Title: Puppy Love, Chapter 13
Fandom: Transformers G1 AU
Pairing/Characters: Sideswipe/Sunstreaker, Ratchet, Smokescreen
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 3201
Summary/Warnings: Sideswipe begins pranking. This one is entirely from Ratchet's POV. Gold star to the person who can guess my favorite line out of this chapter.
Disclaimer: This is a piece of fiction. No harm was intended in the creation of this work. All rights belong to the original creators.

A mere hour after lunch, Ratchet's communication line pinged. He huffed irritably as he was wrist deep in the abdomen of a society mech's pet; the creature had been injured quite badly from a collision with a drone transport and had required surgery. Nevertheless, he sent the signal to activate his receiver even as he barked out orders to the attending technician.

What?

Ratchet? An unfamiliar timid voice echoed in his processor.

Who is this? Ratchet demanded, distracted by an arching spurt of energon.

It's Smokescreen. I'm calling about the twins.

What about them? Ratchet asked, hands flying to clamp off leaking lines.

Well, they painted me pink and disappeared after midday break. I can't find them anywhere, Smokescreen replied. Today is the day we were supposed to be in lessons until early evening.

So no injuries and nothing destroyed that can't be easily repaired? Ratchet inquired.

Well… no, I guess not. I'll have to be repainted, but…

Great. If anything changes, let me know, but I got to go. Ratchet abruptly ended the transmission as the spark monitor began beeping alarmingly.

"Where in the Pit is that energon for the transfusion!" Ratchet thundered, almost immediately forgetting the conversation.

It was hours later as Ratchet was trudging to the Precinct when he recalled exactly what Smokescreen had said. Cursing, he slid to a stop earning the glare of the mech behind him. Apologizing, he transformed and then stepped into a nearby shop to activate his comm.

Yes?

Smokescreen. Hi. Any more word on the Twins? Ratchet questioned, refusing to be worried. They were younglings. Younglings got into trouble. It happened all the time. It didn't make him a bad guardian that he had forgotten about them going missing, did it?

I saw them briefly an hour ago. They were skulking around on the ground floor. Then I lost track them again, Smokescreen said. By the way, I'm still pink.

Ratchet's processor whirled for a moment before he responded. How can you lose them? How big is the building exactly?

I'm not their babysitter, Ratchet, Smokescreen replied frostily. I'm their tutor. You want them found, find them yourselves.

Ratchet winced as the connection slammed closed with a screech. Ratchet recalled his last words to Smokescreen and sighed. He hadn't meant it to sound like it had; he would have to apologize as soon as he got home. But first…

Ratchet reactivated his comm, pausing a moment before sending a transmission. Finally he made a decision and pulled up a specific frequency.

Sunstreaker.

There was a long pause where Ratchet felt the communication line open up, but no response. Finally, Sunstreaker replied.

It was Sides' idea, he said flatly.

We'll sort that out later, Ratchet said soothingly. I just need to know that the both of you are all right. Smokescreen said he couldn't find you.

Another long pause occurred while Ratchet fidgeted and the shopkeeper stared at him curiously.

We're fine. Are we in trouble? The question was asked in a wary tone, and Ratchet knew to be careful with his next words.

I don't know yet. I don't know all the details. I'm on my way to the Precinct and will be there for the next few hours. When I get home, we'll talk. All right?

Yeah, ok, Sunstreaker replied, sounding resigned

Sunstreaker, Ratchet called before the connection could close.

… yes? Sunstreaker asked, even more wary now.

I love you. Even if you paint me pink, I'll love you, Ratchet said warmly. By the way, did you take any pictures? I'm sure Smokey looks lovely in his new color.

I didn't. But I'm sure Sides did, Sunstreaker said, his voice beginning to lose its worry induced tightness.

Great. Well, I'll be home in a few more hours. If Smokescreen will take you back, I'd like for you to spend some more time with him like you were supposed to earlier, Ratchet suggested.

Alright. I'll make my idiot brother apologize, Sunstreaker said with the air of long exasperation.

Thank you, Sunstreaker. I'll see you later.

Ratchet clicked off his comm. and smiled to himself. Hopefully that would take care of things until he got home.

Just as he exited the storefront, another communications pinged his processor.

Yes?

It was my idea, don't blame Sunny, Sideswipe said in a rush.

Like I told Sunstreaker, we'll talk about it when I get home. But I want you both to apologize to Smokecreen as well as meet back up with him for your missing lessons.

Are you mad? Sideswipe asked, sounding mournful.

