Optimus said a silent prayer to Primus to let his sparkling live; it was too young to not even get to experience life as First Aid replaced his armor. His fear filled him as Ratchet worked on the sparkling.
Optimus was not alone in his prayers, as Mirage was also praying for the youngest of the sparklings as Ratchet used all his skills to attempt to save the sparkling. Ratchet tried one intervention after another, and each one ended the same way – failure. Ratchet had one option left, it was risky, but he couldn't go down without at least trying the most dangerous intervention – a spark rubbing. Ratchet found the spark chamber on the sparkling and opened it, and reaching in he prayed to primus as he tried this last intervention, if this didn't work then nothing would. Little did the three realize that Primus had heard their prayers and was going to answer them.
Optimus kept praying even after First Aid was long finished replacing his armor, he longed to hear the sparkling cry.
Ratchet was sweating profusely when he noticed a slight "hitch." He looked at the little one again, and it happened again. Ratchet rubbed the spark with more fervor, though still being careful not to break it, and was soon was rewarded with the sound of a motor roaring to life. Silver optics stared back at the medic and a smile appeared on the little one's faceplates. Ratchet was even more surprised as the little one remained quietly watching him, with an intense gaze. In fact it was not until Ratchet began to move that the little one made any noise other than an engine rumbling – and it was not a cry at all, but a laugh. The little one was laughing; the colors of green with white and blue trim now shown were purple had once covered. Ratchet was relieved, the little one had survived.
When he heard the third sparkling Optimus felt tears of relief fall down his face. "His colors Ratchet tell me what they are...let me see him"
Ratchet handed the larger than expected bundle of joy to the overwhelmed Optimus, "His coloration is green with blue and white trim, my friend. He is one lucky sparkling. He almost didn't make it, but he is a fighter, no question about that" stated Ratchet, before he went to work on Mirage's injuries. Having been so concerned with the little one, Optimus had completely forgotten his sparkmate still lay on the other med bay berth, injuries demanding attention.
"I think Mirage should name you" Optimus said looking at the sparkling they had nearly lost.
The sparkling looked up at its creator and smiled, melting Optimus's spark. Mirage had been right, the pain was only temporary, and the result was well worth it.
Meanwhile, Ratchet worked quickly and efficiently on the stasis locked Mirage. Ratchet did his best to hide the worst injuries from Optimus, but missed a deep gashing wound on Mirage's backside that Optimus saw, one that went just to the side of where Mirage's spark was. Optimus realized just how far Mirage had gone trying to protect his family. And while the fighting still continued outside between the cons, the fight of coming out of stasis lock was starting for Mirage, who sent his message to his bonded, that the last one should be named Luckystar.
"Luckystar it is" Optimus said. "Ratchet there is a deep gash on Mirage's backside"
Ratchet looked and then swore, as he had not wanted Optimus and the sparklings to see all of the damage, but there was little Ratchet could do other than repair the deep gaping wound. "Mirage is lucky," Ratchet said, accidentally out loud, "Another foot or two over and it would have gone right though his spark chamber."
Having heard what Ratchet said, Mirage rebelled, sending angry messages to his mate, as Mirage didn't want his mate told that, he didn't want his mate to worry so much about him. He would be fine.
Optimus smiled a little knowing that to be true and commed Prowl. "I haven't heard any explosions in some time how are things going"
Prowl responded, "Megatron has retreated sir, and Mirage was instrumental in that. Mirage was also the most injured, sir"
Mirage just lay there, trying to come out of stasis lock as he was being repaired. He didn't want his sparkmate to know that part of the reason he was injured was that he had gone directly after Megatron. But there was nothing Mirage could do about it now, as his was being repaired and needed to be further repaired before he would come back online.
"I'm noticing, he is on the berth next to me. How was he injured?"
Prowl responded, "He went directly after Megatron and Soundwave sir. I told him not to, but he did it anyway."
"Thank you for trying, Prowl, I'll have a talk with him. Inform the others the sparklings are here"
Prowl acknowledged the order before stopping communications with the leader.
