From Out Of The Vocals Of Sparklings.
Chapter Four.
A/N: 1 joor is about 6.5 hours. Sorry, short chapter this time...:) The term 'winglets' is owned by KDZeal of the Nerdene Hyrde.
The rest of the Autobots, who had waited further up the hill, came down to join Optimus, Elita and the others as the former moved over to where Skywarp and the sparklings lay sprawled. By now, the other Seekers had become aware of the Autobots' presence and were stood, watching them warily.
Elita bent to pick up Terra Prima, but before she could touch the sparkling, Optimus put one of his hands on her back. She looked up at him to see him slowly shaking his head.
"Why disturb them? We can hold her when she wakens." He smiled at her and she straightened up as she smiled back in ahgreement. As Optimus saw several more of the still-awake sparklings approach, he chuckled. "I'm sure that, in the meantime, we can introduce ourselves to our younglings' new friends?" He looked to Starscream for permission, and as the Seeker nodded, dropped to a crouch.
The group, composed of younglings from both sides, collectively paused. A mixture of blue and red optics regarded him warily, the Autobots' younglings probably wondering if they were in for a telling-off, the Decepticons' ones sensibly cautious of a new mech whom they had probably been told was an enemy. Optimus opened his arms.
"My name is Optimus Prime." He said, for the benefit of the younglings from the other side. "You may call me Optimus, or if you prefer, as some of those from our Base do, call me Oppy."
Two of the Autobot younglings took a few steps closer and began climbing up into those inviting arms, and as though it was a signal, the whole group quickly followed, the winglets leading the mini-stampede. When Optimus straightened, he had five younglings-two of them winglets- in his big arms, but there were still plenty more who were willing to be cuddled. Some of the Decepticons' younglings were more wary, although the winglets didn't seem to care whose arms they ended up in. By the time Skywarp and the sparklings on him awoke, many of the Autobots had their own offspring back, and some had two or even three little ones, clinging somewhere about their person.
"Well, they seem happy, and no harm appears to have come to them," observed Elita. "However, the manner of their arrival leaves much to be desired." She looked at Starscream, who shook his head and looked towards Chromia.
"I've had the lecture already, from her if you don't mind, and as I pointed out to your medic and to her, negotiations could have dragged on for orns, and all that time they risked getting into dangerous situations while trying to sneak out to play with each other," Starscream said, who had his own pair of winglets back from Mirage. "As it is, they are happy and if we can make this a permanent arrangement, sometimes here, other times at your base, we know they are safe, and we can keep them happy."
Optimus nodded in agreement.
"Than may I suggest a ceasefire, to make it official?" he asked. "Then we can sit down and arrange a few more of these meetings. After all, it seems foolish to officially still be in conflict if we are bringing our young to play at each other's bases." He gave a chuckle of amusement.
Starscream nodded. "Yes, that would appear to be the sensible solution. I believe we might all be more comfortable sat down." He put down his winglets. "Except, of course, those who would like to either recharge, or play with the younglings, I'm sure they'll be bored if they have to sit through our negotiations."
As Optimus put the younglings he was holding down, those who wished to recharge did likewise and Skywarp took them to the medical bay where their recharge chambers were. Optimus and Starscream went to another room to organise the ceasefire
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It was less than a joor later that Optimus and Starscream walked out side by side and announced that they had agreed a ceasefire containing terms that both found acceptable.
"Well, that's just as well." Elita said, looking around at where most of the younglings were gathered in groups. They had been playing, but had all quieted and turned to listen to the announcement.
It was Terra Prima and Runway who pushed forward from the group they had been in, hand in hand, to stand in front of the two faction leaders, optics wide. Optimus looked at them, and asked "Terra Prima? Runway?" They appeared to be waiting for something, so a moment later, he asked "What is it?" Starscream nodded encoragingly and smiled at them too.
"Aren't you gonna seal the bargain with a hug and kiss?" Runway asked. Terra Prima nodded.
"After all, it's traditional." she said, emphasising the last word.
For a moment Optimus and Starscream just stared at the two, than looked at each other.
I guess it would do no harm to humour them, Optimus commed.
Yes, indeed, why disappoint them? Starscream commed back. He looked at Terra Prima, smiling at her indulgently.
"Of course it is, and tradition is important," he said out loud. "Our traditions have been carried with us over time and through space, they are part of what we brought with us from Cybertron, part of what we are." With that, Starscream turned to Optimus, spreading his arms.
"Well, shall we?" he asked.
"We shall," Optimus stated, opening his own arms. The two moved together, embracing, and pressed their derma together for long enough to satisfy their younglings before breaking the kiss and the embrace.
As the two ran over, Starscream scooped the pair up in his arms and hugged them.
"There, tradition has been observed," he said, hugging them briefly before passing them to Optimus, who just chuckled as he adjusted them so he and they were all comfortable.
"Now," said Starscream to Optimus, "the next of these gatherings should be at your base. Shall we arrange dates and times?"
