Greetings! It's here! It's finally here! That time jump I've been promising for forever and a half. I was so stoked for this chapter it basically wrote itself. I hope everyone is half as excited for it as I was.

Enjoy!

Also, big thanks to icanhascamaro for being my 1000th reviewer! Big thanks!

Chapter Thirty-Five: Anniversary Party III

"Good morning, love," Optimus greeted as he strode into the kitchenette of the domicile.

"Mornin'," Ironhide replied. He looked up from his data pad and gave his sparkmate a smile.

Optimus sat at the table and picked up one of the three cubes of energon Ironhide had already set out for him. "You're up early."

Ironhide shrugged. "Eh. Just excited, ah guess. Anniversary party 'n all. First time Star'll be home ta go with us in… Primus, ah don't even remember how long. Feels like forever."

Optimus chuckled. "I understand the feeling. It's nice that Star is finally back home in Iacon, and for the foreseeable future as well."

Ironhide grunted in agreement. After graduating from Iacon's High Academy with top honors in Interstellar Relations Starfall had taken a Cybertronian Council internship that had sent him to Earth and several human colonies spread throughout that end of the galaxy. He'd been gone for over a vorn, returning to Cybertron only the orn before. Ironhide was still riding the high of having his son back home. Starfall hadn't lived in the domicile with Ironhide and Optimus since moving into the High Academy's dormitories vorns ago, but it had still been an adjustment for the weapons specialist when he'd realized his son was now halfway across the galaxy instead of the other side of the city. Ironhide had never understood when other creators talked about suffering empty nest syndrome. Now he did. It was only after Starfall returned home after a long spacebridge jump that Ironhide realized how lonely their domicile had become with only him and Optimus to fill it. He might not outwardly show it but inside he was almost giddy to finally have his son back.

"Speakin' of which, shouldn't he be up by now?" Ironhide glanced at the chronometer on the wall. "We're gonna need ta be leavin' pretty soon if we're gonna be at the party on time." Today was the 259th anniversary of the Great War. Starfall couldn't have timed his return to Cybertron any better.

"He's probably still recharging. He went out last night with Convoy. I'm not sure when he got back home. He wasn't back yet when I went to recharge."

Ironhide's lips curled into a grimace. "He shouldn't 'a been out so late..."

Optimus waved his hand dismissively in the air. "Star is a full grown adult now, Hide. He is his own bot. He doesn't need you or me watching over his every move. He's lived and studied on foreign planets. He's done more at his age than you and I did combined. Plus, Star and Convoy haven't seen each other in almost a vorn. They were probably up late catching up on each other's lives."

Ironhide huffed grumpily. "Just 'cause he's grown doesn't mean he's not my son anymore." Setting his data pad aside on the table, he stood and stretched. "I'm gonna go get him."

Optimus shrugged. He claimed Ironhide's discarded data pad and began scanning the newsfeed headlines.

Striding down the hall, Ironhide motioned the door to the last room on the right open. The room was dark. With the light spilling past him into the room Ironhide was just able to make out a figure laying facedown on the berth on the other side of the room. One arm hung limp over the side. Wings gently rose and fell in rhythm to the figure's ventilations.

Ironhide leaned against the doorframe and gave three sharp knocks against the wall. "Up an' at 'em, Star!"

The figure on the berth startled awake. Turquoise optics flared bright in the darkness. Struggling to his elbows, Starfall blearily flickered his optics into focus.

"Huh? Wha? What time is it?"

"Almost eleven hundred joors," Ironhide replied. "Yer dad an' ah are gettin' ready ta leave soon fer the party. If yeh don't wanna miss half the party yeh better start gettin' ready."

Starfall rolled up off the berth to sit on the edge. He tiredly scrubbed at his face with one hand. "Yea. Okay. I'm up. I'm coming." He sounded more like he was trying to convince himself than Ironhide.

Ironhide turned and headed back to the kitchenette.

Optimus glanced up at him as he retook his seat at the table. "Star up?"

"He is now."

