CHAPTER 72
OOC: I think it shall be called the Wing ships chapter xD
"…You cannot do that"
Father John felt the presence of Mary behind him.
Despite her confusion and bewilderment, her response had been crystal clear. Sitting on his bed, the priest remained silent, seeking all the possible and necessary arguments to present to her.
In his two joined hands, the USB key which had not left him since their return from the Sanctuary.
But why argue, in reality? At first it had been just an idea. An innocent idea that could have disappeared as if it never existed. Then, little by little, this idea had got into his mind. Until it had finally seemed obvious.
But the priest was hesitant. He didn't know if it was really such a good idea. Hence the reason why he'd asked Mary for advice. And hearing her opinion without appeal only accentuated his doubts.
"... John. It's not your role."
"I know it."
He took a breath, covering the drive with his hands, as if to protect it.
"... I know it's not my role. That this idea seems insane. But ... I tell myself that if the Diamond of Adaptus really shows us our deepest desire ... So mine was that of receiving this USB key so that I could use it."
"A desire and the act on your desire are two different things."
"Gasket said that the malware algorithm could be reversed ... to allow the person concerned to recover their memory."
He guessed that Mary had crossed her arms over her chest, unconvinced by his arguments. Father John hadn't told her anything about Heavenlight. About the loss of Wing. He had only told her about Dai Atlas, Drift and Gasket's decision to erase his memories to save him from the great suffering he would have suffered by keeping them.
"…Listen. No matter what you think is the best solution ... If Gasket ... erased Wing's memories, it was because he had a good reason. A very good reason."
"There was one."
He couldn't deny it. He paused.
"They wanted Wing to be happy ... More than anything else. And maybe they were right. Maybe I'm the one who's wrong. But ... I'm afraid Wing will end up wishing to recover his memory and that it would be impossible for him. Drift had revealed what had been erased from him. It disturbed him that he couldn't remember. I have felt it."
"And do you think giving his memories back will appease him?" asked Mary, calmly.
"…I do not know."
"John."
He felt Mary approach. A few seconds later, the bed sagged. Mary sat next to him and grabbed his hand to shake it in hers.
"It's not a good idea."
"Why?"
"You are meddling in things that don't concern you."
"Wing is my friend," said Father John. "I was with him when Drift revealed that they had erased his memories. I felt Wing's pain. And I doubt this pain will be gone when he returns. He had lost someone important. Very important ... and he didn't even remember the moments they shared."
"... Your friend" repeated Mary.
Father John nodded. Mary did not continue immediately. She sounded thoughtful, as if thinking.
In the end, her voice rose:
"... You may think that Gasket's decision is open to criticism. But he did it for his own good. And it wasn't smart for Drift to tell him about the things he'd lost. Why not leave things as they are? If this loss was so painful ... maybe it would be better if Wing did not have to endure it."
Yes. Mary was surely right. But he didn't criticize Gasket for making the decision, along with Dai Atlas and Drift. He did not criticize their intentions.
"Is that what you want? Do you want Wing to go through what he should have gone through before?" asked Mary gently. "Don't you think it would be cruel?"
There was no criticism, no reprimand in her tone. She sounded genuinely worried. And it was legitimate.
But that was not the aim of Father John. It was not his purpose to make Wing suffer.
But ... was he not already suffering?
"... Of course I don't want him to suffer. But ... if Wing knew the capabilities of this USB drive... wouldn't he like to use it to find out the truth?"
"John ..."
"I know it's presumptuous of me. To believe that I'd know what is best for Wing. I don't know it myself. But ... if I had been in his place and learned that my memories had been erased ...even for my own good, even to hide a painful loss ... nothing can erase what really happened. Because Wing lost a very important person, and nothing will change it. He only lost memories of it."
Heavenlight was dead. Whether or not Wing remembered her and acted as if she'd never existed, it does not change the fact that she was dead.
Would Heavenlight herself have appreciated being forgotten?
"… My role is to accompany people in their mourning" declared Father John. "You know it."
"But you can't act like you have a right in it, John."
"Of course not. I have no rights."
But Wing would eventually crack. One day or another.
