Title: Puppy Love, Chapter 19
Fandom: Transformers G1 AU
Author: FuziPenguin
Pairing/Characters: Sideswipe/Sunstreaker, Ratchet, Ironhide
Rating: PG13
Word Count: 2579
Summary/Warnings: Ratchet makes an ultimatum and he and the Twins finally get some quiet time together.
Disclaimer: This is a piece of fiction. No harm was intended in the creation of this work. All rights belong to the original creators.
Sideswipe was having a hard time concentrating on his lessons. He was still jittery from the earlier adrenaline rush regarding Ratchet's disappearance, and all he really wanted to do was grab Sunstreaker and spar with him. Or race him. Anything that required movement, instead of sitting here, pretending to know what in the Pit Smokescreen was going on about.
Suddenly, Sideswipe flinched. He waved off Smokescreen's startled and concerned expression. "Had an itch," he explained, rubbing his side.
As subtly as he could, Sideswipe glared over his shoulder. What was that for? He demanded of his brother, still feeling the sting of Sunstreaker's mental slap.
This is interesting. You're distracting me, Sunstreaker replied, his optics trained on Smokescreen's faceplates as their tutor droned on about Something Important A Very Long Time Ago.
But this is boring! Sideswipe complained.
Not to me. Pay attention for the next hour, and I'll frag you so hard you won't remember you were ever bored.
Sideswipe perked up, a grin flashing across his faceplates before he smoothed out his expression.
Smokescreen didn't like it when they had whole conversations between them while they were supposed to be learning. Their tutor was surprisingly good at sensing when they were talking over their bond too.
Sounds like a plan. Can we spar after?
Even after Ironhide's training? Where'd all this energy come from? Sunstreaker asked, surprised.
Sideswipe shrugged, making a face at Smokescreen's warning expression. Haven't had a chance to run in awhile. Forgot how good it feels.
All right. We'll spar later. If you have the energy after I'm done with you, Sunstreaker replied with an easy agreement.
A small part of Sideswipe rejoiced at his brother's relaxed state. Sunstreaker had been a wound up mess last night after Ratchet had left, despite Ratchet's seeming acceptance of their training with Ironhide.
Sideswipe had coaxed Sunstreaker into a brief round of spark merging this morning while in the washracks to take his brother's mind off of things. Whatever brief peace Sunstreaker had found had been utterly erased by Ratchet's supposed disappearance shortly after. Sideswipe hoped that some hard, physical activity would drain Sunstreaker of any remaining anxiety that might be lingering.
And if it benefited Sideswipe's own need for energy expenditure, well then, there wasn't anything wrong with that, now was there?
"Ow," Sideswipe complained, his view of the ceiling slightly fuzzy as his processor recovered from his impact with the floor.
"Move faster," Ironhide instructed.
"Wasn't I?"
Ironhide made a thoughtful sound and walked over, leaning down so that all Sideswipe could see was the blue of his optics.
"Yeah, you were," Ironhide conceded. "But not fast enough."
Sideswipe groaned and accepted Ironhide's hand, gaining his feet painfully. For about the eighth time, he regretted the vigorous bout of interfacing he and Sunstreaker had indulged in before coming down here. On top of that, they had forgone their midday rations in an attempt to ensure they didn't miss Ironhide. Sideswipe was certainly feeling the lack of energy right about now.
"Come on, up and at 'em," Ironhide said, patting Sideswipe on the back as Sideswipe wobbled his way back to the middle of the floor.
"Ugh," Sideswipe said, flexing a creaking shoulder. "When are we going to train on those?" he asked as pointed with his chin over to the wall of blades and blasters.
"When you can stay on your feet for longer than thirty seconds," Ironhide replied. Then he rushed Sideswipe.
There was a flurry of blows, some which Sideswipe managed to block; most made impact and made his armor reverberate with pain. He reeled back from a hit across his cheek strut and then collapsed to the floor when Ironhide swung out a leg and pulled Sideswipe's knee out from under him.
There was an exclamation from somewhere near the stairs and then a red and white blur appeared, standing over Sideswipe. He had to blink a few times in order to refocus his optics.
"Ratchet?" Sideswipe asked. "'s that you?"
"He can't even recognize me!" Ratchet cried, sparing Sideswipe a glance over his shoulder. "That was too rough!"
Ironhide raised an optic ridge and took a step back from the angrily vibrating medic. Sideswipe didn't blame him; Ratchet looked furious. "He's fine. Aren't ya, Sides?"
"Yeah, I'm fine, Ratch," Sideswipe said, sitting up so fast that he wobbled. Ratchet made another concerned noise and leaned down to assist. Sideswipe made a point to stand without Ratchet's help and beamed at his guardian when he was upright.
"We can take these kind of hits," Sunstreaker said, walking over to stand next to Sideswipe. "Our armor is top of the line."
"Not much better," Ironhide added, and Sideswipe turned his beaming expression to their trainer. Ironhide's compliments were few and far between, but that made them all the more special.
"Well, aren't you supposed to be teaching them to not get hit? From what I saw, that's all that happened!"
