The sunset was nice.

The slight breeze brushed sand over his projected form.

It had been hours. Jack could practically feel Ratchet's paranoid worry from up here. Jack knew it was wrong to become a hermit that lived on top of the silo, but he wanted space. Spending the afternoon with Raf and Miko made him realize one thing.

He was dead. Not literally, of course, which was a nice bonus.

He was dead, as in the human sense. Which he never knew was an option for him, but his life is filled with surprises.

Raf told him about his funeral; surprisingly, many people from school and around town came. Being popular after death was a strange feeling. He almost wanted to walk up to them and say, 'hey, where was all the love when I was alive?' But he knew that was something Miko would have approved of, and no matter how depressed he was, going to Mikos level wasn't an option. He had his standards, and becoming the town ghost may be fun for a few hours but would feel hollow overall, but spooking Vince would be enjoyable.

Another reason for Jack hanging out with Cliffjumper's resting space was simple. He asked to talk to his mom. She said yes, came to the base, and he was now chickening out. Groaning, he rubbed his face in embarrassing dismay. He could be such a coward when facing his mom. He always made excuses for her; an unhealthy habit Ratchet has pointed out multiple times. If he just stood his ground about why he was like this, then maybe everything could have ended differently.

Despite everything, Jack honestly didn't blame anyone for what happened. The whole situation was full of many people or Cybertronians making tough calls. Blaming one of them will be overlooking everyone else's parts. His included.

That still didn't change his emotions. He was mad, frustrated, and anxious. The emotions swelled as the hours passed, making ignoring his mom more of a need than anything. He didn't want to explode on her; that would be disrespectful.

'Not like she doesn't deserve it.' A large part of him stated. He's been trying to focus on the sunset to drive that thought away. It hasn't been working.

Flopping back onto the orange sand, Jack examined the stars. He used to be very fascinated with them. Jack spent countless sleepless nights staring at them; they were the same everywhere he lived. So was the feeling that they held answers. Now he knew they did. Cybertron had felt familiar because it was.

Forcing his focus upward, he purposely ignored the elevator's ding and small, human steps approaching him. Miko and Raf were home by this time, leaving either Fowler or his mom.

Jack had never wished so hard to see Fowler in his life. Unsurprisingly, his mom came into focus over his head—her attention towards the mound of rocks the bots made for Cliff.

Deciding to be a teen, Jack shifted to his side till his mom was no longer in his sights. The desert view took the forefront as he counted how many rock structures there were. He got to five before being rudely interrupted.

"I found you after an awful date."

Jack stilled, shuffling so his jacket-covered limb supported his head.

"I didn't find you in an orphanage. Hell, I wasn't even looking to start a family. Just make it through school."

The sky started to darken, more stars coming out and obscuring Jack's view of the rocks. He heard her shuffle before something warm leaned against his stiff back.

"I honestly thought if I never brought it up, nothing would change..." Jack scoffed at that.

"I know; I should have told you. Ratchet's equally furious. How do you tell your son you found him in a cave where a glowing spaceship was. You would have thought I was crazy. I thought I was crazy sometimes."

Rolling his eyes, Jack relaxed a bit.

"So there it is, the truth. I found a ship, it scanned me, and you came from it. I couldn't leave you there, not a baby." His mom's breaths were coming faster by the end.

"This isn't going to fix anything. I know that. Everyone in the base knows that. I was too late, selfish." Jack was surprised he didn't jump when he felt her hand on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you how you needed. I'm sorry I kept this from you. I'm sorry..." And with that, he felt her remove her hand, shuffling to her feet and leaving down the old evaluator.

Jack stayed in his spot, curled up despite not being cold. The truth was he already knew the story. Ratchet told him, Arcee told him, and then Miko partially jumped up and down, exclaiming the story again. Each telling added a new detail that filled in the picture. But somehow, he knew he needed to hear it from her.

He wished he could have said something. Faced her instead of hiding, but words were stuck in his throat.

Gripping his chest, he felt a sharp pulsing causing him to gasp with fake breaths. Deja vu hit him hard; he knew this feeling. He had it for a while, ever since the bots. It was something he and Crossroad's shared. Now it was an almost tangible pull to reach and touch. He needed something. He just wasn't sure what.

Hesitantly he closed his eyes and followed the pull. Reaching out, he found a fragile glimmer of emotions, none his own, almost too small to feel. He was shocked when a feeling of security and safety ebbed away his choking emotions. He felt safe.

Gripping his jacket tighter, he found his mind slowly losing focus. It wasn't like before when he would ebb away to sleep; no, this was instant darkness that swiftly consumed his consciousness. Jack had to admit he liked this way of sleeping better. Less chance of nightmares.


Leaving was gut-wrenching. June should be mad. He asked to talk, then decided to turn away once she came, but in reality, he had every right. He wanted to know, so she told him. Then she left. It felt like she was abandoning her reasonability as his mother, but she couldn't do anything.

