-1Chapter 25 - Barricade
A/N: So, I had to write more about Barricade and this chapter is completely his chapter… well, his and the twins, but you get my drift… enjoy and please review. Thanks!
By the way, at 25 chapters, this now ties my longest fic…which means it will eventually surpass my longest fic to become my longest fic… if that made any sense…
Barricade tore through the desert finally headed back to Decepticon headquarters. He had wanted to get away from the Autobots, away from the twins, and back with his own kind before he began to lose focus and lose his ability to function again. He could not let that happen; not now, not ever again. Feelings be damned.
As he approached the Decepticon base, he transformed into his bipedal form and walked through the caverns towards Soundwave's office. He knocked once and opened the door. Soundwave turned around to look at him and nodded, granting him entrance.
"You've returned," Soundwave said, that monotone of his resonating through the office. Barricade hated that sound. Soundwave had received word from Prime about Barricade leaving… but that had been almost a week ago now.
"Good observation," Barricade sneered, sitting in a nearby chair.
"You seem out of sorts," Soundwave noted, sitting across from the mustang. "You left Autobot headquarters a week ago. Has something more occurred?"
"Stop with the damn monotone and just talk to me," Barricade almost pleaded. Soundwave gave him a curious glance then nodded slowly.
"Very well," he answered, the real voice coming through once more, putting Barricade at ease, somewhat. "What has happened?"
"Sunstreaker is human again," Barricade began quietly. "His protoforms was destroyed. Starscream, Thundercracker and Skywarp have all been captured and are being held in the brig at Autobot headquarters."
"Perhaps we shall leave them there," Soundwave mused quietly. Barricade looked up at him. "They betrayed us, yes, but they wronged the Autobots more. Perhaps we should let Prime and he group deal with them."
"If we leave them there, Sunstreaker will end up with a death sentence," Barricade whispered.
"Explain," Soundwave demanded.
"After everything Starscream did to Sunstreaker while we were being held, once Sunny's up and around again, he'll kill Starscream, I have no doubt. If Sunstreaker stoops that low, the kill in cold blood, Prime will have no choice but to have him put to death."
"Do you really believe Optimus Prime to be so cold-hearted?" Soundwave asked quietly.
"No, but I believe him to be a just leader. He would not allow a murderer to walk his halls knowing that he did nothing to stop him or punish him after such occurred." Soundwave nodded slowly.
"You have a point, Barricade." He leaned back in his chair, watching his second in command carefully. "You're still very tightly attached to them, aren't you?"
"Before the wars began, they were my life, Soundwave." Barricade looked over at him, regret etched in every line on his face. "Before the split, did not must of us have lovers or families that remained with Prime? Families and lovers that we lost because we could not love across that invisible line?" Soundwave nodded slowly. "You lost a brother and a bondmate, did you not?"
"I did," Soundwave replied quietly. "We all know what we lost when the split occurred, Barricade. Even Lord Megatron lost a brother and a bondmate, but he did not let it stop him from leaving."
"Are we not better than that? Better than him, Soundwave? Can we not step back and take a look at what has been left from all of this? The All Spark is gone. We are as good as extinct. Why spend the remainder of our lives in a war that no longer means anything anymore?"
"What are you suggesting?"
"Do we not already have a truce in place?" Soundwave nodded slowly. "Then leave it in place for now. Let it go. Don't set a time limit on it and let us see how things play out."
"And what will you do, Barricade?"
"I'll remain here as I should," he answered quietly. Soundwave stood and walked around to him, kneeling in front of him, looking up at him intently.
"Would you rather not be with them again?" Barricade slowly shook his head.
"I can not be with them, Soundwave. It will never work…" Unable to say anything further, Barricade stood and bolted from the room. Soundwave watched him go and sighed heavily, knowing there was nothing more he could do at the moment.
