Chapter Ten
Disclaimer: We do not own the rights to Transformers Prime or its canon characters. We do however own our OCs. Blondie-moyashi owns Skye Shelsher and Dream'sRealm owns Darkstorm, Skybreak, Drift, Jolt, and Shiv.
Darkstorm onlined her optics and stretched out on her berth, her wings twitching up and down as they had processors of their own. She looked over at her charge and smiled when she saw that she was sleeping soundly. Skye held a peaceful expression as she shifted slightly in her sleep. Darkstorm spark warmed at this.
Thank you, God, she silently prayed as she carefully got up from her berth. As softly as she could, she made her way towards the door but it seemed like Skye was beginning to awaken. She yawned and stretched much like her charge and gazed over at her drowsily.
" 'Morning, 'Storm," she greeted.
"Good morning, Skye. I take it you had a pleasant recharge?" Darkstorm smiled.
Skye smiled back. "Better than it has been." She yawned again. "And yourself?"
"Quite well, thank you for asking. Now, what do you say to some breakfast?"
"I say as long as it's not scrambled eggs and salsa it sounds lovely." She sat up and rubbed her eyes. "That was a horrible experience."
Darkstorm raised an optic ridge. "Agent Fowler did provide some human food items. However, I am unfamiliar with most of them. We will try to do what we can, however." Darkstorm began walking towards the small room where the Autobots usually consumed their energon rations and gestured for Skye to follow.
Skye stretched her arms as she walked. "So, anything particularly engaging happening today?"
"Not that I can tell. No Decepticon activity has been reported . . . though Optimus is away meeting with General Bryce, I believe it was. Agent Fowler insisted that Optimus report that all is well to the human military himself and try to convince them to take the bounty off of our helms," Darkstorm shook her helm. "As if what happened was our fault."
"That's the military for you, even in England. Blame rolls downhill, and it's usually the people just trying to do right by others who get burned."
"That does seem to be the case," Darkstorm vented. "I just pray that our leader is able to smooth things over." Her expression brightened as she reached the others.
"Good morning, 'Storm. Good morning, Skye!"
"Good morning, 'Bee," Darkstorm smiled widely.
Skye simply smiled and waved before a table with food caught her attention. She approached it, smiling as she opened a box resting atop it. "Americans and their donuts." She smiled as she spoke before removing one of the pastries and taking a seat on the couch.
"So how've you been, kid?" Skybreak smiled.
Skye wiped some glaze from her face. "Can't complain. Everything's going well for you, I hope?"
Skybreak shrugged slightly and smirked. "Can't complain."
Darkstorm chuckled at her brother's response before turning to Bumblebee. "So when are Raf and the others expected to arrive?"
"Later. They all have school today," her scout replied.
"Ah," she mused. "That's right. They have school."
"And since Optimus is out . . . we need something to do," Skye mused before gasping and waving her guardian over.
Darkstorm raised an optic ridge but complied. "Yes?"
Skye got up from her spot and approached the Seeker. "You remember what we talked about the other night? A certain event for which we're planning?" She whispered as she spoke. "How about we do some shopping for said event?"
"Oh," recognize flashed across Darkstorm's features. "Well, if you wish, then I would love to."
"And what would this event be, Sister?" Skybreak asked curiously.
"Er . . . it's . . . well . . ." Darkstorm looked to her charge for help.
"There's something of a . . . rite of passage for humans, but really only for us girls. Basically it's just a day out on the town, shopping, talking about girl stuff . . . ya know. And it's an 'event' because . . . they take a lot of planning and . . . stuff." Skye smiled nervously, her expression displaying her hope that he would be satisfied with that explanation.
"Rite of passage for human femmes, huh?" Skybreak's tone expressed that he wasn't entirely convinced.
"Then am I invited to this event?" Arcee asked.
Darkstorm's wings twitched violently. "Er . . . yes, that's a terrific idea!" Arcee raised an optic ridge suspiciously.
"I would volunteer Miko to go with but, she isn't too into shopping," Bulkhead said.
"That's fine. Something tells me today's brand of shopping isn't exactly her style." She smiled as she spoke so it wouldn't sound as exclusive. Not that she'd meant for it to be, but in her nervous state figuring out what to say, or what not to say, was a bit harder than usual.
