Oh my Primus, flying is the greatest thing in the world.
The wind flowing across your cables, seeking openings in your armor. To sail, turn, take a dive, flip. It was all just amazing. You couldn't fathom how free I felt in the air, breathing it in fresh, and not having to worry about what other people would say about it.
'Jackie was a great teacher, but he didn't know how to be a plane, only how to pilot one. Which, was very helpful, but it also left me a lot of room to experiment. It was like the first time I ate ice cream, I didn't know what the sticky, cold substance was, but by golly, it was delicious. Just like flying, actually.
"Hey Bells!" 'Jackie called over the intercom in my ear piece, which was also cool. "You about ready to head inside?"
"As ready as I'll ever be!" I hollered back, doing yet another flip around his ship.
"You seem like you're handling well,"
"I think I'm getting the hang of it. It's starting to become more reactions, not processed thoughts."
"That'll happen. You don't have to be all robotic about it,"
I laughed, and led the way to the base's air lift. I transformed before my wheels hit the floor, and immediately fell to the ground.
"Bells!" Bumblebee was right at my side in an instant. He grabbed a hold of my shoulder, as if trying to push me down more. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine Bumblebee," I laughed at him, grabbing his hands behind my head and twisting him around to wrap him into a hug. "I'm just not used to transforming yet." Wheeljack climbed out of his ship and ran over. "I don't think I ever will be."
"You will eventually," 'Jackie said offering me a hand. "It's just all really new,"
"You're telling me," I took his hand and stood, but never released my grip on Bumblebee. We stood, and started making our way to the main hangar where I knew Optimus Prime and Ironhide were watching me.
! #$%^&*(
"What the frag is he doing here!?"
Optimus would've winced at the sound of Ironhide's voice if he hadn't been so furious himself.
"He is correct," he stated as flatly as he could muster with all of the rage building inside of him. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to ask forgiveness," the little human whimpered. He stood firm in Arcee's hand, something both Prime and Ironhide planned on changing.
"Don't even say anything else," Ironhide said angrily, stepping in front of Optimus to get closer to the human. "I don't even understand how you have the audacity to appear anywhere near this base after what you did to our Bells."
"I didn't mean to - "
"I said not to say anything else, fleshy,"
That did it. The little spawn of Unicron cowered away from Ironhide's voice, stepping backwards onto Arcee's arm, and crunching his shoulders close to his ears. He looked up at Optimus with fear in his eyes. Arcee began to argue with Ironhide about being nice, but Optimus couldn't look away from Jacob. What was he thinking? He was supposed to be the word of the wise. He couldn't let his emotional urge to protect Bells get in his way. He offlined his optics for a moment to think about it. Jacob was coming here for forgiveness, something that he knew wasn't easy for humans to ask for. Bells was a transformer now, the second biggest of the group. There was no possible way that he was going to be able to bother her. Arcee obviously cared for him, and that wasn't something he could ignore.
"Forgiveness granted,"
"WHAT!"
This time, Optimus flinched.
"YOU'RE GOING TO LET THAT FLESHBAG BACK IN HERE AFTER WHAT HE DID TO BELLS!?"
"I agree with Ironhide for a change," Ratchet finally spoke up from behind. Prime moved his optics to look at Ratchet, but didn't dare turn his back on Ironhide. "What level of energon are you on that you think this is a good idea?" Ratchet was furious, which in all the years Optimus had known the mech, he knew that didn't happen often.
"He's asking for forgiveness," he said slowly, trying to ease into explaining his thoughts. Ratchet's optics softened, knowing that the younger mech had a reason behind his choices. Ironhide however, only grew more furious.
"He shouldn't even have the right to do that!"
"Whereas I agree with both of you, and I would love to ban him from ever thinking about entering this base, and I will do much worse if he hurts Bells again," he game Jacob a pointed look which sent the little human curling into Arcee's hand again. "He is asking for forgiveness, a second chance, something that Primus wouldn't turn down. We've all been offered second chances, it's only fair that we do the same,"
Ratchet thought of that for a little, but Ironhide just yelled at him some more.
"Ironhide," Ratchet finally silenced him finally. "He is right. It is the code of the Primes speaking right now, not Optimus. If it comes to it, I have no doubt in my mind that Prime would ban this human if he ever hurts Bells again, and he will have more than just that to rain down upon him if he does. You and I can promise him that,"
Ironhide groaned, but turned to look at Jacob. Ratchet and Prime followed his gaze to see the young human looking at him.
"I won't let you down, thank you," Jacob said respectfully as Arcee turned to walk away.
"I know you will,"