Meanwhile, on the other berth, Mirage was just starting to come back online. Everything hurt like hell, though not quite as much as sparking sparklings, but Mirage was in agony. He was still not quite online enough to talk, but he could feel that his sparkmate was not exactly happy with him. Mirage now felt even worse, as all he had wanted to do was make Soundwave and Megatron pay for what they had done to Optimus.
"You could have been killed my love" Optimus said in a gentle voice. "I understand your reasoning on why you did what you did, but I couldn't survive without you"
Mirage still was coming around, as he said, "Please forgive me, my mate. I just wanted my family safe. I know I couldn't live without you, my beloved." Mirage was still in pain, but thanks to an injection from Ratchet, the pain was more under control.
"I know and I do forgive you, just please don't do something like that again" Optimus said love in his voice.
Mirage just weakly smiled, and agreed – he would not do something like that again. "So where are our beautiful new sparklings, my beloved?" Mirage asked, curious to see the new sparklings, just like Optimus had been when Mirage had sparked.
First Aid helped Optimus up and over to a stool that he placed beside the berth Mirage was on and First Aid brought the sparklings over for Mirage to see, Luckystar in Optimus's arms.
Mirage was glad to see the young ones, especially Luckystar who had almost not made it through the sparking process. "They are perfect, my beloved."
Meanwhile, in another part of the Ark, there was another bot that was starting to feel strange. He was not sure what was bothering him, but he knew something was off. And that was when Prowl suddenly felt the urge to purge his own tanks, unaware that this was the biggest sign of something unexpected and unplanned,
And in the med bay, Mirage was soon released as were the sparklings and Optimus. And the little family headed back to their own quarters, unaware of the chaos that would ensue in the next few months.
Optimus had had Wheeljack build a bigger sparkling berth when he had learned he was sparked claiming at the time that the twins would soon need more space. Optimus and Mirage placed their five sparklings into their berths and let them rest. "I think my love we should sit down"
Mirage sat down, "Is there something you wanted to discuss, my beloved' asked Mirage as he saw a look of concern in his mate's optics.
And on the other side of the base, Prowl was too exhausted at the moment to get up off the floor of the washroom. He wanted his mate Jazz to come, but Jazz was busy, as since Optimus was off duty, Jazz had been picking up more and more shifts. Prowl could only hope that this sickness would soon go away.
"I am a bit worried my love for more than one reason" Optimus said taking Mirage's hand in his own.
"What is the cause of this worry, my beloved?" asked Mirage, who was very concerned about his family's safety, but was not sure what else Optimus was worried about. 'But I will say one thing; I think we should hold off on having any more sparklings for a while".
Optimus smiled a little. "Agreed. I am worried we know now that Soundwave told of the sparklings, I know that is why Megatron attacked. I fear for our children and I am concerned that some of the others will start having sparklings. I do not deny them the right but I fear that is what will soon happen"
"Well, my beloved, we will have to be extra vigilant. That and we will have to help those who are yet to share the condition we have had of carrying sparklings. Optimus, we have to remember that if we want to survive, we need to raise the next generation in the right way and prepare them for what may come. That is all we can do" replied Mirage smiling as he took his mate's hand.
Back in the washroom across the base, Prowl felt like scrap metal, And since his mate was not available, Prowl had to try to get himself up from the floor, which took several tries, each time landing on his aft, before he finally was able to find the strength to pull himself up and get back to the berth. Prowl was not certain what was going on, but whatever it was, he didn't like it, he didn't like it at all.
"You are right my love as always" Optimus said. "Should we check on Prowl and the others before we recharge?" Optimus asked unaware of Prowl's situation.
"If you think that wise, my beloved' replied Mirage, who for as tired as he was, was not going to take the role that Optimus played to the rest of the troops for granted. "Maybe you should check on Jazz, first though, as between him and Ultra Magnus, they have kept this place going while Ratchet has said you are still off duty."
Prowl suddenly woke, tanks screaming for energon, and so, feeling like scrap, Prowl headed as quickly as he could to the rec room for energon. Fortunately for Prowl, no one saw him, as he stumbled back to his room, as he was low on energon for a reason he could not explain.