A klick later Starfall proved Ironhide right by sleepily trudging into the kitchenette unit. "Morning," he said as he grabbed an empty cube from the cabinet and filling it with glowing purple energon from the dispenser.

"Good morning, Star," Optimus greeted.

"Thanks for waking me up, dàd," Starfall said as he took a seat at the table between Optimus and Ironhide. "I didn't get in 'til late and I guess I forgot to set an alarm."

Ironhide gave a grunt of acknowledgment. "No problem. Figured somethin' like that might've happened. Didn't want us ta hafta leave yeh behind 'cause yeh weren't up yet."

Starfall cast him a warm smile before raising the cube of energon to his lips to take a sip. Ironhide couldn't help but quietly marvel at what a handsome mech his son had grown into. It was something that had crept up on him almost without him realizing over the vorns. Ironhide supposed it was from not seeing him in person for almost a vorn. One moment Starfall was a little sparkling he still remembered hiding behind his legs at formal functions, and the next he was a snow-plated, turquoise opticed sparkbreaker. He and Optimus had had to decline countless offers over the vorns from politicians and members of powerful sparklines from around the planet offering their children to them in arranged sparkbonds. Even after Starfall had graduated from High Academy every couple lunar cycles or so another intermediary would approach him or Optimus at a formal function to broach the subject to them.

"When did you get home last night?" Optimus asked.

Starfall leaned back in his seat. His wings flared gracefully out behind him over the back of the chair. "Very late or very early depending on how you look at it," he replied with a cheeky grin. "Convoy and I went to a new rooftop bar Convoy recommended and basically talked until final call. I don't even remember what joor it was when we said goodnight to each other."

"And what is Convoy up to these days?"

"He's working with his dad in the family business. Burnout's named Convoy the acting manager of the local factory. Burnout hasn't come out and said anything directly but Convoy's pretty sure he wants him to take over more of the business at some point."

"Makes sense," Ironhide nodded. "What's Burnout up to recently? I haven't kept in touch with 'im as much ah'd 'a liked to since yeh kids graduated."

"Same old, same old pretty much," Starfall shrugged. "Though he did get rebonded a few lunar cycles ago to a femme named Lightburst. Convoy seems to really like her, which is good. He talks about her like he thinks she's the sun and moon."

"We did hear about that," Optimus nodded. "We got an invitation to the bonding ceremony, but unfortunately couldn't make it because of a Council event."

"Kinda wish we had gone ta that instead of that stuffy Council party," Ironhide grumbled. "Would'a been more fun."

Starfall sipped at his cube for several moments before resolutely setting it aside. "Convoy was telling me about his new apartment last night," he hesitantly said. "He moved out of Burnout's domicile not long after I left for my internship. It's a really nice place by the sound of it. It's in the twelfth district, not that far from the Council Tower actually. He, ah… he mentioned there's a domicile opening up soon in the same building. He said if I'm interested he and Burnout know the leasing manager and might be able to pull some strings for me to get it…"

Ironhide and Optimus both stared at Starfall in heavy silence.

Starfall returned their gazes.

Ironhide was the first to break the standoff. "Don't yeh think it's kinda soon ta be talkin' 'bout findin' a place 'a yer own? Yeh only got back ta Cybertron yesterday."

"I know, but I think I'm more than old enough to get my own place. You can't have seriously been expecting me to move back in and live with you and dad? How am I supposed to work in the Vosian Affairs Department and be taken seriously by other Council members if I'm still living with my creators?"

"Yeh can remind 'em yer the son of the Prime. Yeh can do whatever yeh want and still be taken seriously by those shiny aft-plates," Ironhide tartly replied. His opinion of the majority of Council and Senate members had improved little over the last two hundred vorns he'd been bonded to Optimus.

"What if what I want is get my own place?" Starfall calmly countered.

Ironhide's mouth screwed into a petulant scowl. As much as he didn't want to admit it he'd been expecting this before Starfall even returned to Cybertron. He'd just been hoping Starfall wouldn't be so eager to strike it out on his own so soon. Even if he was no longer one in body Starfall would always be his little sparkling in Ironhide's mind.