Losing a child was terrible. And maybe erasing his memory would have been beneficial to him... for a while. But with his memories, and with the help of his comrades, his family ... Wing might have overcome that. Perhaps he could have overcome his grief, even if nothing would bring his daughter back.
"... If you force him to rediscover his memories" Mary continued, "you will do no better than Dai Atlas who forced them to be deleted."
"It's up to Wing to decide."
No. Mary was totally right. He could not impose such a thing on Wing without his consent. Had he really consented to have his memories erased?
Drift had remained unclear about this. Even though Father John knew that none of the three'd had any evil intention.
"So, why ? Why acting so stubborn?"
"... I just want to know if anyone can actually reverse the program algorithm. And if so ... give him a choice. To Wing. To decide what he wants to do with it or not."
"John ... you invest too much in the misfortune of others. What he suffered is a tragedy, but you cannot suffer that. You lack objectivity because you have compassion and you may suffer in turn" warned Mary sadly.
Indeed. When he'd entered orders to become a priest, he had been warned that no matter what any drama he accompanied, he must remain detached from the whole situation. It wouldn't help anyone if one more person suffered.
"…I know. But I think it would be worse if I did nothing. If I left that USB drive in a drawer, with all those memories inside."
Maybe he was naive. But if the Diamond of Adaptus, if an artifact from a deity granted him an item, even a USB key, it was that somewhere deep down, he had to use it.
"Nothing will change your mind, right?" asked Mary, the resolve evident in her tone. "You can't help but help everyone."
"I think Wing would do something similar for me if the roles were reversed."
He couldn't stay in the denial phase indefinitely. It was impossible. And maybe Father John would make a big mistake.
Mary didn't add anything. She contented herself with gently stroking the priest's right palm, as a sign of comfort. Father John just smiled sadly. She did not agree with him. He knew it.
But at least she understood his position and her gesture indicated that she would do anything to help him.
It was more than he had asked for. The ground shook slightly. Father John turned back. The footsteps indicated a Cybertronian who was approaching to enter the room.
And the rather light step indicated that it was Outrigger. His intuition was confirmed when the latter asked them how they were and if they had recovered from their injuries.
"... Tell me, Outrigger" Father John questioned him gently.
"Hm?"
"Could you contact the one named Drift for me?"
When asked, he guessed a raised eyebrow from Outrigger.
"Hi, Drift! Shouted Outrigger from the moment the connection was established.
Father John and Mary had been transported and placed on the dashboard by the youngest bot as the latter entered communication with Wing's ex-companion. Mary's hand on his asked him silently if he would know what to say.
And Father John had to admit that he hadn't really thought about it.
"Outrigger?" they heard their contact, surprise evident in his tone.
"I'm not bothering you ? It's been a long time since we last talked."
"Indeed, it's a surprise."
"How are Jetstorm and Slipstream?"
Outrigger explained that Drift's children were two of his close friends. The human guessed an amused smile on the lips of their interlocutor.
"They are fine. They are at their mother's house in Polyhex."
"Cool! For how long ? I would love to be able to visit them when the situation on Cybertron would improve."
Drift's tone darkened.
"…Exactly. The situation in Kaon has further deteriorated. So, it was better if they stayed at Windblade's for a while. As for Night, we didn't want them to suffer from the situation."
"I see…"
Drift also suffered. It could be heard by his voice. A weary tone, tired by the events.
"... We wanted to tell you that ... Gasket had been found. He is alive and he is with us."
At this information, Father John felt Drift's face light up considerably.
"…Really? Where was he?"
"On Earth. We'll tell you when Wing, Bumblebee and Rung are back. Drift ... This is Father John. He would like to talk to you."
"Talk to me?"
Father John approached cautiously. He hoped the camera would allow Drift to see him, despite his small size. He thanked Outrigger and the young bot rose to slip away, letting them speak alone.
"... I recognize you."
"Hello, Drift."
"You are the human who was with Wing ... I saw you through the hologram."
The human nodded. He guessed, in the Cybertronian's tone, that his presence made him uncomfortable. Since he had been there when Drift told them what had happened to Heavenlight.
"... Thank you for giving me your time."
"…What do you want from me?" Drift questioned him, a little curtly.
Father John took his breath.
