Thank you, shadowbellator.94, for pointing out the format went wrong! I've been brain dead all day after dealing with school. It took me forty minutes just to get out of parking lot that have yet to finish, smh. Here's it all fixed, hopefully.
My mind went blank. Her hand still held at a reasonable distance for me to shake. Then, instinctively, I gingerly grasp the appendage and let her control the situation. "I-I'm Azar." Somehow, I kept my voice reverently steady besides the first wobble.
All I could hear inside of my head was 'she wasn't afraid'. And that confused me. Why wasn't she afraid? Everyone's terrified of me unless you're one of those creeps who is weirdly into me.
Sarah didn't hold my hand for long and returned hers to her side. Even with her calm, slow movements, my anxiety stayed beyond a healthy range. All of my muscles were taunt, ready to flee if someone declared me threat to anyone in the small group.
The mother could see this clear as day. William had to as well. My brain was going into overdrive and I had no clue on why. "It's alright, Azar. Would you like to come inside? I'm going to start dinner."
Now she's inviting me into her home for food. What's her game? I hesitantly shook my head and took a few steps back, nearly tripping over my tail. "No. You three should converse and what not. I don't want to get into middle of that," I stated and partially unfurled my wings to take off.
Lennox's land seemed to stretch out for many acres until trees blocked out another house off to the right of this place. Dark was soon to fall, giving me the perfect to cover. It would be better for me to give them space and do their family things. Having me in there would disrupt everything. God, I didn't belong here, under any circumstances.
Yet, she was persistent. "Darling, you won't get between us. I'm thankful you're here because if it wasn't for you, my sweet daughter wouldn't be standing here with us." Sarah stepped forward and placed a hand on my shoulder, looking me in the eye. This showed what she said is what she meant.
How was she not disgusted touching my scales? I respectfully bowed my head. "I'm glad to be of help." And that was a truthfully statement.
"Now, let me serve you something for dinner as thank you present." It was more of a statement compared to a questioned. She squeezed my shoulder before sliding her hand off, the tips of her fingertips gliding against my scales. Her daughter came next to me and grasped my hand in hers.
Her eyes begged me to stay, a familiar sight that I knew too well from a special red mech.
At the thought of him, my chest tightened, as if searching for the faint bond. Never in my life had I felt so alone. Being this far away made the connection teeter on the edge of it hurting. Thankfully, it was only uncomfortable, but something told me it was going to get worse.
"Alright, I'll stay. Thank you, Sarah." My attention turned back to the older female of the two. She smiled and motioned for us to follow her.
William said his farewells to Ironhide and walked hand in hand with his wife. Said woman thanked the hidden bot before taking any steps to the old house.
Upon entering, it smelled wonderful, like a real family house would. Tears oh-so wanted to build up in my eyes at the painful reminder of my own family. Goddammit Fate. She kept rubbing it in my face. And gods, did it hurt.
I scanned over the trinkets that fill the place and took note of a miniature fake dragon skull by the wide T.V. Anna did say she was into the supernatural. That would explain why she wasn't entirely afraid of the monster in her home.
Anna used our clasped hands to her advantage and dragged me towards the stair right to the door. "Come on, I wanna show you my rock collection!" Her parents laughed at my misfortune but did nothing to help me. I allowed for the smaller human to lead me up the stairs and to a room on the left.
The girl spread her arms out wide once we made it inside the room. "This is my room," she explained and hopped over a few toys and clothes strewn on the ground to a bright orange bed. Anna padded the spot next to her, a happy smile on her face. "This is my bed. I sure miss it. Those beds at Dad's work suck. Don't tell him I said that." I couldn't help the small chuckle that escaped.
"Don't worry, I said the same thing when I got to Aztec." I didn't think before I spewed that. I froze. Being here was a bad idea. I didn't belong here. The three have their own family and didn't need me causing chaos by being in their general vicinity.
"Were their beds just as bad as Daddy's?" she innocent questioned… or maybe she noticed and was trying to lighten the mood?
A solemn smile appeared on my face at the reminder. "Well, I don't know. I never stayed in the barracks at the base. I sleep in the Medical Bay. But my bed wasn't bad. I just wasn't used to such a soft mattress and I'm still not. I prefer the concrete than a mattress," I explained and followed her steps through the dirty room.
She 'oh'ed then went silent for a minute before springing up like something bit her. The kid moved over the stuff on the ground to a short dresser. It was covered in organic trinkets, though most of it was rocks. I did spot a few bones of different creatures within the group.
"This here is my rock collection with a few special things." Anna gingerly picked up a glass figurine and held it out in her palm for me to inspect. "Sunny gave this to me… The day before the Cons got a hold of me."
An instinct to comfort the saddened kid sprung up. I knelt in front of her and embraced her with my wings, drawing her close to me. My chest rumbled softly with a purr to soothe her. I set down the tablet against the wall and held her closer with my arms.
