Time Scale: Nano-klick: Second ; Klick: Minute ; Groon: Hour ; Joor: Day ; Orn: 13 days ; Steller-Cycle: Year ; Vorn: 83 years.

Chapter 6: Silver Lining

Ratchet shifted, the youngling instinctively curling closer, clingy even.

The medic sighed. He had been up since the sun had risen, yet he was still trapped in this berth with the youngling treating him like a pillow. Generally, given his personality, he would have booted the other out or just left, but he could tell that the youth hadn't had a good recharge in probably an orn and that was troubling. He'd remain until the youth woke on his own-

=Ratchet? Are you awake?= came over the com link.

-Or until he had viable excuse to leave. Please be someone bleeding to death. Please be someone bleeding to death.

=Yes, do you need me?= asked the medic, ready to pry himself away and leave the youth to recharge on his lonesome. He knew he shouldn't sneak off, but he just couldn't stay in one place. He needed to work, frag it! Who else was going to fix anything around here?

=No. No, stay with the youngling, old friend. He needs you. I just wanted you to know that a decision has been made this morning. Kup has accept Bluestreak as a charge. You can still tell he misses Hot Rod though,= stated the Prime over the link.

Prowl would still be better was the medic's private thoughts, but instead he commed, =Good. Do you need me to make sure all his caretaker protocols are up to date? I can be there in a moment.=

The Prime chuckled over the line, his voice amused, =Come now, Ratchet. You work too hard. Enjoy the morning off… sleep in as Sam would say.=

The medic groaned, his helm clanging back down onto the berth. In response, the youngling merely curled closer to him. The medic sighed at the reaction. He knew it was because Bluestreak was seeking out the comfort of a mature spark, one to listen to. He understood the clinginess. It didn't mean he had to like it. A good berth side manner wasn't his strong point anyway. He was called the Hatchet for a reason.

Regardless, he sighed softly through his vents and shifted so that he pulled the youth closer. Bluestreak was a really a good kid. Ratchet knew he might not be all warm and fuzzy, but he did care. Soon, Blue would have his needed upgrades and would be safe from any glitches.

He vowed his medical programing on it.

A while later, recharge programs fulfilled, Bluestreak sat up with a start, falling off the berth with a slight screech of surprise a nano-klick. Someone had touched him.

Ignoring his now sore backside, Bluestreak looked up thinking it was one of the deactivated or maybe the drone, but instead he was met by large blue optics and a frown as the mech looked down at him in turn. The gunner even reset his optics twice until he realized that it was Ratchet looking at him.

"Youngling, are you alright? I didn't mean to scare you. Come on, get up. It's already late. Mid-afternoon actually. The others are all up," stated the medic as he stood up and headed for the door, standing in the doorway as he waited for the youth with the frown.

Well, someone was cranky.

Pulling himself up, plating popping into place as he stretched cabling, Bluestreak stood there a moment, confused. Why was Ratchet in his suite? No other adults ever stayed with him. Unless… unless he had … Oh yeah, he had had a small breakdown last night.

Frag!

Frowning, the first words out of his vocals were, "I'm so sorry, Ratchet. You didn't have to spend the night… it was just... you know… I thought…"

"There is no need to apologize, youngling. In fact, I'm a little upset you didn't tell anyone sooner… I doubt you'll be spending another night alone for a while," added the medic as he gestured towards the door, waving a hand to the exit. "Come on, Kid. We've got a surprise for you."

Bluestreak swallowed. Knowing all too well that a surprise from Ratchet probably meant a virus update, but nonetheless… he liked the attention. It kept the drone away and it made him feel safe.

He hadn't felt safe in a long time.

Swallowing at the prospect of the unknown, he went ahead regardless, Ratchet placing a hand on his shoulder. This could either be something really bad or…

A few moments later, there were voices, echoing, bellowing… and happy. There was joy in that air and for a moment, as Bluestreak stepped into the rec. room, he almost expected some of the deactivated (some of his happiest moments with souls long past) to all be in the same room, sharing drinks, laughs and bad jokes… like a war had never been.

Optics adjusting to the light, he saw many figures: caretakers and friends, all of which turned their attention to him. He liked attention, he truthfully did, but at the same time he almost felt unaccustomed to it like he didn't know how to react.

Bowing his helm, he stated almost sheepishly, "Am I late? Because if I am, I didn't do it on purpose. You see I was sleeping and I didn't remember getting a memo. Otherwise I wouldn't be sleeping and I would be here, not late, since you all are staring at me. That is why I presume you are staring. I don't have something on my paint job, do I, because…"

Optimus, who generally wouldn't interrupted the young gunner, knew that this could go on for groons if he didn't do something right now. So he put up a hand and instantly stalled the youth's tangent. The large mech then put a hand on Blue's back, noting that the youth almost twitched when he touched the space between the door wings. Perhaps Ratchet's report held more weight then he thought.

