Author's Note: Fourth chapter! I'm so proud of myself! (cries happily) I want to thank y'all for all your reviews! 39, people! I'm so HAPPY!! This chapter has a bit more fluff in it—but a big surprise at the end. Please enjoy!
Oh my goodness! I nearly forgot to thank all of those who answered my previous question--you guys were a MAJOR help! I'm serious! I used a lot of information in this chapter, as a matter of fact, and it's thanks to you guys. You're wonderful!
Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers.
Chapter 4: More Than Meets the Eye
"Children, hmm…?" Megatron asked softly, leaning back in his throne as he rubbed a curled claw around his chin, "This makes for an interesting turn of events…are they both the same age?"
"No sir," Thundercracker replied steadily, still a bit shaken from the whole ordeal, "It appears that Skywarp was younger than Starscream."
The silver behemoth paused briefly, considering, before he muttered, "Strange…Starscream was no older than Skywarp as far as I was concerned…well, nevertheless, this will be a wonderful chance for us to get them back as children. Not only would it allow me to make more formidable soldiers, but less incompetent ones as well…this will be our new mission. We must retrieve the two sparklings as quick as possible. This, and Ratchet."
"Ratchet, sir?" The sapphire Seeker asked.
"Yes, I don't want to make the inappropriate mistake of gathering children without having an expert on them. The doctor should be quite helpful," the leader replied, a smug grin spreading across his face. "I met Starscream once when he was child…he seemed promising for a soldier and as a scientist, and that's why I took him as my second. This time around, I won't make the mistake of letting him have too much information. It's like wiping the slate clean and being given a second chance…"
I just hope I don't get killed in the process, Thundercracker mused to himself, shivering at the thought. Or be changed into one as well…
Already the sapphire Seeker realized that he, too, could be transformed into one of these miniature creatures, having no memories and being at the mercy of the Autobots. It was a sickening idea; of course, if he were to change he really wouldn't know the difference, but he would go halfway across the galaxy before he would suffer such a feat. He didn't want to be turned into a child again, he had relatively good memories and the only reason he turned Decepticon was because of Megatron's logic: the silver one was trying to save Cybertron by returning with energon, and the Autobots were trying to stop them. Fine. He would just have to destroy them to allow his own friends back at home have what they needed.
But if that meant sacrificing himself…argh.
He knew he wasn't going to enjoy this. Period.
--
"You lil' runt!!!" Sunstreaker snarled, scoring down the hall as he attempted to catch a ball of flying violet.
"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEH! OPI!!" the cry echoed through the halls, frightened sapphire optics exchanging from his forefront to see the snarling, enraged, rainbow-stripped Lamborghini behind him. Squeaking, he shot through the distance at top speed, dodging Sunstreaker's darting hand as it attempted to snatch the scruff bar lined across his back. Clicking angrily, Skywarp took a switch back beside the rec room as the golden Autobot behind him shot across the hall, unable to halt himself due to his weight and the slickness of the floor. There was a series of things breaking and collapsing as soon as Sunstreaker slid past him, satisfying Skywarp that he had temporarily lost his momentary guardian, before the little form twittered happily and entered the large space.
Inspecting his environment, the little one searched the expanse for something and, when found, cried, "Swar!"
Two pairs of blue optics lifted at the sound, one less apprehensive than the other. Jumping up and down before shooting across the expanse to his goal, a sitting ivory duck in his sense, the violet one knocked poor Starscream half way across the room from the game he was engrossed in with Jazz. 'Swar' had been his permanent nickname for his brother as he could not pronounce Starscream or even Star. Likewise, he had created a whole other language in special cases for the rest of the Autobot team, often giving them names that connected with the Transformer true names, but unable to speak them. Unfortunate for Starscream, however, Skywarp seemed to keep his entire attention on the other Seeker, wanting to disrupt the other youngling's activities or hassle him or do other ridiculous things just make him annoyed.
"Skywarp!" Jazz groused, prying the two away from each other from a one-sided brawl. Starscream looked a bit stunned as he hung from the silver mech's arm, shaking his head as if to try and clear his thoughts from being jumbled all over the place from the attack. Skywarp, however, clicked profusely as he attempted his reach on the other again, stretching out his arms and moving his hands as if he could get to Starscream closer by just that. "That was mean! What'd ya go and do that for?"