"Come on, dàd," Starfall reasoned, staring beseechingly into Ironhide's optics. "The place I'm looking at is the same building Convoy lives, so I'll already know one of my neighbors. And it would be less than a five klick flight to work each day and only fifteen klicks here to visit. For what I'll be making at the Council the rent is also extremely reasonable. It's not like I'm looking to move halfway around the planet."

Ironhide crossed his arms across his windshield and scowled into his empty energon cube. He hadn't been expecting to have this conversation so soon after just getting his son back.

"I'm sure it's a lovely place, Star," Optimus diplomatically interjected, "but why don't we revisit this conversation later. Maybe after today's party. While the choice is obviously up to you your father might feel better about it later after he's had some time to digest the idea."

Starfall didn't seem thrilled but the idea but leaned back in his seat in quiet acceptance of this proposal.

"Shall we get going?" Optimus asked, finishing off the last of his morning energon cubes.

Starfall got up from the table and cast a quick glance at the chronometer. "I want to hit the wash rack before I head out. I'll meet you two there."

"Yeh sure yeh won't be late?" Ironhide said.

Starfall was already heading down the hallway towards the wash rack. "You forget that I have wings and can fly," he smirked over his shoulder. "I don't have to deal with traffic. I bet I'll even beat you and dad to the party."

As it turned out Starfall did beat Optimus and Ironhide there. He had already transformed and landed in front of the Stellar Gate's front doors by the time Optimus and Ironhide turned into the hotel's transformation lot.

He offered Ironhide a small, victorious wave as his fathers transformed to their root forms. The silver bands of metal around his wrist jangled musically as he did. Over the vorns Vosian planetary rings had become a permanent fixture of his appearance. He never left his domicile without them. They were a physical representation of his ties to Vos, both personal and official. This particular set had been a creation day present from the Emirate. They seemed appropriately fancy for his first public appearance with his fathers after a long absence.

As the three went inside, Ironhide fell into step beside Starfall and affectionately clapped a hand against his wing.

"Glad yeh made it home in time fer this," the old weapons specialist said. "Yer dad may not come out 'n say it but he missed yeh." The hand against Starfall's wing still had yet to fall away.

Starfall heard a muffled snort behind Optimus's battle mask. He cast Ironhide a fond look. Starfall had lived with Ironhide long enough to be able to decipher what the old weapons specialist really meant. He – not just Optimus – was glad he was home. If truth be told, Starfall was just as happy as Ironhide he was back. He'd missed his family and it was nice to be reminded they felt the same way.

"I bet he did," Starfall replied with a knowing smile.

Turning a corner the hotel's main reception room came into view at the end of the hallway. The throb of lively music spilled into the hallway through the open doors.

As the three stepped through the doorway a chorus of hellos and other greetings sounded from several different directions over the music. The ballroom was already packed with Autobots and their families. Starfall smiled and raised his hand in reply to those nearest. He quickly took stock and made a mental list of those around him. It was a technique Optimus had taught him vorns ago when he'd still only been a youngling. As the son of a Prime he was expected to mingle and exchange pleasantries at functions like this just like his father.

The Prime family barely got ten feet into the room before the first of his fathers' old friends came up to greet them.

"Star?! Oh my god, it's been ages! How are you?!"

Before Starfall could properly prepare himself a black and white blur rushed up and gripped him in a crushing embrace.

He laughed as he returned the hug. "I'm great, Kia. How are you?"

Kia released him and took half a step back. Her optics shined bright behind her visor. "Better now that you're here. I was worried I was going to have to spend the entire party keeping my dads company." She motioned with her chin backwards over her shoulder to the two mechs standing there.

"Keep that up an' you're gonna hurt your ol' mech's feelings," Jazz said in a play-wounded voice.

"Jazz, Prowl," Optimus greeted with a smile in his voice.

