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Chapter Thirty-Three: Homecomings
(Charlie's POV)
"Charlie?"
My eyes fluttered open, yawning slightly as the startled exclamation woke me from my sleep. Groggily, I looked around for a moment, before my vision focused and I recognized where I was. I was on base! Which meant that...
I looked up at that tall, silver robot in front of us. His breathing was so deep that I could see the rise and fall of his chassis, and he looked like he just ran a marathon. A large grin I couldn't control curled onto my lips, as I stood up carefully in Sunstreaker's palm.
"Is that...is that really you?" Sideswipe asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
I chuckled breathlessly, feeling the tears starting to blur the corners of my vision. So many emotions were running through me right now, but I'm sure Sideswipe's were ten times more amplified as he stared at me. His optics were dim, dimmer than I'd seen them before, and it made a pang of guilt and sadness swell in my chest. Because unintentionally, Sunstreaker and I were the reason for his sadness. For all he knew, we were probably dead.
Sideswipe glanced at Sunstreaker, and I assumed they were speaking over their twin bond. After a moment, Sunstreaker nodded, and gently placed me into Sideswipe's open palm. As soon as I found my balance, I walked over towards the silver twin's fingers, and I wrapped my arms around his pinkie in the best version I could give as a hug.
"It's really me, Sides." I said softly, tracing the familiar, warm metal ridges in his finger.
His optics brightened at the touch, back to that cerulean blue hue that I loved so much. One moment, I was content hugging his finger, and the next moment, the sounds of hydraulics hissing and metal groaning filled the air and suddenly I was in the passenger's seat of a Corvette. A warm surge of happiness fluttered in my chest at the thought of being here again. It had been so long since I've sat in this seat.
Sparks ignited in the air around me until a familiar platinum blonde-haired holoform appeared in the driver's seat. Without warning, his strong arms gripped me and wrapped me into a more firm hug, nearly pulling me over the console in between the seats, but I didn't mind. It felt so good just to touch him again, and breath in his familiar coppery scent.
He only pulled back enough so that he could look at me, "I've missed you so much! What the hell happened out there? Why did you go into Washington? Everyone thought that you were dead! Do you know how worried I was about you? I fraggin' flipped out when I found out you weren't here! I thought you were dead! I thought I had failed you...I thought I'd never get a chance again to say I'm sorry."
I frowned, "There's nothing you had to feel sorry for-"
"No," He interrupted, shaking his head, "The way I left you in that state before leaving...that was a mistake. And because of it, you went off to a deadly warzone that could've gotten you killed."
"No, it wasn't your fault," I sighed, "I was going through a lot of things back then. I wasn't thinking straight, and because of that, I was angry and reckless. I want you to know right now that none of it was your fault, I don't blame anyone but myself. I have to take responsibility for them."
Sideswipe was silent, and I sighed again, "Sides, I am so sorry for putting you though all of this. I can't even imagine how much you were hurting."
"I thought you guys were gone forever," His voice nearly cracked, and it felt like my heart dropped into my stomach, "I thought I was alone."
"You're never alone." I said firmly, looking him in his eyes. I will always be with you. I said mentally, hoping that he would get the message.
I assumed he did when his eyes widened comically. "What the- how did you do that?"
I raised an eyebrow mischievously, "How did I do what?"
"I just heard your voice inside my helm!" Sideswipe exclaimed, his fingers grabbing the sides of his head, "Oh slag, I'm not going insane, am I?"
I couldn't help but chuckle, "No Sides, you're not crazy. I was actually communicating to you mentally."
His eyebrows scrunched together in confusion, "How the hell did you that?"
I grinned, "I'll explain it to you later," I then glanced out of the window beside him, "But right now, you need to spend time with your brother."
Sideswipe glanced back up at the golden twin, who was speaking to Optimus, before looking back at me. He looked positively torn.
"Go, Sides. He misses you too." I said, slightly pushing him.
"I've missed you Charlie," He said, his voice turning serious, "I'm your guardian, I'm supposed to keep you safe and protect you. Promise me you'll never disappear like that again."
I nodded, "I promise."
For the first time, a smile appeared on his holoform's lips before he disappeared into a shimmer of blue sparks. I honestly never got tired of seeing him do that, and I smiled. I rubbed the dashboard affectionately before opening the door and climbing out of the sleek, silver vehicle. I grinned up at him, as he transformed and nearly tackled Sunstreaker to the ground, surprising his golden twin. Sunstreaker protested, but it was drowned out by Sideswipe's merry laughter that filled the courtyard. I wasn't oblivious to the bewildered glances the soldiers around were throwing, but I could care less. That warm, happy feeling swirling in my chest only increased as I watched them goof around.
