Thank you to everyone who reviewed the last chapters, DarkSirocco, DarknessRising10, Daoi Sidhe, Jovianokami, Autobot Firekat, DemonSurfer, Foxyperv and SunnySideofBlue.
I am not entirely happy with this chapter. I don't write Blast Off well, like at all. But this was important for the growth of the team. I still don't like this chapter. I know Blast Off is OOC, but I've given up on this chapter. I have a lot more practise writing Vortex and Onslaught from other stories, so they should be better. I hope you all enjoy it none the less.
A Thank you to DarkestRising10, who beta'd this for me
Disclaimer: I own nothing!
()()()
Swindle was warm, pleasantly so, and that's what he focused on when he slowly cycled from recharge. The bond with Brawl was still open, content/safe/team pulsing down it, humming almost softly between them. The tan and black mech curled further into the warmth, feeling safe enough to return to recharge as what Astrotrain had done to him, was pushed to the furthest part of his mind.
Brawl was still deep in recharge, his arms circled loosely around the smaller ground mech he shared a berth with; the tank's masked face pressed into Swindle's throat, drool leaking out the side of his mask at his soft, even vents.
He felt he could lie here all day, relaxing for the first time since the attack and he would have without a doubt, had Onslaught's ping to the pair of them not woken the still recharging tank. Brawl jerked out of recharge, weapons humming on in readiness; Onslaught rarely called for them unscheduled, unless it was for battle.
"Wha..." the tank asked drowsily, sitting up quickly, dragging Swindle up with him.
The jeep flinched and jerked out of his team mate's hold and inched away; without the comfort of laying curled around each other, Swindle found he didn't want to be touched, it made his plating itch.
Sighing, wishing his commander would leave them for just a day, Swindle muttered. "It's just Ons." Switching to the comm. frequency, Swindle responded before his still half dazed team mate. ::Yeah?::
Swindle could hear the anti-aircraft tank sigh, no doubt annoyed by the insubordination but he choose to ignore it. ::Brawl still with you?::
::Uh...yeah.:: The jeep responded, glancing over at his gestalt mate who was rubbing at his optic with the back of his servo.
::Good.: Came the cold, hard voice of his commander. ::Get down to the entrance. You have two kliks.:: And the line cut out before Swindle could respond, hissing with static.
Sighing, Swindle was not surprised that whatever, crazy, glitched spell that Onslaught had been under the night before, was gone. Now he had his usual hard aft, nasty commander back who simply wasn't going to accept anything screwing with his plans.
As always, it was Onslaught's plans that mattered most to him. Muttering darkly, Swindle heaved a sigh. ::Yes Sir. We'll be down in a breem.::
Onslaught couldn't hear him, but Swindle didn't care at that moment; he should not have been surprised that things would return to normal now that the initial shock had worn off. Nothing was going to change, Astrotrain would get away with this, would probably do it to someone else, would gloat he got away with doing it to him.
"You okay Swin?" Brawl's rough voice broke through the jeep's depressing thoughts.
Swindle fidgeted for a moment, staring at his servos with a soft huff of a sigh. He wasn't okay, he was far from okay. Emotionally he was a wreck, cracked inside, hurting. Physically, he was damaged, his valve ached and his cover still gone. He doubted he would ever interface again after this, who'd want to touch someone like him now? How could he stand having someone touch him even if they wanted to?
No, Swindle was far from okay. He was scared of this happening again and hurting, and it was just not okay; and to make it all the more worse, nothing was going to be done about it. Nothing was going to happen to Astrotrain, he'd get to continue as though nothing happened. Carry on with his happy little life, unpunished.
He really shouldn't be so damned surprised.
"I'm fine Brawl." Swindle said quietly, not bothering to tell his team mate how he was feeling.
From behind his mask, Brawl frowned, sending worry/concern/comfort down the gestalt bond. "If you're sure?" The tank trailed off, slowly crawling off the berth.
"You…you don't need to keep doing that." Swindle said quietly, trying to distance himself from the bond.
Brawl stretched, his spinal struts popping. "Do what?"
"Keep the bond open." Purple optics dropped to his knees which pressed together, hiding his exposed, torn valve. "You don't have to anymore."
Brawl's helm canted in confusion as he tried to figure out what Swindle was trying to tell him. "You don't want it open anymore?"
"Well, no it's not that. You just...don't have to if you don't want to." Swindle muttered softly, unable to stop the worry/hurt/fear that slipped past his blocks.