"Prime," Prowl acknowledged with a slight dip of his helm. "Ironhide."

"So the Prime's son is finally home," Jazz announced with a grin. "Nice ta have ya back."

"It's good to be back," Starfall replied. "A vorn goes by quickly when you're having fun on alien planets."

"I hear ya got yourself a nice position in the Council," Jazz said conversationally. "Something with Vosian relations?"

"The Vosian Affairs Department," Starfall explained. "I will be working as an assistant to Senator Defcon. He's the current ambassador to Vos if you remember. I applied for the position when I was still doing my internship on Earth. I was actually surprised to hear back so quickly from them after I applied."

"I doubt there are many other applicants who are better suited for such a position considering your background," Prowl pointed out. "You have been visiting Vos as a de facto representative of Iacon since you were a sparkling."

Starfall shrugged humbly. "I suppose. While I never said anything to Cloudburst I'm sure he or his father somehow found out about me applying and probably put in a word for me to Senator Defcon. I didn't even say anything to my dad about it to make sure he didn't say or do anything as Prime that could be accused as nepotism."

"I figured that's what happened," Optimus said. "Senator Defcon did come to me after he received your application, but I immediately told him any decision he made concerning a position in his department was completely up to him."

"Congratulations are in order in any case," Jazz smiled. He glanced at Optimus. "Ya can't tell me you're not a little bit excited ta be working with Star at the High Council. Although it can't really be that much of a surprise, 'specially after Star decided ta major in Interstellar Relations."

"No, I suppose not," Optimus agreed. "It will be nice to see Star in the Tower. It's inspiring to see those of the younger generation beginning to make their own mark on the world."

"Kia here's gonna be leaving her own mark on the world before too long too," Jazz proudly announced.

"I graduate next cycle and I'm planning to attend the Enforcer Academy," Kia explained. "I've already got early acceptance into next vorn's training class."

"I assure you neither Jazz or I had any direct influence in her acceptance," Prowl stoically declared.

"Of course not," Optimus nodded. He glanced at Kia. "Congratulations on your admittance to the Academy. I am sure you will make a valued addition to the force."

Kia grinned, her door wings flaring proudly above her shoulders.

There was a momentary lull of silence as the background music faded away before the energetic cords of a new song began. Kia excitedly turned to Starfall and grabbed him by the elbow. "I love this song! Come on. Come dance with me."

Before Starfall could protest too much he was being pulled away. "If you'll excuse me," he joked over his shoulder to the older mechs. "But my presence is being requested on the dance floor."

Optimus smiled behind his battle mask as he watched Kia physically drag Starfall behind her towards the dance floor. Almost immediately they were lost behind the crowd of other bots milling around the room.

With a deep chuckle he turned his attention back to Ironhide, Prowl, and Jazz.

Jazz seemed to be reading his mind. "Kids, huh? They grow up too fast. Feels like just yesterday Kia was still a newspark in my arms at this party."

"Yeh got that right," Ironhide grumbled at Optimus's side. "Just this mornin', Star was talkin' bout finding his own place ta live."

Jazz made a commiserating grimace. "Can't say I'm lookin' forward ta the orn Kia moves out. First years of the Academy have mandatory dorming requirements."

"It's an adjustment," Ironhide grumbled. "Ah'll tell yeh that much."

"Well, the young ones seem to be entertaining themselves. Shall we do the same?" Optimus suggested, motioning towards an empty table just over to the side.

As the four settled themselves at the table he saw a familiar face enter the ballroom. He raised a hand in the air until the mech caught sight of him.

"Hello, Skyfire," Optimus greeted as the shuttle wove his way towards them through the maze of crowded tables.

"Hello," Skyfire replied, nodding in turn to him, Ironhide, Jazz, and Prowl.

"Long time no see!" Jazz exclaimed as Skyfire took one of the empty seats across from them.

