I DO NOT OWN TRANSFORMERS!

(Clare's POV)

I had ended up being stuck with Sideswipe as my temporary guardian after everyone else had left. Now this was not something that I was upset about because Sideswipe and I got along great! In fact, the first night home I sat out in his passenger seat for hours passing jokes and stories back and forth with him. Apparently, when he and Sunstreaker were younger Sides had painted his twin a hot pink with little red crystal flowers all over him. This resulted in Sunstreaker throwing a fit and chasing Sides all across the base they were stationed on, showing his new paint scheme to everyone there. Hilarious!

I ended up telling him the story of when I had gotten angry with Sam and glued him to his chair in class. He ended up having the bottoms of his pants cut off in order to set him free, leaving him in his superman undies. I swear Sideswipe and I laughed so hard that I almost passed out. We had so much fun together!

Sometime around ten or so, he made me go in seeing as how I had school in the morning. I did so grudgingly after wishing him a good night and patting Bee's hood affectionately. After trudging inside the house I showered, dressed myself, and got into my queen-sized bed for the night. Sleep came easily for me.

The ringing of my alarm clock woke me up the next morning much to my irritation. I reached out and smacked it before slowly dragging myself to my bathroom to shower and do my other morning things. I finished bathing and brushing my teeth, dressing myself in a long sleeved black shirt with Girl on the front and dark skinny jeans. Afterwards I brushed my hair out and left it down for the day.

Once I was ready, I raced downstairs into the kitchen where Sam was sitting eating breakfast alone. "Where are Aunt Judy and Uncle Ron?" I asked distractedly as I poured myself some fruity pebbles to eat.

"I think that Dad had work today, and Mom had a book club meeting or something." Sam responded. After that, we sat there at the table together eating slowly.

"So are you picking Mikeala up this morning?"

"No not today. She's going to meet me in front of the school." Sam mumbled around a mouthful.

"Don't talk with your mouth full Sammy!" I admonished him. He glared at me but otherwise did not say anything. I finished my food right after that, my eyes drifting to the clock distractedly. "We gotta go Sam or we'll be late." It was already after seven!

He hurriedly finished his bowl and tossed both of ours in the sink so that I could run over to the door and slide my shoes on. I stood as he walked over, grabbed my bag, and strode out of the house with him in toe. As we passed by Sides, I gently touched his hood in greeting, getting a soft rev of his engine in return.

We reached Bee afterwards and climbed inside. "Morning Bee!" I greeted cheerfully.

"Good morning Tranquility!" He greeted back via a clip from the local radio station.

We pulled out with Sides following us and started towards the school at a good speed. It was mostly quiet between Sam and I, Bee seemed content to let us sit there in silence as well. Not that I really cared, my mind was too busy wandering. Only days ago everything in my life had been the definition of an average teenager's life. Now I knew for sure that it had never been normal. I was an alien robot and no one knew how I got here. I could apparently heal due to having taken Allspark energy into myself making me... I don't know... really important to the bots. In addition, here I was being allowed to go back to school so that I could live my life next to my human family until they... passed.

A lump settled in my throat. Of course, I had heard what Jazz had said the night that he had talked Optimus out of forcefully taking me from my home but, until now, it did not seem to sink in. I would live forever if I was lucky, and Sam would die in less than a century. It bothered me to think about since I had always assumed I would not have to live long without him or vice versa, but I now knew that it was not the case. He would die and I would have to continue living.

Suddenly I almost wished that I were just a normal human; a mortal human with a regular lifespan. As many apparent bad points as there were, a few good areas still shone due to me not being human. Such as the fact that I would be welcome with the bots forever. They would become another family at some point so technically I would lose one and gain another.

With a soft sigh, I forced those thoughts from my head. It wouldn't do well to think about them right now anyways, plus we were pulling up in front of the school so it was best to concentrate on the here and now. Not that school was hard or even challenging.

All I had to do was make it through each day one at a time and I was sure everything would be okay. At least I was praying that it would be so.

Morning classes came and went in a blur. Mikeala and Sam spent every waking astrosecond together in the halls between classes being disgustingly sweet towards each other... and kissing. Ewww! Anyways lunch came and I decided to take my meal and eat outside on the picnic tables alone. After everything that had been on my mind today I just needed some time away from Sam and Mikeala.

