Title: Light of the Sun

Author: Lune Nightingale

Series: Transformers G1

Rating: PG

Notes: Here we go again! But at least I let you have your heartstrings back. This took me longer because I've been distracted for one and two, exhaustion can really drain you of inspiration. But! Never fear, I will finish this! And kudos to Okami for reminding me of something I forgot to do in chapter 13. Time continuity will be explained in this chapter since I forgot in the previous. Please enjoy Sunny/Prowl awkwardness!

Warnings: Irritation over dense mechs alert. Be aware… Sunny is blonde by nature of his paint color. –Winks-

Disclaimer: I don't own the lyrics to "See Who I Am" nor the characters from Transformers. Sadly, those belong to Within Temptation and HasTak respectively.

Fear is withering the soul
At the point of no return.
We must be the change
We wish to see.
I'll come into your world,
See through your eyes.
I'll try to understand,
Before we lose what we have.

-See Who I Am by Within Temptation-

Prowl never gave up on them being the culprits. Not that he blamed him. Bad things tended to happen when Sideswipe was on the loose. For now though, the tactician was watching the red Lamborghini like a hawk. That was why he'd hushed up any plans at current for a prank. Sides was no fool and knew when he needed to keep it under wrap. This was the reason the front liner was now sitting at the bar in the rec room next to Jazz with himself sitting on his other side.

Jazz was still recovering from his mission, but he already looked tons better than he had the day Prowl drug him in. Not that it made Sunny like him any better than previous, but he would admit that the mech looked better. At current he was trying to ignore his brother and the saboteur as best he could, but they were notorious for talking loudly whenever they could.

"So… that's what happened in med bay that had Prowl's doorwings all in a crinkle." Jazz snickered as Sideswipe nodded vigorously. Had they been talking about the procedure? "Probably better the Prowler wasn't there to see Sunny go all comatose like that if ya know what I mean. You must have been out a while…"

"It didn't feel that long." The red twin looked at Jazz curiously before going on. "How long were you out in the field? I mean… you know… how long was Prowl not in med bay with us?"

"I'm glad ya asked!" The Porsche grinned from audio to audio. "Ya see… I was on my merry way back from a recon run when those crazed microcassettes attacked me with the Seekers close in tow. S'pose I didn't go unnoticed like I thought. Anyway, I radioed for help… and it didn't take long for Prowl and his team to get there…"

"You say that like you're amused." Sides canted his head to the side in curiosity as he listened, causing Sunny to pay more attention. Where he didn't want to admit it, he really did want to know what happened and how Prowl could get that fragged in such a short time.

"Oh, I'm very much amused, Siders. I wasn't that far an' all, but Prowl got there like it was just next door t'the Ark. Then he went and hurried himself puttin' no thought into the operation." Jazz was so close to laughing, Sunny could feel it before he could hear it. "First time I have ever seen Prowlie run in guns blazin'. It was a sight to remember even if we all got the slag kicked out of us. I think he got us out of there on sheer willpower alone."

Sideswipe was cracking up and Sunny knew it was because he was picturing the Datsun running headlong into battle like a bad war film. He had to admit, the idea of it was as humorous as it was ludicrous. "You're kidding! By the book, Prowl?"

"I kid not! Even when he was injured he insisted he help me get back to base. For someone with a busted leg joint… he sure could move fast, man…"

"So… that's why he was draggin' your aft in."

"Only cause 'Hide wouldn't go fast 'nough for him."

"Primus, Prowl must have busted a few circuits to act like that."

"Nah, just completely dedicated t'keepin' promises."

Sideswipe snickered where he only stared at the table surface in thought. He'd been so angry that Prowl had left, that he'd not even managed to understand that Prowl couldn't help it. So… the copper nearly botched a mission just to get back quickly… "I didn't think we were out of commission long enough to have you guys get back really. Even if he was hurrying and what not…"

"That's cause you were out for a long span there. Ratchet told me ya were out cold while you were stabilizing. 'Jack made sure you were kickin' while Ratchet kept your brother alive." Jazz chuckled at the looks of realization on the twins' faces. "I tell ya… even though it was a few hours; it took Prowler no time at all. Then he was a slave driver gettin' us back."

"I noticed." His twin grinned knowingly as he looked at Jazz. It was almost as if the red twin was hinting at something, but Sunny didn't know what it was.

"Yeah, I noticed, too." Jazz's smile twisted into something that was near diabolical as he leaned toward Sideswipe. Sunstreaker felt himself leaning in as well trying to make sure he didn't miss the conversation. "When did ya notice, Siders?"