"Well, then. Let's go," Arcee stood up. "Any idea where this 'rite of passage' is supposed to take place though?"
Skye exhaled and ran her fingers through her hair. "Good question, actually. I'd say in town, but I'm not sure what options there are here. Couldn't hurt to check though, or we could hit a city shop." Skye stopped to think for a moment. "Actually yeah, let's do that. I'd rather not spend all day looking and come up empty-handed. And I know some places have entire city blocks of shops to peruse."
"You could always try New York," Jolt suggested. Everyone looked at him curiously. "What? The Nemesis had cable."
Skye stifled a laugh. "That actually doesn't sound too bad. I'm just . . . envisioning everyone aboard the warship crammed into one room, watching the news. Or some sappy sit-com."
"Not far from the truth actually," Drift chuckled. "Some favorites among the miners and Vehicons are football games, Tom and Jerry, or Criminal Minds."
Skye couldn't hold back this time. "Well, at least the Decepticons have good taste," she said as she wiped a tear away. "Odd thing is that Criminal Minds doesn't surprise me as much as Tom and Jerry. The former seems more . . . attune to the 'Con ideal, even if it is a fantastic show."
"Criminal Minds?" Shiv scoffed. "I'd take Fast and the Furious any day." He grinned. "Some humans got schwagg."
"Oh, Criminal Minds has some fancy driving. Nothing you say can make me betray my allegiance."
"Whatever ya say, doll."
"Alright," Darkstorm laughed. "I suggest we get going." Darkstorm turned to leave before her brother grabbed her shoulder plating.
"Wait. . . you'll comm me, right? Just so I know you're okay?"
"Yes, Brother. I'll be just fine. There is no need to worry," Darkstorm smiled and placed a servo over that of her brother's. "I will be back soon. I promise."
Skybreak reluctantly let his sister go as she, Arcee, and Skye went through the ground bridge to an isolated part of New York, though it was still only a small walking distance to the shopping centers there.
He vented once they disappeared and turned to the others. "Rite of passage, huh? Please. She's hiding something from me."
"Eh, I'm sure it's nothing, Sky. You know how femmes are," Bulkhead said.
"Yeah . . . Besides, if it was something serious, she would have told you already. You're her brother, after all," Bumblebee added though his tanks sunk slightly. Yeah, anything serious but the fact that they're . . . what's the human term? Oh, yeah. Engaged. Mech, Skybreak'll have his helm when he finds out. . .
He relaxed slightly. "Yeah . . . You're probably right." Skybreak paused before turning to the others with a smirk. "Now, since boss bot is out, why don't I kick all your afts at Gears of War again?"
"Oh, you're on!" Bumblebee exclaimed.
"Metallica blaring from the stereo again?" Drift smiled knowingly.
"You know it," Skybreak grinned. In truth, he was starting to become addicted to the human rock band. He couldn't quite put a digit on it but, it just clicked.
"Hey, as long as we get some Lecrae up in here, it's all good," Shiv smirked.
Ratchet grumbled, thinking of all the noise that would be echoing through the base and distracting him from his work. "Just stay away from the med bay."
"Whatever you say, Doc," Jolt laughed.
Ratchet rolled his optics as he walked down the hall. Younglings. . .
Skye was stunned just looking into the store from the outside, but she couldn't believe she was actually standing in it. Every little girl imagined having a beautiful princess-esque ballroom dress to be wed in, but being surrounded by just about every variety of dress in existence . . . she felt like royalty.
She led Arcee and Darkstorm to the counter, behind which was a young woman in a more professional outfit than Skye had ever seen anywhere but on TV. NYC truly lived up to expectations.
The young woman looked up from an open magazine laying next to the cash register. "Is there something I can help you with?"
Skye smiled and looked at her guardian. "Do you want to let the cat out of the bag, or shall I?"
"I believe you can do the honors," Darkstorm smiled.
"Alright then." Skye looked back to the store clerk. "My friend here is getting married, and we were hoping you could help her find the perfect dress."
"Certainly." She looked to Darkstorm. "Congratulations. Do you have a style in mind?"
Skye shared a glance with the Seeker that wasn't so much confusion, but just having no idea. "Em, I think that's kinda what we're hoping to find here today."