The feeling of seeing them reunite again was like no other.
"So let me get this straight...you two are friends?" Sideswipe asked, later on in the Autobot hangar.
I was sitting on a large crate that was about as tall as their chassis, but it was close enough. Sunstreaker, was leaning against said crate, while Sideswipe just stared between the two of us. The look on his face right now was absolutely priceless.
I grinned toothily at him, while the golden twin rolled his eyes, "Yep."
I was sure Sideswipe's jaw would've dropped to the ground, his optics widened to the size of saucers. My heart warmed at the sight of his warm, pale blue optics. They seemed to shimmer perfectly in the bright fluorescent lights above, and never ceased to fascinate me.
"Are you slagging me right now?" Sideswipe asked, looking at his golden brother again.
Sunstreaker gave an annoyed sigh, "I tolerate her now, okay? Isn't that what you wanted?"
Tolerate? I asked mentally, raising an eyebrow at him. His dark blue optics slid to me, and I smirked. I was getting better at this mind-speaking thing.
"What are you two doing? Why are you looking at each other like that?" The silver twin questioned, still looking a little freaked out.
I chuckled, "Calm down, Sides. It's nothing."
He looked incredulous as he stared at us for another long period of time, before he spoke slowly, "So...you guys are really getting along now?"
"Yes, Sideswipe." Sunstreaker groaned, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
A big, ecstatic grin curled on the lips of the silver, and he let out an excited whoop. "This is amazing! Finally, we can all do stuff together and hangout without wanting to kill each other!"
"Don't forget about me!" Quickshift declared, and our gazes dropped down below to the red mini-bot next to the crate.
My smile widened, "Of course we wouldn't forget about you, Peanut."
Both of the twins snorted at his nickname.
"What? You two glitches got sumthin' to say?" Quickshift said, glaring up at Sideswipe and Sunstreaker.
Sideswipe chuckled, bending down to look at him better, "You're pretty bold for a small bot."
I could safely say the Autobot's reaction to Quickshift's 'spunk' was completely aghast. I never knew that Optimus could look so dumbfounded and speechless before, since he always seemed to know the right things to say. Not only five minutes of meeting each other, he challenged Ratchet to a fight when the medic tried to scan him, and he wasn't even intimidated by Ironhide's hulking canons.
It was a very interesting reunion, to say the least.
Sideswipe and Quickshift's introduction to each other was definitely more smooth than Sunstreaker's. They actually got along quite well; bonding over pranks, annoying Sunstreaker, and a fierce protection for me.
The mini-bot grinned wickedly, "Tell me sumthin' I don't know."
"I'm going to re-paint myself." Sunstreaker muttered, pushing himself off the crate and walking towards the exit. Once he was gone, and his footsteps didn't echo in the mostly-empty hangar, I turned back to Sideswipe.
"What's wrong with him?" I asked, concern filling my voice.
In Sunstreaker's own way, he was overjoyed to see his brother again. They were practically connected at the hip the whole time we were debriefing in the main hangar with the other Autobots. But after it was all over, he seemed to become more distant and irritable, like the golden twin I knew before the battle.
Sideswipe frowned, "I don't know. He's not responding to me, and he's blocked out his side of the bond."
That was weird.
I sighed, "Do you think he's upset about something that happened during the reunion?"
Sideswipe shrugged helplessly, "He's not responding," He gave a soft, strained chuckle, "But you know Sunny, he's always upset over something. I'm sure he'll get over it."
Hopefully. I thought to myself, crossing my arms and gazing towards the exit.
"So, what do you wanna do first? Race? Prank Ratchet? Ooh, give me new rims?" He asked, his tone brightening as he leveled his gaze with me.
"Um...is sleeping an option?"
"Why would you want to do that?"
"Because, it's three in the morning." I retorted, jumping down from edge ledge of the crate until I was at the bottom with Quickshift. I pat the mini-bot, who leaned into the touch.
The silver twin sighed, "Geez, you really are a schlemiel." Yet he transformed down into his sleek, silver Corvette form, and swung open the driver's door. His holoform stepped out, and we all walked towards the human exit.
I was half-surprised to find my room still there. The covers were rustled from the last time I slept in it, and small things were discarded everywhere, but that was because I was a messy person in general. My mom always did complain about it. Quickshift wasn't in the mood for recharging, so he went off to explore more of the base. I put the new keys Lennox gave me on the counter, and spread my arms wide, free falling on to my bed. I sighed in relief, the comfortable mattress seeming to melt the stress from the past few days out of my muscles.
I grunted when I felt the dip in the bed right next to me, and the coils of the mattress squeaked softly. I glanced up to see the blonde-haired holoform smirking mischievously. I rolled my eyes, before rolling over on my back to look up at the ceiling. He turned to, moving his hands behind his head to relax.