There weren't any people outside when I made my way over to one of the tables closest to the parking lot. From here, I could clearly see Bee parked alongside Sides' more flashy form. I sighed and plopped down on the table with my chin propped up on my arms tiredly. All throughout my morning classes my mind had been racing no matter what I did to make it stop.

This wasn't like me. I was never so negative nor did I spend so much time worrying about things like this. My personality was just spontaneous, fun loving, open, loving, carefree. Yet here I was bemoaning that I was now not as mortal as everyone I knew. With the exceptions of the bots of course.

My lips pulled down into a deep frown as uncertainty ate at my chest uncomfortably. 'I can't keep doing this...there's no point. I am what I am even if it changes almost everything I know. I just have to make the best of it.' I told myself calmly. Strangely enough, it made me feel a little bit better!

Sitting up I went to start eating my lunch when someone plopped down beside me. One look informed me that it was Trent of all people and this only served to sour my mood. I hated him with a burning passion.

"What's a gorgeous thing like you doing out here all alone?" He grinned in what he must have thought was a suave way. It really just made him look constipated.

"Because I have no interest in being around someone else if it's you." I shot back irritably. Turning away, I started trying to tune him out so that I could eat, not that I really had an appetite anymore now that he was near me. Still I needed the sustenance or else Ratchet would cuss me out for not properly caring for myself. Therefore, I tried to eat while Trent sat there with that stupid fake hurt look on his face.

"Aww don't be like that babe! You know we could have some fun if you want to. The back seat of my hummer is really inviting... especially if you and I are in there with nothing on."

I swiftly glared at him with all of the vehemence I could muster as I snapped angrily. "Not interested! Not today! Not tomorrow! NOT EVER!"

He scowled at me. "I hate it when bitches play hard to get. What? You think that you're so much better than every other girl at this school just because you're hot? Well guess what?" He leaned in close to my face and moved to cage me in with his arms. His breath washed over me, smelling completely fucking disgusting as he spoke to me. "I can have any girl I want and that includes you Clare. So stop playing hard to get and give in because I never give up when I want something."

"I can see why Mikeala left you! You're completely fucking disgusting!" I shoved him back with enough force to almost make him fall off the bench we were sitting on.

In the next astrosecond, he sprung back up like a fucking jackrabbit and lunged at me. I heard an enraged growl in my head, but before he could close in to do whatever he wanted, thus angering my adoptive father, something, or someone snatched him up as another body sat down behind me. "Hey Clare!" Bee greeted cheerfully. He was the one behind me that meant that...

My eyes drifted to the side where Sideswipe had Trent suspended in mid-air with one hand and he did not look happy. A deep angry scowl was present on his face and with an errant flick of his wrist; he tossed Trent aside like a piece of trash. "When a fe-girl says no that means no. Not maybe later or yes. Get a fr-fucking grip!" Sides plopped down on my other side, glaring at Trent until he got up, and ran away like a coward.

"Wow... I've knocked him on his ass a few times and he never gave up that easily." I mused in awe. "Sides you are awesome!"

He huffed. "Yeah well I hate mechs that are like that. If a femme isn't seriously interested in you just give up and leave her be." Then he turned to me and gently nudged me. "You should finish eating or Ratchet will have my aft for not making sure that you're taking care of yourself."

I grinned and leaned up to plant a kiss on his cheek. "Thanks for the save Sides, I mean it." Then I turned to Bee and did the same to him making his holoform blush like crazy. "You too Bee. I've told him off so many times and he just never got it... maybe he's so stupid that he can't understand the English language?" I joked.

Sides snorted. "Something..."

"Y-Yeah! Something like t-that!" Bee stammered. Aww he was so cute!

With that, I went back to my lunch in the safe company of my guardians.

[Ah don' like dat human boy.] Jazz suddenly growled again. Oh right, he had gotten pissed when Trent had tried to attack me.

[I don't either but I think he'll stay away as long as Sides is with me. At least for now. He's a pretty resilient aft though.]

He snorted. [Yeah well tell meh if 'e keeps givin' ya trouble mah spark. Dat way ah can teach 'im a lesson.]

[Okay, but I really do think that it will be fine for now.] Trent seemed intimidated by Sides' towering form more so than me, even when I was the one that had decked him so hard last year that he blacked out. Maybe he would take the hint and never talk to me again? I could hope right?

[Still! Jus' tell meh if 'e keeps it up!]

[I will.]

