i'm lowkey referencing the transformers toys and the fact that mikaela is teamed up with sideswipe for one of them

also for some reason sideswipe is coming off to me as a tsundere. this is not intentional. stares into the distance. how to sideswipe

also surprisingly i updated within a week. hmm. my muse, don't die on me now...

Chapter Seven

History repeats itself — but perhaps it can be stopped.

Sideswipe stares at his hands. Has he done something wrong? He's just doing his job, as an Autobot who needs to ensure that their existence remained a secret from the populace. If it's just him that she had known about, it might have been fine. But she had seen Optimus Prime, she had seen the parachute and thus been exposed to the Autobots' insignia... she had seen Sideways, Demolisher, and perhaps by mistake or coincidence, other Autobots as well.

But he already knows what Optimus will say, if the Prime ever catches light of this incident. Even if it is to protect his people... hurting someone else to protect their secret isn't the right thing to do.

He sighs. Humans are always so fragile. In this aftermath, however, he's dully reminded of his violent actions at Buenos Aires. The humans he had held no regard for back then, they still didn't trust him, and he hadn't warmed up to them much in mutual retrospect either.

Still, he expects that he'll receive a scolding sooner or later. Glancing around to make sure no one is in the area, he deactivates his holoform and starts his alternate form, ultimately deciding to go pick up Sam and Mikaela. As much as he expressed reluctance earlier, they're still part of his responsibility. Failing to protect his charges again... history couldn't repeat itself.

He gives Sam a call on the way, keeping the conversation brief. He can hear the surprise in the other's voice, but fortunately Sam seems to be tactful enough to not rub it in Sideswipe's face.

At least, not too much.

"What made you change your mind?" Sam's grin takes up half his face as he reaches for the driver's door. However, when he discovers it locked, he gives Sideswipe a questioning glance. "... Did I say something wrong?"

"Mikaela sits in the driver's seat." The voice coming from the radio startles Sam, enough to make him let go as the dark-haired woman immediately takes up his offer.

"Thanks," she laughs, sticking her tongue out at Sam. "Sam always takes this spot in Bumblebee. Even if we're not really driving, the feeling is nice."

Sam huffs, dragging his feet to the passenger side. It's tempting to make a smart remark, but lest he incite Sideswipe's rage while the Autobot is being nice, he keeps his words to himself.

"So, I'm guessing you want something from me." When they drive off, Mikaela's eyes are sparkling with amusement.

"... Not really."

"Sideswipe. You're just about as predictable as Sam here."

"Hey!"

"Why are you putting me on his level?"

Mikaela taps the wheel lightly. "You're both impulsive and rash, but you think it's for good intentions. You're usually right... most of the time." Her intuition is on point, but that doesn't make it more acceptable for Sideswipe.

Sam whines. "Mikaelaaaa. Why is this the first thing you say to me in weeks?"

"I said something different to you when you greeted me at the gate." Rolling her eyes, she glances at Sam briefly. "It hasn't been that long anyway. I visit you twice a month for a week, and we see each other when we video-chat." She smiles innocently, leaning towards the other. "Unless you'd like me to visit more."

He grins again. "Leo would hate that."

"I don't mind."

"... I knew I should've left you two with a taxi."

"I'm surprised you haven't already," Sam admits. "But you've always been nice to Mikaela and not me, so I guess I'm lucky you're nice to girls?"

"Both of you are lesser beings, but she's proven her worth." There's a faint edge to his voice. "It's not a matter of gender. I'd treat you all the same. Actions speak louder than anything."

"What did you do?" Sam asks curiously, looking to Mikaela to see if she'd share the story.

"Optimus teamed us up for a mission when no one else was available," she replies casually. Sideswipe revs his engine in warning, to which Mikaela gives a short laugh at. "Well, I promised I wouldn't tell anyone exactly what happened. It wasn't a dangerous mission which was why I was allowed to go, although... it did turn dangerous in the end." A hum, as she gives Sam a knowing look. "We helped each other, if you can believe that."

"... I can't see it." Sam shakes his head. "But knowing you? I can imagine." Folding his arms across his chest, he leans back in the seat comfortably. "So, what did you need her help with this time?"

"This time? Rephrase that before I throw you out of the car."

"... First time?" His voice is meek; while he knows Sideswipe wouldn't carry out on his threat immediately, he knows that the Autobot would find some way to express his displeasure... in a way that was not threatening to his life, but perhaps on the same level of violence. Or a prank.

Mikaela taps on the wheel again. "Hey, don't threaten him too much. Save some for me."

"Mikaelaaaaaa..."

