Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers
Hasbro owns Transformers
Preferred listening. "On Hold" by The Xx
Hello beauties! Yes this is the last chapter! Finally! After two years I am so glad to pull its plug. Not really I loved this story with all my heart and I love you all for being with me. Enjoy.
Syke! There's an epilogue too...
Chapter 24 Minimalism
About two months had passed. Sunstreaker went back with the Autobots. Since then, Felicity was healing on her own. Mr. Lombardi had made special trips for her to drop off dinner and meals for her, as well as insisting to keeping her leg elevated. Felicity only assure him she had to move around a little bit.
"Ahh, hiking accident is a lie, mio amico!" He had tisked. "What really happened?
The woman shook her head following him down the stairs and out the door. "I swear. The ground gave out under me." She easily lied. It was strange how she could do so. "It was a good thing Sunny was there. He carried me back you know." She tried getting brownie points for him from her protective Italian friend.
"As he should have, Felicity. Be sure to take those stairs slow. Where is Sonny? He is not here to help you?" He narrowed his eyes at her.
"No, no, Papa, just...he's away on business again. He will be back, soon I hope." But she didn't know when. The wounds of Hypogeum never fulled healed but she could tell he was lighter after those few days. She could only imagine what had happened in her absence.
He sighed turned to walk down her walkway. "If he returns I will give him a piece of mia mente for leaving my Felicity all alone in her time of need!"
A polite smile as she waved him goodbye. "Goodbye, Papa Bardi."
"Mark my word!" He smiled back waving a finger in the air. Felicity never doubted him.
Hours after when the sun was setting over the harbor beyond, did she say hello to the said man he swore to give an earful to.
"These hellos and goodbyes are getting old." She whispered to the holoform at her front door. She wrapped her arms around his neck and brought him close.
A breathy laugh was felt on her neck. She smiled. "I know. I apologize." Strong arms held her. "I am bothered by them too."
She looked beyond where they were. Felicity bravely kissed his jaw. He didn't react, not right away. His shoulders sank deeply as if a weight lifted from them. She backed away holding his hand. "How about you come in. I was about to make a cup of tea."
Sunstreaker pretended to think about it. "I was going to offer a drive." He backed away to the side revealing his true form sitting just behind him on the side of the road. He was pristine and pretty as ever. A soft blue glow highlighted a black leather interior. To her it looked so very inviting.
"Right now?" Felicity murmured.
"Yes. I missed you. I need you close...to me. The real me."
To this, lips were parted into a bright smile. "How can I deny you that, now?" She placed a lock of her hair behind her ear and sighed gripping her crutch she had placed aside. Only a brace was around her leg now and not a bulky cast. She could walk on it. Slowly but surely, she made her way over to his waiting frame.
He watched her with careful eyes. "You healed very well." There were no apologies of being away from her. She knew he had a duty. After all he was a soldier. She was a civilian.
"So have you. I'm glad, I really am. I guess we can talk about each other as well?"
"Of course."
He helped her sit in the low passenger seat, holding her hand, and guiding her leg into the car.
She never thought of how he was gone for seemingly forever again. She never thought of how odd he was acting. It was seeing a very old friend once again. Friends that held obvious places in each others soul. Said souls were humming being so close to one another.
With a rumble of his powerful engine he was driving.
"Did you have to lie to come back?" She broke the silence first looking over to his holoform. Messy black hair was tied into a bun lazily. His posture was relaxed. He seemed very...content. It was strange but Felicity didn't question it. Yet. She was on edge.
"Well, I really gave it to Prime that's for sure. Made a lot of people unhappy."
She frowned looking out to the traffic as the light turned red. He came to a crawl, stopped, and gripped the steering wheel with ease. It was practically second nature to him. Acting like he was driving was like venting. Natural.
"What do you mean by that?" He had his eyes on a young man crossing the road gave them a thumbs up in appreciation for the expensive car.