"Oh… not that long ago." Sideswipe gave his best smirk and leaned in as well making the conversation seem as though it was most important and secret. "It was hard not to notice, but I gotta know Jazz man… when did YOU notice?"

"C'mon Siders! I noticed a long time ago! That's something that you'd have to be blind not to notice." There was a happy snicker in that tone that made Sunny frown darkly. What was this conversation about? What in the name of Primus were they talking about? "Let's hope it gets noticed by those two before Ratchet has to format the pair into a curling iron and blow-dryer."

"That's a good reasons for why it shouldn't go unnoticed." Sideswipe nodded sagely causing Sunstreaker to suddenly growl.

"What on this Primus forsaken planet are you talking about being 'noticed'?!"

The outburst earned two sets of amused optics pinned on him with matching smirks to accompany them. Jazz finally turned to Sideswipe and the Lamborghini gave a slight nod. "You'll notice it, too, eventually."

Shooting up from his seat, he realized he'd had far more than enough of this juvenile conversation. He was happy to know what had happened during his down time, but the two were unbearable when they were equally annoying. "Whatever. I'm out of here."

"Tell Prowler hi for me." Jazz snickered causing him to turn and glare at the Special Ops mech.

"Why should I? And how do you know I'm going to look for him?"

"Oh… cause he actually has time off an' I was sure ya'd keep him company. S'why your brother was so kind as to keep me company while Blue's out on patrol." Both of the seated mechs chuckled at this and Sunstreaker felt his optic ridges rise.

"Che… whatever, do what you want."

"See ya later, Sunny!" Sides called after him cheerily but he simply ignored it. Right then he was more focused on the idea that Prowl had free time for the first time in the last few days. It hurt a bit to know he'd not been told. Why was that? Regardless, he would look for him. Besides, someone needed to show the stiff mech how to spend his free time. He was free; it may as well be him.

--+--

"You're off duty."

"I still have work to do."

"Come ON, Prowl… do something other than work for once." The yellow mech leaned on the officer's desk almost optic to optic with the Datsun. For the most part, he could almost see the hint of a smirk on those lips that never broke through.

"And what would you have me do?" Prowl spoke so calmly that it made him almost feel like jittering or shaking him to make him move.

"I don't know." Sunny groused over the question and muttered an aside that wasn't meant to be heard. "It's your boyfriend's fault for taking away my only entertainment."

"Pardon?" Prowl's face twisted into a look of surprise then a frown. "I'm afraid I don't know who you are speaking of."

"No one."

"Stop muttering… who?" The voice was softer and only served to make him feel... well… embarrassed. That was why he sheepishly said the name but it wasn't intelligible. "Sunstreaker."

"Jazz."

Prowl looked stunned at this and suddenly started to frown. "You didn't bet on him did you?"

"What?"

"Nothing." Waving it off, he went on quietly. "Jazz is my best friend. We've been over this before. So tell me, Sunny, what did he do now to upset you?"

"They kept talking about noticing something and wouldn't tell me what it was. It was downright irritating."

"Sometimes… it's better not knowing what is running around in Jazz's processor." Was it just him, or did Prowl suddenly seem nervous?

"Che… I never want in his head, thanks."

"Tell me Sunstreaker… what would you suggest we do?"

Looking at the tactician quickly, his spark lightened as the topic changed. Prowl didn't just ask what he should do with his free time, he said 'we'. Thinking quickly, a certain promise cropped up to the forefront of his mind. "Well… you said you'd teach me Diffusion."

"Oh? I did, didn't I?" The SIC chuckled and gave him one of those rare spark felt smiles as he finally nodded his head. "All right… just a quick lesson."

"Yes!" The surge of excitement was a little more than he could contain, but as Prowl looked at him in surprise; he calmed instantly and shuffled about. "I mean… it's cool to learn stuff and all."

"I didn't think you liked learning so much." Moving from behind his desk, he gracefully swept past Sunstreaker to the door opening it. "Shall we?"

"Yeah." Following in his wake, he kept pace behind the Datsun watching the back of his head curiously. There was something about that figure that made him start to think. What did Prowl remind him of? The way he moved, fought, even acted at times… they reminded him of something. That was when he started thinking about the name as well. Prowl: to roam around an area stealthily in search of prey. It was a word commonly used for… large cats. "Prowl…?"

Looking over his shoulder, the strategist nodded. "What is it?"