Barricade wandered back to his own quarters before it had gotten too late that night. He let the door slide open and he stepped inside, closing and locking it behind him. He settled his protoform on the bunk and let his holoform take shape before walking over and sprawling out on the couch in his room. He leaned back and closed his eyes, even as he flipped on the cd player nearby.
I know I've been mistaken
But just give me a break and see the changes that I've made
I've got some imperfections
But how can you collect them all and throw them in my face But you always find a way, to keep me right here waiting
You always find the words to say, to keep me right here waiting
And If you chose to walk away, I'd still be right here waiting
Searching for the things to say, to keep you right here waiting
The door to Barricade's quarters opened slowly, quietly and Barricade didn't even move. He hadn't heard; the music was too loud and his thoughts were focused on the words, on the meaning… on everything and nothing all at once. I hope your not intending
To be so condescending it's as much as I can take
You're so independent; you just refuse to bend
So I keep bending till I break But you always find a way, to keep me right here waiting
You always find the words to say, to keep me right here waiting
And if you chose to walk away, I'd still be right here waiting
Searching for the things to say, to keep you right here waiting I've made a commitment
I'm willing to bleed for you
I needed fulfillment;
I found what I need in you
"Ratchet would kill me if he found out I was here…" Barricade's eyes shot open and he turned to find Sunstreaker standing in his quarters. Blond hair cascaded down around blue eyes and the boy was dressed in black jeans, boots and black t-shirt.
"How did you get here?" Barricade asked, his voice no more than a whisper.
"Ironhide brought me…"
Why can't you just forgive me
I don't want to relive all my mistakes
I've made along the way But I always find a way, to keep you right here waiting
I always find the words to say, to keep you right here waiting But you always find a way, to keep me right here waiting
You always find the words to say, to keep me right here waiting
And if I chose to walk away, would you be right here waiting
Searching for the things to say, to keep me right here waiting…
Barricade stood and walked over to him slowly. Sunstreaker stood his ground, not willing to move or be moved. When Sideswipe had told him about Barricade leaving them, he'd been upset, angry, and hurt. He needed to know why. Sideswipe had gone out on patrol with Prowl and Prime was in the city at a meeting with Springer and Hot Rod. Sunstreaker had gone to his creator and had asked for the impossible; and Ironhide had given it to him.
"Why are you here, Sunny?" Barricade asked softly. "You can't… you shouldn't be here."
"Neither should you," Sunstreaker answered just as softly.
"This is where I belong, where I will always belong. How did you even get on base?"
"Soundwave let me in." Barricade laughed then, but it was with happiness. There was bitterness and pain in that laugh and Sunstreaker flinched just a little. Barricade looked at him again and reached out, resting a hand on the side of Sunstreaker's face.
"Prime will have you arrested if he finds out you came here," he said even as he pulled the boy closer to him.
"He won't find out," Sunstreaker whispered.
"Good," Barricade answered just before his mouth closed over Sunstreaker's.
Do you ever see All undone Every memory that I hold
These shadows over me
And all the things you left that leave me hollow
Do you ever feel
In time we're forced to heal
And all the bitter pills you made me swallow
All unsung and left to fall
Were all just scars in the making
And all the things we can't let go
Were all just scars in the making
Barricade pushed Sunstreaker back towards the couch, not releasing him or giving him an option to leave. The boy had come after him and Barricade was damned well going to keep him… least for now. He pushed slightly and Sunstreaker found himself on the couch, on his back, Barricade lying on top of him. The kissing resumed and he felt 'Cade's hands slip beneath the shirt he was wearing and the warmth of his hands ghosting across his skin…
Somewhere left behind All undone
Is another perfect line
One that makes you turn and helps you follow
But I could never say
And I could never sway
I could never bring you to beg or borrow
All unsung and left to fall
The buttons at the jeans came undone and Barricade slid them off Sunstreaker's hips, pushing at him as he did so. Sunstreaker removed his own t-shirt and kicked off his boots and jeans. He looked up at the still dressed Barricade and frowned slightly.