Sunstreaker placed two of his fingers up in acknowledgment easily flashing a smile that was Hollywood practiced. It melted away. "I am trying to make the story short. But it is sort of hard."
"How about start out with what are you doing here?"
"I left the Autobots."
The little human's disbelieving expression was highlighted by the light turning green. "Excuse me?" She placed her hands on the dashboard. "What did you just say?"
He smiled. A simple flick of his lips. That was his real smile. "Not yet. Officially. That's what I'm doing here."
"Not to visit me." She shook her head. "Here we go again."
He flicked a smile again in response to her annoyance. "This is not how I want this evening to go."
"No? Start talking then, Sunstreaker." She placed a finger in his face. He waved it away with humor.
"I am terrified to admit it, but I am going rouge for a bit. It is not the first time I have done this. Ratchet is always there to assist me. He knows me like the back of his hand. Inside and out, literally. He knows what I'm doing here and he knows what I'm going to do once I get to where I need to go."
"Why do you need me if you're 'going rouge' Whatever that means?"
He gripped the steering wheel with one hand, easily keeping up his act. He flicked glances from the road to her. They were not yet out of the city. Where they needed to go was beyond the busy streets and other humans. "That ship was handed over to me. I pulled too many strings to get it into my possession. Optimus pulled strings. Ratchet said he put Prime on the spot. He told him the truth of why he was always using my twin and I. I guess it woke him up. Prime covered up my doings, Lennox pulled strings to have Hypogeum's ship under my care. He told higher ups I am 'undercover and spying for any Deception activity' around the ship. It is all a lie. So many strings. So yes, I am here because of you...for you."
A yellow light caused him to speed up, making his engine growl and downshift after he had passed the barely red light. Felicity placed a hand on her chest.
"True that I can now do whatever I want with whatever is in that ship and the bodies, but now, I am close to you. I can be with you whenever I want. I'm terrified, excited, happy, calm...for once in my life fate has sided with me and dealing the proverbial favorable cards. Not only am I rid of my past shadows, not only am I off the chain that Prime kept me on, but...I can be with the closest being to my spark. And it's you, Felicity. The tiny annoying human I could not help but fall so hard for. The only being that took time to see me and not the surface. A human no less. I want to be with you Felicity. For as long as I can. And what I need to do tonight is leave the Autobots."
Felicity looked away from him. she swallowed hard. "You got the ride over here and now you're abandoning them? After what they did to get you here in the first place?" She knew it wasn't the point but she was feeling guilty now that she was so annoyed at him. She sometimes jumped to too many conclusions. She over thought. She always sought the worst in each situation before the best.
"I am not guilty. Ratchet planned it all."
She shook her head a humorless smile on her lips. "I can't believe this. I can't believe that..." A huff of laughter. It was all too much for her.
"That I could play so dirty? That Ratchet would do it too?"
"...And what if you really end up in trouble and need help?" She asked timidly.
"Like I said. It's not my first time going rouge, Felicity." He smiled.
"And how am I supposed to react? After Hypogeum After worrying about you? After..." She sighed looking down to her hands losing the fire in her voice. She couldn't stay mad at him.
"How about you let me drive and let me lead you to a wonderful night. Trust me. I planned it all out."
"Glad somebody did." She smiled nervously.
He laughed and it shook her a bit. It had been a long time since she heard him laugh. A genuine laugh.
"I know you're not mad at me. I know you put that annoyance on for show. You always have. Do you truly have trouble with hello goodbyes?"
"How about you talk to my parents about that? They might know." She rolled her eyes. "Call it separation anxiety or too much dependence on another person."
"Just know I won't be hurt by whatever you say or do. I think we are past the point of no return with this whole bond and love thing."
Love thing? She turned to him. He said...She opened her mouth but was cut off by her ears popping as they went higher into the mountains. She swallowed and picked at her ear. "Damn it."
Sunstreaker's engine rumbled as he went around a corner fast. She shook her head pursing her lips into a thin determined line. "Sunny stop that."