"… I wanted to know if you knew someone who could reverse the algorithm of this USB key."
One word after another, the priest explained what he had in mind. The conditions under which he found the USB drive and what its program was likely to do.
When his story was finished, a heavy silence fell. Drift said nothing. Father John only heard his breath on the other end of the line.
"…You do not think…"
"Listen, I have no rights on Wing." Father John gently reminded him. "And my goal is not to judge you. I don't judge you. I do not judge your decisions."
"Wing has suffered enough like that."
"I agree" approved the priest. "He has suffered enough like that."
"So why are you asking me such a thing? Why you, by the way? What are you looking for?"
Father John felt Mary's gaze fixed on him.
"… I think Wing shouldn't remain in this situation. My job as a priest ... is to accompany everyone in their grief. I wish to do the same for your friend and thus, alleviate his suffering."
"I already revealed everything to Wing. How will the fact that he recovers his memories ease his suffering? Rather, the reverse is likely to happen."
He understood that Drift's expression had hardened.
"You are a human. How would a human understand anything about what we Cybertronians are going through?"
"There are things that I don't understand" admitted Father John. "And you are right, we are not of the same species. But ... that is not to say that I cannot try to help."
"A word of advice: you should meddle with what involves you. It's not your role. It's not a human role."
Father John bit his lip. He understood his reaction. Meet a complete stranger, a human moreover, pretend that he would know better than him how to help Wing ... anyone would have the same attitude.
"... This is not my role. Indeed. And our species still has a lot to learn and understand from Cybertronians."
He cleared his throat. Drift did not answer.
"Drift. I want you to know that I don't have to judge you" he reassured him. "It would be completely inappropriate on my part. You also don't have to justify yourself. You wanted to protect Wing. And by doing that ... you suffered too. You suffered from hiding the truth from him all this time."
"... How would you know?"
"If you hadn't suffered, you wouldn't have tried to speak to Wing. You would have kept the secret even longer."
Maybe he made a mistake ... Who was he to believe he knew how to help Wing?
However, he kept talking.
"... What I'm only looking for… is to give Wing the choice. If one day, he decides to want to recover his memories."
"…I know him. It's very likely that he will want to know someday. Even more since I revealed the truth to him."
There was guilt in his tone.
"That kind of secret ... it's terrible to keep" replied Father John. "You didn't have to suffer that much. And ... I think it was better for him to learn it from you. I don't know Wing as much as you do. I know you are both very close. And maybe I'm on the wrong track ... but for now, I'm offering what seems like the best choice."
"…The best choice."
"We both love Wing" confessed Father John without any embarrassment. "Maybe you can enlighten me by telling me if this is the right thing to do. I know it's up to Wing to decide. No one else."
On that, they agreed. They couldn't impose anything on Wing. If he chose to recover his memories, it was his decision. If he chose to forget and destroy the USB drive, it was his decision. Father John would have no say. But at least he would have offered it to him.
He heard Drift sigh slightly.
"... Someone who can reverse an algorithm" repeated Drift. "It's not easy to find. You should ask an experienced hacker to reverse such a program."
"Did you ask for a hacker?"
Father John jumped when he heard a second male voice, a little more playful and thunderous than Drift's calm and calm voice.
"Fracture ..." sighed Drift.
"You're talking to someone who has infiltrated Kaon's surveillance system. I'm the King of Technology. Ask and I would hack ... as long as you pay me."
"No way we pay you! and you said that the system had a poor firewall."
"Oh, I'm joking ! I'm joking... Although ..."
"Anyway, you're going to impose yourself."
"You know me very well."
The voice of the so-called Fracture spoke to Father John.
"... What program should I hack?"
"Apparently, this is to reverse malware algorithm ... but I couldn't describe it any more. I'm sorry" the priest apologized.
"Hm."
Father John guessed Fracture massaging his chin, pensive.
"An algorithm to reverse. Well, it's more complicated than hacking a simple system. But I can try."
"Really?"
"Yeah. You just have to bring me the drive."
This left Father John and Mary speechless.
Well, that was good news, but ... How were they going to bring it to him?
"... If you pay me double, I infiltrate Kaon's space-bridge system to open one for you on Earth."