Brawl stared at him for a moment, helm still canted like a dog studying something novel to its environment, trying to figure it out. "It's not that bad." The tank finally shrugged, holding Swindle's gaze. "It's kinda nice to not have to keep the blocks up all the time y'know. Takes a lot of concentration to keep them there and it's not so bad to, y'know, having them open." The tank shrugged, scratching at his shoulder. "I don't mind keeping it open, with you, if you're okay with that."
Brawl trailed off, his servos wringing in front of him, unsure if this was wanted or not, or just plain stupid. The others often told Brawl he was stupid, when he didn't grasp things as quickly as the others.
Worry/fear/sorry vibrated down the bond, and Swindle wondered if Brawl had any idea that he was projecting like that. Confusion filled Swindle, unsure if this was a good idea, but the jeep found himself quietly saying, "It's okay Brawl. We can...keep it open, if you'd like."
The jeep gave a small shrug, not wanting to meet this gestalt mate's optics. The sudden amount of sheer joy that suddenly filled Swindle was staggering; Brawl had always wanted nothing more than to be part of a group, part of a properly functioning unit. Not this broken thing they found themselves trapped in.
Swindle looked surprised at the tank and was sure he was grinning behind that battle mask, if the joy that was rippling down the bond said anything. A shy, small smile flicked across Swindle's lips before disappearing again.
"We should head down to the entrance, see what Onslaught wants." Swindle muttered, slowly getting off the berth, feeling awkward and unsure.
Brawl didn't seem to sense Swindle's feelings; maybe he still had the ability to hide certain things or maybe Brawl just didn't understand what those feelings where, didn't understand what they meant. "Well, we'd better get going before we annoy Onslaught."
The joy and happiness from Brawl filled Swindle and the small, shy grin flicked over the jeep's mouth once again. "Alight."
()()()
When Swindle and Brawl made their way down to the entrance of the base, Onslaught, Vortex, and Blast Off were already there, already waiting for the remaining pair to join them.
Blast Off glanced at the jeep, optics flickering over his damaged valve before returning to his commander. Vortex was leaning with one shoulder against a wall by the exit, arms crossed over his chest, hidden optics pinned on Onslaught, not acknowledging his team mate's presence.
Onslaught, his large form framed by the exit, gave Swindle the once over, his worry hidden by his mask and visor.
Swindle dropped his purple optics, ashamed that he was still left expose and open to his team; he felt like they could see right through him, could see how weak he was.
Brawl was suddenly by his team mate's side, sensing Swindle's unease along the newly open gestalt bonds. It would take some time to get used to having Brawl sense how he was feeling. The tank's large, blunt servo brushing along the jeep's without grabbing; they couldn't look weak in front of the rest of the unit.
Swindle sighed, relieved, and took a step closer to Brawl. The squat tank grinned behind his mask and almost leaned towards Swindle, wrapping his EM filed around the other, pushing the feelings of safety towards him.
The others didn't seem to notice, or seem to care, as Onslaught crossed his massive arms, addressing them all.
"Megatron has ordered us to South America, there's a diamond mine that he wants access to. We'll be on our own this time." The commander glanced at his mechs, his gaze stilling on Swindle for a moment. "Brawl and Vortex will come with me. Swindle, Blast Off will take you to the Nemesis. Hook is waiting for you for repairs."
Brawl stiffened as he felt the jeep's unease and sudden bolt of fear. Swindle shifted from one pede to the other, glancing anxiously at Blast Off, his worry mingling with fear at the prospect of being near a shuttle, even if it was one of their own gestalt. Gathering his courage as feelings of protectiveness swelled when the gestalt bond demanded he put the jeep at ease, Brawl glanced up at his commander, straightening his shoulders and standing a little taller. "Ons, can I…ah, go with Swindle and Blast Off to the Nemesis?"
Onslaught's massive helm twisted to look at his subordinate, pinning the tank with a hard, cold glare. "Why would you need to go to the Nemesis? Blast Off is more than capable of taking Swindle."
Swindle cast Brawl a nervous glance, his worry a palatable thing under his leader's hard gaze. Brawl fidgeted, keeping his servos firmly at his hips. Swindle pushed thanks/gestalt through the bond lines. "Umm, well…Swin is most comfortable with me. So...so I was thinking that maybe he'll feel better if I…kinda went with him."
The tank glanced up at Onslaughts cold gaze, suddenly feeling really dumb for asking. The feelings of inadequacy were smoothed over, if only a little by the jeep's feelings of thanks.
