A lot of people seem to be under the impression that Ironhide is beginning to warm up to Starfall. I assure you he is not. He's trying to for Optimus's sake, but old grudges die hard. Any resolution in that sector is still quite a few chapters away.
Chapter Six: Reminisces
Skyfire had never been in the Prime's domicile before but it fit his expectations of Optimus and Ironhide's style of interior decorating: simple but sturdy. If there was anything ostentatious about their penthouse dwelling it was simply the size of the place. It was so large Skyfire actually felt comfortable to move around without having to worry about accidentally bumping into something or stooping to keep his helm from hitting the ceiling. As a scientist, Skyfire wasn't concerned with wealth or the display of it. His own domicile was standard sized - meaning it was slightly small for a mech his size - and mostly filled with scientific data pads and half-finished research projects he'd taken home with him. The only thing he envied Optimus and Ironhide for was the bank of floor-to-ceiling windows that lined the entire side of the main living area. A sweeping vista of Iacon's nightscape stretched away towards the horizon in every direction. Just the sight of it made Skyfire want to go outside on the balcony and let the wind buffet his wings.
But Skyfire hadn't accepted Optimus's invitation to their apartment to appreciate the view. He had come to wring every last nano-klick of time he could out of his reunion with the reincarnated sparkling of his best friend. Said sparkling sat beside him on the lounge, showing him the newest additions to his personal collection of data pads.
Skyfire couldn't help but indulge Starfall by ooh-ing and ahh-ing appreciatively over them. The sight of Starfall's optics lighting up with delight at his reactions made the last fifty-six vorns of loneliness since he last saw Starscream almost feel worth it. It was physically painful at times how much Starfall reminded him of Starscream. Starfall's facial expressions, his intelligence, his very presence reminded Skyfire so much of his lost friend. It was only little things that reminded Skyfire that Starfall was not the same mech he'd last seen shackled in stasis-cuffs in a maximum security prison. Where Starscream had been quick-tempered and scornful, Starfall was shy and humble. Where Starscream had been dismissive and antagonistic, Starfall practically begged for someone to love him. It was all Skyfire could do not to scoop Starfall into his arms, clutch him to his cockpit and whisper how much he'd missed him and never let him go again.
He forced himself to maintain his composure. As Optimus had warned him, Starfall seemed to remember nothing from his previous format. Skyfire was sure most of Starfall's interest in him stemmed from the fact that he was the only other mech Starfall had ever met with wings. But that didn't stop Skyfire from secretly indulging in the fantasy that buried somewhere deep in Starfall's processor some subconscious memory of his and Starscream's time together still remained - untouched by Vector Sigma and waiting like some kind of implanted homing beacon to someday be reactivated and lead him back into Skyfire's arms.
Skyfire wished he could test to see how much more Starfall was like Starscream but didn't dare. He would not be the one to break Optimus's oath of secrecy, nor would he do anything to compromise Starscream's second chance at a peaceful life. Whatever he could do, he would to see to it that Starfall had the best chance he could to live his life unburdened by the same hardships and pain Starscream had, or the losses and grief that had warped him into the mech so many would have been glad to see executed after the end of the war. When he had woken up on Earth in the middle of a war he had never even known begun, he could barely recognize Starscream anymore. Vindictive, treacherous and cruel, he was no longer the mech Skyfire had left Cybertron with on a scientific mission.
To have Starscream back now as an innocent sparkling, Skyfire wondered if being reformatted through Vector Sigma hadn't been Starscream's only option for a second chance after all. Tainted by bitterness, injustice, pain, and death Starscream had been too scarred both mentally and in his spark to try and go back to being the same mech he'd been before fate had separated Skyfire from him. Only through Vector Sigma could he have had a true fresh start. Despite the loneliness and grief he'd suffered over the vorns since convincing Starscream to accept Optimus's proposal, Skyfire - for the first time - felt nothing but gratitude for the Matrix-bearer and his offer for a second chance. If it hadn't been for Optimus Skyfire never would have been able to see Starscream again.
"These are very nice, Star," he said, scrolling through the newest data pad Starfall held out to him for inspection. "Have you read this one yet?"
