Chapter 2: Home

The transport slowed to a stop outside the complex. The same complex that the twins and I had lived in since the day I met them, and long before that where I had lived alone.

The building was still fairly empty. And thankfully, the public had no idea this is where we lived. The fans all thought we shared a luxury tower near Tagon Heights. The neighbors kept quiet, knowing that their peaceful complex would be invaded if we were revealed.

Stepping out of the transport, I replaced my visor, finding it impossible to suppress a smile. The twins did the same, stifling their giggles.

The one main difference about coming home was that, instead of the platform pausing halfway up to let us off, it took us to the highest floor. The penthouse. Though there wasn't much to be said about the penthouse of such an old, empty complex, it was a simple kind of luxury. The best kind.

Melody removed her visor again, rubbing away the remnants of her uncharacteristic outburst.

"I'll put them away," she murmured, taking her sister's visor, as well as my own. I didn't protest, knowing she would need some time to herself after such a sensational performance.

"I'm going to wash up…" Vibes added, her adorably ludicrous smile still plastered over her shining face.

"A supreme objective," I replied, "one I think I'll also take advantage of."

After each taking a long oil bath in our personal quarters, I decided to join the girls in their nightly dialogue.

"Wasn't that just lovely?" Melody breathed, barely able to speak from her joy. She rested her chin in her servos, leaning on the edge of the table.

"I can still hear the applause…" Vibes mused.

"You were incredible, both of you." I tell them, sitting across the bar with three canisters of Energon. Mel took hers into her hands, looking down at it modestly. Vibes blinked at me.

"... You really think so?"

I nodded, downing the fuel. For a few long moments, there was silence, until Melody lowered her hands.

"What music was that, Soundwave?" She asked, "I've never felt anything like that."

I hesitated, unsure of whether to tell them or not. That music was my lifetime work, masterpieces that carried my deepest sentiments. Original works that I had, at first, sworn I would never share with anyone. Let alone compose for a performance.

"They were the Spark Beats." I said quietly.

Vibes gaped at me, while Melody contained her surprise.

"You told us you would never let anyone hear those!" Vibes exclaimed, "Why would you keep such works secret?"

"They are the embodiment of my strongest emotions. If it hadn't been for you two, they would have been kept secrets."

xxx

When I first decided to take the twins in as my own, I had only intended on taking care of them. I couldn't let them go through what I had. No sparkling deserved that. And, in a twisted way, they were my little sisters. The least I could do was help them until they were old enough to be independents. It would only be for a few cycles, then they would be gone. Out of my head, and I could focus on work again.

Though, they weren't actually much of a distraction from work. Comet was more than happy to have a distraction for once as he kept an optic on them in the lobby. And I was able to go about work as usual. Though I did find something that interested me more than getting lost in the realm of sound. It was the twins' dancing. Every day after closing up my studio, I found them in the lobby, dancing to the music that played over the speakers.

It had been two cycles. Only a quarter to go before the twins would be out on their own. But now, after I had gotten to know them, and, admittedly, attached to them, I was starting to have second thoughts about sending them away.

I was also having second thoughts on why my parents had sent them. According to their collective memory, the couple had instructed them to nurture their talent. Teaching them that one day, their gift would support them, as mine did. The strangest thing was, the twins had been told to take care of me. And I was beginning to understand why. I hadn't realized it before, but I was miserable living in isolation. I had resorted to my passion of music to keep me company. But now, with the twins around, I had not just any company, but company that appreciated music almost more than I did.

I walked down the hall towards the lobby, noticing for the first time that the lights didn't feel so intense. That my stride felt lighter, less hesitant. Nearing the lobby, I slowed, holding up a servo to Comet as I came around the corner. He nodded in reply, keeping silent.

Making sure I was unnoticed, I leaned against the wall, watching the twins as they made graceful, swirling paths over the floor. Every time I watched them, they seemed to dance differently, depending on the music. Which, at the moment, was slow and flowing.

I watched in silence for a long time, until Vibes caught sight of me. She jumped in surprise, causing Melody to stop and turn as well.

"Soundwave!" She cried, "How long have you been there?"

I gave a slight smile. "Quite some time. You two are incredible." At that, my optic display showed Vibes' faceplate warm. Melody glanced away, though she knew it wasn't enough to hide her own blush.

"Thank you," they replied in unison. Immediately, their servos flew to their mouths, sharing a laugh. I shook my head, stepping away from the wall.

"Let's get you two home." I say.

"Bye, Comet," Mel chirped, giving the clerk a wave as they followed me out. Vibes did the same. Waiting for the girls to pass through the door, I nodded to Comet. He grinned.

"Goodnight, Waves. See you tomorrow."

Upon stepping into the room, I collapsed on the bench near the small table. All of a sudden, my mind was spinning. Watching the twins, I had felt something unlike anything I had felt before. It was a soft feeling, warm. Full of longing, yet not a desire.

Was this perhaps… Love?

"Soundwave? Are you alright?" Vibes asks, coming to stand next to me, her bright blue optics sparked with concern.

"I'm… fine," I reply half-sparked, she didn't buy it. Vibes sat on the edge of the bench, Mel joined in on the other side, flanking me. There was no escape.

"No… you're… not." Melody sang, mimicking my dazed tone.

I rolled my optics, realizing just how well they had come to know me.

"I was just thinking…" I say, not wanting to get into the details.

"You're always thinking," Vibes points out.

"...But you don't look like that when you do." Melody finishes.

I sigh, drawing it out as long as possible. There was no way they were going to leave me alone now.

"I was thinking about your independence." I say finally. "You two are only a quarter cycle away from being of age."

The twins were silent, processing what they had heard. Suddenly, Melody's optic widened. Not in excitement, as most sparklings did hearing they were nearly old enough to be an independent. But in shock.

"Soundwave, are you…" She paused, "...are you going to send us away?"

The hurt in her voice made my spark shatter. Nothing could bring out such dreadfully deep emotion in me like her voice. Never in the two cycles I had known her had it been so sad, though.

I could feel Vibes' temperature drop after the silence dragged on.

"You are… aren't you?" She whispered hoarsely. I don't look at her. Her voice only added to the ache in my spark.

"After all we've done together?" Asks Mel when Vibes can't find her voice. I remain silent. I feel Vibes' servos clench my arm.

"Soundwave…"

"...We love you" They say together, too sincere to laugh this time.

That did it. I had tried desperately to hold it back, but it escaped my grasp.

I sobbed.

The twins stared at me in surprise. Never in my life had I so much as blushed in front of any Cybertronian. I hastily composed myself, saying, "That's exactly why you won't be leaving."

"... What…?"

"The past two cycles have been the best of my life, and…" I pause, "... And I believe I have grown to love you, as well. I can't send you away."

The twins seemed to relax, though Melody still seemed rather shaken.

"D-don't scare us like that, Soundwave!" She whimpered, lowering her head.

"Oh, Mel, don't cry!" Vi begged her sister, "You're going to get me started!" Though she was too late, already rubbing away coolant tears. I felt my own begin to resurface. Quickly, I forced them back.

"Stop it, you two," I order, gently, of course. "I don't know what to do when you cry."

xxx

Now, so many cycles later, I find myself loving them more than ever. Loving them because I know I can trust them with my deepest secrets. Behind our masks we are a common force, three minds as one. Our love is music, and the world hears our passion through it.