The very, very small part of Onslaught that was softened by the gestalt bond, wanted to agree, wanted to give Swindle the comfort he needed, but he himself couldn't give. Yet, unless they all wanted to end up back in the detention center, bodiless, suspended in nothing, as nothing, worse than dead, both Swindle and Brawl would have to suck it up.
The mission always came first, their survival counted on their ability to complete missions for Megatron. They were useless unless they completed their missions, and if Megatron didn't kill them outright, they'd be passed back over to Shockwave and put back in the box.
That was unacceptable for Onslaught. He fully intended to survive the war, would make sure his gestalt would as well, as any good commander would.
"No." Onslaught's cold, harsh word made both Swindle and Brawl droop. "I need you with me Brawl. We're already two mechs down, I can't afford a third."
If it was at all possible, Swindle hunched just a little more, feelings of insecurity welling; it was his fault that the team was down two bodies. Blast Off wasn't on the mission because he was taking Swindle to the Nemesis and Swindle was too weak to protect himself from an attack. He had failed his team as much as he had failed himself, and now they were all paying the price for that.
Swindle's helm dipped lower as self-loathing and hatred filled him. He was useless to his team, the weakest link; the smallest one with the thinnest armor who couldn't even lift the largest guns. He had no right to be a Combaticon, he wasn't built for war. He could make a great profit from war, but he wasn't designed to fight in one like the others.
Brawl glanced nervously at his gestalt mate, feeling Swindle's nerves, his inadequacy. He tried to comfort his team mate, the best he could, by pushing support down the freshly opened bond lines.
Sighing, Swindle rebuffed the comfort, standing a little taller, straightening his armor, pulling it tighter to his frame. He wasn't as strong or as violent as the others, but he could at least fake strength.
Clearing his throat, trying to portray his usual swag and cockiness, and only half succeeding, Swindle forced a grin at Brawl. "I'll be alright Brawl." He forced his grin a little wider and it almost seemed real. "I'll manage."
No one was fooled by the forced grin from the jeep, and even Brawl knew what the hollow feelings from his gestalt mate really were.
()()()
Swindle signed as he glanced down the dark, empty halls of the Nemesis. He knew that Blast Off had also been sent to get more energon to bring back to the Combaticons land base. The shuttle had told him to stay put, stay in the med bay with Hook and the other Constructicons until he returned.
Although Hook had said nothing about the damages to his frame, likely because Onslaught told him to keep his mouth shut about it, Swindle could feel the others urge to ask.
The repairs had been uncomfortable, awkward as Hook repaired his valve and cover, the silence between them thick and suffocating. The jeep had been glad when it was over, wanting nothing more than to escape the medic and find Blast Off. He just wanted to go home, curl up in his berth and rest. He was exhausted, sore and desperately wanted to recharge.
Sighing again, Swindle tried to ping the shuttle former, but all he got was a busy signal. Frustrated, Swindle headed to the lowest storage area, in hopes to find his largest team mate.
Being the middle of the day, most mechs were already on shift or getting ready for shift with a few resting. Most down time was later in the day, the time between second and third shift. With that in mind, Swindle wasn't too worried about having to deal with other Decepticons; he didn't have to put up a false wall of arrogance to ward off the others.
The jeep didn't expect to be confronted, cornered by a large, dark frame that slinked from the shadowy hall. A massive frame that shoved his smaller one into a wall, pinning the jeep face first into the dark wall, his exposed face scrapping along the rough metal.
A large helm dipped down behind his own square one, hot vents rough on the back of his exposed neck, making his tanks churn, sick with worry. An exotic EM field flicked against his own, darkly similar to the one he feared and it made Swindle shudder in fear, terrified of the large mech behind him. He was still too raw to deal with the large mech and terrified of being alone with him with no hope of rescue again.
"Swindle." A dark chuckle sent a cold quake down the jeep's spinal struts, his vents hitching. Fear, true and real fear rippled through his frame, causing his processor to stall as Astrotrain's vents ghosted over the back of his neck.
Swallowing back a yelp of fear, Swindle tried to stop his plating from shaking as he turned his helm to look at the large triple changer behind him. "H…hey Astrotrain." Fear tingled down the bonds, hitting three blocks.
Brawl echoed back his confusion, concern, asking if he was okay. The jeep tried to send feeling of wellbeing, that he was okay, but Swindle could only manage a shaky worry. Distress flickered back from Brawl and the jeep desperately wished that Onslaught had let the tank come with him.