He ticked his head. "Stop what?"
Another turn as they went higher. His engine growled louder. By now he had given up on pretending he was driving and instead watched her as a smile tried to crack through her pursed lips.
"You know." He started out in a matter of factly voice. "I read somewhere It was going to be a dark evening."
She stiffed a giggle at the speed they were going. She never liked to go fast. It made her sick and nervous but the fact she had grown to trust him more and learn that she was safer than any other human, she let go of that worry. "Oh yeah? Usually all evenings are like that."
"Smart, but seriously it is the darkest one yet because this hemisphere in heading into the winter season. Interesting really."
"I don't pay attention to that stuff. San Francisco has two temperatures. Hot and freezing." She cleared her throat gripping the door handle as he drove another turn smoothly.
"When the suns on our planet rose it was so bright. We used it towards good use. Solar energy. Your kind makes it such a joke." He rolled his eyes. "Not only that. You are doing it all wrong."
"Oh, because you're a scientist suddenly?"
"No, because I am more advanced than a species that has only existed a spec of time compared to us."
"Can't you just enjoy the ride? Or the sights for a bit? You make me feel so infinitesimal. And did you change the subject purposely? I am not done with questioning you."
"Watch it that was a big word for-." A hand was shoved into his face.
"Do not distract the driver!" He chuckled.
"So here, huh?" Felicity backed away watching as Sunstreaker transformed and stretched. She noted his pristine state. No wounds, no scuff marks, armor shiny and pristine. Hydraulics hissed in healthy rhythm. Limbs moved smoothly and never skipped or twitch unnaturally as if sand had wedged in the joints. It was She looked up to him with a dazed expression. He was hers. She blinked at such a thought.
The little human cleared her throat as he offered his hand down to her. "If that is not an issue. I enjoyed us when we were here the last time. I thought it would be appropriate. I was going to take you to the boardwalk you had mentioned awhile back. You said you always wanted to go. I suppose I am being selfish when I preferred to hold you like this."
She turned and sat down on his palm placing her crutch next to her. He lifted his hand. A smile she couldn't stop spread across her lips as she held onto his thumb. She looked out onto the forest as he began to walk. No. It wasn't selfish. She liked it when she was this way with him as well. Very, very, much so.
"The fact you remembered touches me, Sunny." She murmured quietly. "But...why are we here? I am still confused." She asked reaching out to brush her hands along the branches of trees that passed.
He raised an optic ridge. "Do you not like it here?"
She sighed a short breath of exasperation. "No, I love it here. But why are we here, here? You said you were going to-"
"Ratchet." He greeted outloud.
She balked looking up to him. "Ratchet, what?" She looked around expecting him to reveal himself, but they never quite happened.
"You know why I am calling."
She narrowed her eyes. A sigh. It was his com. link. "Rude." She mumbled.
"She is with me." He pushed aside two trees and revealed the view from the cliff side they sat upon only a few months ago. Felicity sighed looking out onto the world. Half was a sunset the other was an early born night. In the middle both world collided in blend of oranges, pinks, and purples.
"Felicity."
She jumped upon hearing the medics voice aloud. "Can he hear me?" She whispered loudly.
"Yes." Sunstreaker supplied sitting on the ground with eased motions and leaning against the rock face jutting from the earth. He looked out onto the view with a content expression. One she had never seen before. He wasn't bothered by any of this. And somehow she felt she needed to lose her attitude. She swallowed the lump in her throat.
"Has Sunstreaker explained his plans to you?"
She listened to his voice. It sounded as if he was with her right there. It was strange. "Um, Hey Ratchet. Um, somewhat I guess? He's leaving the 'bots? For...for a while?" Must have been the superior alien speaker tech that made it so clear.
"Yes, he is. He brought you to wherever it is you are to explain everything in peace. A neutral space as I suggested wherever it may be I hope you are comfortable. I have a few words I need to share with you both."
"Sunstreaker what is this?" She turned to him but he didn't answer. As a matter of fact, he didn't move.