"Hey!" Sidesipe protested, feeling just a little bit insulted. He hadn't been doing all that badly.
"He avoided two," Ironhide replied.
"Oh, wow, two whole punches!" Ratchet exclaimed, throwing his hands up in the air.
Ironhide frowned and planted his hands on his hips. "Improvement is improvement. And he's good. Both of them," he said, nodding at Sunstreaker. "They learn fast, and it's only been three days."
But Ratchet was shaking his head and grasping behind him for Sideswipe's arm. "I don't care. This is over!"
Sideswipe's optics widened, and he dug in his heels as Ratchet pulled on him. "Over? As in… over?"
"As in no more! We'll find some other way for you to get exercise. Let's go," Ratchet commanded, still pulling.
"But… Ratchet…" Sideswipe protested, letting himself be dragged along as he tossed a pleading look over his shoulder at an amused looking Ironhide. Slagger wasn't even helping!
"Sunny?" Sideswipe directed at his silent brother, but Sunstreaker had his lipplates pursed together tightly and only shook his head as he followed behind them.
"Ratchet? Come on, I barely got a dent," Sideswipe said, as Ratchet continued to drag him to the first story landing and up the stairs. "And look – self repair is already at work!"
Ratchet ignored the arm that Sideswipe waved in front of him and continued marching, muttering subvocally about meddling aftheads and offlining.
What just happened? Sideswipe asked his twin.
Don't know. But he seems...frazzled. Let's get him calmed down and then see.
Sideswipe nodded, even as Ratchet marched him right up to their apartment door and then through it. Once past the doorway, Ratchet stepped aside to let Sunstreaker through and then whirled Sideswipe around, yanking him down so he could examine the side of Sideswipe's helm.
"Ow," Sideswipe muttered in mild protest. "You're rougher than 'Hide is."
Ratchet paused to glare at him before probing deeper at the dent that Sideswipe hadn't even realized he had received. Huh. Maybe he had impacted the ground a little harder than any of them had anticipated.
"This is minor," Ratchet finally concluded with a slump of his shoulders. "Thank Primus."
He pulled on Sideswipe again, this time enfolding him in Ratchet's arms. Sideswipe blinked in befuddlement at Sunstreaker over Ratchet's shoulder.
"Uh… Ratch? Is everything ok?" Sideswipe ventured.
Ratchet shuddered and held Sideswipe tighter. "I will not lose you," he fiercely whispered.
"You're not going to," Sideswipe replied, gesturing for Sunstreaker to come closer. Sunstreaker did as Sideswipe indicated, moving up behind Ratchet and embracing them both.
"Why are you home so early?" Sunstreaker murmured against the back of Ratchet's neck. "Did something happen?"
"The Academy President released me for the rest of the day. Said I went 'above and beyond' last night with the precinct dog," Ratchet said, his voice muffled against Sideswipe's shoulder.
"Well, hey, that's good, right? How's the dog doing now? Back up on his feet already, I bet," Sideswipe said, smiling. "He has the best vet around." A little flattery couldn't hurt, right?
"He offlined. Spark failure," Ratchet said, his fingers digging tighter into Sideswipe's back armor. Sideswipe groaned silently, feeling horrible.
That's probably why he's suddenly being all weird about the training thing, Sideswipe remarked, letting his engine purr softly in comfort.
Yeah, probably. We'll bring it up again later, Sunstreaker said, wisely knowing that Sideswipe really wanted to press the issue now.
Sideswipe exvented in reply, but held Ratchet a little tighter. "I'm sure you did everything you could. And it offlined under pain meds with lots of mechs around who cared about it," Sideswipe said into Ratchet's audio.
Ratchet sagged a little in their arms before straightening and shaking his head. "If I had done everything I could, it would still be functioning, wouldn't it?" he asked bitterly.
"But it doesn't matter. It's gone, I have the rest of the day off, and I plan to spend it with you two as an apology for worrying you so much this morning. So… any suggestions for what you would like to do today?"
Sideswipe and Sunstreaker exchanged uncertain glances before Sideswipe spoke up for both of them.
"A movie? And cuddles?" he suggested. If Ratchet was willing, they would take advantage of the fact that they finally had him to themselves and not let Ratchet go for as long as possible.
Ratchet looked surprised, but then nodded. "Are you sure? We could always take a walk; I interrupted your exercise time."
Sideswipe shrugged. "Sunny and I got lots of exercise earlier," he said, throwing his brother a leer. "So staying in is great. But… can we just… talk… about the training thing? Not now," Sideswipe hurried to add, seeing Ratchet's shoulders tense up. "Maybe tomorrow. We can… discuss it." He looked down at his guardian with hopeful optics.
Ratchet opened his mouth and then paused. Finally he shook his head, a wry smile spreading across his lipplates. "We'll talk. But I'm not promising anything," Ratchet warned.
Sideswipe backed up, hands rising into the air in a nonthreatening manner. "I know. I'm going to pick out a movie. Have you had your energon yet? If not, you and Sunny could go grab some."