[Goo'! No' ah gotta get back ta 'elping Optimus 'round da base so ah hav' ta go fo' now. Talk ta ya latta baby girl.]

[Bye Jazz.]

He was gone immediately after that leaving me alone in my own head with only my own thoughts. Which surprisingly were much lighter and happier than before. I guess seeing Trent cowering like a girl could do wonders for my mental state!

The end of the school day came and went, and Sides had to take me home since Sam wanted to go somewhere with Mikeala after school. That meant that it would just be Sides and I until they got home because my Aunt and Uncle would probably be out for a while still. If I recalled correctly, they had bowling after Uncle Ron got off work.

What I did not expect to see was a sleek golden Lamborghini in the driveway when we got there. "I thought that there was only supposed to be one of you here besides Bee."

Sides shifted around me in what must have been a shrug. "He just got off of patrol so he decided to stop by and visit me for a bit. Actually I think he's taking over for me after I have to leave tonight."

Oh that was right... they were going to be here in shifts. That meant that I had to deal with Sunstreaker sometimes. Well it wasn't that bad if I could just get past his nasty temper and aloofness. "Oh okay."

Sides parked allowing me to get out. "Hi Sunny!" I called to the gold Lamborghini. It could just be my imagination but I think I heard him growl at me. Whatever! I could growl back too, and I did just that! "Grrrrrr! I can be a total asswad too! Grrrrrrr!"

If it was possible, he growled even louder at me. Oooh he was so not getting a wash later! Anyways, I had to leave them behind so that I could go inside and find the list that Aunt Judy had left on the fridge. I walked up to the refrigerator door, pen in hand, ready to write a long, detailed paragraph on how ice-cream was an important staple to my new diet… not… Curiously, a yellow sticky note was already there. Humming quietly to myself, I read it,

'Dear Clare, instead of doing a crap ton of chores today I want you to make me those bacon double fudge brownies. Do not forget or I'll triple the chores for tomorrow! Love Aunt Judy!'

Sweet! I did a happy dance before turning and skipping outside and over to where Sides was parked next to Sunstreaker. "Wanna come in and hang out for a bit?" I offered.

"What happened to double chores or whatever?" Sunstreaker grumbled.

"My Aunt wants the brownies today instead, so I lucked out." I bounced in my spot excitedly while waiting for a response. I expected Sides to want to come in of course! However, I was sure that Sunstreaker would tell me to shove it or something.

"Sure." Sides agreed eagerly. His holoform suddenly appeared in front of me in a flurry of red nanites, clad in dark wash jeans and a red shirt under a black leather jacket. I was almost positive that he had been wearing that outfit earlier as well, not that I had been paying attention.

I almost deflated when Sunstreaker sat there idly for another moment... Well I guess I should have expected that. I suddenly got irritated with said bot for being such a downer! Jeez, it wasn't that hard to be around other's! He didn't have to talk or be a social butterfly or anything like that. I was so not letting him get away with being such an aft!

With a frustrated growl, I leapt onto Sunstreaker's hood. "Move it Sunnykins! You're coming in or else!"

His frame shifted in something between a growl and a hiss. "Femme... Get off of my hood you're smearing my paint!"

"Cry about it! Now get your giant, shiny aft moving or I'll smear my hands all over you!"

Sides reached out via holoform and smacked Sunstreaker's hood. "C'mon Sunny it'll be fun! And I don't think Clare will move unless you do what she says!"

"I won't!" To emphasize my point, I flopped down chin first onto his hood with a soft 'plop'! "If you behave yourself and come inside then I will wash you after I'm done with the brownies!" I baited him in a singsong voice. "You like to be clean right? I'll wash you from helm to ped!"

He grumbled at me, something that sounded like obnoxious femmes if my ears... audio receptors had heard correctly. Surprisingly enough his holoform suddenly popped up on my right. I perked up and jumped down off the hood with an excited squeal.

"See it's not that hard!" I grabbed a hold of his hand and dragged him into the house. He just let me! Not even a single protest or anything like it! He even let me hold onto his hand until I decided to let go.

The first thing that I did was drag them into the kitchen so that I could get started on making Aunt Judy's brownies. I released Sunstreaker so that I could pull the necessary ingredients out from the fridge and pantry and set them on the counter. First things first! Fry up the bacon!

I plopped a large frying pan on the stove and filled it with butter and fresh hickory smoked bacon. Sunstreaker turned his nose up at it from where he was sitting at the table with Sides. I ignored him as I fried the bacon up to a crisp.