Swindle was all alone at the bottom of the Nemesis and the only one who could feel his distress was Brawl; whom was currently far away on a mission he was supposed to be concentrating on.
Astrotrain's helm dipped lower and this time Swindle wasn't able to bite back the whimper that bubbled from his chest as the triple changer inhaled deeply, smelling the smaller Decepticon. A cruel grin spread across the other's face as he vented gently over the others audio, doing it just to make the other twitched in fear. "Here for repairs Swindle, or another round with me?"
Astrotrain suddenly spun the jeep around, slamming his back into the dark wall behind him, pushing his helm even closer without letting Swindle answer. "I knew you couldn't get enough of me. Little slut that you are."
A single servo trailed down Swindle's icy cold armor; fear was a tangible thing between them, thick and real and Astrotrain lived on it, savoured it. Wanted more of it and having it come from Swindle was all the more delightful.
"I'd be more than happy to give you a second go."
Swindle swallowed the lump in his throat as the servo trailed down his chest and abdomen, his one shoulder pinned to the wall by Astrotrain's massive servo.
"I'm looking for Blast Off." The jeep suddenly babbled; panic thick in his tone. "He…he'll be here any second. He's here, not far, he…"
Astrotrain snarled suddenly, squeezing hard enough to make his shoulder plate buckle while he palmed Swindle's interface panel roughly, just to shut the jeep up. The triple changer grinned at Swindle's frightened squeak and the way those lovely purple optics shone with terror, knowing what was going to happen. Knowing he couldn't stop it.
Shame spread from the Combaticon's spark and heat spread from his chest and into his face; he couldn't protect himself again, Astrotrain was so much larger than him, so much stronger.
"I…I…ah, need to go find Blast Off." Swindle quivered, trying to keep the fear from his voice, the hitch from his vents. He tried desperately to keep the distress from the bond and Brawl, but failed miserably.
Astrotrain leaned in closer, his warm vents spreading out over the small mech's face. "We have time. Blast Off's busy, saw him a little while ago."
There was no hiding the fear in the purple orbs that stared up at Astrotrain, and the larger Decepticon thrived on that fear, it made his mouth water and his spike twitch in anticipation in his housing. Swindle's venting picked up to a panicky pace as the triple changer tried to prise open is interface panel; it was still sensitive from having it replaced and pain shot through his trembling frame.
Swindle swallowed the next whimper that rose in his throat as Astrotrain moved even closer, his engine humming hard against the jeep's frame, shaking Swindle to the core, making him sick. Off-lining his optics, the Combaticon refused to let Astrotrain see his terror any more than he already had.
"Swindle!" Blast Off's hard, cold voice bit out suddenly and Swindle had never known relief as he had in that very moment.
The jeep nearly laughed hysterically as Astrotrain drew away from him, disappointment clear in his EM field. His relief thumped down the open gestalt bond to Brawl, the same feeling echoing back from the tank; then Swindle felt Brawl turn his attention back to his job at servo, the bond between them muting down now that the other Combaticon knew his team mate was safe.
Astrotrain hesitated for a moment before drawing completely away from Swindle's taunt frame, taking a step back and away from the jeep. The triple changer's large helm dipped in a nod to the equally large shuttle. "Blast Off." He greeted easily, leaning back on a leg as he crossed his arms.
Blast Off's armor was pushed out wide from his frame, aggressive, making him look even bigger than he already was. His leg cannons hummed with power as his pale visor flashed and narrowed on Astrotrain. Stalking to where the pair stood, Blast Off firmly put his own large frame between Swindle and Astrotrain, his EM field flicking out hard and almost aggressive against the triple changer.
The shuttle snarled almost softly at the other, before addressing Swindle, never taking his optics from Astrotrain's dark grey and purple form. "I told you to stay in the med bay until I came back for you."
Straightening himself up, drawing his own plating in close to his frame, Swindle's EM flicked against a very agitated Blast Off before drawing in close. Swindle tried to keep the quiver from his voice. "I was just coming to find you."
Swindle cringed at how weak his voice sounded, how small it was in the large, dark hull of the ship.
Blast Off pulled his hard glare from Astrotrain to glare at Swindle over his shoulder, annoyance flicking through his field in thick waves. The dirty look he shot his gestalt mate made Swindle cringe away, pressing his frame harder against the wall.
"You should have waited." Blast Off's cold voice snapped out, rough and scrapping.
Purple optics dropped to the floor, staring at his pedes, trying to be as small as he could. Muttering, his voice was small and broken. "Sorry, just want to get back to base."
