Hello dear readers! Wow, it's been too long. Sorry about that. Do not worry, I promise I will not abandon this story. In fact, I have a spin-off in the works. That's right, soon (I don't know when yet) I will be publishing a separate fanfiction about Erin and the twins that does not quite go with the main story. It will be a collection of one shots. Some chapters may be relevant to the story, others may be alternate versions of what is really happening. A couple are going to be downright silly. I am going to welcome reader suggestions for story ideas. I can't promise to be able to do every request, but feel free to write a review or PM me, I know I have already gotten a few PMs with story ideas and yes, some of those will make it into the one shots. I would also like to welcome any naming ideas for this other fanfiction. Updates will not be consistent since it won't be part of the main story, it's just a way to get my creativity out while giving my wonderful readers something. Thank you for your patience and please enjoy this next chapter.

Thank you to my reviewers; SkyennhaMarisa, Cinematronix, SolusPrimeLightblast, KEZZ, (Guest- I appreciate it when someone reviews even if it isn't usually their thing- thank you so much) and MoonlightEvie0300

Chapter 25

Prowl held back a disappointed sigh. After so many months with hardly any incidents, aside from a few immature pranks, the base had been relatively peaceful. A feat for which he was grateful. As he still had nothing to go on in terms of the base's intruder, if he was even still on the island, the twins' relative quietness was a welcome reprieve. As history had taught him, though, he could never expect peace to last for long.

A small part of him understood the reasons behind Sunstreaker's outburst. Everybot was wound up after the recent increase in decepticon activity. In fact, it was surprising that Sunstreaker lasted as long as he did after his twin had been injured. The fact that he maintained control during the battle with the insecticons showed how much he had changed. And Prowl whole-sparkedly believed it had something to do with Specialist Erin.

Ever since she joined their ranks, both mechs seemed to handle themselves with at least some semblance of control. Sunstreaker's gladiator mode would have, admittingly, led to the total destruction of the insecticons who harmed Sideswipe. However, because he kept himself in check, he was able to capture two of the enemy. Thus preventing one from potentially offlining Erin and going on a rampage while the gold front liner blindly enacts his vengeance.

Such control should be commended, so Prowl decidedly looked the other way for the past few days while Sideswipe made a few harmless pranks. However, rules cannot be ignored, and it was his duty to enforce them. Therefore, he had begrudgingly ordered Ironhide to lead a mostly pacified Sunstreaker to the brig, Sideswipe walking in of his own volition.

Finally, upon her insistence, Prowl was leading Erin to the cells. After the incident between Mirage and Sunstreaker, the young soldier had disappeared. Prowl had hoped that she had gone after Sunstreaker, or was trying to head him off. However, she soon reappeared in different clothes. Prowl was unsure over how to feel about the femme's apparent indifference to being brigged. He hoped it was the result of her straightforward and calm demeanor, alternatively to an inheritance of the twin's disregard for the implementation of authority.

Her step was weighted with exhaustion, otherwise unseen in her relaxed attitude. Prowl found it difficult to imagine such a serious femme getting along with the twins. He had already assumed that any sane human would be unable to handle Sideswipe's boisterous energy and Sunstreaker's cold ferocity. However, Specialist Brook had managed to find her niche among them. This gave Prowl an idea.

He led her down to the comparatively large cells that resided below the main hanger. On either side of the hall were a row of four rooms with walls boxing in three sides. Halogen lights brightened the room, making it look less like a dungeon.

In the second to last cell on the left sat Sideswipe, cross-legged on the ground. He was smiling expectantly at Prowl, no doubt trying to hide whatever he was discussing with his twin prior to the SIC's arrival. Adjacent to the silver mech was Sunstreaker. He was already laying on his low berth, back facing the cell bars.

"Sunstreaker," he addressed the front liner, "It had been Mirage's duty to clean the brig this evening." The SIC spared no moment of hesitation while the other mech growled at the mention of his victim. "Since he is convalescing in the med bay, the cleanliness of the cells are below standard. I have placed you two in the most decent ones, leaving Ms. Brook here." His optics flashed briefly. "In fairness to her and her health, I will be placing her with you for the night."

Sunstreaker's head jerked so that his near-white optics could sear into Prowl. "Keep her out of here!" he hissed. He turned back away, head resting on the low berth, muttering, "Throw her in the dirt for all I care."

Prowl quickly recalculated his plan. The was clearly more far gone than he had anticipated. He would be sure to inquire from Ironhide as to what Sunstreaker's status was while he escorted him to his cell.