Moving the servo to the youngling's shoulder, the Prime stated, "Calm yourself, Bluestreak. We wanted you to rest. You are not late. Besides, the guest of honor cannot be late."

The youth blinked, surprised. He was about to speak again when he noticed that Optimus' armor was gleaming and there were golden decorations on his helm, higher chest and hands. It was then that he realized what was going on. A Prime, originally the species' spiritual leader, would only wear gold tinted colors during ceremonies. Of course, along with the Primus' Grand Hall, all those traditions were gone with Cybertron's life blood. So, the gold decor might have seemed bland compared to days long past, but at that moment it was as if Primus himself was standing before him.

"Optimus? What's going on?"

The titan laughed softly, a chuckle, and led the youth to the middle of the room, addressing everyone while his gaze fell on a stiff Kup.

"It has come to my attention that you have not been getting the needs that a youngling requires," stated Optimus, his boisterous voice echoing.

Struggling to put on a smile, the youth stated, "I'm a soldier. I don't-"

"Hush youngling," grumbled Kup as he came up to the youth and patted him on the shoulder. "Listen to what the mech's going to do for you. You are good kid. You deserve a blessing from a Prime."

Nodding, lifting up a large hand, he rubbed his thumb over the Cybertronain text on Blue's helm. Said text was carved into the helm as all mechs and femmes over time. Such text had ones' true name. It was like a list honestly for a mech's true name seemed to change with every bond formed. Since Bluestreak was created by the Allspark, that was the first carving laid upon his helm, and under that creators or caretakers would be place below it as a permanent mark.

None of his previous caretakers had had true bonds so this would be his … first real caretaker. Bluestreak almost broke down into a sob as Optimus rubbed the blank space fondly and then stated, "As the line of Primus, a Prime, here today I will present a etching and you all will bear witness as I bestow this mark on our companion's true name. No longer will he have to worry about a barren spot in his spark where a caretaker would shelter, teach, and protect for today I bestow a Guardian to take up that title. Do you accept the new mark and the bonds and relationships that come with it from caregiver Kup, by a Prime's blessing?"

Bluestreak was almost shaking as every optic stared at him, waiting for his reply. His vocals actually hiccuped, the situation was so surreal. It was like he had been praying to Primus his whole life for something and just when he had given up on it… it was given to him. Part of him was kind of angry that it had taken so long, but the other half just wanted to cry and cry and cry. It was so wonderful. He never knew he'd ever be blessed like this.

Kup just patted his shoulder and whispered, "Give Prime your answer, kid. Nod your head if you have to. I won't be offended if yah say no."

Taking his hand away from his optics, the glass shivering from bright to black as if he was crying, Bluestreak looked up at the softly smiling Kup and then blubbered, "Of course, I-I want you as a-a care-caretaker."

The old mech chuckled softly as he came forward to give the youngling a hug, part of him noticing the strange lump tween the door wings. Bluestreak even went a little stiff before he was released from the embrace. Then, he turned his attention back to Optimus.

Slowly, the youth nodded his head, unable to say the words.

Yes, he wanted a caretaker. Usually, there was more of an introduction for these type of ceremonies, but this wasn't Cybertron anymore.

Optimus just smiled at that and cupped the youngling's chin, directing the head upward so he'd have a good angle to finish this. Prowl quickly came up to Optimus, a small gold band on his one arm. It signified that he was a symbolic attendant such as a temple priest though all of Primus' priests had been gone for a long time. With steady hands, Prowl quickly opened up a decorative tin that looked like it had gold paint in it. Then, dipping a finger in, Optimus smoothly lifted his servo and drew a symbol on the blank helm metal. It was the mark that would be later carved by a medic, aka Ratchet.

In the past the carving was done on the spot, but after a few faintings and helm injuries, a qualified medic was allowed the right to carve the etchings. There was a reason medics were also know as the Hands of Primus.

Pulling away from the now blubbering youngling who no longer knew if he was crying because of sorrow or joy. Kup, meanwhile, took a step forward. Then, right below the symbol for Hot Rod and the many other names above that one for his past charges, Optimus took the same paint and smoothly placed a symbol for Bluestreak. Kup held his chin high and proud.

Optimus merely nodded when he was done. Secretly, the Prime was glad Kup came to him last night with the request to be instated as a guardian. It would be good for both of them, especially since Hot Rod was likely to be coming back. The racer had abandoned his caretaker, and though Kup refused to acknowledge it, Hot Rod was technically a traitor for abandoning the cause. Why he had left the old mech, no one knew, but it honestly didn't matter anymore.

Kup seemed happy for the first time since coming to Earth, especially when the old mech then pulled the blubbering youngling into a tighter hug and promised to everyone and Primus himself, "I shall shelter, teach, and protect this child of Primus from this day forward… even when he thinks himself too old for me."

A chuckle echoed over the crowd and then Prime proudly proclaimed, "I bestow my blessing then on this spiritual bond. May Primus bless you, Kup, with a youngling you never had and Bluestreak, with a parental bond you've never known before."