"Fracture!" snapped Drift.
"I'm poor, Drift."
"Help Airazor with its statistical homeworks!"
"Maths is so useless!"
He heard a sigh from Drift.
"Good ... see you tonight. I open a space bridge for you and you come to Kaon to give me the key."
"I remind you that we humans need oxygen to live" Mary informed him.
"It means you have to move, Fracture."
"Oh, it's so tiresome! I don't want to go to Earth!"
"You're just going back and forth. There are for thirty seconds. Don't worry, he will."
"Thank you, Drift. Thank you, Fracture" the priest rewarded them, relieved that they abound in his sense and help.
For the first time since the start of the communication, Father John guessed a smile from Drift.
"…You're welcome."
"We're going to get into the atmosphere in about ten minutes," Bumblebee told them through the speakers, the yellow bot sitting at the controls.
Ultra Magnus nodded. He motioned for the others to sit down and tie up, since the landing could be rough.
Without a word, Wing headed for the Circle of Light quarters to join his team. The "Circle of Light "quarters" ...
Even if they allied, they were again separated from the Autobots. Wing suppressed a weary sigh. He found Star Saber seated in a seat, belt buckled, while Dai Atlas was still standing, facing the view of space in front of them.
They hadn't spoken since leaving Frayus. Wing still had the execution of Scorponok through the throat. And when he entered, his attitude did not go unnoticed. Star Saber's optics wrinkled with disdain when they landed on him.
"... Stop acting so self-righteous" the red bot growled.
Wing made no comments. He was used to it, anyway. He went to his seat without saying anything, but that didn't stop his comrade from keeping.
"What did you think? Are we going to let him live? Such heretical junk?"
Everything is heretical to you anyway, the white bot thought bitterly. And it was not the death of Scorponok, the main problem. It was part of it, but it was a whole. Scorponok had been executed because Dai Atlas had chosen to obstruct his own rules. Because he'd believed he was above the law.
"You know what?" said the red bot. "I think we should storm the Sanctuary."
"What do you mean?" replied Dai Atlas coldly, without turning around.
"Make them suffer the same fate as their comrades. They committed genocide. We should come and slaughter them all, as many as they are. It would only be fair."
Wing clenched his jaw. He was about to reply in the same tone when Dai Atlas preceded him, answering him in a firm and unequivocal voice.
"We are not going to respond to the genocide with another genocide. Who do you take us for? For the DJD?"
"You killed this scorpion well," growled Star Saber.
"You forget that idea immediately, Star Saber. You are seriously starting to annoy me. And I don't advise you to talk about it again."
"I'm just saying—"
"Nothing at all. I strongly advise you to talk about it again" he repeated, articulating each term.
Dai Atlas kept his arms crossed. Still, Star Saber chose to obey and suppressed an angry growl. Wing looked up at his leader.
"… The Circle of Light is killing now?" he ended up addressing him.
"I did what I had to do" replied the giant.
"He should have had at least one trial."
Or leave it to the Autobots.
"Since we're killing" Wing asked in a quiet voice. "Since you killed and put your principles aside, what about Drift?"
He saw Dai Atlas stiffen.
"... What about Gasket?"
"That's my problem."
"Are you going to reinstate them? They killed. It was self defence."
"We're not going to talk about it again."
"You exiled them for the same reason. One after the other."
"You're not a leader, Wing. You wouldn't understand any reason saying why I chose to do this."
"It was your principles, Dai Atlas," the white bot replied softly. "Your own principles. We all adopted them."
"And you think I'm not aware of it? That I do not know that I have violated my own principles? How do you think I feel right now?"
Dai Atlas gave him a furious glance, even if his attitude remained calm.
"... Stop taking yourself for the only victim, Wing. You don't know a quarter of what I had to do to protect the universe. To protect Cybertron. To protect you all."
Of course, admitted Wing. You have erased my memories too. My memories about my daughter. According to Drift, it was also to protect me.
To say that he'd admired him. But now he was no longer sure how he should feel about his leader.
Soon the ship began to tremble. They were approaching the atmosphere. Dai Atlas made a heavy step towards his seat and fastened in turn.
Despite the shock, despite the tremors, they didn't say a word until they landed in Jasper.
