Hello everyone! It appears this story isn't one of my most popular, but I still feel like typing it out when I get the chance. A lot of baby Cass is inspired by my first nephew who I call Toto (will not give his real name for multiple reasons). All of the sweet little noises he makes and cuddles he delivers goes into this story because I wanted to implement as much love as possible… Don't lump the angst in with it though, that's something else XD. Anyway, I hope someone is having fun with it because I do want to stick with it for a while. Enjoy!

Quick summary. Baby Cass is growing day by day, and his brother drones love taking turns caring for him. Especially the current lead drone Casper. Despite everyone's limited knowledge to Sparkling rearing, Cass appears to be thriving. But how long can that last?

Remember, don't be afraid to review and ask questions. I love to her from my readers and fellow fan writers! X3

WARNINGS: If you are not into yaoi, slash, or mech preg, please do not read then try giving me a hard time in the comments and reviews. You were warned on the opening tab, and you are being warned just now. So, if I'm not your cup of tea that's perfectly alright, but please don't be shitty about it.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own any stocks, trades, or licensing from the Transformers franchise. All rights are reserved for HASBRO entertainment.

MERCY

ORIGINS

Part 2

"Cass-Cass!" A little youngling sang in his bathtub while splashing around in diluted solution. "Play! Play Cass-Cass!"

"Alright, alright…" Vehicon Casper chuckled as he knelt beside the tub. He gingerly kissed the side of the Sparkling's helm before adding some makeshift toys into the small pool. "We only have a few minutes of play time my little Scraplet, then it's story time."

"Splish!" The little mech hardly payed any attention as he slapped his servos over the liquid surface. Thick droplets flew around his caretaker and Casper winced a moment when a large glob landed on his visor. He carefully wiped it away as his young companion continued to make a mess around the wash area. "Splish! Splish-splash!"

"That's right Caspian. Splish-splash." Laughter echoed through the room as splashes turned into bucket rinses, and giggles were exchanged for kisses. The few minutes that had been mentioned earlier turned into a half hour. Both mechs having so much fun they never noticed the solution was turning cold.

"Achoo!" Caspian sneezed, alerting Casper to his distress.

"Uh-oh. Are we getting cold?"

"Bbbbb…" The tiny mech mumbled and lightly shivered. "Bbbbb-ra-ra… Bbb-ra…"

Tiny bubbles collected around his oral cavity which his caretaker happily wiped away. With a damp cloth he gave Caspian's frame a once over before unplugging the tub drain. The harsh sound of liquid being pulled through a small vacuum startled the Sparkling. As he gasped, he clung to his brother's arm strut and held onto it for his function.

"Awww…" Casper sighed sweetly. "It's okay Cass. That drain is too small for you to fit in it."

"No…" Caspian understood his brother's reasoning but didn't want to take the risk of him somehow being wrong. So the shivering Sparkling shied away by burying his faceplate in Casper's forearm. "No Cass-Cass… Up."

"Okay my love… Just let me get your towel." It was an awkward reach for the tattered cloth that was somehow intact enough to call a towel. The little bitty thing stayed close to his brother with his tiny digits curling around the violet plating tightly. His grip loosened when Casper laced the cloth around him and pulled him out of the tub. "There, you're safe now. So hold still while I finish drying you off."

"Aba-ba-ba-ba-ba…" The sparkling babbled as the towel gently scrubbed around his metal and shook his little frame. The older mech lingered over Caspian with a wide smile. He laughed at the adorable sounds the sweet child made as finally swaddled him in his arms. The cloth was now damp, but it would be discarded once the young one was tucked into his berth. Which was an old Energon crate that was cut in half with a blow torch and stuffed with extra cushioning from the living area. It wasn't the best accommodation for a Sparkling, but it was better than a sharp stick in the optic. That and it appeared that the young model didn't seem to mind since he slept peacefully and comfortably every night.

