If you guys haven't heard, the rewritten version of The Time of Night is Midnight is out! I will post chapters every Friday, if I remember.
The red and orange flickers of the fire were the only source of light out by the fire pit. A cold Diet Pepsi sat in the cup colder of my fold up chair, a quarter of it gone. Dominick, Zeke, Talia, Jazz, Crosshairs and Bumblebee had joined me about an hour earlier when the sun was still shone barely.
All of us were relaxing after a hard day of work. The ex-military man had a beer in hand, so did Talia. He was on his third though and she scarcely taking drinks of hers. The only wife in the group was probably the driver for her husband and friend, meaning she couldn't drink much; good for her. Zeke had not taken up my offer of a beer and kept to a Coke Cola.
Off to the side, Jazz was holding the toddler of Zeke and Talia while keeping her busy. The mech in disguise acted like a natural for taking care of young kids, including Annabelle.
One bot that I didn't like much had to join us due to him being the guardian of Dom. Crosshairs sat off of to the side on the hood of his alt. mode and randomly sent glares in my direction. What was his problem?
Bee had been staring intently into the fire for the past five minutes, as if memorized by the flames. Zeke noticed this and sat forward in his seat, elbows resting on his knees. "Bumblebee, you're going to ruin your eyes by doing that," Zeke warned and took a sip of his Coke.
The yellow scout snapped out of his dazed state and gazed up at him. For some odd reason, Bee declined getting a chair to sit on and sat down in front of the fire. At first I didn't notice him staring at the flames but it finally caught my attention. "But it's so pretty to look at. How can you not look at it?" I mentally awed at his cute antics and hid any of those emotions off of my face.
"Because I need twenty-twenty vision as a Game Warden. Plus, I'd rather not be blind too." Yes, those two are very good reasons on why not to stare into the fire. Dom, thought, decided to join in and play along with Bumblebee.
He stood from his chair and sat down next to him. His eyes locked onto the fire and tears immediately formed in his eyes. Idiot. "Yes, fire good and pretty to stare at," Dom stated and fought against taking his gaze off the fire. I shook my head, slightly annoyed, but knew this was all fun and games. Well it was until someone shoots the cat.
Dom took it a step further and moved his hand towards the fire. I reacted immediately by grabbing his shoulder and yanking him back. He fell back and landed on his back with a surprised noise. I knew he's not that stupid to actually touch the fire but my instincts reacted first. "Idiot, why would you think it would be a good idea to touch something that can cause severe damage to you?" I decided to play along in this 'game'.
"Fire," he stated the obvious and pointed at the flickering flames. "I wanna touch." An idea came to mind while sitting in my folding chair. My eyes glanced over at the two dogs lounging on the ground.
"Kodiak, come, please." The black husky mix stood to his paws at the command and trotted over to me, seeming ready for the next one. I scratched his stomach and got him all worked up for a special reason. He needed to be completely focused on me or this could end not-so-well. "Kodiak, Schrecken! Schrecken, Kodiak."
Kodiak reacted nearly immediately. He turned around and faced the closest person to him which was Dom. His close to pearly white canines shone in the fire light. A deep growl rumbled in his chest and he released a bark.
The look on Dom's face was priceless, he was scared shitless of the dog listening to my command. Dom scrambled away from the fire and the two of us and kept his distances. "Not cool, Brey. Not cool." I quieted Kodiak down and released him so he could do whatever he wanted. Vivian got up from her spot and followed her brother to wherever on the property.
"You know he wouldn't attack you," I said sweetly and took a sip of my Diet Pepsi. Dom continued to glare at me with a butt hurt look and sat down in the chair meant for Bee. "He's a sweety. He would never hurt a fly." Well, if it was for my protection then he would bite the shit out of someone.
We fell back into a comfortable silence besides the quiet electro swing coming from Jazz's alt. mode. Said mech had finally gotten the small child in his arms to fall asleep. Addison was adorable when asleep, no one could argue that.
Bee gained attention by groaning and tipping his head back dramatically. His gaze turned to me with an annoyed expression on his face. "Sides and Sunstreaker, mostly Sides, request urgently to call them back. They said they've been trying to get a hold of you." Oh. I went to grab where my phone is usually in my pants pocket and realized it wasn't there.
Then, I remembered that I had left it purposely in the house to disconnect from that stuff. "Tell them I'll call them before I go to sleep," I requested and leaned back in my chair to savor the quiet moment.