"Is he all right?" Raindance asked as he strode up to them, taking the little ball of menace away from a grateful Jazz.
"I think so," the spy murmured, glancing down and shifting Starscream so that he was facing the older mech, "What'd ya say, Starscream? Live to see another orn?" Balanced and settled again, the miniature Decepticon gave the other a soft smile before nodded gently. "Good," Jazz muttered, casting a funny glance towards the other, "Wouldn't want the hellchild to bust you into bits before you reached your seventh."
Starscream giggled quietly, surprising both mechs, as he grinned and stared up fondly at Jazz. Raindance and the silver glance at one another before exchanging relieved expressions, visibly noticing the ivory one getting more comfortable with everyone when he had been so shy beforehand. It had been a continual process that Optimus had requested from the entire base for both of the little ones, the one non-official mission that, for once, everyone agreed to. Each Autobot would keep the one or the other youngling for the length of a megacycle or so while they attempted to teach them things, play with them, gain their trust. It was a gentle method, allowing them to slip into the cycle of things rather than to be forced.
It had been relatively easy for Skywarp's situation, who found his guardians to be of a temptation to wreak havoc against rather than to get along with, while also making it his own goal to find Starscream before the time was over. And he usually would, even by the caretaker's best attempts at keeping him occupied with other things. For Starscream, he had been extremely shy and self-conscious in the beginning. Often enough he would hide under tables, berths, even on top of shelves until Prime or Bumblebee would come to his aid. To seek a solution for this problem, it was Prowl whom suggested that Optimus would remain with Starscream for a little bit of the time, allowing him to get relaxed with his present guardian, before Prime would leave on so-called 'business' and then return in transition time to the next mech to take the little one into their care.
Miraculously, the plan worked and eventually Starscream was able to remain with the caretaker without assistance—however, he always needed his daily dose of Prime or otherwise sneaked away to his office and waited for him there. Of course, Optimus thus retrieve them both when it was recharge time anyways, as the whole base seemed to become deserted around that hour. Even Starscream would often get ornery around a certain hour, growling at Skywarp when he pushed too far and scowling deeply at his guardians until their leader came to their rescue. Skywarp brought a new meaning to the word 'tired' by his cries, struggles and especially crabby attitude from not going to recharge on time. Ratchet would often take control of the situation until he passed the duty onto Ironhide, who took the child with little interest.
"Guess what time it is!" Jazz then exclaimed, lifting Starscream into the air as staring up at him with a grin on his face, "Bath time! Your first since you came here!"
While the violet Seeker squealed happily at the silver bot's energy, the ivory looked a bit less enthusiastic as he cocked his head to the side, unsure of what the word meant. Luckily, Optimus had left the delightful task to Sunstreaker and Sideswipe, not deeming which little one would be forced to work with who. It was a free-for-all at getting a hold of the passive one. However, before Jazz could explain what the procedure meant, the sounds of shouts and 'thumps' were heard from outside of the rec room, gaining the attention of all four. Curses and shoves were prominent as two figures filled the doorway, one red and the other yellow with rainbow-stripes all over him.
"Is that Sunstreaker?" Raindance asked at no one in particular, staring at the twins with a baffled expression.
Jazz burst out laughing.
"Stop pushing!" Sideswipe growled, elbowing his brother as he attempted to get through in first.
"I just had to deal with a shift with Skywarp because Ironhide was called on emergency! I'm not taking him for his bath!" the other snarled in returned, putting a hand on twin's face.
"Yeah, well, we'll see who gets there first!" the crimson one challenged, finally dipping while sliding his feet beneath the other's, forcing Sunstreaker to trip.
Snickering haughtily, Sideswipe dashed up to Jazz and plucked the ivory one from his hands, swinging him around while giving him a great big hug. Starscream laughed outright while clutching the other's thick neck, nuzzling against the elder. Such a relationship was only presented because, honestly, of Starscream. When the two had officially met, it had been a certain night when Prime was forced to be out on a Decepticon hunt after a powerplant had been infiltrated and stolen of its energon. Unfortunately for the little one, he was dumped into another nightmare and the only aid had been Sideswipe (other than his room was closest apart from Optimus's), since he had been injured in a previous battle. Managing to not only quiet Starscream down but to lull him back to sleep was a special honor by the leader and it brought a special bond to the two.