Halfway down the halls to the recharging stations, a solitary yawn indicated that Caspian was not to far from slipping into his own recharge. His brightly colored irises twinkled through half closed optical shutters and he curled closer to Casper's bosom in search of more warmth. His guardian happily obliged by cradling Caspian in his larger servos and gently pulled him closer. He kissed the top of his young ward's helm and hummed adoringly. "I love you, my little scraplet."

"Did we have fun during bath time?" An Eradicon emerged from around the corner opposite Casper, and quietly tip-toed closer to the two of them. "Poor tyke, he's already about to nod off."

"Yes. Life for a newborn is so difficult." Casper whispered while he allowed his comrade to reach out for the tired little mech. Caspian smiled at the sight of a new friend and very sleepily reached out for him. "We were just on our way to bed now."

"I could take him for you if you like? I was on my way to tell you Peter dropped by."

"Peter is here?" It had been almost a month since Peter stopped by to check on Casper's crew and their newest member. Being Shockwave's number one errand drone was a tough task to juggle, but it seemed the flyer could have at least contacted his comrades through someone's commlinks. Or perhaps Casper was just giving gripe to Peter in his mind just to make up for his absence. An excuse to cover up how much he actually missed having him around. Shrugging his shoulders the lead drone handed the sleepy sparkling to the present Eradicon. "His story-pad is on the stand next to his berth. Could you read to him before leaving?"

"I would love to actually." The other drone chortled while snuggling Caspian in delight. "I feel so nostalgic reading those old stories and I would never say no to spending time with the bitty monster."

"Rwar, rwar…" Caspian warbled at the sound of his nickname, mimicking the multiple times the others made the same gesture around him.

"Very good little Cass. Roar, roar." The flyer patted the baby's rear and gently rocked him in place. "It's hush-hush time now…"

"Where is Peter now?" Casper asked as he grazed the back of his digits down Caspian's flushed cheek to silently say goodnight.

"He's in the back computer room in the living area. He's accounting this months progress." The Eradicon turned around slowly to walk away. "Better hurry if you want to catch him. I think he's almost finished. Say night-night little Cass."

"Ny-ny…"

"Good night my love…" The Vehicon twirled his digits in the air. "Don't stay up too late."

It was late and Peter was on the verge of hitting his helm against the consul below him. His workload was over stacked since it was the end of the mining season, and it was going to pick right back up again. Breaks for drones were far and in between, but this was at least going to be the longest running rest period. Two full months of time to each individual, but less for Peter since he was the accountant for the mines. He was the soul mech that traveled between all of the mines that were still functioning to tally all of their progress. However, the long task was a godsend compared to the place he would retire to when he was finished. Though Shockwave viewed him as one of the more competent drones, the shorter flyer still didn't appreciate the home setting that was waiting for him… Amongst other things.

Casper crept into the room quietly, careful not to startle the accountant while he was concentrating. He knew Peter would be aware of his presence when he closed the sliding door behind him. It was one of a few non-automatic doors in the facility, but also one of the heaviest, so it made a soft thundering sound when shut.

"Good evening." The grounder whispered, not completely sure why he found it necessary to do so, but he did. "Have you been here long Peter?"

"Hm." A mild reply from the quiet Eradicon and his silhouette barely twitching in the light of multiple computer monitors. Each screen showed a different graph or chart calculating the numbers of Energon that was either stored or recently extracted. Two charts stood out to Casper that sadden him terribly. Distribution between the war effort and the drones future rations wasn't anything close to equal, and this meant another resting season where some would have to do without. He sighed as he stepped forward and slipped his servos over Peter's shoulders. Gently the long digits caressed and delicately massaged against the softer parts of the metal and sensitive mesh. The gesture was unexpected but appreciated since he had been working in front of screens in a dark room for almost forty-eight hours. It was giving the accounting mech a terrible ache in his struts, so upon every pinch he softly moaned while leaning into the circling over his joints.