Blast Off narrowed his gaze back down at his team mate for a beat longer before turning it back to Astrotrain. The triple changer grinned back at the shuttle, standing a little taller, an arrogant stance to his hips; he knew the gestalt knew it was him, and he knew they'd dare not touch him. Likely didn't care what he had done to Swindle.
Black rage swelled uncharacteristically in Blast Off as Astrotrain grinned back at the shuttle.
Huffing in annoyance Blast Off tore his gaze from Astrotrain, keeping his servos to his side, ignoring how they longed to throttle the arrogant triple changer; no he'd leave that for Vortex, when the time was right. Turning from the other, catching Swindle's frightened optics for a moment, Blast Off nodded to the exit. "Let's go. We've got what we came for."
Like a creature of ice, Blast Off turned, not bothering to wait for Swindle to register that they were leaving, and for a moment the jeep stared into the nasty, amused optics that belonged to Astrotrain. Swindle's pedes were frozen to the ground and he found that for a moment he couldn't move, that he was pinned to the spot by the triple changer's gaze.
A snarl from Blast Off followed by the shouting of "Swindle! Let's go!" broke the jeep from his trance, and sent him nearly running to catch up with this gestalt mate. As the small Combaticon caught up with his larger team member, Astrotrain's dark laughter followed him, his cold voice calling out. "We'll catch up again another time Swindle. We have lots to talk about."
Swindle couldn't stop the shudder as he caught up with Blast Off, inadvertently pushing lightly against the shuttle's large frame, seeking comfort from the only source he had. For once, Blast Off didn't push him away as he sent another dark look over his shoulder, glowering at the triple changer.
Astrotrain would pay, in time, but Blast Off would leave that little joy up to Vortex. He was so much better at that sort of thing than any of them.
()()()
The flight back to the Combaticon's base felt longer than usual, more awkward as Swindle huddled in the corner of Blast Off's cockpit, trying to be as small as possible, trying to keep his EM field as close as possible.
It still didn't stop the occasional flare from the jeep, and when it did, Blast Off could feel his team mate's fear and unease caused by being so close to Astrotrain. Although he didn't often concern himself in his team's affairs, this was something that not even Blast Off was going to let pass. Not with Swindle's distress and anxiety so clear in everything about him; it saturated his EM, it affected the way he held himself, the way he spoke, how he moved. It was wrong; all of it, and it disturbed Blast Off to see his team mate act like this.
When the pair landed, Blast Off waited with the utmost of patience for Swindle to exit his alt form before he transformed smoothly. Not knowing what else to say to the jeep, not sure how to go about setting the other at ease so Blast Off stayed with work. "I have to go put the energon in the storage area. Do you…" he paused, watching Swindle's hesitant stance, helm down, purple optics averted. "Do you want to help me?"
It was something Blast Off could do on his own with ease, but helping might help keep Swindle's mind occupied instead of focusing on the latest brush with Astrotrain.
Purple optics glanced up at the larger frame at his side as the pair entered their base, before dropping back down just as quickly. He shook his helm no as he muttered that he would just rather recharge. Swindle then turned and fled, nearly running away from Blast Off and to the safety of his quarters.
Blast Off let him go, knowing that to stop him would only send Swindle into a higher state of panic, would turn himself into the bad guy in the jeep's frightened mind. If Swindle wanted him nearby, the jeep would seek him out. For the time being, Blast Off's duty to Swindle was complete.
Sighing, Blast Off turned as he entered the base, heading to one of the small storage areas to unload the energon he had gotten. He hadn't expected to be harassed by one of his team mates as he finished his duty, hadn't expected the constant pinging from Brawl as he unloaded the last few cubes.
::Brawl, if Onslaught finds out that you're not paying attention, he's going to peel your armor off.:: Blast Off told his team mate, sounding bored and almost annoyed.
Apparently Brawl didn't care what Onslaught thought at that moment. ::Is Swindle okay?:: Came the tank's worried, even concerned tone.