Not wanting to risk the soldier's well-being, he stepped away, intending on leading her to a further cell, for her own protection. However, Sideswipe caught his attention.

"Hey, Prowl," he said in a sing-song voice. "Just set her up with me." He winked an optic to his small teammate. "Wouldn't want her slumming it elsewhere."

A rare sense of frustration made Prowl's wings twitch. His plan had, apparently, backfired. Caught in his bluff, the SIC opted to open the silver warrior's cell, allowing Specialist Brook inside.

Sideswipe shined with triumph as he reached a welcoming servo to the femme. "Come on, sweetspark." He called.

Specialist Brook, stood just past the door, well out of the mech's reach.

Prowl turned and left, heading for his office. There was always more work to be done.

Jazz was, unsurprisingly, waiting for him. He sat perched atop Prowl's desk, staring intently at his friend as the larger mech entered. Without preamble, he spoke, "Did they all go peacefully?"

"Mostly," he reported, "Sunstreaker still has yet to recover from this most recent episode."

"It was pretty incredible what the kid did." There was no need for Jazz to specify just whom he was talking about.

"We were fortunate this time." Prowl conceded. "It seems that her overall influence has been positive on the twins."

Jazz's visor flashed "It's tragic, considering what she may be involved in."

Prowl's optics narrowed, interest peaked. "Did you find anything?"

"Yeah," Jazz leaned forward, a grim expression on his faceplates. "Adam Walker's in the clear. His alibi checked out. That's one more down."

Prowl had to fight a disappointed sigh. That only raised the probability of Ms. Brook being the culprit. It seemed his worse fears were coming closer to fruition. She could be such an asset to their operation; not only by her skill but her apparent ability to 'tame' Sunstreaker and Sideswipe.

Seeming to read Prowl's processor, Jazz stated, "Ya know it won't go well if she turns out to be the perp." His optics dimmed, "Maybe we should prepare the twins for the worse."

It was sound advice, but nevertheless, Prowl shook his helm. "They are ruled by their emotions. We'd never have time to find definitive proof with them rampaging around. Besides, if we are wrong, there is no telling what the effect could be on them. And I am confident Prime will agree."

"I get that." The silver mech conceded, "They aren't the most trusting to begin with." Then he added, "But will you talk to him about it?"

"Of course." While Prowl was in charge of the investigation, he would never leave such an important decision to himself without his leader's counsel.

"Well, I best get goin'." Jazz stood, waving off his friend, "Ratchet wants to run another battery of tests."

Prowl nodded sympathetically, he knew how much Jazz felt chained down by his condition, and a sense of guilt never ceased deep within his spark whenever he saw the mech's struggles. Although, selfish as it may seem, he would rather have this than face the alternative.

Prowl was not on Earth when Megatron offlined Jazz, but when he first arrived and learned the news, he felt as if he himself had been torn in two. That was why he made the plea with Optimus. His reasoning was sound, there were so few of them left, even if the ancient law forbade it. But ultimately it was his own grief that drove him to the outlawed practice. While the allspark was used to heal and create, it was never meant to pull a spark out of the Well.

But it was a sin he would defend even to Primus himself.

Erin grit her teeth. Prowl thought he was being clever, but he should have just stayed out of their business. It was bad enough she was in the brig, whether or not it was to show her loyalty to their team. But she did not want to be stuck in a cage with either mech. Dirty cells her ass, she just wanted to take advantage of this newfound free time and take a nap or workout; the cells were certainly large enough.

But Prowl had to get in the way of things. She knew what he was thinking, trying to stick her with Sunstreaker. 'She managed to talk him down before, maybe she could help'. But that was not how things were. All Erin managed to do was convince him to blow off steam somewhere else. The last thing she wanted was to be in a confined space with him in such a state. And of course Sideswipe would take advantage of Sunstreaker's denial, leaving her stuck with an over jovial 'bot. Honestly, sometimes she did not understand why she dealt with those two. They could be so infuriating at times. At least some of the time. Or maybe just this instance.

Erin turned to see Sideswipe smiling victoriously as Prowl left. She shook her head at his attitude. Even when he's locked in a cage under ground level he still managed to find small joys in life.

"Well, Sweetspark," he slapped his servos together, "how do you want to pass the time?"

Sunstreaker grumbled from across the hall, "Will you just shut up?"