As soon as they emanated from the ship, they soon made their way to the base to join the others who were waiting outside. Wing smiled slightly as he watched Bumblebee rushing towards an orange and white bot to hug him tightly. Wing guessed that it was the so-called Ratchet, the latter being accompanied by a small white and masked Minicon who was staring at everyone with curiosity.
When Wing's gaze landed on Outrigger, he hurried to hug him.
"But Wing ... I too am glad to see you ... but still! I'm no longer a child" complained Outrigger.
"You know I miss you every time, Outrigger."
"Hm. Me too."
Had he hugged Heavenlight that way? Would they have gotten along? She and Outrigger? the white bot thought bitterly.
Outrigger froze, staring at someone behind them. Wing turned. Dai Atlas approached them, his face closed.
"… Dai Atlas. You here ... you really came" stammered Outrigger.
"I had to be. Nice to see you too, Outrigger."
Wing broke away from the young bot.
"… They came to give us a hand. Without them, we were dead."
He may not have been able to hide the tension between the various members of the Circle of Light well, but there was no point in involving Outrigger with it. Dai Atlas nodded to Ultra Magnus. The two would later discuss strategies for the Sanctuary.
Three artifacts, Wing counted. The white bot looked for Father John. When the white bot saw him, his smile widened and Wing walked over to him to squat down and put himself at the level of the human.
"... Nice to see you again" Wing smiled.
"Nice to see you too, my friend."
My friend…
Wing put his servo on the grass, allowing the human to climb on it. Wing lifted it and carried it up to his face. Father John seemed to understand his intentions and groped for his cheek, before placing his small hand on his face, in a sort of reunion hug.
Wing felt a look behind him. The white bot turned.
Dai Atlas was still staring at him. Or rather, he stared at them. He did not smile and even seemed furious. Wing just ignored him, turning his attention back to Father John.
He didn't care if Dai Atlas told him something about his relationship with humans. Before, he might have feared his reaction ... But today, that was no longer the case.
"... Ultra Magnus, I would like to see the artifacts" he heard the giant as he walked away.
Wing realized that Father John was not the only human here. A few minutes later, he noticed a little human approaching them, staring at Wing with curiosity.
He recognized her.
"… Mary, Wing. Wing, Mary" introduced them to Father John.
"… Pleased to meet you" Wing smiled.
"Nice to meet you."
She bowed slightly. It delighted Wing and he gently places the human next to her.
"... Wing."
"Hm?"
"... We have news to tell you."
Curious, Wing gave them his full attention.
Then Father John's lips moved and his optics widened in amazement.
In his room, and despite the more than resistant structure of the Autobot base, Dai Atlas still heard the wind hitting the roof. Sitting on his berth, the white and blue bot did not detach his optics from the three joined artifacts, placed on a metal table.
The Hand of Mortilus, the Diamond of Adaptus, the Book of Epistemus ...
Dai Atlas had asked to stay closest to them. Even if the base was secure, he feared that someone would steal them overnight, while they were recharging.
Either way, Dai Atlas couldn't recharge. His mind was too restless. And when he closed the optics, Scorponok's face resurfaced irrevocably in his processor.
Star Saber, bring me my sword.
I did what I had to do, thought Dai Atlas. That was what he was trying to convince himself of. That didn't stop him from recharging.
He who hadn't killed in millennia ... He remembered how much of a torture it was, to take the life of another, whatever it was.
Even if it was for artefacts, for the safety of the universe ...
Dai Atlas straightened up and sat on his knees on the ground, clasping his servos to pray.
Someone knocked at the door. Dai Atlas sighed. He stood up and pressed the open button.
Wing was facing him.
"... I want to talk to you," said the white bot.
He was surprised to see him here, so late at night. He couldn't recharge either?
Though Dai Atlas already had an idea of the subject of his night visit. He eventually stepped aside to let him in before closing the door.
"We have already discussed"
"I want to know why. Why did you do that."
Dai Atlas frowned.
"Why? Why did you kill Scorponok?"
"I told you. To protect the universe. It was the only thing to do."
You are getting on my nerves. You piss me off not understanding.