"I have, but we can get dinner early. Sunstreaker? Will you escort me?" Ratchet asked, turning and looking up at Sunny.
Sideswipe watched his as his brother nodded and then followed Ratchet towards the door. Sunstreaker was walking closely enough that their arms kept brushing, and Ratchet didn't seem to mind in the slightest.
Ratchet was obviously pretty shaken up by losing his patient. Sideswipe hoped they could discuss the training issue without much disagreement, but Sunstreaker was right. The precinct dog's death was still too fresh in Ratchet's processor and probably reminded him too much of their own canine forms.
No, tonight was about letting Ratchet sit back and relax, to see that Sunstreaker and Sideswipe were fine and healthy. It would reassure them as well, to bask once more in Ratchet's presence when it had been so scarce the past few days.
Nodding to himself, Sideswipe set about rearranging pillows and blankets into a comfortable nest, wondering if Ratchet would mind if Sideswipe transformed into his canine frame. Ratchet gave the best ear scritches after all.
Sunstreaker onlined with a start, tense and alert in nanoseconds. He remained still, and extended his sensors, searching for what had awakened him. Next to him, Sideswipe's ventilations subtly changed into wakefulness, his brother following Sunstreaker's lead.
What is it? Sideswipe asked.
Sunstreaker checked his chronometer; they had only been in recharge for a few hours. The majority of the afternoon and evening had been spent in the common room, watching movies and television shows. Sunstreaker and Sideswipe had draped themselves across Ratchet's lap and refused to let him move, getting up themselves and retrieving whatever Ratchet had wanted. Ratchet hadn't protested much, so they had known that he had been willing enough to submit to their attentions.
Their guardian hadn't been able to stay awake long once darkness fell. He had slipped into recharge near the middle of the last movie, head lolling against Sideswipe's shoulder and hand on Sunstreaker's helm where it rested across Ratchet's lap. They hadn't the sparks to wake him up, so they had let the movie run to the end. Then, Sunstreaker had carefully carried Ratchet to his room. Ratchet had been carefully laid down and covered with blankets, all the while never stirring. Shortly after, Sunstreaker and Sideswipe themselves had fallen into recharge, tired from the last two days' emotional roller coaster.
I don't know. Maybe nothing, Sunstreaker replied slowly. Then there was a whisper of sound from the direction of the common room. Neither one of them could tell if it was outside the apartment or within.
Or maybe not. In unison, they sat up, fight programs whirling to life.
You check on Ratchet, Sideswipe suggested. I'll check the common room.
Be careful, Sunstreaker replied, resolutely squashing down unease at the thought of them separating. Sideswipe could take care of himself; Ratchet, on the other hand, was a helpless target.
They crept to their door and silently opened it. Nothing greeted them in the hallway so with one last look at each other, Sunstreaker went to the left and Sideswipe right.
Ratchet's door slid to the side without a sound, and Sunstreaker entered, his optics scanning the room. There weren't a lot of places to hide, but Sunstreaker prowled the limits of the room, all the while listening to Ratchet's reassuring ventilations.
Everything ok in there? Sideswipe asked.
Clear, Sunstreaker replied tersely, giving Ratchet's prone form a once over. Out there?
Not a fragged thing. Maybe we heard…
Sideswipe's words trailed off in a sudden crash from the common room. Sunstreaker reflexively took a step forward, instincts screaming at him to cover his twin's back. He paused, however, as Ratchet jerked awake with a snort.
"Wha… Sunny? What was that?" Ratchet asked, his optics confused and his faceplates still slack from interrupted recharge.
"We heard something," Sunstreaker explained. "Sideswipe's looking into it."
"'Looking into it?'" Ratchet demanded, rolling off the edge of the bed at another loud crash. "He's going to get hurt!"
Sunstreaker grabbed Ratchet as he tried to run past him, securing the medic against his chassis as Ratchet struggled. "He's fine," Sunstreaker said, feeling the familiar fight-induced excitement flowing from Sideswipe.
"Ironhide and Prowl are at the Precinct," Ratchet said, stilling, his ventilations strained. Sunstreaker mentally slapped himself for not thinking of calling any of the Enforcers in the building. "Jazz is on the way up. He said to stay where we are."
"And that's what we'll do," Sunstreaker said, his optics and audios trained on the door, desperately wishing he knew what was happening outside it.
Suddenly, there was a yelp and a shot of viscous satisfaction shot their bond. "Jazz is here," Sunstreaker informed Ratchet, getting a quick image from Sidesipe of a black and white blur tackling another dark mech.
"Oh, thank Primus," Ratchet said, sagging in Sunstreaker's hold. "I can't believe…" Ratchet words trailed off as they heard the loud report of a blaster. "Was that Jazz?" Ratchet asked, vocalizer staticky with worry.
Another round went off, this time accompanied by a flash of pain along Sunstreaker's side. He flinched, dropping a hand to feel along his lower abdomen, but when he raised his hand, it was clean. The pain abruptly went away as the bond Sunstreaker shared with his brother slammed shut.
End Chapter 19