Sideswipe shot his twin a narrow glance, which Erin was unsure whether he could sense through their bond. The yellow mech showed no sign of awareness or caring. "Anyway," he continued, picking up enthusiasm ad standing to his full height, "we could watch some movies!"

Erin headed towards the low hanging berth, just past Sideswipe. It was only a few feet in the air, allowing her to lie on a clean surface without being precariously high. "How about we play the quiet game?" she said sarcastically as she lifted herself onto the hard surface. Sunstreaker's and Sideswipe's own berths were comprised of interlocking metal pieces that conformed to their weight and cradled them. This, however, was just a slab of metal with thick supports underneath.

She turned to see the silver mech pouting. His shoulders slumped in disappointment as he scraped his pede across the concrete floor, making a hard grinding noise. Despite her irritation, she felt a stab of guilt. He looked genuinely put out. Erin sighed loudly, prompting the petulant 'bot to glance up hopefully. "What do you want to watch?" she relented.

Sideswipe immediately perked up, quickly sitting by her so their hips were touching. He pulled out the data pad he snuck in and held it within view of Erin. The image on the screen showed a myriad of cybertronian script. The mech quickly scrolled through it until English appeared, labeling various folders that seemed to be about human culture. It was neatly organized in rows of two. Erin read with interest, before he could click one of the lower folders, "Human Military Stuff", "Comics", "Comics2"- Erin could only guess that was full of pranking ideas or materials, concealed in a way that by-the-book-Prowl wouldn't investigate- and "Females". The word was gone in a flash as Sideswipe scrolled through the movie titles he had pulled up. What kind of research was he doing on females?

An odd though struck Erin's head but she quickly stomped it down and moved her attention back towards the movies. Sideswipe was slowly scrolling through the titles and, with a start, Erin realized he was waiting for her to pick one out. She pointed at the first one that caught her eye, "How about that one?"

"Ok." Sideswipe immediately tapped it, giving Erin only a moment to really read the title, 'Mr & Mrs. Smith'. She'd never heard of it before.

As the movie began to play, Erin found herself being shifted by massive servos. Sideswipe scooped her up, holding her out of the way as he settled himself on the berth. Instinctively, she grabbed onto his digits for balance as he rolled onto his abdomen, elbows propping him up. He then placed Erin in front of him, her beck resting on his left shoulder plate. He held the data pad out with both servos as the movie commenced. Feeling awkward, but not particularly uncomfortable, Erin settled against her inflexible backrest and stared at the screen.

Within moments Erin realized her tactical mistake. This was a date movie. She found herself internally cringing at each scene. It wasn't that she particularly hated the movie, but watching the drama of a relationship play out was not her ideal way to spend time with Sideswipe. It felt awkward, especially when the characters started their 'lovemaking'. She could see it coming from the very beginning to the film, and watchingseeing it suggested on screen felt just as uncomfortable as she thought it would.

Sideswipe didn't seem to take notice in his discomfort. Instead, he laughed along with the actor's quips and otherwise watched enraptured with the film. He hardly moved, aside from nearly silent vents inches from Erin's ear, a subtle reminder of his presence. She could also feel a slight buzzing through her back, the beat of a spark and pulse of energon through his lines. They were in an oddly intimate position, but Sideswipe did not appear to be aware. He didn't even make any kind of inappropriate joke.

It seemed that Erin was the only one making a deal out of her little situation. Nevertheless, when the movie was finally, over, Erin had to hold back a sign of relief. That breath was quickly turned into a surprised squeak as she was again held in the air like a doll. She found herself propped atop a silver chassis.

"Sideswipe!" she gasped, face turning an embarrassing pink.

He didn't take a single notice to her reaction. "So," she started conversationally, "did you like the movie?" His servo rested lightly on Erin's back, whether it was to balance her or keep her put, she did not know. However, one of his digits started tracing the line along her spine in soothing strokes.

Erin decidedly ignored us question. Instead, she all but growled, "Keep petting me like a dog and I'll tear your armor off." Ignoring his servo, she swung her legs over the side of his chassis so she could slide back into the berth.

Instead of fighting her retreat, Sideswipe turned onto his side so he was again facing her. "What will it take for me to be able to take yours off?" he smiled cockily.

"You are shameless." Erin shot back, heading to jump off the berth. "Quit joking." She muttered.

Much to her dismay, Sideswipe once again tried to grab her, only this time she quickly dodged his servo and stepped onto the ground. "Who said I was joking?" his voice dropped an octave.