Then, to start the bond, Kup pulled the youngling into another hug, his spark throwing an EM filed outward as Ratchet hooked up a hard line connection so caretaker and youngling programs could be activated. Bluestreak accepted both gladly his own EM field answering to it. It would take about half a vorn, but one day it would be a full caretaker bond.

The party was wonderful after that. Thankfully, Ratchet got a little drunk so the carving was held off until tomorrow, but Bluestreak couldn't help but think a human word every time Kup slapped him on the shoulder and called him a good kid. Tonight, he had a father. Yes, there'd still be pain and suffering and fear, but now… he wasn't as alone anymore.

…

Blue burrowed his head a little deeper into the crook of Kup's neck and chassis. He could smell the high-grade and cy-gars all over the older mech, but he did not find it the least bit unpleasant. He was just glad that he now had a guardian and that they'd room together, keeping the nightmares at bay and slowly forming a bond.

He smiled at that.

He had lots of unofficial caretakers but never had he ever gotten to form a caretaker bond with any of them. The bond would connect their sparks together like brother bonds or twin bonds. It was a way to always know where each other was. It also pressed off loneliness and fear.

It was safe.

He smiled at this as Kup mumbled something and curled his chin on the top of Blue's helm, making him want to weep again in joy. He had an adoptive parent… or the Cybertronain equivalent of it. Nothing could ruin today, even with Kup half-drunk, the mech now passed out and snoring.

Click. Click.

Except for that.

Bluestreak's optics flew open, his spark now focusing away from the first steps in a developing bond with Kup. Instead, he focused on his symbiot's forming bond. He slowly sat up, his spark just knowing where to look in the dark. Slowly, as the scorpion opened each of his red eyes, the room was set aglow by Scorponok's many optics.

The pest pressed into the bond, feeling Kup's fledgling bond for a moment as if confused. Kup himself twitched on the berth from the intrusion, but didn't wake. Looking away from the green mech, Scorponok gazed at Bluestreak and whirred.

He was hungry, still, and was sorry for scaring him, but he was so hungry.

Bluestreak glared down at the parasite, his wings twitching. It was not going to feed off of him. No, no way in the pit. Yet, the more he stared at those begging optics the more he felt relation to the bug. Scorponok had been an orphan when Blackout had died and Blue had been one up until now as well.

It wasn't fair. He shouldn't have to be burdened like this, but neither could he let it starve either. He had gotten someone to take care of him… maybe he could take care of the Con as well. Just not so… personally. Sighing, the youth looked around his room, wondering what he should do. Then a thought struck him.

Leaning down as if speaking to a small child, trying not to stir Kup who had rolled over, Bluestreak asked wearily, "So … you're hungry?"

Scorponok's part of the bond seemed to jump in excitement and want, his tail wagging. He then quickly chirped and ran around in a circle like a dog ready to fetch a stick.

Bluestreak nodded, taking that as an answer, "I'll take that as a yes. O-okay, um, just follow me."

The drone stopped wagging his tail … what? Why did master want him to follow? He had had a long trip and was hungry. Master's quarters were secure, the new caretaker was overcharged and in recharge, and master wasn't low so he didn't need to refuel just yet. So… why were they heading to the rec. room? Yes, that was where master was telling him to go as he crept down to the floor, opening the door. True, there was no one there anymore, especially at this hour after a party that had high grade … but … certainly not!

He didn't have the systems for raw energon consumption!

Yet, that was where they ended up and the grey mech kindly patted a bench that was attached to a table, telling the drone to come and sit here. Well, it was nice to be treated so kindly, to even get to sit at the table, but the sinking feeling only increased as Blue brought two cubes to the table, a pipe sticking out of one like a straw. The scorpion-bot wilted. He really didn't want to force this, especially since the youngling was in such a warm mood and trying so hard to take care of him now… but it had to be done.

Staying still as the mech petted him on the head, the scorpion-bot allowing the bond to open a little. He received feelings of acceptance and warmth through the bond. Enjoying the attention, Scorponok tried to crawl into his lap while curling a tail around the youth's back. He stalled his tail though from plugging in when Blue's smile capture him completely.

He could wait … this was nice. This was really nice. It almost reminded him of his still moments with Blackout… when the other would pet him and preen his armor, the two basking in each others company. So, for now, he would listen to his Master ramble on about having a caretaker, this Kup, and how happy he was to have someone to take care of him.

Well, he was the first to care though, but he'd put up with Kup if it made master happy.

He liked having the youngling happy, like right now. The bond was so warm. So perfect… he could wait, he just wanted to be petted and cared for. He didn't realize how alone the both of them had been until they finally connected.

He could wait. He'd gone hungry before.

XXX

Paw07: Well Blue, I'd say that's a good day for you… but not really for Scorponok. Just how long can he go hungry for? And Prowl… we all know you wanted the title of guardian. Why didn't you stand up for the title? Eh, where would the fun be in that. We need the angst after all. XD

(Revisions April 2016)