The clerk smiled. "Very well." She came out from behind the counter and started showing the group around. Arcee and Skye hung back as Darkstorm was shown more dress styles than any of them could fathom.
Her optics widened slightly behind her sunglasses as she beheld all the garments. There are so many, she thought, astonished. How am I ever going to pick? "Umm. . ." Darkstorm surveyed the dresses once more before inwardly giving up trying to pick one out. She let her hand go over the selection until she paused when she felt something soft, almost like a cloud. She pulled it out slightly to get a better look. It was a plain silk dress with a flowing train. The only decoration on it was an arrangement of . . . white stones? near the waist. Still, even though it was not as extravagant as the other dresses, Darkstorm felt that it was perfect. "This one should suffice."
The clerk nodded at the selection. "Would you like to try it on?"
Skye laughed and examined it herself. "Oh, there's no way she's walking out of here without trying it on." The clerk smiled back and led Darkstorm to the dressing rooms in the back of the store.
Arcee crossed her arms and smiled as the Seeker was escorted off. "Getting married, huh? When did this happen?"
Skye mimicked the gesture. "Apparently our little date for them was more successful than we expected. The trick is just going to be keeping it quiet. You and I are the only ones who know, and I think it's best, for Bumblebee's safety at the very least, that we keep it that way."
"Couldn't have said it better than myself, though I think I can handle Skybreak's temper tantrums," Arcee smirked.
A few more minutes passed by before Darkstorm reluctantly came out of the dressing room. The dress seemed to fit her like a glove. She fiddled with her hands somewhat sheepishly and nervously adjusted her glasses. "So. . . do you think this is adequate?"
Skye's eyes widened. "You look beautiful! Though, we may want to get you a pair of contacts, those shades kinda throw the elegant look off." Skye smiled. "But more on that later. How do you like it?"
"It certainly is lovely," Darkstorm smiled.
"I definitely agree. The pearls really suit you," the store clerk added.
"Pearls. . . so that's what they were," she absent-mindedly mused.
The clerk looked at Skye and Arcee. "Are you needing dresses as well?"
Skye smiled. "Probably, yes."
"Any specific color? Weddings typically have a color theme that the bridesmaids' dresses follow."
"Actually, I don't know." Skye looked at her guardian. "Anything specific come to mind, Dawn? This is your special day, after all. You should be the one to pick."
Darkstorm dwelt on this before answering, "I believe you two should have the choice." She chuckled slightly. "And, while the idea may be far from appealing to her, I suppose we should get Miko one as well."
Skye brought her hand to her chin in a pensive pose. "Well, I imagine she would want something purple . . . somehow that just seems like her. I'm kind of inclined to go with it too, since black and purple are your 'theme,' and black is usually for less joyous occasions. Unless . . . oo, do you have any black dresses with purple adornments?"
The clerk nodded. "Certainly. We have black in almost every style, and you can add a purple sash for color."
Skye smiled at Arcee and Darkstorm. "Guess it's my turn to browse." She turned and started sifting through the racks. After several minutes, she came down to two styles. One was a two-piece, a strapless top with a mid-length skirt with ragged ends. The other was a simple one-piece and long, designed to cling to the body. Skye loved the first one, but wasn't sure she wanted to display her leg with the knee-length skirt. The other was simple, but she felt was almost too similar to Darkstorm's choice.
She turned to the others, holding up the choices. "Which do you think?"
Darkstorm smiled knowingly at her charge as she saw her attachment to the first dress. "I suggest the first one. . . I am sure we can work something out later, however, if you are uncomfortable."
Skye looked to the dress and sighed before looking to Arcee. "And you, em . . . Amy?" Skye wasn't sure of Arcee's human name and just went with the first "A" name that came to mind.
She smiled, looking between the two. "I think I agree with Dawn, the shorter one."
Skye handed the long dress to the store clerk and turned to the dressing rooms. "Guess I'm going with this one. I'll be back in a sec."
It took several minutes with the aid of the clerk to finish, but eventually Skye emerged from the dressing room. She sighed then shyly approached Darkstorm and Arcee, not knowing how the latter would react to her leg.
She spun, showing off the corset lacing in the back before facing them again. "Well?"
Arcee took her prosthetic in stride and smiled. "You looked beautiful, Skye."
