The med bay was Skywarp's residence for a few days. He laid in the berth bored out of his mind as he waited to be discharged. Thundercracker sat by his side at every chance that he could, while Starscream visited upon occasion. Skywarp seemed relatively happy, always having a roof over his helm and plenty of food to eat.
"So, all you need is the final check up and you most likely will be able to leave here today." Thundercracker said.
"Thank Primus!" Skywarp whined. "I feel all couped up in here. I just want to go out and fly!"
"I know," Thundercracker said and dug out a box from his subspace. "I got something for you." He held up the box and lifted off the lid. "I hope you like 'em." He lifted an energon treat and held it to Skywarp's lips. Once they opened, he plopped it inside and watched Skywarp's face light up as he chewed.
"MMmmmm." Skywarp moaned. "Tastes delicious!"
"Glad you like it." Thundercracker smiled. "I made them specially for you."
"You made these?" Skywarp asked. "Wow. That's amazing."
"Yeah. Just a hobby of mine," Thundercracker replied as he grabbed out another candy. "Want another one?"
"Slag yeah!" Skywarp shouted and held his mouth open. An orange candy was paced in the mouth, but before the digit was removed, a tongue shot out to lick at it before the mouth captured said finger. Teasingly, the purple seeker moaned. Thundercracker, who was getting turned on by the lewd gesture, licked his lips and smirked, but was interrupted by the door swishing open.
The medic walked towards the pair, shaking his head in disappointment. Thundercracker immediately pulled his finger from Skywarp's mouth and sat back in the chair. Skywarp tensed up and his optics widened in fear- if he could hide inside the medical berth, he would.
"I thought you would get over your fears of medics, Skywarp." The doctor spoke softly. "Anyways, you'll be happy to know you are cleared to leave." Skywarp gave a big smile. "However, there is a condition."
"A condition...?" Skywarp mumbled as the smile faded from his face.
"Yes. Two actually. The first one is you need to take it easy. The second one, is in five orns you need to come back for another check up."
Skywarp opened his mouth to complain but Thundercracker mentioned for him to be quiet. "So, Doc, can Skywarp go flying?"
The medic laughed. " Do you really think I could clear him to leave and keep a seeker grounded?" He gave a smile. "Of course he can go for a fly. Just take it easy."
"Alright." Thundercracker said as he stood up. He held his hand out for Skywarp, who eagerly accepted and climbed out of the berth. Once on his pedes, Skywarp stretched and wiggled his wings.
"Let's get out of here," Skywarp said and walked towards the balcony. Thundercracker went to follow, but a hand on his shoulder stopped him.
"Do me a favor." The doctor asked. "Just make sure he comes back for that check up. I don't think he will voluntarily do so."
Thundercracker gave his word. He couldn't agree more. Skywarp hated hospitals and medics, most likely due to an irrational fear. Being cooped up in here was twice as bad for his partner for that reason. At least it was over for him, and Thundercracker could take him out for a quick flight before bringing him back to his shared quarters with Starscream.
Thundercracker walked out to the balcony to join Skywarp, who was fanning his wings in the slight breeze. Walking behind him, Thundercracker gently grabbed the black wings and first started to rub them, then began to flex and stretch them. Skywarp sighed and took a deep breath of fresh air.
"Feel's so good to be out of there." He spoke. "It smelled in there."
"Well, it is a hospital," Thundercracker mused. "You feel alright?"
"Perfect!" Skywarp beamed and took a few steps forward. "I'll feel even better in the air!" His boosters activated and he rose a bit in the air.
"Just take it easy." Thundercracker shouted, but was left standing on the balcony as Skywarp transformed roughly and took off. Letting out a huff of air, Thundercracker transformed and flew after the purple and black tetra-jet.
The two flew through the skies of Vos. Thankfully Skywarp took it easy at first. He flew straight and worked out the kinks. Soon, he was looping and barrel rolling and took off at high speed. Thundercracker trailed behind him, shouting to take it easy, which seemed to fall on deaf audials.
At least Skywarp was having fun. Thundercracker flew up beside the other seeker and flew in a pair as they weaved between towers. Thundercracker noticed Skywarp's flying was a bit choppy; the purple seeker swayed a bit and wasn't so smooth with his turns- on several occasions Thundercracker had to move over to avoid a collision.
"Feeling a bit stiff still?" Thundercracker asked.
"Nope. I feel fine." Skywarp said as he turned to circle around. "Say, I want to check something out. Since we're here." Without waiting for a response, Skywarp pointed his nose down and descended towards the ground. He transformed into root mode and landed a bit too harshly on the ground. Thundercracker landed much more gracefully next to him.
Without looking back, Skywarp quickly walked down the street. He paid no attention to Thundercracker following him or anyone else on the streets. The first street they came across, the purple seeker turned left, then two streets later, he turned right. Thundercracker ran a few steps to the other's side.