I'm… disappointed. But even if I were mad, nothing would change between us, Ratchet said, reassuring his youngling. I still love you and your brother.

Oh, good, Sideswipe said, tone relieved. He paused before speaking again. So does that hold true for anything that we do?

Go apologize to Smokescreen, Red, Ratchet said, beginning to understand where Sunstreaker's exasperation came from.

Ok, will do! Love ya, Ratch! The comms shut off abruptly, and Ratchet was left shaking his head in bemusement.

"Love you too, Sides," he murmured.

Ratchet was feeling a little nervous about how the evening would go when he walked into the apartment later that night. He observed Sunstreaker sitting at his desk with a sketch pad in front of him and Sideswipe at his feet, playing one of his hand held games. Three cubes of steaming energon sat on the edge of Ratchet's desk.

The twins looked up, but didn't immediately greet him. Instead they ducked their heads and avoided optic contact. Ratchet huffed a little, more amused than anything by their reactions. He tossed his kit onto his desk and unloaded several data pads from subspace.

"So, how was your day? Interesting, from what I hear," Ratchet remarked.

"No, wait," he said when Sideswipe opened his mouth. "I'm going to go wash up, and then we can talk."

Sideswipe frowned, but then he nodded. He warily watched Ratchet as he approached Sideswipe on the way out of the apartment. The red mech stilled as Ratchet bent forward and placed a kiss on top of Sideswipe's helm. Sunstreaker was equally rigid as a kiss was bestowed on him as well. The twins were quiet as Ratchet left.

The washrack was empty and quiet as Ratchet entered it. He cleaned himself with half an optic on the door expecting Ironhide to slink through at any moment and smolder at him. Thankfully, that didn't happen, and Ratchet came back into the apartment, grabbed a cube and plopped down on the blankets with a sigh.

"So, what happened with Smokescreen?" Ratchet asked, looking up through lowered optic shutters at the twins. Sideswipe and Sunstreaker exchanged glances before Sideswipe made a face and crawled over to sit in front of Ratchet.

"I was bored," Sideswipe admitted. "Smokey gave us a break and went upstairs for more data pads. I rigged up a bucket to drop the paint on him when he walked back in. When he went to clean up, we left."

Ratchet leaned forward and examined the front door. Now that he was looking, he could see the occasional pink smudge around the frame.

"Where did you get the paint from?" Ratchet asked.

Sunstreaker shifted on his seat, optics still downcast.

"Ah," Ratchet said, realization dawning. "From the supplies I bought a few days ago?"

Shoulders slumping dejectedly, Sunstreaker nodded.

Ratchet nodded thoughtfully and took another sip of his energon. Leaning back, he considered first one twin and then the other.

"Did you apologize to Smokescreen?"

Sideswipe snuck an annoyed glance at his brother before nodding. "You can ask him if you want. We told him that we would repaint him. Or rather, Sunny will," he said, after Sunstreaker's shoulders straightened, and he made a huffing sound at Sideswipe.

"As a matter of fact, I did ask him. He said you both seemed very apologetic, and he forgives you," Ratchet said, causing Sideswipe to heave a relieved sigh. Fortunately, Smokescreen was also forgiving of Ratchet's earlier words over the comm.

"But… I think there are still some things that need addressed." Sideswipe and Sunstreaker tensed up all over again.

"No one was hurt this time, but someone could have been…"

"It was just paint!" Sideswipe protested.

"Paint which could have gotten into Smokescreen's optics or even his processor causing significant damage," Ratchet said, raising his voice a little to speak over Sideswipe. "In addition, your possessions are yours to do with what you want. But until you actually make the money to buy things like paint, you may want to think twice about wasting what you already have."

Sunstreaker threw himself back in his chair with his arms crossed over his chassis and glared at his brother. "See?" he growled.

"You didn't even like the color," Sideswipe argued.

Ratchet waved a hand through the air, catching their attention before the argument disintegrated. "Sideswipe, you've already said that this was your idea. Sunstreaker… what part did you have to play?"

Sunstreaker tapped a finger on his opposite arm before eventually speaking in a low tone. "I gave him the paint."

"And helped set up the bucket," Sideswipe supplied, glowering at Sunstreaker. Ratchet had to wonder what conversation was happening over their bond the way the twins were glaring at one another.

Sunstreaker made an aborted move towards Sideswipe but sank back into his chair at Ratchet's pointed look. "And helped set up the bucket," Sunstreaker muttered, looking away from both of them.

"Because he asked you to?" Ratchet prompted.

Sunstreaker's expression turned confused as his head swiveled to meet Ratchet's look. "Yes?"