Optimus nodded and commed Jazz. "Jazz what's your status"
Jazz responded, "Things are running smoothly here, sir. Ultra Magnus will be coming to relieve me soon. Is there something I can help you with sir?"
Mirage just listened as Jazz's voice sounded happy yet tired at the same time. Mirage knew from firsthand experience just how hard Optimus worked and it was only now that other bots were realizing just how much the commander took on.
Back in his shared quarters, Prowl found that though he had finished the one cube, his tanks were still screaming at him, but he was too weak to go out anymore, and so Prowl called Ratchet to his room, as Jazz's comm was too busy to reach the bot for help. And off Ratchet went, not sure what to expect.
"Just checking in before recharge, all the sparklings are sleeping" Optimus said.
Ratchet came into Prowl's and Jazz's quarters and called out. "Prowl?"
"Everything is cool here, boss bot' replied Jazz, reassuring Optimus as he snuggled with his mate, both of whom were still off duty.
Prowl stumbled weakly to the door to let Ratchet in. Ratchet was appalled at the way Prowl looked, but having been summoned, Ratchet asked what was wrong, and Prowl, while he didn't know for certain, sat down and began to list the symptoms. In the medic's mind, the medic was reeling as he really hoped this wasn't what he thought it was, but he was soon proven wrong. And so, after giving a quick energon drip, Ratchet left swearing, as Prowl and Jazz had unintentionally followed Mirage and Optimus's path.
Ratchet went straight to Optimus and Mirage's quarters and didn't bother knocking just used his override and went right in.
To say the mates were startled was an understatement. "Ratchet what is the meaning of this?" Optimus demanded in a stern voice.
Mirage, startled completely, snuggled more tightly into his mate, as the fear trigger from his time with the seeker was still there. Mirage was about to have panic attack, which made Optimus more irate. Mirage even used his invisibility talent as he buried himself into Optimus. Mirage was still not in the best of shape, even though it had been over a year since that seeker thing had happened and almost a year since the first set of sparklings had been sparked.
Optimus pulled Mirage closer even as the other vanished.
"Prowl is sparked"
Mirage was still shaky and refused to become visible again until Ratchet left, but Mirage shot a pulse to his mate 'why is he telling us and not Prowl's mate' asked Mirage of his sparkmate. Ratchet just stood there, and the longer he stood there, the antsier Mirage was getting, and Optimus could feel it.
"I think we're going to be held responsible somehow, that or we're supposed to inform him"
Ratchet just looked at the two. Normally he did not tell people other's medical information, but he was thinking that Prowl had decided to follow Optimus's example, and so Ratchet had told the leader, but also because Ratchet was worried like Optimus was about having sparklings around the base.
Mirage just wanted to sleep and having Ratchet in the room was not helping, and so Mirage sent a comm to his bonded to "get rid of the oaf" so that they could get some sleep.
Meanwhile, Prowl was pondering what he should do. He had been so hard on Optimus and Mirage when they were carrying that he was not sure that they would be willing to help him now that he was carrying. And so he cursed himself for being so stupid.
"We will talk with Prowl and Jazz in a little bit Ratchet" Optimus promised and, finally appeased, Ratchet left. "Okay my love"
Mirage reappeared, slowly. "You think Prowl will even listen to us, as he was the biggest critic we had when we were carrying?" Mirage snuggled in closer, not really wanting to talk to Prowl and Jazz but knew he wouldn't have much of a choice.
"All we can do is offer our aid" Optimus said and pulled Mirage close. "We need rest my love"
Before Optimus could even finish his answer, he realized that his mate was deep in recharge, curled up within Optimus's huge frame, quietly snoring – a sign to indicate just how tired Mirage really was.
Meanwhile, Prowl was trying to figure out how he was going to tell his mate, as they had never discussed having sparklings. Prowl could only hope that Jazz would not be mad and that maybe, just maybe, Optimus and Mirage might be able to help him through this trying time, along with his own mate.
Jazz came in a couple hours after Ratchet had left. "Prowler I'm back"
Prowl woke suddenly, caught off guard as he had fallen asleep on the couch. He looked like scrap and he felt even worse, but he still did not want his mate to see him like this and so, Prowl tried to go get washed up, only to end up purging in the washroom waste receptacle, which drew Jazz's attention instantly.