Next I mixed up the batter, stopping only briefly to turn and fling some at Sides' face. "Hey!" He protested after it impacted his face with a loud, 'splat'! I laughed at him only to be cut off when he stood and scooped some batter from the bowl to smear on my own face.

"Sides!" I spluttered. Brownie batter slid down my face and I licked it up hungrily. "This means war Sideswipe." I threatened. Turning, I grabbed the flour up and pelted him with a nice big handful of it making him release a startled yell.

"Clare!" He shook the flour off his hair and wiped it off his face so that he could glare at me. "Femme!" With a war cry, he threw himself at me and wrestled the flour out of my hands.

"No!" I dashed away from him to crouch down behind the table as he turned and unleashed a flurry of flour all over the kitchen.

"SIDES!" Sunstreaker roared as he was pelted with it instead of me. The next thing I knew he had lunged up, tackling Sideswipe, and smearing flour all over his head. It was in that moment that I saw something strange in his eyes... warmth that was not normally there. It startled me for a moment until I realized that even the most aloof seeming people had feelings and emotions. Sunstreaker was just better at masking it than most. Moreover, I would never comment on seeing him like this because I knew it would bother him if someone else did see his disguise as just that.

Shaking the thoughts off, I lunged at Sunstreaker's exposed back with a laugh. I knew that he would probably get angry with me for touching him but hey, I wanted to have fun too! Both of us were jarred by my sudden attack causing him to land with a thud on top of Sideswipe's hysterically laughing form. "Sneak attack!"

"It's not a sneak attack if you give yourself away femme." Sunstreaker turned and smirked at me. OMG HE WAS SMIRKING! He seemed to realize it too because he suddenly schooled his face into his normally cold mask. "Get off Clare."

"Nope!" I scooped up a handful of flour and poured it on his head.

"CLARE!" He bellowed at me. In a quick move, he had spun and taken me to the floor in one fluid motion so that he had my arms pinned above my head. Then with that angry scowl still in place he grabbed a handful of flour and smeared it all over my face.

"NOOOO! SUNSTREAKER YOU AFT!" I squealed, wildly kicking my feet to try to dislodge him but damn he had me pinned really well! "Okay! Okay! I admit defeat!"

"Do you?"

"Yes!" He stared me down for a few more moments before releasing me. Really, he should have known better! In a flash, I leaned up and smeared my brownie batter covered face all over his cheeks.

"CLARE!" It was all but an enraged scream. With a mad laugh, I jumped up and dashed over to Sides who was, strangely enough, just watching us fight it out. Sunstreaker leapt up and was hot on my heels resulting in a mad game of cat and mouse with me obviously being the mouse and him being the angry cat chasing me! "Get back here femme! I'll teach you a lesson for this!"

"NO!" We swung back around the table and I dove behind Sides to use him as a living shield. "SIDES DO SOMETHING ABOUT SUNNYKINS!"

Sides laughed at me. "Sorry Clare you're on your own!" Then he sidestepped so that Sunstreaker could tackle me to the floor again!

"AGHHHH! NOOOO! OKAY! OKAY! I REALLY DO ADMIT DEFEAT THIS TIME! PROMISE!" I choked out around my laughter. He didn't look convinced. "I have to finish making the brownies! Then I have to clean up the mess in the kitchen. For now, we can call it a tie!"

He snorted. "I do not tie Clare."

I rolled my eyes. "Fine you win! Better ego maniac?"

For the second time that day, he actually smirked at me. "Much."

A few moments passed with me just staring at him weirdly, before I snapped out of it and turned to the stove. I quickly finished mixing everything and put it in the oven to bake for roughly forty-five minutes. As soon as that was done I retrieved some cleaning supplies from the closet and set to work sweeping and mopping up the flour and other crap on the floor.

"Need some help Clare?" Sides offered.

I turned away from where I was spraying down the counter in surprise. "Oh no thanks. I would never make you clean my house. It'll only take a few minutes anyways!" I muttered distractedly.

After that both of them fixed the dining room table that had been knocked over when Sunstreaker was chasing me and sat down to wait it out. I quickly finished washing the counters and tossed the soiled rags into the trash. When I turned back around I was surprised to see that their holoforms were sitting there looking completely clean, whereas only moments ago they had been just as covered in gunk as I was. "How did you guys get so clean?"