"It has, hasn't it?" Skyfire smiled. "I didn't think I would be able to make this vorn's party. My colleagues and I returned to Cybertron only a couple deca-cycles ago from an extended deep space mission. It's hard to keep track of local time when so far away from civilization. I didn't even realize what time of vorn it was until someone at work pointed out the anniversary celebration was so close."

"I'm glad you were able to make it," Optimus said.

And he meant it.

Over the last hundred vorns or so Skyfire had become less and less of a familiar face to the Prime family. He was still considered a family friend but ever since Starfall received his youngling upgrade the shuttle began to keep a farther and farther distance. Optimus suspected it was because as Starfall got older it became more painful for Skyfire to be so close to his reincarnated lover. Many might have also seen it as improper for a non-family member like Skyfire to spend so much time around a child as young as Starfall as he went through his more awkward stages of growth. As the vorns progressed, he began to keep his interactions more limited to friendly encounters with the Prime family at public events such as today's anniversary party. Skyfire was more of a presence now than he was immediately after the war which Optimus attributed more to wanting annual updates on Starfall's life than a desire to interact with the Ark's old crew. Even when Starfall had been away at High Academy and then later an intergalactic internship, the shuttle would still make an appearance at the festivities.

"How is Star?" Skyfire asked conversationally as he always did when he saw Optimus and Ironhide. "Last I heard he was on Earth doing an internship of some kind."

"He was," Optimus nodded. He smiled behind his battle mask. "He's actually back home now."

"Came back just yesterday," Ironhide added. "And permanently. Got a job in the Vosian Relations Department. Apparently, talk around the Tower is that Senator Defcon's lookin' ta retire as ambassador ta Vos in the next couple vorns an' that Star's being unofficially groomed ta take over the position when he does."

"'Hide," Optimus sternly turned on his sparkmate. "I told that to you in strict confidence. None of that is official information for the public."

Ironhide shrugged, unconcerned, as a proud paternal smile spread across his facial plates.

"Really?" Skyfire smiled. "How exciting for Star. I will be sure to act surprised when it becomes official."

"Star's here now," Optimus said, glancing towards the dance floor on the other side of the ballroom. He could just make out Starfall and Kia through the crowd of shifting bodies. They appeared to be having a good time laughing and spinning around each other under Blaster's strobbing dance lights.

Skyfire followed his gaze and watched the two for a long moment of silence. "Star's grown up very handsomely," Skyfire observed as he turned back to the table of mechs. "I'm sure he will do well in the High Council."

"I'm surprised ya haven't kept in closer contact with Star over the vorns," Jazz said with a hinting glance at the shuttle. "I remember how you and him were so close when he was a sparkling."

All the mechs at that table knew of Starfall's previous incarnation and his old connection to Skyfire.

Skyfire shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He cleared his throat line delicately before replying, "I never felt it was proper to be around Star that much after he began to get older. He has his own life now. He doesn't need me around trying to relive a past he doesn't even remember."

"That might have been true then," Optimus carefully observed, "but he received his final upgrade vorns ago. He's an adult now. He can make his own informed decisions about who he interacts with. There's no reason for you to keep such a distance from him now. Why don't you go say hello to him? I'm sure he would like to tell you about his new position at the High Council himself and would love to hear about your latest mission as well."

Skyfire seemed uncomfortable and unconvinced. "It's not right to impose in his life so much," he said, almost sadly. Before anyone could say anything, he abruptly stood from the table. "I believe I am going to get something from the bar. Would anyone like anything?"

The four other mechs shook their helms. Optimus was slightly surprised when even Ironhide declined Skyfire's offer of high grade.

As Skyfire wove a path through the tables away from them, Prowl thoughtfully stared after the shuttle. "I understand Skyfire's reasoning but I can't help but feel he's making himself a martyr in this. There's no reason he can't have a friendly relationship with Starfall now."

"I agree," Optimus nodded. "But it's not our place to force him to do anything. If Skyfire wishes to continue keeping his distance that is his decision to make."