"I agree," Darkstorm grinned. "Positively radiant."
Skye felt her face get hot and knew she was blushing. "Thanks." She shrugged as she spoke. "I can wear a thin purple sash around the waist so it's not so . . . dark." She smiled as she looked at Arcee. "Your turn."
Arcee sighed resignedly and followed the clerk into a back room. Truth be told, she wasn't fond of dresses either but. . . if it was for Darkstorm. . .
The femme eventually returned with a purple dress that consisted of a strapless corset top and a skirt that went just above the knee but clung to the body more than Skye's dress. "Is this okay, Dawn?"
She giggled. "Quite, Amy. You look wonderful!"
Skye smiled. "That looks great on you. Now, question is how do we sneak them into the base without the guys seeing? It's bad luck if they do, not to mention . . . if your brother found out."
Darkstorm bit her bottom lip and glanced downwards nervously. "Indeed. . ."
"Ah, family problems?" the clerk asked. "I could always save them for you here and you could pick them up later if it will cause that much trouble."
"Oh, it's just . . . her brother is a bit protective, and," Skye motioned to Arcee and herself. "We're the only two who know about it, for the safety of the groom. But if you could hold them that would be lovely."
"Of course," she smiled and nodded.
"And. . . would you happen to have a dress similar to hers," Darkstorm gestured to Skye, "but in a slightly smaller size? There is a member of our company that was unable to join us."
"Another one? Yes, I'll pick one out right now."
The clerk left and Darkstorm sighed to herself. "My brother. . ."
Skye ran her fingers through her hair. "Skybreak's gonna have a cow when he finds out."
"A cow is an understatement. . ." Darkstorm trailed off and sighed once more before smiling. "But, enough of that. I should be happy and not worrying about what my brother may think. I will bond with Bumblebee with or without his approval."
Skye smiled. "That's the spirit. Besides, he'll learn to live with it when he sees how happy the two of you will be. Already are, actually."
"I suppose. . ."
"That or we can beat some sense into him. Either way, still works," Arcee shrugged.
Darkstorm laughed. "Alright. Just don't be too hard on him." She paused before adding, "Now, I suggest we change out of these dresses."
"Ditto," Arcee agreed as she walked towards one of the changing rooms.
"Probably not a bad idea. Though," Skye reached behind her back but couldn't reach the lacing of the corset. "I may need some help getting extracted from mine."
"I believe I can aid with that," Darkstorm giggled.
Once they were in the privacy of a changing room, she began skillfully untying the laces. "Well, I'd say this has been quite fun."
"I'd agree. Though the day isn't done yet." Skye smiled. "Next is shoes."
Darkstorm raised an eyebrow before laughing. "My, my, I never realized we'd be doing THIS much planning."
"Absolutely! Don't worry, I'll spare you the makeup. At least for today. But anytime you get a new dress, you have to get shoes to match."
"Makeup?" Darkstorm paused, being unfamiliar with the word.
"Eh . . . you know, eye-liner, lipstick, eye shadow. Some girls wear it everyday, some never do. I opt to only wear it for special occasions. And this certainly qualifies."
Darkstorm still looked confused but she nodded. "I see. . ." she smiled. "Well, shoes next it is then." She finished untying the lace in Skye's corset and then went to change out of her own dress. After that was finished, the three femmes bid the store clerk goodbye.
"Just come back whenever you feel ready and congratulations again!" she waved.
Skye looked around once they got outside. "Shoe stores are probably more abundant than clothing stores, and that's saying something." She sighed then nodded to a store across the street. "That looks like a good place to start." The other two followed her to the store.
Her eyes went wide as soon as they entered. "Wow! Have you ever seen so many shoes?"
They must've been surrounded by thousands of shoes. There were several hanging signs, displaying the locations of women's formal, men's casual, and everything in between. They group shuffled to the back corner, where the formalwear was located.
Skye grabbed a shoe on display that had a 5-inch heel. "Now see, these I don't understand. That is just asking for a broken ankle."
"Humans try to walk in those?" Arcee snorted.
Darkstorm tried to withhold a laugh. "Well, Starscream seems to manage just fine."