Starfall shook his head. "No. I'm going to have dad read it to me once we're done with 'Circuit Breaker's Maze.' We should finish that one in a few nights."
Optimus sat across from them on the other lounge, watching them. The corners of his optics were crinkled at the corners from what could only be a smile behind his battle mask. "Star might be an accomplished reader, but he still enjoys being read to before recharge," he explained. He gazed at the sparkling beside Skyfire fondly. "If truth be told, I've found the habit to be very rewarding. It gives Star and me a chance to relax together after a hectic day."
"No one ever read to me when I was in the hatchling facility," Starfall said. He shuffled the stack of data pads he'd brought out to show Skyfire between his hands like a thick deck of cards. "I like the way dad reads. He does voices for different characters."
Skyfire laughed. He found the mental image of Optimus Prime - the most powerful mech of their race - doing a dramatic reading of a children's story for his son's amusement endearing. It made Optimus seem more like a normal mech and not an aloof dignitary he so often had to portray himself as in the public realm.
Behind Optimus, Ironhide was busying himself in the kitchenette unit. Skyfire suspected he was preparing himself a cube of high grade. Since he met up with Skyfire and Optimus at the party, Ironhide had been extremely quiet. Skyfire inwardly frowned. As a scientist, Skyfire was skilled at observation. Over the course of the orn he had gotten the very distinct impression that Ironhide was not pleased with the addition of Starfall to his and Optimus's family unit. He couldn't overlook the way Ironhide never seemed to look at Starfall, or the way Starfall never tried to seek Ironhide's attention like he did with everyone else. It was like the two had come to some unspoken agreement to ignore each other unless absolutely necessary.
Skyfire was at a loss for what to make of the Prime family's social dynamic. Optimus obviously loved Starfall like a son. There was no question about that. But Ironhide… Ironhide was more of a puzzle. Skyfire didn't know what to make of his quiet hostility towards Starfall. Skyfire knew the weapons specialist had disliked Starscream during the war, but surely he knew the worst of Starscream's less desirable traits had been erased by Vector Sigma. Surely he did not still bear Starfall any residual hatred, because that would be ridiculous. Starfall was an innocent sparkling with no way of knowing about his past. Skyfire knew Ironhide was not a cruel bot, but neither was he warm and fuzzy. Ironhide was notoriously stubborn and known to hold grudges, especially if he thought he or his loved ones were being threatened. If anything, Ironhide seemed to merely tolerate Starfall's presence out of respect for Optimus.
All in all, it was a very confusing, worrisome family setting Skyfire found Starfall entrenched.
Skyfire handed the data pad back to Starfall, which the sparkling traded for yet another. Skyfire found Starfall's presentation of his data pads charming. Starscream had always been possessive of his things but loved to show them off when given the opportunity - most notably his collection of data pads. In his former existence, those data pads had been scientific journals and military histories, not old legends and sparkling stories. But the trait was still there. Although housed in a different body, a part of Skyfire's old friend still existed.
As Skyfire obligatorily scrolled through the newest data pad, Starfall vented a tired intake of air. Flickering his optics to refocus them, the sparkling edged closer to Skyfire on the lounge and leaned against his side, letting his frame relax against the larger mech's. Skyfire stilled, startled by the sudden closeness. Tentatively, he let his arm curl around Starfall to hug him closer. He could feel the seekerlet's sparkpulse thrum against his fuselage, heavy and slow. It reminded him of nights long ago when Starscream would press himself against his side as they lay beside each other on a berth, listening to the cooling pings of their engines as they cycled down to sleep.
It was in that moment that Skyfire finally let himself believe Starscream had truly returned to him. The surge of warmth that constricted his spark at the realization was almost painful in its intensity.
"You're getting tired, aren't you, Star?" Optimus knowingly observed from the other lounge. He glanced at the chronometer on the other side of the room. "It's way past your recharge time. You're running on nothing but vapors now."
Starfall shook his helm. Despite his best attempt to refocus his optics, he drooped heavier against Skyfire's side. "I'm not tired," he lied in a slurred mumble.