"We reset our holoforms so that we didn't make a mess now that you cleaned the kitchen." Sides informed me.

"Well that's neat." I was still completely covered in gunk... "Well I'm going to go take a quick shower to clean myself off... Umm if the oven goes off could you take the pan out? Just in case I'm not back down by then?"

"Sure!"

"Okay. I'll be back in a few." With that, I headed upstairs to clean myself off, all while thinking that Sunstreaker wasn't so bad after all.

After a quick shower, during which I scrubbed stuck on flour and batter off me for what must have been at least twenty minutes, I got out and dressed myself in a blue tank top and black cargo shorts; tossing my hair up in a messy bun once I was done.

It was at that time that I heard a loud curse of, "FRAGGIT ALL TO THE PIT!" from what sounded like Sunstreaker. Confusion ate away at me as I made my way downstairs to the kitchen where I could still hear him growling and cursing up a storm.

"What happened?" I asked after stepping into the room. Sunstreaker was holding his hand and glaring at the pan on the oven. Oh, he must have burned himself. "Sunstreaker you're not supposed to use your bare hands to take the pan out!" With an exasperated sigh, I walked over and picked up the oven mitts so that he and Sides could clearly see them. "These are called oven mitts! We use these to take hot pans out of the oven so as not to burn ourselves."

"Why didn't you say that earlier?" Sunstreaker growled.

"I thought that you knew not to touch hot things with your bare hands!" I shot back. Internally I was kind of laughing my ass off at him, not that I would ever admit it to him. "Do you need something for your hands? I have burn cream here somewhere."

"No I'll just reset my holoform again." Sunstreaker grumbled before he disappeared in a flurry of gold nanites.

I shrugged and turned off the oven before I made my way over to the pantry to grab Mojo and Frankie's dog food to pour in their bowls. "Mojo! Frankie! Kibble!"

Within a second, both of them were tearing into the kitchen like rabid animals. They tore into their food, completely ignoring everything else, including Sides and Sunstreaker who had just walked back in. The latter seemed to frown at my little house puppies.

"Why do humans keep animals like that? Cybertronians use cyber animals for companionship, but they also come in handy in battle. These things seem useless."

"According to you most things on this planet are useless Sunstreaker. As for why we keep them...well for the companionship of course. Other people can use dogs as attack dogs, like the police! They have what is called a K9 unit that's completely dedicated to using dogs for various things such as taking down criminals, locating missing people, and even sniffing out illegal drugs. Everyone uses dogs for different things like that." As soon as Frankie was done eating, I scooped him up and held him out to Sunstreaker. "See? Isn't he cute?"

"No. Not really."

"Aww Frankie he thinks you're fugly!" Frankie whined at me as if he understood what I had said. I hugged him to my chest. "He is cute! You're just a jerk!"

Sides nodded. "He is. OW!" He yelped when Sunstreaker reached over and smacked him in the head.

"Aft!" Sunstreaker hissed at him.

I laughed quietly and left them in the kitchen so that I could let Mojo and Frankie out to use the bathroom. When I came back, they were doing the exact same thing, staring/glaring at each other. Well Sunstreaker was glaring which kinda made him look cute... D'AWWWW!

This went on for about five minutes before I was fed up with it. "So wash first or movie? By the way, if you choose the wash Sunstreaker you still have to come in for the movie! You're not getting out of it buddy!"

The subject of my attention turned to me with a scowl. "Fragging troublesome femmes. I promise to come in and watch whatever stupid movie you want. IF YOU DO A GOOD JOB WASHING ME!"

"Fine but Sides gets to be the judge of that. I know that if it's up to you it'll never be good enough just because you don't want to watch the movie!"

Sides grinned. "You seem to know him well after only a few days."

"I'm a good judge of character." I stated flippantly. "So do we have a deal or not?"

Sunstreaker grumbled what were probably some choice things under his breath. "Deal."

My mood immediately shot straight through the roof making me beam at him. "Great! Let's go outside then!" With that, I turned and led them out the back door. "Let me get the stuff!" I ran into the garage to grab the bucket, sponge, and soap to use on them before I rushed back out and grabbed the hose. Frankie and Mojo came over to me and begged for a drink from the hose, which I supplied before, shooing them off so that I could fill the bucket with soap and water.