Skye laughed almost to the point of tears. "You almost have to feel bad for the guy. I imagine he gets quite a bit of grief over those heels." She put the shoe back. "Now . . ." she glanced at the shelves. "I suggest something pretty but comfortable. Dark-eh, Dawn, you could probably get away with even flip-flops with your dress if you want. But I wouldn't suggest anything over three inches for heels. Your feet may begin to cramp, and I speak from experience."
"Alright," Darkstorm muttered before turning to the various shoe racks. Why must humans always make things so complicated? Hmm. . . perhaps she should try shoes that match the color of her dress? Her brow furrowed. Or was there another human tradition that stated otherwise? She shook her head and randomly picked out a pair of white slippers that seemed to be her size. "Would this be sufficient?"
Skye smiled. "Those should be just fine. You're lucky, no one will see your feet. The rest of us aren't so lucky." She turned to examine the racks herself.
Darkstorm frowned slightly. "I said before that I could work something out. . . I may not be an experienced medic nor an expert on human biology but I am certain I could make a covering of some kind, if you feel that uncomfortable."
Her charge shrugged. "It's not so much a covering as something I can keep my balance in. I had trouble dealing with needle-thin heels before the accident. Now, I can't wear anything that doesn't have a wide base." She grabbed a shoe that had a two-inch heel and a fairly wide base. She turned it over, examining it. "This may do."
Darkstorm smiled slightly. "Yes, I believe so, as well."
Meanwhile, Arcee's brow subtly furrowed. So this is what Skye had been hiding from all of them. Bumblebee had told her about a car accident but she never quite found out the details. . . Once she thought about it, Skye was in her adoptive brother's situation. They both were incomplete. And it saddened Arcee to think about it. The kid was certainly brave, to handle this without a moment's complaint.
"I bet they'll look great on you, Skye," Arcee finally said.
Skye was slipping her shoes off, but paused to look up at her. "Thank you." She smiled before finally sliding out of hers and strapping on one of the heels.
"Positively darling," Darkstorm smiled before pausing as she saw a pair that caught her eye. They were purple with a slight heel and straps that criss-crossed a few inches above the ankle. "Amy, I believe these would suit you."
Arcee raised an eyebrow and took the pair from Darkstorm. "Huh. Well, I guess it's worth a try." She carefully slipped off a leather boot, trying not to irritate her still sore frame, and put on one of the heels. She tilted her head and admired it. "Huh. Not bad."
"Not bad indeed," Darkstorm giggled.
Skye smiled. "Fits you like a glove." She stood, now wearing both heels, and walked a few steps away from the other two before turning and coming back.
Darkstorm chuckled and shook her head. "I still cannot understand how you two can walk in those."
Arcee got up and also began walking. "Takes balance. Besides, it isn't that bad once you've gotten used to it."
Skye sat and switched shoes again. "Takes a lot of practice to be comfortable wearing them, let alone walking. I remember for volleyball, we had to dress up the days we had games, which included heels. I had to wear them for a week straight just to have any sort of grace walking in them at first. Now it's like riding a bicycle."
"Still . . . I do not believe I will be trying them anytime soon," she laughed. "With the amount of grace I have, I would mostly break something important."
Skye laughed. "You want lack of grace, you should've seen me when I was first out in the world with my prosthetic. Walking around a hospital room is one thing, but once I had to deal with rocks and hills, I probably looked ridiculous."
Arcee half smiled. "I can imagine it must have been hard."
Skye shrugged. "You learn to deal. You can either go on living or sit at home, sulk and never live again. Too many people go with the latter, but I would go nuts, especially considering where I am now."
That's the spirit, Arcee thought. "My sentiments exactly. Sulking won't change anything. You have to get up and move forward."
"It sounds like you speak from experience. Though . . . considering that you've been at war for who knows how long, you probably have more experience on the subject than I."
Arcee's face contorted as she thought about her partners. She was trying to obey this human Primus and forgive. . . In fact, she has been feeling better in doing so but still. . . it was hard. "You could say that."
Skye winced. "Sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up." She ran her fingers through her hair and took a deep breath. "Well, I guess we can pay for these then head back to base. If you two are okay with it, that is."
"It's alright. Let's just say a certain human Primus has been helping me," Arcee smiled. "There's no need to apologize."