Moments like these rarely come and are gone the next second, take them up while you can. That's the life of a Game Warden. It's nice to be able to relax with friends and have a drink by a warm fire.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Talia glance at her husband in confusion. I noticed that Bee didn't have a phone out to look like they had texted him. She doesn't know of the whole mess we got ourselves mixed up into. Gladly, Talia seemed to brush it off and push it to the back of her head.
"They aren't going to like that," he responded. Well, they can suck it up and go on for the rest of the day. Of course, I didn't that and instead shrugged to show it didn't bother me. I was finally realizing they worry extremely over my safety (they took me to the base without permission and locked me in their room) and probably have anxiety about the situation.
Again, silence took over us. The star above the little town of Jay shone brightly with the sliver of a moon to accompany them. I took a big sigh, taking in all the wonderful scents of the forest, and released. Life was going good, and I wanted it to continuing going that way. I believed I finally deserved after all that has been thrown at me, literally.
The seven of us, Crosshairs barely included himself in our small group, made small talk. Talia and I having our girl talk, mostly about the hot actors of new movies. Zeke and her trust each other very much and won't get jealous if the other talks about another person.
This meant we could talk about Tom Hiddleston, RDJ, Jeremy Renner and all those people as much as we want. Because, hot damn! Call a police and a fireman! Those men are stunning to gaze at.
When the fire decreased in size and light with the time getting further in the night, I called it a night for all of us. All of us had to work tomorrow and need our sleep to function somewhat correctly. Zeke had switched out from his Coke to a beer and wasn't able to drive anyone home. Talia was the designated driver of the group anyhow.
I waved goodbye to the three pairs taillight's retreating on the dirt path before saying good night to Bee and heading into my house. The dogs followed me in after emptying their bladder and headed up to my room. I trudged up the stairs and heard the familiar buzz of my phone. Right, need to call the twins before they blow a gasket, possibly literally.
On the screen, it showed me seventeen text messages from the two of them. Three of them were from Sunstreaker, telling me to please answer to calm his brother's antics. The rest were from Sides who was acting like half worrying parent, the other half being a kid on a sugar rush. How these two have not gotten themselves killed in battle is beyond me?
That's when I partly realized I was changing: I didn't care much about his 'hovering' attitude with the text messages. I was getting comfortable with his antics and couldn't care much. I sighed before returning Sides a call knowing he's going to be… well himself. What else did I expect?
"Brey! Hey! How's it going?" He did sound like a kid on a sugar rush! What did he get himself into now? That's the first question that came to mind. "I really, really wish you here with us. I already miss you. I may have not been onlined when you slept on my chassis but I missed those moments. Ratchet says there's a small possible chance I'll be released to the field in a week or so."
A soft and gently smile graced my lips even though he couldn't see it. "It's going good. Yeah, I guess I could I say I miss the two of you also. Bee's fun to hang around with though so nothing to complain about that. A week, sounds quick, it's only been about a week since your run-in."
"Wait! I remembered what Lennox told me! Are you okay? Did Barricade hurt you? Because if he did, I'm going to shove my blade so far up his aft-" I stopped him before he could get more graphic.
"I'm alright. Everything is sorted and fine. But let's not dwell on that."
"'Not dwell on it?' The Con that kidnapped you and threw you in the air to go splat on the ground contacted you! And you helped him! That's what I don't get."
"Sides, I'm tired after having to deal with an accident and don't want to argue with you."
"Squishie, I'm agreeing with my brother here and just as confused as him."
"Sunstreaker, please. I'll call you guys and talk about this when I have time. Or when you are able to go beyond the base. I'm tired and in need of some sleep. Please, don't argue with me and leave this call on a bad note."
Quiet from the line for a few moments. I hoped they would leave this alone and let it all blow off, maybe even forgetting it. I'm not the one for facing my problems and usually ran; that's one thing my mother taught me. "Fine, but we won't let this go so easily," Sunstreaker responded with a hardened tone.
"Thank you. Now if you excuse me, I have a nice comfortable bed to sleep on with two adorable puppies. Sleep good and don't let the bed bugs bite."
"But my chassis was better to sleep on, right? I bet it was." I rolled my eyes with the corners of my mouth tipping upward and hung up on him. Five seconds later, a text from said bot was received of him complaining about me hanging up.
Now, I had something to look out for: the elephant in the room.