Sideswipe sighs through the air conditioning vents. "Would... you get mad if someone left a bruise on your arm?"

"On purpose or on accident?" Mikaela arches an eyebrow, curiosity ignited by the strange question.

"... Both?"

"... What'd you do this time?"

"Nothing!" His voice rises up in denial. "It's just a question! That person apologized to me instead, and —"

"You actually gave someone a bruise?"

Mikaela rubs the bridge of her nose. "There's so many things wrong with this conversation already. Sam, stop it." She reaches over and closes the boy's agape mouth. "So... you left a bruise on someone's arm? And they apologized for it? Why are you asking me if I'd get mad then?"

"Isn't that the normal reaction? Anger when you're hurt?" Sideswipe scoffs. "Why, would you apologize if you got hurt?"

"Not really," Mikaela shakes her head. "Only if I got hurt because of my own stupidity. It doesn't sound like that's the case though." She frowns. "Why did you do it? I know you hate a lot of humans, but if it's not in the midst of a fast-paced battle, I can't see you as the type who'd hurt them."

"The reason isn't important," he says dismissively. "Just tell me what I should do."

Mikaela arches an eyebrow. "The reason is important. If you did it for no reason, you should apologize. If that person did something wrong though, then you might not need to apologize, but I'm sure there were betters way to go about it without violence."

"I didn't do anything wrong." His voice carries a scowl. "I had my reasons and I wasn't wrong. But... I do acknowledge I shouldn't have hurt them. I'm wondering if there's a shortcut to making bruises heal. All this Internet search is telling me is that I should let it heal naturally."

Sam snorts. "We aren't like you guys. Yes, it has to heal naturally. But you can probably give that person painkillers if the bruise is really nasty." He leans forward, intrigued by the situation. "... So who did you hurt?"

"Who do you think?" Sideswipe responds bitterly, taking an exit earlier than the university's exit.

"Where are we going?" Sam blinks. "No, wait, I have no idea, that's why I'm asking!"

"A place where they sell the painkillers you were speaking of," he replies flatly. He blatantly ignores the second part of Sam's statement, to which the brunet frowns at.

"Uh... you hate Leo so I don't think you'd buy painkillers for him, even if you did accidentally hurt him." Sam taps his chin, before clapping his hands together in surprise. "Wait! No! You didn't! That girl who has information about the Autobots?"

Mikaela turns her head to the other. "Is this the same girl you told me about? The one who chased Leo around the campus?"

Sam nods enthusiastically. "Remember how I told you she wanted to know about the website he had? And that we suspected she knew about the Autobots. Well, Sideswipe confirmed it before I left to go pick you up." He bites his lip in thought. "But man, I can't believe it. How much does she know? Is that why you hurt her? Hey, that's a really di-"

The car swerves sharply, causing Sam to lurch forward and slam his forehead against the dashboard. "Ow! Sides, I know you did that on purpose!"

"Good. You can go get those painkillers for yourself too."

"..." Provoking the irritated Autobot's anger more is not ideal. So, with the credit card given to him before, the brunet slowly gets out of the car and makes his way to the pharmacy.

Mikaela sighs. "Sideswipe..."

"Shut up. It's not like I wanted to resort to violence."

The dark-haired woman crosses her arms over her chest. "But you did. Is she a Pretender?"

"No. She doesn't have a Cybertronian signature. Just a... normal, weak human. With information about us."

"Have you reported to Optimus yet?"

"I was... planning to."

Mikaela sighs. "What's stopping you?"

"I don't know how much she knows." He pauses. "Well, at least I didn't before. Now I know she's seen Optimus and the Autobot insignia, but..."

No words are needed. If he reports to Optimus, then he would request that this girl be brought into custody and under Autobot protection. If it's like that, she would definitely be placed under the radar of the Decepticons, much like how Mikaela and Sam are. And that would be another innocent life dragged into this long-winded war.

Mikaela smiles. See? You aren't as bad as you make yourself to be. "You'll make the right decision, I'm sure. But you really should apologize to her."

"I'm not going to. I told you many times, I don't think what I did was wrong," Sideswipe says stubbornly. "I'll... say that I didn't mean to hurt her. But I did mean to scare her. Hopefully she got the message, so that she can keep the information to herself."

"You didn't think she was going to report you guys anyway." Mikaela hums knowingly. "Or else, you would have told Optimus already."

"..."

"Though... I think you're wrong. There should have been a better way to handle the situation. Since I wasn't there to see it for myself though..." Mikaela raises both her hands, conceding to his stubbornness. "I'll leave it at that."

Meixing flinches when there's renewed coldness on her wrist. Even if the ice bag has been changed three times now, it's still difficult to get used to the chill.