The figurine was held close to her, between the two of us. Her free hand was slung over my shoulder and her nails grazed over my scales, unable to do any damage.
A sob broke the silence. "Thank you," she repeated many times. "Thank you, thank you. You don't know how much I love you for saving me and Sunny. I wouldn't be with Mama or Daddy or Hidey or even Eppy."
I wasn't one for words and kept to myself, letting her say what she need to get out. All I could offer her was my presences to let her know she wasn't alone and that I was here to protect her. Children weren't my forte but this one… If she didn't have a loving, amazing family, she would've been mine within a heartbeat. She never deserved to be on that ship or taken away from her family.
We stayed like this, the kid letting out her fears and tears to me. Pride swelled in my chest from her trust and comfort with allowing me to know this of her.
When she did release me, Anna placed the figurine back in its original spot before grasping a femur bone. The kid held it out to me. A little suspicious and confused, I allowed her to drop it in my hand. I slowly look it over.
It was definitely found on the forest floor after over a year worth of decay. There were green spots and strips etched into the calcium. A few cracks gave it its older look. "I found that while Mamma and I went out camping together. Well, she spotted it first, but she let me keep it after we cleaned it."
She handed me another leg that was severely damaged and took the one I had. "Beebee found this one for me when he went on a mission. It was stuck in his armor and he decided to give it to me." And so forth.
The child continued on with a few different trinkets until the two of us were called for dinner.
Suddenly, my anxiety skyrocketed. How did they expect me to act? I sure could tell you that I had next to no table manners. But by the gods, was I hungry. After getting use to eating so much under Ratchet's rule, it was weird and strange.
Anna groaned then set her things back where they came from and grabbed my hand. "There's a free spot next to me. You can sit there if you want," she offered with a kind smile. I returned the gesture and dipped my head to accept. This excited her and motivated her to move faster downstairs.
We made it the table with little hassle besides the kid nearly tripping and falling down the stair. Thank my quick reflexes or else her face would've been smashed.
William and Sarah were conversing when we made it down but stopped once they spotted us. "Which one was your favorite?" The woman's voice seemed to be teasing me for some reason. I tilted my head, confused on what she meant. "Ann's collection." Oh, right.
"The wolf teeth," I answered, a little nervous on what the next half hour would hold. She smiled with a nod of her head respectfully and swept her hand towards the corner and kitchen.
"I didn't know what you would like so I went with meat," she stated, seeming like she just as nervous as me. Compassion swelled in my chest at her consideration. I dipped my head to silently thank her waited for everyone to take their before sitting at the only available spot.
Anna was the first to dig in, devouring her mother's food. Everyone else, including me, followed suit.
At the first bite, I moaned involuntarily and took another near mouth full of meat. The two adults laugh at my antics. "I know, right? Sarah's cooking is the best," William commented. One thing I knew not to do was speak with your mouth full unless you want to choke. So, to agree with him, I nodded my head excitingly.
But unfortunately, it reminded me of a life that was impossible at the moment. Fate is really rubbing Carolina Reaper pepper juice in the wounds.
Yet, I didn't let that control the situation and ate until the plate was nearly licked clean. After finishing up, I sat there, unsure what to do. Until Sarah spoke up. "Azar, you and Anna can head up to b-," she was rudely interrupted by a phone ringing.
William didn't waste a second zooming over to his phone and picking up to answer. "Hello? Everything alright?" Even though the person on other side was quite, I recognize it as Ratchet and felt worry bubbling in my chest. Was something wrong with the twins? Because I swear-. William's eyes met mine and the man dipped his as if Ratchet could see. "Okay, I'll let you talk with her."
The man held out the phone. "Ratchet wants to talk with you." Then he returned to his spot at the table and sent me a couple of glances.
I paid him little attention and held the phone up to my ear. "Ratchet? Is there a problem?"
"No but find a private place away from the humans." Hesitantly, I listened to him and went out the front door to stand on the porch. Ironhide had found a spot underneath the massive oak tree on the other side. Everything about him told me he was asleep. And even if he wasn't and hear parts of our conversation, I don't think he would care. "You in private area?"
"Yeah… is there something wrong with the twins?" I had to get it off my chest. Our connection had faded to the point I had to almost put all of my focus on it realize it was there. It worried me that being at such distance could leave the connection feeling this way, permanently.
Ratchet could be heard chuckling, only causing my taunt chest muscles to tighten even more. "No, Azar, everything is going well here. I wanted to check up on you to ensure your health is at tiptop shape. The twins reported they can't feel you per say and a little discomfort the further you got away. What about yourself? Are you having the same reaction?"