Wing, still naive ... Dai Atlas thought he would understand the harsh reality of the world during his trip to Cybertron.
It wasn't all white or black. Certain rules had to be overridden for better security.
Wing kept his arms crossed. His expression didn't change.
"… So why not reinstate Drift? Why not reinstate Gasket?"
"What is done is done."
Yes. After such an act, it would be logical to reinstate former members whom he had exiled for the same acts.
Especially since it had been more legitimate ... They had killed to defend themselves. Dai Atlas had deliberately executed Scorponok. He had made this decision.
"Gasket did everything to protect the artifacts," replied Wing, taking a look at the three artifacts together. "You kept abandoning him."
"Wing. This is not the time."
"You abandoned him. Him ... he never abandoned you. He always followed you. In all your decisions."
Dai Atlas looked at him, Wing's golden optics meeting his red ones.
Yes. It was I who decided to erase your memories. Gasket followed me. Drift too ... even if the latter never really agreed.
"... You keep meeting him. Just like you keep meeting Drift" Dai Atlas said to change the subject.
"You don't have to forbid me from seeing them. Even if you exiled them."
"I always suspected that. I have never forbidden you to see them."
Dai Atlas' face tensed.
"Always your fads, Wing. You kept seeing Gasket behind my back. You imposed a Decepticon on me within the Circle of Light, on the pretext that he deserved a second chance ... And now…"
Wing did not falter. He challenged him with his optics.
"… Now you're bonding with a human. With a vermin that you take as a pet."
"And you, you refuse to admit that you are wrong."
Yes, I'm wrong.
"... You know, I think you're jealous."
Dai Atlas stiffened. Suddenly, he sat on the berth, before he turned around and turned his back on her. Silently, he invited Wing to go out.
But the latter remained. He stayed behind.
Silence fell. They only heard the breath of the wind outside.
"... All these decisions ... you made them for one purpose. Protect us" he heard Wing.
Dai Atlas did not react. Behind him, he felt Wing draw closer.
"But ... above all, you wanted to protect me. Me."
"Stop" replied Dai Atlas coldly.
"You wanted to protect me from the pain. When I lost Heavenlight."
He felt Wing's servo land on his shoulderplate. Dai Atlas relaxed slightly, even if he avoided looking at him.
"You always did that."
"You may not know it ... You, Axe, Star Saber, Outrigger ... but being a leader is extremely difficult."
Always making decisions ... even the worst ones for the best.
"... Being chosen to keep the Light is tiring."
"I know" said only the white bot.
"No, you don't know. Sometimes I just want to drop everything. Be as carefree as you are."
It felt strange ... it was strange to reveal his feelings in this way.
"... I just want to live normally. On Cybertron or elsewhere ... find me Amicas ... find me a femme, a Conjunx."
These last words gave him a strange shiver.
He had never mentioned the idea of bonding ... to anyone. His duty had always come first. There had never been room for anything else.
Wing entered his field of vision. The other servo on his other shoulderplate, he bent down to face him.
Dai Atlas looked up. Wing smiled at him.
"You should have told us, Dai Atlas."
"I didn't have to tell you."
"We're here for you, you know."
Wing moved closer to him. Dai Atlas remained stiff, not moving at all.
"... You should trust us."
"I trust you. But I want to protect you. Protect you all."
"I know."
Wing's lips moved. He wanted to add something. But finally, he closed his mouth.
Again, he moved closer and hugged Dai Atlas. This startled the giant imperceptibly. But in the end, he didn't push Wing away.
Cautiously, the giant closed his arms around him, resting his chin on his helm as he hugged him.
Fortunately the door was closed…
Wing looked so fragile against him, in his arms.
Wing tightened his grip. Dai Atlas just hugged him more.
It only lasted a few moments. Wing then detached himself from Dai Atlas, but kept his servos on his shoulderplates.
A smile on his face.
"... I know why you want to protect me so much."
Dai Atlas did not answer. He felt Wing's servo slowly rise to his face.
"You are jealous. You have always been jealous of all the mechs who approached me."
Dai Atlas' optics stared into Wing's, not trying to answer anything.
Wing's servo caressed his right cheek, in a soft, warm touch. The giant started, still remaining silent.