A week has past, during that entire time I have purposely ignoring the calls and texts from the twins. I still didn't have a plan on how to handle the situation and was slightly running from it.
Bumblebee has been reporting to them about me since they've been worried about me. They really want me to answer the phone. Even Sunstreaker was calling and texting more the longer I don't answer.
Said scout and I were resting outside in the sun and soaking in the heat. Surprisingly, it was warmer than last week, which was down in the forties and fifties. Today, it's about in the fifties and sixties.
Out of nowhere, his holoform perked up and he snapped his gazed at me. "You're in trouble," he stated with a hint of fear in his eyes. I gave him a 'what do you mean?' expression and stood up from my chair, not liking the somewhat threat. "The Terror Twins have been given back their privilege to leave the base. And don't sound very happy about you ignoring them." Shit, this wasn't good.
Usually, it took about thirty minutes to get to the base but they'll most definitely speed. I began to pace as my brain thought over anyway too delay the inevitable. "There's not going to be a way to stop them, Brey. They worry about the ones they love and will protect them. You're in that circle. What I suggest is let me rant and get it out of their systems." Thanks a lot Bee, totally a great idea. Note the sarcasm heavy in that sentence.
Instead of fretting over it, I stopped pacing, took a deep breath, and nodded my head to calm myself. "I can do this." I turned my gave over to the holoform and tipped the corners of my lips up. "Thanks Bee. We just need to smooth something's over." He cringed and gave me an apologetic expression.
"Good luck with them. Optimus and Ratchet know how much of a servoful they can be." That's an understatement. For the somewhat small time I have known them, they have made that into an everyday thing when I'm with them. Sides the one who is usually the crazy one; sometimes Sunstreaker can be but mostly stays calm with the occasional fretting he does.
They are both caring and kind towards me and make sure that I'm doing fine in this strange and messed up relationship. They allow me to take my time in getting use to the two of them. For us humans, it's not a normality to have two partners, or in general more than more.
There's nothing truly to complain about them. Sides and Sunstreaker have their own personalities. They don't scare me that much anymore, either. The occasional touch my shoulder or hand without me paying attention to it will cause me to jump in reaction. That reaction was kind of is intergraded into my brain, it can't be helped.
So, in the end, I'll have to face them and let them rant about me ignoring me. Yeah, that was a dick move to do so and there isn't an excuse. I turned to Bee after going through my thoughts. "I'll be inside when they show up. Could you please tell them?" I questioned and whistled for the dogs. The two come bounding over to me and wait by my side, ready to follow me.
"Yeah, of course. You know, though, they'll be resuming their guardianship over you now since they're free from the base."
"Oh, dang. You were fun to hang around with, and sweet." I spread my arms out in an invitation for a hug from him. "Come one, give me a hug. Oh, and if the twins give you a hard time, tell me. You did well and have done nothing wrong."
A joyful smile made its way to his face. He took the offer and hugged me tightly. "Thanks, you were an easy charge compared to a teen I had to guard." I gave him a questioning expression. He raised his hand with a shake of his head. "It's a long story. Anyway, good luck and sit tight. You're going to have an earful."
We parted ways, him disappearing into shimmer of sparkles, and I heading back to my house with the dogs in tow. My nerves had calmed down even thought they weren't that bad out of control.
I sat down on the love seat with my shoes off, lied down, and put my feet on the arm rest. With a press of the remote, the T.V turned on and began playing the last channel it was on. The dogs went somewhere else in the house and left me to my own devices. Now it was a waiting game until the twins show up.
Not even seven or so minutes later, the powerful engines could be heard racing down the pothole covered driveway. Both of the dogs came rushing towards the door and crowded around. I only shook my head and returned to watch Murder Mysteries.
The two outside came to a screeching stop by the sounds of it and shut off their engines. Next the door was slammed open and here came the Terror Twins with their holoforms. The dogs took the opportunity to outside and left this to the adults. Sides opened his mouth to say something but I raised my hand to stop him. "Before you guys start, have a seat."
On the outside, I was calm, collect and knew what to do in this situation. It was the complete opposite internally. My heart was beating hard against my rib cage, my palms were sweaty, and my thoughts were all over the place. It going to be okay, they won't hurt.
Sides furrowed his eyebrows and glanced at his brother, confusion clear on his face. His brother shrugged and followed through with my suggestion. The red twin sighed with a pout and sat down next to his brother. "Care to explain why you didn't answer any of our calls or texts? Specially after we were informed by Lennox that fragging Barricade contacted you."