Jazz rushed into the washroom and saw his lover purging his tanks. "Prowl" Jazz said gently supporting his mate. "I've got you"
Prowl didn't know what to say or even do as here he was, feeling his absolute worst. He was grateful that his sparkmate was there, but he wished his sparkmate did not have to see him like this. It was quite some time before Prowl stopped long enough so that he could even talk to his mate.
"Tell me" Jazz said gently holding Prowl in his arms.
"Please don't be mad at me, Jazz, but…I-I… I'm… I've sparked" stated Prowl, bawling as the words left his mouth, as the mood swings were already in full force.
Jazz gently pulled Prowl close a smile on his face. "Really Prowler? Wow"
Prowl merely nodded in ascent. His energy felt low and just didn't have the strength he usually possessed, and so he just allowed Jazz to hold him close.
Jazz kissed Prowls forehead. "I'm not mad, do you feel like movin'? You look like ya need some energon, and I'll get ya to the berth and get ya some energon"
Prowl slowly got up, his body creaking from all the loss of energon. Prowl was grateful that Jazz was so easy going and was already heading on his way to get some much needed energon. And thankfully for Prowl, Jazz and Mirage were on good terms, which would help once things got a little further along. And so while Prowl rested, Jazz ran to grab the much needed energon.
Jazz grabbed three cubes not sure how much Prowl needed back into his body and rushed back to his mate and was soon sitting behind Prowl and gently helped him drink the energon.
Prowl never realized that energon could taste so sweet as his mate carefully made sure he got enough. Was this what Mirage had put up with? What Optimus had put up with? Prowl began to see things in a new light – maybe being a carrier was not as easy as he thought it was.
"Can I do anything else for ya Prowler?"
Prowl looked at his mate. Prowl wanted to say something, but before he could, he once again felt the urge to purge his tanks. Jazz got the bot back to the washroom and they just made it before Prowl started purging his tanks once again. Prowl, though usually strong, felt weak, tired, and emotionally exhausted. And if this was how it started, Prowl was not sure he wanted to know how things ended.
Jazz silently supported his mate as he purged his tanks offering what aid he could. "We should probably talk to Optimus and Mirage"
Prowl, once finished hurling every ounce of energon had had just drank up, settled back against his mate. Jazz had a point, Mirage and Optimus knew what to expect – they would be best to talk to, but Prowl was worried, "Jazz, I am worried, as it was I who sent Mirage into that scrap with sparklings and I have done so many things that made Mirage mad at me – Do you think he will even be willing to help us?" asked Prowl, now ashamed of all the times he had gotten on Mirage for various things.
"Prowler I know Mirage and I know Optimus they'll help us, they know what we need to expect. They'll help"
Prowl relaxed into his mate. Jazz had a point, and so Prowl, once back in the berth, fell asleep while Jazz contacted prime and Mirage.
"Jazz to Mirage'
"Mirage here, go ahead Jazz"
"Could you and your mate come up to Prowl and my quarters sometime soon, as we are expecting sparklings and have no idea what we are doing.'
Mirage, though still a little miffed at Prowl, realized that it was his duty to help out, and he never shirked that duty. "I will talk to my mate and hopefully we can meet with you and Prowl soon. Mirage out." Jazz just sat back, as there was nothing more he could do at the moment, and so he soon joined his mate on the berth.
Jazz managed to get a little bit of energon back into Prowl and just held him while he rested.
Optimus had gotten up to tend to the sparklings.
Mirage joined his mate, as they now had five precious little sparklings to take care of. "Sweet spark, Jazz asked me if we could go talk to them about the carrying and raising of sparklings. What do you think?' Mirage asked, as he quietly fed Flasher and Luckystar.
"We should help them love, I wouldn't have been able to do it without you and they won't be able to do it without our aid" Optimus said feeding Peacekeeper, Silverstreak then Bluesky.
Mirage thought about it, and he remembered being scared about not knowing things – things that he had helped with during his mate's pregnancy and so Optimus did not suffer the same fate as poor Mirage. Mirage realized now that they had a unique opportunity, and so, though with a little bit of hesitancy, Mirage agreed to help out Prowl and Jazz. Once the sparklings were asleep again, Optimus commed Hound and Ironhide to come to their quarters.