She scoffed at his audacity and settled herself well out of his reach, against a cold wall of their cell. Her arms were crossed, metaphorically keeping him out. She didn't like how he would try to play with her like that. She was not some toy for his entertainment. Couldn't he see how his 'flirtations', though a joke, were not winning her favor in any way?

Instead of attempting another capture, though, he just reached out his servo in a welcoming gesture. "Come on, sweetspark. At least let me keep you warm."

A cold chill ran through her spine as the metal wall seeped away whatever heat her body had. Erin raised a brow, "Will you behave?" she tried to keep her teeth from chattering. Under the earth where the sun did not shine, the cells maintained a low temperature. It was nothing she couldn't handle, but it certainly was not preferable.

"Promise." Sideswipe nodded his helm with definitiveness and Erin found herself believing him.

Once again she moved, but this time within the hospitable reach of her friend. Sideswipe allowed her to settle herself so she was leaning back against him. He did feel warm. Erin was relieved to see his mischievous grin had faded into a gentle smile. The mech could be irritating at times but she actually liked him in this state.

"So," he prompted once again, "Did you like the movie?"

"It was fine." She added, "Not quite what I was expecting." It was a bit embarrassing to admit she had no idea what she had chosen.

"Me neither." Sideswipe laughed. So he hadn't seen it either. "I haven't seen most of the movies in that folder, I just downloaded it off some website that said they were good for dates."

"What?"

"What?" he asked innocently before quickly moving on, "So what did you think of the story? Two lovers sent out to kill each other?"

Erin took a second to store at the mech before thinking of her answer. "I probably would have pulled the trigger." She replied slowly, still focusing on his last comment.

Sideswipe's response only mildly surprised her, he flinched hard enough to shake her. She looked into his large, concerned optics. The small rings dividing what Erin assumed to be his pupil and the same colored 'iris' rotated in quick, smooth circles before turning back, as if he was refocusing his gaze. "But why? That person would be your mate."

She sighed at the innocence of the question. "Well, I don't know how it works on your planet, but just calling them a couple doesn't actually bind people. Betrayal is always a real possibility. If my husband was an assassin sent after me, I would always assume he would finish the job." By the look on Sideswipe's faceplates, Erin could tell none of this was coming through to him. "Think of it this way," she explained, "An assassin will do whatever it takes to get the job done, people who are willing to kill for money don't have the liberty of using a moral compass. So if an assassin was after me, I would imagine any ethical code they go by is put on hold until there's a bullet in my head. So by not killing them first, I die and whatever relationship we had is ended. It's better to survive and move on."

Apparently her matter-of-fact statement did not get through to the warrior. He held her gaze with a steady frown, studying her face for a moment. "I couldn't do it." He said solemnly. "When a mech gives his spark to someone else, nothing can break that bond. Even if my mate betrayed me, I don't think I could do the same in return."

"But allowing yourself to be assassinated would also offline Sunstreaker." She countered, "Would you really want to be responsible for that?"

From across the room, Sunstreaker stirred from his berth. "Don't bother," he told his twin, "she's human, she'll never understand."

The statement felt cutting, worse than she thought it would. No matter how close she got to the twins, there would always be a barrier between them. And although that was probably for the best, something in Erin urged her to fight the statement. "Just because I'm human doesn't mean we're that different." She tried to explain, "It's just a variance of minds. After all, this movie wouldn't 'be' if all humans thought survival trumps partnership. I just see it in a different way." She felt oddly defensive, as if her beliefs were in question. Should she really pull the trigger? Would she?

Sideswipe didn't sound upset like his twin was, instead he appeared to be sympathetic. A gentle digit coaxed her to lean back against him. Erin turned so that her shoulder was taking in his unnatural frame heat and she could look directly into his optics. "If you truly loved someone, even if they betrayed you, wouldn't you put their life before your own?"

The question surprised her. Loyalty and trust are essential to relationships. Without that, what was left? "If they betray me, then are they really the person I love?" she disputed.

"For me," he spoke slowly, choosing his words with care, "Losing that trust would be like offlining itself."

"But you can still live." She urged. "What is the point of dying for someone who never really loved you?"

"And who says they never did?" he pleaded back to her. "Their betrayal doesn't mean there was nothing there to begin with. They just chose to break that trust when they took the job. The feeling is still there."

Erin snorted disbelievingly, "Well you're older than me, so maybe you've experienced something I haven't."

Sideswipe smiled cloyingly, "Or it might be the other way around." Erin blinked at the simple statement, but he wasn't finished. "You're a good fighter, but your social skills suck." His lip plates quirked fondly.