"You realize you can tell him 'no', right?" Ratchet said, hoping the point would come across. In the short time Ratchet had been exposed to the twins, he had discovered that Sideswipe was the more outgoing, the one better able to use words to get what he wanted. And Sunstreaker was not immune to Sideswipe's charm.

Sunstreaker now looked uncertain as he glanced from Sideswipe to Ratchet. "I know that."

"Good," Ratchet said, nodding sharply. "Remember that in the future. Because whether or not it was Sideswipe's idea… you still helped; you're still responsible."

At Sunstreaker's dejected look, Ratchet reached out and patted him on the knee. "Remember, I told you that nothing changes between us, all right? Go grab those cubes and get down here." As he said it, he reached out for Sideswipe's arm and tugged him closer. Sideswipe was reluctant at first, but quickly settled against Ratchet's side when he made it clear just wanted to hold Sideswipe close.

Sunstreaker was even more unenthusiastic, sitting down stiffly next to Ratchet. Ratchet quickly drained his cube and threw his arm around Sunstreaker's shoulders. Inch by inch, Sunstreaker gradually relaxed until he rested his cheek on Ratchet's shoulder and sighed.

"Sounds like an interesting day," Ratchet murmured.

Sideswipe chuckled softly. "We enjoyed it. How about you? What did you get up to today?"

Shortly after Ratchet finished describing the emergency surgery he had performed earlier that day, Sideswipe squirmed and thrashed until he was in Ratchet's lap. He looked up at Ratchet with earnest optics.

"Scan me now?" Sideswipe asked, levering his injured leg up into the air.

Ratchet leaned against Sunstreaker's shoulder and raised an optic ridge. "Why should I? I'm not so sure you're deserving of my scanning abilities right now."

"Awww, come on, Ratch," Sideswipe said, squirming even more and making his faceplates into the most pitiful expression Ratchet had ever seen. "I said I was sorry. And Smokescreen forgave us."

"I don't know…"

"Please…"

Ratchet huffed a sigh and nodded. "Oh, all right. Get off of me so I see your back struts."

As Sideswipe shot up, Sunstreaker muttered lowly. "Just say 'no', huh?"

Smiling ruefully, Ratchet bent over Sideswipe, activating his optical scanners. Ratchet carefully looked over the welds in Sideswipe's upper thigh and lower back. Humming thoughtfully, Ratchet stroked over Sideswipe's hip noting that the scars to be undetectable to the touch. Internally, the welds were strong and nearly invisible to Ratchet's scanners.

"Looks good," Ratchet said finally. "You're good to transform."

With a happy shout, Sideswipe pushed himself upright, took two steps away and folded into his beast form, all in less than five seconds. Ratchet blinked his optics several times in surprise.

"Wow," Ratchet said. "Guess you were waiting for that for a while."

Sideswipe shook himself, yipping twice before darting forward and swiping his tongue over Ratchet's cheek. A yellow arm reached forward past Ratchet's face and pushed the large red head away as Ratchet laughed.

"You're ridiculous," Ratchet said as Sideswipe leaped from side to side, barking excitedly. "What are you… oomph!"

Ratchet nearly fell over as Sunstreaker brushed by his guardian. Rolling to one knee, Sunstreaker stared intently at his brother before activating his own transformation sequence. And then there were two very large, very rambunctious, dogs crashing together and rolling across the floor with loud barks and growls.

Ratchet hurriedly stood and jumped out of the way as the rolling mass of metal impacted the wall where he had just been. "All right you two: be careful," he warned, feeling the floor vibrate beneath his feet.

The twins ignored him, taking turns at gaining the upper hand over the other and then losing it again almost immediately. Ratchet was pretty sure that they were just playing, but he watched carefully. The snarls and growls were incredibly real sounding, but besides a scuff or two, neither one appeared to be suffering from any injuries. Luckily, the common room had little in the way of furnishings, so property damage was also being kept to a minimum.

"Are you two quite finished yet?" Ratchet asked as Sideswipe broke away suddenly, stilling with his head cocked to the side. Sunstreaker also paused, growls trickling to a stop and tail balancer quivering as he and his brother turned as one to stare at the door.

Seconds later the door chime rang. Sideswipe let out a flurry of barks, practically bouncing as he ran over to the door. He looked from it and back to Ratchet and barked again as if to say 'open it already!'

Ratchet hurried over, shoving at broad red shoulders in order to reach the door lock. Sunstreaker followed them more sedately. When the door whooshed aside, they were greeted to the site of Hound's worried faceplates and the barrel of his gun pointed at the ceiling.