The conversation was abruptly interrupted by Bluestreak coming up to the table to say hello. Optimus returned Bluestreak's greetings but part of his attention was still tuned to Skyfire. It was a shame Skyfire refused to allow himself to get any closer to Starfall. Even if they were never destined to be lovers Skyfire's self-imposed distance struck a chord of sadness in Optimus's spark. After so many vorns of loneliness and loss surely Skyfire deserved something more than just being a distant bystander in Starfall's life. But if Skyfire didn't do anything to bridge the gap between them that was likely to be all he would remain.

Kia laughed as Starfall spun her as the last few notes of the song faded out. Almost immediately the beat of a new song began. Starfall's systems were running a little hard as he leaned towards Kia and half-shouted into her audio over the music, "I'm going to sit this next one out! I want to go say hi to some people!"

"Okay!" Kia shouted back. "You owe me another dance, though, before the end of the night!"

Starfall gave her a blinding smile. "You got it!"

Kia returned his smile before spinning away from him back towards the middle of the dance floor. Starfall swiftly made his exit. His plan was to grab something to drink and then begin his rounds of the room. He specifically wanted to hunt down Bumblebee. After his internship on Earth there were several topics of interest he wanted to discuss with the yellow mech to get his own perspective on human culture.

Starfall, however, didn't get more than a few dozen feet from the dance floor before a chorus of shouts caught his attention.

"Star!"

"Star, over here!"

Starfall looked over to see the Wreckers at their own table eagerly waving him over to them. Smiling, Starfall heeded their call and made his way over to them. He was greeted by another round of hellos. In the vorns since he was first adopted the Wreckers had become a posse of uncle-like figures to him. He supposed part of that was due to when he'd been younger Ironhide stealing him away from Optimus's watchful gaze to go sit with the group at anniversary parties like this to listen to their exciting tales of war and adventure.

"Well, if it isn't the Prime's wayward son finally returned home," Springer greeted with a smile. "How are you, kid?"

"Good. And how about everyone here?"

"Sit down, stay awhile, and we'll tell you," Sunstreaker said. He turned to his brother. "Move," he ordered, forcefully shooed Sideswipe out of the seat beside him. Sideswipe grumbled something too low for Starfall to hear but obediently slid away into an unoccupied chair. "Come sit here," Sunstreaker ordered, patting the now vacant seat between himself and Sideswipe. "Let me see those planetary rings. They look new."

"They are," Starfall replied as he sat down and held out one hand for Sunstreaker's inspection. A tasteful stack of gold rings adorned the yellow Lamborghini's own wrists. Since the opening of Vos vorns ago planetary rings had become highly fashionable with those in other city-states. A good portion of the party's attendees that day were sporting their own sets of planetary rings. As Iacon's top detailer, Sunstreaker was always on the lookout for the newest styles. "The Emirate sent me these for my last creation day as a gift."

Sunstreaker nodded approvingly at the silver rings. "Very nice. Looks like small geometric etchings are in right now."

"I was actually hoping to talk to you, Sunstreaker," Starfall said as he reclaimed his hand from the yellow twin. "Do you think you have any openings for a quick touch up sometime this next deca-cycle? I start work at the High Council next deca-cycle and I want to make a good first impression with the senators and representatives."

"Of course!" Sunstreaker proudly announced. "Who else would you trust to work on you beside me?"

"No one," Starfall agreed. He knew how much Sunstreaker liked to have his skills acknowledged and willingly gave his praise. "That's why I waited until I got back to Cybertron to get detailed."

"Comm me whenever you want to set up an appointment. I'll make it happen."

"Thanks," Starfall beamed.

"When did you get back?" Kup took the opportunity to ask. "Last I heard you were on Earth."

"Just yesterday. Came back via spacebridge."

"How is that old spinning ball of dirt?" Hot Rod asked. "Haven't been back since the Great War ended."

"Well enough I suppose," Starfall replied. "The organization I interned with there was working with the humans to address certain issues like overpopulation, renewable energy, and environmental protection – especially on Earth's space colonies."

"Sounds like a lot of the same problems they had when we were still stationed there," Kup grumbled around the crystal cylinder in his mouth.