Starscream now trusted him with something akin to brotherliness.
"Let's get you washed up, shall we?" Sideswipe asked with a grin, though his eyes were on his brother as Sunstreaker walked across the spans, dreading his time with the malicious and short-circuiting demon claimed Skywarp.
"I swear, when I get my hands on you…" he grumbled while taking the child from Raindance, ignoring the other's smirks at his new paintjob. At least it was washable paint, a gift from the blue mech himself for making pictures. What he didn't expect was the canvas on which Skywarp deemed to put it on.
"Oh, cry me a river," his brother scoffed.
"Nice look for ya there, 'Streaker," Jazz chuckled, winking at him.
"Mute it, tin can!"
"Sunstreaker, Sideswipe."
Both twins twitched while they whirled about to face the door, noticing a certain distressing sight: the old CMO croon himself. He stood there, his arms crossed while leaning against the edge of the door, keeping an even gaze on them. Just like he had promised, Ratchet arrived just on time to assist the two with the younglings' first bath times, not wanting to get the situation to get out of hand while Prime was busy. At seeing the good doctor, the pair shrugged up their charges and walked out of the rec room, Ratchet following behind as he closed the door.
"Primus help them," Raindance murmured while returning to his previous activities.
"Nah, it's no fun that way," Jazz smirked while flopping before the holovid and turning it on. "The only thing I hope is that the kids won't get hurt in the process."
--
Sideswipe had a problem.
And it wasn't just one of those little, trivial problems that he could find a solution for and then move on, the no-worries kind. No, this was a HUGE problem. As a matter of fact, this was so big that the big guy had to be called in, moreso Ratchet and Ironhide to fully help the situation. It was more frightening than standing point-blank range from Megatron's fusion cannon, and the fact that it dealt with an innocent youngling was that more all the dire. Aside from this, it was mainly Sideswipe's fault to begin with, and that was something that didn't set too well with him.
"Don't move, Starscream."
But could be dealt with a later date.
The little one whimpered, clinging harder to the beam that rested about twenty feet above their heads, tucking his head within his shoulder to hide the terrible sight of being so far above from his elders. Frame trembling, crying softly out for Optimus, Starscream looked like completely petrified and, due to it being his entire fault, Sideswipe felt like beating himself in the head. Ever since arriving in the washroom, it had been a conscious case that Skywarp would be the one receiving the most attention due to his rather obscene nature. However, he looked absolutely delighted when seeing the water and jumped right in (literally) the pool, allowing Sunstreaker the chance to get soap and toys, etc.
Sideswipe had considered no less for Starscream, despite the fact that he had been ominously staring at the bathtub like it was going to eat him or something, striding over to it and attempted to put him in.
Note the 'attempted'.
The very moment the crimson twin had separated the little one from his chest, Starscream yelped, resulting in a pair of shattered audio receptors, before he leapt from Sideswipe's grasp and onto his shoulder. He stood on the hunched back for a moment, 'paranoid' written across his face as he stared at the water before, with the help of a stout blast from his immature boosters, was bumped up to the overhead rafters. He even shot past them previous to his boosters shorting out and, with the help of the great gift of gravity, went spiraling down towards the floor like a rock. Screaming, he had hit the beam with the side of his body before scampering for a moment and catching the thing around the entire way. Sideswipe had never experienced true fear until this point in time. He hated every astrosecond of it.
Now Sunstreaker and his brother were wandering beneath the rafter, hands outstretched and twitching every moment Starscream so much as made a whimper.
Mirage also accompanied the pair, seeing as that he had idly watched the entire scene from the back of the washroom, tending to cleansing himself, had rushed over the very moment Starscream had cried out. He, in fact, was still a bit bubbly from abandoning his own procedures just at the mere sight—now all three mechs were wandering beneath the form of the miniature Decepticon, ready at any moment for him to come tumbling down. Ratchet, luckily, had bolted out of the door faster than Blurr at the situation and was no doubt on his way to find Prime. Until then, however, it was all up to the trio to keep Starscream from his doom.