"Skywarp." The blue seeker called out. "Where are you going?" He reached out to clasp a hand on the other's shoulder, but nothing distracted Skywarp. "Skywarp! Come on. Where are you leading us?"
"Tc, I just want to see something." Skywarp replied. "We are almost there."
"Can't you just tell me?" Thundercracker demanded as he grabbed his companion's hand.
"Something from my past." Skywarp mumbled under his breath as he continued along the street. It led into a little community filled with basic housing units. Skywarp turned sharply to his left and made his way to the third house. Cutting through the yard, he crept up to the next house. Finally, the purple seeker stopped and just stared at the house from a distance. Thundercracker stood next to him.
"Why did you come here?" Thundercracker asked, but Skywarp told him to be quiet.
The pair stood there for a few kliks. Just as Thundercracker was about to speak, the door to the house opened and out came a green seeker. He held his hand out and soon a yellow fem seeker emerged from the door and ran to the green mech. They spoke to each other before embracing and kissed.
"If you really wanted to watch seekers make out Skywarp, we could have stood in front of a mirror." Thundercracker whispered teasingly. No answer. He glanced over to Skywarp. The purple seeker's wings flicked in a jerking manner and his fist was clenching; even the one in Thundercracker's hand was tightening. "Skywarp, what's wrong?"
"It's them." Skywarp growled. His brows furrowed as he sneered. "After all these vorns, I finally see them again."
"Are these your foster carriers?" Thundercracker asked.
"Yes." Skywarp sharply replied. "It's them."
"Do you want to go see them?" Thundercracker asked stupidly, but was unsure why the other was angry.
"Slag no!" Skywarp nearly shouted. "Why? Why would I want to go see them?" Skywarp looked at the blue seeker with anger. "They made my life a living hell, don't you remember?" Thundercracker held up his free hand in his defense. "I guess you forget how not everyone had a perfect life- a perfect childhood like you did.'
"I nev-"
"You don't know what I been through." Skywarp continued on, his focus back to the two seekers drinking energon outside their house. "You don't know what it was like living here with them. All the slagging hell they put me through!"
"What exactly did they do to you?" Thundercracker asked and placed a hand on his wing.
"Besides the verbal assault of telling me I was worthless and how much better their whole family was than me?" Skywarp said. "They beat me. Here, see this?" Skywarp pointed to an ugly scar that ran down his side. "That's where they cut me. Before I left, I used to wish they would just kill me. You know, so I would stop suffering." Skywarp licked his lips, and then smirked. "I'll show them. I'll show them what suffering is." He lifted up his arm and aimed the mounted gun at the oblivious pair of fliers.
"Skywarp! NO!" Thundercracker shouted and yanked the arm away. "You can't do that!"
"Why not?" Skywarp sarcastically questioned as he fought to free his arm.
"You just can't." Thundercracker said as he pulled the angry seeker into a bear hug-more for not allowing him to shoot rather than affection. "Look, it's over, right? You're done with that. Now, you have me, OK? They can't hurt you anymore."
Thundercracker began walking away with Skywarp in tow. Once they got to the street, Thundercracker removed his hold and simply took Skywarp by the hand.
"One day." Skywarp said. "One day they'll pay for their actions. Just like the rest of Cybertron."
Thundercracker let out an angry huff of air, but didn't respond. He walked back into the main streets with Skywarp, who was still in a rather sour mood. Once they reached a clearing, the pair transformed and took off.
The flight home was dreadfully quiet. Skywarp's mood was still bad, but at least not as horrible as before. However, Thundercracker was still confused about the other's hostility. He could understand the resentment, but couldn't comprehend how Skywarp just couldn't let it go. The blue seeker saw something new in the other, something that scared him to the core. Why had Skywarp flown there? He intentionally sought them out and wanted to cause them harm. What was worse, is the fact he wished the same for the other mech's of Cybertron.
"Are you mad?" Skywarp asked in a timid voice as he flew next to the other.
"No." Thundercracker replied.
"Oh." Skywarp responded and kept to the blue jet's side. "I thought you were mad at me..."
"I'm not mad," Thundercracker said rather harshly. "Just confused."
"About what?" Skywarp pestered. When Thundercracker didn't give a response, he asked again. "What are you confused about?"
With a heavy sigh, Thundercracker answered. "Why did you go there?" Skywarp made a confused sound. "To your foster-family? If you hate them so much, why don't you just steer clear of them?"
"You don't understand. I told-"
"What don't I understand Warp?" Thundercracker angrily shouted. "OK, you had a bad childhood, and yes, I may not understand what you actually went through, but I don't understand your maliciousness of flying there purposely, and thinking it's acceptable to just shoot them dead!"
"I hate them." Skywarp added.
"So what? If you would have shot them, you are aware that you would be imprisoned, right?" Thundercracker said. "Right? We aren't in Kaon anymore. You can't just do anything you want." With that, Thundercracker flared his burners and sped up, leaving Skywarp trailing behind him for the rest of the flight home.