You can thank cheeseries for the update! Hehe. Some days my muse can be influenced by others. Other days she can be as stubborn as a mule and not even listen to what I want to do.

In this chapter we jump ahead a few vorns. And we'll do so again in the next chapter. I only planned on a few chapters for Magnus and Orion's younglinghood anyway.

Again, thanks for the reviews, favs, and alerts. I hope you enjoy the chapter.

Valgautr

I am a mech who prides himself on doing his appointed task no matter how mundane or perilous it may be. I do not regret the sacrifices I've made during my life. I do not complain about my misfortunes. I understand that there are many things I cannot control.

As a father, I'm only concerned in what I can control…for the sake of both my sons.

For the past five vorns I've watched the bond between two brothers grow stronger with each passing vorn. Where one leads, the other follows. When one is upset the other provides comfort. When there is a heated misunderstanding between them, forgiveness is quickly given when they make amends.

Magnus, though quiet and shy, is no less intelligent than his brother. Orion, though courageous and confident, is not stronger than his brother. They are equals in many ways. Height. Strength. Intelligence. Compassion. Love.

Yet at the same time they are distinctly different.

Orion is confident in every task he does whether it is his chores, his school work or sports. He's always the first to ask a question, always the first to try something new, but rarely asks for help. He is driven by something within. At first I thought he was trying to prove himself to me, to earn his place in this family. But when I questioned him about it, he couldn't explain why he was so driven just that he felt it in his spark.

What he said reminded me of something my commanding officers once said 'To be a good leader you will rely on two things, your intelligence and the strength of your spark.' I was never one for being a leader. I know in my spark I could never make the decision to send a mech to his death on a mission.

And there is where Magnus is a lot like me. He is a follower. You tell him to do something and he doesn't it without question or complaint. Yet, he questions his abilities and often needs encouragement and praise to boost his confidence, especially in his school work. And on a good day, when his confidence is high, Magnus is actually better at sports than Orion – a fact that Orion, and myself, is rather proud of.

Though they are not brothers by birth or bond, they are truly brothers. It comforts me to know that Magnus and Orion always look out for one another as best as they can, that they will be there for each other even if Eleni or myself cannot be. They need each other now more than ever as the times are growing darker. The Civil War raging on Cybertron still has yet to reach us here on the outer rim. The day may come when my sons will only have each other to rely on.

As their father, I must prepare them by the only means I know how.

"Magnus, Orion. It is time to wake up. Your mother has our meal ready," I called then smiled affectionately as they obediently opened their optics.

"Morning papa," Magnus yawned, rubbing his face.

"Morning father," Orion said as he rose to his feet. "Is everything alright? You've been standing there for a long time."

"Ever the early riser," I chuckled, patting Orion on the head.

"It's the only time I have to think without Magnus interrupting," he smirked, playfully shoving Magnus back down onto his bed just as he stood up.

"Hey!" Magnus protested quickly recovering and tackling Orion down to the floor.

"Alright, that's enough," I smiled down at them. "We mustn't keep your mother waiting."

"Yes papa." "Sorry father."

I sigh contently watching as they left their room. It wasn't until this past vorn that Orion finally called me father and Eleni mother. My love won't admit it, but I knew it meant everything to her for I spied on her crying a short time later when she was alone. She too fears what may come if this war does not end.

"I want you to be good mechs for your papa today," Eleni gently lectured as they drank their energon ration. "Listen to Val and pay heed to his words. I know I say he has nothing but loose bolts in that processor of his, but he knows much and can teach you well."

"Eleni, they will be alright," I softly spoke to her, taking hold of her hand.

"They're just younglings, barely out of their sparklinghood. I don't want to see them grow up too quickly."

"Eleni, they're ten vorns now."

She gazed up me, tears filling her optics. I simply smiled, pulling her into an embrace. I too didn't want them to grow up too quickly. But grow they will. I cannot stop the inevitable. And neither can my love.

"We both agreed to wait until this day for me to begin their training," I reminded her.

"I know," she sniffled, wiping away her tears. "I'm their mother. I cannot help but worry for them."

"You're a good mother to them," I smiled, kissing her forehead. "And the best sparkmate a mech could ever desire."

Eleni giggled, leaning against me.

"I love you too," she whispered.

I glanced at my mechs and nodded for them to leave the room to give me a moment alone with their mother.

"Have you thought about what I talked about last night?" I gently asked.

"Now is not the time," she spoke, trembling. "As much as having another sparkling would mean so much to me, it is far too dangerous because of the war. It would be unfair to bring a new life into the universe right now. I fear we may have to leave here soon."

I nodded, my spark sinking a little. As a bondmate I want my femme to be happy. It hurts, physically hurts sometimes when I cannot provide the happiness my Eleni needs.