"Well, I suppose we should get going," Darkstorm smiled. "Is there anywhere else you would wish to go though, Skye?"
"Not at the moment," Skye shrugged before smiling. "And I believe it would be best for us to call it a day."
Darkstorm silently agreed and went up to the front to pay for the shoes. There was some "emergency" money provided by Agent Fowler due to the presence of the children at the base. She was certain a few hundred dollars would not be missed. They barely used the human currency anyway, except for Skye's anemities.
The shoes were paid for and the three femmes then exited the store and began walking towards the location in which their ground bridge originally brought them. Darkstorm stopped short, however, as she thought of something. "Oh, no! I forgot to turn on my comm link." Instead of placing a servo to her audio receptor like she would if she was herself, her holoform dug out a cellphone-like device from one of her pant pockets. She activated the communication device and winced as she heard yelling on the other line, so loud it could be heard across the aisle.
"Darkstorm! If you don't answer, I'm taking a ground bridge to your location and-"
Darkstorm blushed embarassedly as people in the street began to look over at her curiously. "Brother, please. I did not respond because I forgot to activate my comm link. Now please, lower your voice. We are in a public place."
Her brow furrowed however as she heard the sound of weapons firing and . . . human rap music? "I told ya she was fine," Shiv said in the background.
She could practically see her brother roll his optics. "Yeah, yeah. Now, could you please turn back to AC/DC? That scrap is hurting my audials," he called out before addressing Darkstorm once more. "So, you'll be back soon?"
". . . Yes, we will. I promise."
"Good. See you-" Skybreak paused mid-sentence and Darkstorm's heart nearly leapt out of her chest at what she heard next. "You did what?!" Bumblebee beeped out a reply but Darkstorm could barely make it out. Her optics widened immensely. Oh, no. . . He knew?! "Prepare to be terminated, scout," Skybreak hissed. A commotion could be heard and the comm link was abruptly cut off.
"Something wrong?" Arcee asked, slightly worried.
Darkstorm offered no answer but instead took off running. She was no longer conscious of the bag hanging off of one of her arms nor of Arcee and Skye following her. There was only thing on her mind at that point. Her beloved scout.
Oh, God, please allow him to be alright.
"Ratchet, I need a ground bridge now," Darkstorm barked into her comm link. There was only static. "Ratchet?" Still, nothing. Darkstorm began to internally panic. "Ratchet?!"
"Darkstorm! What's happening?!" Skye asked incredulously.
Chest heaving, Darkstorm frantically looked around the clearing. Slaggit. What was going on?! Ratchet should have received her transmission.
Arcee pulled out her own comm. "Ratchet? Do you copy?" There was still no response. After a few moments of tense silence however, a ground bridge portal appeared. Fearing the worst, Arcee and Darkstorm immediately deactivated their holoforms and ran in, weapons drawn. Skye followed close behind.
Skybreak and Bumblebee appeared to be wrestling on the ground near the base's television set. Mistaking Bumblebee's trilling laughter for screams in her frightened state, she ran forward and grabbed ahold of one of her brother's wings.
Her brother let out a small yell of pain. "Ow! Sister, what the pit are you-?"
Arcee, having observed the so-called fight more clearly, tried to stop Darkstorm. "Storm!"
The Seeker paid her no heed. With strength Skybreak didn't realize his sister possessed, she slammed him diagonally away from the scout who was also trying to calm her down.
"Storm, I'm fine! We were just messing around!"
Skybreak's optics widened as one of his sister's blades was placed against his throat cables. "Leave him be. It was my choice to make!" she hissed, red optics glowing dangerously.
"Your choice to-? Sister, has your processor glitched? I wasn't hurting the mech. He just made me lose a round of Halo and we were wrestling," Skybreak asked with a mix of confusion and worry at seeing Darkstorm like this.
The weight of what she just did came crashing onto her. Oh, no. . . Oh, no, no, no. This was not happening. "Wrestling?" she whispered as she immediately withdrew her weapon from her brother's throat.
"Yes. I'm fine, Storm. See?" And it was true. Bumblebee was whole and very much online.
Skye brought a hand to her forehead. "Boys."
"B-But, why didn't Ratchet respond? I-I thought. . ."