Erin took slight offense to this. He had no right to judge her. His twin refuse to even interact with ninety eight percent of the base and he himself would literally grab her if he wanted to hang out instead of inviting here like a normal person. He was the last person to judge her social skills. "I find that I've been relatively successful with what I have at my disposal."

"You're successful, but are you happy?" He asked. "You treat everything like a mission."

Sunstreaker spoke up once again, bac still facing his twin, "Just forget it, alright? It's probably just 'cause of that crazy-aft training she went through. Anyone would end up messed up after whatever she did."

"You don't know what she did." Sideswipe shot back defensively.

"I know enough." The yellow mech countered. Erin felt a flash of worry he would tell his twin what he had learned.

Sideswipe shot Erin quick glance but addressed his brother, "Like what?"

"Nothing." The yellow warrior grumbled.

"She didn't come into being when she was recruited, though" Sideswipe curled his legs closer, so that he was practically surrounding Erin in a defensive cuddle. "She had a life before that, right?" This time the question was directed at Erin. His optics were encouraging her to defend herself.

She hesitated. "I don't really talk about it."

Sideswipe pleaded, "Oh, come on. You've hardly told us anything about yourself!"

Erin looked towards Sunstreaker, hoping me would tell his twin to mind his own fragging business. However, the mech didn't stir. She was on her own, and telling him off herself wouldn't discourage the mech, besides, it was hard to yell at him when he had such a youthful look on his faceplates. "You know I had a sister, no parents, and I was a trouble maker as a kid. What else is there to know?"

"Everything else!" he said riled, "I have answered every question you've thrown at me."

That was not entirely true. Erin could tell that when subjects got too personal, he would scoot around the issue, often throwing a myriad of slightly related data at her, in an attempt to subvert her attention. While Erin allowed this to happen, she always took notice.

"Fine." She said through gritted teeth, "What do you want to know?" She wasn't really the type to pour her heart out, granted she did have a weak moment or two a few days prior.

Sideswipe practically bounced with joy, he always seemed to get his way with her. "How did you learn to fight?" he blurted out.

"You already asked that." It wasn't an exciting story to begin with.

"And you hardly gave me a proper answer." He whined, giving her a well practiced pouting face.

"Fine." She repeated. "Then let me elaborate." She thought for a moment before continuing, "The orphanage I grew up in was known for keeping us kids active, I think our caretakers got more funding per kid for it. We were allowed to enroll in activities as long as the community center we used covered it, so they kept all the extra profits. That's how I started my singing lessons." Sideswipe seemed to beam at the mention of current obsession. He was always asking her to sing. "When I was six years old, some older boys in the orphanage tried to take something from me. I don't know what it was, but I refused to give it up. They beat me up and all I did was curl into a ball until Cora came and scared them off. After that, she convinced our caretakers to enroll us into the community center's self-defense class. We were the youngest kids there, but we learned quickly and practiced on each other. Once our caretakers took notice of this skill, they agreed to pay for advance martial arts training in exchange for extra chores. That's how I learned for about four years." It wasn't the engaging story Sunstreaker had told her earlier that week. She wasn't thrown onto the streets like they were, in fact, what she would tell them next would be her own fault. "When we were only ten, we started to get involved with some unsavory teens. I think Cora introduced me after crushing on one of them. Anyway, I ended up picking a fight with one of the boys and promptly got my ass kicked. So, we adapted, and learned how to fight dirty. We hung out more with this one gang." She added quickly, "They weren't real criminals, like you could imagine, but we were a still considered 'delinquents'." Erin decidedly ignored the mischievous gin on Sideswipe's face, apparently he didn't entirely believe in her innocence. "They were the ones who first taught me to use a gun, but don't share that with Prowl, I'm sure he'd have whatever you pass for an aneurysm." She could already imagine it, he'd probably have a glitch over the thought. "When I was fifteen, I joined the JROTC along with Cora, we thought if we could go to a military academy, we could get away from the orphanage. Our physical skills caught the eye of recruiters and within a few months we joined an advance wing of the JROTC. Every weekend we would travel and stay in barracks up in Seattle. It was a lot of work, but we were closer to our goal." She decidedly skipped the part where she had lost her sister. "A few days before I turned eighteen, I was approached by a general in charge of a special unit training unit. I wouldn't necessarily be in the military, the government funded the program. It was either that, getting three squares a day, or being thrown onto the streets the moment I was of legal age. So, I chose to join the program. My training was accelerated, and I developed the skills I now have." She concluded. She wouldn't say anything else, after all, Sideswipe knew the rest was top secret.