Frowning to himself, metal brow pulling down in confusion, Blast Off sighed. ::He went to his quarters. He's fine. Now concentrate on what you're supposed to be doing.::
Over the comm. lines, Brawl made a noise of frustration, deep and gravely. ::No there's something wrong with Swindle!:: Blast Off frowned further at the tank's worried tone. ::You need to go check on him.::
Blast Off flinched as though he had been struck, confusion and unease spreading through his own frame. Check on Swindle? It was absurd. ::Brawl…:: the shuttle started, his patience wearing thin with having to deal with Brawl . ::I am not going to check on Swindle. He's fine.::
Blast Off didn't want to disturb his team mate if he was resting, knew he himself hated to be disturbed when he finally got a chance to recharge. Yet Brawl was relentless.,::No! There's something wrong Blast Off.:: there was near panic in the tank's voice now. ::Drop your blocks on the bond, you'll see!::
Sighing, Blast Off crossed his arms. ::Brawl. I am not opening the bonds. This is ridiculous.::
::No, no its not! Open the bond, you'll see!:: The tank was near hysterics, and if he didn't calm down, he was going to blow his mission.
Blast Off could feel the sudden push against his own blocks, the insistent nudging from Brawl to open the blocks. Shifting uncomfortably, the shuttle sighed and forced his frame to still, forced himself to center himself. How bad could it be?
The blocks came back slowly and with effort. He had spent so much time enforcing them, keeping them up that it was difficult to take them back down. As the blocks slowly were disassembled, the first thing Blast Off noticed was the two heavy blocks from Onslaught and Vortex. Normal, nothing different there, blocks up hard as they should be. He ignored them as he sought out Brawl and Swindle.
He found the tank's spark quick enough, felt Brawl's worry and concern pulsing down not only to him, but to the other that had the blocks down. Then he found Swindle and he could feel the jeep's blocks to him were still up, weak but there.
Trilling a small bit of comfort down to Brawl, Blast Off sighed. ::He's got his blocks to me up. I can't feel anything Brawl.::
Brawl made an unhappy noise over the comm. lines. ::I'll get him to drop the block. And…and then you'll see! He needs help.::
Blast Off shifted uncomfortably, almost worried. There was more than just panic in the tank's tone, more than just worry. There was fear there, fear that had nothing to do with the mission he was on. That fear and worry for Swindle had Blast Off's pedes moving to the con-mech's quarters, just in case Brawl wasn't over reacting for once, just in case Swindle really did need help.
Over the gestalt bonds, Blast Off could feel Brawl's concern, could nearly hear the argument he was having with Swindle, could almost feel Brawl trying to push Swindle into dropping the blocks to him; Brawl's own blocks were long gone, and the shuttle could feel the tank's worry and insecurity.
Blast Off was almost to Swindle's quarters when the blocks finally dropped, without warning, and the sheer amount of terror that suddenly slammed into his processor, dropped the shuttle to his knees. His frame shook and shuddered, went icy cold despite the warmth of their island base.
Desolation/terror/fear pumped down the gestalt bond and for a moment, Blast Off could feel how Swindle felt, how it was to be a smaller mech, what it felt to be violated in what should have been a safe place. Having no other choice, Blast Off narrowed the bond to Swindle, backing away from the fear that welled from the other. He didn't know what to do with that, didn't know how to send comfort to the jeep, or even if it would be appreciated.
Brawl sent team/gestalt/comfort down to both Blast Off and Swindle whilst over the comm. lines, Brawl whined. ::Blast Off! Do something. You're the only one on base.::
Huffing with annoyance and effort, the shuttle forced himself to his pedes, using the wall as support, his knees shaking as they wanted to give out under him again. Pushing fine/fine/fine to Brawl, Blast Off sighed. ::Alright. I'll see to Swindle, get back to work and concentrate on what you're doing.::
Unease flickered through the tank's side of the bond. ::But Swindle…::
::Will be taken care of. It will do him no good if you get killed because you're not concentrating on the mission. Nor will it do anyone any good if you screw up Onslaught's mission because you're not paying attention.::
::But…::
Blast Off ignored the tank, pushing calm down the gestalt bond before he was aware of the actions and cursed the gestalt bond. It was what made them act this way, made them look out for each other when they would have killed each other. ::I'll take care of Swindle. Now narrow the bond until you get back!::
The shuttle could practically see Brawl fidget as he did as he was told, narrowing the bond to both Swindle and Blast Off as he tried desperately to concentrate on the job that Onslaught had given him.
Once he was sure that Brawl was at least mostly focused on what he was supposed to be doing, Blast Off forced his pedes to move the rest of the way to Swindle's quarters. Slowly, controlled, Blast Off reopened the gestalt bonds, widening them to only Swindle.
The terror came back as Swindle's presence seeped into Blast Off's spark and the shuttle heaved a shaky sigh as he pushed comfort and safe back down to the jeep. He felt the jeep's surprise at Blast Off's presence, could feel Swindle's hesitation as he opened the bond a little wider.