"Yes, about that-" Drift rubbed the back of his helm sheepishly. "Jolt and Bulkhead got a bit too enthusiastic during a game of lobbing and umm. . . one of the communication networks went offline."
Darkstorm's wings lowered as she felt her brother's gaze on her. "O-Oh, I see. . ."
"Darkstorm, explain to me. What did you mean when you said it 'was your choice to make'? Why were you afraid that I would hurt the scout?"
Her optics widened. "I-I meant nothing by it. It was s-simply a slip of the glossa. I-"
Bumblebee vented and placed a servo on Darkstorm's shoulder plating. "Storm, you know he would find out eventually. And I can see that keeping this secret is slowly tearing you apart. . . We can't start off like this." Bumblebee squared his shoulders and turned to face Skybreak. "The reason 'Storm was so upset was because she was afraid you would do something brash when you found out. . . that I asked her to be my sparkmate and she said yes."
Darkstorm weighed her brother's reactions carefully but, in the end, there was nothing for her to weigh. Her brother's face was like a mask.
"I was going to ask your permission but we both thought against it. After all, you said so yourself, if Darkstorm wasn't here, you wouldn't hesitate to offline every single one of us," Bumblebee continued.
"But, why?" he turned to Darkstorm. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Would you have approved? I realize that you are changing but then, it was different. Would you have given us your blessing and been thankful that we were happy?" Darkstorm asked softly.
Skybreak dwelt on his sister's answer. "No," he whispered. "I tried though. Believe me, I tried, despite the difficulties. It was hard, Sister. Seeing you with an Autobot. Seeing you with the scout that offlined Skyquake. . . But you are right. I have changed." Darkstorm looked at her brother in disbelief. No yelling? Or screaming? No death threats or violence?
Skybreak vented before meeting the scout's gaze. "It is hard for any brother to see his sister mature. . . but I must learn to respect my sister's wishes." He chuckled slightly. "You're actually not that bad, for an Autobot."
"So. . . you do approve?" Darkstorm asked hopefully.
"I don't like seeing you so stressed, and all because of me at that. If he makes you happy, then go for it."
Skybreak was nearly thrown backwards as his sister embraced him happily. "Thank you," she whispered.
Skybreak smiled before turning to the scout seriously. "Don't make me change my mind, scout."
"Of course," he chuckled.
Skybreak turned to Skye, amused. "Mech, I should've figured this out sooner with this human femme 'rite of passage' slag. Secrets don't make friends, Skye," he teased.
The girl shrugged. "And you've had a sister how long? You should know women are social creatures that keep better secrets than silver does its luster."
Skybreak raised an optic ridge at the comparison. "I've had a sister for approximately eighteen thousand one hundred and sixty-five Earth years but she's never kept a secret like this from me." He turned to Darkstorm. "You won't wait several stellar cycles before telling me you're sparked or about some other important event, will you?"
"Please," she snorted. "If you found out I was sparked, you'd use 'Bee for target practice."
"Well. . ." Skybreak grinned widely with an almost eerie glint in his crimson optics. "I wouldn't say that." Bumblebee shivered slightly. He knew 'Storm would protect him and, quite frankly, he has faced worse opponents but still. . . Skybreak never ceased to set him on edge.
"And I suppose I wouldn't say that I'd strap you to a surgical berth and disengage your cannons if you ever tried something of that sort," Darkstorm smirked, a similar eerie glint in her optics. But then again. Darkstorm could match her brother if someone she loved was threatened. . . Bumblebee inwardly chuckled.
Skybreak's optics widened. "Okay, okay. Yeesh. I won't do it, alright? Just don't touch my cannons."
"Glad we understand each other," Darkstorm grinned.
"Yes, now if you all are quite finished, can someone clean up that mess?" Ratchet asked irritatedly and gestured to the main room of the base. Several dents marred the far walls and the video game console lay near the television set in a crumbled mess of metal and wiring.
"Good luck trying to explain that to Miko," Bulkhead chuckled, referring to the childrens' beloved video game system.
Darkstorm pinched the bridge of her upper facial plating and shook her helm. "Brother. . ."
Skye put her hand over her mouth. "It looks like a warzone! Well, have fun cleaning it all up."
"It was his fault!" Skybreak pointed at Bumblebee.
"My fault?! You're the one who tackled me and rolled over the game!" Bumblebee defended.