Once the sitters came, Optimus and Mirage headed out, as the knowledge that Mirage had about being pregnant as well as being the non bearing mate with a pregnant mate made the information he had valuable. And in a few more minutes, Optimus and Mirage were at Prowl and Jazz's doorstep. And after knocking Mirage looked at Optimus, as Mirage was nervous about talking to Prowl. Hopefully all would go well.
Optimus gave Mirages hand a gentle squeeze before Jazz let them in. "Where is Prowl" Optimus asked.
Jazz replied, "He's lying in the berth. He purged his tanks and is now in an emotional hissy fit right now. I don't know how to handle this."
Mirage was grateful for having his mate Optimus along with him, but Mirage knew he had a job to do and so Mirage, once inside, took Jazz with him and tried to teach Jazz to reach out to Prowl during this time. And soon, Prowl settled down, though the questions were far from over.
Optimus joined them mostly as a silent supporter to his mate, and answered questions if he was asked.
Jazz and Optimus were impressed with the knowledge that Mirage possessed, as not even Optimus knew all that his mate had suffered while carrying and caring for the carrying leader. Prowl tried to listen, but it was hard to him, as he felt like the room was spinning. Mirage emphasized the importance of rest as well as energon. Mirage didn't even realize himself that he was as knowledgeable as he was.
"I think Prowl needs to go to Ratchet for an energon drip for a time" Optimus said.
Mirage concurred and soon Optimus, Mirage and Jazz were bringing Prowl to the med bay. Ratchet curse and swore until he realized that Prowl was the patient and it was probably just regarding not getting enough energon. And soon enough, Prowl was hooked to an energon drip.
"Prowl I want you to take some time off" Optimus said. "These beginning days are the most difficult"
"And whatever you do don't stand to long or-" Mirage was off to stop Prowl from crashing to the floor, as Prowl had gotten up for some reason, but got up too fast, and if not for Mirage's quick actions, Prowl would have crashed to the floor. "As I was going to say, don't get up too fast" and with that, Jazz came over and took Mirage's place and got Prowl back to the berth. "And if you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask."
"Stay here until Ratchet says you can leave, if you need us let us know" Optimus said as they left the two.
As Jazz and Prowl were chatting, Mirage and Optimus left the med bay to head back to their place. "I think that this will be a good experience for Prowl" Mirage stated, as he had been sick of the way Prowl had treated him during his pregnancy, "Maybe he will learn to have some respect and empathy for those who are carrying sparklings."
"I suspect he will" Optimus said as they made it back to their room and smiled at the sight of Ironhide and Hound playing with the sparklings.
Since neither Hound nor Ironhide nor any of the sparklings had yet seen Mirage or Optimus yet, Mirage shot a silent question across his bond, "since they are busy, should we have 'our time' in your office, since it is not being used for much else at the moment?"Mirage was feeling mischievous, and was hoping his mate was feeling the same way.
Optimus smiled, nodding, and then slipped back out.
Meanwhile, in the med bay, Jazz doted on and fussed over his mate. "Jazz, I am pregnant, not dying"
"I know, but I still need to make sure you are ok"
"You can do that in your quarters" Ratchet said. "His energon levels are good now, so out both of you"
Jazz and Prowl soon left the med bay, with Jazz right by his mate's side. After Prowl nearly wiped out in the med bay, Jazz was not going to take any chances, though Prowl was embarrassed when they walked by someone in the hall, only to realize that it was Optimus and Mirage and they were paying no attention to Jazz and Prowl, as Jazz and Prowl could tell that the leader and his mate had something already on their processors as they quickly headed toward Optimus's office.
Jazz just grinned and got Prowl settled in their berth. "Can I get ya anything, Prowler?"
Once Prowl was placed back in their shared berth, something over took the bot. And the more he moved, the more the heat took over the bot. Prowl was now finding out about the more pleasant side of being pregnant, as Prowl's systems really started heating up. And in a extremely sensual yet needy moanful voice, Prowl had one reply, "Oh..ugh…n-n-need you, my … sweet s-s-s-spark!"