I lathered it up to a nice sudsy bubbly mess. Oooh bubble suds! I made sure that the perfect amount of soap and water was present before I carried it over to Sideswipe and sat it down. I quickly wet him down with the hose making him shudder at the cold temperature. "Sorry Sides."

"It's okay." Hey, they could talk through their speakers and I could hear it outside the car clearly! On the other hand, maybe they had speakers located on the outside somewhere too!?

Shrugging it off, I reached for the sponge and started lathering his hood and windshield with suds and water, making sure to get all the dirt and dust off him. I hummed under my breath while I worked my way around to the tires on each side, the headlights, then to the doors windows and all, and over the back end and tires. I made sure to get every spec of dirt off him, even scrubbing longer than necessary to make sure.

He shuddered every so often for some reason when I pressed my body against his frame. I shrugged it off each time it happened, it was probably just the cold water, or maybe my clothes were tickling him. As soon as he was practically shining, I grabbed the hose and rinsed him off.

His red paint gleamed like a ruby afterwards. Not a single speck of dust or dirt was on him. "There ya go Sides! You look gorgeous!" I sang out, giggling like a schoolgirl when he whistled in appreciation.

"Damn I do look good." Strangely enough, I had the mental image of him looking himself over in a mirror while flexing his muscles. The mental image made me laugh again.

"Now it's Sunny's turn!" I sang out while happily dancing over to him.

"Femme..." Sunny growled threateningly. "Do not call me that."

"Oh shush up!" I admonished him as I wet him with the hose. His reaction was more subtle than Sideswipe's though he did noticeably shiver. Instead of teasing him about it, which let me tell you I was tempted to, I chose to start washing him down as thoroughly as I had Sides. In fact, I was even more careful and detail attentive than I had been with Sides, taking extra time on every inch of warm metal beneath my hands. Occasionally he would shudder and groan. I don't think he realized that he was doing it though because Sides kept snickering at him.

I lathered him from helm to ped, getting all the dirt and dust off him, UNTIL HE WAS GLEAMING MORE THAN SIDES WAS! That was definitely saying something! I moved to his hood to grab the hose and rinse him off with a smug smile on my lips. He was so going to watch the movie with us!

As soon as the last of the suds had slid onto the driveway beneath his wheels I stepped back. Even though I was thoroughly soaked I was still immensely pleased. "So? Sides does he look clean enough to be forced into a movie night?"

Sides pretended to think about it, even going so far as to shift his plating thoughtfully. "Yup! I think he looks good enough for a movie night!"

Sunstreaker growled. "Even if she hadn't done a good job you'd still say that!"

"So you're saying that I did a good job?" I immediately pounced on his slip up with a manic grin on my face. "MOVIE NIGHT! C'mon! I got the perfect list of movies to watch!"

Sides popped up in holoform beside me looking rather eager while Sunstreaker popped up on my other side looking irritated. I did a happy dance and dragged them both into the house and into the living room. "Hold on let me go change real quick!"

I raced up to my room and changed into a pair of black sweatpants and a comfortable purple t-shirt. Then I raced back downstairs after grabbing my movie stack, almost tripping over my own feet on the way down. However, I was so excited that it didn't even slow my mad dash to the living room down.

Both mechs were sitting on the couch in front of the TV when I entered and skipped over to put Stepbrothers into the DVD player. I hit play, ran into the kitchen to make some popcorn, and ran back out with a large bowl of it in my hands to plop down between them.

"What's that?" Sides cocked his head to the side and sniffed at the popcorn.

"Mophorn." I mumbled around a mouthful. I swallowed and held the bowl out for him. "Wanna try some?"

He grabbed a piece in his hand and popped it into his mouth as the opening scene of the movie started playing. His eyes widened at the taste. "Salty."

"But in a good way." I chirped.

"Agreed." He scooped some more into his hands and popped it into his mouth to chew on. All while ignoring his twin's disgusted look.

"Wanna try some Sunstreaker? Sides likes some human foods so you might." I offered. He didn't move to take any so I shrugged and placed the bowl halfway on mine and Sides' laps, this way we both had equal access.

Sides and I became engrossed in the movie quickly, more than once busting out laughing hysterically to the point where we almost choked. Like at the part where Brenan and Dale were introduced to one another. Dale was like, 'I'm Dale, but you have to call me Dragon.' Then Brenan was all like, 'You have to call me Nighthawk.'