"You sound like elementary schoolgirls!" Skye couldn't help but smile as she spoke. "Or bickering squirrels."
Skybreak huffed. "I'm simply telling the truth here."
"More like blaming someone else so you won't have to get stuck with clean-up duty," Bumblebee muttered.
Meanwhile, Drift quietly grabbed a few welding tools and hammer-like objects in order to fix the dents in the wall. Bulkhead, Jolt, and Shiv soon joined them. "Why can't you be like Drift and the others and just take it quietly?" Darkstorm vented wearily.
"Please leave me out of this," Drift muttered under his breath.
Skybreak rolled his optics and grumbled as he began to pick up the pieces of the broken game. "Fine, fine."
Darkstorm nearly jumped out of her frame as she heard Ratchet yell. "AND WOULD SOMEONE TURN OFF THAT GARBAGE?! I can't work in these conditions!"
"Hey, Doc, it's just Avenged Sevenfold. Get some taste, will ya old timer?" Skybreak retorted irritatedly.
The Seeker shielded her charge and Bumblebee jumped aside as a wrench flew towards her brother and hit him squarely in the back of his helm. "Don't call me Doc!" Arcee and the others fought to hold in their laughter.
Skybreak dropped the pieces as he slowly stood up and faced the Autobot medic. "That was a bad mistake, Doc," he hissed.
"Brother, please," Darkstorm held him back.
"He's the one that threw a fragging wrench at me!"
"Well, if you hadn't been so rude, then maybe he wouldn't have," Darkstorm replied and met her brother's wrathful gaze. "Brother. . . remember what you promised me, and calm down."
Skybreak vented heavily. "Fine," he muttered, still slightly angered, as an incoming ground bridge request was received.
It was Optimus. Ratchet shot Skybreak a glare before activating the ground bridge so that their leader could step through. When Optimus finally reached the base's interior, his optics widened slightly as he beheld the mess.
He was silent for several moments before he asked, "Might I inquire as to what happened here?"
"Well, Bulk and Jolt got a little carried away during a game of lobbing and. . . so did the rest of us mechs while we were playing Gears of War and Halo," Bumblebee replied, rubbing the back of his helm sheepishly.
Optimus raised an optic ridge and turned to Arcee. "Don't look at me," she chuckled. "Storm, Skye, and I went dress and shoe shopping." From the confused look that flashed across Optimus' facial plating, one could only guess that he was wondering why exactly the three femmes completed such an errand.
"It's. . . well, for my and Bumblebee's wedding. Skye insisted on having a human ceremony and since Earth is our second home, I consented," Darkstorm explained.
Optimus slowly smiled. "Well, congratulations, to the both of you."
"Thank you, Optimus," Bumblebee smiled.
Darkstorm followed suite. "Though I suppose you already knew this was going to happen, didn't you?"
Emotion flashed in his optics. . . Was that. . . mischievousness that Darkstorm saw? "Perhaps. . ."
Their attention was diverted as they heard a loud crash. "Er. . . sorry," Bulkhead could be heard saying.
"Now, I suggest we move on to cleaning up this mess," Optimus vented.
A/N: Well, that's a wrap, folks! :D Once again, thank you for all your support and we do hope you enjoyed this chappie. We tried to make it as full of humor and romance as we possibly could.
I also want to warn you that I have a much larger workload this year due to college and high school work so, if our updates become sporadic, it's my fault and I apologize in advance.
Until next time, Dream'sRealm
To Savvy Orion: Thank you so much for the compliments and, as I mentioned in my previous Author's Note, we will be including Elita One later on as well as Flareup and Moonracer so, definitely look out for that!
A/N: Moyashi here, guys~ *sigh* way to drag the girls into the clean-up, eh boys? But yay for girly stuffs . . . well, for them anyway. I'd probably opt to stay with the guys and play Halo, but I admit my insanity, so there ya go. Hope ya enjoyed this chappie and a chance for everyone to let their hair down~ as always, tankies a bunch for all the support~ hugs all around!
"I call on You, O God, for You will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer: Show the wonder of Your great love, You who save by Your right hand those who take refuge in You from their foes. Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings." Psalm 17: 6-8
Theme Song: Good to Be Alive by Skillet