"Lose the clothes, 'Cade," he whispered, but it sounded more like pleading and Barricade smiled, the clothes vanishing as he leaned down over Sunstreaker once more.
"Better?" Barricade asked just as he wrapped his hand around Sunstreaker's erection and began to stroke it gently. Sunstreaker lost the ability to speak and just nodded in reply. Barricade smiled wickedly and kissed him again. I could never make you fall Every memory that I hold
Every memory that I hold
Were all just scars in the making
And all the things we can't let go
Were all just scars in the making
Or anything at all
And I'll never understand
What you hold sacred
Were all just scars in the making
And all the things we can't let go
Were all just scars in the making, scars in the making
It didn't take long before Barricade found himself buried deep within Sunstreaker, pushing hard and fast, Sunstreaker whimpering and crying out his name. Barricade's fingers dug into warm skin and knew he would be leaving marks because his boy was human now and marks stayed on human skin.
He bent forward just as Sunstreaker came with a scream and bit into the back of Sunny's neck, hard enough to almost draw blood, certainly hard enough to leave a more permanent mark, and came just as hard, spilling inside of the younger man, whispering Cybertronian words against Sunstreaker's back as he did so…
There's no way you could ever try Do you ever see
There's no way you could ever hide
Maybe someday you will wonder why
The shadows over me
And all the things you left that leave me hollow
Barricade slipped out of Sunstreaker and turned, taking the boy with him, holding him tight against his chest.
"Why'd you come?" Barricade asked softly. "You know this will never work. Sideswipe needs you. You're bonded to him."
"I know that," Sunstreaker answered. "But I just… I needed this to be with you." Barricade frowned.
"I don't understand." Sunstreaker nodded, his eyes already closing in exhaustion.
"I know you don't," he whispered in reply. "I wanted to kill Starscream for what he'd done to me and I felt like I'd never be whole and I knew Sideswipe wouldn't understand but I knew, if I came to you that you'd do this and that, eventually, you'd understand why…" Sunny's voice trailed off and Barricade's expression showed that he did, indeed, understand why. He leaned forward and kissed the top of Sunstreaker's head before closing his own eyes slowly.
"You're whole, Sunstreaker and whether you believe it or not, you always will be…"
"He went where?" Sam looked at Will and then at Ironhide in shock. "You took him to the Decepticon base? Are you out of your mind? Prime and the others are on their way back now. If they find Sunny gone…" Will looked up at Ironhide in worry.
"You have to go get him and bring him back here now," Will said almost angrily. "I can't believe you took him there!"
"He needed Barricade," Ironhide tried to explain even as he transformed and the humans climbed up into his cab. "Barricade knows all that happened to Sunny while they were in that base. 'Cade was the only one who could fix him!"
"I don't understand," Sam began quietly. But Will knew; Will understood.
"Sunstreaker was afraid to be with Sides or anyone else because he felt damaged," Will explained softly. "Barricade saw everything that happened and Sunstreaker felt that, if Barricade didn't refuse him, then he wasn't really destroyed."
"You mean…" Sam's eyes widened in understanding. "Prime's going to kill us all."
"Not if we get Sunny back here before he arrives," Ironhide replied. "I won't let anything happen to my twins." Not now, not ever again, he thought to himself as they drove through the desert towards the Decepticon base.
When they arrived, Will stepped out of the cab.
"I'll go get him. You two wait here." Ironhide and Sam stayed behind as Soundwave appeared and led Will towards Barricade's quarters. Soundwave knocked loudly. Inside the room, Barricade's eyes opened slowly.
"It better be life or death or I'm ignoring you," he called out.
"Unless you want Sunstreaker arrested you'd better get him out here!" Will called through the door. Barricade cursed under his breath and shook the Autobot lying on top of him.