"Who am I to deny my love" Jazz grinned as he had been looking forward for this after Optimus had told them this would happen.
Prowl tried to drag his mate to the bed to get this over with in a hurry, but Jazz, knowing that he would not be able to satiate his sparkmate if he went at that speed, slowed the pace down, much to Prowl's chagrin. But Prowl shivered in intense anticipation as Jazz stroked down his chassis while rubbing the small horns on top of Prowl's helm. Prowl was in interfacing heaven, hoping that it would not stop anytime soon.
Jazz kissed Prowl deeply as he caressed and slipped fingers between armor seems and spent some time fingering Prowl.
Prowl was pleasure shot, and opened his interfacing array. Jazz decided to play with the bot, and as Jazz continued using his hands to tweak wires, causing Prowl to arch in pure pleasure, Jazz used his tongue to tease both Prowl's valve and spike, causing Prowl to lose all composure and just enjoy the pleasure; letting out small mewls of pure pleasure.
"Tell me what you want" Jazz whispered into Prowl's audio.
Prowl felt the need surge through his systems. He didn't exactly understand it, but he needed to overload so bad. It didn't help that Jazz was playing with his body in just the way Prowl liked. But Prowl felt a strong urge, and began begging Jazz "P-p-please…Inside me please….Need your s-s-spike inside me" stated Prowl, even his voice was needy as the rush of feelings overwhelmed his logic processor. Prowl could not understand why that he begged for this, but as the lust filled his systems, he just continued to beg his sparkmate to take him in the loving way only Jazz knew how to.
"Alright my sweet" Jazz said as he moved and gently spread Prowls legs before he slowly pushed inside of him
Prowl felt like he was in heaven as Jazz lavished all the attention on him. Prowl soon realized that this horniness plus the other mood swings was going to catch up with him, just like it had with Mirage and Optimus, but for now, Prowl was just going to enjoy what his mate was doing to him. "Oh….ngh… ungh…Jazz-z-z-z." Prowl was so turned on that he was not even able to put coherent thoughts to together and began to whimper in need as Jazz drove in deeper and deeper, showing Jazz a side of the tactician he had rarely see – a submissive, horny, needy lover. And Prowl's mewls of pleasure only served to egg Jazz on.
Jazz increased his pace enough to bring Prowl more pleasure but not enough to hurt him. "Like this sweet" Jazz asked as he thrust deeply.
Prowl's systems were overwhelmed, and the only response Jazz got to his question were mewls of pleasure and the rippling effect of Prowl's valve, which in turn drove Jazz to go over the edge with his mate. And soon, both were in utter bliss as overload took both of them.
When he could move again Jazz gently pulled out of Prowl and held the other close kissing him softly. "Sweet Prowler"
Prowl just smiled as he came down from the high, a smile that Jazz rarely ever saw. And soon the moment was over, as Prowl found himself feeling like his tanks were rebelling once again and before the tactician could make it took the washroom, he ended up purging all over his mate.
Jazz didn't react visibly but he gently supported his mate and got a rag and cleaned them both up. "It's alright Prowler coulda happened to anyone" Noticing the other felt bad.
Prowl felt really bad, as he normally was so in control of himself, but this carrying bit had changed everything. Prowl now realized that Mirage had not wanted to act like he did during his tirades that they had all poked fun of the bot for. Prowl was beginning to see just what a struggle it was to maintain one's own normal systems. Prowl did not like the rapidly changing mood swings, but he realized that unless he learned tools for how to deal with them and the tank purging, his reputation was seriously going to take a hit. Prowl also realized that the best bot to approach was Mirage, but Prowl was not sure how to approach the bot, as Prowl had pushed the bot so far away that the tactician wasn't sure that Mirage would even want to be around him without Optimus present. Little did Prowl realize that when Mirage had forgiven Prowl, he had meant it.
Jazz gently kissed Prowl's forehead almost seeing the others processor at work. "When your tanks have settled a bit I'll get you a little bit of energon. Want me to get something else as well or someone?"