"Go," she smiled, caressing my face. "Teach them all you know."

"Very well," I sighed, taking her hands into mine. "I will hold off on weapons training until I know they're ready. Both are big and strong for their age, more than ready for hand to hand combat training. Most importantly, I will teach them to be wise, to know when to fight and when to run and hide."

Leaning down, I captured her lips with mine in a deep, passionate kiss. Primus, I loved this femme more than life itself. She gave me a son. Then she accepted and loved another as if he were her very own son. If not for her, I'm not sure of where I'd be this day.

"Is everything alright, papa?" Magnus asked when I joined him and Orion outside.

"Yes, everything's fine. Come with me my sons. I have much to teach you today."

With that said, I lead them back inside. Eleni was now gone, having left to work an extra shift at her job to give me time alone with our sons. It was part of the agreement that I would have two jours each deca-cycle to teach them the honorable warrior's way of survival.

"What I'm about to teach you, is to be considered a gift. You are to treat it with respect and much responsibility. If I find that either one of you have abused this gift in any way, your training will cease immediately. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, father." "Yes, papa."

"Can either one of you tell me what an Autobot or a Decepticon is?" I asked, curious to know if the factions have been mentioned in school.

"They're two factions fighting on Cybertron," Orion answered.

"Would either of you recognized one if you saw them?"

Both mechs shook their head.

"What are we?"

Magnus raised his hand, making me smile, "No need for that my son. This is not your classroom."

"Oh, sorry," he blushed, dropping his hand.

"He was right to do so father. This may not be a classroom but you are our instructor," Orion cleverly pointed out.

"Duly noted. Magnus, you may answer the question."

"We're neutrals. We have no faction," he replied confidently.

"What I'm about to tell you does not leave this room," I said in earnest. "Your mother and I…were not always neutrals. We left Cybertron for the safety of our family. I could not risk losing you Magnus. Or your mother. And Orion, you were a gift along the way. One I'm so glad to have."

"Why don't you want anyone to know, papa?"

"Because it frightens the mechs and femmes around here," I answered.

"So which faction were you and mother?" Orion eagerly asked.

From a hidden compartment on my armor, I carefully pulled out the insignia I proudly wore for many vorns. And if the day came when I had no choice, I would gladly reclaim it.

"This is my insignia. I was a proud soldier and pilot in the Autobot Army."

"Wow!" Magnus gasped, optics wide, mouth hanging open.

"Only those who have earned the right to be Autobots are allowed to wear this symbol. It represents peace, justice, compassion, and honor," I explained, taking in how Orion did not react the way Magnus did. Curious, I asked him if he was alright but got no answer. His optics were totally focused on the Autobot insignia. "Orion?"

He stood up, one hand trembling as he reached to touch the insignia.

"Orion, have you seen this before?" I asked.

"In my dreams," he replied softly, squinting his optics. "Only it's red in my dream. Red surrounded by shiny gold."

"Do you see a face, perhaps…a mech or femme?" I asked both thrilled and afraid that he might recall what his creators look like.

"I can't see them," he frowned, sagging in his seat. "Just when I think I can see their faces they disappear. But if…if I recall this symbol so vividly, could it be that at least one of my real creators was an Autobot?"

"It is possible," I answered honestly, as I've always done. Eleni and I made the decision to never hide how Orion came to be in our family. He deserved to know the truth.

"So, if you were an Autobot and Orion's creator were Autobots…then than means Orion and I are Autobots and not neutrals?" Magnus asked, looking confused.

"Whatever you do, do not let your mother hear that," I firmly said. "That is exactly why she did not want you to learn how to fight and defend yourselves. We are neutrals, you must remember that. However, the day may come when we are all forced to choose. I for one would be proud if you chose to follow in my footsteps and become Autobots. It is their philosophy that I still follow to this day. It was what led me to rescue you Orion."

There was a long moment of silence as I let what I said settle within Orion's processor. Magnus appeared anxious, looking up at his brother. For that matter, I was anxious too. And afraid. Was this how I would lose him to the memories of his past?

"I'm ready to learn, father," Orion announced, standing as though he was already a soldier.

At that moment, there was no doubt in my mind that Orion was descended from some Autobot soldier. He stood perfectly erect and yet at the same time appeared relaxed, as if this was natural. And the way he called me father, calmed my spark.

"As am I," Magnus added, standing beside his brother.

Why did it not surprise me that Magnus looked as equally calm and relaxed, standing shoulder to shoulder beside his brother? I smiled for why else to father's love their sons so much? After all, a father's hope is that his sons follow in his footsteps. If my sons did, I know they will be honorable and brave mechs, even if they do not choose to fight.

"Then let us begin."