On the way out, she noticed Ratchet's side-eye glare. His judgment didn't help her mood.

Now she was in her garage pacing while Arcee silently watched. She was kind enough to drive her back from the base.

June had things to do, Jack's room needed packing, and she didn't make dinner yet. She should probably clean the house too. Jack usually took care of that. Now that he wasn't there, it was left to her.

But instead, she continued to pace.

"Should I have stayed? He didn't even look at me, Arcee!?" June frantically paced, hair a mess from running her fingers through it. "Or hug him, but he tensed at my touch." Sadness dripped into her voice as she stared blankly at the garage wall. The very wall Jack's old used bike rested against.

"June." The sounds of Acree's transformation gathered June's attention. "Things are not going to be fixed in a day. He's mad, and if I may say, reasonably so. You didn't tell him something he needed to know." June nodded along with her logic even as her gut turned.

Arcees optics burned into her, the purple-blue beautiful in the limited light. Her face was stern.

"Give him time. He's been through a lot. Let us take care of him for a bit. He will ask for you again when he wants to see you."

Looking down, June fought the tears. "But he's my son." She whispered.

She heard Arcee vent, and metal seemed to be shifting as June felt a warm metal hand touch her shoulder. She still kept her face down but took comfort.

"No ones saying otherwise, but June... You need to let him go."

The statement was painfully true. Jack had always allowed her to baby him; being forced by him to take a step back was shocking. Especially when she nearly lost him, but Arcee was right. He needed space.

June had no clue what he was dealing with. He would come to her when he was ready.

"Okay," she breathed out. Looking at her son's guardian, she gave a small smile.

"Good night Arcee." The female Autobot nodded before transforming, activating the interesting holo rider and leaving through the now open garage door.

She watched the garage close again, leaning against the door leading inside.

She knew she had to work for Jack to trust her again but most was out of her hands. Jack had to make the next move, which she knew would be hard for her.


He felt his optics drift upward for the tenth time that hour. It was an unconscious motion, one he knew was caused by worry he refused to admit to.

Swiftly he returned his optics to his latest project, the ones he put aside to help Jack. The distraction only worked for a minute before he found himself staring at the rock and metal-laden ceiling.

Slamming his tool down, he contemplated for the umpteenth time whether he should go up top.

Jack's mom had left over an hour ago, and agent Fowler followed soon after, complaining about all the work he needed.

The only one Ratchet has yet to see is Jack, but he can't blame the youngling.

Ratchet had seen better than anyone how much was affecting him. Anyone, bot or human, would need time alone to think, but that didn't halt the worry that Jack had been hiding for most of the day. As soon as the kids left, Jack took the chance to avoid his mother. June was supremely irritated and worried, pacing down below while often voicing how she should go up. Only when Ratchet finally snapped at her to make a decision did she head to the lift.

It was ironic that he found himself in the same situation now.

A metallic servo on his shoulder plating brought him out of his sarcastic mirth.

Looking up, he saw calming blue optics glowing in the dim light. It wasn't unusual for Optimus to stay up; he was often awake. Ratchet nodded his helm in greeting, his friend still looking at him with a curious mix of amusement and worry.

"He is fine, old friend. He went into recharge not long after June left."

Ratchet nodded, letting Optimus servo slip from his shoulder as he walked to the lift. Heavy steps followed him.

The ride up was silent except for the cranking of gears and motors. Once they reached the top, a slight breeze greeted them as the dark sky showed bright with stars.

Ratchet wasn't surprised to find the curled form of Jack resting by Cliffjumpers grave. He was still, unlike human sleep. From outward appearances, many could believe he was dead. The lack of breathing was the main contributor to his frozen form.

Optimus took the lead and kneeled. Ratchet watched as the Prime gently scooped up Jack. The peaceful smile on the larger bots' faces and plates warmed Ratchet's spark.

Ratchet knew the Prime loved sparklings. He was one of the many who longed for one, but the Prime lost that dream with his spark mate. Optimus was too loyal and fearful to bond with another, so he lost that dream of having a sparkling long ago.

That changed with Jack; it changed with Crossroads.

The Prime was cradling the youngling close to his chassis; the light pouring out from the seams was soft as starlight.

Ratchet watched as Optimus left down the lift, cradling Jack's recharging form. It was an achingly familiar sight Ratchet wasn't sure he'd see again.

Looking up, Ratchet observed the night sky. Nights on Earth vary greatly from Cybertron. Light pollution may be a thing on Earth, but on Cybertron, that was the norm. As a result, they missed out on seeing beyond.

On Earth, Ratchet could see so far it made him feel small.

Though the planet may be a mud ball filled to the brim with organic life, he had to admit it held a unique beauty.


Author Note:

Hello, sorry for being MIA, had an awesome vacation.

Hopefully, you all are enjoying the story thus far. After this chapter planning on following the canon again like in my beginning chapters. Have a great day, and thanks for reading.