"This is going to be a rough one…" Casper glanced over the formats with worry glazing his optical visor. "We have even less stock then last season."

"I haven't finished yet." Peter leaned forward and curled his helm in the crook of his arms. This was the first time he felt relaxed in ages and it showed through his eagerness to be caressed more. "Oh… There will be a higher number when I'm done… But I think it's time for a break."

His companion was way ahead of him in that regard he subspaced his mask, and, bent forward to kiss the back of Peter's neck-cables. His dermas pursed and grabbed at the sensitive mesh between the base of the flyer's helm and the back of his collar. Peter purred sweetly from all attention he had been deprived of for almost a year and it made his frame rumbled. He and Casper had been beneficial partners for some time, but there was hardly enough time to even think about holding each other much less anything more. There was very little time now, but both mech's were aware that this was going to be the best they would get. Spontaneous yes, and it appeared to add a little bit of excitement to the atmosphere.

Casper growled gently as his helm slipped around Peter's neck then began to lick the tip of the audio fin. He started to focus on the sensitive equipment with admiration and started whispering sweet nothings in tandem of his servos traveling around warming metal. "Is tonight going to be the first time I see your faceplate? I bet you optics are as beautiful as your kind soul."

"Mm… No… I'm sorry but no…" Peter replied and sat up in his seat. This position made it easier for the grounder to dig his digits into seams with delicate cabling. The Eradicon didn't like taking off his mask, but he did have a sliding feature installed so he could expose his oral cavity when needed. "I'm not ready to reveal all that I am… Not yet."

"It's fine… Trust is never always given fully right off the bat, but I am honored I have the majority of it." Casper curled his helm around and kissed the newly exposed lip-plates. Gradually, he slipped his glossa past Peter's dental plates and selfishly suckled on the flyer's tongue. "Hmmm… You are delicious. I did not know how much I hungered for you until now."

"Ah… Come closer than my friend…" Peter reached around Casper's helm and pulled him back down for more stimulation. Every nip and caress leaving both drone's burning for more from each other. "Get your fill… But don't forget to pay back what is given."

"Always…"

They parted only a moment so Peter could stand. He turned around quickly so he could pull him in close again. The tables turned on the Vehicon and happily so since Casper actually preferred to be the valve mech. Even so, he was not by any means submissive about it. His servos cradled around the violet plating that began to heat under his hands and he hissed into a newfound kiss. It was a bit rough, but it was just the right amount that Casper was eager to consume. Peter was just as eager to deliver while he exchanged kisses and touches.

There was a table in the far corner opposite of the door, and the two drones clumsily waltzed back towards it. They slowed again so Peter could lift the Vehicon up by his waist, then set him on the table. The flyer rested between Casper's legs and smiled up at him. The look in the grounder's light red optics glistened brightly through a thick blue blush, and he also smiled just as wickedly. Though they were technically not lover's any longer; both deciding they shouldn't have that kind of attachment in the middle of a war, they still found solace in each other's embrace. Meeting every so often to be close and have someone to keep them warm during cold nights or help them feel safe when feeling lonely. They were both adult mechs after all, and they both had needs from time to time.

"Oh!" Casper gasped when Peter's digits dug into his hip seems, making him throw his helm back when electricity trilled up his spinal struts. "P-Peter! Right there…! Yes…!"

"Shhh…" His friend shushed him as he grinded his warming paneling against Casper's. "Not so loud… The others can still hear us."

"Don't stop…!" The desperate grounder pleaded softer this time. "I don't care if you hear that door sliding open behind you, just…! Just please don't stop…!"

Good thing Peter didn't make any promises, because as soon as Casper said such a proclamation, someone knocked on the door. The pounding sound startled both lead drones, but the flyer had a goal in mind, and was keen to keep going. "Uh-uh! Go away right now! I'm on a roll… Counting and… Other things!"