"Frag! This is all my fault!" Sideswipe muttered, feeling his spark sink at the vision of seeing the little one broken from the inevitable fall. Washrooms had one thing that the crimson Lamborghini so disdained at this point—steam. It made everything around them slippery, only increasing Starscream's chance to slide off the beam and towards the hard, silver tiles below. "If it wasn't so stupid—"
"Not the time, 'Sides," his brother countered, bolting out when one of the little blue hands slipped. "We need to concentrate on other—oomph—stuff right now!"
"Calm down, Starscream," Mirage cooed softly, ignoring the twin's emotional debates and keeping his keen optics on the youngling above, "Your guardian will be here any moment…"
"I'm so…so scared…!" he cried between two sobs, trembling desperately. "I want Optimus! I want him now!"
"We know, little guy," Sunstreaker replied gently, left hand reaching out especially as if it could reach him despite the twenty-foot stretch that kept them apart.
Starscream cried quietly before reaching out as well, connecting them through an invisible link for a brief moment before the little one nearly lost his grip again and screamed, clenching the rafter that much harder. "Sunstreaker!"
"Hold still, buddy!" Sideswipe called, hands twitching at seeing his charge become so distressed.
"Swar!" a tiny voice suddenly caught all of their attentions, making a certain golden sports car twitch before he noticed his own youngling out and about on the slick floor.
"Skywarp! Get back in the tub!" he growled, not wanting to abandon Starscream, but not wanting to see the son of Unicron himself go on a rampage, and an unwashed one at that. "Come on, you've got to be with me on this one!"
His brother glared at him. "He's five feet tall! He doesn't know what you're even saying!"
"Then you go and get him!" Sunstreaker barked in response, sending daggers back.
"You get him!"
"You get him!"
"Swar!"
Mirage sighed at the sight of seeing the two bicker and hastily walked over to the white-suds Skywarp before swinging him into the larger's arms. He didn't even offer so much as a flicker of resistance—his sole attention was placed twenty feet above him, his beloved Seeker brother in terrible danger and bringing something out in the miniature Decepticon none of the Autobots had seen from him before: concern.
"Swar!" he called again, his voice laced with worry. "Swar! Swar!"
As for Starscream himself, he continued to yell for Optimus, his frame quivering and his optics slammed shut. "I want him! Please, come back! Don't leave me alone!" he sobbed desperately, fear reigning over his body and CPU, "I don't want to be alone anymore…!"
Even for the gruffest and battle-worn of warriors, the twins and Mirage couldn't hide the pain from their faces at hearing Starscream's horrible cries. It was a truly awful sight—just from his statements alone, they could tell that he had done such a routine before, but went unanswered. Had he been abandoned before? Did at some time back in the rich ages of Cybertron, there were moments where such an innocent spark was left in the darkness, no one there to comfort him from his fears, to coax him into recharge, to protect him? Even Sunstreaker felt his spark become tugged at the mere idea; no child deserved that. None. NONE!
"OPTIMUS!" he snarled, turning to face the door with a twisted expression of impatience and rage.
"Optimus!" the ivory one screamed.
As if on cue, the door swung open to reveal a distinct flourish of red, silver and blue, colors that sent instant relief through the room. For Prime, however, he looked appalled at the situation and was under Starscream within an astrosecond, arms outreached as he gasped, "How did this happen?"
"What do you mean? Didn't Ratchet brief you?" Sideswipe asked dumbly, glancing towards his leader.
"I didn't come on behalf of Ratchet! I came by Starscream!" Optimus replied hastily, watching in horror as the little one's strength waned.
Slipping, he flipped over and his legs fell from their grasp, his tiny arms managing to keep a desperate hold of the rafter above. "Oh no! Optimus! Optimus!"
"Starscream!" the elder cried, flinching as he watched Starscream dangle helplessly from above. He continued to scream and keep his feeble grip on the beam, but it was quickly becoming accepted that even if Ratchet was able to get something to aid them, he probably wouldn't make it in time. Prime then had to make a decision—and, despite the increasing feeling of fear envelope his spark, said earnestly, "Starscream, do you trust me?"