Starfall shrugged one shoulder plate. "I guess certain problems morph over time but are still basically the same things at the end of the day. I like to think that the work I did there did something to help though. Cybertronians and humans still have a lot to offer each other even though we've had a working relationship for the last two hundred fifty-some vorns since the Great War ended."

An unfamiliar mech sitting beside Hot Rod leaned forward across the table. He had white and black plating with red details. Symmetrical lines of red were painted around his optics and down his cheeks. "May I just say what a beautiful aura you have. It's light blue just like your plating but it flares brighter when you talk about cooperation and inter-species partnership. It's just lovely."

Starfall gave a little laugh-cough of startled confusion. "Um… thank you?"

Hot Rod released an exasperated groan. "I'm so sorry. Star, this is my sparkmate Drift. You haven't been to any anniversary parties for the last several vorns and probably never got a chance to meet him before. Drift and I got bonded about a vorn ago. Just ignore him when he says stuff like that. Drift likes to think he's spiritually in tune with the universe." Despite his dismissive tone, Hot Rod draped an affectionate arm around Drift's shoulder plates.

"Oh!" Starfall exclaimed with sudden comprehension. "My dàd mentioned you were courting somebody when we were chatting on the vid-com once. I hadn't heard that you got bonded though."

"It was a quiet ceremony," Drift explained. "Just us and several close friends."

"Well, congratulations," Starfall smiled, genuinely happy for them. He'd always liked Hot Rod and even though he'd just met Drift the two of them looked inexplicably… right together.

"You know who else needs unexpected congratulations?" Sideswipe interjected. "Ratchet. Heard through the grapevine that him and his sparkmate – that seeker medic from Vos – are expecting a little one soon."

"Lightningstrike?" Starfall gasped in surprise. "You're kidding!"

"Nope," Sideswipe affirmed with shake of his helm. "Guess he finally decided to get those upgrades he's been putting off for the last several millennia. Ha ha!"

"I thought his sparkmate had an extra glow to her aura the last time we saw them," Drift thoughtfully murmured. Hot Rod quietly rolled his optics.

"Well, good for him," Springer said. "I hope he and his sparkmate are excited."

"From what I heard, Ratchet was actually smiling when he told other people about it," Sunstreaker said. "So you just know he had to be over the moon about it 'cause he never used to smile."

"You never saw Ratchet smile because you were always being a pain in his aft," Sideswipe pointed out.

"As if you were never a pain in his aft either," Sunstreaker shot back. "I seem to remember him threatening to weld you to the examination table at least twice a deca-cycle when we were still on Earth."

"Where is Ratchet?" Starfall interjected. "Are he and Lightningstrike here? I want to say hello and give them my congratulations."

"Not this vorn," Springer said. "Since he and Lightningstrike got bonded they spend half their time between Iacon and Vos. From what I heard, with Lightningstrike expecting they've decided to stay in Vos until the sparkling comes online."

"Oh," Starfall murmured, disappointed. "I guess that makes sense. I'll have to send them a message instead."

As the topic of conversation shifted, Starfall took the opportunity to scan the room. He wondered if Bumblebee was there yet. As his optics catalogued those present he happened to notice on the side of the room a large white-plated mech walking towards the bar. Starfall's engine hiccupped in recognition.

It was Skyfire!

He hadn't spoken to the giant mech in vorns. Since he became a youngling seeing Skyfire had become more and more of a rare treat. For as long as Starfall could remember, he'd had a crush on Skyfire. He'd always enjoyed being in the larger mech's presence. Intelligent, patient, and caring Skyfire had always stood as a shining example of what Starfall found attractive in another bot.

"I'm so sorry, but I want to go and say hello to someone," Starfall said, hastily getting up. "It was so nice seeing all of you! I'll see you later!" he called back over his shoulder.

His optics locked on target, a sly grin of anticipation slid across his face.

to be continued…

Happy holidays and early New Year! I hope 2019 is even better than 2018!