easier tonight."

"Yeah," smiled his brother. "I think we will."

Author's note. Hope everyone enjoyed that. I had a lot of fun writing it and I'm always open to suggestions. Until next time.