"You know… you're like… a big cat. You know… a jaguar… or panther or something…" Sunny seemed deep in thought as the Datsun looked at him a bit too shocked to reply. "You know… the name… movements… you're like a cat."

"Sunny?"

"No… you're not mean enough really. More like… a kitten." That's when a playful smirk hit his lips as his musing came to that final deduction. "You even have the silhouette of a kitten because your chevron."

Prowl stopped in mid step turning about to look at Sunstreaker. There was a strange play of emotion in those optics as he finally shook his head and turned to start walking again. Usually he liked picking on other mechs to see them get angry, but this was more so to see how Prowl would react. In fact, he'd been so deep in study of the elder mech that he didn't realize they were now out in the early morning sunlight not far from the Ark.

"Good morning, Prowl, Sunstreaker." Stopping as Prowl stopped; he looked up to see the larger form of Skyfire as he sat on a boulder. The SIC smiled amiably catching the attention of the Lamborghini as he greeted the jet.

"Good morning, Skyfire. Did you recharge well?" The polite kindness in Prowl's voice had the warrior watching him closely. It wasn't the same sort of kindness he saw so frequently these last few weeks. This wasn't a false kindness, but it wasn't of the same depth that he'd received from the normally stoic officer.

"I did, thank you. I thought Optimus had you off duty. Are you going on patrol with Sunstreaker?"

"No, we're just out to enjoy the day you could say." There was a stunned moment as surprise filtered over Skyfire's face before he finally nodded.

"It is a lovely day. Be careful. You never know when a seeker will fly through."

"We will. Thank you for your concern." Nodding his parting to the large carrier, he turned to keep walking. Following after him, he kept the peripheral of his vision on Skyfire as he watched them curiously not seeming to understand the match up. It was simple confusion. Then again, had he seen this even a month ago, he would have been just as confused as the overly kind scientist.

When they were far out of ear shot of the large flyer, Prowl stopped and turned to face Sunny with a serene smile. Was that amusement in his optics? "What?"

"I want to warn you that I'm a rather strict teacher."

"You don't think I knew that? Be serious, Prowl."

"Very well." With a nod, the slightly smaller mech began to explain the principles of Diffusion to the younger warrior. "It is a fighting style… but it is like art." Sunny wanted to gape. It was as though the tactician was trying to put it in ways he could grasp easily. "It's not rushed and it's not learned quickly over night. And like art… you do it often and never accept it as good enough."

The artist drive was to always strive to improve. He could understand that. That was why he listened rather intently as the rules were laid out for him. It didn't even feel like it had been that long before Prowl finally finished and told him he would show him a few basic forms to practice.

His optics were glued to the Datsun's body as he did such simple movements with a fluidity that just didn't seem possible. Each curve of a limb and step of his feet was nearly soundless and as fluid as a stream. Was this where Prowl learned to move like he did? "Now… try it."

Jerking in surprise, he stared at the motionless mech and felt his internals heat up. "I… what?"

"I said… try it."

"Um… ok." He felt like a complete fool as he tried to mimic those motions. There was only quick movement that jerked at most where it should have flowed.

"You're not fighting anything, Sunny. Relax." He wanted to snap that he was trying, but instead he kept attempting. "Slow down… there's no rush."

"Not everyone is as graceful as you, kitten!"

There was a long moment of silence as the tactician tried to work that statement through his processor. Instead of a response, he only sighed and slid up behind the suddenly shameful bot. If Cybertronians could blush, he would have been as red as his twin. Then he would have been redder still as Prowl pressed his body against his back and ran his hands down his arms.

That was when he lost his breath as those hands perfectly braced his and moved them in the motions with ease. It was like the hands of a master puppeteer leading his moves gracefully. Even pressed against him, their armor didn't scuff into one another. It was like dancing… A beautiful dance where he had to trust the other to lead him the right way. How had he gotten to this place with the Datsun? When did he learn to trust him so easily and faithfully?

"Do you see how smoothly you need to move?" That voice was softer than usual and it was hard to hear. Did Prowl even notice how close they were?

"Yeah…"

That was when his legs were guided with the same grace in the motions that Prowl performed so easily on his own. It was like a miracle to see his own limbs function in such a gentle smooth manner that he didn't usually have. Fighting had always been crass and straight forward for him, this was not. "It's relaxing… isn't it?"

"Mmhm…" It was all he could manage as his optics shuttered off and gave blind faith to the black and white mech. "You're a good teacher."

There was a soft chuckle as his answer, their dance never ending. "I didn't think you'd be willing to put so much trust in me…"

"I don't think… I meant to… kinda happened."