"You need to stop working." Rachie's tone is admonishing, carefully returning the other's wrist to its previously elevated position.

"One hand still works." She shakes her head, shooting the other an apologetic look. "I am sorry. You probably have plan to go out because it is Saturday. Instead, you stay behind for me. It is alright to leave me."

"It's fine. I partied too much last night. Plus, I still owe you for what happened."

"The cupcake was enough apology."

Rachie ruffles the top of the other's head. "Meimei, just be quiet and accept my help. I still can't believe you had such a nasty fall and got your wrist caught up in your backpack strap though. No wonder it looks so weird. If I didn't know better, I would have thought a person did that to you. You'd kick their ass though, if they did." Rachie grins. "Are you sure you don't want to see the nurse?"

The Asian woman gives a soft laugh. "It just bruise," she says. "... Though, what I tell you about call me Meimei?"

"I'm not going to stop~" The green-eyed woman huffs and turns around, reaching for her wallet. "I'm going to go out and eat some food to eat. What do you want?"

"I'm fi—"

"Right, I shouldn't be asking you anyway. I'll see what I find and bring it back to you."

"You need to listen to what people say." The words she speaks are lost as the American rushes out the room, drowning out her roommate's protests with incoherent babbling.

The room is silent. Meixing places her pencil down and lifts her right hand, gingerly tapping the bruise on her left wrist through the bag of ice. The pain has faded slightly, though it still throbs. It has been a very long time since she has seen something this similar.

There's a knock on the door, jolting her from her thoughts. Meixing arches an eyebrow. "Rachie, you forget to bring key?" The petite woman shakes her head, supporting the ice bag with her free hand as she makes her way to the door. Twisting the doorknob, she doesn't wait for the other to enter, thus her back is turned to the entrance as soon as she opens the door.

"Xiao xing."

She knows the nickname as much as she knows the voice. Freezing in place, she does not turn around at the recognition.

"... What is it?" Ignoring him is not practical, even if her heart is pounding in fear.

"I —" He pauses in his words, before continuing in tenser tones. "I... have medicine for you."

"Take it. Do not need it." No, she must get this situation over with. Inhaling sharply, she turns to face the one whom she thought she could call a friend before. Now, all she sees is a stranger. "I thought I make it clear before. I apologize before too. Do not know what else you want."

She sees that a box of painkillers are in his hand. She frowns at that.

"Besides, would not need medicine if did not meet you in the first place."

Sideswipe's seemingly remorseful look turns hostile in an instant. "Hey! That's not fair. You're making it sound like I'm the bad guy here."

"You said it, not me." She takes a step back, casting her glance to the side.

"Listen, I had a reason for doing that."

"I know. I am sure you did," she sighs. "That does not justify hurting someone, however." She lifts her non-injured arm, palm facing the other in a form of refusal. "We be even. I make you angry, so I do not get medicine. It is fair."

He recoils in anger. "I don't like the way you worded that."

They were borderline manipulative, if not completely. Twisting the situation so she was the victim when she had been the one to withhold information in the first place—!

"I see. I am sorry you feel like that." Brown hues turn to focus on the taller man. "Look... I know you probably did what you thought was right. It's obvious I did something to make you mistrust me, even if I was clear in my honesty. I don't blame you for that, it's my fault for not establishing myself as a better friend. I remember you are a soldier. Your hostility must be out of loyalty to your country. However..." Her brows crease into a frown. "Do you honestly believe this kind of friendship can work, if you don't trust me? It seems you did not trust me from the start. And..." She glances towards her wrist. "I believe violence was not necessary. I did not hit you first."

"So you're mad at me."

"Not mad. Disappointed." Her smile is wry. "You have not apologized for hurting me physically. If you cannot see why that was wrong, then I —"

"I didn't mean to hurt you." His tone is laced with frustration. "It wasn't intentional. I shouldn't have done it. I mean, I didn't want to let you get away in case you would run, but—"

"Why would I run?" Meixing's own voice is full of exasperation, collapsing onto her bed as she stares at him in disbelief. "I truly do not know you. It seem I am right to say you were hostile for country, but I still not know what I say that could put your country in danger. It looked like you were angry for my savior, but I cannot fathom why."

"That's because I can't tell you!" Frustration increases in volume as he takes a step towards her. Meixing flinches, causing him to halt in place. Hostility is replaced by veiled confusion. The expression that takes place on her countenance is one that is familiar, one that he recalls in Buenos Aires.

Fear and mistrust.

"... You're afraid of me."

It's not a question. And when she does not respond immediately, his shoulder slumps in realization.