"Time for recharge," Optimus insisted. He stood from the lounge and motioned Starfall to him. "Say goodnight to Skyfire. It's time to get you onto a berth."
Starfall petulantly shook his helm. "But I don't wanna." He leaned heavier into Skyfire's side. Skyfire couldn't bring himself to aide Optimus in trying to coax Starfall away. He would have been more than happy to let Starfall fall asleep right there on the lounge with him, curled against his side.
"Star," Optimus said. His tone was patient but stern. "You can see Skyfire again later. I promise. But right now it is time for recharge."
"Listen ta Optimus," Ironhide brusquely joined the conversation. He held a cube of high grade in his hand as he came up behind Optimus's lounge. "Don't make him hafta tell yeh ta go ta bed again."
Starfall immediately went quiet. He seemed to shrink back against Skyfire's side. Warily eyeing Ironhide he muttered a sullen, "Okay."
Skyfire at first didn't know how to react. He had picked up on minute hints throughout the day that Ironhide was not thrilled with Starfall's presence, but the utter lack of warmth he addressed Starfall with shocked the scientist. Ironhide sounded like he was addressing some new recruit the first day of boot camp or a stranger, not his son. The fact that Starfall didn't even try to cajole Ironhide also thrummed a chord of discomfort inside Skyfire. From what he'd seen of Starfall's personality thus far, the little sparkling did not seem to be one to immediately admit defeat when he was denied something. If anything, he seemed unconsciously adept at swaying others to his will with his innocent charms - another leftover trait of Starscream's? The fact that he didn't even try to persuade the former weapons specialist made Skyfire uneasy. Did Starfall not feel comfortable around Ironhide? Did he feel threatened? Skyfire did not believe for a nano-klick that Starfall was in any kind of physical danger from Ironhide - Ironhide would never harm a child, former Decepticon or not - but there were still many ways to wound a person other than with one's hands. In all likelihood Ironhide didn't even realize how sharp he sounded towards Starfall.
Skyfire did not let any feelings show on his facial plates. As much as he did not care for Ironhide's brusque attitude towards Starfall, Skyfire did not have any right to speak against his authority. Starfall was Ironhide and Optimus's child, not Skyfire's. He legally belonged to them.
Optimus, however, seemed to share some of Skyfire's distaste and narrowed his optics at Ironhide in quiet displeasure. The two held each others gaze and exchanged a look Skyfire couldn't accurately describe. Although he couldn't say for sure without being privy to the emotions being silently exchanged across their sparkbond, Skyfire had the impression they were having some kind of war of wills. Finally, Ironhide looked away from Optimus. His expression was one of defiant defeat. With a huff he stalked around the side of the lounge and dropped into the place beside the one Optimus had just vacated.
"Time for recharge, Star," Optimus once more announced. His tone was once again light and cheerful.
Starfall reluctantly pulled away from Skyfire and slid off the side of the lounge to his pedes. Skyfire immediately felt the absence of his warmth.
"When are you coming back?" Starfall asked. He stood at Skyfire's knee, staring up at him. "You're still going to teach me how to fly, right?"
Skyfire's spark melted under Starfall's turquoise gaze. "If your father agrees, I could come back sometime later this deca-cycle for your first flying lesson."
"Promise?" Starfall demanded. Although tinged with fatigue, his optics still flashed with excitement.
"Promise," Skyfire smiled.
Without warning Starfall lifted his arms to Skyfire, silently demanding a hug. Skyfire was powerless to resist. He'd been wanting to do so himself since the moment he saw this miniature version of his old friend sitting at the table with Optimus. At moments like this he still had trouble believing Starscream was really back. He kept waiting to wake up from this dream at any moment.
Carefully slipping his hands under Starfall's arms - he could have easily just scooped the tiny sparkling up in his hands and held him between his palms - and drew him against his chest. Starfall melted against his cockpit, spreading his arms out wide to embrace the giant mech as best he could. His outstretched arms didn't even fully span to either edge of Skyfire's front. For several klicks of blissful silence Skyfire clutched Starfall to him. He relished the feel of Starfall's spark pulsing against the front of his cockpit, the warmth of his vents cycling air against his neck cables.