"More or less, probably at a heightened level. This distance and stress is causing my anxiety levels to rise. But nothing I can't handle. I've been through worse." The mech sighed after I quieted down.
"Azar, that's not I want though. If it's hurting, I want you to come back immediately. I'll have Hide drag you back if need be."
"Ratchet, I'm fine. It doesn't hurt nor do you have drag Ironhide into this. The mech is peacefully sleeping, it would be a shame to wake him." He scoffed at my words and mumbled under his breath. I shifted on my feet and rubbed subconsciously at my sternum.
"It would be a shame to embarrassingly drag you back to base…" He let that sink in for a moment. If he was standing before me, I would half-heartily bared my teeth at him in playful way. "But I'm a smart mech. You're lying. I swear, sparkling, you are going to be the offlining of me."
What? How? Maybe in person he would be able to tell but over the phone? Another time I underestimate the medic. "Overgrown toaster," I didn't entirely mean to say that out loud but oh well. "Fine, you caught me. It doesn't hurt, that's the truth. But it's on that fine line and I can tell it's only going to get worse over time. And I'm not a sparkling for the last time!"
On the other side, it sounded like he was messing with something's within his vicinity. "Well stop acting like one and I'll stop calling you one. But seriously, Azar, I want you to come back now. We don't have enough information to know if it's safe for you to be so far away."
This time, I scoffed at his words and leaned against the railing. "I'm fine, Ratchet. It's been less than two hours since I've been here. And how would you explain to William this predicament?"
"You can tell him one of the bullet wounds which you still have are festering. And I don't want to hear it, Azar. I'm your medical officer and you will listen." I scoffed once more and felt the familiar irritation shifting under my scales.
"I'm fine. I'll survive the next night and then we'll be back. Plus, William will get suspicious on you needing me back so soon… How about this? If it starts to hurt, I'll go back. I'll… I'll promise you that." Now I had to hope it didn't start doing what I fear it would do or else I would have to go back.
Silence was all that responded to me.
As I opened my mouth to ask him if he was still there, Ratchet finally spoke up. "You better follow through, sparkling. Even if it only hurts for a second, I don't want to risk anything. And if the twins start feeling any pain, I want you back immediately."
"Of course, Ratchet. I don't want to cause them any unneeded pain," I promised once more. Truth be told, I cared much more about them then about myself.
He grunted, a noise that didn't seem like himself, more like ol' Hide. "Of course, at the mention of those two ruckus makers, you are willing to do anything. What else did I expect?" I don't think I was meant to hear that or maybe he did want me to. "It's getting late for you humans, I'll let you go but I will have Hide check up on you. Don't go back on your promise, I'm keeping it."
Did he just dishonor me?! Stupid tin can. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. I'll talk to you when we back to base at our respected departure."
Ratchet grumbled some more under his breath, words I couldn't understand before the call ended. With a deep sigh, I stood there for a few extra moments before heading back inside.
At this time, the table had been mostly cleared. Sarah and William were in the kitchen cleaning up the dirty dishes. Anna sat on the couch watching some show all wrapped up in a blanket.
The door creaked when slowly closed behind me, alerting everyone inside that the phone call was over. William's eyes locked on mine, question and worry swirl in them. "Everything okay with you?" I nodded my head and made my way into the kitchen to set down the device.
"Yeah, he just wanted to know if anything was hurting. I shouldn't suspect to leave the base still injured without him hounding on me. Anyway," I waved my hand to act like I was brushing off his question, "what can I help with?"
Sarah smiled but shook her head. "Nothing, you and Anna can head up to her room."
"That won't be necessary. Thank you greatly for the offer but I'm going to decline. I don't sleep well on beds or in small areas. I'll take roost outside in that oak tree." The mother looked skeptical at me with a raised eyebrow before giving in.
She dipped her head in a short-lived defeat. "Alright but be careful. Please don't fall out and hurt yourself." I returned the gesture to acknowledge her words and headed towards the door but was stopped by a special girl.
Anna embraced my waist tightly. "Sleep good, Nighty. And don't let the bed bugs bite!" I chuckled and agreed with her.
"I won't let them. Good night to you too." With that, I headed back out the door towards the oak tree.
Ironhide quietly rested below its long limbs. To the human ear, you would think it was some normal vehicle. But to me, I could almost silently hear the hum of his spark. Everything else about him was silent, meaning he was still asleep. Or maybe that's what he wanted me to think.
I climbed without the use of my wings to a high branch off the ground. Through the leaves as I laid on my back stare upward, I spotted the stars and moon high above, a place, even with the extra appendages, I couldn't reach.
It didn't take long for the family in the house to settle down and sleep in their respected spots. I, on the other hand, just couldn't and blames it on the stupid connection. Without them, I felt so bare, so naked, so vulnerable to the outside world.
In a matter of months, here I was, falling in love with two alien robots.