"Drift ... Gasket ... Father John ... all those who approach me ..."
The other servo went up to his other cheek. Again, Dai Atlas shivered but let him do it.
"... You are jealous ... because you would like to be in their place. Because ... you want to keep me all for yourself, right?"
He didn't stop stroking it. Soon, his thumb rested gently on his mouth, redrawing the outline of his lips in a distracted gesture.
Dai Atlas closed the optics. Slowly, Wing moved closer to him.
"... You are so good, Dai Atlas. So good to me… to us. You are so strong, ready to do anything to protect us. To protect me."
The spark of Dai Atlas accelerated. His thumb caressed the lips of the leader of the Circle of Light more insistently.
Dai Atlas reopened the optics, feeling Wing's breath on his face, a few inches from his.
Wing put his lips to his, in a light touch.
It only lasted a few seconds before he withdrew, even though he stayed close to the leader's face.
The latter did not react. Wing closed the optics and rested his lips on his once more, in a slightly more insistent touch.
Dai Atlas moved his lips, returning the gesture back to him.
Wing smiled. He parted his lips and his glossa caressed the lips of his leader. Dai Atlas opened his mouth in response and their glossas met quickly. Dai Atlas closed the optics in turn while he tasted Wing, while the white bot deepened the kiss so that it became more and more intense.
"Hmm ... Haaa ..."
The two lacking air, Wing tore his lips apart and crashed into his mouth, starting another kiss. He wrapped his arms around the giant's shoulderplates as Dai Atlas grabbed his legs to sit on his lap, wishing for more contact.
"Haa…Haaa ... ... Hmmm ..."
Wing was a good kisser ... his lips were softer than he imagined.
Dai Atlas tilted his head to the side, deepening the contact as he caressed Wing's back slowly and sensually.
"Hmm ..."
So good ... it was so good ... He had always wanted Wing to notice him ... that Wing saw him differently than just his leader ...
"Delicious…"
All these years. During all these years, he had not been so lucky. He always believed that Wing would never turn around.
"Haaa ... aaah ... hmm ..."
Wing absently let his servo drag on his chassis, descending lower and lower.
Two mechs… they were two mechs…
Suddenly, Dai Atlas broke the kiss, realizing what they were doing.
Wing ... was gone.
Wing had disappeared ... No. He had never been there.
With his servo on his lips, the touch had seemed so real.
Dai Atlas focused his attention back to the artifacts.
The face of the leader of the Circle of Light fell apart.
The Diamond of Adaptus... of course.
Outside, shutting off the optics to enjoy of the fresh air caused by the wind, Wing waited.
His spark was starting to beat stronger and stronger ... Wing thought it was going to come out of his chest.
He heard steps in the distance.
He came back ... he came back with the energon ...
Wing reopened the optics to meet those of Gasket.
In the distance, the green bot had stopped. The energon he had collected fell to the ground at his pedes.
His expression was unreadable. Surprise, relief ... all emotions crossed his face.
None of them spoke for long minutes.
He was there…
Currently, nothing else mattered. Wing just smiled at him, not even hiding his emotion.
He was there ... His sight blurred, tears threatening to fall all the time.
"... Wing," Gasket finally said.
Wing nodded, taking a step in his direction.
"... I always knew you were alive."
Gasket bit his lip. He hesitated on the answer to give.
But what to answer? Maybe there was no need for an answer.
However, his voice rose.
"… We have so many things to talk about, huh?"
He returned his smile, now as moved as he was.
Wing no longer hesitated and rushed into his reaction. Gasket imitated him almost immediately.
When they touched, Gasket grabbed him and hugged him tightly, burying his face in his shoulderplate as Wing's tears ran down his face.
"I missed you" said the green bot.
"I missed you too ... I missed you too!" repeated Wing.
Wing grabbed his face in his servos, inviting him to look at him.
He wanted to know if his mentor was real, if he was not dreaming.
Gasket smiled at him. Wing rested his forehelm against his, sobbing silently in his arms.
"... We don't leave each other, okay? Don't leave me anymore. Don't leave me anymore."
"... Never again" Gasket replied tenderly as he drew him in for another hug, more intense than the ones Wing was used to.