Blast Off finally stood outside Swindle's quarters, outwardly annoyed, internally worried, thinking through what he was going to say to the jeep. Doing what none of the others were likely do to, he knocked on the door, his voice low and patient. "Swindle let me in."
Nothing happened, nothing moved. The bond seemed to twitch as Swindle tried to withdraw. He knocked on the door again and a bolt of fear shuddered down the bond as Blast Off called through the thick metal again. "Swindle, open the door. I just want to talk to you." The gestalt bond demanded it.
There was a pause, a long frightened hesitation before the door swooshed open.
Settling his armor along his frame, relaxing himself and trying to look smaller, Blast Off slowly entered the jeep's quarters. Swindle was on his berth, legs dangling over the edge, large purple optics focused on his knees as his digits tugged at a transformation seam there.
Without saying anything to the jeep, Blast Off moved slowly to where Swindle sat, easing himself down beside his team mate. The smaller Decepticon's EM field, saturated in fear and exhaustion, flicked out against his own. Blast Off said nothing as he let his own EM field, full of confidence and ease wrap around Swindle, hoping that it would provide some form of comfort to the jeep. The shuttle was encouraged when Swindle didn't fight him and instead sighed, letting the others field surround him.
Blast Off's presence was so different from Astrotrai…his. It was the only thing that made it tolerable to be near the large mech. Awkward attempts at trilling comfort down the bond lines were more appreciated than Blast Off likely realised, and it helped sooth the feelings of fear that ruled Swindle's spark.
He hadn't been ready to confront Astrotrain, he shuddered at the mech's name; he had been too raw to confront him so soon. He could feel the large mech's touch on his plating, could feel his touch inside his frame.
Feeling his team mate's fear, with a gentle sigh Blast Off laid a large servo over the smaller mech's shoulder. "You want to talk about it?"
Swindle shook his helm in the negative to the awkwardly asked question, drawing his plating in closer to his weary frame, his unease echoing down the gestalt bonds.
The shuttle awkwardly sent safe/team/safe down the bonds, knowing it wasn't enough to make Swindle feel better, not nearly enough to dull the edge of the other's fear, but he didn't know what else to do. Clearing his throat, Blast Off was determined to try, his servo moving down from his shoulder to Swindle's smaller servo. "You know, we are going to get Astrotrain for this."
Purple optics finally drew up to Blast Off's pale visor, not saying anything as the shuttle continued whilst sharing team/gestalt/concern. "He's not going to get away with this Swindle." No one had bothered to actually tell the mech that had been attacked this, and Blast Off knew he needed to hear it from them, needed to hear it right now.
Swallowing hard, purple optics dropped again, confusion swelling. "But why? After all I've done. After everything I did to you guys. Why do you care?"
There was still a lot of rage directed at Swindle after what he had done to them, after he had stripped them down to bare parts and sold them to humans. Rage flickered through Blast Off and it made Swindle flinch and shrink away from his team mate. Wrestling with his own feelings, Blast Off tempered them down; they would deal with that another day.
"I…I didn't mean to." Swindle stuttered, optics still cast down, and Blast Off couldn't see how he hadn't meant to sell their parts off. Purple optics flicked upwards to the shuttle's. "And, and I'm so sorry."
The soft plea was near enough to take the edge off the rage from Blast Off, and the shuttle sighed, sending comfort down the bond again. He didn't say it was okay, because really, it wasn't, but at least it was a start.
Gruffly, Blast Off pulled a small tin from his sub space and set it between them. Confused, purple optics drew across to the tin as Blast Off opened the lid, revealing the contents inside. Picking one up, Blast Off's voice was rough, rougher than he wanted it to be. "If I were you Swindle, I would not squander your second chance." Comfort/team mate/ safe "Next time, we may not be so forgiving."
The shuttle then offered the treat to Swindle and the jeep's large optics shot wide, the fear and hurt from Astrotrain momentarily forgotten. The metal brow of the jeep's face then furrowed as he inspected the goodie. "But…why?"
Blast Off shrugged. "We're a team, whether we want it or not." His voice was still gruff. "So we look out for each other, when it really matters."
The energon goodie was still between them, an offering to the jeep, and Blast Off felt the awkwardness of the situation creeping in between them too. "Would you just take the damn thing."
Glancing warily at Blast Off, Swindle reached out to take the offering and unsure of his team mate's gesture, he questioned. "What's this?"