We howled like maniacs, it was so bad at the part where Dale started singing to Brenan that he fell onto me and was leaning on me while we laughed hysterically. I think that it even got a snort or chuckle from Sunstreaker!

Sides ended up just leaning on me during most of the movie since he kept laughing so hard, and I didn't mind it so I let him be there. Unfortunately, when we got to the part where the elementary school kids beat up Dale and Brenan, and made the latter lick white dog shit we both busted out laughing so hard that I fell onto Sunstreaker, ending up somewhat pinned between the two. Not that I really minded too much.

Sunstreaker stiffened and glared at me but otherwise did not push me away as I expected him to. Nevertheless, it was obvious that I touching him bothered him. Sensing this I forced Sides up so that I could move away from his twin. "Sorry Sunstreaker." I apologized.

"S'okay." He grumbled. It was kind of sad but he looked somewhat pained even saying it.

I let it go after that so that we could pay attention to the movie. It's not like he would react well to me calling him out on anything. So I didn't.

The rest of the night practically flew by! We watched all of Stepbrothers, and Napoleon Dynamite. Then Sides had to leave for patrol and return to the base for a physical or something. He didn't look too happy about having one either.

I walked him out pouting and sulking like a child. It didn't matter that I was being immature, BECAUSE I WAS ALMOST ALWAYS IMMATURE! "See ya this weekend Sides... right?"

Sides smiled at me, not his normal mischievous grin, but a real genuine smile. "Of course! Look at it this way! It's Wednesday today so you only got to make it through today and tomorrow and I'll see you on Friday."

I sniffled and tackled him in a hug that he returned. One thing that I noticed about Sides is that he genuinely cared about those around him. I liked that about him. He always made me feel safe as if I had someone to turn to when I needed it. Just like how I felt with Jazz. Thinking about my adoptive dad made me sad... He hadn't opened the bond all day long and it was almost as if I had forgotten what talking to him and feeling him in my head was like. Thinking about it made me clutch tighter to Sides.

He rubbed at my back gently. "Two days Clare."

"I know." With a soft sniffle, I pulled back and offered him a watery smile. "See you on Friday."

He nodded at me. "We'll prank Ratchet and Ironhide all weekend!" He suddenly grinned at me. "I have the perfect ideas! Just wait we'll have a blast!"

"Okay. See you then." With that, he turned and disappeared into his alt mode before starting up his engine and beeping at us, or me, in farewell. Then he pulled out and drove away from us leaving Sunstreaker and I standing there, the latter still in holoform surprisingly.

With a sigh, I turned towards him. "Umm if you want to come in and hang out still you can. If you want to be alone I won't force you to come in though."

He looked somewhat surprised. "You won't annoy me into stasis if I refuse? Or smudge my paint?"

"No." When he didn't say anything else I stepped around him and walked into the house. It wasn't that I was upset about being with Sunstreaker alone... it was just that we didn't get along really. It only seemed worse when Sides was gone. I wasn't giving up or anything, but having Sides nearby made handling his brother easier.

Trudging into the living room, I plopped back down onto the couch causing Frankie to jump back up next to me. I cuddled him as I sat there. Sunstreaker hadn't come in so I figured he had opted to be alone. Well Sam would be back soon along with Bee so at least then I would have someone to talk to.

Flopping down onto my side, I just stared straight ahead at the TV... I never really did well being alone and now was no exception.

"If you stay like that for too long your joints will lock up."

The sudden voice from the last person I ever expected startled me so much that I fell off the couch. Sunstreaker actually came inside?! I sprung up from the floor like freaking Tigger or something to stare at him. "You came in?!"

He frowned at me. "You said that I could femme."

A million retorts froze up and died on my tongue. "I did." An awkward silence fell over us then... "Well do you want to watch another movie or something?" I asked to break the silence.

"I don't care."

Well it was a start maybe... We sat down together on opposite ends of the couch as Jaws started playing. It was awkward but for some unknown reason, Sunstreaker was actually sitting here without Sides, watching a movie with me.

I wouldn't do anything to screw it up. Not if I ever wanted the jerk to be comfortable with me.

Something told me that even reaching that point would be an accomplishment in itself. One that I would need a lot of help from Sides to achieve.

Well I was nothing if not persistent... like a freaking tumor. I grew on people whether they liked it or not.

I hope that Sunstreaker would fall into that category at least. Only time could tell.

R&R! Edited by DawnofShadows256 on 6/18/16, and proofread by me on 6/18/16