"Felicity, you hold something so very dear to Sunstreaker. A literal piece of his spark is with you and him in turn. The bond has grown, no doubt. Not enough to tap into it at will but it is there. I'm begging you, do not leave this idiot's side. Watch over him, Felicity."
"Are you...are you sending off Sunny?" She laughed humorlessly. "Like...like..." Like a stereotypical grumpy father giving their son in law a reluctant blessing. Only this time it was a her. It was Felicity.
"There are many things you may not understand Felicity but Sunstreaker is everything to me. He has held a place in my spark for a long time and has made an old mech very proud. I need to just make sure...I need to make sure where I will not be, you will be there. He is still young, Felicity. I hope you know this. He still needs a level-headed set point to be there. And even if Hypogeum is gone, and even if you are there with his spark, he will still feel pain."
Sunstreaker remained unmoving, staring off into the distance. He took in a deep invent and released it upon her, marking her with his scent accidentally. She looked up to him and realized. For the first time. He was happy. Her mentor. Her friend. Her love.
She stood shakily using his chest to guide her. She pressed her forehead against him clenching her jaw tightly. Tears squeezed through her shut eyes. "I love him Ratchet. I love this damn fool with all my heart."
Sunstreaker smirked, a corner of his mouth lifting. He finally moved looking down. A hand was brought behind her pressing her gently against him. He reached out his spark to her. She knew because like a magnet she was drawn toward him. Her legs shook as her literal being was enveloped in a hazy energy. An energy that was simply him. It was him.
Ratchet's voice filtered through. "And Sunstreaker, if you break her heart I will strip your parts and turn you into a conventional oven, so that Lenox's daughter may use you as a high-tech E-Z Bake oven. You hear me? I am doing this for you, Sunny. I am doing this for your happiness you deserved since you were onlined."
"I know." A smile as he looked down to her. "I promise."
"I will be manually cutting your tracking beacon from here. From now on, you are alone…but Sunstreaker. Felicity. I will always be here..."
Felicity hugged him harder the best she could, looking up to him a smile so pure and wonderful blessing his sights. Overwhelmed from his spark she fell to her knees but she remained elated. "Ratchet, thank you...thank you so much..." She felt his spark energy pull back. For that she was grateful. She would pass out if he kept that up.
"No, Felicity, thank you for finding him. Saving his life. Saving my only twin that I have"
She nodded swallow hard and releasing a breathy watery laugh.
"I will see you around, doc?" Sunny murmured.
"Perhaps. I will leave you to it, then."
The com. was reluctantly cut. She watched as Sunstreaker paused and then smiled after a long moment of silence. "He cut my beacon off. We're free 'city. We're together. No Autobots. No Hypogeum. No more energon or blood. No more harm to you. Nothing. We can be together."
He held her closer to his chest. She smiled laughing gleefully.
"Are you annoyed at me anymore?"
"Never could be Sunny...you're really staying? Don't lie please. No more."
He brought her up to his face and flicked his optics over her. Crystal blue light filtered over her. "Yes Felicity. Whenever you need me I will be there. Whenever you are hurt I will be there. If you need anything I am here. My spark is yours."
"And I am yours." She leaned forward and kissed his bottom lip the best she could, backing away. His holoform suddenly appeared behind her. Strong arms suddenly wrapped around her bringing her back close to his chest. She laughed tilting her head back. Lips enveloped her own, desperately tasting her and bringing her to still. She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck pressing back.
"Say it again." She breathed, head spinning. "You said it because you thought you would never be able to again. Say it again please."
Sunstreaker clasped his arms around her chest and nuzzled into her neck. "I love you." He rounded her and took her face into his hands. "I love you…silly human"
She smiled, swallowing hard and looking into those crystal blues she had grown to love. "I love you, stupid robot." She huffed a watery breath of laughter enveloping him again.
No more bad. Just good. It was just them. Us. We.
Finally.