"Yes! Yes, I do!" he said as a quick response, fear too prominent in his mainframe to disagree otherwise. "Please help me, Optimus!"
"I will—I'll help you! But you have to trust me," the leader replied, keeping his emotions steady as he said, "I want you to let go of the rafter."
"WHAT?" the twins said simultaneously.
"I can't do it, Optimus! I can't do it!" Starscream sobbed in return, feet kicking in attempt to get back on top of the beam.
Prime ignored the pair while keeping his discreet gaze on the little one, saying this time with more desperation in his voice, "Do you trust me, Starscream? You must let it go!"
"I—I can't do it! Please, Optimus, help me!" came the horrible cry, his limbs burning, his insides feeling like they were being ripped apart.
"I will catch you, Starscream," Prime said in a finalized tone, giving his small friend the sincerest of expression he could muster, "Trust me!"
There was a brief moment of silence, aside from the quiet hiccups Starscream induced before he shut his optics, biting his lip. Trust him. Trust Optimus. He knows. He always does. Trust him. Swallowing his fears temporarily, the mini-Decepticon let his strength become lax and he slipped, feeling the world tumble about him. Screaming, raw terror consuming his entire being for a moment, all he thought for that breem that seemed to last a joor, was that he wouldn't die. Please. He knew things were getting better in his life. Please don't let him die. Then he landed. The contact was aware to him immediately, but it felt far softer than he had expected…
Slowly opening his optics, he took an experimental gaze around him to find himself staring up at his beloved guardian. Optimus watched in return with a steady gaze, bringing the other close from his outstretched hands catching him. There was an instance in time where Starscream simply held himself, looking a bit lost even, before his expression turned full of emotion and energon tears collected in his optics. And then he bawled.
Prime sighed quietly as he brought the little one to his chassis, letting his warmth engulf his fears. Starscream sobbed harshly against his broad chest, hiccupping every so often, but keeping a strong grip on the elder as he held him around the neck. It wrenched at his spark, those tears and sounds, but he kept himself under composure as he cooed and rocked the little one's tiny frame. Rubbing his back with thick fingers, he whispered gentle reassurances to him, all the while pressing his cheek against Starscream's helmet, completely wrapping him in the strength of his body and strength. The situation made his other guardians surround him, Sunstreaker nuzzling him a little with a finger while, in response, Starscream reached out and took his finger with tiny fingers. Sideswipe, however, in a rush of guilt and depression, kept his distance as if he couldn't receive redemption.
Eventually, the Seeker quieted down to watery optics and a slightly quivering frame, continuing to snuggle deeper into Prime's chassis. "You're here," he said softly.
"Yes, I felt your fear, little one," replied Optimus gently, a finger smoothing down the sensitive parts of Starscream's wings.
"I'm glad," he said in response, "I thought it would be like in my nightmare…where you wouldn't show up…"
"I'm always here for you," Prime countered almost immediately, not allowing his small charge to get up any more conclusions. "Now, why did you run away from the water?" At this, Starscream fell silent as his optics, clouded with shame, traveled slowly over to Sideswipe, who refused to pull his own gaze away from the floor. For a moment, Prime simply let the little one say nothing, but he knew that he had to bring it up. After another breem of quiet, he continued, "Come now, tell us. We won't yell at you…how do we know how to get rid of the fear if we don't even know what the fear is?"
Once more, Starscream said nothing before he snuggled up against Optimus again and whispered, "I…I drowned once…they said I spent ten breems under the water without air seals…"
"Primus…no wonder. Well, Starscream, can you lend me your trust again?" Prime murmured, brushing his cheek with a fingertip. The smaller glance up at him, holding the end of his finger with his own tiny hands, curiosity running over his features. There was a small nod. "Okay, I'm going to give you back to Sideswipe, all right?" he asked, already beginning to wander back to the crimson Lamborghini.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, Optimus…I dunno," Sideswipe muttered, loosing much of his self confidence with the little one.
"Don't worry," Prime replied easily, parting reluctantly from Starscream as he handed the little one towards the prankster.