"Sunny, get up." Sunstreaker slowly opened his eyes. "Get dressed, sunflower. You're human is here to collect you." Sunstreaker frowned.
"Who?"
"Sunstreaker!" Sunny turned towards the door.
"Will? What's wrong?"
"Prime and the others are on their way back to base. You need to go. Now."
"Damnit!" Sunstreaker slid off of Barricade and quickly pulled on his clothes. He ran a hand through his hair and grazed the spot on the back of his neck, his gaze narrowing slightly at Barricade. "How am I going to hide that?" Barricade shrugged.
"Your hair's long enough for now," he answered quietly. Sunstreaker shook his head and headed for the door. He opened the door then glanced back at Barricade.
"Are you…"
"Don't ask," Barricade answered almost hoarsely. Sunstreaker frowned, but nodded and walked away, Will Lennox at his side. Soundwave glanced at his second in command then turned and walked away. Barricade closed the door and turned away, angry that things had ended as they had.
Will and Sunstreaker ran for the Topkick and climbed inside where Sam was waiting for them. There was an uncomfortable silence as they drove back to base. Finally, Sam couldn't take the silence any longer.
"You okay?" he asked Sunstreaker. Sunny glanced over at him and nodded slowly before looking back out the window. "If it means anything, I don't look at you and see someone who's broken. I look at you and I see someone who is a stronger and better person than anyone else I've ever met." Sunstreaker blinked back tears as he turned back to Sam and nodded slowly.
"Thank you," he whispered softly. He turned and leaned against the window even as the tears broke free and trailed down his face. Will sighed softly and concentrated on what they were going to tell everyone when they returned…
…it wasn't going to matter, though, as they drove up to find Sideswipe waiting outside for them, Prowl a few steps behind him. Ironhide stopped and the humans climbed out before he transformed behind them. Sideswipe came out and held his hand out to his twin. Sunstreaker didn't hesitate before climbing into that hand and allowing Sideswipe to carry him back to their quarters. Prowl glanced down at the humans momentarily before turning his attention to Ironhide.
"I won't ask and you won't offer information. I told Prime that the four of you were probably just out taking in the sights and helping get Sunstreaker back into good spirits once more. If that is not the truth then I'd prefer to not hear it. Are we understood?"
"Yeah, Prowl," Ironhide answered softly. "No problem."
"Good." Prowl turned and briskly walked away. Ironhide sighed and looked down at his two humans.
"Can we go home now?" Will nodded and Ironhide transformed back into truck mode once more, allowing Sam and Will to climb inside. "I need a vacation."
"I hear Las Vegas is nice this time of year," Sam volunteered. Will shook his head.
"I've got a better idea…"
Settled in their quarters once more, Sideswipe's holoform lay next to the human body of his twin and held him tightly, letting the tears fall onto his chest, wishing he could do or say something that would make everything right once more.
"Soundwave sent a missive to Prime and told him we could keep the seekers in the brig for the time being," Sideswipe said softly. "When we came to tell you and you weren't here, I thought the worst."
"I'm sorry," Sunstreaker whispered. "I never meant to worry you." Sideswipe nodded slowly and held his twin even tighter.
"I love you, Sunny and no matter what happened, nothing would ever make me stop loving you or wanting to hold you or touch you or be bonded to you. Please, tell me you know that."
"I do," Sunstreaker whispered softly. "And I love you too." Sideswipe nodded slowly.
"I promise we'll fix this, Sunny. Somehow, someway, it'll be fixed. You have my word." Sunstreaker nodded and cuddled in closer to his brother. Sideswipe let him, rubbing his back gently. "Sleep, Sunny. Time for talk later. Sleep for now." Sunstreaker refused to argue, closing his eyes and letting himself drift off to sleep. Sideswipe sighed heavily. He - they - really needed a vacation…
TBC - Will suggests a vacation but not the kind you might be thinking of… and can the truce between the Autobots and Decepticons really work? Stay tuned for more chapters coming soon….