"Ratchet? Are you all right, I heard…oh. Well, hello, Sides…" Sideswipe immediately pushed forward, stepping on Ratchet's nearest foot. The red mech snuffled at Hound's feet and then nosed up his leg, sniffing loudly. At the sound of his name, Sideswipe broke away and barked at Hound, sitting on his haunches with his tail balancer brushing along the floor behind him.

"I heard the barking and crashing and…" Hound trailed off, seemingly embarrassed.

"No, no, I'm so sorry. Sideswipe's finally healed enough for his transformation, and he got a little excited," Ratchet explained, trying to drag Sideswipe back from the door. Sideswipe merely shook Ratchet off and nosed at Hound's dangling hand, trying to nudge it on top of his head. Sunstreaker, who had been sitting calmly next to Ratchet, rushed forward and snapped at Sideswipe's rump.

Sideswipe somehow whirled around without bowling any of the bipedal mechs off their feet, and Ratchet watched helplessly as his two younglings went back to rolling around the apartment.

"Wow," Hound commented, craning his neck to watch the tumbling dogs.

"Yeah," Ratchet replied. "I'm really sorry. I hope they didn't get you out of recharge."

Hound shook his head in amazement as Sunstreaker reared up and fell on Sideswipe's back, teeth burrowing into Sideswipe's neck joint. Sideswipe's glossa lolled as he kicked out with his back feet, dislodging Sunstreaker.

"No, I was just doing some reading. Are they going to be doing… that… for much longer?" Hound asked, tucking his gun away in subspace.

Ratchet wiped a hand across his faceplates and shrugged. "I'm not sure. I'm going to give it another five minutes before I wade in there to…"

Abruptly, the two dogs broke apart from each other. Sideswipe strode over to the blanket and plopped down, intakes working overtime to cool his engine. Sunstreaker followed at a more leisurely pace and genteelly sat, ignoring Sideswipe's sudden lick to Sunstreaker's face.

"…make them stop," Ratchet said. "Are you two done?"

Done with what? came Sideswipe's cheeky reply. Ratchet gave both brothers a withering look before turning back to Hound.

"I think we're good."

Hound surveyed the apartment one last time before nodding with a bemused expression. "I don't envy you one bit."

Ratchet chuckled weakly, waving good bye as Hound turned to head back downstairs. "Yeah, me either."

Ratchet shut and keyed in the lock for the door before turning around and doing a double take. Sideswipe was on his back, one of Sunstreaker's paws placed quite squarely on Sideswipe's chassis. Sunstreaker's audio flaps were laid back, and Sideswipe's paws kicked fitfully at Sunstreaker's side.

"Now what are you two doing?" Ratchet asked. Sunstreaker glanced up at Ratchet before stepping to the side and transforming back into root form. He brushed at his arms and chassis, glaring at Sideswipe.

"I'm filthy," he told his twin as Sideswipe leapt to his feet and transformed as well. Sideswipe's optics were overly bright as he wound his arms around Sunstreaker's waist.

"Yeah, you are," Sideswipe said, leering.

Sunstreaker tried unsuccessfully to pry Sideswipe off. "Could I be an only child?" he asked Ratchet, finally giving up his cleaning efforts with a huff.

"Little late for that," Ratchet said, straightening the chair at his desk that had been knocked askew by the twins' tumbles.

"You love me," Sideswipe said coyly.

Sunstreaker looked down on the mech wound around him, and his shoulders slumped a little. "Yeah, I guess."

Sideswipe released Sunstreaker and threw both hands in the air triumphantly. "Ha ha! I win!"

Sunstreaker growled and whirled around, grabbing his brother by the shoulders and beginning to propel him backwards. "Are you sure you want to?" he asked. He threw a glance over his shoulder at Ratchet.

"We're going to bed. Call us if you need us," Sunstreaker informed their guardian.

"Oh. Yes, ok. See you in the morning!" Ratchet called after them, remembering at the last moment the important topic he was supposed to have breached with them today. The only answer he got was a slam of their door. Well, there was still tomorrow to talk with them about Ironhide.

Ratchet looked around the now empty common room and checked his chronometer. It was earlier than he had anticipated. Since the twins had retired for the night, it was probably time for him to get some work in.

There was a muffled thump from the direction of the twin's room. Shaking his head, Ratchet retrieved a data pad from his stack atop his desk. He shut off his audios and made himself comfortable on the pile of blankets, hoping that the twins would be done with their… activities… by the time Ratchet sought his own berth. He hated recharging with his audio sensors offline.

~ End Chapter 13