Prowl was glad that his mate knew how to read him so well, as he was not exactly one that asked for help. And seeing that Jazz was willing, Prowl asked quietly, "Can you bring Mirage in? I want to talk to him, maybe he can help me with this as he seems to know so much more than I ever gave him credit for, as Optimus never lost face while he was carrying."
Jazz nodded. "Do you feel ready to try a little energon or do you want to wait a little longer?"
Before Prowl could even answer, his tanks answered for him, as his tanks loudly rumbled, something that would have no doubt embarrassed Prowl had the bot been anywhere but his own quarters and with anyone other than his sparkmate. "I guess that is a yes, I need some now" replied Prowl.
Jazz smiled and got Prowl one of the cubes he had put on a shelf and brought it over. "Small sips for now love"
Prowl was not happy with small sips – he wanted energon and he wanted it now! And so the tactician grabbed the cube from his mate, and began to gulp down the cube too quickly, not realizing what the consequences of taking in energon too fast while carrying and having morning sickness was. And before Prowl realized it, he had purged all over everything, including himself and his mate. Prowl was turned bright red with embarrassment, this was going to be a long hard road as he realized nothing was as easy as Mirage had made it seem with Optimus.
Jazz cleaned them both up again and kissed Prowls forehead. "Small sips love remember small sips"
Prowl now understood why his mate had wanted him to take only small sips. And so, this time, when Jazz gave him only small sips, Prowl took only what his mate gave him, having learned the hard way that it pays to listen.
Slowly Jazz got one cube in him. "How's your tanks feel?"
Prowl was surprised, but the slow steady small sips actually made his tanks feel better. "I feel better, thank you. But where did you learn that trick?"
"Learned it ages ago, another lifetime" Jazz said. "Do you feel up to another cube?"
Prowl was shocked yet again, as for as long as he and Jazz had been sparkmates, there was still so much that Prowl didn't know about Jazz, and Jazz proved to be quite resourceful. But seeing that he was still in need, Prowl stated he needed another cube. And as Prowl drank the second cube, there was a knock on the door.
At the door, Mirage knocked cautiously, as Jazz had sent him a communiqué that Prowl wanted to talk to him. Mirage was worried that Prowl would be angry with him, and so Mirage waited until granted permission to enter.
"Come in" Jazz called as he made sure Prowl took small sips.
Mirage entered slowly and carefully, "you asked to see me, sir?" answered Mirage, still not quite certain as to why he had been called up to their quarters alone, leaving the sparklings with Hide and Hound as well as leaving Optimus to do whatever the bot did as a leader.
"No sir in here just us" Jazz said and told Mirage what had happened. "I'll let you two talk"
Mirage watched as Jazz walked off, and then Mirage saw Prowl. The unemotional look on the bot's faceplates made Mirage nervous, as he was sure he was going to get reamed by Prowl for something he did or did not do, but wanting to figure out what was going on, Mirage asked the question, "How can I be of assistance, Prowl, sir?" Jazz may have said that there was no sir, but until Prowl told him otherwise, Mirage was not going to risk pissing off the tactician.
"Mirage...I know I was hard on you while you carried and I am sorry for that" Takes an intake of air before continuing. "I need your help."
Mirage was slightly shocked at Prowl's admission, but having learned not to let such shock show from taking care of Optimus, Mirage remained fairly cool about it. "I forgave you, Prowl. Let's let bygones be bygones. What is it that I can assist you with?" replied Mirage, the kind caring voice that Optimus had fallen for and Prowl had never heard before showing through. Mirage truly did want to help, as he didn't want anyone to go through what he had gone through while he was carrying, whether that was his mate or not.
Prowl began telling him what had happened and asked his questions one of the main ones being. "How did you help Optimus keep face?"
Mirage listened and offered advice. "I can tell you, that with you and Jazz around, it was not easy, but here is how I did my best to help keep Optimus keep face" replied Mirage, as he revealed his secrets for getting through the intense crying episodes, how to hide being horny, as well as many other techniques that he had learned and used to help his mate keep face. Mirage was not sure, but if he had to guess, Prowl was impressed by just how much effort it took on Mirage's part to help his mate keep his reputation up. Mirage did his best to answer all the questions asked of him and even offered some unsolicited advice about always having a lot of energon on hand, so he would not have to stumble down to the rec room and either embarrass himself by acting moody or grabbing the wrong energon, as well as other advice, including avoiding all high grade energon. Mirage started feeling at ease as he continued, as he realized that he was the only expert on this on the ark.