Sideswipe made it visibly aware that he was nervous at trying to give Starscream a bath again. Rubbing his arm somewhat, he gave a pleading glance towards Optimus before he realized that with his doubt, the mini-Decpeticon would forever loose his trust in the water, and inevitably, the red twin as well. With a sigh, he reached out his arm and plucked the smaller from his leader's arms before tucking him in his left arm, saying, "Well, we're going to have to try something else."
"Of course," Prime said, directing the two back towards the tub.
Mirage himself had finished cleaning up Skywarp, who was happy and warm within a fluffy towel, and was even beginning to doze off when Ratchet entered the premises. Prowl was trailing behind him as well, a large ladder supported on his shoulder and he looked just as frantic as the COM himself. Of course, by the sight of Starscream in Sideswipe's arms, they sighed in relief as a human would before the second-to-Optimus placed the ladder down and the pair strode over to the scene.
"It appears that we were a bit late," Prowl murmured as he glanced towards Prime. "Where were you?"
"The hangar bay; I was inspecting the area to see if any of our emergency transports worked," Optimus responded steadily.
"How did you know to come here?" Mirage asked, walking up with a recharging Skywarp draped over his shoulder.
"I…" Prime began, then discovered himself at a loss of words. There was a brief few moments of contemplating before he replied, very quietly, "I…don't know. I simply knew it…I felt his fear and knew he was in trouble…"
There was a suppressing pause throughout the room, all optics trained on Optimus. The leader himself kept his gaze on Starscream, whose own orbs were still watery from his earlier experience. However, now that the subject was brought up, Prime suddenly recognized that he still felt those feelings and so much more coming in waves from the little one: depression, shame, remnants of his fear, but a great deal of reassurance had surfaced after Optimus had held the little one in his arms. There was also comfort in Sideswipe; Starscream still trusted him, even after what had happened, simply because he hadn't left the ivory one's sight when it had all gone on. In the end, even though his strength was lessened and his fear of heights had grown, trust was something he was willing to give out…at a price.
"Let's get him a bath…I think he's tired and ready for a good recharge," Optimus murmured, offering his arm towards the warm pool.
"B-but what're we going to do? I mean," Sideswipe began, placing a reassuring hand on the smaller's back as if to protect him against the offending waters, "I completely screwed up last time and I don't want to do it again!"
Prowl suddenly intervened, placing a palm against the other's back and pushing him forward while saying, "Get in the tub with him."
The crimson twin's jaw dropped, wide optics staring at the second-in-command before sputtering, "W-what?"
"He obviously doesn't like doing things alone, and until he's ready to do so, you'll just have to help him," the other stated simply, as if he could be talking about the weather rather than this. "Now get in the tub."
Being shoved in front of the ivory lip of the tiled pool of water, Sideswipe stared down at it doubtfully, lips pursed as he gave one last, reluctant glance back to Prime. The leader merely nodded his head in encouragement before the twin sighed and turned back to the waters, a pause going straight through him previous to his muttering, "It looks too cold…and I already took a bath today…and what if it doesn't work?"
"PRIMUS! Just get in the slagging tub, 'Sides!" his brother barked, stabbing his finger towards the other.
"All right, all right, fine!"
With a few extra grumbles, Sideswipe stepped over the lip of the bath with Starscream held tight in his arms, the little one twitching somewhat at being so close to his fears. However, he merely clung to the elder and shut his optics tightly, whimpering somewhat. Sideswipe rubbed the joints connecting his wings to his body affectionately, then let out a final sigh before easing himself downwards to the warmth below. Starscream continued to tremble somewhat, wrapping his arms around the elder's thick neck and he attempted to draw himself further up Sideswipe's body.
"N-no!" the twin quickly said, holding the smaller tighter, "You'll be all right, buddy. I'm right here and boss is here, too…just relax…"
Despite the fact that he continued to quiver, Starscream didn't move, allowing Sideswipe to resume. Water finally poured over them, consuming both bodies as the red one settled himself on the white bottom. Starscream kept his optics harshly sealed, but hadn't struggled as bad as other thought he would. Optics slowly opened to see the situation he was in, and in noticing it, glanced up at Sideswipe and gave him a trembling smile. The elder rubbed his head gently, soaking his body a bit as it adjusted to its surroundings. At last, Starscream gnawed on his thumb and became unperturbed, leaning against the larger's chassis, and in seeing his accomplishment, Sideswipe shot a triumphant glance towards his brother.