There was a long silence before Prowl went on softly. "Are we talking about Diffusion, Sunny?"

"I…"

"Prowl! Prowl, where are ya?! Oh!" Instantly the two stopped and backed far away from each other. Prowl looked up at the yellow minibot looking strained to keep a steady expression.

"Yes, Bumblebee?"

"I… well… ah…" The bot moved about in embarrassment flicking his gaze to Sunny. Sunny for the most part wanted to melt into the dirt and disappear. "O-Optimus asked me to find you. And uh… Skyfire said he saw you go this way a while ago and…"

"That's enough, Bumblebee. I'll go find him, thank you."

With a quick nod, the yellow minibot ran off as fast as his legs could carry him. Sunstreaker felt a cold sinking feeling in his chassis. Not only was he pissed they were interrupted, he had a foreboding feeling that he was going to have this all come back to haunt him as soon as he returned to the Ark.

"We'll try again later, if you like."

Looking up at the enforcer, he felt his spark flutter at the look on that visage. It was hope that lay in those blue optics. "Yeah… I'd like that."

Nodding once, he turned and moved away. Watching him for a bit, he caught the other looking back a few times, he thought he even saw him stumble before he disappeared from view. What just happened?

--+--

The rest of the day went by in a blur. All he could think about was that feeling he'd had while out there in the presence of the Datsun. The movements, the touch, and that realization that they weren't saying nearly enough. But what was it they weren't saying? Prowl was right… he hadn't been talking about just the Diffusion lesson. He'd been learning each day that he had more faith and trust in the tactician than any other mech besides his twin.

There wasn't a moment in the day that he didn't want to talk to Prowl. Even those simple realizations were suddenly important enough to let the Datsun know. Sometimes he found himself wondering what Prowl would do in the situation or how he'd react. When he'd sit and watch Sides with Blue… he suddenly wished that Prowl was there. But why would he think about him in that situation?

It was like the truth was on the tip of his glossa but he couldn't get it out of his vocalizer. What did it mean when you started to think about someone all the time? Pondering on the thought deeply, he remembered suddenly that he'd been staring at the sparring droid blankly for at least thirty earth minutes without moving. Shaking it off, he went to turn it on.

"So… if it isn't the Sunflower of Doom." Jerking at that haughty voice, he turned to see Tracks leaning against the doorframe that led into the small training room.

"Say it again and I'll make sure no one will ever be able to identify what alt form you are ever again." The growled retort wasn't as strong as it usually was.

"Getting soft there, Sunbot? Or is someone 'making' you soft?" There was a sneer in that voice as the vain mech sauntered over to him.

"What's that supposed to mean you over grown, narcissist?"

"I mean… you would have been throwing punches already if you weren't getting so… mushy. Not to mention that I never thought your standards would get so skewed."

Flaring on the inside, he turned to face the haughty bot that looked all but sure that he'd won this little name calling fest. "I don't know what you're talking about, but I'd be happy to show you why you're wrong."

"You're all talk, Sunshine."

Growling, he was instantly in Tracks' face. "Want to say that again?"

"I said… You're. All. Talk." Laughing happily at the fury on his face, Tracks moved closer with a smirk. "I suppose I win at being the best looking mech."

"Like the pit you do! You're just an over painted slag heap!"

"At least I didn't lower my standards!"

"What the pit are you talking about?" Anger welled up in him, but he really didn't see what the vain mech was talking about. What standards?

"If you're beauty really was a rival to mine, you certainly wouldn't stoop so low as to pursue Prowl of all bots. I nearly laughed my circuits into overheating hearing about that." Absolute anger washed over him as the corvette went on. "I never knew you'd have to settle like that for all your talk."

It was like being consumed in flames and he couldn't stop it. The first thing he noticed was the sound of metal creaking and bending on impact. The next thing he realized was that his fist was rearing back to make the same contact. Anger took over as he laid another hit into the surprised mech finally spurring him into fighting back.

Little attention was paid to the pain as he felt his spark clench in fury. The fragger had no right. "Say what you want about me, you slag head! But leave Prowl out of this!"

To punctuate his point, he hit Tracks again reveling in the cry the other made before they tangled together again in their fighting. Through the rage and anger, only one thought seemed to rouse him from the mindless actions.

Prowl… what would Prowl say about this?

See who I am,
Break through the surface.
Reach for my hand,
Let's show them that we can
Free our minds and find a way.
The world is in our hands,
This is not the end.

-Finé-