"We also learned a little bit more that you helped him! He fragging nearly killed you and you decided to help him. Please give a good pit reason on why you did that," Sides grounded out and stood up in anger. A scowled etched into his face with rage in his eyes. I lied there, unbothered by his words or action.
"Keeping your word, honesty. I'm all about honesty and loyalty to the bone. Optimus has shown that he is a bot of his word but sent people out to track Barricade. Yes, I know it's beyond my place to be even here, talking with you but shit happens. I'm here and well, I might as well help when possible. Your leader went against what he said and that's what pissed me off. I had a chat with Wild Bill and had everything settled."
"Primus, if we didn't like you as much as we do…" Sides trailed off and hissed lowly.
"Well, I guess I'm the lucky one," I growled and glared in the slightest at him. "I don't want to fight; it gets you nowhere and makes everything worse in the long. Just know I did this because I believed it was the right thing to do. That's my reasoning."
Sunstreaker stood up, walked over to me, and peered down at me. "Sit up," he ordered and left no room for an argument. I did what I was told and kept our eyes locked onto each other. He kneeled down in front of me and grabbed my hand.
The mech made no noise and had his head bent down. Then, he broke the somewhat silence in the room. "Aubrey," now this had to be serious," we care about you deeply and have told you multiple times. You're the only other person that I'll admit I care about. Think about your actions with the people in your life before you fulfill them. Barricade is dangerous, he nearly killed you and that's what gets our wires twisted."
His words made me think. I had never been this close with someone in my life; I had always stuck to myself because I rarely disappoint myself and could trust myself. You don't know someone's true thoughts or extensions before it's too late. I had learned that at an early age in life.
I sighed and dipped my head, not bothering make eye contact with them. Time to reveal a little bit more in my life. Trust, throw them a little trust and see what they do. And what they are doing is the complete opposite of what I thought they were going to do. "My brother and I were taught at a young age you couldn't trust anyone besides yourself. Not even each other."
"He stayed to his side and me to my own. Though, if our mother got really out of hand, we would protect each other. I never really had any friends, couldn't bring myself up to trusting any of them. You're lucky to be even able to touch me." Sunny looked down at our hands and loosened his hold which I grabbed on tighter, not wanting him to let go.
"My mother struck the fear of men into me. I was already an introvert and didn't like people one bit but she didn't help one bit. She brought over horrible, nasty, evil men to our home and bad things always happened to her. Then she'll act like she's the victim to get money or pity from others. It was really sad to watch but after time, my brother and I told each other she earned."
"She brought in those men and was asking to hit or abused by them. She came to us during the times where the boyfriend was gone and wanted comfort from her 'troubles'. God, I still hate that women to this day. For all I know, she's dead. We don't care though, she pushed us away." Talking about what she had done to us didn't bother me much anymore. I've grown numb to it and don't care about it either.
"That's why I act on edge with a man in the room. Sometimes Lennox, Dom, or Zeke will scare me if they do something I don't like… Wait, how did we start with talking about Barricade then get into my back story?" I laughed at the situation and gazed into Sunstreaker's eyes.
Neither of them talked and seemed to be processing everything that I had said. "Sorry for dumping that all on you." Sides shook his head quickly and kneeled down next to his brother.
"Don't, we're glad you decided to expose some of your past to us. But since the argument has been settled, kind of, let's go cuddle! We haven't had the opportunity to because someone ignored our calls and texts."
I glanced at the clock above where they were sitting and furrowed my eyebrows. "Sides, it's only eleven in the morning. It's too early to go to bed."
"It's never too early to cuddle. Also who said we were snuggling in your berth."
"The couch? Yes, let's totally put three grown adults on a small couch." Sarcasm was heavy in my voice.
"We can make it work, right Sunny?" Sides received a whap from his brother due to calling him that nickname. Ha, I was the lucky one that I don't get smacked for the nickname. "Hey! You don't sock Brey for calling you that but you hit your lovely brother? That's sibling abuse!" Sunstreaker pushed him away.
Sides fell to the side and gave a butt hurt look. "Meanie. Brey, back me up." I shook my head and raised my arms up in a surrendered way.
"I'm not getting in between you or picking sides. You are all on your own." After that, we somehow fitted three people on a small love seat couch and it was comfort. An A plus for us for figuring it out.