Prowl nodded making note of everything Mirage told him. "I never realized carrying affected you so much and Optimus as well"
Mirage just looked at Prowl. "I just never told anyone, as I didn't think anyone would believe me. I mean come on, until you were found to be carrying, did you honest think things were that difficult for a carrying mech?" Mirage knew it was a loaded question, but he needed an answer, because only then could he tell Prowl was starting to get what it meant to be a carrying mech.
"Honestly no I didn't realize it was this difficult" Prowl admitted.
Mirage nodded in acknowledgement, but in order not to make Prowl feel bad about it, Mirage went on. "I am not going to lie, things will be difficult as the pregnancy progresses, and there will be a lot of pain with sparking, but once you hold in you the precious life or lives that you carried for all those months, the moodiness, the morning sickness, the pain are all quickly forgotten. There is no greater pleasure during carrying than to hold in your hands what you and your mate worked hard to produce – the sparklings." Mirage had a wistful look in his optics as he remembered both him and his sparkmate sparking their sparklings.
Prowl nodded. "Thank you, Mirage, I will probably be asking for your help again I'm sure"
Mirage nodded, acknowledging Prowl. "If you need anything, just let Optimus or I know, as I am sure one of us would be able to answer your question. You take it easy now, as Optimus said and I will second, the first few days as your body gets used to being a carrier will be some of the hardest. Don't get up too fast and don't stand for too long. And don't drink energon too fast, as it will leave just as fast, if not faster. And remember above all that no matter how hard things get – it will all be worth it in the end" Mirage responded as he got ready to leave, as he didn't want to overstay his welcome and he knew Prowl would need his rest.
"Mirage...thank you" Prowl said just before the other left.
"You're welcome, Prowl" Mirage managed to say just as Prowl drifted off into recharge. But as Mirage left, he found that Prowl was not the only bot taking notes on what he said. And so Mirage addressed the other bot. "Jazz, are you going to be ok? If you need support or help, you know you can always ask Optimus or I"
Jazz nodded. "Yeah Mirage man I know, this is just bringing up a lot of past stuff ya know. Thanks for coming"
And while Jazz watched Prowl sleep, Mirage made his way back to his quarters. He didn't realize he had spent so long with Prowl until Mirage could feel that his mate was frazzled in dealing with the sparklings. Mirage hurried in only to discover that the quarters were a mess. Optimus was frazzled, Peacekeeper was trying to help clean, though it was making more of a mess, Flasher was flickering in and out as he was trying to feed the femme triplet, and the two mech triplets were in their high chairs. Mirage was not sure what to make of the mess, but he knew that the first things he needed to do was go to his mate, as Optimus needed his support, Mirage could feel it.
Optimus heard the door and saw Mirage and he visibly sagged in relief. "Thank Primus your back"
"I am sorry, my beloved, Prowl had so many questions. What can I do to help here?" Mirage asked as he began to help clean up the mess and get all five sparklings ready for bed. Optimus didn't say anything as he watched as his mate made quick work of the mess and got all 5 sparklings in bed. Optimus gave Mirage a look, as if he didn't understand. Mirage walked up to his mate and kissed him before saying, "Dad is always welcome, but mom always seems to know best." Mirage smiled, as he had taken the role of "mom" to all five sparklings.
Optimus hugged Mirage close. "Thank you my sweet mate"
"You are welcome, sweet spark, as it is all in a day's work" replied Mirage, making Optimus realize that this was not the first time Mirage had come home to something like this or dealt with something like this, yet Mirage never seemed to show any stress from it. Mirage just knew this was part of how things went with sparklings and so he had never mentioned to his mate that their sparklings could be holy terrors when they chose to. After the whole thing, Mirage was exhausted.
"Come there is some energon with our names on it and a berth as well" Optimus said.
Mirage merely nodded in acceptance, and soon the two were fast asleep.