Sunstreaker snorted. "Now wash 'im."
Oy vey.
--
Optimus reached out for Starscream's favorite blanket and, grabbing it, wrapped the little one in its soft confines. He sighed gently, relaxed and sleepy from his waning strength from the earlier situation, and the experience of the bath had given him. The poor little one…he suffered so much from his childhood that phobias haunted his every step, even if it was something as simple as bathing. Luckily, Sideswipe and he had managed to get comfortable in the waters, Starscream even playing with a human toy that Ratchet had found in the back.
Washing, however, had been an entirely different thing.
It was a tensing time that the two spent together, Starscream often making gestures that looked as if Sideswipe was going to strike him; the red twin would merely had to be extremely slow and gentle, handling the smaller by letting him see everything he did before he actually continued with the procedure. The soap was put on in direct line of sight, and when it came to his wings and back, Sideswipe did a good job of saying what he was going to do before he did it. By the end, Starscream was assured that the twin wasn't going to pull anything fast on him (why he would in the first place was something they had yet to find out) and allowed him to bath him.
"I'm sorry for causing so much trouble…" Starscream murmured, clinging to his sky-blue blanket with shame.
"It's not trouble, Starscream," Optimus replied with a tender voice, "There are things we're all afraid of; you did well in overcoming your paranoia for water today. You were good to Sideswipe when he was bathing you."
"It felt nice after awhile," the smaller said hastily, excited to speak of his courage, "He never hurt me. I think I could do it by myself next time."
"Could you? That's wonderful!" Prime replied lightly, snuggling the other to his chassis, "Well, when the time comes, we'll see what you can do."
Starscream nodded, more sure of himself than most of the time, before he nuzzled the elder's faceplates and, with a content sigh, slipped off into recharge after placing his head on the other's shoulder. Optimus paused a moment before turning about in Starscream's room, gently placing the youngling onto his soft berth while pulling the larger comforter up to his chin. The little one sighed once more, murmuring Prime's name in his sleep before he turned over and got comfortable. The leader stared at him for an instant, feeling his spark turn at the mere sight. Just a child. Just a…sparkling…
"You've got more strength than you'll ever know," he murmured, just once before standing and turning towards the door. He then halted, glancing back once more before he whispered, "But I promise you that you'll never be alone again."
--
"So why are you trying to see if our transports work?" Bumblebee asked, planting his fists on his hips as he watched Prime work. "Are you wanting to go back to Cybertron already?"
"Well, Bumblebee, when we crash landed with the Ark, our emergency systems failed us. I think if we were to succeed in making them work again, we'd have a better chance with escaping with the kids unharmed, if worst came to worst," Optimus replied, glancing at his young cohort before turning back to his task, "I know Megatron to be the type to be absolutely relentless when it comes to getting what he wants…we've already seen that proud and clear. Seeing Starscream and Skywarp like this presents an opportunity for him that I honestly don't want to see come to pass."
The golden Autobot remained silent for a few moments before cocking his head, a grin sweeping across his features before he said, "You really care for them, don't you?"
Prime stopped abruptly, fumbling with the wrench in his grasp before he whirled about, completely embarrassed. "I-I don't know what you're talking about! I'm just looking out for their best interest…"
"I'm just kidding, sir," Bumblebee replied with a laugh, patting his shoulders. "It's okay—both of them have managed to wiggle their way into our sparks whether we like it or not."
Optimus slumped somewhat, twisting the wrench in his hands before he murmured, "I never realized children we capable of so much…they're so small, but they have so much power over all of us."
"They're quite amazing, yes," the scout concurred, "Makes them all that more worth to protect."
'Optimus!' Red Alert suddenly cried over the hangar bay intercom, surprising both of the mechs.
"What is it, Red Alert?" the leader immediately responded, standing upright.
'We have a situation! Ravage and Laserbeak are set loose in our base and they're after the children! Skywarp has Ironhide, but Starscream is all alone!'
--
A/N: Na-ha! I make you go through evil cliffhanger! Mwahahaha! Read and review, please.