"I'm so glad I got to meet you today," he whispered into Starfall's audio. Reluctantly, he loosened his grip around the sparkling and lowered him back to the ground. "Have a good recharge, Star."
"Bye, Skyfire. I'll see you soon."
Skyfire's vocal processor fritzed in his throat as Starfall offered him one last smile, then turned and scampered towards the hallway.
Optimus followed him out of the room. "I'll be back in a moment."
Still riding high on the events of the day and Starfall's parting hug, Skyfire sat in a happy-dazed trance. Ironhide sat across from him on the other lounge, quietly sipping his cube of high grade. Neither Skyfire or the weapons specialist made any attempt to break the silence that hung between them. Skyfire was too happy to let anything break his mood and Ironhide seemed content to remain as quiet and distant as he had all day. Skyfire didn't know how long Optimus was gone, but before too long the Matrix-bearer returned and retook his seat beside Ironhide. He gazed at Skyfire with amused, knowing optics.
"Star is completely taken with you," he said. "All he could talk about while I was getting him to sleep was you and demanding to know when you can come back to give him flying lessons."
Skyfire laughed, low and deep. "I cannot deny it: I am extremely taken with him too." Leaning back on the lounge, Skyfire vented a heavy cycle of air. With that vent of air, the last fifty-six vorns of loneliness seemed to seep from his body, leaving him feeling light and utterly at peace. Unable to stop smiling, Skyfire gave a happy chuckle of triumph. "I'm still trying to get over meeting Star. He reminds me so much of Starscream before the war."
The corners of Optimus's optics crinkled with a smile. "You would know more about Starscream's personality than anyone else. It makes me happy to hear you can still recognize parts of him."
"I can see him in Star in so many ways, and not just through his appearance," Skyfire said, struggling to put his thoughts into words. "He's so much like Starscream, but not at the same time. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?"
Optimus nodded his head. Ironhide remained a silent observer to the conversation.
Skyfire went on. "I see it in the way Star talks, the way he moves, his expressions, what he says - it's all Starscream. But there are differences. Star's just so… innocent. I suppose that's mostly Vector Sigma's doing. You might not believe me, but before the war Starscream was a good mech. Antagonistic, stubborn and selfish at times; yes, I will never deny that. But he was still a good mech deep down." Skyfire ignored the muffled snort that came from Ironhide's direction. "He did not have many friends - in fact, I believe I may have been his only true friend - but those bots he did consider close to him, he defended with every particle of his being. If ever I needed something or was in trouble, Starscream was right there beside me, ready to do whatever he could to help."
Skyfire fell quiet as long repressed memories swirled to the forefront of his processor. Optimus did not try to interrupt him as Skyfire struggled to relay the more painful memories of his friend. "It was after I woke up on Earth that I realized how much Starscream had changed. I don't know what happened to him in the interim between me being frozen in that storm and waking up on Earth. I suppose none of us ever will now. But whatever happened changed Starscream on a level I never thought Starscream could be changed. He had always been so resilient, so strong in personality. Yet when I saw him the only thing I really recognized of Starscream anymore was his face. The bot he had become was a stranger. It physically killed me inside to turn against him when he ordered me to attack the Autobots, but I could not go along with him anymore. He was no longer the same mech I'd fallen in love with. It was only after the war, when you asked me to go with you to that prison to convince Starscream to give himself to Vector Sigma, that I saw some flickers of that mech again in Starscream. It made me believe Starscream really could be redeemed. All he needed was a second chance - a fresh start on life."
Skyfire drew in a deep intake of air. He was starting to get overly emotional. Every time he talked about Starscream with Optimus he seemed to lose control over his emotions. He needed to regain control of himself. As painful as some of those memories of Starscream were, they were all in the past now. He had to keep reminding himself that. The painful times were gone. The horizon was finally starting to brighten. There was once again hope of regaining the mech he once loved.
He looked up at Optimus with a grateful expression. "I'm just so glad that you were the one to find him. If you hadn't, I don't know if I ever would have found out he'd returned."
"Starfall is a good sparkling," Optimus said. "I will do everything in my power to make sure that he grows up to be just as good a mech."