Picking up a treat for himself, popping it into his mouth, Blast Off shrugged. "An energon goodie." His tone was bored, annoyed and purposely distant in hopes to make the situation less awkward.
Swindle frowned but the feelings of fear were slowly drowned out from his team mates close proximity, taking comfort in having Blast Off so close with both his EM field and bond open. Swindle snorted as he popped the goodie into his mouth, slowly moving a little closer to Blast Off, savouring the treat as it nearly melted on his glossa. "I know that. Why are you giving me a goodie?"
The shuttled shifted uncomfortably before he settled with his back against the wall next to Swindle, settling on his berth, offering another treat, which Swindle accepted.
Huffing an annoyed sigh, not completely sure why he was doing this, Blast Off swallowed hard. "My creators died in an accident, when I was young. My carrier's best friend, a femme he met at the academy, was a seeker and it was she who raised me for most of my life."
The pale visor came back to Swindle. "I've picked up several of their habits after spending so much time living with them." Venting, he looked away. "And one thing seekers do, when one of the trine is suffering, they…um, take care of said member, by feeding them. They will even, um…sing to the downed trine mate, if the need is great enough." Embarrassment and modification nearly chocked the shuttle, but he managed to keep his tone even and smooth.
Purple orbs became wide, an energon treat part way to Swindle's mouth as he openly gaped at the shuttle. "Sing!" he chocked, as shock flickered through his EM field.
Embarrassed, Blast Off looked away and nodded, the bond between them filling with softer feelings of protection along with the harder ones that promised vengeance on Swindle's behalf. "It took more than I am willing to admit to keep myself from singing when we first…" the shuttle paused, unsure. "Found you last night."
Swindle continued to gape at his larger team mate, the energon goodie still suspended close to his mouth. Something flickered through the bond and the EM field that was almost amusement from Swindle. The con-mech shook his helm, breaking himself from his frozen state and he popped the treat in his mouth. "Wow. Could you imagine what Vortex would say if you had started singing?"
Blast Off grinned down at Swindle from behind his mask, the jeep almost sounded like himself, almost felt like himself. Still, there was an under lining fear, unease, simmering away. Brawl suddenly perked up in the bond once again, sending support/care/comfort down to both Swindle and Blast Off before his side going mute again.
Leaning into the wall, Blast Off sank into the feeling of having the bond open and thought about how easy it was to monitor the wellbeing of his team mates with it open, how easy it was to see what dangers any of them may be in. He could feel Swindle's exhaustion. Passing the jeep another goodie, Blast Off glanced at his team mate. "You should get some rest Swindle."
Accepting another treat, Swindle popped it into his mouth. Glancing down, the jeep murmured, "Will you stay? I don't think I can fall into recharge, not after being so close to him, not right now."
Fidgeting uncomfortably, Blast Off nodded. "Just this once."
Relief flickered through Swindle's EM field as he crawled over to where Blast Off sat, laying his helm against the shuttle's leg. Purple optics flickered off as Swindle tried to rest, taking comfort in the fact that Blast Off was with him, and nothing bad would happen to him so long as his larger gestalt mate was with him.
Pulling a data pad out from Subspace, the energon goodies forgotten, the shuttle settled down to read whilst the smaller Combaticon cycled down beside him.
Suddenly the jeep's helm tilted up towards Blast Off's face, his optics on-lining as a small grin spread across his face, his first genuine smile since the attack happened a cycle ago. "Will you sing to me?"
Blast Off spluttered as he glanced down at his team mate and he could feel Swindle's honest want and hope that he would; there was no mocking gesture, no malice in the others spark at his request. The shuttle shifted uncomfortably. He didn't sing for anyone, not any more. Not since Vos fell. But Swindle's large purple optics were almost pleading up at him.
"It'll help me recharge." Swindle muttered, and Blast Off questioned the accuracy of that statement.
Yet, Swindle's small voice sounded so broken, so hopeful that Blast Off couldn't help himself, the gestalt bonds called for him to do something, anything for his team mate. "You will tell no one of this Swindle."
The jeep grinned up at his gestalt mate, wide and innocent. "Not a soul."
Blast Off snarled, dark and angry. "I mean it Swindle. No one hears about this."
Swindle slowly fell into an easy recharge as Blast Off's deep voice began to sing softly, lulling Swindle into a sense of peace he had yet to feel since the attack. That sense of peace echoed to Brawl, and for the first time in a long while, everything felt like it was going to be okay.