His partner laughed in his throat thinking how adorable Peter is when he gets flustered and was hushed again when his giggling got a little too loud. The good vibes were not built to last as the pounding got louder and more intense. There was a muffled voice behind the thick door that sounded familiar, but also sounded terrified. Both mechs took a few moments to pause and question what to do next, but when they realized whoever was knocking on the door wasn't leaving it was a clear sign that their fun was over.

"Someone had better be dying—!" Peter griped as he flung the door open but was given little to no room to say much else. Another Eradicon practically flew past him to get to Casper. The Vehicon gasped when the anxious drone clung to his arm and started tugging on his strut.

"Lead Casper! You need to come quick!" The second Eradicon cried. "It's Caspian! Something isn't right!"

Not a second was wasted, and all three mechs ran down the hall sprinting as if Unicorn was at their heels. Casper was ahead of them, so he was the first to reach the sparkling's berth side. The drone that alerted them to the young one's distress was right to be concerned, because Casper could feel the heat in Caspian's frame radiate from merely feet away. The Sparkling shivered as he was raked with chills through his tiny body. His face was flushed blue from fever and his oral vents labored in all attempts to gain cold fresh air. It was obvious Caspian was ill, but from what, no one could tell.

"Coooo~ld…" The Sparkling moaned, giving Casper and Peter a sense that the young model was still alert. There was that at least and it made Peter feel a little more at ease. The Vehicon now holding the tiny mech was very close to panic, but with as much restraint he had left he quickly wrapped Caspian in his blanket.

"Gibson! Run to the den and gather more blankets! Then get a warm bottle of low-grade and mix it with zinc and add two drops of high-grade if you can find any!"

The second flyer was out the door before Peter could say anything else, but now that he thought about it, there really wasn't much more to add. He was even impressed with how well Casper took charge and new as much as he did. Peter definitely couldn't remember teaching him about the zinc or high-grade.

"Hush little one…" Casper pulled the shaking child close to his metal and internally turned up his own internal temperature gage. "You're just having a cold spell… I used to get those a lot too when I was younger."

"I don't know if this is a cold spell or not Casper." Peter laced his wing strut around his friend's shoulder and crouched down to provide more heat for their sweet ward. "I'm not sure what this is, but cold spells are not usually this… Extensive."

"There isn't anything else we can do…" The distraught Vehicon covered Caspian's audios and optics with one servo. He didn't want the little one to hear the desperation in his vocals or see the optical fluid collect in his optics. "If he is really sick then… Then what…?"

"We will do everything we can." A cheap answer, but it was the only one the accountant could provide. "We will have to monitor him for a week or two and make sure his condition doesn't worsen. Caspian is very young, which means it is easy for him to get sick, but just as easy for him to recover if well taken care of. He is loved and adorned here, so his chances of getting better are good."

"And… If he doesn't…?"

"You can't think that way—."

"But if he doesn't improve then what?!" Casper didn't mean to shout and in doing so he upset the Sparkling he was frantically cradling against his bosom.

"Wah-whaaa…?!" Caspian cried and shivered in fright. "Cass-Cass…?! Ungh! Cass-Cass?!"

"Sh-sh-sh-sh… Hush my love…" Peter reached under Casper's arms with his opposite arm and tightened his hold around his companion. His embrace was the right move on his part, and it helped calm both big Cass and little Cass. "We will take good care of you my dearest… You are in good servos."

"But…" Casper whispered this time, but his tears were not held with any restraint. "But we have so little for even ourselves… What then when we have nothing to provide?"

"We will… Cross that bridge when we come to it… And…"

"And what…?"

Peter sighed on a heavy, drawn out intake and nuzzled his helm against Casper's comfortingly. No point in being delicate about the situation when there was a high chance in flyer's mind that Caspian was going to need the final alternative. "If Caspian doesn't improve… We might need to take him to Shockwave and reveal his existence."

-END-