Skyfire mutely nodded his thanks. He didn't trust his vocal processor not to skip at that moment.
Ironhide finally seemed to decide he wanted to enter the conversation. "So, ah suppose this means yeh're gonna want ta try ta be more than just a friend or mentor ta the kid someday? Ta pick up yer old relationship with Screamer again once he's old enough?"
Skyfire frowned at the crassness of Ironhide's question. It was true Skyfire wanted to have Starfall in his life again, but the way Ironhide asked it made it sound like his intentions towards Starfall were dirty. Skyfire missed his friend and lover - so much at times his spark literally ached with loss - but he would never be so desperate as to try and take advantage of a sparkling. His interest in Starfall was as innocent as it could possibly be considering the delicacies of the situation. Whatever sexual attraction Skyfire still had for Starscream had been locked away deep in the back of his processor the moment he'd seen Starfall sitting next to Optimus at the party. Until Starfall came of age and made himself romantically available, Skyfire refused to think of Starfall in that way.
Optimus seemed to share Skyfire's distaste for the question and gave Ironhide a long, sideways glare. Ironhide, however, didn't even seem to notice it. He continued to stare at Skyfire, waiting for an answer.
Skyfire delicately cleared his intake line. He fought to keep his insulted dignity from seeping into his voice. "I admit I would like to regain Star as my friend and companion someday, but only if Star was interested in me himself."
"Star is just a child now," Optimus said. "It will be hundreds of vorns before he is old enough to even begin to look at others romantically."
"As I said: I will not pressure Starfall," Skyfire insisted. "I will let him make his own decisions. If, in the future when he is old enough, he should find someone else who captures his spark I will not try to force myself into the equation. I want to see him happy even if it is not with me. For now, I would be happy just to be a part of Star's life. I swear to you I will never do anything inappropriate towards him. Nor will I ever tell Star of his previous life. Starscream is gone. The only place he exists anymore is in the past."
Optimus nodded. "I trust you implicitly, Skyfire. You have always been a bot of sound judgment and character. I know you would never do anything to directly or indirectly harm Star. I want you to be a part of Star's life as well. Anytime you wish to see him you are welcome in our domicile. I know Star would love it."
Gratitude swelled Skyfire's spark until it felt like his spark was about to burst out of his chest. "Thank you, Optimus. For everything. You will never know how grateful I am to you for this. If it hadn't been for you Starscream never would have gotten this second chance at life, nor would I have ever been able to see him again if you hadn't found him and taken him in."
"Star has filled a void in Ironhide's and my lives as well. Before we found him we were hopeless of ever having a sparkling to call our own." Optimus's voice suddenly became strained, as if he was struggling to keep the static from his vocal processor. "It… it was like a godsend when we found him. When I first saw Star sitting there in that hatchling facility I was sure Primus had sent him to us."
Skyfire offered Optimus a watery smile of understanding. "It seems Star means something very important to both of us." He tried to overlook Ironhide's profound silence. At no point had he voiced any feelings either way at Starfall being found. Skyfire vented a tired but happy cycle of air. He glanced at the chronometer on the wall. "It is getting late and I do not want to keep you or Ironhide up any longer. Thank you again for the extended visit."
"As I said, you are always welcome here, Skyfire," Optimus said. "Are you still thinking of coming back later this deca-cycle?
"Yes. I will have to check my schedule to see when I am available, but I intend to keep my promise to Star. I will contact you sometime tomorrow with details so we can coordinate schedules. I am curious to see how quickly Star takes to the air. Starscream was such a natural flier it was a wonder he ever landed."
Optimus nodded. "I know Star is looking forward to it."
"Not as much as I am," Skyfire softly assured him.
To be continued
Author's note: I want it made perfectly clear right here and now that Skyfire is not a pedophile. Any interactions he has with Starfall from here on out are as innocent as they can possibly be given his and Starscream's past. Until Starfall comes of age, he has no sexual interest in him. I just want to make that clear now so no one misinterprets their interactions as creepy or inappropriate in the future. I guess I'm just a little paranoid about that.
Thoughts on the chapter? Feedback is welcome.