"I would be fool if I was not afraid," she admits. "It is not entirely your fault. My weak resolve is to blame."

I really haven't learned my lesson from back then. Sideswipe crouches down, running a hand through his hair as a heavy sigh leaves his lips. What a troublesome situation. Humans... humans are weak. They're lesser beings. And yet because of their helplessness, that's why they have to protect them. They were innocent. He can be merciless on the battlefield — this is war they are in, after all.

Yet, he is not a warrior right now.

He hesitates. Then, he removes his hand from silver-streaked hair and holds it out to the other. Shaking hands is a common way for humans to show peace, isn't it?

"Meixing," he begins. "I... I want to start over again. I want to trust you and I want you to trust me."

She stares at the offered hand, clenching her own hand into a fist.

"I'm the best fighter on my team. A combat instructor for other soldiers. I wanted revenge on this person before, but that's been taken away from me. Now, I don't really know what to do." If only his brother were here — alas, he must cope with his absence in another way. "I've... never really tried to make a friend with civilians. Maybe that's why Optimus chose me to be 'Bee's replacement." He's earnest, but can she see that? "Before what happened this afternoon, you knew me. We were laughing. I'm not a scary guy." He must make amends. He doesn't know this woman would do if she were to feel wronged.

Though... it's not only because of that now. A genuine effort to look past his derogatory view of humans. She is the best bridge for that. They were not strangers, after all.

Meixing keeps her gaze averted, but his hand remains outstretched towards her.

"Do not forgive you yet," she says. He remains steadfast, though it's a battle to retain emotions of guilt and frustration. "But you say you want to learn how to be friend with normal people?" Scooting to the edge of her bed, she keeps her body language secluded. Shoulders stiff and arms pressed to her body, she keeps her brown hues focused to the wall.

"I think, it will take time. And effort." But she reaches out, lightly tapping the palm of his hand with a single finger. "But I learn too. Warning though, I hold grudges."

Her willingness to forgive him eventually is good enough for him. Slowly, a bright grin spreads upon his face. For the first time, he actually feels like he wants to hug a human.

"However, I have one question." Finally, she locks gazes with him. "You know who savior is, don't you?"

He croaks. Or at least, the sound that comes out of his mouth is neither Cybertronian nor human. He lets his hand drop down to his side and he settles to sitting on the floor. This time, it is his time to look away.

If they were to start trusting each other again, there should be honesty. But why did she have to start with that question off the bat? How is he supposed to answer that without compromising this entire situation?

She gauges his expression and sighs. "Your reaction is answer enough. That is it. I said it was only one question. But now it makes sense why you persistent in my story." Lifting herself from the bed, she walks past the seated man and makes her way to the desk. "... I was telling truth, like I said before. No one except you really knows."

"I know." His voice is soft, with brows creasing into a frown as he turns his head to try and meet her gaze again. "I just assumed the worst. But you're so ridiculously straightforward, it's hard for me to see you being dishonest now." At least, the one he has interacted with these past few days presents herself as such.

"I see. The same for you." She glances back at him. "I said that we would not hear from each other, but I am not good at that kind of resolve, it seems."

"It's because I'm irresistible," he laughs lightly. "You said it yourself! I'm cute and loyal!"

A small huff in response to his boasting. "Perhaps. Your personality is horrible though."

"That's rig — no, hey!" Sideswipe pouts, turning on his bottom to fully face the other.

Her countenance bears bemusement. "Give me painkillers before I change my mind, dear friend-in-training."

Sideswipe rises to his feet, approaching the desk with the box of painkillers at hand. When he notices her stiffen, however, he stops in his tracks again. Pursing his lips in thought, he decides to approach from her right side. "Here. I'll get going now. I'll see you soon?" He places the box on the desk gingerly, as if doing so otherwise would startle her.

She does not lift her head. "I suppose so." Readjusting the ice bag on her left wrist, she sighs and places her pencil down. "No, it is proper if I see you out."

He arches an eyebrow. "Is that necessary? The door is right there."

"Is how I was raised."

"Oh? You sure you're not making excuses?" He grins, crossing his arms across his chest.

"Excuses for what?" She rises to her feet, giving him a questioning look as they walk towards the door. She's the one who turns the doorknob, pulling the door open and motioning for him to exit.

"I... nevermind." He shakes his head in amusement, lifting a hand in a gesture of goodbye as he makes his way down the hall. Meixing stands in the doorway, watching his exit before he turns around the corner and disappears.

With a sigh, the petite Asian steps back inside her room and closes the door.

"... Now, I wonder how I can repay him for my wrist."