"Was it worth it?" He asked, obviously referring to the mysterious program the entered. His optics scanned her. She recognized that look, he was studying her scars. She couldn't buff them out like he could. They were mostly faded, a human would have to look closely to see them crisscrossing over her arms and throat. The most visible one was from Sideswipe's energon, not that he knew that. The burn marring her forehead would not likely fade like the others had.

She shrugged casually, "I got away, didn't I?"

Sideswipe's optic ridges furrowed. "Was it really that bad there?"

Erin felt uncomfortable under his sorrowful gaze. After what she had learned about the twins' past, the history she shared with them seemed tame. "No, I could've run away, but I saw leaving as a better opportunity for me. Besides, for years I watched the other kids leave the orphanage only to end up with menial jobs or living on the same streets we played in. Joining the military was my best chance to get away. Besides, they made me stronger."

"It doesn't sound like you did it to be happy, though." The silver mech shook his head. "You just went through the motions."

Unwisely, Erin let a prickle of irritation guide her words, "What about you? Were you happy to be gladiators? Fighting for other's entertainment?" She sounded far harsher than she had intended, the sound of her own voice making her cringe.

"Yes." Sideswipe held a steady gaze, he appeared to be neither offended or even mindful of her outburst. "It was for survival, but we enjoy the fight. We got credits and femmes. At the time, before all this slag with losing our planet, we were doing what made us happy. I'm not proud of it, but that's why we did what we did. And now we are here to fight the decepticons because we like it." Erin got a glance of something she's only seen a few times. Whenever she watched Sideswipe and Sunstreaker spar each other, or when she watched them fight the insecticons, there was a glimmer of something dangerous.

"Is there anything that you want in life?"

Erin started, it took her a second to recognize what he had said. "You sure know how to ask the hard questions." She shook her head, "I don't know."

"Well, until you find out, why don't you just try to be happy." Sideswipe suggested simply.

Honestly, Erin could not remember the last time she genuinely tried to enjoy herself. She was always looking for the motivations behind people's actions, or checking around the corner for the next unwelcomed surprise. It was warming to hear how easy it sounded. With a deep sigh, she released some of the strain in her body, forcing relaxation. "Could you read me one of your comics?" she asked quietly.

Sideswipe smiled and nodded.

They settled down, Erin leaning heavily against Sideswipe while he held the data pad within her view. Somehow, he linked to it and programed the screen so that the words disappeared and as he narrated the story or said the character's lines, a soft white glow would form around the box containing that scene. His voice impressions were greatly flawed, which amused Erin, considering how easily the 'bots seemed to be able to adapt different accents and languages. She got the sense he did this on purpose. It sounded more familiar and put her at ease. She hardly had a clue as to what was going on in the comic, but listening to him play out the story made her relax and she found herself feeling happy.

Sideswipe was in so much trouble, both with himself, and his temperamental twin. Sunny had certainly gotten used to their human's presence. He even reluctantly admitted to enjoy her company. And whether or not he acknowledged it himself, Sunny came to depend on her quick wit in battlefield situations. However, there were certain limits that he, no matter what his true feelings were, would not cross. Cuddling was one of them.

That was why Sideswipe could feel his brother's searing gaze as Rin lay asleep on his silver arm, carefully cradled off the ground. Sunny had told him she was a light sleeper, but she showed no signs waking, even after he shifted her in his grasp so he could find a comfortable sitting position. His yellow brother didn't say anything, but the waves of anger and disgust rolling through the bond were loud enough. He had become increasingly suspicious of Sideswipe and for good reason.

It was too late for the silver warrior. He truly cared about Rin, more than he should. And having her in his arms made his spark soar. It didn't take much for him to decide to test the boundaries of these feelings between them, seeing how close Rin would let him get. Slowly but surely, she was letting him in, thus why he was in so much trouble. The more she welcomed him, the harder he fell. Sunny was no doubt feeling the effects of this through their bond, no matter how hard Sideswipe tried to keep it contained. He was surprised his twin had not already found out his little secret; the mere absurdity of the whole situation must have kept him off the trail so far. But with his spark accepting this so easily, he could only imagine Sunny was keeping a secret of his own. Because while they may find themselves with different hobbies and interests at times, love was something that always bound them. Even if it wasn't a physical longing which Sideswipe unfortunately had, they both must feel at least somewhat the same.

They were in love with Erin.