"I don't want to recharge."
"Huh?" I glanced at him, confusion morphing my features.
His eyes were still trained on the ceiling, "I'm afraid...that if I go to recharge, and wake up, you won't be here. Or Sunny. I'm afraid that it might've been an elaborate dream, and I'll still be stuck on that berth, in the med bay feeling miserable."
Another pang of guilt rushed through me. Before I could register the thought, my hand had grabbed his. Whatever daze he was in was interrupted, as his blue eyes snapped down to our hands, before he looked at me.
"This isn't a dream," I said, trying to keep my words even and firm, "I'm really here, and so is Sunstreaker. We're both here for you, you don't have to feel miserable anymore."
His forehead creased, and I could suddenly see all the guilt and pain he's been carrying.
He looked away, as if he was too embarrassed to look at me, "When...when I thought you guys were gone, I accidentally triggered my beserker coding." He sighed, "I don't know, when a guy told me that you went on that trip I just lost it. I almost hurt someone..."
"It's okay, I don't blame you." I said, giving his hand a comforting squeeze.
"But, I could've hu-"
"Sides," I said slowly, "There's nothing to feel ashamed for. You thought your brother was gone. You're entitled to feeling some kind of grief, and what happened was an accident. You were going through a lot, hell, you still are going through some things. Ever since you saved me from those Decepticons, you were there for me. Now, it's my turn to be there for you. So I'm gonna be your shoulder to cry on, and I'm gonna help you deal through this."
He seemed surprised by my sincerity, but slowly, he nodded as he accepted it. A silence filled between us, and then I noticed the small, smile growing on his holoform's lips.
"You know, I've never been so personal with someone outside of Sunny before. It's...strange."
"Charmed." I deadpanned.
"But, in a good way," He clarified, "It's something new. I like it." He moved closer, his pale cerulean eyes trained on me, "I'm glad you're back."
I felt my heart pound heavier in my chest from his nearness, but I played it off with a soft smile, "It's good to be back."
"Driving."
"What?" I asked him.
He gave me another impish smile, "We're gonna go for a drive tomorrow."
Secretly, a chill of excitement raced down my spine at the thought, but I rolled my eyes. "Sure."
His holoform sat up, "I'll be here tomorrow, be ready."
"Uh huh."
He climbed off the bed, "Goodnight Charlie."
I grinned to myself, "Goodnight, Sides."
(Sideswipe's POV)
::Sunny?:: I asked over the bond, trying to reach him again as I made my way to our quarters. I sensed Sunstreaker's darkened mood the moment the meeting was over, but I was hoping Charlie wouldn't catch on to it.
All I sensed was a flare of pure frustration, before he shut off his side. I was really worried.
::Sunny? C'mon, don't do this to me. I just got you back.:: I sighed, sending my love and confusion over the bond.
::I'm fine.:: Was his cryptic reply.
Well, that was a start.
I rolled my optics. ::Liar. You're clearly not fine. What's up with you?::
::Nothing. Stop bugging me.::
::What? You don't love me anymore?::
A sigh. ::Of course I love you, afthole.::
::Then, what's the problem?::
::I...don't want to talk about it.:: And just like that, the bond was closed off again.
I sighed, rubbing the bridge of my olfactory sensor in annoyance. Of course it wouldn't be that easy, Sunny just loved to be a stubborn fragger sometimes. But whatever was going on with him, he can't keep it hidden forever. We were spark-split twins, and it's damn near impossible. Eventually, he'll slip and forget to cover it up. But what bothered me the most was that he was keeping it to himself. Whatever this is was bothering him.
::Sunny...you know we're all each other's got, right? You have no choice but to trust me. Besides, whatever it is you're trying to hide isn't that bad, right?::
He didn't answer. I sighed, typing in the passcode to our quarters. I already knew he wasn't inside, he was probably out for a late drive. He tended to do that a lot when he had a lot of things on his processors. I told myself I wouldn't be too worried over whatever it was. I would just be grateful that he was here with me, and that was good enough right now.
And although the weight of my actions weighed heavy on my spark, I could begin healing. I could finally get out of this dark phase, and live again. I would just have to sneak past Ratchet and Jazz, but that was okay. I crawled into my berth, settling in and getting comfortable. Finally, I could sleep on my own berth again.
::I know.:: I was half-surprised by his sudden response. But I guess that meant he wasn't completely ignoring me.
I smiled, and gently, drifted off into recharge.
Well, I hoped you guys liked the reunion! And that Charlie/Sideswipe fluff in the middle, I know I sure did! Sorry for any mistakes, thanks so much for reading, make sure to review!
